Cutting Machine Operating Status Management Across Mixed Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental cutting apparatus management systems are limited in their ability to centrally manage operating conditions across different models and manufacturers, requiring each cutting apparatus to have a specific interface adapted for software use, which excludes older models and those from various manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

An operating condition management system comprising a cutting apparatus, cutting controller, information acquirer, information processor, and display unit that acquires and processes status discriminating information to determine and present the operating conditions of cutting apparatuses, regardless of model or manufacturer, enabling centralized management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each cutting apparatus is equipped with a specific interface adapted for software use, then the software can effectively manage operating conditions of cutting apparatuses, but the system becomes incompatible with older models and apparatuses from different manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various cutting apparatus modelsVSAvoidinterface requirements for each apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management terminal is designed to universally manage multiple types of cutting apparatuses (different models and manufacturers) through a standardized interface. The system extracts operating condition information from various apparatuses using common protocols and presents it in a unified format, enabling one management terminal to control diverse cutting apparatuses without requiring model-specific interfaces

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

Solution Approach 2:

The management terminal acts as an intermediary between the cutting apparatuses and the user. It receives operating condition information from various cutting apparatuses, processes and standardizes the data, and presents it in a unified format. This intermediary role allows the system to bridge compatibility gaps between different apparatus models and the management software

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple cutting apparatuses are managed centrally, then operating conditions can be collectively checked and compared, but the system requires complex information processing across different apparatus types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of centralized managementVSAvoidinformation processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system standardizes the presentation of operating condition information from diverse cutting apparatuses into a homogeneous format. The management terminal extracts relevant parameters (such as operating time, status, and performance metrics) and displays them in a unified, comparable format across all apparatus types, simplifying centralized management and analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Ease of operation

If the software is designed to work with specific cutting apparatus models, then the interface can be optimized for those models, but it excludes older models and apparatuses from different manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenience in managing operating conditionsVSAvoidrange of compatible cutting apparatus models
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The management terminal provides a universal interface that can operate with multiple types of cutting apparatuses. It implements standardized communication protocols and data formats that allow it to interact with various apparatus models (including older and different manufacturer models) while maintaining ease of operation through a consistent user interface

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

Data Source

PatentEP3690572B1Operating condition management system, operating condition management method, and operating condition management computer program
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 DGSHAPE CORP
  • EP3690572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operating condition management system 10 includes a cutting apparatus 20B, a cutting apparatus 20C, a cutting controller 53B, a cutting controller 53C, an information acquirer 56B, an information acquirer 56C, an information processor 57B, an information processor 57C, and a display unit 62. The cutting apparatuses 20B and 20C each machine a workpiece 5. The cutting controllers 53B and 53C respectively control the cutting apparatuses 20B and 20C. The information acquirers 56B and 56C respectively acquire, from the cutting controllers 53B and 53C, status discriminating information indicating the states of the cutting apparatuses 20B and 20C. The information processors 57B and 57C respectively determine the operating conditions of the cutting apparatuses 20B and 20C in accordance with the status discriminating information. The display unit 62 presents the operating conditions of the cutting apparatuses 20B and 20C.