Aircraft Device Pairing via Hand-Held Scanner and Machine-Readable Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for pairing controllers and output devices in aircraft cabins are inefficient and error-prone, requiring exact location information, manual data entry, and transcription, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a hand-held scanner to read machine-readable tags on control units and objects, eliminating the need for exact location information and manual data entry by utilizing unique IDs for pairing, and integrating with a computing device to associate these IDs for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry and transcription methods are used for pairing devices, then detailed location information and unique IDs can be recorded, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual data entry (mechanical human operation) with automated optical scanning using hand-held scanners to read machine-readable tags. This substitution eliminates transcription errors and significantly reduces the time required for device pairing while maintaining accuracy through automated data capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses machine-readable tags (barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags) as copies of device identification information. Instead of manually typing unique IDs and location data, the system creates scannable copies that can be rapidly read and stored, eliminating manual transcription while preserving all necessary pairing information.
2Reliability
If custom wire harnesses are used to connect controllers to output devices, then direct connection is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wire harness connections with wireless communication between controllers and output devices. This substitution maintains reliable communication while eliminating the weight and inflexibility associated with custom wire harnesses, allowing devices to be moved and repositioned freely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network communication system as an intermediary between controllers and output devices. Instead of direct physical connections, devices communicate through a network using unique addresses, providing both reliable communication and the flexibility to reposition devices without physical connection constraints.
3Measurement precision
If detailed location information is manually entered for each device, then precise device positioning is recorded, but the process becomes tedious and involves transcription errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual data entry with automated scanning of machine-readable tags that encode location information. This substitution maintains precise location recording while eliminating the tedium and error-prone nature of manual transcription, as the scanner automatically captures and stores location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates location information directly into machine-readable tags before devices are installed. This preliminary encoding of location data allows for automatic capture during the pairing process, eliminating the need for manual entry while ensuring accurate location recording from the outset.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for electronically pairing a plurality of control units with a plurality of objects in an aircraft is provided. The method includes identifying a selected control unit from the plurality of control units that will control a selected object from the plurality of objects, placing a hand-held scanner in close proximity to a first machine-readable tag on the selected control unit to acquire a first unique ID for only the selected control unit, placing the hand-held scanner in close proximity to a second machine-readable tag on the selected object to acquire a second unique ID for only the selected object, and associating the first unique ID with the second unique ID to pair the selected control unit with the selected object.