Portable Device State Transition for Shared Hands-Free Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices used in working environments, such as healthcare, face challenges in allowing hands-free operation and minimizing infection spread, especially when receiving time-critical information, as existing solutions are costly and inefficient in managing multiple users and shift workers.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a power source chargeable separately, capable of multiple power coupling states, and wireless communication apparatus that connects or disconnects based on state changes, allowing attachment to the user's torso for hands-free operation and incorporating antimicrobial materials to reduce infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each worker is provided with their own portable device (smart phone or pager), then information can be delivered to individual users, but the cost increases significantly for large workforces
Solution Approach 1:
A single portable device is designed to serve multiple workers by switching between different coupling states. The device can be coupled to different power supplies at different locations, allowing one device to be shared across multiple users and shifts while maintaining reliable information delivery to each individual worker.
2Loss of information
If the user picks up and checks the device regularly for instructions, then time-critical information can be reviewed immediately, but the user cannot perform hands-free work tasks and infection spread increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interaction of picking up and checking a handheld device is replaced by a wireless communication system. The portable device wirelessly receives and displays instructions, allowing the user to access time-critical information without physical manipulation of the device, thereby enabling hands-free operation and reducing infection risk.
3Quantity of substance
If the portable device is used in a shared manner across multiple users and shifts, then cost is reduced, but the device must manage multiple coupling states with different power supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device incorporates dynamic state management capability, automatically detecting and adapting to different coupling states with various power supplies. The device transitions between charged and uncharged states seamlessly, managing the complexity of multiple power connections through automated state detection and adaptation, enabling shared use across multiple users and shifts.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a portable device (2) for wirelessly communicating with a remote further device (4). The portable device comprises a power source (6) chargeable by a power supply (8) separate from the portable device. The portable device is configured to have a plurality of coupling states associated with the power supply. The power supply is separate from the device and remote from the further device. The portable device also comprises communication apparatus (10) wirelessly connectable to the further device and configured to enable the portable device to have a wireless connection state associated with the further device. A processor (12) is configured to monitor a change between a first and a second of the said coupling states; and, output data for changing the connection state based upon the change from the first coupling state to the second coupling state.