Contactless Door System Using Palm Vein Biometrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current door systems either require physical contact for access control and operation, which is unsanitary and inconvenient, especially in high-hygiene environments, or use biometric methods like iris recognition that are inefficient and uncomfortable, and lack effective contactless access control for specific individuals.

Innovation Solution

A door system equipped with a palm vein scanner embedded in the door leaf that allows contactless access control and automatic door operation, using a programmable computer unit to recognize authorized users and control the door drive via a signal cable or wireless network, minimizing structural changes and installation effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional key-based access control is used, then individual access control is achieved, but physical contact is required which transmits germs and is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegerm transmissionVSAvoidphysical contact requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based access control (keys, fingerprints, iris scans) with a contactless palm vein scanning system. The palm vein scanner uses optical sensors to capture vein patterns through the palm without physical contact, eliminating germ transmission while maintaining secure individual access control. The system compares captured vein patterns against stored templates to authorize door operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary optical scanning system that captures biometric data (palm vein patterns) without direct contact between the user and the door system. The palm vein scanner acts as a mediator that reads biological characteristics through light transmission, allowing authentication while preventing germ transmission that occurs with direct contact methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If iris recognition is used for contactless access control, then germ transmission is prevented, but the process is time-consuming and uncomfortable for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegerm transmissionVSAvoidrecognition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the biometric parameter from iris patterns to palm vein patterns. Palm vein scanning requires no eye contact, allows natural blinking and movement, and completes authentication quickly. The optical sensors capture vein patterns through the translucent palm tissue, providing contactless authentication that is both fast and comfortable compared to iris recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to focus their eyes and hold them still for iris scanning, the patent inverts the approach by using the palm - a body part that can naturally move and blink while being scanned. The system captures vein patterns through the palm tissue without requiring the user to maintain a fixed position or focus attention, making the process faster and more comfortable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If palm vein scanner is embedded in the door leaf, then contactless access control is achieved, but installation effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegerm transmissionVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the door system with integrated multi-functionality, combining the palm vein scanner, control unit, and door drive mechanism into a unified door assembly. This universal design allows the same door structure to provide both access control and automatic operation functions, reducing the need for separate installation components and simplifying manufacturing while achieving contactless operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables non-contact individual access control and automatic door operation, reducing the risk of germ transmission and simplifying installation, while allowing easy recording of entry data without the need for external electronic circuits in the door frame.

Implementation Method 1

a palm vein scanner (4) for recording a vein pattern in a user's hand by scanning the same at a distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through tissue: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2923339B1Door system with noncontact access control and noncontact door operation
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 FR TUREN
  • EP2923339B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2923339B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The door system consists of a door frame (1) and at least one door leaf, (2) as well as a door drive (3) with a control unit. The door leaf (2) is equipped with a hand vein scanner (4) for detecting the hand vein profile when a hand is held a distance in front of the hand vein scanner (4) for the purpose of recognizing the user. A programmable computer unit (5) with a memory element, in which a plurality of user hand vein profiles can be stored, is housed in the interior of the door leaf (2). A hand vein profile is compared to the hand vein profiles stored in the memory element of the computer unit (5) and, depending on a match, the door is opened or not. The computer unit (5) is programmed and supplied with power via a network interface (10) that terminates in the edge (8) of the door leaf or the peripheral area (9) and is the only interface between the door leaf (2) and the door frame (1), other than the signal cable (6) for the control unit for the door drive (3). The computer unit (5) can be programmed by temporarily connecting an external computer (7) to this network interface (10). The network interface (10) is also used for connecting a power supply for the computer device (5).