IP Library Granted Patent US 12,638,825
Granted Patent B2
US 12,638,825 · App. 17/991,975 · Granted May 26, 2026

System and method for managing automation systems with jerk compensation

Inventors: Anton Dolgovykh (Cambridge, CA); Noah Zwiep (Cambridge, CA)
G05B19/4155B65G43/08B65G47/26B65G2203/0233B65G2203/025G05B2219/31368
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,638,825
App. No.
17/991,975
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for managing an automation system involving asynchronous and synchronous zones, the method including: determining when a moving element enters a merge zone between an asynchronous zone and a synchronous zone; calculating additive jerk to be applied to the moving element, In some cases, the additive jerk is based on predetermined compensation profiles; determining if the master position change is different than a base logged; if so, interpolating additive jerk based on movement characteristics of the moving element; in either event, applying the additive jerk to the moving element; and determining if the merge is completed and, if yes, ending the merge and continue with synchronous operation but, if no, returning to calculating the additive jerk and repeat. A system including a processor/controller and a memory including instructions, which when executed by the processor/controller, perform the method.

Claims (42)

1 . A method for managing an automation system involving asynchronous and synchronous zones, the method comprising:

providing a master signal comprising base movement characteristics;

determining predetermined compensation profiles based on the base movement characteristics to be applied to a second automation element comprising a moving element;

determining when the moving element enters a merge zone between an asynchronous zone and a synchronous zone, wherein the moving element is to be controlled synchronously with the first automation element;

calculating additive jerk to be applied to movement characteristics of the moving element, wherein the additive jerk is based on the predetermined compensation profiles;

determining if a master signal position change is different than the base movement characteristics of the master signal previously logged;

if so, interpolating additive jerk based on the master signal position change compared to the base movement characteristics;

in either event, applying the additive jerk to the movement characteristics of the moving element;

determining if the merge is completed, if yes, ending the merge and continue with synchronous operation but, if no, returning to calculating the additive jerk and repeat.

2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined compensation profiles are determined in advance.

3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined compensation profiles comprise a velocity compensation profile and a position compensation profile.

4 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein calculating additive jerk based on predetermined compensation profiles comprises determining the movement characteristics of the moving element based on the compensation profiles.

5 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising determining if the moving element needs to stop prior to or within the merge zone to allow synchronization.

6 . A method according to claim 5 , further comprising calculating a minimum stop position based on maximum entry velocity.

7 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a lowest possible time remaining to enter the synchronous zone;

determining if the moving element needs to stop based at least in part on the lowest possible time;

if so, stop the moving element at a minimum stopping position and determine when to start moving and next possible index;

in either case, determining velocity compensation and position compensation profiles to match velocity and position; and

determining the movement characteristics for the moving element based on the compensation profiles.

8 . A system for managing an automation system involving asynchronous and synchronous zones, the system comprising:

a master controller for controlling a first synchronous element, the master controller providing a master signal, wherein the master signal comprises base movement characteristics;

a second controller for controlling a second synchronous element based on the master signal, wherein the second synchronous element is different from the first synchronous element and comprises a moving element moving on a conveyor;

a configuration module for configuring predetermined compensation profiles for the second synchronous element based on the base movement characteristics;

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the second controller, cause the second controller to:

determine when the moving element enters a merge zone between an asynchronous zone and a synchronous zone;

calculate additive jerk to be applied to movement characteristics of the moving element, wherein the additive jerk is based on the predetermined compensation profiles;

determine if a master signal position change is different than the base movement characteristics of the master signal previously logged;

if so, interpolate additive jerk based on the master signal position change compared to the base movement characteristics;

in either event, apply the additive jerk to the movement characteristics of the moving element;

determine if the merge is completed, if yes, end the merge and continue with synchronous operation but, if no, return to calculating the additive jerk and repeat.

9 . A system according to claim 8 , wherein the predetermined compensation profiles are determined in advance.

10 . A system according to claim 8 , wherein the predetermined compensation profiles comprise a velocity compensation profile and a position compensation profile.

11 . A system according to claim 8 , wherein calculating additive jerk based on predetermined compensation profiles comprises determining the movement characteristics of the moving element based on the compensation profiles.

12 . A system according to claim 8 , further comprising determining if the moving element needs to stop prior to or within the merge zone to allow synchronization.

13 . A system according to claim 12 , wherein the instructions further comprise causing the second controller to calculate a minimum stop position based on maximum entry velocity.

14 . A system according to claim 8 , wherein the instructions further comprise causing the second controller to:

determine a lowest possible time remaining to enter the synchronous zone;

determine if the moving element needs to stop based at least in part on the lowest possible time;

if so, stop the moving element at a minimum stopping position and determine when to start moving and next possible index;

in either case, determine velocity compensation and position compensation profile to match velocity and position; and

determine the movement characteristics for the moving element based on the compensation profiles.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2026
From: ATS AUTOMATION TOOLING SYSTEMS INC.
To: ATS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 074710/0068 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 2, 2023
From: ATS AUTOMATION TOOLING SYSTEMS INC.
To: ATS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064466/0005 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63281977 · Nov 22, 2021
Related Publication 20230159279A1 · May 25, 2023
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