JP5423277B2 - Switch device and multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor using the switch device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device provided in an electronic apparatus and a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor to which the switch device is applied.

  Some conventional multi-optical axis photoelectric sensors are provided with dip switches corresponding to a plurality of types of functions, and these switches are designed to select functions suitable for the installation environment and intended use.

  FIG. 10 shows an installation example of the dip switch by a front view and a side view of a part of the housing 200 of the sensor. Since the housing 200 of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is narrow, generally, as shown in FIG. 10, a recess 203 is provided at the edge of the housing 200 and the dip switch 201 is disposed in the recess 203. Further, since it is necessary to protect the switch 201 from moisture and dust, the concave portion 203 is closed by the lid portion 202, and the lid portion 202 is opened only when setting is performed.

  In addition, as shown in Patent Document 1, an external device may be connected to a projector or a light receiver that constitutes a sensor, and the validity / invalidity of each function may be set according to an operation received by the external device.

  In general, in a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, a plurality of indicator lamps are provided at appropriate positions of a projector and a receiver, and the setting state and operation state of the sensor can be confirmed by these indicator lights (Patent Document 2). reference.).

JP 2007-147533 A JP 2008-180649 A

  In order to improve the object detection function as much as possible in the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, it is necessary to set the optical axis in a wide range in the longitudinal direction. However, according to the configuration of FIG. 10, the dip switch 201 causes a dead space in which the optical axis cannot be set in the longitudinal direction, which may hinder the detection of an object. In addition, every time setting is performed, the lid 202 must be opened and closed, which complicates the work. Further, if the lid 202 is not sufficiently fixed, dust or moisture may enter the inside of the housing 200, leading to a failure.

  When setting is performed by connecting an external device, it is not necessary to provide a dip switch in the case of the projector or the light receiver, but it takes time to connect the external device. Also, the operation after connection tends to be complicated.

  The present invention pays attention to the above-mentioned problem, reduces the space required for deploying the switch, can perform the setting operation by a simple operation, and accepts the operation and the contents set by the operation It is an object to make it possible to easily confirm the above.

The switch device according to the present invention is provided with at least one indicator lamp including a window portion formed in a size that can be closed by a finger and a light emitting element provided behind the window portion. A specific function or operation is associated with each other, and a light receiving element that receives reflected light from the window portion with respect to the light from the light emitting element is provided for each indicator lamp. Further, a control unit is provided for inputting a received light amount signal from the light receiving element while monitoring the operation of the light emitting element and monitoring the level of the received light amount indicated by the input.
The control unit measures the length of elapsed time while receiving an input of the received light amount exceeding the threshold value for the light receiving element to which the received light amount exceeding the predetermined threshold value is input. In response to the measured value having reached a predetermined reference value, it is determined that the indicator lamp corresponding to the light receiving element to be measured has been operated, and the function or operation corresponding to the operated indicator lamp is selected. The display mode of the operated indicator lamp by the light emitting element is changed.

  According to said structure, when the window part is not obstruct | occluded, since most light from a light emitting element passes through a window part and is radiate | emitted outside, a window part can be displayed brightly. On the other hand, when the window is blocked by a finger or the like, the light from the light emitting element is prevented from passing through the window, and the amount of light reflected by the window and incident on the light receiving element is increased. The amount of received light exceeding the threshold value is input to the control unit. Here, when the window is closed for a certain period of time, it is determined that an operation has been performed on the indicator lamp, and a function or operation corresponding to the operated indicator lamp is selected. In addition, the display mode of the light emitting element operated at this time changes to that different from that before the operation.

  Based on the above, the function or operation associated with this indicator light can be selected by touching the indicator lamp associated with the specific function or operation for a certain period of time. Also, depending on this selection, the selection operation is accepted and the set contents are manipulated by changing the display mode, such as switching the emission color of the light emitting element or switching from the blinking state to the lighting state. Can be informed. Therefore, the indicator lamp can be operated as a switch as needed while normally functioning as an indicator lamp.

  In a preferred aspect of the above switch device, a specific function is associated with at least one indicator lamp. In addition, when the control unit determines that the indicator lamp associated with the specific function has been operated, the process of switching the specific function from the valid state to the invalid state, or the specific function from the invalid state to the valid state. Execute the process to switch to the state.

  According to the above aspect, the user can set this function to be valid or invalid by touching the indicator lamp associated with the function whose setting is to be changed for a certain period of time. In addition, since the display mode of the light emitting element of the indicator lamp can indicate whether the specific function is valid or invalid, it is possible to prevent the switching operation from being mixed up.

  In another preferred mode switch device, a plurality of functions are associated with at least one indicator lamp. Moreover, whenever it determines with the indicator lamp with which the some function was matched being operated, the control part switches and sets a some function in order, and makes a light emitting element light-emit in a different aspect for every set function.

  According to the above aspect, a plurality of functions can be sequentially switched and set by repeating an operation of touching one indicator lamp for a certain period of time. In addition, since the display mode such as the emission color changes every time switching is performed, if the relationship between each function and each mode is clearly indicated to the user, it is possible to prevent the settings from being mixed up.

  When selecting a function by operating the indicator light, do not immediately execute the operation according to the set function, but start the operation after confirming the selection by operating another indicator light. Also good. Alternatively, the selection may be confirmed by a method such as operating the same indicator lamp as that used for setting for a longer time than that for setting.

  In the switch device according to another preferred aspect, the control unit can cause the light emitting element to emit light with a length capable of visually recognizing the light, so that the light emitting element emits light for a time length during which light cannot be visually recognized. The process is periodically executed at intervals, and the process of comparing the level of the amount of received light input from the light receiving element with a threshold value is executed at a timing synchronized with light emission by a time length in which light cannot be visually recognized. In this way, it is possible to accept an operation on the indicator lamp while making it appear that the indicator lamp is turned off.

  In a more preferred embodiment of the above aspect, the control unit does not visually recognize the light from the light emitting element of the display lamp until it is determined that the display lamp has been operated for at least one display lamp. When only the control of periodically emitting light for a possible length of time is executed and it is determined that the indicator lamp has been operated, the light is emitted to the light emitting element during the time of light emission for which the light cannot be visually recognized. The light emission is performed for a length of time that can be visually recognized.

  According to the above, when a process associated with the indicator lamp is selected by touching the indicator lamp that appears to be off for a certain period of time, the indicator lamp changes to a lit state or a blinking state according to the selection. It becomes possible to make it. Therefore, the user can easily confirm that the operation has been accepted.

  Next, in the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor to which the present invention is applied, a plurality of optical axes are set between the projector and the light receiver, and a plurality of optical axes are arranged along the longitudinal direction of at least one housing of the projector and the light receiver. Indicator lights are deployed side by side. Each indicator lamp is composed of a window portion of a size that can be closed by a finger and a light emitting element disposed at a position facing the window portion in the housing, and each indicator lamp has a specific function or operation. In addition, a light receiving element that receives reflected light from the window with respect to light from the light emitting element is provided for at least one indicator lamp.

  Further, the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is provided with a control unit that inputs a received light amount signal from the light receiving element while monitoring the operation of the light emitting element and monitors the level of the received light amount indicated by the input. This control unit measures the length of elapsed time while receiving an input of the received light amount exceeding the threshold value for the light receiving element to which the received light amount exceeding the predetermined threshold value is input. When the obtained measured value reaches a predetermined reference value, it is determined that the indicator lamp corresponding to the light receiving element to be measured has been operated, and the function or operation corresponding to the operated indicator lamp is selected. At the same time, the display mode of the operated indicator lamp by the light emitting element is changed.

  According to said structure, the function or operation | movement set to the indicator lamp can be selected by touching one of the some indicator lamps arrange | positioned along the length direction of a housing | casing. Therefore, since the selection operation can be accepted using the place where the indicator light is arranged, it is not necessary to provide a space for deploying the switch, and it is avoided that a useless space unrelated to detection occurs in the longitudinal direction. can do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the space required for the arrangement of the switches by integrating the function of accepting the selection operation with the indicator lamp indicating the selection state of the function or operation. Further, since the selection operation can be performed by closing the window portion that protects the light emitting element and the light receiving element with fingers, there is no possibility that the switch is deteriorated by an external force accompanying the operation. In addition, since the display state of the operated indicator light changes according to the operation of the indicator light, the user can easily recognize that the operation has been accepted and the content selected by the operation.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor. It is a figure which shows a part of front surface and internal structure of a light receiver. It is a figure which shows the principle which detects operation to an indicator lamp. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an indicator light processing circuit. It is a timing chart which shows control with respect to a light emitting element. It is a timing chart showing the outline | summary of the process which detects operation to an indicator lamp. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence regarding the detection of the operation to an indicator lamp. It is a figure which shows the example which changes the function set to the sensor using an indicator lamp. It is a figure which shows the example of installation of the dip switch in the conventional multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor to which the present invention is applied.
Each of the light projector 1 and the light receiver 2 of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor has a configuration in which a plurality of optical units are housed inside a longitudinal housing 100. The light emitting element 10 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the optical unit on the projector 1 side, and the light receiving element 20 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the optical unit on the light receiver 2 side. In FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3, 4 and 9 to be described later, the optical unit is not shown, and only the light projecting and receiving lenses 101 and 102 provided on the optical unit are shown.

  Each housing 100 includes a metal case 104 whose front and both end faces are open, a resin panel 103 (hereinafter referred to as “front panel 103”) that closes the front of the metal case 104, and a metal that closes each end. Caps 105 and 105 are formed. The front panel 103 and the caps 105 and 105 are tightly fixed to the metal case 104 via a rubber packing (not shown), whereby the inside of the housing 100 is sealed. In the drawing, a cord 106 in which various signal lines are gathered is drawn out from a lower cap 105, and a second cord 107 for extension is further connected to the cord 106.

  The optical units are arranged so as to be aligned along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 with the lenses 101 and 102 facing the front panel 103. The optical unit on the light projector 1 side and the optical unit on the light receiver 2 side are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval so as to face each other in a one-to-one relationship. As a result, the position and direction of the optical axis are matched between the projector 1 and the light receiver 2, and a two-dimensional detection area S is set for each optical axis.

  Further, the light projector 1 and the light receiver 2 are provided with a plurality of indicator lamps 30 (5 in this embodiment) along one side edge of the front panel 103. In addition to the function set in the sensor and the current operating state, the indicator lamp 30 of this embodiment functions as a switch for setting various functions.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor described above.
In the projector 1, an LED is used as the light emitting element 10, and in the light receiver 2, a photodiode is used as the light receiving element 20. In the projector 1, a drive circuit 11 is provided for each light emitting element 10, and an optical axis sequential selection circuit 13, a control unit 14, a communication circuit 15, an input / output circuit 16, an indicator lamp processing circuit 17, and the like are further provided.
Each light emitting element 10 is connected to the control unit 14 via a drive circuit 11 and an optical axis sequential selection circuit 13, respectively.

  The light receiver 2 is provided with an amplifier circuit 21 and an analog switch 22 for each light receiving element 20, and further, an optical axis sequential selection circuit 23, a control unit 24, a communication circuit 25, an input / output circuit 26, an indicator lamp processing circuit 27, An amplifier circuit 28a, a filter 28b, an A / D conversion circuit 29, and the like are provided. Each of the control units 14 and 24 includes a CPU and a memory.

  The optical axis sequential selection circuits 13 and 23 of the projector 1 and the light receiver 2 enable each optical axis one by one in order. The control units 14 and 24 of the projector 1 and the light receiver 2 communicate with each other via the communication circuits 15 and 25 to synchronize the timing of the switching operation of the optical axis sequential selection circuits 13 and 23. Moreover, the control part 14 by the side of the light projector 1 outputs each lighting element 10 in order from a high-order optical axis by outputting a lighting control signal according to this switching timing.

  The control unit 24 of the light receiver 2 turns on each analog switch 22 one by one by switching the optical axis sequential selection circuit 23. As a result, a light reception signal from the light receiving element 20 corresponding to the light emitting element 10 that has been lit is led to the A / D conversion circuit 29 via the amplifier circuit 28 a and the filter 28 b, converted into a digital signal, and input to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 determines whether each optical axis is in a light incident state or a light shielding state by comparing the input light reception amount with a predetermined light incident threshold value.

  Each of the input / output circuits 16 and 26 of the projector 1 and the light receiver 2 includes an input port for inputting a signal for setting the operation mode of the sensor, a reset signal, and the like. The input / output circuit 26 of the light receiver 2 includes two output ports for outputting control signals, and the input / output circuit 16 of the projector 1 is also provided with an output port for auxiliary output.

  The control signal output from the light receiver 2 is for controlling the operation of a relay incorporated in a power supply path of a machine in a dangerous area (not shown). In this embodiment, each time the light projection / reception of each optical axis and the determination of the light incident state are completed, it is determined whether or not there is a light-shielded optical axis, and light incident is detected on all the optical axes. Is determined, the control signal is set to an on state (high level). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a light-shielded optical axis, the control output is stopped by setting the control signal to an off state (low level). As a result, the power supply to the machine is stopped and the machine operation is also stopped.

  The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of functions in association with the above basic operation, and each function can be set to be valid or invalid according to a user's setting operation. For example, when the control output stops, the function to release the stop and return the control output to the on state automatically returns when the shielded optical axis disappears, and the shielded light A function of returning when a reset operation is received in a state where the axis is lost is provided, and one of these is selected. It is also possible to select a function for inputting a signal from a relay to be controlled and checking whether the relay is operating correctly, a function for periodically executing an abnormality detection process, or the like.

  These functions are selected according to the user's setting operation on the assumption that the wiring for the relay and the power supply line satisfies the conditions. In this embodiment, an operation for selecting the function to be enabled is received using the indicator lamp 30 on the light receiver 2 side. Hereinafter, the processing performed when receiving the configuration and operation of the indicator lamp 30 will be described in order.

  The front panel 103 of the light projector 1 and the light receiver 2 of this embodiment is constituted by a translucent plate. Each optical unit is arranged such that the respective lenses 101 and 102 correspond to the central portion of the front panel 103 in the width direction, and the respective indicator lamps 30 are arranged on the side thereof.

FIG. 3A shows a state when the front surface of the housing 100 is viewed from the front, and FIG. 3B shows a configuration inside the housing in a range corresponding to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a method for operating the indicator lamp 30 and a principle for detecting this operation, with the same configuration diagram as FIG. 3 (2).
3 and 4, the housing 100 of the light receiver 2 is shown sideways so that the upper part is located on the right hand and the lower part is located on the left hand.

  The indicator lamp 30 of this embodiment includes a window portion 35 formed on the front panel 103 and a light emitting element 31 provided at a position corresponding to the window portion 35 inside the housing 100. Each window portion 35 is set to a size that can be closed by fingers 40.

Each light emitting element 31 is provided with a pair of light receiving elements 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, the light emitting element 31 and the light receiving element 32 are mounted on the substrate 36 inside the housing 100 so as to be assigned to each window portion 35 one by one.
The light emitting element 31 is a chip-type LED that can emit light in a plurality of colors, and irradiates light toward the assigned window portion 35. The light receiving element 32 is a photodiode, and is disposed at a position where the reflected light L1 from the window 35 with respect to the light L emitted from the light emitting element 31 is incident.

  A shielding member 33 having a predetermined height is provided between the light emitting element 31 and the light receiving element 32 associated with the same window 35. Further, between the light emitting element 31 and the light receiving element 32 corresponding to different window portions 35, a wall portion 34 that shields the entire range from the substrate 36 to the front panel 103 is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the range 37 in which the window portions 35 of the front panel 103 are arranged is colored in a strip shape with a light-shielding paint.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the optical unit is located in the depth direction in the drawings. However, since the light-emitting element 10 and the light-receiving element 20 are surrounded by the case body that forms the outline of the optical unit, these elements 10 and 20 do not interfere with the light-emitting element 31 and the light-receiving element 32 of the display lamp 300. Absent.

  In addition, the shielding part 33 between the light emitting element 31 and the light receiving element 32 is not necessarily required. For example, the light from the light emitting element 31 may be guided to a certain height by a cylindrical light guide member.

According to the configuration described above, only the reflected light L1 from the window portion 35 with respect to the light L from the light emitting element 31 assigned to the same window portion 35 is incident on each light receiving element 32. Since most of the light from the light passes through the window portion 35, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 32 is very small.
However, as shown in FIG. 4, when the window 35 is blocked by the finger 40 and the passage of light is blocked, the light that cannot pass is reflected by the window 35 and the reflected light L1 increases. The amount of received light 32 also increases. In this embodiment, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 32 is monitored to determine whether or not an operation on the indicator lamp 30 has been performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration of the indicator light processing circuit 27 shown in FIG. However, the circuit shown here corresponds to one indicator lamp 30. The actual indicator lamp processing circuit 27 is provided with a circuit similar to that shown in the figure for each indicator lamp 30, and each circuit is connected to the control unit 24 in parallel.

  According to FIG. 5, in addition to the light emitting element 31 and the light receiving element 32, the indicator lamp processing circuit 27 includes an LED drive circuit 37, an amplifier circuit 38, a comparator 39, and the like. The control unit 24 gives a drive pulse to the LED drive circuit 37 to cause the light emitting element 31 to emit light. On the other hand, the received light amount signal from the light receiving element 32 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 38 and then input to the comparator 39.

  The comparator 39 outputs a signal that is turned on (high level) when the level of the received light amount signal exceeds a set threshold value. The control units 14 and 24 input the signal from the comparator 39 as a detection signal indicating the operation state of the indicator lamp 30, and determine the presence / absence of the operation and the length of time during which the operation has continued.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a control executed by the control units 14 and 24 for the light emitting element 31 with a timing chart.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 (1), when the light emitting element 31 is turned on, two kinds of driving pulses, long and short, are alternately output. Hereinafter, the shorter drive pulse is referred to as “short pulse”, and the longer drive pulse is referred to as “long pulse”. The short pulse is set to a length (for example, 2 to 3 microseconds) incapable of recognizing that light is emitted by human eyes, and the long pulse has a length (for example, 10 to 20) that can identify light emission. Milliseconds) is set. Since the interval between each pulse is set to be almost the same as the width of the short pulse, it is possible to present a state where light is stably emitted.

  Further, in this embodiment, even when the light emitting element 31 is set in the extinguished state, short pulses are output at the same time interval as in the illuminated state (FIG. 6 (2)). In this way, light emission for a short time that cannot be visually confirmed is repeated with a long pause, so that the light emitting element 31 can appear to be turned off.

  Even when the light emitting element 31 is blinked, short pulses are output at the same time intervals as in other states. On the other hand, for long pulses, output and pause are switched every two cycles (FIG. 6 (3)).

  The control unit 24 of the light receiver 2 detects the detection signal input from the comparator 39 at the timing synchronized with the short pulse while controlling the operation of each light emitting element 31 based on the above rule, and operates the indicator lamp 30. Whether or not there is.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the change in the detection signal according to the operation and the processing executed in accordance with the change, taking as an example the case where the light emitting element 31 is controlled to be turned off.
As shown in (1), (2), and (4) of this figure, when the operation of closing the window 35 is not performed, the detection signal is turned on even if the light emitting element 31 emits light in response to a short pulse. Only the detection signal corresponding to the short pulse during the operation is not turned on.

As shown in (2) and (3) of FIG. 7, the control unit 24 of the light receiver 2 detects the state of the detection signal according to the timing at which the short pulse is output. Further, when it is detected that the detection signal has changed from OFF to ON, as shown in (5) of FIG. 7, the time measurement process is started, and the elapsed time while the detection signal remains on is measured. This timing process is performed by counting the number of times the detection signal in the on state is detected and converting the counted value into a time length based on the short pulse period.
Even when the light emitting element 31 is operated in a lighting state or a blinking state, similarly to the above example, the state of the detection signal is detected in accordance with the timing of outputting the short pulse, and whether or not the indicator lamp 30 is operated. to decide.

FIG. 8 shows a specific procedure of processing for detecting an operation on the indicator lamp 30.
The control unit 24 of the light receiver 2 detects the state of the detection signal at the timing synchronized with the output of the short pulse while executing any one of the three types of control shown in FIG. In parallel with these processes, the process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. In this process, the process waits until an on-state detection signal is found (ST1), and when any of the detection signals is turned on, pays attention to the detection signal and starts a time measurement process (ST2).

  In the following, timing is continued while confirming that the ON state of the detection signal under attention is maintained (ST3, 4). While the ON state of the detection signal continues, the measured time reaches a predetermined reference value (for example, 1.5 seconds) (ST3, 4 is “YES”), and is being focused within t seconds (for example, 1 second). When the detection signal is turned off (ST8 is “NO” and ST5 is “YES”), it is determined that the indicator lamp 30 corresponding to the detection signal being noticed has been operated (ST6). The display mode is changed (ST7).

  If the on-state detection signal is turned off before reaching the reference value (ST3 is “NO”), the process proceeds to ST9 to reset the time and return to ST1. Further, even when the detection signal is kept on until the timekeeping time reaches the reference value, if the detection signal is not turned off within t seconds thereafter (ST5 is “NO” and ST8 is “YES”). ) Resets the timekeeping time (ST9), and then returns to ST1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, since the start and end timings of actual operations are likely to deviate from short pulses, the comparison processing in ST4 and ST8 sets a certain amount of error in the timekeeping time for comparison. It is desirable to do.

  According to the above, when the window 35 is temporarily blocked or, conversely, when the window 35 is closed for longer than (reference value + t) seconds, the indicator lamp 30 is operated. If the window 35 is closed within a time of (reference value + t) seconds, it can be determined that the operation on the indicator lamp 30 has been performed. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to detect stably the operation which the user performed intentionally with respect to the indicator lamp 30.

  In ST7, at least the light emission state of the light emitting element 31 of the operated indicator lamp 30 may be changed, but each light emission including the indicator lamps 30 other than the operated indicator lamp 30 as shown in the following specific example. The light emission state of the element 31 may be switched. In addition, in this display mode change, not only a process of switching on / off of lighting but also a process of switching the emission color of the light emitting element 31 is performed.

FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the process of accepting the operation of the indicator lamp 30 and switching the function set in the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor.
In this example, four of the five indicator lamps 30 are shown as 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D, respectively. The indicator lamps 30B, 30C, and 30D are shown as specific functions of the sensor (here, function 1, function 2, and function 3, but actually, specific functions are provided under each of the indicator lights 30B, 30C, and 30D. The display lamp 30A is used for the purpose of accepting an operation for instructing the start and end of the setting process. Note that another indicator lamp 30 (not shown) can be associated with a specific function in the same manner as the indicator lamps 30B to 30D. it can.

  In this example, an effective function is represented in green, an invalid function is represented in orange, and the display states of the indicator lights 30A to 30D are switched in accordance with the progress of the setting work. In FIG. 9, various display states are represented by patterns, and the display states corresponding to the patterns are shown in the lower right frame in the figure.

  FIG. 9 (1) shows a display state before the setting is changed. Green is lit on each indicator lamp 30C corresponding to the function 2 that is set to be effective, and the other indicator lamps 30A, 30B, and 30D are turned off. It has become.

  FIG. 9 (2) shows a state in which an operation for instructing the start of setting is performed on the indicator lamp 30A. When this operation is accepted, the display by each of the indicator lamps 30A to 30B is changed to that shown in FIG. This display indicates the current setting state. The indicator lamp 30C corresponding to the function 2 that is set to valid flashes green, and the indicator lamps 30B that correspond to the functions 1 and 3 that are set to invalid. Orange blinks at 30D. In addition, the indicator lamp 30A is also in a state of blinking green.

  FIG. 9 (4) shows a state where an operation for switching the corresponding function 1 from invalid to valid is performed on the indicator lamp 30B. When this operation is accepted, as shown in FIG. 9 (5), the operated indicator lamp 30B changes from a state in which orange blinks to a state in which green blinks.

  Next, FIG. 9 (6) shows a state where an operation for switching the corresponding function 2 from valid to invalid is performed on the indicator lamp 30C. When this operation is accepted, as shown in FIG. 9 (7), the operated indicator lamp 30B changes from a state where green is blinking to a state where orange is blinking.

  FIG. 9 (8) shows a state where an operation for instructing the end of setting is being performed on the indicator lamp 30A. When this operation is accepted, as shown in FIG. 9 (9), the blinking display of each of the indicator lamps 30A to 30D ends, and the indicator lamp 30B corresponding to the newly enabled function 1 is lit in green. In addition, the display unit 30C corresponding to the disabled function 2 is set to the off state, and the other indicator lamps 30A and 30D are similarly set to the off state.

  According to the above example, the currently displayed setting can be easily switched by an operation on the indicator lamp 30 indicating the validity / invalidity of various functions. In addition, since the display of the indicator lamp 30 after the operation is changed to indicate the changed setting, it is possible to easily confirm that the operation has been accepted and the content of the changed setting. Further, by providing the indicator lamp 30 indicating the setting state of a specific function with a function of a switch for switching the setting, it is possible to prevent the setting target from being mixed up. In addition, it is not necessary to secure a place for installing the switch or to attach a protective cover, and the configuration can be simplified.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the processing to be executed can be selected by touching the finger 40 with the window portion 35 formed on the front panel 103, the external force accompanying the operation as in the case of a mechanical switch can be selected. There is no degradation. In addition, the position where the indicator lamp 30 is provided is not limited to the front surface of the housing 100, and can be provided at an appropriate position on the side surface of the metal case 104, for example.

  Next, the algorithm for setting various functions is not limited to the example of FIG. For example, if the function 1 is switched from disabled to enabled, the enabled state is temporarily set when the corresponding indicator lamp 30B is operated, and after the indicator lamp 30B blinks green, the same indicator lamp 30B is displayed. In response to the operation again, the valid state may be confirmed and the display of the indicator lamp 30B may be switched to the green lighting state. In this case, in order to prevent erroneous determination, the time for closing the window 35 in the second operation is set longer than the first time, or the time interval between the first operation and the second operation. It is better to set conditions in

  In the above-described embodiment, one specific function is associated with one indicator lamp 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or three functions are associated with one indicator lamp 30. The function to be set can be switched every time it is operated. Further, in this case, if different colors are displayed on the indicator lamp according to the switched function, it is possible to prevent the switched function from being mixed up.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the indicator lamp 30 on the projector 1 side is used for the purpose of displaying the operation state of the sensor and the like, and thus the function of the switch is not set. 3 and 5 can also be introduced into 1 so that each indicator lamp 30 can function as a switch for selecting a specific function or operation.

  As described above, according to the indicator lamp 30 having a switch function, a user operation can be stably detected with a simple configuration, and the operation can be performed by a change in the display state after the operation is accepted. It is possible to clearly notify that it has been accepted. Therefore, not only the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor but also other electronic devices can be provided with an indicator lamp having the same configuration as that of the above embodiment.

  When introduced into other electronic devices, the number of indicator lamps is not limited to a plurality, and the number of indicator lamps can be adjusted as necessary. Also, in other electronic devices, the indicator lamp can also function as a switch for instructing the start or end of some operation, such as the indicator lamp 30A in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light projector 2 Light receiver 14, 24 Control part 17, 27 Indicator light processing circuit 30 Indicator light 31 Light emitting element 32 Light receiving element 35 Window part

Claims (5)

At least one indicator lamp is provided with a window portion sized to be closed by a finger and a light emitting element provided behind the window portion, and each indicator lamp has a specific function or operation. A light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the window portion with respect to the light from the light emitting element is provided for each indicator lamp,
A control unit that inputs a received light amount signal from the light receiving element while monitoring the operation of the light emitting element and monitors the level of the received light amount indicated by the input;
The controller is
Measuring the length of elapsed time while receiving an input of the received light amount exceeding the threshold for the light receiving element to which the received light amount exceeding the predetermined threshold is input, and the measured value obtained by the above measurement When the indicator reaches the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the indicator lamp corresponding to the light receiving element to be measured has been operated, and the function or operation corresponding to the operated indicator lamp is selected and operated. emitting element of the display light to change the mode of display by the,
The control for causing the light emitting element to emit light for a length of time during which light cannot be visually recognized is periodically executed during a period in which the light emitting element can be caused to emit light with a length capable of visually recognizing light. A switch device that performs a process of comparing a level of received light amount input from an element with the threshold value at a timing synchronized with light emission by a time length in which the light cannot be visually recognized . The control unit periodically performs a period of time during which the light cannot be visually recognized with respect to the light emitting element of the indicator lamp until it is determined that the indicator lamp has been operated for at least one indicator lamp. When it is determined that the indicator lamp has been operated by performing only the light emission control, the time length during which light can be visually recognized during the light emission due to the time length during which the light cannot be visually recognized. Perform light emission by of switch device according to claim 1. A specific function is associated with at least one indicator light,
When the control unit determines that the indicator lamp associated with the specific function is operated, the process of switching the specific function from the valid state to the invalid state, or the specific function is enabled from the invalid state. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein processing for switching to a different state is executed. Multiple functions are associated with at least one indicator light,
Each time the control unit determines that an indicator lamp associated with the plurality of functions has been operated, the control unit sequentially switches and sets the plurality of functions, and the light emitting element emits light in a manner that is different for each set function. let, the switch device according to claim 1 or 2. In a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor in which a plurality of optical axes are set between a projector and a light receiver, and a plurality of indicator lamps are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing of at least one of the light projector and the light receiver,
Each indicator lamp is composed of a window portion of a size that can be closed by a finger and a light emitting element disposed at a position facing the window portion in the housing, and each indicator lamp has a specific function or operation. A light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the window portion with respect to the light from the light emitting element is provided for at least one indicator lamp.
A control unit is further provided for inputting a received light amount signal from the light receiving element while controlling the operation of the light emitting element and monitoring the level of the received light amount indicated by the input,
The controller is
Measuring the length of elapsed time while receiving an input of the received light amount exceeding the threshold for the light receiving element to which the received light amount exceeding the predetermined threshold is input, and the measured value obtained by the above measurement When the indicator reaches the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the indicator lamp corresponding to the light receiving element to be measured has been operated, and the function or operation corresponding to the operated indicator lamp is selected and operated. emitting element of the display light to change the mode of display by the,
The control for causing the light emitting element to emit light for a length of time during which light cannot be visually recognized is periodically executed during a period in which the light emitting element can be caused to emit light with a length capable of visually recognizing light. A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor that performs a process of comparing a level of received light amount input from an element with the threshold value at a timing synchronized with light emission by a time length in which the light cannot be visually recognized .

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