Display control device and display control method

Abstract

The display control device (18), which controls a display device (14) that displays the content of one of several contents in each of several display areas (22), has a content display unit (30) which, with respect to the combination of contents to be displayed simultaneously in each of two or more display areas (22) from a plurality of display areas (22), selects a combination from a registration unit (28) which registers one or a plurality of combinations in registration information stored in a memory unit (26) and combinations registered in registration information, and displays the contents in each display area (22) according to the selected combination.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device and a display control method. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] JP 2001-145947 A discloses a display device in which a display screen of a display device of an injection molding machine is divided into two sections, thereby providing two screen areas. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the display device disclosed in JP 2014-116447 A, when the display screen is switchable, the user is required to perform a switching operation to switch each of the displays of the two screen areas individually. Therefore, there is a problem that switching the displays of the display screen imposes a large workload on the user.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is characterized by a display control device configured to control a display device configured to display, in each of a plurality of display areas, one of a plurality of contents containing information related to shaping, the display control device comprising a registration unit configured to register, in registration information stored in a storage unit, one or a plurality of combinations of the contents caused to be displayed simultaneously in each of two or more of the display areas among a plurality of display areas, and a content display unit configured toto select one of the combinations from those registered in the registration information and to display the contents in accordance with the selected combination on each of the display areas.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized by a display control method for controlling a display device configured to display, in each of a plurality of display areas, one of a plurality of contents containing information related to shaping, the display control method comprising a registration step of registering one or a plurality of combinations of the contents to be displayed in each of two or more display areas among a plurality of display areas, and a content display step of selecting one of the combinations from the combinations registered in the registration information and displaying the contents on each of the display areas according to the selected combination.

[0007] According to the present invention, in case the display on the display screen is switched, it is possible to reduce the burden exerted on the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an injection molding machine; Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display device; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a combination selection window; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display device; Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a combination associated with a first selection button; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a combination associated with a second selection button; Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a combination associated with a third selection button; Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a combination registration window and a content selection window; Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a combination registration window; Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a display control process executed in a display control device; Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a combination registration window and a content selection window; Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a combination registration window and a content selection window; and Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram showing a combination selection window. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] [Configuration of an Injection Molding Machine]

[0008] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an injection molding machine 10. The injection molding machine 10 includes an input device 12, a display device 14, a storage device 16, and a display control device 18.

[0009] The input device 12 is a touch panel of a touch panel display. The display device 14 is a liquid crystal display of the touch panel display. Instead of the touch panel, the input device 12 can be, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like. Instead of the liquid crystal display, the display device 14 can be, for example, an organic electroluminescent display or the like.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 20 of the display device 14. The display screen 20 is divided into four display areas 22. The four display areas 22 are a first display area 22a, a second display area 22b, a third display area 22c, and a fourth display area 22d.

[0011] Each of the four display areas 22 displays content with information related to molding. The content includes, for example, information related to automated mold thickness, information related to automated purging, information related to process monitoring, information related to production management, information related to injection measurement, information related to a mold ejection process, and the like.

[0012] In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, content A is displayed in the first display area 22a. Content B is displayed in the second display area 22b. Content C is displayed in the third display area 22c. Content D is displayed in the fourth display area 22d.

[0013] The contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22 are prepared in a variety of ways. The contents displayed in each of the display areas 22 can be switched to other contents.

[0014] The storage device 16 is a hard disk, a solid-state drive, or the like. A molding state file or the like containing information about the molding state set in the injection molding machine 10 is stored in the storage device 16.

[0015] The display control device 18 controls the display device 14 and thereby causes the contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22. The display control device 18 includes a computing unit 24 and a storage unit 26.

[0016] The computing unit 24 is a processor such as a CPU (central processing unit), a GPU (graphics processing unit), or the like. The computing unit 24 includes a registration unit 28 and a content display unit 30. The registration unit 28 and the content display unit 30 are implemented by a program stored in the storage unit 26 and executed by the computing unit 24. At least a part of the registration unit 28 and the content display unit 30 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or the like. At least a part of the registration unit 28 and the content display unit 30 may be implemented by an electronic circuit using a discrete component.

[0017] The storage unit 26 consists of a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown), which are computer-readable storage media. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or the like. Data and the like are stored, for example, in the volatile memory. Programs, tables, maps, and the like are stored, for example, in the non-volatile memory. At least a part of the storage unit 26 can be provided in the aforementioned processor, integrated circuit, or the like. At least a part of the storage unit 26 can be installed in a device connected to the display control device 18 via a network.

[0018] The display control device 18 is capable of outputting information to a storage medium 19 located outside the display control device 18 (output). The display control device 18 is capable of inputting information from the storage medium 19 located outside the display control device 18 (input).

[0019] The registration unit 28 registers in the registration information a combination of content that is simultaneously displayed in each of the display areas 22. The registration unit 28 registers one or more combinations in the registration information. The registration information is stored in the storage unit 26.

[0020] The content display unit 30 selects a combination from the combinations of contents registered in the registration information. The content display unit 30 displays the contents in each of the display areas 22 in accordance with the selected combination of contents.

[0021] The processes performed by the registration unit 28 and the content display unit 30 will be described in detail later. [Method for switching between contents]

[0022] A description will be given of the method for switching between the contents displayed in each of the display areas 22. In the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the user can simultaneously switch between the contents displayed in two or more of the display areas 22 by performing a single content switching operation.

[0023] As in Fig. 2, a switch / registration button 32 is displayed on the display screen 20. If the user has pressed the switch / registration button 32, a combination selection window 34 is displayed on the display screen 20 (see Fig. 3).

[0024] If the touch panel display is used as the input device 12 and the display device 14, operating the switch / registration button 32 indicates an action of tapping a position on the display screen 20 where the switch / registration button 32 is displayed. If a pointing device such as a mouse or the like is used as the input device 12, operating the switch / registration button 32 refers to moving a mouse cursor to the switch / registration button 32 and clicking it. Hereinafter, the same operations are meant when the word "operate" is used with reference to another button or the like displayed on the display screen 20.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the combination selection window 34. The combination selection window 34 displays a cancel button 36, a registration button 38, and combination selection buttons 40. If the user clicks the cancel button 36, the combination selection window 34 is closed. A detailed description of the registration button 38 will be given later.

[0026] According to the present embodiment, three of the combination selection buttons 40 are displayed in the combination selection window 34. The three combination selection buttons 40 are a first selection button 40a, a second selection button 40b, and a third selection button 40c.

[0027] For example, when the user has pressed the first selection button 40a, the contents displayed in each of the first display areas 22a and second display areas 22b are exchanged.

[0028] Fig. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen 20 of the display device 14. If the user has pressed the first selection button 40a, the display on the display screen 20 changes from Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. As in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the content displayed in the first display area 22a is switched from content A to content E. Furthermore, the content displayed in the second display area 22b is switched from content B to content F.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a combination name is displayed on each of the combination selection buttons 40. The combination names are names associated with each of the combinations of the contents registered in the registration information by the registration unit 28.

[0030] According to the present embodiment, three of the content combinations, namely, a combination A, a combination B, and a combination C, are registered in the registration information. The combination name "Setup Screen" is associated with combination A. The combination name "Mass Production Screen" is associated with combination B. The combination name "Condition Setting Screen" is associated with combination C. The combination names can be given arbitrary names by the user. A combination whose content corresponds to the combination name is associated with each of the combination selection buttons 40.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing combination A (the "setup screen") associated with the first selection button 40a. As combination A, a combination of the contents E to be displayed in the first display area 22a and the contents F to be displayed in the second display area 22b is registered in the registration information.

[0032] As previously noted, in the event that the first selection button 40a is pressed, the display of the first display area 22a is switched to the content E. Furthermore, the display of the second display area 22b is switched to the content F.

[0033] In combination A, the contents to be displayed in the third display area 22c and, in addition, the contents to be displayed in the fourth display area 22d are not registered. In this case, the third display area 22c displays, as shown in Fig. 4, the same content C as that shown in the third display area 22c of Fig. 2. Furthermore, the fourth display area 22d displays the same content D as that displayed in the fourth display area 22d of Fig. 2 displayed content.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing combination B (the "mass production screen") associated with the second selection button 40b. As combination B, a combination of content G to be displayed in the first display area 22a, content H to be displayed in the second display area 22b, and content I to be displayed in the third display area 22c is registered in the registration information.

[0035] If the second selection button 40b is pressed, the display of the first display area 22a is switched to content G. Furthermore, the display of the second display area 22b is switched to content H. Furthermore, the display of the third display area 22c is switched to content I. If the second selection button 40b is pressed, the display of the fourth display area 22d is not switched.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing combination C (the "condition setting screen") associated with the third selection button 40c. As combination C, a combination of content J to be displayed in the first display area 22a, content K to be displayed in the second display area 22b, content L to be displayed in the third display area 22c, and content M to be displayed in the fourth display area 22d is registered in the registration information.

[0037] If the third selection button 40c is pressed, the display of the first display area 22a is switched to the content J. Further, the display of the second display area 22b is switched to the content K. Furthermore, the display of the third display area 22c is switched to the content L. Further, the display of the fourth display area 22d is switched to the content M. [Combined registration procedure]

[0038] A description will be given of a method for registering the combinations. In the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input by the user. The registration unit 28 registers the set combination of contents in the registration information.

[0039] If the user Fig. 3, the combination registration window 42 and the content selection window 44 are displayed on the display screen 20.

[0040] Fig. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the combination registration window 42 and the content selection window 44.

[0041] The display area selection buttons 46, a file output button 48, a file input button 50, a completion button 52, and a delete button 54 are displayed in the combination registration window 42.

[0042] Each of the display area selection buttons 46 is linked to the first display area 22a, the second display area 22b, the third display area 22c, and the fourth display area 22d for each of the content combinations. The user can select the display areas 22 corresponding to the display area selection buttons 46 by pressing the display area selection buttons 46.

[0043] Content selection buttons 49 corresponding to each of the contents that can be displayed in the selected display areas 22 are displayed in the content selection window 44. Content names are displayed on the content selection buttons 49. The content names are assigned accordingly to each of the contents. The user can select the contents corresponding to the content selection buttons 49 by pressing the content selection buttons 49.

[0044] For example, the user presses the display area selection button 46 shown in the Fig. 8, enclosed by a rectangle S of dashed double lines. The user then presses the content selection button 49, which lies in the area enclosed by a rectangle T of dashed double lines. Accordingly, the content N ("the peripheral device") is set in the first display area 22a of the combination A.

[0045] If the user has pressed the file output button 48, the registration unit 28 outputs the registration information to the storage medium 19 located outside the display control device 18 (see Fig. 1).

[0046] If the user has pressed the file input button 50, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input from the storage medium 19.

[0047] If the user has pressed the completion button 52, the registration unit 28 registers the combination of the set contents in the registration information.

[0048] Fig. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the combination registration window 42. If the user selects the Fig. 8, the display of the combination registration window 42 changes from that shown in Fig. 8 to the display shown in Fig. 9 shown display.

[0049] In the combination registration window 42, a combination delete button 56, a content delete button 58 and a completion button 60 are displayed.

[0050] If the user has pressed the combination delete button 56, the registration of each of the combinations registered in the registration information is deleted.

[0051] If the user has pressed the content deletion button 58, each of the contents in the combinations registered in the registration information is deleted from the combination.

[0052] If the user has pressed the completion button 60, the display of the combination registration window 42 returns to the Fig. 8 shown display. [Display control process]

[0053] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a display control process (display control method) executed in the display control device 18. The display control process is repeatedly executed in a predetermined cycle.

[0054] In step S1, the content display unit 30 determines whether the switching / registration button 32 has been pressed or not. If the switching / registration button 32 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S2. If the switching / registration button 32 has not been pressed, the display control process ends.

[0055] In step S2, the content display unit 30 causes the display unit 14 to display the combination selection window 34. After that, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0056] In step S3, the content display unit 30 determines whether the combination selection buttons 40 have been pressed or not. If the combination selection buttons 40 have been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4. If the combination selection buttons 40 have not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0057] In step S4, the content display unit 30 displays the content in each of the display areas 22 based on the combination associated with the pressed combination selection button 40. After that, the display control process ends.

[0058] In step S5, the registration unit 28 determines whether the registration button 38 has been pressed or not. If the registration button 38 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6. If the registration button 38 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0059] In step S6, the registration unit 28 causes the display unit 14 to display the combination registration window 42.

[0060] In step S7, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input by the user. The registration unit 28 registers the set combination in the registration information. After that, the display control process is terminated.

[0061] In step S8, the registration unit 28 determines whether the cancel button 36 has been pressed or not. If the cancel button 36 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S9. If the cancel button 36 has not been pressed, the display control process ends.

[0062] In step S9, the content display unit 30 closes the combination selection window 34. Thereafter, the display control process is terminated.

[0063] If the file input button 50 of the combination registration window 42 shown in Fig. 8 has been operated by the user, the registration unit 28 may perform the following process instead of the process of step S7. Based on the information input from the storage medium 19, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22. Further, the registration unit 28 registers the set combination in the registration information. [Functions and Effects]

[0064] Conventionally, when the user switches the contents displayed in the display areas 22, it is necessary for the user to perform the content switching function individually with respect to each of the display areas 22. Therefore, a problem arises when switching between the contents displayed in each of the plurality of display areas 22 because the burden on the user is large.

[0065] Therefore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 registers in the registration information the combination of contents that are simultaneously displayed in each of two or more display areas 22 among the plurality of display areas 22. One or a plurality of the combinations are registered in the registration information. The content display unit 30 selects one combination from the combinations of contents registered in the registration information. The content display unit 30 displays the contents in each of the display areas 22 in accordance with the selected combination of contents.

[0066] According to this function, the user can simultaneously switch between the contents displayed in two or more display areas 22 by performing a single content switching operation. Therefore, the display control device 18 can reduce the workload for the user when switching between the contents in the plurality of display areas 22.

[0067] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 of the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 causes the display device 14 to display the content names corresponding to each of the contents. Based on the content names selected by the user, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22. The registration unit 28 registers the set combination of contents in the registration information. According to this function, the display control device 18 allows the user to easily grasp the details of the contents based on the content names.

[0068] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, with respect to the combination of the contents registered in the registration information, the registration unit 28 deletes the registration for each of the combinations. According to this feature, when deregistering the combination, the display control device 18 is able to reduce the workload for the user.

[0069] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, with respect to the contents included in the combination registered in the registration information, the registration unit 28 deletes the contents from the combination for each of the contents. According to this feature, the display control device 18 is able to reduce the workload for the user when deleting the contents from the combination.

[0070] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 sets a combination name for each combination of the contents registered in the registration information. According to this feature, the user can easily grasp the details of the combination in the display control device 18 based on the combination name.

[0071] In the display control device 18 of the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input from the storage medium 19 located external to the display control device 18. The registration unit 28 registers the set combination of contents in the registration information. According to this function, the user does not need to input the information when the acquisition unit 28 sets the combination of contents. Consequently, the display control device 18 can reduce the user's workload when setting the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22.

[0072] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 outputs the registration information to the storage medium 19 located external to the display control device 18. According to this feature, it becomes possible to use the registration information output to the external storage medium 19 in another device. As a result, the display control device 18 is able to reduce the user's workload if the user uses the registration information in another device.

[0073] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the content display unit 30 selects the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input by the user. According to this feature, the display control device 18 is capable of displaying the contents of the combination desired by the user in each of the display areas 22.

[0074] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the content display unit 30 selects the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the combination name selected by the user. According to this feature, the display control device 18 allows the user to easily grasp the details of the combination of contents based on the combination name. [Second embodiment]

[0075] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the combination registration window 42 and the content selection window 44.

[0076] In the display control device 18 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the registration unit 28 causes the content selection buttons 49 to be displayed in the content selection window 44. The registration unit 28 causes the content names to be displayed on the content selection buttons 49. In contrast to this function, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 causes the content names to be displayed in a list format in the content selection window 44.

[0077] The user selects the content names displayed in such a list format. According to this function, it becomes easier for the user to find the content name corresponding to the desired content. When the user selects a desired content, the display control device 18 can reduce the workload for the user. [Third Embodiment]

[0078] Fig. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the combination registration window 42 and the content selection window 44.

[0079] In the display control device 18 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the registration unit 28 causes the content selection buttons 49 to be displayed in the content selection window 44. The registration unit 28 causes the content names to be displayed on the content selection buttons 49. In contrast to this function, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the registration unit 28 causes content images to be displayed on the content selection buttons 49. The content images are images that imitate the displayed substance of the content.

[0080] The user is able to identify the displayed content from the content images. Therefore, the user is able to easily find the content selection button 49 corresponding to the desired content. According to this function, the display control device 18 is able to reduce the user's workload when the user selects a desired content. [Fourth Embodiment]

[0081] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the combination selection window 34.

[0082] In the display control device 18 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the content display unit 30 causes the combination names to be displayed on the combination selection buttons 40. In contrast to this function, the content display unit 30 in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13 shows that the combination images are displayed on the combination selection buttons 40. The combination images are images that mimic the contents displayed in each of the display areas 22.

[0083] The user can identify the content included in the combinations from the combination images. Therefore, the user can easily find the combination selection button 40 corresponding to the desired combination of content. According to this function, the display control device 18 can reduce the workload for the user when the user selects the desired combination of content. [Other embodiments]

[0084] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the first embodiment, the content display unit 30 selects the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input by the user. In contrast to this feature, the content display unit 30 may select the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the state of the injection molding machine 10.

[0085] The state of the injection molding machine 10 is, for example, an alarm state or a mass production state. The mass production state indicates a state in which the injection molding machine 10 has completed a trial injection molding and then the injection molding machine 10 is molding a product.

[0086] According to this feature, the display control device 18 is capable of displaying, in each of the display areas 22, the contents corresponding to the state of the injection molding machine 10.

[0087] Furthermore, in the display control device 18 according to the present embodiment, the content display unit 30 adjusts the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information input by the user. In contrast to this feature, the content display unit 30 may adjust the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22 based on the information contained in the molding condition file.

[0088] The molding condition file contains information about the molding condition corresponding to the mold installed in the injection molding machine 10. Furthermore, the molding condition file contains information regarding the combination of contents displayed in each of the display areas 22. The combination of contents corresponding to the molding condition is set in advance and stored in the molding condition file. The molding condition file is stored in the storage device 16 (see Fig. 1).

[0089] The injection molding machine 10 reads the molding condition file stored in the storage device 16. Based on the information in the molding condition file, the injection molding machine 10 sets the molding condition.

[0090] If the molding condition file is read into the injection molding machine 10, the registration unit 28 obtains the information regarding the combination of the contents contained in the read molding condition file. Based on the obtained information regarding the combination of contents, the registration unit 28 sets the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas 22. The registration unit 28 registers the set combination in the registration information.

[0091] According to this feature, the registration unit 28 is capable of registering the combination of contents corresponding to the molding conditions in the registration information. As a result, the display control device 18 is capable of displaying, in each of the display areas 22, the contents corresponding to the molding conditions set in the injection molding machine 10. [Inventions that can be obtained from the embodiment]

[0092] In the following, a description will be given of the inventions that can be obtained from the embodiment described above.

[0093] In the display control device (18) that controls the display device (14) that displays one of the plurality of contents containing information related to shaping in each of the plurality of display areas (22), the display control device includes the registration unit (28) that registers, in the registration information stored in the storage unit (26), one or a plurality of the combinations of the contents that are caused to be displayed simultaneously in each of the two or more display areas among the plurality of display areas, and the content display unit (30) that selects one of the combinations from the combinations registered in the registration information and displays the contents on each of the display areas according to the selected combination.According to these features, the display control device is capable of reducing the workload for the user in the case of switching between the contents in the plurality of display areas.

[0094] In the display control device described above, the registration unit can cause the display device to display the content name corresponding to each of the contents, or alternatively, the content image corresponding to each of the contents, and, based on the content name or alternatively, the content image selected by the user, determine the combination of the contents to be displayed in each of the two or more display areas and register the determined combination in the registration information. According to this function, the display control device allows the user to easily grasp the details of the contents based on the content name or the content image.

[0095] In the display control device described above, the registration unit can delete the registration for each combination registered in the registration information. According to this feature, the display control device is able to reduce the workload for the user when deregistering the combination.

[0096] In the display control device described above, with respect to the contents included in the combination registered in the registration information, the registration unit can delete the contents from the combination for each of the contents. According to this feature, when deleting the contents from the combination, the display control device is able to reduce the workload on the user.

[0097] In the display control device described above, the registration unit can set the combination name with respect to each of the combinations registered in the registration information. According to this feature, the user can easily grasp the details of the combination in the display control device based on the combination name.

[0098] In the display control device described above, the registration unit can set the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the two or more display areas based on the information input from the storage medium (19) external to the display control device, or alternatively based on the information input by the user, and register the set combination in the registration information. When the registration unit sets the combination of contents based on the information input from the storage medium, the display control device is able to reduce the user's workload in setting the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas.If the sensing unit determines the combination of contents based on the information input by the user, the display control device is capable of determining the combination of contents desired by the user.

[0099] In the display control device described above, the registration unit can output the registration information to the storage medium external to the display control device. According to this function, the display control device can reduce the user's workload if the user uses the registration information in another device.

[0100] In the above-described display control device, when the information related to the combination can be included in each of the molding state files containing information about the molding state of the injection molding machine (10), and the molding state files are read into the injection molding machine, the registration unit can determine the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the two or more display areas based on the information related to the combination included in the read-in molding state files, and register the determined combination in the registration information. According to this function, the display control device is capable of displaying, in each of the display areas, the contents corresponding to the molding conditions set in the injection molding machine.

[0101] In the display control device described above, the content display unit can select the combination based on the information input by the user or, alternatively, on the state of the injection molding machine. According to this function, the display control device can cause the content of the combination desired by the user to be displayed in each of the display areas. Furthermore, the display control device can cause the combination of contents to be displayed in each of the display areas according to the state of the injection molding machine.

[0102] In the display control device described above, the content display unit can cause the combination name corresponding to each of the combinations registered in the registration information, or alternatively, the combination image corresponding to each of the combinations registered in the registration information, to be displayed on the display device. The content display unit can select the combination based on the combination name selected by the user or, alternatively, the combination image selected by the user. According to this feature, the user can easily grasp the details of the combination of the contents based on the combination name or, alternatively, the combination image.

[0103] In the display control device described above, the state of the injection molding machine can be the alarm state or, alternatively, the product molding state. According to this feature, the display control device is capable of displaying the content corresponding to the state of the injection molding machine in each of the display areas.

[0104] In the display control method that controls the display device that displays one of the plurality of contents with information related to shaping in each of the plurality of display areas, the display control method includes the registration step of registering one or more of the combinations of the contents to be displayed in each of the two or more display areas from the plurality of display areas, and the content display step of selecting one of the combinations from the combinations registered in the registration information and displaying the contents of each of the display areas according to the selected combination. According to such features, in the case of switching between the contents in the plurality of display areas, it is possible to reduce the workload for the user.

[0105] In the display control method described above, in the registration step, the display device may be caused to display the content name corresponding to each of the contents or, alternatively, the content image corresponding to each of the contents, and, based on the content name or, alternatively, the content image selected by the user, may determine the combination of the contents to be displayed in each of the two or more display areas, and register the determined combination in the registration information. According to this feature, the user can easily grasp the details of the contents based on the content name or the content image.

[0106] In the display control method described above, with respect to the combination registered in the registration information, the registration for each of the combinations can be deleted in the registration step. According to this feature, when the combination registration is deleted, it is possible to reduce the workload for the user.

[0107] In the display control method described above, the contents included in the combination, which are included in the registration information, can be deleted from the combination for each of the contents in the registration step. According to this feature, it is possible to reduce the workload for the user when deleting the contents from the combination.

[0108] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various additional or modified configurations may be adopted therein without departing from the spirit and gist of the present invention. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 injection molding machine 14 Display device 16 Storage device 18 Display control device 19 Storage medium 22 Display area 26 storage unit 28 Registration unit 30 Content display unit QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2001-145947 A

[0002] JP 2014-116447 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] A display control device (18) configured to control a display device (14) configured to display, in each of a plurality of display areas (22), one of a plurality of contents containing information related to shaping, the display control device comprising: a registration unit (28) configured to register, in registration information stored in a storage unit (26), one or more combinations of the contents caused to be displayed simultaneously in each of two or more display areas from a plurality of display areas; and a content display unit (30) configured to select one of the combinations from the combinations registered in the registration information and display the contents on each of the display areas according to the selected combination. [2] The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit: causes the display device to display a content name corresponding to each of the contents, or alternatively, a content image corresponding to each of the contents; and determines the combination of contents to be displayed in each of two or more display areas based on the content name selected by the user or, alternatively, the content image selected by the user, and registers the determined combination in the registration information. [3] The display control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the registration unit deletes the registration for each of the combinations registered in the registration information. [4] The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, with respect to the contents included in the combination registered in the registration information, the registration unit deletes the contents from the combination for each of the contents. [5] The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the registration unit sets a combination name with respect to the combination registered in the registration information. [6] A display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the registration unit determines the combination of contents to be displayed in each of two or more display areas based on information input from a storage medium (19) external to the display control device or alternatively information input by the user, and registers the determined combination in the registration information. [7] The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the registration unit outputs the registration information to the storage medium outside the display control device. [8] A display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Information relating to the combination is contained in each of the molding state files containing information about a molding state of the injection molding machine (10); and in the case where the molding state files are read into the injection molding machine, the registration unit determines, based on information related to the combination included in the read molding state files, the combination of the contents to be displayed in each of two or more of the display areas, and registers the determined combination in the registration information. [9] The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the content display unit selects the combination based on information input by the user or alternatively a state of the injection molding machine. [10] A display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: the content display unit causes a combination name corresponding to each of the combinations registered in the registration information, or alternatively a combination image corresponding to each of the combinations registered in the registration information, to be displayed on the display device; and the content display unit selects the combination based on the combination name selected by the user or alternatively the combination image selected by the user. [11] A display control device according to claim 9, wherein the state of the injection molding machine is an alarm state or alternatively a state of molding a product. [12] A display control method for controlling a display device configured to display, in each of a plurality of display areas, one of a plurality of contents including information related to the shape, the display control method comprising: a registration step of registering one or more combinations of the contents to be displayed in each of two or more display areas among a plurality of display areas in registration information stored in a storage unit; and a content display step of selecting one of the combinations from the combinations registered in the registration information and displaying the contents of each on the display areas according to the selected combination. [13] A display control method according to claim 12, wherein the registration step causes the display device to display a content name corresponding to each of the contents, or alternatively, a content image corresponding to each of the contents; and based on the content name selected by the user or alternatively the content image selected by the user, determines the combination of the contents to be displayed in each of two or more of the display areas, and registers in the registration information the combination that has been determined. [14] The display control method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in the registering step, with respect to the combination registered in the registration information, the registration for each of the combinations is deleted. [15] The display control method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein in the registering step, with respect to the contents included in the combination registered in the registration information, the contents are deleted from the combination for each of the contents.

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