Optical key system
Abstract
An optical key system comprises a battery-operated optical key and an isolated lock that derives both its operating power and unlock signals from the correct optical key. A light emitting diode or laser diode is included within the optical key and is connected to transmit a bit-serial password. The key user physically enters either the code-to-transmit directly, or an index to a pseudorandom number code, in the key. Such person identification numbers can be retained permanently, or ephemeral. When a send button is pressed, the key transmits a beam of light modulated with the password information. The modulated beam of light is received by a corresponding optical lock with a photovoltaic cell that produces enough power from the beam of light to operate a password-screen digital logic. In one application, an acceptable password allows a two watt power laser diode to pump ignition and timing information over a fiberoptic cable into a sealed engine compartment. The receipt of a good password allows the fuel pump, spark, and starter systems to each operate. Therefore, bypassing the lock mechanism as is now routine with automobile thieves is pointless because the engine is so thoroughly disabled.
- Inventors:
-
- Livermore, CA
- Danville, CA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 872969
- Patent Number(s):
- 6055079
- Assignee:
- Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B60 - VEHICLES IN GENERAL B60R - VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- optical; key; comprises; battery-operated; isolated; lock; derives; operating; power; unlock; signals; correct; light; emitting; diode; laser; included; connected; transmit; bit-serial; password; user; physically; enters; code-to-transmit; directly; index; pseudorandom; code; person; identification; retained; permanently; ephemeral; send; button; pressed; transmits; beam; modulated; information; received; corresponding; photovoltaic; cell; produces; operate; password-screen; digital; logic; application; acceptable; allows; watt; pump; ignition; timing; fiberoptic; cable; sealed; engine; compartment; receipt; fuel; spark; starter; systems; bypassing; mechanism; routine; automobile; thieves; pointless; thoroughly; disabled; emitting diode; operating power; laser diode; optic cable; power laser; photovoltaic cell; light emitting; digital logic; optical key; modulated beam; responding optical; fiberoptic cable; light modulated; timing information; fuel pump; correct optical; /359/307/340/
Citation Formats
Hagans, Karla G, and Clough, Robert E. Optical key system. United States: N. p., 2000.
Web.
Hagans, Karla G, & Clough, Robert E. Optical key system. United States.
Hagans, Karla G, and Clough, Robert E. Sat .
"Optical key system". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/872969.
@article{osti_872969,
title = {Optical key system},
author = {Hagans, Karla G and Clough, Robert E},
abstractNote = {An optical key system comprises a battery-operated optical key and an isolated lock that derives both its operating power and unlock signals from the correct optical key. A light emitting diode or laser diode is included within the optical key and is connected to transmit a bit-serial password. The key user physically enters either the code-to-transmit directly, or an index to a pseudorandom number code, in the key. Such person identification numbers can be retained permanently, or ephemeral. When a send button is pressed, the key transmits a beam of light modulated with the password information. The modulated beam of light is received by a corresponding optical lock with a photovoltaic cell that produces enough power from the beam of light to operate a password-screen digital logic. In one application, an acceptable password allows a two watt power laser diode to pump ignition and timing information over a fiberoptic cable into a sealed engine compartment. The receipt of a good password allows the fuel pump, spark, and starter systems to each operate. Therefore, bypassing the lock mechanism as is now routine with automobile thieves is pointless because the engine is so thoroughly disabled.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2000},
month = {1}
}