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 2003-96629 A.
[0003]
Patent Document 1 discloses a display for displaying information about a yarn processing unit. The display can display a plurality of types of setting screens for inputting setting values for controlling the yarn processing unit. The display displays a setting screen specified by a user (operator) from among the plurality of types of setting screens.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004]
Patent Document 1 mentions that it is possible to optionally define which setting item is assigned to which setting screen. However, Patent Document 1 simply mentions that there are various variations of the setting screen, and does not describe that the user can customize the items to be displayed on the setting screen. Therefore, depending on how the setting items are assigned, convenience for a specific user may be low. This problem is not limited to setting items. For example, operation items indicating information about an operation of a yarn processing apparatus also have the same problem as the setting items.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and a main object thereof is to provide a management apparatus that is highly convenient for users regarding setting items or operation items.
[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 an 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 displays, on the display unit, a setting item indicating setting for an action of the yarn processing apparatus or an operation item indicating information about an operation of the yarn processing apparatus. The control unit receives and registers selection of a plurality of the setting items belonging to a setting item group or selection of a plurality of the operation items belonging to an operation item group. The control unit performs a process of extracting the plurality of setting items belonging to the setting item group to display the plurality of setting items on the display unit, or a process of extracting the plurality of operation items belonging to the operation item group to display the plurality of operation items on the display unit.
[0008]
Thus, the setting items or the operation items selected by a user can be extracted to be displayed on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user for the setting items or the operation items by arranging the setting items or the operation items so as to be easy for the user to use.
[0009]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the control unit is accessible to information in which identification information is associated with the setting item group or the operation item group registered in association with the identification information. When the identification information is selected, the control unit displays, on the display unit, the setting items belonging to the setting item group registered in association with the identification information, or the operation items belonging to the operation item group registered in association with the identification information.
[0010]
Thus, by setting the identification information for each user to use, according to winding conditions or the like, a plurality of the setting items or a plurality of the operation items according to the user, the winding conditions, or the like can be displayed on the display unit.
[0011]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the control unit is capable of executing at least a process for the setting item group. The control unit is capable of setting a setting value for the setting item for each of lots for manufacturing the package. The control unit displays the setting value for the setting items belonging to the setting item group on a same screen of the display unit for each of the lots.
[0012]
This makes it possible to easily change the settings for each lot.
[0013]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the control unit is capable of executing at least a process for the operation item group. The control unit is capable of registering subgroups belonging to the operation item group and the operation items belonging to the subgroups. The control unit classifies the operation items belonging to the operation item group into each of the subgroups to display the resulting operation items on the display unit.
[0014]
Thus, the operation items can be further organized to be displayed on the display unit.
[0015]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the control unit is capable of executing at least a process for the operation item group. When the selection of the operation items displayed on the display unit is performed, the control unit displays a graph for the selected operation items on a same screen as the operation items.
[0016]
Displaying the graph for the operation items allows the user to see at a glance the operation of the yarn processing apparatus. In addition, the graph is displayed while the operation items are displayed, so that the user is allowed to select another operation item and confirm the value of each operation item without switching screens.
[0017]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the yarn processing apparatus includes a plurality of winding units for manufacturing the package. When the selection of the operation items displayed on the display unit is performed, the control unit displays, on the same screen as the operation items, a graph whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the operation item for each time, and/or a graph whose horizontal axis is the plurality of winding units and whose vertical axis is the operation item for each of the plurality of winding units.
[0018]
This allows the user to see at a glance the operation over time or the operation of each of the plurality of winding units.
[0019]
In the above-described management apparatus, when the graph whose horizontal axis is the plurality of winding units is displayed, the control unit preferably displays, on the display unit, information for specifying the winding unit for which a value of the operation item does not satisfy a reference.
[0020]
This allows the user to see at a glance the winding unit not satisfying the reference.
[0021]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the horizontal axis of the graph is the winding units. When a part of the displayed graph is selected, the control unit selects the winding unit having the worst value of the operation item from among the winding units positioned within a predetermined range from a position of the selected part.
[0022]
This allows the user to easily select the winding unit having the worst value of the operation item from among the winding units positioned within the predetermined range.
[0023]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the yarn processing apparatus includes a plurality of winding units for manufacturing the package. When the winding unit is selected, the control unit displays, on the display unit, a graph whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the operation item of the selected winding unit and an average value or a total value of the operation items of the plurality of winding units.
[0024]
This allows the user to easily compare the operation item of the selected winding unit with the average value or the total value of the operation items of a plurality of other winding units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic winder including a management apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the automatic winder.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of editing a customization setting screen and a customization operation screen.
FIG. 4 illustrates an editing screen of a customization setting screen displayed on a display unit.
FIG. 5 is a table indicating registered information about a customization setting screen and a customization operation screen.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a customization setting screen and a process of updating setting values.
FIG. 7 illustrates a customization setting screen displayed on the display unit.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a customization operation screen.
FIG. 9 illustrates a customization operation screen displayed on the display unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026]
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described 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.
[0027]
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.
[0028]
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.
[0029]
A yarn supplying bobbin 21 is supported by 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. The yarn unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 21 and the yarn in the package 22 are each 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, the yarn thickness or the amount of variation in the yarn thickness) with an optical sensor or the like.
[0030]
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.
[0031]
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 SSD, or a flash memory. The storage stores various types of programs and control data. 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.
[0032]
The doffing truck 40 can run along the direction in which the winding units 10 are arranged side by side. Specifically, a rail is formed along the arrangement direction of and above the winding units 10, 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.
[0033]
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 of yarn catcher is attached to the tip of the yarn drawing arm 41 to draw the 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.
[0034]
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. In other words, the doffing truck 40 may be managed by the management apparatus 50 or may be out of control by the management apparatus 50. The yarn processing apparatus 2 to be managed by the management apparatus 50 may further include a bobbin preparation device. The bobbin preparation device is a device that transports the yarn supplying bobbin 21 to the winding unit 10 and prepares the yarn supplying bobbin 21 for winding the yarn. 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.
[0035]
Like 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. The storage stores various types of programs and control data. The CPU reads a program stored in the storage to the RAM to execute the program. Accordingly, the control unit 51 performs controls associated with the management of the yarn processing apparatus 2.
[0036]
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 following description, the "screen" is a displayed object composed of tables, graphs, photographs, illustrations, input fields, icons, etc. for the purpose of displaying information about the yarn processing device 2 or changing settings related to the yarn processing device 2. Specifically, a setting screen for confirming or changing the setting of each winding unit 10, an operation screen indicating information about the operation of each winding unit 10, a setting screen for confirming or changing the setting of the doffing truck 40, an operation screen indicating information about the operation of the doffing truck 40, and the like are displayed on the display unit 52.
[0037]
The operation unit 53 is a hardware device that can be operated by the user. The operation unit 53 is, for example, hardware keys 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, detects the position touched by the user. Further, the control unit 51 can detect based on the history of the positions touched by the user that a predetermined operation (tap, double-tap, drag, pinch-in, pinch-out) has been performed. 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.
[0038]
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 to display a setting screen or the like, the control unit 51 displays the specified setting screen or the like. Further, when the user operates the operation unit 53 to issue an instruction to change the yarn winding conditions, the control unit 51 reflects the changes in the yarn winding conditions.
[0039]
The communication unit 54 is a wired communication module or wireless communication module for communicating with other devices. The communication unit 54 can communicate with the plurality of winding units 10 and the doffing truck 40.
[0040]
Next, the customization function of the setting screen and the operation screen will be described. First, the fact that there are many setting items and operation items for the automatic winder 1 will be described.
[0041]
In order to properly manufacture the package 22, the user inputs setting values for the setting items related to the yarn as a raw material (the yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin 21). For example, this type of the setting item includes the size of the bobbin, and the thickness, type, and length of the wound yarn. Furthermore, the user inputs appropriate setting values for the setting items for each device of the yarn processing apparatus 2. Here, the winding unit 10 includes a large number of devices, and there are setting items for each of the devices. Furthermore, there are various setting items for the doffing truck 40 or the bobbin preparation device. Thus, there are many setting items that can be input by the user.
[0042]
The user also confirms various operation items related to the automatic winder 1. Each of the operation items is an item indicating information obtained as to the current or past operation of the yarn processing apparatus 2. The operation items include, for example, information about the package 22 obtained by the yarn processing apparatus 2 operating, the operating efficiency of the yarn processing apparatus 2, and the energy consumption or consumption efficiency associated with the operation of the yarn processing apparatus 2. Further, the operation items include the individual operation efficiency of the winding unit 10, the doffing truck 40, or the bobbin preparation device. Thus, there are many operation items to be confirmed by the user.
[0043]
Thus, there are many setting items and operation items. Therefore, it is difficult to collectively display all such setting items on one screen. In this respect, the management apparatus 50 classifies the setting items according to a predetermined criterion, and displays the setting items using a plurality of setting screens. The same applies to the operation items. As a result, the user needs to confirm the setting items or operation items while switching between the plurality of operation screens.
[0044]
In this regard, the management apparatus 50 of the present embodiment can display setting items selected by the user on one screen (hereinafter referred to as a customization setting screen). Furthermore, the management apparatus 50 can display operation items selected by the user on one screen (hereinafter referred to as a customization operation screen). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of switching between the plurality of screens. The setting items or operation items frequently used by the user differ depending on a user or a textile factory. Therefore, it is not enough for the manufacturer to set the setting items or operation items in advance, and it is necessary for the user to be able to select them.
[0045]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the flow of a process of receiving and registering user's selection of setting items or operation items will be described. This process is described in a flowchart of FIG. 3. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed by the control unit 51 of the management apparatus 50.
[0046]
When the user wishes to edit the customization setting screen, the user operates the operation unit 53 to select a predetermined item from a menu screen or select a button on a menu bar to display an editing screen for editing the customization setting screen on the display unit 52. The control unit 51 determines, based on the operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not an instruction to edit the customization setting screen is issued (S101). If the control unit 51 determines that the editing instruction is issued, the control unit 51 displays the editing screen for the customization setting screen on the display unit 52 and receives the selection of setting items (S102). The editing screen for the customization setting screen is a screen for performing an operation of selecting (determining) setting items to be displayed on the customization setting screen.
[0047]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first menu bar 61 and a second menu bar 62 are displayed on the display unit 52. The first menu bar 61 is always displayed, and a plurality of icons are displayed in the first menu bar 61. In the second menu bar 62, icons are displayed indicating items in the hierarchy below the icon selected on the first menu bar 61. Specifically, the icons displayed in the second menu bar 62 change depending on the icon selected on the first menu bar 61. The user can use the operation unit 53 to perform an operation to select an icon displayed in the first menu bar 61 and/or the second menu bar 62, thereby issuing an instruction to display the editing screen for the customization setting screen.
[0048]
The editing screen for the customization setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a target selection field 63, a setting item display field 64, user ID display fields 65, and display selection fields 66.
[0049]
In the target selection field 63, the devices included in the yarn processing apparatus 2 are listed. Specifically, “Unit” indicating the winding unit 10 and “Main Body” indicating devices other than the winding unit 10 are displayed in the target selection field 63. In addition, “Doffing Device” indicating the doffing truck 40 and “Bobbin Preparation Device” are displayed below “Main Body” in the target selection field 63. Note that these devices are examples, and devices other than the above-listed devices may be displayed in the target selection field 63.
[0050]
In the target selection field 63 illustrated in FIG. 4, "Unit" has been selected by the user. Accordingly, the setting items related to the winding unit 10 are listed in the setting item display field 64. The setting item display field 64 allows for scrolling. If all setting items cannot be displayed on one screen, the remaining setting items can be displayed by scrolling the screen. If the control unit 51 determines that the user has selected another target device, the control unit 51 displays the setting items related to the selected other target device in the setting item display field 64. Note that all setting items may be displayed in the setting item display field 64 without the target selection field 63 provided.
[0051]
A user ID (identification information) is described in each user ID display field 65. The user ID is identification information for identifying a user of the automatic winder 1. The user ID may be an ID actually used for user authentication, or the user ID may be used only to individually generate a customization setting screen for each user.
[0052]
Note that a customization setting screen may be generated for each piece of certain information instead of for each user. For example, a customization setting screen may be generated for each type of the package 22 to be wound. In this case, the user ID display field 65 is set with information indicating the type of the package 22 to be wound or any identification information specified by the user. Note that generating a plurality of types of customization setting screens using the identification information is not essential, and may be skipped. In this case, one type of customization setting screen is used for one management apparatus 50.
[0053]
In the display selection field 66, check boxes are displayed for each setting item listed in the setting item display field 64 and for each user ID described in the user ID display field 65. The user is allowed to select setting items to be displayed on the customization setting screen by operating the check boxes in the display selection field 66 through the operation unit 53. For example, when the user corresponding to "Customer 1" wishes to display the setting item "Yarn Count", the user checks the check boxes corresponding to both "Customer 1" and "Yarn Count". Note that the method of selecting setting items is not limited to the check box format. For example, a method of selecting setting items may include dragging any of the setting items listed in the setting item display field 64 to the display selection field 66 to select setting items.
[0054]
On the editing screen in the present embodiment, a list of setting items selectable by the user and whether or not a setting item is selected for each user ID are displayed on the same screen. Therefore, the user is allowed to select desired setting items while referring to setting items selected by another user.
[0055]
When the user selects setting items, the control unit 51 registers the selected setting items in association with the user ID (S103). Information indicating the setting items selected by the user is hereinafter referred to as registration information. The control unit 51 stores the registration information in a storage of the control unit 51. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 51 may store the registration information in an external device. The external device is, for example, a storage device installed in the factory of the automatic winder 1, or a data server connected to the management apparatus 50 via a wide area network.
[0056]
FIG. 5 shows a table indicating the registration information. The registration information is composed of a user ID and a plurality of setting items for the user ID (a region enclosed by a dashed line). A plurality of setting items associated with one user ID correspond to setting items belonging to a setting item group. In other words, the registration information is information in which each user ID is associated with the setting items belonging to the setting item group corresponding to that user ID. In the case where the user ID is not used, the registration information is information in which a setting item group and setting items belonging to the setting item group are associated with each other. Note that the setting items are classified according to the target device, but the classification according to the target device may be not provided.
[0057]
Next, the flow of a process of receiving and registering user's selection of operation items will be described. Note that the selection and registration of operation items have many steps in common with the selection and registration of setting items, and thus, the description of the common steps will be omitted or simplified.
[0058]
The process of steps S104 to S106 for editing the customization operation screen corresponds to the process of steps S101 to S103 described above. Specifically, the control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not an instruction to edit the customization operation screen is issued (S104). If the control unit 51 determines that the editing instruction has been issued, the control unit 51 displays the editing screen for the customization operation screen on the display unit 52 and receives the selection of operation items (S105). When the user selects operation items, the control unit 51 registers the selected operation items in association with the user ID (S106). The editing screen for the customization operation screen is a screen for performing an operation of selecting (determining) operation items to be displayed on the customization operation screen.
[0059]
The editing screen for the customization setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4 is substantially common to the editing screen for the customization operation screen. The main differences are the following two points. The first difference is that in the target selection field 63, classification information about an operation is listed such as "Production" and "Energy" instead of the target device. The second difference is that in the setting item display field 64, operation items are displayed instead of setting items.
[0060]
As for the registration information shown in FIG. 5, the registered contents of the setting items and the registered contents of the operation items are substantially the same. Specifically, the registration information is composed of a user ID and a plurality of operation items for the user ID (a region enclosed by a dashed line, corresponding to an operation item group). The operation items are classified according to the classification information about the operation. In other words, the operation items belonging to an operation item group are classified into one or more subgroups (classification information). Note that the registration of classification information may be not provided.
[0061]
Note that all the technical features described above as to the selection and registration of setting items are also applied to the selection and registration of operation items unless they have a contradiction.
[0062]
Next, the customization setting screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The process of displaying the customization setting screen is described in a flowchart of FIG. 6. The flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed by the control unit 51 of the management apparatus 50.
[0063]
The control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not an instruction to display the customization setting screen is issued (S201). The instruction to display the customization setting screen is issued, for example, by operating the first menu bar 61 and/or the second menu bar 62. However, this display instruction may be performed by means of a different operation.
[0064]
If the control unit 51 determines that an instruction to display the customization setting screen is issued, the control unit 51 displays the customization setting screen associated with the selected user ID on the display unit 52 (S202). In the present embodiment, the most recently used user ID is automatically selected. Note that if the management apparatus 50 has a mechanism for logging in for each user, the management apparatus 50 can acquire the user ID of the current user. Therefore, the currently logged-in user ID may be automatically selected. Note that the user may be allowed to select a user ID before the customization setting screen is displayed.
[0065]
FIG. 7 illustrates a customization setting screen. Referring to FIG. 7, a customization setting item display field 71, a user ID switching box 72, lot display fields 73, and input boxes 74 are displayed in addition to the first menu bar 61, the second menu bar 62, and the target selection field 63.
[0066]
The customization setting item display field 71 is a field in which the setting items selected by the user (in other words, all setting items belonging to the setting item group) are displayed as listed. In the present embodiment, all setting items selected for a given target device are displayed in the customization setting item display field 71. However, all setting items may be displayed in the customization setting item display field 71 regardless of the target device, without displaying the target selection field 63.
[0067]
The user ID switching box 72 is a displayed object for switching user IDs. The user is allowed to switch to another user ID by operating the user ID switching box 72.
[0068]
Each lot display field 73 is a field in which setting values for setting items are displayed for each lot. A lot is a manufacturing unit of the package 22. At the timing of lot switching, for example, the type of the package 22 manufactured by the automatic winder 1 may be changed. Therefore, it is necessary to switch setting values for setting items before and after lot switching. In the present embodiment, the input box 74 for setting items is displayed for each lot display field 73.
[0069]
The input box 74 is a place for inputting a setting value for each setting item. The user uses the operation unit 53 to select the input box 74 to input setting values. In the present embodiment, since the input box 74 is displayed for each lot, it is possible to input different setting values for each lot. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the input box 74 corresponding to the lot is displayed on the same screen. Therefore, when inputting setting values for a specific lot, it is possible to refer to setting values for other lots. In addition, the control unit 51 can rearrange and delete the setting items to be displayed in the input box 74 in response to instructions from the user through the operation unit 53.
[0070]
Note that the lot display field 73 is not essential and may be eliminated. In this case, either a lot is selected in advance and set values are input, or setting values for the package 22 to be manufactured from now on are input.
[0071]
The control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53 (specifically, an operation on the user ID switching box 72), whether or not another user ID has been selected (S203). If the control unit 51 determines that another user ID has been selected, the control unit 51 switches to the customization setting screen associated with the selected user ID and displays it on the display unit 52 (S202).
[0072]
The control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53 (specifically, an operation on the input box 74), whether or not setting values have been input for setting items (S204). If the control unit 51 determines that setting values have been input, the control unit 51 updates the setting values for the setting items and stores them in the storage of the control unit 51 or an external device (S205). In the present embodiment, since the setting values are allowed to be input for each lot, the control unit 51 stores the setting items for each lot and each user ID, and the setting values for the setting items for each lot, in association with them.
[0073]
As described above, conventionally, it is necessary to input or update setting values for each setting item while switching setting screens. In addition, although there are many setting items, a user often uses only some limited setting items. Therefore, by registering setting items frequently used by the user on the customization setting screen, the user is allowed to input or update the setting values without switching screens at all or almost without switching screens.
[0074]
Next, the customization operation screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. A process of displaying the customization operation screen is described in a flowchart of FIG. 8. The flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed by the control unit 51 of the management apparatus 50. Note that the process for the customization operation screen has many steps in common with the process for the customization setting screen, and thus, the description of the common steps will be omitted or simplified.
[0075]
The process of steps S301 to S303 for displaying the customization operation screen corresponds to the process of steps S201 to S203 described above. Specifically, the control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not an instruction to display the customization operation screen is issued (S301). If the control unit 51 determines that an instruction to display the customization operation screen is issued, the control unit 51 displays the customization operation screen associated with the selected user ID on the display unit 52 (S302). The control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not another user ID has been selected (S303). If the control unit 51 determines that another user ID has been selected, the control unit 51 switches to the customization operation screen associated with the selected user ID to display it on the display unit 52 (S302).
[0076]
FIG. 9 illustrates a customization operation screen. The customization operation screen includes an operation item display field 81 and a graph display field 82. The graph display field 82 includes a first graph display field 83 and a second graph display field 84.
[0077]
The operation item display field 81 is a field in which the operation items selected by the user (in other words, all operation items belonging to the operation item group) and their values are displayed as listed. In the present embodiment, operation items are registered in advance together with classification information (subgroup information) such as "Production" and "Energy". Accordingly, the operation items are displayed in the operation item display field 81 in a manner classified according to the classification information. The user sets the classification information as follows. That is, when an operation item is selected, the selected operation item belongs to predetermined classification information (specified by default). The user sets the selected operation item to belong to desired classification information by, for example, dragging the operation item belonging to the predetermined classification information to move it to the desired classification information. Note that classification information may be assigned in advance to all operation items. In this case, when an operation item is selected on the editing screen, it is classified into the classification information assigned in advance. Furthermore, after that, the classification information assigned to the operation item may be changed. Moreover, it is preferable that the name of the classification information can be edited on the customization operation screen or another screen. For example, it is preferable that the user is allowed to change a name of the classification information by selecting the name for the classification information. In addition, the control unit 51 can rearrange and delete the operation items to be displayed in the operation item display field 81 in response to instructions from the user through the operation unit 53.
[0078]
The user also uses the operation unit 53 to perform an operation to select an operation item displayed in the operation item display field 81. The control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not an operation item has been selected (S304).
[0079]
If the control unit 51 determines that an operation item has been selected, the control unit 51 displays a first graph 83a for the selected operation item in the first graph display field 83 (S305). At this time, the control unit 51 displays the first graph 83a on the same screen as the operation item display field 81 while maintaining the display of the operation item display field 81. Thus, the user can confirm the operation items in the operation item display field 81 and the first graph 83a in the first graph display field 83 at the same time.
[0080]
The first graph display field 83 is a field in which the first graph 83a for an operation item is displayed. In the first graph display field 83, the first graph 83a and a specific winding unit 83b are displayed.
[0081]
The first graph 83a is a graph indicating the operation item selected in the operation item display field 81. Specifically, the horizontal axis of the first graph 83a is the number of the winding unit 10, and the vertical axis is the value of the operation item. The number of the winding unit 10 is a number assigned to each winding unit 10 along the direction in which the winding units 10 are arranged side by side with reference to a predetermined position. Note that time may be set for the horizontal axis instead of the number of the winding unit 10. Alternatively, a graph in which the numbers of the winding units 10 are plotted on the horizontal axis and a graph in which time is plotted on the horizontal axis may be simultaneously displayed in the first graph display field 83.
[0082]
Further, in a case where a reference is set for the value of the operation item, the control unit 51 displays the reference on the first graph 83a. Furthermore, the control unit 51 differentiates between the display mode of the winding unit 10 that satisfies the reference and the display mode of the winding unit 10 that does not satisfy the reference in the first graph 83a. Differentiating between the display modes means providing different ways of displaying, and specifically, different display colors, presence/absence of blinking, presence/absence of highlighting, and the like. This makes it possible to highlight the winding units 10 that do not satisfy the reference.
[0083]
The specific winding unit 83b is text displayed near the first graph 83a. The specific winding unit 83b is composed of the numbers of the winding units 10 that do not satisfy the reference and the values of the operation items of such winding units 10 that do not satisfy the reference. As the specific winding unit 83b, the numbers of up to five winding units 10 are displayed in ascending order of the values of the operation items. Note that if there is no winding unit 10 that does not satisfy the reference, as the specific winding unit 83b, any winding unit 10 number is not displayed. The number of the winding unit 10 numbers to be displayed as the specific winding unit 83b are not limited to up to five, and may be other than five. Alternatively, as the specific winding unit 83b, all the winding units 10 that do not satisfy the reference may be displayed. The list of winding unit 10 numbers displayed as the specific winding unit 83b may allow for scrolling. This allows the user to confirm all the winding units 10 numbers even when many winding units 10 numbers are displayed. Further, the order for displaying the winding units 10 is not limited to the ascending order of the values of the operation items, and may be in numerical order of the winding units 10. Note that the display of the values of the operation items may be omitted. Alternatively, the display of the specific winding unit 83b may be not provided.
[0084]
The user also uses the operation unit 53 to perform an operation to select a part of the first graph 83a displayed in the first graph display field 83. The control unit 51 determines, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 53, whether or not a part of the first graph 83a has been selected (S306).
[0085]
If the control unit 51 determines that a part of the first graph 83a has been selected, the control unit 51 selects the winding unit 10 having the worst value of the operation item from the selected range (S307). Specifically, when a part of the first graph 83a is selected, the control unit 51 identifies graphs of winding units 10 positioned within a predetermined range from a position of the selected part, and selects the winding unit 10 having the worst value of the operation item from among the identified winding units 10. For example, in a case where an operation item having a higher value is better, such as operating efficiency, the control unit 51 selects the winding unit 10 having the lowest value of the operation item. Conversely, for example, in a case where an operation item having a lower value is better, such as machine stoppage rate, the control unit 51 selects the winding unit 10 having the highest value of the operation item. For the user who wishes to know the information of the winding unit 10 having the bad value of the operation item, the above-described processing can reduce the user's trouble.
[0086]
In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, since the vicinity of the winding unit 10 with number 30 is touched (selected) with a finger, and the winding unit 10 with number 30 that does not satisfy the reference is positioned within a predetermined range (for example, corresponding to two or three bars of the graph) from the touched position, the control unit 51 selects the winding unit 10 with number 30 accordingly.
[0087]
Then, the control unit 51 displays a second graph 84a for evaluating an operation item of the selected winding unit 10 in the second graph display field 84 (S308). Specifically, the control unit 51 displays the operation item display field 81 and the first graph display field 83 while displaying the second graph 84a on the same screen as these fields. This allows the user to confirm the operation item in the operation item display field 81, the first graph 83a in the first graph display field 83, and the second graph 84a in the second graph display field 84 at the same time.
[0088]
Note that not only when the first graph 83a is touched, but also when it is detected that the winding unit 10 number described as the specific winding unit 83b is selected, the control unit 51 displays the second graph 84a in the second graph display field 84.
[0089]
In the second graph display field 84, the second graph 84a and graph information 84b are displayed. The second graph 84a is a graph for the operation item selected in the operation item display field 81 and also for the winding unit 10 selected in the first graph display field 83. The second graph 84a is a graph whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the value of the operation item. The second graph 84a includes a graph indicating changes in the operation item of the selected winding unit 10 over time, and a graph indicating changes in the average value of the operation items of all the winding units 10 or the winding units 10 within a predetermined range over time. The graph information 84b describes the line type of the graph for the selected winding unit 10 (information for identifying the graph) and the line type of the graph indicating the average value of the operation items of the plurality of winding units 10. Note that a graph indicating the total value of the operation items of the plurality of winding units 10 instead of the average value may be displayed.
[0090]
Note that when the control unit 51 detects that the line type of the graph for the selected winding unit 10 in the graph information 84b has been selected, the control unit 51 may hide the graph of the selected winding unit 10. Further, when the line type of the graph indicating the average value or the total value of the operation items of the plurality of winding units 10 is selected, the control unit 51 may hide the selected graph.
[0091]
The user can refer to the second graph 84a to know the timing when the value of the operation item of the winding unit 10 of interest was reduced. This may make it possible to identify the cause of the reduction in the value of the operation item of the winding unit of interest.
[0092]
In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 selects the winding unit 10 having the worst value of the operation item within a predetermined range. However, the winding unit 10 closest to a position touched by the user may be selected. Accordingly, the graph forming the second graph 84a is not limited to the graph with the worst value of the operation item. In the present embodiment, a winding unit 10 is selected using the first graph 83a. However, a winding unit 10 may be selected by means of another method (for example, a method in which the user inputs the number of the winding unit 10).
[0093]
As described above, the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment manages the yarn processing apparatus 2 that winds a yarn to manufacture the package 22. The management apparatus 50 includes the display unit 52 and the control unit 51. The display unit 52 displays information about the yarn processing apparatus 2. The control unit 51 displays, on the display unit 52, a setting item indicating setting for an action of the yarn processing apparatus 2 or an operation item indicating information about an operation of the yarn processing apparatus 2. The control unit 51 receives and registers selection of a plurality of setting items belonging to a setting item group or selection of a plurality of operation items belonging to an operation item group. The control unit 51 performs a process of extracting the setting items belonging to the setting item group to display the extracted setting items on the display unit 52, or a process of extracting the operation items belonging to the operation item group to display the extracted operation items on the display unit 52.
[0094]
Thus, the setting items or the operation items selected by the user can be extracted to be displayed on the display unit 52. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user for the setting items or the operation items by arranging the setting items or the operation items so as to be easy for the user to use.
[0095]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 51 is accessible to information in which identification information (user ID) is associated with the setting item group or the operation item group registered in association with the identification information. When the identification information is selected, the control unit 51 displays, on the display unit 52, the setting items belonging to the setting item group registered in association with the identification information, or the operation items belonging to the operation item group registered in association with the identification information.
[0096]
Thus, by setting the user ID for each user to use, according to winding conditions or the like, the plurality of setting items or the plurality of operation items according to the user can be displayed on the display unit.
[0097]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 51 is capable of executing at least a process for the setting item group. The control unit 51 is capable of setting a setting value for the setting item for each lot for manufacturing the package 22. The control unit 51 displays the setting value for the setting items belonging to the setting item group on the same screen of the display unit 52 for each lot.
[0098]
This makes it possible to easily change the settings for each lot.
[0099]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 51 is capable of executing at least a process for the operation item group. The control unit 51 is capable of registering subgroups (classification information) belonging to the operation item group and the operation items belonging to each subgroup. The control unit 51 classifies the operation items belonging to the operation item group into each of the subgroups to display the resulting operation items on the display unit 52.
[0100]
Thus, the operation items can be further organized to be displayed on the display unit.
[0101]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 51 is capable of executing at least a process for the operation item group. When the selection of the operation items displayed on the display unit 52 is performed, the control unit 51 displays the first graph 83a related to the selected operation items on the same screen as the operation items.
[0102]
Displaying the graph for the operation items allows the user to see at a glance the operation of the yarn processing apparatus 2. In addition, the first graph 83a is displayed while the operation items are displayed, so that the user is allowed to select another operation item or confirm the value of each operation item without switching screens.
[0103]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the yarn processing apparatus 2 includes the plurality of winding units 10 for manufacturing the packages 22. When the selection of the operation items displayed on the display unit 52 is performed, the control unit 51 displays, on the same screen as the operation items, a graph whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the operation item for each time, and/or the first graph 83a whose horizontal axis is the plurality of winding units 10 and whose vertical axis is the operation item for each winding unit 10.
[0104]
This allows the user to see at a glance the operation over time or the operation of each winding unit 10.
[0105]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, when the first graph 83a whose horizontal axis is the plurality of winding units 10 is displayed, the control unit 51 displays, on the display unit 52, information (the specific winding unit 83b) for specifying the winding unit 10 for which the value of the operation item does not satisfy a reference.
[0106]
This allows the user to see at a glance the winding unit 10 that does not satisfy the reference.
[0107]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the horizontal axis of the first graph 83a is the winding unit 10. When a part of the displayed first graph 83a is selected, the control unit 51 selects the winding unit 10 having the worst value of the operation item from among the winding units 10 positioned within a predetermined range from a position of the selected part.
[0108]
This allows the user to easily select the winding unit 10 having the worst value of the operation item from among the winding units positioned within the predetermined range.
[0109]
In the management apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, the yarn processing apparatus 2 includes the plurality of winding units 10 for manufacturing the packages 22. When the winding unit 10 is selected, the control unit 51 displays, on the display unit 52, the second graph 84a whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the operation item of the selected winding unit 10 and an average value or a total value of the operation items of the plurality of winding units 10.
[0110]
This allows the user to easily compare the operation item of the selected winding unit 10 with the average value or total value of the operation items of a plurality of other winding units 10.
[0111]
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configurations may be modified, for example, as follows.
[0112]
The management apparatus 50 according to the above embodiment can perform a process for the customization setting screen and a process for the customization operation screen. Alternatively, the management apparatus 50 may be configured to perform only one of the process for the customization setting screen and the process for the customization operation screen.
[0113]
The first graph 83a and the second graph 84a on the customization operation screen is not essential to be displayed, and they may be not displayed. Alternatively, the first graph 83a or the second graph 84a may be displayed by pop-up or screen switching instead of on the same screen. Alternatively, one of the first graph 83a and the second graph 84a may be hidden and the other may be enlarged to be displayed.
[0114]
Registration information about the customization setting screen or the customization operation screen may be exchanged between a plurality of the management apparatuses 50. This makes it possible to reflect settings made in one management apparatus 50 in other management apparatuses 50. Examples of means for exchanging the registration information include wired or wireless communication between the management apparatuses 50, and a method using a storage medium such as a USB memory.
[0115]
The flowcharts described in the above embodiment are examples, and some of the steps of the process may be skipped, the contents of some of the steps of the process may be changed, or a new step of the process may be added.
[0116]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the present invention is applied to the management apparatus 50 provided in the automatic winder 1. However, the present invention can also be applied to a textile machine other than the automatic winder 1 (for example, a spinning machine).
[0117]
Although the management apparatus 50 and the yarn processing apparatus 2 are arranged side by side in the above embodiment, 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 processes for the setting item group or the operation item group.
, Claims:We claim:

1. A management apparatus (50) for managing a yarn processing apparatus (2) that winds a yarn to manufacture a package (22), the management apparatus comprising:
a display unit (52) configured to display information about the yarn processing apparatus (2); and
a control unit (51) configured to display, on the display unit (52), a setting item indicating setting for an action of the yarn processing apparatus (2) or an operation item indicating information about an operation of the yarn processing apparatus (2), wherein
the control unit (51) receives and registers selection of a plurality of the setting items belonging to a setting item group or selection of a plurality of the operation items belonging to an operation item group, and
the control unit (51) performs a process of extracting the plurality of setting items belonging to the setting item group to display the plurality of setting items on the display unit (52), or a process of extracting the plurality of operation items belonging to the operation item group to display the plurality of operation items on the display unit (52).

2. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the control unit (51) is accessible to information in which identification information is associated with the setting item group or the operation item group registered in association with the identification information, and
when the identification information is selected, the control unit (51) displays, on the display unit (52), the setting items belonging to the setting item group registered in association with the identification information, or the operation items belonging to the operation item group registered in association with the identification information.

3. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein
the control unit (51) is capable of executing at least a process for the setting item group,
the control unit (51) is capable of setting a setting value for the setting item for each of lots for manufacturing the package (22), and
the control unit (51) displays the setting value for the setting items belonging to the setting item group on a same screen of the display unit (52) for each of the lots.

4. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the control unit (51) is capable of executing at least a process for the operation item group,
the control unit (51) is capable of registering subgroups belonging to the operation item group and the operation items belonging to the subgroups, and
the control unit (51) classifies the operation items belonging to the operation item group into each of the subgroups to display the resulting operation items on the display unit (52).

5. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the control unit (51) is capable of executing at least a process for the operation item group, and
when the selection of the operation items displayed on the display unit (52) is performed, the control unit (51) displays a graph (83a) for the selected operation items on a same screen as the operation items.

6. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the yarn processing apparatus (2) includes a plurality of winding units (10) for manufacturing the package (22), and
when the selection of the operation items displayed on the display unit (52) is performed, the control unit (51) displays, on the same screen as the operation items, a graph whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the operation item for each time, and/or a graph (83a) whose horizontal axis is the plurality of winding units (10) and whose vertical axis is the operation item for each of the plurality of winding units (10).

7. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the horizontal axis of the graph (83a) is the plurality of winding units (10), and
the control unit (51) displays, on the display unit (52), information for specifying the winding unit (10) for which a value of the operation item does not satisfy a reference.

8. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein
the horizontal axis of the graph (83a) is the plurality of winding units (10), and
when a part of the displayed graph (83a) is selected, the control unit (51) selects the winding unit (10) having the worst value of the operation item from among the winding units (10) positioned within a predetermined range from a position of the selected part.

9. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
the yarn processing apparatus (2) includes a plurality of winding units (10) for manufacturing the package (22), and
when the winding unit (10) is selected, the control unit (51) displays, on the display unit (52), a graph (84a) whose horizontal axis is time and whose vertical axis is the operation item of the selected winding unit (10) and an average value or a total value of the operation items of the plurality of winding units (10).