Sample Category Identification Device for RoHS Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analysts face a significant burden in identifying the category of electric and electronic equipment to determine compliance with regulations like the RoHS Directive, as each category has distinct criteria for hazardous substances, requiring manual comparison of measurement data with predetermined criteria.

Innovation Solution

A sample category identification device that uses a database to match linguistic input from users with predefined criteria, employing morphological analysis and key phrase extraction to reduce the burden by presenting category candidates based on the degree of match, allowing for automated category identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual comparison of measurement data with predetermined criteria is performed, then compliance determination can be made, but the analyst's workload and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance determination efficiencyVSAvoidtime for category identification
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical comparison processes with an automated information processing system. The category identification device uses computational algorithms to automatically match sample information with regulatory criteria, eliminating the need for analysts to manually compare measurement data with predetermined criteria across multiple categories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service category identification where the device autonomously determines the applicable category based on input sample information. The automated determination function independently performs the matching process without requiring analyst intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in the category identification task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If detailed category-specific criteria are provided for each equipment category, then compliance accuracy is improved, but the complexity of determining the correct category increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance determination accuracyVSAvoidcategory determination process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary information processing layer between the sample data and the regulatory criteria. The category identification device acts as a mediator that automatically translates sample information into comparable formats and matches them with the appropriate criteria, simplifying the complex task of navigating multiple category-specific regulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal category determination mechanism that can handle multiple equipment categories through a single integrated process. The automated determination function serves all category types uniformly, eliminating the need for analysts to manually navigate different determination procedures for each category.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple regulatory criteria are collated for different equipment categories, then comprehensive compliance checking is achieved, but the operational burden on analysts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory compliance coverageVSAvoidoperational ease for analysts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operational processes with automated information processing. The category identification device automatically collates and applies multiple regulatory criteria through computational algorithms, eliminating the need for analysts to manually manage and compare multiple regulatory requirements across different equipment categories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3683693A1Device for identifying sample category, analytical system, and analytical network system
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 SHIMADZU CORP
  • EP3683693A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3683693A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3683693A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a device used to identify a category to which a target sample belongs from among a plurality of categories for classifying samples, criteria being set for each of the plurality of categories, the device includes a storage unit 21 configured to store a database 211 in which one or a plurality of terms related to criteria determined in advance for each of the plurality of categories are associated with each of the plurality of categories, a target sample information input reception unit 24 configured to receive an input of target sample information which is linguistic information including a term that characterizes the target sample, a category candidate extraction unit 26 configured to compare a term included in the target sample information with the one or a plurality of terms corresponding to each of the plurality of categories to extract candidates of categories to which the target sample belongs from among the plurality of categories based on a degree of match, and a category candidate presentation unit 27 configured to present extracted category candidates to a user.