System and architecture for providing a modular intelligent assist system

• US 7,120,508 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northwestern University
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lipsey, James, Klostermeyer, Stephen H., Meer, David, Wannasuphroprasit, Witaya, Peshkin, Michael A., Colgate, J. Edward, Santos-Munne, Julio
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US11/179,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 700 17- 20, 700 83- 87, 700/245, 700/230, 700/249, 700258-261, 700/264, 318/568.11, 318/568.16, 318/628, 318/632, 717/163, 717/149, 706/27, 212/330, 709/201, 709/213, 709/224
• US Class Current: 700/87
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41815 characterised by the cooperation between machine tools, manipulators and conveyor or other workpiece supply system, workcell
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32014 Augmented reality assists operator in maintenance, repair, programming, assembly, use of head mounted display with 2-D 3-D display and voice feedback, voice and gesture command
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36429 Power assisted positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40313 Graphic motion simulation for ergonomic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A configuration system for an intelligent assist system is provided. The intelligent assist system includes a module, and a computational node on the module. The configuration system includes a host computer system capable of executing a stored program. The host computer system is in communication with the computational node via a communication link. The system also includes a graphical user interface enabling a user to manipulate objects related to the module or the computational node, and a plurality of visual indicators corresponding to a status of the module, the computational node, or the communication link.

Claims

1. A configuration system for an intelligent assist system, the intelligent assist system comprising a module, and a computational node on the module, the configuration system comprising:

a host computer system capable of executing a stored program, the host computer system being in communication with the computational node via a communication link;

a graphical user interface enabling a user to manipulate objects related to the module or the computational node; and

a plurality of visual indicators corresponding to a status of the module, the computational node, or the communication link.

2. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface allows the user to view parameters of the module.

3. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface allows the user to manipulate parameters of the module.

4. The configuration system of claim 3, wherein the parameters are adjusted with graphic sliders.

5. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface allows the user to establish default parameters of the module.

6. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface allows the user to test the module.

7. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the intelligent assist system further comprises a second module with a second computational node, and the host computer system is in communication with the second computational node via a second communication link.

8. The configuration system of claim 7, wherein the communication links are in communication with each other and the visual indicators indicate the status of communication between the computational nodes.

9. The configuration system of claim 8, wherein the visual indicators indicate the transfer of data between the computational nodes.

10. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicators indicate a fault status of the computational node.

11. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the host computer system comprises a laptop computer.

12. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the host computer system comprises a handheld computer.

13. The configuration system of claim 1 wherein the host computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.

14. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the module is a moveable trolley.

15. The configuration system of claim 1, wherein the module is a lift.