Controller system and controller for mechatronics device

• US 20050222696A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Ozaki, Fumio, Hashimoto, Hideaki, Sato, Hirokazu
• Application Number:
  US11/086,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20050222696A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/87
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/161 Hardware, e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic, interfaces, processor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33105 Identification of type of connected module, motor, panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33108 Exchange of type of controller is easy, before operation, adapt control to type
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33122 Adapt nc control to type of machine, read machine and measuring parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33125 System configuration, reconfiguration, customization, automatic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33128 Different spindles, axis controlled by configured paths, channel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34024 Fpga fieldprogrammable gate arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A controller system comprises a mechatronics device comprising a first connector inputting or outputting signals, and a memory which stores characteristic information showing characteristics of the signals input and output through the first connector; and a controller, which controls the mechatronics device, comprising a second connector which is electrically connected to the first connector, a reconfigurable circuit which outputs control signals controlling the mechatronics device, the reconfigurable circuit being changed to a suitable circuit structure for the mechatronics device, and a processor outputting an instruction to the reconfigurable circuit to change the circuit structure according to the characteristic information.

Claims

1. A controller system comprising:

a mechatronics device comprising a first connector inputting or outputting signals, and a memory which stores characteristic information showing characteristics of the signals input and output through the first connector, and

a controller, which controls the mechatronics device, comprising a second connector which is electrically connected to the first connector;

a reconfigurable circuit which outputs control signals controlling the mechatronics device;

the reconfigurable circuit being changed to a suitable circuit structure for the mechatronics device; and

a processor outputting an instruction to the reconfigurable circuit to change the circuit structure according to the characteristic information.

2. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein

the processor acquires the characteristic information through the first connector and the second connector, which are electrically connected to each other, and the reconfigurable circuit has a circuit structure which is changed to a suitable circuit structure for the control signals passing through the first and the second connectors.

3. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein

the characteristic information passes through a part of the connecting portion between the first connector and the second connector, and the control signals pass through the remnant of the connecting portion between the first connector and the second connector,

wherein the reconfigurable circuit has a circuit structure which is changed to a suitable circuit structure for the control signals passing through the remnant of the connecting portion between the first connector and the second connector.

4. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein

when the circuit structures of the reconfigurable circuit are changed, signal paths between the circuit structures are changed, and signal levels between the circuit structures are changed.

5. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein

the first connector includes a plurality of connecting pins,

wherein the characteristic information includes information on voltages of signals passing through each connecting pin, and information to determine whether the signals passing through each connecting pin are analog signals or digital signals.

6. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein

the first memory is a non-contact-type memory,

wherein the controller includes a non-contact-type reading part which reads the characteristic information from the non-contact-type memory.

7. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein

the control signals include an analog signal.

8. A controller system comprising:

a mechatronics device comprising a first connector inputting or outputting signals; and

a first memory which stores identification information by which the mechatronics device is specified, and

a controller, which controls the mechatronics device, comprising a second connector which is electrically connected to the first connector, a second memory which stores characteristic information of signals input and output through the second connector;

the second memory storing characteristic information corresponding to the identification information;

a reconfigurable circuit which outputs a control signal controlling the mechatronics device, the reconfigurable circuit being changed to a suitable circuit structure for the mechatronics device; and

a processor selecting the characteristic information from the second memory on the basis of the identification information received from the mechatronics device, and outputting an instruction to the reconfigurable circuit to change the circuit structure according to the characteristic information.

9. The controller system according to claim 8, wherein

when the circuit structures of the reconfigurable circuit are changed, signal paths between the circuit structures are changed, and signal levels between the circuit structures are changed.

10. The controller system according to claim 8, wherein

the first connector includes a plurality of connecting pins,

wherein the characteristic information includes information on voltages of signals passing through each connecting pin, and information to determine whether the signals passing through each connecting pin are analog signals or digital signals.

11. The controller system according to claim 8, wherein

the first memory is a non-contact-type memory,

wherein the controller includes a non-contact-type reading part which reads the characteristic information from the non-contact-type memory.

12. The controller system according to claim 8, wherein

the reconfigurable circuit is a field programmable gate array.

13. The controller system according to claim 8, wherein

the control signals include an analog signal.

14. A controller, which controls a mechatronics device, comprising:

a connector which is electrically connected to the mechatronics device;

a reconfigurable circuit which outputs control signals controlling the mechatronics device, the reconfigurable circuit being changed to a suitable circuit structure for the mechatronics device; and

a processor outputting an instruction to the reconfigurable circuit to change the circuit structure according to a characteristic information of the mechatronics device, the characteristic information being sent from the mechatronics device connected to the connector.

15. The controller system according to claim 14, wherein

the characteristic information passes through a part of the connector, and the control signals pass through the remnant of the connector,

wherein the reconfigurable circuit has a circuit structure which is changed to a suitable circuit structure for the control signals passing through the remnant of the connector.

16. The controller system according to claim 14, wherein

when the circuit structures of the reconfigurable circuit are changed, signal paths between the circuit structures are changed, and signal levels between the circuit structures are changed.

17. The controller system according to claim 14, wherein

the first connector includes a plurality of connecting pins,

wherein the characteristic information includes information on voltages of signals passing through each connecting pin, and information to determine whether the signals passing through each connecting pin are analog signals or digital signals.

18. A controller, which controls a mechatronics device, comprising:

a connector which is electrically connected to the mechatronics device;

a memory which stores identification information by which the mechatronics device is specified, the memory storing characteristic information corresponding to the identification information;

a reconfigurable circuit which outputs control signals controlling the mechatronics device, the reconfigurable circuit being changed to a suitable circuit structure for the mechatronics device; and

a processor selecting the characteristic information from the memory on the basis of the identification information received from the mechatronics device, and outputting an instruction to the reconfigurable circuit to change the circuit structure according to the characteristic information.

19. The controller system according to claim 18, wherein

when the circuit structures of the reconfigurable circuit are changed, signal paths between the circuit structures are changed, and signal levels between the circuit structures are changed.

20. The controller system according to claim 18, wherein

the first connector includes a plurality of connecting pins,

wherein the characteristic information includes information on voltages of signals passing through each connecting pin, and information to determine whether the signals passing through each connecting pin are analog signals or digital signals.

21. The controller system according to claim 18, wherein

the controller includes a non-contact-type reading part which reads the characteristic information or the identification information from the non-contact-type memory.

22. The controller system according to claim 18, wherein

the reconfigurable circuit is a field programmable gate-array.

23. A robot comprising the controller described in claim 18.