Human machine interface, controller, robot and corresponding system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12589506-B2
Application number	US-202018254685-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 27, 2020
Priority date	Nov 27, 2020
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a human machine interface, a controller, a robot, and corresponding systems and methods. The human machine interface is configured to control the robot via the controller. The method includes receiving a user input at the human machine interface; and transmitting a control signal to the controller in response to the user input, the control signal being configured to activate a first indication element arranged on the controller to identify the controller.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for use with a human machine interface configured to control a robot via a controller, comprising:
at the human machine interface, receiving a user input; and at the human machine interface, in response to the user input being received;
transmitting a control signal to the controller, the control signal being configured to activate a first indication element arranged on the controller to identify the controller;
wherein the first indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker; and

transmitting an activation signal to the robot, the activation signal being configured to activate a second indication element arranged on the robot to identify the robot;
wherein the second indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first indication element is the light device, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the light device to flash or emit light with a certain color.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first indication element is the speaker, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the speaker to make a sound.

4 . A method for use with a controller configured to control a robot, comprising:
at the controller, receiving a control signal from a human machine interface, the control signal being configured to activate a first indication element arranged on the controller;
wherein the first indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker;
at the controller, in response to the control signal being received, activating the first indication element to identify the controller; and in response to the control signal being received, transmitting a robot signal to the robot, the robot signal being configured to activate a second indication element arranged on the robot to identify the robot;
wherein the second indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the first indication element is the light device, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the light device to flash or emit light with a certain color.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the first indication element is the speaker, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the speaker to make a sound.

7 . A method for use with a robot configured to be controlled by a human machine interface via a controller, comprising:
at the robot, receiving a robot signal from the controller, the robot signal being configured to activate a second indication element arranged on the robot;
wherein the second indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker; and
at the robot, in response to the robot signal being received, activating the second indication element to identify the robot.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
receiving an activation signal from the human machine interface; and in response to the activation signal being received, activating the second indication element to identify the robot.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second indication element is the light device, and
wherein activating the second indication element comprising: causing the light device to flash or emit light with a certain color.

10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second indication element is the speaker, and
wherein activating the second indication element comprising: causing the speaker to make a sound.

11 . A human machine interface configured to control a robot via a controller, comprising:
a user interface configured to receive a user input; and at least one processor configured to:
transmit a control signal to the controller in response to the user input being received by the user interface, the control signal being configured to activate a first indication element arranged on the controller to identify the controller;
wherein the first indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker; and

in response to the user input being received by the user interface, transmit an activation signal to the robot, the activation signal being configured to activate a second indication element arranged on the robot to identify the robot;
wherein the second indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker.

12 . The controller of claim 11 , wherein the first indication element is the light device, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the light device to flash or emit light with a certain color.

13 . The controller of claim 11 , wherein the first indication element is the speaker, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the speaker to make a sound.

14 . A controller configured to control a robot, comprising:
a first indication element; and at least one processor configured to:
receive a control signal from a human machine interface, the control signal being configured to activate the first indication element;
wherein the first indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker;

in response to the control signal being received, activate the first indication element to identify the controller; and
in response to the control signal being received, transmit a robot signal to the robot, the robot signal being configured to activate a second indication element arranged on the robot to identify the robot;
wherein the second indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker.

15 . The controller of claim 14 , wherein the first indication element is the light device, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the light device to flash or emit light with a certain color.

16 . The controller of claim 14 , wherein the first indication element is the speaker, and
wherein activating the first indication element comprising: causing the speaker to make a sound.

17 . A robot configured to be controlled by a human machine interface via a controller, comprising:
a second indication element; and at least one processor configured to:
receive a robot signal from the controller, the robot signal being configured to activate the second indication element;
wherein the second indication element is at least one of a light device or a speaker; and

in response to the robot signal being received, activate the second indication element to identify the robot.

18 . The robot of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
receive an activation signal from the human machine interface; and in response to the activation signal being received, activate the second indication element.

19 . The robot of claim 17 , wherein the second indication element is the light device, and
wherein activating the second indication element comprising: causing the light device to flash or emit light with a certain color.

20 . The robot of claim 17 , wherein the second indication element is the speaker, and
wherein activating the second indication element comprising: causing the speaker to make a sound.

21 . A robotic system, comprising:
a human machine interface; a controller; and a robot,
wherein the human machine interface is configured to control the robot via the controller,
the human machine interface comprises:
a user interface configured to receive a user input, and
at least one process

Assignees

• Abb Schweiz Ag

Inventors

• Ma Bojun
• Tang Nana

Classifications

• B25J13/006

  by means of a wireless system for controlling one or several manipulators · CPC title

• G05B2219/33192

  Radio link, wireless · CPC title

• G05B2219/31286

  Detect position of articles and equipment by receivers, identify objects by code · CPC title

• G08C2201/30

  User interface · CPC title

• G08C2201/20

  Binding and programming of remote control devices · CPC title