Transparent Handset Rest as Light Guide for Industrial Telephone Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial telephones with closed housings require complex and costly additional measures for optical signal display, as existing solutions are unsuitable for stationary systems and often rely on external lamps or speakers, which are not practical for industrial environments.

Innovation Solution

The telephone device incorporates a fork-shaped handset rest made of transparent plastic as a light-guiding/scattering unit, optically coupled with a light source, allowing the handset rest to function as an optical display without making the entire housing transparent, thus enabling a cost-effective visual signal display within the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If external lamps or speakers are used for optical signal display in industrial telephones with closed housings, then the visual signaling function is achieved, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual signaling capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the signal display function with the existing handset rest structure. The handset rest is made transparent and integrated with a light guide, combining the support function and visual signaling function into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate external lamps and speakers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective visual signaling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handset rest is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the telephone receiver and simultaneously acts as an optical signal display device. By making the handset rest transparent and integrating it with the light guide, the same component performs both mechanical and optical functions, reducing the overall number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If external lamps or speakers are used for optical signal display, then the visual signaling function is achieved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual signaling capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the signal display function with the existing handset rest structure. The handset rest is made transparent and integrated with a light guide, combining the support function and visual signaling function into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate external lamps and speakers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective visual signaling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handset rest is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the telephone receiver and simultaneously acts as an optical signal display device. By making the handset rest transparent and integrating it with the light guide, the same component performs both mechanical and optical functions, reducing the overall number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If the entire housing is made transparent to achieve visual display, then the optical signaling is possible, but the structural integrity and protection against environmental conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical display capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by making only the handset rest transparent rather than the entire housing. The light guide is integrated specifically into the handset rest area, allowing optical signaling to be achieved in the localized region where it is needed, while the rest of the housing maintains its opaque, protective structure for structural integrity and environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making only the specific area where visual signaling is needed (the handset rest) transparent, while the rest of the housing remains opaque and protective. The light guide is integrated into the handset rest, creating a localized transparent region with optical properties, while maintaining the overall structural integrity and protective qualities of the housing material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a robust, cost-effective visual display for industrial telephones, allowing incoming calls to be signaled optically without the need for external lighting or speakers, enhancing visibility and reducing production costs while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the light source is optically coupled with the interposition of a light guide used in the housing with the handset rest

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

handset rest designed as a separate component made of transparent plastic and with the Housing is connected, and that the light source is optically coupled with the interposition of a light guide/scattering unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2326067B1Illuminated handset support for a telephone
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 FHF FUNKE HUSTER FERNSIG
  • EP2326067B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2326067B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a telephone device, in particular an industrial telephone. The telephone device, in its basic structure, comprises at least one handset (1), a housing (2), and an optical display unit (5). According to the invention, the optical display unit is a handset rest (5) within the housing (2), which is designed as a light guide/diffuser unit. Light (12) emitted by a light source (6) is coupled into the light guide/diffuser unit or handset rest (5).