Field Device Display OCR for Detailed Error Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional field devices have limited display capabilities, making it difficult for users to obtain detailed information about errors, as they often display information as codes that require manual reference to instruction manuals.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that acquires images of field device displays, extracts relevant information using OCR and image analysis, and outputs associated detailed information, including error types, handling methods, and inquiry destinations, enhancing display capabilities without modifying the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If display capability is limited to save power and miniaturize the device, then power consumption is reduced and device size is minimized, but detailed information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external terminal device (smartphone, tablet, or PC) as an intermediary to display detailed information. The field device's display section shows only error codes, while the terminal device receives images of the display and presents the corresponding detailed error information, handling methods, and inquiry destinations from a database, thus resolving the contradiction between limited display capability and information completeness.
2Device complexity
If display capability is limited, then device complexity is reduced, but information accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device serves as an intermediary that enhances information accessibility without increasing the field device's complexity. The field device simply captures an image of its display and transmits it to the terminal, which then retrieves and presents detailed information from the database, making error information easily accessible to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the display information by photographing the display section and transmitting the image data to the terminal device. This copy is then used to retrieve corresponding detailed information from the database, allowing users to access comprehensive error information without requiring the field device itself to display all details.
3Device complexity
If error information is displayed as codes only, then display content is simplified, but user understanding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device acts as an intermediary that translates simplified error codes into detailed, user-friendly information. When the field device displays only error codes on its limited display, the terminal device receives the display image, queries the database for corresponding detailed information, and presents comprehensive error descriptions, handling methods, and contact information to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided to solve an issue that detailed information cannot be obtained in some cases because displayed contents is insufficient due to device constraints, the apparatus including an image acquiring section that acquires an image, an extracting section that extracts display information indicated on a device shown in the image, an information-for-identification acquiring section that acquires information for identification for identifying a product of the device and an output section that outputs associated information associated with the information for identification and the display information.