Decoupled display and control system
First Claim
1. A display and control architecture for a process machine comprising the combination of:
- a machine controller configured to control operating parameters of the process machine, the machine controller having;
outputs connected to the process machine for control thereof, a processor having a data bus and a communication bus, and a data handler for controlling the passing of data between the communication bus and the data bus;
a display/operator interface having;
an enclosure separate from the machine controller, a display, a keyboard and a display processor within the enclosure, a program for the display processor rendering the display/operator interface operative as interface means for providing (a) input of parameters for control of the process machine, (b) display of such input parameters, and (c) display of operating parameters sensed from the process machine, a communication bus for the display processor; and
a communication link coupling the communication buses and comprising the only means of communicating data between the display processor and the machine controller processor, the communication link carrying data messages having a predetermined format recognizable by the display processor and the machine controller processor and allowing decoupling of such processors for independent operation but for communication using messages on the communication link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for a process machine, preferably an injection molding machine, and having an improved control system architecture. The system includes a machine controller which is coupled to and drives the machine and a separate display/operator interface. Both of the units are independently processor driven and function in a decoupled fashion. A communication bus links the display/operator interface and the machine controller, and standardized messages are communicated bidirectionally on the bus. By means of that sole linkage, the machine controller is utilized to drive the machine while the display/operator interface emulates a tightly coupled control panel, but operates independently, except for the communication of messages on the data bus. Preferably, a power supply for the display/operator interface is mounted in the machine controller enclosure and coupled to the interface by a power supply cable. The interface can thus be reduced in size, sealed and non-ventilated to allow for mounting the relatively hostile environment expected around an injection molding machine.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A display and control architecture for a process machine comprising the combination of:
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a machine controller configured to control operating parameters of the process machine, the machine controller having;
outputs connected to the process machine for control thereof, a processor having a data bus and a communication bus, and a data handler for controlling the passing of data between the communication bus and the data bus;a display/operator interface having;
an enclosure separate from the machine controller, a display, a keyboard and a display processor within the enclosure, a program for the display processor rendering the display/operator interface operative as interface means for providing (a) input of parameters for control of the process machine, (b) display of such input parameters, and (c) display of operating parameters sensed from the process machine, a communication bus for the display processor; anda communication link coupling the communication buses and comprising the only means of communicating data between the display processor and the machine controller processor, the communication link carrying data messages having a predetermined format recognizable by the display processor and the machine controller processor and allowing decoupling of such processors for independent operation but for communication using messages on the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a process machine system having a programmed machine controller for operating the machine, a display/operator interface, the system being adapted for operation according to a plurality of preprogrammed recipes which set the operating parameters for the machine, a display and control architecture comprising the combination of:
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a machine controller in a first enclosure and configured to control the machine operating parameters to establish operating cycles for the machine, the machine controller having;
outputs connected to the process machine for control thereof, a processor having an internal data bus and a communication link for communicating data related to the operating parameters of the machine, and a data handler for controlling the passage of data between the data bus and the communication bus;a display/operator interface in a second enclosure and comprising;
a display, a programming keypad, and a display processor;
the aforementioned elements being enclosed in a reasonably flat compact display enclosure adapted for mounting in a potentially hostile environment on the process machine;the display/operator interface also including means for storing a plurality of preprogrammed recipes for control of the process machine to produce different parts according to different recipes, the recipe including a plurality of sequenced setpoints and other operating parameters necessary to make the associated part, means associating a function ID with each setpoint or other operating parameter, and means for configuring data messages on the communication link for transmitting the setpoints and other operating parameters with associated function ID'"'"'s to the machine controller; the processor in the machine controller including means for recognizing the function ID to route the setpoints or other process parameters to the process machine for operation thereof according to the preprogrammed recipe. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. In a process machine system having a programmed machine controller for operating the machine, a display/operator interface, the system being adapted for operation according to a plurality of preprogrammed recipes which set the operating parameters for the machine, a display and control architecture comprising the combination of:
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a machine controller in a first enclosure and configured to control the machine operating parameters to establish operating cycles for the machine, the machine controller having;
outputs connected to the process machine for control thereof, a processor having an internal data bus and a communication bus for communicating data related to the operating parameters of the machine, and a data handler for controlling the passage of data between the data bus and the communication bus;a display/operator interface in a second enclosure and comprising;
a display, a programming keypad, a machine control keypad, and a display processor;
the aforementioned elements being enclosed in a reasonably flat compact display enclosure adapted for mounting in a potentially hostile environment on the process machine;a remote power supply for the display/operator interface adapted for mounting remote from the second enclosure so that the heat generated by the power supply is not dissipated within the second enclosure; cable means including a communication link from the display processor to the communication bus of the machine controller processor, and a power link for coupling operating power from the power supply to the display/operator interface; the display processor in the display/operator interface including means for; (a) operating in conjunction with the programming keypad and the display for storing recipes including setpoints and machine control parameters, and (b) upon selection of a particular recipe for transmitting on the communication link to the machine controller the parameters necessary for effecting the selected recipe. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification