A control system (10) includes: a manual operating device (1) that generates an operation signal in accordance with rotation of a dial (11) by an operator; a machine tool controller (4) and a robot controller (5) that are connected in such a manner as to be communicable with each other and that control a machine tool (6) and a robot (7), respectively, based on the operation signal; and an operational-target setting unit (2, 3) that sets an operational target for the manual operating device (1) selectively between the machine tool (6) and the robot (7). The manual operating device (1) is connected to one of the controllers (4, 5) and inputs the operation signal to the one of the controllers. When the operational-target setting unit (2, 3) sets the operational target as a control target (6) or (7) to be controlled by the other of the controllers (4, 5), the one of the controllers (4, 5) transmits the operation signal or a signal based on the operation signal to the other of the controllers.

There is provided an information processing device to enable a user to intuitively perform an operation of setting a linked operation of hardware elements or software elements, the information processing device including: a display control unit configured to cause a plurality of icons indicating hardware elements or software elements that perform a linked operation together, and a link connecting the plurality of icons to each other to be displayed. A spatial sequence of the plurality of icons formed by the link corresponds to a temporal sequence of operations of the software elements or the hardware elements indicated by the plurality of icons.

A method for a remote collaboration, as a method for providing an augmented reality (AR)-based remote collaboration between a robot located in a worksite, a field worker terminal, and a remote administrator terminal located outside the worksite, includes acquiring a captured image including a field image captured by a robot located at the worksite or a captured image including a user image captured by the field worker terminal, displaying the captured image of the worksite, generating virtual content based on an input of a remote administrator and a field worker with respect to the displayed captured image, and displaying an AR image in which the virtual content is augmented on the displayed captured image.

The handheld device improves an operability. The handheld device 1 includes a tablet 2 provided on the front side of the device 1 and a grip part 3 provided on the backside of the device 1 and to be griped by the operator H. The grip part 3 is rotatable relative to the tablet 2.

A method for controlling a robot device using a portable terminal including a touchscreen is provided. The method includes displaying an enable button in a first area of the touchscreen, displaying an emergency stop button in a second area of the touchscreen, displaying a plurality of robot control buttons in a third area of the touchscreen, in response to simultaneously receiving from a user an input on the first area and an input on the third area, transmitting a robot control signal to a control device configured to control the robot device, and in response to receiving an input from the user on the second area, transmitting an emergency signal to the control device.

The invention relates to a mobile security basic control device (15) of a robot (1), comprising a hand-held housing (16), an emergency stop switching means (17) arranged at the housing (16), a communication device (18) for establishing a link in terms of control between the mobile security basic control device (15) and a robot controller (12) of the robot (1), and further comprising a holder (19) connected to the housing (16), which is designed to mount the mobile security basic control device (15) on a mobile terminal (20). Said mobile terminal has a terminal control system (21) and a multi-touchscreen (22), which is designed to transmit inputs to the terminal control system (21) via the multi-touchscreen (22). The mobile security basic control device (15) comprises a coding device (25) which, in a state where the mobile security basic control device (15) is mounted on the mobile terminal (20) by means of the holder (19), is designed to automatically transmit at least one identification code identifying the mobile security basic control device (15) to the terminal control system (21) via the multi-touchscreen (22).

A system for assisting an operator in operations of assembling/disassembling and/or change of configuration of an operating machine including a plurality of first areas provided with respective first pieces to be dismounted from the operating machine or configured to receive respective second pieces to be mounted on the operating machine. The system includes a support structure having a plurality of second areas provided with the second pieces or configured to receive the first pieces; a plurality of warning devices, each being associated to a respective area of the first areas and/or second areas; and a control unit operatively connected to the warning devices and configured to perform a predetermined sequence of commands correlated to operations of a predetermined sequence of operations of assembling/disassembling and/or change of configuration of the operating machine. The control unit is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the warning devices according to the sequence of commands.

A combined visualization configuration is stored and provided by a visualization manager to a thin client HMI. Based upon the configuration, the thin client HMI accesses individual visualizations from automation components, such as automation controllers, motor controllers, camera, and so forth. Policies may be established for users and their roles, and for particular thin client HMIs, and for particular locations of or around a machine or process being monitored and/or controlled. Based on the policies, the individual visualizations are combined and may be changed if one or more of the factors changes. Interactions with the individual visualizations of the combined visualization result in signals back to the automation components originating the visualizations.

A convertible power tool that can operate in first and second configurations. The tool includes a base unit configured to receive at one time either a first module or a second module. The different modules provide for different levels of functionality. The first module includes one or more components that provide for a first level of functionality. The second module includes one or more components that provide for an advanced second level of functionality. Each of the base unit and first and second modules may include interfaces that provide for physical engagement as well as power/data engagement. In use, one of the first and second modules is connected to the base unit to provide for the desired functionality incorporated with the tool. The tool may also be reconfigured by removing the attached module and replacing it with the other module thus providing for a different functionality level.

A device maintenance apparatus, includes: a communication control part configured to control a communication with a device; a device information acquisition part configured to acquire device information of the device via the communication; a storage configured to store maintenance process information, the maintenance process information including device specifying information for specifying a maintenance target device and process specifying information for specifying details of a maintenance process; and an information processing part configured to compare the acquired device information to the stored maintenance process information, and to execute a maintenance process on the device based on the result of the comparison.