Systems and methods for gesture control of a welding system

• US 10,201,868 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Dunahoo, Jason, Gregory, Seth Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Ross, Dana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maye, Ayub
• Application Number:
  US14/502,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20160089743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 2191377, 21913771, 2191251, 219136, 2191301, 219132, 219137 R
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/02 relating to soldering or welding dip or wave soldering in the manufacture of printed circuits H05K3/34
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/00 Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups eye-shields for welders worn on the operator's body or carried in the hand A61F9/00 , i.e. A61F9/02; applicable to metal-working machines other than soldering, welding, or flame-cutting machines B23Q; laser protective screens B23K26/706; protective shields for other welding methods F16P1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0953 using computing means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0956 using sensing means, e.g. optical
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1087 Arc welding using remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883

Abstract

A motion detection system having detection circuitry, motion recognition circuitry, and communication circuitry is provided. The detection circuitry is configured to detect gestures or motions of a welding system operator. In some embodiments, the detection circuitry is configured to detect gestures or motions of a welding operator via an accessory device, where the accessory device is in wireless communication with the motion detection system. The motion recognition circuitry receives the detected gestures or motions, and translates the detected gestures or motions into a welding command. The welding command is communicated to a welding system via the communications circuitry, and is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the welding system.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a welding system, comprising:

a sensor system configured to be directed at a welding system operator and configured to detect first and second gestures of the welding system operator; and

processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the sensor system and configured to;

receive a first signal and a second signal corresponding to the first and second detected gestures;

compare the first signal corresponding to the first detected gesture with a plurality of stored gestures stored within a global gesture library, wherein each of the plurality of stored gestures is associated with a corresponding welding component or welding command of a plurality of welding components and welding commands;

compare the second signal corresponding to the second detected gesture with the plurality of stored gestures stored within the global gesture library;

identify a welding component associated with the detected first gesture based at least in part on the comparison of the first signal;

identify a welding command associated with the detected second gesture based at least in part on the comparison of the second signal;

transmit the identified welding command to the identified welding component of the welding system

and wherein the sensor system is configured to detect first and second gestures of an eye of the welding system operator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises digital cameras, video cameras, infrared sensors, optical sensors, radio frequency energy detectors, sound sensors, vibration sensors, magnetic sensors, heat sensors, pressure sensors, or any combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises an accessory device configured to be worn by the welding system operator or is otherwise disposed on the welding system operator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the welding system is configured to implement the welding command.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the welding component comprises a welding power source, a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a gas supply system, or other welding system components.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the welding command is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the welding system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises one or more imaging devices directed at the welding system operator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect first and second gestures of a head of the welding system operator.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the accessory device comprises accelerometers, a smart phone, a wireless sensor tag, a wireless smart tag, a tablet, one or more cameras, infrared sensors, optical sensors, sound sensors, vibration sensors, magnetic sensors, heat sensors, pressure sensors, gloves, or any combination thereof.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the accessory device is configured to receive and display information relating to the welding system, wherein the information relating to the welding system comprises one or more of current operating parameters, welding command information, and a connection status of the accessory device.