Multilingual-compatible control device for robot or industrial machine
The control device efficiently manages storage capacity by using a non-volatile memory for general user language data and a volatile memory for worker language data, enabling language-switchable operation screens without exceeding storage limits.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FANUC LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing control devices for robots and industrial machines face storage capacity compression due to the need to store multiple language data for general users and maintenance workers, as the languages used by these groups often differ, necessitating the storage of redundant language data.
A control device with a non-volatile memory storing first language data and a volatile memory that acquires and stores second language data from an external source only when needed, allowing the operation screen to switch between languages based on the presence of second language data in the volatile memory.
This approach reduces the strain on non-volatile memory capacity by storing worker-specific language data only when required, while ensuring the operation screen can be displayed in the appropriate language for both general users and maintenance workers without exceeding storage limits.
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Figure JP2024045759_02072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Control device for a robot or industrial machine that supports multiple languages
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a robot or industrial machine that supports multiple languages.
[0002] A control device for a robot and an industrial machine (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a "machine") has a display unit that displays an operation screen for receiving an operation by a user. Since robots and industrial machines can be used in various countries, the operation screen supports multi-language display. In a storage device provided in the control device, data (hereinafter referred to as "language data") for displaying a display based on a specific language on the operation screen is stored.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-257903, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-516517
[0004] Users of machines such as robots and industrial machines are roughly classified into general users who use the machines and workers who perform manufacturing and maintenance work on the machines. The character information displayed on the operation screen of a machine such as a robot or an industrial machine is generally displayed in the language used by the general user of the machine. On the other hand, the language used by the general user of the machine does not always match the language used by the worker who performs manufacturing and maintenance work on the machine. When the languages of the two do not match, a plurality of types of language data are stored in the storage device in the control device, which causes compression of the capacity of the storage device. Therefore, in a control device for a robot or industrial machine that supports multiple languages, a technique for suppressing compression of the capacity of the storage device for storing language data is desired.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control device includes a non-volatile memory in which first language data is stored, a volatile memory, a data acquisition unit that acquires second language data different from the first language data from an external storage device and stores it in the volatile memory, a display unit that displays an operation screen of the machine, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display an operation screen based on the first language data when the second language data is not stored in the volatile memory, and causes the display unit to display an operation screen based on the second language data when the second language data is stored in the volatile memory.
[0006] This is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a block diagram illustrating the data acquisition process by the data acquisition unit when the external storage device connected to the control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a server. This is a block diagram illustrating the data acquisition process by the data acquisition unit when the external storage device connected to the control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a portable storage medium. This is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the operation screen display process in the control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0007] The following describes embodiments of a control device for a robot or industrial machine that supports multiple languages, with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. The drawings have been scaled appropriately for ease of understanding.
[0008] Furthermore, in the following description, terms are defined in consideration of the function in the embodiments of this disclosure, and therefore terms may vary depending on the intent or convention of the user, operator, etc. For example, “connected” means “electrically connected” or “communicatively connected.” “Language” means a system of symbols used by humans to transmit thoughts, feelings, wills, etc., using sound and writing, and refers to the languages that humans use on a daily basis for communication. In the following description, the term “language” may also be referred to as “natural language.” “Natural language” is distinguished from “artificial languages” and “formal languages,” such as programming languages and logical formulas. “Non-volatile memory” may also be referred to as “non-volatile memory device.” “Volatile memory” may also be referred to as “volatile memory device.” “Portable storage medium” may also be referred to as “removable media.” “Industrial machinery” includes, but may also include, machine tools, production machinery, laser processing machines, wire electrical discharge machines, injection molding machines, and rolling mills. A "teaching control device" is sometimes referred to as a "teaching control panel." The term "user" of robots and industrial machinery includes both "general users" who commercially utilize the machine and "workers" who perform manufacturing and maintenance work on the machine. In the following explanation, "general users" and "workers" are used distinctly.
[0009] The control devices according to embodiments of this disclosure are robot control devices for controlling robots, or control devices for controlling industrial machinery. In the following description, robots or industrial machinery may be simply referred to as "machines." Here, as an example, we will describe the case where the control device is a robot control device for controlling a robot. The following description is also applicable to control devices for controlling industrial machinery, in which case "robot" is read as "industrial machinery" and "robot control device" is read as simply "control device." A "control device" for controlling industrial machinery includes numerical control devices, but may also include other types of control devices.
[0010] <Configuration of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] A robot 2 (or industrial machine) is connected to the control device 1 according to the embodiments of this disclosure. The control device 1 controls the robot 2. An external storage device 3 may also be connected to the control device 1.
[0012] The control device 1 comprises a non-volatile memory 11, a volatile memory 12, a data acquisition unit 13, a display unit 14, a display control unit 15, a communication unit 16, and other circuits (not shown). The data acquisition unit 13 and the display control unit 15 are configured within the arithmetic processing unit 10. Power supplies for driving the control device 1, the robot 2, and the external storage device 3 are not shown.
[0013] To operate robot 2, the control device of robot 2 is equipped with a teaching pendant, which is a teaching operation device. The user of robot 2 can use the teaching operation device to register and edit operation programs related to robot 2, set conditions, display status, teach robot 2, and perform manual operations. The teaching operation device has a display unit 14 that displays an operation screen 21 for receiving input from the user of robot 2, and an operation unit (not shown) that receives input from the user of robot 2. The teaching operation device may be composed of a touch panel that combines the functions of both the display unit 14 and the operation unit, or the display unit 14 and the operation unit may be composed of separate devices. When the display unit 14 and the operation unit of the teaching operation device are composed of separate devices, the display unit 14 is composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and the operation unit is composed of a keyboard, mouse, joystick, lever, or buttons.
[0014] The operation screen 21 displayed on the display unit 14 consists of textual information and information independent of the textual information. The information independent of the textual information includes, for example, figures, pictures, and colors. The textual information is displayed in a specific language. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the textual information on the operation screen 21 may be displayed in a first language or in a second language different from the first language. The first language is a language that is used or understood by general users of the robot 2 and the control device 1 on a daily basis. The second language is a language that is used or understood by workers who perform manufacturing and maintenance work on the robot 2 and the control device 1 on a daily basis. For example, the second language may be at least one of Japanese and English, and the first language may be a language other than Japanese and English. It is said that there are approximately 1,000 to 1,000 languages worldwide other than Japanese and English. Representative examples include German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romansh, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Hindi, Bengali, Turkish, Arabic, and Celtic. The combinations of first and second languages listed here are just examples, and other combinations are also acceptable. For example, the second language could be German and the first language Spanish, or the second language could be Chinese and the first language French.
[0015] Non-volatile memory 11 is memory that retains data even without a power supply. Examples of non-volatile memory 11 include PROM, EPROM, EEPROM (registered trademark), mask ROM, and flash memory, but other types may also be included.
[0016] The non-volatile memory 11 pre-stores first language data that defines a first language. The first language data is the data necessary to display the character information on the operation screen 21 in the first language. For example, dictionary, grammar, and font data related to the first language are components of the first language data. The non-volatile memory 11 also pre-stores structural data. The structural data defines the display content other than the character information on the operation screen 21, the display format, the display function, and the display operation. The storage of the first language data and structural data in the non-volatile memory 11 is performed during the manufacturing stage of the robot 2 and control device 1, assuming the language of the destination where the robot 2 and control device 1 will be delivered. However, it may also be performed later during maintenance work on the robot 2 and control device 1, such as during relocation or updates after delivery.
[0017] The volatile memory 12 is a type of memory that cannot retain stored data unless power is supplied to it. The volatile memory 12 retains data while power is supplied, but the data is erased when the power is turned off (when the power supply is cut off). Power is supplied to the volatile memory while power is supplied to the control device 1. Examples of volatile memory 12 include DRAM and SRAM, but other types may also be included.
[0018] The volatile memory 12 may store second language data that defines a second language. The second language data is necessary to display the character information on the operation screen 21 in the second language. For example, dictionary, grammar, and font data related to the second language are components of the second language data. For example, if the second language is Japanese, the second language data is data that defines Japanese, and if the second language is English, the second language data is data that defines English. During the manufacturing stage of the robot 2 and the control device 1, while power is supplied to the volatile memory 12, the second language data acquired from the external storage device 3 can be stored in the volatile memory 12 using the data acquisition unit 13. After the manufacturing of the robot 2 and the control device 1 is completed, the power supply to the control device 1 and the volatile memory 12 is cut off, so the second language data is erased from the volatile memory 12. After the robot 2 and the control device 1 are manufactured and shipped to general users, the volatile memory 12 does not store the second language data. On the other hand, during maintenance and inspection of the robot 2 and the control device 1, while power is supplied to the control device 1, the second language data acquired from the external storage device 3 can be stored in the volatile memory 12 again using the data acquisition unit 13. Each time the power supply to the control device 1 and the volatile memory 12 is cut off, the second language data is erased from the volatile memory 12.
[0019] The second language data is pre-stored in an external storage device 3, which is separate from the control device 1. Examples of external storage devices 3 include servers and portable storage media.
[0020] When an operator commands the start of data acquisition, the data acquisition unit 13 receives this command, acquires the second language data from the external storage device 3 via the communication unit 16, and stores (writes) it to the volatile memory 12.
[0021] If the volatile memory 12 does not contain the second language data, the display control unit 15 controls the display unit 14 to display the operation screen 21, which is displayed in the first language defined by the first language data, based on the structure data stored in the non-volatile memory 11 and the first language data. If the volatile memory 12 contains the second language data, the display control unit 15 controls the display unit 14 to display the operation screen 21, which is displayed in the second language defined by the second language data, based on the structure data stored in the non-volatile memory 11 and the second language data stored in the volatile memory 12.
[0022] As described above, after the robot 2 and control device 1 are manufactured and shipped to general users, the volatile memory 12 does not store the second language data. Therefore, when general users use the robot 2 and control device 1, the text information on the operation screen 21 displayed on the display unit 14 is written in the first language defined by the first language data. On the other hand, during the manufacturing period of the robot 2 and control device 1, and during maintenance and inspection, while power is supplied to the control device 1 (and volatile memory 12), the second language data is stored (written) from the external storage device 3 to the volatile memory 12 when a worker commands the start of data acquisition using the input device. As long as power is supplied to the volatile memory 12, the second language data is held in the volatile memory 12, so the text information on the operation screen 21 displayed on the display unit 14 is written in the second language defined by the second language data. In addition, the display content other than the text information on the operation screen 21 displayed on the display unit 14, the display format, display function, and display operation are defined by the structural data. Therefore, the display content other than text information on the operation screen 21, the display format, display functions, and display operations are the same regardless of whether the text information is displayed in a second language or a first language.
[0023] Thus, in the embodiments of this disclosure, depending on whether or not the second language data is stored in the volatile memory 12, the text information on the operation screen 21 is switched between the second language and the first language, while maintaining the display content other than the text information on the operation screen 21, the display format, display functions, and display operations.
[0024] <Processor and Memory> The control device 1 is provided with at least one processor, which is an arithmetic processing unit 10. The arithmetic processing unit 10 may be an IC, LSI, CPU, MPU, DSP, etc., but may also include other components. The arithmetic processing unit 10 has a control unit for controlling the robot 2, a data acquisition unit 13, a display control unit 15, a communication unit 16, and other processing units. Each of these units of the arithmetic processing unit 10 is a functional module realized by a program executed on the processor. For example, if the control unit for controlling the robot 2, the data acquisition unit 13, the display control unit 15, the communication unit 16, and other processing units are constructed in program format, the functions of each unit can be realized by operating the arithmetic processing unit 10 according to this program. The program for executing each process in the control unit for controlling the robot 2, the data acquisition unit 13, the display control unit 15, the communication unit 16, and other processing units may be provided in the form of a program product stored (recorded) on a computer-readable storage medium (recording medium), such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic storage medium (magnetic recording medium), or an optical storage medium (optical recording medium). Alternatively, the control unit for controlling the robot 2, the data acquisition unit 13, the display control unit 15, the communication unit 16, and other processing units may be implemented as semiconductor integrated circuits on which programs that realize the functions of each unit are written.
[0025] Similarly, the robot 2 and the display unit 14 are each provided with at least one processor, which is an arithmetic processing unit. Examples of arithmetic processing units include ICs, LSIs, CPUs, MPUs, and DSPs, but other types may also be included. The programs for executing each process in the robot 2 and the display unit 14 may be provided in the form of program products stored (recorded) on a computer-readable storage medium (recording medium), such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic storage medium (magnetic recording medium), or an optical storage medium (optical recording medium). Alternatively, a semiconductor integrated circuit may be realized in which the programs that realize each function of the robot 2 and the display unit 14 are written.
[0026] Furthermore, the non-volatile memory 11 stores programs for operating the arithmetic processing unit 10, the display unit 14, the communication unit 16, and other processing units. The non-volatile memory 11 stores first language data and structural data. The non-volatile memory 11 stores various programs and data related to the control device 1. The non-volatile memory 11 stores various programs and data related to the robot 2.
[0027] <External storage device configured as a server> Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the data acquisition process by the data acquisition unit when the external storage device connected to the control device according to the embodiment of this disclosure is a server.
[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the external storage device 3 described with reference to Figure 1 may be a server 3-1. Server 3-1 comprises a communication unit 31, a storage device, and a processor. The communication unit 31, the storage device within server 3-1, and the processor within server 3-1 are electrically connected to each other via a bus.
[0029] The storage device within server 3-1 pre-stores second language data. The storage device within server 3-1 may also store computer programs for executing various processes by the processor within server 3-1, and various data used when various processes are executed by the processor within server 3-1. The storage device within server 3-1 may include volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM), non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), magnetic storage medium (magnetic recording medium), or optical recording medium.
[0030] The processor in server 3-1 has one or more CPUs and their peripheral circuits. The processor in server 3-1 performs various processes based on computer programs stored in memory 142.
[0031] The communication unit 31 communicates with the communication unit 16 in the control device 1 via a communication network. A wireless communication network or a wired communication network can be used as the communication network.
[0032] If the communication network is a wired communication network, the communication unit 31 and the communication unit 16 in the control device 1 are connected via a LAN cable to enable communication.
[0033] When a communication network is a wireless communication network, either narrow-area wireless communication or wide-area wireless communication is used. Narrow-area wireless communication refers to communication with a shorter communication range compared to wide-area wireless communication, for example, communication with a communication range of less than 10 meters. For narrow-area wireless communication, communication conforming to arbitrary communication standards established by IEEE, ISO, IEC, etc. (for example, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, etc.) is used. Technologies used for narrow-area wireless communication include, for example, DSRC (dedicated Short Range Communication) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Wide-area wireless communication refers to communication with a longer communication range compared to narrow-area wireless communication, for example, communication with a communication range of 10 meters to 10 kilometers. For wide-area wireless communication, various wireless communication methods with long communication ranges can be used. For example, communication compliant with any communication standard such as 3GPP (registered trademark), 4G, LTE, 5G, and WiMAX established by the IEEE can be used.
[0034] The data acquisition process by the data acquisition unit 13 begins when a worker commands the start of data acquisition while power is supplied to the control device 1 (and volatile memory 12). However, if the communication network is wired, the worker must connect the communication unit 31 and the communication unit 16 in the control device 1 with a LAN cable before performing the operation. The worker uses an input device attached to the control device 1 to command the data acquisition unit 13 to start data acquisition. Examples of input devices include a touch panel that combines the functions of both the display unit 14 and the operation unit, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a lever, or buttons. The operation to command the start of data acquisition is pre-assigned to the touch panel, keyboard, mouse, joystick, lever, or buttons. When the worker commands the start of data acquisition using the input device, the data acquisition unit 13 acquires the second language data from the server 3-1 via the communication unit 31 and the communication unit 16 and stores (writes) it to the volatile memory 12.
[0035] <External storage device composed of a portable storage medium> Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the data acquisition process by the data acquisition unit when the external storage device connected to the control device according to the embodiment of this disclosure is a portable storage medium.
[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the external storage device 3 described with reference to Figure 1 may be a portable storage medium 3-2. Examples of portable storage media 3-2 include removable hard disk drives (HDDs), removable solid-state drives (SSDs), magneto-optical disks, optical disks, and recording media memory. Examples of magneto-optical disks include MO and MiniDisc. Examples of optical disks include CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+RAM, and Blu-ray® discs. Examples of recording media memory include SmartMedia, CompactFlash®, SD memory cards, microSD memory cards, SRAM cards, and USB memory.
[0037] The data acquisition process by the data acquisition unit 13 begins when the portable storage medium is connected to the control device 1 (the communication unit 16) in a communicative manner, power is supplied to the control device 1 (and the volatile memory 12), and a worker performs a predetermined operation. The worker uses an input device attached to the control device 1 to command the data acquisition unit 13 to start data acquisition. Examples of input devices include a touch panel that combines the functions of both the display unit 14 and the operation unit, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a lever, or buttons. The operation to command the start of data acquisition is pre-assigned to the touch panel, keyboard, mouse, joystick, lever, or buttons. When the worker commands the start of data acquisition using the input device, the data acquisition unit 13 acquires the second language data from the portable storage medium 3-2 via the communication unit 16 and stores (writes) it to the volatile memory 12.
[0038] <Operation Flow of Control Device According to Embodiment of the Present Disclosure> Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of operation screen display processing in the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] In the non-volatile memory 11, first language data is stored in advance. For example, when the power is supplied to the control device 1, in step S101, the data acquisition unit 13 determines whether an operation to command the start of data acquisition has been performed by an operator.
[0040] If it is determined in step S101 that an operation to command the start of data acquisition has not been performed, in step S102, the display control unit 15 performs control to display the operation screen 21 described in the first language defined by the first language data on the display unit 14 based on the structure data stored in the non-volatile memory 11 and the first language data. Then, it returns to step S101.
[0041] If it is determined in step S101 that an operation to command the start of data acquisition has been performed, in step S103, the data acquisition unit 13 acquires the second language data from the external storage device 3 via the communication unit 16 and stores (writes) this in the volatile memory 12.
[0042] In step S104, the display control unit 15 performs control to display the operation screen 21 described in the second language defined by the second language data on the display unit 14 based on the structure data stored in the non-volatile memory 11 and the second language data stored in the volatile memory 12.
[0043] When the power of the control device 1 is turned off (when the power supply is cut off) in step S105, the second language data is erased from the volatile memory 12, and the process proceeds to step S102. If the power of the control device 1 is not turned off (when there is power supply) in step S105, the process returns to step S104.
[0044] The processing of steps S101 to S105 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.
[0045] <Advantages of Embodiments and Modifications of the Disclosure> According to embodiments and modifications of the disclosure, it is possible to suppress the pressure on the capacity of the storage device that stores language data in a control device for a robot or industrial machine that supports multiple languages.
[0046] Since machines such as robots and industrial machinery can be used in various countries, the operation screens displayed on the control units that control these machines are designed to support multiple languages. While the text displayed on the operation screen is generally in the language used by the machine's general users, this language may not necessarily match the language used by the workers who manufacture or maintain the machine. Therefore, conventionally, during the manufacturing of the machine and its control unit, language data defining a language understandable to workers (e.g., Japanese or English) was always stored in the control unit's non-volatile memory, as well as language data defining a language used by general users (e.g., a language other than Japanese and English). In other words, even if the language understood by workers (mainly Japanese or English) was unnecessary for general users, language data defining a worker-understandable language was always stored in the non-volatile memory to improve the efficiency of the workers' tasks. This, however, was a cause of strain on the non-volatile memory capacity.
[0047] In embodiments of the present disclosure and their modifications, the non-volatile memory does not store language data that defines the language used by the operator, but stores language data that defines the language used by the general user. The language data that defines the language used by the operator is stored in the volatile memory only when the operator manufactures or maintains the machine. Only when the language data that defines the language used by the operator is stored in the volatile memory, the operation screen is displayed in the language used by the operator, and in other cases, the operation screen is displayed in the language used by the general user based on the language data stored in the non-volatile memory. Generally, the non-volatile memory has a small capacity. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure and their modifications, since the non-volatile memory does not store the language data that defines the language used by the general user, the capacity compression of the non-volatile memory can be suppressed. Further, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and their modifications, when the operator manufactures or maintains the machine, the operation screen can be displayed in a language that can be understood by the operator, so that it does not have an adverse effect on the manufacture or maintenance of the machine by the operator.
[0048] As described above, the present disclosure has been described in detail, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described individual embodiments and individual modifications. These embodiments and modifications can be variously added, replaced, changed, partially deleted, etc. without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or without departing from the gist of the present disclosure derived from the content described in the claims and its equivalents. Also, these embodiments and modifications can be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as an example and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the above-described embodiments and modifications.
[0049] <Supplementary Note> The following supplementary note is further disclosed regarding the above embodiments and modifications.
[0050] (Note 1) A control device comprising: a non-volatile memory in which first language data is stored; a volatile memory; a data acquisition unit that acquires second language data different from the first language data from an external storage device and stores it in the volatile memory; a display unit that displays a machine operation screen; and a display control unit that, if the second language data is not stored in the volatile memory, causes the display unit to display an operation screen based on the first language data, and if the second language data is stored in the volatile memory, causes the display unit to display an operation screen based on the second language data. (Note 2) The control device described in Note 1, wherein the non-volatile memory stores structural data that defines the display content and display format other than the text information displayed on the operation screen, and the display control unit, if the second language data is not stored in the volatile memory, causes the display unit to display an operation screen written in the first language defined by the first language data based on the structural data and the first language data, and if the second language data is stored in the volatile memory, causes the display unit to display an operation screen written in the second language defined by the second language data based on the structural data and the second language data. (Note 3) The control device described in Note 1, wherein the external storage device is a server on which the second language data is pre-stored, and the data acquisition unit acquires the second language data from the server via a communication network when a predetermined operation is performed and stores it in the volatile memory. (Note 4) The control device according to Note 1, wherein the external storage device is a portable storage medium on which the second language data is pre-stored, and the data acquisition unit acquires the second language data from the portable storage medium and stores it in volatile memory when the portable storage medium is connected to the control device and a predetermined operation is performed. (Note 5) The control device according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the second language defined in the second language data is at least one of Japanese and English, and the first language defined in the first language data is a language other than Japanese and other than English.(Note 6) The control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the second language specified in the second language data is a language that can be understood by workers who perform manufacturing or maintenance work on the machine and control device, and the first language specified in the first language data is a language that can be understood by general users of the machine and control device who are different from the workers. (Note 7) The control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 4, which is a robot control device that controls a robot that is a machine. (Note 8) The control device described in any one of Notes 1 to 4, which is a control device that controls an industrial machine that is a machine.
[0051] 1 Control device 2 Robot or industrial machine 3 External storage device 3-1 Server 3-2 Portable storage medium 10 Arithmetic processing unit 11 Non-volatile memory 12 Volatile memory 13 Data acquisition unit 14 Display unit 15 Display control unit 16 Communication unit 21 Operation screen 31 Communication unit
Claims
1. A control device comprising: a non-volatile memory for storing first language data; a volatile memory; a data acquisition unit for acquiring second language data different from the first language data from an external storage device and storing it in the volatile memory; a display unit for displaying a machine operation screen; and a display control unit for displaying the operation screen based on the first language data on the display unit if the second language data is not stored in the volatile memory, and for displaying the operation screen based on the second language data on the display unit if the second language data is stored in the volatile memory.
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory stores structural data that defines the display content and display format other than the character information displayed on the operation screen, the display control unit, if the second language data is not stored in the volatile memory, causes the display unit to display the operation screen displayed in the first language defined by the first language data based on the structural data and the first language data, and if the second language data is stored in the volatile memory, causes the display unit to display the operation screen displayed in the second language defined by the second language data based on the structural data and the second language data.
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the external storage device is a server on which the second language data is pre-stored, and the data acquisition unit acquires the second language data from the server via a communication network when a predetermined operation is performed and stores it in the volatile memory.
4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the external storage device is a portable storage medium on which the second language data is pre-stored, and the data acquisition unit acquires the second language data from the portable storage medium and stores it in the volatile memory when the portable storage medium is connected to the control device and a predetermined operation is performed.
5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second language defined in the second language data is at least one of Japanese and English, and the first language defined in the first language data is a language other than Japanese and other than English.
6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second language defined in the second language data is a language that can be understood by workers who perform manufacturing or maintenance work on the machine and the control device, and the first language defined in the first language data is a language that can be understood by general users of the machine and the control device who are different from the workers.
7. A robot control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which controls the robot that is the machine.
8. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a control device for controlling the industrial machine that is the machine.