Robot Controller Configuration for Partial Project Restore

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing robot controller system configurations do not effectively address the needs of robots alternating between multiple tasks, leading to unnecessary restore operations and potential integrity issues when switching between projects, especially when outdated project data and software are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method and software for a robot controller that allows selective and precise management of system configurations, enabling partial restore operations to avoid restoring outdated project data and software, and includes a partial backup functionality to dedicate backups to specific projects, ensuring data integrity and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a complete system configuration is restored from backup, then all project data can be recovered, but well-functioning portions of the system configuration are unnecessarily restored which may jeopardize their integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproject data recovery completenessVSAvoidsystem configuration integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system configuration is divided into project-specific data and project-independent software components. This segmentation enables selective restoration of only the necessary project data while preserving the integrity of well-functioning system portions, avoiding unnecessary overwriting of stable configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing a complete system restore, the system performs a partial restore action that applies only to project data. This partial action principle avoids the excessive restoration of entire system configurations, thereby protecting well-functioning portions from unnecessary changes that could jeopardize their integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the robot controller stores project data for multiple projects, then task alternation is enabled, but managing system configurations becomes more complex when switching between projects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-project task switchingVSAvoidsystem configuration management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each project's data is segmented and stored independently within the robot controller's memory structure. This segmentation simplifies configuration management when switching between multiple projects, as only the relevant project data needs to be loaded or restored, rather than managing entire system configurations for each project.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backup and restore system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various project switching scenarios. It can selectively backup and restore individual projects, multiple projects, or complete system configurations based on user needs, thereby simplifying complexity while maintaining adaptability for multi-project operations.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4094156B1Managing a system configuration of a robot controller
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4094156B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A robot controller (110) configured to control operation of a robot (190) comprises: a memory (111), which is configured to store a system configuration including at least user-defined project data (P1,P2, P3) and project-independent software (S); and a processor (112) operable to execute the system configuration in accordance with a currently selected project. The robot controller is configured to: obtain a backup copy (B1) comprising user-defined project data and project-independent software; obtain restore input (R1) indicating a portion of said user-defined project data and project- independent software in the backup copy; and perform a partial restore of the backup copy, wherein only the indicated portion is loaded into the memory of the robot controller.