Apparatus and method for transmitting payload data between hygiene equipments with radio transmission capabilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hygiene equipment with radio transmission capabilities requires complex setup and dedicated wiring for data access, limiting the ease of communication and efficiency in reporting refill needs across multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

Hygiene equipment with integrated transmitting, receiving, processing, and memory sections that automatically determine communication partners and compile data on consumable levels, enabling self-configuration and multi-hop data relaying without the need for dedicated wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated wiring and complex setup are used for data transmission, then reliability of data communication is improved, but device complexity and ease of installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless radio transmission system. Hygiene equipment uses radio transceivers to communicate refill status and operational data without physical cable connections, eliminating the need for complex wiring infrastructure while maintaining communication reliability through protocol-based data validation and error checking

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-configuration where hygiene equipment automatically discovers available radio networks, registers itself with central management systems, and establishes communication parameters without manual setup. The equipment autonomously manages its own data transmission, eliminating the need for complex installation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If radio transmission is used without dedicated wiring, then ease of installation is improved, but data transmission reliability and anti-interference capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the central management system receives radio transmissions from hygiene equipment, validates the data integrity, and sends acknowledgment signals back. The system monitors transmission quality and can request retransmission if interference is detected, ensuring reliable data communication despite the wireless medium

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs error detection and correction codes in the radio transmission protocol to cushion against potential interference before it affects data integrity. Validation checksums are calculated beforehand and transmitted with the data, allowing the receiving system to detect and correct errors without requiring physical shielding or dedicated cables

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hygiene equipment devices communicate simultaneously, then system versatility and coverage are improved, but radio interference and communication conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidradio interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radio communication into dedicated time slots and frequency channels for different hygiene equipment devices. The central management system coordinates transmission schedules, assigning specific time windows to each device to report status, thereby preventing simultaneous transmissions and reducing radio interference while maintaining comprehensive system coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters based on detected interference levels and network conditions. When multiple devices are present, the protocol automatically modulates transmission power, selects optimal frequencies, and reassigns time slots to minimize conflicts, enabling versatile multi-device operation without excessive interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3552408B1Apparatus and method for transmitting payload data between hygiene equipments with radio transmission capabilities
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB
  • EP3552408B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP3552408B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3552408B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A piece of hygiene equipment comprises a transmitting section configured to transmit an outbound radio signal carrying transmission payload data; a receiving section configured to receive an inbound radio signal carrying reception payload data; a processing section configured to transmit an outbound radio signal carrying specific transmission payload data and/or to receive an inbound radio signal carrying specific reception payload data for determining a communication partner to which outbound radio signals are to be transmitted and from which inbound radio signals are to be received; and a memory section, wherein the processing section is configured to determine said communication partner and to store information on the determined communication partner in said memory section.