Worker-Robot Work Identification Using Specified Robot Operations

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work management systems inaccurately identify the work subject as a robot when a worker interacts with the system, leading to increased process load and time due to reliance on communication for identification.

Innovation Solution

A work management system that includes a control section to control the robot with a specified operation, an information acquisition section to gather work information, and an identification section to determine whether the work is performed by a worker or a robot based on the presence of the specified operation and detection by a detection device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If communication is used to identify the work subject, then the work subject can be identified, but the process load and required time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework subject identification accuracyVSAvoididentification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the communication-based identification system with a detection device-based system. Instead of using communication protocols to identify whether a worker or robot is performing work, the system uses detection devices (such as cameras, sensors, or vision systems) to detect the presence and actions of workers and robots. This substitution eliminates communication overhead and reduces identification time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If communication is used to identify the work subject, then the work subject can be identified, but the process load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework subject identification accuracyVSAvoidprocess load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the communication-based identification system with a detection device-based system. Instead of using communication protocols to identify whether a worker or robot is performing work, the system uses detection devices (such as cameras, sensors, or vision systems) to detect the presence and actions of workers and robots. This substitution eliminates communication overhead and reduces identification time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If communication-based identification is used, then the work subject can be identified, but erroneous identification may occur when workers execute work after robot communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework subject identification accuracyVSAvoididentification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the communication-based identification system with a detection device-based system. Instead of using communication protocols to identify whether a worker or robot is performing work, the system uses detection devices (such as cameras, sensors, or vision systems) to detect the presence and actions of workers and robots. This substitution eliminates communication overhead and reduces identification time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection device continuously monitors the work area and provides real-time information about worker and robot presence. The control device uses this feedback to accurately determine who is performing work at any given moment, preventing erroneous identification. The system continuously adjusts its identification based on current detection data rather than relying on previous communication states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12552031B2Work management system

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 FUJI CORP

AI summary

A work management system is applied to a work area in which a predetermined work is executed by a worker and a robot. The work management system includes a control section configured to control the robot such that a specified operation set in advance is included in an operation by the robot executing the predetermined work, an information acquisition section configured to acquire work information indicating a presence or absence of the specified operation in at least one of an execution result and an execution process of the predetermined work, and an identification section configured to identify whether a work subject of the predetermined work is the worker or the robot based on the work information acquired by the information acquisition section.