Dynamic Camera Scheduling for Printing Operation State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently collect information on preprocessing operations in printing factories, leading to missed detection of changes in operation states due to cyclic capturing limitations, and manual input methods are inaccurate.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring control apparatus and method that dynamically switches capturing targets based on device statuses, using network cameras to detect preprocessing operations by analyzing video feeds for changes in device states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclic capturing is performed for multiple devices, then all devices can be monitored periodically, but changes in operation state occurring between capture cycles cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation state detection completenessVSAvoiddetection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The capturing interval is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control apparatus adjusts the capturing interval based on device status changes - shortening it when preprocessing operations are detected and lengthening it during normal operation. This dynamic adjustment ensures timely detection of operation state changes while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring device status and using this information to adjust capturing behavior. When a device enters a preprocessing state (detected through status changes), the system receives feedback and responds by increasing capturing frequency for that device, ensuring no operation state changes are missed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If capturing interval is shortened to detect operation state changes quickly, then detection speed improves, but system resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation state detection speedVSAvoidcamera and system energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The capturing interval dynamically adapts based on operational needs. During preprocessing operations when detection speed is critical, the interval is shortened. During normal stable operations, the interval is extended to conserve energy. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between detection speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temporal parameter (capturing interval) based on device status. When preprocessing is detected, the interval parameter is reduced to achieve faster detection. When operations are stable, the interval is increased to reduce energy consumption. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and energy use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3862943B1Monitoring control apparatus, monitoring control method, monitoring system, and medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 CANON KK
  • EP3862943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3862943B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3862943B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A monitoring system is provided. The system comprises a monitoring control apparatus and an image capturing unit. The monitoring control apparatus (102) comprises a saving unit (317) for saving a capturing order of devices, a holding unit (316) for holding a state of a device, a controller (318) for specifying a target device according to the capturing order and capture the specified target device, a detection unit (314) for detecting an event associated with the target device based on the captured video, and a unit (315) for transmitting the detected event to an information processing apparatus. The control means specifies a target device in accordance with the capturing order and, if there is no job in which a state of the specified target device is a waiting state, specifies the next device as a target device.