Robot Program Interface Linking Visual Blocks and Text Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot operation program generation methods using visual programming face challenges in transitioning to text programming, as it is difficult to correlate visual programs with text programs, hindering user skill advancement and limiting the range of robot operations.
Innovation Solution
A program generation device and medium that display an input screen with operation block and text areas, allowing users to visually program and then convert to text format, enhancing readability and understanding by juxtaposing visual and text programs, and providing editing tools to assist in text programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual programming is used to generate robot operation programs, then ease of operation is improved, but understanding and transition to text programming deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visual programming and text programming interfaces into a single integrated display. The display unit simultaneously shows the operation block arrangement area for visual programming and the text program display area for text-based code, allowing users to see both representations of the same program together. This merging enables users to understand the correspondence between visual blocks and text commands while maintaining the ease of visual programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The text program display area acts as an intermediary between visual programming and text programming understanding. When users arrange operation blocks visually, the system automatically generates and displays the corresponding text program in the text display area. This intermediary representation helps users understand text programming syntax and structure without requiring them to write text code directly, thus bridging the gap between visual and text programming.
2Ease of operation
If visual programming interface is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: the operation block display area showing available programming blocks, the operation block arrangement area where blocks are visually assembled, and the text program display area showing corresponding text code. This segmentation organizes the complex interface into manageable sections, each with a specific function, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If text programming is used directly, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring users to write text programs directly (traditional approach), the system inverts the process by allowing users to construct programs visually through drag-and-drop operation blocks. The system then automatically generates the corresponding text program. This inversion maintains adaptability by producing full text-based programs while dramatically improving ease of operation through visual manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A program generation device generating an operation program causing a robot to execute a task is provided. The program generation device includes: a display control unit displaying an input screen including an operation block, display area where an operation block relating to an operation of the robot is displayed, an operation block arrangement area where the operation block selected from the operation block display area is arranged to generate the operation program, and a text display area where the operation program is displayed in a text format; and a text editing unit editing the operation program in the text format and displaying the edited operation program in the text display area.