Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Atohira

Hiroyuki Atohira has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11446822
    Abstract: A simulation device simulates a robot device including two two-dimensional cameras. The simulation device includes a setting point arrangement unit which arranges a plurality of setting points on a surface of a workpiece model, and a distance calculation unit which calculates distances from a three-dimensional sensor model to each of the setting points. The simulation device includes a three-dimensional information generating unit which generates three-dimensional information including positions of the setting points and distances from the three-dimensional sensor model to the setting points. The simulation device includes an exclusion unit which excludes the setting point that is not visible from the camera models. The simulation device changes a position and orientation of a robot model on the basis of the three-dimensional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 11220002
    Abstract: A robot simulation device includes an image display unit configured to display a three-dimensional model of a robot system having a robot, a workpiece, and a peripheral device, as a pseudo three-dimensional object existing in a three-dimensional space, and a simulation execution unit configured to perform simulation operation for the three-dimensional model of the robot system displayed by the image display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 11192249
    Abstract: Provided is a simulation device for a simulation of a cooperative task carried out cooperatively by a cooperative robot and a person, and the simulation device includes a head mounting-type display device to be mounted on an operator to simulatively carry out the cooperative task, a detecting section configured to detect a position of the operator in a real space, a three-dimensional model display section configured to cause an image in which a robot system model including a cooperative robot model is arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space to be displayed on the head mounting-type display device, and a simulation execution section configured to simulatively operate the cooperative robot model in the three-dimensional virtual space based on an operation program of the cooperative robot to carry out the cooperative task and the detected position of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 11135722
    Abstract: A simulation device for simulating the operations of a robot that follows a workpiece when the workpiece is conveyed by a conveyer that conveys workpieces along an arc-shaped track. The simulation device includes a robot model arranging section that arranges a robot model in virtual space; a conveyer model arranging section that arranges a conveyer model in the virtual space, the conveyer model being capable of conveying a workpiece model along an arc-shaped virtual track; a workpiece model arranging section that arranges a workpiece model on the conveyer model in the virtual space; a detection device model arranging section that arranges a detection device model in the virtual space capable of detecting the workpiece model; an operation range setting section that sets a following operation range of the robot model in the virtual space; and a simulation execution section that executes simulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atohira, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 10857673
    Abstract: A simulation device for a robot rearranging articles in a random arrangement on a conveyor to a regular arrangement while tracking the conveyor. The simulation device includes a model locating section for locating a conveyor model, a plurality of article models, a sensor model and an arraying robot model in a virtual space; a conveying motion simulating section for making the conveyor model convey the article models in the random arrangement; a detecting motion simulating section for making the sensor model obtain position information of the article models; an arrangement pattern generating section for generating an arrangement pattern on the conveyor model; and an arraying motion simulating section for making the arraying robot model pick up the article models in the random arrangement and place the picked-up article models in accordance with the arrangement pattern, while tracking an article conveying motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atohira, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 10710240
    Abstract: A programming device for a welding robot includes a model obtaining unit that obtains three-dimensional models; a welding-line specifying unit that specifies a welding line; a target-angle setting unit that sets a target angle; an advance-angle setting unit that sets an advance angle; a coordinate-system setting unit that sets a tentative coordinate system having a first axis set on the basis of the welding line, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to a face of one of workpieces to be welded together, and a tool coordinate system by rotating the tentative coordinate system about the first axis in accordance with the target angle and about the third axis in accordance with the advance angle; a position setting unit that sets a welding position of the tool on the basis of the newly set tool coordinate system; and a program creating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 10618163
    Abstract: A simulation device that performs a convey operation simulation in which the position and orientation of a workpiece in the conveyor device changes in a random fashion. The simulation device may include a model arrangement section, an offset setting section for setting an offset amount from the reference position of the workpiece model, a conveying operation execution section for executing a convey operation to convey the workpiece model by the conveyor device model, an interference detection section for detecting interference between two workpiece models, a non-interfering position search section for searching for a non-interfering position where interference does not occur, and a workpiece position correction section for correcting the position of at least one workpiece model based on the non-interfering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 10534876
    Abstract: A simulation device capable of easily constructing the layout of a three-dimensional model of a robot system in a virtual space. The simulation device includes a model arranging section that arranges a component model in a virtual space, the component model being a three-dimensional model of a component of the robot system; a reference setting section that sets a reference point, a reference axis, or a reference plane in the virtual space; a symmetric model generation section that generates a symmetric component model of the component model arranged in the virtual space, the symmetric component model being a three-dimensional model symmetric with respect to the reference point, the reference axis, or the reference plane; and a simulation section that executes a simulation to simulatively operate the component model and the symmetric component model in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atohira, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka
  • Publication number: 20190329411
    Abstract: Provided is a simulation device for a simulation of a cooperative task carried out cooperatively by a cooperative robot and a person, and the simulation device includes a head mounting-type display device to be mounted on an operator to simulatively carry out the cooperative task, a detecting section configured to detect a position of the operator in a real space, a three-dimensional model display section configured to cause an image in which a robot system model including a cooperative robot model is arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space to be displayed on the head mounting-type display device, and a simulation execution section configured to simulatively operate the cooperative robot model in the three-dimensional virtual space based on an operation program of the cooperative robot to carry out the cooperative task and the detected position of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA
  • Publication number: 20190329405
    Abstract: A robot simulation device includes an image display unit configured to display a three-dimensional model of a robot system having a robot, a workpiece, and a peripheral device, as a pseudo three-dimensional object existing in a three-dimensional space, and a simulation execution unit configured to perform simulation operation for the three-dimensional model of the robot system displayed by the image display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA
  • Patent number: 10434650
    Abstract: A programming device capable of reducing the operator's work involved in generating an operation program for a robot. The programming device includes a model arrangement section which places a workpiece model, a robot model, and an imaging section model in a virtual space, a target-portion extracting section which extracts a target portion of the workpiece model in accordance with a certain extraction condition, a simulating section which. moves the imaging section model or the workpiece model to an imaging position, and a program generating section which generates an operation program for causing the imaging section to capture the portion to be captured, based on positional data of the robot model when the robot model positions the imaging section model or the workpiece model at the imaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Publication number: 20190255706
    Abstract: A simulation device simulates a robot device including two two-dimensional cameras. The simulation device includes a setting point arrangement unit which arranges a plurality of setting points on a surface of a workpiece model, and a distance calculation unit which calculates distances from a three-dimensional sensor model to each of the setting points. The simulation device includes a three-dimensional information generating unit which generates three-dimensional information including positions of the setting points and distances from the three-dimensional sensor model to the setting points. The simulation device includes an exclusion unit which excludes the setting point that is not visible from the camera models. The simulation device changes a position and orientation of a robot model on the basis of the three-dimensional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Publication number: 20190077016
    Abstract: A programming device for a welding robot includes a model obtaining unit that obtains three-dimensional models; a welding-line specifying unit that specifies a welding line; a target-angle setting unit that sets a target angle; an advance-angle setting unit that sets an advance angle; a coordinate-system setting unit that sets a tentative coordinate system having a first axis set on the basis of the welding line, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to a face of one of workpieces to be welded together, and a tool coordinate system by rotating the tentative coordinate system about the first axis in accordance with the target angle and about the third axis in accordance with the advance angle; a position setting unit that sets a welding position of the tool on the basis of the newly set tool coordinate system; and a program creating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA
  • Patent number: 10228686
    Abstract: A robot programming device capable of significantly reducing operation time by an operator required for designating processed portions, and generating a robot program for moving a robot between each processed portion in an appropriate order, without depending on skill or experience of the operator. The programming device is configured to: locate three-dimensional models of a robot and a workpiece in a virtual space; extract shape features from the three-dimensional model of the workpiece; set reference positions of the shape features and the robot; determine a movement order for moving the robot between the shape features based on the reference positions, based on the reference positions of the shape features and the robot; and generate a motion program so that the robot moves the tool along the shape feature and the robot is moved between the shape features according to the determined movement order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atohira, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka
  • Publication number: 20190015986
    Abstract: A programming device capable of reducing the operator's work involved in generating an operation program for a robot. The programming device includes a model arrangement section which places a workpiece model, a robot model, and an imaging section model in a virtual space, a target-portion extracting section which extracts a target portion of the workpiece model in accordance with a certain extraction condition, a simulating section which. moves the imaging section model or the workpiece model to an imaging position, and a program generating section which generates an operation program for causing the imaging section to capture the portion to be captured, based on positional data of the robot model when the robot model positions the imaging section model or the workpiece model at the imaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA
  • Publication number: 20180243905
    Abstract: A simulation device that performs a convey operation simulation in which the position and orientation of a workpiece in the conveyor device changes in a random fashion. The simulation device may include a model arrangement section, an offset setting section for setting an offset amount from the reference position of the workpiece model, a conveying operation execution section for executing a convey operation to convey the workpiece model by the conveyor device model, an interference detection section for detecting interference between two workpiece models, a non-interfering position search section for searching for a non-interfering position where interference does not occur, and a workpiece position correction section for correcting the position of at least one workpiece model based on the non-interfering position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA
  • Publication number: 20180121578
    Abstract: A simulation device capable of easily constructing the layout of a three-dimensional model of a robot system in a virtual space. The simulation device includes a model arranging section that arranges a component model in a virtual space, the component model being a three-dimensional model of a component of the robot system; a reference setting section that sets a reference point, a reference axis, or a reference plane in the virtual space; a symmetric model generation section that generates a symmetric component model of the component model arranged in the virtual space, the symmetric component model being a three-dimensional model symmetric with respect to the reference point, the reference axis, or the reference plane; and a simulation section that executes a simulation to simulatively operate the component model and the symmetric component model in the virtual space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA, Yoshiharu NAGATSUKA
  • Publication number: 20180117766
    Abstract: A simulation device for a robot rearranging articles in a random arrangement on a conveyor to a regular arrangement while tracking the conveyor. The simulation device includes a model locating section for locating a conveyor model, a plurality of article models, a sensor model and an arraying robot model in a virtual space; a conveying motion simulating section for making the conveyor model convey the article models in the random arrangement; a detecting motion simulating section for making the sensor model obtain position information of the article models; an arrangement pattern generating section for generating an arrangement pattern on the conveyor model; and an arraying motion simulating section for making the arraying robot model pick up the article models in the random arrangement and place the picked-up article models in accordance with the arrangement pattern, while tracking an article conveying motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA, Yoshiharu NAGATSUKA
  • Publication number: 20180111268
    Abstract: A simulation device for simulating the operations of a robot that follows a workpiece when the workpiece is conveyed by a conveyer that conveys workpieces along an arc-shaped track. The simulation device includes a robot model arranging section that arranges a robot model in virtual space; a conveyer model arranging section that arranges a conveyer model in the virtual space, the conveyer model being capable of conveying a workpiece model along an arc-shaped virtual track; a workpiece model arranging section that arranges a workpiece model on the conveyer model in the virtual space; a detection device model arranging section that arranges a detection device model in the virtual space capable of detecting the workpiece model; an operation range setting section that sets a following operation range of the robot model in the virtual space; and a simulation execution section that executes simulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ATOHIRA, Yoshiharu NAGATSUKA
  • Patent number: 9796083
    Abstract: A simulation apparatus includes: a robot model arranging unit that arranges a robot model on a virtual space; a configuration information storage unit that stores configuration information of a robot system; a transport device arrangement position calculating unit that calculates a transport device arrangement position based on a follow-up operation reference coordinate system related to a follow-up operation of a robot, included in the configuration information; and a detection unit arrangement position calculating unit that calculates a detection unit arrangement position based on the follow-up operation reference coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atohira, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka