Appliance Visible Indicator Communication for Intuitive Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional household appliances lack intuitive diagnostic feedback systems, requiring users to match error codes with user manuals, which is not user-friendly and increases the complexity of diagnosing issues without significant cost increases.
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 diagnostics data transmission to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional error code display methods are used, then the appliance structure remains simple, but the diagnostic feedback is not intuitive and requires user manual reference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as an intermediary between the appliance and the user. The appliance transmits error codes and diagnostic data to this external device, which then presents the information in an intuitive format through graphical interfaces, eliminating the need for users to manually reference paper manuals while keeping the appliance itself relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible indicator on the appliance serves multiple functions: it displays operational status during normal operation and transmits diagnostic error codes when issues occur. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated diagnostic display components, maintaining appliance simplicity while improving diagnostic capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If sophisticated digital displays are added to convey diagnostic information, then diagnostic feedback improves, but appliance cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding expensive digital display hardware to the appliance, the patent uses the user's existing external device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as the display medium. The appliance only needs to transmit data through existing communication protocols, avoiding substantial cost increases while providing sophisticated diagnostic feedback through the external device's capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits error codes and diagnostic data from the appliance to an external device, where a graphical copy or representation of the diagnostic information is created and displayed. This approach leverages the external device's existing display capabilities rather than requiring the appliance to have its own sophisticated display hardware.
3Loss of information
If error codes are displayed in the appliance, then diagnostic information is provided, but the codes are not intuitive and require manual matching
Solution Approach 1:
The external device acts as an intermediary that receives raw error codes from the appliance and transforms them into intuitive graphical presentations. The intermediary translates numeric codes into visual representations with contextual information, making diagnostic data immediately understandable without requiring users to manually match codes with manual descriptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the external device not only displays error codes but can also provide guidance on troubleshooting and resolution. This feedback mechanism guides users through diagnostic and repair processes, making the information not only deliverable but also actionable and easy to interpret.
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 intuitive and user-friendly diagnostic feedback without increasing the appliance's cost, enabling users to easily interpret error codes and communicate with external devices for troubleshooting and control, such as recalibration, using a portable device with a camera and application.
Implementation Method 1
The visible indicator is configured for a two-way communication between the household appliance and the external device. The communication signal is transmitted via Visible light communication (VLC) or optical wireless communication (OWC).
Implementation Method 2
an external device is a portable device having a camera configured to interpret the communication signal
Data Source
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.