Robotic Manipulator Input Emulation Through Virtual Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic manipulators lack intuitive and simplified methods for users to specify input values, often requiring complex operations and physical implementations of input devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and robotic manipulator design that allow users to select from predefined virtual input devices, emulating physical devices by assigning degrees of freedom, local limits, and transfer functions to specify input values through manual actuation and sensor recording.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical input devices are implemented on the robotic manipulator, then the user can interact with familiar physical interfaces, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction with input devicesVSAvoidphysical input device implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of physical input devices (rotary switch, sliding controller, joystick, buttons) that are emulated through software mapping. Instead of implementing actual physical devices, the system maps robotic manipulator movements to virtual device inputs, achieving the same user interaction experience without the complexity of physical hardware implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical input devices with a software-based emulation system. The robotic manipulator's degrees of freedom are directly mapped to virtual input device movements through transfer functions, substituting mechanical interfaces with computational mappings that achieve the same control objectives without physical hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical input devices are provided, then users have diverse interaction options, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput device varietyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the robotic manipulator itself a universal input device that can emulate multiple different input device types. By configuring different transfer functions and degree of freedom mappings, the same physical manipulator can function as a rotary switch, sliding controller, joystick, or button interface, providing diverse interaction options without manufacturing multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of the manipulator's input device emulation capabilities. The system can switch between different virtual input device modes and mapping configurations based on operational requirements, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different interaction paradigms without physical reconfiguration or additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If complex operations are required to specify input values, then precise control is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput value specification precisionVSAvoidinput specification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the robotic manipulator to serve itself as an input device. The manipulator's own movements and positions are directly captured by sensors and mapped to input values, eliminating the need for separate physical input devices or complex manual specification procedures. The system automatically translates manipulator state into control parameters through the emulation framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12263575B2Method for specifying an input value on a robotic manipulator

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 FR ADMINISTRATION GMBH

AI summary

A method of specifying an input value on a robotic manipulator, wherein the method includes: selecting a particular predefined input device to be emulated, wherein the input device to be emulated is assigned at least one degree of freedom of the robotic manipulator and local limits in the at least one degree of freedom, and a transfer function of a coordinate of the robotic manipulator in the at least one degree of freedom is assigned onto the input value; actuating the robotic manipulator such that at least one part of the robotic manipulator is manually movable in the at least one degree of freedom and within the local limits; recording a respective coordinate in the at least one degree of freedom during or after completion of an input on the robotic manipulator via a sensor unit; and applying the transfer function to assign the respective coordinate to the input value.