System testing support device and system testing support program

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to enable easy verification, during a layout testing phase for a system designed to perform predetermined tasks, of how the system appears to an on-site observer. This system testing support device is equipped with a system information input unit, a layout display unit, an observer information input unit, a model generation unit, a model placement input unit, and a model viewing angle display device. The layout display unit shows the layout of a system based on the information entered into the system information input unit. The model generation unit creates an observer model from the information entered into the observer information input unit. The model placement input unit is configured to position the generated observer model relative to the system layout.The model viewing angle display device shows the system from the viewing angle of the placed observer model.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device that assists in the verification of the layout of a system that performs a predetermined task. BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] In a system that performs a predetermined task using an industrial robot or the like, a layout of the system can be checked on a computer, a robot program can be generated, operation in the system can be simulated, or a teaching of the industrial robot can be carried out. Patent document

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese unexamined patent application, publication no. 2021-47623 REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Problems to be solved by the invention: When working on a computer in this way, the viewing angle can be changed as needed. For example, if you want to see the entire system setup from above, a view from a distant angle can be selected, and if fine-tuning or similar tasks are being performed, a view from a close angle can be chosen. Therefore, working on the computer can be carried out efficiently.

[0005] However, the inventors have identified the following problem: It is difficult to understand how the system will appear to an observer on site. Therefore, there are cases where it is not possible to verify how the system will appear to an observer on site until the system is actually built.

[0006] The present disclosure was made taking into account the above circumstances, and one objective of the present disclosure is to simplify the verification of how a system performing a predetermined job appears to a local observer during a layout verification phase for the system. Means to solve the problems:

[0007] A first revelation concerns: A system verification support device for assisting in the verification of a system layout for performing a predetermined task. The system verification support device comprises: a system information input unit configured to receive inputs of information relating to the system; a layout display unit configured to display a layout of the system based on the information entered into the system information input unit; an observer information input unit configured to receive information about an observer observing the system; a model generation unit configured to generate an observer model from the information input into the observer information input unit; a model placement input unit configured to place an observer model with respect to the system layout; a display calculation unit configured to calculate how the system appears from the perspective of a placed observer model; and a model viewing angle display device configured to display the system from that viewing angle.

[0008] A second revelation concerns: A system verification support program that causes a computer to act as a device to assist in verifying the layout of a system for performing a predetermined task. The system verification support program causes the computer to act as: a system information input unit configured to receive information about the system; a layout display unit configured to display a layout of the system based on information entered into the system information input unit; an observer information input unit configured to receive information about an observer observing the system; a model generation unit configured to generate an observer model from the information input into the observer information input unit; a model placement input unit configured to place an observer model with respect to the system layout; a display calculation unit configured to calculate how the system appears from the perspective of a placed observer model; and a model viewing angle display device configured to display the system from that perspective. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a system verification support device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a display through a layout display unit; and Fig. Figure 3 shows a display through a model viewing angle display device. PREFERRED METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be modified and implemented accordingly without deviating from the essential content of the present disclosure. [First embodiment]

[0010] One in Fig. The system verification support device 50 shown supports the verification of the layout of a system S, such as in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the system S performs a predetermined task. In particular, the system S of the present embodiment comprises an industrial robot Rb, and the robot Rb processes a workpiece W. It should be noted that the robot Rb can alternatively be interpreted as an "industrial robot".

[0011] The in Fig. The system verification support device 50 shown in Figure 1 is realized through the interaction of a computer and a system verification support program. The computer comprises a computer body, a display, and an operator panel. The computer body includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The system verification support program is loaded into the computer body. The operator panel includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The system verification support program causes the computer to function as the system verification support device 50.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the system verification support device 50 comprises a system information input unit 11, a layout generation unit 12 and a layout display unit 13.

[0013] The system information input unit 11 is configured to receive information about the system S. The system information input unit 11 is primarily implemented by the computer main unit, the display, and the operator panel. A user U operates the operator panel while looking at the display to instruct the computer main unit to read information about the system S, whose layout is being checked.

[0014] Layout generation unit 12 generates a CAD model that displays the layout of system S based on the information entered into system information input unit 11. Layout generation unit 12 is primarily implemented by the main computer body.

[0015] Layout display unit 13 shows the layout of system S, for example, as in Fig. 2 is shown based on the CAD model generated by the layout generation unit 12. The layout display unit 13 is mainly realized by the computer main body and the display.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the system verification support device 50 further comprises an observer information input unit 21, a view field information input unit 22, a model generation unit 23 and a model storage unit 24.

[0017] The observer information input unit 21 is configured to receive input of model parameters as information about an observer who is observing the system S in the field. The observer is, for example, a worker at a workplace where the system S is used, or a visitor to an exhibition where the system S is displayed. The model parameters include at least the height of a person assumed to be the observer. The observer information input unit 21 is primarily implemented by the computer main unit, the display, and the operator panel. The user U inputs model parameters of a person assumed to be the observer into the computer main unit by operating the operator panel while looking at the display.

[0018] The field-of-view information input unit 22 is configured to receive input of field-of-view information about the observer's field of view. This information includes, for example, whether the observer is wearing protective eyewear, whether the observer is partially colorblind, whether the observer has cataracts, and so on. The field-of-view information input unit 22 is primarily implemented by the computer main unit, the display, and the control unit. The user U inputs the field-of-view information into the computer main unit by operating the control unit while looking at the display.

[0019] The model generation unit 23 generates an observer model M as a CAD model of the observer, as for example in Fig. Figure 2 shows the model based on the information entered into the observer information input unit 21 and the information entered into the view field information input unit 22. The model generation unit 23 is mainly implemented by the main computer body.

[0020] The in Fig. The model storage unit 24 shown in Figure 1 is configured to sequentially store the observer models M generated by the model generation unit 23, i.e., to store a plurality of observer models M. The model storage unit 24 is mainly implemented by the main computer body.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the system verification support device 50 further comprises a model placement input unit 31, a display calculation unit 32 and a model viewing angle display device 33.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the model placement input unit 31 is configured to place the observer model M generated by the model generation unit 23 relative to the layout of the system S displayed by the layout display unit 13. The model placement input unit 31 is primarily implemented by the computer main body, the display, and the operator panel. The user performs the following operations on the computer main body by operating the operator panel while looking at the display. First, an observer model M is selected from the multitude of observer models M that are available in the Fig. The model storage unit 24 shown in section 1 is stored. Next, as shown in Fig. 2 shows the observer model M placed in the screen displayed by the layout display unit 13.

[0023] The in Fig. 1 Display calculation unit 32 calculates how the system S appears from the viewpoint of the observer model M, based on the CAD data of the layout of the system S, which was generated by the layout generation unit 12, and the placement of the observer model M, which was entered into the model placement input unit 31.

[0024] In particular, the display processing unit 32 calculates, for example, the height of the viewing angle of the observer model M from the height of the placed observer model M. The height of the viewing angle is, for example, the height of the observer model M multiplied by 0.9. The display processing unit 32 is primarily implemented by the main computer body.

[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the model viewing angle display device 33 displays the system S calculated by the display calculation unit 32, i.e., the system S as seen from the viewing angle of the observer model M. The model viewing angle display device 33 is primarily implemented by the computer main body and the display. The model viewing angle display device 33 modifies the display based on the field of view information regarding the observer model M. Specifically, for example, if the selected observer model M is set to wear protective goggles, the system S is displayed as seen through the goggles. If the selected observer model M is set to be partially colorblind, the system S is displayed with low contrast in color or grayscale. If the observer model M is set to suffer from cataracts, the system S is displayed with a field of view that reproduces the cataracts.

[0026] The configuration and effects of the present embodiment are summarized below.

[0027] The in Fig. The layout generation unit 12 shown generates a layout of system S based on information about system S entered into the system information input unit 11. The model generation unit 23 generates the observer model M from the information about the observer entered into the observer information input unit 21. The model placement input unit 31 is configured to place the generated observer model M. The display calculation unit 32 calculates how system S appears from the perspective of the placed observer model M. The model viewpoint display device 33 displays system S from the perspective of the observer model M. Therefore, during the layout verification phase for system S, the user U can use the display by the model viewpoint display device 33 to verify how system S appears to an observer on site.

[0028] More precisely, for example, if a worker in Fig. The following problem is solved by programming the robot Rb shown in Figure 2 on-site. If there are many obstructing objects between the worker's standing position and the robot Rb, the worker must move from their current standing position to a position from which they can see the robot Rb in operation. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to check during the layout verification phase for the system S whether the system S has such a layout, i.e., whether it is easy for the worker to program the robot Rb.

[0029] Furthermore, in an exhibition or similar setting, there may be a situation where it is desirable to show the viewer the entire image of system S. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to check during the layout verification phase for system S whether the objects do not overlap from the viewer's perspective, i.e., whether the entire object area of ​​system S can be visually perceived from the viewer's point of view.

[0030] The model viewing angle display device 33 shows the system S based on the in the Fig. The field-of-view information input unit shown in section 1 displays the entered field-of-view information. Therefore, the user U can check how the system S appears taking into account the observer's field of view.

[0031] The model placement input unit 31 places an observer model M, selected from a variety of observer models M stored in the model storage unit 24, relative to the layout of the system S. Therefore, the system verification support device 50 is easy to use. In particular, the user U can, for example, sequentially verify the system S from the perspective of each of the observer models M with different heights, field-of-view states, and the like, by switching the selected observer model M one after the other. [Other versions]

[0032] The embodiment described above can be modified, for example, as follows. The system S can include an industrial machine, such as a machine tool, instead of or in addition to the industrial robot Rb. In this case, the system verification support device 50 can be configured primarily by a numerical control device.

[0033] System S can include cooperative robots that work together to perform a predetermined task. In this case, the robot's appearance becomes more complex to the observer, making the effects of the design more apparent.

[0034] The model parameters can include the observer's age. In this case, for example, the model viewing angle display device 33 can change the resolution of the display of system S according to the observer's age.

[0035] According to the embodiments described above, it is possible to implement the system verification support device 50 of Additional Notes 1 to 4 and the system verification support program of Additional Note 5, which are described below. [Additional Note 1]

[0036] A system verification support device (50) for supporting the verification of a system layout (S) for performing a predetermined task. The system verification support device (50) comprises: a system information input unit (11) configured to receive information relating to the system (S); a layout display unit (13) configured to display a layout of the system (S) based on the information entered into the system information input unit (11); an observer information input unit (21) configured to receive information about an observer observing the system (S); a model generation unit (23) configured to generate an observer model (M) from the information entered into the observer information input unit (21); a model placement input unit (31) configured to place an observer model (M) with respect to the layout of the system (S); a display calculation unit (32) configured to calculate how the system (S) appears from the perspective of a placed observer model (M); and a model viewing angle display device (33) configured to display the system (S) as viewed from that viewing angle. [Additional Note 2]

[0037] The system verification support device (50) according to Additional Note 1 further comprises a view-field information input unit (22) configured to receive information regarding an observer's view-field. The model view-angle display device (33) displays the system (S) seen from that view-angle, based on the information entered into the view-field information input unit (22). [Additional Note 3]

[0038] The system verification support device (50) according to Additional Note 1 or 2 further comprises a model storage unit (24) configured to store a plurality of observer models (M). The model placement input unit (31) is configured to place an observer model selected from the observer models (M) stored in the model storage unit (24) with respect to the layout of the system (S). [Additional Note 4]

[0039] In the system verification support device (50) according to one of the additional notes 1 to 3, the system (S) comprises an industrial robot (Rb) for machining a workpiece (W). [Additional Note 5]

[0040] A system verification support program that causes a computer to act as a device (50) to assist in verifying the layout of a system (S) for performing a predetermined task. The system verification support program causes the computer to act as: a system information input unit (11) configured to receive inputs of information relating to the system (S); a layout display unit (13) configured to display a layout of the system (S) based on information entered into the system information input unit (11); an observer information input unit (21) configured to receive information about an observer observing the system (S); a model generation unit (23) configured to generate an observer model (M) from the information entered into the observer information input unit (21); a model placement input unit (31) configured to place an observer model (M) generated with respect to the layout of the system (S); a display calculation unit (32) configured to calculate how the system (S) appears from the perspective of a placed observer model (M); and a model viewpoint display device (33) configured to display the system (S) from that viewpoint. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 11 System Information Input Unit 13 Layout display unit 21 Observer Information Input Unit 22 View-field information input unit 23 Model generation unit 24 model memory unit 31 Model Placement Input Unit 32 Display calculation unit 33 Model viewing angle indicator device 50 System verification support device S System M observer model QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2021-47623

[0003]

Claims

[1] A system verification support device for assisting in the verification of a layout of a system for performing a predetermined work, the system verification support device comprising: a system information input unit configured to receive inputs of information relating to the system; a layout display unit configured to display a layout of the system based on information entered into the system information input unit; an observer information input unit configured to receive information about an observer observing the system; a model generation unit configured to generate an observer model from the information input into the observer information input unit; a model placement input unit configured to place an observer model with respect to the system layout; a display calculation unit configured to calculate how the system appears from the perspective of a placed observer model; and a model viewing angle display device configured to display the system from the viewing angle. [2] The system verification support device according to claim 1, further comprising a view field information input unit configured to receive information about a view field of the observer, wherein the model view angle display device displays the system from the view angle considered based on information entered into the view field information input unit. [3] The system verification support device according to claim 1 or 2, which further includes a model storage unit configured to store a large number of observer models, wherein the model placement input unit is configured to place an observer model selected from the observer models stored in the model storage unit with respect to the layout of the system. [4] The system verification support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system comprises an industrial robot for processing a workpiece. [5] A system verification support program that causes a computer to act as a system verification support device for checking a layout of a system for performing a predetermined job, causing the system verification support program to act as: a system information input unit configured to receive inputs of information relating to the system; a layout display unit configured to display a layout of the system based on information entered into the system information input unit; an observer information input unit configured to receive information about an observer who is observing the system; a model generation unit configured to generate an observer model from the information input into the observer information input unit; a model placement input unit configured to place an observer model generated with respect to the system layout; a display calculation unit configured to calculate how the system appears from the perspective of a placed observer model; and a model viewing angle display device configured to display the system from that viewing angle.

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