U.S. patent application number 09/945774 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for augmented-reality system with voice-based recording of information data, in particular of service reports.
Invention is credited to Friedrich, Wolfgang, Wohlgemuth, Wolfgang.
Application Number | 20020069072 09/945774 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27576004 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020069072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedrich, Wolfgang ; et
al. |
June 6, 2002 |
Augmented-reality system with voice-based recording of information
data, in particular of service reports
Abstract
The invention relates to an augmented-reality system and method
for transmitting information data from a user, in particular of a
process controlled by automation technology, of a production plant
and/or of a machine, for example from a service technician to a
storage medium in the augmented-reality system, where the
augmented-reality system have recording means for recording voice
inputs by the user, in particular service logs, using voice-based
input. This means that service logs can easily be created quickly,
stored centrally and archived, so that the appropriate information
is reliably available even in the [lacuna] for later, similar
instances of action.
Inventors: |
Friedrich, Wolfgang;
(Bubenreuth, DE) ; Wohlgemuth, Wolfgang;
(Erlangen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Family ID: |
27576004 |
Appl. No.: |
09/945774 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09945774 |
Sep 4, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/DE00/00660 |
Mar 2, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
704/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 2219/35494
20130101; G05B 19/409 20130101; G05B 19/4183 20130101; G05B
2219/35482 20130101; G05B 19/41875 20130101; G05B 2219/35495
20130101; Y02P 90/02 20151101; G05B 2219/31027 20130101; G05B
2219/32014 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
704/275 |
International
Class: |
G10L 021/00; G10L
011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 1999 |
WO |
00/52538 |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909023.8 |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909154.4, |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909018.1, |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909012.2, |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909011.4, |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909010.6, |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909013.0, |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909009.2 |
Mar 2, 1999 |
DE |
19909016.5 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for recording and storing information data, where the
system has recording means for recording a service report in the
form of voice inputs by a user means for recording documentation
data and process data for an installation controlled by automation
technology, and a storage medium for storing the voice inputs, the
documentation data and the process data.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the documentation data
and the process data are recorded in connection with the voice
inputs by the user.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein voice-controlled
storage and association of the service reports are provided.
4. The system as claimed according to claim 1, wherein recording
means for recording a current operating situation are provided, and
in that storage and association of the service reports on the basis
of the current operating situation are provided.
5. The system as claimed according to claim 1, wherein the system
has visualization means for visualizing information data stored in
the system.
6. The system according to claim 4, wherein means are provided for
displaying the stored information data on the basis of the current
operating situation.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the recording means are
user-controlled.
8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the visualization means
are in the form of display apparatuses arranged in the area of
goggle lenses of data goggles, in that the recording means provided
is an image-recording apparatus arranged on the data goggles, and
in that a microphone arranged on the data goggles is provided for
recording voice commands.
9. A method for recording and storing information data, where
recording means are used to record a service report in the form of
voice inputs by a user documentation data and process data for an
installation controlled by automation technology are recorded, and
the voice inputs, the documentation data and the process data are
stored.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the documentation data
and the process data are recorded in connection with the voice
inputs by the user.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein voice-controlled
storage and association of the service reports are provided.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein recording means are
used to ascertain a current operating situation, and in that
storage and association of the service reports on the basis of the
current operating situation are provided.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein information data
stored in the system are visualized using visualization means.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the stored
information data are displayed on the basis of the current
operating situation.
15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the recording means
are user-controlled.
16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the visualization
means are in the form of display apparatuses arranged in the area
of goggle lenses of data goggles, in that the recording means
provided is an image-recording apparatus arranged on the data
goggles, and in that a microphone arranged on the data goggles is
provided for recording voice commands.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an augmented-reality system for
transmitting information data from a user, for example from a
service technician, to a storage medium in the augmented-reality
system.
[0002] Such a system and method are used, for example, in the field
of automation technology, for production machinery and machine
tools, in diagnostic/service support systems, and for complex
components, equipment and systems, such as vehicles and industrial
machinery and installations.
[0003] The technical article Daude R. et al: "Head-Mounted Display
als facharbeiterorientierte Unterstutzungskomponente an
CNC-Werkzeugmaschinen" [Head-mounted display as expert-oriented
support component on CNC machine tools], Werkstattstechnik, DE,
Springer Verlag, Berlin, Vol. 86, No. 5, May 1, 1996, pages
248-252, XP000585192 ISSN: 0340-4544, describes, with the
head-mounted display (HMD), a component for supporting the expert
for setting up, running in and fault management for milling work.
The engineering link between the HMD and a modern NC-controller is
explained and the results of a laboratory experiment with the HMD
are stated.
[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a system
and a method which permit simple and reliable recording and storage
of information data, in particular of service reports.
[0005] This object is achieved by a system and by a method having
the features specified in claims 1 and 9, respectively. The
invention is based on the insight that service staff with simple
training often have only limited ability to document a servicing
action in writing. The result of this is that no reliable
information is available for future instances of action. The
voice-based recording of the service reports, possibly also in
connection with information data, i.e. documentation data and/or
process data for an installation controlled by automation
technology, provides a simple and reliable way of recording and
storing the information data, in particular the service reports. In
this case, the service reports can be stored and associated under
voice control or under the control of the other recording means,
such as image-recording means, i.e. in context-dependent fashion by
the respective current operating situation ascertained by the
recording means. When recording the action reports, in addition to
the pure voice-based recording, it is also possible to record other
data, such as process values, signal values, video images, at the
same time. The augmented-reality system can provide the service
technician who has been given a particular task with access to
suitable, earlier, stored service logs, in the form of audio and/or
image data, in situ on the basis of the problem which is set, so
that the service technician profits, in a simple manner, from
service actions which have already been recorded previously by
colleagues, and an expert needs to be employed only in exceptional
cases.
[0006] Advantageous refinements involve the documentation data
being static and/or dynamic information data. Examples of such
static information are engineering data from handbooks, exploded
drawings, maintenance instructions etc. Examples of dynamic
information are process values such as temperature, pressure,
signals etc.
[0007] The invention is based on the insight that service staff
with simple training often have only limited ability to document a
servicing action in writing. The result of this is that no reliable
information is available for future instances of action. The
voice-based recording of the service reports, possibly also in
connection with information data, i.e. documentation data and/or
process data for an installation controlled by automation
technology, provides a simple and reliable way of recording and
storing the information data, in particular the service reports. In
this case, the service reports can be stored and associated under
voice control or under the control of the other recording means,
such as image-recording means, i.e. in context-dependent fashion by
the respective current operating situation ascertained by the
recording means. When recording the action reports, in addition to
the pure voice-based recording, it is also possible to record other
data, such as process values, signal values, video images, at the
same time. The augmented-reality system can provide the service
technician who has been given a particular task with access to
suitable, earlier, stored service logs, in the form of audio and/or
image data, in situ on the basis of the problem which is set, so
that the service technician profits, in a simple manner, from
service actions which have already been recorded previously by
colleagues, and an expert needs to be employed only in exceptional
cases.
[0008] Advantageous refinements involve the documentation data
being static and/or dynamic information data. Examples of such
static information are engineering data from handbooks, exploded
drawings, maintenance instructions etc. Examples of dynamic
information are process values such as temperature, pressure,
signals etc.
[0009] Rapid situation-related access to the documentation data is
supported further by virtue of the recording means having an
image-sensing apparatus, by virtue of the evaluation means being
provided for evaluating the real information such that a use
context, in particular an object of the documentation data, is
ascertained from the real information, and by virtue of the system
having visualization means for visualizing the documentation
data.
[0010] Rapid situation-related access to the documentation data is
supported further by virtue of the recording means being
user-controlled and being, in particular, in the form of
voice-controlled recording means and/or recording means controlled
by control data.
[0011] Augmented-reality techniques on the basis of the static
and/or dynamic documentation and/or process data can be used in a
manner which is optimum for a large number of application instances
by virtue of the recording means and/or the visualization means
being in the form of data goggles.
[0012] The invention is described in more detail and explained
below using the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures, in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment
of an augmented-reality system;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows another block diagram of an exemplary
embodiment of an augmented-reality system; and
[0015] FIG. 3 shows an application example of situation-related
access to expert knowledge and/or documentation data.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a basic illustration of an augmented-reality
system augmented-reality system for transmitting information data
from a user, in particular of a process controlled by automation
technology, of a production plant and/or of a machine, for example
from a service technician to a storage medium in the
augmented-reality system. The augmented-reality system has
recording means 11 for recording voice inputs by the user 7. Such
voice inputs comprise, in particular, service logs using
voice-based input. For this purpose, the user, who is not shown
explicitly in FIG. 1, is equipped with mobile equipment 4, 6. The
mobile equipment 4, 6 comprises data goggles 4 holding a video
camera 2 and a microphone 11. The data goggles are coupled to a
device for wireless communication, for example a radio transceiver
apparatus 6 which can communicate with the automation system A1 . .
. An via a radio interface 15. The automation system A1 . . . An
can be coupled by means of a data link 14 to an augmented-reality
system 10, which is also referred to as AR system for short below.
The AR system contains an information module 1b for storing or
accessing information data, an AR base module 8 and an AR
application module 9. In one advantageous embodiment, the AR system
10 can be connected to the one data network, for example to the
Internet 5, by means of a data link 13, with an internet connection
12 (shown by way of example) permitting access to memory and
documentation data 1a. Similarly, the voice data and/or other data
from the user can be stored at the second location O2.
[0017] The user, equipped with the data goggles 4 and the mobile
radio transmission device 7, can move freely in the installation A1
. . . An for maintenance and servicing purposes. If, by way of
example, maintenance or repair of a particular subcomponent in the
installations A1 . . . An is necessary, then the camera 2 on the
data goggles 4 is used, possibly controlled by voice commands
recorded by the microphone 11, to set up appropriate access to the
relevant documentation data 1a, 1b, for example earlier, already
recorded service reports. To this end, the radio interface 15 is
used to set up a data link to the installation A1 . . . An or to an
appropriate radio transmission module, and to transmit the data to
the AR system 10. In the AR system, the data obtained from the user
are evaluated in relation to the situation, and information data
1a, 1b are accessed automatically or else under interactive control
by the user. The relevant documentation data 1a, 1b ascertained are
transmitted to the radio transmission device 6 via the data links
14, 15, and, on the basis of the operating situation recorded, all
in all an analysis is thus performed which is the basis of the
selection of data from the available static information. This
results in situation-related, object-oriented or component-oriented
selection of relevant knowledge from the most up-to-date data
sources 1a, 1b. The information is displayed using the respective
visualization component used, for example a hand-held PC or data
goggles. AR-based technologies are referred to. The user in situ is
thus provided only with the information which he needs. This
information is always at the most up-to-date level. The service
technician is not overloaded with information, for example by a
"100 page manual".
[0018] FIG. 2 shows another application example of a system for
documentation processing for servicing and maintenance. The system
comprises an augmented-reality system 10 which contains an
information module 1b for storing information data, an AR base
system 8 and an AR application module 9. The AR system 10 can be
coupled to the Internet 5 by means of link lines 13, 18. From the
Internet, an illustrative data link 12 can be used to connect to a
remote PC 16 with a remote expert 22. The individual modules of the
AR system 10 are coupled together by means of connections 19, 20,
21. The user communication between a user 7 and the AR system takes
place via interfaces 8, 23. To this end, the AR system can be
coupled to a transceiver apparatus which permits two-way data
communication between the AR system 10 and the user 7, using data
goggles 4, either directly via the interface 8 or via an interface
23 using a radio transceiver device 17 arranged in the area of the
user 7. The connection 23 can be produced using a separate data
link or using the electricity mains in the form of a "power-line"
modem. Besides a display apparatus arranged in the area of the
goggle lenses, the data goggles 4 contain an image-sensing
apparatus 2 in the form of a camera, and also a microphone 11. The
user 7 can move in the area of the installations A1 . . . An using
the data goggles 4 and can carry out servicing or maintenance
work.
[0019] The data goggles 4 and the corresponding radio transceiver
apparatuses, for example the radio transceiver apparatus 17 worn by
the staff directly on the body, can be used to achieve preventive
functionality: first, the respective operating situation is
recorded, for example by the camera 2 or by localization by the
staff 7. On the basis of the recorded operating situation, the AR
system selects data [lacuna] installation A1 . . . An being
maintained. The fundamental advantage of the system shown in FIG. 3
is that this system supports the interaction of the individual
single functionalities on an application-related basis: thus, a
concrete operating situation is first recorded automatically and
this operating situation is then analyzed, with the currently
relevant aspects being automatically ascertained from the most
up-to-date, available static information in combination with the
presently recorded dynamic data. This correlates assembly
instructions, for example, to current process data. This provides
the staff 7 with a situation-related display of the relevant
information, for example by means of overlaid visualization of the
appropriate data such that the real operating situation is extended
by the ascertained information in the field of view of the staff.
This very quickly equips the staff 7 to take action, and hence
safeguards necessary machine execution times. The maintenance
technician 7 can also obtain support in situ from the remote expert
22 and the knowledge 16 available at the location of the remote
expert 22.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an application example of situation-related
access to documentation data. FIG. 3 shows a first screen area B1
showing an installation component. The right-hand screen area B2
shows a user 7 looking at an individual installation component, for
example. The user 7 is equipped with data goggles 4 containing a
camera 2 as recording means. The data goggles 4 additionally hold a
microphone 11 and a loudspeaker 16. The left-hand screen area B1
shows a view of pipelines which can be observed using the data
goggles shown in the image window B2. In the left-hand screen area
B1, two points B1, B2 are marked which respectively represent two
image details observed using the data goggles 4. After observation
of the first point P1, i.e. after observation of the pipeline
arranged in the area of the point P1, additional information is
visualized in the data goggles 4 for the user 7. This additional
information 11 comprises documentation data which, for the first
point P1, contain work instructions for this pipeline, and for the
point P2, contain the installation instruction to be carried out in
a second step. In this case, the installation instruction involves
the user 7 being informed of the torque and the direction of
rotation of the screw connection at the point P2 by means of
visualization of the supplementary data 112. The user 7thus very
quickly obtains a situation-related instruction for theobject being
observed. If an intelligent tool is used which is capable of
recording the torque currently being used, it is additionally
possible for the user also to be requested to increase or reduce
the torque appropriately on the basis of the current torque. Such
additional information can be embedded into the AR system in a
service report under voice control when service logs are created by
the service technician. This means that, if there is a new fault,
maintenance which has been carried out earlier or a service action
which has been carried out earlier can be reconstructed exactly.
Analysis of the service logs recorded in this manner leads to
better recognition of quality deficiencies in an installation
and/or in a process controlled by automation technology.
[0021] The text below provides background information on the field
of use of the invention: this involves application-oriented
requirement analysis and development of AR-based systems for
supporting work processes in development, production and servicing
of complex engineering products and installations in fabrication
and process technology, and also for service support systems, as in
the case of motor vehicles, or for maintenance of any engineering
equipment.
[0022] Augmented reality, AR for short, is a novel type of
man-machine interaction with great potential for supporting
industrial work processes. With this technology, the observer's
field of view is enriched with computer-generated virtual objects,
which means that product or process information can be used
intuitively. Besides the very simple interaction, the use of
portable computers opens up AR application fields with high
mobility requirements, for example if process, measurement or
simulation data are linked to the real object.
[0023] The situation of German industry is characterized by
increasing customer requirements in terms of individuality and
quality of products and by the development processes taking
substantially less time. Especially in developing, producing and
servicing complex engineering products and installations, it is
possible, by means of innovative solutions to man-machine
interaction, both to achieve jumps in efficiency and productivity
and to design the work so as to enhance competence and training, by
the user's need for knowledge and information being supported in a
situation-related manner on the basis of data available in any
case.
[0024] Augmented reality is a technology with numerous innovative
fields of application:
[0025] In development for example, a "mixed mock-up" approach based
on a mixed-virtual environment can result in a distinct
acceleration of the early phases of development. Compared with
immersive "virtual reality" (VR) solutions, the user is at a
substantial advantage in that the haptic properties can be depicted
faithfully with the aid of a real model, whereas aspects of visual
perception, e.g. for display variants, can be manipulated in a
virtual manner. In addition, there is a major potential for
user-oriented validation of computer-assisted models, e.g. for
component verification or in crash tests.
[0026] In flexible production, it is possible, inter alia, to
considerably facilitate the process of setting up machinery for
qualified skilled workers by displaying, e.g. via mobile AR
components, mixed-virtual clamping situations directly in the field
of view. Fabrication planning and fabrication control appropriate
to the skilled worker in the workshop is facilitated if information
regarding the respective order status is perceived directly in situ
in connection with the corresponding products. This also applies to
assembly, with the option of presenting the individual work steps
to the assembler in a mixed-virtual manner in the actual training
phase. In this connection, it is possible, e.g. by comparing real
assembly procedures with results of simulations, to achieve
comprehensive optimizations which both improve the quality of work
scheduling and simplify and accelerate the assembly process in the
critical start-up phase. Finally, regarding servicing, conventional
technologies are by now barely adequate for supporting and
documenting the complex diagnostic and repair procedures. Since,
however, these processes in many fields are in any case planned on
the basis of digital data, AR technologies provide the option of
adopting the information sources for maintenance purposes and of
explaining the dismantling process to an engineer, e.g. in the data
goggles, by overlaying real objects. Regarding cooperative work,
the AR-assisted "remote eye" permits a distributed problem solution
by virtue of a remote expert communicating across global distances
with the member of staff in situ. This case is particularly
relevant for the predominantly medium-sized machine tool
manufacturers. Because of globalization, they are forced to set up
production sites for their customers worldwide. Neither, however,
is the presence of subsidiaries in all the important markets
achievable on economic grounds, nor is it possible to dispense with
the profound knowledge of experienced service staff of the parent
company with respect to the increasingly more complex
installations.
[0027] The special feature of man-machine interaction in augmented
reality is the very simple and intuitive communication with the
computer, supplemented, for example, by multimode interaction
techniques such as voice processing or gesture recognition. The use
of portable computer units additionally enables entirely novel
mobile utilization scenarios, with the option of requesting the
specific data at any time via a wireless network. Novel
visualization techniques permit direct annotation, e.g. of measured
data or simulation data, to the real object or into the real
environment. In conjunction with distributed applications, a number
of users are able to operate in a real environment with the aid of
a shared database (shared augmented environments) or to cooperate
in different environments with AR support.
[0028] Augmented reality has been the subject of intense research
only in the last few years. Consequently, only a few applications
exist, either at the national or the international level, usually
in the form of scientific prototypes in research
establishments.
[0029] USA: As with many novel technologies, the potential uses of
augmented reality were first tapped in North America. Examples
include cockpit design or maintenance of mechatronic equipment. The
aircraft manufacturer Boeing has already carried out initial field
trials using AR technology in the assembly field. The upshot is
that in this hi-tech area too, the USA occupy a key position,
potentially making them technological leaders.
[0030] Japan: Various AR developments are being pushed in Japan,
e.g. for mixed-virtual building design, telepresence or
"cyber-shopping". The nucleus is formed by the Mixed Reality
Systems Laboratory founded in 1997, which is supported jointly as a
center of competence by science and by commerce and industry.
Particular stimuli in the consumer goods field are likely in the
future from the Japanese home electronics industry.
[0031] Europe: So far, only very few research groups have been
active in Europe in the AR field. One group at the University of
Vienna is working on approaches to mixed-real visualization. The
IGD Group, as part of the ACTS project CICC, which has now come to
an end, has developed initial applications for the building
industry and a scientific prototype for staff training in car
manufacturing.
[0032] The in the invention should be seen in particular in the
specific context of the fields of application "production machinery
and machine tools" (NC-controlled, automation-technology processes)
and "diagnostics/service support systems for complex engineering
components/equipment/systems" (e.g. vehicles, but also industrial
machinery and installations).
[0033] In summary, the invention therefore relates to an
augmented-reality system and method for transmitting information
data from a user, in particular of a process controlled by
automation technology, of a production plant and/or of a machine,
for example from a service technician to a storage medium in the
augmented-reality system, where the augmented-reality system have
recording means for recording voice inputs by the user, in
particular service logs, using voice-based input. This means that
service logs can easily be created quickly, stored centrally and
archived, so that the appropriate information is reliably available
even in the [lacuna] for later, similar instances of action. The
method permits voice-based recording of action reports, in which
service logs etc. are stored and managed as voice-based inputs
instead of in written form.
* * * * *