Device information management system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device information management systems for air conditioning apparatuses are inefficient in collectively managing device information, requiring dedicated communication devices and increasing equipment costs, and lack the ability to transmit only necessary information during maintenance, complicating the acquisition and display of device data.

Innovation Solution

A device information management system utilizing visible light communication between a remote control and a terminal apparatus, where the remote control acts as a light emitter and the terminal apparatus as a light receiver, allowing for the transmission and registration of device information without the need for additional communication devices, enabling easy data acquisition and display of test run results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated transmission and reception devices are installed for short-range communication, then communication reliability is improved, but equipment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidequipment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention repurposes the existing display device (LCD screen) to serve dual functions: displaying information to users and transmitting data through visible light communication. By making the display device perform both visual display and communication functions, dedicated transmission devices are eliminated while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device serves itself by using its inherent light-emitting capability to transmit data. The same component that displays information visually also communicates data to terminal apparatuses, eliminating the need for separate dedicated transmission hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional communication devices are installed in existing devices, then communication functionality is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the display device multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original display function and new communication function. This eliminates the need to install additional communication devices in existing air conditioning apparatuses, simplifying both device structure and installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The visible light serves as an intermediary carrier for data transmission. Instead of installing complex communication hardware, the system uses the already-present light output from the display as a medium to encode and transmit device information to terminal apparatuses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If all device information is transmitted, then information completeness is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and transmits only the essential device information needed for maintenance and operation through visible light communication. By selecting and transmitting only necessary information rather than all available data, the system maintains information completeness while reducing processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits a partial set of information that is sufficient for maintenance purposes rather than attempting to transmit complete device data. This partial action approach provides adequate information for operational needs without overwhelming the communication channel or requiring complex processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This solution allows for the efficient collective management of device information, reduces equipment costs, and simplifies the process of acquiring and displaying necessary information during maintenance, improving usability and reducing the complexity of information selection.

Implementation Method 1

the device communicator is a light emitter, the terminal communicator is a light receiver that performs visible light communication with the light emitter of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVisible light communication: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3406984B1Device information management system
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3406984B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3406984B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3406984B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A device information management system is provided that can collectively manage device information without installation of a separate communication device. This system includes: a remote control 30 including a remote control controller 35 that outputs a run control signal for an air conditioning apparatus 1 and obtains device information on devices constituting the air conditioning apparatus 1, and a remote control display 32; and a terminal apparatus 40 including a terminal controller 43, a terminal communicator 45 that communicates with the remote control 30, and a terminal display 41, wherein the terminal apparatus 40 obtains the device information transmitted from the remote control controller 35 through visible light communication, to the terminal communicator 45.