Remote Vehicle Operation Interface for Radio Signal Change Awareness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote operation systems for work machines lack the ability for operators to monitor and predict communication state changes, leading to unexpected communication cutoffs and delays due to unstable radio wave environments.

Innovation Solution

A communication device that displays real-time radio wave intensity and changes in intensity, using a combination of visual elements to intuitively indicate the current and past radio wave conditions, allowing operators to anticipate and manage communication stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator remotely operates the work machine without communication state monitoring, then the operation simplicity is maintained, but the communication reliability deteriorates due to unexpected cutoffs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by displaying radio wave intensity information and its changes on the display device. The communication state monitoring unit continuously tracks radio wave intensity and provides visual feedback to the operator through the display, enabling the operator to monitor communication quality and take preventive actions before communication cutoff occurs, thus improving communication reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication state monitoring unit as an intermediary between the radio wave reception system and the operator. This intermediary processes raw radio wave intensity data, determines communication state changes, and presents processed information through the display device, bridging the gap between the technical communication system and the human operator while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operator moves the work machine to unstable radio wave areas, then the work area coverage is increased, but the communication stability deteriorates leading to cutoffs and delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework area coverageVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary action by displaying not only current radio wave intensity but also information on changes in radio wave intensity. This allows the operator to predict upcoming communication deterioration before it occurs and take preventive measures such as stopping the machine or moving to a different location, thereby maintaining communication stability while expanding work area coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication state monitoring unit provides continuous feedback on radio wave intensity changes, enabling the operator to adapt to varying communication conditions in different work areas. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to make informed decisions about where to operate the machine, balancing work area coverage with communication stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If real-time radio wave intensity monitoring is implemented, then the communication state visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional monitoring and display components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication state visibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by utilizing the existing display device for multiple purposes: displaying work machine operation information and simultaneously displaying communication state information such as radio wave intensity and its changes. This approach improves communication state visibility without requiring separate dedicated display hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the communication state monitoring function with the existing remote operation system by integrating the monitoring unit and display outputs into the current operational framework. This consolidation allows communication state information to be presented alongside operational data, improving visibility while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4060128B1Remote operation system
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4060128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060128B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4060128B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

It is possible to notify an operator of a change in radio wave intensity in addition to the radio wave intensity received by a remotely operating vehicle. A radio wave is transmitted to and received from a vehicle to operate the vehicle. A communication device 14 includes a display unit 21 configured to display information, in which the display unit 21 is capable of displaying a first image 22 representing first radio wave intensity which is radio wave intensity of a radio wave being currently received by the vehicle, and a second image 32 representing information on a change in the first radio wave intensity.