JP7481284B2 - Kitting system and kitting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a kitting system and a kitting method.

In recent years, the number of network terminals such as PCs (Personal Computers), smartphones, tablets, and game consoles, as well as the number of computers (servers) that provide various services to these network terminals, has been increasing. Conventionally, kitting work for a large number of network terminals and servers was performed manually by workers. However, if there is variation in the skills of each worker, there is a problem that the quality of the kitting work is not stable. Furthermore, due to labor shortages in recent years, it has become difficult to secure workers to perform kitting work.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system for easily and efficiently carrying out kitting work. This system groups a large number of devices and is capable of distributing different operation instructions, such as key operations, to each group.

Japanese Patent No. 6164046

However, conventional kitting systems such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 have the problem that they cannot send different operation instructions to multiple target devices one by one.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems in the past, and aims to provide a kitting system and kitting method that can send different operation instructions to multiple target devices, one by one.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a kitting system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of operation target devices, a plurality of child devices connected to each of the plurality of operation target devices, and a parent device that transmits operation information including operation instructions for each of the plurality of operation target devices to the plurality of child devices, each of the child devices having a signal conversion unit that converts the operation instructions included in the operation information addressed to the child device and transmitted from the parent device to an operation signal in a format capable of operating the operation target device connected to the child device, and an operation signal transmission unit that transmits the operation signal to the operation target device connected to the child device, and an operation instruction input/output unit that accepts input of the operation instructions by an operator and outputs the input operation instructions to the parent device. and an operation information generation unit that generates, as the operation information, information linking child unit identification information for identifying the child unit selected by the child unit selection button and the operation instruction input by the operation instruction input/output unit, and the child unit selection buttons each have an LED that indicates whether the parent unit has designated each child unit as the destination of the operation information, and the LED of the child unit selection button of a child unit that is the destination of the operation information is turned on, and the LED of the child unit selection button of a child unit that is not the destination of the operation information is turned off.

With this configuration, the kitting system of the present invention is configured so that each child device outputs the operation instructions contained in the operation information addressed to the child device to the target device connected to the child device, making it possible to send different operation instructions to each of the multiple target devices.

With this configuration, the kitting system of the present invention allows an operator to simultaneously input operational instructions to multiple target devices by performing input operations such as key operations and mouse operations using an operational instruction input/output unit such as a USB keyboard or USB mouse. This makes it possible for one operator or a small number of operators to perform kitting work of high and consistent quality.

With this configuration, the kitting system according to the present invention has a child unit selection button for the parent unit to select a child unit to which the operation information is to be sent, so that the operation information can be sent to a desired child unit.

In addition, in the kitting system according to the present invention, the parent device may further include an operation instruction recording unit that records the operation instructions input by the operation instruction input/output unit in a memory, and an operation instruction playback unit that outputs the operation instructions recorded in the memory to the operation information generation unit.

With this configuration, the kitting system according to the present invention can record and play back operation instructions inputted by the operation instruction input/output unit. This allows the kitting system according to the present invention to transmit pre-recorded operation information to multiple child devices at the desired timing.

In addition, in the kitting system according to the present invention, each of the child devices may be configured to have a transmission selection unit for selecting whether or not to transmit the operation signal to the target device connected to the child device.

With this configuration, the kitting system according to the present invention can, for example, separate the child unit from a specific device to be operated and perform kitting operations directly using an input device provided on the specific device to be operated.

The kitting system according to the present invention may further include an operation instruction selection unit for selecting the desired operation instruction from a variable table in which the operation information is registered, the parent unit has a memory for storing the variable table, and the operation information registered in the variable table may be information linking the operation instruction to child unit identification information for identifying each child unit.

With this configuration, the kitting system of the present invention is configured to store a variable table in which operation information is registered in the memory of the parent device, making it possible to automate the kitting work for multiple target devices.

The kitting system according to the present invention may further include an operation information output unit that outputs a variable table in which the operation information is registered to the parent unit, and an operation instruction selection unit that selects the desired operation instruction from the variable table, and the operation information registered in the variable table may be information that links the operation instruction with child unit identification information for identifying each child unit.

With this configuration, the kitting system of the present invention is configured to output a variable table in which operation information is registered to the parent device, making it possible to automate the kitting work for multiple target devices.

The kitting system according to the present invention may further include an operation information output unit that outputs a script in which the operation information is described to the parent unit, and the operation information described in the script may be information that links child unit identification information for identifying each child unit with the operation instruction.

With this configuration, the kitting system of the present invention is configured to output scripts describing operation information or external functions of programs to the parent unit, so that kitting work for multiple target devices can be automated. For example, the parent unit can execute scripts describing operation information or external functions of programs to appropriately extract values specific to the target devices from CSV files, etc., and efficiently issue different operation instructions to multiple target devices simultaneously.

Further, a kitting method according to the present invention includes a connection step of connecting a plurality of slave units to a plurality of operation target devices, respectively, and connecting a master unit to each of the plurality of slave units ; a step of the master unit individually selecting, in response to an operation of a slave unit selection button by an operator, a slave unit that is to be a destination of operation information including an operation instruction for each of the plurality of operation target devices; a step of receiving an input of the operation instruction by the operator by an operation instruction input/output unit and outputting the input operation instruction to the master unit; a step of generating, as the operation information, information that links slave unit identification information for identifying the slave unit selected by the slave unit selection button with the operation instruction input by the operation instruction input/ output unit; The method includes an operation information transmitting step of transmitting the operation information to the multiple child devices, a signal conversion step in which each child device converts the operation instruction included in the operation information addressed to the child device transmitted by the operation information transmitting step into an operation signal in a format capable of operating the target device connected to the child device, and an operation signal transmitting step in which each child device transmits the operation signal to the target device connected to the child device, and the child device selection buttons each have an LED indicating whether the parent device has designated each child device as the destination of the operation information, and the LED of the child device selection button of a child device that is the destination of the operation information is turned on, and the LED of the child device selection button of a child device that is not the destination of the operation information is turned off .

The present invention provides a kitting system and kitting method that can send different operation instructions to multiple target devices, one by one.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a kitting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of a parent device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a button group of a parent device in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a transition diagram (part 1) for explaining state transition of a parent device in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a transition diagram (part 2) for explaining state transitions of the parent device in the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of a slave unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transmission ON/OFF button of a slave unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a transition diagram for explaining state transition of a slave unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data flow (example 1) of the kitting system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data flow (example 2) of the kitting system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the data flow (example 3) of the kitting system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the data flow (Example 4-1) of the kitting system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the data flow (Example 4-2) of the kitting system in the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of a kitting method using the kitting system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variable table stored in a memory according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of a kitting method using a kitting system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a kitting system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a table showing an example of a script language of a script output from a console PC according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a table showing an example of a script output from a console PC according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the data flow (example 5) of the kitting system in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the data flow (Example 6) of the kitting system in the third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the process of a kitting method using a kitting system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the kitting system and kitting method according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, a kitting system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an operation instruction input/output unit 10, a kitting device 20, and a plurality of devices 60 to be operated.

The operation instruction input/output unit 10 allows the worker to input operation instructions for each of the multiple operation target devices 60. For example, the operation instruction input/output unit 10 can be a device that can be connected via a USB cable, such as a USB keyboard, a USB mouse, a barcode reader, a QR code reader, or a liquid crystal tablet. Note that QR code is a registered trademark. The operation instruction input/output unit 10 accepts input of operation instructions by the worker, and outputs the input operation instructions to the parent unit 30 of the kitting device 20, which will be described later.

The multiple target devices 60 are devices that can be connected via a USB cable, such as a server, a PC, a smartphone, a tablet, a game console, etc. Each target device 60 has a USB port 61 for connecting to a USB port 55 of a child device 50 of the kitting device 20 (described later) via a USB cable 73.

The kitting device 20 includes an AC adapter 21, a USB hub 22, a parent unit 30 connected to the operation instruction input/output unit 10, and a plurality of child units 50 connected to a plurality of operation target devices 60, respectively. The AC adapter 21 converts AC current supplied from an external power source 70 into DC current. The USB hub 22 connects the operation instruction input/output unit 10 and the parent unit 30 via a USB cable 71.

The parent unit 30 is for transmitting operation information, including operation instructions for each of the multiple target devices 60, to the multiple child units 50, and has a control device 31, a memory 32, a DC port 33, a USB port 34, an RS-485 interface 35, a console RJ45 port 36, an output RJ45 port 37, and a group of buttons 38.

The control device 31 controls each part of the parent device 30, and also controls the transmission of operation information to the child device 50. The control device 31 includes a control unit 39 that performs control processing by executing firmware. The contents of the control processing of the control unit 39 can be changed by rewriting the firmware as necessary. The memory 32 records the recording data described below.

2, the control unit 39 includes an operation information generating unit 39a, an operation information transmitting unit 39b, an operation instruction recording unit 39c, and an operation instruction reproducing unit 39d. The operation information generating unit 39a generates operation information that links a handset number #0 to #15, which is handset identification information for identifying a handset 50 selected by a handset selection button 40 described later, with an operation instruction input by the operation instruction input/output unit 10. The operation information transmitting unit 39b transmits the operation information generated by the operation information generating unit 39a to the multiple handset units 50 via the RS-485 interface 35. The operation instruction recording unit 39c records the operation instruction input by the operation instruction input/output unit 10 in the memory 32. The operation instruction reproducing unit 39d outputs data of the operation instruction recorded in the memory 32 (hereinafter also referred to as "recorded data") to the operation information generating unit 39a.

The DC port 33 is a port for inputting the direct current output from the AC adapter 21 to the control device 31. The USB port 34 is a port for connecting to the USB hub 22 via a USB cable 71. The RS-485 interface 35 is an interface for transmitting operation information to the child device 50 according to the RS-485 standard. The console RJ45 port 36 is a port for connecting to a console PC. The output RJ45 port 37 is a port for connecting to the input RJ45 port 53 of the child device 50 via a UTP cable 72.

As shown in FIG. 3, the button group 38 includes a child unit selection button 40, a PLAY/PAUSE button 41, a REC button 42, an ALL OFF button 43, and an ALL ON button 44. The functions and operations of the buttons constituting the button group 38 can be changed as appropriate by rewriting the firmware.

The child unit selection button 40 constitutes a child unit selection section, and is a button for selecting, from among the multiple child units 50, a child unit 50 that is the destination of the operation information. Here, the numbers 0 to 15 displayed on the child unit selection button 40 correspond to child unit numbers #0 to #15 for identifying the 16 child units 50, respectively. Hereinafter, the child units 50 with child unit numbers #0 to #15 will also be referred to as child units #0 to #15, respectively. Note that the number of child units 50 is not limited to 16, and may be any number.

The child unit selection buttons 40 also have LEDs 40a that indicate whether the parent unit 30 has designated each child unit 50 as the destination of operation information. The green illumination of the LED 40a indicates that the child unit 50 corresponding to the child unit selection button 40 whose LED 40a is lit green is the destination of operation information (hereinafter also referred to as the "signal transmission state"). On the other hand, the LED 40a is off indicates that the child unit 50 corresponding to the child unit selection button 40 whose LED 40a is off is not the destination of operation information (hereinafter also referred to as the "signal disconnection state").

The PLAY/PAUSE button 41 and the REC button 42 are buttons for playing back and recording operation instructions inputted at the operation instruction input/output unit 10, and have an LED 41a and an LED 42a, respectively. Here, recording an operation instruction means recording the operation instruction inputted at the operation instruction input/output unit 10 in the memory 32. Also, playing back an operation instruction means outputting the recording data of the operation instruction recorded in the memory 32 to the operation information generation unit 39a.

The ALL OFF button 43 constitutes the child unit selection section and is a button for setting all child units 50 not to be destinations for operation information. On the other hand, the ALL ON button 44 constitutes the child unit selection section and is a button for setting all child units 50 to be destinations for operation information.

Figures 4 and 5 are transition diagrams for explaining state transitions of the parent unit 30. As shown in the first row of Figure 4, when the parent unit 30 is connected to the power source 70 via the AC adapter 21 and the DC port 33, the LEDs 40a of all child unit selection buttons 40 light up in green, and the parent unit 30 enters a state of transmitting signals to all child units 50.

As shown in the second row of FIG. 4, when a child unit selection button 40 with its LED 40a on is pressed, the LED 40a of the pressed child unit selection button 40 goes off, and the parent unit 30 transitions to a signal disconnection state with respect to the child unit 50 corresponding to the child unit selection button 40 with its LED 40a off. On the other hand, when a child unit selection button 40 with its LED 40a off is pressed, the LED 40a of the pressed child unit selection button 40 goes on, and the parent unit 30 transitions to a signal transmission state with respect to the child unit 50 corresponding to the child unit selection button 40 with its LED 40a on.

As shown in the third row of FIG. 4, when the ALL ON button 44 is pressed, the LEDs 40a of all the handset selection buttons 40 light up, and the parent unit 30 transitions to a signal transmission state for all the handset 50. On the other hand, as shown in the fourth row of FIG. 3, when the ALL OFF button 43 is pressed, the LEDs 40a of all the handset selection buttons 40 turn off, and the parent unit 30 transitions to a signal disconnection state for all the handset 50.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the initial state, the LED 41a of the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 and the LED 42a of the REC button 42 are both off. When the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 and the REC button 42 are pressed simultaneously in this initial state, the LED 41a of the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 flashes yellow and the LED 42a of the REC button 42 lights up red, and the state transitions to a "recording state" in which the operation instruction input via the operation instruction input/output unit 10 is recorded in the memory 32.

When the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 or REC button 42 is pressed during recording, the LED 41a of the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 lights up yellow and the LED 42a of the REC button 42 goes out, and the device transitions to a "recording/playback stopped state" in which recording of the operation instructions inputted through the operation instruction input/output unit 10 is stopped.

When the REC button 42 is pressed continuously for three seconds in the recording/playback stopped state, the state transitions to the initial state. Also, when the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 is pressed in the recording/playback stopped state, the LED 41a of the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 flashes, and the state transitions to a "recorded data playing state" in which the recorded data recorded in the memory 32 is played back.

When playback of the recorded data ends in the recorded data playback state, the state transitions to a "recording/playback stopped state" in which playback of the recorded data is stopped. In addition, when the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 is pressed in the recorded data playback state, the LED 41a of the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 flashes quickly, and the state transitions to a "recorded data playback paused state" in which playback of the recorded data is temporarily stopped.

When the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 is pressed for less than three seconds while playback of recorded data is paused, the state transitions to a "recorded data playing state" in which playback of recorded data is resumed. Also, when the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 is pressed continuously for three seconds while playback of recorded data is paused, the state transitions to a recording/playback stopped state.

The slave unit 50 receives operation information addressed to itself that is sent from the master unit 30, and converts the operation instructions contained in the received operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate the target device 60 connected to the slave unit. Here, the operation signal is a signal that simulates a signal output from an input device such as a USB keyboard or USB mouse. In other words, the slave unit 50 is recognized by the target device 60 as an input device such as a USB keyboard or USB mouse.

As shown in FIG. 1, each handset 50 has a control device 51, an RS-485 interface 52, an input RJ45 port 53, an output RJ45 port 54, a USB port 55, a number setting switch 56, and a transmission ON/OFF button 57.

The control device 51 controls each part of the child device 50, controls the reception of operation information from the parent device 30, and controls the keyboard and mouse of the device 60 to be operated. The control device 51 has a control unit 59 that performs control processing by executing firmware. The contents of the control processing of the control unit 59 can be changed by rewriting the firmware as necessary. The settings made by the number setting switch 56 and the transmission ON/OFF button 57 are written to the firmware. The functions and operations of the number setting switch 56 and the transmission ON/OFF button 57 can be changed as appropriate by rewriting the firmware.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 59 includes an operation information receiving unit 59a, a signal conversion unit 59b, and an operation signal transmitting unit 59c. The operation information receiving unit 59a receives operation information addressed to the device itself transmitted from the parent device 30 via the RS-485 interface 52. The signal conversion unit 59b converts the operation instruction included in the operation information received by the operation information receiving unit 59a into an operation signal in a format capable of operating the target device 60 connected to the device itself. In addition, the operation signal transmitting unit 59c transmits the operation signal output from the signal conversion unit 59b to the target device 60 connected to the device itself.

The RS-485 interface 52 is an interface for receiving operation information transmitted from the parent device 30 in accordance with the RS-485 standard. The input RJ45 port 53 is a port for connecting to the output RJ45 port 37 of the parent device 30 via a UTP cable 72. The output RJ45 port 54 is a port for connecting to the input RJ45 port 53 of another child device 50 or a terminating resistor via a UTP cable 72. The USB port 55 is a port for connecting to the USB port 61 of the operation target device 60 via a USB cable 73. The control device 51 of the child device 50 is supplied with power from the operation target device 60 to which the control device 51 is connected via the USB cable 73 and the USB port 55. The number setting switch 56 is a switch for setting child device numbers #0 to #15 to each child device 50.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, multiple child devices 50 are connected in series with each other by UTP cables 72, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple child devices 50 may be connected in parallel with each other.

The transmission ON/OFF button 57 shown in FIG. 7 constitutes a transmission selection section, and is a button for selecting whether or not to transmit an operation signal to the target device 60 connected to the device itself. The LED 57a on the transmission ON/OFF button 57 indicates whether or not the child device 50 is in a state in which it can transmit operation information to the target device 60. Here, the lighting of the LED 57a indicates that the child device 50 is in a state in which it can transmit operation information to the target device 60 (hereinafter also referred to as the "connected state"). On the other hand, the lighting of the LED 57a indicates that the child device 50 is in a state in which it cannot transmit operation information to the target device 60 (hereinafter also referred to as the "disconnected state").

Figure 8 is a transition diagram for explaining state transitions of the child device 50. As shown in the first row of Figure 8, when the child device 50 is connected to the target device 60 via the USB port 55, the LED 57a of the transmission ON/OFF button 57 lights up in green, and the connection state is established.

As shown in the second row of FIG. 8, when the transmission ON/OFF button 57 is pressed in the connected state, the LED 57a turns off and the state transitions to the disconnected state. On the other hand, when the transmission ON/OFF button 57 is pressed in the disconnected state, the LED 57a turns green and the state transitions to the connected state.

The following describes the data flow in the kitting system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Example 1]
In Example 1 shown in Fig. 9, first, the worker sets the number setting switch 56 of each child device 50 to a desired child device number. In Example 1, child device numbers #0 and #1 are set for at least two child devices 50, respectively. Next, the worker connects the USB keyboard 11 to the parent device 30, and connects the PCs 60A and 60B to the child devices #0 and #1. Here, the USB keyboard 11 is an example of the operation instruction input/output unit 10, and the PCs 60A and 60B are examples of the operation target devices 60.

The worker then turns on the LEDs 57a of the transmission ON/OFF buttons 57 of child devices #0 and #1 green, transitioning the state of child devices #0 and #1 to a connection state with PCs 60A and 60B. The worker then turns on the LEDs 40a of the child device selection buttons 40 of the parent device 30 that correspond to child device numbers #0 and #1 green, transitioning the state of the parent device 30 to a signal transmission state with child devices #0 and #1.

Next, the worker inputs, for example, the character string "ABC" into the USB keyboard 11 as an operation instruction. The control device 31 of the parent device 30 generates operation information by adding the child device numbers #0 and #1 to the data of the character string "ABC" output from the USB keyboard 11. The operation information generated by the control device 31 is input sequentially to the control devices 51 of the child devices #0 and #1.

The control device 51 of the slave unit #0 detects its own slave unit number #0 from the input operation information, then converts the data of the character string "ABC" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate the PC 60A connected to the slave unit #0, and transmits the operation signal to the PC 60A. The PC 60A receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABC" on the monitor.

Similarly, the control device 51 of handset #1 detects its own handset number #1 from the input operation information, then converts the data of the character string "ABC" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate PC 60B connected to handset #1, and transmits the operation signal to PC 60B. PC 60B receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABC" on its monitor.

[Example 2]
Example 2 shown in Figure 10 differs from Example 1 in that the operator turns on the LED 40a of the handset selection button 40 corresponding to handset number #1 of the parent unit 30 in green, thereby transitioning the state of the parent unit 30 to a signal transmission state only to handset #1.

Therefore, the control device 31 of the parent device 30 generates operation information by adding only the child device number #1 to the data of the character string "ABC". The operation information generated by the control device 31 is input sequentially to the control devices 51 of the child devices #0 and #1.

The control device 51 of the slave unit #0 does not detect its own slave unit number #0 from the input operation information, so it does not send an operation signal to the PC 60A connected to the slave unit #0. The PC 60C does not receive the operation signal, so it does not display anything on the monitor.

Meanwhile, the control device 51 of handset #1 detects its own handset number #1 from the input operation information, then converts the data of the character string "ABC" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate PC 60B connected to handset #1, and transmits the operation signal to PC 60B. PC 60B receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABC" on its monitor.

[Example 3]
Example 3 shown in FIG. 11 differs from Example 1 in that the operator turns off the LED 57a of the transmission ON/OFF button 57 of the slave unit #0 to transition the state of the slave unit #0 to a disconnected state with respect to the PC 60A.

As a result, the control device 51 of handset #0 detects its own handset number #0 from the input operation information, but does not send an operation signal to PC 60A because it is in a disconnected state with PC 60A. PC 60C does not receive the operation signal, so it does not display anything on its monitor.

Meanwhile, the control device 51 of handset #1 detects its own handset number #1 from the input operation information, then converts the data of the character string "ABC" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate PC 60B connected to handset #1, and transmits the operation signal to PC 60B. PC 60B receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABC" on its monitor.

[Example 4-1]
Example 4-1 shown in FIG. 12 shows a procedure for recording an operation instruction inputted to the USB keyboard 11 in the memory 32. In the example 4-1 shown in FIG.

When the operator simultaneously presses the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 and the REC button 42 on the parent unit 30, the control device 31 of the parent unit 30 transitions the state of the parent unit 30 to a recording state.

Next, the operator inputs, for example, the character string "ABC" into the USB keyboard 11 as an operation instruction. The control device 31 of the parent unit 30 records the data of the character string "ABC" output from the USB keyboard 11 in the memory 32. Next, the operator presses the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 or the REC button 42. This operation transitions the state of the parent unit 30 from a recording state to a recording/playback stopped state.

[Example 4-2]
13 shows a procedure for transmitting data of the character string "ABC" recorded in the memory 32 of the parent device 30 in Example 4-1 to the child device 50. The settings for the child device 50 are the same as those in Example 3.

When an operator presses the PLAY/PAUSE button 41 on the parent unit 30, the state of the parent unit 30 transitions from a recording/playback stopped state to a recorded data playback state. This causes the control device 31 of the parent unit 30 to read the recorded data of the character string "ABC" recorded in the memory 32. The control device 31 generates operation information by adding the child unit numbers #0 and #1 to the recorded data of the character string "ABC". The operation information generated by the control device 31 is input sequentially to the control devices 51 of the child units #0 and #1.

Below, an example of the kitting method using the kitting system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. 1 and the flowchart of FIG. 14.

First, the worker connects multiple child devices 50 to multiple operation target devices 60, respectively, and connects the parent device 30 to each of the child devices 50. Furthermore, the worker connects the operation instruction input/output unit 10 to the parent device 30 (connection step S1).

Next, each handset 50 sets its own handset number in response to the operator's operation of the number setting switch 56 (step S2).

Next, each slave unit 50 transitions to a connected or disconnected state with respect to the target device 60 connected to itself in response to the operator's operation of the transmission ON/OFF button 57 (step S3).

Next, the parent unit 30 selects the child unit 50 that is the destination of the operation information in response to the worker's operation of the child unit selection button 40 (step S4).

Next, the operator inputs operation instructions for each of the multiple target devices 60 into the operation instruction input/output unit 10 (step S5).

Next, the parent device 30 transmits operation information to the multiple child devices 50, in which the child device number is added to an operation instruction for each of the multiple target devices 60 (operation information transmission step S6).

Next, each handset 50 determines whether the received operation information includes its own handset number (step S7). A handset 50 that receives operation information that does not include its own handset number ends the process.

Next, the handset 50 that has received the operation information including its own handset number determines whether the state of its own transmission ON/OFF button 57 is connected (ON) or disconnected (OFF) (step S8). A handset 50 whose own transmission ON/OFF button 57 is in the disconnected (OFF) state ends the process.

Next, the child device 50 whose transmission ON/OFF button 57 is in the connected state (ON state) converts the operation instruction contained in the operation information addressed to the child device in the operation information transmission step S6 into an operation signal in a format that can operate the target device 60 connected to the child device (signal conversion step S9).

Next, the child device 50 whose transmission ON/OFF button 57 is in a connected state (ON state) transmits an operation signal, for example, a keyboard or mouse, to the target device 60 connected to the child device (operation signal transmission step S10).

Note that steps S2 to S10 may be repeated as necessary.

As described above, the kitting system 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that each slave device 50 outputs operation instructions contained in operation information addressed to itself to the target device 60 connected to itself, so that different operation instructions can be sent to each of the multiple target devices 60.

In addition, the kitting system 1 according to this embodiment allows an operator to simultaneously input operational instructions to multiple target devices 60 by performing input operations such as key operations and mouse operations using an operational instruction input/output unit 10 such as a USB keyboard or USB mouse. This makes it possible for one operator or a small number of operators to perform kitting work of high and uniform quality.

In addition, the kitting system 1 according to this embodiment has a child unit selection button 40, an ALL OFF button 43, and an ALL ON button 44 that allow the parent unit 30 to select the child unit 50 to which the operation information is to be sent, so that the operation information can be sent to the desired child unit 50.

The kitting system 1 according to this embodiment can also record and play back operation instructions inputted by the operation instruction input/output unit 10. This allows the kitting system 1 according to this embodiment to transmit pre-recorded operation information to multiple child devices 50 at the desired timing.

The kitting system 1 according to this embodiment also has a transmission ON/OFF button 57 for selecting whether or not the child device 50 transmits an operation signal to the target device 60 connected to the child device. This makes it possible, for example, to separate the child device 50 from a specific target device 60 and perform kitting work directly using an input device provided on the specific target device 60.

The kitting system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to connect the parent device 30 and the multiple child devices 50 with a LAN cable (UTP cable 72). This makes it possible to easily perform kitting operations even when the distance between multiple target devices 60 is relatively long, such as when multiple PCs are installed on multiple desks in an office.

Second Embodiment
Next, a kitting system and a kitting method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the description of the same operations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

The kitting system 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the kitting system 1 according to the first embodiment in that a variable table in which operation information is registered is stored in a memory 32 possessed by the parent device 30. Here, the memory 32 constitutes an operation information output unit that outputs the variable table in which operation information is registered to the control device 31 of the parent device 30. Alternatively, a console PC connected to the console RJ45 port 36 can be used as the operation information output unit.

Figure 15 is an example of a variable table. The variable table registers information linking handset numbers #0 to #15 with operation instructions for each target device 60 connected to each handset 50 as operation information. In the example of Figure 15, three sets of operation instructions represented by operation instruction numbers 01 to 03 are assigned to handset numbers #0 to #15, respectively. Note that the operation instruction numbers may be letters instead of numbers.

The operation instruction numbers 01 to 03 can be selected using a keyboard such as the USB keyboard 11. Here, the USB keyboard 11 constitutes an operation instruction selection unit for selecting a desired operation instruction from the variable table.

In other words, the kitting system 2 of this embodiment performs a process of assigning individual operation instructions to each operation target device 60 based on a variable table such as that shown in FIG. 15, and the mode in which this process is performed is called the "operation target specific input mode." In contrast, the kitting system 1 of the first embodiment performs a process of assigning the same operation instruction to selected operation target devices 60, and the mode in which this process is performed is called the "simultaneous input mode." Note that it is preferable for the parent device 30 to be provided with an LED that indicates the transition from the simultaneous input mode to the operation target specific input mode, as this improves operability.

Below, an example of the kitting method using the kitting system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the variable table in FIG. 15 and the flowchart in FIG. 16.

First, the worker connects multiple child units 50 to each of the multiple operation target devices 60, and connects the parent unit 30 to each of the child units 50. Furthermore, the worker connects the operation instruction input/output unit 10 to the parent unit 30 (connection step S21).

Next, the control device 31 of the parent device 30 determines whether a predetermined special character has been entered from the USB keyboard 11 (step S22). It is preferable that this special character be a key that is not normally used, such as "$$."

If it is determined in step S22 that a special character has been input from the USB keyboard 11, the control device 31 transitions to an input mode for each operation object (step S23).

Next, the control device 31 reads the character string entered via the USB keyboard 11 following the special character (step S24).

Next, the control device 31 refers to the column in the variable table registered in the memory 32 that corresponds to the character string input in step S24 (step S25). For example, if "01" is input in step S24, the control device 31 refers to the column of the operation instruction number 01 in the variable table.

Next, the control device 31 reads out the handset number #n and the operation instruction corresponding to the handset number #n of the column referenced in step S25 (step S26). In the example of FIG. 15, the initial value of n is 0, and the maximum value of n is 15. In addition, when the operation instruction number is 01 and n is 2, the operation instruction is "BCBC".

Next, the control device 31 transmits operation information to the multiple sub-devices 50 by adding the sub-device number #n to the operation instruction read in step S26 (operation information transmission step S27).

Next, the handset 50 with handset number #n converts the operation instruction contained in the operation information addressed to itself transmitted in operation information transmission step S27 into an operation signal (e.g., key input) in a format that can operate the target device 60 connected to itself (signal conversion step S28).

Next, the handset 50 with handset number #n transmits the above operation signal to the target device 60 connected to it (operation signal transmission step S29).

Next, the control device 31 judges whether or not n has reached 15 (step S30). If n has not reached 15, the control device 31 executes the process of step S31. On the other hand, if n has reached 15, the control device 31 ends the individual operation object input mode and returns to the simultaneous input mode.

In step S31, the control device 31 increments the value of n by 1 and executes the processing from step S26 onwards again.

As described above, the kitting system 2 according to this embodiment is configured such that each child device 50 outputs the operation instructions contained in the operation information addressed to the child device to the target device 60 connected to the child device, so that different operation instructions can be sent to each of the multiple target devices 60.

In addition, the kitting system 2 according to this embodiment is configured to store a variable table in which operation information is registered in the memory of the parent device 30, so that the kitting work for multiple target devices 60 can be automated.

Alternatively, the kitting system 2 according to this embodiment is configured to output a variable table in which operation information is registered from a console PC or the like to the parent device 30, so that the kitting work for multiple target devices 60 can be automated.

Third Embodiment
Next, a kitting system and a kitting method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those in the first or second embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the description of the same operations as those in the first or second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 17, the kitting system 3 according to the third embodiment includes a console PC 16, a kitting device 23, and a plurality of devices 60 to be operated.

The console PC 16 outputs to the parent device 30 scripts and external functions of programs that describe operation information including operation instructions for each of the multiple target devices 60, and constitutes an operation information output unit.

The kitting device 23 includes an AC adapter 21, a console connection adapter 24, a parent unit 30, and multiple child units 50. The console connection adapter 24 converts the script input from the console PC 16 via a USB cable 74 into a signal conforming to the RS-485 standard, and outputs the script converted into the signal conforming to the RS-485 standard to the console RJ45 port 36 of the parent unit 30 via a UTP cable 75.

The script output from the console PC 16 is written in a script language such as that shown in FIG. 18. For example, the script can appropriately read external functions or CSV files in which operation information such as that shown in FIG. 19 is written. FIG. 19 shows an example of a script file in which operation information linking the slave unit number with operation instructions for each target device 60 connected to each slave unit 50 is written in the order of operation for multiple target devices 60.

Script A shown in FIG. 19 represents a process for placing the mouse pointer at coordinates "X: 100, Y: 100" after performing the key operation "ABCDEF" on the target device 60 connected to child device #1.

Script B shown in FIG. 19 represents a process of moving the mouse pointer by +100 in the X direction and -100 in the Y direction after performing the key operation of simultaneously pressing the [CTRL] key and the [A] key on the target device 60 connected to each of child devices #1, #2, and #3.

Script C shown in FIG. 19 is executed sequentially for each of the target devices 60 connected to all child devices 50, and represents the following process:

- Press the [SHIFT] and [A] keys simultaneously.
-Perform key operations to turn the [CAPSLOCK] key on and then off.
- Press the [CTRL], [ALT] and [DELETE] keys simultaneously.
・Perform the key operation of pressing the [TAB] key.
・Perform the key operation of pressing the cursor key [↓].
・Press the cursor key [↑].
・Perform the key operation of pressing the [Kanji] key.
・Perform the key operation of pressing the [Hiragana] key.
・Perform the key operation of pressing the [Katakana] key.
- Press the [F8] key.

Script D shown in FIG. 19 represents a process of performing mouse operations on the target devices 60 connected to all child devices 50, such as clicking the left button, turning the right button on and off, and double-clicking the left button.

Script E shown in FIG. 19 represents a process for performing a mouse operation to scroll the mouse wheel by +100 for each of the target devices 60 connected to all child devices 50.

The operation information transmission unit 39b of the control unit 39 of the parent unit 30 extracts operation information for each of the multiple target devices 60 from the script input to the console RJ45 port 36, and transmits the extracted operation information to the multiple child units 50 via the RS-485 interface 35.

The following describes the data flow in kitting system 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Example 5]
In Example 5 shown in Fig. 20, first, the worker sets the number setting switches 56 of at least two child devices 50 to child device numbers #0 and #1, respectively. Next, the worker connects the console PC 16 to the parent device 30, and connects PCs 60A and 60B to child devices #0 and #1. Here, the PCs 60A and 60B are examples of the device 60 to be operated. In this embodiment, the settings of the transmission ON/OFF button 57 of the child device 50, the child device selection button 40, the ALL ON button 44, and the ALL OFF button 43 of the parent device 30 are disabled.

Next, the worker inputs a script from the console PC 16 to the control device 31 of the parent unit 30. Here, it is assumed that the script contains the statement "PUT #ALL KEYBOARD "ABCDEF"." The control device 31 of the parent unit 30 inputs "#ALL KEYBOARD "ABCDEF"" as operation information to the control devices 51 of the child units #0 and #1 in sequence.

The control device 51 of the slave unit #0 detects the slave unit number #ALL, including the slave unit itself, from the input operation information, then converts the data of the character string "ABCDEF" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate the PC 60A connected to the slave unit #0, and transmits the operation signal to the PC 60A. The PC 60A receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABCDEF" on the monitor.

Similarly, the control device 51 of handset #1 detects handset number #ALL, which includes its own handset, from the input operation information, and then converts the data of the character string "ABCDEF" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate PC 60B connected to handset #1, and transmits the operation signal to PC 60B. PC 60B receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABCDEF" on its monitor.

[Example 6]
In Example 6 shown in Fig. 21, first, the worker sets the number setting switches 56 of at least three child devices 50 to child device numbers #0, #1, and #2, respectively. Next, the worker connects the console PC 16 to the parent device 30, and connects PCs 60A, 60B, and 60C to child devices #0, #1, and #2. PCs 60A, 60B, and 60C are examples of devices 60 to be operated.

Next, the worker inputs the script from the console PC 16 to the control device 31 of the parent unit 30. Here, it is assumed that the script contains "PUT #0 KEYBOARD "ABCDEF"" and "PUT #1 KEYBOARD "GHIJKL"" in that order. The control device 31 of the parent unit 30 inputs "#0 KEYBOARD "ABCDEF"" and "#1 KEYBOARD "GHIJKL"" as operation information to the control devices 51 of the child units #0, #1, and #2 in sequence.

The control device 51 of the slave unit #0 detects its own slave unit number #0 from the input operation information, then converts the data of the character string "ABCDEF" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate the PC 60A connected to the slave unit #0, and transmits the operation signal to the PC 60A. The PC 60A receives the operation signal and displays the character string "ABCDEF" on the monitor.

Similarly, the control device 51 of handset #1 detects handset number #1, which includes the handset itself, from the input operation information, and then converts the data of the character string "GHIJKL" included in the input operation information into an operation signal in a format that can operate PC 60B connected to handset #1, and transmits the operation signal to PC 60B. PC 60B receives the operation signal and displays the character string "GHIJKL" on its monitor.

On the other hand, the control device 51 of the handset #2 does not detect its own handset number #2 from the input operation information, and therefore does not transmit an operation signal to the PC 60C connected to the handset #2. As the PC 60C does not receive the operation signal, it does not display anything on the monitor.

Below, an example of the kitting method using the kitting system 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. 17 and the flowchart of FIG. 22.

First, the worker connects multiple child devices 50 to each of the multiple operation target devices 60, and connects the parent device 30 to each of the child devices 50. Furthermore, the worker connects the console PC 16 to the parent device 30 (connection step S41).

Next, each handset 50 sets its own handset number in response to the operator's operation of the number setting switch 56 (step S42).

Next, the worker inputs the script from the console PC 16 to the control device 31 of the parent unit 30 (step S43).

Next, the parent device 30 transmits the operation information described in the script to the multiple child devices 50 (operation information transmission step S44).

Next, each handset 50 determines whether the received operation information includes its own handset number (step S45). A handset 50 that receives operation information that does not include its own handset number ends the process.

Next, the handset 50 that has received the operation information including its own handset number converts the operation instruction included in the operation information addressed to the handset 50 and transmitted in the operation information transmission step S44 into an operation signal in a format that can operate the target device 60 connected to the handset 50 (signal conversion step S46).

Next, the handset 50 that has received the operation information including its own handset number transmits an operation signal, for example, a keyboard or mouse, to the device 60 to be operated that is connected to the handset (operation signal transmission step S47).

Note that steps S42 to S47 may be repeated as necessary.

As described above, the kitting system 3 according to this embodiment is configured such that each slave device 50 outputs the operation instructions contained in the operation information addressed to the slave device 50 to the target device 60 connected to the slave device, so that different operation instructions can be sent to each of the multiple target devices 60.

The kitting system 3 according to this embodiment is configured to output scripts describing operation information or external functions of a program to the parent device 30, so that the kitting work for multiple target devices 60 can be automated. For example, the parent device 30 can execute scripts describing operation information or external functions of a program to appropriately extract values specific to the target devices 60 from a CSV file or the like, and efficiently issue different operation instructions to multiple target devices 60 simultaneously.

1, 2, 3 Kitting system 10 Operation instruction input/output unit 11 USB keyboard (operation instruction selection unit)
16 Console PC (operation information output unit)
20, 23 Kitting device 30 Parent device 32 Memory (operation information output unit)
39a Operation information generating unit 39b Operation information transmitting unit 39c Operation instruction recording unit 39d Operation instruction reproducing unit 40 Child unit selection button (child unit selection unit)
41 PLAY/PAUSE button 42 REC button 43 ALL OFF button (child unit selection section)
44 ALL ON button (child unit selection section)
50 Child unit 56 Number setting switch 57 Transmission ON/OFF button (transmission selection section)
59a Operation information receiving unit 59b Signal conversion unit 59c Operation signal transmitting unit 60 Operation target device 60A, 60B, 60C PC

Claims (7)

A plurality of devices to be operated;
A plurality of child devices connected to the plurality of operation target devices, respectively;
a parent device that transmits operation information including an operation instruction for each of the plurality of operation target devices to the plurality of child devices;
Each of the slave units includes:
a signal conversion unit that converts the operation instruction included in the operation information addressed to the device itself and transmitted from the parent device into an operation signal in a format that can operate the target device connected to the device itself;
an operation signal transmission unit that transmits the operation signal to the target device connected to the device itself ;
an operation instruction input/output unit that receives an input of the operation instruction by an operator and outputs the input operation instruction to the parent machine,
The parent unit is
a child device selection button for individually selecting a child device that is to be a destination of the operation information from among the plurality of child devices;
an operation information generating unit that generates, as the operation information, information that links child unit identification information for identifying the child unit selected by the child unit selection button with the operation instruction input by the operation instruction input/output unit;
The kitting system is characterized in that the child unit selection buttons each have an LED that indicates whether the parent unit has designated each child unit as the destination of the operation information, and the LED of the child unit selection button of a child unit that is the destination of the operation information is lit, and the LED of the child unit selection button of a child unit that is not the destination of the operation information is turned off . The parent unit is
an operation instruction recording unit that records the operation instruction inputted by the operation instruction input/output unit in a memory;
2. The kitting system according to claim 1 , further comprising: an operation instruction reproducing unit that outputs the operation instruction recorded in the memory to the operation information generating unit. 3. The kitting system according to claim 1, wherein each of the slave devices has a transmission selection section for selecting whether or not to transmit the operation signal to the target device connected to the slave device . an operation instruction selection unit for selecting a desired operation instruction from a variable table in which the operation information is registered,
the parent device has a memory for storing the variable table;
2. The kitting system according to claim 1, wherein the operation information registered in the variable table is information in which handset identification information for identifying each handset is associated with the operation instruction . an operation information output unit that outputs a variable table in which the operation information is registered to the parent device;
an operation instruction selection unit for selecting a desired operation instruction from the variable table,
2. The kitting system according to claim 1, wherein the operation information registered in the variable table is information in which handset identification information for identifying each handset is associated with the operation instruction . an operation information output unit that outputs a script in which the operation information is described to the parent device;
2. The kitting system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation information described in the script is information in which child device identification information for identifying each child device is associated with the operation instruction . a connecting step of connecting a plurality of child devices to a plurality of operation target devices, respectively, and connecting a parent device to each of the plurality of child devices;
a step of the parent machine individually selecting the child machine that is to be a destination of operation information including an operation instruction for each of the plurality of operation target devices in response to an operation of a child machine selection button by an operator;
receiving an input of the operation instruction by an operator through an operation instruction input/output unit, and outputting the input operation instruction to the parent machine;
generating, as the operation information, information that associates child unit identification information for identifying the child unit selected by the child unit selection button with the operation instruction input by the operation instruction input/output unit;
an operation information transmission step in which the parent device transmits the operation information to the plurality of child devices;
a signal conversion step in which each of the slave devices converts the operation instruction included in the operation information addressed to the slave device transmitted in the operation information transmission step into an operation signal in a format capable of operating the target device connected to the slave device;
an operation signal transmission step in which each of the slave devices transmits the operation signal to the target device connected to the slave device;
The kitting method is characterized in that the child unit selection buttons each have an LED that indicates whether the parent unit has designated each child unit as the destination of the operation information, and the LED of the child unit selection button of a child unit that is the destination of the operation information is lit, and the LED of the child unit selection button of a child unit that is not the destination of the operation information is turned off.

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