Augmented Digital Procedure System for Regulated Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current procedures in regulated industries face challenges in efficiently documenting and guiding operators through complex processes, especially in environments where paper-based methods are used, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors due to the lack of integrated digital solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a combination of mobile devices, augmented reality headsets, and computer systems to record, store, and provide guided procedural data, allowing operators to select their preferred data collection methods and levels of automated guidance, integrating paper-based procedures with digital data capture and augmented reality for enhanced accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If paper-based procedures are used for documenting and guiding operators, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and measurement precision deteriorate due to inefficiencies and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of paper-based procedures that can be viewed and completed on electronic devices. The system captures images of paper procedure forms and extracts data from them, creating digital replicas that maintain the familiar paper interface while enabling automated data capture and processing, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of mobile devices, cameras, and data extraction software that bridges the gap between paper-based procedures and digital record-keeping. This intermediary layer allows operators to continue using paper forms while the system automatically captures, extracts, and stores data digitally, eliminating manual transcription errors and improving efficiency
2Device complexity
If paper-based procedures are used for documenting and guiding operators, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision and reliability worsen due to lack of integrated digital solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices serve multiple functions: they capture images of paper procedures, extract data from those images, store the extracted data, provide procedural guidance to operators, and enable real-time verification. This multi-functionality integrates previously separate systems into a single universal device, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Productivity
If digital data capture methods are implemented, then productivity and measurement precision improve, but ease of operation and device complexity worsen due to integration of multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically captures images of paper procedures, extracts relevant data without manual intervention, and stores it digitally. The mobile device autonomously performs data extraction and verification tasks, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining ease of use and improving productivity
4Reliability
If augmented reality headsets and mobile devices are integrated, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and loss of information worsen due to multiple data collection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple sources including paper procedure forms, mobile device inputs, and augmented reality headset data into a single integrated digital record. The system correlates and combines information from these different channels, ensuring that data from all sources is captured and stored together, thereby improving reliability without causing information loss through integration
Data Source
AI summary
A method for augmenting procedures at production equipment includes: linking a description of a step in a procedure and a capture type to a capture field; generating a digital draft procedure comprising descriptions of steps extracted from the procedure and the capture field specifying data capture of the capture type from an equipment unit; generating augmented guidance for the step in the procedure based on visual content recorded by a mobile device—assigned to an exemplary operator—during completion of the step in the digital draft procedure; linking the augmented guidance to a location proximal the equipment unit based on locations of the mobile device during completion of the step in the digital draft procedure; and generating an augmented digital procedure based on steps in the procedure, the augmented guidance, and definitions for data capture according to the capture field.