Support program, support device, support system, and support method

Abstract

The program causes a computer, which supports the task of editing a display screen of a display device (20) connected to a programmable controller, to function as an acquisition unit (12) that acquires transition data (40) indicating a condition under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the display device (20) and at least one of a destination screen that is the destination of the transition and a source screen that is the source of the transition when the condition is satisfied, and a display control unit (15) that causes a display unit (161) to display the transition indicated by the transition data (40) using a simulated image that simulates the display screen.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an assistance program, an assistance device, an assistance system, and an assistance method. [Background technology]

[0002] In FA (Factory Automation) sites, various processes are realized by controlling equipment with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). A display device is used as an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) connected to the PLC to monitor the operating status of the PLC and to set information for the PLC. The display device is a UI (User Interface) terminal also known as a programmable display device or a GOT (Graphical Operation Terminal).

[0003] The UI of a display unit is designed for each site so that it can be used at the site where the display unit is used. In addition, as the control content at FA sites becomes more complex and the uses of display units increase, the display unit is often designed to transition between multiple screens. In the past, when designing such screen transitions, it was necessary to use a simulator to simulate the operation of the display unit and the PLC that is linked to the display unit, and to work while understanding the screen transition relationship.

[0004] In response to this, a technique has been proposed that allows a designer to design a UI while easily recognizing screen transition relationships without starting a simulator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technique that links a part placed on a screen with a screen to which the part is transitioned by an operation on the part, and switches the editing target to the screen to which the part is transitioned when the user selects the part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4476223 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, displays are required to have background processing execution functions and linkage functions with external devices, and these functions may interfere with the screen transitions of the display. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 only considers screen transitions caused by operations on parts arranged on the screen, and does not consider screen transitions caused by factors other than the operations on such parts. For this reason, it is difficult for designers to recognize the relationship between screen transitions caused by factors other than the operations on the parts on the screen, and there is a risk that the workload of designing the display screen of the display device will be large.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to reduce the workload associated with designing a display screen for a display device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an assistance program according to the present disclosure provides a computer that assists in editing a display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller, comprising: A reception means for receiving settings for transition of a display screen by an operation on an operation component displayed on the display screen; an acquisition means for acquiring transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of a display screen occurs regardless of the presence or absence of an operation on the display device, and at least one of a transition destination screen which is a transition destination and a transition source screen which is a transition source when the condition is satisfied; Settings and The transitions indicated by the transition data are simulated on the display screen. 2 or more Mock image at the same time The display control unit 100 functions as a display control unit that uses the information to display on a display device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the workload associated with designing the display screen of a display device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a support system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition based on an operation on an operational component according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of action data according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a script according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a control program according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an assistance device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an assistance device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] Flowchart showing display control processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mapping image according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a search result according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction to switch to an edit mode according to the first embodiment; [Figure 12] Flowchart showing an editing process according to the first embodiment [Figure 13] FIG. 1 shows an example of an editing screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of highlighting a direct transition screen according to the first embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second example of highlighting a direct transition screen according to the first embodiment; [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of highlighting an operational component according to the first embodiment; [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of highlighting an element of transition data according to the first embodiment; [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a mapping image according to a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a script according to a modified example. [Figure 20]FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a mapping image according to a modified example. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a script according to a modified example. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining a screen transition according to a modified example; [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining a screen transition according to a modified example. [Figure 24] FIG. 3 is a third diagram showing a mapping image according to a modified example. [Diagram 25] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mapping image according to a modified example. [Figure 26] FIG. 5 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an assistance device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining an operation of a start-up unit according to a second embodiment; [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining an operation of the starting unit according to the second embodiment; [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a support device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Embodiment 1 1, a support system 1000 according to this embodiment is a system that supports a designer U1 who designs a display screen 21 of a display device 20 used in a control system 200. The support system 1000 includes a support device 10 that supports an editing operation when the designer U1 edits the display screen 21, a control system 200 that is operated in a facility such as a factory or a plant, and a storage device 60 that is connected to the support device 10 via a network NW.

[0013] The control system 200 includes a device 51, a PLC 50 that controls the device 51, and a display 20 that corresponds to a UI terminal of the PLC 50. The PLC 50 controls the device 51 by executing a control program 43. The device 51 operates according to the control program 43 to perform various processes, such as a production process, a machining process, and an inspection process. For example, the device 51, which is a sensor, notifies the PLC 50 of the sensing result of a workpiece on a belt conveyor, and the PLC 50 transmits an operation command obtained by arithmetic processing based on the sensing result to the device 51 having a robot hand, thereby realizing a process of sequentially transporting the workpieces. The PLC 50 corresponds to an example of a programmable controller.

[0014] 1 illustrates an example of only one device 51, but a plurality of devices 51 may be connected to the PLC 50. The PLC 50 and the device 51 are connected via a signal line for transmitting a voltage signal or a current signal, a communication line for serial communication, or an industrial network such as a field network.

[0015] The display device 20 is a computer used by an operator U2 to monitor the operating state of the PLC 50 and to set information for the PLC 50. The display device 20 is connected to the PLC 50 via a communication line such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. The display device 20 has a display screen 21 which is a touch screen, and a control unit 22 which controls the components of the display device 20. In addition, screen control information 30, action data 41, and scripts 42 are set in the display device 20.

[0016] The control unit 22 generates an image to be displayed on the display screen 21 based on the screen control information 30, and displays the generated image on the display screen 21. The screen control information 30 specifies the screen to be displayed as the display screen 21, as well as the images, positions, and sizes of components to be arranged and displayed on the screen, and specifies the processing to be executed when the arranged operation component is operated by the worker U2. The processing to be executed when the operation component is operated is, for example, a transition of the display screen 21, or writing of information input by the worker U2 to the PLC 50.

[0017] The screen displayed as the display screen 21 means an image displayed for the worker U2 to view. The transition of the display screen 21 from one screen to another means that the image displayed on the display screen 21 is switched from one image to another image. The screen displayed as the display screen 21 is an image displayed on the entire display screen 21, and may be treated as a page or frame. However, this is not limited to this, and a screen corresponding to a part of the display screen 21 may transition. For example, the current date and time and the worker ID (Identifier) ​​input by the worker U2 to the display device 20 may be always displayed at the top of the display screen 21, and the screen of the part other than the top may transition. The screen displayed as the display screen 21 may be one that is different from the other screens as long as the purpose of use of the display device 20 by the worker U2 is different from the other screens.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen transition by the screen control information 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the display screen 21 of the display device 20 switches from a screen A1 to a screen A2, a screen A3, a screen A4, and a screen A5 in this order, and returns from the screen A5 to the screen A1. This screen transition occurs by an operation on an operation component indicated by hatching in the screens A1 to A5. For example, when an operation component A1a arranged on the screen A1 is operated, the display screen 21 transitions to the screen A2. The operation on the operation component may be, for example, pressing the operation component by touching an area on the display screen 21, which is a touch screen, in which the operation component is displayed with a finger or a stylus of the operator U2, or may be another operation.

[0019] Returning to Fig. 1, the control unit 22 reads out the action data 41 and the script 42 and operates in accordance with the action data 41 and the script 42. The action data 41 is data that indicates, in association with a condition, an operation of the display device 20 or the PLC 50 to be executed when the condition is satisfied, as exemplified in Fig. 3. In the example of Fig. 3, for a device value stored at an address X10 in the memory of the PLC 50, the condition that the device value is ON is associated with the operation of transitioning to screen A4. Note that [X10] in Fig. 3 indicates the device value stored at address X10, which is a 1-bit value and is ON or OFF.

[0020] The script 42 is a source code of a program executed by the control unit 22. The script 42 illustrated in Fig. 4 prescribes that when the condition that the device value [X20] of the PLC 50 is ON is satisfied, a value of 3 is stored as the device value [D1] of the PLC 50. Here, the device value stored at the address D1 corresponds to the number of the screens A1 to A5 shown in Fig. 2. That is, when the device value [D1] becomes 3, a transition to the screen A3 occurs. Therefore, the script 42 in Fig. 4 indicates that when the device value [X20] is ON, the display screen 21 transitions to the screen A3.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 22 has a function of monitoring the device value of the PLC 50, and indirectly executes processing according to the device value, which is regulated by the control program 43 that changes the device value. For example, assume a case in which the control program 43 exemplified in FIG. 5 is executed by the PLC 50. The control program 43 in FIG. 5 regulated that a value of 5 should be stored as the device value [D1] when the condition that the device value [X30] is ON is satisfied. As described above, since the device value [D1] corresponds to the screen number, the control program 43 in FIG. 5 indicates that the display screen 21 should transition to screen A5 if the device value [X30] is ON.

[0022] 5, the control program 43 written in ladder language is shown as an example, but the control program 43 is not limited to this and may be written in other formats. For example, the control program 43 may be written in structured text or an instruction list format.

[0023] As described above, the action data 41, script 42, and control program 43 each specify the conditions for the screen transition of the display device 20 and the screen to which the transition will occur, and therefore may be collectively referred to as transition data 40 below.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 1, the screen control information 30 is created by the support device 10 and set in the display device 20. On the other hand, the transition data 40 is provided from the storage device 60, the action data 41 and the script 42 are set in the display device 20, and the control program 43 is written in the PLC 50. The transition data 40 may be read from the storage device 60 by a device not shown and set in the display device 20 and the PLC 50. In addition, the display device 20 operated by the worker U2 may read the transition data 40 including the control program 43 from the storage device 60 and write the control program 43 in the PLC 50. The support device 10 may read the transition data 40 via the network NW and set it in the display device 20 and the PLC 50. The support device 10 is connected to the display device 20 via a communication line such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

[0025] The storage device 60 may be a cloud server on the Internet, a data server in the facility in which the control system 200 is constructed, or a terminal device for editing the transition data 40.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the support device 10 will be described. Fig. 6 shows the hardware configuration of the support device 10. As shown in Fig. 6, the support device 10 is configured as a computer having a processor 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, an input unit 104, an output unit 105, and a communication unit 106. The main memory unit 102, the auxiliary memory unit 103, the input unit 104, the output unit 105, and the communication unit 106 are all connected to the processor 101 via an internal bus 107.

[0027] The processor 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processing circuit. The processor 101 executes a program P1 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 to realize various functions and execute processes described below. The program P1 corresponds to an example of an assistance program.

[0028] The main memory unit 102 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory). A program P1 is loaded into the main memory unit 102 from the auxiliary memory unit 103. The main memory unit 102 is used as a working area for the processor 101.

[0029] The auxiliary storage unit 103 includes a non-volatile memory represented by an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) and a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). In addition to the program P1, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores various data used in the processing of the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 supplies the data used by the processor 101 to the processor 101 according to an instruction from the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also stores data supplied from the processor 101.

[0030] The input unit 104 includes input devices such as a hardware switch, an input key, a keyboard, and a pointing device. The input unit 104 acquires information input by the designer U1, and notifies the processor 101 of the acquired information.

[0031] The output unit 105 includes output devices such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a speaker. The output unit 105 presents various information to the designer U1 according to instructions from the processor 101.

[0032] The communication unit 106 includes a communication interface circuit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 106 receives a signal from the outside and outputs data indicated by the signal to the processor 101. The communication unit 106 also transmits a signal indicating the data output from the processor 101 to the external device. Although one communication unit 106 is representatively shown in FIG. 6, the support device 10 may have a communication unit 106 for communicating via the network NW and a communication unit 106 for communicating with the display 20 separately.

[0033] By the cooperation of the above-mentioned hardware configurations, the support device 10, as shown in FIG. 7, has, as its functions, a reception unit 11 that receives settings related to the display screen 21, an acquisition unit 12 that acquires transition data 40, a memory unit 13 that stores various data, a control unit 14 that controls the components of the support device 10, a display control unit 15 that controls the display content for the designer U1, a UI unit 16 through which information is input and output to and from the designer U1, and a writing unit 17 that writes screen control information 30 to the display 20.

[0034] The reception unit 11 is realized mainly by cooperation between the processor 101 and the input unit 104. The reception unit 11 generates screen control information 30 indicating multiple screens to be displayed as the display screen 21, the configuration of each screen, and the processing to be executed when an operation component on each screen is operated, from the contents set by the designer U1, and stores the generated screen control information 30 in the storage unit 13. The reception unit 11 corresponds to an example of a reception means that receives settings for transition of the display screen due to operations on the operation components displayed on the display screen. The screen control information 30 corresponds to an example of setting data indicating the contents of the settings received by the reception means.

[0035] The acquisition unit 12 is realized mainly by cooperation between the processor 101 and the communication unit 106. The acquisition unit 12 acquires transition data 40 via the network NW, and stores the acquired transition data 40 in the storage unit 13. The acquisition unit 12 corresponds to an example of an acquisition means that acquires transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of a display screen occurs regardless of the presence or absence of an operation on the display device, and a transition destination screen that is a transition destination when the condition is satisfied.

[0036] The storage unit 13 is mainly realized by the auxiliary storage unit 103. The storage unit 13 stores the screen control information 30 and the transition data 40 in a storage area secured for storing these data. The storage unit 13 corresponds to an example of a storage means that stores setting data in a predetermined storage area.

[0037] The control unit 14 is mainly realized by the processor 101. The control unit 14 performs an integrated analysis of screen transitions caused by operations on operation components and screen transitions that occur regardless of whether or not the operation components are operated, based on the screen control information 30 and the transition data 40, and notifies the display control unit 15 of the analysis result.

[0038] The display control unit 15 is mainly realized by the processor 101. The display control unit 15 supports the editing work of the designer U1 of the display screen 21 by appropriately presenting the screen transitions indicated by the screen control information 30 and the transition data 40 to the designer U1. The display control unit 15 generates a simulated image that simulates the display screen 21 to be displayed on the display device 20, and presents the screen transitions to the designer U1 by using the simulated image. The display control unit 15 corresponds to an example of a display control means that causes the display device to display the transitions indicated by the transition data using the simulated image that simulates the display screen.

[0039] The UI unit 16 is realized mainly by cooperation between the input unit 104 and the output unit 105. The UI unit 16 has a display unit 161 which corresponds to the output unit 105. Details of the display by the display unit 161 will be described later.

[0040] The writing unit 17 is realized mainly by the communication unit 106. The writing unit 17 writes the completed screen control information 30 to the display device 20 after the editing work by the designer U1 is completed.

[0041] Next, the display control process executed by the support device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 17. The display control process is started when a start instruction is input by the designer U1 to a specific application software of the support device 10. The display control process corresponds to an example of a support method.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, in the display control process, the reception unit 11 receives the screen control information 30 (step S1), the acquisition unit 12 acquires the transition data 40 (step S2), and the control unit 14 analyzes the screen transition relationship from the screen control information 30 and the transition data 40 (step S3).

[0043] Next, the display control unit 15 judges whether or not a mapping mode has been specified by the designer U1 (step S4). The mapping mode is a mode for displaying a mapping image that comprehensively represents the transition relationship of the screens indicated by the screen control information 30 and the transition data 40. The designer U1 specifies the mapping mode, for example, by clicking a predetermined button (not shown) for specifying the mapping mode. If it is judged that the mapping mode has not been specified (step S4; No), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if it is judged that the mapping mode has been specified (step S4; Yes), the display control unit 15 causes the display unit 161 to display the mapping image (step S5).

[0044] FIG. 9 shows a mapping image 71 as a display example of the display unit 161. In addition to the transition of the screens A1 to A5 shown in FIG. 2, the mapping image 71 shows the transition of the screens by the action data 41 shown in FIG. 3, the script 42 shown in FIG. 4, and the control program 43 shown in FIG. 5, with arrows pointing from the icons of the action data 41, the script 42, and the control program 43 to the mock images of the transition destination screens. Note that, in the vicinity of the icon of the action data 41 in FIG. 9, "41a" which is an ID for identifying this action data 41 is shown. Similarly, the IDs of the script 42 and the control program 43 are also arranged and shown in the vicinity of the icon. When an icon is selected by the designer U1, the details of the transition data 40 corresponding to the selected icon may be displayed, or, similar to the mock image, an image which extracts and simulates a part related to the transition of the display screen 21 from the information constituting the transition data 40 may be displayed as an icon. For example, an image showing a simplified version of the table of the action data 41 in FIG. 3, the script 42 in FIG. 4, or the source code of the control program 43 in FIG. 5 may be displayed as an icon.

[0045] 4, when the script 42 prescribes a transition to screen A3, this screen transition is indicated by an arrow pointing from the icon of this script 42 to the mock-up image of screen A3. Similarly, for the action data 41 and the control program 43, the screen transition indicated by these transition data 40 is indicated in the mapping image 71 by an arrow pointing from the icon representing the type of the transition data 40 to the mock-up image of the transition destination screen. This allows the designer U1, who visually checks the mapping image 71, to easily recognize the transition of the display screen 21 that occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on an operational component.

[0046] Returning to Fig. 8, following step S5, the display control unit 15 judges whether or not a search mode has been specified by the designer U1 (step S6). The search mode is a mode in which, using a specified screen specified by the designer U1 as a key, a direct transition screen is searched for between the specified screen and the specified screen, where the transition indicated by the screen control information 30 or the transition data 40 occurs without passing through another screen. For example, the search mode is specified by specifying a specified screen in a search box shown at the bottom of Fig. 9.

[0047] If it is determined that the search mode is not specified (step S6; No), the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the search mode is specified (step S6; Yes), the reception unit 11 receives the specification of the specified screen, and the display control unit 15 displays a simulated image of the direct transition screen as the search result, and excludes from the display targets indirect transition screens that have a transition between the specified screen and the direct transition screen via another screen (step S7).

[0048] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, when screen A4 is specified from screens A1 to A5 displayed on the display device 20 as the display screen 21, screens A3 and A5 are found in the search, and mock images of these screens A3 and A5 are displayed. In addition, transition data 40 related to the specified screen is displayed as a search result. Specifically, an icon of the transition data 40 that causes a transition to the specified screen is displayed as shown in Fig. 10. This allows the designer U1 to easily recognize the direct transition screen of the specified screen even when the transition relationship between screens becomes complicated.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 8, following step S7, the display control unit 15 judges whether or not the edit mode has been specified by the designer U1 (step S8). The edit mode is a mode for editing a specified screen specified by the designer U1, and in the edit mode, the parts to be arranged on the specified screen and the process to be executed when the parts are operated are arbitrarily changed by the designer U1. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, by hovering the cursor over a simulated image of any one of the screens and selecting an item "Edit this screen" from a submenu that is expanded, the screen is specified as the specified screen and the edit mode is specified. Note that in the edit mode, the transition data 40 may be specified as the object to be edited.

[0050] If it is determined that the edit mode is not specified (step S8; No), the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, if it is determined that the edit mode is specified (step S8; Yes), the support device 10 executes the edit process described later (step S9).

[0051] Following the editing process in step S9, the control unit 14 judges whether or not a write instruction has been input by the designer U1 (step S10). That is, it is judged whether or not an instruction has been input to reflect the edited screen control information 30 on the display 20 after the editing work is completed.

[0052] If it is determined that a write instruction has not been input (step S10; No), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that a write instruction has been input (step S10; Yes), the writing unit 17 writes the screen control information 30 to the display 20 (step S11).

[0053] Following step S11, the display control unit 15 judges whether or not an end instruction to end the display control process has been input by the designer U1 (step S12). If it is judged that an end instruction has not been input (step S12; No), the process from step S4 onwards is repeated. On the other hand, if it is judged that an end instruction has been input (step S12; Yes), the display control process is terminated.

[0054] Next, the details of the editing process in step S9 will be described. In the editing process, as shown in FIG. 12, an editing screen for the designer U1 to edit the screen or transition data 40 to be edited is displayed (step S91). FIG. 13 shows an example of an editing screen displayed when the screen A3 is designated as the editing target. As can be seen from FIG. 13, this editing screen is divided to display mock images of the screens A2 and A4, which are direct transition screens of the screen A3, together with the screen A3 to be edited. In addition, an icon of the transition data 40 that causes a transition to the screen A3 is displayed. Here, the indirect transition screen of the screen A3 is excluded from the display target. This allows the designer U1, who visually checks the editing screen, to easily recognize the direct transition screen of the screen A3. The accepting unit 11 corresponds to an example of a accepting means for accepting the designation of a designated screen as the editing target.

[0055] Returning to Fig. 12, the display control unit 15 judges whether the designer U1 has selected an operational component among the editing targets or an element constituting the transition data 40 (step S92). For example, as shown in Fig. 14, when the cursor overlaps a hatched operational component in the screen A3 that is the editing target, the judgment in step S92 is positive. Note that the selection of an operational component is not limited to the overlapping of the operational component and the cursor, and may be other forms of selection.

[0056] When it is determined that the designer U1 has selected an operation part or element (step S92; Yes), the display control unit 15 highlights the mock image of the direct transition screen corresponding to the selected operation part or element (step S93). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, among multiple mock images displayed together with the designated screen to be edited, the mock image of the direct transition screen to which the designated screen transitions by the operation on the selected operation part is highlighted. In the example of FIG. 14, the mock image of the screen A4 is highlighted. The highlighting method is, but is not limited to, enlarging the mock image, changing the color, or blinking, and may be any method that allows the designer U1 to recognize that it has been highlighted. The display control unit 15 corresponds to an example of a display control means that highlights and displays on the display device the mock image of the direct transition screen to which the designated screen transitions by the operation on the selected operation part when an operation part included in the designated screen displayed as the editing target is selected via a user interface.

[0057] FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which an element related to a screen transition is selected in the script 42 as the transition data 40 to be edited in step S92. The elements constituting the script 42 may be each line, may be a command obtained by syntax analysis, or may be other elements. FIG. 15 also illustrates that when an element related to a screen transition is selected, a simulated image of a direct transition screen corresponding to the element is highlighted. The display control unit 15 corresponds to an example of a display control means that, when the transition data is edited, displays a simulated image of a transition destination screen indicated by the transition data on the display device, and when an element related to the transition destination screen is selected via a user interface among a plurality of elements constituting the transition data displayed as an edit target, displays a simulated image of the transition destination screen related to the selected element on the display device in a highlighted manner.

[0058] 12, when it is determined in step S92 that the designer U1 has not selected an operational part or element (step S92; No), and after step S93 is completed, the display control unit 15 determines whether or not the designer U1 has selected a mock image of a direct transition screen that is displayed as a screen that transitions to the editing target (step S94). For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the cursor overlaps with the mock image of screen A4 that is displayed as a transition destination from screen A3 that is the editing target, the determination in step S94 is affirmative.

[0059] When it is determined that the designer U1 has selected a direct transition screen (step S94; Yes), the display control unit 15 highlights an operation component or element corresponding to the selected direct transition screen among the editing targets (step S95). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 16, the display control unit 15 highlights an operation component that causes a transition to the selected direct transition screen among the editing target screen A3. The display control unit 15 corresponds to an example of a display control means that, when a simulated image of a direct transition screen is selected via a user interface, causes a display device to highlight an operation component that causes a transition to the direct transition screen of the selected simulated image among the specified screens displayed as the editing target.

[0060] 17 shows a state in which the editing target is the transition data 40 in step S94. As shown in FIG. 17, when a direct transition screen is selected using the cursor, an element related to the selected direct transition screen among the elements constituting the transition data 40 is highlighted. The display control unit 15 corresponds to an example of a display control means for displaying a simulated image of a transition destination screen indicated by the transition data on the display device when the transition data is edited, and for displaying, on the display device, an element related to the transition destination screen of the selected simulated image among the multiple elements constituting the transition data displayed as the editing target, in a highlighted manner when the simulated image of the transition destination screen is selected via a user interface.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 12, if it is determined in step S94 that the designer U1 has not selected a direct transition screen (step S94; No), and after step S95 is completed, the display control unit 15 accepts changes to the screen and its transition and reflects them in the screen control information 30 (step S96).

[0062] Then, the display control unit 15 judges whether or not an instruction to end the edit mode has been input by the designer U1 (step S97). If it is judged that an instruction to end has not been input (step S97; No), the processing from step S91 onwards is repeated. On the other hand, if it is judged that an instruction to end has been input (step S97; Yes), the editing processing ends, and the processing by the support device 10 returns to the display control processing of FIG. 8.

[0063] As described above, in any of the mapping mode, search mode, and edit mode, the display control unit 15 causes the display unit 161 to display the transitions indicated by the transition data 40 using simulated images that simulate the display screen 21. This allows the designer U1 to easily recognize the screen transitions that occur regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on an operational component, and to proceed with the editing work. This reduces the workload of designing the display screen 21 of the display device 20.

[0064] In the search and edit modes, the designer U1 designates one of the screens, and the direct transition screen of the designated screen is displayed, while the indirect transition screen is excluded from the display. This allows the designer U1 to easily recognize other screens that have a direct transition relationship with the screen of interest and proceed with the editing work.

[0065] Although an example has been described in which the transition data 40 indicates the condition under which a screen transition occurs and the destination screen after the transition when the condition is satisfied, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 18, the transition data 40 may be data indicating the condition under which a screen transition occurs and the source screen after the transition when the condition is satisfied.

[0066] 19, an example of such a script 42 is one that substitutes a device value [D102] for a device value [D1] when the conditions that a device value [D1] indicating a current screen number is 3 and a device value [D101] is 1 are met. That is, when the script 42 specifies that a transition source screen is fixed to screen A3 while a transition destination screen varies depending on the situation, the screen transition specified by the script 42 is represented by an arrow pointing from a mock image of screen A3 to the icon of the script 42, as shown in FIG.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20, the transition data 40 may be data indicating a condition for causing a screen transition, and both a transition source screen and a transition destination screen when the condition is met.

[0068] As an example of such a script 42, as shown in Fig. 21, when the conditions that the device value [D1] indicating the screen number is 1 and the device value [D101] is 1 are satisfied, the script 42 may assign 2 to the device value [D1]. In other words, when both the source screen and the destination screen are fixed, the screen transition defined by the script 42 is represented by an arrow pointing from the mock image of the source screen to the icon of the script 42 and an arrow pointing from the icon to the mock image of the destination screen, as shown in Fig. 20.

[0069] In addition, although an example in which the transition data 40 alone realizes the screen transition has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transition data 40 may realize the screen transition by combining with other information. In the example of FIG. 22, the screen control information 30 specifies that the operation of the operation item A1a on the screen A1 causes a transition to the screen A2, while the operation of another operation item A1b causes a value of 1 to be stored as the device value

[0101] . The script 42 specifies that the transition to the screen A2 occurs when the condition that the device value [D101] is 1 is satisfied. Therefore, the script 42 specifies the transition from the screen A1 to the screen A2 by combining with the screen control information 30. Therefore, the script 42 may be treated as indicating both the transition source screen and the transition destination screen, as in FIG. 20.

[0070] 23, a screen transition may be realized by a plurality of transition data 40. In the example of Fig. 23, storage of device values ​​and screen transition similar to those in Fig. 22 are realized by action data 41 and script 42.

[0071] In addition, in the above embodiment, a mapping image 71 is described in which the screen transition indicated by the transition data 40 is represented by connecting a simulated image of the transition destination screen and an image that is an icon of the transition data 40 with a line, but the method of representing the screen transition is not limited to this.

[0072] For example, as in image 81 in Fig. 24, an image showing the condition indicated by the transition data may be connected to a simulated image of the transition destination screen. Image 81 shows four blocks, which correspond to device values ​​[X10], [X20], [X30], and [X40], starting from the left block. Only the block second from the left, which corresponds to the device value [X20], is painted black, indicating that the condition is met by the value of the device value [X20]. Note that the method of expressing the condition in an image is not limited to this, and may be changed arbitrarily.

[0073] 24 is an arrow connecting between the simulated images of both the source screen and the destination screen indicated by the action data 41. This image 82 is a dashed arrow, different from the solid arrow representing the screen transition based on the operation of the operation component, and a small icon representing the type of the action data 41 is attached to the arrow. In this way, similar to the screen transition based on the operation of the operation component, the screen transition based on the transition data 40 can also be represented by using the simulated images of the destination screen and the source screen as nodes.

[0074] 25, a transition based on the transition data 40 may be represented by using character strings. Character string 83 in Fig. 25 represents the type of transition data 40, character string 84 represents the condition indicated by the transition data 40, and character string 85 represents the source screen of the transition based on the transition data 40. In Fig. 25, it is assumed that the transition data 40 represents a destination screen and not a source screen, but if the arrows connected to the character strings 83, 84, and 85 in Fig. 25 are reversed, a screen transition based on the transition data 40 indicating the source screen can be represented.

[0075] Furthermore, the lines representing screen transitions are not limited to arrows, and may be any lines whose direction can be recognized by the designer U1. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, as long as the transition direction is unified from left to right in principle, except for the connection between the right-most and left-most nodes, the nodes may be connected by simple lines that have no direction.

[0076] Also, an example has been described in which the lines connecting the nodes correspond to the transition between the screens, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the presence of the transition data 40 relating to each screen may be expressed by attaching a small icon representing the transition data 40 to at least one of the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the simulated image of each screen. In the example of FIG. 26, the icon at the upper left corner of each screen represents the transition data 40 having the screen as the transition destination, and the icon at the lower right corner of each screen represents the transition data 40 having the screen as the transition source. If icons of the same color are attached to the upper left corner and the lower right corner of two different screens, it can be seen that there is transition data 40 having these screens as the transition destination and transition source.

[0077] The mapping image 71 represents the transitions between the multiple screens indicated by the screen control information 30 using simulated images of each of the multiple screens and lines connecting the simulated images, while the simulated images of the destination screen and source screen indicated by the transition data 40 only need to represent the transition indicated by the transition data in a form different from the expression of the transition indicated by the screen control information 30.

[0078] Embodiment 2 Next, the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, the support device 10 is used exclusively for editing the screen control information 30. However, there may be cases where the support device 10 is also used for editing the transition data 40. In the following, a form will be described in which the support device 10 has a function for editing the screen control information 30 and a function for editing the transition data 40 as separate application software.

[0079] 27, the support device 10 has an editing application 110 for the screen control information 30 and an editing application 120 for the transition data 40 separately. The editing application 110 exerts the functions described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, and has an acquisition unit 12 for acquiring the transition data 40, and a storage unit 13 in which the screen control information 30 is stored. The editing application 120 has a storage area 60a corresponding to the storage device 60 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, and is used by the designer U1 to edit the transition data 40 stored in the storage area 60a. The transition data 40 stored in the storage area 60a is acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

[0080] The editing application 110 also has a launching unit 111 that launches the editing application 120. The launching unit 111 is mainly realized by the processor 101. As shown in FIG. 28, when an operational object related to the transition data 40 is selected during use of the editing application 110, the launching unit 111 launches the editing application 120. When a screen is edited as a display screen and an operational object included in the screen displayed as an editing target is selected via a user interface, the launching unit 111 launches the editing application 120. Screen control information 30 and Transition Data Combination with The transition data editing unit 100 corresponds to an example of a starting unit that starts an editing application for editing the transition data when the transition data editing unit 100 is associated with the transition data editing unit 100 .

[0081] Similarly, the editing application 120 has a launching unit 121 that launches the editing application 110. The launching unit 121 is mainly realized by the processor 101. As shown in Fig. 29, when an element related to a screen transition is selected during use of the editing application 120, the launching unit 121 launches the editing application 110. The launching unit 121 corresponds to an example of a launching means that launches an editing application for editing a display screen when an element related to a transition screen that is at least one of a transition destination screen and a transition source screen indicated by the transition data is selected via a user interface among a plurality of elements constituting the transition data displayed as an editing target when the transition data is edited.

[0082] As described above, when the screen control information 30 and the transition data 40 are edited by separate applications, one can be easily edited while the other is being edited. In particular, for the control program 43, a dedicated IDE (Integrated Development Environment) different from that for UI design of the display device 20 is often used, so that the effort of starting and switching between two applications can be eliminated.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0084] For example, although an example in which the support device 10 has the display unit 161 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 30, the support device 10 may have an input / output unit 18 that is connected to an external input device 151b and a display device 151a and transmits and receives information between these UI devices. In the example of Fig. 30, the input / output unit 18 may include the reception unit 11.

[0085] In the configuration according to the above embodiment as shown in FIG.

[0086] Also, an example has been described in which the acquisition unit 12 acquires the transition data 40 from a source other than the storage unit 13 corresponding to the storage area for editing the screen control information 30. Such a source is not limited to the example described in the above embodiment, and the acquisition unit 12 may acquire the transition data 40 from any source.

[0087] Although an example has been described in which whether or not the condition indicated by the transition data 40 is satisfied is determined by referring to a device value in the PLC 50, this is not limited thereto, and whether or not the condition is satisfied may also be determined by referring to a value stored in a predetermined address in the memory of the display 20.

[0088] The functions of the support device 10 according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by dedicated hardware or by a general computer system.

[0089] For example, the program P1 can be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), and the program P1 can be installed on a computer to configure an apparatus that executes the above-mentioned processing.

[0090] Also, the program P1 may be stored in a disk device of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded to a computer, for example, by being superimposed on a carrier wave.

[0091] The above-mentioned processing can also be achieved by starting and executing the program P1 while transferring it via a network such as the Internet.

[0092] Furthermore, the above-mentioned processing can also be achieved by executing all or part of the program P1 on a server device, and executing the program P1 while the computer transmits and receives information related to the processing via a communications network.

[0093] In addition, when the above-mentioned functions are shared and realized by the OS (Operating System) or by the OS working together with an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or may be downloaded to a computer.

[0094] Furthermore, the means for realizing the functions of the support device 10 is not limited to software, and a part or the whole of the functions may be realized by dedicated hardware or circuits.

[0095] Various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present disclosure is suitable for designing a display screen of a display device used in FA sites. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Support device, 11 Reception unit, 12 Acquisition unit, 13 Memory unit, 14 Control unit, 15 Display control unit, 16 UI unit, 17 Writing unit, 18 Input / output unit, 20 Display unit, 21 Display screen, 22 Control unit, 30 Screen control information, 40 Transition data, 41 Action data, 42 Script, 43 Control program, 50 PLC, 51 Equipment, 60 Storage device, 60a Storage area, 71 Mapping image, 81, 82 Image, 83-85 Character string, 101 Processor, 102 Main memory unit, 103 Auxiliary memory unit, 104 Input unit, 105 Output unit, 106 Communication unit, 107 Internal bus, 110, 120 Editing application, 111, 121 Startup unit, 151a Display device, 151b Input device, 161 Display unit, 200 Control system, 1000 support system, A1~A5 screens, A1a, A1b operation parts, NW network, P1 program, U1 designer, U2 operator.

Claims

1. A computer that supports an operation of editing a display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller, a receiving means for receiving settings for transition of the display screen by operations on operation components displayed on the display screen; an acquisition means for acquiring transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of the presence or absence of an operation on the display device, and at least one of a transition destination screen which is a transition destination when the condition is satisfied and a transition source screen which is a transition source; a display control means for simultaneously displaying, on a display device, the transition indicated by the setting and the transition data using two or more simulated images simulating the display screen; A support program to enable it to function as a

2. Whether or not the condition is satisfied is determined by referring to a value at a predetermined address in a memory included in the programmable controller or the display device. The support program according to claim 1 .

3. The transition data is a control program executed by the programmable controller to control a device, a script executed by the display device, or action data indicating the condition and an action to be taken when the condition is satisfied in association with each other. The support program according to claim 1 .

4. The computer, a storage means for storing setting data indicating the contents of the setting accepted by the accepting means in a predetermined storage area; It also functions as the acquiring means acquires the transition data from a source different from the storage area; The support program according to claim 1 .

5. The computer is connected to a network, the acquiring means acquires the transition data via the network. The support program according to claim 4.

6. the display control means displays, on the display device, a mapping image that represents a transition between a plurality of screens indicated by the setting data using the simulated images of the respective screens and lines connecting the simulated images, and for the simulated images of the transition destination screen and the transition source screen indicated by the transition data, the mapping image that represents the transition indicated by the transition data in a form different from the expression of the transition indicated by the setting data; The support program according to claim 4.

7. the mapping image represents the transition indicated by the transition data by connecting an image or a character related to the transition data with a line to the simulated image of the transition destination screen or the transition source screen indicated by the transition data; the image or character relating to the transition data indicates a type of the transition data, the condition indicated by the transition data, or a screen to which a transition occurs between the transition destination screen or the transition source screen; The support program according to claim 6.

8. the accepting means accepts a designation of one of a plurality of screens to be displayed on the display as the display screen, when the designation of the designated screen is accepted, the display control means causes the display device to display the simulated image of a direct transition screen in which a transition between the designated screen and the designated screen, which is indicated by the transition data or the setting data, occurs without passing through another screen, and excludes from display objects the simulated image of an indirect transition screen in which a transition between the designated screen and the designated screen, which is indicated by the transition data or the setting data, occurs via another screen. The support program according to claim 4.

9. The accepting means accepts a designation of the designated screen as an edit target, the display control means, when the operation component included in the designated screen displayed as an editing target is selected via a user interface, causes the display device to highlight and display the simulated image of the direct transition screen to which the designated screen transitions in response to an operation on the selected operation component. The support program according to claim 8.

10. The accepting means accepts a designation of the designated screen as an edit target, the display control means, when the simulated image of the direct transition screen is selected via a user interface, displays on the display device, in an emphasized manner, the operation component which causes a transition of the selected simulated image to the direct transition screen among the designated screens displayed as an editing target. The support program according to claim 8.

11. the display control means, when the transition data is edited, causes the display device to display the mock image of a transition screen which is at least one of the transition destination screen and the transition source screen indicated by the transition data, and when an element relating to the transition screen is selected via a user interface among a plurality of elements constituting the transition data displayed as an editing target, causes the display device to highlight and display the mock image of the transition screen relating to the selected element. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. the display control means, when the transition data is edited, causes the display device to display the mock image of a transition screen, which is at least one of the transition destination screen and the transition source screen indicated by the transition data, and, when the mock image of the transition screen is selected via a user interface, causes the display device to highlight and display, among a plurality of elements constituting the transition data displayed as an editing target, an element relating to the transition screen of the selected mock image. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. The computer, a launching means for launching an editing application for editing the transition data when an operation component included in the one screen displayed as an editing target is selected via a user interface when a screen is edited as the display screen and an operation on the selected operation component is related to a combination of the setting data and the transition data; Further functioning as The support program according to any one of claims 4 to 9.

14. The computer, a launching means for launching an editing application for editing the display screen when an element relating to a transition screen, which is at least one of the transition destination screen and the transition source screen indicated by the transition data, is selected via a user interface among a plurality of elements constituting the transition data displayed as an editing target when the transition data is edited; Further functioning as The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. A support device for supporting an operation of editing a display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller, comprising: a receiving means for receiving a setting for a transition of the display screen by an operation on an operation component displayed on the display screen; an acquisition means for acquiring transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of the presence or absence of an operation on the display device, and at least one of a transition destination screen which is a transition destination and a transition source screen which is a transition source when the condition is satisfied; a display control means for displaying the setting and the transition indicated by the transition data on a display device using two or more simulated images simulating the display screen at the same time; A support device comprising:

16. A display connected to the programmable controller; a support device according to claim 15 for supporting an operation of editing the display screen of the display device; A support system comprising:

17. A method for supporting an operation of editing a display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller, comprising the steps of: a receiving means for receiving a setting for a transition of the display screen by an operation on an operation component displayed on the display screen; an acquiring means for acquiring transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of the presence or absence of an operation on the display device, and at least one of a transition destination screen which is a transition destination and a transition source screen which is a transition source when the condition is satisfied; a display control means for controlling a display device to simultaneously display the setting and the transition indicated by the transition data using two or more simulated images simulating the display screen; Methods of support include:

Images