Methods, systems and computer program products for altering video images to aid an operator of a fastener insertion machine

• US 20060069462A1
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haeger, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Haeger, Inc.
• Inventors: Cannedy, Jeff, Boster, T C
• Granted Patent: US 7,698,010 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/180
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/406 characterised by monitoring or safety G05B19/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31046 Aid for assembly, show display on screen next workpiece, task, position to be assembled, executed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31455 Monitor process status
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31479 Operator select part of process he wants to see, video image is displayed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for altering video images including superimposing objects onto the images, particularly addressed to identifying fastener insertion locations onto displayed images of a work pieces. The invention is capable of importing an image of a work piece contained in a computer file, displaying the image, and altering the displayed image and/or superimposing objects onto the image to show the location(s), sequence(s) and/or type(s) of fasteners to be inserted onto the displayed work piece according to operator input and instructions. After each insertion is completed, the display is again altered to show the completion. During use, the system is capable of tracking the fastener installations and updating the video display to show the current status of insertions on the work piece.

Claims

1. A method for establishing at least one operation to be performed on a work piece using a displayed video image of the work piece comprising the steps of:

a. importing an electronic image of a work piece into a computer system;

b. displaying the image on a video screen;

c. selecting at least one location on the displayed image for at least one operation to be performed on the work piece; and

d. altering the displayed video image at each location where such operation is to be performed.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of selecting a sequence for performing each such operation on the work piece.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of altering the displayed image comprises superimposing a symbol over the displayed video image at each location where an operation is to be performed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of altering the displayed image comprises changing the color of the displayed video image at each location where an operation is to be performed.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the operation to be performed on the work piece comprises inserting a fastener.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the operation to be performed on the work piece is selected from the group consisting of:

folding the work piece, bending the work piece, cutting a hole in the work piece, cutting the work piece, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 2 comprising the additional step of selecting at least one different location on the displayed image for at least one different operation to be performed on the work piece.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the operation to be performed on the work piece comprises inserting a fastener of a first type, and the different operation to be performed on the work piece comprises inserting a fastener of a different type.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

e. receiving a signal from an attached machine indicating completion of an operation; and

f. further altering a location on the displayed image to reflect the performance of the operation at that location.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the additional step of further altering the displayed image comprises superimposing a symbol over the displayed video image at each location where an operation has been performed.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the additional step of further altering the displayed image comprises changing the color of the displayed video image at each location where an operation has been performed.

12. A method for establishing and monitoring the insertion of at least one fastener onto a work piece using a computer system in communication with a fastener insertion machine and a video monitor comprising the steps of:

a. importing an electronic image of a work piece into the computer system;

b. displaying the image on the video monitor;

c. identifying at least one location on the displayed image for inserting a fastener onto the work piece;

d. altering the displayed video image at each location where a fastener is to be inserted;

e. where multiple insertions are to be performed, setting up a sequence for performing each such insertion on the work piece;

f. where different fastener types are to be inserted, identifying at least one different location on the displayed image for inserting a fastener of a different type onto the work piece;

g. receiving a signal from the machine indicating completion of an insertion operation; and

h. further altering a location on the displayed image to reflect the performance of the insertion operation at that location.

13. A method for monitoring the insertion of fasteners into a work piece comprising the steps of:

a. importing an electronic image of a work piece into a computer system that is in communication with a fastener insertion machine;

b. displaying the image on a video screen;

c. identifying at least one location on the displayed image for inserting a fastener onto the work piece;

d. altering the displayed video image at each location where a fastener is to be inserted;

e. receiving at least one signal from the machine following the insertion of a fastener; and

f. further altering the displayed video image at each location where a fastener is to be inserted in a sequence upon receipt of each such signal.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional steps of repeating steps “

e” and

“

f”

until the end of the sequence is reached.

15. A method for monitoring at least one operation to be performed on a work piece using a displayed video image of the work piece comprising the steps of:

a. importing an electronic image of a work piece into a computer system that is in communication with a machine;

b. displaying the image on a video screen;

c. identifying at least one location on the displayed image for at least one operation to be performed on the work piece;

d. altering the displayed video image at each location where such operation is to be performed;

e. receiving at least one signal from the machine following the performance of an operation; and

f. further altering the displayed video image at each location where an operation has been performed in a sequence upon receipt of each such signal.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional steps of repeating steps “

e” and

“

f”

until the end of the sequence is reached.

17. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium;

computer readable instructions embodied on said computer useable medium for use in an image processing environment, the instructions directing a computer to perform the steps of;

a. importing an image of a work piece into said processing environment;

b. displaying the image on a video screen;

c. identifying at least one location on the displayed image for at least one operation to be performed on the work piece; and

d. altering the displayed video image at each location where such operation is to be performed.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein said instructions comprise the additional step of selecting a sequence for performing each such operation on the work piece.

19. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein said instructions comprise the additional steps of:

e. receiving a signal from an attached machine indicating completion of an operation; and

f. further altering a location on the displayed image to reflect the performance of the operation at that location.

20. A system for establishing at least one location for insertion of a fastener onto a work piece using a displayed video image of the work piece comprising the steps of:

a. importing an image of a work piece into a computer system;

b. displaying the image on a video screen;

c. identifying at least one location on the displayed image for inserting a fastener onto the work piece; and

d. altering the displayed video image at each location where a fastener is to be inserted.