JP4026479B2 - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a keyboard device for performing input. More particularly, the present invention relates to a keyboard device that has been improved to provide a keyboard having an optimum form in accordance with the characteristics of an operator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The process control system includes a human interface station (hereinafter referred to as HIS) for operating, operating and monitoring a plant. The HIS is provided with a keyboard device for an operator to operate.
[0003]
As a keyboard used for a process control system, for example, there is one described in the following patent document by the present applicant.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-207598
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a distributed process control system having a conventional keyboard device. Reference numeral 1 denotes an HIS, which is connected to a dedicated communication network 2. 31, 32,... Are field control stations (hereinafter referred to as FCS) that are distributed and communicate with the HIS 1 via the dedicated communication network 2.
[0006]
The HIS 1 acquires information in the plant via the FCS groups 31, 32,... And performs control and monitoring. In addition, information from the FCS group is displayed on the display unit of the HIS 1 as an instrument diagram, a plant system diagram, and a control state trend on a graphic screen, and the operator performs plant operations and monitoring operations on the screen.
[0007]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a dedicated keyboard device connected to the HIS 1, and an operator performs a control operation, a display screen change, and the like by operating the keyboard device.
The conventional keyboard device has alphabet keys and numeric keys for inputting characters and numerical values. In addition, a programmable function key whose function can be defined for each key and an increase / decrease in the operation amount. A dedicated key unique to process control, such as a / DEC key.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional keyboard device, a large number of key buttons are arranged on the keyboard in order to realize many control, instruction, and monitoring operations related to process control. In addition, since the size of each key button is limited by the size of the keyboard body, if the number of key buttons is increased in order to improve the function as a keyboard device, the size of each key button will be reduced, and the functions will be improved and operated. There was a problem in terms of coexistence of sex.
[0009]
Furthermore, regarding the operability of the keys, the operator has to receive a certain education so that the key operations can be smoothly performed by learning a large number of key arrangements and individual key functions.
[0010]
In addition, since the key arrangement does not take into account physical constraints such as dominant hand of each operator, visual acuity (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism), color weakness, etc. However, due to individual differences due to errors such as delays in key operations and incorrect input, it is expected that variations in operation quality will occur, and there was a problem in terms of smooth key operations.
[0011]
In this way, the conventional keyboard device is not considered at all with respect to operation skills including physical constraints (handy) of each operator, and a large number of keys are arranged on the keyboard. It was assumed that the person had received a certain degree of education and was a healthy person who met a certain physical requirement.
[0012]
The object of the present invention is to reflect the skill and physical constraints on the keyboard operation of each operator, and automatically change the displayed key image to an optimal form according to the operator in response to the application screen. Is to provide a simple keyboard device.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The configuration of the present invention for achieving such an object is as follows.
(1) In a keyboard device used in a process control system having a plurality of human interface stations for operating, operating and monitoring a plant,
A mobile device,
Personal authentication means for identifying the operator;
Data storage means for storing the personal information of the operator in correspondence with the key arrangement information optimal for the operator;
Based on the information specified from the identification result of the personal authentication means, the key arrangement information corresponding to the personal information of the operator is read from the data storage means, and the keyboard and the human interface station according to the read key arrangement information Display processing means for displaying an application display screen displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal ,
The display processing means displays a keyboard corresponding to a desired human interface station from among a plurality of human interface stations,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the personal information stored in the data storage means is set with a level of operation authority for a plurality of human interface stations .
[0014]
(2) The keyboard device according to (1), wherein the data storage means is database means.
[0015]
(3) The data storage means is a web server means for transmitting at least markup language data for displaying the keyboard on the screen based on the key layout information.
(1) The keyboard device according to (1), wherein the display processing means is a web browser means for displaying a keyboard on a screen based on the markup language data.
[0016]
(4) The data storage unit, a keyboard device according to any one of over a network, characterized in that it is connected to the human interface station (1) to (3).
[0017]
(5) The keyboard device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the personal information is operator skill information.
[0018]
(6) The keyboard device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the personal information is a physical constraint condition of an operator.
[0019]
(7) The keyboard device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein communication between the display processing unit and the human interface station is encrypted for each operator.
[0020]
(8) The keyboard device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the operation time of the operator authenticated by the personal authentication means is integrated and used as health management information for each operator.
[0021]
(9) A means for counting the frequency of the key operation of the operator authenticated by the personal authentication means for each screen of the application is provided, and the shape of the display key is changed by a learning algorithm (1) to (8) The keyboard device according to any one of the above.
[0022]
(10) The keyboard device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the form of the voice alarm is changed based on the personal information relating to the hearing ability of the operator authenticated by the personal authentication means.
[0023]
(11) In a keyboard device used in a process control system having a plurality of human interface stations for operating, operating and monitoring a plant,
A mobile device,
Personal authentication means for identifying the operator;
Web server means for generating markup language data based on the operator's personal information and key arrangement information optimal for the operator;
The identification result of the personal authentication means is output to the web server means, and the mobile device displays the keyboard corresponding to the key arrangement information and the application display screen displayed on the human interface station according to the markup language data from the web server means. Web browser means for displaying on the terminal screen ,
The web browser means displays a keyboard corresponding to a desired human interface station from among a plurality of human interface stations,
A keyboard device, wherein the personal information of the operator is set with a level of operation authority for a plurality of human interface stations .
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a keyboard device to which the present invention is applied. The same elements as those described in the conventional apparatus of FIG.
[0025]
The first characteristic of the keyboard device of the present invention is the collection and use of personal information of the operator. Reference numeral 5 denotes a general-purpose communication network such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Reference numeral 6 denotes an in-house managed personal information server connected to the network 5 and has a personal information database 601 mainly relating to operator skills. Similarly, a personal information server 7 of a medical institution connected to the network 5 has a personal information database 701 mainly related to the physical constraints of the operator.
[0026]
The HIS 1 is connected to this network 5. Reference numeral 101 denotes a personal information database that stores skills and physical constraints related to operations constructed by downloading information in the personal information databases 601 and 701.
[0027]
Reference numeral 102 denotes a key layout database constructed based on the personal information database 101, which stores the optimal key layout information of each individual for each display screen of the HIS1.
The database means in the claims comprises a personal information database 101 and a key arrangement database 102.
Reference numeral 103 denotes key display application software for controlling characters and symbols displayed on the keyboard.
[0028]
The second feature of the keyboard device according to the present invention is the functional configuration of the keyboard device. In particular, regarding the use of confidential personal information, personal authentication means for identifying an operator is a constituent requirement in order to enhance security.
[0029]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a functional block of the keyboard device of the present invention, and reference numeral 801 denotes personal authentication means. Reference numeral 802 denotes a display engine unit that communicates with the HIS 1 via the communication interface. Based on the information specified from the identification result of the personal authentication unit 801, a key arrangement that reflects the operator's skill and physical constraints from the HIS 1 side The information and key display application software is downloaded, and the key arrangement is displayed on the display means 803 such as a liquid crystal display. The display engine unit 802 reads the key arrangement information corresponding to the operator's personal information from the personal information database 101 and the key arrangement database 102 based on the information specified from the identification result of the personal authentication unit 801, and the read key arrangement information. A keyboard corresponding to the above is displayed on the display means 803.
[0030]
Reference numeral 804 denotes a touch panel integrated with a display unit 803 such as a liquid crystal display, and detects pressed display key information and transmits it to the display engine unit 802. The display engine means 802 uploads this touch information to the HIS1. Reference numeral 805 denotes a voice alarm means that mainly assists an operator with hearing impairment.
[0031]
Details of each component will be described below.
The personal authentication unit 801 is considered to be capable of personal management with higher security by adopting a method using biometrics such as a capacitive fingerprint sensor. Other personal authentication means include an optical method, a temperature detection type fingerprint sensor, a voice print analysis device, an iris analysis device, and the like. These means can be used in a stand-alone type that is externally connected by a communication means such as USB, without being mounted on the keyboard device 8.
[0032]
By using a TFT high-luminance color liquid crystal panel or the like as the display means 803, the color and size can be freely set according to the state of the controlled object and the degree of urgency at the time of alarm alarm.
[0033]
As the touch panel 804, by using a resistive film panel, it can be operated even by an operator who has a work gloves, and can further contribute to vibration, impact, and weight reduction.
[0034]
The display engine unit 802 is an arithmetic circuit including a memory and an I / O with a microprocessor as a core, data acquisition and processing from the personal authentication unit 801, keyboard display control on the display unit 803, touch panel 804 control. The communication interface is configured to be comprehensively controlled.
[0035]
The voice alarm means 805 is composed of a voice synthesis LSI, an audio amplifier, and a speaker, and the tone color and volume are set according to the importance of the process and alarm.
[0036]
The personal information database 101 that stores personal operation skills and physical constraint conditions includes each operator's operation skills (education history), gender, age, dominant hand, language used, visual acuity (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism), color weakness , Storing information such as hearing.
[0037]
The storage location of these information can be concentrated on a storage device such as a hard disk in the HIS 1, but via a personal server 6 managed in-house, a personal information server 7 managed by a medical institution, and a general-purpose communication network 5. By connecting and decentralizing, it is possible to use in a wider area.
[0038]
The key layout database 102 stores optimal key layout setting information for each person based on personal information, and is stored in each HIS. Specifically, it has an operator-specific keyboard display setting table corresponding to each screen display application, and the key button layout, position, size, color, character, symbol, background color, movement and alarm sound. A table is created based on the operator's personal information regarding the setting conditions such as volume.
[0039]
The key display application software 103 is software that actually controls characters and symbols displayed on the keyboard. Corresponding to each application display screen of HIS, only necessary keys are displayed on the keyboard to prevent erroneous input. Further, according to each operator, the layout of the key buttons on the keyboard is controlled according to the screen setting table of the key layout database 102.
[0040]
For example, keys that are frequently pressed by left-handed operators, adjustment keys such as INC / DEC, and emergency response keys are arranged on the left side of the keyboard so that they can be easily operated.
[0041]
Also, depending on your eyesight, you can enlarge the letters on the key buttons, if it is astigmatic, optimize the display color and background color, or change the letters on the key buttons from “alphabet” to “kana” depending on the age and language used. Or change it to
[0042]
FIG. 2 is a transition diagram showing an example of a change in the display state of the keyboard device of the present invention corresponding to an HIS application program. In the (A) engineering screen, a keyboard for inputting letters and numbers is displayed. During the control amount setting operation of (B), the key for INC / DEC operation is displayed.
[0043]
In the (C) system monitoring screen, a switching operation button to the system display screen is displayed. (D) When a process setting change screen is displayed, a confirmation key display or the like is automatically displayed, thereby preventing an erroneous operation.
[0044]
Next, other embodiments in the same process control field will be described. It is also possible to make the keyboard device 8 a mobile terminal by using a wireless LAN such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IEEE802.11b as a communication means for connecting the keyboard device 8 and the HIS 1 of the present invention. In this case, it is possible to set an operation authority level in the personal information, and at the high authority level, it is possible to give an operation authority to simultaneously perform a broadcast operation on a plurality of HISs.
[0045]
With regard to communication between the keyboard device 8 and the HIS 1, it is possible to perform data encryption processing for each person based on personal authentication of key codes and display control commands on the keyboard. Thereby, security can be further strengthened against leakage of operation information and operator personal information.
[0046]
The operation and monitoring time of the operator who has been personally authenticated can be integrated to manage the VDT work time of each individual, thereby preventing eye strain of the operator and reducing visual acuity. In particular, not only the working time but also the physical information of each person, such as information that tends to get tired and stiff shoulders, is registered in the personal information database, so that breaks can be encouraged and the display screen can be changed. More accurate VDT work management, such as enlarging, is possible.
[0047]
Further, by feeding back the VDT work time of each person to an in-house or external medical institution connected via a network, it can be used for an operator's health checkup.
[0048]
In the initial state, a standard key layout is displayed, and the frequency of key presses is counted for each application screen in the process of being used by an operator who has been personally authenticated. Then, using a learning algorithm, etc., operate frequently-used key buttons so that the buttons can be made larger, the color can be changed, or the layout can be changed by the operator more easily than other key buttons. Can be improved.
[0049]
The embodiment of FIG. 1 is a keyboard device to which a process control system is applied. However, the keyboard device of the present invention is a panel computer for industrial equipment such as an FA, a general-purpose tablet PC, or a personal digital assistant mounted on a PDA or externally. It is possible to connect and apply to applications that perform operations and customize display screens according to the user's personality, operability, applications, and the like.
[0050]
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to industrial use but also to public facility guidance display devices, ticket vending machines, vending machines and the like that can be used by an unspecified number of users. For example, in a ticket vending machine at a station, the display of the destination station name is changed from kanji to hiragana or alphabet based on personally authenticated information.
[0051]
Furthermore, in bank ATMs, personal authentication means are used instead of PIN numbers, and only the operation screens frequently used by each person are displayed. Depending on the gender, age, visual acuity, etc. of the user, By setting the size and color scheme, the operation time can be shortened and the ATM queue can be relaxed.
[0052]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the data storage means is a database means and the display processing means is a display engine means. However, the data storage means is a web server means, and the display processing means is a web browser means. It may be configured as follows. For example, a general-purpose tablet PC having web browser means is used for the keyboard device.
[0053]
Here, the web server means has a personal information database 101 and a key arrangement database 102. In response to a request from the web browser means, key arrangement information corresponding to the operator's personal information and markup language data such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). ) Send data to web browser means. Here, the personal information database 101 and the key arrangement database 102 are the same as those shown in FIG.
[0054]
The web browser means obtains and processes data from the personal authentication means 801, requests key arrangement information and HTML data from the web server means, reads out the requested key arrangement information and HTML data from the web server means, Display the keyboard on the screen. The web browser means is configured to control the touch panel 804 and the communication interface as a whole. The web browser means communicates with the web server means by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).
[0055]
Such an apparatus is substantially the same as the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 except that the web server means is stored in the key personal information database 101 and the key arrangement database 102 in response to a request from the web browser means. The key arrangement information corresponding to the operator who is present and the HTML data for displaying the key arrangement information on the display means 803 are transmitted.
[0056]
Then, the web browser means displays the keyboard on the screen in accordance with the description of the key layout information and HTML data read from the web server means on the display means 803. Of course, the web server means is described by not only HTML data but also Java (Note that Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries) in response to a request from the web browser means. A Java applet that is a programmed program may be transmitted. The web browser means may read the program from the web server means, execute the read program, and display the keyboard on the display means 803.
[0057]
Thus, since the web browser means reads the key layout information and the HTML data from the web server means and displays the keyboard on the display means 803, specific application software for displaying the keyboard on the display means 803 on the general-purpose tablet PC. No need to install. As a result, the operator can display a keyboard corresponding to the desired HIS1 from among the plurality of HIS1s using a general-purpose tablet PC having web browser means.
[0058]
Further, the web server means may transmit not only the key layout information but also an application display screen displayed on the HIS 1. Then, the web browser means may display the same application display screen displayed on the HIS 1 and a keyboard corresponding to the application display screen.
[0059]
Thus, since the same application display screen as that displayed on the HIS 1 is displayed on the general-purpose tablet PC, it is not necessary to perform a keyboard operation near the HIS 1 to operate, operate, and monitor the plant. That is, the remote operation of the plant can be performed.
[0060]
Further, the web server means transmits both the key layout information and the markup language data, and the web browser means reads each of them. However, the web server means may be configured as follows. In other words, the web server means may generate markup language data based on the operator's personal information and key arrangement information optimum for the operator, and transmit the generated markup language data to the web browser means. The web browser means may read the markup language data from the web server means and display a keyboard corresponding to the key arrangement information of the read markup language data on the screen.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be expected according to the present invention.
(1) In the keyboard device used as the operation means of the process control system, the display of the keyboard displayed on the display means is dynamically set according to the skills and physical constraints (handy) of the individual operator acquired through personal authentication. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the variation in the operation quality of the operator such as an erroneous input caused by the conventional fixed arrangement keyboard device.
[0062]
(2) Furthermore, by only displaying the keys according to the application screen of HIS, it becomes possible to prevent erroneous operation and to reduce the size of the keyboard body.
[0063]
(3) Since the web browser means reads the key layout information and markup language data from the web server means and displays the keyboard on the display means, it is necessary to install specific application software for displaying the keyboard on the display means. Absent. Thereby, the operator can display a keyboard corresponding to a desired HIS from among a plurality of HISs using a general-purpose tablet PC having web browser means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a distributed process control system having a keyboard device to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a transition diagram showing an example of a change in display state of the keyboard device of the present invention corresponding to an HIS application program.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a distributed process control system having a conventional keyboard device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 HIS
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Personal information database 102 Key arrangement database 103 Key display application software 2 Dedicated communication network 31, 32, ... FCS group 5 General-purpose communication network 6 Internal management personal information server 601 Personal information database 7 Personal information server 701 of medical institution Personal information database 8 Keyboard device 801 Personal authentication means 802 Display control engine means 803 Display means 804 Touch panel 805 Audio alarm means

Claims (11)

In a keyboard device used in a process control system having a plurality of human interface stations for operating, operating and monitoring a plant,
A mobile device,
Personal authentication means for identifying the operator;
Data storage means for storing the personal information of the operator in correspondence with the key arrangement information optimal for the operator;
Based on the information specified from the identification result of the personal authentication means, the key arrangement information corresponding to the personal information of the operator is read from the data storage means, and the keyboard and the human interface station according to the read key arrangement information Display processing means for displaying an application display screen displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal ,
The display processing means displays a keyboard corresponding to a desired human interface station from among a plurality of human interface stations,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the personal information stored in the data storage means is set with a level of operation authority for a plurality of human interface stations .   2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the data storage means is database means. The data storage means is a web server means for transmitting at least markup language data for displaying the keyboard on the screen based on the key layout information.
2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the display processing means is a web browser means for displaying a keyboard on a screen based on the markup language data. It said data storage means, a keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 via the network, characterized in that it is connected to the human interface station.   5. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the personal information is skill information of an operator.   The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the personal information is a physical restriction condition of an operator.   7. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein communication between the display processing unit and the human interface station is encrypted for each operator.   The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the operation time of the operator authenticated by the personal authentication means is integrated and used as health management information for each operator.   9. The display key according to claim 1, further comprising means for counting the frequency of the key operation of the operator authenticated by the personal authentication means for each screen of the application, and changing the shape of the display key by a learning algorithm. The keyboard device described.   The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a form of a voice alarm is changed based on the personal information relating to the hearing ability of the operator authenticated by the personal authentication means. In a keyboard device used in a process control system having a plurality of human interface stations for operating, operating and monitoring a plant,
A mobile device,
Personal authentication means for identifying the operator;
Web server means for generating markup language data based on the operator's personal information and key arrangement information optimal for the operator;
The identification result of the personal authentication means is output to the web server means, and the mobile device displays the keyboard corresponding to the key arrangement information and the application display screen displayed on the human interface station according to the markup language data from the web server means. Web browser means for displaying on the terminal screen ,
The web browser means displays a keyboard corresponding to a desired human interface station from among a plurality of human interface stations,
A keyboard device, wherein the personal information of the operator is set with a level of operation authority for a plurality of human interface stations .

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