Machine system, machine control computer, base software application, computer-readable recording medium, and machine control method for intercommunication with machines

• US 10,592,214 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2018
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
• Inventors: Oda, Masaru, Inaba, Kiyonori
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Qing
• Application Number:
  US16/138,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20190026086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 717120-123, 717136, 717137
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4083 Adapting programme, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35565 Communications adapter converts program to machine or controls directly machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/40 Transformation of program code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/51 Source to source
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 Software maintenance or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/76 Adapting program code to run in a different environment; Porting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A machine system includes two machines, a computer communicably connected to the machines, and a base software application and an operation software application installed in the computer. The base software application includes a first communication module that is a program portion to execute transmission and reception of first machine information to be outputted from each machine and second command information to be outputted to each machine, and a second communication module that is a program portion to execute transmission and reception of first command information to be inputted from the operation software application to the base software application and second machine information to be outputted from the base software application to the operation software application.

Claims

1. A machine system, comprising:

a machine; and

a machine control computer communicatably connected to the machine and comprising one or more control processing units and one or more memory units, a base software application and an operation software application being installed in the machine control computer,

wherein the base software application includes;

a first communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to receive first machine information in a data format specific to the machine outputted from the machine to the machine control computer;

a second communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to output second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

a program portion to store the first machine information and the second machine information in a first memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer; and

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the machine from the first memory unit,

wherein the machine has a function of outputting a state of the machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information, and

wherein the operation software application is a program using the second machine information outputted from the second communication module as input information.

2. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein

the first memory unit stores in advance data models representing a subordination of a plurality of devices constituting the machine, and

when converting the first machine information into the second machine information by the base software application, the machine control computer performs a conversion based on the data models stored in advance in the first memory unit.

3. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein

the base software application further includes a determination unit being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to determine whether the operation software application is appropriate or inappropriate, and

when the determination unit determines that the operation software application is inappropriate, the base software application disables the machine control computer from executing the second communication module.

4. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the base software application and the operation software application further includes a billing processing unit being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to charge a fee based on usage of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

5. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit is a program portion to enable the machine control computer to monitor a duration of use of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application from a starting point, and, at established intervals, generate information about payment of the fee and output the information about payment of the fee to the first communication module.

6. The machine system according to claim 5, wherein the starting point is a timing of installing at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

7. The machine system according to claim 5, wherein the starting point is a date of purchase of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

8. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein

the operation software application further includes a third communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to communicate with an external device, and

the billing processing unit is a program portion to enable the machine control computer to monitor a duration of use of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application from a starting point, and, at established intervals, generate information about payment of the fee and output the information about payment of the fee to the third communication module.

9. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to charge the fee in accordance with a communication traffic volume on at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

10. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to charge the fee in accordance with a number of executions of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

11. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to charge the fee in accordance with a number of machines connected to the machine control computer.

12. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to charge the fee in accordance with at least one of an information throughput when processing the first machine information by the base software application and an information throughput when processing the second machine information by the operation software application.

13. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to charge the fee in accordance with a number of people who have used the machine control computer.

14. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to determine a duration of use of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application in accordance with a payment status of a usage fee predetermined for at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

15. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit disables the machine control computer from charging the fee, when a duration of use of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application from a starting point is within a certain time period.

16. The machine system according to claim 4, wherein the billing processing unit enables the machine control computer to determine whether or not payment of the fee is completed.

17. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein the base software application further includes a version management unit being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to manage a version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

18. The machine system according to claim 17, wherein

a second memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer stores a latest version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application,

the base software application further includes a third communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to check contents of the second memory unit, and

the version management unit is a program portion to enable the machine control computer to output the latest version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application to the third communication module, when the latest version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application stored in the second memory unit is later than a current version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

19. The machine system according to claim 17, wherein:

a second memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer stores a latest version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application,

the base software application further includes a third communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to communicate with an external device, and a fourth communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to check contents of the second memory unit, and

the version management unit is a program portion to enable the machine control computer to output the latest version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application to the third communication module, when the latest version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application stored in the second memory unit is later than a current version number of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

20. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the base software application and the operation software application includes a program portion to enable the machine control computer to execute license authentication of at least one of the base software application and the operation software application.

21. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the base software application and the operation software application has a copy protection function.

22. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the base software application and the operation software application includes a program portion to enable the machine control computer to add advertisement information to information to be outputted outside the machine control computer.

23. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the base software application and the operation software application includes a program portion to enable the machine control computer to execute personal assistance.

24. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein the base software application includes a program portion to enable the machine control computer to authenticate the machine connected to the machine control computer.

25. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein a machine learning software application is installed in the machine control computer to enable the machine control computer to perform machine learning based on the second machine information.

26. The machine system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a host computer connected to the machine control computer through the Internet, wherein the second communication module enables the machine control computer to upload the first machine information or the second machine information to the host computer in response to a command from the host computer.

27. The machine system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a host computer connected to the machine control computer through the Internet, wherein the second communication module enables the machine control computer to download data or a program from the host computer to the machine control computer in response to a command from the host computer.

28. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein a part of the first machine information and the second machine information are information about at least one of an operating time of the machine, a current value, a vibration value, a generated temperature, a sound volume of a motor, and position information of the machine.

29. The machine system according to claim 1, wherein the machine is a production machine or an industrial robot.

30. A machine system, comprising:

at least two machines; and

a machine control computer communicatably connected to the at least two machines and comprising one or more control processing units and one or more memory units, a base software application and an operation software application being installed in the machine control computer,

wherein the base software application includes;

a first communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to receive first machine information in a data format specific to each machine of the at least two machines outputted from each machine of the at least two machines in association with identification information of each machine of the at least two machines to the machine control computer;

a second communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to output second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines;

a program portion to store the first machine information and the second machine information in a memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines; and

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to each machine of the at least two machines from the memory unit,

wherein each machine of the at least two machines has a function of outputting a state of each machine of the at least two machines to the machine control computer as the first machine information in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines, and

wherein the operation software application is a program using the second machine information outputted from the second communication module as input information.

31. A machine system, comprising:

a machine; and

a machine control computer communicatably connected to the machine and comprising one or more control processing units and one or more memory units, a base software application and an operation software application being installed in the machine control computer,

wherein the base software application includes;

a first communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to receive first machine information in a data format specific to the machine outputted from the machine to the machine control computer, and transmit second command information in the data format specific to the machine to the machine;

a second communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to input first command information in a data format specific to the operation software application from the operation software application, and output second machine information in the data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

a program portion to store the first machine information, the second machine information, the first command information, and the second command information in a memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer;

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit; and

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first command information into the second command information based on the identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit,

wherein the machine has functions of outputting a state of the machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information, and determining an operation to be performed by the machine based on the second command information, and

wherein the operation software application is a program to enable the machine control computer to generate the first command information for the machine based on the second machine information inputted from the second communication module, and output the first command information to the second communication module.

32. The machine system according to claim 31, wherein

the base software application further includes a determination unit being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to determine whether the operation software application is appropriate or inappropriate,

the operation software application includes certification record information based on maker information of the operation software application and an examination result of the operation software application,

a part of the first command information is the certification record information, and

when the determination unit determines that the certification record information is inappropriate, the base software application disables the machine control computer from executing the second communication module.

33. The machine system according to claim 31, wherein

a part of the first machine information and the second machine information are information about at least one of an operating time of the machine, a current value, a vibration value, a generated temperature, and a sound volume of a motor, and

a part of the first command information and the second command information are information about at least one of a stop or deceleration command for the machine and a warning display.

34. The machine system according to claim 31, wherein

a part of the first machine information is position information of the machine, and

when a relative position between a plurality of machines is within a certain distance, a part of the second command information is operation command information for the plurality of machines in order to prevent interference between the plurality of machines by issuing a stop command to a machine having a lower priority.

35. The machine system according to claim 31, wherein

a part of the first machine information is operation reception information and operation completion information on the machine, and

a part of the second command information is operation command information including at least one of a choice of contents, an operation sequence, an actuation of the machine, and a stop of the machine as to an operation stored in advance in the machine.

36. The machine system according to claim 31, wherein

a part of the first machine information is information about a state of an object to be operated at the machine, and

a part of the second command information is operation change command information to change the operation on the machine in accordance with the state of the object to be operated at the machine.

37. The machine system according to claim 31, wherein

a part of the first machine information is scheduled operation information on the machine, and

a part of the second command information is a determination result of whether a scheduled operation of the machine is appropriate or inappropriate.

38. A machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, the machine control computer comprising:

one or more control processing units;

one or more memory units;

a base software application installed in the machine control computer; and

an operation software application installed in the machine control computer,

wherein the base software application includes;

a first communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to receive first machine information in a data format specific to the machine outputted from the machine to the machine control computer;

a second communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to output second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

a program portion to store the first machine information and the second machine information in a memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer; and

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit,

wherein the machine has a function of outputting a state of the machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information, and

wherein the operation software application is a program using the second machine information outputted from the second communication module as input information.

39. A machine control computer communicatably connected to at least two machines, comprising:

one or more control processing units;

one or more memory units;

a base software application installed in the machine control computer; and

an operation software application installed in the machine control computer,

wherein the base software application includes;

a first communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to receive first machine information in a data format specific to each machine of the at least two machines outputted from each machine of the at least two machines in association with identification information of each machine of the at least two machines to the machine control computer;

a second communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to output second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines;

a program portion to store the first machine information and the second machine information in a memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines; and

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to each machine of the at least two machines from the memory unit,

wherein each machine of the at least two machines has a function of outputting a state of each machine of the at least two machines to the machine control computer as the first machine information in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines, and

wherein the operation software application is a program using the second machine information outputted from the second communication module as input information.

40. A machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, comprising:

one or more control processing units;

one or more memory units;

a base software application installed in the machine control computer; and

an operation software application installed in the machine control computer,

wherein the base software application includes;

a first communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to receive first machine information in a data format specific to the machine outputted from the machine to the machine control computer, and transmit second command information in the data format specific to the machine to the machine;

a second communication module being a program portion to enable the machine control computer to input first command information in a data format specific to the operation software application from the operation software application, and output second machine information in the data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

a program portion to store the first machine information, the second machine information, the first command information, and the second command information in a memory unit included in the one or more memory units of the machine control computer;

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit; and

a program portion to enable the machine control computer to convert the first command information into the second command information based on the identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit,

wherein the machine has functions of outputting a state of the machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information, and determining an operation to be performed by the machine based on the second command information, and

wherein the operation software application is a program to enable the machine control computer to generate the first command information for the machine based on the second machine information inputted from the second communication module, and output the first command information to the second communication module.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for storing a base software application to be installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, together with an operation software application, the base software application enabling the machine control computer to execute the steps of:

receiving first machine information in a data format specific to the machine outputted from the machine to the machine control computer;

outputting second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

storing the first machine information and the second machine information in a memory unit included in the machine control computer;

converting the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit; and

outputting the second machine information to the operation software application as input information,

wherein the machine has a function of outputting a state of the machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information.

42. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for storing a base software application to be installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to at least two machines, together with an operation software application, the base software application enabling the machine control computer to execute the steps of:

receiving first machine information in a data format specific to each machine of the at least two machines outputted from each machine of the at least two machines in association with identification information of each machine of the at least two machines to the machine control computer;

outputting second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines;

storing the first machine information and the second machine information in a memory unit included in the machine control computer in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines;

converting the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to each machine of the at least two machines from the memory unit; and

outputting the second machine information to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines as input information,

wherein each machine of the at least two machines has a function of outputting a state of each machine of the at least two machines to the machine control computer as the first machine information in association with the identification information of each machine of the at least two machines.

43. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for storing a base software application to be installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, together with an operation software application, the base software application enabling the machine control computer to execute the steps of:

receiving first machine information in a data format specific to the machine outputted from the machine to the machine control computer;

transmitting second command information in the data format specific to the machine to the machine;

inputting first command information in a data format specific to the operation software application from the operation software application;

outputting second machine information in the data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

storing the first machine information, the second machine information, the first command information, and the second command information in a memory unit included in the machine control computer;

converting the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit; and

converting the first command information into the second command information based on the identified data model corresponding to the machine from the memory unit,

wherein the machine has functions of outputting a state of the machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information, and determining an operation to be performed by the machine based on the second command information, and

wherein the operation software application is a program to enable the machine control computer to generate the first command information for the machine based on the second machine information.

44. A machine control method for controlling at least one machine by a machine control computer having a base software application and an operation software application installed therein, the machine control method comprising the following steps performed by the machine control computer:

receiving first machine information in a data format specific to the at least one machine outputted from the at least one machine to the machine control computer;

outputting second machine information in a data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

storing the first machine information and the second machine information in a memory unit included in the machine control computer;

converting the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the at least one machine from the memory unit; and

outputting the second machine information to the operation software application as input information,

wherein the at least one machine has a function of outputting a state of the at least one machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information.

45. A machine control method for controlling at least one machine by a machine control computer having a base software application and an operation software application installed therein, the machine control method comprising the following steps performed by the machine control computer:

receiving first machine information in a data format specific to the at least one machine outputted from the at least one machine to the machine control computer;

transmitting second command information in the data format specific to the at least one machine to the at least one machine;

inputting first command information in a data format specific to the operation software application from the operation software application;

outputting the second machine information in the data format specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;

storing the first machine information, the second machine information, the first command information, and the second command information in a memory unit included in the machine control computer;

converting the first machine information into the second machine information based on an identified data model corresponding to the at least one machine from the memory unit; and

converting the first command information into the second command information based on the identified data model corresponding to the at least one machine from the memory unit,

wherein the at least one machine has functions of outputting a state of the at least one machine to the machine control computer as the first machine information, and determining an operation to be performed by the at least one machine based on the second command information, and

wherein the operation software application is a program to enable the machine control computer to generate the first command information for the at least one machine based on the second machine information.