JP5963032B2 - Signal indicator lamp and computer program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal indicator lamp whose lighting state changes according to a plurality of control signals output from a control signal output device, and a computer program for the signal indicator lamp.

  The signal indicator lamp is configured such that the lighting state is controlled based on a control signal supplied from a control device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) that controls a mechanical device such as a production device.

  The signal indicator lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of stacked cells, an LED substrate disposed so as to penetrate the plurality of cells, and LEDs (light emitting diodes) mounted on both sides of the LED substrate. The LED substrate is provided with red, green and blue LEDs corresponding to each cell. Thereby, each cell can take a lighting state in which light is emitted in red, green, blue, yellow, purple, light blue and white in addition to a non-lighting state. The control circuit for controlling the LED includes a CPU, a flash ROM that stores a setting file, and a memory that stores a conversion table. The control circuit is connected to the PLC via a plurality of signal lines, and a control signal is supplied via these signal lines. The setting file associates a plurality of control signals given from the PLC via a plurality of signal lines with the light emission colors of the cells. The conversion table is a table created by the CPU based on the setting file. The conversion table is a table for associating the control signal with the lighting state of each color LED for realizing the emission color of each cell.

  When the control signal is input, the CPU refers to the conversion table and controls the LED of each cell in the lighting state corresponding to the control signal. Thereby, each cell can be controlled to the lighting state (light emission color) set by the setting file.

JP 2012-221793 A

  In the prior art of Patent Document 1, although the globe is divided for each cell, the LED substrate is integrated over a plurality of cells. Therefore, since the number of cell stages cannot be increased or decreased, it is necessary to design and manufacture a signal indicator lamp having specifications corresponding to the number of cell stages, depending on the required number of cell stages. That is, if a plurality of specifications of signal indicator lamps having different numbers of cell stages are required, design and manufacture are required for the number of specifications. Moreover, it is necessary to prepare individual setting files for the signal indicator lamps having different specifications of the cell stage and store the setting files in the flash ROM.

  As described above, in the prior art of Patent Document 1, it is not possible to change the configuration of a display unit including a plurality of cells, and it is not easy to deal with a plurality of types of display units having different configurations.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a signal indicator lamp that can easily change the configuration of the display unit and can easily cope with the change in configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer program for such a signal indicator lamp.

  The present invention provides a signal indicator lamp whose lighting state changes in response to a plurality of control signals, including a display unit including one or more display units including a light source, the plurality of control signals, and the display unit. When the lighting control information storage means storing lighting control information associated with the lighting state of the displayed display unit and the control signal are received, the lighting state associated with the control signal is obtained according to the lighting control information. The lighting control means for controlling the lighting of the display unit, the configuration information storage means for storing configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit, and the lighting control based on the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage means There is provided a signal indicator lamp including first lighting control information registration means for creating information and registering it in the lighting control information storage means.

  According to this configuration, the display unit includes one or more display units including a light source, and the lighting state thereof changes according to the plurality of control signals. The correspondence between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is stored in the lighting control information storage unit as lighting control information. When receiving the control signal, the lighting control means controls the lighting state of the display unit according to the lighting control information. On the other hand, configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit is stored in the configuration information storage unit. Based on this configuration information, the first lighting control information registering means creates lighting control information and registers it in the lighting control information storage means.

  Therefore, if the configuration information according to the configuration of the display unit is appropriately stored in the configuration information storage unit, the lighting control information according to the configuration of the display unit is created. Based on the created lighting control information, the lighting state of the display unit is appropriately controlled so as to correspond to the control signal. Therefore, when the configuration of the display unit is changed, the configuration information only needs to be changed accordingly, so that appropriate signal display corresponding to the configuration of a plurality of types of display units is possible. That is, it is possible to provide a signal indicator that can easily change the configuration of the display unit and can easily cope with the configuration change.

  The control signal may be a signal input from the outside of the signal indicator lamp, and typically may be a signal output from a control signal output device provided outside the signal indicator lamp. The control signal output device may be a device provided in the production apparatus.

  A signal indicator lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention is a correspondence pattern storing correspondence pattern information representing a correspondence pattern between the control signal and a lighting state of the display unit corresponding to a plurality of types of configurations of the display unit. Further comprising storage means. Then, the first lighting control information registration means reads corresponding pattern information corresponding to the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage means from the corresponding pattern storage means, and reads the read corresponding pattern information as the lighting control. Information is written in the lighting control information storage means.

  According to this configuration, corresponding pattern information representing corresponding patterns corresponding to a plurality of types of configurations of the display unit is prepared in advance and stored in the corresponding pattern storage unit. It can be said that the correspondence pattern is a predetermined pattern (standard pattern) of lighting control information in which the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit are associated with each other. The first lighting control information registration unit reads the corresponding pattern information corresponding to the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage unit, and writes the corresponding pattern information in the lighting control information storage unit. Thereby, lighting control information of a predetermined pattern (standard pattern) corresponding to the configuration of the display unit is set. Therefore, it is possible to immediately perform lighting control according to the configuration of the display unit without separately creating lighting control information corresponding to the configuration of the display unit.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit has a unit memory that stores unit configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit. The signal indicator lamp further includes first configuration information registration means for acquiring unit configuration information stored in the unit memory of the display unit and registering it in the configuration information storage means.

  According to this configuration, the first configuration information registering unit acquires unit configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit from the unit memory provided in the display unit, and registers the unit configuration information in the configuration information storage unit. That is, the unit configuration information forms configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit. When a plurality of display units are provided, unit configuration information of the plurality of display units is collected and registered in the configuration information storage unit. In this case, a set of unit configuration information of a plurality of display units forms the configuration information of the display unit.

  As described above, since the unit configuration information is acquired from the display unit, when the configuration of the display unit is changed, the configuration information corresponding to the changed configuration of the display unit is automatically acquired. Registered in the configuration information storage means. Then, appropriate lighting control information corresponding to the registered configuration information is created and stored in the lighting control information storage means. Therefore, when the configuration of the display unit is changed, the correspondence relationship between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is automatically adapted to the changed configuration. Thereby, it is possible to easily change the configuration of the display unit without hindering the control of the lighting state.

  The unit memory may be a semiconductor memory such as a non-volatile memory, or an electrical storage means other than the semiconductor memory. For example, the unit memory can be configured by elements such as dip switches and resistors that can generate a signal representing unit configuration information.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit is configured to be stacked on another display unit, and the display unit is configured to be able to increase or decrease the number of display units. According to this configuration, since the display units can be stacked, the number of display units (the number of stages) can be increased or decreased to change the configuration of the display unit. Then, the configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit after the change is registered in the configuration information storage unit, so that the correspondence between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is adapted to the configuration of the display unit after the change. be able to.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the lighting control information includes information associating at least two of the plurality of control signals with a lighting state of one display unit. According to this configuration, the plurality of control signals are associated with the lighting state of one display unit. Therefore, the relationship between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is not necessarily one-to-one correspondence, but may be many-to-one correspondence. Therefore, a state where the number of control signals is larger than the number of display units is allowed. Accordingly, the degree of freedom of the configuration of the display unit is increased, so that the tolerance for the configuration change of the display unit is high, and the response to the configuration change becomes easy.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the lighting control information includes one-input lighting control information when only one control signal is input, and a plurality of when the plurality of control signals are input simultaneously. Input lighting control information. According to this configuration, since individual lighting control information is set when only one control signal is input and when two or more control signals are input simultaneously, the number of control signals is displayed. More than the number of units is allowed. Accordingly, the degree of freedom of the configuration of the display unit is increased, so that the tolerance for the configuration change of the display unit is high, and the response to the configuration change becomes easy. In addition, if different lighting states are set for one input and multiple simultaneous inputs, the display pattern of the display unit can be increased, so that a signal display lamp capable of transmitting more information can be provided.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the lighting control information includes at least one display at one input when only one control signal is input and at a plurality of inputs when a plurality of the control signals are input simultaneously. Different lighting conditions are set for the unit. According to this configuration, since at least one display unit is set to a lighting state that is different between one input and a plurality of simultaneous inputs, a state where the number of control signals is larger than the number of display units is allowed. Is done. Accordingly, the degree of freedom of the configuration of the display unit is increased, so that the tolerance for the configuration change of the display unit is high, and the response to the configuration change becomes easy. In addition, since at least one display unit is in a different lighting state at the time of one input and a plurality of simultaneous inputs, the display pattern of the display unit can be increased. Thereby, it is possible to provide a signal indicator that can transmit more information.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit includes a plurality of the display units, and the lighting control information includes at least one of the plurality of control signals, and lighting states of the plurality of display units. Is associated with. According to this configuration, one control signal is associated with the lighting states of the plurality of display units. Therefore, a state where the number of control signals is smaller than the number of display units is allowed. Accordingly, the degree of freedom of the configuration of the display unit is increased, so that the tolerance for the configuration change of the display unit is high, and the response to the configuration change becomes easy. In addition, since the correspondence between the control signal and the display unit can be set freely, the display pattern of the display unit can be increased. Thereby, it is possible to provide a signal indicator that can transmit more information.

  In the signal indicator lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration information from the medium connected to the media connection unit, the media connection unit capable of attaching and detaching the medium recording the configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit, And second configuration information registering means for registering in the configuration information storage means. According to this configuration, it is possible to attach media to the media connection unit. Then, the configuration information stored in the medium can be stored in the configuration information storage means. The first lighting control information registering means creates lighting control information using the configuration information and registers it in the lighting control information storage means. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the configuration of the display unit by preparing the configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit without preparing complicated lighting control information.

  The second configuration information registration unit may be configured to read the configuration information from a medium connected to the media connection unit in response to the media being loaded in the media connection unit. Thus, by connecting the media to the media connection unit, the configuration information can be automatically registered in the configuration information storage means, and the lighting control information is created based on the registered configuration information. Accordingly, it becomes easier to cope with the configuration change of the display unit.

  The signal indicator lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention reads the lighting control information from the media connected to the media connecting unit that can attach and detach the medium that records the lighting control information, And a second lighting control information registering means for registering in the lighting control information storage means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to attach media to the media connection unit. The lighting control information stored in the medium can be stored in the lighting control information storage means. Accordingly, it is possible to read arbitrarily set lighting control information and operate the signal indicator lamp according to the lighting control information.

  The second lighting control information registering unit may be configured to read the lighting control information from a medium connected to the media connection unit in response to the media being loaded in the media connection unit. Good. Accordingly, the lighting control information can be automatically registered in the lighting control information storage unit by connecting the medium to the media connecting unit.

  The present invention further provides a computer program that causes a computer to function as the lighting control information storage unit, the lighting control unit, the configuration information storage unit, and the first lighting control information registration unit. As a result, it is possible to provide a computer program for a signal indicator lamp that can easily change the configuration of the display unit and can easily cope with the configuration change.

  It is preferable that the computer program further causes the computer to function as the first configuration information registration unit. Further, it is preferable that the computer program further causes the computer to function as the second configuration information registration unit. Furthermore, it is preferable that the computer program causes the computer to function as the second lighting control information registration unit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of a production system using a signal indicator lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration example of the signal indicator lamp. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a control unit provided in the signal indicator lamp. FIG. 4 shows an example of output data as a control signal given from the signal lamp control device to the signal indicator lamp. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5E are diagrams for explaining a display example of the signal indicator lamp (an example of lighting control information) according to the lighting control information. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E show examples of configuration information. FIG. 7A is a diagram for describing an example of standard lighting pattern information (one-input standard lighting control information). FIG. 7B is a diagram for describing an example of standard lighting pattern information (multiple input standard lighting control information). FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the control unit provided in the control unit, and shows an operation immediately after the signal indicator lamp is turned on. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process (step S14 in FIG. 8) for registering lighting control information. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit when lighting control information is registered using a medium. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit in the normal operation mode. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit when the unit is attached or detached. FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a signal indicator lamp according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of a production system using a signal indicator lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. This production system includes a plurality of production apparatuses A, B, C, D, and E. The plurality of production apparatuses A, B, C, D, and E may be arranged in one factory, or may be arranged in a distributed manner in a plurality of factories.

  The production apparatuses A, B, C, D, and E are provided with signal indicator lamps 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “signal indicator lamp 1”). The signal indicator lamps 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are respectively signal light control devices 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E (hereinafter collectively referred to as “collection devices”) provided in the production apparatuses A, B, C, D, and E. A plurality of control signals are given from control signal lines 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E (hereinafter collectively referred to as “control signal line 8”) from “signal lamp control device 2”). . The signal light control device 2 may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) that controls operations of the production devices A, B, C, D, and E. The signal lamp control device 2 is a control signal output device that outputs a plurality of control signals for controlling the signal indicator lamp 1. The display state of the signal indicator lamp 1 changes according to the plurality of control signals. The signal light control device 2 outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation status of the corresponding production device A, B, C, D, E. The control signal may be, for example, a signal indicating occurrence of a missing part, a missing part notice, a manager call request, and other occurrences of abnormality during normal operation.

  The signal indicators 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are respectively a control unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “control unit 11”) and a display unit 12A, 12B, and 12C. , 12D, 12E (hereinafter collectively referred to as “display unit 12”). The signal indicators 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E can include communication units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “communication unit 13”) as necessary. . The communication unit 13 may be a wireless communication unit or a wired communication unit.

  Each signal indicator 1 is connected to the network 3 via the communication unit 13. The network 3 may be the Internet, an intranet, or a local area network. When the communication unit 13 is a wireless communication unit, the communication unit 13 is connected to the network 3 via the wireless communication device 4 that is wired to the network 3. Further, the information display terminal 5 and the mobile terminal 6 can be connected to the network 3 by wireless connection or wired connection. The information display terminal 5 typically has the form of a computer provided with a display device. The mobile terminal 6 is typically a portable information terminal having a display device and having a computer form that can be carried by an operator.

  The communication unit 13 sends the control signal generated by the signal light control device 2 to the network 3. The information display terminal 5 and the mobile terminal 6 can collect the control signals and display the operating states of the production apparatuses A, B, C, D, and E on their respective display screens. The display of the operating state may be a display simulating the display state of the signal indicator lamp 1 corresponding to each production apparatus. The network 3 may be connected to a server (not shown) that collects and accumulates control signals sent from the communication unit 13. In this case, the information display terminal 5 and the mobile terminal 6 may acquire information stored in the server and display it on each display screen.

  The display units 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E include one or more display units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, respectively. Specifically, the display unit 12A of the signal indicator lamp 1A includes display units 21G, 21Y, and 21R (collectively referred to as “display unit 21”) stacked in three stages. The display unit 12B of the signal indicator lamp 1B includes display units 22W, 22B, 22G, 22Y, and 22R (collectively referred to as “display unit 22”) stacked in five stages. The display unit 12C of the signal indicator lamp 1C includes display units 23B, 23G, 23Y, and 23R (collectively referred to as “display unit 23”) stacked in four stages. Further, the display unit 12D of the signal indicator lamp 1D includes display units 24M1 and 24M2 (referred to collectively as “display units 24”) stacked in two stages. The display unit 12E of the signal indicator lamp 1E includes a one-stage display unit 25F (referred to as “display unit 25” when collectively referred to as other display units).

  Each of the display units 21 to 25 includes a light source, and is configured so that it can be stacked and combined on the upper or lower stage of another display unit. In other words, each of the display units 21 to 25 can be joined by stacking other display units on the upper stage or the lower stage. The display units 21 to 25 can be stacked and coupled on the upper stage of the control unit 11. Furthermore, each display unit 21-25 is comprised so that the communication unit 13 can be laminated | stacked and combined on the upper stage. “Coupled” means in this case mechanically coupled and electrically connected. The signal indicator lamp 1 includes one control unit 11 and at least one display unit stacked thereon, and is configured in a bar shape (or a tower shape). The display unit 12 can be configured by stacking one or more arbitrary number of display units, and the number of display units (the number of stages) can be increased or decreased by attaching or detaching the display units.

  The light source included in each display unit may be an LED (light emitting diode). For example, the display units 21G, 22G, and 23G whose reference numerals end with “G” are display units that emit green light, and may include a green LED as a green light source. Further, the display units 21Y, 22Y, and 23Y whose reference numerals end with “Y” are display units that emit yellow light, and may include a yellow LED as a yellow light source. Further, the display units 21R, 22R, and 23R whose reference numerals end with “R” are display units that emit red light, and may include a red LED as a red light source. Furthermore, the display unit 22W whose reference symbol ends with “W” is a display unit that emits white light, and may include a white LED as a white light source. Similarly, the display units 22B and 23B whose reference numerals end with “B” are display units that emit blue light, and may include a blue LED as a blue light source.

  The display units 24M1 and 24M2 are multi-color type (multi-color) display units, and may include, for example, a green LED as a green light source and a red LED as a red light source. Green light can be emitted by turning on the green LED, red light can be emitted by turning on the red LED, and orange light can be emitted by simultaneously turning on the green LED and the red LED. Therefore, the emission color becomes three colors. The display unit 25F is a full-color display unit that can emit more (4 or more) colors. The display unit 25F includes, for example, a green LED, a red LED, and a blue LED. By emitting only one of these LEDs, green, red or blue can be displayed. Yellow light can be emitted by emitting green and red LEDs. By emitting green and blue LEDs, cyan light can be emitted. By emitting the red LED and the blue LED simultaneously, magenta light can be emitted. Furthermore, white light can be emitted by simultaneous light emission of the green LED, the red LED, and the blue LED.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the electrical configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1. As an example, a configuration example of the signal indicator lamp 1B provided in the production apparatus B is shown. As described above, the signal light control device 2B is configured by, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). The signal lamp control device 2B is connected to the control unit 11 by a control signal line 8 (8B). The control unit 11 (11B) includes a control unit 31, an external communication interface (I / F) 32, an internal communication interface (I / F) 33, an external media interface (I / F) 34, a memory 35, an external input / output unit ( I / O) 36 and a dip (DIP) switch 37, and has the form of a computer. The control unit 31 includes a CPU (central processing unit), and an external communication interface 32, an internal communication interface 33, an external media interface 34, a memory 35, an external input / output unit 36, and a dip switch 37 are connected to the control unit 31. Has been.

  A control signal line 8 is connected to the external communication interface 32. The internal communication interface 33 is connected to the lowermost display unit 22W among the plurality of display units 22 (22W, 22B, 22G, 22Y, 22R) constituting the display unit 12 (12B). The external media interface 34 provides a media connection unit that can detachably connect the media 40 (external media). The medium 40 is a removable recording medium such as a memory card, a USB memory, or the like.

  In addition to the operation program of the control unit 31, the memory 35 stores control information necessary for the control unit 31 to control the display unit 22 and the like. The control information includes configuration information representing the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1 (1B), particularly the configuration of the display unit 12 (12B), and lighting control information that associates the lighting state of the display unit 22 with the control signal. The control information further includes standard lighting pattern information for automatically generating lighting control information based on the configuration information.

  An operation switch 38 that can be operated by an operator may be connected to the external input / output unit 36. For example, when a situation occurs in which the corresponding production apparatus B needs to be handled, the operator operates the operation switch 38 to perform the necessary countermeasure. The operation signal is input from the external input / output unit 36 to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 controls the lighting state of the display unit 22 of the display unit 12 (12B) so that the display mode indicates that the worker is coping. The dip switch 37 may be a switch for setting whether or not the control unit 11 (11B) is compatible with the configuration change of the display unit 12 (12B). Specifically, the configuration change of the display unit 12 means an increase or decrease of the display unit 22.

  The display unit 22 includes a unit control unit 41, a lower internal communication interface (I / F) 42, an upper internal communication interface (I / F) 43, a signal notification unit 44, and a unit memory 45. The unit control unit 41 includes a CPU, and a lower internal communication interface 42, an upper internal communication interface 43, a signal notification unit 44, and a unit memory 45 are connected to the unit control unit 41. The lower internal communication interface 42 is responsible for communication of control signals and data with a unit (the control unit 11 or another display unit 22) immediately below the display unit 22. The upper internal communication interface 43 is responsible for communication of control signals and data with a unit (another display unit 22 or communication unit 13) immediately above the display unit 22. The signal notification unit 44 includes a light source (for example, an LED) and is a unit that generates signal light.

  The operation of the signal notification unit 44 (that is, the light emission operation) is controlled by the unit control unit 41. Specifically, the unit control unit 41 operates the signal notification unit 44 in response to a light emission command signal sent from the control unit 11 (11B) via the lower internal communication interface 42.

  The unit memory 45 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and stores unit configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit 22. The unit configuration information includes main specification information indicating the type of unit 22 (type of control unit, display unit, and communication unit) and sub-specification information that is light emission color information and other information. In the case of a display unit, the sub-specification information includes light emission color information. The emission color information includes information on all emission colors that can be emitted by the light source (LED) provided in the signal notification unit 44. The sub-specification information may further include information on the color of the globe that covers the periphery of the light source. In response to the unit configuration information request from the control unit 11B, the unit control unit 41 reads the unit configuration information from the unit memory 45 and transmits it to the control unit 11B.

  The communication unit 13 (13B) includes a unit controller 51, an internal communication interface (I / F) 52, an external wireless communication interface (I / F) 54, and a unit memory 55. The unit control unit 51 includes a CPU, and an internal communication interface 52, an external wireless communication interface 54, and a unit memory 55 are connected to the unit control unit 51.

  The internal communication interface 52 is responsible for communication of control signals and data with a unit (display unit 22R) immediately below the communication unit 13 (13B). In this embodiment, since the communication unit 13 (13B) is configured to be the uppermost unit of the signal indicator lamp 1 (1B), an internal communication interface for connection with the upper unit is provided. Not. However, the communication unit 13 includes an internal communication interface for connection with the upper unit, and is configured to be stacked between two display units or between a control unit and a display unit. May be. The external wireless communication interface 54 is a unit that performs wireless communication with the network 3 (see FIG. 1), and its operation is controlled by the unit controller 51. Specifically, the unit control unit 51 causes a control signal (light emission command signal) sent from the control unit 11 (11B) via the internal communication interface 52 to be transmitted from the external wireless communication interface 54 by a wireless signal. The unit memory 55 stores unit configuration information representing the configuration of the communication unit 13 (13B). The unit configuration information includes main specification information indicating the type of unit 13 (13B) (type of control unit, display unit, and communication unit) and sub specification information. In the case of the communication unit 13 (13B), the sub-specification information may include information such as a radio wave frequency and a protocol type.

  In response to a unit configuration information request from the control unit 11 (11B), the unit control unit 51 reads the unit configuration information from the unit memory 55 and transmits it to the control unit 11B. At this time, the unit control units 41 and 51 add information indicating the number of units counted from the control unit 11 (11B) and transmit the information to the control unit 11 (11B). For example, the control unit 11 (11B) adds a unit stage number when sending a unit configuration information request. The unit stage number is a number that indicates how many units the unit is counted from below. For example, the control unit 11 (11B) sends the unit stage number as the initial value “1”. When the unit configuration information request is given from the control unit 11 (11B), the unit control units 41 and 51 increment the unit stage number by +1 and read the unit stage number together with the incremented unit stage number from the unit memories 45 and 55 of the unit. The unit configuration information is returned to the control unit 11 (11B). Furthermore, the unit controller 41 adds the incremented unit stage number and passes the unit configuration information request to the upper units 22 and 13. Thereby, control unit 11 (11B) can collect the data which matched the stage number and unit structure information from all the units which comprise the said signal indicator lamp 1 (1B).

  The other signal indicator lamps 1A, 1C to 1E have the same configuration and will not be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the control unit 11. As described above, the control unit 11 has a basic configuration as a computer. An operation program (computer program) 60 executed by the control unit 31 including the CPU is stored in the memory 35. The memory 35 includes a writable nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM). The memory 35 further stores control information 70 necessary for the control unit 31 to control the display units 21 to 25. The control information 70 includes configuration information 71 that represents the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1, particularly the configuration of the display unit 12, and lighting control information 72 that associates the lighting states of the display units 21 to 25 with the control signals.

  The control information 70 further includes standard lighting pattern information 73 used for automatically generating the lighting control information 72 based on the configuration information 71. The standard lighting pattern information is correspondence pattern information indicating a correspondence pattern between a control signal input from the outside and a lighting state of the display unit with respect to the configuration information representing each of the plurality of configuration modes of the display unit 12. That is, the standard lighting pattern information 73 is default (standard) lighting control information for a configuration of a plurality of types of display units 12. Thus, the memory 35 provides a storage area for the lighting control information storage means, the configuration information storage means, and the corresponding pattern storage means.

  The control unit 31 includes a plurality of function processing units realized by executing the operation program 60. The plurality of function processing units include a lighting control unit 61, a first lighting control information registration unit 62, a second lighting control information registration unit 63, a first configuration information registration unit 64, and a second configuration information registration unit 65. When the external communication interface 32 receives the control signal, the lighting control unit 61 causes the display units 21 to 25 to be in a lighting state associated with the control signal according to the lighting control information 72 stored in the memory 35. Control lighting. The first lighting control information registration unit 62 automatically generates lighting control information 72 based on the configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35 and registers the lighting control information 72 in the memory 35.

  The first lighting control information registration unit 62 reads the standard lighting pattern information 73 corresponding to the configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35 from the memory 35, and uses the read standard lighting pattern information as the lighting control information 72. Write to.

  The second lighting control information registration unit 63 starts processing in response to the media 40 being attached to the external media interface 34, and when the lighting control information is stored in the media 40, the lighting control information Is registered in the memory 35.

  The first configuration information registration unit 64 acquires unit configuration information respectively stored in the unit memory 45 of the display units 21 to 25 and the unit memory 55 of the communication unit 13, and generates configuration information 71 using the unit configuration information. Is registered in the memory 35.

  The second configuration information registration unit 65 starts processing in response to the media 40 being attached to the external media interface 34, and reads the configuration information when the configuration information is stored in the media 40. Furthermore, the second configuration information registration unit 65 generates lighting control information 72 that matches the configuration information based on the read configuration information and standard lighting pattern information 73, and registers the lighting control information 72 in the memory 35. To do.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of output data as a control signal given from the signal lamp control device 2 to the control unit 11 of the signal indicator lamp 1. In this example, the signal lamp control device 2 can give a plurality of types (five types) of output data OP <b> 1 to OP <b> 5 to the signal indicator lamp 1. For example, the output data OP1 indicates that the corresponding production apparatus is operating normally. The output data OP2 indicates that at least one part used by the production apparatus has disappeared, that is, a part shortage. The output data OP3 indicates that at least one part used by the production apparatus will soon be lost, that is, a part shortage notice. The output data OP4 indicates that the production apparatus is in a state that requires an administrator call. The output data OP5 indicates that another abnormality has occurred in the production apparatus.

  Only one output data OP1 to OP5 may be output, or a plurality of output data may be output simultaneously. In particular, the output data OP2 may be output simultaneously with the output data OP4 or the output data OP5. Further, the output data OP3 may be output simultaneously with the output data OP4 or the output data OP5.

  Furthermore, the output data OP2, OP4, and OP5 may be output simultaneously, or the output data OP3, OP4, and IP5 may be output simultaneously.

  The control signal supplied from the signal lamp control device 2 to the signal indicator lamp 1 may be digital data or an analog signal.

  5A to 5E are diagrams for explaining display examples of the signal indicator lamp 1 according to the lighting control information 72. FIG. 5A shows a display example of the signal indicator lamp 1A, FIG. 5B shows a display example of the signal indicator lamp 1B, FIG. 5C shows a display example of the signal indicator lamp 1C, and FIG. 5D shows a signal indicator lamp. FIG. 5E shows a display example of the signal indicator lamp 1E. These display examples represent content examples of the lighting control information 72. That is, one example of the lighting control information 72 is set so that display examples as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D are realized.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the signal indicator lamp 1A, for example, the control unit 11A responds to the input data OP1 from the signal lamp control device 2A to turn on the display unit 21G and thereby emit green signal light. Let go. Further, in response to the input data OP2, the display unit 21Y is continuously turned on to emit yellow signal light. When the input data OP3 is given, the control unit 11A causes the display unit 21Y to blink. Thereby, yellow light is emitted intermittently. When the input data OP4 is given, the control unit 11A causes the display unit 21R to blink so that red light is intermittently emitted. Then, when the input data OP5 is given, the control unit 11A causes the display unit 21R to be in a continuous lighting state and continuously emits red light. Thus, the lighting state of the display unit 12A including the display units 21G, 21Y, and 21R is changed to five types for the five types of input data OP1 to OP5. Therefore, display states corresponding to the input data OP1 to OP5 can be realized.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5B, when the signal lamp control device 2B gives the input data OP1 to the control unit 11B of the signal indicator lamp 1B, the control unit 11B continuously lights up the display unit 22G, thereby generating green light. Let Further, when the input data OP2 is given, the control unit 11B causes the display unit 22Y to be in a continuous lighting state and continuously emits yellow light. When the input data OP3 is input, the control unit 11B causes the display unit 22W to be continuously turned on and continuously emits white light. Further, when the input data OP4 is given, the control unit 11B causes the display unit 22B to be continuously lit and continuously emits blue light. Further, when the input data OP5 is given, the control unit 11B causes the display unit 22R to be in a continuously lit state and continuously emits red light. Thus, in the signal indicator lamp 1B, five colors of continuous emission operation can be performed on the five types of input data OP1 to OP5, and five types of display states can be realized.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5C, when the input data OP1 is input from the signal lamp control device 2C to the signal indicator lamp 1C, the control unit 11C causes the display unit 23G to be continuously lit and continuously emits green light. When the input data OP2 is given, the control unit 11C causes the display unit 23Y to be continuously turned on and continuously emits yellow light. When the input data OP3 is given, the control unit 11C causes the display unit 23Y to blink so that yellow light is emitted intermittently. When the input data OP4 is given, the control unit 11C causes the display unit 23B to be continuously lit and continuously emits blue light. When the input data OP5 is given, the control unit 11C causes the display unit 23R to be continuously lit and continuously emits red light. In this way, five types of display states corresponding to the five types of input data OP1 to OP5 can be realized using the four display units 23B, 23G, 23Y, and 23R.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5D, when the input data OP1 is given from the signal light control device 2D to the control unit 11D of the signal indicator lamp 1D, the control unit 11D turns on the display units 24M1 and 24M2 continuously in green. Accordingly, green light is continuously emitted from both the display units 24M1 and 24M2. When the input data OP2 is given, the control unit 11D controls the display units 24M1 and 24M2 to be continuously lit in red. Thereby, a red continuous light emission state is obtained. When the input data OP3 is given, the control unit 11D controls the display units 24M1 and 24M2 so that the green LED and the red LED blink simultaneously. As a result, orange light, which is a mixed color of green and red, is emitted intermittently. When the input data OP4 is given, the control unit 11D controls both the display units 24M1 and 24M2 to blink in red. Thereby, red light is generated intermittently. When the input data OP5 is given, the control unit 11D switches alternately between a state in which the display units 24M1 and 24M2 are lit in red and a state in which the green LED and the red LED are lit simultaneously. Thus, a light emission state in which red light and orange light are emitted alternately is obtained. In this manner, five types of display states corresponding to the five types of input data OP1 to OP5 can be realized by using the two display units 24M1 and 24M2 of the multi-color display type.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5E, when the input data OP1 is given from the signal lamp control device 2E to the control unit 11E of the signal indicator lamp 1E, the control unit 11E controls the display unit 25F to be in a green continuous lighting state. Thereby, the display unit 25F enters a green continuous light emission state. Similarly, corresponding to each of the input data OP2, OP3, OP4, and OP5, the control unit 11E controls the display unit 25F to be continuously lit in yellow, white, blue, and red, respectively. Thereby, a continuous light emission state corresponding to the input data is obtained. Accordingly, five types of light emission states (five colors of continuous lighting states) corresponding to the five types of input data OP1 to OP5 can be realized.

  6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6E show examples of configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35 provided in each of the control units 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E.

  The signal indicator lamp 1A includes a control unit 11A, display units 21G, 21Y, and 21R stacked in three stages, and a communication unit 13A stacked in the uppermost stage. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35 of the control unit 11A includes main specification information and sub-specification information. The main specification information is that the first level at the bottom is the control unit, the second level unit stacked immediately above it is the display unit, and the third level unit stacked immediately above it is the display unit. Yes, the fourth-tier unit stacked immediately above is the display unit, and the fifth-tier unit stacked immediately above is the communication unit, that is, the sixth-tier unit does not exist. Represents. The sub-specification information corresponding to the control unit may include, for example, information indicating that a 10-stage display unit or communication unit can be connected and that a memory is provided. The sub-specification information corresponding to the display unit 21G that is the second stage unit includes, for example, including a green LED as a light source and being equipped with a green globe. The sub-specification information corresponding to the display unit 21Y that is the third-stage unit may include that a yellow LED is included as a light source and that a yellow globe is attached. The sub-specification information corresponding to the display unit 21R that is the fourth-stage unit may include that a red LED is included as a light source and that a red globe is equipped. The sub-specification information corresponding to the communication unit 13A as the fifth stage unit may include, for example, that the frequency band of the transmitted radio wave is 2.4 GHz and that the protocol used for communication is a dedicated protocol. Good. Since the sixth stage unit does not exist, there is no sub-specification information corresponding to the sixth stage unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35 provided in the control units 11B and 11C of the signal indicator lamps 1B and 1C is different in the number of stages of the display units and in the display colors of the display units. Except for the point, it is the same as the case of the signal indicator lamp 1A.

  Regarding the signal indicators 1D and 1E, similar configuration information 71 is stored in the memory 35 as shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, respectively. For example, for the display units 24M1 and 24M2, the sub-specification information includes a multi-color LED having red and green light sources and that a transparent globe is attached. Further, as shown in FIG. 6E, the sub-specification information corresponding to the full-color type display unit 25F may include that a full-color LED is provided as a light source and that a transparent globe is attached.

  7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining an example of the standard lighting pattern information 73 stored in the memory 35 of the control unit 11. The standard lighting pattern information 73 is information that defines a standard display state of the display unit 12 corresponding to the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1, that is, a standard lighting state of each of the display units 21 to 25. In other words, it is standard lighting control information. The control unit 31 can automatically generate lighting control information 72 used for actual control of the display units 21 to 25 based on the configuration information 71 and the standard lighting pattern information 73 and store the lighting control information 72 in the memory 35 (first). Function of 1 lighting control information registration unit 62).

  FIG. 7A shows one-input standard lighting control information 73A that is standard lighting pattern information corresponding to the case where only one of the input data OP1 to OP5 is input, and FIG. 7B shows that two or more input data are input. The multi-input standard lighting control information 73B, which is standard lighting pattern information corresponding to the case of simultaneous input, is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 7A, the one-input standard lighting control information 73A includes a display unit 12 having three single-color display units of red (R), yellow (Y), and green (G). Stacked three-stage three-color RYG specifications, red (R), yellow (Y), green (G), and blue (B) single-color display units are provided one by one, and four stages and four colors are stacked in four stages RYGB specifications, red (R), yellow (Y), green (G), blue (B) and white (W) single color display units are stacked one by one to form a 5-stage display unit 5 1-input standard lighting control information for the stage 5 color RYGBW specification is included (see (a) of FIG. 7A). In addition, there is also one-input standard lighting control information for one-stage multi-color specifications with only one multi-color display unit and two-stage multi-color specifications with two multi-color display units stacked in two stages. It is included (see (b) of FIG. 7A). Furthermore, 1-input standard lighting control information relating to a one-stage full-color specification in which only one full-color display unit is provided and a two-stage full-color specification in which full-color display units are stacked in two stages is also included (FIG. 7A). (See (c)).

  As shown in (a) of FIG. 7A, for the three-stage three-color RYG specification, 1-input standard lighting control information in which continuous lighting of the green display unit is associated with the input data OP1 is included. The input data OP2 and OP3 are associated with continuous lighting and blinking of the yellow display unit, respectively. That is, the two input data OP2 and OP3 are associated with the lighting state of one yellow display unit. Blinking and lighting of the red display unit are associated with the input data OP4 and OP5, respectively. That is, the two input data OP4 and OP5 are associated with the lighting state of one red display unit.

  Similarly, as shown in (a) of FIG. 7A, in the one-input standard lighting control information for the four-stage four-color RYGB specification, continuous lighting of the green display unit is associated with the input data OP1. Further, lighting and blinking of the yellow display unit are associated with the input data OP2 and OP3, respectively. That is, the two input data OP2 and OP3 are associated with the lighting state of one yellow display unit. Further, the continuous lighting of the blue display unit and the red display unit is associated with the input data OP4 and OP5, respectively.

  Similarly, as shown in (a) of FIG. 7A, in the 1-input standard lighting control information for the 5-stage 5-color RYGBW specification, green, yellow, white, blue, and red for input data OP1 to OP5, respectively. The continuous lighting of the display unit is associated.

  As shown in (b) of FIG. 7A, in the one-input standard lighting control information corresponding to the one-stage multi-color specification, green continuous lighting is associated with the input data OP1, and red with respect to the input data OP2. And the simultaneous continuous lighting of green and green are associated with the input data OP3. Further, red flashing and red continuous lighting are associated with the input data OP4 and OP5, respectively. In this way, that is, the five input data OP1 to OP5 are associated with the lighting state of one multi-color display unit.

  Similarly, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7A, in the 1-input standard lighting control information corresponding to the 2-stage multi-color specification, the first-stage and second-stage display units are continuously displayed in green for the input data OP1. The pattern to be lit is set. For the input data OP2, a pattern is set in which both the first and second display units are continuously lit in red. Further, for the input data OP3, a pattern is set in which both the first and second display units are simultaneously blinking green and red. For the input data OP4, a pattern is set in which both the first and second display units blink red. For the input data OP5, a pattern is set in which the first and second display units are alternately switched between a red lighting state and a green and red simultaneous lighting state. In this example, the lighting state is set to be opposite between the first stage and the second stage. Thus, the five input data OP1 to OP5 are associated with the lighting states of the two multi-color display units.

  As shown in (c) of FIG. 7A, in the one-input standard lighting control information corresponding to the one-stage full-color specification, the display units are respectively green, yellow, white, blue, A pattern that lights continuously in red is set. That is, the five input data OP1 to OP5 are associated with the lighting state of one full-color display unit.

  Similarly, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7A, in the one-input standard lighting control information corresponding to the two-stage full color specification, the first-stage display unit is displayed in green, yellow, for the input data OP1 to OP3. A pattern is set in which light is emitted in white and the second display unit is turned off. For input data OP4 and OP5, a pattern is set in which the first display unit is turned off and the second display unit is turned on continuously in blue and red. Thus, the five input data OP1 to OP5 are associated with the lighting states of the two full-color display units.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7B, the multi-input standard lighting control information 73B, which is standard lighting pattern information when two or more input data are input simultaneously, that is, when a plurality of data is input, will be described.

  As shown in (a) of FIG. 7B, in the multi-input standard lighting control information 73B for the three-stage three-color RYG specification, the yellow display unit is continuously lit and red for the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP4. A pattern is set that switches between continuous lighting of the display unit. For simultaneous input of the input data OP2 and OP5, a pattern is set in which the yellow display unit and the red display unit are alternately switched on. Further, for the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP4, a pattern for alternately switching between the flashing of the yellow display unit and the flashing of the red display unit is set. The flash lighting is a flashing state in which a flashing period flashing a plurality of times at a very short time interval within a certain time and a subsequent extinction time (a time longer than the flashing interval of the flashing period) are combined into one cycle. . Further, the red lighting of the red display unit is set for the simultaneous input of the two input data OP4 and OP5. When two or more pieces of data are input simultaneously in other combinations, the red display unit, the yellow display unit, and the simultaneous flash lighting of the red display unit are set.

  Similarly, as shown in (a) of FIG. 7B, in the multi-input standard lighting control information 73B corresponding to the four-stage four-color RYGB specification, the yellow display unit of the two input data OP2 and OP4 is simultaneously input. A pattern is set for switching between lighting and lighting of the blue display unit alternately. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP5, a pattern is set in which the yellow display unit and the red display unit are alternately turned on. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP3 and OP4, a pattern is set in which the flashing of the yellow display unit and the flashing of the blue display unit are alternately repeated. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP4 and OP5, a pattern is set in which the flash lighting of the red display unit and the flash lighting of the blue display unit are alternately repeated. A pattern for simultaneously flashing green, yellow, red, and blue display units is set for simultaneous input of two or more data by other combinations.

  Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7B, in the multi-input standard lighting control information 73B corresponding to the one-stage multi-color specification, green lighting is performed for the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP4. A pattern for alternately switching between green and red simultaneous lighting is set. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP5, a pattern for alternately switching between red lighting and green and red simultaneous lighting is set. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP3 and OP4, a pattern for alternately switching between the green flash lighting and the red flash lighting is set. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP4 and OP5, a lighting state is set in which the red flash lighting and the red continuous lighting are alternately switched. Simultaneous red lighting of red and green is set for simultaneous input of two or more data by other combinations.

  Further, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7B, in the multi-input standard lighting control information 73B for the two-stage multi-color specification, the first and second stages for the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP4. For the display unit, a pattern for alternately switching between green lighting and green and red simultaneous lighting is set. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP2 and OP5, a pattern is set in which the first and second display units are continuously lit in red. For the simultaneous input of two input data OP3 and OP4, a pattern is set in which the first and second display units blink in green and red in synchronization with each other. For the simultaneous input of the two input data OP4 and OP5, a display pattern for setting the first and second display units to flash in red synchronously is set. For the simultaneous input of two or more data by other combinations, the first display unit is switched between red lighting and green and red simultaneous lighting. The second display unit is green. Also, a pattern for switching alternately between red lighting and red lighting is set.

  The control unit 31 provided in the control unit 11 extracts standard lighting pattern information 73 corresponding to the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1 based on the configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35. The extracted standard lighting pattern information 73 is stored in the memory 35 as lighting control information 72 used for actual control. Based on the lighting control information 72, display control of the display unit 12 is executed so as to correspond to a control signal (input data) input from the signal light control device 2.

  Thus, the standard lighting pattern information 73 for setting different lighting states in the display unit when only one input data is input and when a plurality of input data is input simultaneously is prepared.

  For example, when the signal indicator lamp 1 has a three-stage RYG specification, configuration information 71 corresponding to this specification is stored in the memory 35. In this case, the control unit 31 has standard lighting pattern information 73 corresponding to the three-stage RYG specification, that is, one-input standard lighting control information 73A (see (a) in FIG. 7A) and multiple-input standard lighting control information 73B (in FIG. 7B). (see (a)), and these are registered in the memory 35 as lighting control information 72. As a result, the lighting control information 72 has one-input lighting control information corresponding to the case where only one piece of data is input, and multiple input lighting control information corresponding to the case where a plurality of data are input simultaneously. Become. Different lighting states are set for at least one display unit when only one data is input and when a plurality of data is input. In addition, in the 1-input lighting control information, the display for the two input data OP2 and OP3 is executed separately in the yellow display unit, and the display for the other two input data OP4 and OP5 is executed separately in the red display unit. (See (a) of FIG. 7A).

  When the signal indicator lamp 1 has a two-stage multi-color specification, configuration information 71 corresponding to this specification is stored in the memory 35. In this case, the control unit 31 has standard lighting pattern information 73 corresponding to the two-stage multi-color specification, that is, one-input standard lighting control information 73A (see (b) of FIG. 7A) and multiple-input standard lighting control information 73B (FIG. 7B). (C))) are read out, and these are registered in the memory 35 as lighting control information 72. As a result, the lighting control information 72 has one-input lighting control information corresponding to the case where only one piece of data is input, and multiple input lighting control information corresponding to the case where a plurality of data are input simultaneously. Become. Different lighting states are set for at least one display unit when only one data is input and when a plurality of data is input. The 1-input lighting control information is set so that one input data is associated with the lighting state of the two-stage multi-color display unit (see (b) of FIG. 7A).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the control unit 31 provided in the control unit 11 and shows an operation immediately after the signal indicator lamp 1 is turned on. When the production apparatus is in operation, that is, when power is turned on to the production apparatus, power is supplied from the production apparatus to the signal indicator lamp 1 and the signal indicator lamp 1 is turned on (step S1). In response to the power-on, the control unit 31 holds all the display units provided in the signal indicator lamp 1 in a lighting state and displays that the power is turned on (step S2). The lighting state at this time may be, for example, a lighting state with a brightness of about one-third that during normal lighting for signal display, and a mode different from the lighting state during normal signal display. preferable. Further, the control unit 31 invalidates the input of the control signal (signal lamp control data) from the signal lamp control device 2, and enters a state in which the control signal is not accepted (step S3). And the control part 31 makes the operation mode transfer to initial setting mode (step S4), and performs the process (step S5-S14) in initial setting mode.

  In the initial setting mode, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1 is variable (step S5). That is, it is determined whether the signal indicator lamp includes a stackable display unit or a signal indicator lamp having a display unit with a fixed configuration. In this determination, a part of the memory 35 provided in the control unit 11 may be a non-volatile memory, and information corresponding to the non-volatile memory may be held, or the corresponding information is given by setting of the dip switch 37. You may do it. When the configuration of the display unit 12 is not variable (step S5: NO), the control unit 31 determines whether the lighting control information has been registered in the memory 35 (step S6). If the lighting control information has been registered (step S6: YES), the control unit 31 validates the input of the control signal (signal light control data) from the signal light control device 2 (step S7). Then, the control unit 31 blinks all the display units for a certain period of time and then turns them off completely (step S8). After notifying the completion of the initial setting, the control unit 31 waits for input of a control signal (signal lamp control data) and other signals. (Step S15). Notification of completion of the initial setting (step S8) may be performed by sound notification of a message, a melody or the like when the signal indicator lamp 1 is provided with an auditory system notification unit such as a buzzer.

  When the configuration of the display unit 12 is variable (step S5: YES), the control unit 31 performs an operation for acquiring configuration information and registering it in the memory 35 (steps S9 to S14, first configuration). Function of information registration unit 64).

  Specifically, the control unit 31 sends a unit configuration information request to the display unit provided in the display unit 12 via the internal communication interface 33. In response to this, the unit controller 51 of each display unit reads unit configuration information from the unit memory 45 and returns it to the controller 31. Thus, the unit configuration information is collected from all the display units and the communication unit 13 and stored in the memory 35, whereby the configuration information can be acquired (step S9).

  When the acquisition of the configuration information is completed, the control unit 31 determines whether the configuration information has been registered in the memory 35 (step S10). If registered, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the acquired configuration information matches the registered configuration information (step S11). If the information matches, the process proceeds from step S6.

  When the configuration information is unregistered (step S10: NO), and when the acquired configuration information is inconsistent with the registered configuration information (step S11: NO), the control unit 31 sets the acquired configuration information to a new one. The configuration information is registered in the memory 35 (step S12). The control unit 31 further sends the configuration information registered in the memory 35 to the network 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S13). This information is acquired by the information display terminal 5 and the mobile terminal 6 and used for display on those terminals 5 and 6.

  The control unit 31 further creates lighting control information and registers the lighting control information in the memory 35 (step S14).

  The subsequent operation proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the control unit 31 determines whether the lighting control information has been registered in the memory 35. At this time, in addition to the case where the lighting control information is not registered, if the lighting control information is damaged even if the lighting control information is registered, the control unit 31 determines that the lighting control information is not registered. That is, the process in step S6 also serves as a determination whether the lighting control information registered in the memory 35 is damaged. When the lighting control information is not registered or damaged (step S6: NO), the process of the control unit 31 proceeds to step S14, and a process for re-registering the lighting control information is executed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process (step S14 in FIG. 8) for registering lighting control information. The control unit 31 determines whether or not an automatic setting registration mode for automatically generating and registering lighting control information is selected (step S21). The setting of the automatic setting registration mode can be performed by, for example, the DIP switch 37. If the automatic setting registration mode is selected (step S21: YES), the control unit 31 refers to the configuration information 71 registered in the memory 35. Then, it is determined whether or not the configuration information 71 corresponds to the combination of the configuration units in the standard lighting pattern information 73 registered in the memory 35, that is, whether or not it is a standard specification (step S22). If it is determined that the standard specification is satisfied (step S22: YES), the control unit 31 reads the standard lighting pattern information 73 corresponding to the configuration information 71 and executes a standard setting process for registering it in the memory 35 as the lighting control information 72 ( Step S23: Function of first lighting control information registration unit 62).

  On the other hand, when the automatic setting registration mode is not set (step S21: NO), or when the combination of the constituent units is not standard specifications (step S22: NO), the control unit 31 reads the manual setting data. It is determined whether it is possible (step S24). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the media 40 is attached to the external media interface 34. If the medium 40 is loaded, a manual setting process for reading the lighting control information from the medium 40 and registering it in the memory 35 is performed (step S25). If the medium 40 is not loaded, the apparatus waits for a state in which the medium 40 is loaded and can be read.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 31 when the lighting control information is registered using the medium 40. When the external medium 40 is loaded (step S30), the control unit 31 sets all the display units in a blinking state for a certain period of time and then enters a lighting control information registration mode using the medium 40 as a continuous lighting state. (Step S31). This notification can also be performed using an auditory system unit.

  Next, the control unit 31 invalidates the input of the control signal (signal light control data) from the signal light control device 2 (step S32), and then reads data from the medium 40 (step S33).

  The control unit 31 determines whether the read data is configuration information or lighting control information (step S34). If it is configuration information, the control unit 31 registers the configuration information from the medium 40 as new configuration information 71 in the memory 35 (step S35, function of the second configuration information registration unit 65). The subsequent processing moves to step S22 in FIG. That is, if the combination of the constituent units is a standard specification (step S22: YES), the lighting control information 72 is automatically generated with reference to the standard lighting pattern information 73 registered in the memory 35 and registered in the memory 35. (Step S23. Function of first lighting control information registration unit 62).

  On the other hand, when the data read into the medium 40 is lighting control information (step S34), the control unit 31 registers the lighting control information in the memory 35 as new lighting control information 72 (step S36, second lighting control). Function of information registration unit 63).

  In this way, by preparing the medium 40 storing the configuration information or the lighting control information in advance, the configuration information or the lighting control information can be registered in the memory 35 using the medium 40. When the configuration information is registered, lighting control information is automatically generated using the configuration information, and the generated lighting control information is registered in the memory 35. When the configuration information or the lighting control information is registered in the memory 35, the control unit 31 preferably operates the display unit 12 with a predetermined notification pattern to notify the registration completion.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 31 in the normal operation mode (input operation mode). The control unit 31 monitors a control signal (signal lamp control data; input data OP1 to OP5) given to the external communication interface 32 and detects a change thereof (step S41). The control unit 31 refers to the lighting control information 72 based on the input data OP1 to OP5, reads the lighting control information 72 corresponding to the input data OP1 to OP5, and issues a lighting control command to the display units constituting the display unit 12. (Step S42. Function of lighting control unit 61). Further, the control unit 31 gives the input data OP1 to OP5 to the communication unit 13 (step S43).

  In each display unit, the unit control unit 41 receives the lighting control command from the control unit 31 by the lower internal communication interface 42 and controls the signal notification unit 44 based on the lighting control command given to its own display unit. . Further, the unit controller 51 passes all the lighting control commands given from the lower internal communication interface 42 to the upper internal communication interface 43. Thereby, a lighting control command can be given to all the display units.

  On the other hand, the control unit 31 sends the input data OP1 to OP5 received by the external communication interface 32 from the internal communication interface 33 as it is (step S43). The display unit passes the input data OP1 to OP5 received by the lower internal communication interface 42 to the upper internal communication interface 43 as they are. As a result, the communication unit 13 acquires the input data OP <b> 1 to OP <b> 5 from the internal communication interface 53. Then, the unit control unit 51 of the communication unit 13 transmits radio waves representing the received input data OP <b> 1 to OP <b> 5 from the external wireless communication interface 54.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 31 when the unit is attached and detached. Since the display unit and the communication unit are configured to be stacked with other units, the number of units can be increased or decreased. Thereby, the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1 can be changed. The addition and deletion of units can also be performed while the signal indicator lamp 1 is energized. The operation in that case is shown in FIG. This operation mainly depends on the function of the first configuration information registration unit 64.

  When the attachment / detachment of the unit is detected (step S51), the control unit 31 causes all the display units constituting the display unit 12 to blink for a certain period of time, and then sets all the display units to a continuous lighting state (step S51). S52). The lighting state of the display unit at this time may be performed by light emission with a luminance of about one third of the maximum light emission luminance. Further, the control unit 31 invalidates the input of the control signal (signal lamp control data) from the signal lamp control device 2 and enters a state in which the control signal is not accepted (step S53). Then, the control unit 31 transmits a unit configuration information request from the internal communication interface 33, and acquires unit configuration information from the display unit and the communication unit 13 configuring the display unit 12 (step S54). Then, the acquired unit configuration information is registered in the memory 35 as configuration information 71 (step S55).

  Thus, when the unit is attached or detached while the signal indicator lamp 1 is energized, the configuration information corresponding to the configuration changed thereby is registered in the memory 35. Thereby, lighting control information corresponding to the registered configuration information is created and registered in the memory 35. Therefore, thereafter, based on the updated lighting control information, the control operation for the signal indicator lamp 1 after the configuration change is performed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the lighting state of the display unit provided in the display unit 12 changes according to a plurality of control signals (control data). The correspondence between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is stored in the memory 35 as lighting control information 72. When receiving the control signal, the lighting control unit 61 controls the lighting state of the display unit according to the lighting control information 72. On the other hand, configuration information 71 representing the configuration of the display unit 12 is stored in the memory 35. Based on this configuration information 71, the first lighting control information registration unit 62 creates lighting control information 72 and registers it in the memory 35.

  Therefore, if the configuration information 71 corresponding to the configuration of the display unit 12 is appropriately stored in the memory 35, the lighting control information 72 corresponding to the configuration of the display unit 12 is created. Based on the created lighting control information 72, the lighting state of the display unit is appropriately controlled so as to correspond to the control signal. Therefore, when the configuration of the display unit 12 is changed, the configuration information 71 only needs to be changed accordingly, so that appropriate signal display corresponding to the configuration of the plurality of types of display units 12 can be performed. That is, it is possible to provide the signal indicator lamp 1 that can easily change the configuration of the display unit 12 and can easily cope with the configuration change.

  In this embodiment, the standard lighting pattern information (corresponding pattern information) indicating the corresponding pattern between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit corresponding to a plurality of types of configurations (standard specifications) of the display unit 12 is stored in the memory 35. Is remembered. Then, the first lighting control information registration unit 62 reads the standard lighting pattern information 73 corresponding to the configuration information 71 stored in the memory 35 from the memory 35, and reads the read standard lighting pattern information 73 as the lighting control information 72. To the memory 35. Thereby, the lighting control information 72 of a predetermined pattern (standard pattern) corresponding to the configuration of the display unit 12 is set. Therefore, the lighting control according to the configuration of the display unit 12 can be immediately performed without individually creating the lighting control information 72 corresponding to the configuration of the display unit 12.

  In this embodiment, the display unit has a unit memory 45 that stores unit configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit. The first configuration information registration unit 64 acquires the unit configuration information stored in the unit memory 45 of the display unit and stores it in the memory 35. Thereby, the unit configuration information forms the configuration information 71 representing the configuration of the display unit 12. Thus, since it is the structure which acquires unit structure information from a display unit, when the structure of the display part 12 is changed, the structure information 71 corresponding to the structure of the display part 12 after the change is automatically set. It is acquired and registered in the memory 35. Then, appropriate lighting control information 72 corresponding to the registered configuration information 71 is created and stored in the memory 35. Therefore, when the configuration of the display unit 12 is changed, the correspondence relationship between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is automatically adapted to the changed configuration. Thereby, the configuration change of the display unit 12 can be easily performed without hindering the control of the lighting state.

  Further, in this embodiment, the display unit is configured to be able to be stacked on another display unit, whereby the display unit 12 is configured to be able to increase or decrease the number of display units. When the configuration of the display unit 12 is changed due to the increase or decrease of the display unit, the configuration information 71 indicating the configuration of the display unit 12 after the change is registered in the memory 35, so that the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit are displayed. Can be adapted to the configuration of the display unit 12 after the change.

  In this embodiment, lighting control information 72 that associates a plurality of control signals (input data) with lighting states of one display unit may be created. For example, the case of the lighting control information 72 created using the standard lighting pattern information 73 of (a) of FIG. 7A corresponds. Therefore, the relationship between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit is not necessarily one-to-one correspondence, but may be many-to-one correspondence. Therefore, a state where the number of control signals is larger than the number of display units is allowed. Thereby, since the freedom degree of the structure of the display part 12 increases, the tolerance with respect to the structure change of the display part 12 is high, and the response | compatibility to the structure change becomes easy.

  In this embodiment, the lighting control information 72 includes one-input lighting control information when only one control signal is input, and multiple-input lighting when a plurality of the control signals are input simultaneously. Control information may be included. For example, the case of the lighting control information 72 created using the one-input standard lighting control information 73A in FIG. 7A and the multiple-input standard lighting control information in FIG. 7B is applicable. In this case, since individual lighting control information is set when only one control signal is input and when two or more control signals are input simultaneously, the number of control signals is the number of display units. More conditions are allowed. Thereby, since the freedom degree of the structure of the display part 12 increases, the tolerance with respect to the structure change of the display part 12 is high, and the response | compatibility to the structure change becomes easy. In addition, if different lighting states are set for one input and multiple simultaneous inputs, the display pattern of the display unit 12 can be increased, so that the signal indicator lamp 1 that can transmit more information can be provided.

  Further, in this embodiment, the lighting control information 72 corresponds to at least one display unit at one input when only one control signal is input and at a plurality of inputs when a plurality of control signals are input simultaneously. Different lighting conditions are set. For example, the case of the lighting control information 72 created using the one-input standard lighting control information 73A in FIG. 7A and the multiple-input standard lighting control information in FIG. 7B is applicable. More specifically, in the case of the three-stage, three-color RYG specification, the lighting state of the red display unit, the yellow display unit, and the green display unit is different when one input is performed and when a plurality of inputs are performed simultaneously. With such a configuration, a state where the number of control signals is larger than the number of display units is allowed. Thereby, since the freedom degree of the structure of the display part 12 increases, the tolerance with respect to the structure change of the display part 12 is high, and the response | compatibility to the structure change becomes easy. In addition, since at least one display unit is in a different lighting state at the time of one input and a plurality of simultaneous inputs, the display pattern of the display unit 12 can be increased. Thereby, the signal indicator lamp 1 which can transmit more information can be provided.

  In this embodiment, the lighting control information 72 may associate one control signal with the lighting states of a plurality of display units. For example, the lighting control information 72 created using the standard lighting pattern information 73 in the case of the two-stage multi-color specification in FIG. With this configuration, a state in which the number of control signals is smaller than the number of display units is allowed. Thereby, since the freedom degree of the structure of the display part 12 increases, the tolerance with respect to the structure change of the display part 12 is high, and the response | compatibility to the structure change becomes easy. In addition, since the correspondence relationship between the control signal and the display unit can be freely set, the display pattern of the display unit 12 can be increased. Thereby, the signal indicator lamp 1 which can transmit more information can be provided.

  In this embodiment, when the medium 40 storing the configuration information in advance is attached to the external media interface 34, the second configuration information registration unit 65 reads the configuration information from the medium 40 and registers it in the memory 35. Thus, the first lighting control information registration unit 62 creates lighting control information 72 using the configuration information and registers it in the memory 35. Therefore, even if complicated lighting control information is not prepared, the configuration change of the display unit 12 can be easily handled by preparing the configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit 12.

  In this embodiment, when the medium 40 on which the lighting control information is recorded is mounted on the external media interface 34, the second lighting control information registration unit 63 reads the lighting control information from the medium 40 and registers it in the memory 35. . Thereby, the arbitrarily set lighting control information can be read, and the signal indicator lamp 1 can be operated according to the lighting control information. That is, it is possible to cope with the case where the configuration of the display unit 12 is a configuration other than the standard specification set in the standard lighting pattern information 73.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a signal indicator lamp 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the display unit 22 does not include a unit control unit, a unit memory, a lower internal communication interface, and an upper internal communication interface, but instead includes a lower internal input / output unit 82 and an upper internal input / output unit 83. ing. That is, the display unit 22 includes a signal notification unit 44, a lower internal input / output unit 82, and an upper internal input / output unit 83. The display unit 22 can be stacked with other units as in the case of the first embodiment. The lower internal input / output unit 82 is used for electrical connection (particularly, electrical connection for input / output of control signals) with other units coupled directly below the display unit 22. The upper internal input / output unit 83 is used for electrical connection (particularly, electrical connection for input / output of control signals) with other units coupled directly above the display unit 22.

  The control unit 11 includes an external input / output unit 92 and an internal input / output unit 93 instead of the external communication interface and the internal communication interface in the first embodiment. However, the control unit 11 has an external communication interface 94 for connecting the information device 100 such as a personal computer. A control signal (a signal indicating ON or OFF) is input to the external input / output unit 92 from the signal light control device 2 (for example, a programmable logic controller) via a plurality of control signal lines. The control unit 31 refers to the lighting control information stored in the memory 35 according to the input control signal, and sends an on / off signal represented by the lighting control information from the internal input / output unit 93 to the display unit 12. Send it out.

  In each display unit 22, the light source (LED) of the signal notification unit 44 is driven in accordance with a control signal given from the lower internal input / output unit 82. The lower internal input / output unit 82 of each display unit 22 supplies a control signal corresponding to the display unit 22 to the signal notification unit 44, while the control signal not corresponding to the display unit 22 is sent to the upper internal input / output unit 83. It is configured to pass through. The signal notification unit 44 is driven in accordance with a control signal supplied from the lower internal input / output unit 82 and is configured to supply the supplied control signal to the upper internal input / output unit 83.

  The communication unit 13 includes an internal input / output unit 102 instead of the internal communication interface in the first embodiment. The internal input / output unit 102 is connected to the upper internal input / output unit 83 of the uppermost display unit 22 constituting the display unit 12. Therefore, the communication unit 13 acquires control signals for all the display units 22 constituting the display unit 12 via the internal input / output unit 102. The unit control unit 51 of the communication unit 13 transmits a radio wave representing the control signal from the external wireless communication interface 54 toward the network 3 (see FIG. 1).

  In this embodiment, the control unit 31 provided in the control unit 11 directly controls the signal notification unit 44 of each display unit 22. The display unit 22 is not provided with a unit memory that stores unit configuration information representing the configuration of the unit. Therefore, it is preferable to register the configuration information in the memory 35 of the control unit 11 using the medium 40. The lighting control information may be stored in the medium 40 and the lighting control information may be registered in the memory 35. However, the creation of lighting control information is generally a work that requires a lot of labor. Therefore, the configuration information is registered in the memory 35 using the medium 40, and the lighting control information is automatically generated and automatically registered using the standard lighting pattern information registered in advance in the memory 35, thereby greatly increasing the labor of the operator. Can be reduced. As a result, the work load when installing the signal indicator lamp 1 and when changing the configuration of the signal indicator lamp 1 can be greatly reduced, and the signal indicator lamp 1 can be brought into a ready-to-use state.

  The configuration information can be registered in the memory 35 by connecting the information device 100 to the external communication interface 84. In this case as well, the same effect as when the configuration information is registered using the medium 40 can be realized. That is, the labor of the operator can be greatly reduced compared to registering the lighting control information in the memory 35 using the information device 100.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the signal indicator lamp 1 includes the communication unit 13 has been described. However, the communication unit 13 does not necessarily have to be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the configuration information 71, the lighting control information 72, and the standard lighting pattern information 73 are stored in the memory 35 has been described. However, these pieces of information are distributed in two or more memories. It may be stored.

  Furthermore, the unit memory 45 provided in the display unit according to the first embodiment may be a semiconductor memory such as a non-volatile memory, but may be an electrical storage unit other than the semiconductor memory. For example, the unit memory can be configured by elements such as dip switches and resistors that can generate a signal representing unit configuration information.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the storage information is automatically read and registered in the memory 35 by connecting the medium 40 to the external media interface 34 has been described. The reading of the media 40 may be started in response to the operation of the operation switch 38.

  In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

A, B, C, D, E Production device 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) Signal indicator 2 (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E) Signal light control device 3 Network 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) , 8D, 8E) Control signal line 11 (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) Control unit 12 (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E) Display unit 13 (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) Communication unit 21 to 25 Display unit 31 Control unit 32 External communication interface 33 Internal communication interface 34 External media interface 35 Memory 36 External input / output unit 37 DIP switch 38 Operation switch 40 Media 41 Unit control unit 42 Lower internal communication interface 43 Upper internal communication interface 44 Signal notification unit 45 Unit memory 51 Uni Control unit 52 internal communication interface 53 internal communication interface 54 external wireless communication interface 55 unit memory 60 operation program 61 lighting control unit 62 first lighting control information registration unit 63 second lighting control information registration unit 64 first configuration information registration unit 65 Second configuration information registration unit 70 Control information 71 Configuration information 72 Lighting control information 73 Standard lighting pattern information 73A 1-input standard lighting control information 73B Multiple-input standard lighting control information 82 Lower internal input / output unit 83 Upper internal input / output unit 84 External communication Interface 92 External input / output unit 93 Internal input / output unit 94 External communication interface 100 Information device 102 Internal input / output unit

Claims (11)

A signal indicator lamp whose lighting state changes in response to a plurality of control signals,
A display unit comprising one or more display units including a light source;
Lighting control information storage means storing lighting control information in which the plurality of control signals and the lighting state of the display unit provided in the display unit are associated with each other;
Upon receiving the control signal, according to the lighting control information, lighting control means for controlling the lighting of the display unit so as to be in a lighting state associated with the control signal,
Configuration information storage means for storing configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit;
And a first lighting control information registration unit that creates the lighting control information and registers the lighting control information in the lighting control information storage unit based on the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage unit. Corresponding to a plurality of types of configurations of the display unit, further includes correspondence pattern storage means that stores correspondence pattern information representing a correspondence pattern between the control signal and the lighting state of the display unit,
The first lighting control information registration unit reads the corresponding pattern information corresponding to the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage unit from the corresponding pattern storage unit, and uses the read corresponding pattern information as the lighting control information. The signal indicator lamp according to claim 1, wherein the signal indicator lamp is written in the lighting control information storage means. The display unit has a unit memory that stores unit configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit;
The signal indicator lamp according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising first configuration information registration means for acquiring unit configuration information stored in the unit memory of the display unit and registering the unit configuration information in the configuration information storage means.   The signal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display unit is configured to be able to be stacked on another display unit, and the display unit is configured to be able to increase or decrease the number of display units. Indicator light.   5. The signal indicator lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control information includes information that associates at least two of the plurality of control signals with a lighting state of one of the display units. 6.   The lighting control information includes one-input lighting control information when only one control signal is input, and multiple-input lighting control information when a plurality of the control signals are input simultaneously. The signal indicator lamp as described in any one of Claims 1-5.   The lighting control information has different lighting states for at least one display unit at one input when only one of the control signals is input and at a plurality of inputs when a plurality of the control signals are input simultaneously. The signal indicator lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is set. The display unit includes a plurality of the display units;
The signal indicator lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lighting control information associates at least one of the plurality of control signals with a plurality of lighting states of the display units. A media connection unit capable of attaching and detaching a medium recording configuration information representing the configuration of the display unit;
9. The signal display according to claim 1, further comprising: second configuration information registration means that reads out the configuration information from the medium connected to the media connection unit and registers the configuration information in the configuration information storage means. light. A medium connection unit capable of attaching and detaching the medium on which the lighting control information is recorded;
The lighting control information is further read out from the media attached to the media connection unit, and further includes a second lighting control information registration unit that registers the lighting control information in the lighting control information storage unit. Signal indicator lamp of description.   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the lighting control information storage unit, the lighting control unit, the configuration information storage unit, and the first lighting control information registration unit according to claim 1.

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