Systems and methods for representing complex n-curves for direct control of tool motion

• US 6,895,299 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brigham Young University (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
• Original Assignee: Brigham Young University (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
• Inventors: Red, Walter E., Cheatham, Robert M., Jensen, C. Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D.
• Application Number:
  US10/272,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20040019394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 700/182, 700/184, 700/188, 700/192
• US Class Current: 700/186
• 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 2219/35126 Bezier or Ferguson surface
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35133 B-spline surface fitting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35146 Enter data, calculate 3-D curve or surface, sculptured surface, okisurf
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35151 Modeling geometric, generation or forming of curved surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A method for controlling a mechanism through the use of higher-dimensional n-curves is disclosed. An electronically-controlled mechanism is provided. Electronic communication is established between a computer and the electronically-controlled mechanism. A controller is running or executing on the computer to send mechanism commands to the electronically-controlled mechanism. Process control software is used to control the electronically-controlled mechanism. The process control software uses higher-dimensional n-curves to control the electronically-controlled mechanism.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a mechanism through the use of higher-dimensional n-curves, comprising:

providing an electronically-controlled mechanism;

establishing electronic communication by a computer with the electronically-controlled mechanism;

executing a controller on the computer to send mechanism commands to the electronically-controlled mechanism; and

executing process control software to control the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the process control software uses a higher-dimensional n-curve to control the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve comprises a representation of the variation of a plurality of parameters associated with the electronically-controlled mechanism, and wherein the variation of the plurality of parameters is expressed in terms of an extent parameter that defines a boundary of the curve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism orientation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes welding voltage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes glue rate.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes laser intensity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes focal length.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes spindle speed.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes feed rate.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes Cartesian motion.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes orientation motion.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes speed.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve include subdivision, B-spline, non-uniform rational B-spline and Bezier mathematics.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled mechanism comprises a tool.

15. A method for direct control of a mechanism through the use of higher-dimensional n-curves, comprising:

providing an electronically-controlled mechanism;

establishing electronic communication by a computer with the electronically-controlled mechanism;

executing a controller on the computer to send mechanism commands to the electronically-controlled mechanism; and

executing process control software to control the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the process control software uses a higher-dimensional n-curve to control the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve comprises a representation of the variation of a plurality of parameters associated with the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the variation of the plurality of nanometers is expressed in terms of an extent parameter that defines a boundary of the curve, and wherein the process control software generates commands that are directly usable by the controller.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism position.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism orientation.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes welding voltage.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes glue rate.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes laser intensity.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes focal length.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes spindle speed.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes feed rate.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes Cartesian motion.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes orientation motion.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes speed.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve include subdivision, B-spline, non-uniform rational B-spline and Bezier mathematics.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the electronically-controlled mechanism comprises a tool.

29. The method of claim 15, wherein the process control software uses one complex n-curve.

30. The method of claim 15, wherein the process control software uses any combination of complex n-curves.

31. A system for controlling a mechanism through the use of higher-dimensional n-curves, comprising:

an electronically controlled mechanism;

a computer in electronic communication with the electronically-controlled mechanism,

the computer comprising;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

process control software to control the electronically-controlled mechanism,

wherein the process control software uses a higher-dimensional n-curve to control the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve comprises a representation of the variation of a plurality of parameters associated with the electronically-controlled mechanism, and wherein the variation of the plurality of parameters is expressed in terms of an extent parameter that defines a boundary of the curve.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism position.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism orientation.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes welding voltage.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes glue rate.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes laser intensity.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes focal length.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes spindle speed.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes feed rate.

40. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes Cartesian motion.

41. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes orientation motion.

42. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes speed.

43. The system of claim 31, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve include subdivision, B-spline, non-uniform rational B-spline and Bezier mathematics.

44. The system of claim 31, wherein the electronically-controlled mechanism comprises a tool.

45. A system for direct control of a mechanism through the use of higher-dimensional n-curves, comprising:

an electronically controlled mechanism;

a computer in electronic communication with the electronically-controlled mechanism,

the computer comprising;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

process control software to control the electronically-controlled mechanism,

wherein the process control software uses a higher-dimensional n-curve to control the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve comprises a representation of the variation of a plurality of parameters associated with the electronically-controlled mechanism, wherein the variation of the naturality of parameters is expressed in terms of an extent parameter that defines a boundary of the curve, and wherein the process control software generates commands that are directly usable by the controller.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism position.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes mechanism orientation.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes welding voltage.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes glue rate.

50. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes laser intensity.

51. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes focal length.

52. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes spindle speed.

53. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes feed rate.

54. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes Cartesian motion.

55. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes orientation motion.

56. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve describes speed.

57. The system of claim 45, wherein the higher-dimensional n-curve include subdivision, B-spline, non-uniform rational B-spline and Bezier mathematics.

58. The system of claim 45, wherein the electronically-controlled mechanism comprises a tool.

59. The system of claim 45, wherein the process control software uses one complex n-curve.

60. The system of claim 45, wherein the process control software uses any combination of complex n-curves.