Ladder program editing device, editing method, and editing program

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to efficiently configure circuit components even by a user who has not been skilled to operate. The present invention is provided with: a guide display control unit (12) that performs control for displaying options for each processing step for adding a circuit component at a prescribed position for position designation in an editing region for displaying the circuit component in a ladder program by a user; a selection reception unit (13) that receives a user input for selecting any one of the options; and an application unit (14) that adds the circuit components to the ladder diagram program in accordance with each processing step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a ladder diagram program editing device. Background Art

[0002] Generally, programs are developed using an integrated development environment (IDE). In order to reduce the amount of input by the user, the IDE is equipped with an input support function that completes the input content based on the input information.

[0003] In factory automation (FA) systems, programmable logic controllers (PLC) are often used. There are five PLC programming languages ​​specified in International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) 61131-3.

[0004] Among them, the ladder diagram language is characterized in that the program is developed in a graphical manner, and the program is used to create a simulated relay circuit with multiple contacts, coils and commands configured between bus bars.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a ladder diagram program production support device for improving the production and editing efficiency of a ladder diagram program in which the same ladder circuit or similar ladder circuits appear repeatedly. In the ladder diagram program production support device, a partial circuit search unit searches and extracts a partial circuit corresponding to a ladder circuit of an input instruction name. The display unit 4 outputs an input candidate corresponding to the partial circuit extracted by the partial circuit search unit. When receiving the selection of the input candidate output by the display unit, the replacement processing unit replaces the ladder circuit of the instruction name input in the input operation unit with the selected input candidate.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-159893 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] In ladder diagram language, it is necessary to properly specify the configuration positions of circuit components (program components) such as contacts, coils, and commands. However, the user interface for configuring circuit components is unique to each manufacturer and has not been standardized. In other words, the configuration method of circuit components and the keyboard-based shortcut keys used for this are different for each manufacturer. Therefore, users need to familiarize themselves with the user interface of each manufacturer separately, and if it is not an IDE that they are used to, the efficiency of program creation will be reduced.

[0011] In addition, in order to allow users who have not memorized the shortcut keys to create programs, shortcut keys are sometimes displayed on the screen for some commands, but the shortcut keys are displayed in a range that deviates from the program editing area, so the user's line of sight is moved. Therefore, the user cannot concentrate on program creation, which is inefficient.

[0012] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a ladder diagram program editing device that allows even a user who is not familiar with the operation to efficiently arrange circuit components.

[0013] Technical means of solving problems

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a ladder diagram program editing device in one form of the present invention includes: a position detection unit, which detects a position designation input performed by a user in an editing area for displaying circuit parts in a ladder diagram program; a guide display control unit, which controls the display of options for adding each processing step of the circuit part at a specified position based on the designated position detected by the position detection unit; a selection receiving unit, which receives user input for selecting any one of the options; and an application unit, which adds the circuit part to the ladder diagram program based on the user input received by the selection receiving unit in each of the processing steps.

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another form of the ladder diagram program editing method of the present invention includes: a position detection step, detecting a position designation input performed by a user in an editing area for displaying circuit parts in the ladder diagram program; a guide display control step, performing control to display an option for adding each processing step of the circuit part at a specified position based on the designated position detected by the position detection step; a selection receiving step, receiving a user input for selecting any one of the options; and an application step, adding the circuit part to the ladder diagram program based on the user input received by the selection receiving step in each of the processing steps.

[0016] According to the above structure, in the editing area of ​​the ladder diagram program displaying the circuit components, the options for the user to select are displayed at a predetermined position based on the designated position designated by the user. Therefore, there is no need to move the user's eyes to the menu bar (menu bar) outside the editing area, and the user can concentrate on programming. In addition, since the user only selects the option, even the user who is not familiar with the operation can efficiently arrange the circuit components.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, even a user who is not familiar with the operation can easily and efficiently arrange circuit components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] [ Figure 1 ] is a block diagram showing the structure of the main parts of the ladder diagram program editing device.

[0020] [ Figure 2 ] is a flowchart showing an example of the action of adding circuit components in the ladder diagram program editing device of implementation mode 1.

[0021] [ Figure 3 ] is an example of an editing area in which options for specifying a position to add a circuit component are displayed by the guide display control unit.

[0022] [ Figure 4 ] is an example of an editing area in which options for specifying the type of circuit components are displayed by the guide display control unit.

[0023] [ Figure 5 ] is an example of adding an editing area of ​​a circuit component of a received type to a received position by the application unit.

[0024] [ Figure 6 ] is a flowchart showing an example of an action of moving a connecting line in a ladder diagram program editing device of implementation mode 1.

[0025] [ Figure 7 ] is an example of an editing area in which an option for designating whether to change a connection line is displayed by the guide display control unit.

[0026] [ Figure 8 ] is an example of an editing area in which an option for specifying a position to change the connection of a connection line is displayed by the guide display control unit.

[0027] [ Fig. 9 ] is an example of an editing area in which a connection line is changed to a received position by an application unit.

[0028] [ Fig.10] is an example of the editing area before the connection line is changed.

[0029] [ Fig.11 ] is relative to Fig.10 An example of changing the destination of a link.

[0030] [ Fig.12 ] is relative to Fig.11 Furthermore, an example of changing the connection destination of another connection line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] [Example]

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") will be described based on the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and their description will not be repeated.

[0033] §1. Application examples

[0034] In ladder diagram language, a program is created by placing contacts, coils, and commands (functions or function blocks) between bus bars and connecting the circuits. Therefore, in ladder diagram language, it is necessary to process the placement of circuit components and the connection of connecting wires.

[0035] In the configuration of circuit components, the user specifies the relative positional relationship with respect to the existing circuit components. In the present embodiment, when a circuit component is selected, an input support display for supporting the user's input is displayed around the selected circuit component. The input support display has two steps, a first step for adding a new circuit component to the upper, lower, left, or right position of the circuit component, and a second step for adding what kind of circuit component to this position. In addition, keyboard shortcuts may also be displayed in the input support display. The so-called keyboard shortcuts refer to the keys of the keyboard used when the instructions displayed on the screen are executed only by keyboard operations without pointing operations.

[0036] In addition, the connection line connects existing circuit components. In this embodiment, when a connection line is selected, an input support display that supports the user's input is displayed at a position where the connection destination of the connection line can be changed. The input support display has two levels, a first level for confirming whether to change the connection destination of the connection line, and a second level for specifying a specific change position of the connection destination of the connection line. In addition, a keyboard shortcut can also be displayed in the input support display.

[0037] The input support display is displayed at a predetermined position based on the designated position. The input support display allows even users who are not familiar with keyboard shortcuts and the operation method of the IDE itself to easily understand the operation method, etc. In addition, the input support display is displayed in the editing area of ​​the IDE, so compared with the toolbar displayed outside the editing area, the user's line of sight moves less, so that program development can be carried out efficiently. Here, the editing area is the area where the ladder diagram program is displayed.

[0038] §2.Structure example

[0039] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the main parts of the ladder program editing device 1. The ladder program editing device 1 includes a position detection unit 11, a guide display control unit 12, a selection receiving unit 13, and an application unit 14. In addition, the ladder program editing device 1 is connected to an input device 20 such as a mouse and a keyboard, and a display device 30 such as a display.

[0040] (Ladder diagram program editing device 1)

[0041] The position detection unit 11 detects position designation input by the user using the input device 20 in the editing area of ​​the ladder program displaying the circuit component. Specifically, the user selects the circuit component of the ladder program by mouse input or keyboard arrow key input. In addition, when the editing area is a cell format, the user selects a cell, and the position detection unit 11 uses the selected cell as the designated position.

[0042] The selected circuit components are circuit components for calculation such as contacts, coils, functions and function blocks.

[0043] The manual display control unit 12 performs control to display an option for each processing step for adding a circuit component at a predetermined position based on the designated position detected by the position detection unit 11 on the display device 30. The details will be described later.

[0044] The selection receiving unit 13 receives a user input for selecting any one of the options displayed by the manual display control unit 12. The details thereof will also be described in detail later.

[0045] The application unit 14 adds circuit components to the ladder program based on the user input received by the selection receiving unit 13 .

[0046] §3. Action Examples

[0047] (Addition of circuit components)

[0048] Figure 2This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of adding a circuit component in the ladder program editing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0049] The position detection unit 11 detects the input of the position designation of the existing circuit components such as contacts, coils and commands (S101). Then, the guide display control unit 12 displays an option for designating the position of an additional circuit component at a specified position based on the specified position, such as near the periphery of the existing circuit components such as contacts, coils and commands (S102). In addition, the guide display control unit 12 can also control the display of the option within a specified distance range based on the specified position. The so-called specified distance range may be, for example, a position in contact with the outer periphery of the specified circuit component, or a specified distance range that is shorter than the longitudinal width or lateral width of the circuit component from the outer periphery of the specified circuit component.

[0050] Figure 3 This is an example of an editing area in which the guide display control unit 12 displays an option for specifying a position to add a circuit component. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the position detection unit 11 detects the circuit component 101 as the designated position. The guide display control unit 12 displays a guide 102 for designating the position of adding the circuit component around the circuit component 101. The guides 102 are displayed on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the circuit component 101. However, when the circuit component 101 is a coil, the guide 102 on the right side may not be provided. In addition, the guide 102 may be semi-transparent and displayed in a manner that allows the figure or characters below to be seen through.

[0051] The upper guide 102 is displayed as "Add upward", the lower guide 102 is displayed as "Add downward", the left guide 102 is displayed as "Add left", and the right guide 102 is displayed as "Add right". Here, for easy visual understanding, the guides 102 are displayed above, below, left and right with respect to the circuit component 101, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and any display form in the editing area of ​​the ladder program may be adopted.

[0052] In addition to displaying the functions of the guide 102 , each guide 102 may also include information related to a keyboard shortcut for selecting the guide 102 through keyboard input.

[0053] The selection receiving unit 13 receives the selection of the position to add the circuit component (S103). Specifically, when the selection receiving unit 13 receives a mouse click or a keyboard shortcut input on the guide 102, it receives that the corresponding guide 102 has been selected. This is not limited to a mouse click, and may be input through any pointing device, such as a touch screen.

[0054] The manual display control unit 12 retains the manual 102 selected by the selection receiving unit 13, and deletes the other manuals 102. Then, the manual display control unit 12 displays options related to the types of circuit components (S104).

[0055] Figure 4 This is an example of an editing area in which options for specifying the type of circuit components are displayed by the guidance display control unit 12. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the guide display control unit 12 displays a guide 103 for specifying the type of the circuit component around the circuit component 101. The guide 103 is displayed outside the circuit component 101 with the guide 102 interposed therebetween. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , since “add below” is selected for guide 102 , guide 103 is also displayed further below guide 102 .

[0056] As the types of the guidance 103, "A contact", "B contact", "FUN", and "FB" can be listed. Here, "FUN" means function, and "FB" means function block. In addition, "coil" can also be displayed as an option.

[0057] The selection receiving unit 13 receives the selection regarding the type of the circuit component (S105). The input method to the selection receiving unit 13 is the same as that in S103.

[0058] The application unit 14 cancels the display of the guides 102 and 103 , and adds the received type of circuit components to the received position for the circuit component 101 ( S106 ).

[0059] Figure 5 This is an example of adding an editing area of ​​a circuit component of the received type to the received position by the application unit 14. Figure 5 As shown, the application unit 14 adds a circuit component of the received type (here, function) to the position (here, below the circuit component 101 ) where the circuit component 104 was received.

[0060] (Change of connection line)

[0061] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of moving a connection line in the ladder program editing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0062] The position detection unit 11 detects input of a position designation of a circuit component as an existing connection line (S201). Then, the guidance display control unit 12 displays an option for designating whether to change the connection line at a predetermined position based on the designated position, for example, near the circuit component as the existing connection line (S202). The option may only display the case of changing the connection line, or may display an option of deleting the connection line, etc. The predetermined position may be within a predetermined distance range.

[0063] Figure 7 This is an example of an editing area in which the guide display control unit 12 displays an option for specifying whether to change the connection line. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the position detection unit 11 detects the connection line 111 as the designated position. The guidance display control unit 12 displays a guidance 112 for designating whether to change the connection line near the connection line 111. The guidance 112 may also display a keyboard shortcut.

[0064] The selection receiving unit 13 receives a selection of whether to change the connection line (S203). The input method to the selection receiving unit 13 is the same as that in S103.

[0065] The guide display control unit 12 cancels the display of the guide 112 and displays the guide 113 at a position where the connection destination of the connection line 111 can be changed (S204). The position where the connection destination can be changed can be displayed appropriately according to the position of the intersection of other connection lines.

[0066] Figure 8 This is an example of an editing area in which the guide display control unit 12 displays an option for specifying a position at which a connection line is to be changed. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the guide display control unit 12 displays the guide 113 at a position where the connection destination of the connection line 111 can be changed. The guide 113 is semi-transparent and can be displayed in a manner that a figure or characters thereunder are seen through.

[0067] Here, the guide display control unit 12 determines whether or not the destination of the connection destination of the connection line can be changed for each location of the equal potential on the circuit, and displays the guide 113 if the destination of the connection destination of the connection line can be changed. Therefore, the guide 113 is not displayed at a location where the connection of the connection line 111 cannot be changed, thereby preventing a user who is not familiar with the creation of a control program from making a program error.

[0068] The selection receiving unit 13 receives the designation of the change position for the connection destination of the connection line (S205). The input method to the selection receiving unit 13 is the same as that in S103.

[0069] The application unit 14 cancels the display of the guide 113 and changes the connection destination of the connection line 111 ( S206 ).

[0070] Fig. 9 This is an example of an editing area in which the connection line is changed to the received position by the application unit 14. Fig. 9 As shown, the connection destination of the connection line 111 is changed to the connection line 114. Therefore, the connection line 115 is automatically added novelly. Therefore, even in the case where multiple inputs are required to change the connection of the circuit components in the past, the connection can be changed with one action.

[0071] Another example of changing the connection line is shown in Figure 10 to Figure 12 . Fig.10 This is an example of the editing area before the connection line is changed. Fig.11 is relative to Fig.10 An example of changing the destination of a link. Fig.12 is relative to Fig.11 Furthermore, an example of changing the connection destination of another connection line.

[0072] exist Fig.10 In the example, by selecting the connection line 121, the guide 122 is displayed. By selecting the guide 122, the guide 123 is displayed. If a guide with a keyboard shortcut key of "2" is selected in the guide 123, then Fig.10 Become Fig.11 At this time, the connection line 121 is changed to the connection line 124.

[0073] exist Fig.11 In the example, by selecting the connection line 131, the guide 132 is displayed. By selecting the guide 132, the guide 133 is displayed. If a guide with a keyboard shortcut key "1" is selected in the guide 133, then Fig.11 Become Fig.12 At this time, the connection line 131 is changed to the connection line 134.

[0074] By changing the connection destinations of the connection lines several times in this manner, it is possible to easily reconfigure the circuit components into a connection state that is greatly different from the original connection state.

[0075] §4. Function and Effect

[0076] In the editing area of ​​the ladder diagram program displaying the circuit components, the guides 102, 103, 112, and 113 are displayed to prompt the user to input, so that even a user who is not familiar with the operation can efficiently arrange the circuit components or change the connection line. In addition, since the position where the arrangement of the circuit components and the change of the connection line can be made can be displayed, even if the user is not familiar with the program, the operation can be easily performed, and the program can be easily created.

[0077] In addition, since the guides 102, 103, 112, and 113 are displayed within a predetermined distance range of existing circuit components, the user's line of sight does not move significantly, so the user can concentrate on programming, which is highly efficient.

[0078] Regarding the selection of the guide 102, guide 103, guide 112, and guide 113, user input can be performed by operating the keyboard or the pointing device. Therefore, the operation can be easily performed. In particular, in the keyboard operation, only the key corresponding to the keyboard shortcut displayed in the guide 102, guide 103, guide 112, and guide 113 is input, so there is no need to memorize the dedicated shortcut key. Therefore, the learning cost of familiarizing with the operation can be reduced.

[0079] [Variant 1]

[0080] Mouse gestures may also be used to perform the same processing as the configuration of the circuit components in the above-described embodiment. For example, by clicking on an existing circuit component, a clock menu is displayed as a guide display (option) in a circle centered on the clicked position. The clock menu may be, for example, divided into 16 equal parts at an angle, and four menus are roughly divided into one block in each of the up, down, left, and right directions. "A contact", "B contact", "function" and "function block" may be assigned to each block, respectively. By dragging the pointing device in a pressed state to the position of the circuit component to be configured and in the direction of the type of circuit component and releasing (dropping), the designated circuit component may be configured at the designated position.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the arrangement of the circuit components is specified using the relative positional relationship with respect to any of the existing contacts, coils, or commands, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0082] For example, the mouse gesture can be performed at any position where no circuit component is configured. In this case, the position where the circuit component is configured is the position clicked. Therefore, since it is not necessary to specify the position where the circuit component is configured, the items of the clock menu can be increased. That is, in addition to the basic items such as "A contact", "B contact", "function" and "function block" in the clock menu, frequently used circuit components (for example, timers, counters, etc.) can be registered through user settings.

[0083] [Variant 2]

[0084] Consider a case where the arrangement of existing circuit components is changed and the existing circuit components are used to reorganize an AND condition or an OR condition.

[0085] When the position of an existing contact or function is specified as a circuit component, "Circuit component replacement" can be additionally displayed on the displayed guide (option). When the "Circuit component replacement" is selected, the position of the circuit component at the clicked position is replaced with the circuit component with the position specified. In this case, only the circuit component is replaced, and the connection of the connection line is not changed. That is, the circuit component with the position specified becomes connected to the connection line of the selected circuit component. In addition, when replacing the circuit component, the OR circuit can also be replaced as a collective block.

[0086] In addition, the operation is not limited to "replacing circuit components" performed through the guide menu, and may be, for example, drag-and-drop performed using a pointing device.

[0087] Furthermore, when specifying the position of a circuit component, the options can be displayed in a guide format by pressing the "Shift key (or Control key)" at the same time, and the "circuit component replacement" can be performed using keyboard shortcuts.

[0088] [Variant 3]

[0089] The example in which the position that can be connected is displayed as a guide when the connection destination of an existing connection line is changed is shown. In addition to displaying the guide, the connection destination of the connection line with a specified position can be changed to the next left and right position that can be connected by pressing the "shift key (or control (Ctrl) key) + left and right keys" at the same time. In this case, when the connection lines are reorganized, the operation of the cross key rather than the character keys or numeric keys becomes the main operation, so the connection lines can be reorganized efficiently. In addition, the display of the connection destination of the change of the connection line based on the "shift key (or control (Ctrl) key) + left and right keys" can also be performed as a guide.

[0090] 〔Summarize〕

[0091] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a ladder diagram program editing device in one form of the present invention includes: a position detection unit, which detects a position designation input performed by a user in an editing area for displaying circuit parts in a ladder diagram program; a guide display control unit, which controls the display of options for adding each processing step of the circuit part at a specified position based on the designated position detected by the position detection unit; a selection receiving unit, which receives user input for selecting any one of the options; and an application unit, which adds the circuit part to the ladder diagram program based on the user input received by the selection receiving unit in each of the processing steps.

[0092] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another form of the ladder diagram program editing method of the present invention includes: a position detection step, detecting a position designation input performed by a user in an editing area for displaying circuit parts in the ladder diagram program; a guide display control step, performing control to display an option for adding each processing step of the circuit part at a specified position based on the designated position detected by the position detection step; a selection receiving step, receiving a user input for selecting any one of the options; and an application step, adding the circuit part to the ladder diagram program based on the user input received by the selection receiving step in each of the processing steps.

[0093] According to the above structure, in the editing area of ​​the ladder diagram program displaying the circuit components, the options for the user to select are displayed at a predetermined position based on the designated position designated by the user. Therefore, there is no need to move the user's eyes to the menu bar outside the editing area, and the user can concentrate on programming. In addition, since the user only selects the options, even users who are not familiar with the operation can efficiently arrange the circuit components.

[0094] There may be a plurality of the processing steps, and when the option in a predetermined processing step is selected by the selection receiving unit, the manual display control unit may control to display a new option.

[0095] According to the above structure, the processing steps can be composed of multiple stages, so complex processing can be performed. In addition, even complex processing is broken down into simple processing and displayed, so an easy-to-understand interface can be provided to the user.

[0096] The processing steps may include a first processing step and a second processing step performed subsequent to the first processing step, wherein the first processing step selects a position to add the circuit component to the ladder diagram program, and the second processing step selects a type of the circuit component.

[0097] According to the above structure, the user can select the type of circuit component to be arranged after determining the position relative to the designated position as a reference. That is, the designation of the position and the selection of the circuit component can be realized through two consecutive simple processing steps, so that an efficient and easy-to-operate interface can be provided for the user.

[0098] The designated position detected by the position detection unit may be a position corresponding to the circuit component.

[0099] According to the above structure, the circuit components can be arranged at corresponding positions with the existing circuit components as the base point, so that the operation of arranging the circuit components can be easily performed.

[0100] When the designated position detected by the position detection unit is a position corresponding to a connection line, the application unit may change a connection destination of the connection line corresponding to the designated position based on a user input received by the selection reception unit.

[0101] According to the above configuration, the connection destination of an existing connection line can be changed by specifying the position of the connection line. In addition, the positions that can be set as the connection destination of the connection line can be displayed as options, so that even users who are not familiar with the operation can easily create a program.

[0102] The guide display control unit may control display of the options within a predetermined distance range from the designated position detected by the position detection unit.

[0103] According to the above configuration, even in the editing area, the options are displayed within a predetermined distance from the designated position, so the user can confirm the options without moving his / her sight. Therefore, the user can concentrate on programming.

[0104] The manual display control unit may control to display information indicating keys of a keyboard used as the user input in the options.

[0105] According to the above configuration, circuit components can be arranged only by keyboard operation, so that programs can be created efficiently.

[0106] The selection receiving unit may receive, as input from the user, a pointing operation on a position where the option is displayed.

[0107] According to the above configuration, the position of arranging the circuit components can be visually input by pointing operation, so that arrangement errors can be prevented. Therefore, even users who are not familiar with the operation can easily create a program.

[0108] The ladder diagram program editing device of each form of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer. In this case, the program of the ladder diagram program editing device that is implemented by a computer by causing the computer to run as the various parts (software components) included in the ladder diagram program editing device, and the computer-readable recording medium that records the program also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0109] 〔Software-based implementation example〕

[0110] The functions of the ladder program editing device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "device") can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the device and a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device.

[0111] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and the storage device execute the program to implement the functions described in the embodiments.

[0112] The program may also be recorded in one or more recording media that are not temporary and can be read by a computer. The recording medium may be included in the device or not. In the latter case, the program may also be supplied to the device via any transmission medium, whether wired or wireless.

[0113] In addition, part or all of the functions of each control block can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit having a logic circuit that functions as each control block is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, for example, the functions of each control block can also be realized by a quantum computer.

[0114] In addition, each process described in each embodiment may be performed by artificial intelligence (AI). In this case, AI may be executed in the control device or in other devices (such as edge computers or cloud servers).

[0115] [Additional Notes]

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0117] Explanation of symbols

[0118] 1: Ladder diagram program editing device

[0119] 11: Position detection unit

[0120] 12: Guide display control unit

[0121] 13: Select the receiving unit

[0122] 14: Application Department

[0123] 20: Input device

[0124] 30: Display device

Claims

1. A ladder diagram program editing device, comprising: A position detection unit detects a position designation input by a user in an editing area of ​​a display circuit component of a ladder diagram program; a guide display control unit for performing control to display an option for adding each processing step of the circuit component at a predetermined position based on the designated position detected by the position detection unit; A selection receiving unit, receiving a user input for selecting any one of the options; as well as The application unit adds the circuit component to the ladder program based on the user input received by the selection receiving unit in each of the processing steps.

2. The ladder diagram program editing device according to claim 1, wherein: There are multiple processing steps. The guidance display control unit performs control to display the new option when the option in the predetermined processing step is selected by the selection receiving unit.

3. The ladder diagram program editing device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing steps include a first processing step and a second processing step performed subsequent to the first processing step, The first processing step selects a location to add the circuit component to the ladder diagram program, The second processing step selects the type of the circuit component.

4. The ladder diagram program editing device according to claim 1, wherein: The designated position detected by the position detection unit is a position corresponding to the circuit component.

5. The ladder diagram program editing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the designated position detected by the position detection unit is a position corresponding to a connection line, The application unit changes a connection destination of the connection line corresponding to the designated position based on the user input received by the selection receiving unit.

6. The ladder diagram program editing device according to claim 1, wherein: The guidance display control unit performs control to display the options within a predetermined distance range from the designated position detected by the position detection unit.

7. The ladder diagram program editing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The manual display control unit performs control to display information indicating keys of a keyboard used for the user input in the options.

8. The ladder diagram program editing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The selection receiving unit receives, as input by the user, a pointing operation to a position where the option is displayed.

9. A method for editing a ladder diagram program, comprising: A position detection step of detecting a position designation input by a user in an editing area of ​​a display circuit part of a ladder diagram program; a guide display control step for performing control to display an option for adding each processing step of the circuit component at a predetermined position based on the designated position detected by the position detection step; A selection receiving step of receiving a user input for selecting any one of the options; as well as The application step adds the circuit component to the ladder program based on the user input received by the selection receiving step in each of the processing steps.

10. An editing program for causing a computer to function as the ladder program editing device according to claim 1, and for causing the computer to function as the position detection unit, the guidance display control unit, the selection receiving unit, and the application unit.

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