Control device

Abstract

A control device 100 having the function of creating new setting parameters, which are candidates of a parameter to be applied when updating old software to new software, is provided with a software information storage unit 120, a recommended parameter creating unit 130, and a parameter storage unit 140, wherein: the software information storage unit 120 acquires and stores, from a storage medium, new software SW1 including new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 relating to the parameter; the recommended parameter creating unit 130 creates new recommended parameters RP1 on the basis of the new item information I1 and the candidate value information V1; and the parameter storage unit 140 stores one of the new recommended parameters RP1 selected by an operator as a new setting parameter RP1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for updating parameters when updating software, and in particular to a control device having a function for creating new setting parameters that are candidates for parameters to be applied to new software when updating old software with the new software. [Background technology]

[0002] A control device used in industrial machines such as machine tools controls a controlled object by executing software such as a control program. In addition, parameters for operating the controlled object by various functions of the control device are set in the software.

[0003] The software is stored in a flash ROM built into the control device, and when a new version (hereafter referred to as "new software") that fixes bugs or adds new functions is provided, the previously stored version (hereafter referred to as "old software") can be updated to the new software.

[0004] Such software updates can be done by replacing the flash ROM built into the control device with another flash ROM that has the new software stored in it, or by connecting an external storage medium that has the new software stored in it to the control device and overwriting the old software stored in the flash ROM with the new software.

[0005] These methods require workers to go to the location where the control device is installed to perform the software update, which places a burden on the workers, as they must carry flash ROMs and external storage media and then install and remove them.In response to this problem, several methods have been proposed that enable the software of control devices to be updated in a short time without placing a burden on workers.

[0006] As an example of the above-mentioned software update method, Patent Document 1 discloses a control program rewriting method for a numerical control device storing a control program in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, characterized in that the method comprises a transfer means provided in a terminal device installed at a location remote from the numerical control device and transferring an update program to the numerical control device via a communication line, a receiving means provided in the numerical control device and receiving the update program sent via the communication line, and an rewriting means in the numerical control device for rewriting the control program stored in the nonvolatile memory with the update program. As a result, the update program is transferred from the terminal device connected to the numerical control device via the communication line to rewrite the control program in the nonvolatile memory of the numerical control device, which is said to enable the control program of the numerical control device to be quickly rewritten. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-319531 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the conventional control program rewriting method described above, the software can be updated quickly without the need for an operator to go to the location where the control device is installed. However, in order to use functions changed in the new software or new functions added, the operator must set parameters to enable those functions by manually inputting them into the control device or by inputting them into a file.

[0009] Usually, the more functions a control device has, the more parameters need to be set for each piece of software, and changing a certain parameter may require changing other parameters related to that parameter, or the setting ranges of the other parameters may change. For this reason, when an operator manually updates parameters, the operator must refer to reference documents such as instructions to check whether there are other parameters related to the changed parameter, and whether there are any changes in the setting ranges of the other parameters, and set them, which is a time-consuming and cumbersome setting task.

[0010] On the other hand, when setting parameters by inputting a default file, the operator refers to the external storage medium, selects a parameter file corresponding to the new software, and has the control device read the parameter file. With this method, the setting work can be completed in a short time because the work is performed using a default parameter file corresponding to the new software.

[0011] However, while updating with a default parameter file makes the work easier, it has the drawback that parameters are changed uniformly even when changes to existing parameters or additional functions are not desired because the operation of the machine to be controlled is not desired, etc. In such a case, after updating with the default parameter file, the parameters must be manually reconfigured for the parts to which the changes are not desired, which imposes an additional burden on the worker.

[0012] In view of these circumstances, there is a demand for a control device that allows for flexibility in settings while reducing the burden on the operator when updating parameters accompanying software updates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a control device having a function of creating new setting parameters that are candidates for parameters to be applied to new software when updating old software to new software includes a software information storage unit, a recommended parameter creation unit, and a parameter storage unit, wherein the software information storage unit acquires new software including new item information and candidate value information for the above parameters from a storage medium and stores it, the recommended parameter creation unit creates new recommended parameters based on the above new item information and candidate value information, and the parameter storage unit stores the new recommended parameters selected by the operator as the new setting parameters. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, new recommended parameters are created based on new item information and candidate value information of new software obtained from a storage medium, and the new recommended parameters selected by the operator are stored as new setting parameters, thereby reducing the burden on the operator while providing flexibility in setting when updating parameters accompanying a software update. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a control device and its peripheral devices according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of the control device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the user interface shown in FIG. 1 and an example of a display screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of a control device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a user interface and a display screen according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of a control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7]13A to 13C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a user interface and a display screen according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of a control device according to a modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device according to a representative example of the present invention having a function of creating new setting parameters that are candidates for parameters to be applied to new software when updating old software to new software will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a control device according to a first embodiment, which is a representative example of the present invention, and its peripheral devices. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of the control device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the user interface shown in Fig. 1 and an example of a display screen.

[0018] In this specification, the term "controller" includes devices that control any control target, such as general controllers that control the operation of plants or exhibition facilities, operation controllers that control the speed and attitude of transport equipment, numerical controllers applied to machine tools, or controllers that control the operation of computers. Furthermore, "software" includes operating systems that provide the operating environment that is the basis of the controller, and application programs that operators use for each control purpose.

[0019] 1, a control device 100 according to the first embodiment includes, as an example, a control target 10, a storage medium 20, and a user interface 30, which are communicatively connected to each other via a wired or wireless line, etc. The control device 100 includes a main control unit 110, a software information storage unit 120, a recommended parameter creation unit 130, and a parameter storage unit 140.

[0020] As described above, the controlled object 10 includes any device that can be controlled by the "control device" of the present application. The storage medium 20 stores, for example, new software including parameter item information described below, a data table in which candidate values ​​are associated with any item, etc. Examples of such storage medium 20 include storage media such as optical disks and playback devices thereof, magnetic disks, and semiconductor memories, as well as computers such as personal computers, edge computers, fog computers, and cloud servers connected via wired / wireless networks.

[0021] 3, the user interface 30 includes an input device 32 that allows an operator to input conditions required for control, additional information, etc., and a display device 34 that visually displays information from each unit of the control device 100 to the operator on a display screen. Examples of such a user interface 30 include a monitor combined with a keyboard, mouse, MDI unit, operation panel, etc., and a touch panel type input device, etc.

[0022] In addition, in Figures 1 and 2, the storage medium 20 and the user interface 30 are illustrated as separate entities independent of the control device 100, but they are not limited to being connected to the control device 100 from the outside, and may be configured to be built into the control device 100.

[0023] The main control unit 110 has a function of controlling the operation of each unit of the illustrated control device 100, and exchanging signals, data, and the like with the control target 10, the storage medium 20, and the user interface 30. The main control unit 110 also has a function of reading out various control programs from software stored in the software information storage unit 120 (described later) and issuing commands to execute the operation of the control target 10.

[0024] The software information storage unit 120 reads and stores software that is the basis for the operation of the control device 100 from the storage medium 20 via the main control unit 110. At this time, the software information storage unit 120 can store not only the software before and after the update (old software and new software), but also additional information such as functional information of the control target controlled by the software.

[0025] In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the software information storage unit 120 acquires new software SW1 including new item information I1 of the parameters to be set and corresponding candidate value information V1 from the storage medium 20, and stores and saves it. Here, "new item information" means information about parameter items necessary for various functions executed by the software in consideration of the configuration of the control target 10, etc. Also, "candidate value information" means information about candidates for "values" and "value ranges" corresponding to the "items" included in the new item information I1, information about a calculation formula for calculating a candidate value, or information including conditions (rules) for setting a candidate value, etc.

[0026] The recommended parameter creation unit 130 reads new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 from the software information storage unit 120, and creates new recommended parameters RP1, which are candidate data to be presented to the worker. In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the new recommended parameters RP1 are defined as including new items I10 and candidate values ​​V10 created based on the new item information I1 and the candidate value information V1 corresponding to the new item information.

[0027] The new recommended parameters RP1 created by the recommended parameter creating unit 130 are sent to the display device 34 of the user interface 30 via the main control unit 110, and are also sent to a parameter storage unit 140 (described later) where they are temporarily stored.

[0028] The parameter storage unit 140 stores and saves parameters that are set corresponding to the software that operates the control device 100. At this time, the parameter storage unit 140 has a function of not only temporarily saving the new recommended parameters RP1 sent from the recommended parameter creation unit 130, but also storing the parameters before they were updated (see old setting parameters RP2 in FIG. 8). Then, the parameter storage unit 140 stores and saves, from among the new recommended parameters RP1, the one selected by the operator at the input device 32 via the main control unit 110 as a new setting parameter SP1.

[0029] Next, the procedure of the parameter updating method in the control device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] In the parameter update method for the control device 100 according to the first embodiment, first, the software information storage unit 120 reads (acquires) and stores the new software SW1 including the new item information I1 from the storage medium 20 via the main control unit 110. Then, the software information storage unit 120 sends the new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 of the read new software SW1 to the recommended parameter creation unit 130.

[0031] Next, the recommended parameter creation unit 130 extracts the new item I10 actually included in the new recommended parameter RP1 from the candidate value information V1 corresponding to the new item information I1, calculates the candidate value V10, and creates the new recommended parameter RP1. Then, the recommended parameter creation unit 130 sends the created new recommended parameter RP1 to the parameter storage unit 140.

[0032] Next, the main control unit 110 sends the new recommended parameters RP1 created by the recommended parameter creation unit 130 to the user interface 30 and causes the display device 34 to display them as a display screen. On the display device 34, the new recommended parameters RP1 are displayed in the form of a list together with the new items I10 and their corresponding candidate values ​​V10, as shown in Fig. 3, for example.

[0033] 3, for example, a display button B1 displaying a question such as "Do you want to adopt the presented information?" and a display button B2 displaying specific options such as "Select an item" and "Select a candidate value" are displayed. When an operator viewing this display screen selects (presses) the display button B1 using the input device 32 or the like, all of the new recommended parameters RP1 created by the recommended parameter creation unit 130 are adopted as new setting parameters SP1.

[0034] 2, this selection by the operator is transmitted from the input device 32 to the parameter storage unit 140 via the main control unit 110, and the new recommended parameter RP1 temporarily stored in the parameter storage unit 140 is stored as a new setting parameter SP1. As a result, the new setting parameter SP1 corresponding to the new software SW1 is updated in the parameter storage unit 140.

[0035] On the other hand, when it is desired to modify some of the items or candidate values ​​of the new recommended parameters RP1 shown in Fig. 3, the operator selects (presses) the display button B2 using the input device 32 etc. This makes it possible to add, delete or change some of the items or candidate values ​​presented as the new recommended parameters RP1 directly by manual input from the input device 32 to update them.

[0036] With the above-described configuration and operation, the control device and its parameter update method according to the first embodiment of the present application create new recommended parameters based on new item information and candidate value information of new software obtained from a storage medium, and store the new recommended parameters selected by the operator as new setting parameters, thereby reducing the burden on the operator and allowing flexibility in settings when updating parameters accompanying a software update.

[0037] <Second embodiment> Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of a control device according to a second embodiment, which is another example of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a user interface and an example of a display screen in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in the block diagrams shown in Figs. 1 to 3, those components that can adopt the same or common configuration as the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and repeated explanations of these components are omitted.

[0038] 4, the new software SW1 stored in the software information storage unit 120 is configured to include group information G1 corresponding to the new item information I1, in addition to new item information I1 and candidate value information V1. Here, the group information G1 can be exemplified by parameters that are considered to be efficient when grouped together for the functions and operations of the control target 10, such as a "group of parameters related to shortening the cycle time", a "group of parameters related to improving the quality of the machined surface", or a "group of parameters related to improving operability", which correspond to the new item information I1, and to which a flag is attached as a group.

[0039] 4, in the parameter updating method for the control device 100 according to the second embodiment, the software information storage unit 120 reads (acquires) and stores new software SW1 including new item information I1, candidate value information V1, and group information G1 from the storage medium 20 via the main control unit 110. Then, the software information storage unit 120 sends the new item information I1, candidate value information V1, and group information G1 of the read new software SW1 to the recommended parameter creation unit 130.

[0040] Next, the recommended parameter creation unit 130 reads the new item information I1, the candidate value information V1, and the group information G1 from the software information storage unit 120, and creates new recommended parameters RP1 that associate the new item I10 and the candidate value V10 with the group G10. Then, the recommended parameter creation unit 130 sends the created new recommended parameters RP1 to the parameter storage unit 140.

[0041] Next, the main control unit 110 sends the new recommended parameters RP1 created by the recommended parameter creation unit 130 to the user interface 30, and also causes the display device 34 to display the new recommended parameters RP1 as a display screen. On the display device 34, as shown in Fig. 5, for example, the new recommended parameters RP1 are displayed in the form of a list together with the new items I10 and candidate values ​​V10 and the group G10.

[0042] 5, as an example, a display button B2 is displayed which displays specific options such as "group selection", "item selection", or "candidate value selection". At this time, when the operator selects the "group selection" display button B2 and inputs the group number to be selected from the input device 32, the parameters of the group desired by the operator can be selectively adopted for the functions and operations of the control target 10. Note that, as in the first embodiment, by manually inputting from the input device 32 after selecting the display button B2, it is also possible to directly add, delete, or change and update part of the groups, items, or candidate values ​​presented as the new recommended parameters RP1.

[0043] With the above-described configuration and operation, in the second embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained by the control device and the parameter update method thereof according to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to selectively update parameters of a group that matches the functions or operations that an operator desires or considers important in controlling the control object by including in the new software group information that groups parameters according to the functions or operations of the control object and to simplify the update operation.

[0044] <Third embodiment> Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of a control device according to a third embodiment, which is another example of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a user interface and an example of a display screen in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, in the block diagrams shown in Figs. 1 to 3, components that can adopt the same or common configuration as the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and repeated explanations of these components are omitted.

[0045] In the control device 100 and its parameter update method according to the third embodiment, the software information storage unit 120 is configured to previously store and save old software SW2 including old item information I2 as software before updating, and to newly load new software SW1 including new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 in this state, as shown in Fig. 6. Here, "old item information" means information on parameter items necessary for various functions that the old software SW2 executed in consideration of the configuration of the control target 10, etc.

[0046] In the third embodiment, the recommended parameter creating unit 130 is configured to further include a change information identifying unit 132 that creates change information C1 of items that configure the new recommended parameters RP1 based on the above-mentioned new item information I1 and old item information I2. The recommended parameter creating unit 130 creates the new recommended parameters RP1 while taking into account the above-mentioned change information C1.

[0047] The change information identification unit 132 compares the new item information I1 with the old item information I2, determines the common items and different items between the two, and creates these as change information C1. At this time, the "different items" can be, for example, new items in the new item information I1 that were not included in the old item information I2.

[0048] 6, in the parameter update method for the control device 100 according to the third embodiment, the software information storage unit 120 reads (acquires) and stores new software SW1 including new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 from the storage medium 20 via the main control unit 110. Then, the software information storage unit 120 sends the read new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 of the new software SW1 and the old item information I2 of the old software SW2 to the recommended parameter creation unit 130.

[0049] Next, the change information identification unit 132 compares the new item information I1 with the old item information I2, determines which items match and which differ, and creates change information C1 from the determination result. At this time, as an example, the change information C1 is associated with the new item I10 as a change status C10 (see FIG. 7).

[0050] Next, the recommended parameter creating unit 130 creates new recommended parameters RP1 that associate the new items I10 and the candidate values ​​V10 with the change state C10, based on the new item information I1 and candidate value information V1 read from the software information storage unit 120 and the change information C1 created by the change information identifying unit 132. Then, the recommended parameter creating unit 130 sends the created new recommended parameters RP1 to the parameter storage unit 140.

[0051] Next, the main control unit 110 sends the new recommended parameters RP1 created by the recommended parameter creation unit 130 to the user interface 30, and also causes the display device 34 to display them as a display screen. On the display device 34, the new recommended parameters RP1, new items I10, and candidate values ​​V10 are displayed in the form of a list together with a change state C10, as shown in Fig. 7, for example.

[0052] 7, the display device 34 displays "common" or "different" as the "change state" corresponding to the "item" of the parameter, so that the operator can understand that the item displayed as "different" between the old and new parameters is a newly added function, and as a result, it is possible to suggest to the operator the item that he or she should pay particular attention to and check. Note that, as in the first embodiment, by manually inputting from the input device 32 after selecting the display button B2, it is also possible to directly add, delete, or change and update some of the items or candidate values ​​presented as the new recommended parameter RP1.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration and operation of a control device according to a modification of the third embodiment.

[0054] In the control device 100 and its parameter update method according to a modification of the third embodiment, the parameter storage unit 140 stores in advance old setting parameters SP2 including old item information I2 as parameters before the software update, as shown in Fig. 8. Then, the change information identification unit 132 applies what was included in the old setting parameters SP2 as the old item information I2 used when creating the change information C1.

[0055] In a modification of the third embodiment, since the parameter storage unit 140 usually stores and saves the parameters before the update (i.e., the old setting parameters SP2) when updating the software, the old software SW2 can be deleted or overwritten when the software information storage unit 120 acquires the new software SW1. As a result, for example, when the data amount (or file size) of either the old software SW2 or the old setting parameters SP2 is large, the smaller one can be applied, thereby reducing the capacity used by the software information storage unit 120 or the parameter storage unit 140.

[0056] Furthermore, the old setting parameters SP2 also contain candidate value information (not shown) corresponding to the old item information I2. Therefore, when the change information identifying unit 132 shown in FIG. 8 identifies an item as "common", the recommended parameter creating unit 130 can apply the candidate value information included in the old setting parameters SP2 as is to the item identified as "common", and can also modify the parameter information to extract only the candidate value information V1 of the item identified as "different". This can reduce the load on the main control unit 110 when accessing the storage medium 20.

[0057] With the above-described configuration and operation, in the third embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained by the control device and its parameter update method according to the first embodiment, old item information and new item information contained in the old software or old setting parameters stored and saved at the time of updating the software are compared to create change information, and this information is presented to the worker, thereby suggesting items that the worker should pay particular attention to and check, thereby making it possible to reduce the burden on the worker when updating parameters.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any of the components of the embodiment can be modified or omitted within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 Control Objects 20 Storage medium 30 User Interface 32 Input Devices 34 Display device 100 Control device 110 Main control unit 120 Software information storage unit 130 Recommended Parameter Creation Section 132 Change information identification part 140 Parameter storage section

Claims

1. A control device having a function of creating new setting parameters that are candidates for parameters to be applied to new software when updating old software to new software, The control device includes a software information storage unit, a recommended parameter creation unit, and a parameter storage unit, the software information storage unit acquires the new software including new item information and candidate value information of the parameter from a storage medium and stores the new software; the recommended parameter creation unit creates new recommended parameters based on the new item information and the candidate value information; The parameter storage unit stores the new recommended parameters selected by the operator as the new setting parameters. Control device.

2. The parameter storage unit changes and stores the new item information and the candidate value information according to an input by an operator. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. The new software further includes group information corresponding to the new item information; the recommended parameter creation unit creates the new recommended parameters by adding a group that is set based on the group information; The parameter storage unit sets the new recommended parameters corresponding to the group selected by the operator as the new setting parameters. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the software information storage unit further stores old software including old item information before the update; The recommended parameter creating unit further includes a change information specifying unit that creates change information by comparing the new item information with the old item information, and creates the new recommended parameters by adding a change state that is set based on the change information. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The parameter storage unit further stores old setting parameters including old item information before updating, The recommended parameter creating unit further includes a change information specifying unit that creates change information by comparing the new item information with the old item information, and creates the new recommended parameters by adding a change state that is set based on the change information. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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