DE2714070A1 - Portable digital controller for machine and production line - has display panel and operating panel interfaced with data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable control unit for machine-tools and production line control comprises two main units, i.e. a controller (1) and input/output device (2). The controller is connected via an interface (5) and bus to a data processor (6). The controller comprises a serial/parallel converter (11), decoder (12), store (16), counter (17) synchronisation unit (19) character generator (18) and switching circuits (13, 14). The output from the character generator drives a video display tube (23). A keyboard and encoder (25, 24) with parallel/serial converter (26) allows the operator to communicate with the data processor via the control line and interface (4). The operator's panel contains the display screen, numerical key-board and various machine function buttons.

Description

Control device for a production line or the like ~ The invention relates to a device for controlling machine tools, measuring machines, industrial Manufacturing units or the like at a spatial distance from a stationary, Central processing unit associated with these devices, the portable ones currently in use Control panels for remote control contain a lot of push buttons, SIN-AUS- and switches, etc., by means of which the operator receives data or control signals the machine, production line o, the like. can feed without being close to the in general to have to remain stationary central unit. Such portable control panels are connected to the stationary central unit via cables and often contain indicator lamps, which in a suitable code the operating status of the associated machine, production line or the like.

As the number of parameters to be controlled increases, the number increases the pushbuttons and lights, which also increases the weight of the portable device and which means that ever higher demands are placed on the operator, there this must operate and monitor a large number of controls, of which only a small number is really necessary for a certain operating level and is indispensable.

You can partially remedy this disadvantage by using the portable device is divided into different sub-devices, which in the different Operating levels can be used individually. However, this has the disadvantage that the operator go back each time to the fixed central unit and the portable device has to be exchanged for another if the machine in question or the production line moves to a new operating level. Another disadvantage here is that portable devices constructed in this way are very powerful must be specialized. Will such a machine or production line be for a If it is used for another purpose or if it is modified, the associated devices are no longer usable and must therefore be replaced at considerable expense will.

An object of the present invention is therefore seen in To avoid disadvantages of the known devices and in particular, such a device to create, which enables a more flexible use than before.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the claim 1 specified measures. Such a device makes it possible to adjust the various parameters fully monitor and control without making the device too heavy or the operation becomes too unclear. Also, such a device is not limited to certain applications, and it is very flexible in use and adapts to a wide variety of tasks.

further details and advantageous developments of the invention result from what is described below and shown in the drawing, Ausfürungsbeispiel in no way to be understood as a limitation of the invention, and from the subclaims. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a portable Device according to the invention with its operating and display elements shown in its connection with a digital EDP system, and FIG. 2 a schematic Representation of the portable input and output field cß Fig. 1.

According to FIG. 1, the control device with a portable control panel is iced up According to the invention, a control circuit 1 and a portable input / output device 2 (hereinafter: I / O device "). The control circuit 1 has connections 3 and 4 to and from a bidirectional interface device 5 of a digital EDP system 6 on. The device 5 is connected to a bus 7, i.e. the internal one Connection line between the various devices of the processor 6. A central unit CPU 8 for controlling processor 6 is also connected to bus line 7.

In the control circuit 1, the connection 3 leads to a converter 11, which converts the serial signal at its input into a parallel signal its output, which is fed to a detection circuit 12, which is made up of logical Elements and serves to distinguish data from control codes, The output signals from 12 are fed directly and through a logic circuit 14 to a memory actuation circuit UAR 13 is supplied, which has a connection 15 to and from a memory 16. The memory 16 is a semiconductor memory with memory cells formed from flip-flops to save the information. The memory control circuit MAR 13, which consists of logic gates is built, has - controlled from the logic circuit 14 or one Counter 17 - Access to all cells of the memory 16 in order to receive new information there to be able to store or read out the stored information. The counter 17 includes a frequency generator and logic circuits, and its output signal is a binary number, which is a unit of zero in steps of each changes up to a certain value which is equal to the number of cells in the memory 16 is, and which then starts again from zero.

The output of MAR 13 is connected to a character generator 18. This is a semiconductor device with an output signal in the form of a suitable one Sequence of pulses or pulse gaps for each character sent to the character generator 18 is supplied as an input signal. Each character is displayed on a matrix of 7 x 5 points written. The presence or absence of points in a group desiinlb forms the letter (or number). A synchronization generator 19 which which generates synchronization pulses is also connected to the character generator 18.

The output of the character generator 18 is via a connection 21 connected to the I / O device 2, from which the connection 4 to the interface device 5 goes out.

The connection 21 goes to a control and series circuit 22 in the form of a semiconductor circuit, which control circuits for the horizontal and the vertical deflection and amplifiers. The circuit 22 controls one Cathode ray tube 23 of known type.

The portable I / O device 2 also has a keyboard 25, which according to FIG FIG. 2 has numerous keys and which, according to FIG. 1, are connected to an encoder 24 is which the signal corresponding to a keystroke into a suitable signal implemented in ASCII code. A converter 26 is used to convert this signal from parallel to convert a serial signal fed to connection 4, the Control circuit 1 is expediently installed on a circuit board close to processor 6 arranged so that they can be connected directly to one of the low voltage supplies of the processor can be connected, the connections 21 and 4 can according to FIG flexible cable 50 made; is the area in which the operator is moving must, very large, e.g.

hen a production line occupies a rough area and by the operator must be controlled, the connections 21 and 4 can have two wireless transmission channels be. In this case, two transceivers of known design, which are shown in FIG. 1 are not shown, in the control circuit 1 and the portable / A device 2 intended.

Pig. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the control and display panel of the I / O device 2. It has a rectangular frame 51 in its upper portion is the screen 31 of the Katodenstn'hlrohre 23, and in its lower Section is the keyboard 25. In the illustrated embodiment the keyboard 25 has five keys 52 with variable functions, twelve keys 33 for the digits from 0 to 9, the minus sign and the comma, and seven special keys 34.

The screen 31 is horizontally divided by three lines 52 into four areas divided. A first area 35 is used to make data visible, a second Area 36 is used for the connection between the processor 6 and the operator, a third area 37 is for displaying results, and a fourth area 38 is used to display the respective special functions of the five keys 32 with variable function in the relevant operating state.

To explain how the control unit with the portable control panel works according to the invention we consider the case where the control device is used to a manually operated measuring machine of known type, e.g., one of the known measuring machines of the applicant, which are also the subject of German patents. The memory the digital computer system 6 contains a program for processing measurements, once this Program becomes active, the central processing unit CPU 8 overfeeds a sequence of characters the interface device 5 into the connecting line 3. These characters are in ASCtI code.

Since each character contains eight bits and thus 256 combinations are possible while there are only 64 alphanumeric characters, 192 combinations remain for use as a stamp. The characters are fed to the translator 11, which converts the from serial to parallel and sends them to the detection circuit 12 feeds. This separates the alphanumeric characters from the control characters and leads the latter to the logic circuit 14 which executes them. Controlled by the logic circuit 14, the alphanumeric characters are entered into the memory 16 by the MAR 13. Likewise, the memory 16 is read out by the MAR 13 under the control of the counter 17. The characters read come to the character generator 18, the si.c into a suitable one Sequence of points and converts them, together with the synchronizing generator in front 19 generated Synchroni sierimpulsen, on the line 21 there. Reach the impulses the cathode ray tube 23 via the drive circuit 22 and generate corresponding Characters on the screen 31.

The variable coordinates are thus visible in the first area 35 made, i.e. in a measuring machine the position of the measuring head is constantly in the three Cartesian coordinates x, y and z are given, as shown in FIG. 2 using an example shows.

The indication "REF MACH" indicates that. the coordinates on the machine system are related. In the second area 36, the location "OPERATION" is indicated, i. E. it will asks which of the various possible machine operations the operator Each of the answers, that is, each of the possible operations, has ended a number in the program of the processor 6. The operator remembers she enters this number into the keyboard 25 using the keys 33. If not, the operator presses the "DETAIL" key and does all possible operations together with their code numbers on the screen 31 visible.

The information entered via the keyboard 25 is transmitted by the encoder 24 encoded and in the form of serial signals via connection 4 of the central unit 8 supplied. The information that then appears (as an answer) on the screen 31 is, in the already described: [iron from the central unit 8 of the cathode ray tube 23 supplied. -After that, the desired machine operation using the keys 53 has been selected, the name of this machine operation is to the right of "OPERATION" is written on the screen 31. In the example given Case that relates to the measurement of a hole, this designation is "MEASURE", If this corresponds to the machine operation desired by the operator, so acknowledges this with the "OK" button and thereby allows the program to continue. Is correct does not have the designation, the machine operation can be modified by pressing of the push button 34 labeled "AGE". Then appears to the right of the Font "OPERATION" the designation of an alternative machine operation. Is correct this is acknowledged with key 34 "() K"; if it is not correct, it is repeated "ALTERN" pressed and this until the name of the desired machine operation appears.

After receiving the acknowledgment signal, the processor 6 sets the second question, e.g. with regard to the type of element to be measured ("ELEMENT"), the The level at which the measurement is to be carried out and the number of required ones Points. Then you are asked in which coordinate system the measurement is carried out shall be. The operator answers each of these questions in the manner described Way by pressing one or more of the buttons 34 labeled "OK", "DETAIL", "ALTERN" and "DELETE" (the latter) button are used to activate the last information entered), as well as one or more of the keys 33.

The fourth area 38 of the screen 31 shows the functions, which have the buttons 32 on the job in progress. For example the label "TF ON" indicates that the underlying key 32 is the devices controls for measurement with an electronic tool. The inscription "REC" shows indicates that the corresponding key gives the control signal for the measurement, if a mechanical one Tool is used. The button under the label "RESET" deletes the in Execution current work stage and gives the control to the operator back, and the button below the "COMP" label calls for further calculations with the measurements made.

Since the five keys 32 thus have a large number of different functions can be assigned, you get a very flexible portable control panel, which is dedicated to the monitoring and control of different machines at different Adapts applications in the best possible way.

After taking the measurements - a preferred area of application of the invention - its results are shown in the third area 37. When shown Example were the dimensions of a hole ("HOLS") in polar coordinates ("POLAR") measured, and the position of the center point is given in these coordinates, also the hole diameter D. At this point the control goes back to the Operator over.

By using the button 34 labeled "PAGE", switch the S / A device 2 to a different type of use (so-called paging) a new program from the central unit 8 of the processor 6 new, other information and data given on the screen 31, and the variables Keys 32 are assigned new functions that are above them on the screen 31 are displayed.

The screen 31 is divided into twelve lines of 32 characters each. In the example shown in Fig. 2, three lines are used for the logical separation used in different areas. The solid lines 52 which these areas separate appear in these lines.

The control device according to the invention with the portable control panel has numerous advantages: a) The fact that the variable keys 32 a plurality can be assigned by different functions, depending on the requirements a certain level of work, makes the device very flexible, although its Overall size is small, b) Assembling the cathode ray tube 23 with the keyboard 25 in the portable device 2 results in further additional advantages, in particular a simplification the communication between the operator and processor 6, and causes simultaneously A full, comprehensive communication c) Only the data is on the screen 31, which are absolutely necessary for a work stage, but can If necessary, the less important data can also be made visible on request. This allows the operator to concentrate more on the useful data without being distracted by superfluous data or information.

d) By using the numeric keys 33 at certain levels of the Assigns suitable labels to the work program by pressing the buttons 33 itself, the keyboard 25 does not need any keys that have the Letters of the alphabets correspond, whereby a corresponding reduction in size the keyboard 25 results. The control unit 2 can therefore be used for various applications can be used by simply modifying the program that created the Device controls. The I / O device 2, which allows full communication between the operator and allows the processor 6 to be conveniently carried by the operator. The implementers 11 and 26 are designed so that the control unit can be connected to any type of processor. In this regard, that of Teletypewriters ago known current loop system are expediently used.

Finally, naturally within the scope of the general idea of the invention In accordance with the present invention, numerous alterations and modifications to the portable one Control device can be made according to the invention. For example, the cathode ray tube 23 by other visual display means, e.g.

one of the well-known multiline alpharnimeric displays, whole or to be partially replaced.

Claims (14)

Claims 1. Device for controlling machine tools, measuring machines, industrial production units or the like at a spatial distance from one stationary central unit assigned to these devices, characterized in that that for complete monitoring and control a portable device (2) with manual Control means (25) are visual display means (23) for data, information and / or Xrresults is provided. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized gekennzeicllnet that the manual Control means (25) have a keyboard (32,33,54). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the keyboard Has keys (32) with changeable control content. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it is used for visual Display of the current meaning of the keys (32) variable control content the visual display means (23). 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that that the keyboard numeric keys (33) and keys (54) with defined control content having 6. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the display means have a cathode ray tube (23). 7. Tanned according to at least one of the preceding claims, da'Jureh characterized in that there is one for connection to the stationary central unit (8) Encoder (24) for encoding the signals from the manual control means (25) and a parallel to serial converter (26). 8. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that an additional device (1) for connecting the stationary central unit (8) is provided with the visual display means (23), which additional device (1 a Series-parallel converter (11), a device (12) for the identification of the type of signals, a memory (16) for the signals to be fed to the display means (23), a corresponding Sneicherperipherie (13,17), devices for control and monitoring the memory peripherals and devices (18) for generating characters for the display means (23) ice up. 9. Apparatus according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that for the connection between the portable device (2) and the stationary central unit (8) and for the connection between the visual display means (23) and the additional device (1) a cable connection (3, 4, 21) is provided. 10. Device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that da9 for the connection between the portable device (2) and the stationary central unit (8) and for the connection between the visual display means (23) and the additional device (1) wireless transmission channels are provided. 11. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized in that the central unit (8) has an electronic control and monitoring processor has, softer with the portable device (2) via a bidirectional interface device (5) is connected. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that by means of the manual control means (25; key "Page") the electronic processor of the central unit (8) can be quietly controlled in that he the display means (23) e @ n selected program from a plurality of monitoring and / or control programs feeds 13, Gerit according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that means the manual control means (25, "DETAIL" key) the electronic processor of the Central unit (8) is controllable in .ier way that it is the visual display means (23) more precise details on one or more stages of the programs mentioned feeds. 14. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that that by means of the manual control means (25, "DELETE" key) the electronic processor the central unit (8) can be controlled in such a way that one or more of the Ijber the information units supplied to the manual control means (25) can be deleted. 15, use of a portable device according to any one of the preceding Requirements for complete monitoring and control of a machine tool, a measuring machine or an industrial manufacturing unit, which or which has a stationary central unit (8) with an electronic processor,