Data Processing Device for Optical Sensor Setting Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple optical axis photoelectric sensors require complex and inconvenient settings to be copied between sensors, often necessitating direct connection to a personal computer, limiting user accessibility and requiring authorized personnel, especially when different settings are needed for multiple sensors.
Innovation Solution
A data processing device that connects to multiple optical axis photoelectric sensors to read, store, and write setting data, allowing for easy backup and restoration of settings without the need for a personal computer, using a control section to manage data transfer and user confirmation for secure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If setting data is copied between sensors using a personal computer and console, then setting accuracy is maintained, but operation complexity increases and accessibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A data processing device is introduced as an intermediary between the photoelectric sensor and the user. This device includes a console that can directly communicate with the sensor via a communication line, eliminating the need for personal computer connection. The intermediary device handles setting data reading, storage, and writing operations, making the process accessible to any user without requiring PC authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting data copy function is extracted from the personal computer environment and integrated into a standalone data processing device. This extraction allows the setting copy operation to be performed independently without relying on external PC resources, thereby simplifying the operation and improving accessibility while maintaining data accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors require different settings, then customization is achieved, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing device stores setting data for multiple sensors in its memory. When a sensor needs to be configured, the user can select from previously stored setting data and copy it to the target sensor. This copying mechanism allows rapid deployment of different settings across multiple sensors without reconfiguring each one individually, significantly reducing configuration time while maintaining full customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Setting data for multiple sensors is read and stored in the data processing device in advance. This preliminary action prepares the settings before they are needed, so that when configuration is required, the data is already available for immediate copying, thereby reducing the time and complexity of actual sensor configuration operations.
3Reliability
If personal computer connection is required for setting changes, then data security is maintained, but user accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing device serves as a secure intermediary that maintains data security through controlled access mechanisms while improving user accessibility. The console can be operated independently without PC connection, allowing any authorized user to perform setting operations directly at the sensor location. Security is maintained through the device's internal access control, while accessibility is improved by eliminating the need for PC authorization and remote connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
A data processing device 3 is capable of being connected to a multiple optical axis photoelectric sensor S for detecting a shielded state for each of a plurality of optical axes to output a signal indicating presence or absence of an object based on a result of detecting the shielded state, and is capable of reading and writing data including setting data for setting definitions of detecting operations at the sensor S. The device 3 includes a communication section 38 capable of communicating with the sensor S; a storing section 37 capable of storing the setting data and product information of the sensor S; a setting section 31 for setting operating conditions of the device 3; and a control section 36 for controlling an operation of the device 3, in which the control section 36 reads the setting data from the sensor S through the communication section 38 to store the setting data read from the sensor S in the storing section 37, or writes the setting data, which is stored in the storing section 37, in the sensor S through the communication section 38, according to a state of connection with the sensor S, a use history of the device 3, the operating conditions set by the setting section 31, and the product information.