NC Operation Panel With Face Authentication and Fever Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining center NC operation panels lack effective means to ensure operator safety and efficiency by monitoring physical condition, particularly body temperature, which can impact judgment and operation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The NC operation panel integrates a visible region image camera for facial authentication and an infrared ray detection camera for body temperature measurement, allowing for real-time assessment of an operator's physical condition before starting work and enforcing work restrictions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous vital signal monitoring is performed throughout the entire work process, then operator safety is improved, but work efficiency deteriorates due to process interruptions and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs body temperature measurement and health assessment before work begins, rather than continuously during work. The control unit determines whether the operator is in appropriate physical condition before allowing work to start, preventing unsafe operations without interrupting the work process itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential safety check (body temperature measurement) from the continuous monitoring process and performs it only at the necessary moment (before work starts). This eliminates the need for continuous monitoring while maintaining safety assurance
2Reliability
If emergency work stoppage is performed when deteriorated health condition is detected, then operator safety is improved, but work efficiency deteriorates due to wasted work process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs health assessment before work begins, so that if the operator is in inappropriate physical condition, work is never started in the first place. This prevents the need for emergency stoppages and associated time losses
3Reliability
If facial authentication system is implemented, then operator identification and work restriction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures facial images for authentication and simultaneously captures infrared images for body temperature measurement. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining identification accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances safety and efficiency by preventing operators in poor physical condition from initiating work, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and maintaining high operational standards.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared ray detection camera that is mounted adjacent to the visible light condensing lens on the front face of the operation panel in a state that an infrared ray condensing lens is exposed, and, simultaneously with image-capturing by the visible region image camera, detects far infrared rays irradiated from a face surface of the operator, and obtains face surface temperature data
Data Source
AI summary
A machining center NC operation panel with a body temperature management function includes a visible range image camera and an infrared detection camera on a front surface of an operation panel. A storage unit has: an operator list; a face image file; and a body temperature management file for machine tool users and body-temperature managed users. A control unit includes: a face authentication processing unit; a work information processing unit that calls a work item assigned to the identified operator and displays it on a display unit of the operation panel so as to allow execution of a selection; and a body temperature acquisition processing unit that assesses whether or not the operator has a fever. When receiving a result of the assessment that the operator has a fever, the work information processing unit locks an operation screen of the display unit to inhibit continuation of an operation.