Machine Control Software Intercommunication via Data Conversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current production planning systems face challenges in efficiently managing and transmitting information between machine tools, industrial robots, and production planning systems, particularly in dynamic production environments with varying product types and quantities, where real-time intercommunication and data management across multiple machines are required.

Innovation Solution

A machine system with a machine control computer equipped with a base software application and an operation software application, featuring communication modules for converting and managing machine-specific data into operation software application-specific data formats, enabling seamless information transmission and command execution between machines and software applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple machine-specific data formats are supported directly, then compatibility with various machines is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a data conversion unit as an intermediary component between machines with different data formats and the production planning system. This conversion unit translates machine-specific data formats into a standardized internal format, enabling compatibility with various machines without increasing overall system complexity. The mediator handles format variations centrally, allowing the rest of the system to work with a uniform data structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If real-time data collection from multiple machines is implemented, then production monitoring capability is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms machine data into a standardized parameter structure with consistent formatting, units, and organization. By changing the parameter representation to a universal format, the system reduces communication overhead while maintaining real-time monitoring capabilities. The standardized parameters enable efficient data processing and reduce the information loss that would occur with format conversion at each communication point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If data format conversion is performed at each communication point, then data accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary data format standardization at the data collection stage, converting machine-specific formats into the standardized internal format before data leaves the machines. This preliminary action ensures data accuracy is maintained throughout the system without requiring repeated conversions at later processing stages, thereby reducing overall processing time while preserving data precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11086603B2Machine system, machine control computer, base software application, computer-readable recording medium, and machine control method for intercommunication with machines
Publication Date: 2021.08.10 FANUC LTD
  • US11086603B2 patent drawing
  • US11086603B2 patent drawing
  • US11086603B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A machine system includes two machines, a computer communicably connected to the machines, and a base software application and an operation software application installed in the computer. The base software application includes a first communication module that is a program portion to execute transmission and reception of first machine information to be outputted from each machine and second command information to be outputted to each machine, and a second communication module that is a program portion to execute transmission and reception of first command information to be inputted from the operation software application to the base software application and second machine information to be outputted from the base software application to the operation software application.