Work system and work method

Abstract

A work system (1) has a work machine (M1) connected to a network, work machines (M2, M3) connected to the network, a hand-held terminal (2) connected to the work machine (M1) through a connection line (L1) and used for operating the work machines (M1-M3), the hand-held terminal (2) transmits first operation information for operating the work machine (M1) or second operation information for operating the work machines (M2, M3) to the work machine (M1), the work machine (M1) performs processing corresponding to the first operation information if the first operation information is received from the hand-held terminal (2), relays the second operation information to the work machines (M2, M3) via the network if the second operation information is received from the hand-held terminal (2), and the work machines (M2, M3) perform processing corresponding to the second operation information if the second operation information is received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a working system, working method, and processing procedure for operating machinery via an operating terminal. Background Technology

[0002] Handheld terminals, for example, are devices that communicate with machine tools connected via a communication line and enable manual operation of the machine. They have operating units such as switches for operating the machine, allowing operation of the machine from a location away from the machine's control panel.

[0003] When operating machinery using handheld terminals, users typically connect the handheld terminal directly to the machinery being operated, for example, observing the processing status of the workpiece while performing the operation. In this case, if there are multiple machines, multiple handheld terminals are needed, each corresponding to one of the machines.

[0004] The handheld terminal described in Patent Document 1 connects to a transfer station connected to the target device when attempting to operate various instruments on workshop equipment. The handheld terminal in Patent Document 1 identifies the identification mark of the connected transfer station and automatically generates an operation screen corresponding to the device connected to the identified transfer station, thereby enabling operation of multiple devices through a single handheld terminal.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-011690 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, the technology in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 has the following problem: when switching the device to be operated, a reconnection is required between the device via the transmission station and the handheld terminal.

[0007] The present invention was proposed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a working system that can operate multiple machines through one operating terminal without changing the connection between the working machine and the operating terminal.

[0008] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objectives, the working system of the present invention comprises: a first working machine connected to a network; a second working machine connected to a network; and an operating terminal connected to the first working machine via a connecting cable, and used to operate both the first and second working machines. The operating terminal sends first operation information for operating the first working machine, or second operation information for operating the second working machine, to the first working machine. Upon receiving the first operation information from the operating terminal, the first working machine performs processing corresponding to the first operation information; upon receiving the second operation information from the operating terminal, the first working machine relays the second operation information via the network to the second working machine. If the second working machine receives the second operation information, it performs processing corresponding to the second operation information.

[0009] The effects of the invention

[0010] The working system involved in this invention has the following effect: without changing the connection between the working machine and the operating terminal, multiple working machines can be operated through one operating terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the working system involved in the implementation method.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the external structure of a handheld terminal in the working system described in the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence of the work system when a handheld terminal sends operation information to the working machinery in the work system described in the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence of the working system when other working machines in the working system involved in the implementation method send display information corresponding to the operation information to the handheld terminal.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the machine tool involved in implementing the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The working system, working method, and processing procedure involved in the embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Implementation method.

[0018] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the working system involved in the implementation method. The working system 1 includes a handheld terminal 2, working machines M1 to M3, and a HUB (hub) 3.

[0019] The handheld terminal 2 is an operating terminal used to operate the working machines M1 to M3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the working system 1 has three working machines M1 to M3 is described, but the working system 1 only needs to have multiple (two or more) working machines. Therefore, the working system 1 can have two working machines or four or more.

[0020] One of the work machines M1 to M3 in the working system 1 is a representative work machine that directly communicates with the handheld terminal 2. In this embodiment, the case where work machine M1 is the representative work machine will be described. Furthermore, in the following description, the representative work machine, i.e., work machine M1, will sometimes be referred to as representative work machine M1. In addition, in the following description, work machines other than work machine M1, i.e., work machines M2 and M3, will sometimes be referred to as other work machines M2 and M3.

[0021] Machine M1 is designated as the first working machine, while other working machines M2 and M3 are designated as the second working machines. In a working system 1 with two working machines, each of the other working machines is either working machine M2 or working machine M3. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between working machines M1 to M3, they are sometimes referred to as working machines Mx.

[0022] Machine tools M1 to M3 are connected to HUB 3 and can communicate with each other. Handheld terminal 2 is connected to representative machine tool M1 and can communicate with it. In this embodiment, handheld terminal 2 enables representative machine tool M1 to relay information, thereby enabling communication with other machine tools M2 and M3. Handheld terminal 2 executes user-instructed actions for machine tools M1 to M3 according to user instructions. Additionally, handheld terminal 2 retrieves information from machine tools M1 to M3 according to user instructions.

[0023] Machine tools M1 to M3 are connected via a network to send and receive information between machine tools Mx. Furthermore, machine tools Mx can communicate using either their own dedicated communication standard or a general communication standard.

[0024] Furthermore, in working system 1, communication can also be performed between machine M1 and other machines M2 and M3 via a network connection through HUB 3, or communication can be performed between machine M1 and other machines M2 and M3 via a direct network connection. Figure 1In this system, by replacing HUB 3 with a connecting cable, a network can be created that directly connects machine M1 to other machines M2 and M3.

[0025] Machine tools M1 to M3 connect control devices, sensors, and drive devices to perform information transmission and reception using industrial networks (field networks) for equipment control and status monitoring. Examples of such industrial networks include CC (Control and Communication) Link, Profibus (Process Field Bus), Ethernet / IP, and FL-net. Machine tools M1 to M3 perform data communication corresponding to the communication methods used in the industrial network.

[0026] Machines M1 through M3 each maintain their own individual identification information (ID, Identification) for identification purposes. Machine M1 maintains an ID table that associates the IDs of machines M1 through M3 with their communication addresses. Machine M1 uses this ID table to relay information between handheld terminal 2 and machines M2 and M3.

[0027] The handheld terminal 2 has an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, and a communication IF (Interface) 23. The representative machine M1 has an HT communication control unit 31A, a storage unit 32A, a communication IF 33, and an ID storage unit 34. Additionally, another machine M2 has an HT communication control unit 31B and a storage unit 32B. Furthermore, another machine M3 has an HT communication control unit 31C and a storage unit 32C.

[0028] Here, the appearance and structure of the handheld terminal 2 will be described. Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an example of the external structure of a handheld terminal in the work system according to the embodiment. The handheld terminal 2 includes an operation unit 21 and a display unit 22. The operation unit 21 includes operation switches, operation buttons, operation dials, etc., and receives instructions corresponding to operations performed by the user. The user-performed operations are for operating the machine tool Mx. That is, the operation unit 21 receives instructions from the user to cause the machine tool Mx to perform specific processes.

[0029] An example of display unit 22 is a liquid crystal monitor that displays various information. Display unit 22 displays, for example, the name (machine name) of the machine Mx that is set as the operation object, the candidates for operation content to the machine Mx, operation information indicating the operation content received from the user, and information about the machine Mx received from the machine Mx by communication IF 23.

[0030] Communication IF 23 receives information from machine tool Mx, such as information managed by machine tool Mx, or information provided by machine tool Mx to handheld terminal 2 for display by handheld terminal 2 (display information).

[0031] If the operation unit 21 receives information from the user specifying a machine Mx to be operated, it displays information about the specified machine Mx (machine name, etc.) on the display unit 22. Furthermore, if the operation unit 21 receives information from the user specifying operation content, it displays information about the specified operation content on the display unit 22. This information, such as a request to retrieve display information collected from the machine Mx, is related to the operation content specified by the user.

[0032] Before performing an operation on the machine tool Mx, the handheld terminal 2 stores the corresponding information, such as the machine name associated with the machine tool Mx and the ID used to identify the machine tool Mx, in a storage unit (not shown). For example, the handheld terminal 2 obtains information (correspondence information) from the representative machine tool M1, which represents the machine tool Mx, that associates the ID and machine name of the machine tool Mx that is the target of the operation, from the representative machine tool M1. In the correspondence information of this embodiment, the IDs of the machines tools M1, M2, and M3 are associated with the machine names of the machines tools M1, M2, and M3. The ID of the representative machine tool M1 is the first identification information, and the IDs of the other machines tools M2 and M3 are the second identification information.

[0033] Display unit 22 displays information (machine name) of operable machines Mx included in the corresponding information obtained from the representative machine M1. Thus, the user can select the machine Mx they wish to operate.

[0034] If the handheld terminal 2 receives input from the user specifying the machine name of the machine Mx to be operated, it reads the ID corresponding to the machine name of the machine Mx specified by the user from the corresponding information.

[0035] In addition, handheld terminal 2 receives the operation information, i.e., the operation content, from the user's operation of the working machine Mx. Handheld terminal 2 associates the machine name and operation information entered by the user.

[0036] The communication IF 23 of the handheld terminal 2 is connected to the communication IF 33 of the machine representing the work machine M1 via the connecting line L1. The communication IF 23 sends the ID identifying the user-designated work machine Mx and operation information indicating the operation command to be performed on the user-designated work machine Mx to the communication IF 33 of the machine representing the work machine M1 via the connecting line L1. That is, the communication IF 23 attaches the ID corresponding to the user-selected work machine Mx to the operation information and sends it to the communication IF 33. The operation information specified by the user indicates the content of the operation to the work machine Mx. The operation information to the machine representing the work machine M1 is the first operation information, and the operation information to other work machines M2 and M3 is the second operation information. Furthermore, the connecting line L1 can be wired or wireless.

[0037] Furthermore, sometimes the information sent from communication IF 23 to communication IF 33 does not contain an ID. In this case, the representative machine M1 determines that the representative machine M1 (its own machine) connected to the handheld terminal 2 is the machine to be operated.

[0038] In addition, communication IF 23 receives display information collected by machine Mx from communication IF 33, which represents machine M1. The display information received by communication IF 23 from communication IF 33 is displayed by display unit 22.

[0039] The communication IF 33, representing the machine tool M1, receives the ID of the machine tool Mx and the operation information for that machine tool Mx from the communication IF 23 of the handheld terminal 2. The communication IF 33 then sends the received ID and operation information to the HT communication control unit 31A.

[0040] The ID storage unit 34, representing the machine tool M1, is a non-volatile memory. The ID storage unit 34 maintains an ID table that associates the IDs of other machines tools M2 and M3 with the communication addresses of other machines tools M2 and M3.

[0041] The ID table is pre-registered by the user in the ID storage unit 34. In the implementation embodiment, the ID table stores information that associates the ID of other working machines M2 with the communication address of other working machines M2, and information that associates the ID of other working machines M3 with the communication address of other working machines M3.

[0042] The storage unit 32A, representing the machine tool M1, stores display information collected by the machine tool M1 and operation information received by the machine tool M1 from the handheld terminal 2. The display information stored in the storage unit 32A corresponds to the operation information received by the machine tool M1 from the handheld terminal 2. In addition, the storage unit 32A stores ID information (not shown) representing the ID of the machine tool M1 in advance.

[0043] The HT communication control unit 31A determines, based on the ID information stored in the storage unit 32A, whether the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of the representative machine M1 of this device. If the HT communication control unit 31A determines that the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of the representative machine M1, the representative machine M1 performs processing corresponding to the operation information received by the communication IF 33. For example, if the operation information received by the representative machine M1 from the handheld terminal 2 is information for performing processing to collect the operation status of the representative machine M1, the representative machine M1 collects the operation status information (first operation status information) and stores it as display information in the storage unit 32A.

[0044] When the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID representing the working machine M1, the HT communication control unit 31A sends the display information stored in the storage unit 32A to the communication IF 33. Thus, the display information stored in the storage unit 32A is sent from the communication IF 33 to the communication IF 23.

[0045] When the ID received by the communication IF 33 does not correspond to the ID representing the machine M1, that is, when the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of any of the other machines M2 or M3, the HT communication control unit 31A relays the ID and operation information in the corresponding other machine.

[0046] Specifically, the HT communication control unit 31A reads the communication address corresponding to the ID received by the communication IF 33 from the ID table stored in the ID storage unit 34. The HT communication control unit 31A sends the ID and operation information received by the communication IF 33 to the read communication address. The HT communication control unit 31A sends the ID and operation information via the HUB 3.

[0047] As described above, the representative machine M1 communicates with the handheld terminal 2 via the HT communication control unit 31A. Furthermore, the representative machine M1 uses an ID table to relay information between the handheld terminal 2 and other machines M2 and M3. For example, if the ID received by the communication IF 33 is the ID of machine M2, the representative machine M1 will send the ID received by the communication IF 33 along with operation information to machine M2.

[0048] As described above, the HT communication control unit 31A performs communication control with the handheld terminal 2 directly connected to the machine representing the work machine M1. Furthermore, if the ID received from the handheld terminal 2 is not for the machine representing the work machine M1, the HT communication control unit 31A converts the communication data (operation information and ID) sent from the handheld terminal 2 into network communication information and sends it to other work machines M2 and M3.

[0049] Furthermore, when the HT communication control unit 31A receives display information destined for the handheld terminal 2 from other machines M2 and M3 via network communication, it converts the received display information into communication information between the handheld terminal 2 and sends it to the handheld terminal 2. In other words, the HT communication control unit 31A performs communication control between the handheld terminal 2 and the other machines M2 and M3 connected to the network.

[0050] The other machines M2 and M3 have the same structure; therefore, the structure of machine M2 will be described here. The storage unit 32B of machine M2 stores the display information collected by machine M2 and the operation information received by machine M2 from the handheld terminal 2 via machine M1. The display information stored in the storage unit 32B of machine M2 corresponds to the operation information received by machine M2 from the handheld terminal 2 via machine M1. Furthermore, the storage unit 32B pre-stores ID information (not shown) representing the ID of machine M2.

[0051] The HT communication control unit 31B of the machine tool M2 determines, based on the ID information stored in the storage unit 32B, whether the ID received from the HUB 3 corresponds to the ID of the machine tool M2, which is the device itself. If the machine tool M2 determines that the ID received by the HT communication control unit 31B corresponds to the ID of the machine tool M2, it performs processing corresponding to the received operation information. For example, if the operation information received by the machine tool M2 is information for collecting the operating status of the machine tool M2, the machine tool M2 collects the operating status information and displays it.

[0052] If the ID received by machine M1 from handheld terminal 2 is the ID of machine M2, then machine M2 is the second machine, and the operation status information of machine M2 is the second operation status information. Similarly, if the ID received by machine M1 from handheld terminal 2 is the ID of machine M3, then machine M3 is the second machine, and the operation status information of machine M3 is the second operation status information. Furthermore, if the ID received by machine M1 from handheld terminal 2 is the ID of both machine M2 and M3, then both machine M2 and M3 are the second machines, and the operation status information of both machine M2 and M3 is the second operation status information.

[0053] If the received ID matches the ID of machine M2, the HT communication control unit 31B sends the display information stored in the storage unit 32B to the HT communication control unit 31A representing machine M1 via the HUB 3. Thus, the display information stored in the storage unit 32B is sent to the handheld terminal 2 via machine M1. If the received ID does not match the ID of machine M2, the HT communication control unit 31B sends an error message to machine M1.

[0054] Next, the processing sequence of the processes executed by the working system 1 will be explained. First, the processing of the working system 1 when the handheld terminal 2 sends operation information to any of the working machines M1 to M3 will be explained.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence of the work system when a handheld terminal sends operation information to a machine tool in the work system described in the embodiment. In work system 1, the handheld terminal 2 obtains the ID table from the machine tool M1 (step S10).

[0056] The operation unit 21 of the handheld terminal 2 receives information from the user regarding the machine Mx to be operated and the operation information (step S20). The operation unit 21 receives information such as the machine name of the machine Mx as the machine to be operated.

[0057] For example, the user selects the machine Mx to be operated from the machine names of multiple machines Mx displayed on the display unit 22, thereby specifying the machine Mx to be operated. The operation unit 21 receives the specified machine Mx and selects it as the machine Mx to be operated.

[0058] Alternatively, the user can select desired operation information from multiple operation information displayed on the display unit 22, thereby specifying the desired operation information. The operation unit 21 receives the specified operation information.

[0059] Handheld terminal 2 reads the ID corresponding to the machine tool Mx specified by the user from the corresponding information. Communication IF 23 of handheld terminal 2 sends the ID and operation information to the machine tool M1 (step S30).

[0060] The communication IF 33 representing machine M1 receives the ID and operation information (step S40). The HT communication control unit 31A representing machine M1 reads the ID information attached to the information received from the handheld terminal 2 and determines the ID (step S50). That is, the HT communication control unit 31A determines which machine Mx the ID belongs to. The HT communication control unit 31A determines whether the ID represents machine M1 (step S60).

[0061] If the ID represents the ID of the machine tool M1 (step S60, Yes), the HT communication control unit 31A stores the operation information in the storage unit 32A and performs the corresponding processing on behalf of the machine tool M1 (step S70).

[0062] Furthermore, if the operation information sent from the handheld terminal 2 does not contain an ID, the HT communication control unit 31A also stores the operation information in the storage unit 32A. Moreover, the representative machine M1 performs processing corresponding to the operation information. As described above, if the received ID is the representative machine M1's own ID, or if the received information does not contain an ID, it determines that it is operation information for the representative machine M1 and performs processing corresponding to the operation information.

[0063] For example, if the operation information requests the collection of display information, the machine tool M1 collects the display information corresponding to the operation information. The collected display information is stored in the storage unit 32A. If the operation information requests the collection of display information, the HT communication control unit 31A sends the display information to the communication IF 33. The communication IF 33 then sends the display information collected by the machine tool M1 to the handheld terminal 2.

[0064] If the ID is not the ID representing machine M1 (step S60, No), the HT communication control unit 31A relays the operation information to the other machine corresponding to the ID (step S80). Specifically, the HT communication control unit 31A reads the communication address corresponding to the ID from the ID table stored in the ID storage unit 34. Here, the case where the ID received by machine M1 is another machine M2, and the communication address read by the HT communication control unit 31A is the communication address of the other machine M2, will be explained. The HT communication control unit 31A sends operation information to the read communication address. Alternatively, the HT communication control unit 31A may also send operation information and the ID to the read communication address.

[0065] The other machine M2 corresponding to the communication address receives the operation information from the representative machine M1. That is, the other machine M2 corresponding to the ID received by the representative machine M1 receives the operation information (step S90).

[0066] The other working machine M2 that receives the operation information stores the operation information in the storage unit 32B and performs the corresponding processing (step S100).

[0067] After the processing in step S70, or after the processing in step S100, the working system 1 returns to the processing in step S20 and executes step S20 and subsequent processing. Thus, the working system 1 can operate multiple working machines Mx using only one handheld terminal 2 without changing the connection between the working machines Mx. Therefore, the working system 1 eliminates the need to transport the handheld terminal 2 used for changing the connection between the working machines Mx, thus reducing the workload associated with connection changes.

[0068] Furthermore, the operation information may contain multiple IDs. In this case, the operating system 1 performs the processing steps S50 to S100 for each ID contained in the operation information.

[0069] Additionally, the operation information can specify the execution of multiple operations. In this case, the multiple operations contained in the operation information are executed in the work system 1. These multiple operations can be operations to one machine Mx or operations to multiple machine Mxes. When the operation information is an operation to multiple machine Mxes, multiple IDs corresponding to the machine Mx that is the object of the operation are sent from the handheld terminal 2 to the machine representing the machine M1. When the operation information includes operation information to the machine representing the machine M1 (i.e., the first operation information) and operation information to other machines M2 and M3 (i.e., the second operation information), the operation information containing both the first and second operation information is the third operation information.

[0070] The operation information may include, for example, information specifying the circumstances under which machine Mx should be stopped urgently. If the operation information sent by handheld terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop for machine Mx, then machine Mx will be stopped urgently. For example, if the operation information received from handheld terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop for machine M1, then machine M1 will be stopped urgently. Similarly, if the operation information received from handheld terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop for machine M2, then machine M2 will be stopped urgently. Furthermore, machine M1 may also be stopped urgently if the operation information received from handheld terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop for machine M2. Additionally, if the operation information specifies the circumstances under which multiple machines Mx should be stopped urgently, then all machines Mx will be stopped urgently. For example, if the operation information sent by the handheld terminal 2 includes information to stop the working machines M1 and M2 in an emergency, the working machines M1 and M2 will stop in an emergency respectively.

[0071] Operation information can be information about operations being performed simultaneously on multiple machines Mx. In this case, the operations can be common to all machines Mx or different operations. When the operation information pertains to the simultaneous execution of operations on multiple machines Mx, it means that machine M1 performs multiple operations concurrently.

[0072] Alternatively, the operation information can specify situations where multiple machines Mx are linked. In this case, the operation information also includes the IDs of the multiple linked machines Mx. The operation information in this case includes information on the order in which each operation is executed, meaning that machine M1 executes each operation sequentially based on the order information. This makes it easy to operate multiple machines using a single control terminal.

[0073] For example, machine M1 performs a first operation. If it receives an execution completion notification indicating that the operation is complete, it performs a second operation. In this case, the HT communication control unit 31A, representing machine M1, causes a first machine Mx corresponding to the first operation to perform the first operation and receives an execution completion notification from the first machine Mx. Then, the HT communication control unit 31A causes a second machine Mx corresponding to the second operation to perform the second operation and receives an execution completion notification from the second machine Mx.

[0074] As described above, the HT communication control unit 31A repeatedly performs the process of causing the Nth (N is a natural number) machine Mx to perform the Nth operation, and after completion, causing the (N+1)th machine Mx to perform the (N+1)th operation. For example, if the operation information specifies that multiple machines Mx should be stopped in sequence, then the multiple machines Mx should be stopped in sequence. Furthermore, the Nth machine Mx and the (N+1)th machine Mx can also represent machine M1.

[0075] Furthermore, the HT communication control unit 31A can also send an emergency stop command to all machines Mx when it receives an emergency stop operation message for one machine Mx, and cause the representative machine M1 to stop urgently. For example, when the HT communication control unit 31A receives an emergency stop operation message for the representative machine M1, it sends an emergency stop command to all other machines M2 and M3, and causes the representative machine M1 to stop urgently.

[0076] The handheld terminal 2 can pre-store an operation information set, which associates operation information used to perform multiple operations with the ID of the machine Mx that performs the operations contained in that operation information. In this case, if the handheld terminal 2 specifies the operation information set by the user, it sends the specified operation information set to the machine M1 representing the machine. The operation information set contains multiple operation information, multiple IDs, and information on the order of each operation.

[0077] In addition, the handheld terminal 2 can also receive information from the user that includes the same set of operation information. That is, the handheld terminal 2 can receive a set of operation information from the user that includes operation information for performing multiple operations, the ID of the machine Mx that performs the operations included in the operation information, and the order of the operations.

[0078] Next, in the working system 1, the processing of other working machines M2 and M3 sending display information corresponding to the operation information to the handheld terminal 2 will be explained. Here, the processing of other working machines M2 sending display information corresponding to the operation information to the handheld terminal 2 will be explained.

[0079] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence of the working system in the implementation method when other working machines send display information corresponding to the operation information to the handheld terminal.

[0080] If another machine M2 in the working system 1 receives an operation message requesting display information, it collects the display information. Furthermore, the HT communication control unit 31B of the other machine M2 sends the ID of the other machine M2 and the collected display information to the representative machine M1 (step S110).

[0081] The HT communication control unit 31A, representing the working machine M1, receives ID and display information from the other working machine M2 (step S120). The working machine M1 relays the ID and display information received by the HT communication control unit 31A to the handheld terminal 2 (step S130).

[0082] The communication IF 23 of the handheld terminal 2 receives the ID and display information from the representative machine M1 (step S140). The handheld terminal 2 reads the machine name of the machine M2 corresponding to the received ID from the pre-stored correspondence information that associates the machine name and ID of the machine Mx. The display unit 22 of the handheld terminal 2 displays the machine name and display information corresponding to the ID (step S150). In addition, the machine Mx can also be sent to the handheld terminal 2 as information that is not the object of display, corresponding to operation information.

[0083] Here, the hardware structure of the handheld terminal 2 and the working machines M1 to M3 will be described. Furthermore, since the handheld terminal 2 and the working machines M1 to M3 have the same hardware structure, the hardware structure of the working machine M1 will be described here.

[0084] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware structure of the machine tool involved in the implementation of the embodiment. The machine tool M1 can be implemented using an input device 300, a processor 100, a memory 200, and an output device 400. Examples of the processor 100 are CPUs (also known as Central Processing Units, processing units, arithmetic units, microprocessors, microcomputers, DSPs (Digital Signal Processors)) or system LSIs (Large Scale Integration). Examples of the memory 200 are RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0085] Machine tool M1 is implemented by the processor 100 reading and executing a computer-executable program stored in the memory 200 for performing the actions of machine tool M1. The program for performing the actions of machine tool M1 can be described as the sequence or method by which the computer executes machine tool M1.

[0086] The processing programs executed by machine M1 are modular structures including the HT communication control unit 31, and are downloaded to and generated on the main storage device. The processing programs executed by machine M1 include a communication control program for controlling communication with the handheld terminal 2, and an operation execution program for performing processing corresponding to operation information. Machine M1 executes processing to receive operation information from the handheld terminal 2 for operating machine M1 or for operating machine M2 and M3. Furthermore, when machine M1 receives operation information for operating machine M1, the processing program executes processing corresponding to that operation information; when it receives operation information for operating machine M2 and M3, the processing program performs relay processing of that operation information in the machine corresponding to the ID. Additionally, machine M1 executes processing to receive display information from machine M2 and M3 and to forward the received display information to the handheld terminal 2.

[0087] The input device 300 receives IDs and operation information sent from the handheld terminal 2, and IDs and display information sent from other working machines M2 and M3, and sends them to the processor 100. The memory 200 stores display information, operation information, ID tables, processing programs, etc.

[0088] The processor 100 reads the processing program from the memory 200. Additionally, the memory 200 is used as temporary storage when the processor 100 performs various processes. The output device 400 outputs IDs and display information sent to the handheld terminal 2, IDs and operation information sent to other working machines M2 and M3, etc.

[0089] The processing program can be provided as a computer program product, stored on a computer-readable storage medium in an installable or executable file format. Alternatively, the processing program can also be provided to the machine tool M1 via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, the functions of the machine tool M1 can be implemented partly through dedicated hardware such as dedicated circuits, and partly through software or firmware.

[0090] As described above, the operating system 1 of this embodiment includes a representative machine M1 connected to a network and other machines M2 and M3, as well as a handheld terminal 2 connected to the representative machine M1 via a connection cable L1 for manually operating the machines Mx. Furthermore, when the representative machine M1 receives operation information from the handheld terminal 2, it performs processing corresponding to the operation information. Additionally, when the representative machine M1 receives operation information for other machines M2 and M3, it relays the operation information to the other machines M2 and M3 via the network. If the other machines M2 and M3 receive the operation information, they perform processing corresponding to the operation information. Therefore, the operating system 1 does not require changing the connection between the machines Mx and the handheld terminal 2, and multiple machines Mx can be operated using only one handheld terminal 2.

[0091] The structure shown in the above embodiments is an example, and it can also be combined with other known technologies, and the embodiments can be combined with each other. Without departing from the spirit of the subject, some parts of the structure can be omitted or changed.

[0092] Explanation of the label

[0093] 1 Working system, 2 Handheld terminal, 3 HUB, 21 Operation unit, 22 Display unit, 23, 33 Communication IF, 31A~31C HT Communication Control Unit, 32A~32C Storage Unit, 34 ID Storage Unit, 100 Processor, 200 Memory, 300 Input Device, 400 Output Device, L1 Connection Line, M1~M3, Mx Working Machines.

Claims

1. A work system, characterized by, have: The first working machine is connected to the network; A second working machine, which is connected to the network; and An operating terminal, which is connected to the first working machine via a connecting cable, is used to operate both the first and second working machines. The operating terminal sends first operation information for operating the first working machine and second operation information for operating the second working machine to the first working machine. When the first working machine receives the first operation information from the operating terminal, it performs processing corresponding to the first operation information. When it receives the second operation information from the operating terminal, it relays the second operation information on the second working machine via the network. If the second working machine receives the second operation information, it performs the processing corresponding to the second operation information. The device has multiple second working machines, and the second operation information includes a process for causing the multiple second working machines to perform operations, wherein the first working machine causes the multiple second working machines to perform the operations simultaneously.

2. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the operating terminal sends the first operation information to the first working machine, it appends the first identification information for identifying the first working machine to the first operation information before sending it to the first working machine. Similarly, when the operating terminal sends the second operation information to the second working machine, it appends the second identification information for identifying the second working machine to the second operation information before sending it to the first working machine. If the first working machine receives the first identification information, it determines that it has received the first operation information from the operation terminal and performs the processing corresponding to the first operation information. If it receives the second identification information, it relays the second operation information on the second working machine based on the second identification information.

3. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operating terminal stores operation information, i.e., an operation information set, for performing the multiple operations. If the user selects from the operation information set, the operation information set is sent to the first working machine. The first working machine performs the plurality of operations corresponding to the set of operation information.

4. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operating terminal sends third operating information, including the first operating information and the second operating information, to the first working machine.

5. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the first working machine receives first operation information from the operation terminal that includes information for emergency stop of the first working machine, the first working machine shall be stopped.

6. The working system according to claim 5, characterized in that, If the first operating machine receives first operating information from the operating terminal that includes information to cause the second operating machine to stop urgently, the first operating machine shall cause the second operating machine to stop urgently.

7. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the second working machine receives second operation information from the first working machine that includes information for emergency stop of the second working machine, the second working machine shall cause the second working machine to stop urgently.

8. The working system according to claim 7, characterized in that, If the second operation information received from the operation terminal contains information to cause the second working machine to stop urgently, the first working machine shall cause the first working machine to stop urgently.

9. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the case where the first operational information is information used to collect the operational status of the first working machine, If the first working machine receives the first operation information from the operating terminal, then the information on the operating status of the first working machine, i.e., the first operating status information, is collected and sent to the operating terminal. The operating terminal displays the status information of the first action.

10. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the case where the second operational information is information used to collect the operational status of the second working machine, If the second working machine receives the second operation information from the first working machine, it collects the second working machine's operation status information, i.e., the second operation status information, and sends it to the first working machine. The first working machine sends the second action status information to the operating terminal. The operating terminal displays the status information of the second action.

11. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the network, the first working machine and the second working machine are connected via a hub.

12. The working system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the network, the first working machine and the second working machine are directly connected.

13. A working method, characterized in that, Include: In the sending step, the operating terminal of the working system, which has a first working machine connected to the network, a second working machine connected to the network, and an operating terminal connected to the first working machine via a connecting line and used to operate the first working machine and the second working machine, sends first operation information for operating the first working machine and second operation information for operating the second working machine to the first working machine. The relay step involves performing processing corresponding to the first operation information on the first working machine when the first working machine receives the first operation information from the operating terminal, and relaying the second operation information on the second working machine via the network when the second operation information is received from the operating terminal. as well as In the processing execution steps, if the second working machine receives the second operation information, it performs the processing corresponding to the second operation information. The device has multiple second working machines, and the second operation information includes a process for causing the multiple second working machines to perform operations, wherein the first working machine causes the multiple second working machines to perform the operations simultaneously.

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