Automatic Supervision System for Real-Time Task Efficiency Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current management systems lack automation for real-time monitoring and control of task efficiency and quality within companies, leading to inefficiencies and quality drops, as managers rely on manual data collection and communication to maintain performance thresholds.

Innovation Solution

An automatic supervision and control system comprising ASC units, a central server, and managing stations that gather data on task completion times and quality, calculate efficiency and quality levels in real-time, and can shut down tasks or machines if thresholds are not met, providing feedback and communication across the organization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual data collection and communication methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but real-time monitoring capability and productivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the monitoring function into distributed ASC units placed at different locations within the company premises. Each ASC unit independently collects data from local sensors and communicates with the central server, enabling real-time monitoring without requiring a monolithic complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central server acts as an intermediary between distributed ASC units and management stations. It receives data from multiple ASC units, processes information, and distributes relevant data to appropriate managing stations, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling real-time monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual information gathering by managers is used, then information processing cost is reduced, but information accuracy and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The ASC units automatically collect data from sensors and tasks without requiring manual intervention from managers. The system self-services by continuously monitoring task parameters, collecting quality data, and transmitting information to the central server, thereby improving information accuracy while reducing the time and effort managers would otherwise spend gathering data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where ASC units monitor task performance in real-time, the central server processes this data, and managing stations receive updated information. This automated feedback mechanism ensures accurate and timely information flow throughout the organization without manual processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If automated supervision system is implemented, then real-time control capability is improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated control capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ASC units are designed as multi-functional devices that can monitor various task parameters, collect quality data, and communicate with the central server. This universal design reduces the need for specialized equipment for each function, simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining high automation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring task parameters and preparing control decisions before actual performance degradation occurs. The central server pre-processes data and identifies trends, enabling proactive control actions that prevent quality issues rather than reacting to them after they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If continuous monitoring of all tasks is performed, then quality control level is improved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality control levelVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors task parameters continuously but only triggers full control actions when threshold violations are detected. ASC units continuously collect data with minimal energy consumption, and the central server processes this data to identify only the tasks requiring intervention, thereby maintaining high quality control levels while minimizing energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic data collection and processing cycles rather than continuous high-power operation. ASC units collect data at regular intervals, the central server processes batches of data periodically, and control actions are triggered only when necessary. This periodic operation maintains reliable quality control while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous full-power monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2458466B1Automatic supervision and control system
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 INDAL DEV OF AUTOMOTIVO COMPONENTS IDACO CORP
  • EP2458466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2458466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2458466B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention describes a system and method for monitoring In a real-time manner the efficiency and/or internal quality level of a company down to the level of individual tasks, the system comprising: a) first plurality of ASC units comprising data acquisition means configured for detecting when each task has been finished; b) second plurality of ASC units allowing quality inspectors to enter quality data on each task; c) a central server connected to the first and second pluralities of ASC units having a processing unit configured for calculating the efficiency and/or quality level of each task, either individually or in a grouped fashion; and d) at least one managing station connected to the central server, the managing station being configured for receiving the efficiency and quality levels calculated by the processing unit.