Remote Access Unit and Method for Managing Welding Devices Connected to a Network Via Interfaces

• US 20090234483A1
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fronius International GmbH (G&K Privatstiftung)
• Original Assignee: Fronius International GmbH (G&K Privatstiftung)
• Inventors: Schick, Roland, Wittmann, Manfred, Leko, Tomas, Stöger, Markus, Pernegger, Markus, Rumpl, Manuel
• Application Number:
  US11/990,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234483A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/110
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/125 Weld quality monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0953 using computing means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1062 with computing means

Abstract

The invention describes a remote access unit (31) and a method for managing welding devices (1) which are connected to a network (27) via interfaces (28), including a connection for connecting to the network (27), a display for displaying the welding devices (1) and their parameters and/or configurations, a memory for storing the parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), and input units for operation. For creating such a remote access unit (31) for optimally managing welding devices (1), it is provided that the display is designed as a central graphical surface for displaying any number of welding devices (1) as a function of paths, which are assigned to the welding devices (1), as well for displaying their parameters and configurations, and in that a module is provided for comparing the parameters and/or configurations stored to the current parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), and in that the display is designed for displaying the differences between the current and the stored parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1).

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. Remote access unit (31) for managing welding devices (1) connected to a network (27) via interfaces (28), comprising a connection for connecting to the network (27), a display for displaying the welding devices (1) and their parameters and/or configurations, a memory for storing the parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), and input units for operating, wherein the display is designed as a central graphical surface (32) for displaying any number of welding devices (1), which are connected to and/or activated in the network (27), as a function of paths (41) assigned to the welding devices (1), as well as for displaying their parameters and configurations, and in that a module is provided for comparing the parameters and/or configurations stored with the current parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), and in that the display is designed for displaying the differences between the current and stored parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), and in that a unit is arranged for detecting the welding devices (1) which are connected to, and/or activated in, the network (27).

27. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 26, wherein the central graphical surface (32) has several navigation areas (33 to 36) within a window.

28. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein a navigation area (33) is designed as a menu bar with at least one menu item for general settings of the further navigation areas (34 to 36).

29. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 26, wherein the welding devices (1) present in the network (27) are assigned to different areas (39).

30. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein a further navigation area (36) is designed for selection of at least one welding device (1) and for configuration of one of the welding devices (1) selected.

31. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 30, wherein the selection of a welding device (1) in the navigation area (36) is divided into several steps, in particular into producer (37), production hall (38) and areas (39).

32. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 30, wherein a navigation area (36) is designed for selection and configuration of the welding devices (1) and is divided into several levels (45 to 51), in particular into the levels overview (45), panel (46), jobs (47), documentation (48), logbook (49), statistics (50) and diagrams (51).

33. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein a welding device (1) is displayed as a symbol (40) in the navigation areas (33 to 36).

34. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein a further navigation area (34) is designed for displaying of the welding devices (1) which are currently being configured, and in that the symbols (40) are selectable.

35. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 34, wherein at least the denomination, a graphical representation and the state of the welding devices (1) are displayed in the symbols (40).

36. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein a further navigation area (35) is designed for configuration of several welding devices at the same time.

37. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein a search function is integrated in at least one of the navigation areas (33 to 36).

38. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein at least one navigation element (43) is provided in the navigation areas (33 to 36) for moving and displaying invisible elements, such as the symbols (40) or the levels (45 to 51).

39. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein the input units for operating the elements displayed in the navigation areas (33 to 36), such as the symbols (40) or the levels (45 to 51), are formed by a computer mouse or a keyboard.

40. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 27, wherein the input units for operating the elements displayed in the navigation areas (33 to 36), such as the symbols (40) or the levels (45 to 51), are formed by a touchscreen display.

41. Remote access unit (31) according to claim 26, wherein the interface (28) of the welding device (1) has an identification unique in the network (27).

42. Method for communication between at least one remote access unit (31) and at least one welding device (1) provided in a network (27), with at least one current source (2), a control device (4) and an interface (28) to the network (27), wherein the remote access unit (31) is designed for managing the welding devices (1) and comprises a memory for storing the parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), wherein any number of welding devices (1), which are connected to, and/or activated in, the network (27) as well their parameters and configurations are displayed as a function of paths (41) assigned to the welding devices (1), and in that the stored parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1) are compared with the current parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1) as soon as an already known welding device (1) is being connected and/or activated or a comparison is being started by a user, and in that the differences between the current and the stored parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1) are displayed, and in that new welding devices (1) connected to, or activated in, the network (27) are automatically detected and inserted into the central graphical surface (32).

43. Method according to claim 42, wherein the configuration in the welding device (1) is backed up automatically after a defined point of time or periodically.

44. Method according to claim 42, wherein the stored parameters and/or configurations of at least one welding device (1) are transferred to at least one welding device (1) in a timely controlled manner.

45. Method according to claim 44, wherein the stored parameters and/or configurations of at least one welding device (1) are transferred to several welding devices (1) at the same time.

46. Method according to claim 42, wherein a software for the control device (4) of at least one welding device (1) is updated in a timely controlled manner.

47. Method according to claim 42, wherein the detailed history of changes made in the parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1) is displayed and/or stored.

48. Method according to claim 42, wherein the operational state of the welding devices (1) is displayed.