Electronic Paper Labeling for Unpowered Equipment Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for labeling electronic equipment, such as paper labels and LCD/LED displays, are labor-intensive, prone to errors, and require additional energy, while being unavailable when the device is powered off, leading to user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
The use of electronic paper displays employing e-ink technology that can be updated programmatically, maintaining images without power and remaining visible even when the device is powered down, offering configurable and dynamic labeling for configuration, registration, and status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If paper labels are used for displaying configuration information, then the labeling process is simple, but it is labor-intensive and prone to errors when updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper label attachment and updating with an electronic display system that can be programmatically updated. The electronic display unit receives configuration data electronically and automatically updates the displayed information, eliminating the mechanical process of printing and physically attaching new paper labels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LCD or LED displays are used to display configuration information, then the information can be updated dynamically, but additional energy is required to keep the information visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electronic paper technology that utilizes phase transition properties of e-ink particles. These particles can switch between different states (charged/uncharged) to represent different colors or information states, allowing the display to update information dynamically while consuming power only during state transitions, not during static display maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic paper display updates information periodically or on-demand rather than requiring continuous power input. The display maintains its visual state without power consumption, and only consumes energy when configuration changes require an update, making it highly energy-efficient for static or periodically updated information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If LCD or LED displays are used for labeling, then configuration information can be displayed, but the display is unavailable when the product is powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electronic displays (LCD/LED) that require continuous power with electronic paper technology that maintains its display state passively without power. The e-ink particles remain in their charged or uncharged states indefinitely without energy input, ensuring the display is always available regardless of device power state.
4Ease of manufacture
If paper labels are used for device identification, then the initial labeling is straightforward, but the labels fall out of date if the device is updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static paper labels with a programmable electronic display system that receives configuration data from the device's internal memory or configuration system. When the device is updated or reconfigured, the electronic display automatically receives and displays the new configuration information, ensuring the displayed information remains accurate and current.
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 provides accurate, power-efficient, and always-visible labeling for electronic devices, facilitating mass production, language localization, and simplified maintenance, even when devices are unpowered or damaged, reducing errors and increasing user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
electronic paper that employs e-ink to create images
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device is coupled to electronic paper display. The electronic device may be utilized as part of an industrial control system. The central processing unit programmatically and automatically updates the electronic paper display with information to be displayed.