IP Library Granted Patent US 10,201,868
Granted Patent B2
US 10,201,868 · App. 14/502,599 · Granted Feb 12, 2019

Systems and methods for gesture control of a welding system

Inventors: Jason Dunahoo (Appleton, WI); Seth Michael Gregory (Owasso, OK)
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
B23K9/0953B23K9/0956B23K9/1087B23K31/02B23K37/00G06F3/017
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,201,868
App. No.
14/502,599
Granted
Feb 12, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A motion detection system having detection circuitry, motion recognition circuitry, and communication circuitry is provided. The detection circuitry is configured to detect gestures or motions of a welding system operator. In some embodiments, the detection circuitry is configured to detect gestures or motions of a welding operator via an accessory device, where the accessory device is in wireless communication with the motion detection system. The motion recognition circuitry receives the detected gestures or motions, and translates the detected gestures or motions into a welding command. The welding command is communicated to a welding system via the communications circuitry, and is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the welding system.

Claims (17)

1. A system for controlling a welding system, comprising: a sensor system configured to be directed at a welding system operator and configured to detect first and second gestures of the welding system operator; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the sensor system and configured to:

receive a first signal and a second signal corresponding to the first and second detected gestures;

compare the first signal corresponding to the first detected gesture with a plurality of stored gestures stored within a global gesture library, wherein each of the plurality of stored gestures is associated with a corresponding welding component or welding command of a plurality of welding components and welding commands;

compare the second signal corresponding to the second detected gesture with the plurality of stored gestures stored within the global gesture library;

identify a welding component associated with the detected first gesture based at least in part on the comparison of the first signal;

identify a welding command associated with the detected second gesture based at least in part on the comparison of the second signal;

transmit the identified welding command to the identified welding component of the welding system

and wherein the sensor system is configured to detect first and second gestures of an eye of the welding system operator.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises digital cameras, video cameras, infrared sensors, optical sensors, radio frequency energy detectors, sound sensors, vibration sensors, magnetic sensors, heat sensors, pressure sensors, or any combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises an accessory device configured to be worn by the welding system operator or is otherwise disposed on the welding system operator.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the welding system is configured to implement the welding command.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the welding component comprises a welding power source, a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a gas supply system, or other welding system components.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the welding command is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the welding system.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises one or more imaging devices directed at the welding system operator.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system is configured to detect first and second gestures of a head of the welding system operator.

9. The system of claim 3 , wherein the accessory device comprises accelerometers, a smart phone, a wireless sensor tag, a wireless smart tag, a tablet, one or more cameras, infrared sensors, optical sensors, sound sensors, vibration sensors, magnetic sensors, heat sensors, pressure sensors, gloves, or any combination thereof.

10. The system of claim 3 , wherein the accessory device is configured to receive and display information relating to the welding system, wherein the information relating to the welding system comprises one or more of current operating parameters, welding command information, and a connection status of the accessory device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2014
From: DUNAHOO, JASON; GREGORY, SETH MICHAEL
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 033855/0836 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160089743A1 · Mar 31, 2016
Cited By (13)
US 12,198,568 US 12,277,369 US 12,354,491 US 12,358,138 US 12,367,789 US 12,482,374 US 12,508,665 US 12,512,010 US 12,521,884 US 12,553,711 US 12,697,724 US 12,708,955 US 12,715,139