Vibration-Based Location Indication for Data Center Computing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location indication systems for computing devices in datacenters, such as blinking LEDs, are ineffective for visually impaired technicians and can be obscured or confused with other devices, leading to incorrect identification.
Innovation Solution
A vibration-based location indication system that includes a light detection subsystem, a vibration subsystem, and a processing system to drive vibrations indicating the location of computing systems or components, allowing for tactile and auditory localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If blinking LEDs are used to indicate computing device location, then visual location indication is provided, but blind or visually impaired technicians cannot identify the location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical indication system (LEDs) with a mechanical vibration system. The vibration subsystem generates tactile vibrations that can be felt by technicians, providing location indication through mechanical sensation rather than visual light signals. This substitution enables blind or visually impaired technicians to locate computing devices through touch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vibration subsystem as an intermediary between the computing device and the technician. Instead of directly visual indicators, the vibration subsystem acts as a mediator that converts location information into tactile feedback, allowing technicians to perceive device locations through vibration patterns.
2Ease of operation
If blinking LEDs are used to indicate computing device location, then location indication is provided, but the LEDs can be obscured by other computing devices, racks, cabling, and datacenter components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical indication system (LEDs) with a mechanical vibration system. The vibration subsystem generates tactile vibrations that can be felt by technicians, providing location indication through mechanical sensation rather than visual light signals. This substitution enables blind or visually impaired technicians to locate computing devices through touch.
3Ease of operation
If blinking LEDs are used to indicate computing device location, then location indication is provided, but there are often many LEDs blinking for reasons other than providing location indication, resulting in incorrect device identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the vibration indication specific to the target computing device. The vibration subsystem generates vibrations at the location of the specific device needing identification, creating a localized tactile signal that distinguishes the target device from others. This localized vibration feedback eliminates confusion with other blinking LEDs in the datacenter.
4Ease of operation
If blinking LEDs are used to indicate computing device location, then visual location indication is provided, but the indication requires line-of-sight and cannot be perceived without direct visual contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical indication system (LEDs) with a mechanical vibration system. The vibration subsystem generates tactile vibrations that can be felt by technicians, providing location indication through mechanical sensation rather than visual light signals. This substitution enables blind or visually impaired technicians to locate computing devices through touch.
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 blind or visually impaired technicians to accurately locate computing devices in datacenters by feeling and hearing vibrations, overcoming the limitations of visual indicators.
Implementation Method 1
a light detection subsystem that is configured to detect a computing system locating signal via light emitted from a computing system light emitting device included on a computing system
Implementation Method 2
a vibration subsystem that is configured to vibrate... drive the vibration subsystem to produce a vibration that is configured to indicate the location of the computing system
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system locating system includes a computing system having a computing system light emitting device that is configured to emit light to provide a computing system locating signal, and a vibration-based location indication system. The vibration-based location indication system includes a light detection subsystem that is configured to detect the computing system locating signal via the light emitted from the computing system light emitting device on the computing system, and a vibration subsystem that is configured to vibrate. A location indication subsystem in the vibration-based location indication system that is coupled to the light detection subsystem and the vibration subsystem determines that the light detection subsystem has detected the computing system locating signal via the light emitted from the computing system light emitting device on the computing system and, in response, drives the vibration subsystem to produce a vibration to indicate the location of the computing system.