Pump Unit Display Encoding Graphic Codes for Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump units face challenges in providing error-free and efficient reading of operating data due to limited display capacity and high production costs associated with communication interfaces, as well as compatibility issues with barcode systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and pump electronics that utilize machine-readable graphic codes or character strings, such as matrix codes or dynamic barcodes, to present and read operating data, allowing for error-reduced information retrieval without the need for complex interfaces, using smartphones or tablets for data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If communication interfaces (wired bus interfaces such as LON, CAN or Ethernet) are used to provide operating data from the pump unit, then the availability and completeness of operating data is improved, but the production cost becomes considerably more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of data transmission from complex communication interfaces and implements it through a simple display unit that can be read by humans or captured by optical devices. This removes the need for expensive wired bus interfaces (LON, CAN, Ethernet) while maintaining data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective display solution that replaces expensive communication infrastructure. The display unit with graphical codes (barcodes, QR codes, data matrices) provides a cheap alternative to established communication interfaces, achieving data transmission without investing in complex networking hardware.
2Ease of operation
If optical displays are used to show information about the pump unit, then the readability and user accessibility is improved, but the amount of information that can be displayed at the same time is limited due to limited display size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear text display to two-dimensional graphical codes (barcodes, QR codes, data matrices). This dimensional change allows significantly more information to be encoded in the same physical display space, overcoming the limitation of display size while maintaining optical readability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoding parameters from plain text characters to compressed graphical code representations. This parameter transformation enables the same display area to convey much larger amounts of information through efficient encoding schemes used in graphical codes.
3Loss of information
If large amounts of information are displayed in plain text on the display, then the completeness of information is improved, but reading errors increase correspondingly when read by humans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a machine-readable copy of the operating data in the form of graphical codes that can be accurately captured by optical devices (cameras, scanners). This copy eliminates human reading errors while preserving the complete information content, as the graphical code can be digitally processed without interpretation errors.
4Loss of information
If conventional barcode stickers are attached to pump units for machine-readable identification, then the unique identification and data access is improved, but the barcodes can be lost or impaired as a result of cleaning measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification function with the operational display by showing graphical codes directly on the pump unit's display. This integration ensures the identification code is always present and protected, eliminating the problem of separate stickers being lost or damaged during cleaning and maintenance activities.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing at least one piece of information from a pump unit (3) on a controllable display (2) of an electronics unit (1) of the pump unit (3). The information is encoded as at least one graphic code (10) and/or as a character string, wherein the graphic code (10) is a matrix code (10) or a flashing bar or line code.