Transparent Substrate Damage Detection via Optical Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor digital signage faces challenges in detecting and reporting damage to its housing, particularly the transparent substrate, due to its exposure to harsh environments, making rapid maintenance difficult and remote monitoring impractical.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus equipped with a transmitter and receiver system on the transparent substrate, using light signals to detect damage, combined with a control unit that determines substrate integrity and communicates damage notifications to managers through a network, along with a camera for capturing and storing images for remote monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital signage is installed outdoors for advertising, then it can display information in public spaces, but it becomes vulnerable to environmental damage and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutdoor installation capabilityVSAvoidhousing damage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent installs transmitters and receivers on the housing to perform preliminary damage detection before actual damage occurs or immediately upon damage. The system continuously monitors the housing state and can detect cracks or damage in the transparent substrate through light transmission changes, enabling early warning and rapid response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the transparent substrate is damaged, then maintenance is required, but outdoor installation makes rapid repair difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate integrityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where receivers detect light transmission changes through the transparent substrate and send signals to a control unit. When damage is detected, the system generates an alarm signal that can be remotely monitored, providing continuous feedback on substrate condition without requiring physical inspection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If damage detection is implemented manually, then it can identify housing damage, but it requires physical inspection and is not suitable for remote monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an optical detection system. Transmitters emit light through the transparent substrate and receivers detect changes in light transmission. This optical system automatically detects damage without requiring physical contact or manual inspection, enabling remote monitoring through electronic signal transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If transmitters and receivers are installed on the transparent substrate, then damage can be detected through light transmission, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detection easeVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the transmitter and receiver system into the existing digital signage housing structure. The same transparent substrate that serves as the display surface also functions as the detection medium. The control unit can simultaneously manage display operations and damage detection, making the system multi-functional without proportionally increasing complexity

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

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 immediate and remote detection of housing damage, facilitating rapid maintenance and ensuring continuous operation of outdoor digital signage by alerting managers promptly and providing visual evidence for assessment.

Implementation Method 1

The signal of the light passes through the transparent substrate in the first direction and is received by the receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

the first reflective film reflects at least light in the same wavelength band as the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the polarization filter selectively transmitting only a component of light which vibrates in a thickness direction of the front substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP3910616B1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3910616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3910616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3910616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a display apparatus (100) including: a display module; a housing (130) accommodating the display module; a transparent substrate (131) disposed on a front surface of the display module and installed in the housing; a transmitter disposed on one end of the transparent substrate and generating light; a receiver installed on the other end of the transparent substrate to face the transmitter in a first direction, and receiving the light emitted from the transmitter; and a receiver installed on the other end of the transparent substrate to face the transmitter in a first direction , and receiving the light emitted from the transmitter; and a control unit driving the display module, and determining whether the transparent substrate is damaged based on a signal received from the receiver.