Display control system and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

A display control system according to the present disclosure comprises: an operation right management unit that outputs, to display devices connected to a numerical control device, identification information of the display devices connected to the numerical control device, at least one of the display devices having a switch that manually accepts switching of operation rights of the display device, the identification information being displayed in association with the switch; an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information; and an identification information display unit that displays the identification information on the display devices.

Description

A display control system and a computer-readable storage medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control system capable of connecting a plurality of display devices and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002] In an industrial machine that can be operated on a plurality of display devices, if it is operated simultaneously on a plurality of display devices, due to operation conflicts, there is a possibility that the industrial machine may perform an unintended operation, posing a danger to the operator on the industrial machine side, or there is a risk of damaging the workpiece. Therefore, it is common to perform exclusive control based on the operation right. For example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-154330

[0004] When there are three or more display devices, it is difficult for the operator to determine which display device is the target for switching the operation right, and there is a problem that malfunction is likely to occur by switching the operation right to the wrong display device. In an industrial machine that can be operated on a plurality of display devices, it is desired that the operator can switch the operation right safely and efficiently.

[0005] The display control system according to the present disclosure is identification information of a display device connected to a numerical control device. At least one of the display devices has a switch for manually accepting the switching of the operation right of the display device. An operation right management unit that outputs the identification information of the display device displayed in association with the switch to the display device connected to the numerical control device of the numerical control device, an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information, and an identification information display unit that displays the identification information on the display device.

[0006] This diagram shows the relationship between a numerical control device and a display device. This diagram shows an example of a display device equipped with an operation rights switching function. This diagram shows an example of a display device that displays identification information. This block diagram shows the configuration of a display control system in which an operation rights management unit is located in the numerical control unit. This block diagram shows the configuration of a display control system in which an operation rights management unit is located in the main display device. This block diagram shows the configuration of a display control system in which an operation rights management unit is located in the display device. This diagram shows an example of a display device that displays identification information and authority. This diagram shows an example of a display device that displays identification information and authority. This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a numerical control device.

[0007] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted.

[0008] In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but also includes cases where it is based on something that has been calculated or processed. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).

[0009] [First Embodiment] As a premise, the relationship between the control device (numerical control device 10) and the display device 20 of the industrial machine in this embodiment will be explained. As shown in Figure 1, the numerical control device 10 can be connected to a plurality of display devices 20, and the numerical control device 10 also includes a display device 20 (operation panel).

[0010] The display device 20 is not fixed; it connects to the numerical control device 10 as needed, and terminates the session as needed. The type of display device 20 is not particularly limited. For example, it could be a programmable display with a built-in computer that can install programs, or a device equipped with a browser that displays web scripts. Examples of display devices 20 include tablets, displays, industrial PCs, and mobile phones.

[0011] The display control system 100 of this embodiment includes an operation rights management unit 11 that manages the operation rights of the display device 20. The operation rights management unit 11 may be provided by either the numerical control device 10 (control device) or the display device 20. The arrangement of the operation rights management unit 11 will be described later.

[0012] As described above, the display device 20 connects to the numerical control device 10 as needed, and disconnects from the numerical control device 10 (ends the session) as needed.

[0013] The display control system 100 includes an operation rights management unit 11. The operation rights management unit 11 uniquely manages the connected display devices 20. The operation rights management unit 11 manages the display devices 20 with specific identification information.

[0014] The type of identification information for the display device 20 is not particularly limited. One method of assigning identification information to the display device 20 is numbering. In numbering, a number is assigned to the display device 20 with which a connection has been established. When the session ends, the number that was previously used becomes empty. When a connection with a new display device 20 is established, the empty number is assigned to the display device 20. In an example where TCP communication is used for connection, the display device 20 with which a TCP session has been established can be managed in association with the session. The identification information may be the physical number of the display device 20 or a number on the network. When TCP / IP communication is used for connection, the MAC address and IP address can be used as the identification information for the display device 20. Alternatively, identification information may be extracted from the communication configuration file. Based on the communication configuration file, for example, the IP address, terminal name, port number, etc. can be obtained.

[0015] The operation rights management unit 11 manages the operation rights of the display device 20. In this embodiment, operation rights are manually switched on a display device 20 equipped with an operation rights switching function (including those with an integrated display screen and control panel). Figure 2 shows an example of a display device 20 equipped with an operation rights switching function. In the display device 20 of Figure 2, a switch is provided for selecting the display device 20. The switch is labeled with the numbers "1st Display", "2nd Display", and "3rd Display". These numbers are identification information that uniquely identifies the display device 20 included in the display control system 100. When the numerical control device 10 and the display device 20 are in a one-to-many (including many-to-many) relationship, a conflict occurs if multiple display devices 20 are used simultaneously, so mutual exclusion control is performed. In this embodiment, a switch is provided on at least one display device 20 to manually switch operation rights. The switch may be in any form, including a software keyboard.

[0016] Here, we will explain the difference between the mutual exclusion control in this embodiment and the mutual exclusion control in general information communication. In general information communication, devices perform a handshake before communication begins. During the handshake, the communication method of the other party, various settings, etc., are notified and exchanged. In general information communication, the other party is automatically recognized and mutual exclusion control is automatically performed.

[0017] However, in this embodiment, the switch for switching control is operated by a human. Not all factory workers recognize each other, nor do they know who is operating which display device 20, nor do they know which display device 20 is connected to which numerical control device 10. Therefore, there is a problem that the operator switching control cannot identify the display device 20. In the example in Figure 2, there are switches labeled with the display device 20 numbers "1st Display," "2nd Display," and "3rd Display," but this information alone is not enough for the operator to determine which display device 20 each switch represents. If the wrong switch is selected and control is switched to an unintended display device 20, it could lead to the accidental operation of industrial machinery, which is dangerous.

[0018] In this embodiment, identification information is displayed on each operator's display device 20 so that the operator can identify their own display device 20. Figure 3 shows an example of a display device 20. The identification information of the display device 20 is displayed in the upper right corner of the display device 20. This identification information is linked to the operating rights. Switching operating rights can be done on the operator's own display device 20 or on another operator's display device 20. Which display device 20 is used to switch operating rights is determined by the user's authority, the functions of the display device 20, etc. When switching on one's own display device 20, one should select the switch that matches one's own identification information. When switching operating rights on another operator's display device 20, one should communicate one's own identification information to the other operator.

[0019] This eliminates the risk of accidentally pressing the wrong switch due to not knowing which device the control should be switched to, making it possible to switch control accurately.

[0020] In the display control system 100, the operation rights management unit 11 can be located in the numerical control device 10, the main display device 30, and the display device 20. The configuration of the display control system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0021] Figure 4 shows an example in which an operation rights management unit 11 is arranged on the numerical control device 10. The operation rights management unit 11 manages identification information that the numerical control device 10 uses to identify the display device 20. The display device 20 includes an acquisition unit 21 and an identification information display unit 22. The acquisition unit 21 acquires its own identification information from the numerical control device 10. The identification information display unit 22 displays the acquired identification information on its own display screen.

[0022] Figure 5 shows an example in which the operation rights management unit 11 is located on the main display device 30. The operation rights management unit 11 manages identification information that the main display device 30 uses to identify the display device 20. The main display device 30 and the sub-display device 40 each include an acquisition unit 21 and an identification information display unit 22. The acquisition unit 21 acquires its own identification information. The identification information display unit 22 displays the acquired identification information on its own display screen.

[0023] Figure 6 shows an example in which the operation rights management unit 11 is located on the display device 20. The operation rights management unit 11 manages identification information that the display device 20 uses to identify applications. The display device 20 has multiple applications, and each application has an acquisition unit 21 and an identification information display unit 22. The acquisition unit 21 acquires the identification information of the application. The identification information display unit 22 displays the acquired identification information on the display screen.

[0024] [Second Embodiment] In the display control system 100 of the second embodiment, in addition to identification information, the permissions that can be granted to the display device 20 are displayed. Figure 7 is an example of the display device 20 of the second embodiment. In the upper right corner of the display area of ​​each display device 20, "1st Display: Read Write", "2nd Display: Read Only", and "3rd Display: Read Only" are displayed. This display means "Identification Information: Permissions". This allows the operator to recognize the scope of their own operations. Writing is not possible even if the display device 20 with "Read Only" is operated. By recognizing the permissions in advance, the operator can perform work within the scope of the permissions granted to them and prevent the occurrence of unnecessary work.

[0025] Figure 8 shows an example of another display device 20. In the upper right corner of the display area of ​​each display device 20, "1st Display: Read Write", "2nd Display: Read Only", and "3rd Display: Read Only (Locked)" are displayed. The "(Locked)" displayed for "3rd Display" means that dynamic switching of control rights is not possible. In other words, it can be seen that control rights are not granted to "3rd Display". By knowing in advance that control rights are not granted, the operator can avoid wasting time trying to switch control rights through trial and error, thus preventing unnecessary work. In addition to the rights, the display screen may also display information such as whether the display device 20 is the main display device 30 or the sub-display device 40.

[0026] The authority granted to the user varies depending on the user, the display device 20, the operating environment, etc. The authority management unit 11 determines the authority based on this information about the user, the display device 20, the operating environment, etc. User information can be obtained from authentication processes, etc. Information about the display device 20 can be obtained from communication handshakes, etc. The operating environment can be obtained from the input / output status of the I / O module, PLC signals, external configuration files, parameters of the numerical control device, automatic recognition equipment, etc.

[0027] The relationship between users, display devices 20, applications, operating environments, and permissions is assumed to be pre-configured. Permissions related to users may be determined not only for the individual user, but also for each user attribute, such as the user's affiliation or job title. Permissions related to display devices 20 may be determined not only for each individual display device 20, but also for each display device attribute, such as the model of the display device 20 or the owner of the display device 20. The operating environment changes depending on the situation. For example, if a parameter of a numerical control device prohibits a certain operation, the operation will be prohibited according to that parameter. If a PLC signal indicates that some operation is in progress, specific operations will be prohibited as needed.

[0028] The operation rights management unit 11 may manage operations rights not only for each user, display device 20, operating environment, and application, but also for each piece of data. For example, based on the user, display device 20, operating environment, and application, it may individually manage permissions such as the right to write to specific data on the numerical control device 10, the right to write to specific data on the display device 20, the right to display specific data on the numerical control device 10, the right to display specific data on the display device 20, and the right to input into a specific user interface.

[0029] As described above, the display control system 100 of this embodiment includes a display device 20 connected to a numerical control device 10 and an operation rights management unit 11 that links the display device 20 with its identification information. The operation rights management unit 11 outputs the identification information to the display device 20. The display device 20 displays the identification information obtained from the operation rights management unit 11 on its display screen.

[0030] At least one of the display devices 20 connected to the numerical control device 10 is equipped with a switch for selecting the right of operation. The switch accepts manual selection of the right of operation. The switch displays information corresponding to the identification information of the display device 20 connected to the numerical control device 10. The operator of the numerical control device 10 can switch the right of operation of the display device 20 while confirming the identification information displayed on the switch.

[0031] When the connection between the numerical control device 10 and the display device 20 is established, the operation rights management unit 11 links the display device 20 with identification information. When the session ends (when the connection is disconnected), the operation rights management unit 11 releases the link. The identification information on the display screen is cleared. Examples of situations in which the display device 20 connects / disconnects include situations where a remote operator addresses a malfunction in a machine tool, situations where data from one device is viewed on the display device 20 while operating another device, and situations where the operating status of numerous control devices deployed in a factory is monitored.

[0032] The operation rights management unit 11 outputs not only identification information but also operation rights authority to the display device 20. The display device 20 displays the acquired authority on the display screen.

[0033] The operation rights management unit 11 manages operation rights for each user of the display device 20, the display device 20, the operating environment, and the application of the display device 20. The operation rights management unit 11 may also manage permissions for each data. Permissions include permissions to write to specific data and permissions to display specific data.

[0034] The hardware configuration of the numerical control device 10 to which this disclosure is applied will be described below. Figure 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the numerical control device 10. The main display device 30 has the same configuration as the numerical control device 10. The main display device 30 has a display unit instead of the display device 20. The configuration of the main display device 30 is omitted. As shown in Figure 9, the numerical control device 10 includes a CPU 111 that controls the numerical control device 10 as a whole, a ROM 112 that records programs and data, and a RAM 113 for temporarily expanding data. The CPU 111 reads the system program recorded in the ROM 112 via the bus.

[0035] The non-volatile memory 114 retains its stored state even when the power to the numerical control device 10 is turned off, for example, by being backed up by a battery (not shown). Various data such as programs read from an external device 120 via interfaces 115, 118, and 119, and operation inputs input via input device 121 are stored in the non-volatile memory 114. Programs and data for executing the numerical control device 10 of this embodiment may also be stored in the non-volatile memory 114.

[0036] Interface 115 is an interface for connecting the numerical control device 10 to an external device 120 such as an adapter. Programs and various parameters are read from the external device 120. Interface 118 is an interface for connecting the numerical control device 10 to a display device 20 such as a liquid crystal display. The display device 20 displays data read into memory, data obtained as a result of executing programs, etc. Interface 119 is an interface for connecting the numerical control device 10 to an input device 121 such as a keyboard or pointing device. The input device 121 passes commands, data, etc. based on operator operations to the CPU 111 via interface 119.

[0037] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, this disclosure 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 spirit of the invention or from the idea and intent of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are shown 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.

[0038] The following are annotations relating to embodiments of the present disclosure. (Annotation 1) A display control system (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: an operation rights management unit (11) that outputs identification information of a display device (20) connected to a numerical control device (10), wherein at least one of the display devices (20) has a switch that accepts manual switching of the operation rights of the display device (20), in association with the switch, to the display device (20) connected to the numerical control device (10); an acquisition unit (21) that acquires the identification information; and an identification information display unit (22) that displays the identification information on the display device (20). (Annotation 2) The operation rights management unit (11) outputs the authority granted to the display device (20) to the display device (20), and the identification information display unit (22) displays the authority acquired by the acquisition unit (21) on a display screen. (Note 3) The operation rights management unit (11) manages the authority to operate the display device (20) based on at least one of the user of the display device (20), the display device (20), the operating environment, and the application of the display device (20). (Note 4) The operation rights management unit (11) manages the authority to operate for each data. (Note 5) The numerical control device (10) includes the operation rights management unit (11), and the display device (20) includes the acquisition unit and the identification information display unit. (Note 6) One of the display devices (20) is the main display device (30), and the display devices (20) other than the main display device (30) are sub-display devices (40), the main display device (30) includes the operation rights management unit (11), the acquisition unit (21), and the identification information display unit (22), and the sub-display device (40) includes the acquisition unit (21) and the identification information display unit (22). (Note 7) The display device (20) comprises at least one application, the display device (20) comprises an operation rights management unit (11), and the application comprises an acquisition unit (21) and an identification information display unit (22). (Note 8) The operation rights management unit (11) associates the display device (20) with the identification information when a connection is established between the display device (20) and the numerical control device (10).(Note 9) When the connection between the display device (20) and the numerical control device (10) is disconnected, the operation rights management unit (11) disconnects the association between the display device (20) and the identification information. (Note 10) The operation rights management unit (11) assigns a number to the display device (20) that has established a connection with the numerical control device (10), and when the connection is disconnected, it clears the number assigned to the display device (20), and when a connection with a new display device (20) is established, it assigns the cleared number to the display device (20) and assigns the identification information to the display device (20). (Note 11) A computer-readable storage medium according to one aspect of the present disclosure stores a program that causes the computer (111) to operate as an operation rights management unit (11) which outputs the identification information of a display device (20) connected to a numerical control device (10), wherein at least one of the display devices (20) has a switch that accepts manual switching of the operation rights of the display device (20), and the identification information of the display device (20) displayed in association with the switch to the display device (20) connected to the numerical control device (10), an acquisition unit (21) which acquires the identification information, and an identification information display unit (22) which displays the identification information on the display device.

[0039] 100 Display control system 10 Numerical control device 20 Display device 30 Main display device 40 Sub-display device 11 Operation rights management unit 21 Acquisition unit 22 Identification information display unit 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 114 Non-volatile memory

Claims

1. A display control system comprising: an operation rights management unit that outputs the identification information of a display device connected to a numerical control device to a display device connected to the numerical control device, wherein at least one of the display devices has a switch that accepts manual switching of the operation rights of the display device, and the operation rights management unit outputs the identification information of the display device displayed in association with the switch to the display device; an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information; and an identification information display unit that displays the identification information on the display device.

2. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation rights management unit outputs the rights granted to the display device to the display device, and the identification information display unit displays the rights acquired by the acquisition unit on the display screen.

3. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation rights management unit manages the authority to operate the display device based on at least one of the user of the display device, the display device, the operating environment, and the application of the display device.

4. The display control system according to claim 3, wherein the operation rights management unit manages the authority of operation rights for each data.

5. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the numerical control device comprises an operation rights management unit, and the display device comprises the acquisition unit and the identification information display unit.

6. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein one of the display devices is a main display device, and the other display devices are sub-display devices, the main display device comprises an operation rights management unit, an acquisition unit, and an identification information display unit, and the sub-display devices comprises an acquisition unit and an identification information display unit.

7. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the display device comprises at least one application, the display device comprises an operation rights management unit, and the application comprises an acquisition unit and an identification information display unit.

8. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation rights management unit associates the display device with identification information when a connection between the display device and the numerical control device is established.

9. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation rights management unit releases the association between the display device and the identification information when the connection between the display device and the numerical control device is disconnected.

10. The display control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation rights management unit assigns a number to a display device that has established a connection with the numerical control device, resets the number assigned to the display device when the connection is disconnected, assigns the vacant number to the display device when a connection with a new display device is established, and assigns identification information to the display device.

11. A computer-readable storage medium recording a program that causes a computer to operate as: an operation rights management unit that outputs the identification information of a display device connected to a numerical control device, wherein at least one of the display devices has a switch that accepts manual switching of the operation rights of the display device, and the identification information of the display device displayed in association with the switch to the display device connected to the numerical control device; an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information; and an identification information display unit that displays the identification information on the display device.

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