JPS62297047A - Program checker for memory module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to check memory contents easily by issuing a read command via a reading head to a memory module and decoding program data transferred from the memory module according to the read command. CONSTITUTION:An induction coupler coil 22 for signal reception in which frequency signals are induced according to data read out when the coil receives external magnetic field from a memory module side is arranged at a reading head 12. The frequency signal on the memory module side obtained by the induction coupler coil 22 is given to an FM decoding circuit 24 of a checker main body 10. The FM decoding circuit 24 converts received signal into a data bit '1' or '0' according to presence or absence of the frequency signal. A serial bit data is converted into a parallel bit data by means of a serial interface 25 and is supplied to a reading controller 14 which decodes a program name and others and displays them on a display 50 by characters or codes.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is a system for checking the memory contents of a memory attached to a pallet by mounting a workpiece to be processed by a machining center or the like. This invention relates to a program checker for storage modules.

(Prior Art) In recent years, factory automation systems (hereinafter referred to as "rFA systems") aiming at unmanned machining operations are equipped with a machining center 1 that processes workpieces using numerical control, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. An automatic tool changer (ATC) 2 that automatically changes processing tools and an automatic pallet changer (ATC) that automatically changes a workpiece 5 mounted on a pallet 4.
APC) 3 is combined, and during unmanned operation such as at night, the workpiece 5 is attached to the pallet yard 6 and the prepared pallet 4 is transported to the automatic pallet exchange device 3 by the unmanned carrier 7, and the processed pallet is removed. An FA system is being put into practical use that automatically processes workpieces 5 mounted on pallets 4 that have been replaced with pallets 4 and Q-corrected one after another.

In addition, in the automated processing of such an FA system, a large centrally located host computer is in charge of overall control. The machining program for each workpiece with different machining order and machining content of the pallet is set in advance, and each time a new pallet 4 is set on the machining center 1, the machining center 1
The computer program is loaded into the NC controller from the host computer.

However, in such a conventional centralized management method of the FA system using a host computer, for example, one of the backs of multiple automatic guided vehicles that are connected to
If a machine breaks down, the pallets will not be automatically exchanged according to the pre-arranged order, so if the operator intervenes and takes countermeasures such as changing the scheduling on the host computer, operation will be restarted. In addition, during unmanned operation, a machine program must be prepared on the host computer side for each workpiece or pallet for the numerous machine tools installed in the factory, making it difficult to perform multi-product mixed production. In some cases, the work of setting the Canadian program to the host computer becomes cumbersome and complicated, and although it is possible to make the machine tool unmanned,
Multiple operators must be present at all times for the host computer, which has become a major bottleneck in operating the FA system.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention installed a memory module 8 storing a Kani program on the pallet 4 on which the workpiece 5 is attached, and provided the pallet 4 itself with a K2 program. When the pallet 4 is carried into the machining center 1, the read head 9 installed on the MG input side of the machining center 1 reads out the program in the memory E-Jule 8 attached to the pallets 1 to 4 and loads it into the NC controller. F
We have proposed System A, which eliminates the need for a host computer to load a Canadian program at all.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the FA system in which the Canadian program is stored in the storage module of the palette as described above,
For example, in the pallet yard 6, a separately prematurely ejected writing device is used to write the crab program obtained from the NC tape reader into the storage module. It is necessary to check what kind of program is written in the palette, and also when you want to change the program by selecting a specific palette from among the many palettes stored in the palette, you can also store it. It is necessary to check the contents of the storage module, and if there is a device that can easily check the storage contents of the storage module, it will be easier to operate an FA system using the storage module.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made in view of this background, and is a memory-L that allows the contents of the memory module attached to the pallet to be easily and easily checked. The purpose is to provide a program checker for Joule.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a program checker for a memory module used in an FA system in which a memory module storing a program is installed on a pallet that is automatically replaced in a machining center or the like.
A read head that supplies power and sends/receives signals through electromagnetic inductive coupling with the storage module, and a read head that sends a read command to the storage module through the read head and also reads program data transferred from the storage module in response to the read command. A program checker is constituted by readout control means for decoding and a display for displaying the program name of the module storage program decoded by the readout control means.

(Function) According to the program checker of the present invention, it is possible to easily know the memory contents of the memory module attached to the pallet, the pallet management in the pallet yard is simplified, and the memory contents can be easily checked even when the program is changed. After checking, you will write the changed program, so
It is possible to reliably prevent work errors such as changing the program by using the wrong pallet.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

First, to explain the configuration, the program checker of the present invention is composed of a checker body 10 and a reading head 12.
A reading head 12 is connected to the checker main body 10 by the same q1+ cables 11a, 11b and a power cable 13.

The checker main body 10 includes, for example, C as a reading control means.
A readout controller 14 using a PU is provided, and the readout controller 14 is activated when a readout switch 15 is operated, and is attached to the pallet by inductive coupling using the readout head 12, which will be explained later. A reading control process for the Canadian program stored in the storage module 8 is executed. This readout control process by the readout controller 14 is performed, for example, in the next processing step.

(a> Sending a confirmation signal and receiving a confirmation response signal for checking the electromagnetic coupling state of the reading head 12.

(b) Sending a data read command.

(C) Deciphering the read program data.

(d>Display of program name, etc. based on decoding results.

The confirmation signal and read command signal sent from the read controller 14 for the read control shown in (a> to (d) above are converted into serial data by the serial interface 16 and given to the multiplexer 17 as a switching signal. The multiplexer 17 is given clock oscillation signals of 1500KH7 and 1714KH2 from the oscillation circuit 18, and when receiving the data bit "1" from the serial interface 16, the multiplexer 17
It selects and outputs a frequency signal of 714KH2, and selects and outputs a frequency signal of 1500KHZ when it receives data bit "O". Therefore, the multiplexer 17 and the oscillation circuit 18 realize a function as an FM modulation means that converts the data bits obtained from the serial interface 16 into two different frequency signals.

The output of the multiplexer 17 is given to a low-pass filter 19, which converts the frequency signal, which is a clock waveform formed by the summation U of the two frequencies output from the multiplexer 17, into a sine wave signal. The output of the low-pass filter 19 is amplified by a power amplifier 20, and the coaxial cable 11a
The power is supplied to the inductively coupled coil 21 for power and signal transmission provided in the reading head 12 via the power source. Inductive coupling coil 21
has a structure in which a coil is wound around a core 21a made of ferromagnetic material, and generates an external magnetic field according to the frequency signal from the power amplifier 20.

On the other hand, the read head 12 is provided with an inductively coupled coil 22 for signal reception, which receives an external magnetic field from the storage module side and induces a frequency signal corresponding to the read data. The frequency signal from the giant module side is amplified by a high frequency amplifier 23 and fed to the FM modulation circuit 24 of the checker body 10 via the coaxial cable 11b. Here, the frequency signal corresponding to the data bit of the read program returned from the storage module 8 side is a frequency signal of 1865 KHz when the data bit is "1", and the frequency signal is zero when the data bit is "O", so the frequency signal is FM.
The demodulation circuit 24 converts the data bit to "1" rOJ depending on the presence or absence of the 1865 KHz frequency signal, and the serial interface 25 converts the serial bit data to parallel data and supplies it to the read controller 14. The read controller 14 converts the program name etc. The information is decoded and displayed on the display 50 in characters or codes.

Furthermore, the checker main body 10 is provided with a power supply circuit 26, which in this embodiment receives the commercial power supply of 100V and supplies a 5V power supply voltage to each circuit section of the checker main body 10. At the same time, 24V is supplied to the reading head 12 via the power cable 13. Further, an error indicator 27 is connected to the read controller 14, and when the read controller 14 controls the program read from the storage module, it detects a defect in the electromagnetic induction coupling of the read head 12 or an error check of the data transferred from the storage module. When detected, the error indicator 27 is lit to notify the operator.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing one embodiment of the storage module 8 mounted on the pallet side from which the program checker of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is used to read the program.

In the storage module 8 shown in FIG. 2, 28 is an inductively coupled coil for receiving signals and power from the checker side, and is arranged opposite to the inductively coupled coil 21 in the reading head 12 shown in FIG. The signal induced in the inductively coupled coil 28, that is, the signal consisting of a rough combination of two frequency signals corresponding to the data bits sent out from the checker body 10, is given to two power supply circuits, and the power supply circuit 29
By rectifying the frequency signal received by the storage module 8, a power supply voltage of 5V used in the internal circuit of the storage module 8 is generated. Further, the output of the inductively coupled coil 28 is output from the FM demodulation circuit 30.
is given to 171 by decoding the two frequency signals.
When the frequency signal is 4KH2, the data bit “1” is set to 1.
Data bit "0" is output when the frequency signal is 500KHz.

The specific configuration of the FM demodulation circuit 30 that converts a frequency signal consisting of a combination of two different frequencies into data bits has a center frequency of 1714KH2 and a bandwidth of ±5.
A 0KH2 bandpass filter is used, and the filter output of the bandpass filter is detected by a detection circuit such as a pin diode, and further waveform-shaped by a comparator to convert it into data picks l~r1J rOJ.

The output of the FM demodulation circuit 30 is given to the CPU 31, and when the CPU 31 receives the confirmation signal sent from the checker side, it sends out a confirmation response signal, and when it receives the read command signal, it sends out a confirmation response signal to the non-volatile memory. 32 is read out and sent back to the checker side.

As the non-volatile memory 32, for example, F2PROM (
By using electrically erasable technology, F2PROM can electrically rewrite the stored contents by receiving an external signal, and even if the power is turned off after storing data, the data retention function is guaranteed for about 10 years, for example. Also regarding data rewriting 1.
Guaranteed to be rewritten over 10,000 times.

The return data sent from the CPU 31 to the checker body is as follows:
The signal is applied to the FM modulation circuit 33, where it is converted into a frequency signal corresponding to the data bit. In this embodiment, the FM modulation circuit 33 has data bit "1".
”, it outputs a frequency signal of 1865 KHz, and when it receives a data bit “O”, it stops outputting the frequency signal of 1865 KHz. The specific configuration of the FM modulation circuit 33 that converts such data bits into a frequency signal includes a 1865 KHz excavation circuit, an output of the excavation circuit, and a C
It can be configured with an AND gate into which data bits from the PU 31 are input.

The output of the FM modulation circuit 33 is supplied to an inductive coupling coil 34, and the inductive coupling coil 34 generates an external magnetic field according to the frequency signal from the FM modulation circuit 33. The transmission inductive coupling coil 34 is disposed opposite to the inductive coupling coil 22 that is connected to the checker side reading head 12 shown in FIG.

The inductively coupled coil 22 installed in the reading head 12 and the inductively coupled coils 28 and 34 installed in the storage module 8 each have a coil attached to the cores 22a, 28a, and 34a made of ferromagnetic material, similar to the inductively coupled coil 21. It has a structure in which it is wound around. In addition, the inductively coupled coils 21 and 28, which simultaneously supply power and transmit and receive signals, use coils with a larger diameter than the inductively coupled coils 22 and 34, which are used only for signal transmission, so that they can handle a sufficiently large external magnetic field. This is done so that sufficient power can be supplied to the memory module 8 side.

Furthermore, the package shape of the memory module 8 has the same package shape as the reading head 12 shown in FIG.
It is built into a case made of iron-based ferromagnetic material or non-magnetic material such as aluminum or Plus Deck, and the core 1a of each inductively coupled coil is placed on the opposite side of the case.
The pole faces are exposed (however, the non-magnetic case does not need to be exposed), and the opposing spacing between the core magnetic pole faces is, for example, 5 mm or less to ensure power supply and connection between the checker and the memory module. Can send and receive signals.

Next, the read operation of the storage module by the program checker of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Now, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when trying to check the memory contents of the storage module 8 attached to the pallet 4 placed in the pallet yard 6, the program of the present invention shown in FIG. Since the checker is made as a portable unit, in the pallet yard 6, the reading head 12, which is connected to the checker body 10 by cable, is connected to the module 8 attached to the pallet 4 to be checked, in the inductively coupled coils of both. Set so that the core magnetic pole surfaces face each other with a predetermined gap.

In this state, the readout switch 1 provided on the checker body 10
5, the ON operation of the read switch 15 is checked in a determination block 30, and the process proceeds to block 31, where a confirmation signal is sent from the read controller 14 to the storage module. The confirmation signal from the readout controller 14 is converted into serial data by the serial interface 16, and converted into a frequency signal consisting of a combination of two different frequencies according to the code pit by switching control of the multiplexer 17. After being converted into a frequency signal, it is supplied to the inductively coupled coil 21 of the read head 12 via the power amplifier 20 to generate an external magnetic field according to the frequency signal. The external magnetic field generated from the Km coupling coil 21 of the read head 12 is received by the inductive coupling coil 28 of the storage module 8 shown in FIG. The signal is rectified by two power supply circuits, and a power supply voltage 5 is supplied to each circuit section of the memory module 8 to put it into an operating state. At the same time, the frequency signal induced in the inductively coupled coil 28 is converted back into serial data bits by the FM demodulation circuit 30 and then sent to the CPU 31.
is supplied to

The CPU 31 decodes the data bits provided from the FM demodulation circuit 30 to determine that it is a confirmation signal, and outputs a confirmation response signal to the program checker based on reception of the confirmation signal. That is, serial data representing the content of the acknowledgment signal is output to the FM modulation circuit 33 and converted into a frequency signal consisting of the presence or absence of a 1865KH2 frequency signal, and this frequency signal drives the inductively coupled coil 34 to generate an external magnetic field. do.

The external magnetic field generated by the inductively coupled coil 34 is applied to the inductively coupled coil 22 of the checker-side read head 12 arranged oppositely.
A frequency signal is induced, amplified by a high frequency amplifier 23, converted to data bits again by an FM demodulation circuit in the checker body 10, further converted to parallel data by a serial interface 25, and sent to the read controller 14.

The read controller 14 checks the presence or absence of a confirmed store number in the determination block 32 of FIG. 3, and proceeds to the next block 33 if a confirmation response is obtained.

On the other hand, when an acknowledgment is not obtained, the process proceeds to block 34, where the counter N is incremented, and judgment block 35
Check whether the counter N has reached, for example, N=5 or not, and if it has not reached N=5, the process returns to block 31.
The confirmation signal is sent again. If no confirmation response is obtained even after sending the confirmation signal five times, the process proceeds from the determination block 35 to block 36, where an error display is performed by lighting the error indicator light 27 or the like.

The confirmation response check process based on the sending of the confirmation signal is a process for confirming whether or not the electromagnetic inductive coupling between the read head 12 on the checker side and the storage module is performed normally. On the other hand, when the reading head 12 is not placed correctly, the error indicator light 27 is lit to prompt the operator to reset the reading head 12.
In the determination block 32, an acknowledgment is received (9 and the block 33
Then, the read controller 14 sends a read command to the storage module, and the CPU 31 of the storage module 8 that received the read command reads the Canadian program stored in the nonvolatile memory 32 and sends it back to the checker side. Here, the Canadian program read out from the non-volatile memory 32 by the CPU 31 upon receiving the read command is the program name stored in the non-volatile memory 32, since the program checker only needs to know the program name. Only the first part of the program, for example, the first 32 bytes of data, is read out and sent back to the program checker.

In the next block 34, read data including the program name sent from the storage module 8 side is received, and in the next block 35, the program name data is decoded and the program name of the storage module 8 is displayed on the display 50. . That is, a liquid crystal display capable of displaying characters is used as the display 50, and a predetermined program code number or name is displayed.

Therefore, by viewing the program name displayed on the display 50 based on the operation of the readout switch 15, the operator can know what kind of Canadian program is stored in the memory module 8. can.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, commercial AC 100V is supplied to the checker main body 10 as a power source, but it is of course possible to use a built-in battery to improve portability.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the program checker for the memory module that checks the memory contents of the memory module attached to the pallet that is automatically replaced in a machining center etc. can be used as a program checker for the memory module. A read head that supplies power and sends and receives signals through electromagnetic inductive coupling, and a read head that sends a read command to the record/bi module via the read head and decodes program data transferred from the record/bi module in response to the read command. Since the control means and the display device for displaying the program name of the module storage program decoded by the readout control means can be modified, the present invention can be applied to an FA system equipped with a memory module in which a program is stored in a pallet. By using the program checker, you can easily check the memory contents of the memory module attached to the pallet placed in a pallet yard, etc., and you can manage the pallet yard while checking the contents of the memory module. Work efficiency is improved, and even when changing a program, the contents of the storage module are checked before loading and unloading the changed program, so it is possible to reliably prevent work errors such as changing the program by using the wrong pallet.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing an example of a storage module to be read by the checker of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a read operation according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an f-A system in which the checker of the present invention is used. 1: Machining center 2: Automatic: R-through changer (ATC) 3: Automatic pallet changer (APC> 4: Pallet 5: Workpiece 6: Pallet yard 7: Automatic carrier 8: Memory module 9: Reading head 10: Checker 1 Main body 11a, 11b: Coaxial cable 12: Read head 13: Power cable 14: Read controller 15: Read switch 16.26: Serial interface 17: Multiplexer 18 1 double-shot circuit: Low-pass filter 20: Power amplifier 21. 22, 28, 34: Inductively coupled coils 21a, 2
2a, 28a, 34a: Core 23: High frequency amplifier 24. 30: FM demodulation circuit 26. 29: Power supply circuit 31: CPU 32: Non-volatile memory (E2FROM>33: FM modulation circuit 50: Display

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a program checker for a memory module that checks the memory contents of a memory module mounted on a pallet that is automatically replaced with a machining center, etc., power supply and signal transmission/reception are provided by electromagnetic induction coupling with the memory module. a read head that performs the reading, a read control means that sends a read command to the storage module via the read head and decodes program data transferred from the storage module in response to the read command; 1. A program checker for a storage module, comprising: a display device for displaying a program name, etc. of a module storage program that has been updated.