Patent Description:
For example, <CIT>) discloses, as a device that inputs or outputs an analog signal, a process input/output device which is equipped to perform a calibration procedure and display the calibration procedure. Specifically, the process input/output device controls lighting of an LED, depending on a step of a calibration test of an input/output circuit.

<CIT> discloses a lighting system having a white light source and a color light source. A control circuit pulses the white and color light sources and changes relative duty cycles of the light sources to alter a color output of the lighting fixture, in response to a change in a control signal from a controller. A comparator compares a reference voltage relating to an aggregate current driving the light sources to a signal voltage relating to the periodic signal from a signal generator. The comparator controls a switch that controls one of the light sources. A duty cycle of the color light source varies inversely to a duty cycle of the white light source.

<CIT> discloses a power supply apparatus which performs voltage conversion of an input voltage, with a predetermined set voltage as a target value, and outputs the converted voltage, a boost ratio setting unit sets a boost ratio of the charge pump circuit based on the input voltage and a predetermined set voltage. A voltage adjustment unit is a regulator circuit, and adjusts voltage so that output voltage of the charge pump circuit approaches the set voltage. An output voltage setting unit generates a predetermined set voltage as a digital value. An A/D converter performs analog-digital conversion of the input voltage. The boost ratio setting unit sets the boost ratio based on a result of comparing an input voltage that has undergone analog-digital conversion, and the set voltage.

In a case where connection between an analog signal input/output device and an external apparatus is made, the need may arise to check whether they have been properly connected. Further, in a case where a failure occurs during the operation of the analog signal input/output device, the need may arise to determine the cause of the failure. For example, the need may arise to determine whether the failure is caused by the analog signal input/output device or whether the failure is caused by a factor outside the analog signal input/output device (defective wiring or a failure of an apparatus to which the analog signal input/output device is connected). In such a case, it is important to check the input or output level of the analog signal in the analog signal input/output device.

However, the conventional technique as described above is not a technique based on the viewpoint of indicating to the user the input or output level of the analog signal. For example, in order to display the input or output level of an analog signal, it is necessary to install, in the analog signal input/output device, a configuration for displaying the input or output level of an analog signal, such as a seven-segment LED, a liquid crystal display device, or an analog meter. Installing such a configuration in the analog signal input/output device increases a production cost. Further, in order to install the configuration as described above in the analog signal input/output device, it is necessary to provide a space for installing the configuration.

Furthermore, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose an analog signal input/output device according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an analog signal input/output device capable of indicating an input or output level of an analog signal, at low production cost and without the need for a wide space to install a configuration for indicating the input or output level.

The above problems are solved with an analog signal input/output device in accordance to claim <NUM>.

Further, the above problems are solved with a method of controlling an analog signal input/output device in accordance with claim <NUM>.

According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to indicate an input or output level of an analog signal by a light emission pattern of one light emitting element.

The following description will discuss an embodiment in accordance with an aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "the present embodiment") with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating one example of an application for an analog signal input/output device in accordance with the present embodiment. First, an overview of an application of the analog signal input/output device will be discussed with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an analog signal input device <NUM> is a device to which an analog signal is inputted via an input/output terminal <NUM> from an analog signal output apparatus such as a sensor. For example, the analog signal input device <NUM> may be an A/D converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. In this case, the analog signal input device <NUM> outputs a digital signal to a controller <NUM> via a controller communication terminal <NUM>. The analog signal input device <NUM> detects an input level of an inputted analog signal. The analog signal input device <NUM> controls an on and off pattern of light emission of an LED (light emitting element) <NUM>, which is provided in the analog signal input device <NUM>, in accordance with the detected input level of the analog signal. As such, the analog signal input device <NUM> allows the LED <NUM> to light up in a pattern which varies depending on the input level of the analog signal.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a specific example for the analog signal input device <NUM> which indicates an input level of an inputted analog signal is provided. Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the present embodiment may be applied to an analog signal output device, instead of the analog signal input device <NUM>. In this case, the analog signal output device converts, for example, a digital signal outputted from the controller <NUM> into an analog signal. The analog signal output device outputs the analog signal to an apparatus which is driven by an analog signal (e.g., a heater that requires temperature control). By appropriately changing the configuration of the analog signal input device <NUM>, the analog signal output device indicates an output level of an analog signal by a light emission pattern of the LED.

Further, the present embodiment may be applied to a device for inputting an analog signal and a digital signal, a device for outputting an analog signal and a digital signal, a device for inputting and outputting an analog signal and a digital signal, and the like. These devices indicate at least one of an input level and an output level of an analog signal.

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to indicate the input or output level of an analog signal by a light emission pattern of a single LED. As such, the above-described configuration achieves reduction in production cost of the analog signal input/output device, in comparison to the configuration in which the input or output level of an analog signal is numerically displayed by a seven-segment LED, the configuration in which the input or output level of an analog signal is indicated by liquid crystal display, the configuration in which the input or output level of an analog signal is indicated by an analog meter or the like, and other configuration. Further, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to save space necessary for providing a configuration for indicating the input or output level of an analog signal. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the design of the analog signal input/output device.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an overview of one example of a system <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes an analog signal input device, an analog signal output apparatus <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a support tool <NUM>, a display input device <NUM>, and a communication coupler <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the analog signal input device <NUM> is a relay device which relays data between a high-level network, which includes the controller <NUM> and others, and the analog signal output apparatus <NUM>. In the present embodiment, an example case where the analog signal input device <NUM> is an A/D converter is provided.

The communication coupler <NUM> is a relay device which relays communication between the high-level network and the analog signal input device <NUM>. The communication coupler <NUM> relays communication between an apparatus included in the high-level network and the analog signal input device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the analog signal output apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus which is connected to the analog signal input device <NUM> and is subject to control by the controller <NUM>. Examples of the analog signal output apparatus <NUM> include various kinds of sensors such as a photoelectronic sensor and a proximity sensor.

The controller <NUM> is a control device which performs centralized control of the whole of the system <NUM>, and is also referred to as programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller <NUM> operates as a master device of the analog signal input device <NUM> in the system <NUM>.

The support tool <NUM> is a device which is used, in a state of being connected to the system <NUM>, for various settings of the system <NUM> such as operation settings of the analog signal input device <NUM>. The support tool <NUM> can be connected to the system <NUM> via the controller <NUM>. The support tool <NUM> can be an information processing device such as a personal computer and can also be a portable information processing device such as a notebook computer. Note that the support tool <NUM> may be adapted to be connected to the analog signal input device <NUM> via the communication coupler <NUM> to perform various settings.

The display input device <NUM> is, for example, a display input device of a touch panel type. A user of the system <NUM> can operate the controller <NUM> via the display input device <NUM> and can check the operation status of the system <NUM> on the display input device <NUM>.

Further, in the system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where the controller <NUM> is configured to input/output an analog signal, the controller <NUM> may include the configuration, which is provided in the analog signal input device <NUM>, for indicating the input level (or the output level) of an analog signal.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating one example of main components of the analog signal input device <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. As described above, in the present embodiment, an example case where the analog signal input device <NUM> is an A/D converter for converting an inputted analog signal into a digital signal is provided.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the analog signal input device <NUM> includes an input terminal 11a, an output terminal 11b, a controller communication terminal <NUM>, a control section <NUM>, a storage section <NUM>, the LED <NUM>, and an A/D converting section <NUM>.

The input terminal 11a accepts input of a signal from an external apparatus. In the present embodiment, the input terminal 11a particularly accepts input of an analog signal from the analog signal output apparatus <NUM>. The output terminal 11b outputs output data to an external apparatus. Further, the controller communication terminal <NUM> outputs a digital signal to the controller <NUM> through the communication coupler <NUM>. The input terminal 11a, the output terminal 11b, and the controller communication terminal <NUM> may be two or more input terminals 11a, two or more output terminals 11b, and two or more controller communication terminals <NUM>, respectively, or may be a single input terminal 11a, a single output terminal 11b, and a single controller communication terminal <NUM>, respectively.

An analog signal (A)/digital signal (D) converting section <NUM> receives an analog signal from the analog signal output apparatus <NUM> through the input terminal 11a. The A/D converting section <NUM> converts the received analog signal into a digital signal. The A/D converting section <NUM> transmits the digital signal to the control section <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the A/D converting section <NUM> transmits the digital signal to a voltage detecting section <NUM>, in particular.

Further, the control section <NUM> may perform a filtering process or the like for removing noise of the digital signal. For example, the control section <NUM> transmits the digital signal subjected to the filtering process to the controller <NUM> through the controller communication terminal <NUM> and the communication coupler <NUM>.

The control section <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM) and others, and controls each of the constituent components in accordance with information processing. The control section <NUM> includes the voltage detecting section <NUM>, a relative value converting section <NUM>, and an LED lighting control section (light emission control section) <NUM>.

The voltage detecting section <NUM> detects an input level of an analog signal having been inputted through the input terminal 11a. Specifically, the voltage detecting section <NUM> detects a voltage level of the analog signal based on a digital signal having been received from the A/D converting section <NUM>. The voltage detecting section <NUM> transmits the detected voltage level to the relative value converting section <NUM>.

The relative value converting section <NUM> converts an analog signal input or output level having been received from the voltage detecting section <NUM> into a relative value relative to one analog signal input/output level range which has been set through selection from among different analog signal input/output level ranges. This will be specifically discussed below.

<FIG> is a diagram showing correspondence between a voltage level of an analog input (input/output) signal and a relative value for the voltage level relative to a range. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the analog signal input (input/output) level range is set through selection from among the following ranges: range A (range of 0V to +10V); range B (range of 0V to +5V); and range C (range of -10V to +10V).

The analog signal input device <NUM> may be configured to set any of the input level ranges in response to a selection operation which has been performed by a user on the support tool <NUM> and then has been accepted by the analog signal input device <NUM>. Alternatively, the analog signal input device <NUM> may be configured to accept input operations for a maximum value and a minimum value of the range on the support tool <NUM> and then set any input level range. For example, the set range may be stored as range information <NUM> in the storage section <NUM>.

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to indicate an input or output level of an inputted or outputted analog signal in the range that the user desires.

The relative value converting section <NUM> refers to the range information <NUM> and then determines a relative value, for a voltage level of an analog signal, relative to the set range. For example, as shown in <FIG>, in a case where the range A (range of 0V to +10V) is set, the relative value converting section <NUM> determines a relative value in a manner as described below. The relative value converting section <NUM> determines, on a percentage basis, a relative value for an inputted analog signal, on the assumption that <NUM> V, which is a minimum value of the range, is regarded as <NUM>%, and +<NUM> V, which is a maximum value of the range, is regarded as <NUM>%. Further, in a case where the range B (range of 0V to +5V) is set, the relative value converting section <NUM> determines a relative value in a manner as described below. The relative value converting section <NUM> determines, on a percentage basis, a relative value for an inputted analog signal, on the assumption that <NUM> V, which is a minimum value of the range, is regarded as <NUM>%, and +<NUM> V, which is a maximum value of the range, is regarded as <NUM>%. Further, in a case where the range C (range of -10V to +10V) is set, the relative value converting section <NUM> determines a relative value in a manner as described below. The relative value converting section <NUM> determines, on a percentage basis, a relative value for an inputted analog signal, on the assumption that -<NUM> V, which is a minimum value of the range, is regarded as <NUM>%, and +<NUM> V, which is a maximum value of the range, is regarded as <NUM>%. The relative value converting section <NUM> transmits, to the LED lighting control section <NUM>, the determined relative value for the analog signal.

The LED lighting control section <NUM> controls an on and off pattern of light emission of the light emitting element in accordance with an input level of an analog signal.

Specifically, the LED lighting control section <NUM> controls an on and off pattern of light emission of the LED <NUM> in accordance with a relative value having been received from the relative value converting section <NUM>. For example, the LED lighting control section <NUM> may be configured to refer to lighting pattern information, stored in the storage section <NUM>, indicative of lighting patterns of the LED <NUM> and then control light emission of the LED <NUM> in accordance with the lighting pattern information. The lighting pattern information <NUM> is information indicative of correspondences between the lighting patterns of the LED <NUM> and the relative values. The following description will discuss an example of a manner in which the LED lighting control section <NUM> performs on-off control of light emission of the LED <NUM>.

The LED lighting control section <NUM> may be configured to determine a turning-on (on) time of the LED <NUM> and a turning-off (off) time thereof in a predetermined period of time in accordance with the relative value (percentage) so as to control the turning on or blinking of the LED <NUM>. For example, the LED lighting control section <NUM> controls the turning on and turning off of the LED <NUM> in a period of one second in a manner as described below. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> determines that the turning-off time is one second, and does not turn on the LED <NUM>. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> determines that the turning-on time is <NUM> second and the turning-off time is <NUM> second, and causes the LED <NUM> to blink in accordance with the turning-on time and the turning-off time. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> determines that the turning-on time is <NUM> second and the turning-off time is <NUM> second, and causes the LED <NUM> to blink in accordance with the turning-on time and the turning-off time. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> determines that the turning-on time is one second, and turns on the LED <NUM> throughout the period of one second. That is, the LED lighting control section <NUM> performs control such that the length of the turning-on time of the LED <NUM> in a predetermined period of time increases with increase in the relative value.

Next, the following description will discuss another example of lighting control of the LED <NUM>. The LED lighting control section <NUM> may be configured to determine a blinking period of the LED <NUM> in accordance with the relative value so as to control the turning on or blinking of the LED <NUM>.

For example, in a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> does not turn on the LED <NUM>. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> causes the LED <NUM> to blink by turning on the LED <NUM> for one second and turning off the LED <NUM> for one second. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> causes the LED <NUM> to blink by turning on the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second and turning off the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> causes the LED <NUM> to blink by turning on the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second and turning off the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> causes the LED <NUM> to blink by turning on the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second and turning off the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second. In a case where the relative value is <NUM>%, the LED lighting control section <NUM> causes the LED <NUM> to blink by turning on the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second and turning off the LED <NUM> for <NUM> second. That is, the LED lighting control section <NUM> performs control such that the length of the blinking period of the LED <NUM> decreases with increase in the relative value.

With the above-described configurations, it is possible to indicate an input or output level in accordance with a relative value, for an input or output level, relative to one analog signal input/output level range which has been set through selection from among different analog signal input/output level ranges. That is, by changing the range setting, it is possible to indicate different analog signal input/output levels which correspond to the different ranges.

For example, the relative value converting section <NUM> may be configured such that, in a case where the level of an inputted analog signal falls outside a set range, the relative value converting section <NUM> does not determine a relative value. According to the above-described configuration, in a case where the inputted analog signal does not correspond to the set range, light emission of the LED <NUM> is not controlled. This allows a user to recognize that the inputted analog signal does not correspond to the set range.

Further, the analog signal input device <NUM> may be configured to input a plurality of analog input signals simultaneously. For example, the analog signal input device <NUM> may include a plurality of input terminals 11a and a plurality of LEDs <NUM>. In this case, the input terminals 11a and the LEDs <NUM> may be in a one-to-one correspondence. The LED lighting control section <NUM> may control the lighting of the LEDs <NUM> corresponding to the input terminals 11a to indicate the levels of the analog input signals inputted through the input terminals 11a. In this configuration, information indicative of which of the LEDs <NUM> each of the input terminals 11a corresponds to may be stored in the storage section <NUM>. The LED lighting control section <NUM> may be configured to refer to such information and then control lighting of the LEDs <NUM> in accordance with the information.

The storage section <NUM> is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory or a solid-state drive, and stores the above-described range information <NUM>, the above-described lighting pattern information <NUM>, and others.

The LED <NUM> emits light under control of the LED lighting control section <NUM>.

The LED <NUM> may be controlled to emit light even when any signal other than an analog signal is inputted or outputted. That is, the LED <NUM> may be shared not only for the purpose of indicating an input or output level of an analog signal but also for another purpose. For example, one LED <NUM> may emit light not only to indicate the input or output level of an analog signal but also to indicate the input of other signal (e.g., an external trigger signal). A signal targeted for input indication given by the LED <NUM> may be changed to another signal when a selection operation performed on the support tool <NUM> by the user is accepted.

The above-described configuration eliminates the need for installing a plurality of light emitting elements on a purpose by purpose basis. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the production cost, and it is also possible to contribute to space saving.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating one example of the flow of processes carried out by the analog signal input device <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. The following description will discuss, with reference to <FIG>, one example of the flow of processes carried out by the analog signal input device <NUM>. The voltage detecting section <NUM> detects a voltage level of an analog input signal (S1: input/output level detecting step). Subsequently, the relative value converting section <NUM> converts the voltage level of the analog input signal into a relative value (S2). Then, the LED lighting control section <NUM> turns on the LED <NUM> in a pattern which varies depending on the relative value (S3: light emission controlling step). In a case where the input of the analog signal has been completed (YES in S4), the process ends. Further, in a case where the input of the analog signal has not been completed (NO in S4), the process returns to S1.

Control blocks of the analog signal input device <NUM> (particularly, the relative value converting section <NUM> and the LED lighting control section <NUM>) can be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) provided in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like or can be alternatively realized by software.

In the latter case, the analog signal input device <NUM> includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software realizing the foregoing functions. The computer, for example, includes one or more processors and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. An object of the present invention can be achieved by the processor of the computer reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium. Examples of the processor encompass a central processing unit (CPU). Examples of the storage medium encompass a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a read only memory (ROM), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, and a programmable logic circuit. The computer may further include a random access memory (RAM) or the like in which the program is loaded. Further, the program may be made available to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network and a broadcast wave) which allows the program to be transmitted. Note that an aspect of the present invention can also be achieved in the form of a computer data signal in which the program is embodied via electronic transmission and which is embedded in a carrier wave.

Claim 1:
An analog signal input/output device (<NUM>) which includes a light emitting element (<NUM>), wherein the analog signal input/output device is configured to perform at least one of input and output of an analog signal,
the analog signal input/output device (<NUM>) comprising:
an input/output level detecting section (<NUM>) configured to detect at least one of an input level and an output level of the analog signal;
a light emission control section (<NUM>) configured to control an on and off pattern of light emission of the light emitting element (<NUM>); and
a storage section (<NUM>) configured to store range information which indicates different analog signal input/output level ranges;
characterized in that
the analog signal input device (<NUM>) is configured to set a range for a signal input/output level range among the different analog signal input/output level ranges in response to a selection operation performed by a user, resulting in a set range information (<NUM>);
the analog signal input/output device (<NUM>) comprises a relative value converting section (<NUM>) configured to convert a detected input or output level of the analog signal into a relative value which is, on a percentage basis, relative to one voltage level of the analog signal input/output range indicated by the set range information (<NUM>); and
the light emission control section (<NUM>) is configured to control the on and off pattern of light emission of the light emitting element (<NUM>) in accordance with the relative value.