EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS COMPRISING PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLERS AND METHODS OF TEACHING THEREWITH

• US 20170232611A1
• Filed: 01/13/2017
• Published: 08/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (The Trustees of Purdue University (d/b/a Purdue University))
• Original Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (The Trustees of Purdue University (d/b/a Purdue University))
• Inventors: Himes, Jr., Larry Eugene
• Granted Patent: US 10,456,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2219/39059 Sensor adaptation for robots by software

Abstract

Systems and methods for hands-on training of students. Such a system includes one or more programmable controllers configured to interact with one or more external devices. Each programmable controller includes a microcontroller, a memory device, an interface for remotely accessing the programmable controller, and at least one bus interface for interfacing with an external microcontroller of another programmable controllers. The method includes functionally coupling a first of the programmable controllers to an external device, programming the first programmable controller to operate the external device, and providing instructions to the external device through the programmable controller from a remote location relative to the first programmable controller.

Claims

1. An educational system comprising one or more programmable controllers configured to interact with one or more external devices, each of the programmable controllers comprising:

a microcontroller;

a memory device;

an interface for remotely accessing the programmable controller; and

at least one bus interface for interfacing with an external microcontroller of another programmable controllers.

2. The educational system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programmable controllers comprises means for sensing gestures performed by a user.

3. The educational system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programmable controllers comprises means for sensing distances of objects near the educational system.

4. The educational system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programmable controllers is a robotic controller configured for controlling movement of a robotic device, the robotic controller comprising means for a user to interface with the robotic controller for controlling the movement of the robotic device.

5. The educational system of claim 4, wherein the robotic controller controls the operation of at least one motor which moves the robotic device, the robotic controller comprising:

at least one diode functionally connected to a current sensing line of the at least one motor;

means for monitoring commutator switching of the motor while the motor is in operation;

means for determining distance of movement of the robotic device based on the commutator switching; and

means for repeating a specific movement of the robotic device based on the determined distance of movement of the robotic device.

6. The educational system of claim 4, wherein the robotic controller is configured to control the movement of the robotic device in at least five axes.

7. The educational system of claim 4, wherein the robotic controller comprises means for interfacing with a programmable pendant device comprising touch switches, wherein a user can control the movement of the robotic device with the touch switches.

8. The educational system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programmable controllers comprises means for interfacing with a programmable pendant device comprising touch switches.

9. The educational system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programmable controllers is a graphical user interface (GUI) controller comprising a microcontroller with an internal video processor and a SD card interface for external graphics storage.

10. The educational system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programmable controllers is an instrument controller configured to communicate with more than one external device, the instrument controller comprising a SD card interface and at least one audio output for rendering audio files, means for monitoring sensors and control actuators of a process, and a motor output for interfacing with a motor of an external device.

11. The educational system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control (RC) transmitter and an RC receiver configured for wirelessly communication therebetween to control movement of a vehicle, the RC transmitter comprising means for a user to interface with the RC transmitter for controlling the movement of the vehicle, wherein the RC receiver is configured to send a video transmission to the RC transmitter and the RC transmitter is configured to receive the video transmission from the RC receiver.

12. An educational system comprising one or more programmable controllers configured to interact with one or more external devices, each of the programmable controllers comprising:

a microcontroller;

a memory device;

an interface for remotely accessing the programmable controller; and

at least one bus interface for interfacing with an external microcontroller of another programmable controllers;

wherein at least one of the programmable controllers is a robotic controller configured for controlling movement of a robotic device, the robotic controller comprising means for a user to interface with the robotic controller for controlling the movement of the robotic device;

wherein at least one of the programmable controllers is a graphical user interface (GUI) controller comprising a microcontroller with an internal video processor and a SD card interface for external graphics storage;

wherein at least one of the programmable controllers is an instrument controller configured to communicate with more than one external device, the instrument controller comprising a SD card interface and at least one audio output for rendering audio files, means for monitoring sensors and control actuators of a process, and a motor output for interfacing with a motor of an external device.

13. A method of using an educational system comprising one or more programmable controllers configured to interact with one or more external devices, each of the programmable controllers comprising a microcontroller, a memory device, an interface for remotely accessing the programmable controller, and at least one bus interface for interfacing with an external microcontroller, the method comprising:

functionally coupling a first of the programmable controllers to an external device;

programming the first programmable controller to operate the external device; and

providing instructions to the external device through the first programmable controller from a remote location relative to the first programmable controller.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising programming the first programmable controller to sense gestures performed by a user.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising programming the first programmable controller to sense distances of objects near the educational system.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the external device is a robotic device, the method includes programming the first programmable controller to control the movement of the robotic device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the robotic device controls the movement of the robotic device by controlling at least one motor, the robotic controller comprising at least one diode functionally connected to a current sensing line of the at least one motor, the method comprising:

monitoring commutator switching of the motor while the motor is in operation;

determining distance of movement of the robotic device based on the commutator switching; and

repeating a specific movement of the robotic device based on the determined distance of movement of the robotic device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising controlling the movement of the robotic device with touch switches.