Mixed Reality Workflow Mapping Across Different Equipment Layouts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixed reality (MR) workflows are time-consuming to generate and require manual recapture when changes occur in process equipment or layout, limiting their adaptability to different locations and layouts.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses non-spatial characteristics of objects to map MR workflows from one location to another, allowing dynamic adaptation without requiring identical layouts, by identifying task-specific capabilities and environmental constraints to generate a mapped workflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual recapture method is used to generate MR workflows, then the workflow accuracy is improved, but the time consumption and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy of the workflow from the first location and maps it to the second location using non-spatial characteristics. This copying approach eliminates the need for manual recapture while maintaining workflow accuracy, as the mapped workflow preserves task sequences and object relationships from the original location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter basis for workflow generation from spatial coordinates to non-spatial characteristics. By using task-specific capabilities and environmental constraints as mapping parameters instead of physical layouts, the system enables rapid adaptation to different locations without requiring identical equipment arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If spatial mapping method is used to adapt MR workflows to different locations, then the layout consistency is improved, but the adaptability to different equipment configurations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout consistencyVSAvoidadaptability to different layouts

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses non-spatial characteristics such as task-specific capabilities and environmental constraints that are universal across different locations and equipment configurations. These characteristics enable the same workflow to be adapted to various layouts and equipment types without requiring spatial reconfiguration, making the mapping process universally applicable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the workflow into discrete tasks and objects, then maps them based on their non-spatial characteristics rather than spatial relationships. This segmentation allows each task-object pair to be independently mapped to corresponding elements in the second location, enabling flexibility in equipment arrangements while maintaining workflow integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional MR workflow generation is used, then the workflow reliability is improved, but the productivity and update speed decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow reliabilityVSAvoidworkflow generation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of non-spatial characteristics during the initial workflow capture at the first location. By pre-processing and storing task-specific capabilities and environmental constraints, the system enables rapid mapping to the second location without requiring time-consuming manual recapture, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of workflow recapture with an automated computational mapping process. By using algorithms to match non-spatial characteristics between locations, the system substitutes human effort with automated processing, significantly increasing workflow generation speed and update frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12469228B2Mixed reality workflow generation

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method of generating a mixed reality workflow is described. The method comprises identifying a series of tasks and generating an input task-to-object-mapping by analyzing data that defines a process performed by a first user interacting with objects in a first location. The input task-to-object-mapping that maps each task from the series of tasks to an object used in the respective task. A task-specific non-spatial characteristic of each object in the input task-to-object-mapping is determined and used to map each object in the input task-to-object-mapping to a candidate object identified at a second location to generate an output task-to-object-mapping. The series of tasks, location data defining a position of each candidate object in the second location and output task-to-object-mapping are used to generate a mapped workflow which is then output to a device in the second location.