Multi-mode software and method for a welding training system

• US 9,672,757 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Darisipudi, Ashok, Becker, William J., Hidden, Steven D., Beeson, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fletcher, Jerry-Daryl
• Application Number:
  US13/838,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20140272837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 434219, 434234, 434260
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools

Abstract

A welding training system includes a welding training software having three or more modes. The three or more modes include a live-arc mode, a simulation mode, a virtual reality mode, an augmented reality mode, or some combination thereof. The live-arc mode is configured to enable training using a live welding arc, the simulation mode is configured to enable training using a welding simulation, the virtual reality mode is configured to enable training using a virtual reality simulation, and the augmented reality mode is configured to enable training using an augmented reality simulation.

Claims

1. A welding training system comprising:

a non-transitory memory comprising processor-executable instructions; and

a processor coupled to the non-transitory memory and configured to execute the processor-executable instructions, wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise instructions to;

enable operation of the welding training system in three or more modes, wherein the three or more modes comprise a live-arc mode, a simulation mode, a virtual reality mode, an augmented reality mode, or some combination thereof;

receive an input corresponding to at least one of the three or more modes;

control a training switch to enable welding power to flow through a welding torch when the received input corresponds to the live-arc mode;

control the training switch to disable welding power from flowing through the welding torch when the received input corresponds to the simulation mode or the virtual reality mode;

display a virtual reality simulation via a display device when the received input corresponds to the virtual reality mode; and

display an augmented reality simulation via the display device when the received input corresponds to the augmented reality mode, wherein the augmented reality simulation comprises a virtual welding environment integrated with object data relating to the welding torch received from a sensing device, wherein the object data comprises a position of the welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, or an image of the welding torch, or any combination thereof.

2. The welding training system of claim 1, wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise instructions to generate audible information.

3. The welding training system of claim 2, wherein the audible information comprises instructions for configuring the welding training system.

4. The welding training system of claim 2, wherein the audible information comprises real-time feedback generated during a welding operation.

5. The welding training system of claim 1, wherein the input comprises audible commands from a welding operator.

6. A welding training system comprising:

a non-transitory memory comprising processor-executable instructions; and

a processor coupled to the non-transitory memory and to an optical sensing device configured to detect real world movement of a welding operator in an environment relative to the optical sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to execute the processor-executable instructions, wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise instructions to;

display a virtual reality simulation via a display device in a virtual reality mode, wherein the virtual reality mode is configured to enable training using the virtual reality simulation, the virtual reality simulation comprises a virtual selection tool and a plurality of virtual objects, wherein the plurality of virtual objects comprises welding training software configuration items, training results data, or some combination thereof; and

receive a selection input of a selected virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects, wherein the detected real world movement of the welding operator relative to the optical sensing device corresponds to displayed movement of the virtual selection tool within the virtual reality simulation, and the received selection input is a displayed interaction of the virtual selection tool and the selected virtual object within the virtual reality simulation.

7. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of virtual objects comprises a welding torch, a workpiece, wire cutters, or some combination thereof.

8. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the selection input is received without the welding operator touching a real world physical object in the environment that corresponds to the selected virtual object in the virtual reality simulation.

9. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of virtual objects comprises an icon in the virtual reality simulation.

10. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of virtual objects comprises virtual training data results.

11. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the detected real world movement of the welding operator relative to the optical sensing device comprises movement of a hand of the welding operator.

12. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the detected real world movement of the welding operator relative to the optical sensing device comprises movement of a glove coupled to the welding operator.

13. The welding training system of claim 6, wherein the detected real world movement of the welding operator relative to the optical sensing device comprises movement of a welding torch.