Optical Security Sensing Using Retroreflected Data Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security systems for detecting door and window openings suffer from battery replacement issues in wireless sensors, susceptibility to electrical noise, and the drawbacks of wired connections, which increase complexity and cost while providing a potential weakness in security.
Innovation Solution
An optical security sensing system utilizing retroreflectors and an optical transceiver that communicates through modulated optical signals, eliminating the need for batteries and wires by using passive devices that reflect optical data signals back to the transceiver for monitoring door and window status, integrated with a wireless network access point for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless battery-powered sensors are used for detecting door and window openings, then the need for wiring is eliminated, but the batteries require periodic replacement which increases maintenance burden
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system eliminates the need for battery replacement by using a self-powered architecture where the sensor is passively powered by harvesting energy from the RF signals it receives from the access point, thus serving itself without external maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery-powered wireless sensor system with an RF-energy-harvesting system that converts electromagnetic energy into electrical energy to power the sensor, eliminating the mechanical battery component
2Reliability
If wired connections are used for sensor communication, then reliability is improved, but the wires provide a point of weakness and increase installation complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wired connections with wireless RF communication for sensor data transmission, eliminating the mechanical wire infrastructure while maintaining communication reliability through protocol-level security and authentication
3Reliability
If conventional sensors are used for detecting door and window openings, then the sensing function is achieved, but the sensors are susceptible to electrical noise from environmental disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical sensors with an optical sensing mechanism that uses light reflection properties to detect door and window openings, making the sensing immune to electrical noise from environmental disturbances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light reflection) between the sensor and the target object, where the optical sensor detects changes in light reflection patterns caused by door/window position changes, isolating the sensing from electrical interference
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a robust, cost-effective, and low-maintenance security system that is resistant to electrical noise and environmental disturbances, offering reliable door and window status monitoring without the vulnerabilities of wired connections.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmitter unit configured to illuminate at least a portion of the secured space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence
Implementation Method 2
one or more retroreflector elements disposed in the secured space and responsive to the optical data signal to retroreflect the optical data signal back to the optical transceiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Optical data transceiver is used to illuminate a secured space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence. One or more retroreflected optical data signals are received at the optical data transceiver from reflector elements disposed in the secured space. The retroreflected optical data signals are authenticated and a security event notification is selectively communicated to an enterprise security management controller if a variation occurs in regard to at least one retroreflected optical beam condition. The variation can involve a disruption of the optical beam and/or a displacement of the optical beam.