Method for controlling displays of a spinning machine or winder

Abstract

A method for controlling a display on a spinning machine or winder having a plurality of same-kind workstations and a plurality of displays includes assigning one of the displays to at least two of the workstations, wherein each display includes a display area. During normal operation of the workstations, information regarding the individual workstations assigned to the particular display is simultaneously displayed in respective subareas of the display area. When required by changed operating states at the work stations, a surface area of the subareas is changed to display information regarding at least one of the workstations on a larger subarea. An associated spinning machine or winder is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a display on a spinning machine or winder having a plurality of same-kind workstations and a plurality of displays, comprising: assigning one of the displays to at least two of the workstations, each display comprising a display area; during normal operation of the workstations, displaying information on each of the displays regarding the workstations assigned to the display, wherein the information regarding the workstations is simultaneously displayed on separate subareas of the display area assigned to each of the workstations; and when required by changed operating states at the workstations, changing a surface area of the subareas to display information regarding at least one of the workstations on a larger subarea.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein during normal operation, the displays display an operating state of the workstations assigned thereto.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the information regarding the individual workstations assigned to the displays in the subareas is represented by icons.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein the surface area of the subareas is changed manually or by a controller assigned to the display based on the changed operating states.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein during normal operation the surface area of the subareas is the same.

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein a type of the information displayed in the subareas or the surface area of the subareas is changed via input means assigned to the display.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the input means comprises a touch-sensitive section of the display and the workstations assigned to the display are controlled by the input means.

8. The method as in claim 6, wherein the surface area of the changed subarea is increased to at least 70% of the display area via the input means or a controller assigned to the display.

9. A spinning machine or winder, comprising: a plurality of same-kind workstations; a plurality of displays, wherein each display comprises a display area and is assigned to at least two of the workstations; a controller assigned to each display, the controller configured to control the display such that during normal operation of the workstations, information regarding the workstations assigned to each display is simultaneously displayed in separate subareas of the display area and, when required by changed operating states at the workstations, a surface area of the subareas is changed to display information regarding at least one of the workstations on a larger subarea.

10. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to display an operating state of the workstations on the display during normal operation.

11. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured such that the information regarding the workstations assigned to the displays in the subareas is represented by icons.

12. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured such that the surface area of the subareas or type of the information displayed in the subareas is changed manually or via the controller assigned to the display based on the changed operating states of the workstations.

13. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured such that, during the normal operation, the surface area of the subareas is the same.

14. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 9, further comprising input means assigned to the display, wherein a type of the information displayed in the subareas or the surface area of the subareas is changed via the input means.

15. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 14, wherein the input means comprises a touch-sensitive section, and wherein the controller is configured such that control of the workstations assigned to the display is rendered via the display.

16. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 14, wherein the controller is configured such that the surface area of the changed subarea is increased to at least 70% of the display area via the input means or automatically by the controller.

17. The spinning machine or winder as in claim 14, wherein the controller, the input means, and the display are configured as a single unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. Wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a section of the front view of a spinning machine comprising one display for every two workstations;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a display during normal operation;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a display during retrieval of error information;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a display during retrieval of status information; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a display during retrieval of maintenance information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.

(8) In the following description of the figures, the same reference signs are utilized for identical and/or at least comparable features in each of the various figures. The individual features, their embodiment and/or mode of operation are explained in detail mostly only upon the first mention thereof. If individual features are not explained in detail once more, their embodiment and/or mode of operation correspond/corresponds to the embodiment and mode of operation of the features, which are equally-acting and have the same name and have already been described above.

(9) As represented in FIG. 1, a display 1 on a spinning machine or winder 2 is assigned in each case to two workstations 3. The control of the displays 1 is ensured in each case by a display controller 5. Due to the subdivision of the display areas into multiple subareas 4, it is possible to display information regarding each workstation 3 and simultaneously reduce the total number of displays 1 as compared to an assignment of a display 1 to each workstation 3.

(10) Due to the display of icons (additionally or alternatively to numbers and letters) by the displays 1, it is easier for the operating personnel of the spinning machine or winder 2 to be able to quickly assess the state of the workstations 3 even from a distance. In the case of a malfunction of a workstation 3, the display controller 5 can trigger the enlargement of the relevant subarea 4 and the display of an error message, which signals to the operating personnel whether an intervention is necessary.

(11) In addition, it would be conceivable to display the error message in a flashing manner or to provide the relevant subarea 4 with a colored background if, for example, a prompt intervention by the personnel is necessary. Due to the fact that the display 1 is equipped with a touch-sensitive section 6 which can surround, in particular, the entire surface of the display 1, it is possible for the personnel to retrieve additional information, such as an extensive error description (see FIG. 3), without any additional input means, by touching appropriate areas of the display 1.

(12) FIG. 2 shows the enlarged view of the display 1 during normal operation of the workstations 3 assigned to the display 1. Preferably, appropriate icons display the normal operation for both workstations 3 in a way, which is easy to understand. In this case, the subareas 4 are of the same size, for example, and so the information regarding both workstations 3 can be clearly displayed. The association of the subareas 4 to the particular workstations 3 is represented, by way of example, by numbering as well as with the aid of icons in the form of arrows in the upper region of the display 1. By way of the personnel touching a touch-sensitive section 6, for example, in the lower region of the display 1, additional information regarding the particular workstation 3 can be displayed (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

(13) FIG. 3 shows, once again, the enlarged view of the display 1, wherein the effects of the personnel having touched the error message represented in FIG. 1 are shown here by way of example. Preferably, the entire display area is now assigned only to the workstation 3, which has the malfunction. The assignment is clearly apparent, for example, by way of the designation of the workstation 3 and an enlarged arrow shown in the upper region of the display 1. A possible description in words as well as an icon-based representation, which may be present clarify the malfunction occurring at the workstation 3.

(14) By way of touching appropriate areas on the touch-sensitive section 6, it is possible for the personnel, for example, to retrieve additional information related to the malfunction or to reset the display 1 to the initial state. Alternatively to the enlargement of the relevant subarea 4 so as to encompass the total area of the display as represented here, it would also be possible to continue displaying the state of the second workstation 3 assigned to the display 1 in a small subarea 4 of the display 1 even in the representation of the detailed error description.

(15) FIG. 4 shows an example of additional information which is retrieved by the operating personnel by touching the relevant fields of the touch-sensitive section 6 represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. The relevant subarea 4 is enlarged so as to encompass the total area of the display 1, for example, wherein the association is preferably apparent in the upper region of the display 1, by way of example, the designation of the workstation 3 and an arrow icon. An overview shows general information regarding the status of the workstation 3, such as the work step, in which the workstation 3 is in, or the efficiency with which the workstation 3 operates. It is clearly shown here that the variable size of the subareas 4 prevents a loss of information and an overview while simultaneously saving the number of displays 1, since the display 1 behaves, for example, temporarily as if it were assigned to only one individual workstation 3.

(16) By touching appropriate fields of the touch-sensitive section 6 of the display 1, the personnel can, for example, retrieve more detailed information regarding the status of the workstation 3 or switch to other categories (see FIG. 5).

(17) FIG. 5 shows an example of a further category of additional information. In this case, exemplary maintenance information regarding the workstation 3 is displayed. This information includes, for example, the point in time of the latest error or the accumulated downtime of the workstation 3. By touching an appropriate field of the touch-sensitive section 6, the operating personnel can retrieve, for example, a menu for the manual control of the workstation 3. As a result, the workstation 3 could be shut down, for example, on-site. By touching other fields, more detailed information can be retrieved or a switch to other categories can be carried out, as before.

(18) The present invention is not limited to the represented and described exemplary embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the features, even if they are represented and described in different exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(19) 1 display 2 spinning machine or winder 3 workstation 4 subarea 5 display controller 6 touch-sensitive section