RFID Appliance Interface Using Removable Control Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household electrical appliances often have user interfaces that occupy valuable space and confuse users with numerous controls, making them difficult to navigate, especially for those with little experience.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a household electrical appliance with a compact, RFID-based interaction method using a body with an electronic device and antenna that can be applied to an application surface, allowing for intuitive control through radio frequency communication, eliminating the need for external controls and displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional user interface with control switches and touch screens is integrated into the appliance, then the appliance can be directly controlled, but it occupies considerable space on the outer enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface functions are extracted from the appliance body and placed on separate removable bodies. Each body contains an electronic device with memory and antenna that can be independently held and applied to the appliance, eliminating the need for a permanent control panel on the appliance enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system using radio frequency signals between the removable bodies and the appliance. The appliance contains communication means that interact with the electronic devices on the bodies, allowing control without direct physical interface elements on the appliance surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user interface includes many controls and switches to handle increasing technological content, then the appliance functionality is enhanced, but users are likely to be confused
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions are segmented into multiple specialized bodies, each designed for specific tasks or functions. This allows users to only interact with the relevant body for their current need, rather than facing a single complex interface with all functions. Each body can be independently designed with simplified controls appropriate to its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic selection and combination of different bodies based on user needs. Users can choose which body to use at any given time, and the system adapts to the selected body's capabilities. This dynamic approach replaces static comprehensive interfaces with flexible, context-specific interaction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If control elements are integrated into the appliance enclosure, then the appliance structure is compact, but the user interface is less flexible and adaptable
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface transitions from a static integrated structure to a dynamic removable system. Bodies can be added, removed, or swapped based on user needs, allowing the interface to adapt while the appliance structure remains stable and unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance is designed to work with multiple different body types through a universal communication interface. The same appliance can accommodate various bodies with different functions, making the system multi-functional without requiring multiple appliance variants or complex integrated controls.
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
This solution optimizes space, enhances user-friendliness, and provides flexibility by allowing users to easily interact with appliances using customizable, programmable commands, improving usability and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna (32) operatively connected to each other... radio frequency communication means (21) designed to interact with the antenna (32)
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprises: i) a household electrical appliance (2); ii) means (7) for interacting with the household electrical appliance. The interaction means (7) comprise at least one body (3) in turn comprising an electronic device (30) comprising a memory (31) and an antenna (32) operatively connected to each other, the memory (31) having at least one item of information to be transmitted to the household electrical appliance (2), said item of information being a command, a parameter or an identifier. The household electrical appliance (2) in turn comprises: -radio frequency communication means (21) designed to interact with the antenna (32) of the electronic device (30); -an application surface (22) which the at least one body (3) can be applied to; -an electronic control system (23) for controlling at least one function of the household electrical appliance (2), said electronic control system (23) being operatively connected to the communication means (21). The body (3) comprising the electronic device (30) is releasably connectable to the application surface (22); the communication means (21) can, by placing the body (3) in contact with the application surface (22), interact with the antenna (32) in order to transfer to the control system (23) the at least one item of information present in the memory (31).