JP5423243B2 - FA system and its setting display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for performing setting / display and the like related to a factory automation apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are devices for making various settings and displaying various statuses for FA (factory automation) devices.
Here, conventionally, two devices for status display and setting related to the FA device are prepared, and the two devices are used properly according to the situation (use one of them each time) The setting is done. These two apparatuses are a general-purpose information processing apparatus (a personal computer; a notebook personal computer or the like) having a setting display device that is a portable (or small) device and a setting display tool.

  That is, when placing importance on on-site mobility and performing various settings and various status displays with a relatively small amount of information (referred to as case 1), the setting / status display is performed using the setting display device. Communication between the setting display device and the FA device is generally performed via low-cost general-purpose communication. The general-purpose communication is communication using a communication method such as EIA-422 (RS422) or EIA-485 (RS-485). In other words, it is the most popular communication method in the field of factory automation (FA), and is therefore referred to herein as “general-purpose communication”.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to perform data setting or data display / collection with a relatively large amount of information (referred to as case 2), setting / display is performed using the setting display tool operating on the personal computer. In recent years, communication between a personal computer and a FA device is provided with a USB port in a personal computer (especially a notebook personal computer), whereas the FA device is provided with a port for general-purpose communication. Since communication methods differ from device to device, it is common to provide a gateware (communication converter) between the personal computer and the FA device. As is well known, a gateway is a device that enables communication by mutually converting data with different media and protocols on a network.

As described above, no gateway is necessary for communication between the setting display device and the FA device.
Note that a system including the above-described FA device, setting display device, personal computer, and the like is referred to as an FA system. In other words, a system having an FA device and provided with two devices for performing various settings and various status displays relating to the FA device is referred to herein as an FA system.

FIG. 3 shows a system configuration example of a conventional FA system.
The system shown in FIG. 3 includes a setting display device 10, a personal computer 20, a USB-RS232C gateway 30, an RS232C-general-purpose communication gateway 40, an FA (factory automation) device 50, and the like. The setting display device 10 and the FA device 50 and the RS232C and the general-purpose communication gateway 40 and the FA device 50 are connected by a communication cable 61 for general-purpose communication. Further, as shown in the figure, the personal computer 20 and the USB-RS232C gateway 30 and the USB-RS232C gateway 30-RS232C and the general-purpose communication gateway 40 are also connected by a predetermined communication cable (USB cable 62, RS232C cable 63).

  For example, the FA device 50 is a servo driver, an inverter, or the like, but is not limited to this example. The personal computer 20 is a general general-purpose personal computer (notebook personal computer or the like). However, a setting display tool 21 described later is installed, and the state display and setting of the FA device 50 can be performed. The setting display device 10 is, for example, a portable (or small) setting display dedicated to the servo driver or inverter. The setting display device 10 realizes a setting function and a display function with a microcomputer or the like, and is generally programmed by a development designer, and can be flexibly programmed by a user like a programmable display. It ’s different.

  Communication between the personal computer 20 and the FA device 50 is performed by converting the communication method by the USB-RS232C gateway 30 and the RS232C-general-purpose communication gateway 40. Communication between the setting display device 10 and the FA device 50 is performed by general-purpose communication.

In the FA system, the configuration other than the FA device 50 may be considered as a setup tool for the FA device 50, for example.
The setting display device 10 includes a display unit 11, a setting unit 12, a general-purpose communication port 13, and the like. The FA device 50 has a general-purpose communication port 51 and the like. The communication cable 61 is connected to the general-purpose communication port 13 and the general-purpose communication port 51, and communication between the setting display device 10 and the FA device 50 is performed by general-purpose communication via the communication cable 61. Note that the configuration of the FA device 50 other than the general-purpose communication port 51 is omitted.

  In terms of hardware, the setting display device 10 includes a microcomputer (with built-in memory), a display, an input device (such as a numeric keypad or an up / down key; may be a touch panel system), and the like. The microcomputer is programmed in advance by a development designer or the like. The microcomputer realizes various functions of the display unit 11 and the setting unit 12 by executing this program (stored in a built-in memory or the like). The functions of the display unit 11 and the setting unit 12 include a communication function with the FA device 50 via the general-purpose communication port 13.

  As described above, the setting display device 10 is used when emphasizing on-site mobility, for example, for performing various settings and various status displays with a relatively small amount of information (the above case 1). in the case of). That is, communication with the FA device 50 is performed via the general-purpose communication port 13 and the communication cable 61, and arbitrary status data is acquired and displayed from the FA device 50 by the function of the display unit 11, or by the function of the setting unit 12. Arbitrary settings are made for the FA device 50. The setting is arbitrarily performed by an operator, for example.

  Specifically, for example, a display example is a numerical value of a speed or torque of a servo driver or an inverter, for example. It is common to display instantaneous numerical values like a digital meter. Examples of settings include servo driver and inverter parameters. For example, a predetermined setting screen is displayed on the display or the like by the function of the setting unit 12, and an operator or the like sets a desired numerical value or the like by operating the numeric keypad or the up / down key according to the screen. This setting content is transmitted to the FA device 50 via the general-purpose communication port 13 and the communication cable 61 and stored in a memory (not shown) in the FA device 50.

  Although not shown, the FA device 50 also includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and a predetermined application program is stored in the memory in advance. A predetermined process as a device is realized, and a communication function with the setting display device 10 and the personal computer 20 is realized.

The personal computer 20 includes a setting display tool 21, a USB port 22, and the like. Although not particularly illustrated, the personal computer 20 has a configuration of, for example, a general general-purpose personal computer in terms of hardware. For example, a CPU, a memory, a mass storage device (such as a hard disk), a display, a keyboard, and the like are included.

  The setting display tool 21 is a predetermined application program that allows a user to perform data setting with a relatively large amount of information, or to collect data from the FA device 50 or display this data. Pre-stored in the mass storage device. The CPU reads out and executes the application program, thereby realizing the functions such as setting / data collection / display.

  Specifically, for example, the display example by the setting display tool 21 is a servo driver or inverter speed, torque waveform, etc., and is observed like an oscilloscope. Further, specific setting examples are, for example, parameters of a servo driver and an inverter. This can be displayed and edited in a format such as an Excel sheet, and the setting contents can be transferred to a servo driver or the like.

  In the case 2, the personal computer 20 communicates with the FA device 50 via the USB cable 62 connected to the USB port 22. As described above, the personal computer 20 communicates between the personal computer 20 and the FA device 50. The USB-RS232C gateway 30 and the RS232C-general-purpose communication gateway 40 are provided, and communication conversion is performed by these gateways, thereby enabling communication between the personal computer 20 and the FA device 50.

  First, the USB-RS232C gateway 30 includes a USB port 31, an RS232C port 32, and a USB-RS232C conversion unit 33. The USB port 31 is connected to the USB cable 62, the RS232C port 32 is connected to the RS232C cable 63, and data sent via any of these cables is converted by the USB-RS232C conversion unit 33. . That is, communication conversion from USB to RS232C or communication conversion from RS232C to USB is performed. For example, when data from the personal computer 20 is received via the USB port 31, the data is converted into RS232C and then output from the RS232C port 32.

In the communication conversion from the USB to the RS232C, for example, each signal of the input USB interface is converted to each signal of the RS232C interface.
The RS232C-general-purpose communication gateway 40 includes an RS232C port 41, a general-purpose communication port 42, and an RS232C-general-purpose communication conversion unit 43. The RS232C port 41 is connected to the RS232C cable 63, the general-purpose communication port 42 is connected to the communication cable 61, and the data sent via any of these cables is converted by the RS232C-general-purpose communication conversion unit 43. Is done. Communication conversion from RS232C to general-purpose communication or communication conversion from general-purpose communication to RS232C is performed.

  However, the configuration in which two gateways are provided as described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example. Although the above configuration is shown as an example, a USB-general-purpose communication converter already exists (since it is commercially available), and this may be used.

Further, for example, Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional technique.
In the multi-axis drive control system, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is a communication between an RS232C communication medium and a servo amplifier and a plurality of servo amplifiers based on RS422 (RS485) without requiring a dedicated conversion device. Multi-drop communication is possible.

  In the invention of Patent Document 1, the servo amplifier is provided with an RS232C communication I / F circuit, an RS422 (RS485) communication I / F circuit, and a CPU. Then, under the processing operation by the CPU, for example, the data received by the RS232C communication I / F circuit is taken into the own station, and the received data is converted into communication data for RS422 (RS485) to be RS422 (RS485). It is transmitted to multiple stations by the communication I / F circuit. Similarly, conversion from RS422 to RS232C is also performed.

JP 2001-022420 A

  As described above, the setting display device 10 is necessary for the case 1, and the personal computer 20, the USB-RS232C gateway 30 and the RS232C-general purpose communication gateway 40 are necessary for the case 2, and it is desired to use both the case 1 and the case 2 at the same time. In this case, there is a problem that not only is the cost high, but a plurality of parts must be prepared and managed as a setup tool for the FA apparatus.

Further, in the invention of Patent Document 1, since the communication conversion function is built in the servo amplifier, there is a problem described below, for example.
That is, for example, when the servo amplifier is multi-axis configured by RS485 communication, it is almost always configured by the same product (same series) (there is almost no case where two types having different communication circuits are prepared). For this reason, if the servo amplifier has a conversion function, the cost is increased by the conversion function x the number of axes.

  An object of the present invention is to simplify and cost the setup tool of an FA device in a system comprising an FA device, a personal computer for setting / displaying the FA device, and a setting display device, wherein the communication method of the FA device and the personal computer is different. It is to provide an FA system, a setting display device, and the like that can be down and simplify the preparation and management of tools necessary for setup.

The FA system of the present invention comprises an FA device, an information processing device that communicates with the FA device and performs setting / display on the FA device, and a setting display device. The FA device uses a communication method other than USB communication. in some said to communicate with general-purpose communication information processing apparatus FA system which performs communication by the USB communication, the setting display device includes a first communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus by the USB communication, the Second communication means for communicating with the FA apparatus by general-purpose communication, communication conversion means for performing communication conversion between the general-purpose communication and USB communication, and communication with the FA apparatus via the second communication means And setting / display means for setting / displaying the FA device, and in the case of mode 1 according to the two types of modes 1 and 2, the setting / display means The display unit performs setting / display related to the FA device. When the mode is 2, communication between the FA device and the information processing device is performed by the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the communication conversion unit. By relaying while executing USB communication conversion, the information processing apparatus has control means for performing setting / display on the FA apparatus, and mode setting means for setting the mode , and the mode setting means includes: The USB power supply voltage supplied from the information processing apparatus in connection with the USB communication is monitored, and when the USB power supply voltage is present, the mode 2 is set according to the presence or absence of the USB power supply voltage, and the USB power supply voltage is not present. In this case, the mode 1 is set.

The setting display device of the present invention includes an FA device, an information processing device that communicates with the FA device and performs setting / display related to the FA device, and a setting display device. The FA device is other than USB communication. a is the information processing apparatus performs communication by a general purpose communication is a communication method in the setting display device in FA system which performs communication by the USB communication, the communication first communication performing between the information processing apparatus through a USB communication Means, second communication means for communicating with the FA device by the general communication, communication conversion means for performing communication conversion between the general communication and USB communication, and the FA via the second communication means. In the case of mode 1 in accordance with two types of modes, mode 1 and mode 2, and setting / display means for performing communication with the device to perform setting / display on the FA device The setting / display unit performs setting / display on the FA device. When the mode is 2, communication between the FA device and the information processing device is performed by the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the communication conversion unit. by relaying while executing a general-purpose communication -USB communication converter, comprising a control means for causing the set / display about the FA device to the information processing apparatus, and a mode setting means for setting the mode, set the mode The means monitors the USB power supply voltage supplied from the information processing apparatus in connection with the USB communication, and sets the mode 2 when the USB power supply voltage is present according to the presence or absence of the USB power supply voltage. When there is no voltage, the mode 1 is set.

  The FA system performs setting / display regarding the FA device by arbitrarily using two devices that perform setting / display regarding the FA device, that is, the information processing device and the setting display device. The communication method differs from the device.

In the FA system of the present invention, a communication conversion function for enabling communication between the information processing apparatus and the FA apparatus is incorporated in the setting display device. Then, by changing the mode in the setting display device, the setting / display related to the FA device can be selectively used when the information processing device performs the setting / display. Since the communication conversion function is built in the setting display device, it is not necessary to provide a gateway as in the prior art, and the setup tool of the FA device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the mode can be automatically set / changed by attaching / detaching a USB cable connecting the information processing apparatus and the setting display apparatus.

  According to the FA system of the present invention, its setting display device, etc., it is composed of an FA device, a personal computer for setting / displaying the FA device, and a setting display device. -A communication conversion function for enabling communication between FA devices is built in the setting display device. In the setting display device, the setting / display related to the FA device is performed by the personal computer through the mode in which the device itself is set and the communication conversion function. By switching to the mode to be performed, the setup tool of the FA apparatus can be simplified and the cost can be reduced, and the preparation and management of the tool necessary for setup can be simplified.

It is a block diagram of the FA system of this example. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining Example 2; It is a block diagram of the conventional FA system.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of the FA system of this example.
In FIG. 1, components that are substantially the same as the components in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

  In addition, as described above, here, a system composed of an FA (Factory Automation) device and two devices (setting display device and personal computer) for performing setting / status display regarding the FA device is referred to as FA (Factory Automation). ) It shall be called a system. In other words, a system having an FA device and provided with two devices for performing various settings and various status displays relating to the FA device is referred to herein as an FA system.

  Furthermore, in the FA system of this example, the setting display device can communicate with the FA device without the need for communication conversion, but the personal computer requires communication conversion in order to communicate with the FA device (the personal computer and the FA device). And the communication method is different).

  The FA system shown in FIG. 1 includes a setting display device 1, a personal computer 2, an FA (factory automation) device 3, and the like. The personal computer 2 and the setting display device 1 are connected by a USB cable 4. The setting display device 1 and the FA device 3 are connected by a communication cable 5. The communication cable 5 corresponds to the communication cable 61 and is a communication line for general-purpose communication.

  The personal computer 2 is an information processing apparatus having a setting display tool 21, a USB port 22, and the like (the same reference numerals “21” and “22” are attached) as in the conventional personal computer 20. Since the setting display tool 21 and the USB port 22 have already been described in the related art, description thereof is omitted here. The USB cable 22 is connected to the USB port 22, and the personal computer 2 performs arbitrary communication via the USB cable 4. Note that the personal computer 2 is an information processing device that is not a portable (or small) device such as the setting display device 1 and means an example of an information processing device that performs setting / status display and the like regarding the FA device 3. . Such an information processing apparatus is premised on a communication method different from that of the FA apparatus 3.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the personal computer 2 has a hardware configuration similar to that of the personal computer 20 in terms of hardware, for example. For example, a CPU, a memory, a mass storage device (such as a hard disk), a display, a keyboard, and the like are included. Then, as described above, the function (including the communication function) of the setting display tool 21 is realized when the CPU reads and executes a predetermined application program stored in advance in the mass storage device, for example. .

  The FA device 3 may be the same as the conventional FA device 50, and the configuration and function thereof are as described above, and the description thereof is omitted here. As shown in the figure, the FA device 3 has a general-purpose communication port 51, and the communication cable 5 is connected to the general-purpose communication port 51. The FA device 3 transmits and receives arbitrary data via the communication cable 5.

  As described in the above prior art, the communication method is different between the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3, and in order to perform communication between the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3, communication conversion is required on the way. In particular, when the personal computer 2 is a notebook personal computer, many USB ports are currently standard equipment. Further, as described above, the FA apparatus 3 is generally a communication system such as EIA-422 (RS422), EIA-485 (RS-485), and these communication systems are in the field of FA (factory automation). Is the most popular communication method, and is therefore referred to herein as “general-purpose communication”.

As described above, in order to perform communication between the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3, it is necessary to perform communication conversion of “USB communication-general-purpose communication” in the middle. As described above, conventionally, a communication conversion configuration (gateway 30, 40) was provided separately.

  As described above, the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3 may be substantially the same as the conventional one. On the other hand, the difference from the prior art is that the USB-RS232C gateway 30 and the RS232C-general-purpose communication gateway 40 described above do not exist in this system configuration as shown. Alternatively, as already described, a converter that performs conversion between USB communication and general-purpose communication already exists and is already commercially available, but such a converter does not exist (is not necessary).

  And the setting display apparatus 1 has the display part 11, the setting part 12, and the general purpose communication port 13 which are the said conventional structures, and also has the structure of the code | symbols 14, 15, and 16 shown in figure newly. That is, a USB port 14, a USB-general-purpose communication conversion unit 15, and a mode selection memory 16 are further provided.

  The USB-general-purpose communication conversion unit 15 is a functional unit that performs communication conversion from USB to general-purpose communication and communication conversion from general-purpose communication to USB. As described above, since a USB-general-purpose communication converter already exists, the details of the USB-general-purpose communication conversion unit 15 are not particularly described.

  The USB cable 4 is connected to the USB port 14, and the setting display device 1 can communicate with the personal computer 2 through the USB cable 4. The communication cable 5 is connected to the general-purpose communication port 13, and the setting display device 1 can communicate with the FA device 3 via the communication cable 5 as in the conventional case. As described above, communication with the personal computer 2 is performed by USB communication, and communication with the FA device 3 is performed by general-purpose communication. The USB-general-purpose communication conversion unit 15 relays communication between the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3 while converting the communication method.

  Further, the mode selection memory 16 stores data indicating whether the current mode is mode 1 or mode 2. This is, for example, 1-bit data. Here, for example, when the bit is ON, mode 1 is assumed, and when the bit is OFF, mode 2 is assumed. Conventionally, the setting display device 1 also has a memory or the like, and the mode selection memory 16 may be regarded as meaning a part of the storage area in the memory.

  The setting display device 1 operates in either mode 1 or mode 2 according to the contents of the mode selection memory 16. Mode 1 is a mode in which the setting display device 1 itself performs setting / display on the FA device 3. Mode 2 is a mode in which setting / display of the FA device 3 is performed by the personal computer 2 via the USB-general-purpose communication converter 15 or the like.

  In other words, in the case of mode 1, the illustrated communication path B is valid, and in the case of mode 2, the illustrated communication path A is valid. Mode 1 may correspond to the case 1 and mode 2 may correspond to the case 2.

  The contents of the mode selection memory 16 are arbitrarily set / changed by the user in this example (referred to as Example 1). That is, although not particularly illustrated, the setting display device 1 further has a mode setting function. With this mode setting function, for example, a mode selection screen is displayed on the display, and the user selects a desired mode by operating an input device (such as a numeric keypad or an up / down key). In response to this selection, the contents of the mode selection memory 16 are updated.

  For example, the setting display device 1 refers to the mode selection memory 16 at any time, and performs a mode switching process when the content changes. For example, when the bit is switched from bit OFF to bit ON, a switching process to mode 1 is performed.

The switching process to the mode 1 is performed by, for example, turning off the connection between the general-purpose communication port 13 and the USB-general-purpose communication conversion unit 15 (for example, turning on / off the connection using a switch (not shown)) and setting with the display unit 11. The function of the unit 12 is enabled. As a result, when the mode 1 is entered, the function of the display unit 11 and the setting unit 12 communicates with the FA device 3 via the communication cable 5 and displays the status data as in the conventional setting display device 10. Or a user can make a desired setting.

  Further, for example, when the bit is turned on from the bit ON, the switching process to the mode 2 is performed. For example, the communication path A is established by turning on the connection between the general-purpose communication port 13 and the USB-general-purpose communication conversion unit 15, and the setting display tool 21 is notified by notifying the personal computer 2 of communication permission. The communication with the FA device 3 (setting / display, etc.) is started by enabling the above function. On the other hand, the functions of the display unit 11 and the setting unit 12 may be turned off. As described above, when the setting display device 1 enters the mode 2, the personal computer 2 communicates with the FA device 3 to display the status data, and the user can perform desired settings.

  Since the communication method is different between the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3, communication conversion is necessary. Conventionally, the USB-RS232C gateway 30 and the RS232C-general-purpose communication gateway 40 are provided. Such two gateways are not necessary, and instead, the configuration of the reference numerals 14, 15, and 16 described above is added to the setting display device 1. That is, a communication conversion function for enabling communication between the personal computer 2 and the FA device 3 having different communication methods is built in the setting display device 1 so that the setting display device 1 can automatically set / display the FA device 3. The mode is switched between a mode performed by the apparatus and a mode performed by the personal computer 2 via the communication conversion function.

  Thus, by eliminating the gateway, the setup tool of the FA apparatus 3 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced, and the preparation and management of the tool necessary for setup can be simplified. Further, by changing the mode, it is possible to perform desired settings and status display for the FA device 3 from either the personal computer 2 or the setting display device 1 as in the past.

  The setting display device 1 includes a microcomputer (with built-in memory), a display, an input device (such as a numeric keypad or an up / down key; may be a touch panel type), etc., in the same manner as the setting display device 10 in hardware. Have. The microcomputer is programmed in advance by a development designer or the like. By executing this program (stored in the built-in memory or the like), the microcomputer realizes the functions of the display unit 11 and the setting unit 12 and various functions and processes such as the mode setting / changing process described above. Note that the functions of the display unit 11 and the setting unit 12 include a communication function with the FA device 3 via the general-purpose communication port 13.

  Note that the drive power of the setting display device 1 is generally fed from the FA device 3 via the communication cable 5. The mode selection memory 16 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

  The FA device 3 is, for example, a servo driver as described above. However, the number of servo drivers is not limited to one, and a multi-axis configuration, for example, may be used. Even in this case, it can be handled by one setting display device 1 (by its communication conversion function), and simplification and cost reduction can be achieved as compared with a configuration in which each of the plurality of servo drivers has a communication conversion function. it can. Further, once the user purchases the setting display device 1 of this example, the setting display device 1 is used to perform communication conversion using the setting display device 1 every time the FA device 3 composed of a servo or the like is mass-produced and set up. Can be used permanently.

Next, Example 2 will be described below. In the first embodiment, the setting / change of the contents of the mode selection memory 16 is performed by the user's operation, but in the second embodiment, the setting display device 1 automatically sets / changes. Except this point, it is as described above, and is not specifically described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment.
In FIG. 2, a USB port 17 is an example of the USB port 14 in the setting display device 1, and here, a B type (4-pin port) is shown as an example. Note that the present invention is not limited to this example, and a mini-B type (5-pin port) or the like may be used.

As shown, the signal lines for the USB port 17 are VBus, DATA−, DATA +, and GND.
VBus is a USB power supply and is supplied with power from the host device. Here, the power is supplied from the personal computer 2 and its voltage is, for example, 5 [V]. DATA− and DATA + are USB differential signal lines. GND is a reference potential signal of other signals. Note that these signal names and signal usage are based on the USB specifications, and are only briefly described here.

In this example, the setting display device 1 further includes a voltage monitoring unit 18.
The VBus signal is input to the voltage monitoring unit 18. The voltage monitoring unit 18 determines whether the voltage of the VBus signal is present or not based on a predetermined threshold (for example, about 3 [V]) set in advance. When there is a voltage, it is determined as mode 2 and when there is no voltage, it is determined as mode 1, and the contents of the mode selection memory 16 are updated based on this determination result.

  The voltage monitoring unit 18 is a functional unit realized by, for example, a CPU executing a predetermined program. However, the voltage monitoring unit 18 is not limited to this example, and may be realized by dedicated hardware. The configuration by the dedicated hardware can be realized by a simple configuration in which, for example, the VBus signal and a predetermined reference voltage (for example, 3 [V]) are input to the comparator, and is not particularly illustrated or described.

  Here, for the convenience of the operator, it is assumed that switching between the mode 1 and the mode 2 is performed by the operator attaching and detaching the USB cable 4. Here, for example, one end of the USB cable 4 is always connected to either the USB port 22 of the personal computer 2 or the USB port 14 of the setting display device 1. In this description, it is assumed that the USB port 14 of the setting display device 1 is always connected. In mode 1, the USB cable 4 may be completely disconnected, and the USB cable 4 may be connected to both the USB ports 14 and 22 when switching to the mode 2. As described above, it is always connected to either one.

  Then, when the operator wants to perform setting / status display using the personal computer 2, he / she may connect the USB cable 4 to the USB port 22 of the personal computer 2 (of course, the personal computer 2 is turned on). And). As a result, power is supplied from the personal computer 2 and the VBus signal voltage is present, so the mode 2 is determined.

Thereafter, when setting / status display is to be performed using the setting display device 1, the USB cable 4 may be disconnected from the USB port 22 of the personal computer 2.
As described above, the mode can be changed by an intuitive and simple operation.

As described above, according to the present method, the personal computer-FA device in a system including the FA device, the personal computer that performs setting / display related to the FA device, and the setting display device, and the communication method between the FA device and the personal computer is different. A mode in which the communication display function for enabling communication between the devices is built into the setting display device, and the device itself performs setting / display regarding the FA device in the setting display device, and a mode in which the personal computer performs the communication conversion function via the communication conversion function. By switching to the configuration, the FA apparatus setup tool can be simplified and the cost can be reduced, and the preparation and management of the tool necessary for setup can be simplified.

  In addition, the setting display device can automatically switch the mode. For example, the mode can be changed by an intuitive and simple operation of attaching / detaching the USB cable 4.

  Further, as described above, in the conventional invention of Patent Document 1, since there is a communication conversion function on the servo amplifier side, the cost is increased by the conversion function × the number of axes. On the other hand, in this method, since the setting display device 1 has a communication conversion function, even if the servo amplifier has a multi-axis configuration by RS485 communication, for example, only one conversion function is required. For the user, if the setting display device 1 of this example is purchased once, it is possible to obtain a merit that it can be used permanently when mass-producing and setting up a system device composed of a servo or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Setting display apparatus 2 Personal computer 3 FA (factory automation) apparatus 4 USB cable 5 Communication cable 11 Display part 12 Setting part 13 General-purpose communication port 14 USB port 15 USB-General-purpose communication conversion part 16 Mode selection memory 17 USB port 18 Voltage monitoring Unit 21 Setting display tool 22 USB port 51 General-purpose communication port

Claims (3)

The FA device includes an FA device, an information processing device that performs setting / display on the FA device by communicating with the FA device, and a setting display device. The FA device performs communication by general-purpose communication that is a communication method other than USB communication. in the information processing apparatus FA system which performs communication by the USB communication,
The setting display device
First communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus by the USB communication;
Second communication means for communicating with the FA device by the general-purpose communication;
Communication conversion means for performing communication conversion between the general-purpose communication and the USB communication;
Setting / display means for performing communication with the FA apparatus via the second communication means to perform setting / display on the FA apparatus;
According to the two types of modes, mode 1 and mode 2, when the mode is 1, the setting / display unit performs setting / display on the FA device, and when the mode is 2, the first communication unit is set. The communication device between the FA device and the information processing device is relayed while performing the general-purpose communication-USB communication conversion by the second communication unit and the communication conversion unit, so that the setting / display of the FA device is performed on the information processing device. Control means
Mode setting means for setting the mode ,
The mode setting means monitors the USB power supply voltage supplied from the information processing apparatus in connection with the USB communication, and sets the mode 2 when the USB power supply voltage is present according to the presence or absence of the USB power supply voltage. The FA system is set to the mode 1 when there is no USB power supply voltage . The FA device includes an FA device, an information processing device that performs setting / display on the FA device by communicating with the FA device, and a setting display device. The FA device performs communication by general-purpose communication that is a communication method other than USB communication. the information processing apparatus is a said setting display apparatus in FA system which performs communication by the USB communication,
First communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus by the USB communication;
Second communication means for communicating with the FA device by the general-purpose communication;
Communication conversion means for performing communication conversion between the general-purpose communication and the USB communication;
Setting / display means for performing communication with the FA apparatus via the second communication means to perform setting / display on the FA apparatus;
According to the two types of modes, mode 1 and mode 2, when the mode is 1, the setting / display unit performs setting / display on the FA device, and when the mode is 2, the first communication unit is set. The communication device between the FA device and the information processing device is relayed while performing the general-purpose communication-USB communication conversion by the second communication unit and the communication conversion unit, so that the setting / display of the FA device is performed on the information processing device. Control means
Mode setting means for setting the mode ,
The mode setting means monitors the USB power supply voltage supplied from the information processing apparatus in connection with the USB communication, and sets the mode 2 when the USB power supply voltage is present according to the presence or absence of the USB power supply voltage. The setting display device is characterized in that the mode 1 is set when there is no USB power supply voltage . The universal communication setting display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the EIA-422 or EIA-485.

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