Display control device, display system, display device, display method and display program

Abstract

Display control device (10), comprising: an acquisition unit (21) for acquiring a value of a signal output by a device (60) during execution of a control program (52) that controls the device; and a control unit (22) for controlling a display device (30) to display a code of the control program (52) on a screen, and to display the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit (21) on a portion in the code corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the device (60) at a time point at which the value of the signal is output, wherein the signal is a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF, and wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to further display a probability that the signal is ON.

Description

Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a display control device, a display system, a display device, a display method, and a display program.Prior ArtPatent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 describe a technique of presenting a timing chart of normal data change and a timing chart of abnormal data change by superposition.In Patent Literature 3, a technique of displaying a time chart of a normal data change and a time chart of an abnormal data change side by side is explained.Further, in Patent Literature 1, a technique of displaying a portion in which an abnormality occurs in individual data for the first time in the order from the top of the program is explained.Patent Literature 4 describes a peripheral device for a programmable controller, which can facilitate determination of an operation state of a program by using a trend display.Patent Literature 5 discloses an abnormality recovery assistance apparatus that enables quick recovery at an unidentifiable stop during power operation,List of cited documentsPatent LiteraturePatent Literature 1: JP 2005-115426 APatent Literature 2: JP 2005-128721 APatent Literature 3: JP 2007-102388 APatent Literature 4: DE 11 2013 006 837 T5Patent Literature 5: JP 2005-115426 ASUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTechnical ProblemIn the related art, it is difficult to grasp that a signal corresponding to which portion in a code of a control program that controls a device is outputted as which value from the device when the device is in a stationary state or as which value from the device when the device is in a non-stationary state.It is an object of the present invention to make it easier to detect that a signal corresponding to which portion in a code of a control program is output as which value from the apparatus when the apparatus is in which state.Solution of the ProblemA control device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises:acquiring unit for acquiring a value of a signal output from a device during execution of a control program that controls the device; anda control unit for controlling a display device, displaying a code of the control program on a screen, and displaying the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit on a portion in the code corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the apparatus at a time when the value of the signal is output.Advantageous Effects of the InventionIn the present invention, a value of a signal output from a device is displayed on a portion corresponding to the signal in a code of a control program that controls the device in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the device at a time when the value of the signal is output. Therefore, it becomes easy to detect that a signal corresponding to which portion in the code of the control program is outputted as which value from the apparatus when the apparatus is in which state.Brief Description of the DrawingsFIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a behavior of the display system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the display system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a display system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the display system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a behavior of a display system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the display system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a behavior of a display system according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the display system according to Embodiment 4.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTSEmbodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the embodiments, explanation of the same or equivalent constituent elements is omitted or simplified as appropriate. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various changes may be made as needed. For example, the embodiments explained below may be combined and realized into two or more embodiments. Alternatively, the embodiments explained below, an embodiment, or a combination of two or more embodiments may be partially realized.Embodiment 1.The present embodiment will be explained with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.*** Description of configuration ***A configuration of a display system 50 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 1.The display system 50 is provided with a display controller 10 and a display device 30.The display controller 10 is connected to the display 30 and a plurality of devices 60 via a network such as a LAN. It should be noted that "LAN" means local area network.The display controller 10 is a computer such as a PC. It is noted that "PC" stands for personal computers. The display control device 10 is provided with a processor 11 and is provided with other hardware devices such as a memory 12 and a communication device 13.The display control device 10 is equipped with an acquisition unit 21, a control unit 22, and an operation unit 23 as functional elements. Functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 are implemented by software.The processor 11 is a device that executes a display program. The display program is a program that implements functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU. Note that "CPU" means central processing unit (central processing unit).The memory 12 is a device that stores the display program. The memory 12 is, for example, a flash memory or a RAM. It should be noted that "RAM" means random access memory (random access memory).The communication device 13 includes a receiver for receiving data to be input to the display program and a transmitter for transmitting data output from the display program. The communication device 13 is, for example, a communication chip or a NIC. It should be noted that "NIC" stands for Network Interface Card (Network Interface Card).The program is read by the processor 11 and executed by the processor 11. Not only the display program but also an OS is stored in the memory 12. It should be noted that "OS" means operating system (operating system). The processor 11 executes the display program during the execution of the OS.The display program and the OS may be stored in an auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device is, for example, a flash memory or an HDD. Note that "HDD" means hard disk drive (hard disk). If stored in the auxiliary storage device, the display program and the OS are loaded into the memory 12 and executed by the processor 11.The display program may be wholly or partly integrated with the OS.The display controller 10 may be equipped with a plurality of processors replacing the processor 11. The plurality of processors execute the display program in common. The processor is, for example, a CPU.Data, information, a signal value and a variable value used, processed or output by the display program are stored in the memory 12, the auxiliary storage device, or a register or cache memory in the processor 11. In the present embodiment, at least signal data 51 and a control program 52 are stored in the memory 12.The signal data 51 is time-series data expressing values of signals output from individual devices 60. Each signal is a binary signal in the present embodiment, but may be another type of signal, for example, an analog signal.The control program 52 is a program that controls each device 60. The control program 52 is a ladder program in the present embodiment, but may be another type of program such as a C language program.The display program is a program that causes the computer to execute a process executed by the acquisition unit 21, a process executed by the control unit 22, and a process executed by the operation unit 23 as an acquisition process, a control process, and an operation process, respectively. The display program may be recorded on a computer readable medium and provided in the form of the medium, may be stored on a recording medium and provided in the form of the recording medium, or may be provided in the form of a program product.The display controller 10 may be formed of one computer or a plurality of computers. When the display control device 10 is formed of a plurality of computers, the functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 may be implemented by distribution to the computers.The display device 30 is a device controlled by the display control device 10 via the network.The display device 30 is a computer such as a tablet computer. The display device 30 is equipped with the processor 31, and is also equipped with other hardware devices such as a memory 32, a communication device 33, an input device 34, and a display 35. The processor 31 is connected to the other hardware devices via a signal line and controls these other hardware devices.The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU.The memory 32 is, for example, a flash memory or a RAM.The communication device 33 is, for example, a communication chip or a NIC.The input device 34 is, for example, a touch panel, a mouse, or a keyboard.The display 35 is, for example, an LCD. Note that "LCD" means liquid crystal display (liquid crystal display). The display 35 may be a touch panel also serving as the input device 34.The display device 30 need not be a computer, but may be a pure display. When the display device 30 is a pure display, the display control device 10 is connected to the display device 30 via a signal line such as a USB cable or a wireless connection. It should be noted that "USB" means Universal Serial Bus. When the display device 30 is not a touch panel, the display control device 10 is also connected to an input device independent of the display device 30 via a signal line or a wireless connection.The plurality of devices 60 include two or more sensors such as a sensor X and a sensor Y, and two or more motors such as a motor X and a motor Y. The plurality of devices 60 may include any number of devices 60 of any type provided that they are controlled by the control program 52 to output signals whose values can be acquired as the signal data 51. The number of the devices 60 is not limited to 2 or more, but may be 1.In order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed in the present embodiment that each device 60 outputs only one type of signal. The plurality of devices 60 may include a device 60 that outputs two or more types of signals.*** Description of Behavior**The behavior of the display system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The behavior of the display system 50 corresponds to a display method according to the present embodiment.In step S 101, the display controller 10 detects whether a signal is a stationary signal or a non-stationary signal.A steady-state signal is a signal output from the apparatus 60 when the apparatus 60 is in a steady-state. A non-stationary signal is a signal output from the apparatus 60 when the apparatus 60 is in a non-stationary state. In the present embodiment, a signal output from each device 60 when the plurality of devices 60 in their entirety are in a stationary state corresponds to the stationary signal. A signal output from each device 60 when the plurality of devices 60 are in a non-stationary state in their entirety corresponds to the non-stationary signal. A signal actually output from each device 60 is sometimes referred to only as a "signal".A process of step S 101 will be explained in detail.In the display control device 10, the acquisition unit 21 reads out the control program 52 from the memory 12. The acquisition unit 21 executes the readout control program 52. Using the communication device 13, the acquisition unit 21 receives the signals output from the devices 60 during the execution of the control program 52 while monitoring the states of the plurality of devices 60. The acquisition unit 21 records values of the received signals in the memory 12 as the signal data 51. That is, the acquisition unit 21 generates the signal data 51 of the signals actually output from the devices 60, and records the generated signal data 51 in the memory 12. In addition, the acquisition unit 21 predicts values of the signals to be output from the devices 60 when the devices 60 are in a non-stationary state. The acquisition unit 21 records the predicted values in the memory 12 as prediction data (not illustrated). That is, the acquisition unit 21 generates the prediction data of the signals output from the devices 60 when the devices 60 are in the stationary state, and records the generated prediction data in the memory 12. In addition, the acquisition unit 21 compares the signal data 51 with the prediction data to determine whether the received signals are stationary signals or non-stationary signals. The acquisition unit 21 records a determination result in the memory 12 by associating the determination result with the signal data 51.Instead of executing the control program 52 by the acquisition unit 21, a computer different from the display control device 10 may execute the control program 52. Instead of generating the signal data 51 by the acquisition unit 21, a computer different from the display controller 10 may generate signal data 51 and may record the generated signal data 51 in the memory 12 of the display controller 10. Instead of generating the prediction data by the acquisition unit 21, a computer different from the display controller 10 may generate prediction data, and may record the generated prediction data in the memory 12 of the display controller 10. As for the signals periodically outputted from the devices 60, instead of the prediction data, reception data of the signals outputted from the devices 60 when the devices 60 are in the stationary state may be used. The prediction data may be generated before the signal data 51. Instead of comparing the signal data 51 with the prediction data by the acquisition unit 21, a computer other than the display controller 10 may compare the signal data 51 with the prediction data, and record a determination result whether the received signals are steady signals or non-steady signals in the memory 12 of the display controller 10 by associating the determination result with the signal data 51.Next, a case where the received signals are determined to be non-stationary signals in step S 101 will be described. Substantially the same applies to the case where the received signals are determined as stationary signals, except that non-stationary signals are replaced with stationary signals.In step S 102, the display controller 10 controls the display device 30 to output, to the display 35, a screen 53 having non-stationary signals and stationary signals as illustrated in FIG. 3.A process of step S 102 will be explained in detail.In the display control device 10, the acquisition unit 21 reads out the signal data 51 determined as non-stationary signals from the memory 12. At this time, the acquisition unit 21 acquires values of the signals output from the devices 60 during the execution of the control program 52. In addition, the acquisition unit 21 reads out the stationary signal prediction data from the memory 12. At this time, the acquisition unit 21 acquires values output when the devices 60 are in a stationary state during execution of the control program 52.Using the communication device 13, the control unit 22 transmits the non-stationary signal signal data 51 read by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30, and thereby the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display, on the screen 53, a timing chart expressing a change in the values of the signals acquired by the acquisition unit 21. Specifically, the control unit 22 controls to display the display device 30 on the screen 53 a timing chart expressing a change in actually outputted values when the devices 60 are in a non-stationary state as a change in the values of the signals. That is, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display, on the screen 53, a non-steady-state current-time chart obtained from real-time signals. By using the communication device 13, the control unit 22 transmits the stationary signal prediction data read by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30, and thereby the control unit 22 controls to display the display device 30 on the screen 53 a timing chart expressing a change in the values predicted to be output when the devices 60 are in a stationary state. That is, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display a steady-state prediction timing chart on the screen 53.As described above, regarding the signals periodically outputted from the devices 60, the reception data may be used instead of the prediction data. Therefore, instead of the steady-state prediction timing chart, a current time chart of a steady-state that appears periodically may be displayed.Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the non-stationary signal signal data 51 transmitted by the control unit 22. The display device 30 generates a non-stationary signal timing diagram from the received non-stationary signal signal data 51. the display device 30 displays the generated non-stationary signal timing diagram on the screen 53. At this time, the display device 30 displays, on the screen 53, a time chart expressing a change in the values of the signals acquired by the acquisition unit 21. Specifically, the display device 30 displays, on the screen 53, a timing chart expressing a change in the values of the signal data 51 that are values of the signals output from the devices 60 as a change in the values of the non-stationary signals. Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the stationary signal prediction data transmitted by the control unit 22. The display device 30 generates a stationary signal timing chart from the received stationary signal prediction data. The display device 30 displays the generated steady-state signal timing chart with the non-steady-state signal timing chart on the screen 53 side by side simultaneously. At this time, the display device 30 displays, on the screen 53, a time chart expressing a change in the values predicted to be output when the devices 60 are in the stationary state, together with a time chart expressing a change in the values actually output when the devices 60 are in the non-stationary state.Instead of generating the timing chart by the display device 30, the control unit 22 of the display control device 10 may generate a timing chart and transmit the generated timing chart to the display device 30. If a process of generating the timing chart by the display device 30 becomes unnecessary, a load on the display device 30 can be reduced. Alternatively, it is possible to achieve a case where the display device 30 serves as a pure display.In step S 103, the display controller 10 controls the display device 30 to display the control program 52 on a screen 54 as illustrated in FIG. 3.Which part of the control program 52 is to be displayed may be arbitrarily set. A portion corresponding to the non-stationary signals may be extracted and set by the display controller 10. A portion that a user wants to display may be specified by the user himself.A process of step S 103 will be explained in detail.In the display controller 10, the control unit 22 reads out the control program 52 from the memory 12. By using the communication device 13, the control unit 22 transmits the readout control program 52 to the display device 30, and the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display a code of the control program 52 on the screen 54.Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the control program 52 transmitted by the control unit 22, and the display device 30 displays the code of the received control program 52 on the screen 54 of the display 35.In step S 104, the display controller 10 controls the display device 30 to simultaneously display the values of the non-stationary signals and the values of the stationary signals on the control program 52. When the user changes a display subject timing of the signals by cursor movement or the like, the display controller 10 updates the values of the signals displayed on the control program 52.In step S 101, if a received signal is determined as a stationary signal, the value of only the stationary signal is displayed on the control program 52.A process of step S 104 will be explained in detail.The display device 30 accepts, via the input device 34, an operation of the user of moving the cursor along the time axis on the time chart displayed on the screen 53. Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 transmits information expressing a position of the cursor or information expressing a time corresponding to this position to the display control device 10.In the display control device 10, the operation unit 23 receives, using the communication device 13, the information transmitted by the display device 30. From the received information, the operation unit 23 specifies the user-set time point as the display subject time point of the signal. At this time, the operation unit 23 accepts the operation of selecting the display subject timing of the signal.The acquisition unit 21 extracts a value of a non-stationary signal corresponding to the time point specified by the operation unit 23 from the non-stationary signal signal data 51 read in step S 101. At this time, the acquisition unit 21 acquires a value of a signal output from each device 60 at a time point selected by operation of the operation unit 23. In addition, the acquisition unit 21 extracts a stationary signal value corresponding to the time point specified by the operation unit 23 from the stationary signal prediction data read in step S 101. At this time, the acquisition unit 21 acquires a value of a signal to be output from each device 60 at the time point selected by operation of the operation unit 23.Here, using the communication device 13, the control unit 22 transmits the value of the non-stationary signal extracted by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54, and to display the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21 on a portion in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the state of the apparatus 60 at the time when the value of the signal is output. In addition, the control unit 22 transmits, using the communication device 13, the value of the stationary signal extracted by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30, and thereby the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display both the value of the stationary signal and the value of the non-stationary signal simultaneously on portions in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the states of the respective devices 60.Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the value of the non-stationary signal transmitted by the control unit 22. The display device 30 displays the received value of the non-stationary signal on a portion in the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54 corresponding to the signal in a format that makes it possible to distinguish that the received value is the value of a non-stationary signal. At this time, the display device 30 displays the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54, and displays the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21 on a portion in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the state of the apparatus 60 at a time when the value of the signal is output. Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the value of the stationary signal transmitted by the control unit 22. The display device 30 displays the received value of the stationary signal on a portion in the code of the control program 52 on the display 54 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables the received value to be distinguished as the value of a stationary signal. This displaying is performed simultaneously with displaying the value of the non-stationary signal. At this time, the display device 30 displays both the value of the stationary signal and the value of the non-stationary signal simultaneously on portions in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the states of the respective devices 60.In the present embodiment, the control program 52 is a ladder program that controls two or more sensors such as a sensor X and a sensor Y, and two or more motors such as a motor X and a motor Y. The display device 30 displays this ladder program on the screen 54. With respect to each sensor, if the stationary signal is ON, the display device 30 displays a colored circle on a corresponding portion in the ladder program on the screen 54. If the stationary signal is OFF, the display device 30 does not display anything. With respect to each sensor, if the non-stationary signal is ON, the display device 30 displays a colored square on a corresponding portion in the ladder program on the screen 54. If the non-stationary signal is OFF, the display device 30 does not display anything. The description for each sensor also applies to each monitor.As a specific example, assume that at a time selected on screen 53, a signal from sensor X is OFF when it is actually output and is ON in the steady state, a signal from motor X is OFF both when it is actually output and is in the steady state, and a signal from sensor Y is ON both when it is actually output and is in the steady state. In this case, the ladder program display device 30 displays, on the screen 54, a colored circle on a portion corresponding to the sensor X, does not display on a portion corresponding to the motor X, and displays a colored circle and a colored square side by side on a portion corresponding to the sensor Y.Alternatively, instead of extracting, by the acquisition unit 21, the value of the signal at the user-set time and transmitting, by the control unit 22, the extracted value to the display 30, the display 30 may extract, from the signal data 51 received in step S 102, the value of the signal at the user-set time. Also in this case, the control unit 22 transmits the signal data 51 and the control program 52 to the display device 30 as well. that is, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54, and displays the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21 on a portion in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the state of the apparatus 60 at the time when the value of the signal is output.Description of the Effect of this EmbodimentIn the present embodiment, a value of the signal output from a device 60 is displayed on a portion of a code corresponding to the signal in the control program 52 that controls the device 60 in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the device 60 at the time when the value of the signal is output. Thereby, it becomes easier to grasp that a signal corresponding to which portion in the code of the control program 52 is outputted as which value from the device 60 when the device 60 is in which state.In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 21 acquires values of the plurality of signals separately output from the plurality of devices 60 as the values of the signals. The control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display a value of each signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21 on a portion in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that makes it possible to distinguish that the value of each signal is output in any one of a case where the plurality of devices 60 in their entirety are in the stationary state and a case where the plurality of devices 60 in their entirety are in the non-stationary state. Therefore, it becomes easier to grasp that a signal corresponding to which portion in the code of the control program 52 is outputted as which value from one device 60 when the plurality of devices 60 in their entirety are in the stationary state and as which value from one device 60 when the plurality of devices 60 in their entirety are in the non-stationary state.In the present embodiment, when displaying a value output when the apparatus 60 is in the non-stationary state as a value of a signal, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to simultaneously display a value output by the apparatus 60 in the stationary state. As a modification, the control unit 22 may control the display device 30 to display only a value of a signal. That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display an actually output value as a value of a signal and, at the same time, to display a value predicted to be output by the apparatus 60 in the steady state. In the modification, the control unit 22 may control the display device 30 to display only an actually output value.As a specific example, assume that at a time selected on screen 53, a signal from sensor X is OFF when it is actually output and is ON in the steady state, a signal from motor X is OFF both when it is actually output and is in the steady state, and a signal from sensor Y is ON both when it is actually output and is in the steady state. In this case, the ladder program display device 30 displays nothing on the screen 54 on a portion corresponding to the sensor X, nothing on a portion corresponding to the motor X, and displays only a colored square on a portion corresponding to the sensor Y.According to this example, it becomes easier to grasp that a signal corresponding to which portion in the code of the control program 52 is outputted as which value from the apparatus 60 when the apparatus 60 is in the non-stationary state.In the present embodiment, the signal output from each device 60 is a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF. As a modification, however, each signal may be an analog signal.As a specific example, assume that at a time selected on the screen 53, the signals output from the sensor X, motor X and sensor Y are analog signals. In this case, the display device 30 displays, in the ladder program, on the screen 54, values of signals output from the sensor X, motor X, and sensor Y in the stationary state as numbers colored in a first color on portions corresponding to the sensor X, motor X, and sensor Y, and displays values of signals output from the sensor X, motor X, and sensor Y in the non-stationary state as numbers colored in a second color different from the first color.According to this example, it becomes easier to grasp that a signal corresponding to which portion in the code of the control program 52 is outputted as which value from the device 60 when the device 60 is in the stationary state and as which value from the device 60 is outputted when the device 60 is in the non-stationary state.In the present embodiment, the control program 52 is a ladder program. As a modification, the control program 52 may be a program such as a C language program written by a source code.As a specific example, assume that at a time selected on the screen 53, a signal from the sensor X is OFF when it is actually output and is ON in the steady state, a signal from the motor X is OFF both when it is actually output and is in the steady state, and a signal from the sensor Y is ON both when it is actually output and is in the steady state. In this case, the display device 30 displays, in the source code of the control program 52, a colored circle in the vicinity of a variable corresponding to the sensor X, does not display anything in the vicinity of a variable corresponding to the motor X, and displays a colored circle and a colored square side by side in the vicinity of a variable corresponding to the sensor Y.According to this example, it is easier to grasp that a signal corresponding to which variables in source code that is a kind of code of the control program 52 is outputted as which value from the device 60 when the device 60 is in the stationary state and as which value from the device 60 when the device 60 is in the non-stationary state.*** Other Configurations ***In the present embodiment, the functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 are implemented by software. As a modification, the functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 are implemented by a combination of software and hardware. That is, some of the functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 are implemented by dedicated hardware, and the remaining functions may be implemented by software.The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA, an FPGA, or an ASIC. Note that "IC" stands for Integrated Circuit, "GA" stands for Gate Array, "FPGA" stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array, and "ASIC" stands for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.The processor 11 and the dedicated hardware are both a processing circuit. That is, regardless of whether the functions of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 are implemented by software or by a combination of software and hardware, the behavior of the acquisition unit 21, the control unit 22, and the operation unit 23 is executed by processing circuits.Embodiment 2.The present embodiment will be explained mainly for its differences from Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.In the present embodiment, a process of step S 104 is different from that of Embodiment 1.In step S 104, a display controller 10 controls a display 30, to display values of non-steady-state signals and values of steady-state signals on a screen 54 simultaneously on a control program 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.The process of step S 104 will be explained in detail.The display device 30 highlights a period in which a value of a stationary signal and a value of a non-stationary signal are different as a non-stationary portion on a time chart displayed on a screen 53. The display device 30 accepts, via an input device 34, an operation of a user of selecting a non-stationary portion with a cursor on the time chart displayed on the screen 53. Using a communication device 33, the display device 30 transmits information indicating a position of the cursor or a period of time corresponding to the position to the display control device 10.Thereafter, the display device 30 accepts, via the input device 34, the user's operation of pressing a key 55 displayed on the screen 53 or in another area of a display 35. Each time the key 55 is pressed, the display device 30 moves the cursor to the next non-stationary portion along the time axis on the time chart displayed on the screen 53. Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 transmits information indicating a movement target position of the cursor or a period of time corresponding to this position to the display control device 10.In the display control device 10, each time information indicating a position of the cursor or a period corresponding to this position is transmitted from the display device 30, an operation unit 23 receives the information transmitted by the display device 30 using a communication device 13. From the received information, the operation unit 23 specifies the user-set time period as the display subject time period of the signal. Here, the operation unit 23 accepts an operation of selecting a display subject period of the signal from two or more periods during which a value different from a value output when a device 60 is in a stationary state is output as a value of a signal.An acquisition unit 21 extracts a value of a stationary signal corresponding to the time period specified by the operation unit 23 and a value of a non-stationary signal corresponding to the value specified by the operation unit 23 from the stationary signal prediction data 51 read in step S 101.Here, using the communication device 13, the control unit 22 transmits the value of the non-stationary signal extracted by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display a code of the control program 52 on the screen 54, and to display the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21 on a portion in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the state of the apparatus 60 at the time when the value of the signal is output. In addition, the control unit 22 transmits, using the communication device 13, the value of the stationary signal extracted by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30, and thereby the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display both the value of the stationary signal and the value of the non-stationary signal on portions in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal simultaneously in a format that enables discrimination of the states of the respective devices 60.Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the value of the non-stationary signal transmitted by the control unit 22. The display device 30 displays the received value of the non-stationary signal on a portion in the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54 corresponding to the signal in a format that makes it possible to distinguish that the received value is the value of a non-stationary signal. At this time, the display device 30 displays the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54, and displays the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21 on a portion in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the state of the apparatus 60 at the time when the value of the signal is output. Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the value of the stationary signal transmitted by the control unit 22. The display device 30 displays the received value of the stationary signal on a portion in the code of the control program 52 on the display 54 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables the received value to be distinguished as the value of a stationary signal. This displaying is performed simultaneously with displaying the value of the non-stationary signal. At this time, the display device 30 displays both the value of the stationary signal and the value of the non-stationary signal on portions in the code of the control program 52 corresponding to the signal simultaneously in a format enabling discrimination of the states of the respective devices 60.In the present embodiment, when a non-stationary portion occurs a plurality of times, the value of the signal displayed on the control program 52 can be sequentially switched by a simple operation such as pressing the button 55.Instead of accepting an operation of selecting a display subject period of a signal from two or more periods during which a value different from a value output when the device 60 is in a stationary state is output as a value of the signal, the operation unit 23 may accept an operation of selecting a display subject period of the signal from two or more periods during which a value having an abnormality degree exceeding a threshold value is output as the value of the signal.Embodiment 3.The present embodiment will be explained mainly for its differences from Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.The behavior of a display system 50 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 6. The behavior of the display system 50 corresponds to a display method according to the present embodiment.A process of step S 301 is the same as the process of step S 101, so a description will be omitted.In step S 302, the display control device 10 controls a display device 30, a screen 53 as illustrated in FIG. 7 displaying a non-stationary signal, a stationary signal, and an abnormality degree 56 to be output to a display 35.A difference from a process of step S 302 to the process of step S 102 will now be explained.In the display control device 10, an acquisition unit 21 acquires an abnormality degree 56 of a non-stationary signal. The abnormality degree 56 can be obtained from the non-stationary signal signal data 51 or the like by a known method. Alternatively, the abnormality degree 56 may be given externally.A control unit 22 transmits the abnormality degree 56 obtained by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30 using a communication device 13, and the control unit 22 further controls the display device 30 to display, on the screen 53, the abnormality degree 56 of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21.The display device 30 receives the abnormality degree 56 transmitted by the control unit 22 using a communication device 33. the display device 30 generates a timing chart of the received abnormality degree 56. the display device 30 displays the generated timing chart of the abnormality degree 56 together with a timing chart of a stationary signal and a timing chart of a non-stationary signal on the display 53 side by side simultaneously. At this time, the display device 30 further displays, on the screen 53, the abnormality degree 56 of the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21.A process of step S 303 is the same as the process of step S 103, so a description will be omitted.In step S 304, the display controller 10 controls the display device 30 to display the steady-state signal value, the steady-state signal value, and the abnormality degree 56 on the control program 52 simultaneously. When the user changes a display subject time point of the signal by movement such as a cursor, the display controller 10 updates the values of the signals displayed in the control program 52 and the abnormality degree 56.A difference from a process of step S 304 to a process of step S 104 will now be explained.In the display control device 10, the control unit 22 transmits, using the communication device 13, the abnormality degree 56 acquired by the acquisition unit 21 and corresponding to the time point specified by the operation unit 23 to the display device 30.Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the abnormality degree 56 transmitted by the control unit 22, and the display device 30 displays the value of the non-stationary signal on a portion in the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54 corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of the abnormality degree 56 of the value of the signal. At this time, the display device 30 further displays, on the screen 54, the abnormality degree 56 of the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 21.As a specific example, assume that, at a time selected on the screen 53, an abnormality degree 56 of a value of the signal output from the sensor X is high, an abnormality degree 56 of a value of the signal output from the motor X is medium, and an abnormality degree 56 of a signal output from the sensor Y is low. In this case, the display device 30 displays, in a ladder program, on the screen 54, a label of a portion corresponding to the sensor X having a dark-colored frame, a label of a portion corresponding to the motor X having a light-colored frame, and a label of a portion corresponding to the sensor Y having no frame.According to the present embodiment, the abnormality degree 56 of each signal may be expressed on the control program 52.According to the present embodiment, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display the abnormality degree 56 of a value of each signal on the screen 54. As a modification, the control unit 22 may control the display device 30 to display an abnormality degree of a value as a total of a plurality of signals on the screen 54.Embodiment 4.The present embodiment will be explained mainly for its differences from Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.The behavior of a display system 50 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. The behavior of the display system 50 corresponds to a display method according to the present embodiment.A process of S 401 is the same as the process of Step S 101, so a description will be omitted.In step S 402, a display controller 10 controls a display 30, a screen 53 as illustrated in FIG. 9 displaying a non-stationary signal and an ON probability of a stationary signal to be output to a display 35.A difference from a process of step S 402 to the process of step SI 02 will now be explained.In the display control device 10, an acquisition unit 21 obtains a probability that a stationary signal is ON. This probability can be obtained from prediction data or the like of the stationary signal by a known method. Alternatively, this probability may be external.A control unit 22 transmits data expressing the probability obtained by the acquisition unit 21 to the display device 30 using a communication device 13 instead of the stationary signal prediction data read by the acquisition unit 21. At this time, the control unit 22 controls the display device 30 to display, on the screen 53, the probability that the stationary signal is ON.The display device 30 receives the data expressing the probability and transmitted by the control unit 22 using a communication device 33. the display device 30 generates a time chart of the probability expressed by the received data. The display device 30 displays the generated timing chart of the probability, instead of a timing chart of the stationary signal, together with a timing chart of a non-stationary signal, simultaneously side by side on the screen 53. At this time, the display device 30 further displays the probability that the stationary signal is ON on the screen 53.A process of step S 403 is the same as the process of step S 103, so a description will be omitted.In step S 404, the display controller 10 controls the display 30, the value of the non-stationary signal, and the probability that the value of the stationary signals is ON simultaneously on the control program 52.A difference from a process of step S 404 to a process of step S 104 will now be explained.In the display control device 10, the control unit 22 transmits, using the communication device 13, the data acquired by the acquisition unit 21 expressing the probability that the stationary signal is ON and corresponding to the time point specified by the operation unit 23 to the display device 30.Using the communication device 33, the display device 30 receives the data transmitted by the control unit 22 and expressing the abnormality that the stationary signal is ON. The display device 30 displays the possibility that the stationary signal is ON, instead of the value of the stationary signal value, on a portion in the code of the control program 52 on the screen 54 corresponding to the signal. At this time, the display device 30 further displays on the screen 54 the probability that the stationary signal is ON.As a specific example, assume that at a time selected on the screen 53, a signal output from a sensor X having a medium probability is ON in the steady state and is OFF in the non-steady state, a signal output from a motor X having a low probability is ON in the steady state and is OFF in the non-steady state, and a signal output from a sensor Y having a high probability is ON in the steady state and is ON in the non-steady state. In this case, the display device 30 displays, in a ladder program, a light-colored circle on a portion corresponding to the sensor X, displays a colorless circle on a portion corresponding to the motor X, and displays a dark-colored circle and a colored square side by side on a portion corresponding to the sensor Y on the screen 54.According to the present embodiment, the probability that each binary signal is ON may be expressed on the control program 52. In the present embodiment, since the probability that each binary signal is ON is displayed, the user can also judge whether or not a non-stationary situation involves a problem. For example, if a signal in a non-stationary state on a portion where the signal is ON is ON in the stationary state with a low probability, then the user may judge that the non-stationary state situation involves a problem.List of reference characters10: Display control device; 11: processor; 12: memory; 13: communication device; 21: acquisition unit; 22: control unit; 23: operation unit; 30: display device; 31: processor; 32: memory; 33: communication device; 34: input device; 35: display; 50: display system; 51: signal data; 52: control program; 53: screen; 54: screen; 55: button; 56: abnormality degree; 60: apparatus.

Claims

A display control device (10) comprising: an acquisition unit (21) for acquiring a value of a signal output from a device (60) during execution of a control program (52) that controls the device; A control unit (22) for controlling a display device (30) to display a code of the control program (52) on a screen, and displaying the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit (21) on a portion in the code corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the apparatus (60) at a time when the value of the signal is output, wherein the signal is a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF, and wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to further display a probability that the signal is ON.The display control device (10) according to claim 1, wherein when displaying a value output when the apparatus (60) is in a non-stationary state as a value of the signal, the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to simultaneously display a value output when the apparatus (60) is in the stationary state.The display control device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an operation unit (23) for accepting an operation of selecting a display subject period of the signal from two or more periods during which, as the value of the signal, a value different from a value output when the apparatus (60) is in a stationary state is output, wherein the acquisition unit (21) acquires, as a value of the signal, a value of a signal output during the period selected by operating the operation unit.The display control device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an operation unit (23) for accepting an operation of selecting a display subject period of the signal from two or more periods during which a value having an abnormality degree (56) exceeding a threshold is output as a value of the signal, wherein the acquisition unit (21) acquires, as a value of the signal, a value of a signal output during the period selected by operating the operation unit.The display control device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to further display an abnormality degree (56) of a value of the signal.The display control device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit (21) acquires values of a plurality of signals separately output from the plurality of devices (60) as values of the signals, and wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to display a value of each signal acquired by the acquisition unit (21) on a portion in the code corresponding to each signal in a format that enables to distinguish that the value of each signal is output in which of a case where the plurality of devices (60) are in the stationary state in their entirety and a case where the plurality of devices (60) are in the non-stationary state in their entirety.The display control device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to further display an abnormality degree (56) of a value of each signal.The display control device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to further display an abnormality degree (56) of a value as a whole of the plurality of signals.The display controller (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each signal is a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF, and wherein the control unit (22) controls the display device (30) to further display a probability that each signal is ON.A display system (50) comprising: a display controller (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and the display device (30) is controlled by the control unit (22) to display the code, a value of the signal, and a probability that the signal is ON.A display device (30) comprising a display controlled by a display control device (10) that acquires a value of a signal output from an apparatus (60) during execution of a control program (52) that controls the apparatus to display a code of the control program (52) on a screen, and displays the value of the signal acquired by the display control device (10) in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the apparatus (60) at a time when the value of the signal is output, wherein the signal is a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF, and wherein the display device (30) is controlled by the display control device (10) to further display a probability that the signal is ON.A display method comprising: by a display controller (10), acquiring a value of a signal output from an apparatus (60) during execution of a control program (52) that controls the apparatus; Further, by a display device (30) controlled by the display control device (10), displaying a code of the control program (52) on a screen, and displaying the value of the signal acquired by the display control device (10) on a portion in the code corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the apparatus (60) at a time when the value of the signal is outputted, wherein the signal is a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF, and wherein the display device (30) is controlled by the display control device (10) to display a probability that the signal is ON.A display program that causes a computer to execute: an acquisition process of acquiring a value of a signal output from a device (60) during execution of a control program (52) that controls the device; and a control process of controlling a display device (30) to display a code of the control program (52) on a screen, and displaying the value of the signal acquired by the acquisition process on a portion in the code corresponding to the signal in a format that enables discrimination of a state of the device (60) at a time when the value of the signal is output, wherein the acquisition process includes acquisition of a value, as the signal, of a binary signal corresponding to either ON or OFF, and wherein the control process includes controlling the display device (30) further to display a probability that the signal is ON.

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