Programmable, interactive display receptacle with use monitoring and independent activation, deactivation, and change capabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing novelty and gift cups/mugs lack user control over display activation, deactivation, and change, as well as monitoring of usage conditions such as temperature and orientation, with limited interaction capabilities and susceptibility to damage from temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A programmable, interactive display receptacle with a controller, real-time clock, and sensors that allows users to activate, deactivate, or change visual and audio content based on user input, temperature monitoring, and usage conditions, featuring a flexible display that can be programmed and reprogrammed via hard-wired or wireless means to prevent damage and ensure user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display is continuously activated to provide dynamic content, then user engagement is improved, but energy consumption increases and the display becomes more susceptible to temperature-related damage
Solution Approach 1:
The display operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active display periods and sleep periods. The controller activates the display for predetermined time intervals to show dynamic content, then deactivates it to conserve energy and reduce heat generation, repeating this cycle throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own temperature and energy levels, then self-regulates display activation based on these conditions. When temperature thresholds are approached or energy is low, the system autonomously reduces display activity without user intervention, balancing engagement with safety and efficiency.
2Loss of information
If the display is always active to provide continuous information, then information availability is improved, but the risk of temperature-related damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display alternates between active and dormant states in predetermined time cycles. During active periods, information is displayed; during dormant periods, the display remains off to allow cooling, thus maintaining information availability over time while preventing temperature-related damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor continuously monitors display temperature and provides feedback to the controller. When temperature approaches harmful thresholds, the controller automatically extends sleep periods or reduces display activity, dynamically adjusting operation to prevent damage while maintaining information availability when safe.
3Ease of manufacture
If the receptacle is designed with fixed programming for mass production, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but user customization and interaction capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, fixed programming to dynamic, reconfigurable programming. The microcontroller can be programmed through serial communication interfaces, allowing the software to be modified, updated, or customized after manufacturing, enabling user customization while maintaining simple hardware production.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is designed with universal programming capabilities that can accommodate multiple functions and customizations through software rather than hardware changes. A single hardware platform can serve different users with different programming needs, achieving versatility without complicating the manufacturing process.
4Ease of operation
If the display is made interactive with multiple control options, then user control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single microcontroller handles multiple control functions through software programming rather than requiring separate hardware circuits for each control option. The same processor manages display activation, deactivation, content changes, and interaction responses, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining comprehensive user control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic control features that reduce the need for complex user interactions. The display can automatically activate based on detected conditions (such as presence or temperature), and the system self-manages timing and state transitions, simplifying the user interface while maintaining sophisticated control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle having a programmable, interactive visual display affixed to a surface of the receptacle. The receptacle includes the visual display, a programmable memory, and a controller. The memory stores data corresponding to one or more display images and/or text, and the controller controls the display for displaying the image/text data from the memory. The receptacle may further include an input mechanism for receiving at least one input, and the controller may control the display of images/text data in response to the input. The memory can also store at least one game or other program, and the controller can execute the game or other program from the memory, operate the game or other in response to one or more inputs received via the input mechanism, and control the display based on the requirements of the game or other programs. The display may include an audio component for producing audible sound.