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 2000-136459 A.
[0003]
Patent Document 1 discloses a textile machine including one high-level control device and a plurality of low-level control devices. The high-level control device performs a communication check to check whether communication is possible with each of the low-level control devices. The high-level control device displays the results of the communication check on the display. Specifically, the high-level control device displays a list of low-level control devices together with information about whether the communication was successful.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004]
The textile machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays a list of the low-level control devices, which makes it difficult for the user to intuitively grasp a location of occurrence of communication abnormality. In addition, if communication abnormality has occurred in a particular low-level control device, a user cannot easily discriminate between occurrence of communication abnormality due to a cause present at that particular low-level control device, and occurrence of communication abnormality due to a cause present at another low-level control device or a communication path.
[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 allows a user to intuitively grasp a situation of occurrence of communication abnormality in a yarn processing apparatus.
[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, a display controller, a communication module, and a detector. The display is configured to display information about the yarn processing apparatus. The display controller is configured to control a display content of the display. The communication module is configured to communicate with a plurality of units included in the yarn processing apparatus. The detector is configured to detect communication abnormality in the plurality of units. The display controller displays, on the display, a network configuration diagram including nodes representing the plurality of units and links representing communication paths connecting the plurality of units. The display controller displays, on the display, the communication abnormality detected by the detector, so that the communication abnormality is superimposed on a position corresponding to a location of occurrence of the communication abnormality, in the network configuration diagram.
[0008]
In this configuration, the location of occurrence of communication abnormality is superimposed on the network configuration diagram, and thus a user can intuitively grasp a situation of occurrence of communication abnormality in each unit included in the yarn processing apparatus.
[0009]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the units include a winding unit configured to form the package, and an auxiliary unit configured to assist the winding unit in forming the package. The display includes a first area and a second area. In the first area, the network configuration diagram of the winding unit and communication abnormality of the winding unit are displayed. In the second area, the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit and communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit are displayed so that the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit and the communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit do not overlap with the first area.
[0010]
In this configuration, the network configuration diagram of the winding unit and the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit are separately displayed. This allows the user to more easily grasp the location of occurrence of communication abnormality. In addition, communication abnormality of the winding unit and communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit are displayed on the same screen, and thus it is possible to eliminate the need of switching screens.
[0011]
In the management apparatus, it is preferable that the display controller displays identification information of the winding unit where communication abnormality has occurred.
[0012]
This allows the user to immediately identify the winding unit in which the communication abnormality has occurred.
[0013]
In the management apparatus, it is preferable that the display controller displays, in one screen of the display, the entirety of the network configuration diagram, or displays the network configuration diagram on the display in a manner allowing for screen scrolling to view the entirety of the network configuration diagram.
[0014]
This allows the user to grasp the overall situation of occurrence of communication abnormality in the yarn processing apparatus without any or a lot of effort.
[0015]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the unit includes a plurality of components. The display controller displays, on the display, the network configuration diagram including nodes corresponding to the components. The display controller displays, on the display, communication abnormality of the components so that the communication abnormality is superimposed on the network configuration diagram in accordance with a location of occurrence of the communication abnormality.
[0016]
This allows the user to grasp a situation of occurrence of communication abnormality including communication abnormality within the unit.
[0017]
In the management apparatus, it is preferable that the display controller is configured to receive node selection, and when node selection is made, the display controller displays, on the display, an image indicating a position of a communication board corresponding to the selected node.
[0018]
Displaying the image of the communication board on the display makes it possible to easily identify the communication board of which communication abnormality is to be resolved.
[0019]
In the management apparatus, it is preferable that the communication abnormality detected by the detector is communication failure.
[0020]
This configuration can display, on the display, communication failure which is communication abnormality difficult to resolve without intervention of the user, to inform the user of the communication failure.
[0021]
It is preferable that the management apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the communication abnormality detected by the detector includes communication failure and communication delay. The display controller has a display mode in which only communication failure is displayed on the display as communication abnormality.
[0022]
In this configuration, only communication failure is displayed on the display as communication abnormality, and thus the user can grasp at a glance the location of occurrence of the communication failure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023]
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 an automatic winder.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing of performing communication check and displaying a communication check screen.
FIG. 4 illustrates a communication check screen in which a communication abnormality icon is superimposed on a network configuration diagram.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display of a communication board image as a result of operation on an image display icon and operation on a node selection screen.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0024]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a general configuration of an automatic winder (a textile machine) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0025]
The 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. The yarn processing apparatus 2 further includes a bobbin preparation device 30 (FIG. 2) and a doffing truck 40. The bobbin preparation device 30 and the doffing truck 40 assist the winding unit 10 in winding, and thus correspond to auxiliary units.
[0026]
Each of the winding units 10 includes a yarn supplying part 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.
[0027]
The automatic winder 1 is provided with a conveyor that conveys a tray to which a yarn supplying bobbin 21 is attached. The yarn supplying part 11 supports the tray conveyed by the conveyor. 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 a package 22 are respectively guided to the yarn splicing device 14. The yarn splicing device 14 is connected to a blower (not illustrated) and can generate an airflow. The yarn splicing device 14 splices yarns using the airflow. The yarn quality measuring device 15 measures the quality of the running yarn (for example, yarn thickness or the amount of variation in the yarn thickness) with an optical sensor or the like.
[0028]
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 the 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.
[0029]
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. In this way, the unit controller 19 controls the winding unit 10.
[0030]
The bobbin preparation device 30 includes a conveyor and a yarn end preparation device (not illustrated). The conveyor conveys, to the winding unit 10, a tray to which the yarn supplying bobbin 21 is attached. The yarn end preparation device prepares the winding unit 10 to smoothly draw a yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 21.
[0031]
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 the package is fully wound 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.
[0032]
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). The yarn drawing arm 41 is connected to a blower device (not illustrated). Thus, a suction flow can be generated at the yarn catcher at the tip of the yarn drawing arm 41. The yarn drawing arm 41 uses this suction flow to draw a yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 21. The cradle opening arm 42 performs a doffing operation of operating the cradle 16 to open it and remove the fully wound package 22 from the cradle 16. The chucker 43 grips an empty winding bobbin held in a bobbin stocker (not illustrated) to supply it to the cradle 16.
[0033]
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. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the management apparatus 50 includes a controller 51, a display 52, an operation part 53, and a communication module 54.
[0034]
Similarly to the unit controller 19, the controller 51 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. In this way, the controller 51 performs control for managing the yarn processing apparatus 2. Further, the controller 51 can also function as the display controller 51a or a detector 51b by executing a program.
[0035]
The display 52 is a display device capable of displaying information. The display 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display 52 displays a screen generated by the controller 51. In the description below, the “screen” is a displayed object 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, a setting screen for checking or changing settings regarding the yarn processing apparatus 2, a checking screen for checking the current status of the yarn processing apparatus 2, and the like are displayed on the display 52. Examples of the checking screen include a communication check screen for checking a situation of occurrence of communication abnormality in the yarn processing apparatus 2.
[0036]
The operation part 53 is a hardware device operable by a user. The operation part 53 is, for example, a hardware key or a touch panel. The touch panel is configured integrally with the display 52, and when the user touches the screen of the display 52, the touch panel detects a position touched by the user. The controller 51 may also detect that a predetermined operation (tapping, double-tapping, dragging, pinching-in, pinching-out) is 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.
[0037]
The controller 51 performs processing according to a command issued by the user operating the operation part 53. For example, when the user operates the operation part 53 to issue an instruction for displaying the communication check screen, the controller 51 displays the specified communication check screen.
[0038]
The communication module 54 is a wired communication module or wireless communication module for communicating with another device. The communication module 54 is capable of communicating with the plurality of winding units 10, the bobbin preparation device 30, and the doffing truck 40. The communication standard used in these communications is, for example, LAN or CAN, but other communication standards may be used.
[0039]
Next, a processing flow in which the detector 51b of the controller 51 performs communication check and the display controller 51a of the controller 51 displays a communication check screen on the display 52, will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. This processing is described in a flowchart of FIG. 3. The flowchart of FIG. 3 illustrates processing performed by the controller 51.
[0040]
The controller 51 determines whether it is time to perform a communication check (S101). The time to perform a communication check is time to check the communication status of the yarn processing apparatus 2. For example, the time to perform a communication check may be set to come at predetermined time intervals, or may be time of issuance of instruction by the user.
[0041]
When the controller 51 (the detector 51b) determines that it is time to perform a communication check, the controller 51 performs a communication check. Specifically, the controller 51 (the detector 51b) controls the communication module 54 to transmit a communication check signal to each unit of the yarn processing apparatus 2 (the winding unit 10, the bobbin preparation device 30, the doffing truck 40) (S102). The destination of the communication check signal is a component for performing external communication of each unit (for example, the unit controller 19). Hereinafter, a component included in a unit (the winding unit 10, the bobbin preparation device 30, the doffing truck 40) may be simply referred to as "component".
[0042]
When receiving the communication check signal, each unit transmits a response signal to the management apparatus 50. If the management apparatus 50 fails to communicate with a particular unit, the management apparatus 50 cannot receive a response signal from that particular unit. Therefore, the controller 51 (the detector 51b) can detect communication abnormality of each unit based on whether the response signal has been received. The controller 51 stores information indicating whether a response signal has been received (that is, the presence or absence of communication abnormality) in the storage, in association with information for identifying the unit (S103).
[0043]
Note that the controller 51 may store the presence or absence of communication abnormality for each unit, in an external device instead of in the storage of the controller 51. Examples of the external device include a storage device provided in the factory in which the automatic winder 1 is located, and a data server connected to the management apparatus 50 via a wide area network.
[0044]
Here, occurrence of communication delay between the management apparatus 50 and a unit for some reason increases wait time until the controller 51 receives a response signal. If the wait time until the controller 51 receives the response signal is equal to or more than a threshold, the controller 51 determines that there is a delay in communication with the unit. The controller 51 stores information indicating that communication delay has occurred in the storage, in association with information for identifying the unit. Note that the determination of communication delay is not an essential process and can be omitted.
[0045]
The response signal includes information indicating presence or absence of communication abnormality for a plurality of components included in the unit. For example, the winding unit 10 includes a plurality of components, such as a component that performs control, a component that performs yarn winding, a component that performs yarn winding assistance, and a component that performs quality monitoring, as described above. These components included in the winding unit 10 communicates with each other to achieve proper operation of the winding unit 10. The unit controller 19 transmits a communication check signal to another component included in the winding unit 10, and detects presence or absence of communication abnormality in the other component, based on whether the response signal has been received. The unit controller 19 includes, in a response signal, information indicating presence or absence of communication abnormality in other components, and transmits the response signal to the management apparatus 50. Note that the unit controller 19 may further determine whether there is a communication delay, and include, in the response signal, information indicating presence or absence of communication delay.
[0046]
In addition to whether a response signal has been received, the controller 51 stores, in the storage, the presence or absence of communication abnormality of each component included in the response signal (S104). This allows the controller 51 to determine whether there is communication abnormality in each unit and whether there is communication abnormality in each component included in the unit.
[0047]
Note that the above-described method of communication check is merely an example, and communication check may be performed using another method. For example, each unit is configured to transmit a liveness notification signal to the controller 51 at fixed time intervals. If time during which the liveness notification signal cannot be received exceeds a certain period of time, it is determined that communication abnormality has occurred in that unit. Further, communication check between components included in the unit can also be performed using a similar method.
[0048]
The controller 51 determines, based on an operation performed to the operation part 53, whether an instruction to display the communication check screen is issued (S105). The instruction to display the communication check screen is issued, for example, by operating a first menu bar 61, a second menu bar 62, and a third menu bar 63 illustrated in FIG. 4. The first menu bar 61 is displayed at all times, and a plurality of icons are displayed on the first menu bar 61. The second menu bar 62 displays icons representing subordinate items of the icon selected on the first menu bar 61. That is, icons displayed on the second menu bar 62 change according to the icon selected on the first menu bar 61. The third menu bar 63 displays icons representing subordinate items of the icon selected on the second menu bar 62. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, in response to an operation for selecting an icon for displaying the communication check screen from the icons of the second menu bar 62, an item for issuing an instruction to perform communication check are displayed in the third menu bar 63. Note that the above-described instruction to display the communication check screen is merely an example, and the instruction to display the communication check screen may be issued without using the first menu bar 61, the second menu bar 62, and the third menu bar 63.
[0049]
In the communication check screen illustrated in FIG. 4, a first area 71 and a second area 72 are displayed. The first area 71 and the second area 72 are vertically (along the shorter dimension of the screen) adjacent to each other. The layout of the first area 71 and the second area 72 illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the first area 71 and the second area 72 may be horizontally adjacent to each other. Further, the controller 51 may display only one of the first area 71 and the second area 72 on the display 52.
[0050]
When the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) determines that an instruction to display the communication check screen is issued, the controller 51 displays, on the display 52, the network configuration diagram of each unit and each component, and also displays a communication abnormality mark 74 so that the communication abnormality mark 74 is superimposed on the network configuration diagram (S106).
[0051]
The network configuration diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 is a diagram representing components (or units) that perform communication and their communication paths. The components that perform communication correspond to "nodes". In the network configuration diagram illustrated in FIG. 4, nodes are represented using letters representing components. For example, “VOS” and “MCU” in the network configuration diagram of FIG. 4 represent the management apparatus 50. The nodes are connected to each other by links. The nodes connected by a link can communicate directly with each other.
[0052]
In the first area 71, a network configuration diagram of the winding units 10 is displayed. “UNIT” in the network configuration diagram represents the winding unit 10. In the first area 71, the number next to "UNIT" is a unit number. The unit number is a number for distinguishing the plurality of winding units 10, and 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. In present embodiment, all the winding units 10 cannot be displayed on one screen because the display space is not enough. Therefore, the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) displays the network configuration diagram of the winding units 10 in a manner allowing for screen scrolling.
[0053]
This allows the user to view the network configuration diagrams of all the winding units 10 simply by scrolling the screen. Therefore, compared to, for example, a mode in which in response to specifying the number of the winding unit 10, a network configuration diagram of the winding unit 10 of the specified number is displayed, the display mode of the present embodiment has more excellent browsability. Note that the network configuration diagram including all the winding units 10 may be displayed on one screen.
[0054]
The first area 71 also displays a network configuration diagram of components included in the winding unit 10. “UNIT PCB” corresponds to the board of the unit controller 19. PCB is an abbreviation for Printed Circuit Board. "UNIT PCB" is connected with its subordinates, including the winding drum 17 and a display of the unit controller 19. The components included in the winding unit 10 are connected to form a hierarchical structure. For example, the "MIDDLE" component is connected with its subordinates, including the yarn unwinding auxiliary device 12 and an RFID reader/writer. In the above-mentioned communication check between components, the "UNIT PCB" transmits a communication check signal to another component such as the "DRUM", and based on whether a response for the communication check signal is received, determines whether there is communication abnormality in the component.
[0055]
In the second area 72, a network configuration diagram of the auxiliary units is displayed. "MAIN PCB" in the network configuration diagram corresponds to a board that controls a blower device, conveyor, etc. “AD PCB” corresponds to a board that controls the doffing truck 40. “CBF PCB” corresponds to a board that controls the bobbin preparation device 30. Similar to the winding unit 10, network configuration diagrams of components included in these auxiliary units are also displayed in the second area 72.
[0056]
Note that in present embodiment, the first area 71 and the second area 72 do not overlap with each other. In other words, the network configuration diagram of the winding units 10 and the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary units are displayed on the same screen.
[0057]
The communication abnormality mark 74 is superimposed on the network configuration diagram. The communication abnormality mark 74 is a mark indicating that the unit or component marked with the communication abnormality mark 74 has communication abnormality. Communication abnormality in present embodiment are classified into "communication failure" and "communication delay", each of which is displayed using a different mark. “Communication failure” indicates a state in which communication cannot be performed with the unit or component. "Communication delay" indicates a state in which there is a delay in communication with the unit or component. Note that "communication failure" and "communication delay" may not be distinguished from each other, and both may be handled as "communication abnormality". Alternatively, detection and display of "communication delay" may be omitted. Alternatively, both "communication failure" and "communication delay" may be detected, and display of "communication delay" may be omitted. In other words, both "communication failure" and "communication delay" may be detected, and for example, in response to a user instruction (for example, when a mode in which only "communication failure" is displayed is selected), only "communication failure" may be displayed on the display 52. In this case, both "communication failure" and "communication delay" may be displayed on the display 52 in response to a user instruction. This allows for selection of display contents depending on the user's level.
[0058]
The controller 51 identifies, based on the information stored in steps S103 and S104, the component in which "communication failure" occurs. The controller 51 (the display controller 51a) displays the communication abnormality mark 74 of “communication failure” at a position corresponding to the node of the identified component. Further, the controller 51 identifies, based on the information stored in steps S103 and S104, the component in which the communication delay occurs. The controller 51 (the display controller 51a) displays the communication abnormality mark 74 of “communication delay” at a position corresponding to the node of the identified component.
[0059]
In present embodiment, the communication abnormality mark 74 is displayed near the node of the identified component. This display mode is merely an example and can be modified as follows. For example, the communication abnormality mark 74 may be displayed so that the communication abnormality mark 74 is superimposed on the node. Alternatively, the node may be grayed out. Furthermore, if a link that does not function as a communication path can be identified based on communication abnormality of a node, the link may be displayed in a manner that indicates the communication abnormality.
[0060]
By viewing the communication check screen, the user can intuitively grasp the location of occurrence of communication abnormality. For example, based on the fact that all the components included in "UNIT 1" are unable to communicate, it can be inferred that there is an abnormality in the "UNIT 1 PCB" or a cable in its vicinity. Moreover, based on the fact that "MIDDLE" included in "UNIT 4" and all subordinate components of "MIDDLE" are unable to communicate, it can be inferred that there is an abnormality in "MIDDLE" or a cable in its vicinity. In this way, if there is communication abnormality in a higher-level component on a communication path, communication abnormality marks 74 are also displayed for nodes near subordinate components of that higher-level component. As a result, multiple communication abnormality marks 74 are displayed close to each other, making it easier for the user to notice that there is communication abnormality in the higher-level component on the communication path. By using the communication check screen of present embodiment, the location of occurrence of communication abnormality may be easily identified, and thus, quick recovery from the communication abnormality may be achieved.
[0061]
Further, a specific winding unit 75 is displayed near the network configuration diagram of the winding units 10. The specific winding unit 75 is a displayed object indicating the number of the winding unit 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred. As the specific winding unit 75, all the numbers of the winding units 10 in which communication abnormality has occurred are displayed on one screen. This allows the user to see all the winding units 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred without scrolling the network configuration diagram of the winding units 10. Further, in response to selecting any of the numbers of the winding units 10 displayed as the specific winding unit 75, the winding unit 10 of the selected number is displayed in the first area 71. For example, in FIG. 7, “UNIT 8” is out of the display range of the first area 71. In response to selecting “UNIT 8” in the specific winding unit 75, scrolling or switching of the screen occurs to display “UNIT 8” in the first area 71. In another display method, an upper limit of the number of winding units 10 to be displayed in the specific winding unit 75 may be set so that a predetermined number of winding units 10 in which communication abnormality has occurred are displayed on one screen. In this method, in response to scrolling the screen, the remaining winding units 10 in which communication abnormality has occurred may be displayed. Alternatively, in a method in which an upper limit of the number of winding units 10 to be displayed in the specific winding unit 75 is set so that a predetermined number of winding units 10 in which communication abnormality has occurred are displayed on one screen, scrolling may be unavailable. In this case, in response to resolving the communication abnormality in the winding unit 10, the winding unit 10 that was hidden is newly displayed. The winding units 10 are displayed in the specific winding unit 75, for example, in numerical order. However, the winding units 10 may be displayed in any other order. Note that the display of the specific winding unit 75 may be omitted.
[0062]
The specific winding unit 75 may be displayed in the first area 71 (the network configuration diagram of the winding units 10), or may be displayed in another area instead of the first area 71 and the second area 72. Note that for components other than the winding unit 10 (particularly, for the components displayed in the second area 72), names, identification information, etc. representing the components in which communication abnormality has occurred may be displayed side by side.
[0063]
Further, in the network configuration diagram, an image display icon 80 is displayed for each unit. The controller 51 determines, based on the operation performed on the operation part 53, whether the image display icon 80 is selected (S107).
[0064]
If the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) determines that the image display icon 80 is selected, the controller 51 displays a node selection screen 81 (S108). As illustrated in FIG. 5, the node selection screen 81 displays a list of nodes of components included in the selected unit. The node selection screen 81 is a screen used by the user to select a node.
[0065]
When a node in the node selection screen 81 is selected, the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) displays an image indicating the position of the communication board of the selected node (S109). In FIG. 5, "MAIN PCB" is selected, and a communication board image 82 showing the communication board of "MAIN PCB" is displayed. The communication board image 82 of present embodiment includes a photograph of an overall view of a casing in which the communication board of "MAIN PCB" is placed, and a photograph in which the position of the communication board in the casing is indicated using a thick line frame. However, this communication board image 82 is merely an example, and a display mode different from the present embodiment may be used as long as the position of the communication board is indicated. For example, an illustration may be used instead of a photograph, or an image indicating the position of the casing may be further added.
[0066]
The function of displaying the communication board image 82 allows the user to easily grasp the correspondence between the network configuration diagram and an actual component. Thus, the user can check the network configuration diagram to identify the communication board in need of recovery from communication abnormality, and then the user can see the communication board image 82 and easily grasp the position of the communication board to be repaired.
[0067]
Note that in present embodiment, the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) displays the node selection screen 81 when the image display icon 80 is selected. However, displaying the node selection screen 81 is not essential and can be omitted. For example, the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) may display the image display icon 80 for each node in the network configuration diagram, and may display the communication board image 82 corresponding to a selected image display icon 80. Alternatively, display of the image display icon 80 may be omitted. In this case, the controller 51 (the display controller 51a) displays the node selection screen 81 or the communication board image 82 when a node in the network configuration diagram is selected.
[0068]
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 52, the display controller 51a, the communication module 54, and the detector 51b. The display 52 is configured to display information about the yarn processing apparatus 2. The display controller 51a is configured to control a display content of the display 52. The communication module 54 is configured to communicate with a plurality of units included in the yarn processing apparatus 2. The detector 51b is configured to detect communication abnormality in the plurality of units. The display controller 51a displays, on the display 52, a network configuration diagram including nodes representing the plurality of units and links representing communication paths connecting the plurality of units. The display controller 51a displays, on the display 52, the communication abnormality detected by the detector 51b, so that the communication abnormality is superimposed on a position corresponding to a location of occurrence of the communication abnormality, in the network configuration diagram.
[0069]
In this configuration, the location of occurrence of communication abnormality is superimposed on the network configuration diagram, and thus a user can intuitively grasp a situation of occurrence of communication abnormality in each unit included in the yarn processing apparatus 2.
[0070]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the units include the winding unit 10 configured to form the package 22, and the auxiliary unit configured to assist the winding unit 10 in forming the package 22. The display 52 includes the first area 71 and the second area 72. In the first area 71, the network configuration diagram of the winding unit 10 and communication abnormality of the winding unit 10 are displayed. In the second area 72, the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit and communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit are displayed so that the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit and the communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit do not overlap with the first area 71.
[0071]
In this configuration, the network configuration diagram of the winding unit 10 and the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit are separately displayed. This allows the user to more easily grasp the location of occurrence of communication abnormality. In addition, communication abnormality of the winding unit and communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit are displayed on the same screen, and thus it is possible to eliminate the need of switching screens.
[0072]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the display controller 51a displays identification information of the winding unit 10 where communication abnormality has occurred.
[0073]
This allows the user to immediately identify the winding unit 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred.
[0074]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the display controller 51a displays, in one screen of the display 52, the entirety of the network configuration diagram, or displays the network configuration diagram on the display 52 in a manner allowing for screen scrolling to view the entirety of the network configuration diagram.
[0075]
This allows the user to grasp the overall situation of occurrence of communication abnormality in the yarn processing apparatus 2 without any or a lot of effort.
[0076]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the unit includes a plurality of components. The display controller 51a displays, on the display 52, the network configuration diagram including nodes corresponding to the components. The display controller 51a displays, on the display 52, communication abnormality of the components so that the communication abnormality is superimposed on the network configuration diagram in accordance with a location of occurrence of the communication abnormality.
[0077]
This allows the user to grasp a situation of occurrence of communication abnormality including communication abnormality within the unit.
[0078]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the display controller 51a is configured to receive node selection, and when node selection is made, the display controller 51a displays, on the display 52, an image indicating a position of a communication board corresponding to the selected node.
[0079]
Displaying the image of the communication board on the display makes it possible to easily identify the communication board of which communication abnormality is to be resolved.
[0080]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the communication abnormality detected by the detector 51b is communication failure.
[0081]
This configuration can display, on the display 52, communication abnormality difficult to resolve without intervention of the user, to inform the user of the communication abnormality.
[0082]
In the management apparatus 50 according to present embodiment, the communication abnormality detected by the detector 51b includes communication failure and communication delay. The display controller 51a has a display mode in which only communication failure is displayed on the display 52 as communication abnormality.
[0083]
In this configuration, only communication failure is displayed on the display 52 as communication abnormality, and thus the user can grasp at a glance the location of occurrence of the communication failure.
[0084]
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above configurations may be modified, for example, as follows.
[0085]
The flowchart described in the above embodiment is merely an example, 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. For example, the controller 51 may superimpose the communication abnormality mark 74 after displaying the network configuration diagram and after receiving a user instruction.
[0086]
In the above embodiment, the winding unit 10, the auxiliary unit, and all of the components included in these units are described as nodes in the network configuration diagram, but it is not essential to describe all of them as nodes, and only some of them may be described as nodes.
[0087]
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).
[0088]
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 relating to communication abnormality. Examples of the external device include a storage device provided in the factory in which the automatic winder 1 is located, and a data server connected to the management apparatus 50 via a wide area network.
, 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 (50) comprising:
a display (52) configured to display information about the yarn processing apparatus (2);
a display controller (51a) configured to control a display content of the display (52);
a communication module (54) configured to communicate with a plurality of units (10) included in the yarn processing apparatus (2); and
a detector (51b) configured to detect communication abnormality in the plurality of units (10), wherein
the display controller (51a) displays, on the display (52), a network configuration diagram including nodes and links, the nodes representing the plurality of units (10), the links representing communication paths connecting the plurality of units (10), and
the display controller (51a) displays, on the display (52), the communication abnormality detected by the detector (51b), so that the communication abnormality is superimposed on a position corresponding to a location of occurrence of the communication abnormality, in the network configuration diagram.

2. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the plurality of units (10) include a winding unit (10) configured to form the package (22), and an auxiliary unit (10) configured to assist the winding unit (10) in forming the package (22),
the display (52) includes a first area (71) and a second area (72), and
the display controller (51a)
displays, in the first area (71), the network configuration diagram of the winding unit (10) and communication abnormality of the winding unit (10), and
displays, in the second area (72), the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit (10) and communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit (10) so that the network configuration diagram of the auxiliary unit (10) and the communication abnormality of the auxiliary unit (10) do not overlap with the first area (71).

3. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the display controller (51a) displays identification information of the winding unit (10) where communication abnormality has occurred.

4. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the display controller (51a) displays, in one screen of the display (52), the entirety of the network configuration diagram, or displays the network configuration diagram on the display (52) in a manner allowing for screen scrolling to view the entirety of the network configuration diagram.

5. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the unit (10) includes a plurality of components,
the display controller (51a) displays, on the display (52), the network configuration diagram including nodes corresponding to the plurality of components, and
the display controller (51a) displays, on the display (52), communication abnormality of the plurality of components so that the communication abnormality is superimposed on the network configuration diagram in accordance with a location of occurrence of the communication abnormality.

6. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the display controller (51a) is configured to receive node selection, and when node selection is made, the display controller (51a) displays, on the display (52), an image indicating a position of a communication board corresponding to the selected node.

7. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
the communication abnormality detected by the detector (51b) is communication failure.

8. The management apparatus (50) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
the communication abnormality detected by the detector (51b) includes communication failure and communication delay, and
the display controller (51a) has a display mode in which only communication failure is displayed on the display (52) as communication abnormality.