Computer-controlled operation of command-input device of automated-production machine

摘要

A system for operating a command-input device for an automated production machine to provide commands to the machine includes a status signal generator; a computer and apparatus for operating the command-input device. Commands for various functions of the machine may be provided to the machine by operation of the command-input device. The status signals indicate functional states of the automated production machine; the computer responds to the status signals by generating control signals; and the apparatus for operating the command-input device of the automated production machine does so in response to the control signals. In an embodiment in which the command-input device is mechanically operated by using a keyboard or a touch screen, a robotic device is used to operate the command-input device in response to the control signals. In an embodiment in which the command-input device is electronically operated, an adapter is inserted into an electromagnetically-operated recording-medium interface included in the command-input device to operate the command-input device in response to control signals provided by the computer to the adapter. Computer readable storage media are configured so as to cause computers to respond to the status signals that indicate the functional states of the machine by generating the control signals to which the robotic device and the adapter are respectively responsive.