Touch Panel Line Configuration for Eyes-Free Bag-Making Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In production line configuration apparatuses with touch panels, users face complications when adjusting settings due to the need to look away from the operation area to locate and manipulate buttons, leading to increased complexity and workload, especially when correcting misalignments or adjusting print positions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs flick, tap, and directional manipulations on a touch-sensitive display to adjust settings without requiring users to directly view the panel, allowing for intuitive changes in set values based on sliding directions, tap counts, or simultaneous button presses, enabling adjustments without visual reference to the touch panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the touch panel is disposed at a position separated from the operation area, then the device structure is simplified and space is saved, but the user must move gaze between the operation area and touch panel, increasing operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the touch panel with the operation area by providing a display that shows guidance information directly at or near the operation location. This merging allows users to access control functions without moving their gaze between separate components, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces guidance information as an intermediary element that mediates between the touch panel and the operation area. This guidance information provides visual cues and instructions directly at the operation location, enabling users to perform adjustments without directly viewing the touch panel, thus bridging the gap between separated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the user must move gaze to locate buttons on the touch panel, then the touch panel can be placed in a standard position, but the adjustment process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidadjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides guidance information in advance that indicates the location and function of buttons on the touch panel. This preliminary information preparation allows users to understand what adjustments are needed and where to find the corresponding controls without having to search or move their gaze, thereby speeding up the adjustment process and simplifying operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by displaying guidance information that responds to the user's adjustment needs. The system provides real-time visual cues about which buttons to press and what adjustments are required, creating a feedback loop that guides users through the adjustment process efficiently without requiring them to interpret the touch panel interface directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3305672B1Production line configuration device
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP3305672B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3305672B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3305672B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A production line configuration apparatus reducing complication of a process performed via a touch panel is provided. A bag making and packaging machine (100) includes an adjustment part (401), a liquid crystal display (500), and a control part (600). The adjustment part (401) performs an operation related to making a bag. The liquid crystal display (500) is a touch-sensitive manipulation part accepting input via a touch manipulation by a user. The control part (600) changes a set value in the adjustment part (401) on the basis of a method for the touch manipulation.