Operation assistance apparatus, operation assistance method, and computer readable recording medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of introducing a store management system that requires linking operation buttons with each device in retail stores poses a significant challenge for clerk members operating various equipment, as it necessitates expensive infrastructure and potential delays in accessing equipment manuals.
Innovation Solution
An operation assistance apparatus and method that utilize image data acquisition, equipment identification, inquiry reception, matched information extraction, and display control units to provide necessary operational information directly on a screen, eliminating the need for costly system integration by allowing users to capture images of equipment and receive relevant operational guidance through a terminal device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a store management system is introduced to provide operational information to clerk members, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and introduction cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capture devices to create visual copies of equipment and displays them on terminal devices. Instead of linking operation buttons to each physical device, the system captures images of equipment and presents them digitally, allowing clerk members to access operational information through visual copies rather than complex physical integrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical button linkages and wired connections with an optical/digital system. Image capture devices photograph equipment, and terminal devices display these images with overlaid operational information, substituting mechanical integration with optical capture and digital presentation
2Productivity
If operation buttons are linked with the system for each device, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity and introduction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device serves multiple functions: it captures images of equipment, stores operational information, processes user inquiries, and displays guidance. This universal device replaces the need for separate button-linkage systems for each piece of equipment, achieving productivity improvement without proportional increases in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating individual button-linkage systems for each device, the patent creates digital copies of equipment through image capture and presents them through a universal terminal interface, allowing one system to serve multiple equipment types
3Ease of operation
If equipment manuals are provided to clerk members, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the large amount of information
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides operational information localized to the specific equipment being viewed. When a clerk member captures an image of a particular device and views it on the terminal device, only the operational information relevant to that specific equipment is displayed, rather than presenting the entire equipment manual
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inquiry receiving units to detect what information the user needs and provides targeted responses. The feedback mechanism allows the system to understand user needs and deliver precisely the information required, reducing time spent searching through irrelevant manual content
Data Source
AI summary
An operation assistance apparatus 10 includes: an image data acquisition unit 11 configured to acquire image data according to equipment; an inquiry receiving unit 12 configured to receive an inquiry about an operation of equipment; an equipment identifying unit 13 configured to identify equipment included in an image, based on the acquired image data; a matched information extraction unit 14 configured to extract information that matches the received inquiry from information according to the identified equipment; and an information display control unit 15 configured to display the extracted information on a screen.