Remote Programmable Sign Units for Timely Hazard Alerts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sign devices lack the ability to display customizable messages, including date and time, and remotely program these messages via mobile devices, which are essential for effectively alerting individuals of potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
A programmable sign device comprising a personal electronic device in wireless communication with an extrinsic network, featuring a plurality of sign units with integrated displays and communication units, allowing remote programming of messages, date, and time through a control program on the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single display is used in prior art sign devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to display customizable messages with date and time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sign device is divided into multiple independent display units, each capable of displaying customized messages. This segmentation allows each display to be independently programmed with different messages, dates, and times, thereby enhancing versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each display unit is designed to perform multiple functions: displaying customized messages, dates, and times. The communication units enable all displays to be remotely programmed through a single mobile device, making the system universally controllable while enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Extent of automation
If remote communication capability is added to prior art sign devices, then programmability is improved, but the ability to remotely program date and time is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Communication units are integrated into each sign unit to serve as intermediaries between the mobile device and the display systems. These communication units enable remote programming of dates, times, and messages through wireless communication, achieving automated control while maintaining ease of operation by allowing all programming to be done remotely via a single mobile device
3Reliability
If multiple displays are used to display unique messages, then hazard notification effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of programming each display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication units enable a single mobile device to remotely program all multiple displays, making the system universally controllable. This eliminates the need to program each display individually, thereby maintaining high reliability through customized hazard notifications while significantly reducing programming complexity through centralized remote control
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable sign device includes a personal electronic device that is in wireless communication with an extrinsic communication network. A plurality of sign units is each strategically positionable at or around a predetermined location to be visible to individuals that are approaching the predetermined location. Each of the plurality of sign units displays a customizable message to visually communicate a notification to the individuals pertaining to the predetermined location. A plurality of communication units is each attached to a respective one of the plurality of sign units. Each of the plurality of communication units is in wireless communication with the extrinsic communication network thereby and each of the plurality of communication units receives information from the personal electronic device to facilitate an authorized user to program the pertinent information about the location into the plurality of sign units.