Optical Indicator Pairing for Electrical Devices in Confined Cabinets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical devices in installations lack efficient automatic identification and pairing methods, especially in confined spaces like cabinets or panels, leading to lengthy and error-prone manual processes due to the absence of local control interfaces and illegible or incorrect device labels.
Innovation Solution
Devices emit identification data through modulated light signals, captured by a user's terminal, enabling automatic device identification and pairing without disrupting normal operation, using a processor-controlled indicator light and optical sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual identification using labels or visual inspection is used, then device identification can be performed, but the process becomes lengthy and error-prone in large installations with multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical label-reading with an automated optical detection system. The terminal device uses a camera to capture and recognize device identifiers automatically, eliminating the need for manual reading and reducing errors in identifying electrical devices during pairing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical devices automatically display their identifiers through indicator lights without requiring external assistance. The devices self-present their identification information visually, allowing the terminal device to autonomously capture and process the identifier, reducing reliance on manual intervention and improving pairing efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If devices are installed in confined spaces like electrical cabinets or panels, then space utilization is improved, but device identification and access become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between the user and devices in confined spaces. The terminal device's camera captures identifier information from distant or hard-to-reach devices, allowing users to identify and pair devices without physically accessing or closely inspecting them in tight electrical cabinets or panels.
3Ease of operation
If local control interfaces like screens or buttons are added to devices, then user interaction is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control interface functionality from the electrical devices themselves and relocates it to an external terminal device. Devices only retain essential functions (indicator lights for identification), while pairing and control operations are performed remotely through the terminal device, reducing device complexity and size while maintaining operational capability.
4Loss of information
If device labels are used for identification, then device identification is possible, but labels may be illegible, outdated, or contain incorrect information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the indicator light display as a dynamic, real-time copy of the device identifier that is always current and accurate. Unlike static labels that may become outdated or illegible, the optical identifier displayed through indicator lights is actively maintained and can be reliably captured by the terminal device's camera, ensuring accurate and up-to-date identification.
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
Facilitates robust and fast device identification and pairing, reducing errors and costs by automating the process, especially in large installations with multiple devices.
Implementation Method 1
capturing the modulation of a light signal emitted by the indicator light
Implementation Method 2
a light signal emitted by an indicator light of the first electrical device
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for pairing a first electrical device (4) with a second electrical device (6), the method comprising: • by the first electrical device (4), emitting an identification message containing identification data, the identification message being emitted by modulation of the light signal of a light indicator (12); • by a mobile communication terminal (14) comprising an optical sensor, capturing a sequence of images of the light indicator of the first electrical device during the modulation of the light signal; • decoding the identification message from the captured image sequence to extract the identification data; • transmitting the identification data to the second electrical device; • by the second electrical device, authorizing the establishment of a wireless communication link between the first electrical device and the second electrical device.