Projected Workflow Highlight Configuration for Quality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quality control systems require highly skilled users to program them for displaying information relevant to each workflow step, making the configuration process complex and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A quality control system that includes a projector, processor, and memory, allowing users to generate and position highlight areas within a work area using a user interface, which can be easily configured by users skilled in the workflow without requiring programming expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional programming methods are used to configure the quality control system, then the system can display information for each workflow step, but the configuration process becomes complex and requires highly skilled users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of information displayVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows operators to independently configure workflow information display using an intuitive graphical interface without requiring external programming expertise. The operator can select images, define highlight areas, and configure text boxes directly through the user interface, making the system self-configurable and eliminating the need for highly skilled programmers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A configuration mode acts as an intermediary between the operator and the system's display functions. This intermediate interface simplifies the complex programming tasks into user-friendly operations, allowing operators to configure workflow steps through visual selection and parameter setting rather than direct programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of information displayVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-provides a library of workflow step images that can be directly selected and configured. Instead of requiring operators to create or program each display element from scratch, the pre-prepared images and templates enable rapid configuration by simply selecting and customizing existing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration process is designed to be completed independently and quickly by operators using the graphical interface, eliminating time losses associated with programming expertise requirements and complex configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional programming methods are used, then the system can be configured, but users need programming expertise which they may not have

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configurabilityVSAvoiduser skill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to be configured by its end-users without requiring external programming expertise. The graphical user interface enables operators to perform all configuration tasks independently, making the system adaptable to different workflows while remaining easy to operate for personnel with standard computer literacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional programming (mechanical/coding approach) is replaced with a graphical user interface approach. Instead of writing code to configure the system, users interact with visual elements, drag-and-drop interfaces, and parameter settings, substituting complex programming operations with simpler graphical manipulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of information

If detailed written instructions are provided on screens, then operators can follow workflow steps, but operators may get confused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow information deliveryVSAvoidoperator understanding

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing uniform detailed text instructions for all workflow steps, the system uses highlight areas and text boxes that provide localized, context-specific information exactly where needed on the displayed image. This targeted approach delivers necessary information without overwhelming operators with excessive text.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses visual highlighting (color changes and graphical emphasis) to draw operators' attention to critical areas and information on the workflow display. Rather than relying solely on text, colored highlight areas and formatted text boxes provide intuitive visual cues that improve comprehension and reduce confusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250190092A1Quality control system configuration

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE LTD

AI summary

A quality control system for guiding an operator in a working environment though a workflow comprising a series of workflow steps. the system comprising: a projector configured to display images on to the working environment: a processor: and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to: generate a user interface for display on the working environment using the projector to enable a user to position at least one highlight area within a work area on the working environment: and store the work area including the at least one highlight area positioned in the work area by the user against a workflow step of the workflow.