Device for controlling a member in a system

• US 5,383,116 A
• Filed: 12/17/1992
• Issued: 01/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xinshu Management LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC), Kvaser Consultant Aktiebolag
• Original Assignee: Kvaser Consultant Aktiebolag
• Inventors: Lennartsson, Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): RUGGIERO, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US07/956,780
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 364/176, 364/131-136, 364/177, 364/138, 364/139, 364/184-187, 364/468, 364/478, 364/DIG. 1 MS File, 364/DIG. 2 MS File, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 395/200, 395/325
• US Class Current: 700/9
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus or manufacturing system in which a first member executes a desired function or action which is controllable as a function of at least one parameter characteristic for a second member is provided. A first detector detects signals corresponding to values of the at least one parameter of the second member. At least one transmitter receives the detected signals and assigns coded/numbered messages for each value of the parameter. The apparatus further includes at least one receiver with a control module for controlling the desired action of the first member. The signal transmission between the transmitter and the receiver occurs over a connection bus and the signals are transmitted in the form of the coded/numbered messages in a predetermined order, with well defined transmission times between the first detector and the transmitter and between the transmitter and the receiver. A control unit controls operation of the receiver module and send thereto at least information regarding a desired parameter value at which a corresponding desired function or action is to be executed by the first member, or a desired message number to be selected. The receiver obtains the requested desired message number or, based on the desired parameter value and the time information for the desired action or function of the first member selects itself and receives a corresponding message number containing the parameter value. Based on the message number the receiver generates an activation signal for the first member.

Claims

1. An apparatus including:

a first member for executing a desired function or action which is controllable as a function of at least one parameter characteristic for a second member;

a first detection means for detecting signals corresponding to values of said at least one parameter of said second member;

at least one transmitter for receiving said detected signals and for assigning coded/numbered messages for each value of said parameter;

at least one receiver for controlling said desired action of said first member;

a connection bus for signal transmission between said transmitter and said receiver;

said signals being transmitted in the form of said coded/numbered messages in a predetermined order, with well defined transmission times between said first detection means and said transmitter and between said transmitter and said receiver; and

control means for transmitting to said receiver at least one of;

a) a desired parameter value at which a corresponding desired function or action is to be executed by the first member, and

b) a desired message number to be selected;

said receiver obtaining said desired message number or, based on a said desired parameter value and the time information for the desired action or function of the first member, selecting and receiving a corresponding message number containing said parameter value;

said receiver generating based on said message number an activation signal for said first member;

said message number being selected to ensure execution of said function by said first member at the time corresponding to said desired parameter value.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiver includes a control module which generates said activation signal for effecting execution of function by said first member, and said apparatus further comprises a second detection means for detecting the actual execution of the function of said first member based on said activation signal and, wherein in the event of a difference between said desired and actual execution, said control module is adapted to select another message number transmitted on said connection bus which is different from the preceding message number and which represents another parameter value in order to provide compensation for the existing inaccuracy between the desired and actual function execution and to generate another activation signal which is delayed or accelerated in relation to the first activation signal.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first detection means emits said detected signals associated with each parameter value in an essentially continuous manner, and wherein said transmitter transmits on said bus connection in an essentially continuous manner the numbered messages associated with each parameter value.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one single transmitter at a time operates on the connection bus in order to avoid the risk of collision between messages from different transmitter members, and wherein the transmitter transmits continuously at least such detected parameter which the receiver was requested to select by said control means.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each numbered/coded message corresponds to said value detected parameter and in addition contains data which represents another quantity characteristic of said second member.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the action or state of one of an object, material and element controlled by the first member is detected by at least one sensor element arranged on the first member, and wherein based on the information detected by said sensor numbered message is accepted in the receiver with said another quantity regarding said second member, and a final function of the first member can be calculated afterwards.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus operates with different phases, a primary adjustment phase for startup of the apparatus, a secondary adjustment phase in which a main processor constituting said control means provides instructions about function implementation which is to be chosen, and an operating phase in which each subunit/control module incorporated in the apparatus receives assigned message(s) in order to generate activation signal(s) on the basis thereof, wherein the secondary adjustment phase and the operating phase are repeated cyclically upon instructions regarding new activation point, and wherein in the case when the activation point(s) is/are not altered, the secondary adjustment phase is omitted.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver independently selects correct numbered message and wherein a number of receivers are connected to the connection bus.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control unit includes said main processor which sends out a command signal to each subunit module which thus obtains its parameter information, wherein the main processor transmits said command to a sensor either through one of the transmitter units or via the bus connection for messages, the command comprising the messages which are to be used, wherein the main processor transmits different activation points to each subunit and if appropriate, commands to the sensor in order to alter resolution and interpretation of message numbers, wherein the subunits calculate which message member will start each operation, wherein a back-coupling loop is incorporated, wherein the sensor indicates another parameter quantity and sends information onwards via a connection to the sensor which immediately sends the corresponding activation message on the bus connection for obtaining an activation message which is implemented with interruption or polling, and wherein each subunit which has this message as an activation point executes the secondary adjustment phase or operating phase again.

2. An apparatus including:

a first member for executing a desired action which is controllable as a function of at least one parameter characteristic for a second member;

a first detection means for detecting signals corresponding to values of said at least one parameter of said second member;

at least one transmitter for receiving said detected signals and for assigning coded/numbered messages for each value of said parameter;

at least one receiver for controlling said desired action of said first member;

a connection bus for signal transmission between said transmitter and said receiver;

said signals being transmitted in the form of said coded/numbered messages in a predetermined order, with well defined transmission times between said first detection means and said transmitter and between said transmitter and said receiver; and

control means for transmitting to said receiver at least one of;

a) a desired parameter value at which a corresponding desired function or action is to be executed by the first member, and

b) a desired message number to be selected;

said receiver selecting said desired message number or, based on a said desired parameter value determining and selecting a corresponding message number containing said parameter value;

said receiver, based on said message number and the time information for the desired action or function of the first member, determining and generating an activation signal for said first member which ensures execution of said function by said first member at the time or position of said first member corresponding to said desired parameter value.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said generated activation signal is calculated by said receiver to take into account the present inertia of the first member.

6. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second detection means comprises a sensor which detects the actual execution of the function of the first member, and a time-measuring device which generates a signal dependent on the difference between a time instant for the delivery of activation energy to the first member and a time instant when the first member has executed its function, and wherein said control means calculates a lead time or delay as a function of said time difference, and based thereon at least one message for the activation of the first member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said another quantity includes at least one of angular velocity, direction of rotation and acceleration.

14. A method for controlling an apparatus including a first member for executing a desired action which is controllable as a function of at least one parameter characteristic for a second member, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting signals corresponding to values of said at least one parameter of said second member by a first detection means;

supplying said detected signals to a transmitter in which coded/numbered messages are assigned for each value of said parameter;

transmitting signals from said transmitter on a connection bus to receiver means including a control module and arranged for controlling of said first member, said signals being transmitted in the form of said coded/numbered messages in a predetermined order, with well defined transmission times between said first detection means and said transmitter and between said transmitter and said receiver means; and

controlling said receiver means by a control means to obtain a message number representing a desired parameter value, based on the time information for the desired action or function of the first member and said parameter value;

generating based on said message number an activation signal for the first member;

said message number being selected to ensure execution of said function by said first member at the time corresponding to said desired parameter value.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said activation signal is produced to take into account the present inertia of the first member.

16. A method according to claim 14, detecting the actual function execution of the first member, and in the event that said actual function execution differs from the desired function execution, generating a further signal to be used for producing new control information for the control module which, upon receiving the new control information, is adapted to select another message number which differs from the first message number, and based on said new message number, generating by said control module an activation signal which is delayed or accelerated in relation to the first activation signal.