Loom program update management system

Abstract

To provide a loom program update management system capable of updating a control program of a loom while suppressing reduction in operation rate of the loom.SOLUTION: A loom program update management system 10 includes: an operation state determination section 37 for determining an operation state of a loom 30 and a machine frame stop reason when the machine frame is stopped; an update program execution section 38 for updating a control program of the loom 30 by an update program; a machine frame stop reason setting section 40 for setting the machine frame stop reason when the update program execution section 38 updates the control program; a machine frame stop reason detection section 41 for detecting that the operation state of the loom 30 determined by the operation state determination section 37 is the machine frame stop due to the machine frame stop reason set by the machine frame stop reason setting section; a distribution server 21 to store the update program of the control program; and an update program detection section 42 for detecting presence or absence of the update program in the distribution server 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program update management system for a loom. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a loom program update management system having a plurality of looms installed in a factory and a host computer that manages the operating status of each loom. In a loom program update management system such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is generally known that an update program for the loom's control program is recorded in an update server connected to the host computer, and when the control program needs to be updated, the update program is supplied from the update server to each loom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-107586 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the loom program update management system described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the loom needs to be stopped to update the control program, which reduces the availability of the loom.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a loom program update management system that can update the loom control program while suppressing a decrease in the loom's operating rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A loom program update management system according to the present invention includes an operating state determination unit that determines the operating state of the loom and, if the loom is stopped, the reason for the loom stop; an update execution unit that updates the control program of the loom with an update program; an update program execution unit that sets the reason for the loom stop when the update program execution unit updates the control program; a machine stop reason detection unit that detects that the operating state of the loom determined by the operating state determination unit is stopped due to the reason for the loom stop set by the machine stop reason setting unit; an update program storage unit that stores the update program; and an update program detection unit that detects whether or not an update program is stored in the update program storage unit. When the machine stop reason detection unit detects that the operating state of the loom determined by the operating state determination unit is stopped due to the reason for the loom stop and the update program detection unit detects that an update program is available in the update program storage unit, the update program execution unit updates the control program with the update program.

[0007] The control program may further include an operator instruction setting unit that sets whether an operator update instruction is required when updating the control program, and an operator instruction confirmation unit that confirms the operator update instruction when an operator update instruction is required. After the operator instruction setting unit sets whether an operator update instruction is required, if it is set that an operator update instruction is required, the update of the control program may be put on hold until the operator update instruction is received. The loom may further include a host computer connected to the loom, the host computer having a loom stop reason setting unit, a loom stop reason detection unit, and an update program detection unit, the loom having an operating state determination unit and an update program execution unit, and the update program storage unit may be a distribution server connected to the host computer and the loom. The loom may also have an operating state determination unit, an update program execution unit, a machine stop reason setting unit, a machine stop reason detection unit, an update program detection unit, and a memory unit that stores the update program, and the update program storage unit may be a memory unit, and the update program may be stored in the memory unit from a storage medium connected to the loom. The reason for stopping the loom may include at least one of reasons for stopping the loom, such as unwinding, unwinding, and changing the type of weaving. The loom may further include a peripheral device connected to the main control unit, the control program may further include a peripheral device control program for the peripheral device, and the update program may further include an update program for the peripheral device control program. The loom system terminal may further include a factory management system, and the factory management system terminal may have a monitoring screen that displays update information of the control program for the loom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the program update management system for a loom includes an operating state determination unit that determines the operating state of the loom and, if the loom is stopped, the reason for the loom stop; an update execution unit that updates the control program of the loom with an update program; a machine stop reason setting unit that sets the machine stop reason when the update program execution unit updates the control program; a machine stop reason detection unit that detects that the operating state of the loom determined by the operating state determination unit is stopped due to the machine stop reason set by the machine stop reason setting unit; an update program storage unit that stores the update program; and an update program detection unit that detects whether or not an update program is stored in the update program storage unit.When the machine stop reason detection unit detects that the operating state of the loom determined by the operating state determination unit is stopped due to the machine stop reason and the update program detection unit detects that an update program is available in the update program storage unit, the update execution unit updates the control program of the main control unit with the update program, thereby making it possible to update the control program of the loom while suppressing a decrease in the availability of the loom. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a loom system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a program update management system for a loom according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3]4 is a flowchart of a control program update process in the program update management system for a loom according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a program update management system for a loom according to a third embodiment. [Figure 5] 11 is a flowchart of a control program update process in a program update management system for a loom according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a loom system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a loom system according to the first embodiment. The loom system 1 installed in a factory comprises a host computer 20, a distribution server 21, and a loom 30, all of which are communicatively connected to one another via a network 11. The network 11 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN) installed in the factory, and may be an appropriate combination of wired and wireless networks.

[0011] The host computer 20 manages the operating status of multiple looms 30. Each loom 30 has a main controller 33 that controls the operation of the loom 30. A control program is installed in the main controller 33, and weaving operations are controlled in accordance with the control program. The main controller 33 also has a function panel 32, which is a touch panel that displays the operating and setting status of the loom 30 and enables an operator to operate the loom 30. The loom 30 may be any automatic loom, such as an air jet loom or a water jet loom.

[0012] The control program of the loom 30 may be updated as needed for reasons such as process improvements, the introduction of additional functions, and changes to machine control due to modifications to the loom 30. A program for updating the control program of the loom 30 is called an update program. When updating the control program, weaving operation of the loom must be stopped and the machine must be in a stopped state. Furthermore, while the control program is being updated, the operator cannot operate the loom 30 or the function panel 32.

[0013] The distribution server 21 stores update programs and distributes the update programs to each loom 30 via the network 11. The update programs may be patch-type programs that update part of the control program, or replacement-type programs that replace the entire control program. The distribution server 21 constitutes an update program storage unit.

[0014] In the loom system 1 of Fig. 1, looms 30 are grouped in groups of two and managed as group A, group B, and group C. Although a total of six looms 30 are shown in this loom system 1, this number of looms 30 is an example, and it is sufficient that at least one loom 30 is provided. Furthermore, the group management of the looms 30 is not limited to this, and any number of groups containing any number of looms 30 may be used for management, depending on the needs of factory management, or no group management may be used at all.

[0015] Of the groups A, B, and C of looms 30, the distribution server 21 supplies an update program to each loom 30 in the group that is out of operation, and the control program update process, which will be described in detail later, can be carried out simultaneously on all of the looms 30 in the out-of-operation group. This allows the control program update process to be carried out efficiently by utilizing the time when the looms 30 are out of operation.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a loom program update management system according to the first embodiment. The program update management system 10 includes a host computer 20, a distribution server 21, and a loom 30. The loom 30 includes a main controller 33, a communication unit 35, a main memory unit 36, a sensor 70, and a function panel 32. The communication unit 35 communicates with the host computer 20 and the distribution server 21 via the network 11. The main memory unit 36 stores update programs for the control program of the main controller 33 of the loom 30, various setting information, and the like. Any storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a magnetic disk can be used as the main memory unit 36. The main memory unit 36 constitutes a storage unit.

[0017] The sensor 70 is connected to the main controller 33. The sensor 70 detects the operating states of various components of the loom 30, such as the main motor, the let-off motor, the take-up motor, and the weft insertion electromagnetic valve, and transmits the detection results as signals to the main controller 33.

[0018] The main controller 33 includes an operating state determination unit 37 and an update program execution unit 38. The operating state determination unit 37 receives signals from the sensor 70 indicating the detection results of the operating states of the components of the loom 30, such as the motors and weft insertion electromagnetic valves, and a signal when the work start button 32a on the function panel 32 (described later) is pressed. Based on these signals, the operating state determination unit 37 determines whether the loom 30 is in weaving operation or is stopped, and if the loom 30 is stopped, determines the reason for the stop. The determination results of whether the loom 30 is in weaving operation or is stopped, and if the loom 30 is stopped, the determination results of the reason for the stop, are transmitted to the host computer 20 via the communication unit 35. Note that, in this loom 30, the operating state of the loom 30 includes a state in which the loom 30 is stopped. The main controller 33 also constitutes a main control unit.

[0019] The update program execution unit 38 executes an update program for the main controller 33 stored in the main memory unit 36 to update the control program for the main controller 33 .

[0020] The function panel 32 has work start buttons 32a. When an operator starts work such as cutting and unloading, lifting, or changing the type, the operator presses the work start button 32a corresponding to the work. When the work start button 32a is pressed, a signal indicating the work name corresponding to the work is sent to the main controller 33.

[0021] The loom 30 also has a let-off controller 51, a take-up controller 53, and a weft insertion controller 55. The let-off controller 51 controls a let-off motor that lets out the warp roll. The take-up controller 53 controls a take-up motor that winds the cloth roll. The weft insertion controller 55 controls the operation of a weft insertion electromagnetic valve. The communication unit 35, the function panel 32, the main memory unit 36, the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55 are connected to the main controller 33.

[0022] Further, the let-off controller 51 is connected to a let-off control memory 52 that stores an update program for the let-off controller 51, the take-up control controller 53 is connected to a take-up control memory 54 that stores an update program for the take-up control controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55 is connected to a weft insertion control memory 56 that stores an update program for the weft insertion controller 55. The function panel 32, the let-off controller 51, the take-up control controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55 constitute peripheral devices.

[0023] The main controller 33 controls the drive of the main motor (not shown) of the loom 30 and performs overall control of the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55, which are lower level controllers.

[0024] The host computer 20 has a machine stop reason setting unit 40 that sets a machine stop reason for the control program of each loom 30, a machine stop reason detection unit 41 that detects the machine stop reason set by the machine stop reason setting unit 40, and an update program detection unit 42 that detects whether or not an update program is available.

[0025] The machine stop reason setting unit 40 sets a specific machine stop reason of the loom 30 as the machine stop reason. That is, the machine stop reason setting unit 40 sets one or more machine stop reasons, i.e., cutting off, unwinding, and product type change, input by the operator to the function panel 32, as machine stop reasons for the control program. The machine stop reason can be set at any time. For example, it may be set during initial setup immediately after the loom 30 is installed, it may be set before the first operation of the loom 30 of the day, or it may be set at any time while the loom 30 is operating.

[0026] The machine stop reason detection unit 41 monitors the operating state of the loom 30 and detects whether the reason for stopping the loom 30 is a machine stop reason preset by the machine stop reason setting unit 40. That is, if the machine stop reason preset by the machine stop reason setting unit 40 is unloading, the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects whether the reason for stopping the loom 30 is a machine stop due to unloading. If the machine stop reason preset by the machine stop reason setting unit 40 is unloading, the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects whether the operating state of the loom 30 is a machine stop state due to unloading. Furthermore, if the machine stop reason preset by the machine stop reason setting unit 40 is a product type change, the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects whether the operating state of the loom 30 is a machine stop state due to a product type change.

[0027] The update program detection unit 42 detects whether or not an update program is present in the distribution server 21. That is, the update program detection unit 42 inquires whether or not an update program exists in the distribution server 21. If the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program exists, the update program detection unit 42 requests the distribution server 21 to distribute the update program. The machine stop reason setting unit 40 and the update program detection unit 42 are connected to the machine stop reason detection unit 41.

[0028] Furthermore, the host computer 20 has an operator instruction setting unit 43 and an operator instruction confirmation unit 44. The operator instruction setting unit 43 sets whether or not an operator instruction to update the control program is necessary before the update based on setting information input by the operator to the function panel 32. This setting of whether or not an operator instruction to update is necessary can be performed at any time. For example, it may be performed during initial setup immediately after the loom 30 is installed, it may be performed before the first operation of the loom 30 of the day, or it may be performed at any time while the loom 30 is operating.

[0029] When the operator instruction setting unit 43 has set that an operator update instruction is required, the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 confirms the operator update instruction input to the function panel 32. In other words, when the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 determines that an operator update instruction is required for updating the control program, the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 displays a message on the function panel 32 requesting an operator update instruction. At this time, the main controller 33 suspends updating of the control program of the loom 30 until an operator update instruction is input to the function panel 32. Furthermore, when an operator update instruction is input to the function panel 32, the main controller 33 confirms the operator instruction and continues updating the control program. The operator instruction setting unit 43 is connected to the operator instruction confirmation unit 44.

[0030] Next, the operation of the loom system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the normal operation of the loom system 1 will be described. In the loom system 1 shown in Fig. 1, the main controller 33 of each loom 30 controls the main motor of each loom 30 based on an installed control program, and performs overall control of the let-off controller 51, take-up controller 53, and weft insertion controller 55. The host computer 20 monitors the operating status of each loom 30 via the network 11.

[0031] During weaving operation, the loom 30 stops weaving when a completed winding-up cloth roll is cut off, when the warp roll is replaced when it has run out of material, or when the type of woven fabric product is changed. Specifically, when a machine stop occurs for any of the above-mentioned reasons specific to the loom, the loom 30 may enter a machine stop state, where weaving operation is halted for approximately 10 minutes or more. The machine may also be stopped by an operator operating the function panel 32 to perform maintenance on the loom 30, or by an error in the main motor, let-off motor, take-up motor, or weft insertion solenoid valve, causing the loom to stop weaving and enter a machine stop state.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the process of updating the control program for the loom 30. The process of updating the control program in the first embodiment is set to be performed automatically based on a preset reason for stopping the loom.

[0033] 3 is a flowchart of the control program updating process in the loom program update management system 10 of the present embodiment 1. In step S1 of the updating process, the operator selects one or more machine stop states to be set as the machine stop reason when updating the control program from the machine stop states of cut-off, lift-off, and product type change described above, and inputs the selected state into the function panel 32. In the present embodiment 1, cut-off is set as the machine stop reason. The machine stop reason input into the function panel 32 is transmitted to the host computer 20 via the communication unit 35, and is input into and set in the machine stop reason setting unit 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] Next, in step S2, the operator inputs a setting as to whether an operator's update instruction is required when updating the control program into the function panel 32. The setting information as to whether an operator's update instruction is required, which is input into the function panel 32, is transmitted to the host computer 20 via the communication unit 35, and is input to and set in the operator instruction setting unit 43.

[0035] Next, in step S3, the machine stop reason detection unit 41 of the host computer 20 monitors the operating state of the loom 30 and detects whether the operating state of the loom 30 is in a machine stop state due to the machine stop reason set by the machine stop reason setting unit 40. Since the machine stop reason set in step S1 is cut-off, the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects whether the operating state of the loom 30 is in a machine stop state due to cut-off.

[0036] The operating state determination unit 37 determines the state of the loom 30 based on signals indicating the detection results of the operating states of each component, such as the main motor, let-off motor, take-up motor, and weft insertion electromagnetic valve, sent from the sensor 70 to the main controller 33, and on a signal indicating the name of the task sent to the main controller 33 when the operator presses the task start button 32a on the function panel 32. For example, if the sensor 70 detects that the loom 30 is in a machine-stopped state and the operator presses the cut-off task start button 32a, a signal indicating that the loom 30 is in a machine-stopped state and a signal indicating that the cut-off task start button 32a has been pressed are input to the main controller 33, and the operating state determination unit 37 determines that the operating state of the loom 30 is in a machine-stopped state due to cut-off. Next, the operating state determination unit 37 transmits the determination result that the loom 30 is in a machine-stopped state due to cut-off to the host computer 20 via the communication unit 35.

[0037] When the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects, based on the operation state determination result sent from the operation state determination unit 37, that the reason for stopping the loom 30 is a machine stop state due to cutting-off, which is a preset machine stop reason, the process proceeds to the next step S4. On the other hand, when the machine stop reason detection unit 41 does not detect that the loom operation state is a machine stop state due to cutting-off, which is a machine stop reason, the process of step S3 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0038] Next, in step S4, the update program detection unit 42 of the host computer 20 inquires of the distribution server 21 whether or not an update program exists. If the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program exists, the update program detection unit 42 requests the distribution server 21 to distribute the update program to the loom 30 to be updated. Next, the update program is distributed from the distribution server 21 to the loom 30 to be updated, and the distributed update program is stored in the main memory unit 36 of the loom 30, and the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program does not exist, the process of step S3 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0039] Next, in step S5, the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 determines whether or not the operator instruction setting unit 43 set in step S2 that an operator update instruction is required to update the control program. If the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 determines that an operator update instruction is required to update the control program, in step S6, the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 of the host computer 20 causes the function panel 32 of the loom 30 to display a message requesting an operator update instruction. At this time, the main controller 33 suspends the update of the control program of the loom 30 until the operator inputs an update instruction into the function panel 32. If the main controller 33 confirms that the operator inputs an update instruction into the function panel 32, the process proceeds to step S7. If the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 determines that an operator update instruction is not required to update the control program, the operator instruction confirmation unit 44 transmits information to the main controller 33 indicating that an operator instruction is not required, and the main controller 33 proceeds to step S7 without waiting for an operator update instruction.

[0040] Next, in step S7 of Fig. 3, the update program execution unit 38 of the main controller 33 updates the control program of the loom 30 with the update program stored in the main memory unit 36 of the loom 30. This control program update in step 7 is carried out while the loom is stopped due to cutting-off, which was set as the reason for stopping the loom in step S1. In other words, since the control program update is carried out during cutting-off, which always occurs during operation of the loom 30, there is no need to stop operation of the loom 30 in order to update the control program, and this makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the availability rate of the loom. Next, the update of the control program is completed, and the update process ends.

[0041] Thus, the loom program update management system 10 according to the present invention includes an operating state determination unit 37 that determines the operating state of the loom 30 and, if the loom is stopped, the reason for the loom stop; an update execution unit 38 that updates the control program of the loom 30 by an update program; a machine stop reason setting unit 40 that sets the machine stop reason when the update program execution unit 38 updates the control program; a machine stop reason detection unit 41 that detects that the operating state of the loom 30 determined by the operating state determination unit 37 is a machine stop due to the machine stop reason set by the machine stop reason setting unit; The system includes a distribution server 21 that stores the loom 30 and an update program detection unit 42 that detects whether or not an update program is available in the distribution server 21. When the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects that the operating state of the loom 30 determined by the operating state determination unit 37 is that the machine is stopped due to a machine stop reason, and when the update program detection unit 42 detects that there is an update program available in the distribution server 21, the update program execution unit 38 updates the control program with the update program. This makes it possible to provide a program update management system for a loom that can update the control program of the loom 30 while suppressing a decrease in the availability rate of the loom 30.

[0042] The control system further includes an operator instruction setting unit 43 that sets whether an operator instruction is required to update the control program, and an operator instruction confirmation unit 44 that confirms the operator's update instruction when an operator instruction is required. After the operator instruction setting unit 43 sets whether an operator instruction is required to update the control program, if it is set that an operator instruction is required, the control program update is suspended until the operator instruction is received, thereby preventing the control program update from being started against the operator's will and making the loom 30 inoperable.

[0043] The system further includes a host computer 20 connected to the loom 30, the host computer 20 having a loom stop reason setting unit 40, a loom stop reason detection unit 41, and an update program detection unit 42, the loom 30 having an operating state determination unit 37 and an update program execution unit 38, and the update program storage unit being the distribution server 21, so that update programs can be distributed to each loom 30.

[0044] Furthermore, since the reasons for stopping the loom include at least one of the reasons for stopping the loom, such as cutting off, lifting, and changing the type of loom 30, the control program can be updated while the loom is stopped, which inevitably occurs when the loom 30 is in operation, and the control program of the loom 30 can be updated more efficiently while suppressing a decrease in the operating rate of the loom 30.

[0045] In the first embodiment, when the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program exists, the update program detection unit 42 requests the distribution server 21 to distribute the update program to the loom 30 to be updated, and then the update program is distributed from the distribution server 21 to the loom 30 to be updated, and the control program of the loom 30 is updated by the update program stored in the main memory unit 36 of the loom 30. However, this is not limited to this, and when the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program exists, the update program execution unit 38 of the loom 30 may execute the update program stored in the distribution server 21 via the network 11, thereby updating the control program of the loom 30.

[0046] Embodiment 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals as those in Figures 1 to 3 designate the same or corresponding components, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. The program update management system for a loom according to the second embodiment updates the control program of the main controller of the loom as well as the control programs of peripheral devices. As shown in Figure 2, the loom 30 is provided with a main controller 33 as peripheral devices, as well as a function panel 32, a let-off controller 51, a take-up controller 53, and a weft insertion controller 55. These peripheral devices have peripheral control programs used to control them, which need to be updated at appropriate times.

[0047] In the second embodiment, the updating program for the peripheral device control program is also updated in the same way as the updating program for the main controller 33 of the loom 30, by setting a machine stop reason in step S1 and setting whether an operator instruction is required in step S2, as shown in Fig. 3 . The machine stop reason set in step S1 for the peripheral devices may be the same as the machine stop reason for the main controller 33, or may be different from the machine stop reason for the main controller 33. For example, the machine stop reason for both the peripheral devices and the main controller 33 may be "cut-off," or the machine stop reason for the peripheral devices may be "cut-off" and the machine stop reason for the main controller 33 may be "lift-up." Furthermore, the machine stop reason for the function panel 32 of the peripheral devices may be "cut-off" and the machine stop reason for the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55 may be "lift-up." In this way, different machine stop reasons may be used for each of the peripheral devices.

[0048] The distribution server 21 has a table of suitable combinations of program versions of the update program for the main controller 33 of the loom 30 and program versions of the update programs for the peripheral devices. The distribution server 21 then distributes the update programs for the loom 30 and the update programs for the peripheral devices with program versions that are suitable combinations according to the table.

[0049] In step S4, when an update program for the function panel 32 is distributed from the distribution server 21, the update program is stored in the main storage unit 36, and then a control program is transmitted from the main storage unit 36 to the function panel 32, thereby updating the control program for the function panel 32. Also, when an update program for the send-out control controller 51 is distributed from the distribution server 21, the update program is stored in the main storage unit 36, and then the update program is transmitted from the main storage unit 36 to the send-out control storage unit 52, and the control program for the send-out control controller 51 is updated by the update program stored in the send-out control storage unit 52. Also, when an update program for the take-up control controller 53 is distributed from the distribution server 21, the update program is stored in the main storage unit 36, and then the update program is transmitted from the main storage unit 36 to the take-up control storage unit 54, and the control program for the take-up control controller 53 is updated by the update program stored in the take-up control storage unit 54. When an update program for the weft insertion controller 55 is distributed from the distribution server 21, the update program is stored in the main memory 36, and then the update program is transmitted from the main memory 36 to the weft insertion control storage unit 56, and the control program of the weft insertion controller 55 is updated by the update program stored in the weft insertion control storage unit 56.

[0050] As described above, the loom 30 further includes the function panel 32, the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55, which are peripheral devices connected to the loom. The control program further includes peripheral device control programs for the function panel 32, the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55. The updating program further includes an updating program for the peripheral device control programs. Therefore, it is possible to collectively manage the updating of the control program for the loom 30 and the reasons for machine stoppage of the control programs for the peripheral devices, the function panel 32, the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55.

[0051] In the second embodiment, the function panel 32, the let-off controller 51, the take-up controller 53, and the weft insertion controller 55 are provided as peripheral devices of the loom 30, but the peripheral devices are not limited to these and may include any other peripheral devices connectable to the loom 30. For example, a tablet terminal that can be operated in the same way as the function panel 32 and that can be carried by the operator may be included.

[0052] In the second embodiment, when the update programs for the let-off control controller 51, the take-up control controller 53 and the weft insertion control controller 55 are distributed, the update programs are stored in the main storage unit 36 and then transmitted to the let-off control storage unit 52, the take-up control storage unit 54 and the weft insertion control storage unit 56. However, the update programs may be distributed directly to the let-off control storage unit 52, the take-up control storage unit 54 and the weft insertion control storage unit 56 without storing the update programs in the main storage unit 36.

[0053] 3, the update program detection unit 42 checks whether an update program for the loom 30 or an update program for the peripheral devices is available, and if an update program is available, the update program is distributed from the distribution server 21. However, if an update program is available, the distribution server 21 may distribute the update program to the loom 30 before starting the control program update process, and the distributed update program may be stored in the main memory 36 of the loom 30. In this case, the update program detection unit 42 checks whether an update program for the loom 30 or an update program for the peripheral devices is available in the main memory 36 in step S4, and if an update program for either or both of them is available, the update program is read from the main memory 36, thereby enabling the main controller 33 to update the control program for the loom 30 or the control program for the peripheral devices.

[0054] Embodiment 3 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. A program update management system for a loom according to the third embodiment supplies update programs by means of a storage medium instead of the distribution server of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the main components of a loom 30 according to the third embodiment. The loom 30 is configured so that a USB memory 60 can be connected to a USB connector (not shown) when updating the control program. When the USB memory 60 is connected to the USB connector (not shown) of the loom 30, the USB memory 60 is connected to the main memory unit 36 of the loom 30. The USB memory 60 stores the control program for the main controller 33 of the loom 30. The main memory unit 36 constitutes an update program storage unit, and the USB memory 60 constitutes a storage medium. Unlike the first embodiment, the loom 30 according to the third embodiment does not have a communication unit 35 and is a stand-alone loom that is not connected to the host computer 20. That is, in the third embodiment, the loom 30 alone constitutes the program update management system 10.

[0055] The main controller 33 of the loom 30 has a machine stop reason setting unit 40, a machine stop reason detection unit 41, an update program detection unit 42, an operator instruction setting unit 43, and an operator instruction confirmation unit 44. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0056] Next, updating of the control program of the loom 30 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control program updating process in the loom program update management system 10 according to the third embodiment. After setting in step S2 whether an operator's instruction to update the control program is required, the USB memory is connected in step S8. In step S8, when the control program of the main controller 33 of the loom 30 needs to be updated, the operator connects the USB memory 60, in which the update program is saved, to the USB connector of the loom 30, and copies and stores the update program in the main memory unit 36. After copying the update program has been completed, the operator removes the USB memory 60 from the USB connector of the loom 30.

[0057] Next, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, if the machine stop reason detection unit 41 detects that the operating state of the loom 30 is machine stopped due to a machine stop reason preset by the machine stop reason setting unit 40, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the update program detection unit 42 of the loom 30 checks whether an update program is stored and exists in the main memory unit 36. If the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program exists in the main memory unit 36, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the update program detection unit 42 detects that an update program does not exist in the main memory unit 36, the process returns to step S8 again. Other operating operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0058] As described above, in the third embodiment, the loom 30 has an operating state determination unit 37, an update program execution unit 38, a loom stop reason setting unit 40, a loom stop reason detection unit 41, an update program detection unit 42, and a main memory unit 36 that stores update programs. The update program storage unit is the main memory unit 36, and the update program is stored in the main memory unit 36 from the USB memory 60 connected to the loom. Therefore, even in a stand-alone loom 30, the update program can be updated.

[0059] In the third embodiment, the USB memory 60 stores an update program for the loom 30, but as in the second embodiment, the USB memory 60 may store both an update program for the loom 30 and an update program for the peripheral device.

[0060] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the main memory unit 36 is used as the update program storage unit, but as in the first embodiment, the loom 30 may have the communication unit 35 and may also use the distribution server 21. For example, either one of the update program for the loom 30 and the update program for device control may be supplied from the distribution server 21, and the other may be copied from the USB memory 60 to the main memory unit 36 and stored in the main memory 36. Alternatively, for example, some update programs for some peripheral devices may be copied from the USB memory 60 to the main memory unit 36 and stored in the main memory 36, and update programs for other peripheral devices may be supplied from the distribution server 21. Furthermore, for example, regular update programs for the loom 30 or update programs for peripheral devices may be supplied by the distribution server 21, and unexpected or emergency update programs for the loom 30 or update programs for peripheral devices may be copied from the USB memory 60 to the main memory unit 36 and stored in the main memory 36.

[0061] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the USB memory 60 is used as the storage medium, but other storage media such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk may also be used.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment 3, the operator connects the USB memory 60 to the USB connector of the loom 30 after step S2, but the operator may connect the USB memory 60 to the USB connector of the loom 30 in step S2 at any other timing.

[0063] Embodiment 4 Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this fourth embodiment, the loom system 1 is managed by a factory management system, and in the loom system 1 shown in Fig. 1, it is possible to monitor each loom 30. The host computer 20 constitutes a factory management system terminal of the factory management system, and has a monitoring screen 22. This monitoring screen 22 displays factory management information including a table showing the operating status of each loom 30, allowing an operator to check the operating status. In this fourth embodiment, it is possible to introduce the following functions 1 to 3 into the loom system 1 managed by such a factory management system.

[0064] (Function 1) A function can be introduced that displays update information for the update program, including detailed information on the program modifications, details of the corrected problems, and details of the added functions, on the monitoring screen 22 of the host computer 20 to help the operator determine whether or not a control program update is necessary. This makes it easier for the operator to determine whether or not the control programs for the loom 30 and its peripheral devices need to be updated.

[0065] (Function 2) By displaying the control program versions and machine stop reason settings for each loom 30 and its peripheral devices on the loom allocation table displayed on the monitoring screen 22 of the host computer 20, it is possible to introduce a function that makes it possible to check the progress of control program updates and differences in the control programs for each loom 30 and its peripheral devices. This makes it easier for the loom 30 program update management system 10 to manage updates to the control programs for each loom 30 and its peripheral devices.

[0066] (Function 3) A function to display that the control program is being updated or that the update of the control program has been completed can be introduced into the "next machine work instruction function," which displays the loom 30 on which the operator will work next in the loom allocation table on the monitoring screen 22 of the host computer 20. This makes it possible to monitor the update status of the control program using the factory management system.

[0067] In this way, the loom program update management system 10 further includes a host computer 20, and the host computer 20 has a monitoring screen 22 that displays update information for the control program of the loom 30, making it easier for the operator to manage updates to the control program of the loom 30.

[0068] In the fourth embodiment, the factory management system terminal of the factory management system is configured by the host computer 20, but this is not limited to this. The factory management system terminal may be, for example, a tablet terminal that has a monitoring screen and is portable by an operator. The factory management system terminal may also be a combination of the host computer 20 and a tablet terminal.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, once a control program update is initiated, the operator is unable to operate the function panel 32. Therefore, if a control program update is initiated while the operator is operating the function panel 32, the operator's operation is interrupted. To prevent such an interruption of operation, the loom 30 may notify the operator of the start time of the control program update at a predetermined time before the control program update. For example, 10 minutes before the control program update, the main controller 33 of the loom 30 may display a message on the function panel 32 saying, "The control program update will begin in 10 minutes. If you want to postpone, please press a button," to confirm with the operator whether or not to postpone the control program update. This prevents the operator from unintentionally interrupting operation of the function panel 32.

[0070] Furthermore, if the operator postpones the control program update, the operator may be prompted to input the time of the next control program update. This prevents the operator from forgetting to update the control program. Furthermore, when displaying the message for confirming whether or not the control program update needs to be postponed as described above, the time required for the control program update calculated from the program capacity of the update program or the number of peripheral devices may be displayed in addition to this message. This makes it easier for the operator to determine whether or not the control program update needs to be postponed.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, during the update of the control program in step S7 shown in Fig. 3, a signal indicating that the control program is being updated may be displayed on a signal light or function panel 32 provided on the loom 30. Furthermore, when the process of step S7 is started, an email notifying the start of the control program update may be sent from the host computer 20 or the distribution server 21 to the operator's email address recorded in the host computer 20 or the distribution server 21. This allows the operator to easily know that the control programs in the loom 30 and peripheral devices are being updated.

[0072] Furthermore, when the update of the control program in step S7 is completed, a signal indicating that the update of the control program is complete may be displayed on a signal light or function panel 32 provided on the loom 30, or an email notifying that the update of the control program is complete may be sent to the operator's email address from the host computer 20 or the distribution server 21. This allows the operator to easily determine whether the update of the control program is complete or has failed, and allows the operator to quickly operate the loom 30 after the update process has been completed and resume operation of the loom 30.

[0073] Furthermore, the loom program update management system 10 of the first to fourth embodiments may be capable of saving the setting values and weaving data of the loom 30 and peripheral devices before the update as a backup in the main memory unit 36 before performing the update in step S7 shown in Fig. 3, and of rolling back the control program to the state before the update by referring to this backup along with the update history of the control program. This allows the control program to be restored to the state before the update by rolling back, even if a problem occurs after the control program is updated. Note that this backup may be stored outside the loom 30, such as in the distribution server 21 or a backup server (not shown).

[0074] Furthermore, the loom program update management system 10 in the first to fourth embodiments updates the control program based on the loom stop reason set in step S1 of Fig. 3, but if the control program needs to be updated for operation of the loom 30, for example, when the control program needs to be updated because the loom 30 has been modified, the distribution server 21 may distribute the update program when the loom is not in a stopped state due to a loom stop reason, and then the distribution server 21 may control the loom 30 to bring it into a stopped state and update the control program. This makes it possible to perform all control program updates when they are required.

[0075] Furthermore, in the loom program update management system 10 of the first to fourth embodiments, the reasons for stopping the loom, such as cutting off, lifting up, and changing the type, are set as reasons for stopping the loom in the control program in step S1 of Fig. 3, but it is also possible to set a reason for stopping the loom 30 when the loom 30 stops for a certain period of time or more continuously due to reasons such as maintenance as a reason for stopping the loom. This allows time-consuming updates to the control program to be performed when the loom 30 is not operating, improving the availability of the loom 30.

[0076] Furthermore, the loom program update management system 10 in the first to fourth embodiments updates the control program when the loom is stopped due to the loom stop reason set in step S1 of Fig. 3, but a periodic control program update schedule may be set for a loom stop state other than this predetermined loom stop reason. This makes it possible to periodically update the control program of the loom 30 or the peripheral devices of the loom 30, even if the loom 30 has been in operation for a short time and the loom stop state due to the loom stop reason set in step S1 is not detected by the loom stop reason detection unit 41 in step S3.

[0077] Furthermore, in the loom program update management system 10 of the first to fourth embodiments, the order of setting the reason for machine stoppage in step S1 and setting whether or not an operator instruction is required in step S2 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 may be reversed, and the order of detecting the reason for machine stoppage in step S3 and detecting the existence of an update program in step S4 may be reversed.

[0078] The components included in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention and the components included in the modifications thereof can be used in any suitable combination.

[0079] The above describes in detail preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0080] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0081] (Appendix 1) an operating state determination unit that determines the operating state of the loom and, if the loom is stopped, the reason for the loom being stopped; an update program execution unit that updates the control program of the loom with an update program; a machine stop reason setting unit that sets a machine stop reason when the update program execution unit updates the control program; a machine stop reason detection unit that detects that the operating state of the loom determined by the operating state determination unit is a machine stop due to the machine stop reason set by the machine stop reason setting unit; an update program storage unit for storing the update program; an update program detection unit that detects whether or not the update program is present in the update program storage unit; Equipped with When the machine stop reason detection unit detects that the operation state of the loom determined by the operation state determination unit is a machine stop due to the machine stop reason, and when the update program detection unit detects that the update program exists in the update program storage unit, The program update management system for a loom, wherein the update program execution unit updates the control program with the update program. (Appendix 2) an operator instruction setting unit that sets whether an operator instruction is required for updating the control program; an operator instruction confirmation unit that confirms the operator's update instruction when the operator's update instruction is necessary; After the operator instruction setting unit sets whether or not an update instruction is required by the operator, 2. A program update management system for a loom according to claim 1, wherein, if a setting is made such that an update instruction from the operator is required, updating of the control program is suspended until an update instruction from the operator is received. (Appendix 3) a host computer connected to the loom; The host computer the machine stop reason setting unit; the machine stop reason detection unit; the update program detection unit; and The loom comprises: the operating state determination unit; the update program execution unit; and 3. The program update management system for a loom according to claim 1, wherein the update program storage unit is a distribution server connected to the host computer and the loom. (Appendix 4) The loom comprises: the operating state determination unit; the update program execution unit; the machine stop reason setting unit; the machine stop reason detection unit; the update program detection unit; the loom includes a memory unit for storing the update program; and 3. A program update management system for a loom according to claim 1, wherein the update program storage unit is the memory unit, and the update program is stored in the memory unit from a storage medium connected to the loom. (Appendix 5) 5. The loom program update management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the reason for stopping the loom includes at least one of reasons for stopping the loom, such as unloading, unwinding, and product type change. (Appendix 6) The loom further includes a peripheral device connected to the main control unit thereof, the control program further includes a peripheral device control program for the peripheral device; 6. A program update management system for a loom according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the update program further includes an update program for the peripheral device control program. (Appendix 7) Further provided with a factory management system terminal, 7. The program update management system for a loom according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the factory management system terminal has a monitoring screen that displays update information of the control program of the loom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Program update management system, 20 Host computer (factory management system terminal), 21 Distribution server (update program storage section), 22 Monitoring screen, 30 Loom, 32 Function panel (peripheral device), 33 Main control controller (main control section), 36 Main memory section (memory section, update program storage section), 37 Operation state determination section, 38 Update program execution section, 40 Machine stop reason setting section, 41 Machine stop reason detection section, 42 Update program detection section, 43 Operator instruction setting section, 44 Operator instruction confirmation section, 51 Let-off control controller (peripheral device), 53 Winding control controller (peripheral device), 55 Weft insertion control controller (peripheral device), 60 USB memory (storage medium).

Claims

1. an operating state determination unit that determines the operating state of the loom and, if the loom is stopped, the reason for the loom being stopped; an update program execution unit that updates the control program of the loom with an update program; a machine stop reason setting unit that sets a machine stop reason when the update program execution unit updates the control program; a machine stop reason detection unit that detects that the operating state of the loom determined by the operating state determination unit is a machine stop due to the machine stop reason set by the machine stop reason setting unit; an update program storage unit for storing the update program; an update program detection unit that detects whether or not the update program is present in the update program storage unit; Equipped with When the machine stop reason detection unit detects that the operation state of the loom determined by the operation state determination unit is a machine stop due to the machine stop reason, and when the update program detection unit detects that the update program exists in the update program storage unit, The program update management system for a loom, wherein the update program execution unit updates the control program with the update program.

2. an operator instruction setting unit that sets whether an operator instruction is required for updating the control program; an operator instruction confirmation unit that confirms the operator's update instruction when the operator's update instruction is necessary; After the operator instruction setting unit sets whether or not an update instruction is required by the operator, 2. The program update management system for a loom according to claim 1, wherein, when the update instruction from the operator is set to be necessary, updating of the control program is suspended until the update instruction from the operator is received.

3. a host computer connected to the loom; The host computer the machine stop reason setting unit; the machine stop reason detection unit; the update program detection unit; and The loom comprises: the operating state determination unit; the update program execution unit; and 3. The program update management system for a loom according to claim 1, wherein the update program storage unit is a distribution server connected to the host computer and the loom.

4. The loom comprises: the operating state determination unit; the update program execution unit; the machine stop reason setting unit; the machine stop reason detection unit; the update program detection unit; a storage unit that stores the update program; and 3. The program update management system for a loom according to claim 1, wherein the update program storage unit is the memory unit, and the update program is stored in the memory unit from a storage medium connected to the loom.

5. 3. The loom program update management system according to claim 1, wherein the reasons for stopping the loom include at least one of reasons for stopping the loom, such as unloading, unwinding, and changing the type of the loom.

6. The loom further includes a peripheral device connected to the main control unit thereof, the control program further includes a peripheral device control program for the peripheral device; The program update management system for a loom according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the update program further includes an update program for the peripheral device control program.

7. Further provided with a factory management system terminal, The program update management system for a loom according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the factory management system terminal has a monitoring screen that displays update information of the control program of the loom.

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