SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING A TASK ON A MATERIAL, OR LOCATING THE POSITION OF A DEVICE RELATIVE TO THE SURFACE OF THE MATERIAL

• US 20150094836A1
• Filed: 04/26/2013
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shaper Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taktia LLC
• Inventors: Rivers, Alec Rothmyer, Moyer, Ilan Ellison
• Granted Patent: US 10,556,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/97
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 25/06 Measuring, gauging, or adjusting equipment on turning-machines for setting-on, feeding, controlling, or monitoring the cutting tools or work measuring devices or gauges G01B
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/22 for indicating or measuring existing or desired position of tool or work B23Q16/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2233 for adjusting the tool relative to the workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 2005/002 Performing a pattern matching operation
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/00 Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/005 Computer numerical control means
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/007 Control means comprising cameras, vision or image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/18 Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form G05B19/418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/19 characterised by positioning or contouring control systems, e.g. to control position from one programmed point to another or to control movement along a programmed continuous path
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4069 Simulating machining process on screen G05B19/4068 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4093 characterised by part programming, e.g. entry of geometrical information as taken from a technical drawing, combining this with machining and material information to obtain control information, named part programme, for the NC machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4097 characterised by using design data to control NC machines, e.g. CAD/CAM G05B19/4093 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32001 Computer assisted machining, signals guide operator to manual machine object
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36342 Tool path processing, sequence to cut paths
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36429 Power assisted positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/12 using the sheet-feed movement or the medium-advance or the drum-rotation movement as the slow scanning component, e.g. arrangements for the main-scanningsheet-feed movement by translatory movement of a flat picture-bearing surface H04N1/1008; main-scanning using oscillating or rotating mirrors H04N1/113; using multi-element arrays H04N1/19
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/192 Simultaneously or substantially simultaneously scanning picture elements on one main scanning line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02439 Positioning method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0471 : using dedicated detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04717 : on the scanned sheet, e.g. a reference sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04758 : by controlling the position of the scanned image area H04N2201/04755, H04N2201/04756 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3179 : Video signal processing therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 : including sensor feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/03 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/172 : Responsive to Tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/175 : to control relative positioning of Tool and work

Abstract

Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate generally to facilitate performing a task on a surface such as woodworking or printing. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to mapping the surface of the material and determining the precise location of a tool in reference to the surface of a material. Some embodiments relate to obtaining and relating a design with the map of the material or displaying the current position of the tool on a display device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure facilitates adjusting, moving or auto-correcting the tool along a predetermined path such as, e.g., a cutting or drawing path. In some embodiments, the reference location may correspond to a design or plan obtained from obtained via an online design store

Claims

1. A method of facilitating performance of a task on a surface of a material with a user device having at least one of a cutting tool and a drawing tool, the method comprising:

scanning, by at least one of a sensor and a second sensor coupled with the user device, the surface of the material to obtain first scanned data of the surface of the material;

scanning, by at least one of the sensor and the second sensor, at least a portion of the surface of the material to obtain second scanned data;

evaluating, by a processor, the first scanned data and the second scanned data to determine a position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the surface of the material; and

determining, by the processor and based on the position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the surface of the material, a position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the first scanned data by stitching a plurality of scanned data together to generate a cohesive map of the surface of the material.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

displaying on a display device, based on the first scanned data and the second scanned data, a map image overlaid with an indication of a position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool relative to the surface of the material.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

marking the surface of the material with a marker, the marker comprising at least one of a sticker, ink, paint, graphite, a light beam, pencil mark, a barcode, tape, a drawing, and a pattern; and

identifying a variation in the material based on a characteristic of the marker.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

identifying a design plan for the surface of the material; and

relating the design plan to at least one of the first scanned data and the second scanned data.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising:

marking the surface of the material with an indication of the design plan;

scanning, by at least one of the sensor and the second sensor, the surface of the material with the indication of the design plan; and

identifying, by the processor, the design plan.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising:

obtaining, via a communication interface, the design plan for the surface of the material.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising:

selecting the design plan via an online design store.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising:

modifying the design plan subsequent to selecting the design plan.

10. The method of claim 5, comprising:

obtaining, via a user interface of the user device, an indication of the design plan for the surface of the material.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising:

comparing a position of the user device to a design plan; and

responsive to the comparison, adjusting a position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool of the user device based on the position of the user device and based on the design plan.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising:

adjusting the position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool using an eccentric mechanism of the user device.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining that a position of the user device deviates from a design plan; and

correcting a position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool of the user device based on the position of the user device and based on the design path of the design plan.

14. The method of claim 1, comprising:

identifying a design plan for the surface of the material;

determining, by the processor, based on the design plan and the position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material, a first task to be performed on the surface of the material; and

performing, by at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device, the first task.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

determining, by the processor, based on the design plan and a second position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material, a second task to be performed on the surface of the material; and

performing, by at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device, the second task.

16. The method of claim 1, comprising:

scanning, by at least one of the sensor and the second sensor, a work area comprising the surface of the material;

tracking, by the processor via at least one of the sensor and the second sensor, a marker of the work area, the marker being off of the surface of the material; and

determining, by the processor and based on the position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the marker of the work area, a position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material.

17. A system for facilitating use of a user device having at least one of a cutting tool and a drawing tool, the system comprising:

at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool;

at least one of a sensor and a second sensor coupled with the user device, the at least one of the sensor and the second sensor configured to scan the surface of the material to obtain first scanned data of the surface of the material, and scan at least a portion of the surface of the material to obtain second scanned data; and

a processor coupled to at least one of the sensor and the second sensor, the processor configured to;

obtain the first scanned data and the second scanned data to determine a position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the surface of the material; and

determine, based on the position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the surface of the material, a position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to:

generate the first scanned data by stitching a plurality of scanned data together to generate a cohesive map of the surface of the material.

19. The system of claim 17, comprising:

a display device coupled to the processor; and

wherein the processor is configured to cause the display device to display, based on the first scanned data and the second scanned data, a map image overlaid with an indication of a position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool relative to the surface of the material.

20. The system of claim 17, comprising:

a marker configured to mark the surface of the material with a marker, the marker comprising at least one of a sticker, ink, paint, graphite, a light beam, pencil mark, a barcode, tape, a drawing, and a pattern; and

wherein the processor is configured to identify a variation in the material based on a characteristic of the marker.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to:

identify a design plan for the surface of the material; and

relate the design plan to at least one of the first scanned data and the second scanned data.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the surface of the material is marked with an indication of the design plan;

at least one of the sensor and the second sensor is configured to scan the surface of the material with the indication of the design plan; and

the processor is configured to identify the design plan.

23. The system of claim 21, comprising:

a communication interface configured to obtain the design plan for the surface of the material.

24. The system of claim 23, comprising:

an online design store;

wherein the communication interface is configured to obtain the design plan selected via an online design store.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the online design store is configured to modify the design plan subsequent to receiving an indication to select the design plan.

26. The system of claim 21, comprising:

a user interface configured to obtain an indication of the design plan for the surface of the material.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to:

compare a position of the user device to a design plan; and

responsive to the comparison, adjust a position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool of the user device based on the position of the user device and based on the design plan.

28. The system of claim 27, comprising:

an eccentric mechanism coupled to a motor and at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool, the eccentric mechanism configured to facilitate adjusting the position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool.

29. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to:

determine that a position of the user device deviates from a design plan; and

correct a position of at least one of the cutting tool and the drawing tool of the user device based on the position of the user device and based on the design path of the design plan.

30. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to:

identify a design plan for the surface of the material;

determine, based on the design plan and the position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material, a first task to be performed on the surface of the material; and

cause at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device to perform the first task.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to:

determine, based on the design plan and a second position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material, a second task to be performed on the surface of the material; and

cause at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device to perform the second task.

32. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that facilitate using a user device having at least one of a cutting tool and a drawing tool, the instructions comprising instructions to:

obtain first scanned data of the surface of the material via at least one of a sensor and a second sensor coupled with the user device;

obtain second scanned data of at least a portion of the surface of the material via at least one of the sensor and the second sensor;

evaluate the first scanned data and the second scanned data to determine a position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the surface of the material; and

determine, based on the position of one of the sensor and the second sensor relative to the surface of the material, a position of at least one of the cutting tool of the user device and the drawing tool of the user device relative to the surface of the material.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:

identify a design plan for the surface of the material; and

relate the design plan to at least one of the first scanned data and the second scanned data.