An improved method, system, and apparatus is provided to implement a general architecture for robot systems. A mode execution module is provided to universally execute execution modes on different robotic system. A system includes an execution module that receives software instructions in a normalized programming language. The system also includes an interface having a translation layer that converts the software instructions from the normalized language into robot-specific instructions that operate in a particular robotic system. The system further includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the controller receives the robot-specific instructions. Moreover, the system includes a robotic device that is operatively controlled by the controller by execution of the robot-specific instructions.

A robot controller configured to control operation of a robot includes: a memory, which is configured to store a system configuration including at least user-defined project data and project-independent software; and a processor operable to execute the system configuration in accordance with a currently selected project. The robot controller is configured to: obtain a backup copy including user-defined project data and project-independent software; obtain restore input indicating a portion of the user-defined project data and project-independent software in the backup copy; and perform a partial restore of the backup copy, wherein only the indicated portion is loaded into the memory of the robot controller.

An improved method, system, and apparatus is provided to implement a general architecture for robot systems. A mode execution module is provided to universally execute execution modes on different robotic system. A system includes an execution module that receives software instructions in a normalized programming language. The system also includes an interface having a translation layer that converts the software instructions from the normalized language into robot-specific instructions that operate in a particular robotic system. The system further includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the controller receives the robot-specific instructions. Moreover, the system includes a robotic device that is operatively controlled by the controller by execution of the robot-specific instructions.

This method includes a step for the extraction of robot control program creation data (12, 15) from an animation program (2) displaying an assembly sequence for the manufacturing of an assembled product with a plurality of parts, a step for the addition of predetermined robot control data (16) to the robot control program creation data (12, 15), and a step for the creation of a robot control program relating to the assembly operations of the assembled product using the robot control program creation data (12, 15) and the predetermined robot control data (16). A robot control program for manufacturing an assembled product a plurality of parts can be easily generated.

An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.

An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.

An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for dynamic programming aids for programming workcell elements. An interactive robotic development system can issue commands to activate workcell elements. Each workcell element can have one or more preconfigured capabilities. A workcell element can be queried and at least one preconfigured capability can be obtained that represents an action that can be performed by the workcell element. A first user input in an interactive programming environment that creates a program element representing a workcell entity can be received. For the program element, corresponding program components can be determined. User input acting on the program element can be received, and the user input can indicate a selected program component. Within the interactive programming environment, an interactive user interface element that displays a capability pair that includes the program element and the corresponding program component can be generated.

The invention relates to a robotic system with at least one robotic arm and a control unit, which is designed so that it can preset at least one predefined operation that can be carried out by the robotic system. In addition, the robotic system comprises at least one input device attached to the robotic arm which is designed so that the predefined operations of the robotic system can be parameterized by means of the input device. In this case, the input device is designed so that it can provide a user-directed feedback to a user of the robotic system when setting the execution of operations, the logical sequence of the operations and/or parameterizing the predefined operations for the robotic system.

This method includes a step for the extraction of robot control program creation data from an animation program displaying an assembly sequence for the manufacturing of an assembled product with a plurality of parts, a step for the addition of predetermined robot control data to the robot control program creation data, and a step for the creation of a robot control program relating to the assembly operations of the assembled product using the robot control program creation data and the predetermined robot control data. A robot control program for manufacturing an assembled product with a plurality of parts can be easily generated.