AR Visor Guidance for Food Processing 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 times, errors, and the need for comprehensive training, with remote support often causing misunderstandings.
Innovation Solution
A support system incorporating an augmented reality visor device connected to the machine's processing and control unit, providing real-time visual and auditory guidance through augmented reality elements overlaid on the operator's field of view, facilitating tasks such as installation, maintenance, and recipe execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
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 intermediary system consisting of a camera, processing unit, and display device that mediates between the operator and remote support personnel. The camera captures images of the machine, the processing unit generates augmented reality images with overlaid instructions, and the display device presents these to the operator, eliminating direct verbal communication and preventing misunderstandings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/verbal communication system (telephone) with an optical/information system (camera, processing unit, display). This substitution transforms voice-based support into visual-based support through augmented reality images, eliminating the information loss inherent in verbal communication.
2Ease of operation
If traditional support systems are used, then operators can perform tasks, but installation and maintenance time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing support information into augmented reality images that are ready for immediate display. The processing unit pre-generates the augmented reality images with all necessary instructions overlaid, so that when the operator needs support, the information is already prepared and can be displayed instantly, reducing wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary system provides immediate visual guidance through augmented reality images displayed in real-time, allowing operators to perform tasks without interruption or delay associated with traditional support methods.
3Ease of operation
If comprehensive training is provided, then operators gain knowledge, but training time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service learning where operators access support information on-demand through the display device without requiring formal training programs. The system provides self-instruction through augmented reality images that guide operators through specific tasks, allowing them to learn and perform tasks independently without investing time in comprehensive training.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes formal training mechanisms with on-demand visual guidance systems. Instead of time-intensive classroom or hands-on training, operators receive immediate visual instructions through augmented reality images, replacing the traditional knowledge transfer mechanism with an information delivery system that provides exactly what is needed when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a support system (1) for the management of a machine (10) for treating food products. The system (1) comprises an augmented reality visor device (20) comprising: at least one camera (200) configured to capture at least one first image (IM1); at least one display (202) configured to display at least one second image (IM2); and a first data exchange module (204) configured to transmit the at least one first image (IM1) and to receive the at least one second image (IM2). The system also comprises a machine (10) for treating food products, comprising a treatment chamber (100) configured to receive a food product, an actuator (104) configured to apply a treatment process on the food product inside the treatment chamber, and a second data exchange module (108) connectable to the first data exchange module (204). The machine (10) for treating food products further comprises a processing and control unit (106) connected to the second data exchange module (108), wherein the processing and control unit (106) is configured to: - receive the at least one first image (IM1) from the visor device (20) through the second data exchange module (108), - identify a plurality of real elements (01-04) within the at least one first image (IM1), - generate the at least one second image (IM2), - incorporate one or more graphic elements (G1-G6) into the at least one second image (IM2), and - transmit the at least one second image (IM2) to the visor device (20) through the second data exchange module (108).