Numerical control device, method for controlling numerical control device, and program

Abstract

A numerical control device comprises: a determination unit that determines an authority level of a user; and a restriction control unit that can execute restriction control that is at least one of display restriction, display permission, operation restriction, and operation permission. The authority level of the user to be subjected to the display restriction, the display permission, the operation restriction, or the operation permission is set in restriction data for each of some or all screen components. On the basis of the restriction data and the authority level that is determined by the determination unit, the restriction control unit executes the restriction control that corresponds to the authority level.

Description

Numerical control device, control method of numerical control device, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a numerical control device, a control method of a numerical control device, and a program.

[0002] The control of a robot and a machine tool is performed by a numerical control device. A user can input information for controlling the robot and the machine tool into the numerical control device using a user interface provided in the numerical control device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-188954 discloses a robot system that restricts operations that an operator (user) can execute according to the authority level of the operator.

[0004] There is a long-felt need for a technology that can appropriately restrict the use of a numerical control device.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-described problems.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination unit that determines a user's authority level, a display restriction that restricts the display of screen components on a display unit, a display permission that permits the display of the screen components on the display unit, an operation restriction that restricts operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit, and an operation permission that permits operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit, and a restriction control unit that can execute restriction control that is at least any one of them. The authority level of the user who is the target of the display restriction, the display permission, the operation restriction, or the operation permission is set in restriction data for each of some or all of the screen components. The restriction control unit executes the restriction control corresponding to the authority level based on the authority level determined by the determination unit and the restriction data. It is a numerical control device.

[0007] A second aspect of this disclosure is a control method for a numerical control device, comprising: a determination step of determining the authority level of a user operating a numerical control device; a restriction control step capable of executing restriction control which is at least one of the following: display restriction restricting the display of screen components on a display unit provided in the numerical control device; display permission allowing the display of screen components on the display unit; operation restriction restricting operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit; and operation permission allowing operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit, wherein the authority level of a user subject to the display restriction, display permission, operation restriction, or operation permission is set in restriction data for some or all of the screen components, and in the restriction control step, the restriction control is executed according to the authority level based on the authority level determined in the determination step and the restriction data.

[0008] A third aspect of this disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method of a numerical control device according to the second aspect.

[0009] According to this disclosure, the use of numerical control devices can be appropriately restricted.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the numerical control system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram of the information set in the user file. Figure 3 is a diagram of the information set in the restriction data. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the display process for the initial screen. Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of the display unit showing the initial screen. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the display process for the operation screen. Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic diagrams of the display unit showing the operation screen. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the operation process. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the display unit showing the restriction data setting screen. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the display unit showing the user creation screen. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the display unit showing the program screen. Figure 12 is a block diagram of the numerical control system according to the second embodiment. Figure 13 is a block diagram of the numerical control system according to the third embodiment.

[0011] Numerical control devices that control robots and machine tools are equipped with operation restriction functions to impose limitations on each user. According to this function, for example, the operations that a user can perform are restricted according to their identification information (user ID, username, etc.).

[0012] In recent years, there has been a desire to further improve the convenience of the operation restriction functions provided in numerical control devices. For example, it is desirable to set restrictions according to the user's permission level for each screen component that can be displayed on the display unit of the numerical control device. The disclosure described below makes it possible to set restrictions according to the user's permission level for each screen component that can be displayed on the display unit.

[0013] [1 First Embodiment] [1-1 Configuration of the Numerical Control System] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a numerical control system 10 according to the first embodiment. The numerical control system 10 comprises a numerical control device 12 and a robot 14. The robot 14 is, for example, an industrial robot with multiple joints. The robot 14 is the object of numerical control. That is, the numerical control system 10 is also a robot control system. The numerical control device 12 is also a robot control device.

[0014] The numerical control system 10 may also include a machine tool as the object of numerical control. In this case, "robot" should be read as "machine tool" in the following description.

[0015] The numerical control device 12 comprises a user interface 16 and a control device 18. The user interface 16 comprises an input unit 20 and a display unit 22. The control device 18 comprises an arithmetic unit 24 and a storage unit 26.

[0016] [1-1-1 User Interface] The input unit 20 is an input device that can be operated by the user. The input unit 20 inputs information corresponding to the user's operation to the control device 18. The input unit 20 may be a hardware key or a software key. The input unit 20 may include, for example, a pointing device (mouse, touchpad, etc.), a keyboard, an operation panel, etc.

[0017] The display unit 22 is a display device that displays information in a form that can be seen by the user. For example, the display unit 22 can display information stored in the storage unit 26 and information input by the user via the input unit 20.

[0018] The user interface 16 may be a touch panel that combines an input device and a display device. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, a touch panel will be used as the user interface 16.

[0019] [1-1-2 Control Device] The arithmetic unit 24 may be composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). That is, the arithmetic unit 24 may be composed of processing circuitry. At least a part of the arithmetic unit 24 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). At least a part of the arithmetic unit 24 may be implemented by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

[0020] The calculation unit 24 comprises a reception unit 28, a determination unit 30, a screen control unit (limit control unit) 32, and a robot control unit 34. The reception unit 28, the determination unit 30, the screen control unit 32, and the robot control unit 34 can be realized by the calculation unit 24 executing a program stored in the storage unit 26.

[0021] The reception unit 28 receives user inputs to the input unit 20. That is, the reception unit 28 acquires information entered by the user by operating the input unit 20.

[0022] The determination unit 30 determines the user's privilege level. For example, the determination unit 30 determines the user's privilege level based on the user identification information (user ID and username) received by the reception unit 28 and the user file 36 pre-stored in the storage unit 26.

[0023] The screen control unit 32 performs screen control to display a screen on the display unit 22. Furthermore, when performing screen control, the screen control unit 32 performs display restrictions that restrict the display of screen components 50 (such as Figure 7A) on the display unit 22, and operation restrictions that restrict operations on the screen components 50 displayed on the display unit 22. The screen control unit 32 may perform either display restrictions or operation restrictions. In this specification, display restrictions and operation restrictions are referred to as restriction control. Based on the authority level determined by the determination unit 30 and the restriction data 38, the screen control unit 32 performs restriction control according to the authority level for some or all of the screen components 50.

[0024] The robot control unit 34 controls the robot 14 based on the control program 40 stored in the memory unit 26.

[0025] The storage unit 26 is a computer-readable storage medium. The storage unit 26 is composed of volatile memory (not shown) and non-volatile memory (not shown). The volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, etc. Data is stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps, etc. are stored in the non-volatile memory, for example. At least a part of the storage unit 26 may be provided in the processor, integrated circuit, etc. mentioned above.

[0026] The storage unit 26 stores user files 36. As shown in Figure 2, user files 36 contain user information, which is information about each user. User information includes the user ID, username, and the level of authority granted to the user.

[0027] The storage unit 26 stores restriction data 38. As shown in Figure 3, the restriction data 38 contains the user privilege levels that are subject to restriction control (display restrictions, operation restrictions) for some or all of the screen components 50. Furthermore, the restriction data 38 may also contain an operation time limit for any screen component 50. The operation time limit is the time during which a user can continuously operate the screen component 50. The operation time limit is set for some or all of the screen components 50 and for each user privilege level.

[0028] The memory unit 26 stores the control program 40. The control program 40 is a program for numerically controlling the robot 14.

[0029] [1-2 Screen Display] The screen display in the display unit 22 will be described below. In this embodiment, the screen control unit 32 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 22 according to the user's authority level. Specifically, the screen control unit 32 changes the display format of the screen components 50 that can be displayed on the display unit 22 according to the user's authority level.

[0030] The following describes, as an example, the case in which each user is assigned one of the following permission levels: "1", "2", or "3". A user with permission level "3" has high permissions and is not restricted in displaying or operating the screen components 50. A user with permission level "2" has lower permissions than a user with permission level "3", and is restricted in some ways in displaying and operating the screen components 50. A user with permission level "1" has even lower permissions than a user with permission level "2", and is further restricted in displaying and operating the screen components 50.

[0031] [1-2-1 Display Processing of Initial Screen 48] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the display processing of the initial screen 48. Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of the display unit 22 displaying the initial screen 48. The initial screen 48 is a predetermined screen set in the numerical control device 12 at the time of factory shipment. A predetermined screen is a screen that has been prepared in advance. As shown in Figure 5A, the screen control unit 32 may display the initial screen 48 corresponding to a user with an authority level of "3" on the display unit 22. As shown in Figure 5B, the screen control unit 32 may display the initial screen 48 corresponding to a user with an authority level of "1" or "2" on the display unit 22.

[0032] The calculation unit 24 of the control device 18 executes the process shown in Figure 4, for example, when the numerical control device 12 is started up.

[0033] In step S1, the screen control unit 32 displays a login screen (not shown) on the display unit 22. The login screen displays a user ID input field and a username input field. The user enters a user ID in the user ID input field and a username in the username input field by operating the input unit 20.

[0034] In step S2, the reception unit 28 obtains user identification information (user ID and username) via the input unit 20.

[0035] In step S3, the determination unit 30 determines the authority level of the user operating the numerical control device 12 based on the user identification information obtained by the reception unit 28 and the user file 36 stored in the storage unit 26.

[0036] In step S4, the screen control unit 32 displays an initial screen 48 on the display unit 22 according to the user's permission level. For example, if the user's permission level is "3", the screen control unit 32 displays an initial screen 48 including screen component 50a and screen component 50b on the display unit 22, as shown in Figure 5A. On the other hand, if the user's permission level is "2" or "1", the screen control unit 32 displays an initial screen 48 including screen component 50a on the display unit 22, as shown in Figure 5B. Screen component 50a is a display component that the user can operate to instruct a screen transition to the operation screen 52 (Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C). Screen component 50b is a display component that the user can operate to instruct a screen transition to the settings screen 56 (Figure 9).

[0037] In step S3, a card (magnetic card, IC card, etc.) storing user identification information may be used as a method for determining the user's privilege level. In this case, the determination unit 30 determines the privilege level of the user operating the numerical control device 12 based on the user identification information read by a card reader (not shown) and the user file 36 stored in the storage unit 26.

[0038] The user's privilege level may be stored on the card. In this case, the determination unit 30 determines the privilege level of the user operating the numerical control device 12 based on the user's privilege level read by the card reader or the like.

[0039] User identification may be performed based on the user's biometric information. In this case, the determination unit 30 determines the user's authority level operating the numerical control device 12 based on the user identification information determined based on the biometric information and the user file 36 stored in the storage unit 26.

[0040] [1-2-2 Display Processing of Operation Screen 52] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the display processing of operation screen 52. Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic diagrams of the display unit 22 displaying operation screen 52. Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C are predetermined screens set in the numerical control device 12 at the time of factory shipment. As shown in Figure 7A, the screen control unit 32 can display operation screen 52 corresponding to a user with an authority level of "3" on the display unit 22. Also, as shown in Figure 7B, the screen control unit 32 can display operation screen 52 corresponding to a user with an authority level of "2" on the display unit 22. Also, as shown in Figure 7C, the screen control unit 32 can display operation screen 52 corresponding to a user with an authority level of "1" on the display unit 22.

[0041] With the initial screen 48 shown in Figure 5A or Figure 5B displayed on the display unit 22, the user can select a screen component 50a by operating the input unit 20. When a screen component 50a is selected, the calculation unit 24 of the control device 18 executes the process shown in Figure 6.

[0042] In step S11, the screen control unit 32 determines the restriction status of each screen component 50 that can be displayed on the selected operation screen 52, based on the user's authority level determined by the determination unit 30 in step S3 and the restriction data 38 stored in the storage unit 26. Here, the processing of step S11 will be explained with specific examples.

[0043] As the screen control unit 32 performs the processing in step S12 described below, one or more screen components 50 may be displayed on the display unit 22. For example, the operation screen 52 shown in Figure 7A may display multiple screen components 50 (screen component 50c, screen component 50d, and screen component 50e). Screen component 50c corresponds to "tab A" of the restriction data 38 shown in Figure 3. Screen component 50d corresponds to "button A" of the restriction data 38 shown in Figure 3. Screen component 50e corresponds to "text box A" of the restriction data 38 shown in Figure 3.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, no authority level is set for the "display restriction authority level" and "operation restriction authority level" corresponding to the tab A (screen component 50c). That is, the display and operation of the tab A (screen component 50c) are not restricted for users with any authority level.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, no authority level is set for the "display restriction authority level" corresponding to the button A (screen component 50d). On the other hand, "1" is set for the "operation restriction authority level" corresponding to the button A (screen component 50d). That is, the display of the button A (screen component 50d) is not restricted for users with any authority level. On the other hand, the operation of the button A (screen component 50d) is restricted for users with an authority level of "1".

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, "1" is set for the "display restriction authority level" corresponding to the text box A (screen component 50e). On the other hand, "1" and "2" are set for the "operation restriction authority level" corresponding to the text box A (screen component 50e). That is, the display of the text box A (screen component 50e) is restricted for users with an authority level of "1". On the other hand, the operation of the text box A (screen component 50e) is restricted for users with authority levels of "1" and "2".

[0047] The screen control unit 32 determines the above-described restricted states regarding the tab A (screen component 50c), button A (screen component 50d), and text box A (screen component 50e) that can be displayed on the operation screen 52.

[0048] In step S12, the screen control unit 32 displays an operation screen 52 corresponding to the user's authority level on the display unit 22. That is, the screen control unit 32 displays on the display unit 22 an operation screen 52 that includes screen components 50 not subject to display restrictions and does not include screen components 50 subject to display restrictions. Further, the screen control unit 32 changes the display form of each screen component 50 included in the operation screen 52 according to the operation restrictions. For example, the screen control unit 32 displays on the display unit 22 the screen components 50 not subject to operation restrictions in an operable state, and displays on the display unit 22 the screen components 50 subject to operation restrictions in an inoperable state.

[0049] When the user's authority level is "3", the screen control unit 32 displays each of the screen components 50c, 50d, and 50e in an operable state as shown in FIG. 7A. When the user's authority level is "2", the screen control unit 32 displays each of the screen components 50c and 50d in an operable state and displays the screen component 50e in an inoperable state as shown in FIG. 7B. When the user's authority level is "1", the screen control unit 32 displays the screen component 50c in an operable state and displays the screen component 50d in an inoperable state as shown in FIG. 7C. Further, when the user's authority level is "1", the screen control unit 32 does not display the screen component 50e (FIGS. 7A and 7B) as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0050] [1-2-3 Operation Process] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the operation process. When any one of the screen components 50 displayed on the operation screen 52 (FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C) is operated by the user, the arithmetic unit 24 of the control device 18 executes the process shown in FIG. 8.

[0051] In step S21, the screen control unit 32 determines whether a screen component 50 not subject to operation restrictions has been operated. If a screen component 50 not subject to operation restrictions has been operated (step S21: YES), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if a screen component 50 subject to operation restrictions has been operated (step S21: NO), the process ends regardless of the user's operation. That is, the user's operation is invalid.

[0052] When the system moves from step S21 to step S22, the screen control unit 32 displays a screen on the display unit 22 corresponding to the user's operation on the screen component 50. If the user's operation on the screen component 50 is related to the operation of the robot 14, the robot control unit 34 outputs a control signal to the robot 14 corresponding to the user's operation.

[0053] Furthermore, if the restriction data 38 specifies an operation time for the screen component 50, the screen control unit 32 and the robot control unit 34 will allow the user to operate the device for the specified operation time.

[0054] [1-2-4 Setting Process] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the display unit 22 showing the setting screen 56. The screen control unit 32 can display the setting screen (display screen) 56 on the display unit 22. With the setting screen 56 shown in Figure 9 displayed on the display unit 22, the user can set the authority level subject to restriction control to the restriction data 38 by operating the input unit 20.

[0055] When the user's permission level is "3", the initial screen 48 shown in Figure 5A is displayed on the display unit 22, as described above. With this initial screen 48 displayed on the display unit 22, the user can select a screen component 50b by operating the input unit 20. When a screen component 50b is selected, the screen control unit 32 displays the setting screen 56 shown in Figure 9 on the display unit 22.

[0056] On the other hand, if the user's permission level is "1" or "2", the display unit 22 displays the initial screen 48 shown in Figure 5B. The screen component 50b shown in Figure 5A is not displayed on this initial screen 48. In other words, the screen control unit 32 does not provide the settings screen 56 shown in Figure 9 to users with permission levels of "1" or "2". Therefore, users with permission levels of "1" or "2" cannot perform the setting operations described below.

[0057] The settings screen 56 shown in Figure 9 is a screen for setting the operation permissions for tab A (screen component 50c) which may be displayed on the operation screen 52 (Figure 7A, etc.). Although not shown, operation permissions for other screen components 50 are also set on the settings screen 56. Input fields 58 are displayed on the settings screen 56. The input fields 58 include checkboxes, text boxes, etc.

[0058] The user can input information into any input field 58 by operating the input unit 20. The reception unit 28 receives the input operation to the input field 58 and sets the information corresponding to the user operation in the restriction data 38 stored in the storage unit 26. As a result, the restriction data 38 is updated.

[0059] [1-2-5 User-Created Screen] As described above, the screen control unit 32 restricts the display of screen components 50 that can be displayed on predetermined screens (initial screen 48, operation screen 52). In addition, the screen control unit 32 may restrict each screen component 50 that can be displayed on a user-created screen 60 as shown in Figure 10.

[0060] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the display unit 22 displaying the user-created screen 60. The screen control unit 32 can display the user-created screen 60 on the display unit 22. The user-created screen 60 is a screen that is set in the numerical control unit 12 after factory shipment. The user-created screen 60 is created by the user. Similar to the information regarding the operation restrictions of each screen component 50 that can be displayed on a predetermined screen, information regarding the operation restrictions of each screen component 50 that can be displayed on the user-created screen 60 is set in the restriction data 38.

[0061] [1-2-6 Program Screen] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the display unit 22 displaying the program screen 62. The screen control unit 32 can display the program screen 62 on the display unit 22. The program screen 62 includes screen components 50f, 50g, 50h, 50i, and 50j. Screen component 50f is a display component that the user can operate to instruct the execution of the control program 40. Screen component 50g is a display component that the user can operate to instruct the temporary suspension of the control program 40. Screen component 50h is a display component that the user can operate to instruct the stop of the control program 40. Screen component 50i is a display component that the user can operate to instruct the creation or editing of the control program 40. Screen component 50j is a display component that the user can operate to instruct the change in the execution speed of the control program 40. Information regarding the operation restrictions of each screen component 50 that can be displayed on the program screen 62 is set in the restriction data 38.

[0062] [1-2-7 Operation Instruction Screen] The screen control unit 32 may display an operation instruction screen (not shown) on the display unit 22. The operation instruction screen includes screen components 50 that the user can operate to instruct the operation of the robot 14. Information regarding the operation restrictions of each screen component 50 that may be displayed on the operation instruction screen is set in the restriction data 38.

[0063] [1-3 Effects] As disclosed above, the use of the numerical control device 12 can be appropriately restricted by performing restriction control for some or all of the screen components 50. Furthermore, as disclosed above, by making it possible to perform restriction control for some or all of the screen components 50, the convenience of the operation restriction function of the numerical control device 12 is improved.

[0064] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to prevent users with low privilege levels from changing the settings of the numerical control device 12.

[0065] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to prevent users with low privilege levels from overwriting the restricted data 38.

[0066] As disclosed above, the use of the numerical control device 12 can be appropriately restricted by limiting the time during which the screen component 50 can be operated.

[0067] [2. Second Embodiment] Figure 12 is a block diagram of the numerical control system 10 according to the second embodiment. With respect to the numerical control system 10 according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the numerical control system 10 according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. In the second embodiment, the numerical control device 12 is connected to a server 68 or another numerical control device 12' via a communication line 66 such as the Internet, so that it can perform bidirectional communication.

[0068] The storage unit 70 provided in the server 68 stores the user file 36. The calculation unit 24 of the numerical control device 12 can access the user file 36 stored in the storage unit 70 via the communication line 66. In step S3 of Figure 4, the determination unit 30 determines the authority level of the user operating the numerical control device 12 based on the user identification information obtained by the reception unit 28 and the user file 36 stored in the storage unit 70 provided in the server 68.

[0069] The storage unit 70 provided in the server 68 stores the restriction data 38. The calculation unit 24 of the numerical control device 12 can access the restriction data 38 stored in the storage unit 70 via the communication line 66. In step S11 of Figure 6, the screen control unit 32 determines the restriction status of each screen component 50 that can be displayed on the selected operation screen 52, based on the user's authority level determined by the determination unit 30 and the restriction data 38 stored in the storage unit 70 provided in the server 68.

[0070] The numerical control device 12 may also use a user file 36 or restricted data 38 stored in a storage unit 26' provided in another numerical control device 12'. The calculation unit 24 of the numerical control device 12 can access the user file 36 or restricted data 38 stored in the storage unit 26' via a communication line 66.

[0071] According to the above disclosure, the numerical control device 12 can use restriction data 38 created externally. In other words, one restriction data 38 can be shared by multiple numerical control devices 12. Therefore, the man-hours required to create the restriction data 38 can be reduced.

[0072] [3. Third Embodiment] Figure 13 is a block diagram of the numerical control system 10 according to the third embodiment. With respect to the numerical control system 10 according to the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the numerical control system 10 according to the first and second embodiments, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0073] The calculation unit 24 provided in the numerical control device 12 includes an import control unit 72 and an export control unit 74. The import control unit 72 and the export control unit 74 can be realized by the calculation unit 24 executing a program stored in the storage unit 26.

[0074] The import control unit 72 imports the restriction data 38 stored in the storage unit 70 of the server 68 into the storage unit 26 in response to user operations received by the reception unit 28. The import control unit 72 may also import the restriction data 38 stored in the storage unit 26' of another numerical control device 12' into the storage unit 26.

[0075] The user can instruct the import of restriction data 38 by operating the input unit 20. The reception unit 28 receives the import instruction operation performed by the user. In response to the import instruction operation, the import control unit 72 copies the restriction data 38 stored in the external storage device and imports it into the storage unit 26. As a result, the storage unit 26 stores the restriction data 38 for which the authority level subject to restriction control has been set.

[0076] The import control unit 72 may also copy the restriction data 38 stored on a storage medium such as a USB memory and import it into the storage unit 26. The restriction data 38 to be imported may be a data file written in any data format (for example, XML, JSON, CSV, etc.).

[0077] [Correction based on Rule 91 10.10.2025] The user can instruct the export of restricted data 38 by operating the input unit 20. The reception unit 28 receives the export instruction operation performed by the user. The export control unit 74 exports the restricted data 38 stored in the storage unit 26 to an external storage device in response to the export instruction operation. As a result, the restricted data 38 stored in the storage unit 26 is used by other numerical control devices 12'. The restricted data 38 to be exported may also be a data file written in any data format (e.g., XML, JSON, CSV, etc.).

[0078] According to the above disclosure, the numerical control device 12 can use restriction data 38 created externally. In other words, one restriction data 38 can be shared by multiple numerical control devices 12. Therefore, the man-hours required to create the restriction data 38 can be reduced.

[0079] [4 Modifications] In the first to third embodiments, the permission level to which at least one of the display restrictions and operation restrictions applies is set in the restriction data 38 for some or all of the screen components. As a modification of the first to third embodiments, the permission level to which at least one of the display permissions and operation permissions applies may be set in the restriction data 38 for some or all of the screen components.

[0080] In this modified example, the screen control unit 32 performs restriction control which is at least one of the following: display permission, which allows the display of screen components 50 on the display unit 22, and operation permission, which allows operations on the screen components 50 displayed on the display unit 22. In the restriction data 38, at least one of the authority levels subject to display permission and the authority levels subject to operation permission is set for some or all of the screen components 50.

[0081] [5. Addendum] The following addendum is further disclosed with respect to the above embodiment.

[0082] (Note 1) The numerical control device (12) of this disclosure includes a determination unit (30) that determines the user's authority level, and a restriction control unit (32) that can perform restriction control which is at least one of the following: display restriction that restricts the display of screen components (50) on the display unit (22), display permission that permits the display of screen components on the display unit, operation restriction that restricts operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit, and operation permission that permits operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit. The authority level of the user to whom the display restriction, display permission, operation restriction, or operation permission applies is set in restriction data (38) for some or all of the screen components, and the restriction control unit performs the restriction control according to the authority level based on the authority level determined by the determination unit and the restriction data.

[0083] (Note 2) The numerical control device described in Note 1 is further provided with a reception unit (28) that receives user operations for setting the limit data, and the limit data may be set according to the operations received by the reception unit.

[0084] (Note 3) In the numerical control device described in Note 2, the device may include a storage unit (26) capable of storing the restriction data, and an import control unit (72) that imports the restriction data into the storage unit in response to an operation received by the reception unit, wherein the restriction data may be set by the import control unit importing the restriction data into the storage unit.

[0085] (Note 4) The numerical control device described in Note 2 may include a storage unit capable of storing the restriction data and an export control unit (74) that exports the restriction data from the storage unit.

[0086] (Note 5) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 2 to 4, the reception unit may set the restriction data in accordance with the user's operation on the display screen (56) displayed on the display unit.

[0087] (Note 6) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 5, the authority level at which setting the restriction data is permitted may be predetermined.

[0088] (Note 7) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 6, the time during which a user can continuously operate the screen component may be determined for each level of the user's authority.

[0089] (Note 8) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 7, the screen component may be the screen component displayed on a user-created screen (60) created by the user.

[0090] (Note 9) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 8, the screen component may be a screen component that is displayed on a predetermined screen prepared in advance.

[0091] (Note 10) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 9, the screen component may be a screen component for the user to instruct at least one of the following actions of a numerical control program: execution, stopping, creation, editing, and changing the execution speed.

[0092] (Note 11) In the numerical control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 10, the screen component may be the screen component used by the user to instruct the robot (14), which is the object of numerical control, to perform an action.

[0093] (Note 12) The control method for a numerical control device of the present disclosure includes: a determination step of determining the authority level of a user operating the numerical control device; and a restriction control step that can perform restriction control which is at least one of the following: display restriction which restricts the display of screen components on a display unit provided in the numerical control device; display permission which permits the display of screen components on the display unit; operation restriction which restricts operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit; and operation permission which permits operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit, wherein the authority level of a user subject to the display restriction, display permission, operation restriction, or operation permission is set in restriction data for some or all of the screen components, and in the restriction control step, the restriction control is performed according to the authority level based on the authority level determined in the determination step and the restriction data.

[0094] (Note 13) The program of this disclosure causes a computer to execute the control method of the numerical control device described in Note 12.

[0095] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the intent of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above.

[0096] 12... Numerical control unit 14... Robot 22... Display unit 26... Memory unit 28... Reception unit 30... Judgment unit 32... Screen control unit (limit control unit) 38... Limit data 50... Screen components 56... Settings screen (display screen) 60... User-created screen 72... Import control unit 74... Export control unit

Claims

1. A numerical control device comprising: a determination unit for determining the user's authority level; a restriction control unit capable of executing restriction control which is at least one of the following: display restriction which restricts the display of screen components on a display unit; display permission which permits the display of screen components on the display unit; operation restriction which restricts operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit; and operation permission which permits operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit; wherein the authority level of a user subject to the display restriction, display permission, operation restriction, or operation permission is set in restriction data for some or all of the screen components; and the restriction control unit executes the restriction control according to the authority level based on the authority level determined by the determination unit and the restriction data.

2. A numerical control device according to claim 1, comprising a reception unit for receiving user operations for setting the limit data, wherein the limit data is set in accordance with the operations received by the reception unit.

3. A numerical control device according to claim 2, comprising: a storage unit capable of storing the restriction data; and an import control unit that imports the restriction data into the storage unit in response to an operation received by the reception unit, wherein the restriction data is set when the import control unit imports the restriction data into the storage unit.

4. A numerical control device according to claim 2, comprising: a storage unit capable of storing the restriction data; and an export control unit for exporting the restriction data from the storage unit.

5. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the receiving unit sets the restriction data in accordance with user operations performed on a display screen displayed on the display unit.

6. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the authority level for which setting the restriction data is permitted is predetermined.

7. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the time during which a user can continuously operate the screen component is determined for each level of the user's authority.

8. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the screen component is a screen component displayed on a user-created screen created by a user.

9. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the screen component is a screen component that is displayed on a predetermined screen prepared in advance.

10. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the screen component is a screen component for the user to instruct the execution, stopping, creation, editing, and changing the execution speed of a numerical control program.

11. A numerical control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the screen component is a screen component for a user to instruct a robot that is the object of numerical control.

12. A control method for a numerical control device, comprising: a determination step for determining the authority level of a user operating a numerical control device; a restriction control step capable of executing restriction control which is at least one of the following: display restriction which restricts the display of screen components on a display unit provided in the numerical control device; display permission which permits the display of screen components on the display unit; operation restriction which restricts operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit; and operation permission which permits operations on the screen components displayed on the display unit, wherein the authority level of a user subject to the display restriction, display permission, operation restriction, or operation permission is set in restriction data for some or all of the screen components, and in the restriction control step, the restriction control is executed according to the authority level based on the authority level determined in the determination step and the restriction data.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the numerical control device described in claim 12.

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