Decentralized Factory Display Network Without Master Controller Software
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems in manufacturing facilities require expensive and difficult-to-implement custom software for master controllers to manage display data across various work areas, limiting the ability to provide informative data for improving manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized network of data collector devices, each equipped with processors, sensors, and input devices, that obtain and communicate display data to different network locations, allowing for the control of display devices to alternate between displaying different network locations, utilizing inexpensive computing devices like Raspberry Pi for efficient data collection and dissemination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a master controller with custom software is used to manage display data, then communication control capability is provided, but implementation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the facility into multiple work areas, each with its own data collector device and display device. Each work area operates independently with simple local software, eliminating the need for complex centralized custom software while maintaining communication control capability across all areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universal web browsers and standard web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) that run on any device with a browser. This multi-functional approach allows the same simple software platform to serve all work areas without requiring area-specific custom software, reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a master controller with custom software is used, then display data can be provided, but implementation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses web pages as copyable, reusable templates that can be deployed across multiple work areas. Instead of custom software development for each area, standard web pages can be copied and adapted, dramatically reducing implementation difficulty while maintaining display data provision capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive single-board computers (like Raspberry Pi) with simple web server software instead of expensive master controllers with complex custom software. These affordable devices can be easily replaced or updated, reducing both implementation difficulty and cost.
3Ease of operation
If individual electronic devices are provided at each work area, then communication capability is improved, but ability to collect and utilize work area information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where data collector devices gather information from sensors and inputs at each work area, communicate this data through the network, and display it at relevant locations. This closed-loop feedback enables continuous collection and utilization of work area information while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces data collector devices as intermediary components between work area sensors/inputs and display devices. These intermediaries collect, process, and relay work area information through the network, enabling comprehensive information gathering while preserving the communication capabilities of individual electronic devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided that may include plural data collector devices that may be configured to be communicatively coupled with each other in a network. Each of the data collector device may include one or more processors configured to receive display data from one or more data sources. The one or more processors may also be configured to communicate different portions of the display data to different respective network locations in the network. The one or more processors of each of the data collector devices may also be configured to control a respective display device of several display devices to alternate between displaying the different network locations at different times.