JPH0965460A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive system in which countermeasures at the occurrence of a fault are taken quickly by providing a radio transmitter to a machine installation in a factory and using a portable radio receiver so as to receive a fault signal sent at the occurrence of a fault in the installation. SOLUTION: A radio transmitter is installed to each of plural mechanical installations in a factory and each maintenance personnel of the mechanical installation carried a radio receiver. The radio receiver 10 is provided with a display section 13 displaying fault information and an alarm section raising sound or vibration. The display section 13 displays an installation number having a fault on a large sized display device and a faulty location is indicated by an alphabet. At the occurrence of faults in plural installations, the fault received later has higher priority and the number of the installation received finally is displayed on the large sized display device and the number of faulty installations received precedingly are displayed on a small sized display device placed to the right. Thus, the efficiency of the fault management system in the factory is considerably improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a communication system in an FA (Factory Automation) factory or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional communication system for performing abnormality management at FA factory sites, abnormality management of each machine equipment is performed by an indicator light installed in each machine equipment or an electronic sound alarm. For example, in an injection molding product factory using automated molds and an IC bonder process,
It is equipped with various indicators such as a sequencer installed in each molding machine and bonder machine, and various indicator lights that operate by signals from various sensors, and electronic sound alarms (including voice devices) as standard equipment. Further, recently, in response to the fact that the abnormality content and the notification information are not one type, a plurality of indicator lights are provided or a stacking type is provided so as to support various types of information from a sequencer or a plurality of sensors. It uses a type of indicator light and uses a type of electronic sound alarm that can emit electronic sounds and voices. Conventionally, when such an indicator light or alarm device is installed in each machine equipment, when an abnormality occurs in a predetermined machine equipment, maintenance personnel recognize the indicator light or alarm and detect the abnormality. It was an abnormality management system that went to the mechanical equipment where the

[0003]

In the conventional abnormality management system as described above, since maintenance personnel manage a plurality of mechanical equipment, an abnormality occurs in a predetermined mechanical equipment, and the abnormality is indicated by the indicator lamp. Even if it was displayed, it sometimes took time for maintenance personnel to notice the display. In such a case, there is a problem that it is not possible to quickly deal with the mechanical equipment in which the abnormality has occurred. In addition, even when a warning is issued by a voice device, there is a situation in which it is not possible to make a very loud noise in an IC factory in order to reduce noise pollution due to environmental problems. There was an inconvenience that I missed. As a result, there is a problem that it is not possible to take prompt measures.

In an automation line of a large-scale FA factory, etc., as information management when an abnormality occurs in each machine equipment, the central management center monitors the data once, and then the central management center contacts maintenance personnel. Then, a system is adopted in which the maintenance personnel go to the mechanical equipment where the abnormality occurs. However, such a system is very expensive, and it is difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of realizing a system capable of promptly coping with the occurrence of an abnormality at a very low cost. And

[0006]

A communication system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless transmitter is provided in the mechanical equipment in the factory, and when an abnormality occurs in the mechanical equipment, it transmits a signal radio wave including the abnormality information. The radio receiver is carried by a machine supervisor (maintenance staff) who manages the machine equipment, and receives a signal wave from the radio transmitter. According to the present invention, by configuring as described above, even when a plurality of mechanical equipments managed by a machine supervisor (maintenance staff) are not always monitored, when an abnormality occurs in the mechanical equipment, the abnormality occurs. Since the signal radio wave is transmitted from the wireless transmitter of the machine equipment to the wireless receiver, the machine supervisor can immediately recognize the abnormality when the abnormality occurs.
As a result, there is an effect that a problem or the like can be dealt with more quickly than in the case where the abnormality management is performed only by the conventional indicator lamp or alarm device. Further, since the present system is configured by only the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver, there is an effect that it can be realized at a very low cost as compared with the conventional centralized management system in the automation line of a large FA factory.

Further, in the above structure, the wireless transmitter may be arranged to interlock with the operation of means for notifying the operating state of the mechanical equipment such as an indicator lamp and an alarm device. If configured in this way, abnormality management of the factory can be easily and inexpensively dealt with quickly by simply electrically connecting the wireless transmitter of the present invention to the indicator light and alarm of the conventional mechanical equipment. A communication system can be provided.

Further, the above radio receiver may be configured to include a display section for displaying abnormality information corresponding to a signal radio wave from the radio transmitter. In this case, since it is possible to easily identify the abnormality content of each machine equipment, it is possible to prepare equipment suitable for the abnormality content and head to the site, and it is possible to take more prompt action.

Further, the wireless receiver may be configured to include a warning unit that emits at least one of sound and vibration when receiving a signal radio wave from the wireless transmitter. According to this structure, the machine supervisor (maintenance staff) can easily know that the radio receiver has received the signal radio wave from the radio transmitter, and as a result, it is possible to take more prompt action.

In addition, the above-mentioned mechanical equipment includes first and second mechanical equipment, and the above-mentioned radio transmitter is
A first radio transmitter for transmitting a first signal radio wave having abnormality information of the first mechanical equipment, which is provided in the mechanical equipment of
And a second radio transmitter for transmitting a second signal radio wave having abnormality information of the second mechanical equipment, the first and second radio receivers being provided. Configured to include a first wireless receiver having a display unit for receiving the first and second signal radio waves from the wireless transmitter and displaying the abnormal information corresponding to the first and second signal radio waves. May be. According to this structure, the abnormality occurrence signals from the plurality of mechanical equipment can be received by the wireless receiver carried by one maintenance person (machine supervisor) who manages the plurality of mechanical equipment. The display section of the wireless receiver allows the machine supervisor to know what kind of abnormality of which machine equipment. As a result, it becomes possible to take more prompt measures.

A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a wireless transmitter and a communication system, and the wireless transmitter includes defect information when a player in a game hall carries a defect. It emits signal radio waves. The wireless receiver is carried by a store clerk in the game arcade and receives signal radio waves from the wireless transmitter. With such a configuration, it is possible to take an early action when a problem occurs in the player at the game hall.

In a communication system according to still another aspect of the present invention, a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver are provided, and the wireless transmitter is carried by an elderly person in a nursing home for the aged when a trouble occurs in the elderly person. A signal wave containing the defect information is transmitted. In addition, the wireless receiver is installed in a management station that manages the elderly in a nursing home for the aged, and receives a signal radio wave from the wireless transmitter. With this configuration, when a problem occurs in the elderly, it is possible to deal with the problem early, and since no sound is generated, it is possible to deal quietly.

A communication system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, and the wireless transmitter is installed in a hospital room in a hospital, and a problem occurs in a patient in the hospital room. In that case, a signal wave including the defect information is transmitted. Further, the wireless receiver is installed in the nursing department of the hospital and receives signal radio waves from the wireless transmitter. With such a configuration, it is possible to promptly deal with a problem in the case of a patient, and there is an effect that it is quieter than a case where a sound is emitted because of wireless communication.

In a communication system according to another aspect of the present invention, a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver are provided, and the wireless transmitter is carried by a buyer in a sales transaction in a wholesale market.
The signal radio wave including transaction information is transmitted. The radio receiver is carried by an auctioneer in the wholesale market and is used for receiving signal radio waves from the radio transmitter. With this configuration, it is possible to secretly and smoothly carry out trading in the wholesale market.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(One Embodiment) First, in one embodiment of the present invention, a radio transmitter is installed in each of a plurality of mechanical equipments installed at a factory site, and the mechanical equipments are managed. The maintenance staff carries the wireless receiver for receiving the signals from the plurality of wireless transmitters. The wireless transmitter is installed in each machine equipment so that it operates in conjunction with the operation of the indicator light and alarm of each machine equipment. In addition, the receiver carried by the site supervisor (maintenance staff) who centrally manages the mechanical equipment group can recognize the number for identifying the mechanical equipment given to each mechanical equipment. Configure. Hereinafter, detailed configurations of the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a radio transmitter according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, antenna 5 is provided on the upper surface of wireless transmitter 1 used in the present embodiment. In addition, a channel selector switch 2 for converting the transmission frequency is provided on the front part. Equipment number setting for setting a uniform number on the bottom of the transmitter 1 to identify which of the plurality of mechanical equipment managed by the site supervisor (maintenance staff) A dip switch 3 for use is provided. Since the equipment number setting DIP switch 3 sets a number unique to the machine equipment, even if radio signals are transmitted from a plurality of wireless transmitters 1 to one wireless receiver 10 described later, interference is effective. Can be prevented. An input signal connector 4 for inputting an abnormality occurrence signal or the like is provided on the bottom surface of the transmitter 1 so as to be adjacent to the equipment number setting DIP switch 3. The wireless transmitter 1
May be installed so as to be built in the indicator lights and alarms of each mechanical equipment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a radio receiver carried by a site supervisor (not shown), FIG. 4 is a top view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof. With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, on the front of the wireless receiver 10, which mechanical equipment is an abnormal mechanical equipment based on the radio signal transmitted from the wireless transmitter 1 and what kind of mechanical equipment is present? A display unit 13 is provided to display whether there is an abnormality (contents of abnormality) and whether the battery is dead. The display unit 13 is composed of an LCD, for example.

Further, on the left side surface of the radio receiver 10, a buzzer or a vibration (vibration) for warning the site supervisor when the radio receiver 10 receives a radio signal from the radio transmitter 1 is received. A warning sound selection switch 11 is provided for switching between. Furthermore, the wireless receiver 10
A channel selector switch 12 for switching the transmission / reception frequency is provided on the left side surface of the. The channel changeover switch 12 is set to match the channel of the channel changeover switch 2 of the wireless transmitter 1 described above. As a result, when there are a large number of wireless transmitters 1 and a plurality of wireless receivers 10 corresponding thereto, the frequency (channel) of transmission and reception between adjacent wireless receivers 10
Interference can be easily prevented by making the different. On the top surface of the wireless receiver 10, a page turning switch 14, a reset switch 15 for resetting a buzzer sound or vibration (vibration), and an illumination switch 16 for performing side illumination of the display unit 13 are provided.
Are provided. How to use the page turning switch 14 will be described later.

Next, the operation of the display section of the radio receiver 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, it is considered that an abnormality has occurred in the order shown in FIG. The numbers in the figure show the numbers of the mechanical equipments in which the abnormality has occurred, and the alphabets (A, B, C, D) show the places where the abnormality has occurred. The display unit 13 of the wireless receiver 10 displays the numbers of up to six abnormal devices according to a signal from the wireless transmitter 1 when an error occurs in the device in which the wireless transmitter 1 is installed. When an abnormality occurs in one piece of mechanical equipment, the large-sized display 13a of the display unit 13 displays the number of the abnormal mechanical equipment and the abnormal portion display (A to D). Also,
When an abnormality occurs in a plurality of mechanical equipment, the number of the abnormal mechanical equipment that has arrived last is displayed on the large display 13a, and the number of the abnormal mechanical equipment that has been received before that is displayed in the small size with the later arrival priority. It is displayed on the container 13b. However, when seven or more abnormalities occur, the display disappears on a first-come-first-served basis and the overflow display blinks. In this embodiment, 1
One wireless receiver 10 can manage 64 wireless transmitters 1.

The above operation will be described step by step. First, in the case of the abnormality occurrence order shown in FIG. 6, the number 19 of the abnormal mechanical equipment that arrived last and the abnormal portion A are displayed, and the incoming call arrives before that. The abnormal machine number (15, 5,
3 and 8) are displayed on the small display 13b with priority given to the last arrival.
Then, in the state shown in FIG. 6, when an abnormality occurs at the location B of the machine equipment number 3, the display is as shown in FIG.
That is, in the state of FIG. 6, the machine equipment number 3 is already C
There is an abnormality in the location, and the machine equipment number 3
If an abnormality occurs at point B, the large display 13a
Machine equipment number 3 and abnormal points B and C are displayed at.
The machine equipment number 19 displayed in FIG. 6 is displayed on the small display 13b.

Further, from this state, the machine equipment number 10
When an abnormality occurs in the abnormal portion A of B, and further in the machine equipment number B of B, the display as shown in FIG.
In the lower display of FIG. 8, it can be seen that the overflow display is blinking because seven or more abnormalities have occurred. The above-mentioned page turning switch 14 is a switch for confirming the number of the abnormal mechanical equipment which is not displayed at the time of overflow. When an abnormality occurs in seven or more mechanical equipment, each time the page turning switch 14 is pressed, the abnormal mechanical equipment number received immediately before the current display is displayed on the large display 13a, and the current display is Disappear.
At this time, the small display 13b is slid to the left and displayed, and the disappeared display is displayed in the order of the last arrival.
After that, this rotation is repeated.

Further, when the number of abnormal machine equipment numbers received is within 6 units, each time the page turning switch 14 is pressed, the immediately preceding incoming number is displayed on the large display 13a. The number displayed on the large-sized display 13a is displayed at the position where the first abnormal machine equipment number was displayed, and is sequentially slide-displayed. After that, the same rotation is performed.

When a new abnormality occurrence signal is received during operation of the page turning switch 14, the new transmitter number (new abnormal machine equipment number) is displayed on the large display 13a and the small display 13b is displayed. They are rearranged in the order of the first-come-first-served basis.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the radio transmitter 1 is provided in each machine equipment so as to interlock with the alarm device and the indicator light provided in each of the plurality of machine equipment groups. A field supervisor (maintenance personnel) who manages the machine equipment group carries a receiver 10 for collectively receiving radio signals from the wireless transmitters 1 of the plurality of machine equipment groups. Then, by providing the wireless receiver 10 with a display unit 13 for displaying the number of the mechanical equipment corresponding to the wireless transmitter 1 that has transmitted the radio wave of the abnormality information and the details of the failure, it is suitable for the abnormality content. By preparing the equipment, the site supervisor can go to the site and deal with problems etc. more quickly. In addition, the wireless receiver 10
In addition, by providing a warning device that emits a ringing sound (buzzer) or vibration (vibration) for notifying the site supervisor that the wireless receiver 10 has received the radio signal from the wireless transmitter 1, the site supervisor can The occurrence of abnormality can be recognized more quickly.

Further, the radio receiver 1 according to the present embodiment
In 0, the signals from the transmitters are received in the order of reception, and the latest information is displayed on the large display 13a so that the latest information can always be dealt with by the late arrival method. Numbers are displayed for up to 5 units, and if there are more, an overflow is displayed to indicate that there are still machines with fault information. This makes it possible to check them one by one and restore them individually each time. As a result, the efficiency of the abnormality management system in the FA factory will be greatly improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, compared to the conventional management system in which a centralized management center such as an automation line in a large-scale FA factory is installed, the wireless transmitter 1 and the wireless receiver 10 have a simpler configuration. Therefore, it is possible to provide a factory abnormality management system that can be realized at extremely low cost. The wireless transmitter 1 may be provided with a function of transmitting voice, and the wireless receiver 10 may be similarly set with an earphone or the like so as to receive the voice. With this configuration, the display of the abnormal part is from A to
When the alphabet D is displayed and it is forgotten what fault part the alphabet indicates, the reception of the abnormal part by voice or the like works more effectively. At first glance, this kind of function seems to be good for transceivers, but if problems occur at multiple locations on multiple machines at the same time, interference will occur in the transceivers and the system will not operate normally, so transceivers are not sufficient. Is.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described one embodiment, an example is shown in which the communication management system of the present invention is applied as an abnormality management system in a factory. However, the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, , Playgrounds such as pachinko parlors,
It may be used as a communication system in a nursing home, a hospital, a wholesale market, or the like.

For example, when used in a pachinko parlor or the like, a player and a store clerk carry a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, respectively. As a result, it becomes possible to deal with the situation such as when a problem occurs to the player earlier. In the case of a nursing home, each elderly person carries a wireless transmitter, and a management center for managing the elderly person always has a wireless receiver. As a result, it becomes possible to quickly respond to an emergency call. Further, when used in a hospital, a radio transmitter with the same number is installed in each patient room, each patient is divided into A to D, and a radio receiver is always provided in a nursing station (nurse center). To configure. With this configuration, it is possible to quickly know which patient in which room has a defect, and it is possible to quickly respond to an emergency call. By switching the transmission / reception frequency (channel) for each floor of the hospital, it is possible to eliminate erroneous reception on other floors.

Further, in various auction markets in wholesale markets, each broker carries a wireless transmitter, and a bidder (auctioneer) carries a wireless receiver. With this configuration, it is possible to secretly and smoothly carry out sales transactions.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the transmitter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a wireless receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a top view of the wireless receiver shown in FIG.

5 is a left side view of the wireless receiver shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of a display unit of the wireless receiver shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the display unit of the wireless receiver shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the display unit of the wireless receiver shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Wireless Transmitter 10 Wireless Receiver 11 Warning Sound Selection Switch 13 Display 13a Large Display 13b Small Display

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A wireless transmitter, which is provided in a machine facility in a factory and which transmits a signal radio wave containing abnormality information when the machine facility has an abnormality, and a machine supervisor who manages the machine facility. A communication system comprising a wireless receiver that is portable and receives a signal radio wave from the wireless transmitter. 2. The mechanical equipment includes means for notifying an operating state of the mechanical equipment, and the wireless transmitter is provided so as to interlock with the operation of the means for notifying an operating state of the mechanical equipment. Item 1
A communication system according to claim 1. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver includes a display unit that displays abnormality information corresponding to a signal radio wave from the wireless transmitter. 4. The radio receiver includes a warning unit that emits at least one of sound and vibration when receiving a signal radio wave from the radio transmitter. The communication system according to. 5. The mechanical equipment includes first and second mechanical equipment, and the wireless transmitter is provided in the first mechanical equipment and has a first abnormality information of the first mechanical equipment. And a second wireless transmitter which is provided in the second mechanical equipment and which emits a second signal radio wave having abnormality information of the second mechanical equipment. Wherein the wireless receiver receives the first and second signal radio waves from the first and second wireless transmitters and displays abnormality information corresponding to the first and second signal radio waves. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a first wireless receiver having a display unit. 6. A wireless transmitter which is carried by a player in a game arcade, and which emits a signal wave including defect information when a defect occurs, and a wireless transmitter which is carried by a clerk of the game arcade. And a radio receiver for receiving signal radio waves from the communication system. 7. A wireless transmitter, which is carried by an elderly person in an elderly care facility, and which transmits a signal wave including defect information when the elderly person has a problem, and manages the elderly man in the elderly care facility. A communication system, which is installed in a management station and includes a wireless receiver for receiving signal radio waves from the wireless transmitter. 8. A wireless transmitter, which is installed in a hospital room in a hospital and transmits a signal radio wave including failure information when a patient in the patient room has a failure, and is installed in a nursing station of the hospital, A communication system comprising: a radio receiver for receiving a signal radio wave from the radio transmitter. 9. A wireless transmitter carried by a buyer in a sales transaction in a wholesale market and transmitting a signal wave including transaction information, and a wireless transmitter carried by a bidder in the wholesale market and sent from the wireless transmitter. A communication system comprising: a radio receiver for receiving signal radio waves.