Substrate-related work machine

Abstract

To improve user convenience by efficiently providing information about a substrate-related work machine to an external party.SOLUTION: A substrate-related work machine that performs work on a substrate is provided with a display unit capable of displaying at least information relating to the substrate-related work machine, a memory unit, and a control unit, and when a predetermined condition for saving a screenshot is met, the control unit saves a screenshot of an image displayed on the display unit in the memory unit, and transfers the screenshot saved in the memory unit to an external device together with log data for the substrate-related work machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a substrate-related operation machine that performs an operation on a substrate. [Background technology]

[0002] A substrate-related operation machine, such as a component mounter that mounts components on a circuit board, is equipped with a monitor that displays information about the substrate-related operation machine. A user at the site where the substrate-related operation machine is installed can monitor the monitor to understand the status of the substrate-related operation machine. The user can also take a picture of the monitor screen with a camera and provide the captured image to an external user, allowing the external user to check the content displayed on the monitor.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an operator monitors the monitor screen of an electronic component assembly device at all times, and depending on the displayed content, outputs necessary hard copies using the electronic component assembly device's built-in printer or a printer connected to an external personal computer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-121997 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventionally, taking a picture of the monitor of a substrate-related performing machine with a camera has been a hassle for the user. Furthermore, it may not be possible to bring a camera to the site where the substrate-related performing machine is installed. Furthermore, according to the aforementioned document, a printer is required to recheck the contents of the monitor display, and outputting the data to the printer is also time-consuming. In response to these various constraints, this specification provides a technology for efficiently providing information about the substrate-related performing machine to an external party, thereby improving user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a substrate-related performing machine for performing a task on a substrate. The substrate-related performing machine includes a display unit capable of displaying information about the substrate-related performing machine, a storage unit, and a control unit. When a predetermined condition for saving a screenshot is met, the control unit saves a screenshot of an image displayed on the display unit in the storage unit and transfers the screenshot saved in the storage unit to an external device together with log data of the substrate-related performing machine.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the control unit can store the screenshot in the storage unit when a predetermined condition is met. The control unit also transfers the screenshot stored in the storage unit to an external device together with log data of the substrate-related performing machine. This improves convenience for external users who wish to check the display content of the display unit. In particular, because the screenshot is transferred to an external device together with the log data, external users can efficiently obtain the screenshot and the log data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a board production system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of a substrate-related-operation performing apparatus, a management device, and a terminal. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a screenshot saving process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a transfer process and a storage process of screenshots and log data. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring log data and a process of transferring screenshots and log data. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first image displayed on a display unit of the substrate-related performing apparatus. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second image displayed on the display unit of the substrate-related performing apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a third image displayed on the display unit of the substrate-related performing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0010] In the substrate-related performing apparatus disclosed in this specification, the control unit may determine that the predetermined condition is met when a predetermined hardware key provided on the substrate-related performing apparatus is operated. According to the above configuration, the user can monitor the display unit and operate the hardware key at any timing to save the display content that the user wants to save in the storage unit as a screenshot.

[0011] In the substrate-related performing apparatus disclosed in this specification, the control unit may determine that the predetermined condition is met when a predetermined save instruction is received from the external device. According to the above configuration, the control unit can store a screenshot in the storage unit in response to an instruction from the external device.

[0012] In the substrate-related performing apparatus disclosed in this specification, the control unit may transfer the screenshot and the log data to the external device in response to a predetermined transfer instruction transmitted from the external device. According to the above configuration, the control unit can transfer the screenshot together with the log data to the external device in response to an instruction from the external device.

[0013] In the substrate-related performing operation machine disclosed in this specification, the transfer may be performed by using a management device as the external device, which is capable of managing each of the operating machines constituting a board production line including the substrate-related performing operation machine. According to the above configuration, the control unit can transfer the screenshot and the log data to a management device that manages a board production line including the substrate-related operating machine.

[0014] The category of the technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to substrate-related performing machines, but various other technologies can be understood according to this specification, such as a method for saving or transferring screenshots implemented by a substrate-related performing machine, a system including a substrate-related performing machine, and the like. [Example]

[0015] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the contents shown in the drawings. Also, since each drawing is an example, the shapes shown may not necessarily be accurate, and some parts may be omitted.

[0016] 1 is a schematic diagram of a board production system 1 according to this embodiment. The board production system 1 includes a board production line 2, a management device 30, and one or more terminals 40. The board production system 1 is a system for producing boards on which electronic components are mounted using the board production line 2. The board production line 2 is formed by an array of multiple board-related performing machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, etc., each of which performs an operation on a board.

[0017] The multiple board-related operation machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... include multiple component mounters. A component mounter is a device that mounts supplied electronic components onto a board. Electronic components are also simply referred to as components. The multiple board-related operation machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... may include other board-related operation machines in addition to component mounters, such as a solder printer or a board inspection machine. Each of the board-related operation machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... is equipped with a display unit 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d... that can display at least information related to the machine itself.

[0018] The management device 30 is a computer capable of managing the substrate-related performing machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... that make up the board production line 2. The management device 30 is capable of wired and / or wireless communication with the substrate-related performing machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... and the terminal 40. In this embodiment, there is no particular restriction on the standard or protocol used for communication between the machines. The management device 30 is capable of collecting information from the substrate-related performing machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... and issuing various instructions thereto. The management device 30 also serves as an intermediary between the terminal 40 and the board production line 2. Of the various functions possessed by the management device 30, the functions related to this embodiment will be described in this specification.

[0019] Terminal 40 is a computer that is operated arbitrarily by a user. Terminal 40 may be any type of computer, such as a desktop, laptop, or tablet, and may naturally be a smartphone or other mobile computer. Naturally, board production system 1 may include multiple terminals 40.

[0020] In the following, the substrate-related performing operation machine 10a will be described as a representative of the substrate-related performing operation machines 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, etc. that make up the board production line 2. The description of the substrate-related performing operation machine 10a also applies to the other substrate-related performing operations machines 10b, 10c, 10d, etc.

[0021] 2 is a simplified block diagram showing the configuration of the substrate-related performing machine 10a, the management device 30, and the terminal 40. The substrate-related performing machine 10a includes a display unit 11a, a control unit 12a, a storage unit 13a, an operation unit 14a, a communication IF 15a, and a substrate-related performing unit 16a. IF stands for interface. The communication IF 15a is an IF for communicating with external devices such as the management device 30 via wired or wireless communication. The control unit 12a has a processor such as a CPU and memory, and the processor executes arithmetic processing in accordance with a program 17a stored in the memory, thereby controlling the substrate-related performing machine 10a.

[0022] The memory unit 13a stores various data and programs required by the control unit 12a to control the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a. In this embodiment, the memory unit 13a also stores log data and screenshots. The memory unit 13a is configured with a storage medium. At least a part of the memory of the control unit 12a may be considered to be the memory unit 13a.

[0023] The operation unit 14a is a means for accepting operations by the user, and is, for example, a keyboard, switches, etc. If the display unit 11a also functions as a touch panel, the display unit 11a also corresponds to an example of the operation unit 14a. In this embodiment, a screenshot key 18a, which is an example of a predetermined hardware key, is provided in a predetermined position different from the display unit 11a on the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a (see FIG. 1). The screenshot key 18a also corresponds to an example of the operation unit 14a.

[0024] The substrate-related working unit 16a is a mechanism for realizing the main functions of the substrate-related working machine 10a. If the substrate-related working machine 10a is a component mounter, the substrate-related working unit 16a would include a head that can move while picking up components with a nozzle, a movement mechanism for moving the head, a transport mechanism for transporting the substrate, etc.

[0025] Each of the management device 30 and the terminal 40 naturally has basic computer functions, such as a processor for performing arithmetic processing, a storage medium for storing data, and a communication interface (IF) for communicating with the outside world (33, 43). The management device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication IF 33. The control unit 31 has a processor such as a CPU and a memory, and controls the management device 30 by the processor executing arithmetic processing in accordance with a program 34 stored in the memory or the like. The terminal 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication IF 43, a display unit 44, and an operation unit 45. The control unit 41 has a processor such as a CPU and a memory, and controls the terminal 40 by the processor executing arithmetic processing in accordance with a program 46 stored in the memory or the like.

[0026] In order to distinguish between the components of the substrate-related performing machine 10a, the management device 30, and the terminal 40, identification notations such as first, second, third, etc. may be used. Hereinafter, the control unit 12a of the substrate-related performing machine 10a will be referred to as the first control unit 12a, the control unit 31 of the management device 30 will be referred to as the second control unit 31, and the control unit 41 of the terminal 40 will be referred to as the third control unit 41. Hereinafter, the components other than the first control unit 12a, the second control unit 31, and the third control unit 41 that have the same names and that are included in the substrate-related performing machine 10a, the management device 30, and the terminal 40 may also be referred to as the same components by using the same identification notations as for the control units.

[0027] 3 is a flowchart showing the screenshot saving process executed by the first control unit 12a in accordance with the first program 17a. The first control unit 12a determines whether or not a predetermined condition for saving a screenshot (hereinafter, the saving condition) is met (step S100). If the saving condition is not met, the first control unit 12a repeats the determination of step S100. On the other hand, if the saving condition is met, the first control unit 12a proceeds to step S110 from the determination of "Yes" in step S100.

[0028] In step S110, the first control unit 12a saves a screenshot of the image displayed on the first display unit 11a of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a in the first storage unit 13a. In this embodiment, an image file that captures the image displayed on the first display unit 11a as is is called a screenshot. A screenshot may also be called a captured image, and saving a screenshot may be expressed as capturing. Once the first control unit 12a has completed the flowchart of FIG. 3 via step S110, it can start the flowchart again.

[0029] There are various specific examples of the saving condition for executing step S110. For example, when the screenshot key 18a is operated, the first control unit 12a determines that the saving condition is met in step S100. A user monitoring the first display unit 11a can simply operate the screenshot key 18a at any time when they want to save a screenshot. The screenshot key 18a is provided separately from the first display unit 11a. The first display unit 11a can also function as a touch panel. Therefore, there is a risk that the user may unintentionally change the displayed content when touching the first display unit 11a. However, by operating the screenshot key 18a, the user can save the content they want to save as a screenshot without touching the currently displayed content on the first display unit 11a.

[0030] The first control unit 12a may determine in step S100 that the save condition is met when the state of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a reaches a predetermined state. For example, the first control unit 12a determines that the save condition is met when the startup process of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a is completed. This allows the first control unit 12a to automatically save a screenshot at the time when the startup process of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a is completed.

[0031] Alternatively, the first control unit 12a may determine that the storage condition is met periodically at predetermined intervals, or may determine that the storage condition is met when the current time reaches a predetermined time.

[0032] The first control unit 12a may determine in step S100 that the storage condition is met when a predetermined storage instruction is received from an external device. According to the example of FIG. 1, the external device for the first control unit 12a is the management device 30 or the terminal 40. For example, the second control unit 31 of the management device 30 transmits the storage instruction to the substrate-related performing machine 10a periodically at preset intervals or when the current time reaches a preset time. The storage instruction may be transmitted from the terminal 40 to the management device 30 in response to a user operation or automatically. Then, upon receiving the storage instruction from the terminal 40, the second control unit 31 may transmit the storage instruction to the substrate-related performing machine 10a. When the substrate-related performing machine 10a receives the storage instruction transmitted from the external device, the first control unit 12a determines in step S100 that the storage condition is met.

[0033] 4 shows, in flowchart form, a screenshot and log data transfer process executed by the first control unit 12a according to the first program 17a, and a screenshot and log data storage process executed by the second control unit 31 according to the second program 34. The first control unit 12a can repeatedly execute the transfer process of FIG. 4 as a process separate from the screenshot storage process shown in FIG. 3. The second control unit 31 can repeatedly execute the storage process of FIG. 4.

[0034] The first control unit 12a determines whether or not a predetermined condition for transferring the screenshot and log data to an external device (hereinafter, the transfer condition) is met (step S120). If the transfer condition is not met, the first control unit 12a repeats the determination of step S120. On the other hand, if the transfer condition is met, the first control unit 12a proceeds to step S130 from the determination of "Yes" in step S120.

[0035] There are various specific examples of transfer conditions. For example, the first control unit 12a may periodically determine that the transfer conditions are met at preset intervals, or may determine that the transfer conditions are met when the current time reaches a preset time. Alternatively, the first control unit 12a may determine that the transfer conditions are met when a predetermined transfer instruction transmitted from an external device is received. FIG. 4 shows, as an example, that the second control unit 31 of the management device 30 transmits a transfer instruction to the substrate-related performing machine 10a (step S200). When the first control unit 12a receives such a transfer instruction from the management device 30, it can determine "Yes" in step S120.

[0036] The second control unit 31 may execute step S200 at various times. For example, the second control unit 31 may periodically transmit the transfer instruction to the substrate-related performing machine 10a at preset intervals, or may transmit the transfer instruction to the substrate-related performing machine 10a when the current time reaches a preset time. Furthermore, the second control unit 31 may transmit the transfer instruction to the substrate-related performing machine 10a in accordance with an instruction from the terminal 40.

[0037] In step S130, the first control unit 12a transfers the screenshots stored in the first storage unit 13a by the above-described screenshot storage process to the external device together with the log data of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a. The first control unit 12a may transfer to the external device only those screenshots that have been stored in the first storage unit 13a at the time of step S130 but have not yet been transferred.

[0038] The log data is data that records processes and events in the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a. Examples of the log data include a work log of the substrate-related performing unit 16a, a communication log that records communications with the outside via the communication IF 15a, a setting change log that records setting changes made to the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a, an error log that records errors that occurred in the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a, and a user history log that records operations performed by users who operated the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a. The first control unit 12a also stores such log data in the first storage unit 13a as needed. Therefore, in step S130, the first control unit 12a transfers the screenshots and log data stored in the first storage unit 13a.

[0039] 4, in step S130, the first control unit 12a transfers the screenshots and log data to the management device 30. In the management device 30, the second control unit 31 receives the screenshots and log data transferred from the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a and stores them in the second storage unit 32 (step S210). Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the case where the management device 30 transmits a transfer instruction to the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a, it can be said that the first control unit 12a transfers the screenshots and log data to the external device in response to the transfer instruction transmitted from the external device.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows, in flowchart form, a log data acquisition process executed by the third control unit 41 according to the third program 46, and a screenshot and log data transfer process executed by the second control unit 31 according to the second program 34. The second control unit 31 can repeatedly execute the transfer process of Fig. 5 as a process separate from the screenshot and log data storage process shown in Fig. 4. The third control unit 41 can also repeatedly execute the acquisition process of Fig. 5.

[0041] The third control unit 41 of the terminal 40 transmits a log data acquisition request to the management device 30 (step S300). The third control unit 41 executes step S300 at various times. For example, the third control unit 41 transmits the acquisition request to the management device 30 in accordance with an instruction from a user operating the terminal 40. Furthermore, the third control unit 41 may transmit the acquisition request to the management device 30 periodically at preset intervals, or may transmit the acquisition request to the management device 30 when the current time reaches a preset time.

[0042] The second control unit 31 repeatedly determines whether or not there is a request to acquire log data (step S220), and when a request to acquire log data is received, determines "Yes" in step S220 and proceeds to step S230. In step S230, the second control unit 31 transfers the screenshots and log data stored in the second storage unit 32 to the terminal 40 that sent the acquisition request whose reception was recognized in step S220. In step S230, the second control unit 31 may transfer only the screenshots and log data that have been stored in the second storage unit 32 at that time and that have not yet been sent to the terminal 40 that sent the acquisition request.

[0043] In the terminal 40 that transmitted the acquisition request in step S300 as described above, the third control unit 41 receives the screenshots and log data transferred from the management device 30 (step S310). The third control unit 41 can store the received screenshots and log data in the third storage unit 42, or display them on the display unit 44 of the terminal 40 so that a user can view them. Note that, when the second control unit 31 of the management device 30 receives and stores the screenshots and log data from the substrate-related performing machine 10a, it may notify the terminal 40 of this fact. Then, the third control unit 41 of the terminal 40 may execute step S300 upon receiving the notification.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the first control unit 12a of the substrate-related performing operation machine 10a saves a screenshot of the image displayed by the first display unit 11a in the first storage unit 13a when a predetermined condition for saving a screenshot is met. This reduces the user's effort compared to conventional methods of taking a photograph of the monitor of the substrate-related performing operation machine with a camera or printing out the monitor display. Furthermore, the first control unit 12a transfers the screenshot saved in the first storage unit 13a to an external device along with log data of the substrate-related performing operation machine 10a. This improves convenience for external users. For example, when the terminal 40 requests log data of the substrate-related performing operation machine 10a, the user can acquire a screenshot along with the log data in response to the request, thereby efficiently obtaining meaningful information.

[0045] 1 and 2 are not necessarily required for this embodiment. For example, the management device 30 may be omitted in this embodiment. In this case, the substrate-related performing machine 10a directly transfers screenshots and log data to a terminal 40, which serves as an external device. The terminal 40 also directly transmits to the substrate-related performing machine 10a a request to obtain log data and instructions to the substrate-related performing machine 10a, such as those executed by the management device 30.

[0046] 6, 7, and 8 show examples of images 51, 52, and 53 that are displayed by the first display unit 11a at different times. When a user of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a views one of the images 51, 52, and 53, the user can operate the screenshot key 18a to save the image as a screenshot.

[0047] The first image 51 in FIG. 6 is a type of status screen showing the current state of the substrate-related processing apparatus 10a, which is a component mounter, and displays the slot number "32." A slot is a location into which a feeder that supplies components to the head of the substrate-related processing unit 16a is inserted, and there are multiple slots. For example, assume that the current progress of a job being executed by the substrate-related processing apparatus 10a indicates that a feeder should be inserted into the slot with slot number "40." In this case, the first image 51 should display information about the slot with slot number "40," but instead displays information about the slot with slot number "32." Therefore, the first image 51 is in a type of error state.

[0048] The second image 52 in FIG. 7 is an initial screen for entering a user account. Normally, the user name field on the initial screen is blank, but in the example of FIG. 7, some symbol has already been entered in the user name field. Therefore, the second image 52 is also in a kind of error state. When a user of the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a visually recognizes the first image 51 or the second image 52, the user can save them as screenshots and have the substrate-related performing apparatus 10a transfer them to an external device. For example, the user can show the screenshots to an external user and ask for instructions on how to resolve the error state.

[0049] The third image 53 in FIG. 8 is a nozzle replacement screen that guides the user to replace the nozzle attached to the head. The nozzle replacement screen displays information such as the nozzle replacement procedure and the storage location of the nozzle to be replaced. The substrate-related performing apparatus 10a, for example, saves the third image 53 as a screenshot and transfers it to an external device. This allows a user who carries a smartphone as a terminal 40 to conveniently find the nozzle to be replaced in its storage location and perform the replacement work while viewing the screenshot of the third image 53 saved on the user's terminal 40.

[0050] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: PCB production system 2: PCB production line 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d: substrate-related work machine 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d: Display section 12a: Control unit 13a: Storage section 14a: Operation section 15a: Communication IF 16a: Substrate working section 17a: Program 18a: Screenshot key 30: Management device 40: Terminal 44: Display section 45:Operation unit 51: First image 52: Second image 53: Third image

Claims

1. A substrate-related operation machine that performs an operation on a substrate, a display unit capable of displaying information about at least the substrate-related-operation performing apparatus; A memory unit; a control unit, The control unit When a predetermined condition for saving a screenshot is met, a screenshot of an image displayed on the display unit is saved in the storage unit; The substrate-related performing operation apparatus transfers the screenshot stored in the storage unit to an external device together with log data of the substrate-related performing operation apparatus.

2. 2. The substrate-related-operation performing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is met when a predetermined hardware key provided on the substrate-related-operation performing apparatus is operated.

3. The substrate-related performing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is met when a predetermined save instruction is received from the external device.

4. The substrate-related performing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit transfers the screenshot and the log data to the external device in response to a predetermined transfer instruction transmitted from the external device.

5. 2. The substrate-related-operation performing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer is performed by using a management device as the external device, the management device being capable of managing each of the operating machines constituting a board production line including the substrate-related-operation performing apparatus.

Images