JPH02108102A - Console panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily set a desired picture without any knowledge of a program by setting the display picture of a display device with an input from the touch panel of a specific set picture. CONSTITUTION:The console panel 100 is connected to either or both of a robot controller 30 which operates a robot and a programmable controller 26 which controls the whole system such as a peripheral equipment. Then a computer 110 has the console panel setting program, which is executed to display the picture for setting on the display device; and various pictures are set with the input from the touch panel 120 in an picture display state for setting. Consequently, the best picture design and setting are easily performed without any knowledge of the special program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a control panel in a system for operating a robot, and particularly to improving the operability thereof.

[Conventional technology] Traditionally, in assembly lines for various equipment such as automobiles,
Automated mechanical systems with robots are widely adopted.

Therefore, an example of an automatic machine system using a conventional robot will be explained based on FIG. 15.

In this automatic machine system, a robot 10 and peripheral devices 12 perform welding and assembly of products. In order to perform these controls, it has two operation panels: a process control panel 14 and a robot operation panel 16.

This process control panel 14 performs sequence control of the entire automatic machine system including jigs, peripheral devices 12, etc., and the robot control panel 16 controls the robot 10.

Here, the robot operation panel 16 is used to monitor and display the state of the robot and issue commands regarding the robot's operation, etc., and there are two types. Specifically, one type is a combination of a CRT screen 1B and a keyboard 20, and is provided above the robot operation panel 16. Also, one more
One is the teaching box 22, which is a small remote control device that can be held with both hands and is equipped with an LED or liquid crystal display and keys for teaching the robot, such as a seat key.

In addition, the process operation panel 24 centrally arranges various push buttons, changeover switches, lamps, counters, timers, etc. for starting and stopping the robot and operating various jig peripheral devices, etc., and controls the entire system. Monitor and operate. Furthermore, each device is connected to the process control panel 1 via each signal line.
It is connected to the programmable controller (PC) and relay in 4. Note that the process display panel 28 shows the operating status of various devices.

In such a conventional automatic machine system, the robot 10 is operated by a robot operation panel 18 attached to a robot controller 30, and the entire process is controlled by a process control panel 1 that controls a programmable controller 26.
It was done by 4.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-191008 proposes a system in which the keyboard and display device of a numerical control device that controls the operation of the robot itself are used as a means for inputting programs into a sequence control device that controls peripheral devices of the robot. has been done.

[Related Application] In the conventional automatic machine system as described above, since the process control panel 14 and the robot operation panel 30 are provided separately, there are the following problems.

(a) Since each new piece of equipment is designed and manufactured, a large number of man-hours are required each time.

(b) Incidental construction is required when adding or changing functions;
The man-hours and costs involved are large.

(c) The equipment status and information are only from the lamp output means,
The amount of information is small.

(d) There are many buttons, lamps, etc., and the operation panel itself becomes large. Also, the number of wire connections is large.

Furthermore, in the device described in JP-A-58-191008, (a) the input method is a keyboard or sheet keys;
Poor operability.

(b) Command words are usually input in English, which requires skill to input and requires time to process.

Therefore, in order to solve such problems, the applicant has
The functions of the two operation panels, the process operation panel and the robot operation panel, are combined into one.
In Japanese Patent Application No. 63-68667, we proposed an operation panel that can be operated on a stand and that allows simple input.

In the operating panel according to this proposal, the built-in computer can display various displays on the display device, monitor various processes, and input commands.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In an operation panel incorporating such a display device and computer, in order to manage various processes, it is necessary to display a unique screen corresponding to each process.

In particular, when a display device is equipped with a touch panel and monitors the status of equipment in each process, and various commands are input manually from the touch panel, the screen design has a very large effect on the operability.

The screen displayed on the display device of the operation panel must be appropriate and easy to understand for each process in which the operation panel is used, such as the arrangement of various lamps and switches, and the items on the monitor table.

Furthermore, in order to display these screens, display screens must be created in advance. In order to create this screen, computer software is created based on the specifications and design documents for the usage process. For this reason, only a person skilled at the level of a computer software programmer could set the screen on the operation panel. Therefore, it was necessary to install a new operation panel for each process, or to ask a programmer to create a program every time there was a modification or change.

On the other hand, it is better for optimal screen settings to be determined by the operator who actually performs the work, and there is also a desire to quickly perform resetting. In such a case, it would be necessary for the operator to have programmer level knowledge, which is not practical.

Furthermore, in order to create software for such screen settings, there is a problem in that hardware such as a keyboard and software for software development are required as manual means.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel that allows screen settings to be easily made.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The operation panel according to the present invention is connected to one or both of a robot controller that operates a robot and a program controller that controls the entire system including peripheral devices, and is capable of commanding and monitoring both controllers. The operation panel for performing the operation includes a display device as a monitoring means, a touch panel as an input means, and a computer for performing various processes, and the computer has an operation panel setting program, and the operation panel settings By executing the program, a setting screen is displayed on the display device, and by touching the touch panel in this setting screen display state, various screens such as the monitor screen and input screen for various commands are set. It is characterized by being able to

[Effect]

The operation panel 100 is connected to both or one of a robot controller 30 that operates the robot and a programmable controller 26 that controls the entire system including peripheral devices.

The computer 110 has an operation panel setting program, and by executing this program, a setting screen is displayed on the display device, and in this setting screen display state, input from the touch panel 120 ,
You can configure settings for various screens.

Therefore. Anyone can easily design and set the optimal screen without requiring knowledge of specialized programs.

[Example] Next, an example of the operation panel according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Basic Configuration of Operation Panel FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the operation panel of this embodiment. The operation panel 100 includes a computer 110,
Touch panel 1201 Touch panel controller 130
, CRT (display device) 140, hard switch 150
and a lamp 152 are built in, and these have an integral structure. The computer 110 includes a central processing unit 110a1, a storage element 110b, an external parallel signal input/output section 110C%, and an external serial signal input/output section 110d.
, 110e, and a CRT screen display control section 110f. The operation panel 100 is also connected to a printer 160 as an output means and a floppy disk 170 as an external storage means.

In order to function as a process operation panel, it is connected to the peripheral device 12 via a programmable controller 26, and in order to function as a robot operation panel, it is connected to the robot 10 via a robot controller 3o. Note that instructions to the robot controller 30 can also be given from the teaching box 22.

Here, the memory element 110b is for storing programs, data, etc., and is connected to the external parallel signal input/output unit 1.
10c is O from the hard switch 15o and the lamp 152
This is an interface circuit for taking in signals regarding N and OFF into or outputting them from the computer 110.

Further, the external serial signal input/output unit 110e includes the computer 110, the programmable controller 26, the robot controller 30, and the touch panel controller 130.
This is an interface circuit that communicates with and,
This external serial signal input/output unit 110e allows serial signal communication with the robot 10, various peripheral devices 12, and the like.

Note that these communications can be performed simultaneously with both the robot controller 30 and the programmable controller 26 by performing multi-task processing in which the computer 110 always performs parallel processing.

For example, the operation panel 100 and the programmable controller 2
6 can be performed using a computer link module of the programmable controller, which is used when performing data communication between a normal programmable controller and a computer. That is, the contacts and registers can be read and written by the computer link module of the programmable controller 26.

Furthermore, transmission and reception of character codes and the like between the operation panel 100 and the robot controller 30 has conventionally been carried out using C.
This can be done using the serial communication line used for communication between the RT and the robot controller.

Furthermore, a touch panel controller 130 and an operation panel 10
Communication with 0 can also be performed using a similar serial communication line.

Note that communication between the operation panel 100, the printer 160, the floppy disk 170, and the CRT 140 is performed in the same manner as in a normal personal computer. In addition, the CRT140 is
It is connected to the CRT screen display control section 110f of the computer 110.

Further, signals are exchanged between the multi-control panel 100 and the programmable controller 26 by the operator touching a picture of a switch drawn on the screen of the CRTI 40. That is, by touching a picture drawn on the screen of the CRT 140, a signal is transmitted in this order to the touch panel 120, the touch panel controller 130, and the computer 110, and the signal is sent to the programmable controller 26 via the signal line 200. Furthermore, the CR of the operation panel 100
If a predetermined display is to be displayed on the T140, the reverse route is used, that is, the programmable controller 26 and the computer 11.
Programmable controller 2 in the order of 0 and CRT140
6 output signals are transmitted.

Here, as a method of signal transmission, there is also a method using the hard switch 150, and there are the following two methods. That is, the signal from the hard switch 150 is sent to the computer 110 and transmitted to the programmable controller 26, and the lamp 15 is sent in the reverse route.
Method of outputting to 2, hard switch 150, lamp 1
52 and the programmable controller 26 directly through the signal line 2.
There is a method of connecting with 10 and inputting and outputting signals. Note that this method of directly transmitting signals using the signal line 210 is not affected by abnormalities in the central processing unit 110a or the communication device, and is therefore preferably used when ensuring the safety of signal transmission.

In this way, signals can be exchanged between the operation panel 100 and the programmable controller 26 in the three ways described above, and can be used appropriately depending on the type of signal and the purpose.

Next, the function of the programmable controller 26 will be explained. The programmable controller 26 performs sequence control in an automatic machine system using the robot 10. That is, the robot 10 is connected to peripheral devices 12 such as a conveyor for transporting a workpiece, a transfer machine, a clamper for clamping a workpiece, an opening/closing jig, and various sensors to control them.

Further, the robot controller 30 is for controlling the operation of the robot 10, and is used to instruct the robot 10 by storing a program to store the operations to be performed, control the operation to operate the mechanism according to the program, and send and receive information to and from peripheral devices. It performs input/output control, display diagnosis of the state of the robot 10, etc.

This robot controller 30 is connected to the operation panel 10.
0, but if the operation is simple, it can also be performed using the teaching box 22. Further, the robot controller 30 is a programmable controller 2
6 through a signal line, and it is possible to send and receive signals between the two.

Further, the floppy disk drive 170 is connected to the operation panel 1.
It stores 00 programs, data, etc.

Then, the printer 160 uses the program of the operation panel 100,
It performs data pasting, and CRT140
You can also make a hard copy of the screen.

Appearance of operation panel FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a system using operation panel 100. As shown in FIG. The programmable controller 26 is housed inside the process control panel 24. This process control panel 24 includes a programmable controller 26 shown here as well as a relay (not shown) and the like.

Moreover, FIG. 4 is an external view showing an example of the operation panel 100. On the front of the screen of the operation panel 100, a CRT 140 screen,
Touch panel 1 installed on the front of this CRT 140
20, a hard switch 150, and a lamp 152 are arranged. Further, a heat sink 180 is provided at the top. This heat sink 180 has a CRT 140 inside the operation panel 100.
, computer 110, touch panel controller 13
0. It has the function of dissipating heat generated from the power source etc. to the outside. For this reason, it is configured by, for example, a combination of heat dissipation fins and a heat dissipation fan. Note that the interior of the operation panel 100 has a sealed structure and has excellent dust resistance.

Operation panel display screen setting Next, the display screen setting of the operation panel, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, will be explained. That is, the operation display function of the operation panel 100, the PC coil monitor function, the counter display function,
In order to achieve an operation establishment condition display function, an abnormal lamp message function, etc., accurate screen display is required when these functions are achieved.

This screen will differ depending on the automatic machine system controlled by the operation panel 100. Therefore, regarding the settings of the screen on the display device, it is necessary to make initial settings in advance according to the automatic machine system in which the operation panel 100 is used. Conventionally, such initial settings were performed using software created by a computer programmer. However, with this method, only those with detailed knowledge of computer software could perform the settings.

In the operation panel 100 of the present invention, display screen settings can be made for the product by selecting the touch panel 120 on the screen according to the messages on the screen.

The display screen settings include the following items, which will be explained individually below.

(a) Layout design of the operation panel (b) Correlation between the address of the internal coil of the programmable controller 26 and each component such as push button switches and lamps on the operation panel (c) Input of operation failure conditions (d) Abnormal lamp message screen Creation (e) Counter Message Input Operation Panel Setting Mode (Matrix Setting) Here, the arrangement design of the operation panel 100 in the operation panel setting mode will be explained. First, when "setting" is selected on the operation panel display screen shown in FIG. 5 to enter the operation panel setting mode, the operation panel setting mode menu screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. First, it is necessary to decide on the individual sizes and vertical and horizontal sizes of the switches and lamps to be placed.

Then select "Matrix Settings". When this matrix setting is selected, a matrix shape setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Then, in this state, select one of the large, medium, and small sizes on the screen, and then input the matrix number, matrix size (vertical and horizontal values) by touching the ten keys at the top right of the screen.

After determining the matrix size in this manner, the screen automatically changes to the display shown in FIG. In this 70th display, both the currently set matrix and already registered matrices are displayed. The currently set matrix can be moved by touching a desired location on the screen. That is, for example, if the user touches the upper left location indicated by the arrow - in the figure, the upper left end of the matrix moves to the location corresponding to 38. Through such operations, it is possible to frame the arrangement of switches, lamps, etc.

Operation panel setting mode (parts selection) Next, set parts such as switches and lamps in each framed part. To move to this part setting,
This can be achieved by touching "Next operation" in the diagram or "Parts selection" in FIG. Then, by touching a desired part in FIG. 8 in which the part is desired to be displayed, and touching the desired part in the part selection screen in FIG. 9, the part can be set in the desired part. By repeatedly performing such operations, desired parts can be set within the designated frame.

Operation Panel Setting Mode (PC Coil Address Setting) Next, the case of setting the address of the internal coil (PC coil) of the programmable controller 26 will be described. In order to set the address number to be monitored of the internal coil of the programmable controller 26 and give its meaning,
Write the coil name and coil address in the one-column table in Figure 10.

This writing is performed, for example, by first touching the desired lamp, then touching Kana selection, and then touching the Kana key that appears on the screen to input the name. Similarly, it is also possible to write alphabetic characters or kanji characters by selecting alphabetic characters or kanji characters.

Then, touch the address field and enter the address by touching the numeric keypad. By repeating such operations, the coil address can be set.

In this way, a PC coil monitor screen as shown in FIG. 11 can be set.

Next, the coil address table set in this way is associated with each element of the parts matrix set previously. That is, when the name section in FIG. 10 is touched and a coil is selected, the screen automatically changes to the coil selection screen shown in FIG. 12. Then, touch the name section of the part corresponding to the designated coil on this screen. By doing this, the coil name in FIG. 12 is copied to the parts name section, and at the same time, the currently selected part is associated with the coil address corresponding to that part. By repeating such operations, the internal coil of the programmable controller 26 and the operation panel 1
00 individual parts can be associated.

Further, when making such settings, it is also possible to set operation sequence numbers 146 indicating the operation procedure of each part and separation lines 148 separating each part as shown in FIG.

Control panel setting mode (other settings) Next, the setting of the operation failure condition will be explained.

Setting of the operation failure conditions is performed using the previously created operation panel screen (FIG. 5). To input the operation failure conditions, first touch input the target part from the operation panel screen.

After that, touch input the condition parts one after another in the same way. In this way, the condition parts and target parts can be set.

Next, the setting of the abnormal lamp message will be explained.

To input this abnormal lamp message, first select the abnormal lamp for which you want to manually write a message on the operation panel display screen shown in FIG. 5, and input it by touch. Thereafter, the screen changes to a screen for inputting abnormal lamp messages. Messages can then be created by touching the kana keys, numeric keys, etc. on this screen.

Note that the count message input can also be performed by touching a predetermined location on the count message input screen in the same way as the abnormal lamp message input.

As explained above, in the operation panel 100 of the present invention, display screen settings can be performed only by touch operation. Therefore, even an operator with no knowledge of programming can easily set this display screen.

Execution of Display Screen Setting FIG. 13 is a flowchart for setting the display screen of the operation panel 100. Perform these settings in the order of creating a matrix table, creating a parts table, creating a coil table, creating a separation line table, inputting operation failure conditions, inputting an abnormal lamp message, inputting a counter message, inputting a robot abnormal message, and inputting a robot command explanation. .

In creating the matrix table, further steps are taken to determine the individual sizes (large, medium, small), determine the vertical and horizontal sizes of the matrix (nXm), and determine the origin position of the matrix, as shown in Figure 14, which describes the contents. The operation method for (X, Y) is input and determined one after another. Then, the determined conditions are stored in the memory 110b (RAM).
), and the matrix shape that takes the decision conditions into consideration is displayed on the CRT 140. Then, the operator can confirm the set contents by this display.

Please repeat this operation (or create more) as necessary.

Furthermore, creating a parts table is a process of determining incidental conditions such as the type, color, and operation sequence number of parts to be placed in each location of the created matrix. The creation of the coil table is a step of inputting the determined parts and the corresponding pipes of the coil addresses of the programmable controller 26 and their names. Furthermore, creating a separator line table is a process of determining the position, width, and color of separator lines for classifying each part.

In addition, for the input of operation failure conditions, abnormal lamp message input, counter message input, robot abnormal message input, and robot command explanation input, each condition is sequentially input by touch input in the same way as the creation of the matrix table described above. Settings are performed by associating the screen corresponding to the condition result with the programmable controller 26 while storing it in the memory 110b.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the operation panel according to the present invention,
The display screen on the display device can be changed by inputting from a touch panel on a predetermined setting screen.

Therefore, desired screen settings can be easily made even without extensive knowledge of programs. Furthermore, since no special hardware is required for screen settings, space and cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the screen can be created by the person actually operating the screen, the screen can be designed optimally, and the touch position can be set optimally.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of this invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entire system to which the embodiment is applied, and FIG. 5 is an external view of the operation panel display screen, FIG. 6 is an external view of the operation panel setting mode menu screen, FIG. 7 is an external view of the matrix shape setting screen, and FIG. Figure 8 is an external view of the matrix position setting screen, Figure 9 is an external view of the parts selection screen, Figure 10 is an external view of the coil address setting screen, Figure 11 is an external view of the PC coil monitor screen, and Figure 12 is an external view of the PC coil monitor screen. An external view of the coil selection screen, FIG. 13 is a flowchart for setting the operation panel, FIG. 14 is a flowchart for creating a matrix table, and FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic machine system. 10...Robot 26...Blogmable controller 30...Robot controller 100...Operation panel 110...Computer 120...Touch panel 140...Display device

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an operation panel that is connected to one or both of a robot controller that operates a robot and a program controller that controls the entire system including peripheral devices, and that issues commands to and monitors both controllers, a display as a monitoring means is provided. a touch panel as an input means, and a computer for performing various processes, and the computer has an operation panel setting program, and by executing the operation panel setting program, the display device can be configured. An operation panel characterized in that a setting screen is displayed, and by touching the touch panel in the setting screen display state, settings can be made on various screens such as a monitor screen and an input screen for various commands.