Appliance Indicator Communication for Low-Cost Diagnostic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional household appliances lack intuitive diagnostic feedback mechanisms, requiring users to match error codes with manual listings, which is not user-friendly and increases the complexity of diagnosing issues without significant cost increments.

Innovation Solution

A household appliance with a user interface featuring a visible indicator that conveys operational information and error codes through Visible Light Communication (VLC) or Optical Wireless Communication (OWC), allowing two-way communication with an external device for error interpretation and data transmission to the user, using a controller to manage the visible indicator and initiate communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional error code display methods are used, then the appliance can indicate operational issues, but the user experience deteriorates due to non-intuitive error codes requiring manual lookup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of diagnostic feedbackVSAvoidintuitive error information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (smartphone or tablet with camera) that mediates between the appliance's error code display and the user. The external device captures the error code via camera, processes it through an application, and provides intuitive diagnostic information, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple appliance design and improving user understanding of error codes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If sophisticated digital displays are added to convey diagnostic information, then diagnostic feedback quality improves, but appliance cost increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information qualityVSAvoidappliance manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing visible indicator serve multiple functions: it continues to provide primary operational information during normal operation while also conveying diagnostic error codes when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sophisticated digital displays, maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving diagnostic information quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages the user's existing portable device (smartphone or tablet) with camera and processing capabilities to perform the diagnostic interpretation function. Instead of building this capability into the appliance, the system uses the user's self-service device, avoiding additional appliance costs while delivering enhanced diagnostic information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If visible indicators are used for both operational information and error codes, then cost is reduced, but communication clarity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance costVSAvoidcommunication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication function between two distinct components: the visible indicator in the appliance provides clear, simple visual error codes, while the external device's application provides detailed, contextualized diagnostic information. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function, maintaining communication clarity while using cost-effective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides enhanced diagnostic feedback to users without increasing appliance costs, enabling intuitive error code interpretation and facilitating remote diagnostics through a portable device, improving user experience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisible Light Communication (VLC):

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical Wireless Communication (OWC):

Data Source

PatentUS20250021215A1Cost efficient method for communicating from an appliance to an external device

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 ELECTROLUX CONSUMER PROD INC

AI summary

Provided is a household appliance including a user interface with a visible indicator that conveys primary operational information indicative of an operational aspect of the household appliance to a user during normal operation of the household appliance, and a controller. The controller receives a signal indicative of diagnostics data of the household appliance and causes the visible indicator to transmit a communication signal to an external device that interprets the communication signal and communicates the diagnostics data to the user. The visible indicator provides a two-way communication between the household appliance and the external device. A method for diagnosing a household appliance is also provided.