Graphical interface for robot
First Claim
1. A method for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector;
(b) inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration dam defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, wherein said configuration data is input by;
(i) placing a robot end-effector associated with a six-axis robot at a preselected orientation and position in space;
(ii) reading joint data associated with each of the six axes; and
(iii) converting the joint data into orientation and position data corresponding to the coordinate system of the graphical interface;
(c) generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration; and
(d) creating robot programming language and data files from the node information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical interface system and method of use allows robot programs to be graphically created and visualized in three dimensional space in a CAD environment. Using either on-line or off-line techniques, an operator enters robot positions and orientations in space into the interface to define robot configurations. Trajectories between configurations are entered or generated and are displayed along with the configurations. The state of the end effector is also entered and visually communicated. A special state can be designated. The special state has associated therewith programming code for controlling robot actions at a configuration and the robot environment at the configuration. When such a state is designated by the user, programming code written in a special language is entered and stored in association with a particular configuration. After all robot configurations, states and trajectories are entered, the system creates robot control data. In operation, when the robot reaches a configuration associated with the special state, the programming code is executed. Robot configurations and trajectories can be simultaneously displayed along with CAD created objects such as workpieces so that interactions therebetween are visible. The CAD environment is utilized for selecting configurations and creating of trajectories. Configurations can be also be designated by selecting points on CAD created objects and lines.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector; (b) inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration dam defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, wherein said configuration data is input by; (i) placing a robot end-effector associated with a six-axis robot at a preselected orientation and position in space; (ii) reading joint data associated with each of the six axes; and (iii) converting the joint data into orientation and position data corresponding to the coordinate system of the graphical interface; (c) generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration; and (d) creating robot programming language and data files from the node information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector; (b) means for inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration data defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, said means for inputting further including, (i) means for placing a robot end-effector associated with a six-axis robot at a preselected orientation and position in space; (ii) means for reading joint data associated with each of the six axes; and (iii) means for converting the joint data into orientation and position data corresponding to the coordinate system of the graphical interface, wherein the converted orientation and position data is the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space; (c) means for generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration; and (d) means for creating robot programming language and data files from the node information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector; (b) inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration data defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, each node further including end-effector state information at the node, wherein one of the states of the robot end-effector is Criptic; (c) generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration, said graphical image further includes showing the state of the robot end-effector at the robot end-effector'"'"'s node in the three dimensional graphical environment; (d) inputting a set of instructions associated with a robot at the respective node when the Criptic state is input; and (e) creating robot programming language and data files from the node and state information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector, and said set of instructions, thereby allowing the set of instructions to be executed when the robot reaches the respective node. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector; (b) inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration data defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, each node further including end-effector state information at the node, said state information comprising the state of being open, closed or Criptic; (c) generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration, said graphical image further includes showing the state of the robot end effector at the robot end-effector'"'"'s node in the three dimensional graphical environment; and (d) creating robot programming language and data files from the node and state information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector.
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22. A method for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector; (b) means for inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration data defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, each node further including end-effector state information at the node, wherein one of the states of the robot end-effector is Criptic; (c) means for generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration, said means for generating a graphical image further including a means for showing the state of the robot end-effector at the robot end-effector'"'"'s node in the three dimensional graphical environment; (d) means for inputting a set of instructions associated with a robot at the respective node when the Criptic state is input; and (e) means for creating robot programming language and data files from the node and state information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector, and said set of instructions, thereby allowing the set of instructions to be executed when the robot reaches the respective node. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. An apparatus for inputting robot end-effector information into a graphical interface, visualizing the information in a three dimensional graphical environment associated with the interface, and generating robot control data therefrom, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for storing graphical image data of the robot end-effector; (b) means for inputting one or more nodes into the graphical interface, each node including configuration data defining the orientation and position of the robot end-effector in three dimensional space, each node further including end-effector state information at the node, said state information comprising the state of being open, closed or Criptic; (c) means for generating a graphical image of the node in the three dimensional graphical environment from the input node information and stored graphical image data, the graphical image showing the robot end-effector in the robot end-effector'"'"'s configuration, said means for generating a graphical image further including means for showing the state of the robot end-effector at the robot end-effector'"'"'s node in the three dimensional graphical environment; and (d) means for creating robot programming language and data files from the node and state information for controlling operation of the robot end-effector.
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Specification