JP3528543B2 - Controllers and control systems - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller and a control system using the controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a programmable controller (PLC), a controller main body and a program terminal (PT) are separately configured and then connected by wire, and the controller main body is operated by a key provided in the program terminal. There is a program to input the program remotely. In this specification, this program terminal will be referred to as an example of a controller. In some assembly factories that use robots to assemble machines, programs for sequence operation of robots are remotely input by key operations from a controller. In addition, when using a construction machine such as a crane, there is one in which the movement of the crane is controlled by key operation. In such a controller, for example, a display panel is arranged in the center of the operation surface, and an operation unit having a plurality of keys is arranged on both sides of the display panel. It is becoming smaller.

[0003]

In such a controller, since the controller is small in size and is operated while being held by fingers, the keys provided therein may be operated carelessly or by mistake. Due to such inadvertent operation or erroneous operation, it is inconvenient if a program or sequence different from the intended original program is input to the controller body or robot etc., or if the crane moves differently from the original movement. Yes, it is required to improve the security of the operation.

Therefore, in the present invention, the main problem to be solved is to improve the security against the above-mentioned careless operation.

[0005]

The present invention provides at least the following:
An operation unit, and a circuit according to an operation input of the operating unit is activated by the supply of the power source, a controller having a surface side of the controller is constituted by an operation panel, a display unit in a central region of said operation panel Placed and before
On the operation panel located on each of the left and right sides of the display unit, a plurality of keys as the operation unit are arranged in a pair along the vertical direction of the display unit , and on the back surface of the controller. are spaced on both sides left and right directions with respect to the controller, with both of which are arranged two security keys for supplying power to said circuit only when it is operated at the same time, the said pair of keys
Two security keys are provided for each
Can be operated with fingers while the user holds it with both hands.
It arranged that position, one of the two security keys
It has a means for detecting that the contact function is welded and the security function is deteriorated. Further, the present invention is at least
Operation unit and operation of the operation unit activated by power supply
A controller having a circuit related to input,
The front side of the controller is composed of the operation panel.
The display is arranged in the central area of the operation panel,
On the operation panel located on both the left and right sides of the
In the state that they are arranged along the vertical direction of the display unit,
A plurality of keys as a part are arranged in a pair, and
On the back of the controller in both left and right directions with respect to the controller
Only when separated and both are operating at the same time
There are two types that enable effective control of the operation of the operation unit.
A security key is placed and the pair of duplicate
The number key and the two security keys are each
The user holding the controller with both hands.
It is placed in a position where you can operate it with your finger and
One of the contact points on the
It has a means for detecting the decrease.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
2 is a front view of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof. Referring to these drawings, the controller 2 has an operation panel 4 on the front surface side. A display unit 6 made of liquid crystal is arranged in the central region of the operation panel 4. On the operation panel 4 located on both sides of the display unit 6, a pair of operation units 10 each including a plurality of operation keys 8 are arranged. The operation panel 4 is further provided with a stop switch 12 that is pressed in an emergency, and a power supply indicator lamp 14 and an operating state indicator lamp 16.

The controller 2 also has a card medium insertion port 18 as a mounting portion into which a card medium is inserted on one side surface thereof, a power switch 20 is provided on the other side surface thereof, and a transmitting / receiving antenna is provided on the upper surface thereof. 22 is attached so that it can be stored and withdrawn.

The controller according to the present embodiment is provided with security keys 24 and 26 on both sides for putting the controller 2 into a controllable mode only when both are operated simultaneously. . In this case, the installation positions of both security keys 24 and 26 are not limited to the both side surfaces of the controller 2, but may be at positions close to these, for example, the broken lines in FIG. Position 24 ',
26 'may be installed separately, or may be installed on both sides of the back surface 28 at positions shown by broken lines 24 "and 26" in FIG. In short, both security keys 24, 2
It is preferable that the respective 6 are spaced apart from each other at a position facing the controller 2 in both directions. Further, they may be installed on the same side of the operation panel 4.

The circuit configuration of the controller 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The controller 2 of the present embodiment is inserted in a power source section 30 for supplying power to the circuit in the controller and one of the pair of power source lines 32, 34 extending from the power source section 30. The contact point 20a of the power switch 20 and the contact points 24a and 26a of the security keys 24 and 26 inserted in the other power line 34, respectively.
And have. When the security keys 24 and 26 are operated by the user's fingers, the contact points 24a and 26 respectively.
Although a is turned on, when the operation is released, it automatically returns to off. Security key 2
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, since 4, 4 and 26 are arranged apart from each other, the user operates the security key 24 with one finger while holding the controller 2 with both hands, and the security key with the other finger. By operating the key 26, both security keys 24 and 26 are operated simultaneously. Then, in this simultaneous operation state, the left and right operation units 10 are operated respectively.

Returning to FIG. 4, the controller 2 of the present embodiment also includes a sensor section 36 for detecting the state of the contacts 24a, 26a of the security keys 24, 26, and a data reading for reading recorded data on a card medium described later. Section (card reader) 38, wireless communication section 40 that controls the wireless transmission and reception of data, and the antenna 2 for both transmission and reception
2 and the display unit 6 including a liquid crystal for displaying data
And a data memory 42 including a RAM for temporarily storing necessary data, a ROM for storing data of a program required for the operation of the controller 2, and a plurality of keys 8 described above, corresponding to the key operation. The operation unit 10 for outputting the input operation, and the power source display lamp 1
4, the operating status display lamp 16, and the controller 2
It has a control unit 44 including a microcomputer or the like that controls the center of the entire operation. Here, the keys 8 of the operation unit 10 include a transmission key for transmitting data from the controller 2 and a reception key for receiving data from the outside. Of course, the transmission and reception keys may be combined. Further, the functions of these keys 8 may be changed by changing the program. This function can be changed by changing the type of the IC card described later, that is, changing the program recorded in the IC card, or changing the IC card itself in which a different program is recorded.

The power supply unit 30 supplies power to the control unit 44 in the controller 2 and other circuits, and may be composed of, for example, a dry battery or a storage battery.
The form is not limited, but the power supply and interruption to the circuit in the controller 2 are controlled by turning on and off the contact 20a by operating the power switch 20.
A power supply circuit that is supplied with power from the outside is a normal power supply circuit. For example, if the external power source is an AC power source,
A power supply circuit that converts it into a DC power supply may be used.

The contacts 24a, 26a of the security keys 24, 26 are connected in series in the power line 34, and the power supply unit 30 operates the contacts 24a, 26 at the same time by operating both security keys 24, 26 at the same time.
a When each is not turned on, controller 2
Power cannot be supplied to the internal circuit. Here, 31 is a charging terminal for charging the storage battery if the power supply unit 30 is a storage battery, and is a power supply terminal if the power supply unit 30 is not a storage battery but power is input from the outside.

The sensor unit 36 is the security key 2
It is possible to detect the respective states of the contacts 24a and 26a of the security keys 24 and 26. For example, when the contact 24a of one of the contacts 24a is turned on by welding and does not return to the off state, the security keys 24 and 26 are substantially formed. Only the other security key 26 becomes the security key 2
The security operation is not performed by the simultaneous operation of 4 and 26, so that the security function is deteriorated. To prevent this, security key 2
It is possible to detect whether or not each of the contacts 24a and 26a is turned on / off by the operation of Nos. 4 and 26. The control unit 44 may cause the display lamp 20 to blink that the security function is degraded by a signal from the sensor unit 36. The sensor unit 36 is capable of electromagnetically detecting whether the contacts are welded and kept close to each other in the ON direction, or whether the contacts are normally ON / OFF.

The data reading section 38 has a card medium insertion slot 1
When an ID card or an IC card is inserted into the card medium 8 as a card medium, the data recorded on the card medium is read and the read data is input to the control unit 44. When the card medium is an ID card, the data is identification data for identifying the owner, and the control unit 44 performs a required control operation based on the identification data input from the data reading unit 38. I am supposed to do it. As this control operation, for example, in the data memory 42, the same numerical data as the numerical data composed of a plurality of digits is stored as the data for identifying the owner recorded in the ID card,
The control unit 44 compares the identification data input from the data reading unit 38 with the numerical data stored in the data memory 42, and if the two match, the operation input from the operation unit 10 is validated and must match. For example, the operation input is controlled to be invalid. This prevents the controller 2 from being used without permission and ensures its security.

If the card medium is an IC card, it is controlled as follows. That is, when the card medium is an IC card, the operation program of the control unit 44 is recorded in this IC card as control-related data, and the control unit 44 stores the data in the IC card read by the data reading unit 38. A required control operation is performed according to the recording operation program data. By this, for example, I
For example, the operation of the robot is controlled according to the program recorded in the C card to enable the work in an assembly line, and the movement of the robot is controlled according to the program recorded in another IC card to perform another assembly. Can work on the line. Of course, not limited to robots,
It is possible to enable control operations for all control objects controlled by the controller 2. Further, the program of this IC card may be for changing the function of the key 8 of the operation unit 10 as described above. Although the ID card and the IC card insertion opening 18 are shared in the above embodiment, they may be provided separately.

Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 46 is a facility device as an example of a controlled object, which is equipped with an antenna 48 and a wireless communication section 50. Then, in the control system of the present embodiment, the control signal from the controller 2 is transmitted to the antenna 48 of the equipment 46 via the antenna 22 of the controller 2, whereby the equipment 46 can be controlled. There is. In addition, it is not equipment, but P
Wireless communication may be made with the LC body via an antenna. As equipment, various applications such as robot assembly factories, construction machines, and game machines can be considered. of course,
The equipment 46 sends data to the controller 2, and the controller 2 sends the data to the equipment 46 sent.
You may make it perform a required operation | movement based on the data from. There are various kinds of controlled objects other than the above-mentioned robot assembly factory, construction machine, and game machine.
Any form can be used as long as it can be remotely controlled by the controller 2, and it can be applied to all of them.

The operation will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. Even if the power switch 20 is operated, if the security keys 24 and 26 are not operated in the circuit of the controller 2, the circuits such as the control unit 44 are powered. Is not supplied, the controller 2 is not activated. Even if only one security key 24 is operated, power is not supplied to a circuit such as the controller 44 of the controller 2, so that the controller 2 is not activated. When one security key 24 and the other security key 26 are operated, power is supplied to a circuit such as the control unit 44 of the controller 2 and the controller 2 is activated. As a result, the control unit 44 validates the operation input from the operation unit 10 and controls transmission of data corresponding to the operation input toward the control target via the wireless communication unit 40 and the antenna 22.

[0019]

As described above, the present invention is a controller having at least an operation section and a circuit which is activated by the supply of power and is involved in the operation input of the operation section.
The front side of the controller is composed of the operation panel.
Serial is disposed a display portion in the center area of the operation panel, on the control panel located on each opposite sides of the right and left of the display portion, before
A plurality of keys as the operation unit are arranged in a pair in a state of being arranged along the vertical direction of the display unit , and are separated from each other on the rear surface of the controller in the left and right directions with respect to the controller. Are arranged with two security keys for supplying power to the circuit only when the two are operated simultaneously, and the pair of keys and the two
The security key and the controller
Position where the user can operate with fingers while holding with both hands
Since it has means for detecting that the security function has deteriorated due to the contact of one of the two security keys being welded, it is possible to operate the operation unit carelessly as long as both security keys are not operated at the same time. Since the power is not supplied to the circuit and the controller is not activated, the controller has high security.

Further, according to the present invention, at least an operation section,
A circuit according to an operation input of the operating unit is activated by the supply of the power source, a controller having a surface side of the controller is constituted by an operation panel, the display unit is arranged in a central region of the operation panel, the Left and right of display
On the operation panel located on each side of the
A plurality of keys as the operation unit are arranged in a pair in the longitudinal direction of the controller, and are separated from each other on the back surface of the controller in both left and right directions with respect to the controller.
Then, two security keys that enable effective control of the operation of the operation unit only when both of them are operated at the same time are arranged, and a pair of the plurality of keys are arranged.
And the two security keys are
Operate with the fingers while the user holds the controller with both hands.
Since it has a means for detecting that the security function has deteriorated due to the contact of one of the two security keys being welded, the security keys are operated simultaneously even if the operation section is operated easily. Unless it is done, the operation input is not valid, so the controller has high security.

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the controller according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the controller according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a controller according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a controller and a control target according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 controller 4 Operation panel 6 Display 8 keys 10 Operation part 18 Card medium insertion slot 20 power switch 22 antenna 24,26 Security key 24a, 26a Security key contacts 30 power supply 32, 34 power line 36 Sensor part 38 Data reader 40 Wireless communication unit 42 data memory 44 Control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --Continued from the front page (56) References JP-A-6-278069 (JP, A) JP-A-8-129945 (JP, A) JP-A-8-166814 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 182182 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 19/02-19/05 G05B 9/02 B25J 13/06

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A controller having at least an operation unit and a circuit which is activated by power supply and is involved in an operation input of the operation unit, wherein a front surface side of the controller is an operation panel.
Serial is disposed a display portion in the center area of the operation panel, on the control panel located on each opposite sides of the right and left of the display unit, in a state arranged along the longitudinal direction of the display unit,
A plurality of keys as the operation unit are arranged in a pair, and left and right with respect to the controller on the back surface of the controller.
Two security keys are provided which are spaced apart from each other in both directions to supply power to the circuit only when both are operated simultaneously, and the pair of keys and the two security keys are provided. Key and
However, the user must hold the controller with both hands.
A controller arranged in a position where it can be operated with fingers in a closed state, and having means for detecting that one contact of the two security keys is welded and the security function is deteriorated. 2. A controller having at least an operation unit and a circuit that is activated by power supply and is involved in an operation input of the operation unit, the front surface side of the controller being an operation panel.
Serial is disposed a display portion in the center area of the operation panel, on the control panel located on each opposite sides of the right and left of the display unit, in a state arranged along the longitudinal direction of the display unit,
A plurality of keys as the operation unit are arranged in a pair, and left and right with respect to the controller on the back surface of the controller.
Two security keys that are separated in both directions of the pair and that enable effective control of the operation of the operation unit only when both are operated at the same time, and the pair of plural keys and the two security keys are provided . Security key and
However, the user must hold the controller with both hands.
A controller arranged in a position where it can be operated with fingers in a closed state, and having means for detecting that one contact of the two security keys is welded and the security function is deteriorated.