Ring Scanner Supercapacitor Power Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile scanners worn on the body, particularly ring scanners, suffer from muscular fatigue and safety issues due to the weight and size of the wrist-mounted base station, which includes the battery and power cables, leading to ergonomic discomfort and potential entanglement hazards.
Innovation Solution
A mobile scanner system where the base station is positioned on a user's clothing or accessory, such as a belt, and the ring scanner is energized by a local supercapacitor, eliminating the need for a direct power cable and reducing the weight and size of the on-board battery, while allowing for wireless communication with the base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the base station with battery and power cable is mounted on the wrist, then the ring scanner can be powered continuously, but the operator experiences muscular fatigue and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power cable and base station from the wrist-mounted configuration. The ring scanner is equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery that can be recharged by docking with a base station. This separates the scanning function (worn on finger) from the power supply and processing functions (in portable base station), eliminating the need for a power cable connected to the wrist while maintaining continuous power availability through the integrated battery.
2Power
If the base station is mounted on the wrist, then power can be supplied to the ring scanner, but the weight and size cause fatigue and overuse issues
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy base station components (battery, processor, display) are extracted from the wrist-mounted configuration and placed in a separate portable base station. The ring scanner contains only essential scanning components and a small integrated battery, dramatically reducing wrist weight and size while maintaining full power supply capability through wireless or docked charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner system is segmented into two independent components: a lightweight ring scanner worn on the finger for scanning operations, and a separate portable base station containing the heavy battery and processing components. This segmentation allows the scanning function to remain lightweight and mobile while the power supply remains substantial and rechargeable.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a power cable is extended between the base station and ring scanner, then continuous power can be provided, but the cable may be snagged and entangled
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is extracted from the system by equipping the ring scanner with an integrated rechargeable battery. The scanner can operate independently without a physical power cable connection, eliminating the entanglement and snagging hazards entirely while maintaining continuous power supply capability through the integrated battery and periodic recharging from the base station.
4Ease of operation
If the ring scanner is made lightweight and small, then mobility and portability are improved, but power availability and longevity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a lightweight ring scanner with a small integrated battery for mobility, and a separate portable base station with a larger capacity battery for extended power supply. The ring scanner maintains excellent mobility while the base station provides replenishable power, effectively solving the longevity constraint through periodic recharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring scanner contains its own integrated rechargeable battery and can autonomously operate without continuous external power connection. The scanner docks with the base station for recharging, allowing independent operation and maintaining mobility while ensuring extended operational longevity through self-recharging capability.
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 configuration enhances user comfort and safety by reducing fatigue and minimizing the risk of entanglement, while maintaining the convenience and mobility of the ring scanner, with the supercapacitor providing quick and efficient power for extended scanning operations.
Implementation Method 1
A supercapacitor is operable as a power source for energizing the scanning component directly
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device, mobile system, and method for scanning a source of information are described. During scan operations, the scanning device is energized by an on-board supercapacitor power source and is worn upon an extremity of a user. The scanning device is operable for scanning the information source, accessing the information from the source based on the scanning, and generating a signal comprising data related to the accessed information. The generated scan data signal is transmitted for processing to a base station, which is worn remotely from the scanning device, for example on the user's belt.