Laser-Guided Robotic Arm Control via Inverse Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic arm control systems require tedious programming or custom coding, especially for artistic operations, and lack intuitive control methods using standard input devices like mice for guiding movements.
Innovation Solution
A laser-mouse guided device system that employs a three-dimensional laser distance meter and inverse kinematics software to control jointed or articulated devices, allowing users to point to desired locations with a mouse or laser pointer, with a graphical user interface for motor control and position feedback, enabling three-dimensional arm control without programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If robotic arms are programmed by entering numerical locations into a computer program, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to tedious programming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual programming operations with a laser-guided pointing system. Instead of entering numerical coordinates through programming, users point the laser at target locations and the system automatically captures the 3D coordinates through time-of-flight measurement, eliminating the tedious programming process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a laser distance meter as an intermediary device between the user and the robotic arm control system. The laser meter acts as a mediator that translates physical pointing gestures into digital 3D coordinates, which are then processed by inverse kinematics software to control the robotic arm, thereby simplifying the operation process.
2Ease of operation
If robotic arms are controlled by teaching them through dragging and recording motion paths, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming teaching processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical teaching process of dragging and recording with direct laser pointing. Users simply point the laser at start and end positions, and the system automatically generates the motion path using inverse kinematics, dramatically reducing the time required for programming while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the motion path through inverse kinematics software before executing the robotic arm movement. The system pre-computes the optimal trajectory and joint angles based on the laser-pointed coordinates, allowing the robotic arm to execute the pre-planned path efficiently without real-time teaching delays.
3Ease of operation
If articulated devices move each axis sequentially to reach desired location, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates compared to direct positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the sequential axis movement approach with direct 3D positioning through laser pointing. The laser distance meter directly measures the 3D coordinates of the target location, and inverse kinematics software directly calculates the required joint angles, eliminating the need for sequential axis movement and achieving higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inverse kinematics to solve the positioning problem in reverse. Instead of moving each axis sequentially to approximate the target position, the system inverts the kinematic equations to directly calculate the joint angles required to reach the exact 3D coordinates pointed by the laser, thereby achieving precise direct positioning.
4Manufacturing precision
If custom coding is used to program robotic arms, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex custom coding with a simplified laser-pointing interface. The system automatically handles coordinate extraction from laser measurements and performs inverse kinematics calculations through integrated software, eliminating the need for users to write custom programming code while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to automatically perform programming tasks without user intervention. The laser distance meter self-measures the target coordinates, the software automatically processes the data through inverse kinematics, and the robotic arm self-executes the generated program, eliminating the need for manual custom coding.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables intuitive and precise control of robotic arms and articulated devices in both two and three dimensions, reducing the need for custom programming and allowing for rapid repositioning and pattern following, while ensuring safety through motion detection and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a laser distance meter designed for three-dimensional arm control
Implementation Method 2
uses an input device such as a mouse, stylus, trackball, other guiding device to direct a robotic device
Data Source
AI summary
A control system that guides a robot or articulated device with a laser distance meter for 3D motion, or guides a robot or articulated device with a computer pointing device (such as a mouse) for 2D or 3D motion. User needs to point to a desired physical location of the end point, and then the difficult work of finding the right joint angles to get there is done by a computer. System works like hand eye coordination. The hand goes wherever the eye is pointed so long as the eye is pointed within the reachable boundary of the jointed arm or articulated device.