JPS6226483B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to an operator console used in a control computer system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When electronic computers are classified according to the purpose for which they are used, they can be roughly divided into two types: those whose purpose is to perform general office calculations, and those whose purpose is to control various plants. The present invention is particularly directed to the latter. Recently, for the latter, in addition to demands for the performance of the computer itself such as high-speed response, stable operation, and reliability, there has been a demand for an interactive function that allows the computer to be operated easily and without error. This is because the plants to be controlled have become larger and the computer systems have also become more complex.
Systems such as multi-network systems using CPUs (Central Processing Units) have become complex, and as a result, it has become difficult for even the designers themselves to operate the systems optimally. This is because there are many cases where the In such a complicated computer system, if an operator's decision is delayed or if an erroneous setting occurs, an unpredictable situation will occur, which will seriously impede the operation of the plant. For this reason, when designing a computer system, measures are taken to avoid the above-mentioned abnormal situation, but this makes operations even more difficult and increases the amount of computer processing. When a computer and a human (operator) are trying to interact, it is usually a console typewriter, CRT
and a keyboard etc. are used. These devices are versatile and are mainly used by designers and adjusters of the system, such as for debugging computer system software, making adjustments during installation, and collecting data when an abnormality occurs after operation. On the other hand, when a user uses a completed system, it is rare that the above-mentioned equipment is used as is, and in most systems, a dedicated interaction means is provided. FIG. 1 shows a typical example, and a console 1 generally includes a display device 2 and a setting device 3. In a large system like the one mentioned above, in order to monitor or direct the entire system, a single console must be equipped with all functions and centrally managed. Therefore, the display device 2 must be able to grasp the operating status of the system at a glance, and accurately display the operation history and instructions for the next operation. Generally, this is done using a graphic panel using lamps, segment displays, etc., or a CRT. The operator determines the instructions to the computer based on the contents of the display device 2 and gives the instructions using the setting device 3. The setting device 3 performs various arithmetic calculations, control commands,
It consists of a huge number of switches to cover functions such as data processing. The operator selects the most suitable one at that timing and gives an instruction. Although FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration with 60 light switches (PBLs), in reality, a larger number of different types of setting devices are combined. There are two methods to achieve the goal of making settings easy for the operator and preventing erroneous settings. One method is to group setting means based on function, timing, etc. This makes the operation relatively easy once you get used to it, and reduces the frequency of incorrect settings. However, on the other hand, since the setting means cannot be shared, there is a large degree of redundancy in both the type and number of setting means, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost and computer processing.
Especially when devised from the computer side, due to the increase in the number of input points, the amount of processing required for improving the temporal resolution of input events, determining rationality, etc. becomes enormous, which affects the original control processing. On the other hand, another method is to share sharable setting means (switches, etc.) and reduce the overall number of points, which can reduce costs and computer processing. . However, since one setting means has multiple functions, operation becomes extremely difficult and requires long-term training of a full-time operator. Since both methods have drawbacks as described above, in reality, designs are carried out using a mixture of both methods. The goal of 2 above is to provide accurate information to the operator, but depending on the nature of the plant and the
Due to the difference in scale, no general method existed in the past. In many cases, operators make decisions by displaying a large amount of data such as operational results, the operating status of each device, and the results of arithmetic calculations, but it is difficult to accurately represent the flow of the entire system. There were no cases where this was the case. As described above, it has been desired that the operator console, which is the point of contact between computers and humans (operators), has easier, more reliable setting functions, and more accurate display functions. The purpose of the present invention is to provide easier and more reliable setting functions;
An object of the present invention is to provide an operator console with more accurate display functions. A feature of the present invention is that the system operating state is described in a state transition diagram, the type and quantity of setting means are shared functionally, and the operator is instructed to operate at the relevant timing. be. System designers are always asking whether there is a way to express all plant control system operations in the same way. In contrast,
The present invention presents one solution as follows. Normally, when describing the internal state of an automatic machine (automaton), a state transition diagram (TRANSITION) is used to describe the internal state of an automatic machine (automaton).
A graph called CHART is used. This means that if an automatic machine only executes serial processing, it can always be described in a finite state, making it very easy to understand. The present invention directly applies this to the operation of a computer system. A good system designer with sufficient experience will
At the initial design stage, we always create state transitions that are optimal for the system. However, other designers (whose numbers are far more numerous than the former) are unable to grasp the overall flow even after the system is completed, and are only able to solve the problem at hand. Furthermore, it is impossible for an operator who is not involved in the design to completely grasp the flow of system operation. FIG. 3 describes the internal state transitions of a simple computer system using a state transition diagram.
The diagram shows states A to G (STATUS), state transition factors,
(TRANSITION FACTOR) and a directional path (PATHWITH DIRECTION). The diagram has been created based on the following definitions. <Definition> (1) The system shall be in any one of the described states.
must have one state, and must not have more than one state. (2) State transitions are possible only if a directed path exists and only in that direction. (3) There is one or more routes that can transition from all states to any one state. (4) It is the simplest form. Note that (4) is not an essential requirement when considering ease of recognition by the operator. Furthermore, since the method for finding the simplest form is well known, the explanation will be omitted. A specific explanation of FIG. 3 will be given below. Assuming that the plant is an automated warehouse system, each state is defined as follows. A○…Initial B○…Idle C○…Automatic operation 1 D○…Automatic operation 2 E○…Manual operation 1 F○…Manual operation 2 G○…Results transmission Here, considering the transition from B○ to C○ let's see. It is assumed that B○ is in a state where computer control is suspended and various data processing can be performed, such as creating a work schedule, inputting work conditions, etc., and C○ is in a state where computer online control is in progress and data processing is prohibited. If the cause of transition from B○ to C○ is, for example, a start command set by an operator, the start command is accepted only when the state is B○, and causes the state to shift to C○. Other states and transitions are determined in a similar way. This example shows that once the operating state (automatic or manual) is entered, it is not possible to return to the idle state until the actual transmission is completed. FIG. 4 is a table of FIG. 3, which is a state transition matrix table 5 with the pre-transition state in the vertical axis direction and the post-transition state in the horizontal axis direction.
From 5, when the state is C○, the transition possible states are D○ and E○.
It can be seen that it is impossible to transfer to other things with only one person, and that the factors at that time are and. Conversely, it can be found by searching in the column direction that it is possible to transition to state C○ from states B○, D○, E○ due to factors, . Therefore, it can be said that the state transition matrix tables 5 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 have an equivalence relationship. Although this example is very simple, no matter how large or complex the computer system is, it can always be expressed using this method. Once the optimal state transition diagram is obtained in this way, the operator is constantly informed of this. FIG. 5 is a specific example of this, and is a state transition indicator 6 that is constructed from a graphic panel similar to that shown in FIG.
Then, the directed path is displayed in PATH display segment 7. FIG. 5 shows that the system is in state C○, and has transitioned from state B○. This allows the operator to know the system status at all times, and at the same time, the pre-migration state and the migration-enabled state, making it possible to make appropriate decisions. The display method will be described later. Now, as described above, the operator can always recognize the status, but if the setting method remains the same as before, the occurrence of erroneous settings etc. is unavoidable. There are many items for which the operator must give instructions to the computer in each state, but if a switch were provided for each state, the number of points would be enormous, causing the aforementioned problem. The present invention solves this problem as follows. First, in this system, switches are prepared for the minimum necessary items. Here, it is assumed that there are 60 light switches (PBLs) as shown in Figure 2. Next, as shown in Figure 6, create a PBL reception timing check table with the status on the horizontal axis and the PBL No. on the vertical axis. This figure is for example PBL No.
1 indicates that reception is possible in states A○ and B○, and that reception is not possible in other states. In this way, the number of PBLs can be significantly reduced compared to the case where PBLs are prepared for each state. For example, if 7 states require 30 pieces each, 210 pieces are required.
According to the present invention, only 60 pieces are required. On the other hand, the operator is instructed by lighting only the PBLs that can be accepted. This allows the operator to visually identify the settable switches, and allows the operator to quickly give instructions to the computer without having to go through complicated selection procedures. FIG. 7 is an example of an operator console configuration configured to perform the operations described above. Operator console 1 has status memory (STATUS MEMORY) 1 for storing the current status.
0, the transition request status (STATUS) signal 12 from the CPU is input, and the state transition process is performed. It consists of a STATUS transition device 11, a PBL controller 17 built into each PBL, and a bus line (BUSLINE) 20 for notifying the CPU of a PBL press event. When 12 occurs, 11 determines whether or not the transition is possible based on the information in the state transition matrix table 5 stored in advance, and if it is not possible to transition (not registered in 5), it tells the CPU when to transition. An abnormality signal 13 is output and the process ends. If not, a STATUS transition signal 16 is output to the status memory 10 to transition the state, and at the same time a STATUS display selection signal 1 is sent to the status transition indicator 6.
4. Output the PATH display selection signal 15 and update the status display. For example, if there is a request from the CPU to move to state D○ in the state shown in Figure 5, 8 of D○ and C○
7 from to D◯ lights up, and the display segments that were lit up until then go out. Also, in the state shown in Figure 3, G○
If there is a request for transition to , 13 is output as a transition timing failure. FIG. 8 shows the detailed configuration of the PBL controller 17, in which 17 denotes AND gates 21, 22,
PBL reception timing check pattern memory 2
3, a lamp 24, and a push button switch 25. However, the power supplies 24 and 25 are omitted in the figure, and the lamp 24 lights up when the output of the AND gate 21 is "1" (a state where the potential is high is "1" and a state where the potential is not high is "0"). 25 is pressed by the operator, and the signal to the AND gate 22 becomes “1”
shall be. When the operator knows that the button can be pressed by the lighting of the lamp 24 and presses the switch, the input signals of the AND gate 22 both become "1", so the PBL press signal 1 is generated.
9 also becomes "1", and the CPU recognizes that this PBL setting has been performed and performs predetermined processing. On the other hand, when the lamp 24 is not lit, even if the switch 25 is pressed down, the input signals of the AND gate 22 do not all become "1", so the signal 19 remains "0".
Since no signals are input to the CPU, incorrect settings will not occur. As explained above, when interacting with an operator in a computer control system of any plant, the present invention uses a method that graphically displays the internal state of the computer system and instructs the operator which switches can be set in each state. It is possible to realize an operator console that is most suitable for computers. According to the present invention, the following effects can be expected. (1) Since the internal state of the system is described using a state transition diagram, all people involved in the system can easily understand the flow of the entire system. (2) By displaying the system status and the path with state transition direction, the current status can be visually determined at all times, and the pre-transition status and transition possible status can also be known. (3) With (1) and (2) above, setting means can be shared between states, and the types and total number of setting means can be significantly reduced, resulting in a reduction in computer processing volume and the occurrence of abnormal situations. A reduction in probability can be obtained. (4) Since the operator is instructed to distinguish only the settings that can be set, the settings are easy and erroneous settings do not occur.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external view of a general operator console, Fig. 2 is a layout diagram of a light switch (PBL), Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of system state transition according to the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of system state transition according to the present invention. Figure 5 shows an example of the state transition matrix table used.
6 shows an example of the state transition indicator used in the present invention, FIG. 6 shows an example of the PBL reception timing check table used in the present invention, and FIG.
8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operator console according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the PBL controller shown in FIG. 7. 5... State transition matrix table, 6...
State transition indicator, 7...Path display segment, 8
... Status display segment, 10 ... Status memory, 11 ... Status transition device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 An operator console used in a control computer system, which describes the operation of the system in terms of states, directional buses, and state transition factors, and provides information to the operator about the state at a certain timing, the state before transition, and possible transitions. An operator console equipped with a graphic panel that constantly displays the status has a storage capacity equal to the product of the system's state transition factor and the number of states, and stores whether or not the factor can be accepted (transitioned) at the timing. 1. An operator console comprising: a timing check table for determining the number of transition factors; and a display means (lamp, etc.) for giving an instruction if the operator can make a setting at the timing, and setting means for the number of transition factors.