Patent ID: 8196823

Claim:
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 n H and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric material having an index of refraction n L , 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.