Robot Peripheral Port Mapping for Faster System Configuration

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and integrating peripheral devices, leading to complex and time-consuming programming processes, especially for non-professionals.

Innovation Solution

A method for configuring a robot system that involves communicatively connecting peripheral devices to respective ports, establishing a test sequence of device states through interactive engagement, monitoring inputs to identify input-receiving ports, and configuring the robot system control process based on these device states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If peripheral devices are integrated into the robot system, then the functionality and versatility of the robot system is improved, but the device complexity and programming difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects peripheral devices and generates control process configurations without requiring manual programming. The robot controller autonomously identifies connected peripheral devices, retrieves their device states, and configures the control process based on this information, eliminating the need for complex manual integration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and identification of peripheral devices before the actual control process configuration. By detecting device states in advance and pre-configuring the control process based on detected information, the system simplifies the integration workflow and reduces programming complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration methods are used for peripheral devices, then flexibility in customization is improved, but the time consumption and programming burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects peripheral devices and generates control process configurations without requiring manual programming. The robot controller autonomously identifies connected peripheral devices, retrieves their device states, and configures the control process based on this information, eliminating the need for complex manual integration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from detected device states to automatically configure the control process. By continuously monitoring peripheral device inputs and using this feedback information for configuration, the system achieves both customization and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If traditional programming approaches are used, then control precision can be maintained, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguring accuracyVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects peripheral devices and generates control process configurations without requiring manual programming. The robot controller autonomously identifies connected peripheral devices, retrieves their device states, and configures the control process based on this information, eliminating the need for complex manual integration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual programming operations with automated detection and configuration processes. By substituting the mechanical/manual configuration process with an automated electronic detection and configuration system, the patent achieves both ease of use and configuring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250187188A1A method for configuring a robot system

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 UNIVERSAL ROBOT

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for configuring a robot system, wherein said robot system comprises a robot arm and a robot controller configured to control operation of said robot arm. The method comprises the steps of: communicatively connecting each of at least one peripheral device to a respective peripheral port of a plurality of peripheral ports of said robot system: interactively engaging said at least one peripheral device to establish a test sequence of device states based on inputs of said at least one peripheral device to said plurality of peripheral ports: monitoring said inputs of said at least one peripheral device to said plurality of peripheral ports to identify one or more input-receiving peripheral ports of said plurality of peripheral ports; and configuring a robot system control process of said robot system based on said device states of said test sequence and based on said one or more input-receiving peripheral ports. The invention further relates to a robot system.