Filling Quantity Display Scaling to Prevent Target Overshoot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying the evolution of a filling quantity in a container during a filling operation, such as those used in the pharmaceutical industry, often result in operators overshooting the target quantity due to sudden changes in pointer speed within tolerance limits, making it difficult to fill accurately and quickly within narrow tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that ensure the pointer speed on the display is a strictly increasing function for at least a subrange of the measured current filling quantity in the range between the starting filling quantity and the target filling quantity, with a continuous pointer acceleration that avoids perceptual discontinuity by using a continuous pointer speed and acceleration, allowing operators to maintain a constant perceived speed without sudden changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the bar graph length is defined as a linear function of the measured current filling quantity, then the display is simple and easy to understand, but the operator cannot perceive small changes within the tolerance range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the bar graph length a non-linear, dynamic function of the measured current filling quantity. Specifically, the bar graph length is defined such that it changes more rapidly within the tolerance range (between lower limit quantity and target filling quantity) than outside this range. This dynamic scaling allows operators to perceive small changes within tolerance while maintaining overall filling progress visibility, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Productivity
If the operator fills the container quickly to increase productivity, then the filling operation is performed as fast as possible, but the operator may overshoot the target filling quantity and exceed tolerance limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing real-time visual information through the dynamically scaled bar graph that shows the operator's proximity to tolerance limits. The bar graph length changes more rapidly within the tolerance range, giving immediate visual feedback when approaching the lower limit quantity. This allows operators to maintain high filling speeds while having continuous feedback to adjust and avoid overshooting, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
3Measurement precision
If the bar graph length is compressed to show the tolerance range, then the operator can monitor filling within tolerance limits, but the perceived speed of the pointer changes suddenly causing discontinuity in human perception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of curvature by using a smooth, continuous non-linear function to define the bar graph length relationship with filling quantity. Instead of abrupt linear scaling changes, the function provides a smooth transition that compresses the scale within the tolerance range while maintaining perceptual continuity. This curved relationship ensures that the operator experiences continuous, natural perception of filling progress without sudden jumps or discontinuities, resolving the contradiction between monitoring accuracy and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for displaying an evolution of a measured current filling quantity (Q) of a material in a container (3) during a filling operation from a starting filling quantity (Qo) to a target filling quantity (QT), the method comprising: measuring, by measurement means (5), the measured current filling quantity (Q) in the container (3); displaying, on display means (10), a first pointer (11), the position (X) of said first pointer (11) on said display means (10) being indicative of the measured current filling quantity (Q), wherein the position (X) of said first pointer (11) on said display means (10) is a monotonic function of the measured current filling quantity (Q); wherein a pointer speed (v) of said first pointer (11) being defined as a positional change (ΔX) of said first pointer (11) on said display means (10) with respect to a change (ΔQ) of the measured current filling quantity (Q) is a strictly increasing function for at least a subrange of the measured current filling quantity (Q) in the range between the starting filling quantity (Q0) and the target filling quantity (QT), while a pointer acceleration (A) of said first pointer (11) being defined as a change (Δv) of the pointer speed (v) with respect to a change (ΔQ) of the measured current filling quantity (Q) does not cause a human perception of the displaying to include a discontinuity. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus and a computer program for carrying out said method. (Fig. 1)