Program and variable change analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11048226-B2
Application number	US-201716330965-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2017
Priority date	Sep 9, 2016
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

Methods and systems include ways to implement change analysis of an automated production line including at least one robot. Monitoring a plurality of operating parameters associated with the automated production line including the at least one robot followed by recording at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters. A notification is then provided identifying the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters. The notification can include mapping the at least one change onto a graphical representation of the automated production line, thereby identifying a portion of the automated production line affected by the at least one change. As a result, at least one of the operating parameters can be adjusted in response to the notification. An action can also be performed in response to the notification. In this manner, the change analysis can optimize operation of the automated production line.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for change analysis of an automated production line including at least one robot, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) monitoring, using one or more computing devices having a processor and memory, a plurality of operating parameters associated with the automated production line including the at least one robot;
(b) recording, using the one or more computing devices, at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters over a predetermined time interval; and
(c) providing, using the one or more computing devices, a notification identifying the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters after the predetermined time interval and adjusting the predetermined time interval until a notification identifying at least one more change is provided;
(d) repeating the steps (b), (c) and (d) with respect to at least one more change to the plurality of operating parameters.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification includes a former value associated with the operating parameter prior to the change and a new value associated with the operating parameter after the change.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step (b) includes recording a plurality of changes to the plurality of operating parameters over the predetermined time interval.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification in the repeating of the step (c) distinguishes the at least one change and the at least one more change.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the automated production line is in operation during the method.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed when the automated production line is placed in operation.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operating parameters includes a plurality of data blocks associated with a controller, the controller controlling the at least one robot.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters includes a change to at least one of the data blocks.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the automated production line includes a plurality of robots, the plurality of operating parameters includes a plurality of data blocks associated with a plurality of controllers, each of the controllers controlling a respective robot.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification provided in the step (c) includes mapping the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters onto a graphical representation of the automated production line, the mapping identifying a portion of the automated production line affected by the at least one change.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the representation of the automated production line includes one of a two-dimensional schematic and a pseudo three-dimensional schematic.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one change is a change received by the automated production line.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of operating parameters includes a plurality of data blocks associated with a controller, the controller controlling the at least one robot, and the change received by the automated production line includes a change to one of the data blocks associated with the controller.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the change to one of the data blocks associated with the controller is entered using the controller.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one change is a change reported by the automated production line.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the change reported by the automated production line includes a member selected from the group consisting of: an environmental change, a malfunction, an identification of a service interval, a wear indicator, an operational conflict, a power failure, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting at least one of the operating parameters in response to the notification.

18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing an action in response to the notification, the action including a member of the group consisting of: making an environmental change to the automated production line, correcting a malfunction, performing a service interval, replacing a worn part, recharging or refilling a consumable, resolving an operational conflict, restoring power, and combinations thereof.

19. A method for change analysis of an automated production line including a plurality of robots, the method comprising:
(a) monitoring, using one or more computing devices having a processor and memory, a plurality of operating parameters associated with the automated production line including the plurality of robots, the plurality of operating parameters including a plurality of data blocks associated with a plurality of controllers, each of the controllers controlling a respective robot;
(b) recording, using the one or more computing devices, at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters over a predetermined time interval, wherein the at least one change is received by the automated production line and includes a change to one of the data blocks associated with one of the controllers; and
(c) providing, using the one or more computing devices, a notification identifying the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters after the predetermined time interval and adjusting the predetermined time interval until a notification identifying at least one more change is provided, wherein the notification includes a former value associated with the operating parameter prior to the change and a new value associated with the operating parameter after the change, and the notification includes mapping the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters onto a graphical representation of the automated production line, the mapping identifying a portion of the automated production line affected by the at least one change;
(d) repeating the steps (b), (c) and (d) with respect to at least one more change to the plurality of operating parameters.

20. A method for change analysis of an automated production line including a plurality of robots, the method comprising:
(a) monitoring, using one or more computing devices having a processor and memory, a plurality of operating parameters associated with the automated production line including the plurality of robots, the plurality of operating parameters including a plurality of data blocks associated with a plurality of controllers, each of the controllers controlling a respective robot;
(b) recording, using the one or more computing devices, at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters over a predetermined time interval, wherein the at least one change is reported by the automated production line and includes a change to one of the data blocks associated with one of the controllers, the change including a member selected from the group consisting of: an environmental change, a malfunction, identification of a service interval, a wear indicator, an operational conflict, a power failure, and combinations thereof; and
(c) providing, using the one or more computing devices, a notification identifying the at least one change to the plurality of operating parameters after the predetermined time interval and adjusting the predetermined time interval until a notification identifying at least one more change is provided, wherein the notification includes a former value associated with the operating parameter prior to the change and a new value associated with the o

Assignees

• Fanuc America Corp

Inventors

• Prajapati Ashok
• Krause Kenneth W
• Longo Michael B
• Wunderlich Rick E
• Evans Judy
• Nowak Glenn

Classifications

• G07C3/08

  Registering or indicating the production of the machine either with or without registering working or idle time · CPC title

• G07C3/14

  Quality control systems · CPC title

• G06Q50/04 Primary

  Manufacturing · CPC title

• G06Q10/0639

  Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations · CPC title

• Y02P90/30

  Computing systems specially adapted for manufacturing · CPC title