Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the remote control of a robot which incorporates interchangeable tool heads. Although applicable to many different industries, the core structure of the system includes a robot with a tool head interface for mechanically, electrically and operatively interconnecting a plurality of interchangeable tool heads to perform various work functions. The robot and tool head may include several levels of digital feedback (local, remote and wide area) depending on the application. The systems include a single umbilical cord to send power, air, and communications signals between the robot and a remote computer. Additionally, all communication (including video) is preferably sent in a digital format. Finally, a GUI running on the remote computer automatically queries and identifies all of the various devices on the network and automatically configures its user options to parallel the installed devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the remote control of a robot which incorporates interchangeable tool heads. Although applicable to many different industries, the core structure of the system includes a robot with a tool head interface for mechanically, electrically and operatively interconnecting a plurality of interchangeable tool heads to perform various work functions. The robot and tool head may include several levels of digital feedback (local, remote and wide area) depending on the application. The systems include a single umbilical cord to send power, air, and communications signals between the robot and a remote computer. Additionally, all communication (including video) is preferably sent in a digital format. Finally, a GUI running on the remote computer automatically queries and identifies all of the various devices on the network and automatically configures its user options to parallel the installed devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the remote control of a robot which incorporates interchangeable tool heads. Although applicable to many different industries, the core structure of the system includes a robot with a tool head interface for mechanically, electrically and operatively interconnecting a plurality of interchangeable tool heads to perform various work functions. The robot and tool head may include several levels of digital feedback (local, remote and wide area) depending on the application. The systems include a single umbilical cord to send power, air, and communications signals between the robot and a remote computer. Additionally, all communication (including video) is preferably sent in a digital format. Finally, a GUI running on the remote computer automatically queries and identifies all of the various devices on the network and automatically configures its user options to parallel the installed devices.

Abstract: A smart camera system provides focused images to an operator at a host computer by processing digital images at the imaging location prior to sending them to the host computer. The smart camera has a resident digital signal processor for preprocessing digital images prior to transmitting the images to the host. The preprocessing includes image feature extraction and filtering, convolution and deconvolution methods, correction of parallax and perspective image error and image compression. Compression of the digital images in the smart camera at the imaging location permits the transmission of very high resolution color or high resolution grayscale images at real-time frame rates such as 30 frames per second over a high speed serial bus to a host computer or to any other node on the network, including any remote address on the Internet.

Abstract: A smart camera system provides focused images to an operator at a host computer by processing digital images at the imaging location prior to sending them to the host computer. The smart camera has a resident digital signal processor for preprocessing digital images prior to transmitting the images to the host. The preprocessing includes image feature extraction and filtering, convolution and deconvolution methods, correction of parallax and perspective image error and image compression. Compression of the digital images in the smart camera at the imaging location permits the transmission of very high resolution color or high resolution grayscale images at real-time frame rates such as 30 frames per second over a high speed serial bus to a host computer or to any other node on the network, including any remote address on the Internet.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) includes a system configuration editor for configuring a machine control system and an iconic function sequencer for ordering the execution of functional processes within the machine control system. The system configuration editor graphically reflects how logical functions are connected to electrical functions within the physical machine system and permits a user to set up and alter those connections. Logical function blocks include one or more software program objects that perform logical functions such as dispensing a component in a pick and place machine control system. The system configuration editor permits configuring a logical function to use various electrical functions in performing its programmed function. For example, a user can electrically configure a logical dispensing function to turn on motor #3 and access output #2 from module #4 through graphical connections made between logical and electrical functions using the visual configuration editor.

Abstract: A smart camera system provides focused images to an operator at a host computer by processing digital images at the imaging location prior to sending them to the host computer. The smart camera has a resident digital signal processor for preprocessing digital images prior to transmitting the images to the host. The preprocessing includes image feature extraction and filtering, convolution and deconvolution methods, correction of parallax and perspective image error and image compression. Compression of the digital images in the smart camera at the imaging location permits the transmission of very high resolution color or high resolution grayscale images at real-time frame rates such as 30 frames per second over a high speed serial bus to a host computer or to any other node on the network, including any remote address on the Internet.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) includes a system configuration editor for configuring a machine control system and an iconic function sequencer for ordering the execution of functional processes within the machine control system. The system configuration editor graphically reflects how logical functions are connected to electrical functions within the physical machine system and permits a user to set up and alter those connections. Logical function blocks include one or more software program objects that perform logical functions such as dispensing a component in a pick and place machine control system. The system configuration editor permits configuring a logical function to use various electrical functions in performing its programmed function. For example, a user can electrically configure a logical dispensing function to turn on motor #3 and access output #2 from module #4 through graphical connections made between logical and electrical functions using the visual configuration editor.

Abstract: Distributed machine control software architecture permits modular development of complex machine control systems and allows functional subsystems comprised of object modules to be distributed and remotely controlled and monitored. Software applications are broken into logical subsystems with standardized data and transaction interfaces that act as servers and clients. This permits flexible reconfiguration of machine functions for a variety of applications and promotes system security and reliability by isolating modifications to functional subsystems. In addition, functional modules of the same application do not need to reside in the same host, but can be remotely located over local intranet or via public Internet. In machine control applications this permits real-time and time critical process sequence objects to be resident in the local machine controller while the user interface, database and command generator are at any remote network location, including any Internet addressed location.

Abstract: A hardware architecture links control modules to a host computer in a high-speed serial bus network to achieve efficient distributed machine control. Each control module includes a communications unit and a function unit that are coupled to each other as a part of the control module. All communications units are similarly constructed with each having a unique identification set by a component thereof and provide communications between control modules and the host computer. The function unit of each control module is distinctly configured for executing functions specific to the particular control module to which it is attached. The high-speed serial bus provides deterministic synchronization of data transfers between control modules and the host computer using either an isochronous mode and protocol or an asynchronous mode with a fixed real-time clock issuing data requests at fixed time intervals. Data transfers do not require host computer involvement and can occur directly between control modules.