Centralized Terminal Control for Multi-Step Eyeglass Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In eyeglass manufacturing, existing systems require operators to manually move between multiple apparatuses, leading to increased effort and time in the manufacturing process, as each apparatus needs to be operated individually.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device with a communicating unit, setting unit, and control unit that assists the operation of multiple eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses, allowing a single operator to control and monitor various processes through a centralized interface, including optometric, lens processing, and cup attaching operations, using wireless or wired communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators manually move between multiple eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses to operate each one individually, then each apparatus can be operated, but the operator's effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate operating units into a single integrated terminal device that can control multiple eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses simultaneously. The terminal device consolidates the operation interfaces of the optometric apparatus, lensmeter, cup attaching apparatus, and lens processing apparatus into one unified system, allowing the operator to manage all apparatuses from a single location without physically moving between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device is designed with multi-functionality to perform the roles of multiple separate operating units. It can display and control different types of apparatuses (optometric, lens measuring, cup attaching, lens processing) through a single interface, making the terminal device a universal control system that replaces several specialized operating units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate operating units are provided for each eyeglass manufacturing apparatus, then each apparatus can be independently operated, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device serves as a universal control system that can operate multiple different types of eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses through a single interface. It integrates the functionality of separate operating units while maintaining the ability to independently control each apparatus type, thereby reducing system complexity without sacrificing operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the operator and multiple eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses. It mediates the control signals and data flow between the operator and various apparatuses (optometric, lensmeter, cup attaching, lens processing), simplifying the overall system architecture by introducing a centralized communication hub rather than requiring direct connections from multiple operating units to each apparatus.
3Productivity
If operators physically move between apparatus positions to operate them, then each apparatus receives operation input, but the manufacturing process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device combines multiple operating units into one centralized control system that can manage all eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for operators to physically move between apparatus positions, allowing them to operate all equipment from a single location, thereby significantly improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal device for assisting operation of a plurality of eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses which are used for performing different processes in manufacturing eyeglasses, includes: a communicating device configured to communicate with the plurality of eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the terminal device to execute: a setting instruction for setting, according to a process, a specific eyeglass manufacturing apparatus from the plurality of eyeglass manufacturing apparatuses as an eyeglass manufacturing apparatus of which the operation is assisted; and a controlling instruction for controlling the communicating device to send an operating signal input in the terminal device to the specific eyeglass manufacturing apparatus set by the setting instruction or controlling the communicating device to receive an input signal input in the specific eyeglass manufacturing apparatus set by the setting instruction.