Robot Programming Interface with Safe Operator Parameter Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot configuration systems require skilled programmers for minor changes, limiting flexibility and accessibility in small and medium enterprises due to the dependency on expert users for ensuring safety and compliance with robot constraints.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that separates robot control program configuration into a program view for skilled programmers and an operator view for less skilled users, allowing safe configuration of operation parameters without direct access to the control program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robot programmer is required to configure even minor changes in the robot control program, then safety and robot constraints are ensured, but the flexibility and accessibility of the robot system deteriorates due to dependency on expert availability
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into two distinct views: a program view for programmers and an operator view for operators. This segmentation allows different user groups to access only the functionality appropriate to their skill level and responsibilities. The operator view presents a simplified configuration interface that hides complex programming details while still enabling safe parameter modification, thus maintaining safety through architectural separation rather than requiring programmer presence for every change.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator view acts as an intermediary layer between the operator and the full robot control program. It provides a curated subset of configuration options that have been pre-validated by programmers, allowing operators to safely modify parameters without directly accessing or potentially corrupting the underlying control program structure. This intermediary interface resolves the contradiction by enabling operator autonomy while maintaining programmer-defined safety boundaries.
2Ease of operation
If a simplified configuration interface is provided for operators, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to ensure safety and compliance deteriorates without programmer oversight
Solution Approach 1:
Programmers perform preliminary configuration work by defining the operator view's parameter set, validation rules, and safety constraints before deploying the system to operators. This preliminary action ensures that all parameters accessible to operators have been pre-validated for safety and compliance. The operator view is essentially pre-configured with safe boundaries and valid parameter ranges, eliminating the need for real-time programmer oversight while maintaining safety guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator view enables operators to perform configuration tasks independently without requiring programmer intervention. Through self-service, operators can modify operational parameters within the safe boundaries defined by programmers, adjusting robot behavior to match actual working conditions. The system provides built-in validation and guidance that empowers operators to make safe configuration decisions autonomously, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability through design rather than oversight.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a robot user interface configured for presenting a control program to a programmer, the control program being displayable to the programmer via a program view of said user interface. The control program controls operations of a robot, wherein at least some parts of the control of said robot is defined via an 5 argument of one or more operation parameter. The user interface is further configured to present a part of said one or more operation parameters to an operator of said robot via an operator view of said user interface. The operator view is configured for displaying arguments of said one or more operation parameters, and the operator view is configured for allowing said operator to change said argument of said part of said 10 one or more operation parameters. Further the invention relates to a method of configuring the robot control program using the user interface.