Level Meter Web Display and Protocol Adapter for External Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing level meters for flowable substances lack user-friendly visual display of container settings and require specific communication protocols for external device compatibility, making it difficult to grasp settings and communicate with external devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection element, memory, level determination unit, display unit, operation unit, and WEB server to visually display settings and facilitate communication through a communication adapter that relays signals between the level meter and external devices using different communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a level meter displays only current level values numerically, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot visually grasp whether container settings are appropriately configured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the container's physical structure on the display screen, showing a graphical representation of the container with the medium level. This allows users to visually verify container settings without adding complex hardware, as the graphical interface replicates the container geometry and fills it appropriately based on measured levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional numerical level displays to two-dimensional graphical container representations. By displaying the container as a visual graphic with level indicators positioned within it, users can spatially understand the relationship between the medium level and container boundaries, making settings verification intuitive.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the level meter uses a proprietary communication protocol, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates because external devices cannot communicate with the level meter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication adapter as an intermediary device that bridges the level meter and external devices. The adapter translates between the level meter's proprietary protocol and standard communication protocols (RS-232C, RS-485, USB), allowing the level meter to maintain its simple internal protocol while gaining broad external compatibility through the mediating adapter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the communication functionality into distinct modules: the level meter core maintains its simple proprietary protocol, while the communication adapter handles protocol translation and external device connectivity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the level meter remains simple while the adapter provides versatile communication capabilities.
3Loss of information
If container setting information is not visually displayed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information increases because users cannot verify if settings are appropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color coding in the graphical display to convey different states and information about container settings. The display shows the container graphic with color-coded elements indicating medium levels, alert conditions, and setting parameters, allowing users to quickly assess whether settings are appropriate through visual color cues rather than numerical data alone.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a level meter that facilitates communication with an external device. The level meter includes a level determination unit and a WEB server. The level determination unit determines a level of a medium in the container. The level meter includes a WEB server that provides a monitor WEB screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit.