Patent Description:
In industrial systems, such as factory automation (FA) systems, various proposals have been made for setting the operation conditions among the respective machines. For example, <CIT>discloses a technology for changing the communication system of a communication processing device in correspondence with a command of a higher-level device. <CIT> discloses a motor-driving apparatus, which drives a motor while controlling the motor based on an external command signal from an external device, includes an external command processor, a program storage, a motor controller, a program rewriting unit, a rewriting data input terminal. <CIT> discloses a module system including a plurality of modules communicating with each other. The module system may include a master module configured to communicate with an external device, and at least one sub-module connected to a network to perform a data communication with the master module. The master module may transmit update data to a target sub-module requiring updating of data associated with an operation of the target sub-module among the at least one sub-module, via the network.

The objective of an aspect of the invention is to conveniently change a communication system for communicating with a master device in a motor control device.

The present invention is provided by the appended claims. The following disclosure serves a better understanding of the present invention. To solve the above issue, a motor control device according to an aspect of the disclosure is a motor control device for controlling a motor. The motor control device includes a network communication unit, communicating with a master device, which is a higher-level device with respect to the motor control device, via a communication network; and a setting communication unit, receiving communication system information in the network communication unit by using a communication path different from the communication network. The network communication unit includes a reconfigurable device, and is able to change a communication system by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device. In a case where the setting communication unit receives the communication system information, the motor control device reconfigures the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the communication system information.

In addition, a setting device according to an aspect of the disclosure is a setting device for setting an operation condition of a motor control device. A network communication unit communicating with a master device, which is a higher-level device with respect to the motor control device, via a communication network is disposed in the motor control device. The network communication unit includes a reconfigurable device, and a communication system of the network communication unit is able to change by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device. The setting device includes a setting unit that sets communication system information in the network communication unit and supplies the communication system information to the motor control device by using a communication path different from the communication network.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the communication system for communicating with a master device can be changed conveniently in the motor control device.

In the following, an embodiment (referred to as "the embodiment" in the following) according to an aspect of the invention is described based on the drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main parts of an FA system (motor control system) <NUM> and a setting device <NUM> according to the embodiment (referred to as "Embodiment <NUM>" in the following). The FA system <NUM> includes a slave device (motor control device) <NUM> and a programmable logic controller (PLC) (master device) <NUM>. The PLC <NUM> is an example of a higher-level device (master device) with respect to the slave device <NUM>.

The FA system <NUM> further includes a power <NUM> and a motor <NUM>. The slave device <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM> that controls the motor <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes a network communication unit <NUM> that communicates with the PLC <NUM> via a communication network (e.g., the communication network of the FA system <NUM>). The network communication unit <NUM> includes a reconfigurable device. The slave device <NUM> can change the communication system of the network communication unit <NUM> by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device.

The setting device <NUM> sets the operation condition of the slave device <NUM>. With the setting device <NUM> setting an operation of the user (referred to as "user operation" in the following), the user can set the operation condition of the slave device <NUM>. Specifically, the setting device <NUM> sets the communication system of the network communication unit <NUM>.

The setting device <NUM> includes an input unit <NUM>, a setting unit <NUM>, and a setting data generating unit (generating unit) <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> receives the user operation. The setting unit <NUM> sets one communication system from a plurality of communication systems of the network communication unit <NUM> based on the user operation.

The control unit <NUM> further includes a setting communication unit <NUM>. The setting communication unit <NUM> receives communication system information in the network communication unit <NUM> by using a communication path different from the communication network. As an example, the setting communication unit <NUM> obtains the communication system information from the setting device <NUM>. The slave device <NUM> (more specifically, the control unit <NUM>) reconfigures the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the communication system information in the case where the setting communication unit <NUM> receives the communication system information. For example, the setting communication unit <NUM> reconfigures the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the received communication system information. However, in the control unit <NUM>, the function of reconfiguring the reconfigurable device may also be assigned to a functional unit different from the setting communication unit <NUM>.

According to the configuration, the suitable communication system of the slave device <NUM> can be arbitrarily changed in correspondence with the specification of the PLC <NUM>. That is, different from the conventional art, preparation of a slave device <NUM> in which a predetermined communication system is set in advance in correspondence with the specification of the PLC <NUM> is not required. Therefore, one slave device <NUM> can be set so as to be able to communication with the PLCs <NUM> of various specifications.

In addition, the setting communication unit <NUM> obtains the communication system information by using a communication path different from the communication network. Therefore, for example, the slave device <NUM> can obtain the communication system information from the setting device <NUM> by using the different communication path. As an example, the slave device <NUM> can communicate with the setting device by using a wired or wireless communication path not included in the communication network. Therefore, the connection relation between the setting device <NUM> and the slave device <NUM> can be easily changed. Therefore, in a field (e.g., in a factory) in which the slave device <NUM> is disposed, the user can conveniently carry out the setting of the slave device <NUM> on the spot. Therefore, according to the slave device <NUM>, the communication system for communication with the PLC <NUM> can be changed conveniently.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating the whole configuration of the FA system <NUM>. The FA system <NUM> includes an information processing device <NUM>, the PLC <NUM>, and the slave device <NUM>. The FA system <NUM> is a unit in which a production facility including a plurality of machines disposed in a factory is put together for each function. The FA system <NUM> is a system for realizing automation of manufacturing processes in a factory. The FA system <NUM> is realized by a master-slave control system.

In the FA system <NUM>, the PLC (master device) <NUM> may also be referred to as a network master. Correspondingly, the slave device <NUM> may also be referred to as a network slave. The PLC <NUM> controls one or more slave devices <NUM>.

The information processing device <NUM> comprehensively controls the respective units of the FA system <NUM>. The information processing device <NUM> may control the PLC <NUM>. The PLC <NUM> can output data to the respective slave devices <NUM>. In addition, the PLC <NUM> can obtain data of the respective slave devices <NUM>. An industrial PC platform (IPC) may be used as the information processing device <NUM> or the PLC <NUM>.

The slave devices <NUM> are respectively connected with the information processing device <NUM> via the PLC <NUM>. The slave device <NUM> executes one or more functions relating to the manufacturing processes in accordance with the command of the PLC <NUM>. For the ease of description, the three slave devices <NUM> shown in <FIG> are respectively referred to as slave devices 90a to 90c. The information processing device <NUM> may control the slave devices 90a to 90c via the PLC <NUM>. The slave devices 90a to 90c carry out communication via the PLC <NUM>. While <FIG> illustrates a case where there are multiple slave devices <NUM>, there may also be one (single) slave device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a power <NUM> to a motor <NUM> in the FA system <NUM>. The slave device <NUM> includes a rectifying circuit <NUM>, a direct current (DC) link <NUM>, and an inverter (power conversion unit) <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> outputs a motor driving signal (e.g., a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal) for the inverter <NUM> to drive the motor <NUM> to the inverter <NUM>. The inverter <NUM> drives the motor <NUM> based on the PWM signal. Accordingly, the control unit <NUM> controls (drives) the motor <NUM> via the inverter <NUM>.

In the following, a case where the motor <NUM> is a three-phase alternative current (AC) induction motor (IM) is described. However, the motor <NUM> may also be a three-phase AC synchronous motor (SM). Alternatively, the motor <NUM> may also be a single-phase or two-phase AC motor. In addition, as the motor <NUM>, a DC motor can also be used.

The power <NUM> is a conventional three-phase AC power. In the following, the respective phases of the three-phase AC are represented as the U-phase, the V-phase, and the W-phase. The power <NUM> is connected to the rectifying circuit <NUM>. The rectifying circuit <NUM> has six rectifying elements <NUM>. As an example, the rectifying element <NUM> is a diode. The rectifying circuit <NUM> converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage (DC power) by rectifying the AC voltage (AC power) supplied from the power <NUM>. The rectifying circuit <NUM> serves as an AC/DC converter.

The six rectifying elements <NUM> form a three-phase full-wave rectifying circuit. Among the six rectifying elements <NUM>, (i) two of the rectifying elements <NUM> are connected to the U-phase of the power <NUM>, (ii) two of the rectifying elements <NUM> are connected to the V-phase of the power <NUM>, and (iii) two of the rectifying elements <NUM> are connected to the W-phase of the power <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the six rectifying elements <NUM> are respectively referred to as the following:.

Also, a "upper arm rectifying element" generally refers to the rectifying element <NUM> connected to a node N1 of the DC link <NUM> (a capacitor <NUM>). Besides, a "lower arm rectifying element" generally refers to the rectifying element <NUM> connected to a node N2 of the DC link <NUM>. The implication of "upper arm" and "lower arm" is the same as the inverter <NUM> described in the following.

The rectifying circuit <NUM> is connected with the inverter <NUM> via the DC link <NUM>. The DC link <NUM> includes the capacitor <NUM>. One of the two nodes of the capacitor <NUM> is referred to as N1, while the other is referred to as N2. The capacitor <NUM> smooths the DC voltage supplied from the rectifying circuit <NUM>. In the circuit configuration of <FIG>, (i) the node N1 is equivalent to the positive electrode of the capacitor <NUM>, and (ii) the node N2 is equivalent to the negative electrode of the capacitor <NUM>. The DC link <NUM> may also be referred to as a smoothing circuit.

The inverter <NUM> has six switching elements <NUM>. In Embodiment <NUM>, the case where the inverter <NUM> is a voltage-type inverter is described. However, a current-type inverter may also be used as the inverter <NUM>. The inverter <NUM> converts the DC voltage into the AC voltage (AC power) by switching the DC voltage (DC power) supplied from the DC link. The inverter <NUM> serves as a DC/AC converter.

The switching element <NUM> is formed by connecting an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a diode (reflux diode) in parallel. Among the six switching elements <NUM>, (i) two of the switching elements <NUM> are connected to the U-phase of the motor <NUM>, (ii) two of the switching elements <NUM> are connected to the V-phase of the motor <NUM>, and (iii) two of the switching elements <NUM> are connected to the W-phase of the motor <NUM>. More specifically, "U-phase of the motor <NUM>" refers to "U-phase of a stator coil of the motor <NUM>". The same applies to the V-phase and the W-phase.

In <FIG>, the six switching elements <NUM> are respectively referred to as the following:.

The inverter <NUM> supplies the converted voltage (AC voltage) to the motor <NUM>. By disposing the inverter <NUM>, a three-phase AC voltage with a desired waveform (e.g., a three-phase AC voltage having a desired frequency and a desired amplitude) can be supplied to the motor <NUM>. Accordingly, the operation of the motor <NUM> can be controlled by respectively controlling the operation of the inverter <NUM> (ON/OFF of the six switching elements <NUM>). That is, the motor <NUM> can be driven according to a desired operation condition. In Embodiment <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is driven under PWM control.

An example of the control method of the motor <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. The control unit <NUM> further includes a first feedback signal obtaining unit (first FB signal obtaining unit, feedback signal obtaining unit) <NUM>, a second feedback signal obtaining unit (second FB signal obtaining unit, feedback signal obtaining unit) <NUM>, and a PWM signal output unit (motor driving signal output unit) <NUM>. The first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> and the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> are generally referred to as the feedback signal obtaining unit (FB signal obtaining unit). In other words, in Embodiment <NUM>, the FB signal obtaining unit is exemplified as including the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> and the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM>. The FB signal obtaining unit obtains a feedback signal (FB signal) indicating a predetermined physical quantity corresponding to an operation state of the motor <NUM>. The PWM signal output unit <NUM> outputs a PWM signal (motor driving signal) to the inverter <NUM>.

In Embodiment <NUM>, the FB signal obtaining unit is exemplified as including the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> and the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM>. That is, in Embodiment <NUM>, the case where the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> and the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> are used to perform feedback control of the motor <NUM> is described. Therefore, the FB signal includes the first FB signal and the second FB signal to be described afterwards. However, the FB signal obtaining unit may also be configured as including only one of the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> and the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM>. That is, the FB signal may also be only one of the first FB signal and the second FB signal.

The FA system <NUM> further includes an encoder <NUM> (position detection unit) that detects the position of the rotor of the motor <NUM>. The encoder <NUM> is disposed in (e.g., attached to) the motor <NUM>. The encoder <NUM> is, for example, a rotary encoder. The encoder <NUM> detects the position of the rotor of the motor <NUM> (more specifically, the rotation angle of the motor <NUM>, which is referred to as θm in the following). More specifically, "rotation angle of the motor <NUM>" refers to "rotation angle of the rotor of the motor <NUM>". θm is an example of the predetermined physical quantity corresponding to the operation state of the motor <NUM>. The encoder <NUM> outputs a signal indicating θm (referred to as "angle detection signal" in the following). The angle detection signal is, for example, a serial data signal (digital data). Accordingly, the encoder <NUM> outputs the angle detection signal as a signal representing numerical data.

The first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> obtains the angle detection signal, as the first feedback signal (first FB signal), from the encoder <NUM>. Specifically, the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> obtains the first FB signal (angle detection signal) from the encoder <NUM> every predetermined period (communication period). The first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> is used for position feedback, for example.

The first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> performs communication (data reception) with the encoder <NUM> according to a conventional communication system (first communication system). Examples of the first communication system include RS422 or RS485. It suffices as long as the first communication system is a conventional serial communication system. In the configuration, the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> performs a digital process for obtaining the first FB signal.

The FA system <NUM> further includes current detectors 76V and 76W. The second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> obtains a signal (referred to as current detection signal in the following) that indicates the current supplied from the inverter <NUM> to the motor <NUM> via the current detectors 76V and 76W. The current is another example of the predetermined physical quantity corresponding to the operation state of the motor <NUM>. For example, the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> detects the current supplied from the inverter <NUM> to two predetermined phases (e.g., V-phase and W-phase) of the motor <NUM> via the current detectors 76V and 76W (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

As an example, the current detectors 76V and 76W may be the conventional analog current detectors. The current detector 76V detects the current supplied from the inverter <NUM> to the V-phase of the motor <NUM>. The current detector 76W detects the current supplied from the inverter <NUM> to the W-phase of the motor <NUM>. The current detectors 76V and 76W output their detection results as current detection signals. In this case, the current detection signals are analog signals (analog data).

As an example, the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> is formed by a delta-sigma type analog-digital (AD) converter. The second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> converts the current detection signal, which is an analog signal and obtained from the current detectors 76V and 76W, into digital signals (digital data). The second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> obtains the converted current detection signal as the second feedback signal (second FB signal) that corresponds to the torque value of the motor <NUM>. However, the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> may also be configured by a conventional AD converter which does not adopt the delta-sigma type.

As another example, the current detectors 76V and 76W may also be conventional digital-type current detectors. In this case, the current detection signal is, for example, a serial data signal (digital data). In this case, the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> obtains the current detection signal, as the second FB signals, from the current detectors 76V and 76W. The second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> performs communication (data reception) with the current detectors 76V and 76W according to a conventional serial communication system. Accordingly, the second FB signal may also be supplied to the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> via serial communication. In this case, the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> does not require the AD converting function. Therefore, the configuration of the second FB signal obtaining unit can be simplified.

The first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> is connected to the network communication unit <NUM> and the PWM signal output unit <NUM>. The first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> can supply the first FB signal to at least one of the network communication unit <NUM> and the PWM signal output unit <NUM>. Similarly, the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> is connected to the network communication unit <NUM> and the PWM signal output unit <NUM>. The second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> can supply the second FB signal to at least one of the network communication unit <NUM> and the PWM signal output unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the FB signal obtaining unit can supply the FB signal to at least one of the network communication unit <NUM> and the PWM signal output unit <NUM>.

The network communication unit <NUM> is a communication interface between the control unit (the slave device <NUM>) and the PLC <NUM> (master device). The network communication unit <NUM> performs communication (data transmission and reception) with the PLC <NUM> according to a second communication system different from the first communication system. Examples of the second communication system include EtherCAT (Etherent (registered trademark) for Control Automation Technology) (registered trademark) or MECHAROLINK (registered trademark). It suffices as long as the second communication system is a conventional communication system based on the field network.

As described above, the slave device <NUM> can change the second communication system (the communication system with which the network communication unit <NUM> obtains data from the PLC <NUM>) by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device included in the network communication unit <NUM>. As an example, the network communication unit <NUM> includes a programmable logic device (PLD), as the reconfigurable device, able to change the circuit configuration (able to rewrite the circuit configuration). The slave device <NUM> can change the second communication system by changing the PLD circuit configuration. The change of the PLD circuit configuration is an example of the reconfiguration of each reconfigurable device. Examples of the PLD include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In Embodiment <NUM>, the case where the network communication unit <NUM> is configured by using an FPGA is described. However, the reconfigurable device applicable for the network communication unit <NUM> is not limited to FPGA. For example, the network communication unit <NUM> may also be configured by using a dynamically reconfigurable processor (DRP).

The PLC <NUM> generates one or more command signals with respect to the motor <NUM> (e.g., calculates one or more command values with respect to the motor <NUM>) based on the operation condition of the motor <NUM> set by the user. As an example, the PLC <NUM> generates a first command value (e.g., the command value relating to the rotation angle of the motor <NUM>) and a second command value(the command value relating to the current supplied to the motor <NUM>). The PLC <NUM> uses θm indicated by the first FB signal as the feedback value (first FB value) with respect to the first command value. In addition, the PLC <NUM> uses the current value indicated by the second FB signal as the feedback value (first FB value) with respect to the second command value.

As an example, the control unit <NUM> is provided with an FB calculation processing (feedback calculation processing) function. In this case, the control unit <NUM> obtains the respective command values (first command value and second command value) from the PLC <NUM> via the network communication unit <NUM>. Then, the control unit <NUM> performs a control process on the motor <NUM> (motor control process) based on the comparison results between the respective command values and the respective FB values (e.g., the differences between the respective command values and the respective FB values). That is, the control unit <NUM> performs an FB calculation process for controlling the motor <NUM> based on the comparison results. Accordingly, the control unit <NUM> can perform a motor control process (FB calculation process) based on the respective FB signals. As an example, in Embodiment <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> supplies the result of the FB calculation process (referred to as "FB calculation process result" in the following) to the PWM signal output unit <NUM>. The PWM signal output unit <NUM> generates the PWM signal (motor driving signal) based on the FB calculation process result.

The PWM signal is a signal that controls ON/OFF of the respective six switching elements <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>. The PWM signal can be understood as a signal for driving the motor <NUM> via the inverter <NUM>. Accordingly, the PWM signal is an example of the motor driving signal (a signal that makes the inverter <NUM> drive the motor <NUM>). As an example, the PWM signal output unit <NUM> adjusts a duty ratio (also referred to as "duty cycle") based on the FB calculation process result.

Different from the example above, the FB calculation process may also be performed in the PLC <NUM>. That is, the PLC <NUM> carries out the substantial motor control. In this case, the network communication unit <NUM> may supply the first FB signal obtained from the first FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> to the PLC <NUM>. Also, the network communication unit <NUM> may supply the second FB signal obtained from the second FB signal obtaining unit <NUM> to the PLC <NUM>. Furthermore, the network communication unit <NUM> obtains the FB calculation process result from the PLC <NUM>.

In the communication using the field network, the format of the data output from the PLC <NUM> differs as the specification of the PLC <NUM> differs. Therefore, the type of the communication system (second communication system) for the the network communication unit <NUM> to obtain data from the PLC <NUM> differs as the specification of the PLC <NUM> differs.

As an example, the case where the manufacturer of a PLC (referred to as "type-A PLC" for the ease of description) is different from the manufacturer of another PLC (referred to as "type-B PLC" for the ease of description) is considered. In such scenario, (i) the communication system for the network communication unit <NUM> to obtain data from the type-A PLC (referred to as the second communication system of the type A in the following) is different from (ii) the communication system for the network communication unit <NUM> to obtain data from the type-B PLC (referred to as the second communication system of the type B in the following). As an example, while the second communication system of the type A and the second communication system of the type B are communication systems based on the field network, the communication protocols thereof are different.

Conventionally it is necessary to prepare a motor control device in which a specific communication system is set in advance in correspondence with the specification of the PLC. For example, in the case where the type-A PLC and the motor control device are used together, it is necessary to prepare a motor control device having a network communication unit (referred to as "type-A network communication unit" in the following) with which communication is possible by using the second communication system of the type A. Meanwhile, in the case where the type-B PLC and the motor control device are used together, it is necessary to prepare a motor control device having a network communication unit (referred to as "type-B network communication unit" in the following) with which communication is possible by using the second communication system of the type B. Thus, conventionally, to cope with PLCs with different specifications, it is necessary to prepare multiple motor control devices. As a result, the issue that the inventory management of the motor control device becomes complicated arises.

In addition, conventionally, to cope with the PLCs with different specifications by using one motor control device, the motor control device needs to be provided with multiple network communication units. As an example, the case where the type-A PLC and the type-B PLC are coped with by using one motor control device is considered. In this case, it is necessary to provide two communication units, i.e., a type-A network communication unit and a type-B network communication unit, in one motor control device. Accordingly, in the case where the PLCs with different specifications are coped with by using one motor control device, the issue that the configuration of the motor control device becomes complicated arises.

Given the above issues, the inventors of the invention (referred to as "inventors" in the following) consider there is still room for improvement in the configuration of improving the convenience of the motor control device. The configurations of the setting device <NUM> and the slave device <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> is an example of a concept newly devised by the inventors.

As an example, the setting device <NUM> stores a program (referred to as "setting program" in the following) in which the user sets the operation condition of the slave device <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> and the setting data generating unit <NUM> are realized by executing the setting program by using the setting device <NUM>. The setting device <NUM> is, for example, a portable information processing device. As an example, the setting device <NUM> is a notebook personal computer (PC). Alternatively, a tablet terminal may also be used as the setting device <NUM>. By using a portable information processing device as the setting device <NUM>, the user can conveniently change the setting of the slave device <NUM> in the field. Nevertheless, the setting device <NUM> may also be a stationary information processing device.

As described above, the setting device <NUM> can communicate with the slave device <NUM> (the setting communication unit <NUM>) with a communication path different from the communication network. In Embodiment <NUM>, a case in which a universal serial bus (USB, registered trademark) cable is used to form a wired communication path between the setting device <NUM> and the slave device <NUM> is described. By disposing a USB port for the USB cable to insert in the slave device <NUM>, the configuration can be adopted. Nevertheless, the wired communication path may also be formed by using a conventional wired communication technology other than USB.

Alternatively, a wireless communication path may also be formed between the setting device <NUM> and the slave device <NUM> by using a conventional wireless communication technology, for example. By providing the slave device <NUM> with a wireless communication function capable of wireless communication with the setting device <NUM>, the configuration can be adopted. As an example, the wireless communication path can be formed by using Bluetooth (registered trademark).

During execution of the setting program, the setting device <NUM> may display the candidates of the plurality of the second communication systems on a display unit (not shown). That is, the setting device <NUM> presents an operation screen for the user to choose one communication system among the second communication systems. The user refers to the operation screen and performs a user operation that chooses one communication system from the plurality of the second communication systems on the input unit <NUM>.

The setting unit <NUM> sets one communication system from the plurality of the second communication systems based on the user operation. For example, in the case where the user chooses the second communication system of the type A on the operation screen, the setting unit <NUM> sets the second communication system of the type A from the plurality of second communication systems according to the user's choice. Meanwhile, in the case where the user chooses the second communication system of the type B on the operation screen, the setting unit <NUM> sets the second communication system of the type B from the plurality of second communication systems according to the user's choice.

The setting data generating unit <NUM> generates the setting data of the PLD circuit configuration. The setting data of the PLD circuit configuration is an example of the setting data of the reconfigurable device. Specifically, the data setting generating unit <NUM> generates the setting data in correspondence with the type of the second communication system set by the setting unit <NUM>. In addition, the setting data generating unit <NUM> supplies the generated setting data to the setting communication unit <NUM>. The setting data is an example of the communication system information. The setting communication unit <NUM> can change the PLD circuit configuration in correspondence with the communication system information.

As an example, in the case where the second communication system of the type A is set, the setting data generating unit <NUM> generates the setting data (referred to as "type-A setting data" in the following), so that communication is possible by using the second communication system of the type A in the network communication unit <NUM>. In addition, the setting data generating unit <NUM> supplies the type-A setting data to the setting communication unit <NUM> via the USB cable. The setting communication unit <NUM> supplies the type-A setting data to the network communication unit <NUM>. In addition, the setting communication unit <NUM> changes the PLD circuit configuration by using the type-A setting data. As a result, in the network communication unit <NUM>, communication is possible by using the second communication system of the type A.

Meanwhile, in the case where the second communication system of the type B is set as the second communication system, the setting data generating unit <NUM> generates the setting data (referred to as "type-B setting data" in the following), so that communication is possible by using the second communication system of the type B in the network communication unit <NUM>. In addition, the setting data generating unit <NUM> supplies the type-B setting data to the setting communication unit <NUM> via the USB cable. The setting communication unit <NUM> supplies the type-B setting data to the network communication unit <NUM>. In addition, the setting communication unit <NUM> changes the PLD circuit configuration by using the type-B setting data. As a result, in the network communication unit <NUM>, communication is possible by using the second communication system of the type B.

Accordingly, according to the setting device <NUM>, the network communication unit <NUM> can be provided with the function of one of the type-A network communication unit and the type-B network communication unit in correspondence with the specification of the PLC <NUM>. That is, without disposing an additional network communication unit, one slave device <NUM> can still communicate with the PLCs <NUM> of various specifications. In other words, the protocol of the second communication system can be changed in the network communication unit <NUM>. Consequently, different from the conventional art, the complication level of the inventory management of the slave device <NUM> can be reduced. In addition, a complicated structure of the slave device <NUM> can be avoided. Therefore, according to the configuration of Embodiment <NUM>, the convenience of the slave device <NUM> can be improved over the conventional art.

Moreover, the setting device <NUM> can communicate with the slave device <NUM> through a communication path (e.g., USB cable) different from the communication network. That is, the connection relation between the setting device <NUM> and the slave device <NUM> can be easily changed without changing the setting of the communication network. Therefore, the setting device <NUM> can be connected with the slave device <NUM> without a complicated operation performed by the user. Therefore, in the field in which the slave device <NUM> is disposed, the user can conveniently set the slave device <NUM> on the spot.

In particular, since the setting data can be generated by the setting data generating unit <NUM>, a complicated circuit configuration change of the PLD can be dealt with in Embodiment <NUM>. Therefore, the user can be provided with more diverse options regarding the types of the second communication method that can be set. Moreover, since the setting data can be directly supplied from the setting device <NUM> to the slave device <NUM> via the USB cable, the user operation can be simplified.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main parts of the FA system <NUM> and a setting device 900A. The setting device 900A is a modified example of the setting device <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>. The setting data generating unit of the setting device 900A is referred to as a setting data generating unit (generating unit) 903A. Different from the setting data generating unit <NUM>, the setting data generating unit 903A further includes a function of generating the setting data generated by itself to a recording medium <NUM>. That is, the setting data generating unit 903A can write the setting data to the recording medium <NUM>.

The recording medium <NUM> is any recording medium readable by the slave device <NUM>. As an example, the recording medium <NUM> is a removable medium that is removable with respect to the setting device 900A and the slave device <NUM>. Examples of the removable medium include a USB memory or a SD memory card. As an example, the case in which a USB memory is used as the recording medium <NUM> is described.

The user inserts the recording medium <NUM> into the USB port disposed on the setting device 900A. The setting data generating unit 903A writes the setting data to the recording medium <NUM> when the recording medium <NUM> is inserted into the USB port of the setting device 900A. When the writing of the data is finished, the user removes the recording medium <NUM> from the USB port of the setting device 900A.

Then, the user inserts the recording medium <NUM> into the USB port disposed on the slave device <NUM>. The setting communication unit <NUM> reads the setting data stored in the recording medium <NUM> when the recording medium <NUM> is inserted into the USB port of the slave device <NUM>. The network communication unit <NUM> uses the setting data to change the PLD circuit configuration.

Accordingly, the setting communication unit <NUM> may also receive the communication system information by reading the information recorded in the recording medium <NUM>. Therefore, it is not required to prepare the setting device 900A at the time of changing the circuit configuration of each PLD.

Embodiment <NUM> is described in the following. For the ease of descriptions, components having the same functions as those described in Embodiment <NUM> are labeled with the same symbols and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated in the following. The FA system of Embodiment <NUM> is referred to as an FA system <NUM>. In addition, the setting device of Embodiment <NUM> is referred to as a setting device 900B.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main parts of the FA system <NUM> and the setting device 900B. The control unit of the slave device <NUM> of the FA system <NUM> is referred to as a control unit <NUM>. In addition, the setting communication unit of the control unit <NUM> is referred to as a setting communication unit <NUM>.

Different from Embodiment <NUM>, the setting data of the PLD circuit configuration is kept in advance in the slave device <NUM>. The slave device <NUM> further includes a storage unit <NUM>. The type-A setting data and the type-B setting data are stored in advance in the storage unit <NUM>.

The setting device 900B has a configuration in which a command unit 903B replaces the setting data generating unit <NUM> in the setting device <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>. The command unit 903B provides the setting communication unit <NUM> with a command (referred to as "setting command" in the following) that sets (changes) the PLD circuit configuration by using the setting data stored in the storage unit <NUM>. In Embodiment <NUM>, the setting command is an example of the communication system information. That is, the setting communication unit <NUM> receives the setting command as the communication system information.

For example, in the case where the second communication system of the type A is set as the second communication system, the command unit 903B provides the setting communication unit <NUM> with a command (referred to as "type-A setting command" in the following) of setting the PLD circuit configuration by using the type-A setting data. The setting communication unit <NUM> reads the type-A setting data from the storage unit <NUM> when receiving the type-A setting command. In addition, the setting communication unit <NUM> changes the PLD circuit configuration by using the type-A setting data. As a result, in the network communication unit <NUM>, performing communication by using the second communication system of the type A is possible.

Meanwhile, in the case where the second communication system of the type B is set as the second communication system, the command unit 903B provides the setting communication unit <NUM> with a command (referred to as "type-B setting command" in the following) of setting the PLD circuit configuration by using the type-B setting data. The setting communication unit <NUM> reads the type-B setting data from the storage unit <NUM> when receiving the type-B setting command. In addition, the setting communication unit <NUM> changes the PLD circuit configuration by using the type-B setting data. As a result, in the network communication unit <NUM>, performing communication by using the second communication system of the type B is possible.

The PLD circuit configuration can also be changed in correspondence with the second communication system set by the user according to the configuration of Embodiment <NUM>. Therefore, the convenience of the slave device can be improved. In particular, different from Embodiment <NUM>, since it is not necessary to generate the setting data by the setting device in Embodiment <NUM>, the process of the setting device can be simplified.

In the setting device according to an aspect of the invention, the communication system of the network communication unit may also be changed by using a conventional hardware switch. Specifically, the hardware switch may also be used as the communication path different from the communication network. As the hardware switch, a dual in-line package (DIP) switch can be used, for example. Like Embodiment <NUM>, the setting data of the PLD circuit configuration is kept in advance in the storage unit of the motor control device.

As an example, when the user turns on a predetermined switch (e.g., a switch for the second communication system of the type A) in the DIP switch, the DIP switch may provide the network communication unit with the type-A setting command. In this case, the network communication unit can perform communication by using the second communication system of the type A. Meanwhile, when the user turns off the predetermined switch and turns on another switch (e.g., a switch for the second communication system of the type B) in the DIP switch, the DIP switch may provide the network communication unit with the type-B setting command. In this case, the network communication unit can perform communication by using the second communication system of the type B.

The control blocks (specifically the control units <NUM>, <NUM>, the setting unit <NUM>, the setting data generating units <NUM>, 903A, and the command unit 903B) of the FA systems <NUM>, <NUM> and the setting devices <NUM>, 900A, and 900B may be realized by logic circuits (hardware) formed by integrated circuits (IC chips), etc., or realized by software.

In the latter case, the FA systems <NUM>, <NUM> and the setting devices <NUM>, 900A, 900B include a computer for executing the command of a program which is the software for realizing the respective functions. The computer includes one or more processors, for example, as well as a computer readable recording medium storing the program. In addition, in the computer, with the processor reading the program from the recording medium and executing the program, the objective according to an aspect of the invention is achieved. As the processor, a central processing unit (CPU) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a read-only memory (ROM), as well as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. In addition, a random access memory (RAM), etc., that develops the program may also be further included. In addition, the program may also be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast waves, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. An aspect of the invention may also be realized in the form of data signals embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is realized through electronic transmission.

The aspect of the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. The embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the aspect of the invention.

According to the above, an aspect of the invention is a motor control device for controlling a motor. The motor control device includes a network communication unit, communicating with a master device, which is a higher-level device with respect to the motor control device, via a communication network; and a setting communication unit, receiving communication system information in the network communication unit by using a communication path different from the communication network. The network communication unit includes a reconfigurable device, and is able to change a communication system by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device. In a case where the setting communication unit receives the communication system information, the motor control device reconfigures the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the communication system information.

According to the configuration, the suitable communication system of the motor control device can be arbitrarily changed in correspondence with the specification of the master device. That is, different from the conventional art, preparation of a motor control device in which a specific communication system is set in advance in correspondence with the specification of the master device is not required. Therefore, one motor control device can be set so as to be able to communicate with the master devices of various specifications.

In addition, the setting communication unit can receive the communication system information by using a communication path different from the communication network (e.g., the communication network in the FA system). For example, the setting communication unit can communicate with the setting device (the device that sets the operation condition of the motor control device) by using the different communication path. Therefore, the connection relation between the motor control device and the setting device can be easily changed. Therefore, in a field (e.g., in a factory) in which the motor control device is disposed, the user can conveniently carry out the setting of the motor control device on the spot. According to the above, in an aspect of the invention, the communication system for communicating with the master device can be changed conveniently in the motor control device. As a result, the convenience of the motor control device can be improved.

In addition, to solve the above issue, in the motor control device according to an aspect of the invention, the setting communication unit may receive, as the communication system information, setting data of the reconfigurable device, and the motor control device may reconfigure the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the setting data.

According to the configuration, the motor control device can reconfigure the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the setting data set in the setting device, for example. In particular, by generating the setting data in the setting device, a complicated reconfiguration can be handled. Therefore, the user can be provided with more diverse options regarding the types of the communication method that can be set. Moreover, since the setting data can be directly supplied from the setting device to the motor control device via a USB cable, the user operation can be simplified.

In addition, to solve the above issue, in the motor control device according to an aspect of the invention, the setting communication unit may receive the communication system information by reading information recorded in a recording medium.

According to the configuration, the motor control device can obtain the communication system information by reading and obtaining the information recorded in the recording medium. Therefore, it is not required to prepare the setting device at the time when the motor control device reconfigures the reconfigurable device.

In addition, to solve the above issue, setting data of the reconfigurable device may be kept in advance in the motor control device according to an aspect of the invention, and the setting communication unit may receive a command of using the setting data, as the communication system information, to reconfigure the reconfigurable device.

According to the configuration, the motor control device can reconfigure the reconfigurable device. In this case, since it is not necessary to generate the setting data in the setting device, the process of the setting device can be simplified.

In addition, to solve the above issue, a setting device according to an aspect of the invention is a setting device for setting an operation condition of a motor control device. A network communication unit communicating with a master device, which is a higher-level device with respect to the motor control device, via a communication network is disposed in the motor control device. The network communication unit includes a reconfigurable device, and a communication system of the network communication unit is able to change by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device. The setting device includes a setting unit that sets communication system information in the network communication unit and supplies the communication system information to the motor control device by using a communication path different from the communication network.

Claim 1:
A motor control device (<NUM>) configured for controlling a motor (<NUM>), the motor control device (<NUM>) comprising:
a network communication unit (<NUM>), configured to be suitable for communicating with a master device (<NUM>), which is a higher-level device with respect to the motor control device (<NUM>), via a communication network; and
a setting communication unit (<NUM>, <NUM>), configured to be suitable for receiving communication system information from a setting device (<NUM>) other than the master device (<NUM>) by using a communication path different from the communication network,
wherein the network communication unit (<NUM>) comprises a reconfigurable device, and is configured to be suitable to be able to change a communication system by reconfiguring the reconfigurable device, and
in a case where the setting communication unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) receives the communication system information, the motor control device (<NUM>) is configured to reconfigure the reconfigurable device in correspondence with the communication system information,
characterized in that
the motor control device (<NUM>) is further configured to store a first type setting data and a second type setting data of the reconfigurable device in advance, in a case where the setting communication unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) receives a setting command from the setting device (<NUM>) as the communication system information, the setting communication unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to read the first type setting data or the second type setting data according to the setting command and to reconfigure the reconfigurable device using the first type setting data or the second type setting data that is read out.