Robot Application Planning With Auto-Generated Control Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The separation of robot application planning and control interface generation complicates the overall planning process, as existing methods require separate programming and do not allow for effective visualization or simulation within a unified development environment.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a model of the control interface into a development environment for robot application planning, enabling visualization, simulation, and automatic generation/modification of the control interface based on the robot application model, with data linkage between application and interface models for real-time simulation and configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If control interface is generated separately using specialized programming language, then control interface can be developed with specialized tools, but the overall planning process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol interface developmentVSAvoidplanning process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the robot application planning environment and control interface generation into a single integrated development environment. The control interface model is generated automatically from the robot application model within the same development environment, eliminating the need for separate programming processes and reducing overall planning complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The development environment is designed to perform multiple functions: it can model robot applications, generate control interface models automatically, simulate both robot applications and control interfaces, and produce implementation code. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate specialized tools for control interface development.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If control interface is generated separately, then specialized programming can be used, but visualization and simulation of control interface during planning is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol interface programmingVSAvoidcontrol interface visualization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface model is generated preliminarily during the robot application planning phase, before actual implementation. This allows visualization and simulation of the control interface during planning, enabling developers to see and test the interface behavior early in the development process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A model of the control interface is created as a copy or representation within the development environment. This model can be visualized and simulated without requiring actual hardware or final implementation, allowing developers to work with and refine the interface design during planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate programming is used for control interface, then flexibility in programming language choice is maintained, but automatic generation and modification based on robot application model is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming language choiceVSAvoidcontrol interface generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface model is generated automatically from the robot application model without requiring manual programming. The system serves itself by deriving the control interface requirements directly from the robot application specifications, enabling automatic generation and modification based on changes in the robot application model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2345513B1Development environment and method for planning a robotic application
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • EP2345513B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves configuring a robot application, and controlling the robot application via controlling interfaces (S1-S3) e.g. notebooks. The controlling interfaces are generated and/or modified based on configuration (K) of the robot application or during change of the configuration of the robot application. The application and/or controlling interfaces are configured via a graphical user-interface. The stored configuration is modified in an automatic manner, during the change. One of the robot application and the controlling interfaces are configured based on libraries (L1-L3). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for controlling the robot application (2) a computer program that executes a method for controlling the robot application (3) a computer program code with a program code for controlling the robot application.