Digital Multimeter Remote Data Transmission via Backlight Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital multimeters lack the capability for remote monitoring of measurement information, limiting users' ability to access and transmit data from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A digital multimeter equipped with a processor, selector, input, and backlit display that modulates data into optical indicators detectable by a sensor, allowing for remote data transmission via a light-sensitive sensor and signal converter, enabling remote monitoring and data stream conversion into common interface signals like RS232 ASCII.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a digital multimeter uses a conventional display without remote communication capability, then the device structure remains simple, but users cannot access measurement data remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the backlight as an intermediary carrier to transmit data remotely. The backlight modulates measurement data by varying its intensity, allowing external sensors to detect and decode the information without requiring direct connection to the multimeter, thus enabling remote access while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The backlight serves multiple functions: it illuminates the display for visibility and simultaneously acts as a data transmission medium for remote communication. This multi-functionality allows the existing component to provide both display illumination and wireless data communication capabilities
2Loss of information
If the multimeter incorporates remote monitoring capability through additional components, then users can access data remotely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multimeter uses its own existing backlight component for data transmission rather than adding a separate communication module. The system serves itself by utilizing the backlight's inherent light emission capability for both display illumination and data communication, avoiding the need for additional dedicated transmission hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the display illumination function and data transmission function into a single component (the backlight). By merging these two functions, the system achieves remote data accessibility without requiring separate communication hardware, thus limiting the increase in device complexity
3Reliability
If the backlight continuously operates to enable remote detection, then data transmission is always available, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the backlight operates periodically by modulating its intensity in sync with the data being transmitted. The backlight turns on and off or varies intensity levels according to the data stream, allowing external sensors to detect the modulated light signals while consuming energy only during transmission periods rather than continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The backlight intensity is dynamically adjusted to encode data information. By varying the backlight intensity levels dynamically according to the measurement data being transmitted, the system achieves reliable data transmission while consuming energy only when and as needed for communication, rather than maintaining constant illumination
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
Enables remote monitoring and data transmission of measurement information from a digital multimeter, allowing users to access and analyze data from a distance without physical presence, enhancing operational efficiency and data accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The processor is configured to modulate a data stream by the backlit display to produce an optical indicator that blinks between a first state and a second state
Implementation Method 2
the sensor is a light sensitive sensor comprising a photovoltaic sensor, an amplifier coupled to an output of the photovoltaic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A digital multimeter can be monitored from a remote location via an on-board light source such as a backlight LED. The digital multimeter has memory, a processor operatively coupled to the memory, a light operatively coupled to the processor and the memory and a light sensitive sensor operatively coupled to the machinery and positioned proximate the light. The processor is configured to produce a first data signal containing information about the machinery, which is then modulated by the light so that the light blinks between an on state and an off state. The sensor is configured to detect the light on state and the light off state and convert the received light into a second data signal representative of the first data signal.