Machine control computer intercommunicatively connected to machine, machine system, base software application, computer-readable recording medium, data structure, and machine control method

A machine control computer communicatably connected to at least two machines, comprising a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which are specific to each of the machines, outputted from each of the machines in association with identification information of each of the machines;
• enable the CPU of the computer to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine,
• wherein
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to use the second machine information as input information to control the machines,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• each of the machines includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, comprising a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which is specific to the machine, outputted from the machine, and to transmit second command information specific to the machine to the machine in order to send a command to the machine;
• enable the CPU of the computer to receive first command information specific to the operation software application from the operation software application, and to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine, and to convert the first command information into the second command information based on the data model, wherein
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable the CPU of the computer to generate the first command information based on the second machine information and output the first command information to control the machine,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine control computer communicatably connected to at least two machines, comprising a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which are specific to each of the machines, outputted from each of the machines in association with identification information of each of the machines, and to transmit second command information specific to each of the machines to each of the machines;
• enable the CPU of the computer to receive first command information, which is specific to the operation software application, outputted from the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines, and to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine, and to convert the first command information into the second command information based on the data model, wherein
• the machine has the function of outputting a state of the machine to the computer as the first machine information, and the function of determining an operation to be performed by the machine based on the second command information,
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable the CPU of the computer to generate the first command information for each of the machines based on the second machine information inputted in association with the identification information of each of the machines, and output the first command information in association with the identification information of each of the machines to control the machine,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• each of the machines includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, comprising a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which is specific to the machine, outputted from the machine;
• enable the CPU of the computer to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine,
• wherein
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to use the second machine information as input information to control the machine,
• the data model has a data structure in which at least each individual physical element constituting the machine or various management elements of the machine is or are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to the individual physical element or the various management elements,
• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is further configured to enable the CPU of the computer to determine whether the operation software application is appropriate or inappropriate, and
• in response to determining that the operation software application is inappropriate, the base software application, when executed by the computer, is further configured to disable the CPU of the computer from transmitting the second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application.

A machine system comprising a machine, a machine control computer communicatably connected to the machine, and a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which is specific to the machine, outputted from the machine;
• enable the CPU of the computer to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine,
• wherein
• the machine has the function of outputting a state of the machine to the computer as the first machine information,
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to use the second machine information as input information to control the machine,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine system comprising at least two machines, a machine control computer communicatably connected to the machines, and a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which are specific to each of the machines, outputted from each of the machines in association with identification information of each of the machines;
• enable the CPU of the computer to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine,
• wherein
• the machine has the function of outputting a state of the machine to the computer as the first machine information in association with the identification information of each of the machines,
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to use the second machine information as input information to control the machines,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• each of the machines includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine system comprising a machine, a machine control computer communicatably connected to the machine, and a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which is specific to the machine, outputted from the machine, and to transmit second command information specific to the machine to the machine;
• enable the CPU of the computer to receive first command information specific to the operation software application from the operation software application, and to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine, and to convert the first command information into the second command information based on the data model, wherein
• the machine has the function of outputting a state of the machine to the computer as the first machine information, and the function of determining an operation to be performed by the machine based on the second command information,
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable the CPU of the computer to generate the first command information based on the second machine information and output the first command information to control the machine,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine system comprising at least two machines, a machine control computer communicatably connected to the machines, and a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, wherein

• the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to:
• enable a CPU of the computer to receive first machine information, which are specific to each of the machines, outputted from each of the machines in association with identification information of each of the machines, and to transmit second command information specific to each of the machines to each of the machines;
• enable the CPU of the computer to receive first command information, which is specific to the operation software application, outputted from the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines, and to transmit second machine information specific to the operation software application to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines;
• and
• enable the CPU of the computer to convert the first machine information into the second machine information based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine, and to convert the first command information into the second command information based on the data model, wherein
• the machine has the function of outputting a state of the machine to the computer as the first machine information, and the function of determining an operation to be performed by the machine based on the second command information,
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable the CPU of the computer to generate the first command information for each of the machines based on the second machine information inputted in association with the identification information of each of the machines, and output the first command information in association with the identification information of each of the machines to control the machine,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• each of the machines includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a base software application installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, together with an operation software application, the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable a CPU of the computer to execute the steps of:

• receiving first machine information, which is specific to the machine, outputted from the machine to the computer;
• converting the first machine information into second machine information specific to the operation software application, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine;
• and
• outputting the second machine information to the operation software application, wherein
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to use the second machine information as input information to control the machine,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a base software application installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to at least two machines, together with an operation software application, the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable a CPU of the computer to execute the steps of:

• receiving first machine information, which are specific to each of the machines, outputted from each of the machines to the computer in association with identification information of each of the machines;
• converting the first machine information into second machine information specific to the operation software application, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine;
• and
• outputting the second machine information to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines, wherein
• the operation software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to use the second machine information as input information to control the machines,
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• each of the machines includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a base software application installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to a machine, together with an operation software application, the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable a CPU of the computer to execute the steps of:

• receiving first machine information, which is specific to the machine, outputted from the machine to the computer;
• converting the first machine information into second machine information specific to the operation software application, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine;
• outputting the second machine information to the operation software application;
• receiving first command information specific to the operation software application from the operation software application;
• converting the first command information into second command information specific to the machine, based on the data model;
• and
• transmitting the second command information to the machine to control the machine, wherein
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a base software application installed in a machine control computer communicatably connected to at least two machines, together with an operation software application, the base software application, when executed by the computer, is configured to enable a CPU of the computer to execute the steps of:

• receiving first machine information, which are specific to each of the machines, outputted from each of the machines to the computer in association with identification information of each of the machines;
• converting the first machine information into second machine information specific to the operation software application, based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine;
• outputting the second machine information to the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines,
• receiving first command information, which is specific to the operation software application, outputted from the operation software application in association with the identification information of each of the machines;
• converting the first command information into second command information specific to the machine, based on the data model;
• and
• transmitting the second command information to each of the machines corresponding to the second command information to control the machine, wherein
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• each of the machines includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine control method for controlling at least one machine by a machine control computer having a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, the machine control method comprising the steps of:

• by the computer, receiving machine-specific first machine information indicating a state of the machine and outputted from the machine, converting the first machine information into operation software application-specific second machine information by the base software application based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine, and outputting the second machine information to the operation software application;
• and
• by the computer, executing the operation software application that uses the second machine information as input information to control the machine, wherein
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.

A machine control method for controlling at least one machine by a machine control computer having a base software application and an operation software application installed in at least one memory in the computer, the machine control method comprising the steps of:

• by the computer, receiving machine-specific first machine information indicating a state of the machine and outputted from the machine, converting the first machine information into operation software application-specific second machine information by the base software application based on a data model corresponding to a category of the machine, and outputting the second machine information to the operation software application;
• and
• by the computer, generating operation software application-specific first command information by the operation software application based on the second machine information, converting the first command information into machine-specific second command information by the base software application based on the data model, and transmitting the second command information to the machine to control the machine, wherein
• the data model has a tree-type data structure in which both (1) each individual physical element constituting the machine and (2) various management elements of the machine are indicated by a node, and the first machine information is assigned to the node corresponding to (1) the individual physical element and (2) the various management elements,
• the machine includes a plurality of physical axes and a plurality of motors each being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes, and
• the each individual physical element indicated by the node in the tree-type data structure includes a corresponding one of the plurality of physical axes.