Bus Transceiver with Optical Interface for Automated Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial automation and other networked systems, physical I/O channels require labor-intensive, error-prone manual assignment and lack clear status and configuration display, making it difficult to identify and manage devices, especially in complex bus systems.
Innovation Solution
A bus transceiver with a wireless optical interface using modulated LEDs for communication, allowing for visible or invisible data transmission to provide clear identification, status, and configuration information, and enabling secure access and configuration through a separate indicator/configurator device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual labeling and assignment of I/O channels is used, then device identification is achieved, but labor intensity and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automatic device identification and configuration. The bus transceiver automatically reads device information from the connected device and configures the I/O channel assignment without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating human error and reducing configuration time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of labeling and assigning I/O channels with an automated optical and electronic system. The bus transceiver uses optical interfaces to read device information and electronically configures the system, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated technological processes
2Loss of information
If detailed status information is displayed for each I/O channel, then system monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bus transceiver integrates multiple functions into a single device: it serves as both the communication interface and the information display unit. The device can display various types of information (status, configuration, device identity) through a unified optical interface, eliminating the need for separate display systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different colors of LEDs to represent different system states and information types. This allows multiple pieces of information to be conveyed through a single display element by varying the color, thereby providing comprehensive status information without increasing physical display complexity
3Loss of information
If optical interface with modulated LEDs is implemented, then communication capability is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic modulation of the LED at frequencies invisible to the human eye for data transmission. By using high-frequency periodic switching rather than continuous illumination, the LED consumes energy only during brief transmission intervals, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining full data communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the LED by modulating it at frequencies beyond human visual perception. This allows the same LED to serve both as a visible status indicator and as an invisible communication channel, maximizing information transmission while minimizing energy consumption through efficient parameter utilization
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
Facilitates easy identification and configuration of I/O channels and bus transceivers, reduces human error, and enhances security by providing clear status and configuration information, while allowing secure access and logging of changes.
Implementation Method 1
an interface to the outside via a wireless optical interface, in particular via at least one LED
Implementation Method 2
The information can be transmitted continuously, on request via the LED (LED1) itself or on request via the bus (DB) through the LED (LED1) into the optical medium (O)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The bus transceiver (B) can be connected to an analog or digital communication bus (DB), to which at least one bus participant (GS) controllable via the communication bus (DB) is connected for receiving measured values and/or signals and/or feeding data into the communication bus (DB) and/or for extracting data from the communication bus (DB) for the purpose of transmitting this data, particularly externally. The bus transceiver (B) is provided with an interface (S) for communication with a device (M), particularly an external one, for communicating the state and/or configuration of at least one element from a group of elements that connects to the communication bus (DB), the controllable bus participant (GS), or other participants of the communication bus (DB), data connections within the communication bus (DB), or...its participants as well as from these to the outside, and includes the bus transceiver (B), and/or for communication of the access authorization to the communication bus (DB) and/or its participants.