Recognition-based industrial automation control with person and object discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial automation systems are limited in safely controlling devices within industrial environments, lacking effective methods to manage and monitor positions and motions of personnel and objects to prevent hazardous interactions.
Innovation Solution
A range camera system integrated with a motion recognition system that detects positions and motions of humans and objects, computes confidence values, and sends control signals to automate industrial devices, ensuring safe operations by predicting and preventing hazardous situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional automation control systems are used to manage device operations, then basic control functions are achieved, but safety control and monitoring of personnel and object positions and motions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The automation control system is enhanced with multi-functional capabilities by integrating motion detection, position tracking, and hazard prediction functions into the existing control architecture. The system simultaneously performs traditional control tasks and new safety monitoring tasks using shared hardware resources and coordinated processing modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Motion sensors and detection devices are introduced as intermediary components between the control system and the industrial environment. These intermediaries capture motion data and position information, which are then processed by the control system to generate safety decisions, enabling enhanced monitoring without directly modifying core control functions.
2Reliability
If motion detection and position monitoring are added to enhance safety, then hazard prediction capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple safety functions including motion detection, position monitoring, and hazard prediction are merged into a unified control module. This integration shares processing resources and data pathways, reducing the overall system complexity that would result from completely separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment by automatically analyzing motion data and position information to predict hazards and adjust control parameters without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for additional external monitoring equipment and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If range camera systems are integrated for detecting positions and motions, then monitoring precision is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The range camera system is designed to serve multiple functions including position detection, motion tracking, and hazard prediction simultaneously. By making the detection system multi-functional, the need for separate specialized devices is reduced, offsetting the complexity increase through resource consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical position sensors and motion detectors are replaced with optical range camera systems that use light-based measurement techniques. This substitution achieves higher precision with non-contact measurement, eliminating the need for physical sensors on monitored objects and reducing mechanical system complexity.
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
Enhances the safety and efficiency of industrial automation by accurately monitoring and controlling devices based on detected positions and motions, minimizing risks of human-device interactions and optimizing system operations.
Implementation Method 1
A range camera system integrated with a motion recognition system that detects positions and motions of humans and objects
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a method for performing industrial automation control in an industrial automation system which may include detecting, via a sensor system, positions and/or motions of one or more humans and/or one or more objects in an industrial automation system and distinguishing, via a programmed computer system, between one or more humans and one or more objects based upon the detected positions and/or motions. The method may then include implementing a control and/or notification action based upon the distinction.