Robot system for operating robot from plurality of teaching devices

• US 9,889,560 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2016
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
• Inventors: Maeda, Keita
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancho, Ronnie
• Application Number:
  US15/243,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20170057083A1
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 700245, 700264
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/161 Hardware, e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic, interfaces, processor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36153 Two, several consoles, displays, panels, two different input, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36159 Detachable or portable programming unit, display, pc, pda

Abstract

It is assumed that when a first teaching device is communicating with an active task unit in a robot control device, a second teaching device transmits a request to connect to the active task unit, to the robot control device. In such a case, the robot control device is configured to stop the first teaching device executing active tasks, and establish communication between the second teaching device and the active task unit of the robot control device which allows active tasks to be executed thereby.

Claims

1. A robot system comprising:

at least one robot control device which controls a robot; and

at least two teaching devices which allows connection to the robot control device via a communication medium,

wherein

the robot control device comprises;

an active task unit which executes an active task, and

a passive task unit which executes passive tasks, wherein,

when one teaching device of the at least two teaching devices is communicating with the active task unit inside the robot control device, if a request for connecting to the active task unit is transmitted from another teaching device of the at least two teaching devices to the robot control device, the robot control device is configured to stop the one teaching device executing an active task, establish communication allowing an active task to be executed between the other teaching device and the active task unit of the robot control device, and simultaneously establish communication allowing passive tasks to be executed between the one teaching device stopped executing the active task and the passive task unit of the robot control device.

2. The robot system according to claim 1, wherein

the robot control device is configured to deprive the one teaching device of the authority to execute active tasks while maintaining communication with the one teaching device;

to cut off communication with the one teaching device;

or to switch the state of the teaching device from being logged in to being logged off the active task unit, in order to stop the one teaching device executing active tasks.

3. The robot system according to claim 1, wherein,

when the one teaching device communicates with the active task unit inside the robot control device, if the other teaching device transmits a request to the robot control device to connect to the active task unit, the robot control device or each of the teaching devices is configured to be selectable whether or not to permit the connection request.