Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention mainly relates to a management apparatus for managing a yarn processing apparatus that winds a yarn to manufacture a package.

BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
Patent Document 1 is JP 2002-87703 A.
[0003]
Patent Document 1 discloses a screen device that displays information about a textile machine. The screen device displays icons composed of characters including “Working”, “Running”, “Operating”, and the like on a main menu page. The screen device displays a screen corresponding to a selected icon. For example, when an icon labeled ”Running” is selected, the screen device displays a screen showing a current running state of the textile machine. Another icon labeled “Current running setting” is displayed on the screen showing the running state. When the icon labeled “Current running setting” is selected, the screen device displays a screen including information about the current running setting and further icons.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004]
According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, a user needs to select a large number of icons until a desired screen is displayed. Furthermore, the user needs to memorize a flow of icon selection until the desired screen is displayed. The icons disclosed in Patent Document 1 include only terms simply indicating the information of a destination screen, and therefore, the user may not fully understand which icon to select to display the desired screen.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the main objective of the present invention is to provide a management apparatus capable of displaying a desired screen by a small number of operations and requiring a simple operation until the desired screen is displayed.
[0006]
The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, the means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.
[0007]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a management apparatus having the following configuration is provided. That is, the management apparatus manages a yarn processing apparatus that winds a yarn to manufacture a package. The management apparatus includes a display unit and a control unit. The display unit displays information about the yarn processing apparatus. The control unit controls display contents of the display unit. The control unit performs a process of displaying a plurality of items of destination information indicating contents of screens registered in advance on the display unit to receive a selection of the destination information, and shifting to a screen indicated by the selected destination information to display the screen on the display unit. The control unit displays, as the destination information, at least two of a thumbnail image indicating a registered screen, auxiliary text registered according to the registered screen, and hierarchy information indicating a hierarchy of the registered screen in a menu tree, on the display unit.
[0008]
Thus, the destination information is registered in advance, which enables a user to reach a desired screen by a small number of operations. Moreover, at least two of the above three items are displayed on the display unit as the destination information, which enables the user to easily understand the contents of the screen indicated by the destination information. Therefore, the user can easily select the destination information corresponding to the desired screen.
[0009]
In the management apparatus, it is preferable that the control unit displays, as the destination information, on the display unit, all of the thumbnail image indicating the registered screen, the auxiliary text registered according to the registered screen, and the hierarchy information indicating the hierarchy of the registered screen in the menu tree.
[0010]
This allows the user to understand the contents of the screen indicated by the destination information in an easier manner.
[0011]
In the management apparatus, it is preferable that, if an operation to register a destination screen is performed, the control unit registers the destination information including at least the thumbnail image of the corresponding screen.
[0012]
As a result, the user can register the destination information, and thus, the destination information including at least the thumbnail images of the screens frequently browsed by the user is registered to improve user convenience.
[0013]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the control unit can access destination registration information in which classification identification information and one or more items of the destination information assigned with the classification identification information are associated with each other. When the classification identification information is selected, the control unit displays, on the display unit, the destination information assigned with the classification identification information.
[0014]
Thus, by setting the classification identification information for each user or according to winding conditions, it is possible to display an appropriate combination of destination information according to the user or the winding conditions.
[0015]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the management apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device arranged outside the management apparatus. The communication unit is capable of transmitting the destination information registered by the control unit to the external device, and is also capable of receiving the destination information registered in the external device.
[0016]
Thus, it is possible to register the destination information registered in the management apparatus for the external device, and register the destination information registered in the external device for the management apparatus. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of registering the destination information for each management apparatus. Moreover, the destination information can be easily exchanged without using a storage medium.
[0017]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a management system described below is provided. The management system includes a first management apparatus and a second management apparatus. The first management apparatus includes a first control unit as the control unit, and a first input and output unit. A storage medium is detachably attached to the first input and output unit. The second management apparatus includes a second control unit as the control unit, and a second input and output unit. A storage medium is detachably attached to the second input and output unit. The first control unit can store the destination information in the storage medium via the first input and output unit. The second control unit can store the destination information in the storage medium via the second input and output unit. The first control unit can read the destination information registered in the second management apparatus and stored in the storage medium, from the storage medium via the first input and output unit. The second control unit can read the destination information registered in the first management apparatus and stored in the storage medium, from the storage medium via the second input and output unit.
[0018]
Thus, it is possible to register the destination information registered in the first management apparatus for the second management apparatus, and register the destination information registered in the second management apparatus for the first management apparatus. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of registering the destination information for each management apparatus. Moreover, even if the first management apparatus and the second management apparatus cannot communicate properly, it is possible to exchange the destination information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic winder including a management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the automatic winder.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering destination information.
FIG. 4 is a screen displayed on a display unit when the destination information is registered.
FIG. 5 is a table showing destination registration information.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying the destination information.
FIG. 7 is a screen displayed on the display unit when the destination information is selected.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an automatic winder according to a first modification.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an automatic winder according to a second modification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of an automatic winder (textile machine) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0021]
An automatic winder 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a yarn processing apparatus 2 and a management apparatus 50. The yarn processing apparatus 2 and the management apparatus 50 are arranged side by side. The yarn processing apparatus 2 includes a plurality of winding units 10 arranged side by side and a doffing truck 40.
[0022]
Each of the winding units 10 includes a yarn supplying unit 11, a yarn unwinding auxiliary device 12, a tension applying device 13, a yarn splicing device 14, a yarn quality measuring device 15, a cradle 16, a winding drum 17, and a housing 18.
[0023]
A yarn supplying bobbin 21 is supported in the yarn supplying unit 11. The yarn unwinding auxiliary device 12 prevents a yarn unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 21 from being excessively swung around as a result of being swung around by the centrifugal force and coming into contact with a portion (balloon) swelling outward, and enables unwinding of the yarn with a constant tension. The tension applying device 13 applies a predetermined tension to a running yarn. A yarn unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 21 and a yarn in the package 22 are respectively guided to the yarn splicing device 14. The yarn splicing device 14 splices the guided yarns. The yarn quality measuring device 15 measures the quality of a running yarn (for example, yarn thickness or the amount of variation in the yarn thickness) with an optical sensor or the like.
[0024]
A winding bobbin is attached to the cradle 16. The winding drum 17 rotates in contact with the winding bobbin or the package 22 to traverse a yarn and wind the yarn on the winding bobbin. The package 22 is manufactured as a result of winding of the yarn on the winding bobbin by the winding drum 17.
[0025]
A unit controller 19 illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided inside the housing 18. The unit controller 19 includes a CPU, a RAM, a storage, and the like. The storage is, for example, an HDD, an SDD, or a flash memory. Various types of programs and control data are stored in the storage. The CPU reads a program stored in the storage to the RAM to execute the program. Accordingly, the unit controller 19 controls the winding unit 10.
[0026]
The doffing truck 40 can run along a direction in which the winding units 10 are arranged. Specifically, a rail is formed above the winding units 10 along the direction in which the winding units 10 are arranged, and the doffing truck 40 runs along the rail. When a fully wound package is achieved in a certain winding unit 10, the doffing truck 40 runs up to the winding unit 10 and stops. The doffing truck 40 removes the fully wound package from the winding unit 10 and supplies the winding unit 10 with a new winding bobbin without any wound yarn.
[0027]
Specifically, the doffing truck 40 includes a yarn drawing arm 41, a cradle opening arm 42, and a chucker 43. The yarn drawing arm 41 can be extended and retracted by an actuator such as an air cylinder (not illustrated). A suction type yarn catcher is attached on the tip of the yarn drawing arm 41 to draw a yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 21. The cradle opening arm 42 operates the cradle 16 to open it and remove the fully wound package 22 from the cradle 16. The chucker 43 grips a new winding bobbin held in a bobbin stocker (not illustrated) to supply it to the cradle 16.
[0028]
The management apparatus 50 manages the yarn processing apparatus 2. The yarn processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment includes the winding unit 10 and the doffing truck 40. Note that the doffing truck 40 may be excluded from the yarn processing apparatus 2. That is, the doffing truck 40 may or may not be managed by the management apparatus 50. The targets of management by the management apparatus 50 may include a bobbin preparation device that transports the yarn supplying bobbin 21 to the winding unit 10 and prepares to wind a yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin 21. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the management apparatus 50 includes a control unit 51, a display unit 52, an operation unit 53, and a communication unit 54.
[0029]
Similarly to the unit controller 19, the control unit 51 includes a CPU, a RAM, a storage, and the like. The storage is, for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory. Various types of programs and control data are stored in the storage. The CPU reads a program stored in the storage to the RAM to execute the program. Accordingly, the control unit 51 manages the yarn processing apparatus 2.
[0030]
The display unit 52 is a display device capable of displaying information. The display unit 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 52 displays a screen generated by the control unit 51. In the description below, the “screen” is a display including tables, graphs, photographs, illustrations, input fields, or icons for the purpose of displaying information about the yarn processing apparatus 2 or changing settings of the yarn processing apparatus 2. Specifically, an information display screen showing the working status of each of the winding units 10, an information display screen showing the production efficiency of each of the winding units 10, a settings change screen for changing the yarn winding conditions of each of the winding units 10, a settings change screen for changing the processing conditions of the doffing truck 40, a menu screen for shifting to another screen, and the like are displayed on the display unit 52.
[0031]
The operation unit 53 is a hardware device operable by the user. The operation unit 53 is, for example, a hardware key or a touch panel. The touch panel is configured integrally with the display unit 52, and when the user touches the screen of the display unit 52, the touch panel detects the position touched by the user. It is also possible to detect that a predetermined operation (tapping, double-tapping, dragging, pinching-in, pinching-out) was performed based on the history of the position touched by the user. The “user” is a term including not only an operator assisting working of the automatic winder 1 but also an administrator managing the automatic winder 1.
[0032]
The control unit 51 performs processing according to commands issued by the user operating the operation unit 53. For example, when the user operates the operation unit 53 to issue an instruction for displaying the information display screen or the like, the control unit 51 displays the specified information display screen or the like. Further, when the user operates the operation unit 53 to issue an instruction for changing the yarn winding condition, the control unit 51 reflects the change in the yarn winding condition.
[0033]
The communication unit 54 is a wired communication module or a wireless communication module for communicating with other devices. The communication unit 54 is capable of communicating with the plurality of winding units 10 and the doffing truck 40.
[0034]
Next, a bookmark function of the management apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. As described above, there are several screens that the display unit 52 can display. Therefore, it may take a lot of time and effort for the user to display a desired screen on the display unit 52. For example, when the user migrates to the desired screen by selecting an icon multiple times as in the above-described Patent Document 1, the user needs to memorize a flow of icon selection until the desired screen is displayed. Furthermore, the icons disclosed in Patent Document 1 are composed only of terms simply indicating the information of the destination screen, because of which the user may not fully understand which icon to select to shift to the desired screen.
[0035]
In this regard, in the present embodiment, by registering a predetermined screen using the bookmark function of the management apparatus 50, the efforts taken by the user until the display of the desired screen can be reduced. When the user selects a registered screen, the management apparatus 50 displays destination information indicating various information about the registered screen on the display unit 52. This enables the user to fully understand which destination information to select to shift to the desired screen.
[0036]
The details of the bookmark function of the management apparatus 50 will be described below. FIG. 3 illustrates processing performed by the control unit 51 of the management apparatus 50 when the user registers a desired screen. In the present embodiment, the user registers a desired screen, but alternatively or in addition, a manufacturer may register in advance commonly used screens as default bookmarks.
[0037]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the display unit 52 displays a first menu bar 61 and a second menu bar 62. The first menu bar 61 is displayed at all times, and multiple icons are displayed on the first menu bar 61. The second menu bar 62 displays icons indicating items in the hierarchy below the icon selected on the first menu bar 61. That is, the icons displayed on the second menu bar 62 change according to the icon selected on the first menu bar 61. When registering a screen, the user selects an icon displayed on the first menu bar 61 and/or the second menu bar 62 using the operation unit 53 to display the desired screen on a main area 63. The main area 63 is an area for realizing the main function of the displayed screen. The first menu bar 61, the second menu bar 62, and an auxiliary area 64 are collectively referred to as a sub-area because of display of content not directly related to the main area 63. Alternatively, the user may display a desired screen in the main area 63 by displaying a menu screen in the main area 63 and selecting an icon on the menu screen.
[0038]
The auxiliary area 64 is displayed at an end (upper end in the present embodiment) of the display unit 52. A plurality of icons are displayed side by side in the auxiliary area 64. The icons displayed in the auxiliary area 64 indicate, from left to right, Calculator, Screenshot, Help, Alert, and Mail. The icons displayed in the auxiliary area 64 are for executing functions frequently used by the user. From another point of view, the icons displayed in the auxiliary area 64 are for executing functions used by the user regardless of the content displayed in the main area 63. Some of the icons displayed in the auxiliary area 64 and the icons displayed in the first menu bar 61 or the second menu bar 62 may overlap.
[0039]
A menu button 65 is displayed at all times on the display unit 52. That is, if a screen that can be registered as a bookmark in the management apparatus 50 is displayed on the display unit 52, the menu button 65 is displayed on the display unit 52. When the user registers the screen currently displayed on the display unit 52, the user selects the menu button 65 to display a menu item display area 66. The menu item display area 66 includes an item for registering the currently displayed screen. The user issues an instruction to register the current display screen by performing an operation of selecting the item. In the present embodiment, the menu button 65 is displayed at all times on the display unit 52, and therefore, the user can issue an instruction to register the current display screen by the same operation (and a simple operation) regardless of which screen is displayed. The operation of selecting the menu button 65 or the menu item display area 66 is performed using the operation unit 53 (specifically, a touch panel or hardware key).
[0040]
The control unit 51 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to register the current screen (S101). If the control unit 51 determines that the user has issued an instruction to register the current screen, the control unit 51 creates a thumbnail image, based on a screenshot image of the current screen (S102).
[0041]
The thumbnail image is an image used to indicate a registered screen in shifting to the registered screen. The thumbnail image is the screen that the user is accustomed to seeing, and as a result, the user is able to instantly understand the type of screen. In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 creates a thumbnail image including not only the main area 63 but also the sub-area (specifically, the first menu bar 61, the second menu bar 62, and the auxiliary area 64). Alternatively, the control unit 51 may create a thumbnail image composed only of the portion displayed in the main area 63. The size of the thumbnail image during display is smaller than the screenshot image. Also, the resolution of the thumbnail image may be the same as the resolution of the screenshot image, or may be smaller than the resolution of the screenshot image. Moreover, instead of using a screenshot image, a sample image created in advance may be used. The sample image is an image including a table or a graph created in advance using sample data or the like.
[0042]
Next, the control unit 51 receives selection of a bookmark group ID (S103). The bookmark group ID (classification identification information) is identification information for grouping and managing registered screens. The bookmark group ID is assigned to the screens registered by the user. The same bookmark group ID is assigned to the screens belonging to one bookmark group. Examples of a method of using the bookmark group may include grouping a bookmark for each user, or grouping a bookmark separately for the winding unit 10 and the doffing truck 40. Also, the process of receiving the selection of the bookmark group ID may be omitted. For example, if a bookmark group ID can be selected in advance, the currently selected bookmark group ID is automatically assigned to the screens to be registered. If a bookmark group ID is in the selected state, a list of screens assigned with the currently selected bookmark group ID is displayed in displaying the list of registered screens, as described later. As described above, a bookmark group ID may be assigned for each user. That is, a first user using a first bookmark group ID selects a first bookmark group ID, and therefore, the first bookmark group ID is also assigned to a newly registered screen. On the other hand, a second user selects a second bookmark group ID, and therefore, the second bookmark group ID is also assigned to a newly registered screen. Further, instead of the process of selecting a bookmark group ID, a process of associating login information may be performed. That is, when the first user logs in, the first bookmark group ID associated with the first user is in a selected state. Therefore, in the present state, the first bookmark group ID is assigned to the screen newly registered by the first user (the same applies to the second user). Also, a specification may be employed in which the login state continues only for a certain period of time from the last operation. In this case, the first bookmark group ID is assigned to the screens registered by the first user within a certain period of time from the last operation. Classification of registered screens by a bookmark group ID is not an essential technique, and may be omitted.
[0043]
Next, the control unit 51 registers a screen ID, the thumbnail image, and hierarchy information in association with the selected bookmark group ID (S104). FIG. 5 is a table showing such information (hereinafter, referred to as destination registration information). The screen ID is unique identification information set for each screen. The hierarchy information is a hierarchy of an image to be registered in a menu tree. For example, “AA11 > BB11 > CC13” shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the screen can be reached by selecting icons and the like in the order of AA11, BB11, and CC13. The control unit 51 stores the destination registration information in the storage of the control unit 51, but may store the destination information in an external device arranged outside the management apparatus 50. Examples of the external device include another PC or a Network Attached Storage (NAS) located in a factory of the automatic winder 1, or a data server connected to the management apparatus 50 via a wide area network.
[0044]
The hierarchy information will be explained more specifically. The top level of the hierarchy includes, for example, running, settings, maintenance, and the like. The running is an item for displaying data of the current running state. The settings is an item for changing settings related to the running. The maintenance is an item for displaying locations where maintenance is required. In addition, the hierarchy one level below the top level is a hierarchy for designating which device an item is related to, such as the winding unit, the doffing device, and the bobbin preparation device. Note that the hierarchical classification is an example, and a menu tree different from that of the present embodiment may be adopted.
[0045]
Next, the control unit 51 determines whether there is an input of auxiliary text (S105). The auxiliary text is text entered by the user with regards to a registered screen. Various contents can be registered in the auxiliary text, such as the contents of a registered screen, the date and time when the screen was registered, a user who registered the screen, and the circumstances under which the registered screen must be viewed. The auxiliary text is entered, for example, according to the following procedure. For example, when registering a screen, the user may display an input box on the display unit 52 to accept the input of the auxiliary text. Alternatively, input or correction of the auxiliary text may be accepted on the screen displaying the list of registered screens. Moreover, the input of auxiliary text is optional and may be omitted.
[0046]
If the control unit 51 determines that there was an input of auxiliary text, the control unit 51 registers the auxiliary text in association with a bookmark group ID (S106).
[0047]
Next, a process of displaying a list of screens registered in advance on the display unit 52, shifting to a screen selected by the user, and displaying the screen on the display unit 52 will be described. Such a process is illustrated in a flowchart in FIG. 6, and is performed by the control unit 51.
[0048]
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first menu bar 61 includes a bookmark button 61a. When the user operates the bookmark button 61a, a registered screen display button 62a is displayed on the second menu bar 62. The user can issue an instruction to display a registered screen by operating the registered screen display button 62a.
[0049]
The control unit 51 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to display a registered screen (S201). The control unit 51 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to display the registered screen, based on whether the registered screen display button 62a was operated. It must be noted that the instruction to display the registered screen is not limited to being issued by an operation on the registered screen display button 62a, and may be issued by a different operation. By operating the bookmark button 61a of the first menu bar 61, the registered screen display button 62a may be automatically selected. In this case, the control unit 51 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to display the registered screen, based on whether the bookmark button 61a was operated.
[0050]
If the control unit 51 determines that the user has issued an instruction to display the registered screen, the control unit 51 displays a list of destination information assigned with the selected bookmark group ID on the display unit 52 (S202). In the present embodiment, the most recently used bookmark group ID is automatically selected. However, the user may be allowed to select a bookmark group ID before displaying the list of destination information.
[0051]
FIG. 7 illustrates a screen displaying a list of destination information. Specifically, four destination information display areas 72 are provided in the main area 63 of the display unit 52. Each of the destination information display areas 72 is provided with a screen display area 72a, an auxiliary text display area 72b, and a hierarchy display area 72c. In the screen display area 72a, a thumbnail image created at the time of registering the screen is displayed. In the auxiliary text display area 72b, auxiliary text entered at the time of registering a screen or after registering a screen is displayed. In the hierarchy display area 72c, the hierarchy information created at the time of registering a screen is displayed.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, two destination information display areas 72 are arranged side by side horizontally and two are arranged side by side vertically. Further, by scrolling the screen up and down, another destination information display area 72 is displayed. The thumbnail image displayed in the screen display area 72a is smaller than the screenshot image, and therefore, it is possible to improve the listability of the destination information. Note that one or three or more destination information display areas 72 may be arranged side by side horizontally, or the number of the destination information display areas 72 to be arranged side by side horizontally or vertically may be changeable. Further, it may be possible to change the display order of the destination information or delete the destination information according to an operation of the user.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the auxiliary text display area 72b is arranged below the screen display area 72a, and the hierarchy display area 72c is arranged above the screen display area 72a. The present layout is an example, and the positions of the auxiliary text display area 72b and the hierarchy display area 72c may differ from the layout of the present embodiment.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, the management apparatus 50 can display the three entities of a thumbnail image, auxiliary text, and hierarchy information. Alternatively, the management apparatus 50 may display only two of the three entities. That is, the management apparatus 50 may be capable of displaying the thumbnail image and the auxiliary text but incapable of displaying the hierarchy information, may be capable of displaying the thumbnail image and the hierarchy information but incapable of displaying the auxiliary text, or may be capable of displaying the auxiliary text and the hierarchy information but incapable of displaying the thumbnail image. Alternatively, since the thumbnail image is more important than the other two items of information, the thumbnail image may be displayed along with at least one of the auxiliary text and the hierarchy information.
[0055]
Regardless of the combination in which the destination information is displayed, the user can understand sufficient information about the destination as compared to the icons in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the user can easily understand which destination information to select to shift to the desired screen. For example, when only one item of information is displayed, it may be difficult to distinguish some registered destination information from other destination information. In this regard, by displaying two or more items of information, the difference between the items of the destination information is clear, so the items of the destination information can be easily distinguished from each other. For example, if the destination information to be displayed includes a thumbnail image and hierarchy information, both items are information indicating the position in the menu tree, and therefore, by taking into consideration the two items of information, the user can easily identify the contents of the destination information. If auxiliary text is included in addition to the thumbnail image or the hierarchy information, even if the contents of the destination information cannot be easily identified from the auxiliary text information alone, the user can easily identify the contents of the destination information by further considering information indicating the position in the menu tree (a thumbnail image or a hierarchy information).
[0056]
Next, the control unit 51 determines whether another bookmark group ID was selected (S203). As illustrated in FIG. 7, an ID switching box 70 is displayed in the auxiliary area 64, for example. The user can switch to another bookmark group ID by operating the ID switching box 70. The control unit 51 performs the determination in step S203 based on whether the ID switching box 70 was operated. If the control unit 51 determines that another bookmark group ID was selected, the control unit 51 displays a list of destination information assigned with the selected bookmark group ID (switches the display, S202).
[0057]
The control unit 51 determines whether the destination information was selected (S204). The entire destination information display area 72 illustrated in FIG. 7, in other words, all of the screen display area 72a, the auxiliary text display area 72b, and the hierarchy display area 72c function as links. Therefore, the user can select the destination information by selecting any portion of the destination information display area 72. The control unit 51 performs the determination in step S204 based on whether an operation of selecting the destination information display area 72 is performed.
[0058]
If the control unit 51 determines that the destination information was selected, the control unit 51 shifts to the screen indicated by the selected destination information, and displays the screen on the display unit 52 (S205). In shifting to the screen indicated by the selected destination information, the screen ID registered as the destination registration information can be used. Instead of the screen ID, the hierarchy information may be used to shift to the screen indicated by the selected destination information.
[0059]
Next, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the following description, the same or similar members as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description may be omitted.
[0060]
In a textile factory, a plurality of the automatic winders 1 may be arranged side by side. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a portion in which two of the plurality of automatic winders 1 are arranged side by side. The two automatic winders 1 have the same configuration, but for the sake of explanation, one of the automatic winders 1 and the management apparatus 50 will be referred to as a first automatic winder 1a and a first management apparatus 50a, and the other will be referred to as a second automatic winder 1b and a second management apparatus 50b. Also, a combination of a plurality of the management apparatuses 50 (here, the first management apparatus 50a and the second management apparatus 50b) corresponds to a “management system”.
[0061]
Here, it is troublesome for the user to register the screen illustrated in the flowchart in FIG. 3 for all the automatic winders 1. In this regard, in the first modification, it is possible to reflect the settings made for one automatic winder 1 to other automatic winders 1.
[0062]
Specifically, the communication unit 54 of the first management apparatus 50a and the communication unit 54 of the second management apparatus 50b can communicate by wire or wirelessly. In addition, the control unit 51 is capable of exporting the destination registration information to a file in a predetermined format, and is also capable of importing a file containing the destination registration information exported by another management apparatus 50.
[0063]
As described above, for example, after the destination registration information is created by registering the screen in the first management apparatus 50a, the destination registration information is exported and transmitted to the second management apparatus 50b. The second management apparatus 50b imports the received destination registration information. As a result, settings similar to those of the first automatic winder 1a are reflected in the second automatic winder 1b. For the first management apparatus 50a, the second management apparatus 50b corresponds to an “external device”, and for the second management apparatus 50b, the first management apparatus 50a corresponds to an “external device”.
[0064]
Although two automatic winders 1 are described in the first modification, one automatic winder 1 may transmit the destination registration information to two or more automatic winders 1. If the first management apparatus 50a stores the destination registration information in a PC, a NAS, or a server described above, the other management apparatus 50 can acquire and import the destination registration information only by accessing the external devices.
[0065]
Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The second modification differs from the first modification in the method of exchanging the destination registration information.
[0066]
The management apparatus 50 according to the second modification includes an input and output unit 55. A USB memory (storage medium) 56 can be attached to the input and output unit 55. The control unit 51 can store the destination registration information in the USB memory 56 via the input and output unit 55. The control unit 51 can read the destination registration information stored in the USB memory 56 via the input and output unit 55. It must be noted that instead of the USB memory 56, another storage medium, such as an SD card, may be used.
[0067]
As described above, the USB memory 56 is attached to the input and output unit 55 after creating the destination registration information by registering the screen in the first management apparatus 50a. Then, the control unit 51 of the first management apparatus 50a stores the destination registration information in the USB memory 56 via the input and output unit 55. Next, the USB memory 56 is attached to the input and output unit 55 of the second management apparatus 50b. The control unit 51 of the second management apparatus 50b reads and sets the destination registration information via the input and output unit 55. As a result, settings similar to those of the first automatic winder 1a are reflected in the second automatic winder 1b. It is noted that the control unit 51 of the first management apparatus 50a corresponds to the “first control unit”, the input and output unit 55 of the first management apparatus 50a corresponds to the “first input and output unit”, the control unit 51 of the second management apparatus 50b corresponds to the “second control unit”, and the input and output unit 55 of the second management apparatus 50b corresponds to the “second input and output unit”. The first management apparatus 50a or the second management apparatus 50b can also exchange the destination information with an external device by using the USB memory 56.
[0068]
As described above, the management apparatus 50 of the present embodiment manages the yarn processing apparatus 2 that winds a yarn to manufacture the package 22. The management apparatus 50 of the present embodiment includes the display unit 52 and the control unit 51. The display unit 52 displays information regarding the yarn processing apparatus 2. The control unit 51 controls the display contents of the display unit 52. The control unit 51 performs a process of displaying a plurality of items of destination information indicating contents of screens registered in advance on the display unit 52 to receive a selection of the destination information, and shifting to a screen indicated by the selected destination information to display the screen on the display unit 52. The control unit 51 displays, as the destination information, at least two of a thumbnail image indicating a registered screen, auxiliary text registered according to the registered screen, and hierarchy information indicating a hierarchy of the registered screen in a menu tree, on the display unit 52.
[0069]
Thus, the destination information is registered in advance, which enables the user to reach the desired screen by a small number of operations. Moreover, at least two of the above-described three items are displayed on the display unit 52 as the destination information, which enables the user to easily understand the contents of the screen indicated by the destination information. Therefore, the user can easily select the destination information corresponding to the desired screen.
[0070]
In the management apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, the control unit 51 displays, as the destination information, on the display unit 52, all of a thumbnail image indicating a registered screen, auxiliary text registered according to the registered screen, and hierarchy information indicating a hierarchy of the registered screen in a menu tree.
[0071]
This allows the user to understand the contents of the screen indicated by the destination information in an easier manner.
[0072]
In the management apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, when an operation to register a destination screen is performed, the control unit 51 registers the destination information including at least the thumbnail image of the corresponding screen.
[0073]
As a result, the user can register the destination information, and thus, the destination information including at least the thumbnail images of the screens frequently browsed by the user is registered to improve user convenience.
[0074]
In the management apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, the control unit 51 can access destination registration information in which classification identification information and one or more items of the destination information assigned with the classification identification information are associated with each other. When the classification identification information is selected, the control unit 51 displays, on the display unit 52, the destination information assigned with the classification identification information.
[0075]
Thus, by setting the bookmark group ID according to each user using the automatic winder 1 or winding conditions, it is possible to display an appropriate combination of destination information according to the user or the winding condition.
[0076]
The management apparatus 50 (first management apparatus 50a) of the first modification includes the communication unit 54 that communicates with an external device (a PC, a NAS, a server, or the second management apparatus 50b). The communication unit 54 is capable of transmitting the destination information registered by the control unit 51 to the external device, and is also capable of receiving the destination information registered in the external device.
[0077]
Thus, it is possible to register the destination information registered in the first management apparatus 50a for the external device, and register the destination information registered in the external device for the first management apparatus 50a. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of registering the destination information for each management apparatus 50. Moreover, the destination information can be easily exchanged without using a storage medium.
[0078]
In the management system of the second modification, the first management apparatus 50a and the second management apparatus 50b each include the control unit 51 and the input and output unit 55. The USB memory 56 is detachably attached to the input and output unit 55. The control unit 51 can store the destination information in the USB memory 56 via the input and output unit 55. The control unit 51 can read the destination information registered in another management apparatus 50 and stored in the USB memory 56 from the USB memory 56 via the input and output unit 55.
[0079]
Thus, it is possible to register the destination information registered in the first management apparatus 50a for the second management apparatus 50b, and register the destination information registered in the second management apparatus 50b for the first management apparatus 50a. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of registering the destination information for each management apparatus 50. Moreover, even if the first management apparatus 50a and the second management apparatus 50b cannot communicate properly, it is possible to exchange the destination information.
[0080]
Although preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example.
[0081]
In the above-described embodiment, thumbnail images, auxiliary text, and hierarchy information are indicated as objects to be displayed in the destination information display area 72, but other display objects may also be displayed in the destination information display area 72.
[0082]
In the above-described embodiment, if the screen display area 72a, the auxiliary text display area 72b, or the hierarchy display area 72c displayed in the destination information display area 72 is operated, the display shifts to the corresponding screen. Alternatively, if any location in the destination information display area 72 (including a blank location where no information is displayed) is operated, the display may shift to the corresponding screen. Else, a button may be separately displayed for shifting to the corresponding screen.
[0083]
The flowcharts illustrated in the above-described embodiments are examples, and some of the processes may be omitted, the contents of some of the processes may be changed, or new processes may be added.
[0084]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the management apparatus 50 provided in the automatic winder 1 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to textile machines other than the automatic winder 1 (for example, spinning machines).
[0085]
In the above-described embodiment, the destination information is registered by operating the menu item display area 66 while the screen used for registration is displayed. Alternatively, the destination information may be registered by entering the hierarchy information.
[0086]
In the above-described embodiment, the management apparatus 50 is arranged side by side with the yarn processing apparatus 2, however, the management apparatus 50 may be arranged at a position away from the yarn processing apparatus 2. Also, a higher-level management apparatus (external device) that manages one or more management apparatuses 50 may perform the above-described processing related to the destination information.
, Claims:We claim:

1. A management apparatus (50, 50a, 50b) for managing a yarn processing apparatus that winds a yarn to manufacture a package, the management apparatus comprising:
a display unit (52) configured to display information about the yarn processing apparatus; and
a control unit (51) configured to control display contents of the display unit (52), wherein
the control unit (51) performs a process of displaying a plurality of items of destination information indicating contents of screens registered in advance on the display unit (52) to receive a selection of the destination information, and shifting to a screen indicated by the selected destination information to display the screen on the display unit (52), and
the control unit (51) displays, as the destination information, at least two of a thumbnail image indicating a registered screen, auxiliary text registered according to the registered screen, and hierarchy information indicating a hierarchy of the registered screen in a menu tree, on the display unit (52).

2. The management apparatus (50, 50a, 50b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the control unit (51) displays, as the destination information, all of a thumbnail image indicating a registered screen, auxiliary text registered according to the registered screen, and hierarchy information indicating a hierarchy of the registered screen in a menu tree, on the display unit (52).

3. The management apparatus (50, 50a, 50b) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein
if an operation to register a destination screen is performed, the control unit (51) registers the destination information including at least the thumbnail image of the corresponding screen.

4. The management apparatus (50, 50a, 50b) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the control unit (51) can access destination registration information in which classification identification information and one or more items of the destination information assigned with the classification identification information are associated with each other, and
the control unit (51) displays, when the classification identification information is selected, the destination information assigned with the classification identification information, on the display unit (52).

5. The management apparatus (50, 50a, 50b) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:
a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device arranged outside the management apparatus (50, 50a, 50b), wherein
the communication unit is capable of transmitting the destination information registered by the control unit (51) to the external device, and is also capable of receiving the destination information registered in the external device.

6. A management system, comprising a first management apparatus (50a) and a second management apparatus (50b) serving as the management apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the first management apparatus (50a) includes
a first control unit (51) serving as the control unit (51), and
a first input and output unit (55) to which a storage medium (56) is detachably attached,
the second management apparatus (50b) includes
a second control unit (51) serving as the control unit (51), and
a second input and output unit (55) to which a storage medium (56) is detachably attached,
the first control unit (51) is capable of storing the destination information in the storage medium (56) via the first input and output unit (55),
the second control unit (51) is capable of storing the destination information in the storage medium (56) via the second input and output unit (55),
the first control unit (51) is capable of reading the destination information registered in the second management apparatus (50b) and stored in the storage medium (56) from the storage medium (56) via the first input and output unit (55), and
the second control unit (51) is capable of reading the destination information registered in the first management apparatus (50a) and stored in the storage medium (56) from the storage medium (56) via the second input and output unit (55).