Remote Optical Coupler for Machine Washable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for remote controlled lighted displays on surfaces, such as fabrics or garments, are prone to failure due to exposure to water, impact, and require electronic components that are not machine washable and consume excessive power, limiting their effectiveness and durability.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an optical coupler with a receiver, processor, and light emitting diodes connected via fiber optic fibers, controlled remotely by a smartphone, which eliminates the need for electronic components on the surface, allowing for machine washable and durable displays that conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic components are mounted in the item to control lighted displays, then remote control functionality is achieved, but the device becomes susceptible to failure from water contact, breaking, and shorting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all electronic components (receiver, processor, light emitting diodes, fiber optic fibers) from the item itself and relocates them to a separate remote controller. This extraction eliminates the vulnerability of embedded electronics to water, impact, and shorting, while preserving remote control functionality through wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication (RF or optical) as an intermediary between the remote controller and the item. This intermediary eliminates the need for physical electronic connections within the item, thereby removing failure points associated with wired electronics while maintaining control capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If electronic components are installed in the item to produce lighted displays, then display functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases and battery replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-consuming electronic components from the item and places them in a separate remote controller. The item itself becomes a passive display medium without active electronics, dramatically reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for battery replacement in the item.
Solution Approach 2:
The item serves itself as a passive display surface that reflects or transmits light without requiring its own power source. The active components that consume power are located in the remote controller, allowing the item to function without self-powered electronics.
3Ease of manufacture
If electronic components are mounted on the surface to create lighted displays, then visual effects are achieved, but the item becomes non-machine washable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all electronic components from the item surface and relocates them to a remote controller. This leaves the item surface completely free of electronics, making it fully machine washable while preserving the ability to display lighted visuals through the external controller.
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
Enables remote control of lighted displays on surfaces without electronic components, enhancing durability and reducing power consumption, allowing for machine washable and long-lasting displays that can operate for extended periods without battery replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver receives data from an input device
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light emitting diodes produce light for transmission through a connector to a bundle of fiber optic fibers
Implementation Method 3
the bundle of fiber optic fibers produce the predetermined graphic patterns
Data Source
AI summary
An input device, an optical coupler having a receiver, a processor, and one or more light emitting diodes, a light conductive material such as a bundle of optical fibers, and a connector connecting the optical coupler to the light conductive material such as a bundle of fiber optic fibers is provided. The receiver receives data from the input device that relates to lighting effects having predetermined routine or graphic patterns. The processor converts the data into instructions for the light emitting diodes to form the predetermined graphic patterns, color routines and intensities. The light emitting diodes produce light for transmission through the connector to the light conductive material such as a bundle of fiber optic fibers so that the bundle of fiber optic fibers can produce the predetermined light patterns, routines, intensities or graphic patterns.