Abstract: Motorized slides are inserted between the end of a robot arm and a robot tool/sensor arrangement to provide additional positioning ability. A control unit of the slides cooperates with the control unit of the sensor to maintain the tool correctly positioned over a feature while the robot arm moves following a programmed path. The control unit of the sensor has look-ahead and additional buffers from which corrected information is determined to compensate for robot teaching inaccuracies, calibration and robot arm response errors. A sensor with two distinct probing zones is used to get information about the position of the tool tip and of the feature to assist in calibrating the sensor/tool relation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for control of pivoting machine members propelled by linear actuators so as to permit coordinated motion of the pivoting members with translating machine members. Position commands for the pivoting machine members are given in angular units. The propelling linear actuators are controlled by servomechanism control providing position and velocity control. Position measurements for the pivoting members measure linear displacement of the propelling actuator. Position commands for the pivoting members are compensated according to the non-linear relationship between displacement of the propelling actuator and the angular displacement of the pivoting member.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measuring machine comprises a multijointed manually positionable articulated measuring arm for accurately and easily measuring a volume. The articulated arm includes a plurality of bearing arrangements comprising at least a pair of spaced bearings, the spaced bearings being pre-stressed such that, under an applied load, any motion of the arm is limited to axial motion and wherein the mechanical stability of the arm is increased.

Abstract: System of guidance and positioning relative to a fixed station (1) for an autonomous mobile robot (7) utilizing at least a directional infra-red beam (2′) emitted by the fixed station, the mobile robot being provided with a directional system of detection (10a, 10b) of infra-red emission connected to a microcomputer incorporated in the robot, the robot moving on a work surface in an essentially random manner, the microcomputer (44) including an algorithm able to control the return to fixed station (1) by displacement of the robot (7) towards the direction of emission of said infra-red beam (2′), characterized in that the infra-red beam (2′) is a narrow directional beam and in that the system of detection (10a, 10b) is located on a frame at the center of rotation of the robot (7), oriented in the direction of movement of the robot, precise positioning in the fixed station (1) being carried out by rotation of the machine around a vertical axis according to an algorithm based on the detection o

Abstract: An input control device with force sensors is configured to sense hand movements of a surgeon performing a robot-assisted microsurgery. The sensed hand movements actuate a mechanically decoupled robot manipulator. A microsurgical manipulator, attached to the robot manipulator, is activated to move small objects and perform microsurgical tasks. A force-feedback element coupled to the robot manipulator and the input control device provides the input control device with an amplified sense of touch in the microsurgical manipulator.

Abstract: In a robot device, its functions and performance can be improved with ease. According to the present invention, control device detachably mounted on a prescribed component unit for driving and controlling each of the component units in a prescribed state is provided and thereby, the control device can be easily exchanged for a new one. Thus the robot device in which its functions and performance can be improved can be realized. Further, according to the present invention, a robot device comprises storing device detachably mounted on the prescribed component unit for storing desired behavior type information and thereby, the storing device can be readily exchanged for storing device storing behavior type information different from the behavior type information stored in the former storing device. Thus, the robot device in which its functions and performance can be improved with ease can be realized.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto is provided. The method includes the step of designing a geometric model of the object. A computerized mathematical model of the object is generated by discretizing the geometric model of the object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of the elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at the nodes. A material property matrix [k] is then calculated based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x}.

Abstract: A novel, portable coordinate measuring machine comprises a multijointed (preferably six joints) manually positionable measuring arm for accurately and easily measuring a volume. In addition to the articulated measuring arm, the present invention employs a software interface which permits the arm to be used in connection with one or more applications programs.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dispensing system, having a robot that moves along a motion segment and applies a material to a workpiece, automatically determines a backup distance for the robot after an error has occurred during the dispensing of a first portion of the material. The backup distance is based on an operational speed of the robot. The robot is relocated to a backup position based on this backup distance to ensure that the robot reaches the operational speed at least by a time that the robot reaches a re-application position. The re-application position is at or near where the application of the first portion of the material ended. Therefore, gaps, overlaps, and puddles in the material on the workpiece are prevented.

Abstract: A self-teaching robot arm positioning method that compensates for support structure component alignment offset entails the use of a component emulating fixture preferably having mounting features that are matable to support structure mounting elements. Robot arm mechanism motor angular position data measured relative to component emulating fixture features are substituted into stored mathematical expressions representing robot arm vector motion to provide robot arm position output information. This information indicates whether the actual relative alignment between the robot arm mechanism and a semiconductor wafer carrier is offset from a nominal relative alignment. For manual correction, robot arm mechanism position output information provides the angular offset between the actual and nominal radial distances between the robot arm mechanism shoulder axis and two locating features of the component emulating fixture.

Abstract: A facility for selecting and refining electrical parameters for processing a microelectronic workpiece in a processing chamber is described. The facility initially configures the electrical parameters in accordance with either a numerical of the processing chamber or experimental data derived from operating the actual processing chamber. After a workpiece is processed with the initial parameter configuration, the results are measured and a sensitivity matrix based upon the numerical model of the processing chamber is used to select new parameters that correct for any deficiencies measured in the processing of the first workpiece. These parameters are then used in processing a second workpiece, which may be similarly measured, and the results used to further refine the parameters.

Abstract: A method for cell alignment, identification and calibration of part of a robot tool, preferably a part of the robot tool, is positioned close to a detector, whereupon it is moved repeatedly past the limit of the area of detection of the detector. During the movement, the pose of the robot is registered each time the surface of said robot tool comes into tangential contact with the area of detection, and an over determined system of equations is formed, consisting of a correlation between the registered poses and unknown parameters regarding the detection area of the detector and the location of the robot part in space. An error vector is introduced into the system of equations, which is then solved while minimizing the error vector, preferably in the least square sense, in order to thus identify said unknown parameters and the error vector.

Abstract: A method of determining contact positions of a robot relative to a workpiece in a workspace of the robot. The method utilizes the contact positions to determine a location of the workpiece in the robot workspace. The method also monitors an integral operating parameter within the robot, such as motor torque, to determine the contact positions of the robot relative to the workpiece and to locate the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for determining a number of load parameters (ml, xl, rl, &agr;l, Ix, Iy, Iz) for a load (6) which is carried by a manipulator. The manipulator comprises a number of links (2,3,4) which are movable in relation to one another, a handling member (5) for supporting a tool, which handling member is movable in relation to said links, a number of axes (A1-A6) around which the links or the handling member are/is movable as well as a motor for each axis which drives the movement of the axis in accordance with supplied reference values for the torque of the motor. According to the method, the manipulator adopts two selected axis configurations. A number of identification axes are appointed. The manipulator is run such that the identification axes carry out a plurality of movements according to predetermined patterns. During these movements, the motor torque and the axis angle are measured.

Abstract: A system for locating and retrieving objects of a variety of sizes, shapes, weights, positions and orientations is disclosed. The system comprises a robot arm, a control computer, a gripper, an operating sequence, a set of objects and a set of machine-readable or bar code labels mounted on said objects, and a scanner. The system locates a requested object, calculates its position and moves the gripper into position for pickup. Alternate embodiments include mounting on a wheelchair and use in medical, dental, library and stockpicking environments.

Abstract: A robot system wherein the CPU 102 detects that the posture of the system main body has been shifted from the normal posture into an abnormal posture on the basis of the acceleration information obtained as detection output of the acceleration sensor 41. Then, the body restores the normal posture by a playback technique for controlling various drivers 3D through 7D, using route planning data stored in advance in the memory 101 or restoring the normal posture from a falling posture.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for positioning a substrate includes transferring a substrate along a path intersecting a plane of a sensor beam; determining a center point and an orientation indicator of the substrate utilizing signals from the sensor beam; and positioning a substrate according to the center point and the orientation indicator of the substrate.

Abstract: A robot device having a plurality of component units connected together and controller detachably mounted on one of the component units for driving and controlling each the component units in a prescribed state. The control device is easily exchangeable for another control device. The robot device may further include a storing device detachably mounted on the respective component unit for storing desired behavior type information. The storing device is readily exchangeable for another storing device having stored therein different behavior type information.

Abstract: A correct track calculating section calculates a correction amount in accordance with a reaction force acting on the working end of a robot. The correction amount is added to a given provisional target position so as to reduce the reaction force. When the reaction force increases excessively, an on-off switch is closed and a selector switch is switched to decelerate and stop the working end of the motor at a virtual position.

Abstract: A method of recording trajectory data and sensor data for a vehicle while it is manually driven. The trajectory data comprises of the trajectory length and vehicle frame (position and orientation) that are calculated at each motion execution interval. The sensor data comprises of the trajectory length, vehicle frame, sensor frame, and sensor data that are obtained at each sensor execution interval. In particular, if the sensor is a range-finder, an estimated frame of the object that the range finder detects will be added to said sensor data. One objective of this invention is to play back the same motion the vehicle was taught by a human operator. Another objective is to generate a world map for the vehicle. Still further objective is, in the play-back mode, to correct vehicle's positional errors using the sensor data.

Abstract: A master device for generating motion instruction of the slave robot by sensing motion of the arm with fixed to the arm of the operator, and reflecting motion limit information by external force and physical articulation limit sensed by the robot may be simplified in a serial chain configuration so to solve problems of human fatigue and operational complexity in order to minimize dead weight of units mounted to the arm by concentrating and positioning the cylindrical rotating shaft members (44 and 45) near the body.

Abstract: When a multiaxial robot with a mechanism having spring elements between electric motors of respective axes and robot arms is controlled, the path precision of a tool tip is increased without causing vibrations produced by mechanical interference between axes and high-frequency vibrations of electric motors. A model controller (1) is supplied with position commands Xref—L, Xref—U with respect to the electric motors and outputs model motor position commands &thgr;Mm—L, &thgr;Mm—U, model motor speed commands {dot over (&thgr;)}Mm—L, {dot over (&thgr;)}Mm—U, and model feed-forward commands UFF—L, UFF—U to feedback controllers (10L, 10U) which actuate and control the electric motors and the robot arms. The model controller (1) includes therein corrective quantity calculators (3L, 3U) for calculating corrective quantities (corrective torques) in view of interfering forces acting between the axes from the other axes to cancel the interfering forces.

Abstract: A spherical robot having a spherical body and a drive mechanism. The spherical body defines a cavity and a center. The drive mechanism is disposed within the cavity, coupled to the spherical body, wherein said drive mechanism includes a plurality of masses coupled to said body which are radially positionable within said cavity to create a moment about said center of said body, and is adapted to create a moment about the center of the body. This moment causes the body to rotate.

Abstract: A method of selecting pneumatic devices that satisfy specified load, speed and strength conditions to construct a pneumatic system. Data concerning pneumatic actuators, solenoid-controlled selector valves, drive controllers, pipes, pipe joints and exhaust treatment devices is stored in a pneumatic actuator database, a solenoid-controlled selector valve database, a drive controller database, a pipe database, a pipe joint database and an exhaust treatment device database, respectively, for each item number, and conditions required for pneumatic devices constituting a system are calculated. Then, pneumatic devices conforming to the calculated conditions are selected from the respective databases. At the first step, a pneumatic actuator satisfying a load condition, a strength condition and a speed condition is selected from the pneumatic actuator database on the basis of a calculation according to a basic equation.

Abstract: A modular object handling system has a multi-level control architecture, which includes a system controller that coordinates the functions and/or operations of individual module controllers, that in turn control corresponding actuators, to provide a desired system function. The system controller performs the overall trajectory planning by taking the constraints of each of the module actuators into account. The system controller may compensate for deviations of objects from their planned trajectories by contemporaneously redetermining trajectories and trajectory envelopes to encode the various combinations of the system constraints and task requirements. The trajectory envelopes can denote regions around other trajectories to indicate control criteria of interest, such as control and collision boundaries.

Abstract: A DSP of a servo control circuit obtains a movement value of a servomotor for each axis for each position-speed feedback processing cycle in accordance with a move command value for each axis delivered from a main processor with every distribution cycle, and also obtains a position correction value in accordance with pressure information detected by a sensor. The DSP of the servo control circuit carries out position-speed feedback processing with the use of a move command value which is obtained by correcting the movement value with the obtained position correction value, and drives the servomotor.

Abstract: A computationally efficient method for calculating near-optimal solutions to the three-objective, linear control allocation problem is disclosed. The control allocation problem is that of distributing the effort of redundant control effectors to achieve some desired set of objectives. The problem is deemed linear if control effectiveness is affine with respect to the individual control effectors. The optimal solution is that which exploits the collective maximum capability of the effectors within their individual physical limits. Computational efficiency is measured by the number of floating-point operations required for solution. The method presented returned optimal solutions in more than 90% of the cases examined; non-optimal solutions returned by the method were typically much less than 1% different from optimal and the errors tended to become smaller than 0.01% as the number of controls was increased.

Abstract: In an orthogonal type three-axis robot for mounting a part on or removing a part from a board, a hand element placed on a supporting element for holding a part is moved by an X-axis step motor, a Y-axis step motor, and a Z-axis step motor, and heights or Z coordinates of four reference points formed on the board are previously measured. When mounting a part to or removing a part from a specified position by utilizing the hand element, a height or Z coordinate of the hand in the direction of Z axis is corrected for the specified position by using the heights or Z coordinates of three of the four reference points.

Abstract: Robot arm (16) end effectors (10, 110) of this invention rapidly and cleanly transfer between a wafer cassette (14) and a processing station semiconductor wafers (12) having diameters greater than 150 mm. The end effectors include proximal and distal rest pads (24, 26, 124,126) having pad and backstop portions (32, 34, 132, 134) that support and grip the wafer within an annular exclusion zone (30) that extends inward from a peripheral edge (30) of the wafer. An active contact point (50, 150) is movable by a vacuum actuated piston (52, 152) between a retracted wafer-loading position and an extended position that urges the wafer against the distal rest pads to grip the wafer within the exclusion zone. The end effector further includes fiber optic light transmission sensors (90, 102, 202) for locating the wafer periphery and bottom surface (100, 200).

Abstract: A method for preventing collisions between robots by causing a first robot to stop or pause so that a second robot may safely pass by or perform a specified operation. Once the second robot has completed its operation then the first robot is allowed to resume operation. Each robot automatically stops when it reaches a certain point in its job. The robots communicate with a central controller which allows the robots to resume operation when the central controller has determined that all of the robots have reached their respective correct positions. This prevents collisions between robots which are operating in the same area, especially those robots operating on the same workpiece. This method works with existing robot welders, does not require modifications to the robots, and does not require expensive spatial analysis computer programs, which may not even be available for the type of processor used in a particular robot.

Abstract: A method of determining position information of a workpiece relative to a robot includes the ability to move the workpiece into a variety of orientations relative to the robot during the touch sensing location procedure. The position information is then used for performing a robot operation including coordinated motion. A coordinated reference frame is defined with respect to a moveable positioner that supports the workpiece. Known kinematic relationships between the positioner and the robot are used to control operation of the robot within the coordinated reference frame throughout the touch sensing location procedure. By moving the workpiece relative to the robot during the touch sensing location procedure, a greater variety of workpieces can be processed and relatively complicated workpiece configurations can be accurately determined. The robot operating parameters are modified according to the determined position information.

Abstract: A touchable user interface including multiple robotic modules that can “walk” over each other to allow reconfiguration of the interface. Each module preferably includes motive devices as well as connective devices communication between the modules and a control unit that send commands to the interface, thereby enabling its reconfiguration. Depending on the needs of the user/builder, the interface can be an input interface, or both. The interface can also act as robotic appendage/manipulator capable of engaging and manipulating a wide variety of objects and/or substances by engulfing such objects and/or substances in “pseudopods” and structural voids which the modules are moved by instructions from the control unit.

Abstract: A process for guiding an instrument in space, in which the instrument is arranged at the free end of an articulated arm whose arm sections are caused to pivot and/or travel with respect to each other by drive units. The instrument is caused to travel in a limited movement region under the control of a control device. For predetermination of the movement region for points that are situated in the movement region, a respective pivot angle and/or travel position between the respective arm sections is set. The respective position and attitude of the instrument is sensed by at least a first measuring device. For hand-controlled guiding of the instrument, an actuating force exerted on the instrument and/or the articulated arm is sensed by a second measuring device.

Abstract: An input control device with force sensors is configured to sense hand movements of a surgeon performing a robot-assisted microsurgery. The sensed hand movements actuate a mechanically decoupled robot manipulator. A microsurgical manipulator, attached to the robot manipulator, is activated to move small objects and perform microsurgical tasks. A force-feedback element coupled to the robot manipulator and the input control device provides the input control device with an amplified sense of touch in the microsurgical manipulator.

Abstract: A movable robotic module including a framework defining a set of vertex elements, a set of edge elements, or a set of face elements, with the framework substantially shaped to permit face centered cubic packing. Each module includes a pivot mechanism on its framework to permit rotation of the framework with respect to other movable robotic modules. A power unit supplies operational power to each module, the power being used for rotation of the module, sensor and/or a control unit connected to the pivot mechanism and/or the power unit to control rotation of the framework.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of controlling a robotic mechanism comprising both active and passive joints, where the motion of one or more of the passive joints is constrained by one or more constraints imposed on the mechanism by the environment, the mechanical construction of the mechanism or the nature of the task. The method is capable of controlling mechanisms with multiple sets of passive joints with multiple environmental constraints restricting the motion of the mechanism. In a preferred embodiment the novel method is used to control a surgical robot holding a surgical instrument inserted into a patient through a natural or man-made orifice.

Abstract: A method for control of an industrial robot, which has a plurality of movement axes with a position sensor for each of said axes which is adapted to deliver an output signal which defines the current position of the axis, and a control system for control of the axes of the robot. Continuously during operation of the robot for at least one mechanically critical point (i) of the robot, the relevant load (&tgr;i) during a predetermined period of time (&Dgr;t) is calculated on the basis of the output signals (&phgr;1,&phgr;2 . . . &phgr;6) from the position sensors and a mathematical model of the robot.

Abstract: A haptic interface for a remote manipulator uses a tunable spring to provide force reflection. The remote manipulator has an operating member coupled to the tunable spring. The operating member is also coupled to a manipulator member. A controller monitors the force with which an operator so moves the operating member and varies a spring constant of the tunable spring to keep the force exerted by the manipulator member on an object at a desired level. The haptic interface allows simultaneous control over the maximum force exerted by the manipulator member as well as the transmission ratio between the operating member and the manipulator member. The remote manipulator may be a surgical grasper, for example. A tunable spring can be smaller and lighter than the high torque actuators used in some prior remote manipulators which provide force feedback.

Abstract: A system for providing the reliable and numerically efficient generation of time-optimum trajectories with easy-to-track or continuous acceleration profiles for simple and blended moves of single- and multi-arm robotic manipulators, such as an extension and retraction move along a straight line or a rotary move following a circular arc, with velocity, acceleration, jerk, and jerk rate constraints. A time-optimum trajectory is the set of the position, velocity, and acceleration profiles which describe the move of a selected end effector along a given path in the shortest time possible without violating given constraints, with a special case being an optimum abort trajectory, which brings the moving arm into complete rest in the shortest time. The invention involves firstly identifying the set of fundamental trajectory shapes which cover all possible combinations of constraints for a given category of moves, e.g.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a measuring head to a measuring robot, the assembly having a flange integral with a supporting member of the measuring robot; isostatic supporting elements interposed between the measuring head and the flange; and a rotary ring nut carried by the flange and movable between an angular position permitting insertion of the head, and an angular position locking the head; the ring nut having elastic elements generating a preload on the isostatic supporting elements; and the isostatic supporting elements defining respective switches of an electric circuit forming part of a safety system for detecting shock on the head.

Abstract: Beginning with a successive commanded end-effector destination shift, the method of the invention, which includes a calculation corresponding to a special algorithm of inverse kinematics using the Jacobi Matrix in the control of a manipulator, effects an optimization of weighted criteria (energy criteria, acceleration criteria and reference-position criteria) in a real-time cycle while reliably maintaining all path limitations and resulting in an optimized acceleration behavior. The method of the invention can be used in interactive path guidance of a manipulator and/or as a modular component of a superordinate task, such as for force-control objectives.

Abstract: A tactile feedback apparatus using an electromagnetic attraction for a remote control robot employs tactile data obtained during operation between a gripper attached to a robot arm of an externally controlled robot and the gripper's target so as to be transferred to an operator stationed in a central control room, thereby enabling the robot system to effectively carry out sophisticated tasks. The tactile feedback apparatus enables a successive tactile control by use of an electromagnetic attraction, and an array type fabrication, and by optimizing a production design to broaden a tactile feedback area, there may be provided a small tactile feedback device for representing a relatively improved tactility per unit, and further by aligning the tactile feedback devices in a 5.times.5 array mode on a skin of 15.times.15 mm.sup.2, there is obtained a contact location thereof.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involving the application of an algorithm used for finding the time optimal trajectory for torque limited Industrial Robots, to achieve the operation of Cluster Tool Robots in an improved manner by modifying the applied algorithm through adding two additional constraints, i.e., jerk (the rate of change of acceleration) and the acceleration seen by the load. This modification renders it possible to create a robot arm trajectory that minimizes travel time by minimizing the excitation of uncontrolled resonances and avoiding command of an acceleration that would exceed the force of friction between a substrate holder on the end of the arm and a substrate held thereon by friction.