Control device

Abstract

To provide a control device which reduces operational errors and allows an operating method to be described with simple explanations. [Solution] The control device comprises a main body and at least one operation input device that is detachable from the main body. The operation input device has a fitting portion that fits into a fitting portion provided on the main body, and a first port that is provided in the fitting portion and, when fitted into the fitting portion, electrically connects the operation input device to the main body and outputs an operation input signal to the main body based on an operation input received from a user. The main body has a plurality of fitted portions each having a second port to which the operation input device is electrically connected, a generation portion that generates a control signal for controlling a control object based on an operation input signal obtained via the second port from the operation input device whose fitting portion is fitted into the fitted portion, and a third port that is connected to the control object and outputs a control signal. The multiple fitted portions have different shapes, and the fitting portion has a shape that fits into one of the multiple fitted portions having different shapes.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in controlling robots in production lines and equipment in various plants, an operation panel is used that includes a display unit that displays the operating state of the equipment and the operating status of the plant, an input unit for inputting operations for each piece of equipment and device, and a control signal generator that converts and outputs the operation input into an equipment control signal. In recent years, in order to allow for a wider variety of operation inputs, an increasing number of operation panels are being made with touch panel displays that allow operation inputs to be made by touching the display of the part to be operated (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 171026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of a touch panel display type operation panel, visual confirmation of the display is required for operation. This requires time for input operations, and time loss is noticeable, for example, when the operation input screen displayed on the touch panel changes according to the control target. Also, attempting to perform input operations quickly without visual confirmation can lead to operational errors. Furthermore, as the operations required for control become more complex, the display screen of the touch panel display is also expected to become more complex. This means that the manuals describing the operation methods become more complex, which is one of the reasons why it takes a long time to learn how to operate the devices.

[0005] In other words, there has been a demand for a control device that can reduce operational errors in increasingly complex operational inputs and that can describe the operation method in simple explanations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device comprising a main body and at least one operation input device that is detachable from the main body, wherein the operation input device comprises an engaging portion that engages with a fitting portion provided on the main body, and a first port that is provided in the fitting portion and that electrically connects the operation input device to the main body when engaged with the fitting portion, and outputs an operation input signal to the main body based on an operation input received from a user, and the main body comprises a plurality of fitting portions each having a second port to which the operation input device is electrically connected, a generating portion that generates a control signal for controlling a control object based on an operation input signal acquired via the second port from the operation input device whose fitting portion is engaged with the fitting portion, and a third port that is connected to the control object and outputs a control signal, wherein the plurality of fitting portions have different shapes, and the fitting portion has a shape that engages with one of the plurality of fitting portions having different shapes.

[0007] In a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple mating portions may be multiple concave-shaped portions having different shapes, and the mating portion may be a convex-shaped portion having a shape that matingly fits into any of the multiple concave-shaped portions having different shapes.

[0008] In a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple mating portions may be multiple convex portions having different shapes, and the mating portion may be a concave portion having a shape that matingly fits into any of the multiple convex portions having different shapes.

[0009] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body may further include a power supply unit that supplies power to the operation input device in which the fitting portion is fitted into the fitted portion.

[0010] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body may further include a determination section that determines the type of the operation input device in which the fitting section is fitted into the fitted section.

[0011] A control device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a main body in which a plurality of engaging portions can be engaged with engaging portions of a plurality of operation input devices, and a generation unit generates a control signal based on operation input signals obtained from each of the plurality of operation input devices whose engaging portions are engaged with the engaging portions.

[0012] In a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the operation input device further includes a display unit, and the display unit may display specified information based on information relating to the controlled object obtained from the main body via the first port.

[0013] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the operation input device may be integrated with the fitting portion.

[0014] In a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the portion that accepts operational input from a user may be configured with at least one of a button, a slide lever, a stick, a lever, a pad, and a ring. Effect of the Invention

[0015] A control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device comprising a main body and at least one operation input device detachably attached to the main body, wherein the operation input device comprises a fitting portion that fits into a fitting portion provided on the main body, and a first port that is provided in the fitting portion and that electrically connects the operation input device to the main body when fitted into the fitting portion, and outputs an operation input signal to the main body based on an operation input received from a user, and the main body comprises a plurality of fitting portions each having a second port to which the operation input device is electrically connected, a generation portion that generates a control signal for controlling a control object based on an operation input signal acquired via the second port from the operation input device whose fitting portion is fitted into the fitting portion, and a third port that is connected to the control object and outputs a control signal, wherein the plurality of fitting portions have different shapes, and the fitting portion has a shape that fits into one of the plurality of fitting portions having different shapes, thereby reducing operation errors in increasingly complex operation input, and making it possible to describe an operation method with a simple explanation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic top view of the control device main body, and (b) is a schematic side view of the control device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic top view of another embodiment of the control device main body, and (b) is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic top view of another embodiment of the control device main body, and (b) is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, the size, number, shape, ratio, and arrangement of each part constituting the illustrated control device, as well as the overall example of the control device, are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0018] In addition, in this specification, "fitting" refers to a state in which two parts (members) fit together, and may refer to a state in which a fitting portion and a fitted portion fit together without any gaps, and the two members are fixed to each other. Note that in the present invention, it is desirable that the two fitted members be in a state in which they can be released from the fitted state and separated (detached), and if such a state is realizable, it is included in the concept of the present invention.

[0019] <Control device configuration example> 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device 100. The control device 100 includes at least a control device main body 10 and an operation input device 20. Hereinafter, the control device main body 10 will also be simply referred to as the "main body 10."

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control device 100 can detachably connect an operation input device 20 to the main body 10. The operation input device 20 may be a physical input device that accepts operation input from a user. The operation input device 20 may be, for example, a button (including a cross key, a direction key, etc.), a lever (a slide lever, a joystick, etc.), a trackball, a touchpad, a shuttle ring, etc., but is not limited to these, and may include more than these input devices. In addition, the control device 100 can be connected to a plurality of operation input devices 20, and in this case, different types of operation input devices 20 can be connected.

[0021] The main body 10 may be configured in any manner as long as it can realize the aspects described below. For example, the main body 10 may be configured with a control board to which the above-mentioned operation input device 20 can be detachably attached and which realizes the functions of the present invention, and a housing that houses the control board or a cover that covers the control board.

[0022] The control device 100 includes, as hardware components in the main body 10, a control unit 110, a power supply unit 102, a memory 103, a storage 104, a second input / output interface (I / F) (second port) 105, first input / output I / Fs (first ports) 106a to 106c, an operation input device 20, and a display device 21. The components of the control device 100 are connected via a bus (not shown) and are controlled by the control unit 110. Although details will be described later, the control device 100 may not include the display device 21, and the operation input device 20 and the display device 21 may be integrated. The control device 100 controls the control target 50 based on the operation input of the user on the operation input device 20.

[0023] The control unit 110 is a processor having a function of controlling each unit of the control device 100. The control unit 110 may be a microcontroller (Micro Controller Unit: MCU) including a central processing unit (CPU), a microcomputer, or the like. The control unit 110 realizes the functions of the control device 100 by executing various programs stored in the memory 103. The control unit 110 includes a determination unit 111 and a generation unit 112 as software configurations. Furthermore, each function of the control unit 110 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc.

[0024] The determination unit 111 determines the type of the operation input device 20 connected to the first input / output I / F 106. The generation unit 112 generates a control signal for controlling the control target 50, based on an operation input signal acquired from the operation input device 20 via the second input / output I / F 105.

[0025] The power supply unit 102 may be a primary battery such as a lithium battery, or a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. When the power supply unit 102 is realized by a secondary battery, the control device 100 may include a charging terminal capable of charging the power supply unit 102. Also, a plurality of power supply units 102 may be provided depending on the circuit configuration. Furthermore, the power supply unit 102 may be configured to be detachable from the control device 100.

[0026] The storage 104 has a function of storing various programs and data for controlling each part of the control device 100. The storage 104 may store data related to the operation input device 20 connectable to the main body 10. For example, the storage 104 may store identification information for identifying the operation input device 20 connected to the main body 10, a program used for each type of operation input device 20, the type of operation input device 20 available according to the control target 50, and the like. The storage 104 may be realized by a flash memory, as an example, but is not limited to this.

[0027] The memory 103 provides a working area for the control unit 110, and may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like.

[0028] The second input / output I / F 105 is a port that realizes an electrical connection with the control target 50, and outputs a control signal generated by the control device 100. The first input / output I / Fs 106a to 106c are ports that realize an electrical connection with the operation input device 20 and the display device 21, and output an operation input signal based on an operation input in the operation input device 20 and information indicating the status of the control target 50. Although three first input / output I / Fs are shown in FIG. 1, the number of first input / output I / Fs may be more or less than this. When there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first input / output I / Fs 106a to 106c, they are simply referred to as the first input / output I / F 106.

[0029] The display device 21 is a display that displays various data including the state of the control target 50, and may be realized by, for example, an organic electroluminescence display (OLED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc. The display device 21 may also be a touch panel or a touch display.

[0030] <Example of control device> Next, a control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. Figs. 2 to 4 show examples of the control device 100. Note that the drawings are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In the examples shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and are distinguished by different alphabets as necessary.

[0031] FIG. 2(a) is a top view of the main body 10 of the control device 100, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the main body 10 of the control device 100 and a side view of a part of the operation input device 20. As shown in the figure, the main body 10 has a plurality of fitted parts 12a to 12d. Although the figure shows four fitted parts, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be more or less than this. When there is no particular need to distinguish between them, the fitted parts 12a to 12d are simply referred to as the fitted parts 12. In the example of FIG. 2, the fitted parts 12a to 12d are openings (concave parts) provided in the main body 10, and each of them has a second port 13a to 13d. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the fitted parts 12 may have different shapes.

[0032] The operation input device 20 includes a fitting portion 22 that fits into a fitted portion 12 provided on the main body 10. The fitting portion 22 electrically connects the operation input device 20 and the main body 10 by being fitted into the fitted portion 12 of the main body 10, and includes a first port 23 that outputs an operation input signal based on an operation input received from a user to the main body 10. In the example of FIG. 2, the fitting portion 22 has a convex shape that fits into a concave portion of the fitted portion 12.

[0033] When the fitting portion 22 of the operation input device 20 is fitted into the fitted portion 12 of the main body 10 having a matching shape, the first port 23 of the operation input device 20 and the second port 13 of the main body 10 are connected. The fitting portion 22 and the fitted portion 12 may further include an attachment mechanism such as a magnet or a mechanical fastener. The electrical connection realized by the connection between the first port 23 and the second port 13 may be any type of connection that enables the exchange of power and information by a connection via mechanical contact, electromagnetic induction, transmission of an electromagnetic field, transmission of a current, conductive coupling, or a combination of these. The operation input device 20 may have an internal power source, in which case the exchange of power is not essential.

[0034] The generating unit 112 generates a control signal for controlling the control target 50 based on an operation input signal acquired through the second port 13 from the operation input device 20 in which the fitting portion 22 is fitted into the fitted portion 12. Here, the fitting portion 22 has a shape that fits into one of the multiple fitted portions 12 having different shapes. That is, it is possible to limit the operation input device 20 that can be attached to each main body 10. Therefore, when the control target 50 of the control device 100 is set in advance, it is possible to appropriately use the operation input device 20 that matches the control target 50. That is, it is possible to simplify the operation method manual.

[0035] 2, the fitted portion 12 is concave and the fitting portion 22 is convex, but the opposite may be true: the fitted portion 12 is convex and the fitting portion 22 is concave. In this case, as in the example of FIG. 2, the fitted portion 12 and the fitting portion 22 may have a plurality of shapes, and those with matching shapes may be able to fit together.

[0036] In the example of Figure 2, the first port 23 is provided at the tip of the fitting portion 22 and the second port 13 is provided on the bottom surface of the fitted portion 12, but the present invention is not limited to this, and their positions are not important as long as the first port 23 and the second port 13 are configured to connect when the fitting portion 22 and the fitted portion 12 are fitted together.

[0037] As described above, the power supply unit 102 of the main body 10 may supply power to the operation input device 20 when the fitting portion 22 is fitted into the fitted portion 12. This eliminates the need to provide a power supply in the operation input device 20, and increases the degree of freedom in realizing the operation input device 20.

[0038] As described above, by varying the shape of the fitting portion, the types of operation input devices 20 connectable to the main body 10 can be limited, but varying the shape may lead to an increase in manufacturing costs and a decrease in versatility of the control device 100. Therefore, the types of shapes of the fitting portion may not be increased, and the determination unit 111 may determine the type of operation input device 20 whose fitting portion 22 is fitted into the fitted portion 12. This may be realized, for example, by storing identification information of the operation input device 20 in the storage 105 in advance and acquiring the identification information of the operation input device 20 when power is supplied to the operation input device 20.

[0039] This makes it possible to provide a highly versatile control device 100 that can handle a variety of control targets 50 while keeping manufacturing costs down.

[0040] Furthermore, when the determination unit 111 determines that an unusable operation input device 20 has been connected, the control unit 110 may cause the display device 21 to notify that the operation input device 20 is incorrect.

[0041] 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the control device 100. In both figures, (a) shows a top view and (b) shows a side view.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows, for example, a control device 100T for general workers. The control device 100T may include a monitor 21 on the main body 10T. The monitor 21 may have an engagement portion (not shown) that is engaged with the engaged portion 12c. Alternatively, the monitor 21 may be integrated with the main body 10T in advance. The control device 100T has a speed adjustment device (speed adjustment slider) 20a and a temperature adjustment device (temperature adjustment slider) 20b attached to the main body 10T as the operation input device 20. The speed adjustment device 20a is composed of an engagement portion 22a, a slider 26a, and a monitor 27a, and the engagement portion 22a is engaged with the engaged portion 12a of the main body 10T. The temperature adjustment device 20b is composed of an engagement portion 22b, a slider 26b, and a monitor 27b, and the engagement portion 22b is engaged with the engaged portion 12b of the main body 10T. The monitors 27a and 27b display the state of the controlled object 50, and may display the speed and temperature, respectively.

[0043] In the main body 10, the fitting portions 22 of the multiple operation input devices 20 can be fitted into the multiple fitted portions 12, and the generation unit 112 may generate a control signal based on an operation input signal acquired from each of the multiple operation input devices 20 whose fitting portions 22 are fitted into the fitted portions 12. That is, the speed and temperature of the control target 50 may be controlled in response to a speed operation signal from the speed adjustment device 25a and a temperature operation signal from the temperature adjustment device 25b.

[0044] 3 has been described as an embodiment in which one operation input device 20 is fitted into one fitted portion 12. However, an operation input device capable of inputting a plurality of types of operation inputs may be prepared in advance, and the operation input device may be fixed to the main body 10 by using a plurality of fitted portions 12. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] 4 shows, for example, a control device 100M for an administrative operator. The control device 100M may include a monitor 31 on a main body 10M. The monitor 31 may have an engagement portion (not shown) that is engaged with the engaged portion 12c. Alternatively, the monitor 31 may be integrated with the main body 10M in advance. The control device 100M has an operation input device 20M attached to the main body 10M using the engaged portions 12a and 12b as the operation input device 20. The operation input device 20M includes a monitor 32, a button 33, and sliders 35 and 36 that are used to control the control target 50.

[0046] In this way, according to the present invention, the operation input device 20 capable of performing various operation inputs can be used. Therefore, it is possible to deal with various types of control targets 50, and a highly versatile control device 100 can be realized.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and multiple components, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided, and can be omitted or modified as necessary. In addition, the configurations shown in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0048] For example, in the above description, the size of the fitting portion 22 is relatively small compared to the slider 25 and the operation input module 20M. However, the operation input device 20 may be integrated with the fitting portion 22. That is, the operation input device 20 may be stored in the fitted portion 12, for example, like a shape-matching puzzle. For example, the upper surface of the operation input device 20 may be a touch panel, and when the operation input device 20 is fitted into the fitted portion 12, the display of the touch panel may change depending on the absolute position of the fitting or the relative position with respect to other operation input devices 20, for example, the operation input device 20 may be used in a game.

[0049] The control program may be recorded on a processor-readable recording medium, and the recording medium may be a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The control program may be supplied to the processor via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the control program (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave). The present invention may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the control program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0050] In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure may be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which a program is embodied by electronic transmission. The program of the present disclosure may be implemented using, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) or Python (registered trademark), C language, Go language, Swift (registered trademark), Koltin, Java (registered trademark), or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 100, 100T, 100M Control device 10, 10T, 10M Control device body 102 Power supply section 103 Memory 104 Storage 105 Second input / output I / F 106 1st input / output I / F 110 Control section 111 Judgment section 112 Generation part 20, 20a, 20b Operation input device 20M Operation Input Module 21, 27a, 27b Monitor (display device) 26a, 26b slider 31,32 Monitor (display device) 33 Button 35,36 Slider

Claims

1. A control device comprising a main body, at least one operation input device detachable from the main body, and a display device integrated into the main body, The operation input device is a fitting portion that fits into a fitted portion provided on the main body; a first port that is provided in the fitting portion, electrically connects the operation input device and the main body by being fitted into the fitted portion, and outputs an operation input signal to the main body based on an operation input received from a user; The body includes: a plurality of the fitted portions each including a second port to which the operation input device is electrically connected; a generation unit that generates a control signal for controlling a control target based on an operation input signal acquired via the second port from the operation input device in which the fitting portion is fitted to the fitted portion; and a third port connected to the control object and outputting the control signal; a determination unit that determines a type of the operation input device in which the fitting portion is fitted to the fitted portion; Equipped with the plurality of fitted portions have different shapes, and the fitting portion has a shape that fits into any one of the plurality of fitted portions having different shapes; When the determination unit determines that an unusable operation input device has been connected to the control target, the display device notifies the user that an unusable operation input device has been connected.

2. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mating portions are a plurality of concave portions having different shapes, and the mating portion is a convex portion having a shape that matingly fits into one of the plurality of concave portions having different shapes.

3. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mating portions are a plurality of convex portions having different shapes, and the mating portion is a concave portion having a shape that matingly fits into one of the plurality of convex portions having different shapes.

4. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the main body further comprises a power supply unit that supplies power to the operation input device in which the fitting portion is fitted with the fitted portion.

5. In the body, the fitting portions of the operation input devices are capable of fitting into the fitting portions, The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the generation unit generates the control signal based on operation input signals acquired from each of the plurality of operation input devices whose fitting portions are fitted into the fitted portions.

6. The operation input device further includes a display unit, The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays predetermined information based on information relating to the controlled object acquired from the main body via the first port.

7. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation input device is integrated with the fitting portion, and when the fitting portion is fitted into the fitted portion, the operation input device is fitted into the fitted portion.

8. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein in the operation input device, a portion that accepts the operation input from the user is configured with at least one of a button, a slider, a stick, a lever, a pad, and a ring.

9. The control device of claim 1, wherein the main body is rectangular with a top surface wider than the sides, the mating portion is provided on the top surface of the main body, and at least one of a speed adjustment device having a monitor that displays the speed of the controlled object and a temperature adjustment device having a monitor that displays the temperature of the controlled object is fixed to the main body as the operation input device.

Images