Softkey Button Shortcut Assignment for Operator Control Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operator control units for machine tools, production machines, cranes, and robots require complex procedures to assign functions to softkey buttons, necessitating repetitive menu navigation to execute specific control actions.
Innovation Solution
An operator control unit with a screen displaying an on-screen function panel and softkey buttons that assign an invoked on-screen display to a softkey button by pressing the button for a predetermined length of time, allowing direct access to desired functions without navigating through multiple menus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex changes to configuration files or long-winded operating dialog screens are used to assign functions to softkey buttons, then the control unit can perform different functions depending on on-screen display, but the assignment procedure becomes protracted and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-associates softkey buttons with specific on-screen display areas. When a display is invoked, the corresponding softkey buttons are automatically activated without requiring manual configuration or menu navigation, thus preparing the interface in advance for efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator control unit automatically assigns functions to softkey buttons based on the currently displayed on-screen display, eliminating the need for manual configuration by the operator. The system self-configures the button functions according to the active display context.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional menu navigation through multiple screens is used to execute control actions, then comprehensive control functions are available, but the time required to execute actions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into multiple on-screen displays, each with its own dedicated softkey buttons. This allows operators to access specific control functions directly from the relevant display without navigating through comprehensive menus, reducing action execution time while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to function access by mapping softkey buttons to specific on-screen display areas. Instead of linear menu navigation, operators can directly access functions through the spatial relationship between displayed information and corresponding control buttons.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and operator control unit is disclosed that uses a screen, softkey buttons and an operating button. If, after a first on-screen display is invoked by briefly pressing a softkey button, the operating button is then pressed while that first on-screen display is displayed on the screen, a user menu is displayed as a second on-screen display on the screen. Then, a softkey button is pressed for a longer length of time while the user menu is displayed, the softkey button pressed in this manner becomes a shortcut on the user menu. The shortcut allows the user to directly invoke said first on-screen display from the user menu. Thus, the operating button provides a user-selected menu of shortcuts that gives the user direct access to predetermined softkey on-screen displays.