Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display for Remote Field Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
The field service industry faces challenges with the lack of experienced experts, increasing complexity of smart products, and high costs associated with training local workers, leading to declining performance quality and increased turnover rates, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution for remote field service operations.
Innovation Solution
An augmented interactive reality system using a head-mountable display unit with a projector module and optical element, enabling hands-free operation by projecting images onto a virtual surface that follows the user's gaze and gestures, integrating with cloud-based IT systems and IoT controllers to provide context-specific information and business functionality directly within the user's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional field service is executed by field service experts travelling to client sites, then service quality is maintained, but response times increase and costs rise due to travel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote expert office as an intermediary between local field service workers and central expertise. This mediator enables real-time remote support through video conferencing and shared annotation tools, allowing experts to guide local workers without physical travel, thus maintaining service quality while reducing response time losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel with digital communication infrastructure. Instead of experts physically travelling to client sites, the system uses video conferencing, audio communication, and shared video annotation technologies to transmit expertise remotely, eliminating travel time while maintaining service delivery
2Loss of time
If local field service workers are trained to replace traveling experts, then response times improve, but training costs increase and worker retention becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables local field service workers to independently access expert support through a standardized remote support platform. Instead of requiring extensive training to become experts, workers can self-service by initiating remote support sessions and receiving real-time guidance, reducing training complexity while maintaining fast response times
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal remote support system that can serve multiple local workers across different locations and product types. The same infrastructure and expert team can support various workers simultaneously through the standardized platform, eliminating the need for each worker to undergo specialized training for different scenarios
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices like tablets and body cameras are used for remote support, then functionality is comprehensive, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate devices (tablets, body cameras, headsets) into an integrated head-mountable display system. This single device combines video display, camera functionality, and communication capabilities, providing comprehensive remote support functionality while reducing the number of separate devices workers must carry and manage
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 system enhances field service operations by allowing local workers to perform tasks hands-free, reducing the need for multiple devices, improving response times, and maintaining expertise levels while lowering training costs and turnover rates through intuitive gesture-based interaction and real-time guidance from remote experts.
Implementation Method 1
a display unit (3) comprising a projector module (7) and an optical element (8)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An augmented interactive reality system (1) comprises a display unit (3) comprising a projector module (7) and an optical element (8). A method for operating an augmented interactive reality system (1) comprises the following steps: A virtual surface (5) is generated. The image (6, 13, 16) is visualized by projecting the image (6, 13, 16) on the optical element (8). The image (6, 13, 16) is projected by the projector module (7). The image (6, 13, 16) is visualized such that from a perspective of a user (2) of the augmented interactive reality system (1) using the display unit (3) the image (6, 13, 16) appears to be attached to the virtual surface (5).