Robot Arm Projection Display for Marker-Tracked Teaching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current machine teaching systems for robots require workers to frequently switch their gaze between the robot arm and a separate display, reducing work efficiency during the teaching process.

Innovation Solution

A display system that projects information onto the robot arm using multiple imaging and projection apparatuses, allowing the worker to visually recognize both the real motion and teaching information without needing to constantly look at a separate display, by using markers to track the robot's joints and project relevant data in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If information is displayed on a separate touch panel display during robot teaching, then teaching information is provided to the worker, but the worker must frequently move the point of view between the robot arm and the display, reducing work efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveteaching informationVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display function with the robot arm itself by projecting teaching information directly onto the robot arm's surface. The projection apparatus projects images containing teaching information onto the robot arm, allowing the worker to view both the robot arm and teaching information simultaneously in one field of view, eliminating the need to switch between separate displays and the robot arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If a separate display is used for robot teaching, then teaching information is visible, but the system complexity and required equipment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveteaching informationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arm serves multiple functions: it performs the physical teaching operations and simultaneously acts as a display surface for teaching information through projection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate display equipment, reducing system complexity while maintaining information visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If information is projected onto the robot arm, then the worker can view information and robot motion simultaneously, but tracking the moving robot arm requires precise imaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveteaching efficiencyVSAvoidmarker tracking precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces markers as intermediary objects attached to the robot arm. The imaging apparatus tracks these markers to determine the robot arm's position and orientation, enabling the projection apparatus to accurately track and project information onto the moving robot arm surface. The markers serve as reference points that facilitate precise tracking without requiring direct measurement of the robot arm's complex motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4302938A1Display system and teaching system
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP4302938A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4302938A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4302938A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display system displaying information on a robot arm when the robot arm having a joint is moving, includes a plurality of imaging apparatuses imaging markers provided on the robot arm, a plurality of projection apparatuses projecting the information on the robot arm, and a control apparatus controlling operation of the projection apparatuses to project the information to follow the moving robot arm based on images of the markers captured by the imaging apparatuses.