Automation interface

• US 10,599,133 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2015
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beet, LLC
• Original Assignee: Beet, LLC
• Inventors: Wang, David Jingqiu
• Primary Examiner(s): Saavedra, Emilio J
• Application Number:
  US15/306,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20170090463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 700 19, 700 17, 700 20, 700275, 700 65, 700 83, 700 9, 340 31
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/418 Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15126 Calculate duration of cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25387 Control sequences so as to optimize energy use by controlled machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25407 Delay between operations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31368 MAP manufacturing automation protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31472 Graphical display of process
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35472 Mode selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/39447 Dead man switch
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0216 Human interface functionality, e.g. monitoring system providing help to the user in the selection of tests or in its configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0272 Presentation of monitored results, e.g. selection of status reports to be displayed; Filtering information to the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.

Claims

1. A system for controlling automation, the system comprising:

a machine including at least one element;

wherein the at least one element is controllable to perform at least one operation;

a user device including a connector port;

an enabling switch comprising;

a trigger configured to switch the enabling switch to an enabled state only when the trigger is manually activated by a user;

wherein the trigger is manually activated only when a continuous manual input is applied to the trigger by the user; and

a connector for selectively connecting the enabling switch to the connector port of the user device; and

a machine control interface (MCI) defining at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE);

wherein;

the MCI is stored in a memory of the enabling switch;

the MCI is retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device;

wherein the MCI is received by the user device and displayed on a touch screen of the user device; and

wherein the at least one UIE can be activated by a touch input to the touch screen to control performance of the at least one operation;

wherein the user device is selectively enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling the at least one operation only when;

the enabling switch is connected to the user device via the connector;

the MCI is displayed on the touch screen; and

the trigger is manually activated by the user such that the enabling switch is in the enabled state;

wherein;

the at least one operation is one of a sequence of operations (SOP) performed by the machine;

the machine collects data;

the data includes at least one of a baseline cycle time for the at least one operation and an actual cycle time for performance of the at least one operation;

wherein the MCI displays;

the sequence of operations including the at least one operation; and

at least one of;

a baseline cycle indicator displaying the baseline cycle time of the at least one operation; and

an actual cycle indicator displaying the actual cycle time of the at least one operation; and

wherein;

the at least one UIE includes a path defined by the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator;

the touch input applied to the at least one UIE as a sliding pressure in a first direction along the path actuates performance of an operation cycle of the at least one operation to a conclusion of the operation cycle;

the touch input applied to the at least one UIE as a sliding pressure in a second direction along the path and opposing the first direction actuates performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation to return to a start condition of the operation cycle; and

a selective interruption of the touch input along the path interrupts performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation at a selected point in the operation cycle;

wherein the selected point in the operation cycle is between the start condition and the conclusion of the operation cycle.

2. A system for controlling automation, the system comprising:

a machine in communication with a network;

wherein the machine is configured to perform a sequence of operations (SOP);

wherein the machine collects data;

wherein the data is generated by performance of at least one operation by the machine;

wherein the machine transmits the data to the network;

wherein the at least one operation is one operation of the sequence of operations (SOP) performed by the machine;

wherein the machine can be selectively operated in an automated mode to perform the at least one operation;

wherein the data includes at least one of a baseline cycle time for the at least one operation and an actual cycle time for performance of the at least one operation;

a user device in communication with the network;

a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine;

the user device including a touch interface;

wherein the user device is configured to receive the MCI via the network and to display the MCI on the touch interface;

wherein the MCI displays;

the sequence of operations including the at least one operation;

the data generated by performance of the at least one operation by the machine;

a first touch activated user interface element (UIE) defined by the data displayed by the MCI; and

at least one of;

a baseline cycle indicator displaying the baseline cycle time of the at least one operation; and

an actual cycle indicator displaying the actual cycle time of the at least one operation;

wherein the user device is enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling the at least one operation such that a first touch action applied to the first UIE controls performance of the at least one operation by the machine;

an enabling switch connected to the user device;

wherein activation of the enabling switch is a prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as the automation HMI device; and

wherein;

the first UIE comprises a path defined by the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator;

the first touch action applied to the first UIE as a sliding pressure in a first direction along the path actuates performance of an operation cycle of the at least one operation to a conclusion of the operation cycle;

the first touch action applied to the first UIE as a sliding pressure in a second direction along the path and opposing the first direction actuates performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation to return to a start condition of the operation cycle; and

a selective interruption of the first touch action along the path interrupts performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation at a selected point in the operation cycle; and

wherein the selected point in the operation cycle is between the start condition and the conclusion of the operation cycle.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the MCI displays the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator in an SOP timeline display.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the MCI displays the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator in a heartbeat display.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a second touch activated user interface element (UIE) defined by the at least one operation displayed by the MCI;

wherein a second touch action applied to the second UIE controls performance of the at least one operation by the machine.

6. The system of claim 2,

wherein connection of the enabling switch to the user device is a prerequisite condition to the user device receiving the MCI via the network.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an automation controller in communication with the network;

wherein the automation controller is configured to control performance of the machine in the automated mode.

8. A system for controlling automation, the system comprising:

a machine including at least one element;

wherein the at least one element is controllable to perform at least one operation;

a user device including a connector port;

the user device in communication with a network;

an enabling switch comprising;

a trigger configured to switch the enabling switch to an enabled state only when the trigger is manually activated by a user;

wherein the trigger is manually activated only when a continuous manual input is applied to the trigger by the user; and

a connector for selectively connecting the enabling switch to the connector port of the user device; and

a machine control interface (MCI) defining at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE);

wherein the MCI is retrieved by the user device via the network and displayed on a touch screen of the user device;

wherein connection of the enabling switch to the user device via the connector is a prerequisite condition to the user device retrieving the MCI via the network; and

wherein the at least one UIE can be activated by a touch input to the touch screen to control performance of the at least one operation;

wherein the user device is selectively enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling the at least one operation only when;

the enabling switch is connected to the user device via the connector;

the MCI is displayed on the touch screen; and

the trigger is manually activated by the user such that the enabling switch is in the enabled state.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

an enabled area defined by a machine location of the machine;

wherein the automation HMI device is enabled to control the machine when the automation HMI device is located within the enabled area;

wherein the automation HMI device is disabled from controlling the machine when the automation HMI device is located outside the enabled area; and

wherein the enabling switch includes a first location device for determining a location of the enabling switch relative to the enabled area.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a second location device for determining the enabled area; and

wherein the first location device selectively communicates with the second location device to determine the location of the automation HMI device relative to the enabled area.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first and second location devices are each radio frequency identification (RFID) devices.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first location device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the machine can be selectively operated in an operating mode which is one of an automated mode and a manual mode;

wherein the automation HMI device is enabled to control the machine when the machine is operated in the manual mode;

wherein the automation HMI device is disabled from controlling the machine when the machine is operated in the automated mode; and

wherein the automation HMI device is in communication with the machine to determine the operating mode of the machine.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one operation is one of a sequence of operations (SOP) performed by the machine;

the machine collects data;

the data includes at least one of a baseline cycle time for the at least one operation and an actual cycle time for performance of the at least one operation;

wherein the MCI displays;

the sequence of operations including the at least one operation; and

at least one of;

a baseline cycle indicator displaying the baseline cycle time of the at least one operation; and

an actual cycle indicator displaying the actual cycle time of the at least one operation.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the at least one UIE comprises a path defined by the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator; and

the touch input applied to the at least one UIE as a sliding pressure in a first direction along the path actuates performance of an operation cycle of the at least one operation to a conclusion of the operation cycle; and

the touch input applied to the at least one UIE as a sliding pressure in a second direction along the path and opposing the first direction actuates performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation to return to a start condition of the operation cycle; and

a selective interruption of the touch input along the path interrupts performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation at a selected point in the operation cycle;

wherein the selected point in the operation cycle is between the start condition and the conclusion of the operation cycle.

16. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

an enabled area defined by a machine location of the machine;

wherein location of the user device in the enabled area is a prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as the automation HMI device.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein a prerequisite condition to the user device retrieving the MCI via the network is provision of at least one of a password and an authentication code via at least one of the user device and the enabling switch to the network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the enabling switch is configured to provide the at least one of the password and the authentication code to the network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein connection of the enabling switch to the user device is a prerequisite condition to the enabling switch providing the at least one of the password and the authentication code to the network.