Electronic Paper Labels for Power-Off Equipment Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for labeling electronic equipment, such as paper labels and active displays, are labor-intensive, prone to errors, and require additional energy, making them inefficient and user-unfriendly, especially when devices are updated or powered off.
Innovation Solution
The use of electronic paper displays employing e-ink technology that can be programmatically updated, resembling paper labels but requiring no additional power to maintain images, and can function even when the device is powered down, providing dynamic and configurable information through a unique ID mechanism for accurate pairing and language localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If paper labels are used to display configuration information, then the labeling process is simple and cost-effective, but the process is labor-intensive and prone to errors when devices are updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic paper displays that can be programmatically updated to display configuration information, effectively creating a dynamic copy of the information that can be changed without physical label replacement. This eliminates the labor-intensive process of printing and attaching new paper labels while maintaining the visual appearance and cost-effectiveness of static paper labels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active displays such as LCD or LED are used to display information, then the information can be dynamically updated, but additional energy is required to keep the information visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electronic paper display technology that uses phase transition materials (e-ink) to store visual information in a stable state without requiring continuous power. The display transitions between charged and discharged states to represent different visual information, maintaining the displayed content indefinitely once updated, thus achieving dynamic update capability with minimal energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If active displays are used for labeling, then configuration information can be displayed, but the display is not available when the product is powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power dependency from the display function by using electronic paper technology that maintains visual information without requiring continuous electrical power. The display content is updated when powered but then displayed passively without power, separating the updating function (requiring power) from the displaying function (not requiring power), thus ensuring information accessibility even when the product is powered off.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If paper labels are used, then no additional power is required, but the labels cannot be updated programmatically and may fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a programmable version of the static paper label using electronic paper display technology. The display can be updated programmatically through electronic interfaces while maintaining the visual characteristics and power efficiency of paper labels. The electronic paper is securely integrated into the device housing, eliminating the falling out issue while enabling dynamic content updates.
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 simplifies and streamlines equipment labeling, allowing for universal and accurate identification of electronic devices, enabling seamless language localization, and providing maintenance instructions without human intervention, even when devices are unpowered or damaged, while reducing production costs and improving 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.