Operator Performance Measurement via Sensory and Physical Activity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to objectively and quantitatively assess a person's ability to perform tasks, as they only consider processing time without accounting for the actual skills and processes involved, making it difficult to improve or maintain productivity and efficiency in production lines or other task-based settings.
Innovation Solution
A performance measurement device that uses sensors to acquire data on sensory and physical activities of a target operator, calculating a performance index to objectively quantify their ability in executing tasks, allowing for identification of strengths and weaknesses and optimization of task performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If processing time is used as the only measure of ability, then objective and quantitative assessment of task completion is achieved, but information on the person's actual process and skills is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the task execution process into multiple measurable dimensions including sensory activity (vision, hearing, touch) and physical activity (movements, actions). By dividing the overall task performance into these distinct components, the system captures detailed process information while maintaining objective measurement through standardized sensing metrics for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional measurement (processing time only) to multi-dimensional measurement by incorporating sensory activity data and physical activity data. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous capture of both the outcome (task completion time) and the process (sensory and physical actions taken), resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and information loss.
2Ease of operation
If only processing time is measured, then simple and easy measurement is achieved, but the ability to objectively assess skills and provide repeatable improvement techniques is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensing data from multiple sources (sensory and physical sensors) is continuously collected and analyzed to provide comprehensive performance evaluation. This feedback loop enables reliable skill assessment by comparing actual performance across multiple dimensions against standards, while maintaining operational simplicity through automated data collection and analysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensing data as an intermediary between the operator's actions and the assessment system. Multiple sensors act as intermediaries that objectively capture sensory and physical activity, translating complex human skills into measurable data that can be reliably analyzed and used for consistent evaluation and improvement guidance.
3Loss of time
If processing time is the sole performance metric, then quick assessment is achieved, but systematic improvement of productivity and efficiency becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by continuously collecting and analyzing sensing data during task execution rather than conducting separate detailed assessments. The system proactively gathers sensory and physical activity information in real-time, enabling immediate identification of improvement opportunities and systematic productivity enhancement without adding assessment time to the workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by integrating performance measurement directly into the task execution process. Sensors continuously monitor sensory and physical activities throughout task performance, ensuring that measurement and improvement activities occur continuously alongside productive work rather than interrupting the workflow, thus enabling systematic productivity improvement over time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A performance measurement device (1) is provided with a data acquisition unit (111) configured to acquire sensing data (121) obtained from one or a plurality of sensors (30; 31) configured to measure an activity relating to at least one of sensory activity and physical activity of a target operator (50; 51) while said target operator (50; 51) executes a task (40), said task (40) including a plurality of basic operations; an index calculating unit (112) configured to analyze the sensing data (121) acquired to thereby calculate a performance index from the sensing data (121), the performance index indicating a degree of performance for the basic operations achieved through said activity; and a storage processor (113) configured to store the target operator (50; 51), the task (40), and the performance index calculated for each of the basic operations in association in a predetermined storage area (70).