Measurement Signal Device Using Graphic Codes
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement signal devices for physical quantities, such as electrical energy, require significant component outlay and are prone to user reading errors due to the need for processing units and communication interfaces, and visual reading methods are error-susceptible.
Innovation Solution
A measurement signal device that converts physical quantities into digital codes, represented as graphic codes like QR codes, which can be read by a camera, allowing for efficient and error-free data recording, with handling instructions for network transmission and user interface configuration for adaptable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a processing unit and communication interface are used to acquire measured values digitally, then measurement precision and data accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data acquisition function from the measuring device itself and transfers it to an external reading device. The measuring device only generates and displays the machine-readable code containing the measured value, while the reading device (smartphone, tablet, or dedicated reader) performs the digital acquisition and processing. This separation eliminates the need for complex processing units and communication interfaces within the measuring device, reducing its complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a machine-readable copy (graphical code such as QR code or barcode) of the measured value that can be read by external devices. Instead of requiring direct digital communication between the measuring device and external systems, the measured value is encoded into a visual format that can be captured by camera-based readers or scanned by mobile devices, simplifying the measuring device's architecture while enabling accurate digital data transfer.
2Device complexity
If visual reading methods are used to acquire measured values, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to user reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a machine-readable copy (graphical code such as QR code or barcode) of the measured value that can be read by external devices. Instead of requiring direct digital communication between the measuring device and external systems, the measured value is encoded into a visual format that can be captured by camera-based readers or scanned by mobile devices, simplifying the measuring device's architecture while enabling accurate digital data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual visual reading process with an automated optical scanning system. The graphical code displayed on the measuring device is captured by a camera or optical sensor in the reading device, which automatically decodes the measured value without human intervention. This substitution eliminates user reading errors while maintaining the simplicity of the measuring device, as no additional electronic components are required beyond the display capability.
3Productivity
If handling instructions are added to the code for network transmission, then productivity is improved through automated data handling, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the graphical code structure itself. The code simultaneously encodes the measured value, handling instructions (such as transmission commands or processing instructions), and potentially other metadata. This integration allows the code to serve as both the data carrier and the instruction set, enabling automated data handling and network transmission without requiring separate control mechanisms or additional device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a measurement signal device (100) for a physical variable, comprising: a sensor connection (101) for providing the physical variable in order to obtain a measurement value (103); a processor (105) designed to assign handling information (107) for electronically handling the measurement value (103) to the measurement value (103), the processor (105) being further designed to encode the measurement value (103) together with the handling information (107) in a graphically presentable code (109); and a display (111) designed to graphically present the graphically presentable code (109).