Light Projection for Visual State Recognition in Combination Weighers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combination weighing apparatuses face difficulties in allowing workers to recognize, at first glance, which part of the system is in a specific state, especially in large-scale setups, due to increased complexity and size, making it hard to visually identify sections or apparatuses in a specific state from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A light projection system that acquires state information from processing apparatuses and controls light emission units to change the mode of light projected based on this information, enabling visual recognition of specific states and sections within the apparatuses, using features like light presence, hue, and blinking intervals to differentiate states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the size of the processing apparatus increases to handle more sections, then the processing capacity increases, but the area to be checked increases making it difficult for workers to recognize specific sections at first glance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by projecting light of different colors onto processing apparatus or sections based on their state. Normal sections are projected with one color (e.g., green), while abnormal sections are projected with another color (e.g., red). This allows workers to immediately identify which specific section requires attention without having to visually scan the entire large-scale apparatus, thus maintaining ease of operation while handling increased processing capacity.
2Loss of information
If conventional display screens are used to show system state, then state information can be displayed, but workers cannot recognize which specific section corresponds to the displayed state at first glance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the apparatus's physical state by projecting light directly onto the actual processing apparatus or sections. Instead of merely displaying state information on a separate screen, the system copies the spatial arrangement and state of sections onto the apparatus itself through light projection. This allows workers to see both the physical apparatus and its state simultaneously, enabling immediate identification of which specific section corresponds to the displayed state without mental mapping or translation.
3Ease of operation
If workers move away from the apparatus to view the whole system, then they can see the general view on the display screen, but they can no longer visually recognize the display screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the state information display from a two-dimensional display screen to a three-dimensional spatial projection directly on the apparatus. By projecting light onto the actual processing apparatus or sections, the system creates visual information that exists in the same physical space as the apparatus itself. This allows workers to view both the apparatus and its state simultaneously from a distance, eliminating the need to move closer to read a separate display screen while maintaining overall system visibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables workers to quickly identify which processing apparatus or section is in a specific state, improving visibility and reducing the challenge of recognizing states in complex environments, even when not directly in front of the display screen.
Implementation Method 1
a light emission unit configured to project the light on each of the processing apparatuses
Data Source
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AI summary
A light projection system (20A) is a light projection system projecting light on a plurality of processing apparatuses (30, 40, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95) installed in a factory, and includes an acquisition unit (61A) acquiring, from each of the processing apparatuses, state information indicating abnormality in the processing apparatus, a light emission unit (65A to 65H) capable of projecting the light on each of the processing apparatuses, and a projection controller (63A) controlling a mode of the light projected from the light emission unit such that the mode of the light reflected from each of the processing apparatuses is changed, on the basis of the state information indicating abnormality.