AI Measurement Control for Complex Instrument Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern measurement application devices, such as oscilloscopes, have numerous user-configurable parameters that can be difficult for users to understand and navigate, especially for inexperienced users, with domain-specific knowledge often being confined to company-internal documentation, complicating the setup and configuration process.

Innovation Solution

A measurement application control unit and system that integrates a main database for general knowledge and a secondary database for specific, user-provided knowledge, allowing text-based user requests to be processed and retrieved with a similarity threshold, enhancing interaction through an AI-based assistant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If measurement application devices comprise a large number of user-configurable parameters to support specific measurement tasks, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users find it difficult to memorize and understand all parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an AI-based assistant as an intermediary between the user and the complex measurement application device. The assistant receives natural language queries from users, processes them through a language model, and retrieves relevant information from databases about configuration parameters and measurement tasks. This mediator translates user intent into actionable device configurations without requiring users to directly navigate complex parameter sets, thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive functionality and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If domain-specific knowledge is stored in company-internal documentation to maintain confidentiality, then the reliability of proprietary information is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot access this knowledge for configuration assistance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconfidentialityVSAvoidaccess to knowledge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the knowledge base into multiple databases: a first database storing general measurement application knowledge that can be freely accessed, and a second database storing domain-specific confidential knowledge that requires authentication. The AI assistant selectively queries appropriate databases based on user credentials and query context. This segmentation allows the system to maintain confidentiality of proprietary information while still providing comprehensive assistance to authorized users, resolving the contradiction between reliability of confidential information and ease of access to knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If all configuration options are presented prominently on the main screen to improve ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and the screen becomes cluttered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to optionsVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service information retrieval system where the AI assistant automatically searches and presents relevant configuration information based on user queries. Instead of requiring users to manually navigate through complex interface hierarchies and sub-menus to find specific parameters, the system autonomously retrieves and presents only the relevant configuration options and instructions needed for the user's specific measurement task. This self-service approach reduces interface complexity while maintaining ease of operation by providing exactly the information users need without overwhelming them with unnecessary options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4685664A1Measurement application control unit, measurement system, method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4685664A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685664A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685664A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a measurement application control unit for measurement applications comprising a main database interface configured to couple to a main database, wherein the main database is configured to store general knowledge data regarding the measurement applications, a secondary database interface configured to couple to at least one secondary database, wherein the at least one secondary database is configured to store specific knowledge data regarding the measurement applications, a text-based input interface configured to receive a text-based user request regarding a measurement application to be executed, a request processor coupled to the main database, the at least one secondary database, and the text-based input interface, wherein the request processor is configured to retrieve and output database entries from the main database and the at least one secondary database that comprise a similarity to the text-based user request that is above a predetermined threshold.