QR Error Code Capture for Offline Machine Service Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field service technical support departments face difficulties in collecting error data from standalone machines without network connections, as technicians lack the means to automatically transfer internal error codes during machine failures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using quick response (QR) codes to encode machine configuration items and error codes, allowing technicians to generate and read QR codes on-site, which are then parsed and stored for transfer to a service location via a communication network, enabling remote collection and analysis of error data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians manually collect error data from standalone machines without network connections, then data collection is possible, but the process is time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Quick Response (QR) codes as visual copies of error data. Instead of manually reading and transcribing error codes, the system generates QR codes that visually encode all relevant error information, configuration items, and diagnostic data. Technicians can scan these codes with mobile devices to automatically capture the data, eliminating manual transcription errors and significantly reducing data collection time.
2Productivity
If technicians use automated data transfer systems, then data collection efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases due to required network connections and backend software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces QR codes as an intermediary medium between the standalone machine and the technician's mobile device. The QR code encodes all necessary error data in a visual format that can be scanned and decoded by any smartphone or mobile device with a camera, eliminating the need for specialized data transfer hardware, network connections, or complex backend software at the machine location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service data collection where the machine automatically generates the QR code with all relevant error information embedded. The technician simply needs to scan the code with their mobile device, which automatically decodes and stores the data. This eliminates the need for complex automated data transfer systems, network infrastructure, or specialized software installations.
3Reliability
If error data is collected in real-time with network connectivity, then data accuracy is improved, but the system cannot be deployed in isolated locations without network access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-contained visual copy of all error data in QR code format that can be generated and scanned offline. The QR code encodes complete error information including error codes, configuration items, timestamps, and diagnostic data. This allows reliable data collection in isolated locations without network connectivity, as the data is captured in a portable, network-independent format that can be transferred later.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for collecting error code history includes detecting a fault caused by errors in a machine, initiating a dispatch request from the machine to a service location, generating a first quick response code in response to a first input signal from a technician, where the first quick response code encodes first configuration items that describe the machine and first error codes that characterize the detected errors, presenting a first graphical image of the first quick response code on a display, performing a self-test in the machine in response to a second input signal, generating a second quick response code after the self-test has been completed, where the second quick response code encodes second configuration items that describe the machine and second error codes, and presenting a second graphical image of the second quick response code on the display.