Cutting Machine Remote Management via Intermediary Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machines without network connectivity are difficult to manage remotely, as they lack the ability to connect to a network, limiting their operational efficiency and maintenance capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A management system that utilizes an intermediary device to generate unique identifiers for cutting machines, allowing them to be addressed and controlled remotely through a network, even if they do not have direct internet connectivity, by using a server device and operation terminals connected via the Internet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cutting machines are equipped with network connecting function to enable remote management, then remote operation and monitoring capabilities are improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoidnetwork connecting function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device that acts as a bridge between cutting machines without network functions and the network management system. This intermediary device handles all network communication, allowing cutting machines to be remotely managed without requiring them to have direct network connecting functions, thus resolving the contradiction between remote operation capability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into three distinct components: cutting machines (simple execution units), an intermediary device (communication bridge), and a server device (management center). This segmentation allows cutting machines to remain simple while still enabling remote management through the intermediary device that handles all network protocol conversions and communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If cutting machines without network connecting function are used to reduce cost, then device cost is reduced, but remote management capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connecting functionVSAvoidremote monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary device serves as a mediator that captures and transmits information from cutting machines to the server device through the network. It receives various types of information (operation status, error logs, maintenance data) from cutting machines via direct connection and forwards them to the server, preventing information loss while keeping cutting machines simple and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an intermediary device is introduced to enable network management of cutting machines without network functions, then remote management capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary device is designed as a universal component that can manage multiple cutting machines simultaneously. It provides multi-functional capabilities including identification generation, information transmission, protocol conversion, and coordination between different system components, making the increased complexity worthwhile by enabling comprehensive network management of entire cutting machine fleets

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

Data Source

PatentEP3690577B1Management system and management method for cutting machine
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 DGSHAPE CORP
  • EP3690577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management system 100 for a cutting machine 10A includes: a server device 150 configured to be connectable to one or more operation terminals 160 through a network 201: and an intermediary device 120 connected to the server device 150 through a network 201 and directly connected to one or more cutting machines 10A through 10C. The intermediary device 120 generates an identifier of each of the one or more cutting machines 10A through 10C. The server device 150 receives an instruction specifying the identifier of one of the cutting machines 10A through 10C from one of the operation terminals 160 connected to the server device 150. The intermediary device 120 transmits an instruction to the cutting machine 10A corresponding to the identifier specified by the received instruction.