Universal construction robotics interface

• US 9,292,015 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation (Fluor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation (Fluor Corporation)
• Inventors: Prieto, Robert, Kapila, Vikram, Frank, Jared Alan, Lopez, David Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOYER, DALE S
• Application Number:
  US13/901,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20140350723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2219/36137 Configuration of display device, operator panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36159 Detachable or portable programming unit, display, pc, pda

Abstract

A method and a system of integrating a new robot into a work environment are provided. A controller receives a signal indicating a presence of a new robot in the work environment. The controller then establishes a negotiation channel between the controller and the new robot and begins to negotiate with the new robot a set of robotic functions controllable by the controller. Based on a comparison between a set of function attributes the new robot and interface attributes of the controller, the controller generates a new robot user interface for controlling the set of robotic functions of the new robot.

Claims

1. A method of integrating a new robot into a work environment, comprising:

receiving, by a controller, a signal indicating a presence of the new robot in the work environment;

in response to the signal, establishing a negotiation channel between the controller and the new robot;

receiving, by the controller via the negotiation channel, a dictionary comprising definitions of a set of primitive robotic functions from the new robot;

negotiating, by the controller via the negotiation channel, with the new robot a set of robotic functions controllable by the controller, wherein the set of robotic functions comprises a set of non-primitive robotic functions generated from the set of primitive robotic functions;

selecting a set of selected interface primitives by comparing function attributes of the set of robotic functions to interface attributes of interface primitives;

generating a robot user interface, by the controller, from the set of selected interface primitives, wherein the robot user interface is configured to control the set of robotic functions; and

configuring the controller to provide access to the robot user interface within the work environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the work environment comprises a plurality of heterogeneous robots and a plurality of heterogeneous controllers, wherein each of the plurality of heterogeneous controllers is configured to provide a different robot user interface for controlling a different robot.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of heterogeneous controllers is configured to provide a different robot user interface for controlling a same robot.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the controller comprises configuring a display of the controller to present a displayable user interface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the displayable user interface comprises a set of user selectable interface items.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a user selectable interface item; and

generating a command that engages a robotic function based on the selected user interface item.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the controller comprises enabling the controller to generate commands that engage the set of robotic functions based on sensor data from a sensor and obtained by the controller.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the controller comprises the sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensor data comprises at least one of the following:

position data, location data, orientation data, motion data, temperature data, weather data, project data, and altitude data.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of the following:

an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a temperature sensor, a touch sensitive surface, and a barometer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the robot user interface comprises a scale selection tool for selecting a value within a predetermined scale.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a particular value via the scale selection tool; and

generating a command that engages a robotic function at an extent corresponding to the particular value within the predetermined scale.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the new robot via a wireless interface.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the controller, another signal indicating a presence of a different robot; and

generating, by the controller, a different robot user interface configured to control a set of robotic functions for the different robot.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the work environment is a construction environment.

16. A controller device for integrating a new robot into a work environment, the controller device comprising:

an interface configured to communicate with a robot; and

a registration module coupled with the interface and configured to;

receive a signal indicating a presence of the new robot in the working environment, establish a negotiation channel with the new robot via the interface,

receive, via the negotiation channel, a dictionary comprising definitions of a set of primitive robotic functions from the new robot,

negotiate, via the negotiation channel, with the new robot a set of robotic functions controllable by the controller device, wherein the set of robotic functions comprises a set of non-primitive robotic functions generated from the set of primitive robotic functions,

select a set of selected interface primitives by comparing function attributes of the set of robotic functions to interface attributes of interface primitives,

generate a robot user interface from the set of selected interface primitives, wherein the robot user interface is configured to control the set of robotic functions, and

configure the controller device to provide access to the robot user interface within the work environment.

17. The controller device of claim 16, wherein the controller device is one of a plurality of heterogeneous controller devices in the work environment and wherein each of the plurality of heterogeneous controller devices is configured to provide a different robot user interface for controlling the new robot.

18. The controller device of claim 16, wherein the registration module is further configured to (i) receive another signal indicating a presence of a different robot and (ii) generate a different robot user interface configured to control a set of robotic functions for the different robot.

19. The controller device of claim 16, wherein the work environment is a construction environment.