Machine Tool Electronic Manual Access via Inquiry Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing and accessing vast amounts of electronic data for machine tool instruction manuals is difficult, making it challenging to find necessary information quickly and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A machine tool electronic manual system that utilizes a manual display terminal equipped with a wireless communication unit, camera, and display unit to read inquiry codes, which connect to a server over the Internet to retrieve specific electronic manual files based on machine tool information and operational status, displaying relevant information on the terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If electronic manuals are provided as extensive electronic data to cover all machine tool specifications and functions, then completeness of information is improved, but ease of finding necessary information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of informationVSAvoidease of finding information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inquiry code as an intermediary element that connects the operator to specific manual content. Instead of searching through extensive electronic data, the operator reads an inquiry code displayed on the machine tool or manual display terminal, which directly retrieves and displays the necessary manual content. This intermediary code system resolves the contradiction by providing complete information coverage while enabling instant access to specific topics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the manual content through inquiry codes. Rather than requiring operators to navigate the full extensive manual, the system generates inquiry codes that are copies or references to specific sections, allowing operators to access needed information quickly without handling the complete manual dataset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If comprehensive electronic manuals are distributed to cover all machine tool functions, then information completeness is improved, but time to retrieve specific information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidtime to find information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-generating inquiry codes for all possible manual content sections. These codes are prepared in advance and stored in the manual display terminal or displayed on the machine tool. When an operator needs information, they simply read the pre-prepared inquiry code, which instantly retrieves the corresponding manual content, eliminating the time required to search through comprehensive manuals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inquiry code acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between the operator and the comprehensive manual database. The code system enables direct access to specific information without requiring the operator to navigate through the complete manual, thus reducing retrieval time while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If paper instruction manuals are used to provide complete operating instructions, then information completeness is improved, but manageability and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidmanageability of manuals
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical paper manual system with an electronic inquiry code system. Instead of physically managing extensive paper manuals, the system uses electronic inquiry codes that can be stored, transmitted, and displayed digitally. This substitution eliminates the physical bulk and manageability issues of paper manuals while maintaining complete information availability through electronic storage and instant retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3683739B1Electronic manual system for machine tool
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 MAKINO MILLING MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3683739B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3683739B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3683739B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic manual system (100) for a machine tool: generates an inquiry code (40) on the basis of information relating to a user including a manufacture number of a machine tool (200); refers, on the basis of the inquiry code, to a user information database (410) in which information relating to the machine tool and user identification information are associated with each other and stored; acquires, from an instruction manual database (420) which stores electronic data of an instruction manual for the machine tool possessed by the user, a corresponding electronic manual; and displays the electronic manual on a manual display terminal (300).