CONTROL APPARATUS WITH SETTING DATA CHANGE FUNCTION, AND SETTING DATA CHANGE METHOD OF THE CONTROL APPARATUS

Abstract

A control apparatus with a setting data change function for controlling operation of a control-target object comprises: a main control section that makes an operation command to the control-target object; an input section that receives an input of trial setting data for checking the operation of the control-target object; a setting data storage section including a first storage section that stores the trial setting data and a second storage section that stores the setting data; and a setting data management section that manages an input and a record into the setting data storage section, wherein the setting data management section includes: a mode switch section that switches operation modes; a memory synchronization section that establishes synchronization between the first storage section and the second storage section; and a memory discard section that discards the trial setting data.

Claims

1. A control apparatus with a setting data change function for adjusting setting data when operation of a control-target object is controlled, comprising: a main control section that makes an operation command to the control-target object based on a control program; an input section that allows an operator to input trial setting data for checking the operation of the control-target object; a setting data storage section including a first storage section that stores the trial setting data and a second storage section that stores the setting data for making the operation command; and a setting data management section that manages an input and a record into the setting data storage section, wherein the setting data management section includes a mode switch section that switches operation modes of the setting data storage section; a memory synchronization section that adds the trial setting data to the setting data by establishing synchronization between the first storage section and the second storage section; and a memory discard section that discards the trial setting data.

2. The control apparatus with the setting data change function according to claim 1, further comprising a display section that displays at least the inputted trial setting data, wherein the control apparatus further has an item selection function capable of selecting, among the trial setting data displayed on the display section, an item to be recorded in the second storage section as the setting data.

3. The control apparatus with the setting data change function according to claim 2, wherein the display section has a touch panel structure integrated with the input section.

4. The control apparatus with the setting data change function according to claim 2, wherein the display section further has a function of displaying to the operator a fact that the operation mode is a trial mode.

5. The control apparatus with the setting data change function according to claim 1, further comprising a state determination section that receives a detection signal from a sensor provided for the control-target object and, based on the detection signal, determines whether or not the operation of the control-target object is normal, wherein the setting data management section manages a record into the setting data storage section, based on a result of the determination by the state determination section.

6. A setting data change method of a control apparatus for adjusting setting data when operation of a control-target object is controlled, wherein the control apparatus comprises: a main control section that makes an operation command to the control-target object based on a control program; an input section that allows an operator to input trial setting data for checking the operation of the control-target object; a setting data storage section including a first storage section that stores the trial setting data and a second storage section that stores the setting data for making the operation command; and a setting data management section that manages an input and a record into the setting data storage section, the setting data change method including: inputting the trial setting data into the first storage section after an operation mode of the setting data storage section is changed to a trial mode; and discarding the trial setting data from the first storage section, or recording the trial setting data into the second storage section as the setting data, based on a selection signal indicating whether or not to discard the trial setting data.

7. The setting data change method of the control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control apparatus further includes a display section that displays at least the inputted trial setting data, and among the trial setting data displayed on the display section, an item to be recorded in the second storage section as the setting data is configured to be selectable.

8. The setting data change method of the control apparatus according to claim 7, the display section indicates to the operator, a fact that the operation mode is a trial mode.

9. The setting data change method of the control apparatus according to any one of claims 6, after receiving a detection signal from a sensor provided for the control-target object, determining, based on the detection signal, whether or not the operation of the control-target object is normal, and managing a record into the setting data storage section, based on a result of the determination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a control apparatus with a setting data change function according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and peripheral apparatuses;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of operation of a setting data storage section, in the setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a setting data change method of the control apparatus according to a modification example of the first embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of a display section when the modification example of the first embodiment is performed;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a control apparatus with a setting data change function according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and peripheral apparatuses; and

[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of a control apparatus with a setting data change function according to representative examples of the present invention, and a setting data change method of the control apparatus will be described with reference to drawings.

First Embodiment

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a control apparatus with a setting data change function according to a first embodiment, which is a representative example of the present invention, and peripheral apparatuses. As shown in FIG. 1, the control apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment comprises: a main control section 110 that makes an operation command to a control-target object (for example, an industrial machine) 10 based on a control program; an input section 120 that allows an operator to input trial setting data for checking operation of the control-target object 10; a setting data storage section 130 including a first storage section 132 that stores the trial setting data and a second storage section 134 that stores setting data for making the operation command; a setting data management section 140 that manages an input and a record into the setting data storage section 130; and a display section 150 that displays the trial setting data, the setting data, a state of the control-target object 10, or the like in response to a display command from the main control section 110.

[0023] The control apparatus 100 is mutually connected to the control-target object 10 or an external storage apparatus 20 through a wired line, a communication link, or the like in a communicable manner, and issues various control commands to the control-target object 10 and also receives detection signals from various sensors (see a reference sign 12 in FIG. 6) attached to the control-target object 10. The control apparatus 100 loads a control program describing control operations of the control-target object 10 from the external storage apparatus 20, and also updates the machining program as necessary.

[0024] Here, in the specification of the present application, the “setting data” includes setting items required to control the operation of the control-target object 10, numerical values for controlling the operation, and the like, and can include, for example, a coordinate system of components included in the control-target object 10 and position data on the components, adjustment items of the components and adjustment quantities for the items, or, when the control-target object 10 is a machining apparatus for machining a workpiece, a machining condition (a parameter) and the like to be set at a time of machining the workpiece. The “setting data” is permanently recorded, or overwritten and stored, in the setting data storage section 130. A control command signal for the control-target object 10 is generated by combining the setting data with the control program.

[0025] On the other hand, the “trial setting data” is assumed to include a portion of the “setting data” that is changed according to a new operation environment or operational condition, when a change is made to an operation environment, an operational condition, or the like of the control-target object 10. In general, trial operation of the control-target object 10 in a “trial mode” is carried out by using the “trial setting data”, and based on a result of the trial operation, it is determined whether or not the “trial setting data” is added as the “setting data”, or the “setting data” is overwritten (updated) with the “trial setting data”.

[0026] The main control section 110 is means for issuing an operation command signal to the control-target object 10, and includes functions such as a function of generating a control command signal by sequentially reading part of the control program from the external storage apparatus 20 and combining the read control program with the setting data or the trial setting data stored in the setting data storage section 130, and a function of receiving detection signals from the various sensors (not shown) provided for the control-target object 10 and adjusting the control command signal based on detection values of the detection signals. The main control section 110 may include a function of adding a control program to, or adjusting, the control program stored in the external storage apparatus 20 as necessary.

[0027] The input section 120 is an interface that allows an operator of the control apparatus 100 to switch on/off operation and to manually input various data and the like, and examples of the input section 120 include a keyboard, a pendant, a joystick, and the like. In the present invention, the operator can input, from the input section 120, the trial setting data required for trial operation that is performed to check the operation of the control-target object 10.

[0028] The setting data storage section 130 is means for storing the setting data to be combined with the control program, and includes, as described above, the first storage section 132 that stores the trial setting data and the second storage section 134 that stores the setting data, as shown in FIG. 1. Here, as an example of the setting data storage section 130, the first storage section 132 may be configured by using a volatile memory, the second storage section 134 may be configured by using a nonvolatile memory, and the first storage section 132 may be configured to be referred to for data to be combined with the control program when the main control section 110 generates the control command signal. The setting data storage section 130 establishes synchronization between (stores identical data in) the first storage section 132 and the second storage section 134 or discards the trial setting data temporarily retained in the first storage section 132, based on a signal from the setting data management section 140.

[0029] The setting data storage section 130 includes two operation modes, namely, “ordinary mode” and “trial mode”, as shown in FIG. 3. The operation modes are switched to one another, based on a command signal from a mode switch section 142 of the setting data management section 140, which will be described later. Here, in the “ordinary mode”, setting data (data A2, B2) inputted from the input section 120 is temporarily retained in the first storage section 132, and thereafter the first storage section 132 is automatically synchronized with the second storage section 134, whereby the second storage section 134 is overwritten with, or updated by additionally including, the inputted setting data (data A2, B2).

[0030] On the other hand, in the “trial mode”, after setting data (trial setting data) from the input section 120 is inputted, automatic synchronization between the first storage section 132 and the second storage section 134 is stopped, and synchronization between the first storage section 132 and the second storage section 134 waits until a synchronization command signal is inputted. In any of the “ordinary mode” and the “trial mode”, the setting data temporarily retained in the first storage section 132 is applied for the setting data to be used in combination with the control program executed by the main control section 110 described above. Thus, trial operation using the trial setting data can be performed in the “trial mode”.

[0031] The setting data management section 140, as described above, is means for issuing a command signal for an operation of changing the setting data stored in the setting data storage section 130, and includes a mode switch section 142 that issues a mode switch command signal for switching the operation modes of the setting data storage section 130, a memory synchronize section 144 that issues a synchronization command signal for establishing synchronization between the first storage section 132 and the second storage section 134 and thereby adding the trial setting data to the setting data, and a memory discard section 146 that issues a discard command signal for discarding the trial setting data temporarily retained in the first storage section 132. Note that in the first embodiment, any of the mode switch section 142, the memory synchronize section 144, and the memory discard section 146 is configured to issue a command signal based on an input operation from the input section 120 made by the operator, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The display section 150 is means for displaying various information to the operator based on a display command from the main control section 110 and has a structure including a display screen 152, as shown in FIG. 5 for example. Note that although examples of the display section 150 as shown in FIG. 5 include a general TV monitor, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, a structure including the display screen 152 of a touch panel type integrated with the input section 120 may be adopted.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of operation of the setting data storage section, in the setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0034] In the setting data change method of the control apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, first, the operator inputs from the input section 120 a switch command to set the operation mode of the setting data storage section 130 to the “trial mode” (step S1). The switch command is sent to the mode switch section 142, and the mode switch section 142 that has received the switch command issues to the setting data storage section 130 a mode switch command signal for switching the operation mode from the “ordinary mode” to the “trial mode”. The setting data storage section 130 receives the mode switch command signal for switching to the “trial mode” and switches the operation mode to the “trial mode”.

[0035] Subsequently, the operator inputs “trial setting data” from the input section 120 (step S2). The inputted “trial setting data” (data A2, B2) is directly sent to the setting data storage section 130 and temporarily retained in the first storage section 132, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] Next, trial operation of the control-target object 10 is performed generally based on the inputted “trial setting data”. Then, the operator determines, depending on a result of the trial operation, whether to store the inputted “trial setting data” as the “setting data”, or to discard the “trial setting data”. Note that the determination to store or discard the “trial setting data” may be made without performing the trial operation.

[0037] Subsequently, the operator inputs from the input section 120 a selection command to store or discard the “trial setting data” (step S3). The inputted selection command is sent to the setting data management section 140, and it is determined which the selection command indicates, to discard or to store (step S4).

[0038] When it is determined in step S4 that the selection command indicates “discard”, the memory discard section 146 issues to the setting data storage section 130 a discard command signal for discarding the “trial setting data” retained in the first storage section 132. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the “trial setting data” (data A2, B2) is discarded from the first storage section 132, which is then reverted to the previous “setting data” (data A1, B1) stored in the second storage section 134 (step S5), and the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0039] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4 that the selection command indicates “store”, the memory synchronize section 144 issues to the setting data storage section 130 a synchronization command signal for synchronizing the “trial setting data” retained in the first storage section 132 with the second storage section 134 for storage. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the “trial setting data” (data A2, B2) retained in the first storage section 132 is stored in the second storage section 134 as the “setting data” (data A2, B2) (step S6), and the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0040] By executing the operation flow as described above, the setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the first embodiment can implement the control apparatus with the function that can input the trial setting data into the first storage section after changing the operation mode of the setting data storage section to the trial mode, and that can effectively choose to discard or store the setting data executed in the trial operation based on the selection signal indicating whether or not to discard the trial setting data, in order to discard the trial setting data from the first storage section or to record the trial setting data into the second storage section as the setting data. Accordingly, in control of the operation of the control-target object, it is possible to efficiently choose to discard or store the setting data executed in the trial operation in adjustment of a position, a machining condition, and the like of the control-target object.

[0041] Next, a modification example of the first embodiment will be described by using FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the modification example of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of the display section when the modification example of the first embodiment is performed.

[0042] In the modification example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the display section 150 is used on which a plurality of setting items (for example, processes A to C), setting values (setting data A1 to C4), and the like are displayed in the display screen 152. Here, the display screen 152 is configured to display a selected area 154, which is a setting item or setting data made blinking or highlighted by a selection made by using the input section 120, and an unselected area 156, which is displayed in an ordinary manner.

[0043] In the setting data change method of the control apparatus 100 according to the modification example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the operator inputs from the input section 120 a switch command to set the operation mode of the setting data storage section 130 to the “trial mode” (step S1). The operation is similar to the operation in step S1 shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] Subsequently, when the operator inputs “trial setting data” from the input section 120 (step S2), the inputted “trial setting data” is directly sent to the setting data storage section 130 and temporarily retained in the first storage section 132, and at the same time, displayed in the display screen 152 of the display section 150 as shown in FIG. 5, based on a display command from the main control section 110 (step S3a).

[0045] Next, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 2, trial operation of the control-target object 10 is performed generally based on the inputted “trial setting data”. Then, the operator determines, depending on a result of the trial operation, whether to store the inputted “trial setting data” as the “setting data”, or to discard the “trial setting data”. Note that the determination to store or discard the “trial setting data” may be made without performing the trial operation.

[0046] Subsequently, the operator operates the input section 120 while viewing the display screen 152, and inputs a selection command as to which setting item or setting data of the displayed “trial setting data” is stored (step S3b). At the time, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a setting item or setting data desired to be stored is differentiated by displaying such a setting item or setting data as the selected area 154 that is made blinking or highlighted.

[0047] Subsequently, it is determined whether or not unselected setting data exists (whether or not an unselected area 156 exits) in the setting data displayed in the display screen 152 shown in FIG. 5, as a result of the selection in the “trial setting data” performed in step S3b (step S4a). In other words, in step S4a, it is determined whether or not setting data desired to be discarded exists.

[0048] When it is determined in step S4a that all setting data displayed in the display screen 152 is selected (that is, no unselected area 156 exists in FIG. 5), all of the “trial setting data” is regarded as data to store, and the memory synchronize section 144 issues to the setting data storage section 130 a synchronization command signal for synchronizing all of the “trial setting data” retained in the first storage section 132 with the second storage section 134 for storage. Then, all of the “trial setting data” (processes A to C, and data A1 to C4) retained in the first storage section 132 is stored in the second storage section 134 as the “setting data” (step S5a), and the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0049] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4a that unselected setting data exists in the display screen 152 (that is, at least one unselected area 156 exists in FIG. 5), it is further determined whether or not all setting data displayed in the display screen 152 is unselected (step S4b).

[0050] When it is determined in step S4b that not all setting data is unselected (that is, a selected area 154 and an unselected area 156 coexist), the memory synchronize section 144 issues to the setting data storage section 130 a synchronization command signal for synchronizing only the selected “trial setting data” in the first storage section 132 with the second storage section 134 for storage (step S6a). Thereafter, the memory discard section 146 issues to the setting data storage section 130 a discard command signal for discarding the unselected “trial setting data” in the first storage section 132 and reversing the previous “setting data” stored in the second storage section 134 (step S6b), and the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0051] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4b that all setting data is unselected (that is, no selected area 154 exists), the processing moves directly to step S6b, in which the memory discard section 146 issues to the setting data storage section 130 a discard command signal for discarding all of the unselected “trial setting data” in the first storage section 132 and reversing the previous “setting data” stored in the second storage section 134 (step S6b), and then the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0052] By executing the operation flow as described above, the operator can choose to store data the operator desires to store, and to discard data the operator desires to discard while viewing the “trial setting data” displayed in the display screen 152 of the display section 150. In other words, an item selection function of selecting an item of the “trial setting data” can be further added to the control apparatus according to the present invention.

[0053] Note that in addition to the capability of the above-described item selection function of setting predetermined setting data (for example, A1, A4) in a predetermined setting item (for example, the process A) as selected areas as shown in FIG. 5, the item selection function may also be configured to, when a section of a setting item is selected (for example, when the process C is selected), automatically select all setting data (for example, C1 to C4) to be set for the setting item. The item selection function may also be configured to receive inputs of a new item and setting data from the input section 120 and to display the new item and setting data in the display screen 152. Thus, a burden on the operator at a time of selection can be reduced.

[0054] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the display screen 152 may be configured to further include a mode display area 158 that displays a fact that the “trial mode” is currently in operation. Thus, the operator can avoid directly changing the “setting data” in the “ordinary mode” (that is, without via the “trial mode”) and resulting in important data previously accumulated being overwritten and erased.

Second Embodiment

[0055] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a control apparatus with a setting data change function according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and peripheral apparatuses. Note that among the components shown in the block diagrams, the flowcharts, and the like of FIGS. 1 to 5, if components similar or common to the first embodiment can be adopted in the second embodiment, such components are denoted by the same reference signs, and repetition of the description is omitted.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, a control apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment includes a state determinate section 160 that determines, based on a detection signal obtained from a sensor 12 provided for the control-target object 10, whether or not control operation of the control-target object 10 is normally performed, in addition to the main control section 110, the input section 120, the setting data storage section 130, the setting data management section 140, and the display section 150. Here, for the sensor 12 provided for the control-target object 10, any sensor can be adopted that is capable of capturing a state of the control-target object 10 in control operation, and examples of the sensor 12 include a temperature sensor, a position sensor, a speed sensor, a pressure sensor, a tachometer, a voltmeter, an ammeter, and the like.

[0057] The state determinate section 160 receives a state quantity of the control-target object 10 in control operation, as a detection signal, from the sensor 12 and, based on the state quantity, for example, determines whether or not the control-target object 10 operates normally. The state determinate section 160 then sends a result of the determination about the control-target object 10 to the main control section 110.

[0058] In the second embodiment, the main control section 110, in addition to the function described in the first embodiment, further includes a function of issuing a selection command signal indicating whether to discard or store the “trial setting data”, based on the result of the determination from the state determinate section 160. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the control apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is different in a point that the memory synchronize section 144 and the memory discard section 146 of the setting data management section 140 do not operate according to a command from the input section 120, but operate based on a selection command from the main control section 110.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the setting data change method of the control apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the operator inputs from the input section 120 a switch command to set the operation mode of the setting data storage section 130 to the “trial mode” (step S1), and inputs “trial setting data” (step S2). The inputted “trial setting data” is directly sent to the setting data storage section 130 and temporarily retained in the first storage section 132.

[0060] Next, using the inputted “trial setting data”, trial operation of the control-target object 10 is performed based on a control command from the main control section 110. At the time, the state determination section 160 receives a detection signal (a state quantity of the control-target object 10) during control operation from the sensor 12 for the control-target object 10 (step S3c).

[0061] Subsequently, the state determinate section 160 determines, based on the received detection signal, whether or not the trial operation of the control-target object 10 is normally performed (step S3d). The determination at the time can be performed, for example, based on an indicator of whether or not the detected state quantity falls within a predetermined normal range, or the like.

[0062] When the state determinate section 160 determines in step S3d that the trial operation of the control-target object 10 is “abnormal”, the main control section 110 issues a selection command signal indicating “discard” to the memory discard section 146 of the setting data management section 140 (step S4c). Subsequently, the memory discard section 146 that has received the selection command signal issues to the setting data storage section 130 a discard command signal for discarding the “trial setting data” retained in the first storage section 132. The “trial setting data” is discarded from the first storage section 132, which is then reverted to the previous “setting data” stored in the second storage section 134 (step S5), and the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0063] On the other hand, when the state determinate section 160 determines in step S3d that the trial operation of the control-target object 10 is “normal”, the main control section 110 issues a selection command signal indicating “store” to the memory synchronize section 144 of the setting data management section 140 (step S4d). Subsequently, the memory synchronize section 144 that has received the selection command signal issues to the setting data storage section 130 a synchronization command signal for synchronizing the “trial setting data” retained in the first storage section 132 with the second storage section 134 for storage. Then, the “trial setting data” retained in the first storage section 132 is stored in the second storage section 134 as the “setting data” (step S6), and the operation of changing the setting data is terminated.

[0064] By executing the operation flow as described above, in the setting data change method of the control apparatus according to the second embodiment, the function of choosing to discard or store described in the first embodiment can be executed not based on an operator input from the input section, but automatically through control by the main control section. Note that as a modification example of the second embodiment, a configuration may be made such that, by using the display section 150 as shown in FIG. 5, operations in steps S3a to S3b shown in FIG. 4 are added between step S2 and step S3c shown in FIG. 7.

[0065] Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the gist of the invention. In the present invention, modification of any component of the embodiments, or omission of any component of the embodiments, may be made within the scope of the invention.