AR Visor Guidance for Food Machine Setup and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for treating food products lack immediate support systems for operators during setup, maintenance, and production, leading to increased installation and maintenance time, errors, and the need for comprehensive training, with remote support often causing misunderstandings.
Innovation Solution
A support system utilizing an augmented reality visor device connected to the machine's processing and control unit, providing real-time graphical and sound indications to assist operators with machine operations, maintenance, and recipe execution, reducing human error and training needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote support means (telephone) are used, then support can be provided, but misunderstandings occur between remote support personnel and operating personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an augmented reality visor as an intermediary device between the operator and remote support personnel. The visor captures the operator's field of view and overlays graphical indications directly onto the physical components visible to the operator, serving as a mediator that translates verbal instructions into visual guidance, thereby eliminating communication misunderstandings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/verbal communication system (telephone) with an optical-digital system (augmented reality visor). Instead of transmitting voice instructions that require interpretation, the system transmits visual graphical indications that directly correspond to the physical components, substituting a prone-to-misunderstanding communication mechanism with a precise visual display mechanism
2Ease of operation
If traditional support methods are used, then operators can receive guidance, but installation and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming the augmented reality visor with graphical indications, animations, and step-by-step instructions before the operator needs them. The system contains libraries of pre-configured guidance content for various machine components and procedures, so that when a situation arises, the appropriate visual guidance is immediately available without requiring real-time verbal explanation or manual instruction creation
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality visor acts as an immediate intermediary that provides visual guidance directly in the operator's field of view, eliminating the time delay associated with verbal communication back-and-forth. The visor processes and displays instructions instantaneously, allowing operators to proceed with tasks more quickly without waiting for clarification
3Reliability
If comprehensive training is provided, then operators gain knowledge, but training time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling operators to access contextualized training and guidance information on-demand through the augmented reality visor during actual machine operations. Instead of requiring extensive prior training, operators can learn procedures and gain competence by following visual guidance in real-time, allowing them to self-educate as needed without dedicating separate training time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary educational action by embedding training content within the operational workflow. Graphical indications, animations, and explanatory information are prepared in advance and delivered contextually during task execution, allowing operators to acquire knowledge naturally during work rather than through separate training sessions
Data Source
AI summary
A support system for management of a machine for treating food products includes an augmented reality visor including: a camera for capturing a first image; a display for displaying a second image; and a first module for transmitting the first image and receiving the second image. Included is a machine for treating food products, including a treatment chamber for receiving a food product, an actuator for applying a treatment process on the food product inside the treatment chamber, and a second module connectable to the first module. A processing and control unit is connected to the second module for receiving the first image from the visor through the second module, identifying a plurality of real elements within the first image, generating the second image, incorporating a graphic element into the second image, and transmitting the second image to the visor through the second module.