WO2005029983A1

WO2005029983A1 - Operating unit for a machine in the tobacco-processing industry

Info

Publication number: WO2005029983A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/009656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco MÜGGE; Michael Klindworth; Jürgen Wendner
Original assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau Ag
Priority date: 2003-08-30
Filing date: 2003-08-30
Publication date: 2005-04-07
Also published as: AU2003267029A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating unit for a machine in the tobacco-processing industry, comprising an operating device (10), with a touch-sensitive screen (11), for the representation and operation of a graphical user surface and a user surface control device (21), embodied for control of the graphical user surface. The operating device (10) comprises an actuation element (13), with a guide for the actuation process, assigned a number of operation actions by means of the operating surface, such that, as a result of the actuation of the actuation elements (13), an assigned operation action may be carried out.

Description

Control unit for a machine in the tobacco processing industry

The invention relates to an operating unit for a machine in the tobacco processing industry, with an operating device which comprises a touch-sensitive screen for displaying and actuating a graphical user interface, and with a user interface control device which is set up to control the graphical user interface.

When operating machines in the tobacco processing industry using a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen), the operator generally has to keep his attention on the screen at all times. Occasionally, however, operation without a view of the screen is desirable, for example in order to be able to observe part of the machine. Since a touchscreen has no guidance for the hand or the operating finger, blind operation of the machine can cause the operating finger to slip on the screen and therefore incorrect operation. The same problem occurs when using a mouse or similar area-related input means, except that a mouse is susceptible to interference in a harsh industrial environment.

The object of the present invention is to simplify and improve the operation of an operating unit for a machine in the tobacco processing industry, and in particular to reduce the risk of incorrect operation when the operating device is operated blind.

The invention solves this problem by the features of claim 1, in particular in that the operating device comprises an actuating element with a guide for the actuating process, to which a plurality of operating activities can be assigned by means of the operating surface, so that a respectively assigned one is caused by the actuation of the actuating element Operating activity is executable. Due to the guidance of the operator when actuating the actuating element, the operation is assigned by Controls simplified and controlled blind operation of the machine possible. It is important for the success of the invention that the actuating element is not only permanently assigned to a single operating activity, but can also be assigned to a plurality of operating activities. It is therefore a universal control element. This distinguishes the invention from a prior art, in which individual operating activities are each assigned to a corresponding operating device (switch, rotary control or the like). In contrast, the invention avoids a multitude of individual control elements and the associated confusion.

Machines of the tobacco processing industry include in particular cigarette production machines including filter cigarette production machines, filter production machines, cigarette storage systems, cigarette packaging machines, material supply devices for these machines and other devices associated with these machines.

A particularly simple and therefore preferred form of the actuating element is a rotary actuating element. The rotation of the rotary actuating element by the operator in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction represents a one-dimensional movement and therefore leaves no areal freedom of movement. Therefore, the actuating element is preferably only one-dimensionally movable. In the case of a rotary actuating element, for example, this can be achieved by spatially defining the axis of rotation. Therefore, the actuating element can, for example, also be a spherical element with a fixed axis of rotation.

However, the invention is not limited to an actuating element that can be actuated only one dimension. Another preferred embodiment of the actuating element is a so-called joystick. This can be moved two-dimensionally and therefore has a larger area of application. It is only important that the joystick has a guide for actuation. This can be, for example, a guide for the right / left movement and / or for the up / down movement. Leadership therefore does not mean a one-dimensional forced movement, but that at least one preferred direction is noticeable for the operator when the actuating element is actuated. This can be done, for example, by elastic restoring forces acting on the actuating element can be achieved, which arise in the event of a deviation from the preferred direction.

The use of the invention is particularly surprising in connection with a highly integrated user interface, in which essentially all the operating functions occurring in the production operation are integrated in order to enable a uniform and clear machine operation. ("Essentially" means apart from individual separate control elements such as an emergency stop actuation element, an operator authorization device or a typing switch.) Because the separate actuation element runs counter to the goal of integrating all control elements into the graphical user interface if possible. Surprisingly, a simplified machine operation nevertheless results overall due to the actuating element.

The term "operating activity" is largely to be understood. This includes in particular the input of machine setpoints, the actuation or selection of graphic display and operating elements displayed on the screen, the direct actuation of machine equipment (adjustment of actual machine values).

Preferably, in an operating mode of the operating device, by actuating the actuating element, an associated machine device is essentially without time delay, i.e. in real time or directly adjustable. Such machine devices are in particular actuators such as motors, valves or sensors. This operating mode is important, for example, for test mode and for setting the machine.

In another operating mode of the operating device, an associated display and operating element shown on the screen can preferably be operated by actuating the operating element. In this operating mode, actuation of the actuating element does not have an immediate, but rather time-delayed effect on the machine. For example, a setpoint is selected from a possible range of values by means of the actuating element. Only after actuating a corresponding one Button on the user interface, ie with a corresponding time delay, the machine setpoint is actually set to the selected value.

The two operating modes described can also overlap, for example if an associated machine device can be adjusted in real time by actuating the actuating element and this is simultaneously displayed on the screen by a graphic display element. On the other hand, the actuation of a graphical control element on the screen can also affect a corresponding machine device in real time.

The invention is particularly promising for the actuation of graphic sliding control elements, since the risk of incorrect operation in the case of blind operation due to the operating finger slipping is particularly high. Furthermore, by actuating the actuating element, different display and operating elements shown on the screen can be selected or a value displayed in an input field of the user interface can be changed.

As a rule, machine devices such as motors, valves and sensors are controlled by means of a machine control device, while the graphical user interface is controlled by means of a separate user interface control device, for example a personal computer. So that both the machine control device and the user interface control device can be controlled without an adverse time delay, ie with a perceptible delay of at most 200-300 ms, the control devices are preferably connected to the operating device in such a way that output signals of the actuating element are passed through without detour the machine control device can be directed to the user interface control device and / or vice versa. For this purpose, a branching device is preferably provided which has an input for the output signal of the actuating element and two outputs for the parallel transmission of corresponding signals to the user interface control device and to the machine control device. An interface device for converting the output signal of the actuating element into a signal for a personal computer mouse input is preferably also provided. This allows the output signal of the interface device, for example a USB signal or a serial standard signal, to be connected directly to the mouse input of a personal computer in order to enable simple and fast processing of the signal in the personal computer. The branching device and the interface device can preferably be implemented in one device.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the actuating element can be controlled to change its haptic properties, in order to be able to convey tactile feedback to the operator. In the case of a rotary actuating element, this feedback can be, for example, an increased or reduced torque. If, for example, a drive that is directly adjustable by means of a rotary actuation element runs against an increased resistance, this is conveyed to the operator via an increased torque on the rotary actuation element. Furthermore, a tactile grid of the actuating movement of the actuating element can be generated, for example when the value of an assigned machine device can be changed discretely. A grid can be dispensed with if the value of an assigned machine device can be changed in a quasi-analog manner. In such a case, a fine screening can also be provided, which can also be set more roughly for other applications. Furthermore, a grid can be designed differently depending on the respective circumstances. Furthermore, stops can be simulated, for example, by an abrupt increase in torque, which stops convey to an assigned machine device. Other haptic properties of the actuating element can be controllable. The control of haptic properties simplifies the blind operation of the machine, since the operator is given haptic information and can focus his visual attention on the machine, for example.

For efficient machine operation, it is expedient that the actuating element is arranged in the vicinity of the screen so that it can be actuated by the operator while he is looking at the screen. In certain operating situations, but an operation in which the operator is away from the screen, for example on a corresponding part of the machine, can be advantageous. This applies in particular to the commissioning, troubleshooting and test operation of the machine. For this purpose, a mobile hand-held device is preferably provided with a second actuating element, which can be activated for remote operation of machine functions. The handheld device can be connected to the control unit or to the machine, for example, by cable or wirelessly.

Further advantageous features and embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show:

1: a schematic view of an operating device;

2: an overview of an operating unit for a tobacco processing machine;

3 shows a view of a first screen representation;

4: a view of a second screen display;

5 shows a view of a third screen representation; and

6: a view of a fourth screen display.

An operating device 10 comprises a flat screen 11, an emergency-off actuating device 12, a rotary actuating element 13 with a handle 16 for the operator, a typing pressure switch 14 and a fingerprint sensor 15. The operating device 10 has the shape of a flat housing, the dimensions of which are substantial of which are determined by the flat screen 11. The operating device is arranged on a tobacco processing machine at a suitable height, that is to say the chest height of an operator. The representation in FIG. 2 is schematic in that the rotary actuating element 13 and the screen 11 are usually adjacent to one another. are arranged differently (see Fig. 1), so that the rotary actuator 13 is operated and the screen 11 can be viewed at the same time. The rotary control element 13 is a hardware control device in contrast to virtual control elements displayed on the screen 11.

The user interface control device 21 is preferably a personal computer (PC). The graphical user interface for operating the machine 20 is generated by means of the user interface control device 21 and displayed on the screen 11. Control information entered by the operator using the touch-sensitive screen is passed via the user interface control device 21 to the machine control device 22, which in turn sends corresponding control commands to machine devices (motors, valves, sensors and the like) (not shown) of the machine 20. Conversely, the machine devices of the machine 20 pass status information via the machine control device 22 to the user interface control device 21 and display them in a suitable form on the screen 11 for the operator.

The rotary actuator 13 can be provided with a standard interface, not shown. The output of the rotary actuating element 13 is connected via an interface device 20 both to the user interface control device 21 and to the machine control device 22. In the interface device 20, the signal is first branched into a signal for the user interface control device 21 and a signal for the machine control device 22. In this respect, the interface device 20 also represents the branching device mentioned in the claims. The signal for the machine control device 22 can optionally be passed to it unchanged or, if necessary, converted into a suitable format. The signal for the user interface control device 21 is converted by means of an interface circuit into a personal computer mouse input signal, for example via a rotary wheel provided on the mouse. This signal is passed to the mouse input of the user interface control device 21 designed as a PC in order to be processed there. The graphical user interface consists of a large number of graphical screen representations which can be selected by the operator, some of which are shown by way of example in FIGS. 3 to 5. A screen display usually fills the active area of the screen 11. 3 relates to a screen display with a list 30 with entries 300, 301, 302, ... which relate to a large number of settings / operating activities. The list 30, which is longer than the displayable part of the list, can be run through by means of a scroll bar 31 in order to display a desired section from the list. For this purpose, as usual, the scrollbar has a displacement element 32. The displacement element 32 can be displaced on the screen 11 by tapping and moving an operating finger. Alternatively, the button 33 for activating the rotary actuating element 13 can be actuated by tapping for simplified operation. The sliding element 32 can then be moved up or down by rotating the rotary actuating element 13. In this way, error-free actuation of the scrollbar 31 is possible without a view of the screen 11.

4 shows a schematic illustration 40 of the drums 400, 401, 402, ... from the filter attachment. Two adjacent drums can be selected to set the relative rotational speeds of two drums. In the example in FIG. 4, the selected drums 410, 411 are highlighted graphically. The selected drums 410, 411 are shown enlarged in a detailed drawing 42. The drums to be set can be selected, for example, by tapping on the screen 11. The setting can also be carried out by actuating the rotary actuating element 13, the individual pairs of drums being traversed as the rotation increases. The pairs of drums are run through in a fixed order so that there is a one-dimensional chaining of the pairs of drums or more generally of the display elements to be selected. In the illustration in FIG. 4, the rotary actuating element 13 does not have to be activated, for example, using a button, but is instead automatically assigned to the drum pair selection function.

For the applications shown in FIGS. 3, 4, it is advantageous if the output signals of the rotary actuating element 13 are transmitted essentially directly to the operating Surface control device 21 are directed, but not first over the machine control device 22, which would lead to a disadvantageous noticeable time delay.

When selecting a pair of drums in FIG. 4, the rotary actuating element can be used to set the relative phase position of the selected drums by means of a strobe while the machine is running. In a further application, the flash frequency of strobe lights can be adjusted by means of the rotary actuation element 13. In another mode, the drums of the filter attachment can move in a fixed speed ratio to the rotational speed of the rotary actuating element. In this mode, the rotary actuator 13 has the function of a mechanical handwheel. In general, there may be synchronism in position between the rotary actuating element 13 and a drive.

In the screen display shown in FIG. 5, the rotary actuating element 13 is used to adjust the machine speed. By pressing the button 50, the rotary actuating element 13 is activated and, if necessary, the machine is started, so that when the machine is running, rotation of the rotary actuating element 13 leads to an immediate increase or decrease in the machine speed, the current machine speed in each case being able to be displayed in a field 51. In this mode, the rotary actuator 13 has the function of a mechanical handwheel. For the application described, it is advantageous if the output signals of the rotary actuating element 13 are passed essentially directly to the machine control device 22, but not firstly via the user interface control device 21, which would lead to a disadvantageous, noticeable time delay. The described mode can be exited or the machine can be stopped by means of the button 52.

By tapping the fields 53, 54, the machine speed can be reduced or increased in preset steps. By pressing the button 55, the target value displayed in the field 51 can be adjusted, with the machine speed (actual value) being adjusted accordingly only after a confirmation button (not shown) has been pressed and therefore not in real time. For example, as a window with a numerical keyboard similar to that shown in Fig. 3, by means of which a desired machine speed can be entered exactly. After pressing a confirmation button, not shown, assigned to the keyboard, the machine speed is set to the desired value. Due to the input of the value, this is associated with a corresponding time delay, in which case the control would not take place in real time.

By pressing the button 56, in particular, a mode can be set in which an actuation of the jog push switch 14 causes the machine to be operated at the preset speed, optionally displayed in field 51, as long as the jog push switch 14 is held down by the operator. This mode can be ended by pressing button 52. The tip pressure switch 14 can also be assigned to other machine devices.

The tip pressure switch 14 is not designed as a virtual button in the user interface, but as a separate hardware element, preferably with a noticeable switching point. In the case of a virtual button, it may be necessary to switch the assigned machine device on and off again, which is cumbersome and possibly imprecise due to two separate operating processes. Furthermore, incorrect operation can occur without feedback to the operator. By means of the push-button switch 14, the task of simplified machine operation and, in particular, prevention of incorrect operation is also achieved. Therefore, the subclaim directed to the tip pressure switch 14 may be capable of independent protection, i.e. in a form referring only to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, parts of the above description can be transferred to the touch pressure switch 14, in particular with regard to claims 3 to 10. For example, a mobile handheld device can have a second touch pressure switch. The tip pressure switch 14 can also be integrated in the rotary actuating element 13, so that pressing the same triggers the switching function. Finally, the tip switch 14 can also be understood as an actuating element in the sense of claim 1.

In the screen display shown in FIG. 6, the rotary actuating element 13 also serves to set the machine speed. By pressing button 80 "Manual speed specification", the display field 81 for the engine speed setpoint and the rotary actuation element 13 are automatically activated, which is indicated by the status display 82. The actual machine speed value is displayed in the display field 84 at any time.

The function of the rotary wheel depends on whether the machine is stationary or running. When the machine is at a standstill (see FIG. 6), the actuation of the rotary actuating element 13 initially only leads to an adjustment of the desired value shown in the display field 81. Only after the machine has been started up as a result of actuation of the start button 83 does the machine speed move to the setpoint that has been set.

When the machine is running, rotation of the rotary actuating element 13 leads to an immediate increase or decrease in the engine speed, the current machine speed being displayed in the field 84. In this mode, the rotary actuator 13 has the function of a mechanical handwheel. For this application, it is advantageous if the output signals of the rotary actuating element 13 are passed essentially directly both to the user interface control device 21 and to the machine control device 22.

By pressing the button 80 again, the described mode can be exited again. The rotary actuating element can then be deactivated or switched off; the display field 81 can be deactivated.

An operator can log on to the operating device by means of the fingerprint sensor 15. The control unit can recognize the operator, assign him to a specific user group (simple operator, service technician, etc.) and give him the appropriate privileges. The use of a fingerprint sensor is a particularly simple form of authorization, which has the particular advantage that it does not include any parts that can be lost, such as keys. The use of a fingerprint sensor for an authorization device may be worthy of independent protection, i.e. in a form referring only to the preamble of claim 1.

Claims

claims

1. Control unit for a machine of the tobacco processing industry, with an operating device (10), which comprises a touch-sensitive screen (11) for displaying and actuating a graphical user interface, and with a user interface control device (21) for controlling the graphical User interface is set up, characterized in that the operating device (10) comprises an actuating element (13) with a guide for the actuating process, to which a plurality of operating activities can be assigned by means of the operating surface, so that as a result of the guided actuation of the actuating element ( 13) an assigned operating activity can be carried out.

2. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (13) is a rotary actuating element.

3. Control unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a display and control element shown on the screen can be operated by actuating the actuating element (13).

4. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating element (13) by means of the user interface can be assigned to at least one machine device, so that an associated machine device is directly adjustable by actuating the rotary actuating element (13).

5. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that output signals of the actuating element (13) without a detour via a machine control device (22) for controlling machine devices to the control surface control device (21) are passed.

6. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that output signals of the actuating element (13) without going through the control surface control device (21) to one or the machine control device (22).

7. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a branching device (20) is provided which has an input for the output signal of the actuating element (13) and two outputs for the parallel transmission of corresponding signals to the control surface control device ( 21) and to one or the machine control device (22).

8. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an interface device for converting the output signal of the actuating element (13) into a signal for a personal computer mouse input is provided.

9. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the user interface of the screen (11) has at least one button (33; 50) for activating the actuating element (13).

10. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating element (13) can be controlled to change its haptic properties.

11. Operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a mobile hand-held device with a second actuating element with a guide for the actuating process.

12. Operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the operating device (10) comprises a touch pressure switch (14).

13. Operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the operating device (10) comprises an operator authorization device, the operator authorization device being designed as a fingerprint sensor (15).