Mobile Conveyor Control with Area Identification and Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large industrial systems, decentralized input and output devices are complex to implement and prone to incorrect assignment, leading to operating errors, as existing solutions lack flexibility and simplicity in ensuring correct system area or component interaction.
Innovation Solution
Integration of multiple identification and localization devices with mobile input/output devices to accurately localize and identify system areas, preventing incorrect operations by enabling secure and flexible control command entry and information display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If decentralized input and output devices are provided in sub-areas or system components, then local information display and command input become possible, but device complexity increases due to the provision of additional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as both an information display device and a command input device across different system areas. Instead of providing separate fixed input/output devices in each sub-area, a single mobile device performs all these functions by moving to different locations and interacting with identification devices throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate input/output devices into a single mobile device. By merging display, input, and localization capabilities into one portable unit, the system reduces the total number of devices required while maintaining comprehensive control and monitoring capabilities across all system areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile input and output devices are used, then flexibility and reduction of local devices are achieved, but incorrect assignment to wrong system areas can lead to operating errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through identification devices that continuously provide information about the mobile device's current location. The control device receives this identification data and uses it to determine which system area the mobile device is currently in, ensuring that only commands relevant to the current area are accepted and displayed, thereby preventing incorrect assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification device acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the control system. It mediates the interaction by providing location verification information that enables the control device to correctly associate the mobile device's commands and information requests with the appropriate system area, thus ensuring reliable assignment.
3Reliability
If fixed assignment of input and output devices to system areas is implemented, then correct information display is ensured, but flexibility and mobility of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed assignment of input/output devices to dynamic localization using mobile devices with identification capabilities. The mobile device's location is dynamically determined through interaction with identification devices at different system areas, allowing the system to adapt to the operator's current position while ensuring correct information display for the active area.
4Measurement precision
If multiple identification and localization devices are integrated, then precise localization and identification of system areas are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the localization function from the mobile device itself and places passive identification devices throughout the system areas. Instead of requiring the mobile device to have complex active localization capabilities, the system uses simple, passive identification markers that the mobile device's reader can detect, thereby achieving precise localization without adding complexity to the mobile device.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system controller, particularly for controlling conveyor systems (8, 9), having at least one mobile input and/or output appliance (10) and at least one control device (1) for controlling the system and for receiving and/or outputting signals from and/or to the mobile input and/or output appliance, wherein a signal transmission device (2, 3, 6, 7) is set up for signal transmission between the mobile input and/or output appliance and the control device such that the signal transmission is effected wirelessly at least to some extent, wherein the system controller comprises one or more identification and localisation devices (11, 13) that are set up such that they can interact with the mobile input and/or output appliance in order to locate the position of the mobile input and/or output appliance on the system and to identify the relevant system area. The invention also relates to a method for mobile system control.