Visual Program Teaching for Faster Industrial Machine Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of registered operation programs for industrial machines complicates the selection process, leading to longer search times and potential human errors in program selection.

Innovation Solution

A teaching device and computer program that utilize an image acquisition unit to recognize visually identifiable targets, associate them with corresponding programs, and store this information for easy retrieval and execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of registered operation programs is increased, then the functionality and versatility of the industrial machine is improved, but the time required for searching and selecting the appropriate program increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of registered operation programsVSAvoidtime required for searching program

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical search process through teach pendant operations with an automated optical recognition system. The image capture device captures images of recognition targets (such as barcodes or visual markers), and the recognition unit automatically identifies these targets to retrieve corresponding operation programs, eliminating the need for manual searching through numerous registered programs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual recognition targets (copies or representations of program identifiers) that can be captured by the image capture device. These recognition targets serve as visual copies or symbols that represent the underlying operation programs, allowing the system to identify and retrieve programs through image recognition rather than direct manual selection from a large program list.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of registered operation programs is increased, then the functionality of the industrial machine is improved, but the risk of human error in program selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of registered operation programsVSAvoidaccuracy of program selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual program selection operations with automated image recognition and processing. The recognition unit automatically identifies recognition targets and retrieves corresponding programs, eliminating human errors associated with manual selection from a large number of registered programs. This automation ensures accurate program selection even when numerous programs are registered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system captures images of recognition targets, processes these images through the recognition unit, and retrieves the corresponding operation programs based on the recognized targets. This feedback loop ensures that the correct program is selected by verifying the recognition target against the registered program database, preventing erroneous selections even when many programs are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual program selection through teach pendant is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the efficiency of program selection decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of program selectionVSAvoidefficiency of program selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual teach pendant operations with an automated image recognition system. The image capture device automatically captures recognition targets, and the recognition unit processes these images to retrieve programs, significantly improving selection efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through simple visual targeting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses visual recognition targets that can be easily captured by the image capture device. These visual copies or markers represent program identifiers, allowing the system to efficiently retrieve programs through simple image capture rather than complex manual navigation through the teach pendant interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates quick and accurate selection of programs by allowing any type of recognition target to be associated with a program, reducing the need for user-generated codes and enhancing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

acquire a captured image of a visually recognizable recognition target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250339964A1Teaching device and computer program

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A teaching device for teaching industrial machinery, the teaching device including an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of a visually recognizable recognition target, a recognition unit that analyzes the acquired image and recognizes the recognition target, and a registration unit that, on the basis of a user operation, generates and saves correspondence information that associates the recognized recognition target and a program.