Smart Swatch Apparatus with Integrated Transmitter for Material Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designers face challenges in effectively presenting and identifying material swatches for design purposes, as existing methods rely on physical samples or images, lacking a comprehensive and efficient way to display and transmit information about materials.
Innovation Solution
A swatch presentation device with a display opening, securing system, and integrated transmitter for wireless data transmission, allowing for the secure display and identification of materials, and a computing device to receive and display this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If physical material samples are provided in a showroom, then designers can analyze and evaluate the actual materials, but the space required to display and store these samples becomes large and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-resolution images and digital representations of physical materials to create virtual copies that can be displayed on screens. These digital copies contain sufficient visual information for designers to evaluate materials without needing to physically handle every sample, dramatically reducing the showroom space required while maintaining material information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional physical material samples occupying physical space to two-dimensional digital images displayed on screens. This dimensional transformation allows unlimited material variety to be displayed in a compact space, resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and space efficiency.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive material information is provided for each swatch, then designers can make better informed decisions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal QR code system that can encode multiple types of material information (images, specifications, manufacturer details, pricing) within a single standardized format. This multi-functional approach allows comprehensive information delivery without increasing device complexity, as the same QR code infrastructure handles diverse information types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces QR codes as an intermediary between the physical swatch and the comprehensive digital information repository. The QR code acts as a compact mediator that links the simple physical tag to extensive material data stored externally, eliminating the need to embed complex information storage systems within each presentation device.
3Productivity
If wireless transmission capability is integrated into each presentation device, then information can be transmitted quickly and conveniently, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses QR codes as a simplified copy or representation of the material information, which can be scanned and transmitted without requiring complex wireless transmission hardware in each presentation device. The QR code itself serves as the transmission medium, eliminating the need for integrated wireless modules while maintaining fast information delivery capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A swatch presentation system is disclosed. The swatch presentation system may include a plurality of layers with an opening in a first layer. The first opening of the first layer allows for the viewing of a swatch. The swatch presentation system may include a second layer, where a first surface of the second layer engages at least a portion of a first surface of the swatch. The first surface of the second layer and the opening of the first layer may form a cavity where the swatch is displayed. The second layer may be a frame. The swatch presentation system may also include a third layer, where a first surface of the third layer engages a second surface of the second layer. A second surface of the third layer may include an opening that may store a transmitter. The transmitter may transmit data identifying the swatch presentation system.