Motion Control Prototyping Environment with Visual Trajectory Preview
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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 motion control prototyping environment that allows users to create and preview sequences of motion control operations without writing code, using a graphical user interface to select and configure motion control operations, and simulate the motion trajectory in 2D and 3D views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional programming-based motion control system is used, then the system provides precise motion control capability, but the learning curve becomes steep and requires specialized programming knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion control server as an intermediary layer between the user interface and the motion control hardware. This server handles the complex programming and communication protocols, allowing users to interact with the system through simple graphical interfaces without needing to understand underlying motion control programming complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional text-based programming interfaces with a graphical user interface system. Instead of requiring users to write code, the system uses visual drag-and-drop operations, graphical icons, and point-and-click interactions to define motion control sequences, making the system accessible to users without programming expertise.
2Ease of operation
If a graphical user interface is implemented to simplify user interaction, then ease of operation improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional software layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the motion control system into distinct modular components: a graphical user interface layer, a motion control server layer, and hardware driver layers. Each layer has specific responsibilities and communicates through well-defined interfaces, allowing the complexity to be managed through modular architecture while maintaining user-friendly operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If motion control sequences are created through programming, then precise control is achieved, but development time increases due to the need for programming expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a motion control server that pre-configures communication protocols, error handling, and hardware-specific parameters. This preliminary setup allows users to focus solely on defining motion sequences through graphical interfaces without needing to program low-level control details, significantly reducing development time while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for previewing a sequence of motion control operations. A user may utilize a motion control prototyping environment application to easily and efficiently develop/prototype a motion control sequence. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the motion control sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of motion control operations using the GUI. The graphical user interface of the motion control prototyping environment may enable the user to preview various aspects of the motion performed by a motion control sequence in one or more preview windows, e.g., a velocity profile, an acceleration profile, position plots, etc., in advance before commanding the motor to perform the sequence of moves.