JPH0484528A - Terminal for local area network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To implement various information processing such as state monitor and data transmission by providing a data transfer interface, a connection interface, a digital input output interface, an information exchange section and a signal switching section switching a signal between each interface and the information exchange section. CONSTITUTION:A data representing a state of an NC machine or the like is sent to a network in a route comprising a connection 6, a connection interface 5, an NC equipment protocol 9, a signal changeover device 7, a hardware 3, a data transfer interface 1 and a line 2 in the reverse order to the route from the network and part of the data is outputted from the signal changeover device 7 to a command device 11. Moreover, when a command or a data is sent to the NC equipment separately from the network, the command or data is sent directly through the NC equipment protocol 9, the connection interface 5 and the connection 6 in this order under the management of a switch software 8 through an input device 1 and the signal changeover device 7 by using a keyboard. Thus, the information processing is implemented as to the state monitor, data input and direct control or the like.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a local area network circuit and a controller such as an NC device or its peripheral devices as a connection target of the local area network network. Relating to a local area network terminal located between

(Prior Art) Various terminals have been developed for connecting controllers such as NC devices and their peripheral devices to network lines in local area network systems (LANs) in factories.

However, these terminals mainly focus on exchanging data with a central computer; for example,
Even if the terminal itself has a function to manually or automatically input and output data from IC cards, etc., the purpose is to actively send and receive data between the terminal and external data equipment, or between terminals. It wasn't something.

Therefore, if you want to control more than just giving data to controllers such as NC devices and their peripheral devices, the only way to achieve this is to take these 901 controllers offline and execute them, or to do it from a central computer. There was no.

For example, when an alarm is detected in a part other than the NC device, and as a result, the operation of the NC device must be stopped in a predetermined manner, should a function to capture the alarm be built into the NC device, or should it be handled manually? , or the only solution was to send this alarm to the central computer and instruct the NC device via the local area network and terminal via the local area network.

In order to incorporate the function of taking in alarms into the NC device, modification of the NC device is required. If the processing is done manually, not only will it take a lot of time and effort, but the operation of the NC device will be delayed significantly, which may lead to missed opportunities. Instructing the NC device via a local area network has the problem that the alarm generating section must also be connected to the local area network, and a signal delay occurs. The same applies when outputting a warning or the like from the NC device side to other equipment.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional local area network,
When connecting controllers to be connected, such as NC devices and their peripheral devices, to a local area network, there is a problem in that the number of connectable objects becomes too large and the load on the main controller increases.

Furthermore, when inputting and outputting digital human output signals such as alarm signals between controllers or between controllers and connected devices, there is a problem in that signal delays occur because this communication is via a local area network. Ta.

Furthermore, if it is desired to add a function for monitoring the status of each controller, there is a problem in that the controller itself must be significantly modified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the various problems mentioned above and provide a local area network terminal useful for use in local area networks.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A local area network terminal of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a data exchange interface for exchanging data with a local area network, and a data exchange interface for exchanging data with a local area network; A controller connection interface for connecting a controller such as an NC device or its peripheral devices to be connected to a local area network, and an interface between the controller and the controller for monitoring the status of the controller or providing information to the controller. an information exchange unit that exchanges information with the controller; a digital input/output interface that exchanges digital signals with the controller; and a signal switching unit that switches signals between each interface and the information exchange unit. It is characterized by

Further, a barcode reader may be connected to the information exchange unit to provide barcode information to the controller.

Further, the digital input/output interface is characterized in that a controller such as a programmable controller that operates in conjunction with the controller is connected.

(Function) In the local area network terminal of the present invention, in addition to a data transfer interface and a connection interface connected to the local area network,
As described above, since a digital input/output interface, an information exchange section, and a signal switching section that switches signals between each interface and the information exchange section are provided, it is possible to perform status monitoring, data transmission, etc. for the controller to be connected. Various information processing can be performed, and digital input/output signals such as alarm signals can be directly input/output without going through a local area network.

Therefore, information processing such as status monitoring, data input, and direct control can be performed via the local area network terminal without adding various information processing functions to each controller. Moreover, by appropriately connecting the digital input/output interface of another controller, the grammar controller, etc. to the digital input/output interface, digital input/output signals can be processed quickly.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, TH indicates the entire local area network terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1
is the network data exchange interface, and 2
are the lines and signals of the network.

Data and instructions from the network are given to the terminal via line 2, and data transfer interface 1
It becomes internal data through. 3 is hardware that processes this data, and data on the network is converted by protocol processing software 4 on the hardware 3 into data within the terminal TH.

5 is a connection interface for exchanging data with an NC device as an example of a network connection target, and 6 is a connection and signal with the NC device. Instructions and data from the network are passed by the switch software 8 on the signal switch 7 to the protocol software 10 on the node\-ware 9 that processes the protocol of the NC device, and processed into a form that can be exchanged with the NC device. It is sent from a connection 6 through a connection interface 5 to the NC device. Some instructions and data from the network are output directly from the signal switch 7 to the instruction device 11.

In addition, data such as the status of the NC device is transmitted from the network in the reverse order through the route of connection 6, connection interface 5, NC device protocol 9, signal switch 7, hardware 3, data transfer interface], and line 2. A portion is sent to the network from the data switch 7 to the instruction device 1.
Output to 1. When the terminal sends instructions and data to the NC device separately from the network, the input device 1 such as a keyboard and its attached human-powered devices such as barcode readers and IC card readers are sent through the signal switch 7. Under the control of switch software 8, NC device protocol 9, connection interface 5,
It is sent directly in the order of connection 6. The instruction device 11 and the input device 12 constitute an information exchange section.

Reference numeral 13 denotes connections and signals for inputting and outputting external digital signals. Input/output of external digital signals is performed via the digital input/output interface 14, and the signals are converted into internal signals by the digital input/output interface 14.

The signal on connection 13 is converted into internal data by a processing program 16 on external digital signal processing hardware 15 through an interface 14, and is switched from line 3 to connection 6 by switch software 8 on signal switch 7. Sent out. That is, for example, N
An alarm generated from a device other than the C device reaches the hardware 15, where the processing program 16 translates the alarm into data to be processed by the NC device, and the signal switch 7
is switched by the switch software 8 on the
The protocol processing software 10 on top of the NC device protocol 9 is arranged for transmission to the NC device and is sent to the NC device from the connection interface 5 via the connection 6.

In this example, the data exchange between terminals 1 and 2
As shown in the connection example in the figure, when you want to send alarm data to NC devices connected to other terminals TH other than the one connected to this terminal TH, This is realized by sending the data to another terminal TH from the connection 13 via the digital input/output interface [4] in the program 16.

NC device” data such as the status of another terminal TH
Information that you want to send directly to another NC device via the link 6, interface 5, NC device protocol 9, signal switch 7, hardware 15, digital human output interface 14, and wire in the reverse order of alarm transmission. ] 3 to the terminal TH connected to another NC device, where corresponding processing data can be generated to suppress the other NC device. It is also possible to display data input from this connection] 3 to another terminal TH on the indicating device 11.

The same applies even if the controller connected to the wire 6 is a peripheral device other than the NC device.

As a result of the above, partially urgent processing can also be performed via the network, providing the advantages of improved overall efficiency and simplified processing.

In addition, when you want to monitor the status of a controller such as an NC device, or input data to a controller, you can do so without adding a new data manual function or status monitoring function.
This can be done via terminal TH.

Furthermore, since the terminals can be interconnected with programmable controllers and the like via digital input/output interfaces, it is possible to construct a simple, well-coordinated, and efficient system.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be implemented in any appropriate manner by making appropriate design changes.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in "2" below, since the present invention is a local area network terminal as described in the claims,
Information processing for status monitoring, data input, direct control, etc. can be performed via the low power area network I/Wata terminal without adding various information processing functions to each controller connected to the local area network. . Further, by appropriately connecting the digital input/output interface of another controller, the grammar controller, etc. to the digital input/output interface, digital input/output signals can be processed quickly with easy connection.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a local area network terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how the terminal is used. 1...Data transfer interface 5...Connection interface 7...Signal switch 11...Instruction device 12...Input device 14...Digital input/output interface agent
Patent Attorney Hide Miyoshi KazuTH...Local Area Network I Work Terminal

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A data exchange interface that exchanges data with a local area network, and N as a connection target of the local area network.
a controller connection interface for connecting a controller such as a C device or its peripheral devices; and an information exchange unit that exchanges information with the controller in order to monitor the status of the controller or provide information to the controller. A local area network comprising: a digital input/output interface that sends and receives digital signals to and from the controller; and a signal switching section that switches signals between each interface and the information exchange section. ·Terminal. (2) The local area network terminal according to claim 1, wherein a barcode reader is connected to the information exchange unit to provide barcode information to the controller. (3) The local area network terminal according to claim 1, wherein a controller such as a programmable controller that operates in conjunction with the controller is connected to the digital input/output interface.