Weld Training Result Sharing via Centralized Remote Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional weld training systems lack the ability to share high-quality weld training results effectively, leading to difficulties in engaging trainees and maintaining their progress.

Innovation Solution

The system enables the transmission and sharing of high-quality weld training results by uploading them to a central training system, where they can be accessed via a networked location, and encoding them in machine-readable graphics for easy sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If weld training results are stored locally in the training system, then data security and system independence are maintained, but sharing and accessibility of training results become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining results accessibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A central server acts as an intermediary between multiple weld training systems. The server receives training results from various training systems via communication circuits, stores them centrally, and enables sharing across different locations without requiring direct connections between training systems. This resolves the contradiction by providing wide accessibility while maintaining relatively simple individual training system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The central server provides universal access to training results for multiple users and multiple training systems simultaneously. It serves as a shared repository that any authorized user can access through their computing device, eliminating the need for each training system to independently provide sharing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If weld training results are shared across multiple systems via a central server, then accessibility and engagement improve, but data transmission and system coordination complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresult sharingVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The central server pre-processes and stores training results as they are generated, organizing them in advance for quick retrieval. When users need to share or access results, the data is already prepared and stored, eliminating the need for real-time processing during sharing operations and reducing transmission delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of training results that can be transmitted and shared without moving the original data. Multiple users can access identical copies of the same training results simultaneously, reducing data transmission time and network load compared to transferring large datasets in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If training results are made accessible via networked locations, then user engagement and motivation increase, but security and access control requirements become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining engagementVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements authentication and authorization mechanisms that provide feedback to users about their access rights. The server verifies user credentials before granting access to training results and can log access attempts, creating a secure yet user-friendly experience that maintains engagement while ensuring data security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3770886B1Weld training systems with shared training results
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3770886B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3770886B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3770886B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for weld training systems with shared training results are described. In some examples, weld training results may be uploaded to a central training system that provides access to the weld training results at a networked location (e.g., a webpage). High quality weld training results may be more easily shared via the networked location (e.g., using the webpage address, a mobile device, and/or some other networked device). In some examples, the weld training results (and/or the networked location where the weld training results are accessible) may be encoded in a machine readable graphic (e.g., a one dimensional, two dimensional, and/or matrix barcode).