Mobile Terminal for Plant Device Data Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

In plant maintenance, collecting information from non-connection devices without communication functions is challenging, leading to inefficiencies, high costs, and human errors due to manual data recording and integration issues.

Innovation Solution

An information collection system comprising a mobile terminal with position, posture, and image acquisition capabilities, and an application server that collects and integrates data from both connected and non-connected devices, enabling automated data input and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual recording methods are used for non-connection devices, then information can be collected, but time consumption and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation collection completenessVSAvoidtime for information collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical recording operations with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology. The terminal device captures images of device information and automatically converts them into structured data, eliminating the need for manual typing and reducing time consumption while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service information collection where the terminal device automatically performs image capture, recognition, and data structuring without requiring manual intervention. The device autonomously completes the information collection process, reducing both time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If wired communication is used for field devices, then data can be transmitted, but connection complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission accuracyVSAvoidconnection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical wired connections with wireless communication technology. The terminal device communicates with field devices wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical connection lines while maintaining data transmission accuracy through standardized wireless protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate collection methods are used for connected and non-connected devices, then all devices can be covered, but data integration and management become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice coverage rangeVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal information collection system that can handle both connected and non-connected devices through a single terminal device. The system automatically adapts its collection method based on device connectivity status, unifying data formats and management processes for all device types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device serves as an intermediary that standardizes information collection from different device types. It converts various data sources (wired devices, wireless devices, non-connected devices) into a unified data format, simplifying downstream data management and integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If paper-based recording is used, then information can be captured, but manual data input errors and processing inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation recording capacityVSAvoiddata processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces paper-based mechanical recording with digital image capture and automatic OCR recognition. The system directly converts visual information into digital data structures, eliminating manual data entry and significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining full information recording capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10430041B2Information collection system, information collection terminal device, information collection server, and information collection method

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An information collection system includes an information collection terminal and an information collection server. The an information collection terminal includes an obtainer configured to obtain specification information for specifying a non-connection device which is not connected to a system which is capable of collecting information, a display configured to display an information input screen according to the specification information, an input device configured to input information of the non-connection device into the information input screen, and a communicator configured to transmit, to a network, input information which has been input into the information input screen. The information collection server includes a first collector configured to collect the input information transmitted from the information collection terminal through the network.