Image-Based Device State Display for Low-Power Indicator Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing devices consume excessive power due to continuous turning-on or blinking of indicators in external devices, particularly battery-driven devices, which is inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device that communicates with external devices to receive notification commands for indicator states and displays this information superimposed on captured images, while simultaneously sending control commands to turn off the indicators after a predetermined time or under certain conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the indicator is turned on or made to blink to notify of state change, then the notification function is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the indicator notification function by displaying notification information on a smartphone screen instead of using the physical LED indicator. The display control unit receives notification information from the external device and presents it as visual information on the smartphone display, effectively copying the notification function to a different medium that does not consume the external device's battery power.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone acts as an intermediary device between the external device and the user. Instead of the external device directly notifying the user through power-consuming LED indicators, the notification information is transmitted through the smartphone as an intermediate medium, which then presents the information to the user without requiring continuous power consumption from the external device.
2Loss of information
If the indicator is continuously turned on for monitoring, then the visibility of device state is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the device state information display function from the physical indicator to the smartphone screen. The display control unit receives state information from the external device and presents it visually on the smartphone, creating a virtual representation that does not require continuous power consumption from the external device's battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the notification and state display function from the physical dimension (LED indicators on the external device) to a digital dimension (screen display on the smartphone). This dimensional shift allows the same information function to be achieved without the physical constraints of battery-powered LED operation.
3Reliability
If the indicator blinks to indicate activity, then the notification of state change is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the blinking notification function to the smartphone display, where notification information can be presented without consuming the external device's battery. The display control unit receives notification information and presents it on the smartphone screen, effectively replicating the alert function without the energy cost of LED blinking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of power consumption into a benefit by using the smartphone's power supply to handle notification functions. The external device's battery is protected from the energy drain that would otherwise be caused by continuous indicator operation, while the smartphone's larger power capacity handles the notification burden.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device includes a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device and a display control unit configured to display a state of the external device with a captured image. When a notification command indicating that an indicator of the external device is turned on or blinking is received from the external device via the communication unit, the display control unit displays information on the state of the external device based on the notification command with the image and transmits a control command for turning off the indicator to the external device via the communication unit.