Wireless motion control system

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for wireless motion control. The system generally includes a centralized motion coordinator device and one or more motion stick devices that communicate with each other wirelessly. The centralized motion coordinator controls operation of the one or more motion stick devices by wirelessly transmitting basic commands to the one or more motion stick devices. In response, the motion stick devices process the received commands and generate trajectory information based, at least in part, on the commands received from the centralized motion coordinator device. The trajectory information is used to control operation of a motor for advancement of an actuator assembly associated with the one or more motion stick devices along a predetermined axis.

1 . A wireless motion control system comprising:
 a centralized motion coordinator device having a first microprocessor and a first wireless transceiver;   a motion stick device controlled by the centralized motion coordinator for controlled movement of an actuator assembly secured to a portion of the motion stick device, wherein the motion stick device includes:
 a second wireless transceiver for communicating with the centralized motion coordinator; 
 a second microprocessor coupled to the second wireless transceiver for processing commands received from the centralized coordinator and encoding signals for transmission to the centralized motion coordinator; and 
 a trajectory generator coupled to the second microprocessor, wherein the trajectory generator decodes commands received from the centralized motion coordinator and generates trajectory information for use by power electronics circuitry to control operation of a motor to move the actuator assembly along a predetermined axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  further including an encoder coupled to the motor to determine a position of the actuator assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the encoder is a contactless sensor that measures at least one physical property associated with the actuator assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the encoder detects a magnetic field to determine the position of the assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  further including fault detection circuitry coupled to the second microprocessor to compare the position of the assembly and the command information to determine if the command was performed successfully. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  further including fault detection circuitry coupled to the second microprocessor to compare the position of the assembly and the command information to determine if the command was performed unsuccessfully. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a servo-motor. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1  further including at least two motion stick devices coupled to the centralized motion coordinator. 
     
     
         10 . A method for wireless control of an actuator assembly, the method comprising:
 wirelessly receiving a control signal from a centralized motion coordinator device at one or more motion stick devices, wherein each motion stick device includes a wireless transceiver;   generating trajectory information based at least in part on the control signal to control operation of a motor to move an actuator assembly along a predetermined axis;   detecting successful and/or unsuccessful completion of the operation by an encoder that measures at least one physical property associated with the motor; and   transmitting a confirmation command to the centralized motion coordinator device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the centralized motion coordinator transmits a motion command to at least one of the motion stick devices. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  10 , wherein the motion stick processes and decodes the motion command to generate trajectory data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the encoder is a contact less sensor that measures at least one physical property associated with the assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the encoder detects a magnetic field to determine the position of the assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the centralized motion coordinator simultaneously controls a plurality of motion stick devices through a wireless interface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further including the motion stick device transmitting a status signal associated with a physical property of a wireless link established between the motion stick device and the to the centralized motion coordinator device. 
     
     
         17 . An automated manufacturing system comprising:
 a centralized motion coordinator device having a first microprocessor and a first wireless transceiver for automated control of a plurality of motion stick devices, wherein the plurality of motion stick devices are controlled by the centralized motion coordinator to perform a controlled movement of an assembly secured to a portion of the motion stick device for performing one or more manufacturing tasks, wherein each of the motion stick devices includes:
 a second wireless transceiver for communicating with the centralized motion coordinator; 
 a second microprocessor coupled to the second wireless transceiver for processing commands received from the centralized coordinator and encoding signals for transmission to the centralized motion coordinator; and 
 a trajectory generator coupled to the second microprocessor, wherein the trajectory generator decodes commands received from the centralized motion coordinator and generates trajectory information for use by power electronics circuitry to control operation of a motor to move the assembly along a predetermined axis to manufacture an article. 
   
     
     
         18 . The automated manufacturing system according to  claim 17  further including an encoder coupled to the motor to determine a position of the assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The automated manufacturing system according to  claim 18 , wherein the encoder is a contactless sensor that measures at least one physical property associated with the assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The automated manufacturing system according to  claim 19 , wherein the encoder detects a magnetic field to determine the position of the assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The automated manufacturing system of  claim 18  further including fault detection circuitry coupled to the second microprocessor to compare the position of the assembly and the command information to determine if the command was performed successfully and/or unsuccessfully. 
     
     
         22 . The automated manufacturing system according to  claim 17 , wherein the motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         23 . The automated manufacturing system according to  claim 17 , wherein the motor is a servo-motor. 
     
     
         24 . The automated manufacturing system of  claim 17 , wherein the motion stick transmits a confirmation signal to the centralized motion coordinator when the motion command received from the centralized motion is successfully performed. 
     
     
         25 . The automated manufacturing system of  claim 24 , wherein the motion stick also transmits a status signal associated with a physical property of a wireless link established between the motion stick device and the to the centralized motion coordinator device. 
     
     
         26 . The automated manufacturing system of  claim 17 , wherein the manufacturing tasks include at least one from the group of manufacturing a device, shipping the device, and/or packaging the device.