Graphical Motion Control Prototyping Environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motion control application development has a steep learning curve, requiring specialized knowledge and programming skills, making it difficult for users to develop motion control applications without extensive expertise.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) based motion control prototyping environment that allows users to create and configure sequences of motion control operations without writing code, enabling offline simulation and generation of program code for executing these sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional motion control programming methods are used, then precise motion control functionality is achieved, but the learning curve becomes steep and programming complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion control sequence as an intermediary layer between the user and the underlying motion control drivers. This sequence acts as a mediator that translates high-level user intentions into low-level driver commands, eliminating the need for users to directly program complex motion control logic while maintaining full functionality. The sequence includes structured elements like initialization, movement commands, and termination that simplify the programming interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies or abstractions of complex motion control operations. Instead of requiring users to program detailed motor control sequences, the system provides pre-defined motion primitives and sequences that replicate common motion patterns. Users can invoke these simplified copies of motion operations without understanding the underlying complexity, reducing programming difficulty while preserving precise control capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive motion control operations are provided, then application versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motion control system into distinct, modular components including initialization operations, movement operations, and termination operations. Each segment handles a specific aspect of motion control, allowing the system to provide comprehensive functionality through composition of simple, well-defined modules. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by breaking down complex operations into manageable, independent units that can be combined to achieve versatile applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A user may utilize a prototyping environment to create a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) operations, 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 sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of operations using the GUI. The prototyping environment application may then be operable to automatically, i.e., programmatically, generate graphical program code implementing the sequence. For example, the environment may generate a standalone graphical program operable to perform the sequence of operations.