METHOD FOR ASSISTING IN ADJUSTING THE DIMENSIONS OF AN INDUSTRIAL MACHINE, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for assisting in adjusting the dimensions of an industrial machine, the machine being driven by an operator provided with a portable device that is provided with a microphone and with a speaker, the device being connected to a remote server hosting a database and software means, comprises the following steps: The operator transmits, via the microphone, a voice request for assistance in relation to a step in a procedure for adjusting the dimensions of the machine, the request is analysed by voice recognition means, on the basis of the request, a set of data relevant to the step to be performed is selected from the database, the relevant data are converted into an audio signal understandable to the operator, via voice synthesis means, and the audio signal is transmitted to the operator via the speaker.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A method for assisting in adjusting dimensions of an industrial machine, the machine being driven by an operator provided with a portable device that is provided with a microphone and with a speaker, the device being connected to a remote server hosting a database and software means, the method comprising the following steps: transmitting, via the microphone, an operator voice request for assistance in relation to a step in a procedure for adjusting the dimensions of the machine; analyzing the request using voice recognition means; on the basis of the request, selecting from the database a set of data relevant to the step to be performed; converting the relevant data into an audio signal understandable to the operator, via voice synthesis means; and transmitting the audio signal to the operator via the speaker.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step in the procedure for adjusting the dimensions of the machine is selected from the group consisting of changing a dimensional part present on the machine, adjusting the dimensions of one or more elements of the machine, checking adjustment tolerances of the machine, and encoding values measured after adjustment.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step in the procedure for adjusting the dimensions of the machine is encoding values measured after adjustment, the method further comprising the steps: transmitting, in response to the audio signal representing the relevant data, an appropriate operator response; analyzing the operator response by voice recognition means; and converting the operator response into data formatted to be stored in the database.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the data relevant for the step to be performed are selected from the group consisting of identifying a part to be changed and identifying a replacement part, identifying one or more elements of the machine and one or more values of adjustments to be applied, and tolerance values for one or more adjustments to the machine.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the operator voice request is made using words from a group of predetermined words that are known to the voice recognition means.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a preliminary step in which the operator initially transmits the identification of the machine which the operator is operating.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of selecting relevant data is performed according to the operator voice request and according to the identification of the machine.

16. A system for assisting in adjusting dimensions of an industrial machine, the system comprising: portable audio means configured to be used by an operator of the machine; software means comprising at least one from among a voice recognition software application, a voice synthesis software application, and a management software application; a database comprising a set of data that are related to the machine and to adjustment scenarios; telecommunications means allowing an exchange of signals between the portable audio means and the software means; and means for communication between the software means and the database.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clearly apparent in the following description of one preferred but non-limiting embodiment, illustrated by FIG. 1, which presents a simplified diagram of the means for implementing a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Thus, FIG. 1 shows an operator 1 provided with an audio device 2. This audio device includes means for picking up the operator's voice, for example a microphone, and means for transmitting sound to the operator.

[0030] The audio device is preferably portable, wireless, and isolating with respect to external noise. This feature is particularly important in industrial environments in which the surroundings are very noisy due to industrial machines. In one advantageous example, a device operating by bone conduction may be used.

[0031] This audio device also includes wireless communication means, allowing it to exchange signals with software means 3 installed on a plant server. These software means 3 include, in this example: [0032] a voice recognition software application 3a, [0033] a speech synthesis software application 3b, and [0034] a software application 3c for managing various scenarios. This software application 3c is linked to a database 4 in which all of the information relevant to the implementation of a method according to the invention is stored.

[0035] One exemplary implementation of the invention, comprising various steps, will now be described in detail. First, the operator requests the activation of the software means 3 by uttering a predetermined activation keyword.

[0036] Once the means have been activated, the operator indicates the type of assistance they need: assistance in changing a size, or assistance with measurements to be performed. The type of assistance chosen is recorded by software means 3.

[0037] Changing a size, for example on a complex tyre-manufacturing machine, is a complex operation which comprises a large number of tasks to be performed, including: changing dimensional parts, machine adjustments, activation/deactivation of certain functionalities, etc.

[0038] A method according to the invention makes it possible to perform such an operation in two different modes: a fully guided mode, in which the software means indicate to the operator each of the steps to be carried out; and an assisted mode, in which the operator knows the steps, and needs only receive details such as size or adjustment values. The elements described below may be applied to both operating modes.

[0039] The operator requests, by voice, adjustment values, for example by uttering the phrase “width roller A”. The voice recognition means 3a analyse the audio signal received in order to understand the request received from the operator, and transmit the request to the management application 3c.

[0040] This management application 3c then retrieves the relevant data to be transmitted to the operator from the database. These relevant data are chosen from the database according to parameters including: the identification of the machine on which the operator is working, the scenario chosen by the operator in the activation step, and the adjustment request from the operator.

[0041] The relevant data from the database are synthesized by the means 3b to be converted into a voice signal understandable to the operator. It is specified here that the relevant data may relate not only to a part identifier or values, but also to information allowing the operator to be guided as to the procedure to follow.

[0042] Once the operator has made the adjustment, they may confirm successful completion using a predetermined validation word. They then request the next adjustment, and so on until they have carried out all of the operations necessary for the chosen scenario.

[0043] Another exemplary application of a method according to the invention is performing “check-list” checks on the machine. As indicated in the preamble of this application, such checks are currently performed by the operator by hand. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the operator launches the desired scenario, and the software application 3c retrieves, from the database, the list of elements to be checked.

[0044] The software means 3 then communicate each element, one by one, to the operator, who in return communicates the measured value. In this example, it is then possible to generate, by means of software means, a summary report of the check performed.

[0045] In light of the above, it is apparent that a method according to the invention makes it possible to make all of the adjustment, measurement and encoding procedures to be performed on a machine, in particular a tyre-manufacturing and/or -assembly machine, more ergonomic and more reliable.