JPH08171586A - Group work supporting method, information processing system and plant control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a group work supporting method and an information processing system which are capable of executing the input operations that the wills of plural workers are consolidated and preventing the competitions between the workers and malfunctions. CONSTITUTION: An operation response device 1 transmits the input information which is inputted in the widget (buttons, sliders and menu, etc.) on an input object screen by an input device 5 to a response determination device 3. In the response determination device 3, the input information transmitted from plural devices 1 and 2 is received, related input information is integrated, a processing instruction is determined and the instruction is returned to the operation response device 1. For instance, a slider is moved much more when two workers simultaneously move a slider in the same direction than when a worker moves the slider. The worker can feel actually that other workers also operate the slider by the moving distance of the slider. Because the controlled variable of the response is determined by plural related inputs, malfunctions and the operation troubling other workers can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system for allowing a plurality of workers to process common information from a plurality of information processing devices and to control a common control target, and more particularly to a joint work thereof. Concerning the support method of

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Buttons, menus displayed on a CRT,
2. Description of the Related Art A direct operation type user interface is widely used in which an input device such as a mouse, a touch panel, or a data glove is used to directly input components such as a slider. In this user interface, when multiple workers collaborate, if each worker arbitrarily changes the data, there is a possibility of conflict with other workers. There are several disclosures that support collaborative work.

For example, the information processing apparatus for collaborative work described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-46559 is designed to limit the operators who can input each component of the user interface. In this device, for example, the worker 1 can press a button on the screen (can input), but the worker 2 cannot press this button even if he or she tries to press this button (input is not accepted).

Further, the operation item display device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-299726 clearly indicates which operator receives an input for each component. For example,
When selecting an item in the menu, the item that can be selected by the worker 1 is displayed in blue, the item that can be selected by the worker 2 is displayed in red, and the item that can be selected by both is displayed in yellow.

[0005] With these devices, other people may mistakenly operate a component that should be input only by a specific person (such as a superior), or the other person may arbitrarily change the data necessary for himself. The problem of being lost is solved.

[0006]

However, in the prior art, it is difficult to smoothly carry out the joint work because the predetermined absolute operation authority prevents conflicts when changing data. There were cases. In addition, it was difficult for both workers to work together because they could not communicate their wills or actions.

For example, two workers (referred to as worker 1 and worker 2) refer to the same screen, the worker 1 wants to scroll the screen, and the worker 2 scrolls the screen. Suppose you don't want to. In this case, in the information processing apparatus for joint work disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-046559, workers who can scroll the screen are determined. If the operator 1 has the authority to scroll the screen, the screen scrolling is executed, which disturbs the work of the worker 2. Further, if only the supervisor has such authority in plant monitoring, etc., even if all the workers approve the operation, the operation with the authority cannot be executed when the supervisor is not present. .

As described above, in the conventional information processing apparatus for collaborative work, since the absolute operation authority is determined in advance,
The operation of the operator who has the operation authority is always prioritized, which disturbs other operators, and sometimes the intentions of many operators cannot be reflected in the operation. Furthermore, since the co-workers do not have a function of communicating their intentions to each other, it is not possible to perform collaborative operations by a plurality of workers, such as asking the other party for consent and supporting the other party's operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a collaborative work support method and an information processing system capable of executing input operations summarizing the intentions of a plurality of workers and preventing competition between workers and erroneous operations by individuals. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a collaborative work support method and information processing that can improve the communication of intentions among a plurality of workers by transmitting the operations performed by the workers so that the other operations can be understood from each other. To provide a system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a smooth and efficient collaborative work support method and an information processing system with good operability, which allows the user to feel the other intentions and the degree of cooperation for his / her own operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable plant control system that enables input operations requiring cooperative control to be performed collectively by the intentions of the operators involved.

An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible plant control system in which the operating authority of each operator can be dynamically changed according to the state of the plant when the intentions of related operators are put together. To do.

[0014]

An object of the present invention described above is to provide a plurality of information processing devices having input target screens including components (widgets) common to or related to a plurality of information processing devices for collaborative work. In the collaborative work support method of displaying predetermined information corresponding to the input component, the input information including the component ID is input from the information processing device input to the component of the input target screen. The received information is registered for each device ID of the information processing device, and other input information that includes the same and / or related components as the current input information and is registered in the same manner as the current input information is searched for. , Determining a response operation command corresponding to a predetermined integration relationship between the input information of this time and the other input information retrieved, and transmitting the response operation command to the information processing device, and the input component or component It is achieved by performing a display control of the Cursor.

In addition, from the predefined information corresponding to the constituent elements, the related information including the constituent elements that are the same as or related to the constituent elements included in the input information of this time is searched for, and the input information of this time and the relation This is achieved by determining a response operation command corresponding to a predetermined relationship with information, transmitting the command to the information processing device, and performing display control of the input component and / or a cursor indicating the component. .

Further, the input information includes an input information type indicating the input means, the response operation command is defined in advance in correspondence with the constituent element and the input information type, and the target or target of the command. This is achieved by outputting for each one or a plurality of operation modes defined in the input information type of the input information, including the operation mode indicating the operation type and the control amount indicating the operation amount.

Furthermore, the input information of this time and one or more other input information are included in each of the input information of this time by the control amount determination function which shows the predetermined integration relation and is defined in advance corresponding to the operation mode. Alternatively, it is achieved by obtaining the control amount of the above-mentioned operation mode using the input data to be allocated as an argument.

Further, it is achieved by not outputting the response operation command when a predetermined threshold value is set in advance in the control amount determination function and the obtained control amount does not satisfy the condition according to the threshold value. To be done.

Further, it is achieved by outputting at least one of the moving position, the velocity, the shape, the density, etc. of the constituent element as the control amount.

Further, the display control of the cursor is achieved by changing the size, position, or moving speed of the cursor according to the number of the input information or the worker code included in the input information.

Further, the input data is converted by the priority information such as the weight or the priority set corresponding to the worker code included in the input information, and is converted into an argument of the control amount determining function. It is achieved by

Further, when the priority information is the priority order,
When the priority of the worker code included in the current input information is lower than the priority of the worker code included in the other input information, the response operation command for the current input information is replaced with the control amount. It is achieved by including and sending the message.

Another object of the present invention is to transmit a response operation command including the control amount to a corresponding information processing device when the constituent element of the other input information is the same as the current input information, and When the constituent element of the input information of is different from that of the input information of this time, the response operation command including the control amount obtained by the control amount determination function defined in the operation mode corresponding to the different constituent element is applied. This is achieved by transmitting to the information processing device.

Alternatively, a response operation command corresponding to the input information of this time is transmitted to the operation response device to control the display of the input component, and the searched related information is registered as the input information. If not, it is achieved by transmitting the second response operation command including the position of the cursor indicating the component included in the related information as the control amount to the corresponding information processing device.

Still another object of the present invention is to receive input information including the constituent element from the information processing apparatus input to the constituent element of the input target screen and register the information for each apparatus ID of the information processing apparatus. The same as the input information this time and /
Or, it searches for other input information that includes related components and is registered in the same way as this input information, and corresponds to the predetermined integration relationship between this input information and the other input information found. A physical attribute that is sensitive to an input operation of a worker is obtained, a response operation command including this physical attribute is transmitted to the information processing device, and the input component and / or a cursor indicating the same is moved according to the physical attribute. It is achieved by controlling the display.

Still another object of the present invention is to connect a plurality of information processing devices (operator consoles), each of which has an input means and a display means, to a controller of each equipment of the plant by a network to jointly operate the plant. In order to carry out, an operation target screen including constituent elements (widgets) common to or related to the plurality of information processing apparatuses is displayed on the display means, and a control command corresponding to the constituent element input from the input means is determined. In the plant control system for outputting to the controller, from the information processing device,
An input information receiving unit that receives the input information including the device ID and the input component and registers or deletes the input information; an input information management table that stores the input information for each device ID; For each element, related information defining the relationship between the constituent elements, an operation mode for instructing a response to a target component element and / or a pointing cursor and a response to a target controller, and a plurality of operation modes for each operation mode A definition information management table that predefines a control amount determination function that collects the input information, and a corresponding operation mode is acquired from the components of the input information, and other input information related to the input information is acquired from the input information management table. The control amount is searched for and the control amount is determined according to the control amount determination function defined in the acquired operation mode using the input data of these input information as arguments. A response determining means for transmitting to the information processing device and the controller to the appropriate response operation command including a control amount in accordance with the operation mode, the response determining apparatus having achieved by providing on the network.

Further, when the constituent element of the obtained related information is different from that of the received input information, a response operation including a control amount determined according to an operation mode and a control amount determination function defined in the different configuration information. This is achieved by transmitting a command to the corresponding information processing device and controlling the display of the different components.

Alternatively, when the constituent element of the obtained related information is not registered, it is achieved by outputting a response operation command for displaying the constituent element of the relevant information processing apparatus by the instruction cursor.

Alternatively, when the response operation command corresponding to the component of the obtained related information is undecided, it is achieved by suspending the transmission to the controller.

Further, the control amount is achieved by being obtained according to priority information which is set or dynamically set for each operator code.

[0031]

According to the structure of the present invention, the input operation to the same or related components is put together in a predetermined relationship to determine the response operation, so that it is possible to prevent competition between workers and erroneous operation by individuals. Furthermore, when the workers cooperate to perform the input operation, they can be smoothly executed, and when there is no cooperation, it is difficult to immediately perform the input operation, which improves the reliability of the joint work.

Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, among a plurality of workers, it is possible to convey the intention among the workers by controlling the components and cursor display of the operations performed by themselves so that the other operations can be understood from each other. Therefore, the cooperation between workers can be activated and the collaborative work can be facilitated.

Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, for example, when the component is a button, the pushing operation feels soft or firm, and when the component is a slider, the movement of the knob feels light or heavy. Since the display is controlled by the control amount based on the physical attribute that can be sensed by the operator, the operator can improve the operability from the feeling of being heavy / light when receiving the input operation, and smooth the joint work including unskilled person. Work efficiency can also be improved.

According to the plant control system of the present invention,
Operation inputs related to operation inputs that require coordinated control are grouped into a predetermined relationship to determine the control amount, and if all the related operators perform the same input operation, the control amount can be increased, and mutual operation support is provided. And the reliability of plant operation can be improved.

In addition, the response command is output to the operator console that received the input, and is also output to the associated operator console to prompt the input operation. Further, when the control amounts of both are determined, the corresponding controller is output. By outputting the output to, it is possible to facilitate joint operation by a plurality of operators and improve safety.

Further, by dynamically changing the priority given to the control amount determination given to the operator, for example, by increasing the weight of the operator in charge of the equipment in which the abnormality occurs, the flexibility of plant operation can be improved. Has improved.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a collaborative work support information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of operation response devices 1 and 2 and a response determination device 3 are connected by a network 4. Since the operation response device 1 and the operation response device 2 have the same configuration, the description will be given only for the former.

The operation response device 1 includes the input receiving means 1
1, input response processing storage means 12, cursor management means 1
3, response processing means 14, display processing means 15, communication means 1
It consists of 6. An input device (mouse, keyboard, touch panel, etc.) 5 and a display device (CRT, speaker, etc.) 6 are connected to the operation response device 1.

In the input response processing storage means 12, widgets on the screen of the display device 6, that is, graphic data corresponding to the constituent elements (for example, menus, buttons, sliders, etc.) of the screen for receiving the input, and the operation response. The ID of the worker who uses the device 1 is stored. Display processing means 1
Reference numeral 5 reads out graphic data such as menus and buttons stored in the input response processing storage means 12 and displays them on the display device 5.

The cursor management means 13 manages a pointer cursor (hereinafter referred to as a cursor) 100 on the screen of the display device 6 to indicate a position designated by the input device 5. Further, when the response operation command from the response determination device 3 targets the cursor, the cursor management means 13 of the present embodiment outputs the cursor control command for controlling the shape and size of the cursor, the operation speed, etc., and the display processing. It is reflected on the cursor display on the display device 6 via the means 15.

The operator uses the input device 5 to display the display device 6
When an instruction is input to any of the above screen constituent elements, the input accepting unit 11 performs the instruction input based on the position information of the plurality of constituent elements stored in the input response processing storage unit 12 in advance. Identify which component of the. Then, in order to request a response operation command for this instruction input to the response determination device 3 on the network 3 via the communication means 16, the device ID of the transmission source is added to the input information and the information is transmitted.

FIG. 2 shows a signal format and a specific example of the input information output from the input acceptance means 11 to the response determination device 3. As shown in FIG. 10A, the input information is a component element ID 140 indicating which component on the screen the input is to.
1, an operator ID 1402 indicating an input operator, an input information type 1403 for the component, and input data 1404. Note that the worker ID is assigned to the device I on the response determination device 3 side.
It does not need to hold the information on the association between D and the worker ID.

The element ID 1401 is "button xx
“×” and “slider ×××” are set, and input information type 1
In 403, “mouse on” is set when the mouse button is turned on for input operation, “key on” is set for the keyboard, and “touch on” is set for touch panel.
This input information type corresponds to an operation mode (operation ID) described later and indicates the type of input information, that is, the input start / input end.

The input data 1404 depends on the component and the input information type. For example, when the constituent element is “button” and the input information type is “mouse on” or “key on” like the input information A and C, the input data is not set. When the component is “button” and the input information type is “touch-on” like the input information B, the pressure information received by the touch panel becomes the input data. Also, like the input information D,
The component is "slider" and the input information type is "mouse on"
In the case of, the input data are x and y coordinate values indicating the moving position of the slider knob.

It should be noted that the input acceptance means 11 means a registration deletion command to the response determination device 3 or its meaning when the corresponding screen of the display device 6 is switched by an instruction from the input device 5 after transmission of the input information. Send a signal. Of course, the device ID is added to this command signal.

The response determining device 3 includes the input acceptance processing means 3
1, input target element management means 32, response determination storage means 3
3, response operation determining means 34 and communication means 35. The communication means 35 receives the input information transmitted from the plurality of operation response devices 1 and 2 through the network 4, and transmits the response operation command corresponding to the input information to the operation response devices 1 and 2.

Based on the received input information, the multiple-input acceptance processing means 31 registers or deletes the input component in the input information management table of the input target element management means 32. The response determination storage unit 33 stores a database that is set in advance and referred to by the response operation determination unit 34.

The response operation determining means 34 searches the input information management table for the received input information and other input information related thereto, and obtains the operation control amount for the input information while referring to the response determining storage means 33. , Determining a response operation command that combines them in a predetermined relationship.

FIG. 3 shows a signal format and a specific example of the response operation command. The response operation command has the operation ID 1 for the component ID 1401 of the input information from the operation response device 1.
601 and the operation control amount 2201 are responded. For example, when the input information is “button 200” and “mouse on”, the response element is set to “button 20” as the response operation command A.
0 ", a" pressed display ID "for displaying the pressed button down, and a" pressed degree 1 "for instructing the depth of the pressed display for the operation control amount.

Further, when there is an “ON” instruction which is simultaneously input from the mouse of the device 1 and the touch panel of the device 2 to the “button 200”, a response operation command that combines both input information is determined. Output. For example, when the “press display ID” is assigned to the motion ID, the motion control amount of “press degree 2” is obtained from both input data.

Before the detailed description of the response determining device 3, the display control of the screen by the response operation command of this embodiment will be explained by a concrete example to facilitate understanding.

FIGS. 4A to 4E show responses in the case where the screen constituent element is a button. The button (a) in FIG.
0 shows the reset state (OFF), highlighting the central part 2001 and the upper part and the left part 2003, and the lower part and the right part 200.
2 is shown as a shadow. The button 200 is pressed by the operator using the cursor 100 (on)
Is a dark gray center portion 2001, as shown in FIG.
The upper part and the left part 2003 are displayed in gray, and the lower part and the right part 2002 are displayed in light gray.

This response is performed as follows. When an operator uses the input device 5 to make an input to one of the components of the display device 6, for example, the "button 200", the input acceptance means 11 stores it in the input response processing storage means 12. Based on the element position information, the received input information is identified as being for the "button 200".
Then, the input information is transmitted to the response determination device 3 via the communication means 16.

Further, the operation response device 1 is the response determination device 3
When a response operation command is received from the communication unit 16 from the communication unit 16, the response processing unit 14 executes this command. That is, from the graphic data of the constituent elements managed in the input response processing storage means 12, the constituent element ID is the button 200 and the action I.
D is pressed and the operation control amount 2201 is searched for graphic data corresponding to the pressing degree 1, and displayed on the display device 5 via the display processing means 15 as shown in FIG. However, when the motion control amount 2201 is a continuous amount or the like, graphic data corresponding to the motion control amount is generated as described later.

FIGS. 4 (c) to 4 (e) are responses obtained when a plurality of operation response devices 1 simultaneously input the same constituent element. FIG. 6C shows a pressed state when the input information for the “button 200” is duplicated by the operators of the device 1 and the device 2. As compared with the case of one worker ((b) in the figure), the "pressing degree" of the response operation command has a larger value, the central portion 2001 and the upper and left portions 2003 are darker, and the lower and right portions 202 are brighter. In this way, by gradually highlighting the differences between the shadows and highlights of the constituent elements in this way, when two people collaborate more than one person, the feeling that the button is pushed deeper Can be given.

In this example, a cursor control command is output as a modification of the response operation command. In the case of the cursor control command, the component ID 1401 of the response operation command is set to
As in the response operation command B in (c), the “cursor ID” is set instead of the component ID of the input information, and the operation ID
Control I for changing the display mode of the cursor
As for D, the operation control amount is set with control data for cursor display (shape ID, size thereof) and operation control (moving speed).

When the component ID of the response operation command is "cursor ID", the response processing means 14 of the operation response device 1
The operation control amount 2201 is passed to the cursor management means 13. The cursor management means 13 performs cursor control processing such as the position, size or moving speed of the cursor according to the operation control amount, and outputs it to the display device 6 via the display processing means 15.

In the example of FIG. 4C, the cursor size is increased according to the number of workers who are inputting instructions to the same component, and in FIG. 4D and FIG. As can be seen, the cursor is displayed in a color that the worker can identify, and the worker code is displayed. This allows
Communication between workers becomes easy.

As described above, the response operation command returned from the response determination device 3 to the operation response devices 1 and 2 is not determined only by the input from each operation response device, but
When there are inputs from multiple operation response devices at the same time,
Of those input information, those that are closely related to each other are collected,
The response operation command corresponding to the collected input information is determined, and the operation control amount (here, the display control amount of the constituent element or the cursor) controlled by the operation response device is determined.

Next, the structure of the response determining device 3 that realizes the above-described response display will be described. The multiple-input acceptance processing means 31 registers the received input information data in the input information management table of the input target element management means 32, or registers the operation response device or the input information registration data that has received the deletion command in the input information management table. Remove from.

FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the input information management table. Here, a device ID 2101 indicating the ID of the operation response device 1 or 2 that is the sender of the input information, a worker ID
1402, component ID 1401, input information type 140
3, the input data 1404 and the end time 2102 are registered as a set.

The end time 2102 is a time at which the information is automatically deleted, and a fixed time is automatically set from the start of registration, but it may be omitted. If a plurality of input devices 5 are connected to one operation response device, a device ID 21 that is a combination of the operation response device ID and the input device ID 21.
01.

In addition to this, the table also has a flag setting field indicating the relation of related information, an operation command field for temporarily storing each data of the determined response operation command, and the like.

In the illustrated example, the input information type “touch-on” and the input data “pressure 100” are already registered in the component “button 200” from the operation response device 2.
This time, the state in which the input information of the input information type “mouse on” is registered in the same “button 200” from the operation response device 1 is shown.

In the above description, the "simultaneous" period of the expression "simultaneously input" is not limited to "almost the same time" when a plurality of pieces of input information are simultaneously input.
The input information includes the "duplication registration period" that is registered together in the input information management table. For example, the response control of “pressing degree 1” is performed on the input information of the device 2, and while the registration of the input information continues, the input information of the device 1 is generated and registered, and Even when the input information becomes the related information and the response control of the “pressing degree 2” is performed, it is referred to as “simultaneously input input information”.

The response determination storage means 33 stores the related information management table, the component element information management table, the worker priority information management table, and the control amount determination function management table that are referred to by the processing of the response determination device 3, respectively. ing.

FIG. 6 shows the data structure of the related information management table. In this table, the component ID 1401 and its input information type 1403 are set as a set, and the set of the related component ID 1401 and the input information type 1403 is registered for each set. In the figure, the "button 20" having the same component ID is shown.
"0" and different input information types (mouse-on and touch-on) are mutually related information, and component IDs are "slider 1301" and "slider 1302".
, Which is different from each other and has other related information with each other.

FIG. 7 shows the data structure of the constituent element information management table. This table is hierarchically structured, and for all constituent elements that can be displayed on all operation response devices, input operation correspondence that defines, in a lower layer for each constituent element, information about what kind of operation is caused by inputting it It has a table, and its table ID is set in the field of the input operation correspondence table ID 1501. Further, in the field of the operation response device ID 1502, all device IDs capable of displaying the component are defined.

FIG. 8 shows an input operation correspondence table. In the same figure (a), for each component, for example, an operation ID for each input information type 1403 is provided for each input information type 1403 such as “mouse on” or “touch on” received by the “button 200”
1601 and its data conversion function 1602 are registered as a set.

The operation ID 1601 is an ID indicating the operation mode executed in response to the input information. When the constituent element is “button 200”, the input information type “mouse on” or “touch on” corresponds to the action ID “button press display I
D ”is set. As shown in FIG. 10A, when both the "button press display ID" and the "cursor control ID" are set as the "mouse on" action ID, the response process of the component and the response process of the cursor control are performed. Two response operation commands for performing are output. 4C to 4E are display examples by the two response operation commands.

The data conversion function 1602 uses the input information type 1
This is a function for converting the input data of a plurality of input information items 403 into one. For example, device 1 and device 2 shown in FIG.
The input information of "button 2" is the same component.
"Mouse on" or "touch on" to press "00", the latter including input data = 100 indicating the on pressure of the pressure panel. In this case, in order to put both input data together, first, a data conversion function f (x) that takes the “touch-on” pressure information x as an argument is defined as in (Equation 1).

[0073]

## EQU1 ## f (x) = 0 (if x <100) or 1 (else) That is, the numerical value is 1 when x ≧ 100, and the numerical value is 0 otherwise.

On the other hand, no input data is set in the input information of the apparatus 1, but when the component ID is "button xx" and the input information type is "mouse on", the data conversion function g
() Is defined as in (Equation 2).

[0075]

[Mathematical formula-see original document] g () = 1 That is, the numerical value 1 with which the controlled variable is "pressing degree 1" is automatically set. As a result, when the pressure information on the touch panel is larger than the threshold value 100, it can be handled as the “pressing degree 1” which is the same as when the mouse button is pressed.

In the case of FIGS. 4 (c) to 4 (e), two response operation commands for pressing display and cursor control are generated for one input information. The operation IDs of the “press display ID” and the “cursor control ID” are set, and the data conversion function is defined for each.

FIG. 9 shows a worker priority information management table. In this table, priority information, weights and priorities of input information are defined for each worker ID. by this,
When input is received from a plurality of workers, the control amount of each input information can be determined according to the priority information for each worker.

FIG. 10 shows a control amount determination function management table. A control amount determination function 1901 that determines the operation control amount 2201 is defined for each action ID 1601 using a plurality of input data xi as arguments. Control quantity determination function 19
01 generally defines a multi-variable conversion function as in (Equation 3).

[0079]

F = p (x1, x2, x3, ..., xn) where each xi of the arguments (i = 1, ..., N) is the input data 1404 in the input information. Data conversion function 160
It is a value converted by 2.

For example, p (x1, x2, x3, ..., xn) = x1 + x2 +. ． ． ． If + xn is set, the sum of all (converted) input data becomes the control data.

As described above, by inputting a plurality of input data into the control amount determination function 1901 paired with the action ID 1601, the action control amount 2201 of the process indicated by the action ID 1601 is obtained.

As the operation control amount 2201, when the constituent element is “slider”, the movement position or movement speed of the knob, “button” is “pressing degree ID”, and “cursor control” is size of cursor. , Position or moving speed. In addition, there are response forms returned to the user, control data set for plant equipment, and the like.

In the control amount determination function management table, the component element ID 1401 included in the response operation command may be registered in the field of the control target ID 1902. For example, a cursor I for response control of a cursor control command
D or device I for sending control information to the plant device
D is registered. However, when the response is returned to the input component, the component ID 1401 of the input information is used as it is, so that it is not necessary to register.

Next, the operation of the response determining device having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 11 shows a processing flow of the response determination device.

In step 1 (1001), the multiple input acceptance processing means 31 determines whether the received input signal is a registration deletion command or input information requesting a response operation command, and if it is a registration deletion command, step 9 (1009). ), The registration data corresponding to the device ID is deleted from the input information management table.

This registration deletion command is sent when the operation response device switches the screen displaying the component for which input information is being registered to another screen. Alternatively, the end time 2102 of the input information registered in the input information management table
Multiple input acceptance processing means 3 when time is over
It is generated from oneself. When the input signal is the input information, the process proceeds to step 2.

In step 2 (1002), the multiple input reception processing means 31 searches the input information type 1403 of the input information, and the input information is "input start type", "input end type", " It is judged that it is neither, and it branches.

Here, the "input start type" is the first instruction input to the constituent element to be input when the operator inputs from the input device 5. For example, the constituent element “button” is the ON information of the first mouse button or the ON information of the key button. The “slider” is information indicating a state where the cursor is in the area (in).

The “input end type” is the ON information of the second mouse button or key button in the “button”.
The "slider" is information indicating a state in which the cursor is out of the area (out). The instruction input is "setting"
And the "end" command, the "setting" information becomes the "input start type" and the "end" information becomes the "input end type". “Neither information” is, for example, pointer movement information obtained by moving the mouse while pressing the mouse button.

In case of "input start type", step 3
(1003)), the process proceeds to step 4 (1004) in the case of "input end type", and proceeds to step 5 (1005) in the case of "neither".

In step 3 (1003), the multiple input acceptance processing means 31 registers each element information of the received input information in the input information management table of the input target element management means 32 as shown in FIG. After this, the process proceeds to step 5.

At step 4 (1004), the input information registered in the input information management table is deleted. That is, the device ID of the received input information is searched, and all the information stored corresponding to the ID is cleared. After this, the process proceeds to (step 4). Note that step 4 and step 9
Both perform registration deletion processing, but the former is deletion by the intention of the worker. The latter automatically deletes the instruction when the operator forgets the instruction to delete the registration, and prevents unnecessary related information from being left registered.

By the steps 3, 4, and 9, a plurality of input situations by each worker can be correctly managed in the input information management table. That is, all the input information that has received an input from one or more workers and requires a response at present is registered, while the registration of the input information that does not require a response is deleted as indicated by reference numeral 2105 in FIG. To be done.

Next, in step 5 (1005), other input information related to the input information is searched. Therefore, the response operation determining unit 34 determines that the component ID 1 of the input information this time.
The related information management table is searched based on the set of 401 and the input information type 1403, and the set of the component ID and the input information type defined as the related information in this set is acquired.
For example, if the input information this time is “button 200 and mouse on”, in the example of FIG.
And “touch-on” group and “button 200 and key-on” group are acquired. Then, it is searched whether or not the acquired set of related information is registered in the input information management table. In the example of FIG. 5, the component ID “button 20” of the device ID 2
A set of “0” and the input information type “touch-on” is registered, and is searched as the related information of the input information this time. The retrieved related information is temporarily stored with a flag (this state is shown by a thick black frame 2106 in FIG. 5).

Next, in step 6 (1006), the response control process is determined based on the input information this time and the retrieved related information. The response operation determination means 34 acquires the component ID 1401 of the input information related to the current input information, the input data 1404, etc. from the input information management table,
The response operation command is determined as follows. That is, based on the constituent element ID 1401 for each input information, the corresponding input operation correspondence table on the constituent element information management table is searched, and the operation ID 1601 defined in the input information type 1403 of the input information and the data conversion function 1602. To get. The input data 1404 of the input information is converted by this data conversion function 1602.

Next, based on the acquired operation ID 1601,
The corresponding control amount determination function 1901 is searched from the control amount determination function management table, the control amount determination function is calculated using the converted input data as an input, and the operation control amount 2201 is obtained. Further, if the component ID for the response operation is registered in the controlled object ID 1902 of this table, it is set as the component ID of the response operation command. If not registered, the component ID of the input information is set.

When the operation control amount is calculated, the worker priority information management table is referred to, and the input data 1404 is converted according to the priority information of the worker ID of the input information. If the priority information is a weight, the input data is multiplied. On the other hand, if it is the priority order, it is compared with the priority order of the related input information, and the calculation is performed according to the control amount determination function 1901. Normally, if the user's own priority is low, the response is canceled. For example, when the constituent element is the screen switching button of the menu screen, the input operation with a low priority is ignored.

Next, in step 7 (1007), a response operation command of the format shown in FIG. 3 is created, and the operation response device which has transmitted the input information this time is sent to the network 4
To send via.

Next, in step 8 (1008), the response operation command is also sent to the operation response device which has registered other input information related to the current input. Therefore, the presence or absence of related input information is determined (1008-1). This refers to the result processed in step 6 and temporarily stored in the input object management means 32. If there is related input information, the response operation command determined in step 5 is output to the corresponding operation response device (1008-2). However, when the constituent elements 1401 of the related input information are different, the operation control amount is determined by the control amount determination function 1901 defined in the operation ID 1601 in the same manner as in step 6, and the operation response device “ Display control of "different components".
In this case, if the motion ID 1601 is the cursor control ID, the motion control amount of the cursor is determined so as to indicate the "different component".

Note that the transmission of the transmission data frame in step 7 (1007) and step 8 (1008-2) is normally performed simultaneously. By the way, in the collaborative work support information processing system according to the first embodiment, the components to be input and the cursor display form of each screen are changed according to inputs from a plurality of workers. Additions and modifications such as are also possible.

The number of workers input to the same component or related element, and the color (density) or pattern indicating the worker's ID is added to the cursor and displayed (FIG. 4 (d)). At this time, the area of the cursor displayed for each color or pattern can be changed according to the weight of the operator code. Alternatively, the other operator's name or ID being input can be added to the component and displayed (FIG. 4 (e)). With this, it is possible to know how many people are inputting and who is inputting.

Furthermore, it is possible to change the volume and tone color of the voice response or change the force feedback according to the number of workers making the same input.

As described above, according to the information processing system of this embodiment, the response determining device receives the input information from the plurality of operation responding devices, and determines the related input information among the plurality of input information as predetermined. In summary, the response operation command corresponding to this group of input information is determined and returned to the operation response device.

According to this, when the input to the widget is from one terminal and from a plurality of terminals,
Alternatively, different screen displays can be provided according to the worker code, so that the workers can communicate with each other and can support smooth and quick decision-making in joint work.

Further, since the registration and deletion of the input information from a plurality of terminals are executed in real time, it is possible to prevent unnecessary registration information from being accumulated and to properly relate the plurality of input information at the present time. It can be managed and the reliability of response control can be improved.

Further, since the response control command determined by the input information of the other device can be output to the related device which has not transmitted the input information, the intentional communication to the unprocessed worker can be transmitted. It becomes possible and the work efficiency in the collaborative work can be improved.

Since the response control command is displayed by changing the widget or cursor according to the name of the worker or the number of workers, it is possible to easily identify the processing and will of other workers as well as other workers, and the work is easy. become.

Further, since a plurality of workers need to cooperate with the input operation, it is possible to prevent each worker from arbitrarily performing the input operation. Further, even if the mouse is moved as much as usual, the knobs of the cursor and the slider are moved largely or slightly with the assistance of other workers. By such cursor movement and knob movement display, the operator can intuitively know that everyone is operating the slider.

Further, with respect to the button that is pressed and displayed by the input of another operator, if he / she agrees to the operation, he / she may press the button, and if not, he / she may press the button having the opposite meaning. By doing so, it is possible to assist the operation of another worker or to correct it.

Furthermore, by responding to a group of a plurality of related input information, unlike the conventional fixed operation authority (priority) determined for each operator, many operators with low operation authority can gather. Flexible operation authority can be set, which is superior to the operation of highly authorized operators.

Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a plant monitoring control system will be described. FIG. 12 shows the network configuration of the power plant monitoring control system. To the network 4, the operation response devices 1 and 2 and the response determination device 3 similar to those in FIG. 1 and the host 121 are connected. The host 121 monitors and controls each controller that controls plant equipment (not shown) via the backbone LAN 122, the controller server 123, and the control LAN 124. In the figure, a boiler controller 125 and a pump controller 126 are shown.

The operation response devices 1 and 2 actually use operator consoles, and are provided with the functions of the operation response device shown in FIG. 1 in addition to the known functions for operating and monitoring the plant.

As a response process to the operator's input, the response determining device 3 not only returns the response operation command to the operation response devices 1 and 2 as in the first embodiment, but also controls the field device to control the command. Send to 125 and 126. The controllers 125 and 126 perform processing such as closing or opening the valve according to the received control command. The function of the response determination device 3 may be directly incorporated in the host 121.

From the response determining device 3 to the controller 125,
The control command transmitted to 126 is basically the same as the signal format of the response operation command, as shown in FIG. That is, the ID of the device controlled as the component ID 1401 and the I of the control operation as the operation ID 1601.
D (I for processing contents such as closing / opening valve XX)
D), the value of the parameter of the control operation (how long the valve is closed, etc.) is entered as the operation control amount 2201. The controllers 125 and 126 receive the control command and control the device.

In the plant control, the control amounts of a plurality of devices are related to each other, and when the control amount of a certain device is changed, the control amounts of other devices often change, and cooperative control of both devices is required. In the following, description will be made assuming a case where a plurality of operators share and control mutually related devices from a plurality of operation response devices (operator consoles).

FIG. 13 is a display screen schematically showing a part of the boiler control system and the cooling water control system in the power plant. A slider 301 for setting the opening of the fuel valve 131 of the boiler and a slider 302 for setting the opening of the cooling water valve 132 are shown in the figure. Now, when the knob of the slider 301 is moved on the screen to open the fuel valve 131, the control data is transmitted to the boiler controller 125. On the other hand, when the slider 302 is moved to open the cooling water valve 132, the data is transmitted to the pump controller 126.

In this case, if the fuel flow rate is increased by opening the fuel valve 131, the temperature rise of the boiler will be remarkably increased unless the flow rate of the cooling water is increased. Therefore, although different components are displayed on the screen, if the controls associated with each other are performed by inputting the components, inputs to those components are summarized in this embodiment. That is, the slider 301 for setting the fuel flow rate of the boiler and the slider 30 for setting the cooling water flow rate.
The inputs to both 2 are summarized, and the fuel flow rate and the cooling water flow rate are determined by both.

Now, in order for the boiler to operate normally, it is assumed that the relationship of (Equation 4) is established between the fuel flow rate v of the boiler and the cooling water amount w with a and b as constants.

[0119]

## EQU00004 ## av + b.ltoreq.w (however, a.gtoreq.0) Two operators each work on the knob of the slider 301 for setting the opening degree of the fuel valve 131 and on the cooling water valve 13.
The cursor 101, 102 is moved onto the knob of the slider 302 for setting the opening degree of 2, and the mouse is moved. Let s be the amount of movement of the mouse 1 after turning on the mouse button on the slider 301, and let S be the amount of movement of the knob, while moving the mouse 2 after turning on the mouse button on the slider 302. When the amount is t and the moving amount of the knob is T, the relationship of (Equation 5) is established.

[0120]

## EQU00005 ## S = (as + t) / a T = as + t The moving amount S of this knob is the opening (opening operation amount) of the fuel valve 131, and the moving amount T is the opening of the cooling water valve 132 (opening operation amount). ). Further, the fuel flow rate v has a value proportional to the movement amount S, and the cooling water amount w has a value proportional to the movement amount T.

(Equation 5) shows that the two operators can cooperate with each other to move the respective mice, and the movement of the respective knobs, that is, the valve opening can be largely changed. For example, when only the mouse 1 is moved, the knob of the slider 301 moves by s.
When the mouse 2 is also moved in the same direction, the movement amount of the knob of the slider 301 is further increased by t / a. On the other hand, when both of them try to move the mouse in the opposite direction of opening / closing of the valve, the movement of the slider knob becomes sluggish.

In such a case, the movement amounts S and T are determined by the relationship of (Equation 6) in order to ensure the consistency of the operation among the operators and ensure the reliability of the plant operation.

[0123]

## EQU00006 ## S = (as + t) / a (s> 0 and t> 0 or s <0 and t <0) = 0 (others) T = as + t (s> 0 and t> 0 or s <0 and t <0) (other than that) That is, when an inconsistent input operation occurs between operators, the control amount is not changed.

Next, a specific processing operation according to the present embodiment will be described with respect to the operation of the operator performed on the above-mentioned components on the screen.

FIG. 14 shows a processing flow of the response determining device. The difference between this figure and FIG. 11 in the first embodiment is that
Step 4 (1004 and 1504) and Step 8 (1
008 and 1508) and later. The differences will be described below in detail.

When the mouse is turned on on the knob of the slider 301, the input information of "input start type" is transmitted from the operation response device 1 and received by the response determination device 3, and the step 1 (1501), step 2 ( After 1502), the process proceeds to step 3 (1503). Further, when the mouse is turned off on the knob of the slider 301, the input information of "end type" is received by the response determination device 3, and step 1 (1
501), step 2 (1502) and then step 4
Proceed to (1504).

The format of the input information is the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The x and y coordinate values of 4 contain the moving distance of the mouse. The input data 1404 is a moving distance sampled at regular intervals while the mouse button is turned on, and the input information is transmitted each time. When the response determining device 3 receives the input information in which only the input data is changed in step 3, the response determining device 3 updates the previous information registered in the input information management table.

On the other hand, when the input information of the "input end type" by the mouse-off is received, the end time of issuing the registration deletion command after a fixed time is set in the input information registered in the input information management table. Therefore, the registration of the input information is maintained during this fixed time, facilitating the joint operation with other operators who have not yet started the input operation.

In step 5 (1505), the slider 30
The information related to the input information of this time having 1 as a component, the component slider 302 is searched from the related information management table, and the input information management table is further searched, and the input information having the slider 302 as a component is registered. Suppose that

As a result, in step 6 (1505), based on the input data of both the slider 301 and the slider 302, the operation control amount to the slider 301 and the fuel valve 13
The control amount for the boiler controller 125 that controls the control unit 1 (herein referred to as operation control amount) is determined. Note that FIG.
In the input operation correspondence table of the present example shown in (b), three operation IDs of "cursor control ID", "knob control ID", and "valve control ID" are defined for the input information type "mouse on". The response operation command is “Slider 30
1 ”,“ cursor ID ”and 3 to controller 125
The command will be output. The command to the controller is called a control command. These instructions are framed including each data shown in FIG.
It is transmitted to the address of the device ID or controller ID corresponding to 1401.

The operation control amount is determined by the control amount determination function of the control amount determination function management table shown in FIG.
The knob movement amount S is obtained by the above (Equation 4) or (Equation 5). In the figure, the valve control ID and the knob control ID differ in the control amount determination function, but this is due to the difference in the specifications of the data that actually enters the response command. Also, by dividing in this way, each responds differently,
Independent response control can be performed.

The response operation command thus determined is transmitted in step 7 (1507). However, the response operation command (control command) to the controller is output after receiving the "input end type" input information so that the operation in progress is not issued. Furthermore, if the control command has a cooperative relationship or a multiple relationship, the host 121 once checks the relationship with another control command, and when the necessary condition is satisfied, it is sent to the corresponding controller. It On the other hand, the response operation command to the operation response device is immediately output,
The knob of the slider 301 is displayed at the determined position.

By the way, as described above, in order to maintain the correct relationship between the fuel flow rate and the cooling water amount, it is necessary to control the cooling water valve 132 at the same time as the control of the fuel valve 131. Control is also performed in parallel. Step 8 and subsequent steps show this processing step.

First, other input information related to the input information of this time is acquired from the input information management table storing the search result of step 5 (1508). Next, it is determined whether the related information is the same component as the input information this time (1509), and if the same, the response operation command determined in step 6 is sent to the corresponding operation response device (151).
0). On the other hand, if the constituent elements are different, the response control processing of the constituent elements is determined in the same manner as in step 6. Here, the knob movement amount T of the slider 302 is obtained (1511), and a response operation command to the operation response device 2 is output (1512). At this time, there may be a case where it is immediately output to the controller 126 of the cooling water valve 132. However, in general, the operation is often shared for each system, and it is preferable to output only the response operation command to the device 2 and ask the operator's will.

Further, in response to the movement of the cursor 101 of the apparatus 1 on the slider 301, another cursor 1
02 is displayed on the slider 302 so that the response control command responds with the cursor movement control amount.
It is also possible to prompt the operator of the device 2 for input. By doing this, you can know what other operators are doing. Then, if the user agrees to the operation, he / she can assist the operation of other operators by himself / herself inputting. Also, if this method is applied to the first embodiment,
You can tell the other person what you want to do, such as pressing a button or selecting a menu. In addition, the cursor of the other party can be moved to urge input of approval or the like.

As described above, in the case of a widget for setting a plurality of control commands that require coordinated control, the other response control associated with the response control for one instruction input is also performed in a coordinated manner, and Since the state is clearly indicated on the widget, the reliability of plant control is improved and the operation becomes easy.

Next, a modification of the second embodiment described above will be described.

In the processing after step 8 (1508), the related information for the input information this time has been already input and registered. However, although it is related information, it may not be input yet. FIG. 15 shows the processing after step 8 in such a case.

First, the related information having the constituent element different from the constituent element of the input information this time is searched from the related information management table, and it is confirmed that the different constituent element is not registered in the input information management table (1571). . Next, the response control process is determined for the acquired different components in the same manner as in step 6 based on the input information this time (157).
2). At this time, predetermined predetermined values or current values are used as the input data of the different components. For example, in the case of the slider 302, the mouse on the slider 302 knob position may be requested to the device 1,
Alternatively, it may be received from the host 124. Next, the component element information management table is searched to acquire the device IDs other than itself defined in the corresponding component, and the determined response operation command is output (1573).

According to this, even when the other operator is not aware of the necessity of input or is confused, it is possible to positively approach and smoothly execute the joint operation. Note that this method is also applicable to the first embodiment, in which case the communication method of the response operation command may be broadcast.

As a further modification, the above step 6
In (1506), when the operation control amount by the control amount determination function is determined by using a plurality of related input information as arguments,
It is also possible to weight the input data performed by each worker using the worker priority information management table of FIG.

Each input information is in step 3 (1503),
The worker ID 1402 is registered in the input information management table. Then, in step 6 (1506), first, priority information (weight or priority) 1801 set for this worker ID is read from the worker priority information management table. In the case of weight, it is input to the control amount determination function after being multiplied by the input data. In the case of the priority order, it is compared with the priority order set in the worker ID of the related input information, and the control quantity determination function is followed to perform processing such as prohibiting the response having the lower priority order.

In the operation control of the plant, the input of the operation chief is often prioritized over the input of the general operator.
Therefore, it is difficult for a general operator to push the buttons on the screen to turn on / off the equipment by assigning weights or priorities to the inputs according to the operator code, but if the chief inputs Be able to push it in. Further, when the slider is moved, the slider is moved earlier than the amount of knob movement of the chief, or when the chief and the general operator are in different moving directions, the chief's input is prioritized.

Of course, if the number of general operators who conflict with the chief's input exceeds a certain number, it is possible to give priority to that number. In some cases, this can improve reliability.

Further, the priority information 1801 of the operator in charge may be made higher than others for each device or system. For example, the buttons, menus,
The components such as the slider can increase the priority of the operator in charge of the boiler, and the components related to the control of the condenser can increase the priority of the operator in charge of the condenser. In this way, even if there is an operation to the condenser by the input from the boiler staff, if it is not input from the condenser staff, it is ignored or responded with a small control amount. It is also possible to control the response control automatically performed to the related elements described above.

Furthermore, these weights can be associated with the shape of the cursor and the area of the worker ID for each color assigned to the cursor so that the weight can be perceived intuitively.

Furthermore, the worker priority information 1801 can be dynamically changed. For example, changing in association with predetermined process data indicating the operating state of the plant,
When an abnormality occurs in a plant, the priority information of the operator in charge of the relevant system is increased. Further, it can be changed according to the operation history of the operator, or can be changed by a change command from the upper part (host).

In this way, by reflecting the priority information given to the worker code in the determination of the control amount, smooth and highly reliable support for joint work becomes possible.

Further, as another modification, in step 7 (1507), the operation response display device is simply
Not only the response operation command is transmitted, but also the transmission of the response operation command can be stopped or replaced depending on the required control amount. That is, when the calculation result of the control amount by the control amount determination function in step 6 (1506) is equal to or less than (or equal to) the predetermined threshold value σ, a predetermined ID value (for example, a transmission stop process) indicating the transmission stop process is used instead of the control amount. 32678) to the motion control amount 2201. In step 7 (1507), the value (3267
See 8) and cancel the transmission, or output a message to that effect.

Here, it is possible to determine the threshold value σ according to the number of workers who can be input. For example, it is possible to check the input for a certain time in the past and thereby estimate the number of workers that can be input. This allows
When the number of workers is small, the threshold value can be lowered, and when the number of workers is large, the threshold value can be raised.

Further, if the data conversion function 1602 and the control amount determination function 1901 are defined as follows, it is possible to decide whether or not to execute the control operation by taking a majority decision of the workers who are inputting.

That is, the data conversion function 1602 is used to set the input data (mouse input to the next screen button) for executing the control operation (for example, screen switching to the next screen) to
Input data (mouse input to the previous screen button) for not performing the operation is defined to be negative. The input information is converted through this data conversion function, and then these are input to the control amount determination function. The control amount determination function takes the sum of these input data, and when the value is positive (that is, when the number of workers who are inputting is more than the number of people who support the operation), The operation control amount by the control amount determination function is set to 1, and the response operation command is transmitted to switch to the next screen. If not, the operation control amount by the control amount determination function is set to 0, the ID for stopping the transmission of the response operation command is returned, and the command for switching to the next screen is not transmitted.

As still another modification, the threshold value set for each control amount determination function and the hardness, weight, and slipperiness of what the constituent elements represent (for example, a controlled object such as a plant) are Correspondence can be made and the input operation can be associated with the actual physical quantity (physical attribute). In other words, by not pressing the button deeply unless two people press it, or by not moving quickly unless the slider knob is moved by two people, the hardness of the button and the weight of the knob that could not be expressed by the conventional constituent elements. Can be expressed in a pseudo manner. For example, the number of workers required (to be input at the same time) to activate the control operation associated with the button is defined in association with the hardness of the button. The worker can intuitively obtain a feeling similar to the operation of a real device, that is, when he or she cannot press the hard button and cannot help by one person, and can perform the joint operation. Therefore, even an unskilled operator can prevent an erroneous operation, and can perform safe and smooth joint operation.

In this case, if the importance of the operation is associated with the threshold value, it becomes difficult to execute the important operation,
By requiring the cooperation of another person and the approval of the superior, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to an individual judgment or a conflict with another worker. This threshold value can be associated with the plant data, and for example, when the plant data shows an abnormal value, the threshold value can be lowered (a small number of people) to enable quick control operation.

The first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the information processing system and the second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the plant control system have been described above. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the present invention is applied to a teleconferencing system, the motion control amount can be set as desired by a large number of conference attendees. By setting which operator receives the input, it is possible to smoothly change the speaking right and the operating right. When the present invention is applied to an amusement, a large number of people can participate and an amusement system that realistically imitates the real world can be constructed.

[0156]

According to the present invention, input operations to the same or related constituent elements are grouped in a predetermined relationship to determine the response operation, so that it is possible to prevent competition between workers and erroneous operation by individuals. , Can improve the reliability of collaborative work.

In addition, among the plurality of workers, the operations performed by themselves can be controlled so that the other workers can understand each other's operations by controlling the components and the cursor display so that the workers can communicate their intentions and cooperate with each other. Active and easy to collaborate.

In addition, the degree of need for cooperation and approval of others
Since the response operation is performed in association with the physical attribute that can be felt by the workers, the collaborative work including unskilled workers can be performed smoothly and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the plant control system of the present invention, the operation input related to the operation input requiring the coordinated control is put into a predetermined relationship to determine the control amount, and all the related operators perform the same input operation. If this is done, the control amount can be increased and the mutual operations can be supported, so that the reliability of plant operation can be improved.

Further, the response command is output to the operator console that has received the input, and is also output to the associated operator console to prompt the input operation, thereby facilitating the joint operation by a plurality of operators.

Furthermore, the priority of the operator involved in determining the control amount is dynamically changed according to the operating state of the plant, etc., to improve the flexibility of plant operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal content of input information.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing signal contents of a response operation command.

FIG. 4 is an input target screen view showing a display control example of buttons and a cursor.

FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of an input information management table.

FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram of a related information management table.

FIG. 7 is a data configuration diagram of a component information management table.

FIG. 8 is a data configuration diagram of an input operation correspondence table.

FIG. 9 is a data configuration diagram of a worker priority information management table.

FIG. 10 is a data configuration diagram of a control amount determination function management table.

FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram for explaining the operation of the response determining device in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a plant control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation target screen diagram of an example of plant control.

FIG. 14 is a processing flow chart for explaining the operation of the response determining device in the plant control system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a processing flowchart illustrating an alternative of the partial operation shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 ... Operation response device, 3 ... Response determination device, 4 ... Network, 5 ... Input device, 6 ... Display device, 31 ... Multiple input reception processing means, 32 ... Input target component management means, 33
... response determination storage means, 34 response operation determination means, 35
... communication means, 100, 101, 102 ... cursor, 12
1 ... Host, 125, 126 ... Controller, 131,
132 ... Flow valve, 200 ... Button, 301, 302 ... Slider, 1401 ... Component (widget) ID, 14
02 ... Worker ID, 1403 ... Input information type, 1404 ...
Input data, 1601 ... Operation ID, 1801 ... Priority information, 1901 ... Control amount determination function, 2201 ... Operation control amount (control amount).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Masayuki Tani Inventor, Masami Tani, 1-1, Omika-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Research Laboratory (72) Inventor, Yukihiro Kawamata 7-chome, Omika-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki 1-1 Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Atsuhiko Nishikawa 5-2-1 Omika-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Ltd. Omika Plant

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. An input target screen including components (widgets) common to or related to a plurality of information processing devices for collaborative work is displayed on the plurality of information processing devices and corresponds to the input components. In a collaborative work support method for performing predetermined information processing, input information including a constituent element ID is received from an information processing apparatus input to the constituent element of the input target screen, and for each apparatus ID of the information processing apparatus. Register and search other input information that includes the same and / or related components as this input information and is registered in the same way as this input information, and this input information and other searched input A collaborative work support method comprising: determining a response operation command corresponding to a predetermined integration relationship with information, transmitting the response operation command to the information processing device, and performing display control of the input component. 2. An input target screen including components (widgets) common to or related to a plurality of information processing devices is displayed on the plurality of information processing devices for collaborative work, and an input is given by a cursor. In a collaborative work support method for performing predetermined information processing corresponding to a constituent element, input information including the constituent element is received from an information processing apparatus input to the constituent element and registered for each apparatus ID of the information processing apparatus. However, other input information that includes the same and / or related components as this input information and is registered in the same manner as this input information is searched, and this input information and the other input information found Determine a response operation command corresponding to a predetermined integration relationship with and send to the information processing device,
A collaborative work support method, comprising: controlling the display of the component or the component that has been instructed and input and the cursor. 3. An input target screen including a component (widget) common or related to a plurality of information processing devices is displayed on the plurality of information processing devices for a collaborative work, and corresponds to the input components. In a collaborative work support method for performing predetermined information processing, an input information including the constituent element is received from the information processing apparatus input to the constituent element, registered for each apparatus ID of the information processing apparatus, and set as the constituent element. Corresponding to the predetermined relationship between the input information of this time and the related information, by searching the related information that is the same as or related to the component included in the input information of this time from the corresponding predefined A collaborative work, characterized in that a response operation command to be performed is determined and transmitted to the information processing device, and display control of the input component and / or a cursor indicating the component is performed. Support method. 4. The input information according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the input information includes an input information type indicating an input start (on) or an input end (off), and the input information type indicates an end (off). When indicated, the collaborative work support method is characterized in that the corresponding input information being registered is deleted or a deletion time is set. 5. The input information according to claim 1, wherein the input information includes an input information type indicating the input means, and the related component is a set of the component and the input information type. It is possible to refer to at least one of a set that is associated with each other and has the same constituent element with different input means, a different constituent element with the same input means or a different constituent element with different input means. A collaborative work support method characterized by being set. 6. The input information according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the input information includes an input information type indicating the input means, and the response operation command corresponds to the constituent element and the input information type. For each one or a plurality of operation modes defined in the input information type of the input information, including the operation mode indicating the target of the instruction or the target and the operation type, and the control amount indicating the operation amount. A collaborative work support method characterized by outputting. 7. The control amount determination function according to claim 1, wherein the control amount determination function is defined in advance corresponding to an operation mode indicating the predetermined integration relationship and indicating the target of the response operation command or the target and operation type. A collaborative work support method, characterized in that the control amount of the operation mode is obtained using as arguments the input data included or assigned to each of the current input information and one or more other input information. 8. The response operation command according to claim 7, wherein a predetermined threshold value is set in advance in the control amount determination function, and when the obtained control amount does not satisfy the condition based on the threshold value. A collaborative work support method characterized by not outputting. 9. The information input device according to claim 7, wherein the constituent element of the other input information is the same as the input information of this time, the response operation command including the control amount is transmitted to the corresponding information processing device, When the constituent element of the other input information is different from that of the input information of this time, the response operation command including the control amount obtained by the control amount determination function defined in the operation mode corresponding to the different constituent element is applied. A collaborative work support method, which comprises transmitting the information to an information processing device. 10. The mouse according to claim 7, wherein the component is a slider and the input means is a mouse, the input data included in the input information moves by instructing a knob of the slider. In the movement amount, the operation mode is the movement display of the knob, the control amount is the movement position of the knob obtained by the control amount determination function consisting of a polynomial function with the movement amount of the mouse for each of the input information as an argument, or A collaborative work support method characterized by a moving speed. 11. The input data according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the input data included in or assigned to the input information is pressure information, and the operation mode is a push-down display of the button, when the component is a button. The control amount is a pressing degree obtained by the control amount determining function consisting of a polynomial function with the input information as an argument, and the information processing device that receives the response operation command corresponds the button on the screen to the pressing degree. A collaborative work support method, characterized in that display control is performed on at least one of the shape, density, etc. 12. The pressure information according to claim 11, wherein when the input unit is a mouse or a keyboard, a predetermined value is assigned to the input information, and when the input unit is a touch panel, a measured value of the touch pressure on the panel is assigned. A collaborative work support method comprising: the input information as the input data, wherein the predetermined value is assigned to the input data when the measured value exceeds a certain value. 13. The priority information according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the input data is a weight or priority set corresponding to a worker code included in the input information. A method for supporting collaborative work, wherein the method is converted into a parameter of the control amount determination function. 14. The priority order of the worker code included in the input information of this time is lower than the priority order of the worker code included in the other input information, when the priority information is the priority order. At this time, the collaborative work support method is characterized in that the response operation command for the current input information is transmitted including a predetermined message in place of the control amount. 15. The display control of the constituent element or the cursor according to claim 2, wherein the display control of the cursor is classified by a constituent element ID or a cursor ID indicating a control target included in the response operation command. A collaborative work support method characterized in that the size, position, or moving speed is changed according to the number of input information or a worker code included in the input information. 16. The response operation command corresponding to the input information of this time is transmitted to the operation response device to control the display of the input component, and the searched related information is the information of claim 3. When not registered as input information, a second response operation command including the position of the cursor indicating the component included in the related information as the control amount is transmitted to the corresponding information processing device. Collaborative work support method. 17. An input target screen including a component (widget) common or related to a plurality of information processing devices is displayed on the plurality of information processing devices for a collaborative work, and the input target screen corresponds to the input components. In a collaborative work support method for performing predetermined information processing, receiving input information including a component from an information processing device input to the component of the input target screen and registering for each device ID of the information processing device. However, other input information that includes the same and / or related components as this input information and is registered in the same manner as this input information is searched, and this input information and the other input information found A physical attribute that is sensitive to the input operation of the worker is obtained corresponding to a predetermined integration relationship with the operator, a response operation command including this physical attribute is transmitted to the information processing device, and the input component Collaboration support method characterized by display control in accordance with the physical attribute cursor instructing beauty / or it. 18. The physical attribute according to claim 17, wherein the physical attribute is associated with the number of workers or the sum of weights of the respective workers, and when the component is a button, it is the hardness of the button. When the component is a slider, it is the weight of the slider knob, and depending on the number of workers or the sum of priority information, the button is pressed softly or hard, or the knob moves lightly or heavily. A collaborative work support method characterized in that display control is performed as follows. 19. An input target screen including components (widgets) common to or related to a plurality of information processing apparatuses for performing collaborative work between a plurality of information processing apparatuses each having an input unit and a display unit. The information processing system which displays on the said display means and performs the predetermined information processing corresponding to the component input from the said input means, The said collaborative work assistance method of any one of Claim 1 to 18. An information processing system comprising a response determining device capable of executing the above, and controlling display of input components. 20. An input target screen including components (widgets) common to or related to a plurality of information processing apparatuses for performing collaborative work between a plurality of information processing apparatuses each having an input unit and a display unit. In the information processing system, which displays the information on the display unit and performs predetermined information processing corresponding to the component input from the input unit, the device ID, the input component, and the input from the information processing device. Input information receiving means for receiving input information including type of means and input information type indicating start / end of input, and registering or deleting the input information, and an input information management table for storing the input information for each device ID And for each of the constituent elements and for each of the input information types corresponding thereto, a response operation mode is defined in advance, and for each operation mode,
A definition information definition management table that predefines a predetermined integration relationship that collects a plurality of the input information, and an operation mode that corresponds from the constituent elements of the input information and the input information type are acquired from the definition information management table, Other related input information is searched from the input information management table, a control amount is obtained from the predetermined integrated relation defined in the acquired operation mode by using the input data of these input information as arguments, and this operation mode A response operation determining unit having a response operation determining unit that transmits a response operation command including a control amount to a corresponding information processing apparatus, wherein the input component or a component and a cursor indicating the same are set to the response action. An information processing system, wherein display control is performed according to an operation mode and a control amount of an instruction. 21. The relation between the input information is defined in advance in the definition information table as a relation between the constituent elements or a relation between the constituent element and the set of the input information types according to claim 20, The response operation determining means is configured to be able to retrieve the other related input information from the related information defined in the component of the input information or the set of the component and the input information type. Information processing system. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the input information is being registered in the input information management table, when the input target screen of the registered component is switched to another one. An information processing system, comprising: transmitting a signal indicating that information is unnecessary, and receiving a response, the response determining device being configured to delete corresponding registration information. 23. A plurality of information processing apparatuses (operator consoles) each having an input means and a display means are connected to a controller of each equipment of the plant by a network, and a plurality of the information processing apparatuses are connected to operate the plant jointly. A plant that displays an operation target screen including components (widgets) common or related to an information processing device on the display unit, determines a control command corresponding to the component input from the input unit, and outputs the control command to the controller. In the control system, an input information receiving unit that receives the input information including the device ID and the input component from the information processing device and registers or deletes the input information; and the input information for each of the device IDs. The input information management table to be stored, the related information defining the relationship between the constituent elements, and the target constituent element for each constituent element. And / or a definition information management table that predefines an operation mode for instructing a response to a pointing cursor and a response to a target controller, and a control amount determination function that collects a plurality of the input information for each operation mode, The corresponding operation mode is acquired from the information component, other input information related to the input information is searched from the input information management table, and the input data of these input information is used as an argument to define the acquired operation mode. And a response determining means for transmitting a response operation command including a control amount according to this operation mode to a corresponding information processing device and a controller. A plant control system characterized by being provided on a network. 24. The response determination device according to claim 23, wherein when a component of the received input information and a component of the related information acquired from the definition information management table are different, the response determination device is defined in the different configuration information. A plant control system characterized by transmitting a response operation command including a control amount obtained according to an operation mode and a control amount determination function to a corresponding information processing device to control display of the different component. 25. The response determination device according to claim 23, wherein the component of the received input information and the component of the related information acquired from the definition information management table are not registered in the input information management table. Is a plant control system, which outputs a response operation command for displaying the component of the corresponding information processing apparatus by an instruction cursor. 26. The response determination device according to claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein a response operation command corresponding to a component of the received input information and a component of the related information acquired from the definition information management table is not issued. A plant control system, characterized in that in case of decision, the transmission to the controller is reserved. 27. The method according to claim 23, 24, 25 or 26, wherein when the constituent element of the received input information and the constituent element of the related element respectively perform an operation input to a controller having a cooperative relationship, The input operation to the component is reflected on the display of the other component by the response operation command,
A plant control system, wherein when both response operation commands are determined, a control command is transmitted to a corresponding controller. 28. The priority information according to claim 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27, wherein the definition information management table defines priority information indicating a weight or a priority for each operator code, and the response action determining means is the A plant control system for converting the input data according to the priority information given to the operator code included in the input information. 29. The plant control system according to claim 28, wherein the response determination device dynamically changes the priority information according to an operating state of the plant. 30. The plant according to claim 29, wherein when the operating state indicates an abnormal operation of a device in the plant, priority information of an operator code of an operator in charge of operating the device is increased. Control system.