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US 7,374,524 B2Granted
Method, system and program product for enabling rapid connection of automated tools to a device network
AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.
InventorPeter E. McCormick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool changer includes a tool attachment mechanism and a changer electronics module. The changer electronics module implements a tool changer node on a device network for the tool changer and a tool plate node on the device network for a tool plate of an automated tool that may be latched to the tool changer.
Claims20
A tool changer, comprising:
- a tool attachment mechanism;
- and
- a changer electronics module that implements a tool changer node on a device network for the tool changer and a tool plate node on the device network for a tool plate of an automated tool that may be latched to the tool changer.
A robot, comprising:
- a tool changer, including:
- a tool attachment mechanism;
- a changer electronics module that implements a tool changer node on a device network for the tool changer and a tool plate node on the device network for a tool plate of an automated tool that may be latched to the tool changer;
- and
- an articulated arm mechanically coupled to said tool changer.
2 more elements
An assembly line, comprising:
- a robot, including:
- a tool changer, including:
- a tool attachment mechanism;
- a changer electronics module that implements a tool changer node on a device network for the tool changer and a tool plate node on the device network for a tool plate of an automated tool that may be latched to the tool changer;
- and
- an articulated arm mechanically coupled to said tool changer;
- a network backbone of the device network;
- and
- a robot controller, coupled to said network backbone, that controls said robot via said device network.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.