Abstract: A system and method for specifying and satisfying move constraints when performing a motion control sequence. One or more motion control operations may be included in a sequence in response to user input. User input specifying one or more move constraints for a first motion control operation in the sequence may be received to a graphical user interface. When the motion control sequence is subsequently performed, the first motion control operation may be performed in such a way that the one or more specified move constraints are satisfied. The specified move constraints preferably do not cause the trajectory of the first motion control operation to be altered.

Abstract: A system and method for previewing a sequence of motion control operations. A user may utilize a motion control prototyping environment application to easily and efficiently develop/prototype a motion control sequence. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the motion control sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of motion control operations using the GUI. The graphical user interface of the motion control prototyping environment may enable the user to preview various aspects of the motion performed by a motion control sequence in one or more preview windows, e.g., a velocity profile, an acceleration profile, position plots, etc., in advance before commanding the motor to perform the sequence of moves.

Abstract: A user may utilize a prototyping environment to create a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) operations, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of operations using the GUI. The prototyping environment may provide an application programming interface (API) which enables an external caller program to invoke execution of a particular sequence by the prototyping environment.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a graphical programming development environment to provide suggested graphical programming operations, such as suggested nodes or icons to include in a graphical program. User input specifying one or more nodes to include in the graphical program may be received. The one or more specified nodes may then be included in the graphical program. One or more suggested nodes to include in the graphical program may be then be automatically displayed or otherwise suggested to the user. The one or more suggested nodes may be based on the nodes already included in the graphical program. In various embodiments, the one or more suggested nodes may be displayed or otherwise suggested in various ways.

Abstract: A system and method for developing a sequence of motion control operations. Various embodiments of a motion control prototyping environment application are described. The motion control prototyping environment may be designed to enable a user to easily and efficiently develop/prototype a motion control sequence without requiring the user to perform programming, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the motion control sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of motion control operations using the GUI.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a hardware device to execute a prototype. The hardware device may include a programmable hardware element and/or a processor and memory. The prototype may comprise a software entity operable to perform a plurality of executable operations, wherein the prototype is created by a user without requiring user programming. For example, a prototyping environment may provide a library of operations that are specific to a particular problem domain and may enable the user to select various operations from the library for inclusion in the prototype. The prototyping environment may include a graphical user interface that is streamlined for interactively experimenting with various parameters or properties associated with the selected operations and seeing the effects of adjusting the parameters.

Abstract: A motion control system which provides improved scanning of an object is disclosed. The motion control system utilizes motion control and data acquisition devices which communicate through direct hardware triggering to provide improved scanning efficiency. The motion control system may be used in a plurality of various fields, e.g., for general scanning of an object. As one example, the motion control system may be used in the precise alignment of fiber optic components. The motion control system permits arbitrary and continuous motion using hardware triggers to acquire data in an accurate and speedy manner.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning for an object within a region using a conformal scanning scheme. The system may comprise a computer which includes a CPU and a memory medium which is operable to store one or more programs executable by the CPU to perform the method. The method may: 1) determine the characteristic geometry of the region; 2) generate a conformal scanning curve based on the characteristic geometry of the region by performing a conformal mapping between the characteristic geometry and a first scanning curve to generate the conformal scanning curve, i.e., mapping points of the first scanning curve to the characteristic geometry of the region; and 3) scan the region using the conformal scanning curve. These measurements of the region produce data indicative of one or more characteristics of the object. The method may also generate output indicating the one or more characteristics of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for developing a prototype that comprises a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) “MC/MV/DAQ” operations. A MC/MV/DAQ prototyping environment may be designed to enable a user to easily and efficiently develop/prototype a MC/MV/DAQ sequence (i.e., a sequence of operations which includes one or more motion control, machine vision, and/or DAQ operations) without requiring the user to perform programming, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the MC/MV/DAQ sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of MC/MV/DAQ operations using the GUI.

Abstract: A user may utilize a prototyping environment to create a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) operations, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of operations using the GUI. The prototyping environment application may then be operable to automatically, i.e., programmatically, generate graphical program code implementing the sequence. For example, the environment may generate a standalone graphical program operable to perform the sequence of operations.