Coded Light Communication for Equipment Software Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In assembly plants, determining the software version of equipment can be difficult due to visual similarities among models, leading to incorrect installations and costly field resolutions, especially when equipment is repurposed or refurbished without updated software.

Innovation Solution

A system using a camera to capture coded light emissions from equipment, which are processed to identify software versions, hardware information, and equipment status, eliminating the need for physical labels and reducing installation confusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual inspection of equipment labels is used to determine software version, then installation process is simple, but accuracy is low due to visual similarities among equipment models

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware version identification accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection (mechanical human operation) with an automated optical detection system using a camera to capture and analyze light emissions from equipment. This substitution eliminates human error in identifying equipment models and software versions, significantly improving measurement precision while the automated nature of the system actually reduces overall operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device between the equipment and the inspection process. The camera captures light emissions (visible or invisible spectra) from the equipment and converts them into image data that can be processed to identify software versions. This intermediary enables accurate, non-contact detection without requiring physical access to equipment labels or interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If diagnostic procedures are used to determine software version, then accuracy is high, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware version identification accuracyVSAvoiddiagnosis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the equipment continuously emit coded light signals that encode software version information. This information is prepared in advance and continuously available, eliminating the need for time-consuming diagnostic procedures during installation or inspection. The camera simply needs to capture the pre-encoded information, reducing diagnosis time from minutes to seconds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical diagnostic process (connecting equipment via interface to a computer, running diagnostic software) with an optical capture system. The camera captures light emissions and image processing algorithms extract software version information directly, eliminating the need for physical connections, software installations, and sequential diagnostic steps, thereby dramatically reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If physical labels are used to indicate software version, then equipment identification is straightforward, but space requirements and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment identification easeVSAvoidlabeling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical labels (mechanical attachment of stickers or plates) with optical signaling through light emissions. The equipment itself emits coded light that contains software version information, eliminating the need for separate labeling components. This substitution simplifies manufacturing by removing the labeling process while maintaining ease of identification through the emitted light codes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the equipment's light-emitting components serve a dual function: their primary function (displaying operational status or indication) and a secondary function (encoding and transmitting software version information). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated labeling components, simplifying manufacturing while preserving easy identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Efficiently determines equipment software versions and status without physical inspection, reducing installation errors and improving installation accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a camera operable to capture image data of the coded light emissions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12451963B2Communication using light emission and camera

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

In accordance with example systems and methods, an equipment can be operable to emit, using a light emitting device (e.g., an LED), coded light. The coded light can be captured by a camera in the form of image data. The image data can be processed and to data related to the equipment, such as a hardware information, version of software associated with the equipment, status, settings, and other equipment data.