Work Instruction Feedback for Non-Networked Controller Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing production plant controllers that are not network-connected require manual operation and data recording, lacking digitalization and efficient data utilization, and physical modifications to connect them to a network are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

A work management system that includes a server device, worker terminal, and controller, utilizing cameras and eye-tracking sensors to acquire and analyze operation data, providing real-time work instructions and notifications to workers without network connection, enabling digital data management and centralized data integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If controllers are connected to a network, then data utilization and digitalization are improved, but device complexity and cost of physical modification increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata utilizationVSAvoidphysical modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the controller's operation data and transmits it to a server device via a terminal device. This allows data utilization and digitalization without physically modifying the controller or connecting it to the network, thus resolving the contradiction between data utilization improvement and device complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

A terminal device serves as an intermediary between the controller and the server device. The terminal device captures operation data from the controller and transmits it to the server, enabling data utilization without direct network connection to the controller, thereby avoiding physical modification complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual operation is performed on non-networked controllers, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and data utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The server device provides feedback to the worker by displaying work instructions based on analyzed operation data. This automated feedback system improves productivity by guiding workers through standardized procedures without requiring complex system modifications to the controllers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of operation data to determine appropriate work instructions before presenting them to the worker. This preliminary processing automates decision-making and improves productivity while maintaining simple device configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If work instructions are provided in real-time, then productivity is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidinformation processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial information processing by analyzing only the necessary operation data to determine work instructions, rather than processing all possible data. This selective analysis improves productivity while keeping information processing complexity manageable through focused data handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4629007A1Information providing apparatus, information providing method, and information providing program
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4629007A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4629007A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4629007A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A server device (10) acquires operation data for identifying operation that is performed on a controller (30) by a worker (W) in accordance with a work instruction on a predetermined work process related to the controller (30) that is operated by the worker (W), analyzes the operation data, determines a notification content for the worker (W), and notifies the worker (W) of the determined notification content.