Production Zone Error Handling With Triggered Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current production systems require significant time and effort for error analysis due to the manual process of recreating error circumstances, which hinders efficient optimization and troubleshooting.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method with image capture units and error detection units in production systems, where image data from affected zones is automatically sent to users upon error detection, along with a timestamp, to facilitate rapid analysis and identification of error causes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual error analysis is performed by recreating error circumstances, then error causes can be identified, but significant time and effort are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror analysis accuracyVSAvoiderror analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing and storing image data from multiple cameras before errors occur. When an error is detected, the pre-captured image data is immediately available for analysis, eliminating the need to manually recreate error circumstances and significantly reducing analysis time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies of the production environment through multiple image capture units that record images from different perspectives. These image copies serve as substitutes for physical recreation of error conditions, allowing analysts to examine captured images instead of manually reproducing the error scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If multiple image capture units are deployed to capture error context, then comprehensive error analysis is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror context informationVSAvoidimage capture system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The production environment is segmented into multiple work zones, each monitored by dedicated image capture units. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the production area while organizing the complex system into manageable, modular units that can be independently configured and maintained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image capture units are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as continuous monitoring devices and as error analysis tools. The same cameras that monitor normal production also capture error context, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If image data is stored for extended periods for error analysis, then complete error context is available, but storage requirements and data processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror analysis reliabilityVSAvoidimage data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by storing complete image data for recent periods and older image data with lower retention requirements. Image data from the current and previous shift is fully retained for reliable error analysis, while older data is archived or deleted, optimizing storage usage based on the local time-based quality requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4321951A1Method for automated error handling of a production system and production system
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 SOMIC VERPACKUNGSMASCH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4321951A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4321951A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4321951A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of image acquisition units (K1, K2, K3) and a plurality of fault detection units (30) at a production plant (10), wherein the production plant (10) comprises a plurality of work zones (A1, A2, A3), each of which is assigned at least one of the image acquisition units (K1, K2, K3) and at least one of the fault detection units (30); providing a control unit which is configured to acquire a signal from at least one fault detection unit (30) and, based thereon, to detect whether a fault has occurred in the production plant (10) in the work zone (A1, A2, A3) to which the fault detection unit (30) is assigned; and, in the event that a fault has been detected in a work zone (A1, A2, A3), forwarding image data which is generated by the at least one image acquisition unit (K1, K2, K3, K4) of this work zone. (A1, A2,A3) are captured and/or have been transmitted to a user using an output unit (28). The invention further relates to such a production plant (10).