Log recording auxiliary device, log recording system, log recording auxiliary method, and recording medium

Abstract

The log recording auxiliary device (10) includes: an equipment listing unit (101) that analyzes the project file (D121) of the control system including the PLC (20) and lists the equipment associated with the control system; a display control unit (102) that displays a list of the equipment listed by the equipment listing unit (101) on a display unit (130); and an equipment designation unit (105) that, based on the user's operation, designates the equipment that becomes the log recording object among the equipment displayed on the display unit (130) and creates object data (D122) representing the equipment designated as the log recording object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to log recording auxiliary devices, log recording systems, log recording auxiliary methods, and programs. Background Technology

[0002] In control systems that include Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), it is sometimes necessary for the PLC to record device-related logs for purposes such as function improvement and troubleshooting. The operation of recording these logs will be referred to as log recording. Here, in the context of PLCs, "device" refers to the memory area used in the program executed by the PLC. Devices include, for example, signals received from sensors, signals output to actuators, internal states, timers, etc.

[0003] In control systems incorporating PLCs, high real-time and periodicity requirements are necessary, thus a lighter PLC processing load is preferred. On the other hand, sometimes the number of devices can reach hundreds of thousands. If a large number of these devices are designated as logging objects, the processing load caused by logging may not meet the real-time and periodicity requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the devices that become logging objects.

[0004] Furthermore, in control systems that include PLCs, user usage periods are measured in decades, leading to concerns about insufficient storage capacity for log entries. Therefore, from the perspective of log storage capacity, it is necessary to limit the devices that are the objects of log recording.

[0005] As a related technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a device for parsing a user program executed by a PLC to extract objects that become log records.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-67751 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 has the following problem: the device that becomes the object of logging is automatically determined based on the content of the user program, and the user cannot freely specify the device that becomes the object of logging.

[0008] On the other hand, since the number of devices may be in the hundreds of thousands, users need a technology that allows them to efficiently designate devices from a large number of devices as logging objects in order to freely specify which devices should be logged.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide, in view of the above, a logging aid device, etc., that allows a user to efficiently and freely designate a device as a logging object.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the log recording auxiliary device of the present invention has the following features:

[0011] The device listing unit analyzes the project documents of the control system, including programmable logic controllers, and lists the devices associated with the control system.

[0012] The display control unit displays a list of devices listed by the device listing unit on the display unit;

[0013] A device designation unit, based on user operations, designates devices among those displayed on the display unit that become log recording objects; and

[0014] An object data creation unit creates object data representing the device designated as a logging object by the device designation unit.

[0015] The effects of the invention

[0016] According to the present invention, users can efficiently and freely specify devices to be logged objects. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the overall structure of the log recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen displayed by a log recording auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen displayed by a log recording auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen displayed by a log recording auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the log recording auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of a programmable logic controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the log recording auxiliary device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the log recording object registration action performed by the log recording auxiliary device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 The following describes a log recording system according to embodiments of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, identical or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0026] (Implementation Method)

[0027] While referring to Figure 1 The following describes the log recording system 1 according to the embodiment. The log recording system 1 includes a log recording auxiliary device 10, a PLC 20, and one or more field instruments 30. The log recording system 1 is a log recording system in which the PLC 20 records the logs of the equipment. Details will be described later, but the PLC 20 records the logs of the equipment registered through the log recording auxiliary device 10. The log recording system 1 is an example of the log recording system involved in the present invention.

[0028] PLC 20 is a programmable logic controller communicatively connected to various field instruments 30. The field instruments 30 include, for example, sensors as input instruments and actuators as output instruments. The field instruments 30 coordinate their actions based on a program executed by PLC 20, thereby realizing a control system. This control system is, for example, a product manufacturing system operating within a factory.

[0029] Furthermore, PLC 20 is capable of recording logs for devices related to the control system. For example, when the field instrument 30 includes a pressure sensor, PLC 20 can record logs related to devices representing the pressure value detected by that pressure sensor. Additionally, PLC 20 can also record logs related to devices representing intermediate states that are only used internally by PLC 20. PLC 20 is also communicatively connected to the log recording auxiliary device 10. PLC 20 records logs related to devices registered by the log recording auxiliary device 10 as log recording objects. PLC 20 is an example of the programmable logic controller of the present invention. Furthermore, the functional structure of PLC 20 will be described later.

[0030] The logging assistance device 10 is a device registered with the PLC 20 as the object of logging by the PLC 20. Further details will be described later, but according to the logging assistance device 10, the user can efficiently and freely specify the device to be logged. The logging assistance device 10 is an example of the logging assistance device involved in this invention. Furthermore, the functional structure of the logging assistance device 10 will be described later.

[0031] The log recording auxiliary device 10 is, for example, a personal computer running an engineering design tool program. Here, the engineering design tool refers to a tool used for program creation, parameter setting, and other tasks related to the control system including the PLC 20 and field instruments 30. In this embodiment, the engineering design tool not only has functions related to program creation and parameter setting, but also functions related to logging object registration.

[0032] The user first uses the log recording auxiliary device 10 to create a project file related to the control system through the program creation and parameter setting functions of the engineering design tool. The project file is a collection of the program used by the PLC 20 to perform its actions and the setting data used by the PLC 20 to perform its actions. Next, the user uses the log recording auxiliary device 10 to register the devices that will become log recording objects with the PLC 20 through the log recording object registration function of the engineering design tool.

[0033] Next, while referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The example of the display shown briefly illustrates the registration of log objects performed by the log recording auxiliary device 10.

[0034] When a user wants to register a log recording object through the log recording auxiliary device 10, firstly, through... Figure 2 This screen displays an overview of the devices. This screen is a GUI (Graphical User Interface), allowing users to operate the device via input devices such as a mouse or touchpad. Figure 2 The "Device Name / Label Name" column shows strings that identify each device. Here, "Device Name" is, for example, an identifier automatically assigned to each device by the engineering design tool program when creating the project file. "Label Name" is, for example, an identifier manually assigned to the device by the user when creating the project file. In this case, regarding devices assigned "Label Names," in... Figure 2 The "tag name" is displayed first. The "tag name" is displayed prominently, making it easy for users to identify each device. For example, in... Figure 2In this context, d1, d2, etc. are "device names," while MA01 is a "tag name."

[0035] Details will be provided later, and users will be able to... Figure 2 The input condition shown is the dotted shaded area shown in the image. Figure 2 No conditions were entered in the input. Additionally, in... Figure 2 In the settings, the "Logging Object?" column is selected only for the device named d3. This indicates that the device named d3 is currently registered as a logging object. Furthermore, while five devices are currently displayed on the screen, devices not currently shown can be accessed by scrolling using the right-hand scroll bar.

[0036] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the screen after the user enters the conditions of setting "Type" to "Sensor" and "Program Name" to "prg01" is as follows: Figure 3 The display shown is as follows. As a result, only devices with the "Type" set to "Sensor" and the "Program Name" set to "prg01" are displayed on the screen. Figure 3 If a user selects the button to "Specify all devices in the overview as logging objects", then as follows: Figure 4 As shown in the display, select the "Logging Objects?" column for all devices. Alternatively, in... Figure 3 In the process, users can select the checkboxes in the "Log recording object?" column for each device, and the displayed screen will then become... Figure 4 The image shown.

[0037] In addition, Figure 3 If the user selects the button to "Remove all devices from the log entry", then the list will be updated. Figure 3 The device named d12, which has already been designated as a logging object, is removed from the logging objects. Alternatively, the user can remove the device named d12 from the logging objects by unchecking the "Logging Object?" column.

[0038] exist Figure 4 In the process, when the user determines that it is no longer necessary to specify or remove logging objects, the user can select the "Confirm Logging Objects" button to register all devices designated as logging objects as logging objects with PLC 20. When the user determines that it is still necessary to specify or remove logging objects, the user can continue to perform the above-mentioned conditions for specifying and removing logging objects.

[0039] By combining the above operations, users can freely and efficiently specify the devices to be logged.

[0040] Additionally, users can select the "Show Item Specifications" button to... Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The displayed items in each column are changed. For example, the "Data Name" item can be hidden, and instead, the "Remarks" item, which represents the notes the user assigned to the device when creating the project, can be displayed. Furthermore, in this case, the user can specify strings contained in the remarks, such as "Ambient Temperature," "Operating Voltage," and "Internal Status," as conditions. By displaying the remarks, the user can easily determine which device should be set as the logging object and can filter the logging objects by specifying the remarks as conditions.

[0041] Next, while referring to Figure 5 The functional structure of the log recording auxiliary device 10 will be explained below. The log recording auxiliary device 10 includes a log recording setting unit 100, a project creation unit 110, a storage unit 120, a display unit 130, an operation unit 140, and a communication unit 150.

[0042] Display unit 130 displays information corresponding to the information to be displayed to the user. Display unit 130 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Display unit 130 displays, for example, a screen for creating project files and a screen for specifying devices that are the objects of log recording. Display unit 130 is an example of the display unit of the present invention.

[0043] The operation unit 140 outputs signals based on user operations. The operation unit 140 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touchpad.

[0044] Storage unit 120 stores project file D121 and object data D122. Details of project file D121 and object data D122 will be described later. Project file D121 is an example of a project file involved in this invention.

[0045] The project creation unit 110 displays the screen for creating project file D121 on the display unit 130, and saves project file D121 in the storage unit 120 according to the user operation-based signal output by the operation unit 140.

[0046] The log recording setting unit 100 has functions related to the registration of devices that become log recording objects. The log recording setting unit 100 includes a device listing unit 101, a display control unit 102, a condition specification unit 103, an item specification unit 104, a device specification unit 105, and a registration unit 106.

[0047] The device enumeration unit 101 analyzes the item file D121 stored in the storage unit 120 and enumerates the devices associated with the control system. The device enumeration unit 101 is an example of the device enumeration unit of the present invention.

[0048] The display control unit 102 controls the display unit 130 to display a list of devices listed by the device listing unit 101 on the display unit 130. As a result, for example, the display unit 130 displays... Figure 2 The display screen shown is shown below. Furthermore, when a condition is specified by the condition specification unit 103 (described later), the display control unit 102 displays a list of devices that meet that condition on the display unit 130. As a result, for example, the display unit 130 displays... Figure 3 The display screen shown is shown. Furthermore, when the display control unit 102 specifies a display item via the item designation unit 104 (described later), it displays items corresponding to that item on the display unit 130 when displaying an overview of the devices. The display control unit 102 is an example of the display control unit of the present invention.

[0049] The condition specification unit 103 specifies the conditions of the device displayed on the display unit 130 according to the user-operated signal output by the operation unit 140. For example, in Figure 2 In the middle, by users such as Figure 3 When a condition is input to the dotted shaded area, the condition specification unit 103 specifies the conditions of the device displayed on the display unit 130. The condition specification unit 103 is an example of the condition specification unit of the present invention.

[0050] The item designation unit 104 designates the items to be displayed when displaying a list of devices, based on signals from the operation unit 140 that are based on user operations. The item designation unit 104 is an example of an item designation unit according to the present invention.

[0051] The device designation unit 105 designates devices that are log recording objects and devices removed from the log recording objects based on user operation signals output by the operation unit 140 and displayed on the display unit 130 via the display control unit 102. For example, in Figure 3 In this context, when the user selects the "Logging Objects?" column or selects the "Designate all devices in the list as logging objects" button, the device designation unit 105 designates the devices to be logged. Similarly, for example, in... Figure 4In this process, when the user deselects the "Logging Objects?" column or selects the "Remove all devices from the logging objects" button, the device designation unit 105 designates the devices to be removed from the logging objects. Furthermore, the device designation unit 105 stores object data D122 representing the devices designated as logging objects in the storage unit 120. The device designation unit 105 is an example of the device designation unit and object data creation unit involved in this invention.

[0052] Registration unit 106 registers the device that will become a log recording object with PLC 20 by referring to the object data D122 stored in storage unit 120. Specifically, registration unit 106 registers the device that will become a log recording object with PLC 20 by sending information indicating the device that will become a log recording object to PLC 20 via communication unit 150 (described later).

[0053] The communication unit 150 communicates with the PLC 20. The communication unit 150 is implemented, for example, through a network interface. Specifically, the communication unit 150 sends information indicating the device that is the object of the log recording to the PLC 20.

[0054] Next, while referring to Figure 6 The functional structure of PLC 20 will be explained below. PLC 20 has a registration and receiving unit 200, a log recording unit 210, a storage unit 220, a first communication unit 230, and a second communication unit 240. In addition to the above, PLC 20 also has the general functions of a programmable logic controller.

[0055] The first communication unit 230 communicates with the log recording auxiliary device 10. The first communication unit 230 is implemented, for example, through a network interface. Specifically, the first communication unit 230 receives information from the log recording auxiliary device 10 indicating the device that is the object of log recording.

[0056] The second communication unit 240 communicates with each field instrument 30. The second communication unit 240 is implemented, for example, through the input / output unit of a PLC. The log recording unit 210, described later, records logs of the devices associated with the field instruments 30 based on information obtained through communication with the second communication unit 240.

[0057] Storage unit 220 stores log recording object data D221 and log D222. Log recording object data D221 is data representing a device that becomes a log recording object. Log D222 is a log associated with the device that becomes a log recording object. Storage unit 220 is an example of the storage unit involved in the present invention.

[0058] The registration receiving unit 200 receives registrations of devices that have become log recording objects by the registration unit 106 of the log recording auxiliary device 10. Specifically, the registration receiving unit 200 receives information indicating devices that have become log recording objects from the log recording auxiliary device 10 via the first communication unit 230, creates log recording object data D221 indicating the devices that have become log recording objects, and stores it in the storage unit 220. The registration receiving unit 200 is an example of the registration receiving unit of the present invention.

[0059] The log recording unit 210 refers to the log recording object data D221 stored in the storage unit 120, and logs related to the device that is the log recording object as log D222 in the storage unit 120. The log recording unit 210 is an example of the log recording unit of the present invention.

[0060] Next, while referring to Figure 7 An example of the hardware structure of the log recording auxiliary device 10 will be explained. Figure 7 The log recording auxiliary device 10 shown is implemented, for example, by a computer such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. By installing an engineering design tool program on the aforementioned computer and executing the engineering design tool program on the computer, the various functions of the log recording auxiliary device 10 are achieved.

[0061] The log recording auxiliary device 10 has a processor 1001, a memory 1002, an interface 1003, and a secondary storage device 1004 connected to each other via a bus 1000.

[0062] The processor 1001 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 1001 executes the various functions of the log recording auxiliary device 10 by reading the program of the engineering design tool stored in the secondary storage device 1004 into the memory 1002.

[0063] The memory 1002 is, for example, a main storage device composed of RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 1002 stores the program of the engineering design tool that is read by the processor 1001 from the secondary storage device 1004. In addition, the memory 1002 functions as working memory when the processor 1001 executes the action program.

[0064] Interface 1003 is, for example, an I / O (Input / Output) interface such as a serial port, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, or a network interface. The communication unit 150 functions through interface 1003. Furthermore, for example, the display unit 130 functions by connecting an LCD monitor to interface 1003, and the operation unit 140 functions by connecting an input device such as a mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen to interface 1003.

[0065] Secondary storage device 1004 is, for example, flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive). Secondary storage device 1004 stores the programs of engineering design tools executed by processor 1001. In addition, the functions of storage unit 120 are realized through secondary storage device 1004.

[0066] Next, while referring to Figure 8 Here is an example of the action of registering a log object by the log recording auxiliary device 10. Figure 8 The action shown is, for example, when the user executes the program of the engineering design tool on the logging assistance device 10, the timing of the logging object registration function in the engineering design tool is called.

[0067] The device enumeration unit 101 of the log recording setting unit 100 of the log recording auxiliary device 10 analyzes the item file D121 stored in the storage unit 120 and enumerates the devices associated with the control system (step S101).

[0068] The display control unit 102 of the log recording setting unit 100 displays a list of devices listed in step S101 on the display unit 130 (step S102). Through the actions of steps S101 and S102, for example... Figure 2 The displayed screen is shown on the display unit 130.

[0069] The item designation unit 104 of the log setting unit 100 specifies the items to be displayed when the device overview is displayed based on the user's operation (step S103). The display control unit 102 displays the device overview, including the items specified in step S103, on the display unit 130 (step S104).

[0070] The condition specification unit 103 of the log setting unit 100 specifies the conditions of the devices displayed on the display unit 130 based on the user's operation (step S105). The display control unit 102 displays a list of devices that meet the conditions specified in step S105 from the devices listed in step S101 on the display unit 130 (step S106). Through the actions of steps S105 and S106, for example... Figure 3 The displayed screen is shown on the display unit 130.

[0071] The device designation unit 105 of the log setting unit 100 designates devices that become log recording objects and devices that are removed from the log recording objects based on user operations (step S107). At this time, the device designation unit 105 saves the object data D122 representing the device currently designated as a log recording object in the storage unit 120.

[0072] The log recording setting unit 100 determines whether a device has been identified as a log recording target through user operation (step S108). For example, the log recording setting unit 100 determines whether a device has been selected based on a signal from the operation unit 140. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The system uses the "Confirm Log Recording Object" button to determine whether a device has been identified as a log recording object through user interaction.

[0073] When a device is identified as a log recording object without user intervention (step S108: No), the log recording setting unit 100 repeatedly performs the actions that started from step S103.

[0074] When a device is identified as a log recording object through user operation (step S108: Yes), the registration unit 106 of the log recording setting unit 100 registers the device as a log recording object to the PLC 20 with reference to the object data D122 stored in the storage unit 120 (step S109). Then, the log recording setting unit 100 completes the log recording object registration operation.

[0075] In addition, Figure 8 The document describes the sequential execution of steps S103 to S108, but these actions can also be executed in parallel as appropriate. For example, the actions of steps S103 to S104 and steps S105 to S106 can be executed in parallel respectively.

[0076] The logging system 1 according to the embodiment has been described above. According to the logging assistance device 10 of the logging system 1, the user can filter devices by specifying conditions from a device overview, and then specify devices to be logged and devices to be removed from the logging list. Therefore, according to the logging assistance device 10, the user can efficiently and freely specify devices to be logged.

[0077] (Modified Example)

[0078] In this implementation, PLC 20 stores the log object data D221 and the log D222 in the same storage unit 120. However, since the log D222 may become a large amount, a large-capacity external storage unit can also be connected to PLC 20 to store the log D222. Alternatively, not only the log D222, but also the log object data D221 can be stored in the external storage unit.

[0079] In implementations, considering that the device names of the devices that become log recording objects are d1, d2, d4, d6, d7, and d8, although they are roughly consecutive, there may be cases where "missing numbers" exist. In such cases, as explained below, compared to directly setting the devices of the log recording objects as "d1, d2, d4, d6, d7, and d8," from the viewpoint of processing efficiency and the size of the log recording object data D221, it is sometimes preferable to include the "missing numbers" and specify the range as "d1 to d8." Furthermore, depending on the access method of the PLC 20's hardware circuit, accessing in units of specific bit widths or bytes, such as 64 bits or 256 bits, may be inefficient or become a limitation of the access method. In such cases, from the viewpoint of processing efficiency, it is sometimes more preferable to specify a larger range, such as "d0 to d15."

[0080] For example, when specifying "missing numbers" one by one, skipped memory regions are accessed one at a time. On the other hand, when specifying a range, it is sometimes possible to access contiguous memory regions at once. Therefore, when there are only a few "missing numbers," from a processing efficiency point of view, it is sometimes preferable to include the "missing numbers" as log objects.

[0081] Furthermore, specifying a range such as "d1 to d8" reduces the size of the log object data D221 compared to specifying a "missing number" such as "d1, d2, d4, d6, d7, d8". While the log D222 can be stored in external storage via PLC 20 as described above, the capacity of storage unit 120 for storing the log object data D221 is considered to be extremely small. In this case, since a small size of the log object data D221 is required, specifying a range is preferable to specifying a "missing number".

[0082] Therefore, when the object data D122 stored in the storage unit 120 of the log recording auxiliary device 10 is the aforementioned "missing data", the registration unit 106 of the log recording auxiliary device 10 registers it with the PLC 20 by specifying the range of the device that becomes the log recording object, thereby solving the aforementioned problem. Alternatively, when the device received by the registration receiving unit 200 of the PLC 20 as the log recording object is the aforementioned "missing data", the registration receiving unit 200 creates log recording object data D221 representing the device that becomes the log recording object by specifying the range, thereby also solving the aforementioned problem. Alternatively, the processing can be separated, that is, the registration unit 106 registers it by specifying the minimum range in order to reduce the size of the log recording object data D221, and the registration receiving unit 200 of the PLC 20 further expands the range specification to match the specifications of the hardware circuitry of the PLC 20.

[0083] In this implementation, it is conceivable that after a device is registered as a log recording target, the project file D121 may be modified due to the registration of new devices, deletion of devices, or changes in parameters. In such cases, requiring the user to specify the device as a log recording target again from 1 would be a burden for the user. Therefore, it is also possible to store the condition data representing the conditions specified by the condition specification unit 103 in the storage unit 120 at the initial object specification. When the project file D121 is modified, the device specification unit 105 does not need to receive user operation, but automatically specifies the device as a log recording target based on the conditions. By automatically specifying the device as a log recording target by the device specification unit 105, the burden of specification by the user can be reduced. In this case, the storage unit 120 is an example of the condition storage unit of the present invention.

[0084] In this embodiment, the log recording auxiliary device 10 registers the devices to be logged with the PLC 20 via the registration unit 106. However, if the log recording auxiliary device 10 is capable of creating data representing the devices to be logged, the log recording auxiliary device 10 may not need to have the registration unit 106. For example, by storing the object data D122 created by the log recording auxiliary device 10 on a removable medium such as a USB flash drive or memory card, and connecting that removable medium to the PLC 20, the devices to be logged can be registered with the PLC 20 even without the registration unit 106.

[0085] exist Figure 7 In the hardware structure shown, the logging auxiliary device 10 has a secondary storage device 1004. However, it is not limited to this; the secondary storage device 1004 can also be located externally to the logging auxiliary device 10, and the logging auxiliary device 10 can be connected to the secondary storage device 1004 via the interface 1003. In this configuration, removable media such as USB flash drives and memory cards can also be used as the secondary storage device 1004.

[0086] Alternatively, it can also replace Figure 7 The hardware structure shown comprises a log recording auxiliary device 10 using dedicated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Additionally, in Figure 7 In the hardware structure shown, a portion of the functionality of the log recording auxiliary device 10 can also be implemented, for example, by a dedicated circuit connected to interface 1003.

[0087] The program used in the logging assistance device 10 can be stored and distributed on computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), USB flash drive, memory card, and HDD. Furthermore, by installing the program on a specific or general-purpose computer, that computer can function as the logging assistance device 10.

[0088] Alternatively, the program can be stored on the storage device of another server on the Internet, and downloaded from that server.

[0089] This invention allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Furthermore, the above embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention. That is, the scope of the invention is defined not by the embodiments, but by the claims. Moreover, various modifications implemented within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of this invention.

[0090] Explanation of the label

[0091] 1. Log recording system; 10. Log recording auxiliary device; 20. PLC; 30. Field instrument; 100. Log recording setting unit; 101. Equipment listing unit; 102. Display control unit; 103. Condition specification unit; 104. Project specification unit; 105. Equipment specification unit; 106. Registration unit; 110. Project creation unit; 120. Storage unit; 130. Display unit; 140. Operation unit; 150. Communication unit; 200. Registration receiving unit; 210. Log recording unit; 220. Storage unit; 230. First communication unit; 240. Second communication unit; 1000. Bus; 1001. Processor; 1002. Memory; 1003. Interface; 1004. Secondary storage device; D121. Project file; D122. Object data; D221. Log recording object data; D222. Log.

Claims

1. A log recording auxiliary device, comprising: The device listing unit analyzes the project documents of the control system, including programmable logic controllers, and lists the devices associated with the control system. A condition specification unit specifies the conditions of the devices displayed on the display unit that are associated with the control system, based on a string entered by the user. The display control unit displays a list of devices listed by the device listing unit on the display unit, and when the condition specifying unit specifies the conditions, displays a list of devices in the list of devices that meet the conditions specified by the condition specifying unit on the display unit. A device designation unit, based on the user's operation, designates devices from the list of devices displayed on the display unit by the display control unit based on the conditions to become log recording objects; as well as The object data creation unit creates object data representing the device designated as the log recording object by the device designation unit. The device designation unit has the capability to designate all devices displayed on the display unit as log recording objects based on the user's operation. When the device name of a device designated as a log recording object is approximately consecutive but has a missing number, the device designation unit replaces the device with the missing number by specifying the range including the missing number.

2. The log recording auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein, It also has an item designation unit, which, based on the user's operation, designates the items to be displayed when the display unit displays an overview of the device.

3. The log recording auxiliary device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, It also includes a condition storage unit that stores condition data representing the conditions specified by the condition specifying unit. When the project file is modified, the device designation unit automatically designates a device as a log recording object based on the conditions shown in the condition data stored in the condition storage unit.

4. The log recording auxiliary device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device designation unit further designates, based on user operations, devices removed from the log recording objects among those displayed by the display unit. The object data creation unit creates object data representing devices among those designated as log recording objects by the device designation unit that meet the following condition: no device has been designated by the device designation unit as a device to be removed from the log recording object.

5. The log recording auxiliary device according to claim 4, wherein, Based on the user's operation, the device designation unit designates all devices displayed on the display unit as devices removed from the log recording object.

6. A logging system comprising a programmable logic controller and a logging auxiliary device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5. The programmable logic controller has: The object data acquisition unit acquires the object data created by the object data creation unit of the log recording auxiliary device; and The logging unit records logs related to the device that is the logging object as shown in the object data to the log storage unit.

7. A logging assistance method, wherein, Analyze the project documents for the control system, which includes a programmable logic controller, and list the equipment associated with the control system. A list of the listed devices is displayed on the display unit. The conditions of the devices displayed on the display unit are specified by the user through a string input by the user and associated with the control system. When the conditions are specified, a list of devices that meet the specified conditions from the device list will be displayed on the display unit. Based on the user's actions, all devices are designated as log recording objects from the overview displayed on the display unit based on the conditions. Devices designated as logging objects are registered with the programmable logic controller. When the device name of a device designated as a log recording object is approximately consecutive but has a missing number, the device designation unit replaces the device with the missing number by specifying the range including the missing number.

8. A non-transitory recording medium storing a program that enables a computer to function as a unit: The device listing unit analyzes the project documents of the control system, including programmable logic controllers, and lists the devices associated with the control system. A condition specification unit specifies the conditions of the devices displayed on the display unit that are associated with the control system, based on a string entered by the user. The display control unit displays a list of devices listed by the device listing unit on the display unit, and when the condition specifying unit specifies the conditions, displays a list of devices in the list of devices that meet the conditions specified by the condition specifying unit on the display unit. A device designation unit, based on the user's operation, designates devices from the list of devices displayed on the display unit by the display control unit based on the conditions to become log recording objects; as well as The object data creation unit creates object data representing the device designated as the log recording object by the device designation unit. The device designation unit has the capability to designate all devices displayed on the display unit as log recording objects based on the user's operation. When the device name of a device designated as a log recording object is approximately consecutive but has a missing number, the device designation unit replaces the device with the missing number by specifying the range including the missing number.

Images