Verbal Interaction Robotic System for Manufacturing

Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic systems for moving objects in manufacturing require time-consuming programming and teaching processes, diverting operator attention from actual tasks and necessitating specialized knowledge, which increases labor and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An instruction processor that receives verbal instructions, converts them into text, generates a logical representation, identifies corresponding robotic movements using an environmental model, and sends appropriate commands to the robotic system, allowing for intuitive operation without programming expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If operators manually program or teach pick and place robots movement paths, then the robotic system can be controlled to move objects, but the operator's time and attention are diverted from actual manufacturing tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator focus on manufacturing taskVSAvoidtime spent teaching robot path

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual control system with an automated vision system. The vision system captures images of objects and their locations, processes this visual information to determine movement paths, and automatically programs the robotic system without requiring manual operator intervention for path teaching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system performs self-programming by using its own vision capabilities to automatically determine object locations, calculate movement paths, and program its own operations. The system serves itself by processing visual data and generating control commands without external manual programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If specialized programmers write programs for robotic systems, then precise control of movement paths is achieved, but labor costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of object placementVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual programming with an automated vision-based system. The vision system captures precise positional information about objects and their destinations, processes this data to calculate accurate movement paths, and generates the control commands automatically, eliminating the need for specialized programming skills while maintaining placement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The vision system acts as an intermediary between the physical environment and the robotic control system. It captures visual information about object locations and destinations, processes this information to determine optimal movement paths, and translates it into control commands, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If operators use handheld control terminals to teach robot paths, then the robot can be programmed, but operator attention is diverted from the manufacturing floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in programmingVSAvoidoperator time away from manufacturing task

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system performs self-programming by using its own vision capabilities to automatically determine object locations, calculate movement paths, and program its own operations. The system serves itself by processing visual data and generating control commands without external manual programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual control system with an automated vision system. The vision system captures images of objects and their locations, processes this visual information to determine movement paths, and automatically programs the robotic system without requiring manual operator intervention for path teaching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9403279B2Robotic system with verbal interaction

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus for moving an object. A verbal instruction for moving the object is received. The verbal instruction is converted into text. A logical representation of the verbal instruction is generated. A movement of a robotic system that corresponds to the verbal instruction for moving the object using a model of an environment in which the object and the robotic system are located is identified. A set of commands used by the robotic system for the movement of the robotic system is identified. The set of commands is sent to the robotic system.