Robot Gripper Coordinate Setting via Visual Drag-and-Drop Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators without specialized training find it difficult to set coordinates for a robot's product gripper, as they need to understand the robot's coordinate system for precise positioning, especially when handling food products in a production line.
Innovation Solution
A device with a graphical user interface allows operators to set coordinates by selecting and dragging graphic elements on a touchscreen, enabling visualization of the gripper's approach position changes, with automatic coordinate updates and real-time feedback, facilitating easy adjustment by untrained personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If operators manually enter coordinates using a numeric keyboard, then coordinate setting precision is maintained, but operator complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the work area and displays it on a screen, creating a visual copy of the physical space. Operators interact with this visual representation by dragging and dropping icons, which automatically translates to precise coordinate values. This eliminates the need for operators to manually enter coordinates using a numeric keyboard, thereby maintaining precision while significantly reducing the complexity and training requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical input method (numeric keyboard entry) with an automated computer vision system. The camera captures the work area, the system processes the image to establish coordinate relationships, and drag-and-drop operations automatically calculate precise coordinates. This substitution of mechanical input with automated visual processing maintains accuracy while simplifying the operator's task.
2Measurement precision
If robot gripper moves to approach position for coordinate setting, then positioning accuracy is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures an image of the work area with a camera before the coordinate setting process begins. This preliminary action creates a visual record that is displayed on the screen, allowing operators to perform drag-and-drop operations without waiting for the robot to physically move to each position. The system pre-establishes the visual reference framework, enabling faster coordinate setting while maintaining positioning accuracy through the visual feedback mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If visual feedback of gripper position is provided before changing position, then operator control accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the work area through camera imaging and displays it on a screen. This visual representation shows the current gripper position and allows operators to see where the gripper will move next before the actual movement occurs. The drag-and-drop interface provides intuitive visual feedback, improving position control accuracy without requiring complex additional hardware or system configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The operation apparatus has a product gripper to represent at least one approach position of the product gripper for the picking up and/or placing down of a product as a graphical element (33) on a display device (31). The respective graphical element can be directly displaced on the display device for the setting of the coordinates of the respective approach position, with the coordinates of the respective approach position being changed automatically in response to such a displacement of the graphical element in accordance with the displacement. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for the operating of a food-handling robot; (2) a computer program having programming code to carry out a method for the operating of a food-handling robot; and (3) a computer program product having programming code which are stored on a computer-readable data carrier and adapted to carry out the method for the operating a food-handling robot.