Task Allocation via Sympathetic Parasympathetic Nerve Activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional task-allocation mechanisms in work environments fail to consider the mental and physical health of workers, leading to potentially detrimental task assignments that can result in health issues or even hospitalization, as they primarily focus on time-based efficiencies without accounting for physiological and psychological states.

Innovation Solution

A method that captures sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity levels through biometric data to determine a quantitative relation, which is then used to assign tasks based on task complexity and worker health, ensuring appropriate task allocation according to their physiological and psychological states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional task-allocation mechanisms focus on time-based efficiencies, then productivity is improved, but worker health and psychological state deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime efficiencyVSAvoidworker health impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters used for task allocation from purely time-based metrics to include physiological parameters (sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity). This allows the system to adjust task assignment based on the worker's current health state, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and protecting worker health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If tasks are allocated based on past recorded events, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of task allocation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of allocation mechanismVSAvoidaccuracy of task allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where physiological data (sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity) is continuously monitored and fed back into the task allocation system. This real-time feedback allows the system to adapt task assignments based on current worker state, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If task allocation ignores physiological state, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of allocation systemVSAvoiddetrimental health effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple time-based allocation mechanisms with a biofeedback-based system that monitors physiological parameters. By substituting the allocation criterion from temporal metrics to physiological metrics, the system reduces harmful effects on workers while the automated nature of the monitoring keeps the added complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11250356B2Method and system for apportioning tasks to persons in environment

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for apportioning tasks to person in an environment. The method comprises capturing a first-value indicating a sympathetic-nerve based activity and a second-value indicating a parasympathetic-nerve based activity for at least one person operating in an environment. Thereafter, a quantitative-relation is determined between the first and second values. At-least one task is assigned for execution by said person within the environment based on such quantitative relation.