Remote Work Machine Audio Switching to Prevent Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote operation systems for work machines face issues with audio feedback due to microphones and speakers installed in both the remote operation device and the work machine, which hinder operability and operator comfort.
Innovation Solution
A remote operation assistance system that includes actual machine and remote machine microphones and speakers, with mechanisms to reduce or stop output from the remote speaker when the actual machine speaker outputs operator audio, and vice versa, while using simulated audio based on work machine conditions to enhance operability and reduce discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video transmission is performed in real-time over a wide area using related art systems, then remote operation capability is achieved, but communication cost increases significantly and image quality deteriorates due to compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical discs (Blu-ray discs) to create physical copies of construction site videos, eliminating the need for continuous digital transmission. The original video is recorded locally and then copied to portable optical media, which can be transported physically to remote locations for viewing without quality degradation from compression or bandwidth limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic/digital transmission system with a mechanical transport system. Instead of transmitting video data electronically over networks, the system uses physical optical discs that can be carried by personnel or transported mechanically to remote sites, substituting digital communication with physical media transport.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video transmission is performed in real-time over a wide area using related art systems, then remote operation capability is achieved, but communication cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates physical copies of video content on optical discs, eliminating ongoing communication costs associated with real-time streaming. Once the video is recorded and copied to the disc, no additional communication energy is required for remote viewing, as the disc can be physically transported and played locally anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive electronic communication infrastructure with simple mechanical transport of optical discs. This eliminates the need for high-bandwidth network connections, data centers, and continuous data transmission, replacing them with low-cost physical media that can be moved and viewed offline.
3Productivity
If operators perform operations based on manager instructions over a period of time, then work completion is achieved, but the period during which the work machine remains idle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent records construction site videos and operational instructions in advance on optical discs before the actual work begins. Managers can prepare and transport these video guides ahead of time, allowing operators to review instructions beforehand and execute tasks continuously without waiting for real-time verbal instructions, thereby reducing idle time between tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a remote operation system and a remote operation device for a work machine that enhance operability while avoiding audio feedback caused by a microphone and a speaker respectively provided in the remote operation device and the work machine. Output of work machine-side audio (audio collected by an actual machine external microphone 414) via a remote speaker 222 is reduced or output from the remote speaker 222 is stopped, when remote operation device-side audio (audio collected by a remote microphone 214) is output via an actual machine speaker 422. Thus, collection via the remote microphone 214 of the audio output from the remote speaker 222 is suppressed.