Optical lock systems and methods
First Claim
1. An optical lock system comprising:
- an electronic control unit comprising a processor for executing machine readable instructions and an electronic memory;
a lock housing comprising a lock chamber;
an optical key comprising a multilayer photonic structure and a mounting aperture, wherein the multilayer photonic structure produces a unique intensity profile and comprises a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material having an index of refraction nH and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric material having an index of refraction nL, and a transparent substrate, wherein a first coating layer is coupled the transparent substrate and the transparent substrate is mounted within the mounting aperture;
a light source optically coupled to the lock chamber and communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, wherein the light source transmits a reference light to the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber;
a photo detector optically coupled to the lock chamber and communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, wherein the photo detector receives an interaction light from the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber and transmits the unique intensity profile of the multilayer photonic structure to the electronic control unit; and
a lock actuator communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit executes the machine readable instructions to;
compare the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and
cause the lock actuator to transition from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the optical lock system may include an electronic control unit, a lock housing including a lock chamber, and an optical key including a multilayer photonic structure. The multilayer photonic structure may produce a unique intensity profile and includes a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric. A light source may transmit a reference light to the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber. A photo detector may receive an interaction light from the multilayer photonic structure and may transmit the unique intensity profile to the electronic control unit which may execute machine readable instructions to: compare the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and cause the lock actuator to transition from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master.
81 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An optical lock system comprising:
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an electronic control unit comprising a processor for executing machine readable instructions and an electronic memory; a lock housing comprising a lock chamber; an optical key comprising a multilayer photonic structure and a mounting aperture, wherein the multilayer photonic structure produces a unique intensity profile and comprises a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material having an index of refraction nH and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric material having an index of refraction nL, and a transparent substrate, wherein a first coating layer is coupled the transparent substrate and the transparent substrate is mounted within the mounting aperture; a light source optically coupled to the lock chamber and communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, wherein the light source transmits a reference light to the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber; a photo detector optically coupled to the lock chamber and communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, wherein the photo detector receives an interaction light from the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber and transmits the unique intensity profile of the multilayer photonic structure to the electronic control unit; and a lock actuator communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit executes the machine readable instructions to; compare the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and cause the lock actuator to transition from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An optical lock system comprising:
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a multilayer photonic structure comprising a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material having an index of refraction nH and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric material having an index of refraction nL; a light path comprising a reference light and an interaction light, wherein a light source transmits the reference light to the multilayer photonic structure, the reference light interacts with the multilayer photonic structure to produce the interaction light, and the interaction light is received by a photo detector; an electronic control unit comprising a processor for executing machine readable instructions and an electronic memory, wherein the electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to the light source and the photo detector, such that the electronic control unit executes the machine readable instructions to; receive an intensity profile indicative of the interaction light from the photo detector; quantize a magnitude of the intensity profile at a wavelength; and compare a quantized magnitude to an electronic master stored in the electronic memory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating an optical lock comprising:
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transmitting a reference light to a multilayer photonic structure tuned to produce a unique intensity profile, wherein the unique intensity profile is a reflectance profile, a transmittance profile, or a combination thereof; detecting the unique intensity profile; quantizing a magnitude of the unique intensity profile at a wavelength; comparing the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and activating a lock actuator to transition the optical lock from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification