Method and apparatus for controlling an operation sequence of machinery

Abstract

In order to execute a series of operation sequence including synchronization and exclusion for an automatic machine such as a robot by combining pretaught or preprogrammed unit operations, there are provided first memory for storing a start sequence of the unit operations to be synchronized or excluded, second memory for storing operation status of the unit operations and third memory for storing operation command to start the unit operations. The unit operations to be started are determined by referring the start sequence and the operation status of the unit operations read from the memories, and the corresponding operation commands are read out of the third memory to squentially start the unit operations. In order to execute an repetitive operation of similar works, there is provided fourth memory for storing basic operation patterns common to the repetitive operation in a non-repetitive manner. Further, sub-parameters are generated as many as the number determined by the number of times of repetition required and the content of operation, desired operation content is selected in accordance with the stored basic operation patterns and the generated sub-parameters, and the selected operation content is executed as many times as the number of sub-parameters, and the number of times of execution of the basic operation pattern executed is counted at an end of a repetitive section.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.