Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically determining an effective mass of a door system that is driven by a motor and has at least one door. In this case a speed change accomplished during an acceleration movement is established, and a force variable, for example the motor current or an armature voltage, influencing the drive force of the motor is summed or integrated during the acceleration movement. The effective door mass is established from the sum or the integral of the force variable and the speed change, the summation or the integration of the force variable being performed over a number of operating system cycles of a control device assigned to the door system. Also described is a control device for automatically determining the effective door mass, having a memory for force variable profiles that is designed in such a way that mass can be established for different force variable profiles in the memory in conjunction with an unchanged program code.

Abstract: A movement structure for a drawer of a refrigerator is provided. The movement structure may a storage box to be automatically withdrawn from or inserted into a storage compartment of the refrigerator by pressing a button. This automatic movement of the storage box may allow the storage box to be easily withdrawn from and inserted into the storage compartment regardless of a weight of items stored in the storage box.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator and a refrigerator employing this system is provided. This system and method allows for the automatic opening and closing of multiple drawers of a refrigerator either sequentially or simultaneously. The system automatically closes a first drawer after a second drawer has been opened to reduce the loss of cooling air and to preserve freshness of items stored in the refrigerator.

Abstract: In order to improve movement control in an automation system for movement control, profiles for movement control are freely defined via functions. Polynomial interpolations or spline interpolations are used for the defined functions, the interpolations being of a higher degree. The profile for movement control has a command variable and a secondary variable, at least one of which is time-based or position-related.

Abstract: An offline programming device for preparing an operation program for making a robot with a hand perform a handling operation for an object with respect to a machine tool.

Abstract: A target position detection apparatus for a robot includes: a robot including an arm configured to be freely moved in at least two directions of X and Y axes, the arm having a wrist axis provided at a distal end of the arm and configured to be freely moved in a horizontal direction, and the wrist axis being provided with an end effector; and a control unit adapted for driving a memory to store a teaching point therein and controlling an operation of the robot such that the end effector will be moved toward the teaching point stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method is provided for teaching a transfer robot used in conjunction with a workpiece processing system including a pedestal assembly, a light sensor having an optical input fixedly coupled to the pedestal assembly, a transfer robot having an end effector, and a processing chamber containing the pedestal assembly and light sensor. The method includes the steps of producing light within the processing chamber, moving the end effector over the optical input such that amount of light reaching the light sensor varies in relation to the position of the end effector, and recording the signal gain as the end effector is moved over the optical input. The method also includes the step of establishing from the recorded signal gain a desired position of the end effector relative to the pedestal assembly.

Abstract: Ball robot comprising a shell, a diametric main axle, at least one pendulum, and a drive mechanism comprising at least two drive motors, wherein the drive motors are arranged on the pendulum(s) in the vicinity of the inner surface of the shell. There is also provided a ball robot with a ball shaped shell, a diametric axle attached to the shell concentric with the main axis of rotation of the shell, and a drive mechanism located inside the shell and supported by the diametric axle, wherein the diametric axle is arranged to accommodate for dimensional changes of the shell along the main axis of rotation.

Abstract: A servomotor control system that includes a numerical control unit and servo control unit enables the use of learning control based on an angle synchronization method in high-speed oscillating motion performed by, for example, a jig grinder. The numerical control unit calculates a reference angle ?(=?t), and also calculates a cyclic oscillation command F(t) according to the reference angle ? and a machining condition (angular velocity ?). The servo control unit calculates a difference between the value in the oscillation command F(t) and the position of the servomotor (positional difference ?) at intervals of a predetermined cycle, and performs learning control according to the reference angle ?, oscillation command F(t), and positional difference ?.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional object location and guidance to allow robotic manipulation of an object with variable position and orientation using a sensor array which is a collection of one or more sensors capable of forming a single image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inertially controlling a hovering unmanned aerial vehicle (HUAV) are provided. One inertial controller includes a frame and a sensor for detecting a change in an orientation and/or motion of the frame with respect to a predetermined neutral position. The inertial controller also includes a processor for generating commands to the HUAV to modify its current orientation and/or motion in accordance with the change. A system includes the above inertial controller and a sensor for determining a second change for an orientation and/or motion for the HUAV based on the change, and a processor for generating a signal commanding an HUAV control system to orient and/or move the HUAV in accordance with the second change. One method includes detecting a change in an orientation and/or motion of an inertial controller frame and commanding the HUAV to modify its current orientation and/or motion in accordance with the change.

Abstract: A support device adjustable in 3-DOF includes a base, a pitching arm, a rolling arm, a yawing arm, a pitching drive unit, a rolling drive unit, a yawing drive unit, and a controller. The rolling arm rotatably interconnects the pitching arm and the yawing arm. The pitching, rolling, and yawing drive units are configured for automatically driving the pitching, rolling, and yawing arms about pitch, roll, and yaw axes respectively. The roll axis is perpendicular to the pitch and yaw axes. The controller is configured for controlling the pitching, rolling and yawing drive units in response to control inputs. In use, a display panel can be attached to the yawing arm and automatically pitch, roll, and/or yaw by the respective drive units under control of the controller, to achieve an optimum viewing angle.

Abstract: A robot control unit (30) comprises: a setting means (40) for setting operating ranges of each shaft and a working tool of the robot (20); a storage means (33) for storing an inertial running distance of the robot decided by at least one of the operating speed of the robot and the weight of the working tool; and an arriving range calculation means (36) for calculating an arriving range to which the robot arrives according to the operating range, which has been set by the setting means, and the inertial running distance stored by the storage means. Due to the foregoing, while consideration is being given to the inertial running distance of a robot, the arriving range of the robot is made. Further, a display means (41) for displaying the arriving range may be provided. In the case where each shaft of the robot and the working tool deviate from the operating range, a stopping means (34) for stopping the robot may be provided.

Abstract: A automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem. The general purpose computer includes a program execution module to selectively start and stop processing of a program of equipment instructions and to generate a plurality of move commands. The real-time computer subsystem includes a move command data buffer for storing the plurality of move commands, a move module linked to the data buffer for sequentially processing the moves and calculating a required position for a mechanical joint. The real-time computer subsystem also includes a dynamic control algorithm in software communication with the move module to repeatedly calculate a required actuator activation signal from a joint position feedback signal.

Abstract: In an automatic machine system comprising a mechanism unit (1) including at least one driving mechanism, a controller (2) for controlling a driving operation of the mechanism unit (1), and a teaching unit (3) for operating the mechanism unit (1), the teaching unit (3) includes a teaching unit communicating portion for carrying out a wireless communication with the controller (2) and a first field intensity monitoring portion (13) for monitoring a field intensity of communication data in the teaching unit communicating portion, and the controller (2) includes a controller communicating portion for carrying out a wireless communication with the teaching unit (3), a second field intensity monitoring portion (26) for monitoring a field intensity of communication data in the controller communicating portion, and a driving portion for driving the mechanism unit (1) based on an operation signal sent from the teaching unit (3) in the controller communicating portion.

Abstract: A robot controller (7) controlling a robot (1) used combined with a machine tool (5, 6) provided with a communication unit (9) connecting the robot controller to a machine tool, a detection unit (52) detecting through the communication unit a type and number of machine tools, and a setting unit (55) setting the robot controller based on the type and number of machine tools detected by the detection unit. Due to this, machine tool and robot startup work can be simply and easily performed without requiring skill or increasing the startup man-hours. The setting unit selects one setting file from among a plurality of setting files for the robot controller, stored in the robot controller, based on the type and number of machine tools detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A robot system for use in surgical procedures has two movable arms each carried on a wheeled base with each arm having a six of degrees of freedom of movement and an end effector which can be rolled about its axis and an actuator which can slide along the axis for operating different tools adapted to be supported by the effector. Each end effector including optical force sensors for detecting forces applied to the tool by engagement with the part of the patient. A microscope is located at a position for viewing the part of the patient. The position of the tool tip can be digitized relative to fiducial markers visible in an MRI experiment. The workstation and control system has a pair of hand-controllers simultaneously manipulated by an operator to control movement of a respective one or both of the arms. The image from the microscope is displayed on a monitor in 2D and stereoscopically on a microscope viewer. A second MRI display shows an image of the part of the patient the real-time location of the tool.

Abstract: A taught point correcting device for correcting a taught point in an operation program of a robot. The device includes a judging section judging whether position data of any of a plurality of different taught points, previously taught and included in an operation program, has been corrected or not; and a data correcting section correcting, when the judging section judges that position data of a first taught point among the different taught points has been corrected, position data of a correlative taught point having a relative positional relationship with the first taught point, in accordance with a taught-point rule previously prescribing the relative positional relationship between the different taught points. The device may also include a storing section storing the taught-point rule. The taught-point rule may include a rule prescribing a distance between any two taught points among the different taught points.

Abstract: A robot system includes s a robot (1) which moves a tool (3) attached to an end of the robot (1) by driving a robot drive shaft. The tool (3) applies a laser beam inputted from a laser oscillator (5) by drive of the tool drive shaft to an object. A robot control device (2) controls the robot drive shaft and the tool drive shaft in synchronization.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of mechanical units, namely robots and/or external axes. A manually-operated control, such as a joy-stick or key panel, is adapted to move at least one of the mechanical units or part thereof. The control system includes an indicator adapted to indicate whether the at least one mechanical unit or part thereof that is to be moved is associated with any other mechanical unit(s) or part(s) thereof and consequently indicate that movement of the at least one mechanical unit or part thereof will also result in the movement of the indicated associated mechanical unit(s) or part(s) thereof.

Abstract: A device and a method for automatically setting an interlock based on a suitable interference area obtained by executing an offline simulation in relation to a system including a plurality of robots. The device executes the simulation on the offline programming system based on a motion program so as to determine a moving path of the robots and a two-dimensional interference area between the robots. Next, the device calculates a first three-dimensional interference area by moving the two-dimensional area in the vertical direction and calculates an accurate second three-dimensional interference area within the first interference area, using three-dimensional models of the robots.

Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit and including an operator control. The transmissions may be made wirelessly with redundant software processes for transmission and/or reception. Safety is increased by ensuring that the operator is within the specified operating area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed wherein motion data which define motions of an end effecter of a robot such as a hand tip can be produced simply and conveniently. The apparatus and method provide a motion editing environment in which motion data for allowing a robot to plot a picture or a character can be edited simply and conveniently based on interactions such as hand-written inputting of a user through a mouse, a tablet or the like. By reproducing the produced motion data on a robot, a motion of plotting an arbitrary character or picture by the robot can be implemented simply.

Abstract: There is provided a device for evaluating and correcting a robot operation program for evaluating an appropriateness for the robot operation program and correcting the robot operation program, comprising a computer including a simulation function for confirming a robot operation. The computer includes a load calculation section for calculating a load given to a motor for driving an operating portion of the robot by a simulation conducted by a computer; and an evaluation section for evaluating, by an evaluation function, whether or not the load exceeds a predetermined allowed value.

Abstract: An industrial robot system including at least one industrial robot including at least one manipulator located in a robot cell, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operator control device for teaching and manually operating the manipulator, a detecting unit detecting when the portable operator control device leaves the robot cell, and a warning generator producing a warning to the operator upon detecting that the portable operator control device leaves the robot cell.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of furniture parts which can be moved with respect to one another, using a drive unit by means of which a first furniture part can be moved in a driven manner relative to a second furniture part via a monitoring unit for monitoring the movement of the first furniture part, in which case the monitoring unit is designed such that, after starting up, the monitoring unit operates in accordance with a monitoring program for monitoring the movement of the first furniture part, with selection means being provided by means of which an alternative selection program can be activated, instead of the monitoring program, in order to monitor the movement of the first furniture part. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture including the device.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a robot and a remote station. The remote station can generate control commands that are transmitted to the robot through a broadband network. The control commands can be interpreted by the robot to induce action such as robot movement or focusing a robot camera. The robot can generate reporting commands that are transmitted to the remote station through the broadband network. The reporting commands can provide positional feedback or system reports on the robot.

Abstract: A robot system capable of checking the status of all robot controllers connected to the same network by using at least one robot controller, among the robot controllers, having a function for checking the status. The robot system includes a plurality of robots and a plurality of robot controllers for controlling the robots. The robot controllers are connected to each other via a control network and also connected to an information network. The at least one robot controller, having the function of checking the status, transmits and receives data to and from the other robot controllers and, further, indicates information, concerning the statuses of the networks and the robots, on a display of a teaching operation panel of the at least one robot controller.

Abstract: Conventional pet robots have the ability to distinguish users and take a different behavior pattern per each different user, and conventional pet robots have the ability to phase their behavior patterns based on their own behavior history to stage a growth process. The present invention provides an improvement to the conventional pet robots by, when in contact with a user in possession of a memory card, acquiring various types of information from the memory card, such as identification information of the memory card, information regarding the user, and history information regarding contact between the user and the robot. This provides the user a high degree of satisfaction by performing behavior that reflects the acquired information.

Abstract: A medical robotic system has a robot arm holding an instrument for performing a medical procedure, and a control system for controlling movement of the arm and its instrument according to user manipulation of a master manipulator. The control system includes at least one joint controller that includes a controller having programmable parameters for setting a steady-state velocity error and a maximum acceleration error for the joint's movement relative to a set point in response to an externally applied and released force.

Abstract: When dot-sequential data indicating a temporal variation in position, speed, or acceleration is stored in a memory in an automated guided vehicle as it is, the capacity of the memory is insufficient and thus needs to be increased. A pattern is mounted in a stacker crane 1; the pattern is drawn by dot-sequential data indicating a temporal variation in acceleration (FIG. 2C), and corresponds to an instruction value provided to an actuator installed in the stacker crane 1. In this case, a curve function corresponding to an approximate expression for the dot-sequential data is derived in a form of a Fourier series having a finite number of terms and using time as an independent variable and the position, speed, or acceleration as a dependent variable. Data identifying the Fourier series, having a finite number of terms, is stored in a memory 5 mounted in the stacker crane 1.

Abstract: A method for estimating the state of a system, as well as an extended Kalman filter (EKF), allows nonlinear mathematical models to be used for describing the system. Accurate precision is provided since the method is based on an EKF technique while using a filter that implements a first degree Stirling approximation formula. The method may be used for estimating position and speed of a brushless motor, and may be implemented in a relative device. Such a device may be introduced in a control loop of a brushless motor of a power steering system for a vehicle to provide a countering torque on the steering wheel based on speed of the vehicle and a steering angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically determining an effective mass of a door system that is driven by a motor and has at least one door. In this case a speed change accomplished during an acceleration movement is established, and a force variable, for example the motor current or an armature voltage, influencing the drive force of the motor is summed or integrated during the acceleration movement. The effective door mass is established from the sum or the integral of the force variable and the speed change, the summation or the integration of the force variable being performed over a number of operating system cycles of a control device assigned to the door system. Also described is a control device for automatically determining the effective door mass, having a memory for force variable profiles that is designed in such a way that mass can be established for different force variable profiles in the memory in conjunction with an unchanged program code.

Abstract: A robot program correcting apparatus, which displays three-dimensional models of a robot and a workpiece simultaneously on the screen of a display apparatus, and corrects an operation program for the robot, includes: a unit retrieving a robot operation program and a working position based on at least either a line or a surface computed from touchup points and on a touchup position or points representing a working position specified on the screen; a difference computing unit computing a difference between at least either the line or surface computed from the touchup points and at least either a line or a surface computed from the plurality of points as position information representing the retrieved working position; and a correcting unit correcting the robot operation program by computing the amount of correction based on the difference, thereby reducing the number of steps required when correcting the robot operation program.

Abstract: A robot teach tool is provided that enables automatic teaching of pick and place positions for a robot. The automated robot teach tool obviates the need for manual operation of the robot during the teaching. The result is an automated process that is much faster, more accurate, more repeatable and less taxing on a robot operator.

Abstract: A system and process is provided for controlling a robot path of a robot including providing a main path for movement of the robot based on path data having points along the main path and providing a safe evacuation path from each point in the main path to get to a safe position. The main path is formed with safety evacuation path considerations in mind such that along any point on ride path the robot can be safely moved to a safety point or to the unload position or safe position.

Abstract: There is provided an industrial robot which comprises a manipulator having a tool at the tip end, a robot control unit for controlling the manipulator, and a primary teaching device and subsidiary teaching device for controlling the manipulator through the robot control unit, wherein operation capable of being conducted by the subsidiary teaching device is restricted as compared with operation capable of being conducted by the primary teaching device. By realizing the industrial robot, it is possible to prevent a production line worker from executing a function of the robot which is originally to be executed by a supervisor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a programmable robot system comprising a robot provided with a number of individual arm sections, where adjacent sections are interconnected by a joint, the system furthermore comprising controllable drive means provided in at least some of said joints and a control system for controlling said drive means. The robot system is furthermore provided with user interface means comprising means for programming the robot system, said user interface means being either provided externally to the robot, as an integral part of the robot or as a combination hereof and storage means co-operating with said user interface means and said control system for storing information related to the movement and further operations of the robot and optionally for storing information relating to the surroundings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe robot system adapted to always and clearly indicate a worker whether an emergency stop operation can be performed by an emergency stop operation section in an unwired portable teaching operation section, thereby to prevent occurrence of a misconception. A portable teaching operation portion 3 includes a display section (13) configured to indicate whether an emergency stop operation to be conducted by an emergency stop operation section (9) can be performed.

Abstract: A robot system can grasp and take out one of a plurality of workpieces placed in a basket-like container by a hand mounted at the forward end of a robot arm. The workpiece is detected by a visual sensor, and the robot is controlled depending on a position and an orientation of the workpiece. When a problem such as interference or the like occurs, information relating to the problem is stored in a robot control unit or a visual sensor control unit. Information relating to the problem includes a predetermined amount of the latest data retrospectively traced from the time point of problem occurrence, a position which the robot has reached, the target position data, the content of the process executed by the visual sensor, and the detection result. When the problem is reproduced, these data are used to simulate the situation at the time of problem occurrence by using simulation unit. The situation at the time of problem occurrence can also be reproduced by using the actual robot without using the simulation unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a motion control algorithm for the control of an AC electric machine, the apparatus comprising a motion control engine comprising a motion control sequencer, a motion control program memory, a port memory, a plurality of motion control modules, and a plurality of motion peripheral modules, the motion control sequencer executing a sequence of instructions stored in the motion control program memory directing the sequencer to execute motion control modules and motion peripheral modules in a specified sequence and with a specified connection of module inputs and module outputs and operational parameters stored in the port memory to generate the motion control algorithm. A microcontroller may be coupled to the motor control program memory and the port memory for monitoring the output of the motion control engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of manipulators, such as multiaxial or multiaxle industrial robots. At least one manipulator functions as the reference manipulator and is moved in a plurality of preset poses within its working area at which internal position values are determined as first desired poses. For each desired pose, subsequently a first actual pose of the reference manipulator is determined by an external measuring system. Subsequently at least one further manipulator moves up to specific poses of the reference manipulator as second desired poses and for each of these poses an actual pose of the further manipulator is determined by an external measuring system. On the basis of actual-desired deviations between the thus determined desired and actual poses of the two manipulators, subsequently a parameter model for the further manipulator is established and with it it is possible to compensate simultaneously both its own errors and those of the reference manipulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rehabilitation robot and a tutorial learning method for the rehabilitation robot. The rehabilitation robot comprises a robotic device, a rehabilitation mode control unit, and a driving unit. The robotic device comprises at least a motor capable of controlling the joints of the robotic device. The rehabilitation mode control unit further comprises a tutorial learning module capable of enabling the rehabilitation robot to learn a rehabilitation operation of a physiotherapist in a tutorial manner as he/she is operating the rehabilitation robot while registering the rehabilitation operation as an operation mode of the same.

Abstract: An industrial robot system including at least one industrial robot including at least one manipulator located in a robot cell, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operator control device for teaching and manually operating the manipulator, a detecting unit detecting when the portable operator control device leaves the robot cell, and a warning generator producing a warning to the operator upon detecting that the portable operator control device leaves the robot cell.

Abstract: A workpiece grasper and a workpiece transfer apparatus shorten the time that a processing facility must be stopped. A workpiece is transferred along a production line and processed in three or more processing facilities. A workpiece grasper grasps and places the workpiece to be transferred between the processing facilities. The workpiece grasper includes a rotation mechanism and two hands capable of grasping and placing the workpiece. The rotation mechanism rotates the two hands above a line along a transfer direction of the workpiece. The rotation mechanism changes the hands for grasping the workpiece from a processing facility and changes the hands for placing the grasped workpiece on a processing facility.

Abstract: A robot control unit (30) comprises: a setting means (40) for setting operating ranges of each shaft and a working tool of the robot (20); a storage means (33) for storing an inertial running distance of the robot decided by at least one of the operating speed of the robot and the weight of the working tool; and an arriving range calculation means (36) for calculating an arriving range to which the robot arrives according to the operating range, which has been set by the setting means, and the inertial running distance stored by the storage means. Due to the foregoing, while consideration is being given to the inertial running distance of a robot, the arriving range of the robot is made. Further, a display means (41) for displaying the arriving range may be provided. In the case where each shaft of the robot and the working tool deviate from the operating range, a stopping means (34) for stopping the robot may be provided.

Abstract: A robot control device includes an operation mode change-over switch for switching between a first operation mode for prohibiting an operator from approaching a predetermined area around a robot when power is supplied to a drive motor for driving the robot and a second operation mode for allowing the operator to approach the predetermined area around the robot even when power is supplied to the drive motor, and an electromagnetic contactor for switching the connection and disconnection of the power supply line to the drive motor. The robot can be stopped in case of emergency by using the electromagnetic contactor to disconnect the power supply line. The apparatus further includes an emergency stop control unit. The emergency stop control unit issues a disconnection command to the electromagnetic contactor, when the switching between the first and second operation modes is sensed, and automatically confirms whether or not the power supply line is disconnected.

Abstract: A controller including a learning control unit for determining learning data based on a positional deviation between a target-position command commanding superimposed-type motion including repetitive motion and a positional fed-back variable obtained from an output portion of an electric motor; and an operation control section for controlling the electric motor based on a corrected positional deviation. The learning control unit includes a first learning section for periodically determining, based on the positional deviation, and storing, first learning data according to a first learning period; a learning-data correcting section for correcting the first learning data to eliminate an influence of a local change included in the target-position command or the positional fed-back variable and periodically arising according to a period different from the first learning period; and a positional-deviation correcting section for correcting the positional deviation by using corrected learning data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe robot system adapted to always and clearly indicate a worker whether an emergency stop operation can be performed by an emergency stop operation section in an unwired portable teaching operation section, thereby to prevent occurrence of a misconception. A portable teaching operation portion 3 includes a display section (13) configured to indicate whether an emergency stop operation to be conducted by an emergency stop operation section (9) can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manipulator arm and drive system that can be operated in multiple modes, including an on or off mode, referred to herein as a “rate mode” or a spatially correspondent (“SC”) mode. The multi-mode manipulator arm and drive system of the present invention can be hydraulically operated subsea.