Appliance Display Barcode for Diagnostic Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional appliances lack the capability to effectively communicate diagnostic information with other devices, making it complex and costly to access and maintain them.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses an optical machine-readable representation, encoded by an appliance's controller, to present information on a display for capture by a computing device, allowing for communication of diagnostic information through near-field communication or image capture, enabling easier access to data such as diagnostic, user guide, or commercial information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional appliances are used without network interface devices, then device complexity and installation cost are reduced, but the capability to communicate diagnostic information with other devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing device (such as a smartphone or tablet) that acts as a mediator between the appliance and the external world. This intermediary captures images of the display using its camera, processes the visual information locally, and communicates with servers or databases wirelessly. This approach avoids the need for complex network interface hardware in the appliance itself while still enabling diagnostic information communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic communication mechanisms (network interface cards, wireless transceivers, protocols) with an optical-mechanical system. Instead of using electrical signals and network protocols to transmit data, the system uses visual display and optical image capture. The computing device's camera captures the visual representation of diagnostic information, converting optical signals into digital data for processing and communication.
2Ease of operation
If network interface devices and microcontrollers are added to appliances, then diagnostic information can be accessed remotely, but installation and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the appliance to generate and display its own diagnostic information autonomously using its existing display and controller. The system does not require external communication hardware or complex software stacks. Instead, the appliance serves itself by presenting diagnostic data visually on its display, allowing users to capture and access this information using their own computing devices. This self-service approach eliminates the need for expensive network infrastructure while maintaining information accessibility.
3Loss of information
If complex network systems are implemented in appliances, then remote diagnostic information access is enabled, but system reliability and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information access system into distinct functional components: the appliance generates and displays diagnostic information locally, the computing device captures and transmits the information, and external servers process and store the data. This segmentation isolates the appliance from direct network connections, eliminating security vulnerabilities associated with network interfaces while maintaining the ability to access and communicate diagnostic information remotely through the intermediary computing device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of communicating information associated with an appliance is provided. An appliance can present an optical machine-readable representation, such as a linear or matrix barcode, on a display of the appliance. The optical machine-readable representation can encode information associated with an event occurrence for the appliance. A client, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc., can capture information indicative of the optical machine-readable representation. The client computing device can then access information, such as diagnostic information, responsive to the optical machine-readable representation.