Mobile Terminal Remote Equipment Operation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operated apparatuses, such as elevators and vending machines, pose a risk of infectious disease transmission due to manual operation by unspecified persons, necessitating a solution to allow operation without direct contact.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile terminal and communication apparatus that acquires apparatus identification information, displays an operation screen, and transmits instructions to the apparatus's control unit, enabling operation without physical interaction with the equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of equipment is required, then the equipment can be operated and controlled, but the risk of infectious disease transmission increases due to direct contact with operation surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile terminal (smartphone or tablet) as an intermediary device between the user and the equipment operation panel. The terminal displays virtual operation buttons and transmits operation signals wirelessly to the equipment, allowing users to operate equipment without physically touching the original operation surfaces, thus breaking the transmission chain of infectious diseases while maintaining full operation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical operation system (physical buttons and panels) with an electronic system. The mobile terminal's touchscreen interface substitutes for physical buttons, and wireless communication (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) substitutes for electrical connection, eliminating the need for direct physical contact between users and equipment operation surfaces
2Productivity
If physical operation panels are used, then direct control of equipment is achieved, but contamination of operation surfaces occurs due to frequent touching by multiple users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical operation panel on the mobile terminal's display screen. The virtual buttons and interface elements replicate the functionality of the original physical panel, allowing users to interact with equipment through this digital replica without ever touching the actual equipment surface, thus preventing contamination while maintaining control efficiency
3Reliability
If contactless operation is implemented using mobile terminals, then the risk of infectious disease transmission is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional communication components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the mobile terminal's existing multi-functional capabilities (touchscreen display, wireless communication, processor) to perform multiple functions: displaying operation interface, receiving user input, transmitting control signals, and providing feedback. This approach avoids adding dedicated specialized devices and instead utilizes the universal functionality of smartphones and tablets already present in users' possession, thereby minimizing additional system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment operation apparatus (100) includes: a connection unit (102) that acquires apparatus identification information for distinguishing a plurality of operated apparatuses (10) from each other and connects to a communication apparatus (200) communicable with a controller (20) of an operated apparatus (10) indicated by the apparatus identification information; and a display processing unit (104) that causes, when a connection to the communication apparatus (200) is established, a display unit (110) to display an operation screen for operating the operated apparatus (10) controlled by the controller (20) communicable with the communication apparatus (200).