Workplace Task Execution Using Voice Exception Reporting and Light Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
In workplaces such as warehouses and retail stores, workers face challenges in accurately executing tasks due to discrepancies in transmitting instructions, leading to erroneous task execution and reduced productivity, particularly when using voice-based systems and light devices for navigation and exception reporting.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computing device, an operator device, and light devices that receive voice inputs to determine tasks, activate location indicators, and update tasks based on exceptions encountered during execution, allowing workers to efficiently report issues through voice commands rather than complex menus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice-based systems are used for task instructions and exception reporting, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to transmission discrepancies and misinterpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light devices as intermediaries between the computing device and the worker. The system transmits task location information as light signals that directly indicate where tasks should be performed, eliminating the need for workers to interpret voice instructions. Exception status is also transmitted via light signals, providing clear visual feedback without requiring complex voice menu navigation. This intermediary visual communication system resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving reliability of instruction transmission.
2Measurement precision
If complex menu systems are used for exception reporting, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the exception reporting function from complex voice menu systems and implements it through simple light signal transmission. The computing device determines exception status and transmits it as visual light signals to indicate task completion status or exceptions. This extraction eliminates the need for workers to navigate complex voice menus while maintaining precise exception reporting capability, as the system directly captures and transmits exception status without requiring complex user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/voice-based menu navigation system with an optical communication system. Instead of requiring workers to speak through complex voice menus, the system uses light devices to visually communicate task locations and exception statuses. This substitution of mechanical voice processing with optical signaling simplifies the interaction mechanism while maintaining or improving measurement precision for exception reporting.
3Ease of operation
If voice inputs are used for task execution, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The light devices serve as reliable intermediaries that transmit task location and exception status information without the transmission errors associated with voice-based systems. The computing device converts task information into light signals that are visually displayed, ensuring accurate transmission of location and status data. This visual intermediary system eliminates voice transmission discrepancies and misinterpretation while maintaining ease of operation through simple visual indication rather than complex voice commands.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the embodiments illustrated herein, a method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by a computing device comprising a processor, an input from an operator device, wherein the input facilitates determining a task to be performed. Further, the method comprises activating, by the computing device, a first light device associated with a first location in a workplace in response to receiving the input, wherein the first location is associated with the task to be performed. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving, by the computing device, a first voice input from the operator device, indicative of an exception encountered during execution of the task. Additionally, the method includes modifying the task, in response to determining that the first voice input is indicative of the exception encountered during execution of the task.