Injection Molding Condition Display via Image Data Copying

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions require significant man-hours and costs to install special software on various terminal devices to display molding conditions of an injection molding machine, limiting their accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A data creation device and system that stores molding condition files and creates image data and index data to display molding conditions on different terminal devices, allowing easy display of molding conditions across various platforms without the need for specific software for each OS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If special software is installed on each terminal device to display molding conditions, then the display function is achieved, but the installation time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the molding condition display screen in image data format. Instead of installing complex software on each terminal device, the system generates static images that replicate the display screen appearance. These images can be directly viewed on any terminal device without software installation, eliminating the time-consuming software deployment process while maintaining the display function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple, universally viewable image data as a temporary or permanent display medium. Rather than relying on persistent software installations that require maintenance and updates, the system uses image files that can be easily stored, transferred, and viewed on any device. This approach trades the complexity of software maintenance for simpler image file management, significantly reducing installation time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If special software is installed on each terminal device to display molding conditions, then the display function is achieved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the molding condition display screen in image data format. Instead of installing complex software on each terminal device, the system generates static images that replicate the display screen appearance. These images can be directly viewed on any terminal device without software installation, eliminating the time-consuming software deployment process while maintaining the display function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple, universally viewable image data as a temporary or permanent display medium. Rather than relying on persistent software installations that require maintenance and updates, the system uses image files that can be easily stored, transferred, and viewed on any device. This approach trades the complexity of software maintenance for simpler image file management, significantly reducing installation time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different software is provided for each operating system to display molding conditions, then compatibility is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOS compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image data as a universal display format that can be viewed on any terminal device regardless of its operating system. Instead of providing different software packages for different OS platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile OSes), the system generates a single type of image data that serves all platforms. This universal approach maintains cross-platform compatibility while eliminating the need to manage multiple software variants, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230390985A1Data creation device and data creation system

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 FANUC LTD

AI summary

This data creation device includes: a storage unit which stores a molding condition file including data on molding conditions (molding condition data) set in an injection molding machine; and a data creation unit which creates, on the basis of the molding condition file stored in the storage unit, image data of a molding condition screen when the molding conditions are displayed on a display of the injection molding machine, and index data indicating the contents of the molding conditions represented by the image data.