Measurement control device

Abstract

A measurement control device for controlling the measurement action of a measurement device through a screen interface, comprising: a normal display screen (20) constituting the screen interface; one or more functional elements (21, 22) arranged on the normal display screen (20); a help mode button (31) arranged on a part of the normal display screen (20) for switching between a normal display mode and a help display mode; a help icon (33) displayed on the normal display screen (20) in association with the functional elements (21, 22) in the help display mode; a general description column (34) displayed on a part of the normal display screen (20) when the help icon (33) is selected; a detailed display button (35) displayed on a part of the general description column (34); and a detailed description column displayed when the detailed display button (35) is selected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a measurement control device. Background Art

[0002] In the measurement control device that controls the operation of the measuring device, a screen interface is used. For example, a computer system is connected to a coordinate measuring machine as a measurement control device, and a user can use the screen interface to operate the coordinate measuring machine (reference document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-118097).

[0003] In order to assist the user, a help function is provided on the screen interface.

[0004] As a help function, a help file is displayed by overlapping another window on the operation screen, and the description of the desired item is traced from its directory (Reference 2: 2010-96674 Publication). As the help file displayed in another window, a file obtained by simplifying the description of the operation manual or an online manual that enables the operation manual itself to be displayed is also used.

[0005] As another help function, the selected item is identified and its description is displayed in a comment column of the operation screen (reference 3: 2009-204553). As a comment column, in addition to a display section fixedly allocated to a part of the operation screen, a comment column is also used in which a balloon comment is displayed floating near the item overlapped by the pointer in the operation screen.

[0006] The operability of the measurement control device has been improved by the aforementioned help function, but there is a need to improve the visibility of the operation screen and the efficiency of the operation until the desired help information is obtained.

[0007] For example, when there are a plurality of functional elements (operation buttons, numerical value display fields, etc.) arranged on the operation screen, the operation to trace to a desired item becomes complicated in the list format.

[0008] In order to obtain help information associated with the functional elements on the operation screen, a help mode button may be arranged near the functional elements. However, when there are multiple functional elements on the operation screen, the number of help mode buttons increases, and the operation scene becomes complicated.

[0009] On the other hand, in the method of automatically displaying the comment bar, since it occupies a part of the operation screen, it is difficult to set the comment bar to be large, and it is not possible to display sufficient help information. In other words, there is a problem that detailed explanations cannot be given in simple help comments, and when the operation manual itself is displayed, the operation of reading and tracing from the directory is complicated. Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a measurement control device having a simple operation and screen and a help function with a sufficient amount of information.

[0012] Means for solving problems

[0013] The measurement control device of the present invention is a measurement control device that controls the measurement action of the measurement device through a screen interface, and comprises: a normal display screen, which constitutes the screen interface; one or more functional elements, which are arranged on the normal display screen; a help mode button, which is arranged on a part of the normal display screen and switches between the normal display mode and the help display mode; a help icon, which is displayed on the normal display screen in association with the functional element in the help display mode; a general description column and a detailed display button, which are displayed on a part of the normal display screen when the help icon is selected; and a detailed description column, which is displayed when the detailed display button is selected.

[0014] In the present invention, the normal display mode is set by operating the help mode button, so that only the functional elements displayed on the normal display screen are set as the elements required as the operation screen, and the help function is completed only by the help mode button. In such a normal display mode, the screen can be simplified. Furthermore, the display of the help mode button can also be omitted by using a given operation command in the change of the display mode.

[0015] On the other hand, by operating the help mode button to set the help display mode, the help icons are associated with the functional elements and displayed on the normal display screen. By selecting any of the help icons, a general description column is displayed on a part of the normal display screen. The help icons are associated with the functional elements and displayed, and the functional elements that become the target are uniquely determined at the time when the help icon is selected, and the general description (simple help notes, etc.) of the functional elements associated with the selected help icon can be immediately displayed without tracking the directory.

[0016] Furthermore, by selecting the detailed display button displayed together with the general description column, the detailed description column is displayed, and the detailed description of the previously selected functional element is displayed. By setting the detailed description column as another window displayed by overlapping on the normal display screen, or as a partition separated as a part of the normal display screen, the detailed description can be displayed in a sufficient display area. By setting it as two stages such as the general description column and the detailed description column, an efficient help function based on simple description can be provided in the general description column, and a sufficient amount of information can be provided as a help function through detailed description (corresponding description in the operation manual, etc.) in the detailed description column.

[0017] In the measurement control device of the present invention, preferably, the outline description column is a comment area arranged at the bottom of the normal display screen.

[0018] In such an embodiment of the present invention, the help comment can be displayed without interfering with other displays on the normal display screen, and the processing can be simplified compared to display based on another window.

[0019] In the measurement control device of the present invention, preferably, the detail display button is displayed in a part of the outline description column.

[0020] In the present invention as described above, when the help comment or the like displayed in the overview display column is insufficient, the detailed explanation column can be displayed by immediately operating the detailed display button from the overview display column.

[0021] In the measurement control device of the present invention, preferably, the detailed explanation column displays explanations related to the functional element associated with the selected help icon in the online manual of the measurement control device.

[0022] In the present invention, since the description of the operation manual of the measurement control device is displayed online, sufficient information can be provided as a help function. In addition, since the description of the operation manual is displayed, it is not necessary to follow the catalog, so the operation can be performed easily and efficiently.

[0023] In the measurement control device of the present invention, preferably, a manual display button for displaying a table of contents page of the online manual is arranged on a part of the normal display screen.

[0024] In the present invention as described above, when it is desired to refer to the operation manual of the online measurement and control device independently or systematically, the contents page can be opened immediately.

[0025] In the measurement control device of the present invention, preferably, the normal display screen includes a basic screen and an expanded screen that is transitioned from or overlapped with the basic screen, and the help mode button is at least configured on the basic screen. In the help display mode, the help icon is displayed on the functional elements on the basic screen and the functional elements on the expanded screen, respectively.

[0026] In the present invention as described above, when the help display mode is selected in the basic screen, the help display mode is maintained even in an expanded screen opened from the basic screen in another window, and a help icon can be displayed for each functional element.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a measurement control device that has a simple operation and screen and a help function with a sufficient amount of information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing one embodiment of the measurement control device of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the measurement control device according to the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a normal display screen of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a help icon screen according to the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a help comment display state according to the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a display state of the online manual according to the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a display state of a help icon in an expanded screen according to the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the processing of the measurement control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] exist Figure 1 , a measurement system including a measurement control device 1 as one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] The measuring machine 2 is, for example, a conventional laser scanning micrometer, and can measure the width dimension of a workpiece disposed in the parallel laser beam 3. The measuring machine 2 may be another measuring machine such as a three-dimensional measuring machine or a surface shape measuring instrument.

[0039] The measurement control device 1 includes a processing device 5 composed of a computer system that reads and executes a program, an operation device 6 including a keyboard and a pointing device that can be operated by a user, and a display device 7 such as a display panel that can be viewed by a user.

[0040] The processing device 5 executes the desired measurement program to make the measuring machine 2 perform a given measurement operation and measure the width dimension of the workpiece. During measurement, the processing device 5 causes the display device 7 to display a screen interface and accepts user operations from the operating device 6. The screen interface displays the current status, setting values, or measurement values ​​of the processing device 5 or the measuring machine 2.

[0041] exist Figure 2 , there is shown a functional structure related to the screen interface of the measurement control device 1. These functional structures are loaded into the processing device 5 by executing the software introduced into the processing device 5.

[0042] The processing device 5 includes a measurement control unit 11 , an operation control unit 12 , a display control unit 13 , and a help display control unit 14 .

[0043] The measurement control unit 11 executes a designated measurement program and performs control to cause the measuring machine 2 to perform a desired operation.

[0044] The operation control unit 12 receives user operations via the operation device 6 and performs processing corresponding to the operations on the measurement control unit 11. The operations include selection of measurement operation, start and end of measurement operation, processing and display of measurement results, setting and adjustment of operation parameters, and the like.

[0045] The display control unit 13 displays an image serving as a screen interface on the display device 7 , receives user operations from the operating device 6 and reflects them on the screen interface, and displays the status and measurement results of the measuring machine 2 obtained from the measurement control unit 11 on the screen interface.

[0046] The help display control unit 14 adds a help function to the screen interface, and is connected to a help comment file 15 and an online manual file 16 related to the measurement control device 1. As the online manual file 16, for example, a hypertext file in which a link is established at a related position after the operation manual (instruction manual) of the measurement control device 1 is electronically documented can be used.

[0047] In the processing device 5 , the normal display mode and the help display mode are switched alternately with respect to the screen interface. The current display mode is stored in the storage area of ​​the processing device 5 as a flag.

[0048] Next, the normal display screen 20 ( Figure 3 ) and help display screen 30 ( Figures 4 to 7 ) for explanation.

[0049] The process flow related to the help function of the screen interface of the measurement control device 1 will be described later. Figure 8 To explain.

[0050] exist Figure 3 , an example of a normal display screen 20 displayed on the display device 7 in the normal display mode is shown.

[0051] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the normal display screen 20 is constructed using the window system of the basic software of the processing device 5, and as a basic structure, a title bar 201 and a menu bar 202 are arranged at the top, and a display area 203 is set below them.

[0052] Function buttons 21 for functions selectable by the user and display frames 22 for setting values, measured values, etc. are arranged as functional elements in the menu bar 202 and display area 203 of the normal display screen 20. Other forms of operation or display may be used as functional elements.

[0053] The above-mentioned normal display screen 20 can be displayed by Figure 2 The display control unit 13 is used to perform the operation.

[0054] Furthermore, in the menu bar 202, as functional elements associated with the help function, a help mode button 31 and a manual display button 32 are arranged. The details will be described later. By pressing the help mode button 31, the normal display mode and the help display mode are alternately switched, thereby switching the help function of the screen interface on and off (ONOFF). In addition, by pressing the manual display button 32, the online manual of the measurement control device 1 is displayed on the screen (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0055] The functions of the help mode button 31 and the manual display button 32 are as follows: Figure 2 The help display control unit 14 is used to execute it.

[0056] exist Figures 4 to 6 , an example of the help display screen 30 displayed on the display device 7 in the help display mode is respectively shown.

[0057] about Figure 4 For the help display screen 30, the user can Figure 3 The help mode button 31 is pressed in the normal display screen 20 to display.

[0058] exist Figure 4 In the help display screen 30 , a plurality of help icons 33 are superimposed and displayed on the above-mentioned normal display screen 20 .

[0059] The help icon 33 is arranged near the upper right corner of the function button 21 or the display frame 22 that requires the help function. The help icon 33 is a small icon so as to cover the function button 21 or the display frame 22 or other normal display screen 20 as little as possible.

[0060] In the help display screen 30 , a note area 34 (a column for outlining the present invention) is arranged at the bottom of the normal display screen 20 . A detail display button 35 is arranged at the end of the note area 34 .

[0061] exist Figure 4 In the help display screen 30, the user presses any help icon 33 to display Figure 5 The help screen 30 is displayed.

[0062] exist Figure 5 In the example, the help comment for the function element selected by the user, that is, the function button 21 or the display frame 22 in the vicinity of which the help icon 33 pressed by the user is arranged, is displayed in the comment area 34 .

[0063] The display of the help comment can be performed as follows, Figure 2 The help display control unit 14 acquires the comment related to the functional element selected by the user from the help comment file 15 and displays it in the comment area 34 .

[0064] exist Figure 5 In the help display screen 30 of FIG. 1 , the user presses a detailed display button 35 in the comment area 34 where the comment is displayed, thereby Figure 6 In this way, on the help display screen 30, the online manual 36 (a column for detailed explanation of the present invention) is displayed in another window.

[0065] exist Figure 6 In the example, the online manual 36 displayed in another window is set to be the same as the functional element of the object of the annotation displayed in the annotation area 34, that is, Figure 4 The help display screen 30 is a page of explanation related to the functional element selected by the user.

[0066] Such display of the online manual 36 can be performed as follows, Figure 2The help display control unit 14 acquires a page related to the functional element selected by the user from the online manual file 16 and displays it in another window.

[0067] The above-mentioned help function, namely the help icon 33, the comment area 34, the detailed display button 35, can be used even when the Figure 3 It is also effective even when any of the functional elements of the normal display screen 20 is opened in another window.

[0068] exist Figure 7 In the normal display screen 20 (basic screen of the present invention), an environment setting button 23 is configured as a functional element. When the user presses the environment setting button 23, an environment setting dialog box 24 (expanded screen of the present invention) is opened in another window.

[0069] In the normal display mode, the help icon 33 is not displayed, and the environment setting dialog box 24 is displayed superimposed on the normal display screen 20. When the user presses the help mode button 31, the help icon 33, the note area 34, and the detail display button 35 are displayed on the functional elements on the normal display screen 20 and the functional elements in the environment setting dialog box 24, respectively. The user can use the help function (display of help notes or display of online manuals) for the functional elements of the normal display screen 20 and the environment setting dialog box 24 by using these help icons 33, note areas 34, and detail display buttons 35.

[0070] On the other hand, the state of the help icon 33 can also be displayed in the help display mode ( Figure 4 When the user presses the environment setting button 23 in the help display screen 30, the environment setting dialog box 24 is opened in another window. Since it is in the help display mode, the help icon 33, the comment area 34 and the detail display button 35 are immediately displayed in the newly opened environment setting dialog box 24, and the user can use the help function for the functional elements of the environment setting dialog box 24.

[0071] exist Figure 8 2 shows an example of a process flow related to the help function in the screen interface of the measurement control device 1 .

[0072] exist Figure 8 In the process, the processing device 5 waits for an input operation to the operating device 6 by repeatedly performing the processes S1 to S4.

[0073] Regarding the processing device 5, if the action starts, it determines whether it is the current help display mode (processing S1). If it is the normal display mode, the normal display screen 20 is displayed (processing S2). If it is the help display mode, the help display screen 30 is displayed (processing S3) and waits for input operation (processing S4).

[0074] If an input operation is detected in process S4, the processing device 5 sequentially performs processes S5 to S8 to determine whether the input operation is related to the help function.

[0075] If it is determined in processes S5 to S8 that the input operation is not related to the help function, the processing device 5 executes a process corresponding to the input operation (process S9), and returns to process S1.

[0076] If it is determined in processes S5 to S8 that the input operation is related to the help function, the processing device 5 executes the processes corresponding to the input operation.

[0077] In the process S5, when it is determined that any of the help icons 33 displayed in the help display mode has been pressed, the processing device 5 identifies the functional element associated with the pressed help icon 33, obtains the corresponding help comment from the help comment file 15, and displays it in the comment area 34 (process S10, see Figure 5 ), and returns to the waiting state for input operation (processing S4). The user can instruct the desired processing through other input operations, or display the help comment through other help icons 33.

[0078] In the process S6, when it is determined that the detailed display button 35 displayed in the help display mode is pressed, the processing device 5 identifies the functional element associated with the pressed help icon 33, obtains the corresponding description page from the online manual file 16, and displays it in another window (process S11, see Figure 6 The online manual 36 of FIG. 1 is displayed, and the process returns to the waiting state for input operation (processing S4). The user can refer to other instruction pages through further input operation.

[0079] If it is determined in process S7 that the manual display button 32 is pressed, the processing device 5 obtains the content page from the online manual file 16, displays it in another window (process S12), and returns to the waiting state for input operation (process S4). The user can trace the description page related to any functional element from the content page through further input operation.

[0080] If it is determined in process S8 that the help mode button 31 is pressed, the processing device 5 switches between the help display mode and the normal display mode (process S13). That is, if the current mode is the normal display mode, it is changed to the help display mode, and if the current mode is the help display mode, it is changed to the normal display mode. In either case, the process returns to process S1 and the screen is displayed in the changed mode (process S2 or process S3).

[0081] In the above embodiment, the normal display mode is set by operating the help mode button 31, so that only the functional elements (function button 21 and display frame 22) displayed on the normal display screen 20 are set as elements required as the operation screen, and the help function is completed only by the help mode button 31. In such a normal display mode, the screen can be simplified. In addition, by using a given operation command in the change of the display mode, the display of the help mode button 31 can also be omitted.

[0082] On the other hand, by operating the help mode button 31 to set the help display mode, the help icons 33 are associated with the functional elements and displayed on the normal display screen 20. When the user selects any of the help icons 33, a general description column (note area 34) is displayed on a part of the normal display screen 20. The help icons 33 are associated with the functional elements and displayed, and the functional elements to be targeted are uniquely determined at the time when the help icon 33 is selected, and the general description (help note) of the functional elements associated with the selected help icon 33 can be immediately displayed without tracking the directory or the like.

[0083] Furthermore, by selecting the detailed display button 35 displayed together with the general description column (note area 34), the detailed description column (online manual 36 in another window) can be displayed, and the detailed description of the previously selected functional element (the corresponding description page of the online manual) can be displayed. By setting up such two stages of the general description column and the detailed description column, it is possible to provide an efficient help function based on simple descriptions in the general description column, and provide a sufficient amount of information as a help function through detailed descriptions in the detailed description column.

[0084] In this embodiment, the comment area 34 disposed at the bottom of the normal display screen 20 is used as the general description column. Therefore, the help comment can be displayed without interfering with other displays on the normal display screen 20. In addition, the processing can be simplified compared to display in another window.

[0085] In this embodiment, a detailed display button 35 is displayed on a part of the overview display column (comment area 34). Therefore, if the help comments etc. displayed in the overview display column are insufficient, the detailed description column (online manual 36) can be displayed by immediately pressing the detailed display button 35 from the overview display column.

[0086] In this embodiment, the detailed description column is set to display the description of the functional element associated with the help icon 33 selected by the user in the online manual file 16 of the measurement control device 1. Therefore, a sufficient amount of information can be provided as a help function. In addition, since the description of the operation manual is displayed, it is not necessary to follow the catalog, and the operation can be performed easily and efficiently.

[0087] In this embodiment, a manual display button 32 for displaying the contents page of the online manual file 16 is arranged in a part of the normal display screen 20. Therefore, when it is desired to refer to the operating manual of the online measurement control device 1 individually or systematically, the contents page can be opened immediately.

[0088] In this embodiment, the display screen 20 generally includes Figure 3 The basic screen shown, and the expanded screen ( Figure 7 The help mode button 31 is arranged at least on the basic screen, and in the help display mode, the help icon 33 is displayed on the functional elements on the basic screen (normal display screen 20) and the functional elements on the expanded screen (environment setting dialog box 24). Therefore, when the help display mode is selected on the basic screen, the help display mode is maintained even in the expanded screen opened from the basic screen in another window, and the help icon 33 can be displayed for each functional element.

[0089] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0090] In the embodiment, the general description column is set to be configured in the annotation area 34 at the bottom of the normal display screen 20, but the general description column can also be configured in other positions, or is not limited to a fixed position, for example, it can also be a floating display such as a balloon display popping out from the original help icon 33.

[0091] The detailed display button 35 is not limited to being arranged in a part of the general description column, but may also be arranged in the menu bar 202 of the normal display screen 20 (see Figure 3 ). For example, the manual display button 32 of the normal display screen 20 may be set to display the catalog page of the online manual in the normal display mode, and to obtain and immediately display the page corresponding to the functional element displaying the current help annotation from the online manual in the help display mode.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the online manual 36 in another window is used as the detailed description column and is displayed by overlapping the normal display screen 20, but the online manual 36 may be displayed in a partition that is a part of the normal display screen 20. However, another window is preferred in that the detailed description can be displayed in a sufficient display area.

[0093] In the embodiment, an example of a normal display screen 20 and a help display screen 30 is shown, but the displayed functional elements (function buttons 21 and display frame 22) may also be screens in other states, and the form and content may be appropriately changed according to the measurement control device 1 or the measuring machine 2 of the control object.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the measuring machine 2 to be controlled by the measurement control device 1 is a laser scanning micrometer, but it may be a three-dimensional measuring machine, a surface shape measuring instrument, or other measuring device to be controlled, an optical measuring device, etc.

Claims

1. A measurement control device, which controls the measurement action of the measurement device through a screen interface, and the measurement control device has: Usually display a picture, constituting the picture interface; One or more functional elements are arranged on the normal display screen; A help mode button is arranged at a part of the normal display screen, and switches between a normal display mode and a help display mode; a help icon, which is displayed on the normal display screen in association with the functional element in the help display mode; a general description column and a detailed display button, which are displayed in a portion of the normal display screen when the help icon is selected; as well as The detailed description column is displayed when the detailed display button is selected.

2. The measurement control device according to claim 1, wherein: The outline description column is a comment area arranged at the bottom of the normal display screen.

3. The measurement control device according to claim 1, wherein: The detailed display button is displayed in a part of the outline description column.

4. The measurement control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The detailed explanation column displays explanations related to the functional element associated with the selected help icon in the online manual of the measurement control device.

5. The measurement control device according to claim 4, wherein: A manual display button for displaying a table of contents page of the online manual is arranged on a part of the normal display screen.

6. The measurement control device according to claim 1, wherein: The normal display screen includes a basic screen and an expanded screen that is displayed by shifting from or overlapping the basic screen. The help mode button is at least arranged on the basic screen, In the help display mode, the help icon is displayed on each of the functional element on the basic screen and the functional element on the expanded screen.

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