Graphical Motion Control Prototyping via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer-based motion control systems have a steep learning curve, requiring specialized knowledge and programming skills, making it difficult for users to develop motion control applications without extensive expertise in motion control motors, drives, and controllers.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) based system and method for developing motion control, machine vision, and data acquisition (MC/MV/DAQ) sequences, allowing users to configure and simulate motion control operations without writing code, by providing a graphical prototyping environment that includes operations such as straight-line moves, arc moves, and DAQ operations, and enables the generation of program code for executing these sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional programming methods are used for motion control, then precise control and automation are achieved, but the learning curve becomes steep and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion control server as an intermediary layer between the user application and the motion control hardware. This server handles complex motion control operations, coordinate transformations, and trajectory planning automatically, allowing users to develop applications without deep motion control expertise while maintaining precise control and automation capabilities
2Ease of operation
If graphical user interface is implemented, then ease of operation improves and programming expertise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex motion control logic from the user application layer and places it in the motion control server layer. The GUI presents simplified operation interfaces while the extracted complex logic is handled by the server, which manages motion sequences, coordinate transformations, and hardware communication, thus improving ease of operation without exposing users to the underlying complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for developing a prototype that comprises a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) “MC/MV/DAQ” operations. A MC/MV/DAQ prototyping environment may be designed to enable a user to easily and efficiently develop/prototype a MC/MV/DAQ sequence (i.e., a sequence of operations which includes one or more motion control, machine vision, and/or DAQ operations) without requiring the user to perform programming, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the MC/MV/DAQ sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of MC/MV/DAQ operations using the GUI.