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 LCD/LED displays, are labor-intensive, prone to errors, and require additional energy to maintain, 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 for electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paper labels are used for labeling electronic equipment, then the labeling process is simple and the appearance resembles traditional labels, but the process is labor-intensive and prone to errors when devices are updated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabeling process simplicityVSAvoidlabeling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electronic paper displays that replicate the appearance and feel of traditional paper labels while enabling programmable updates. The electronic label copies the visual characteristics of paper labels but adds the capability to be remotely updated without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms static paper labels into dynamic electronic displays that can be programmatically updated. The electronic paper label maintains its paper-like appearance but gains the dynamic capability to change content remotely, eliminating the need for manual relabeling when device configurations change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 and they are not available when the product is powered off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation update capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electronic paper technology that undergoes a phase transition in its display mechanism, using electrophoretic particles that move between charged states to form images. Once an image is formed, it persists without requiring continuous power, unlike LCD or LED displays that need constant energy to maintain visibility. This enables the display to show information even when the device is powered off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic paper display maintains its displayed information autonomously without requiring external power or control systems to refresh the display continuously. The display serves itself by maintaining the electrostatic charges that hold the particles in place, eliminating the need for continuous energy input to preserve the displayed information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual labeling processes are used, then flexibility in label design is maintained, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel design flexibilityVSAvoidlabeling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables labels to be pre-configured and stored in electronic form before physical attachment to devices. The labeling content can be prepared in advance and digitally stored, then automatically transferred to the electronic paper display when needed, eliminating the time-consuming manual labeling process while maintaining design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 enables efficient, error-free, and energy-independent labeling of electronic devices, facilitating mass production, language localization, and providing accurate identification and maintenance instructions without human intervention, even when devices are unpowered or damaged.

Implementation Method 1

a display, screen, or label is provided (utilizing electronic paper that employs e-ink to create images)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentUS11669293B2Apparatus and method for electronic labeling of electronic equipment

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 INTELLIGENT PLATFORMS LLC

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.