Secure robotic operational system

• US 20090164039A1
• Filed: 10/23/2008
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Secure3Dp+ Pte. Ltd. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Rinaldo, John D. JR., Tegreene, Clarence T., Lord, Richard T., Lord, Robert W., Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Malamud, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,128,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/117
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24167 Encryption, password, user access privileges
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

Methods and systems for a secure robotic operational system include but are not limited to receiving an authorization associated with a directive to perform robotic operational tasks regarding one or more objects; verifying the authorization associated with the directive; and controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization.

Claims

1. A method for securely controlling a robotic operational system, the method comprising:

receiving an authorization associated with a directive to perform robotic operational tasks regarding one or more objects;

verifying the authorization associated with the directive; and

controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving an authorization associated with a directive to perform robotic operational tasks regarding one or more objects includes:

receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks includes:

receiving the authorization via the application, the application applying a user credential to provide the authorization.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks includes:

receiving the authorization from one or more data packets over a network in communication with the robotic operational system, the one or more data packets providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks includes:

receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system includes:

receiving the authorization from the security device configured as a dongle attached to the robotic operational system, the dongle providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system includes:

receiving the authorization from the security device configured as a wireless communication device associated with the robotic operational system, the wireless communication device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

receiving the directive from a control system operably coupled to the robotic operational system; and

receiving an enabling signal from the control system to enable reification of the one or more objects.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

comparing the authorization to a stored list of authorization codes accessible to the robotic operational system.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

receiving an indication from a control system operably coupled to the robotic operational system, the control system including a digital rights management application.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

verifying that the authorization is associated with one or more license-governed agreements relating to the protection of the one or more objects, the one or more objects at least partially robotically reproducible via one or more object files that enable at least one of the plurality of robotic elements to at least partially reify the one or more objects.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization is associated with a licensing status associated with the one or more objects and/or object data file, the licensing status indicative of one or more of a royalty status, an expiration date pertaining to a license, and/or a number of manufacturing runs permitted according to the license.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

verifying the authorization wherein the authorization enables a determination of a payment status and/or an authorization status under a reification agreement.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing robotic assembly by one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of a metal, ABS (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), ABSi (ABS with high impact strength), ABS M-30 (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), PC (Polycarbonate), PC-ISO (Polycarbonate-ISO), PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/ABS Blend), PPSF (Polyphenylsulfone), clear and/or colored resin.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic rapid prototyping, at least partially robotic three-dimensional printing, at least partially robotic two-dimensional printing, at least partially robotic freeform fabrication, at least partially robotic solid freeform fabrication, and at least partially robotic stereolithography.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of one or more of stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), computer numerical control (CNC), and fused deposition modeling (FDM) if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic three-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of metal, wood, ice, stone, glass, nuclear materials, pharmaceuticals, edible substances, sand, ceramic materials, aluminum, silicon, carbides, silicon nitrides, silicon carbides, metal/ceramic combinations including aluminum/silicon nitride, aluminum/silicon carbide, aluminum/zirconia and aluminum/aluminum nitride including materials alterable by friction, heating and cooling if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic two-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of skin, textiles, edible substances, paper, silicon printing if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic subtractive manufacturing, including enabling or preventing drilling, milling, turning, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, wire electrical discharge cutting, cold, warm and hot forging metal fabrication, computer numerical controlled fabrication machine, and/or an additive manufacturing and/or an injection molding if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing robotic operations dependent upon the one or more predetermined conditions wherein the one or more predetermined conditions include at least one of a benchmark comparison, a temporal machine qualification, an operation qualification, an event occurrence, and/or a quality certification.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing robotic operations dependent upon the one or more predetermined conditions wherein the robotic operations are associated with one or more of a chemical process, a product packaging, an injection molding unit, a subtraction machine, an additive manufacturing unit, a two-dimensional production machine, a three-dimensional production machine, a stamping machine, an extruder, a melting machine, a die-casting machine, a solidifying machine, a manufacturing machine, a rapid prototyping machine, a production device.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions includes:

receiving an input including the directive for creating and/or duplicating and/or producing in accordance with the authorization.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system is at least part of one or more of a processor system, an assembly system, a testing system, a manufacturing system, and a production system.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system is at least part of one or more of a processor system, an assembly system, a testing system, a manufacturing system, and a production system includes:

controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system performs one or more of constructing, building, structuring, modifying, fabricating, and/or forming.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system is at least part of one or more of a processor system, an assembly system, a testing system, a manufacturing system, and a production system includes:

controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system enables one or more of welding, polishing, buffing, deburring, grinding, lapping, fettling, stamping, inserting, framing, laying, wiring, plumbing, roofing, walling, and/or flooring.

27. A computer program product comprising:

a signal bearing computer-readable medium including

one or more instructions for receiving an authorization associated with a directive to perform robotic operational tasks regarding one or more objects;

one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive; and

one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization.

28. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the signal bearing computer-readable medium comprises:

a recordable medium.

29. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the signal bearing computer-readable medium comprises:

a transmission type medium.

30. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving an authorization associated with a directive to perform robotic operational tasks regarding one or more objects includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks.

31. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization via the application, the application applying a user credential to provide the authorization.

32. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

33. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the receiving the authorization via an application configured to identify a user associated with the directive to perform robotic operational tasks includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

34. The computer program product of claim 33 wherein the receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization from the security device configured as a dongle attached to the robotic operational system, the dongle providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

35. The computer program product of claim 33 wherein the receiving the authorization from a security device in communication with the robotic operational system, the security device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization from the security device configured as a wireless communication device associated with the robotic operational system, the wireless communication device providing one or more permissions to operate the robotic operational system.

36. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the directive from a control system operably coupled to the robotic operational system; and

one or more instructions for receiving an enabling signal from the control system to enable reification of the one or more objects.

37. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

one or more instructions for comparing the authorization to a stored list of authorization codes accessible to the robotic operational system.

38. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

one or more instructions for receiving an indication from a control system operably coupled to the robotic operational system, the control system including a digital rights management application.

39. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

one or more instructions for verifying that the authorization is associated with one or more license-governed agreements relating to the protection of the one or more objects, the one or more objects at least partially robotically reproducible via one or more object files that enable at least one of the plurality of robotic elements to at least partially reify the one or more objects.

40. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

one or more instructions for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization is associated with a licensing status associated with the one or more objects and/or object data file, the licensing status indicative of one or more of a royalty status, an expiration date pertaining to a license, and/or a number of manufacturing runs permitted according to the license.

41. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying the authorization associated with the directive includes:

one or more instructions for verifying the authorization wherein the authorization enables a determination of a payment status and/or an authorization status under a reification agreement.

42. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing robotic assembly by one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of a metal, ABS (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), ABSi (ABS with high impact strength), ABS M-30 (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), PC (Polycarbonate), PC-ISO (Polycarbonate-ISO), PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/ABS Blend), PPSF (Polyphenylsulfone), clear and/or colored resin.

43. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic rapid prototyping, at least partially robotic three-dimensional printing, at least partially robotic two-dimensional printing, at least partially robotic freeform fabrication, at least partially robotic solid freeform fabrication, and at least partially robotic stereolithography.

44. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of one or more of stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), computer numerical control (CNC), and fused deposition modeling (FDM) if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

45. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic three-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of metal, wood, ice, stone, glass, nuclear materials, pharmaceuticals, edible substances, sand, ceramic materials, aluminum, silicon, carbides, silicon nitrides, silicon carbides, metal/ceramic combinations including aluminum/silicon nitride, aluminum/silicon carbide, aluminum/zirconia and aluminum/aluminum nitride including materials alterable by friction, heating and cooling if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

46. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic two-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of skin, textiles, edible substances, paper, silicon printing if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

47. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing one or more of the robotic elements wherein one or more of the robotic elements controls reification using one or more of at least partially robotic subtractive manufacturing, including enabling or preventing drilling, milling, turning, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, wire electrical discharge cutting, cold, warm and hot forging metal fabrication, computer numerical controlled fabrication machine, and/or an additive manufacturing and/or an injection molding if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.

48. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions.

49. The computer program product of claim 48 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing robotic operations dependent upon the one or more predetermined conditions wherein the one or more predetermined conditions include at least one of a benchmark comparison, a temporal machine qualification, an operation qualification, an event occurrence, and/or a quality certification.

50. The computer program product of claim 48 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing robotic operations dependent upon the one or more predetermined conditions wherein the robotic operations are associated with one or more of a chemical process, a product packaging, an injection molding unit, a subtraction machine, an additive manufacturing unit, a two-dimensional production machine, a three-dimensional production machine, a stamping machine, an extruder, a melting machine, a die-casting machine, a solidifying machine, a manufacturing machine, a rapid prototyping machine, a production device.

51. The computer program product of claim 48 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling or preventing at least partially robotic functioning of a physical component of the robotic operational system if the authorization meets one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for receiving an input including the directive for creating and/or duplicating and/or producing in accordance with the authorization.

52. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization includes:

one or more instructions for controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system is at least part of one or more of a processor system, an assembly system, a testing system, a manufacturing system, and a production system.

53. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system is at least part of one or more of a processor system, an assembly system, a testing system, a manufacturing system, and a production system includes:

one or more instructions for controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system performs one or more of constructing, building, structuring, modifying, fabricating, and/or forming.

54. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system is at least part of one or more of a processor system, an assembly system, a testing system, a manufacturing system, and a production system includes:

one or more instructions for controlling the one or more functions wherein the robotic operational system enables one or more of welding, polishing, buffing, deburring, grinding, lapping, fettling, stamping, inserting, framing, laying, wiring, plumbing, roofing, walling, and/or flooring.

55-75. -75. (canceled)