Weld training simulations using mobile devices, modular workpieces, and simulated welding equipment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12512010-B2
Application number	US-202318207942-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 9, 2023
Priority date	Nov 25, 2019
Publication date	Dec 30, 2025
Grant date	Dec 30, 2025

Abstract

Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a mobile device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processor:
determine, based on a user characteristic, an operational orientation of a mobile electronic device for conducting a welding simulation; determine a current orientation of the mobile electronic device; and generate a notification, via the mobile electronic device, in response to determining that the current orientation of the mobile electronic device is different than the operational orientation, the notification indicating that the welding simulation will be terminated, disabled, or prevented from running until the current orientation is changed.

2 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor: capture an image of a welding torch via a camera of the mobile electronic device, the user characteristic being determined based on a size of a welding torch profile in the image of the welding torch captured by the camera.

3 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor: in response to determining that the current orientation of the mobile electronic device is different than the operational orientation, prevent execution of the welding simulation until the current orientation is changed.

4 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the notification indicates how the mobile electronic device, or a wearable mount retaining the mobile electronic device, should be adjusted to position the mobile electronic device in the orientation.

5 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises an audio or visual output of the mobile electronic device.

6 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the notification indicates that the mobile electronic device, or a wearable mount retaining the mobile electronic device, should be adjusted to position the mobile electronic device in the operational orientation.

7 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the operational orientation or the current orientation comprises a left or right landscape orientation.

8 . A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processor:
determine, based on a user characteristic, an operational orientation of a mobile electronic device for conducting a welding simulation; determine a current orientation of the mobile electronic device; and in response to determining that the current orientation of the mobile electronic device is different than the operational orientation, prevent execution of the welding simulation until the current orientation is changed.

9 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor: capture an image of a welding torch via a camera of the mobile electronic device, the user characteristic being determined based on a size of a welding torch profile in the image of the welding torch captured by the camera.

10 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor: generate a notification, via the mobile electronic device, in response to determining that the current orientation of the mobile electronic device is different than the operational orientation.

11 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the notification indicates that the welding simulation will be terminated, disabled, or prevented from running until the current orientation is changed.

12 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the notification indicates that the mobile electronic device, or a wearable mount retaining the mobile electronic device, should be adjusted to position the mobile electronic device in the operational orientation.

13 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the notification indicates how the mobile electronic device, or a wearable mount retaining the mobile electronic device, should be adjusted to position the mobile electronic device in the operational orientation.

14 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the notification comprises an audio or visual output of the mobile electronic device.

15 . A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
capture an image of a welding torch via a camera of a mobile electronic device; determine a user characteristic based on a size of a welding torch profile in the image of the welding torch captured by the camera; determine, based on the user characteristic, an operational orientation of a mobile electronic device for conducting a welding simulation; determine a current orientation of the mobile electronic device; and generate a notification, via the mobile electronic device, in response to determining that the current orientation of the mobile electronic device is different than the operational orientation, the notification indicating that the welding simulation will be terminated, disabled, or prevented from running until the current orientation is changed.

16 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15 , further comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: in response to determining that the current orientation of the mobile electronic device is different than the operational orientation, prevent execution of the welding simulation until the current orientation is changed.

17 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the notification indicates how the mobile electronic device, or a wearable mount retaining the mobile electronic device, should be adjusted to position the mobile electronic device in the orientation.

18 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the notification comprises an audio or visual output of the mobile electronic device.

19 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the notification indicates that the mobile electronic device, or a wearable mount retaining the mobile electronic device, should be adjusted to position the mobile electronic device in the operational orientation.

20 . The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the operational orientation or the current orientation comprises a left or right landscape orientation.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works
• Seabery North America Inc

Inventors

• Becker William Joshua
• Arreola Olivia
• Muske Mitchell James
• Zalvide Beatriz Rodriguez
• Garrido Jose Miguel Escobar
• Torrecilla Pedro Gerardo Marquinez

Classifications

• B23K9/0953

  using computing means · CPC title

• G09B5/02

  with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip · CPC title

• G09B19/24

  Use of tools · CPC title

• G09B9/00 Primary

  Simulators for teaching or training purposes (for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; {protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131}) · CPC title