Eye Examination Device Interoperability Through Interchangeable Hardware Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye examination systems face interoperability issues due to diverse connectors and communication protocols, necessitating exclusive equipment from a single manufacturer and hindering the use of competitive products and diagnostic tools.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a control box and hardware keys that convert between different communication protocols, allowing seamless integration of various eye examination apparatuses without requiring changes to the control box when replacing apparatuses with different connectors or protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an interconnection box is used to enable communication between different apparatuses, then interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple connector types and protocol management cards
Solution Approach 1:
The control box is designed with universal hardware ports that can accommodate different connector types through interchangeable hardware keys. Each hardware key is designed to work with specific apparatus models, allowing the same control box to interface with multiple types of eye examination apparatuses without requiring changes to the control box itself, thus achieving universality and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Hardware keys serve as intermediary components between the control box and various eye examination apparatuses. Each hardware key contains the necessary protocol management functionality and connector interface for a specific apparatus type, acting as a mediator that translates between the standardized control box interface and the diverse apparatus interfaces, thereby enabling interoperability without increasing control box complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers use proprietary connectors and communication protocols, then product differentiation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as equipment must be exclusively from one manufacturer
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is segmented into two independent parts: the standardized control box interface and the apparatus-specific hardware key. This segmentation allows manufacturers to maintain their proprietary connectors and protocols in the hardware key while the control box remains standardized, enabling compatibility with multiple manufacturers without compromising manufacturing flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the control box to be customized for each manufacturer's apparatus, the system uses interchangeable hardware keys that replicate the necessary interface characteristics for different manufacturers. The hardware keys are designed to match the connector and protocol requirements of specific apparatus models, allowing the same control box to work with apparatuses from different manufacturers without requiring changes to the control box or manufacturing processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interconnection box is changed when an apparatus is replaced with different connectors or protocol, then compatibility is maintained, but loss of time increases due to equipment replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic interchangeability at the hardware key level, allowing rapid replacement of hardware keys to match different apparatus models. This dynamic configuration enables compatibility with various apparatuses without requiring physical changes to the control box, significantly reducing the time lost when replacing apparatuses with different connectors or protocols
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling at least one vision screening device configured to communicate according to a first communication protocol, includes: a control module configured to communicate according to a second communication protocol; for each device, a hardware key configured to be connected to the device and to the control module, and to ensure communication between the device and the control module through conversion of the first communication protocol and of the second communication protocol; the control module being configured to control each device, to receive data from each device via the corresponding hardware key and to process the received data.