FR2878043A1 - Information e.g. mounts and optical glass size templates catalogue information, loading system for automated machine, has module to store information to be loaded in machine, where module and machine include complementary connection units - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has an autonomous module (4) for storing distinct information to be loaded in an automated machine. The module and the machine comprise of complementary connection units (7, 8, 9) and complementary information access control units (2, 5, 10, 11). The access control units control the access by the machine to the information to be loaded in the machine and stored in the module.

Description

The present invention relates to an information loading system

  in an automated machine to size an optical glass from a blank.

  Automated machines for size of a glass from a blank are well known in the state of the art and generally comprise an information processing unit, connected on the one hand, to input means in the machine, glass size information and secondly, to actuators associated with size means of the blank to manufacture the glass.

  This information processing unit is also connected to means for storing information controlling the operation of the machine, such as, for example, software for controlling it, etc.

  These information storage means are for example formed by non-volatile memories of Flash EPROM type, in which the information can be updated.

  Today, to carry out such an update operation, it is necessary for a service technician of the manufacturer of the machine to move with specific equipment, such as for example a laptop, connection cables. , and a medium in which are stored the updated information to be loaded into the machine.

  It is understood that these update operations are relatively long, tedious and expensive.

  The object of the invention is therefore to solve these problems.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a system for loading information into an automated machine for the size of an optical glass from a blank, characterized in that it comprises an autonomous module for storing information at load in the machine, separate from the latter, and in that the module and the machine comprise complementary connection means and additional means for controlling access by the machine to the information to be loaded therein and stored in the module.

  According to other features: the access control means comprise a storage area for identifying information of a machine, in the storage module; the machine comprises means of writing in this storage area of the module, identifying information during the first connection of the module to the machine and the first loading of the information in the machine from this module; the access control means comprise means for inhibiting the loading of the information in a machine, when machine identification information is already written in the storage area of the module; the access control means comprise means for restricting the loading of the information to be loaded, to the only machine identified by the identification information stored in the storage area of the module; the storage module is for single-use loading and the access control means comprise means for validating a single loading of information in a machine; the storage module is multipurpose of loading and the access control means comprise means for storing a predetermined number of authorized loads, counting / down counting means of a number of effective loadings in a machine and means for validating a load if the number of effective loadings is less than or equal to the predetermined number of authorized loads and of inhibiting a load in the opposite case; the storage module is multipurpose and in that the access control means comprise means for counting a number of effective loadings in a machine; and the information to be loaded stored in the storage module includes machine operation control information and / or size template and frame catalogs.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a block diagram illustrating the structure and the: Operation of a first embodiment of a loading system according to the invention; - Fig.2 shows a second embodiment of a module used in the constitution of a system according to the invention; - Fig.3 shows a third embodiment of a module used in the constitution of a system according to the invention; and FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of such a module.

  In fact, FIG. 1 shows an information loading system in an automated machine for the size of an optical glass from a blank.

  As indicated above, these automated machines are well known in the state of the art and such a machine is designated by the general reference 1 in this FIG.

  Also conventionally, such a machine comprises an information processing unit designated by the general reference 2, including any appropriate computer or microcontroller, associated with information storage means designated by the general reference 3 and adapted to drive the information. different parts of the machine.

  As indicated above, the information storage means comprise for example a non-volatile Flash EPROM type memory.

  As also indicated above, the information contained in this memory can be regularly updated.

  For this purpose, and according to the invention, there is provided an autonomous module for storing information to be loaded into the machine, separate from it. This module is designated by the general reference 4 in this FIG. 1, and also comprises, for example, an information processing unit designated by the general reference 5 and storage means for the information to be loaded into the machine designated by the general reference. 6.

  This module is for example prepared in the factory at the manufacturer of the machine and distributed to a user thereof.

  The information intended to be loaded into the machine is then stored in the storage means 6 of the module 4.

  The module and the machine also comprise complementary connection means designated by the general reference 7 in this figure and comprising for example complementary connectors 8 and 9 respectively of the machine and the module.

  Any user can then connect the module to the machine by simply engaging the complementary connectors one inside the other.

  During this connection, the machine conventionally recognizes the connection of the autonomous module and then seeks to ensure the recovery of the update information in this module, for loading in its own storage means 3.

  For this purpose, the machine and the module also comprise means for controlling access by the machine to the information to be loaded into it and stored in the module.

  Various embodiments of these means for controlling access by the machine to the information to be loaded, stored in the module, can be envisaged.

  Thus, for example, the access control means may include a machine identification information storage area in the storage module, such as the area designated by the general reference numeral 10 in this figure.

  Several modes of operation can then be envisaged.

  The identification information of a machine can indeed be loaded at the factory in the corresponding area 10 of the storage module 4 to allow loading information only in the machine identified by this information.

  Indeed, each machine designated by the general reference 1, is identified by identification information contained for example in a storage area 11 thereof.

  The module 4 can then be a specifically loaded module for a well-identified machine, the module then being loaded at the factory with identification information corresponding to a specific machine.

  The information processing units 2 and 5 respectively of the machine and the module, can then exchange information to check the identification information and validate or inhibit the loading.

  However, according to another mode of operation, it is the machine 1 itself which comprises means of writing in this storage zone 10 of the module, identification information during the first connection of the module to the machine and the first loading information into the machine from this module.

  The module is then delivered to the user, blank of any identification information and it is the machine itself during the first connection of this module that writes the identification information in the storage area 10 through, for example the information processing units respectively 2 and 5 thereof, from the identification information stored in the zone 11 of this machine.

  In this case too, several modes of operation can be envisaged.

  Indeed, the access control means may then include means for inhibiting the loading of information in a machine, when machine identification information is already written in the storage area of the module.

  In this case, the storage module is a single-use load-ment, the access control means comprising means for validating a single loading of information in a machine, which can be identified or not by credentials.

  However, the access control means may also comprise means for restricting the loading of the information to be loaded, to the only machine identified by the identification information stored in the storage area of the module.

  In this case, this module can not be used to load information into machines different from that identified by the information stored in the storage area 10.

  These validation / inhibition operations are managed for example by the information processing units 2 and 5 respectively of the machine and the module, in a conventional manner.

  Different information to be loaded into the machine can be envisaged and these may for example include machine operation control information and / or catalog size templates and frames.

  Module 4 then contains the code to download into the machine and the download protocol. This module 4 connects directly for example to a communication port (RS232, USB, ...) of the machine to update.

  Of course, other embodiments of this module can be envisaged, as illustrated for example in FIG. 2.

  This module is always designated by the general reference 4 and always comprises a connector 9, an information processing unit 5 and data storage means 6.

  However, in this case, the means of access control by the machine to the information to be loaded into it and stored in the module, may include means for storing a predetermined number of authorized loads, designated by the general reference 12 in this figure 2, fixed for example in the factory, counting / down counting means of a number of actual loadings in a machine, designated by the general reference 13 and associated for example with the processing unit of information 5 of the module 4, and means designated by the general reference 14 in this Figure 2, validation of a load if the number of effective loadings is less than or equal to the predetermined number of authorized loadings and inhibition of a loading in the opposite case.

  In this case, it is conceivable that the update module is programmed to allow a certain number of loads to different machines or a machine identified by identification information and that when the number of loading is reached, it will It is no longer possible to continue using the module.

  According to yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the module 4, the connector 9, the information processing unit 5 and the data storage means 6 are recognized.

  In this exemplary embodiment, as in that illustrated in FIG. 2, the storage module is multipurpose and the access control means then comprise means for counting a number of effective loadings in a machine, these means being being designated by the general reference 15 in this figure 3.

  In this case, each loading of information in a machine is counted and the total number may for example be recorded regularly, for example for the purpose of billing access rights to the information.

  It goes without saying of course that other embodiments can be envisaged.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of such a module.

  This is then for example in the form of a housing designated by the general reference 16, comprising two complementary half-shells designated by the general references 17 and 18, adapted to be fixed to one another and between which is arranged a plate for example printed circuit designated by the general reference 19, associated with a connector 20 and on which are arranged the various electronic elements mentioned above, namely for example, an information processing unit formed for example by a microcontroller, a link unit, storage means, etc.

  It will also be noted that light-emitting diodes may be provided on this module to indicate its operating state.

  It is conceivable that such a housing is easily programmable in the factory as needed, and then sent for example to an end user. It then only has to follow a very simple procedure of plugging this box on the download port of the machine to update, turn on this machine, so that the software embedded in the machine. China detects the presence of the case and its configuration in order to load the contents of the case into the appropriate memory area (s), allow the data transfer to take place between the download box and the machine, then turn off the machine at the end of the downloading taking into account, for example, the operating state of the housing as indicated by the light-emitting diodes and finally removing the housing, in a conventional manner.

  At the end of this operation, the machine is updated and has new updated data.

  According to the embodiment, the housing may then become unusable or not for other loads.

  It is then conceivable that such a system has a certain number of advantages, particularly in terms of its simplicity of implementation, since it does not require any particular equipment or specific skills, insofar as it can be put in place. directly by an end user of the machine and that it is not necessary to send a service technician on site.

  In addition, such a system also allows more precise control of access rights.

Claims (9)

  1. Information loading system in an automated machine (1) for the size of an optical glass from a blank, characterized in that it comprises an autonomous module (4) for storing the information to be loaded into the machine, separate from the latter, and in that the module (4) and the machine (1) comprise complementary connection means (7, 8, 9) and complementary means (2, 2, 10, 11, 12 , 13, 14, 15) for controlling access by the machine (1) to the information to be loaded therein and stored in the module (4).   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the access control means comprise a zone (10) for storing identification information of a machine, in the storage module (4).   3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the machine comprises means (2,5,11) for writing in this storage area (10) of the module (4), identification information during the first connection from the module to the machine and the first loading of information into the machine (1) from this module (4).   4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the access control means comprise means (2.5) for inhibiting the loading of information in a machine, when machine identification information is already written in the storage area (10) of the module (4).   5. System according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the access control means comprise means (2.5) for restricting the loading of the information to be loaded, the only machine identified by the information. identification stored in the storage area (10) of the module (4).   6. System according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the storage module (4) is single-use loading and in that the access control means comprise means (2.5) of validation of a single load of information in a machine.   7. System according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the storage module (4) is multipurpose charging and in that the access control means comprise means (12) for storing a number predetermined number of authorized loads, means (13) for counting / counting a number of effective loadings in a machine and means (2,5,14) for validating a load if the number of effective loadings is less than or equal to the predetermined number of allowed loads and inhibition of a load in the opposite case.   8. System according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the storage module (4) is multipurpose and in that the access control means comprise means (15) for counting a number of charges effective in a machine.   9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information to be loaded stored in the storage module (4) comprises control information of the operation of the machine and / or catalog size templates and mounts.