JPH0679229B2 - Programmable controller audio output unit - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel output unit used in a building block type programmable controller, and in particular, to output various audio signals according to the contents of a user program. Output unit.

<Outline of the Invention> In the present invention, the voicing mode is configured to be switchable between the single voicing mode and the repetitive voicing mode. When the voicing mode is the single voicing mode, the audio signal corresponding to the detected ON bit is turned on. In response to the tamming, the voice is uttered only once, and in the repeat utterance mode, the voice signal is uttered repeatedly as long as the ON state continues.

<< Prior Art and its Problems >> The present applicant has previously proposed a novel audio output unit of a programmable controller in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-249111.

By the way, the user's request for this type of audio output unit is that when a certain input condition is satisfied, a case where a specified voice is to be uttered only once in response to the satisfaction of the condition and a certain input condition is satisfied. When the above condition is satisfied, there is a case where it is desired to repeatedly utter a specified voice continuously while the condition is satisfied.

In order to satisfy the former request, the ON timing of the ON bit in the output data taken in by the audio output unit is detected, and the designated voice is output in response to this timing.
It must be configured to speak only once.

However, with such a configuration, in order to satisfy the latter requirement, there is an inconvenience that the user himself / herself must program the number of times of repetition, the interval, etc. by using a timer instruction or a counter instruction.

On the other hand, in order to satisfy the latter requirement, the audio output unit constantly monitors the on / off level of each bit in the captured output data, and for the ON bit, repeats the same voice as long as the ON state continues. Must be configured to do so.

However, according to such a configuration, in order to satisfy the former request, it is inconvenient that the ON time of the corresponding bit has to be individually determined by using a timer command or the like according to the length of each voice. .

On the maker side as well, it is not necessarily a good idea to manufacture two types of models to meet the needs of both parties, as this complicates the production line.

<< Object of the Invention >> An object of the present invention is, when a certain condition is satisfied, a function of uttering a designated voice only once in response to the timing of the satisfaction of the condition, and when the certain condition is satisfied, It is to provide a voice output unit capable of arbitrarily selecting a function of repeatedly uttering the same voice while the condition is satisfied.

<< Structure and Effect of the Invention >> In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a data acquisition means for acquiring the output data sent to the unit on the system bus of the programmable controller and a generation mode. , Generation mode switching means for switching between single generation mode and repeated generation mode, ON data detection means for detecting ON data in the fetched output data, and when the generation mode is single generation mode, detected The audio signal corresponding to the ON data is generated only once in response to the ON timing, and in the repeat generation mode, one
When only ON data is detected, the audio signal corresponding to the ON data is repeatedly generated as long as the ON state continues, while when multiple ON data are detected at the same time, the audio signal corresponding to each ON data is generated. Audio signal generating means for alternately and repeatedly generating the plurality of ON data as long as the simultaneous ON state of the plurality of ON data continues.

According to such a configuration, in response to the satisfaction of a certain input condition, the function of uttering the designated voice only once, and when the certain condition is satisfied, the condition is satisfied. With the function to repeat the same voice repeatedly during the whole period,
In addition to the user's arbitrary selection, the maker does not need to manufacture two types of models, and the cost can be reduced by sharing parts and simplifying the production line.

In addition, if multiple ON data are detected at the same time in the repeat generation mode by the voice signal voicing means, each ON
Audio signal corresponding to data is ON at the same time for multiple data.
As long as the state continues, voices are alternately and repeatedly produced, and even in such a case, only a specific voice signal is not continuously output, and a necessary message can be efficiently transmitted to a listener.

<< Description of Embodiments >> FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the entire programmable controller to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, this programmable controller 1
Is composed of a power supply unit 2, a CPU unit 3, or two or more I / O units 4 and a voice output unit 5 according to the present invention.

Each of the units 2 to 5 is configured by incorporating a desired circuit board in a bookcase type housing, and plugs protruding from the back of each housing are inserted into sockets on the system bus installed in the rack 6. As a result, the units 2 to 5 are electrically connected to each other via the system bus.

Further, as will be described later, a voice signal specified by the user program is uttered from the voice output unit 5, and is amplified by the amplifier 7 so that the speaker 8 produces a sound.

The power supply unit 2 rectifies and smoothes the commercial power supply, stabilizes it, and supplies it to each of the units 3, 4 and 5, and the power supply unit 2 side can turn on and off the power supply of the entire controller.

The I / O unit 4 is already known and will not be described in detail, but it is possible to assign one channel to 16 or more to one or two or more channels.
Each point is equipped with a pair of input and output circuits,
By setting the built-in digital switch, it is possible to freely set 16 points as input or output.

In addition, in this embodiment, each unit 4 has a built-in digital switch for address setting, and by appropriately setting this, an arbitrary address can be set without being restricted by the socket position on the rack 6. The so-called free location method is possible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU unit 3 is mainly composed of an 8-bit microprocessor (MPU) 30 typified by 6800, and its data bus DB, address bus AB,
Input / output status RAM31, working RAM32, system program ROM33, and user program PROM34 are connected to the control bus CB, respectively, and a socket for connecting a programming tool when writing a program.
35 is also connected, and can be connected to the system bus SB on the rack 6 via the plug 36 and the socket 37.

A 1-word 8-bit RAM is used as the input / output state RAM 31, and the address space of this RAM 31 is an input / output area that can be assigned as an input or output in units of 8 bits, as well as an auxiliary relay area and a counter element. It is allocated to the count information area, keep relay area, and time information area of the timer element.

Similarly, the working RAM 32 is a 1-word 8-bit RAM and is used as a temporary storage area or the like for various calculations in the MPU 30.

The system program ROM 33 is similarly composed of a memory of 1 word and 8 bits, and stores various system programs necessary for the operation of the programmable controller. Details of this system program will be described later.

The user program PROM34 is also a word of 8 bits.
A PROM is used, and in this PROM 34, a user program arbitrarily set by the user is stored in a programmable controller language (high-level language). In this embodiment, the user program is stored in the ladder diagram input format.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the system program stored in the system program ROM 33 (in the case of the END refresh method).
Indicates. As shown in the figure, when the system program is started when the power is turned on, the initial processing initializes the contents of the input / output state RAM 31, the working RAM 32, etc. (step 300), and then various system service processing (step 300). 301) is performed.

In this service processing, in addition to service processing such as monitoring and failure diagnosis, when a programming tool is connected, processing for writing a program to the user program PROM 34 and the like are performed.

When the service process ends, the input update process is subsequently performed (step 302). In this input update processing, the states of the terminals assigned to the inputs in the I / O units 4, 4 ...
Processing to transfer to the corresponding address in 1 is performed.

Thereafter, in the service process 301, unless the key operation corresponding to the RUN mode is performed (No at step 303), the above operation is repeatedly performed (steps 301 and 302), and only the input update is continuously performed.

In this state, when a predetermined key operation corresponding to the RUN mode is performed in the service process 301, the RUN mode is determined following the input update process (step 303: Yes), and the command execution process is performed (step 303). 304).

In this instruction execution process, user instructions are sequentially read from the user program PROM34 according to the contents of the program counter, circuit operations are performed according to the contact connection relationship on the ladder diagram, and the OUT instruction is executed and the operation results up to that point are executed. Processing for rewriting the corresponding output area of the input / output state RAM 31 is performed. Then, when the END instruction is read out while repeating the instruction execution, the instruction execution processing is ended and the subsequent output update processing (step 305) is performed.

In this output updating process, the contents of the output area of the input / output state RAM rewritten as a result of instruction execution are transferred to each of the eight terminals assigned as the output of the I / O unit.

Thereafter, as long as the RUN mode continues, system service processing (step 301), input update processing (step 302), instruction execution processing (step 304), output update processing (step 30)
Repeat 5).

In this embodiment, since the user program is written in the programmable controller language, it cannot be directly executed by the microprocessor 30. Therefore, the user program is indirectly executed via the interpreter program stored in the system program ROM. Is running normally.

Second, this type of ladder diagram input programmable
In the OP code used in the controller, the instruction execution operation for OUT required for understanding the voice output unit of this embodiment will be described.

The ladder diagram shown in Fig. 4 (a) is the OP code L
It is represented as shown in FIG. 7B by using D and OUT, and the instruction decoding result is represented by the flowchart in FIG.

That is, as a result of reading an instruction according to the program counter (step 400), if it is determined to be an OUT instruction (step 401 affirmative), the operation result up to that point, that is, input
Is judged to be ON or not, and if it is ON (Yes at step 402), as shown in FIG.
"1" corresponding to ON is written in the area corresponding to 0,
On the other hand, if the input 3000 is OFF (No at step 402), OF
"0" corresponding to F is written (step 404).

In this way, when the OP code OUT is executed, the corresponding output is always rewritten with the content according to the operation result up to that point.

The OUT code described above is used in the audio output unit programming according to the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the audio output unit according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 51 of the voice output unit 5 is formed in the same bookcase shape as that of the I / O unit, and the front panel of the housing 51 has a message N being spoken.
32 LED indicators 52 for displaying o., a jack 53 for extracting an audio signal, a voicing mode switch 54 used for switching voicing modes described later, and a detachable front cover 55 are provided. There is.

Then, by inserting a plug 56 into the jack 53, an audio signal is taken out and led to an amplifier or monitor speaker (not shown).

A space (not shown) for storing memory is provided behind the front lid 55, and a voice memory card is provided in this space.
By attaching 57, messages to be pronounced can be exchanged in units of 32 types.

Further, on the rear surface of the housing 51, there is a plug 58 (not shown).
Is formed in a projecting manner, and the plug 58 is inserted into the socket 59 on the system bus laid on the rack 6 to connect to the CPU unit 3.

The electrical configuration of the audio output unit 5 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the audio output unit 5 is mainly composed of an 8-bit microprocessor (MPU) 501, and a system program ROM 502 for a data bus DB ', an address bus AB', and a control bus CB '. The working RAM 503 is connected.

A system program necessary for controlling the audio output unit is stored in advance in the system program ROM 502, and the contents of this program will be described in detail in a flowchart described later.

A stack area as shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the working RAM 503. As will be described later, a message number represented by a BCD code corresponding to the decoding result of the voice output command is provided in this stack area. Remembered. Furthermore, R
A 32-bit uttered table as shown in FIG. 9 is provided in AM503. The functions of the stack area and the uttered table will be described in detail later.

The data bus DB ′ in the voice output unit 5 and the data bus DB of the programmable controller are connected to the socket 59,
They are connected via the plug 58, the latch section 504, and the latch section 505.

The latch unit 504 has four 8-bit latch circuits connected in parallel so that each latch circuit can be selectively accessed through an address decoder.

Therefore, the data sent from the CPU unit 3 to the address bus ADB in units of 8 bits in four time divisions is converted into parallel 32 bits by the action of the latch unit 504.

The latch unit 505 is provided with four 8-bit latch circuits arranged in parallel, and the outputs of the gates provided on the output side thereof are commonly connected in 8-bit units. The latch circuits simultaneously trigger each latch circuit and By selectively operating the output of the address decoder, parallel 32-bit data, that is, a voice output command can be sent to the data bus DB 'in 8-bit units.

The LED indicator 52 has a 32-bit configuration as described above,
They are arranged on the front panel of the housing 51.
The LED indicator 52 is connected to the data bus DB ′ via a latch section 506 having substantially the same structure as the above-mentioned latch section 504.

The vocalization mode changeover switch 54 is mounted on the front panel of the housing 51 as described above. This switch 54 is connected to the data bus D via the interface 507.
It is connected to B '.

Next, the configuration of the voice signal vocalization unit will be described. In this embodiment, the ADPCM method (Adaptive Differ
encial Pulse Coded Moduration) has been adopted to improve sound quality. The configuration of the voice signal vocalization unit may be a PARCOR system or the like.

The voice data ROM 508 is built in the voice memory card 57 described above, and is constituted by a memory of 1 word and 8 bits as shown in FIG.

Then, in the voice data ROM 508, the message number.
Separately, an address storage area 508a storing a start address and a stop address, and a voice data storage area 508b storing voice data for each message number are provided.

The voice synthesizer 510 outputs 1 from the voice data ROM 508.
A voice signal for a minute time is synthesized corresponding to the byte data, and an interrupt signal (interrupt 1) is sent back to the MPU 501 each time the synthesis is completed.

The low-pass filter 511 removes harmonic components from the audio signal output from the audio synthesizer 510. Next, the audio signal from which the harmonic components have been removed is branched into two systems, one system is supplied to the primary side of the transformer 512, and the other system is supplied to the input of the monitor amplifier 513.

The secondary side output of the transformer 512 and the output of the amplifier 513 can be selectively led out to the jack 53 via the changeover switch 514.
By switching to the 13 side, it is possible to connect a speaker for monitoring directly to the jack 53 and perform a voice test or the like. The changeover switch 514 is attached to the inside of the housing 51, and the lid 55 is removed for operation.

Next, the configuration of the control system program stored in the system program ROM 502 will be described.

This control system program is compatible with voice output commands in the format shown in FIG.

That is, this voice output command is composed of 32-bit length data consisting of 1 bit to 32 bits, and 1 bit to 32 bits.
The contents of each bit correspond to message No. 1 to message No. 32, respectively. For example, the fact that the 7th bit is "1" means that the message content to be pronounced corresponds to the message No. 7.

As will be described in detail later, in order to send such a sound output command from the CPU unit 3 to the voice output unit 5, for example, 0 to 1 channel of the input / output address space (1 channel is 16 bits) Assign the voice output unit to the address and output in the user program.
The command may be used to program the output relay corresponding to the desired message number to operate at the desired timing.

If such programming is performed, the 32-bit data forming the voice output instruction will be processed by the above-mentioned output update processing (3rd
By the step 305), the data is automatically transferred from the input / output state RAM 31 in the CPU unit 3 to the latch unit 504 in the audio output unit 5.

Based on the above processing, the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be systematically described according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 15.

First, the case of the single vocalization mode will be described. The switching to the single-speaking mode is performed by setting the speech mode switching switch 54 to the OFF state.

When the program starts in this state, after initializing flags and registers in the initialization process (step 1101), the audio output command is repeatedly latched thereafter (step 1103), each time from "0" to "1". The presence or absence of the bit changed to "is monitored (step 1102 negative 1103)
→ 1104 denial → 1102).

In this state, when a bit changed from "0" to "1" appears (Yes in step 1104), the bit number is converted into a binary code and then stored in the stack area shown in FIG. 7 ( Step 1105).

Next, moving to FIG. 12, the condition is that no voice is currently pronounced (No at Step 1201), and the oldest message No. is read from the stack area shown in FIG. 7 (Step 1202). At the same time, the message number is deleted from the stack area (step 1203). This is FI
Corresponds to FO stack processing.

Then, the start and stop addresses corresponding to the read message number are read from the voice data ROM 508 (step 1204), and the start addresses are set as the read start addresses from the voice data ROM (step 1205).

Next, after turning on the LED corresponding to the message number (step 1206), a start command is issued to the voice synthesizer (step 1207), and at the same time, the sounding flag is "speaking".
Then, the process returns to step 1102 shown in FIG. 11 and waits for the next voice output command.

On the other hand, on the side of the voice data ROM 508, according to the setting of the start address, the 1-byte data stored in the corresponding address is sent to the voice synthesizer 510.

The voice synthesizing unit 510 responds to the start command, performs voice synthesizing processing, synthesizes a voice signal for a minute time corresponding to the corresponding message No., and when the synthesis is completed, outputs an interrupt signal (interrupt 1) to the MPU501. Return to.

Then, in response to the interrupt signal (interrupt 1), the MPU 501 side executes the audio continuation interrupt processing shown in FIG. 15 thereafter.

That is, until the current set address reaches the above stop address (No at step 1501), the voice synthesis unit
Each time an interrupt signal (interrupt 1) is returned from the 510, the current set address is sequentially incremented (step 150
2), address the voice data ROM 508 with the new address (step 1503).

On the other hand, when the current set address reaches the stop address (Yes at Step 1501), the voice synthesis unit 51
A stop command is issued for 0, the sounding flag is reset to "sounding" (step 1504), and at the same time, the LED corresponding to the message No. that has been sounded until then.
Is turned off (step 1505), and after a 1-second pause process corresponding to a silent period (step 1506), the process returns to the main flow.

In this way, when a bit changed from "0" to "1" appears during sound output, the voice corresponding to the bit number is sounded only once.

Also, during some voice production (step 1201 affirmative),
When a bit that changes from “0” to “1” appears (Step 11
04 affirmative), the message No. is stored in the stack shown in FIG. 7, waits for the currently sounding voice to end (No at step 1201), and is uttered only once as described above. (Steps 1202-1207).

Next, the case of the repeated utterance mode will be described. To set to repeat voice mode, use the voice mode switch.
This is done by setting 54 to the ON state.

When the program starts in this state, after the initialization process in FIG. 11 (step 1101), the audio output command is repeatedly latched (FIG. 13, step 13).
01) each time, the presence or absence of the bit in the state of "1" is monitored (No at step 1302), and at the same time, the uttered table shown in FIG. 9 is repeatedly cleared (step 1304).

Now, assume that any one bit of the voice output command is changed to "1" in this state. Then (step 1302
Affirmative), after reading the message No. (step 1303), on the condition that the sound is not being sounded (No at step 1401), the message No. and the corresponding flag of the uttered table shown in FIG. 9 are set. It is compared with the state of (step 1402).

Since the uttered table shown in FIG. 9 is initially cleared (step 1304), it is determined that there is no uttered message because the flag of the corresponding No. is "0" (step 1304). (No in 1403) Immediately, the flag of the message number is set to "1" by the process of updating the uttered table (step 1404).

Next, the new message No. is stored in the stack area shown in FIG. 7 (step 1405), and the steps 1201 to 1207 in FIG. The message specified by the voice output command is set to 1 by executing the indicated interrupt process.
Only pronounced once.

On the other hand, while the voice is being uttered, on the main flow side, the state of repeatedly latching the voice output command and reading the minimum message No. is repeated (step 1102 affirmative → 130
1 → 1302 positive → 1303 → 1401 → 1102).

In this state, if the voice utterance ends and the ON state of the corresponding bit continues (No at step 1401), the result is compared again with the uttered table (step 14).
02) This time, since the flag of the corresponding bit is "1", it is determined that there is a voiced message (step 14).
03), confirming that it is not an unspoken message (step 1406 negative), and confirming that there is no next message (step 1407), clear the spoken table (step 1408), and simultaneously set the minimum message No. Are again stored in the stack shown in FIG. 7 (step 1409).

After that, as a result of executing the flowcharts shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 15 in the same manner as described above, the same voice is produced only once.

As described above, when any bit in the voice output command is turned on, the corresponding message is repeatedly sounded as long as the on state continues.

Next, a case where a plurality of bits in the voice output command are simultaneously ON will be described.

In this case, the voice utterance process for the minimum message No. is the same as that described above. After setting the relevant flag in the uttered table shown in FIG. 9 to “1”, the message is sounded only once. Let

Next, when the pronunciation of the smallest message is finished (No at step 1401), the smallest message N is again generated.
When o. is read (step 1303), as a result of comparison with the uttered table (step 1402), it is determined that there is a uttered message for the smallest message No. (step 1403 affirmative), Furthermore, the result of the determination that the message is not an unvoiced message (step
(No in 1406), the presence / absence of the next message is determined (step 1407).

If 3 bits are ON at the same time, the next message is determined to be present (Yes at step 1407), and then the second smallest message number is read (step 1410).

Next, when the message No. having the second smallest message No. is compared with the uttered table (step 1402), the utterance for the smallest message No. has already been made (step 1403 affirmative). ),
It is determined whether or not the second message No. is uttered (step 1406).

Here, since the second message has not been uttered yet (Yes at step 1406), the new message No. is compared with the uttered size comparison (step 141).
1).

In this size comparison, the new message No. naturally becomes larger than the uttered number (Yes in step 1411), so that the uttered table is immediately updated and the flag corresponding to the second message No. It is set to 1 "(step 1404).

Next, the second message No. is stored in the stack area shown in FIG. 7 (step 1405), and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 are executed thereafter. As a result, the second message is stored. No. 1 utterance
It is held only once.

Thereafter, similarly, the utterance of the second message No. is completed, and if the bit relating to the third message No. is ON at that time, it is further determined that the next message is present (step 1407). Affirmatively, as a result, this time, the third message No. is read (step 1410), and this is compared with the uttered table (step 1402). As in the case of the second message, Step 1403 affirmation → 1406 affirmation → 1411 affirmation, and the corresponding flag is set for the third message (step 1404).

After that, the third message No. is stored in the stack (step 1405), and the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 15 are executed. As a result, the vocalization process for the third message No. is performed only once. Be done.

Next, if the presence or absence of the next message No. is judged following the third message No. (step 1407), the fourth message No. does not exist this time (step 1407).
(No at 407), after that, the process of clearing the uttered table (step 1408) and the process of storing the smallest message number in the stack (step 1409) are performed, and then three bits are turned on.
As long as the state continues, the above operation is repeated, and three kinds of messages are alternately and repeatedly sounded.

Explaining the above processing results repeatedly, in the case of the single voice mode, as shown in FIG. 16, when the outputs 1 to 3 are sequentially turned on, in response to each ON timing, only once, respectively. With the set length of, the voice will be pronounced only once.

On the other hand, in the repetitive utterance mode, as shown in FIG. 17, as long as each of the outputs 1 to 3 is in the ON state, the same sound is repeatedly produced at constant intervals T,
Further, while the outputs 1 to 3 are turned on at the same time, the sounds 1, 2, and 3 are sequentially and alternately sounded.

Therefore, in the device of this embodiment, when a certain input condition is satisfied and a specific voice is to be uttered only once, by turning off the voicing mode selector switch 54, a desired function can be obtained. On the other hand, as long as a certain input condition is satisfied, in order to continuously produce the same sound repeatedly, it is possible to achieve a desired function by turning on the vocalization mode switch 54. You can do it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the entire programmable controller to which the audio output unit according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the CPU unit,
FIG. 3 is a general flowchart showing a system program of the CPU unit, FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d) are diagrams showing processing operations corresponding to the decoding result of the OUT instruction, and FIG. 5 is a voice output unit according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the audio output unit,
FIG. 7 is a memory map showing the stack area provided in the working RAM, FIG. 8 is a memory map showing the contents of the voice data ROM, FIG. 9 is a memory map showing the contents of the voiced table, and FIG. FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 are flow charts showing the main processing of the voice output unit, FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the details of the voice continuation interruption processing, and FIG. 16 is a single-voice mode. FIG. 17 is a time chart showing the operation in the case of, and FIG. 17 is a time chart showing the operation in the repetitive utterance mode. 1 ... Programmable controller 5 ... Voice output unit 54 ... Voice mode switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A data capturing means for capturing output data sent to the unit on a system bus of a programmable controller, and a generation mode switching means for switching a generation mode between a single generation mode and a repeated generation mode. And ON data detection means for detecting ON data in the fetched output data, and when the generation mode is the single generation mode, an audio signal corresponding to the detected ON data is transmitted in response to the ON timing. In the repeat generation mode, when only one ON data is detected, the audio signal corresponding to that ON data is repeatedly generated as long as the ON state continues, while simultaneously generating multiple ON data. When is detected, a sound signal that repeatedly generates the audio signal corresponding to each ON data as long as the simultaneous ON state of the multiple ON data continues. A voice output unit of a programmable controller, comprising: a voice signal generating means.