Sensor-Based Work Analysis for Template-Free Time Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work analysis systems require pre-designed templates and standard working times, leading to increased time and labor for setup, memory usage, and inability to calculate characteristic values when errors occur in work procedures.
Innovation Solution
A work analysis apparatus comprising a sensor data input device, class data generator, class data linker, and determiner that calculates characteristic values like standard working times and variations directly from sensor data without pre-designed templates, even when errors are made in work procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-designed templates and standard working times are used for work analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase due to design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The work analysis apparatus automatically generates templates and standard working times from measured sensor data without requiring manual design by analysts. The system processes sensor data sequences, determines intervals based on temporal variations, classifies intervals into work elements, and calculates standard working times automatically, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring external design input
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification of intervals into work elements based on temporal variations in sensor data before final measurement analysis. By pre-processing the sensor data to identify and classify work elements automatically, the system prepares the data structure needed for accurate measurement without requiring pre-designed templates
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-designed templates and standard working times are stored, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to memory usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates and stores only the essential measurement results (standard working times and variations) without requiring storage of pre-designed template data. By calculating standards directly from measured data, the system minimizes memory requirements while maintaining manufacturing precision through automatic recalculation capability
3Measurement precision
If manual measurement by analyst is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical system of manual stopwatch measurement and video analysis with an automated sensor-based measurement system. Sensors automatically capture work process data, and the control unit processes this data to determine work elements and calculate timing, eliminating the need for manual analyst intervention while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus automatically processes sensor data sequences to identify work elements, determine intervals, and calculate timing characteristics without requiring analyst intervention. The system performs self-measurement and self-analysis, dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual methods
4Ease of operation
If templates are designed in advance, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases due to design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates operational templates and classification criteria from measured data, eliminating the time-consuming manual design process. The apparatus processes sensor data sequences, determines temporal intervals, classifies work elements, and creates ready-to-use measurement standards without requiring analyst time for template design
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of sensor data to automatically establish classification frameworks and work element definitions before actual measurement analysis. This pre-processing automatically creates the operational structure needed for ease of use without requiring manual design time
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor data input device obtains a plurality of sensor data sequences, each indicating time-series sensor values generated by measuring a work of a working subject using a sensor. A class data generator determines a plurality of intervals obtained by temporally dividing each sensor data sequence based on the sensor values, determines classes of the intervals, each class indicating a type of temporal variations in the sensor values included in one of the intervals, and generates a plurality of first class data sequences for each sensor data sequence, each first class data sequence indicating the intervals and the classes of the sensor data sequence. A class data linker associates the corresponding intervals having an identical class with each other, among the plurality of first class data sequences. A determiner calculates characteristic values of the intervals associated with each other.