LAN Communication Device for Remote IO Port Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems where transfer vehicles transfer articles to and from stations, there is a lack of means for the transfer vehicle to determine the status of stations remotely, leading to unnecessary stops and congestion due to unclear readiness for transfer, as existing solutions require exclusive control and direct communication upstream of the station.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and system that remotely detect and control ON/OFF signals of IO ports connected to manufacturing apparatuses, allowing transfer vehicles to determine station status and operate efficiently without hindering existing communication, and enabling exclusive control to prevent multiple vehicles from influencing the manufacturing apparatus simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transfer vehicle performs E84 communication directly upstream of a station to determine station readiness, then the transfer vehicle can confirm transfer capability, but the transfer vehicle makes needless stops and causes congestion due to blocking the traveling route
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary E84 communication between the transfer vehicle and station upstream of the station before the transfer vehicle stops. This preliminary action determines whether the station is ready for transfer in advance, allowing the transfer vehicle to avoid needless stops and maintain continuous movement, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable transfer confirmation and maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism that enables the transfer vehicle to query station status remotely without direct physical positioning upstream. This intermediary approach allows the transfer vehicle to obtain station readiness information while maintaining its normal travel route, preventing congestion and unnecessary stops while ensuring reliable transfer confirmation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transfer vehicles are allowed to perform E84 communication at positions other than directly upstream of the station, then communication flexibility is improved, but exclusive control is required to prevent multiple vehicles from controlling the same station simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the station provides status information to multiple transfer vehicles through E84 communication. The station responds to communication requests from any transfer vehicle, providing real-time feedback on its readiness state. This feedback approach enables flexible communication positions while maintaining simple exclusive control through the station's inherent ability to respond to only one transfer request at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The E84 communication interface is designed to be universal, allowing any transfer vehicle to communicate with any station from any position along the travel route. This multi-functional communication capability enables flexible positioning while the underlying protocol naturally handles exclusive control through its request-response mechanism, where the station can only accept one transfer request at a time
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a LAN, and IO ports connectable to a manufacturing apparatus, and a controller. The IO ports are configured and/or programmed to exchange ON/OFF signals including multiple bits with the manufacturing apparatus. The controller is configured and/or programmed to receive communication requests from communication destinations via the LAN, store network addresses of communication destinations and IO port designations, change a value of the ON/OFF signals of designated IO ports in accordance with requests from communication destinations, and transmit the ON/OFF signals of designated IO ports to communication destinations via the communication unit and the LAN in accordance with requests from the communication destinations.