Facility monitoring system, engineering device, and facility monitoring method

Abstract

To make it possible to inhibit decrease in efficiency of engineering work.SOLUTION: An engineering device 10 includes: a reception unit 102 that receives data indicating character strings divided into multiple parts as setting data for a variable item in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on a display unit of an operation device 40 changes according to a predetermined condition; a registration unit 103 that registers engineering data including the setting data for the received variable item in a holding unit 107; and a transmitting unit 104 that transmits, to the operation device, at least the setting data for the variable item, of the engineering data. The operation device 40 includes: a receiving unit 401 that receives the setting data transmitted from the transmitting unit 104; an operation device-side generation unit 402 that generates data indicating a display screen on which the variable item is displayed based on the received setting data and the predetermined condition; and a display control unit 403 that causes the display unit to display the display screen indicated by the generated data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a facility monitoring system, an engineering device for performing various settings on devices constituting the facility monitoring system, and a facility monitoring method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an engineering device for creating setting data for operating a plurality of devices (for example, a primary device and a secondary device, etc.) for monitoring or controlling devices installed in a facility has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The engineering device creates setting data for each device, and constructs a facility monitoring system by causing each device to download (receive) the created setting data. Each device operates based on the setting data downloaded from the engineering device, and monitors or controls other devices other than itself or one or more devices installed in the facility.

[0003] For example, a facility monitoring system includes a primary device, a secondary device connected under the primary device, and a device connected under the secondary device. The primary device monitors or controls the subordinate secondary device by operating based on the setting data downloaded from the engineering device. Further, the secondary device monitors or controls the subordinate devices by operating based on the setting data downloaded from the engineering device.

[0004] When constructing a facility monitoring system, the engineering device operates in an engineering mode and, for example, displays a setting screen on a display device. The setting screen is a screen for creating and checking setting data and has items (cells) indicating the setting data. Then, an administrator or the like performs engineering work by creating the setting data or the like using the setting screen. Then, the engineering device holds, in one holding unit (database) as engineering data, data obtained by summarizing the setting data obtained through the engineering work by the administrator or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in a facility monitoring system, the above-mentioned secondary device may be composed of an operator. The operator is a device that includes a display unit such as a touch panel that can be operated by an administrator or the like, receives an operation from the administrator or the like via the display unit, and can access the primary device according to the operation.

[0007] For example, by accessing the primary device, the operator can acquire the information held by the primary device and display it on its own display unit, or update the information held by the primary device to indirectly monitor or control other secondary devices and the devices under the control of the other secondary devices. This operator also downloads the setting data created by the engineering device and operates based on the downloaded setting data, just like other secondary devices.

[0008] On the one hand, since the operator may be installed on the wall of a room in a facility or the like, the overall dimensions are formed to be relatively small for space saving. Therefore, the display unit of the operator is also small, and there is a limit to the area where data such as characters can be displayed. Accordingly, among the items displayed on the display unit, there are also display items whose displayable data amount or display mode changes depending on the setting.

[0009] For example, in the display unit of the operator, an example of a display item whose displayable data amount or display mode changes is the "area name". The "area name" is the name of the area in the facility that the operator monitors or controls. And this "area name" changes the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit according to the number of areas (hereinafter referred to as "number of areas") that the operator monitors or controls. Note that the "area name" and the "number of areas" are determined in advance as setting data for the operator by, for example, an administrator or the like and input into the engineering device.

[0010] An example thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the "number of areas" that the operator monitors or controls and an example of the display screen 1201 of the operator. In FIG. 12, (a) shows an example of the display screen when the number of areas is "1", (b) shows an example of the display screen when the number of areas is "4", and (c) shows an example of the display screen when the number of areas is "8".

[0011] For example, in the case of (a), since only the data necessary for monitoring or controlling one area needs to be displayed on the display screen 1201, more data can be displayed at one time compared to the cases of (b) and (c). Also, in the case of (a), the display area of the area name (reference numeral 12011) can be made longer in the horizontal direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 12) compared to the cases of (b) and (c), and a longer area name can be displayed in one line.

[0012] Also, in the case of (b), since it is necessary to display the data required for monitoring or controlling four areas on the display screen 1201, the amount of data per area that can be displayed at one time is less than that in the case of (a). Further, for example, the display area (reference numeral 12012) of the area name of "Area 1" can be made shorter in the horizontal direction but longer in the vertical direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 12) compared to the display area 12011 in the case of (a). Therefore, the area name can be displayed in two lines by wrapping it.

[0013] Also, in the case of (c), since it is necessary to display the data required for monitoring or controlling eight areas on the display screen 1201, the amount of data per area that can be displayed at one time is even less than that in the case of (b). Further, for example, the display area (reference numeral 12013) of the area name of "Area 1" is shorter in both the vertical and horizontal directions compared to the cases of (a) and (b). Therefore, the area name is displayed in one line.

[0014] As described above, the number of characters that can be displayed in one line in the display unit for the area name changes according to the number of areas, and there are cases where it is displayed in one line and cases where it can be displayed in two lines. However, when the area name is displayed in two lines, depending on the content of the setting data, the appearance when displayed on the display screen 1201 may be deteriorated due to reasons such as the area name being line-wrapped at an unintended location. Therefore, an administrator or the like needs to consider the appearance and adjust, for example, by deliberately inserting a space or the like in the middle of the setting data to ensure that the area name is appropriately displayed on the display screen 1201. Such adjustment work is troublesome for an administrator or the like and has been a factor in reducing the efficiency of engineering work.

[0015] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of engineering work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] The facility monitoring system according to the present invention includes an engineering device and a device for monitoring or controlling equipment installed in the facility. The engineering device includes a reception unit that receives, as setting data for variable items among the display items displayed on the display unit of the device, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts, where the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit changes according to a predetermined condition; a registration unit that registers the engineering data including the setting data for the variable items received by the reception unit in a holding unit; and a transmission unit that transmits, to the device, at least the setting data for the variable items among the engineering data registered in the holding unit by the registration unit. The device includes a reception unit that receives the setting data for the variable items transmitted from the transmission unit of the engineering device; an operator-side generation unit that generates data indicating a display screen on which the variable items are displayed, based on the setting data for the variable items received by the reception unit and a predetermined condition; and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the display screen indicated by the data generated by the operator-side generation unit. The device is an operating device operable by a user, the predetermined condition being the number of areas within the facility to be monitored by the operating device, and the variable item being the name of the area.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, it is not necessary to adjust whether variable items, whose number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit of the device changes according to a predetermined condition, are appropriately displayed on the display unit, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of engineering work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a facility monitoring system 1000 including an engineering device 10 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the facility monitoring system 1000 includes an engineering device 10, a primary device 20, a secondary device 30, and an operator 40. The engineering device 10, the primary device 20, the secondary device 30, and the operator 40 are connected via a network.

[0020] Note that in FIG. 1, the facility monitoring system 1000 is provided with one primary device 20, two secondary devices 30, and one operator 40. However, the numbers of the primary device 20, secondary devices 30, and operator 40 are not limited to these. Also, although devices to be controlled or monitored are connected to the secondary devices 30, the display of these devices is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0021] The engineering device 10 performs engineering processing including creation of the above-described setting data, and constructs the facility monitoring system 1000. The setting data is, for example, setting data for the primary device 20 for the primary device 20 to monitor or control the secondary devices 30 under its jurisdiction, setting data for the secondary device 30 for the secondary device 30 to monitor or control the devices under its jurisdiction, and setting data for the operator 40 for the operator 40 to access the primary device 20 and to configure the display screen to be displayed on the display unit 404 (see FIG. 2) of the operator 40. Further, the engineering device 10 holds, as engineering data, data obtained by combining the setting data for the primary device 20, the setting data for the secondary devices 30, and the setting data for the operator 40 in the holding unit 107 (see FIG. 3).

[0022] The primary device 20 downloads, from the engineering device 10, the setting data corresponding to itself among the engineering data held by the engineering device 10, and operates based on the downloaded setting data to monitor or control the secondary devices 30 under its jurisdiction.

[0023] The secondary device 30 downloads, from the engineering device 10, the setting data corresponding to itself among the engineering data held by the engineering device 10, and operates based on the downloaded setting data to monitor or control the devices under its jurisdiction. The devices are installed in the facility and are constituted by, for example, sensors, thermometers, motors, dampers, or wattmeters.

[0024] The operator 40 is constituted by, for example, one of the secondary devices 30. An example of an overview of the operator 40 is shown in FIG. 2. The operator 40 includes a display unit 404 such as a touch panel that can be operated by, for example, an administrator or the like, receives operations from an administrator or the like via the display unit 404, and can access the primary device 20 on its own according to the operations.

[0025] For example, by accessing the primary device 20, the operator 40 acquires the information held by the primary device 20 and displays it on the display unit 404, or updates the information held by the primary device 20 to indirectly monitor or control the secondary device 30 and the devices subordinate to the secondary device 30. Similar to other secondary devices 30, the operator 40 downloads the setting data created by the engineering device 10 and operates based on the downloaded setting data.

[0026] Next, a configuration example of the engineering device 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the engineering device 10 includes a first display control unit 101, a reception unit 102, a registration unit 103, a transmission unit 104, a device-side generation unit 105, a second display control unit 106, and a holding unit 107. The engineering device 10 is also connected to a display device 50 such as a display.

[0028] The first display control unit 101 causes the display device 50 to display a setting screen according to an instruction from an administrator or the like. The setting screen is a screen configured to enable input of data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts as setting data for a variable item in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line changes according to a predetermined condition among the display items displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, the number of areas, and the variable item in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line changes according to the predetermined condition is, for example, the area name.

[0029] The reception unit 102 receives, as setting data for variable items among the display items displayed on the display unit 404 of the operation unit 40, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts, where the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 changes according to a predetermined condition, via the setting screen displayed on the display device 50 by the first display control unit 101.

[0030] Note that the reception unit 102 does not necessarily have to receive the setting data for the variable items via the above setting screen, and may receive it by other methods such as communication via a network. Also, the reception unit 102 may receive data indicating a predetermined condition in addition to the setting data for the variable items. Hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the reception unit 102 receives data indicating a predetermined condition in addition to the setting data for the variable items.

[0031] The registration unit 103 registers, in response to an instruction from an administrator or the like, the engineering data including the setting data for the variable items (e.g., area name) received by the reception unit 102 and the data indicating a predetermined condition (e.g., number of areas) in the holding unit 107.

[0032] The transmission unit 104 transmits, in response to an instruction from an administrator or the like, the setting data for the variable items and the data indicating a predetermined condition among the engineering data registered in the holding unit 107 by the registration unit 103 to the operation unit 40.

[0033] The device-side generation unit 105 generates image data simulating the display screen when the variable items are actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operation unit 40, based on the data indicating the character string divided into a plurality of parts received as the setting data for the variable items by the reception unit 102 and the data indicating a predetermined condition.

[0034] For example, based on the data indicating the string divided into a plurality of parts received as the setting data for the variable item by the reception unit 102 and the data indicating a predetermined condition, the device-side generation unit 105 generates, for example, (1) image data simulating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the string divided into a plurality of parts is concatenated and displayed, or (2) image data simulating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the string divided into a plurality of parts is arranged vertically and displayed, or (3) image data simulating a display screen in which only at least a part of the data indicating the string divided into a plurality of parts is displayed. In this case, the device-side generation unit 105 operates based on a rule predetermined for which of the image data of (1) to (3) is to be generated under what conditions of the predetermined condition.

[0035] In addition, the device-side generation unit 105 may generate image data to which an image of the location where the operating device 40 is actually installed (for example, the shape, material, color, and pattern of the location (such as a wall surface) where the operating device 40 is installed), or an image of the appearance of the operating device 40 (for example, the shape, material, color, and pattern of the housing of the operating device 40 and the display color of the display unit 404, etc.) is added, with respect to the display screen when the variable item is actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operating device 40. In that case, an administrator or the like registers in advance in the holding unit 107 of the engineering device 10 the data indicating the image of the location where the operating device 40 is actually installed, or the data indicating the appearance of the operating device 40, and the device-side generation unit 105 may read out these data according to an instruction from an administrator or the like, or according to the model number of the operating device 40, etc., and use them for generating the image data.

[0036] The second display control unit 106 causes the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the image data generated by the device-side generation unit 105. Note that the second display control unit 106 may cause the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the image data in a state editable by an administrator or the like (for example, a state in which the color tone of the image can be changed).

[0037] The holding unit 107 holds various information used by the engineering device 10. For example, the holding unit 107 holds engineering data including data indicating a string divided into a plurality of parts, which is received as setting data by the reception unit 102.

[0038] Note that the holding unit 107 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory. In FIG. 3, the case where the holding unit 107 is provided inside the engineering device 10 is shown, but the holding unit 107 may be provided outside the engineering device 10.

[0039] Also, the functions of the first display control unit 101, the reception unit 102, the registration unit 103, the transmission unit 104, the device-side generation unit 105, and the second display control unit 106 are realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) provided in the engineering device 10 executing a predetermined program developed in a memory (not shown).

[0040] In FIG. 2, the case where the first display control unit 101, the device-side generation unit 105, and the second display control unit 106 are provided in the engineering device 10 is shown, but these units are not essential components and may be omitted.

[0041] Next, a configuration example of the operator 40 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the operator 40 includes a reception unit 401, an operator-side generation unit 402, a display control unit 403, and a display unit 404.

[0042] The reception unit 401 receives setting data for variable items and data indicating predetermined conditions, which are transmitted from the transmission unit 104 of the engineering device 10.

[0043] The operator-side generation unit 402 generates data indicating a display screen on which the variable item is displayed, based on the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit 401 and the data indicating the predetermined conditions.

[0044] For example, based on the setting data for the variable items received by the receiver 401 and the data indicating a predetermined condition, the operator-side generation unit 402 generates any one of (1) data indicating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the strings divided into a plurality are concatenated and displayed, (2) data indicating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the strings divided into a plurality are arranged vertically and displayed, or (3) data indicating a display screen in which only at least a part of the data indicating the strings divided into a plurality are displayed. In this case, the operator-side generation unit 402 operates based on the same rules as those used by the device-side generation unit 105 described above. That is, the operator-side generation unit 402 operates based on a rule predetermined for which of the data in (1) to (3) is to be generated under what circumstances of the predetermined condition.

[0045] The display control unit 403 causes the display unit 404 to display the display screen indicated by the data generated by the operator-side generation unit 402.

[0046] The functions of the receiver 401, the operator-side generation unit 402, and the display control unit 403 are realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) provided in the operator 40 executing a predetermined program expanded in a memory (not shown). Further, the display unit 404 is configured by a touch panel or the like that can be operated by an administrator or the like.

[0047] Next, an operation example of the engineering device 10 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the predetermined condition is the "number of areas", and the variable item in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 changes according to the number of areas is the "area name".

[0048] Also, hereinafter, it is assumed that the reception unit 102 receives, as setting data, data indicating a string divided into two parts. Further, it is assumed that the reception unit 102 also receives data indicating the number of areas, and the number of areas is either "1", "4", or "8".

[0049] First, the reception unit 102 receives data indicating the number of areas ("1", "4", or "8") (step ST501). At this time, the reception unit 102 may receive the data indicating the number of areas via, for example, a setting screen displayed on the display device 50 by the first display control unit 101.

[0050] Next, the reception unit 102 receives, as setting data for the area name whose number of characters that can be displayed in one line among the display items displayed on the display unit 404 of the operation device 40 changes according to the number of areas, data indicating a string divided into two parts (step ST502). At this time, the reception unit 102 may receive the data indicating the string divided into two parts via, for example, a setting screen displayed on the display device 50 by the first display control unit 101.

[0051] Here, an example of a setting screen for receiving data indicating a string divided into two parts as setting data is shown in FIG. 6. In the setting screen 601 shown in FIG. 6, for the area name which is a variable item, it is possible to set the character strings in the first line 6011 and the second line 6012. Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the character string "sample" is set in the first line 6011 of "Area No. 1", and the character string "area name" is set in the second line 6012. That is, in this example, as data indicating a string divided into two parts, the character string "sample" and the character string "area name" are set. Note that here, data indicating a string divided into two parts is set only for "Area No. 1", but it is also possible to set data indicating a string divided into two parts in the same way for "Area No. 2" to "Area No. 8".

[0052] In the above case, there are the following restrictions on the number of characters of the string that can be set as data indicating the string. For example, in the display unit 404 of the operator 40, the case where the number of characters of the area name that can be displayed in one line is the smallest is when the number of areas is "8". And when the number of areas is "8", assume that the maximum number of characters of the area name that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 is, for example, 5 characters. In this case, the maximum number of characters of the string that can be set via the setting screen 601 as data indicating the string is 5 characters.

[0053] The reason for setting such a restriction is, for example, when data indicating a string divided into two parts, a string "Sample ABC" (7 characters) and a string "Area Name ABC" (8 characters) are set, if "8" is set as the number of areas, the set string will exceed the maximum number of 5 characters, which is the maximum number of characters of the area name that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40.

[0054] That is, the number of characters of the string that the reception unit 102 can receive as data indicating the string is, when a predetermined condition (number of areas) corresponds to the condition where the number of characters of the variable item (area name) that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 is the smallest (in the above case, the number of areas is "8"), it is less than or equal to the maximum number of characters of the variable item (area name) that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 (in the above case, 5 characters or less).

[0055] Note that the check box 6013 with the display of "Valid" on the setting screen 601 in FIG. 6 is a check box for selecting which area name to display on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. An administrator or the like turns on the check box 6013 of the area for which the area name is to be displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. In the example of FIG. 6, the check boxes 6013 of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" are on. In this case, "Area 1" to "Area 3" are displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40, and the other area names are not displayed.

[0056] In the engineering device 10, the number of areas received in step ST501 (either "1", "4", or "8") takes precedence over the number of areas for which the check box 6013 is turned on in the setting screen 601 of FIG. 6. Therefore, for example, if the number of areas received in step ST501 is "1", even if the number of areas for which the check box 6013 is turned on in the setting screen 601 of FIG. 6 is three, the number of areas actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 will be "1". In this case, only, for example, "Area 1" is displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40.

[0057] Next, the device-side generation unit 105 generates image data simulating the display screen when the area name is actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40, based on the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 102 in step ST501 and the setting data for the area name received by the reception unit 102 in step ST502 (step ST503).

[0058] Next, the second display control unit 106 causes the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the image data generated by the device-side generation unit 105 in step ST503 (step ST504).

[0059] For example, when the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 102 is "1", the device-side generation unit 105 generates, in step ST503, image data in which the data indicating the character strings divided into two is concatenated left and right and displayed. Then, the second display control unit 106 causes the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the generated image data in step ST504.

[0060] An example of this image is shown in FIG. 7. In the image 701 shown in FIG. 7, in the display area (reference numeral 7011) of the area name "Area 1" when the number of areas is "1", the character string "Sample" set in the first line of "Area 1" and the character string "Area Name" set in the second line of "Area 1" are concatenated left and right, and the character string "Sample Area Name" is displayed.

[0061] Also, when the number of areas indicated by the data received by the reception unit 102 is "4", the device-side generation unit 105 generates, in step ST503, image data in which the data indicating the strings divided into two are arranged vertically and displayed. Then, in step ST504, the second display control unit 106 causes the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the generated image data.

[0062] An example of this image is shown in FIG. 8. In the image 801 shown in FIG. 8, in the display area (reference numeral 8011) of the area name of "Area 1" when the number of areas is "4", the string "Sample" set in the first line of "Area 1" and the string "Area Name" set in the second line of "Area 1" are displayed vertically side by side.

[0063] Also, when the number of areas indicated by the data received by the reception unit 102 is "8", the device-side generation unit 105 generates, in step ST503, image data in which only the first data among the data indicating the strings divided into two is displayed. Then, in step ST504, the second display control unit 106 causes the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the generated image data.

[0064] An example of this image is shown in FIG. 9. In the image 901 shown in FIG. 9, in the display area (reference numeral 9011) of the area name of "Area 1" when the number of areas is "8", only the string "Sample" set in the first line of "Area 1" is displayed.

[0065] In this way, by causing the display device 50 to display images such as those in FIGS. 7 to 9, an administrator or the like can confirm the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 of the engineering device 10 without actually displaying the area name on the display unit 404 of the operating device 40.

[0066] In addition, when generating image data showing images as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the device-side generation unit 105, as described above, with respect to the display screen when the area name is actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operating device 40, an image of the location where the operating device 40 is actually installed (for example, the shape, material, color, and pattern of the location (such as a wall surface) where the operating device 40 is installed), or an image of the appearance of the operating device 40 (for example, the shape, material, color, and pattern of the housing of the operating device 40, and the display color of the display unit 404, etc.) may be added to the generated image data.

[0067] A display example in this case is shown in FIG. 10. In the display example of FIG. 10, with respect to the display screen when displayed on the display unit 404 of the operating device 40, an image with a wood-grained wall surface where the operating device 40 is installed added as an image of the location where the operating device 40 is actually installed is displayed as the background. Also, in this display example, an image with the color of the housing of the operating device 40 (for example, a brown color close to the color of the wood-grained wall surface) added as an image of the appearance of the operating device 40 is displayed.

[0068] Note that the second display control unit 106 may cause the display device 50 to display the image shown by the image data generated by the device-side generation unit 105 in a state editable by an administrator or the like (for example, a state where the color tone of the image can be changed). For example, the second display control unit 106 may cause the display device 50 to display the color of a button within the display screen displayed on the display unit 404 of the operating device 40, or the color of the display screen itself, etc. in a state where an administrator or the like can change them.

[0069] Thereby, an administrator or the like can confirm the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 in a state extremely close to the actual display mode, and can shorten the time for adjustment work that an administrator or the like enters the actual installation site of the operating device 40 to perform.

[0070] Note that the processes described in this step ST503 and step ST504 do not necessarily have to be performed and may be omitted.

[0071] Next, the registration unit 103 registers the engineering data including the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 102 and the setting data for the area names in the holding unit 107 (step ST505). Note that the registration of the engineering data by the registration unit 103 may be performed, for example, when a registration instruction is given by an administrator or the like. Also, in this case, the administrator or the like may perform a registration instruction when checking the image displayed on the display device 50 in step ST504 and confirming that there is no problem with the display content of the area names.

[0072] Next, the transmission unit 104 transmits the data indicating the number of areas and the setting data for the area names among the engineering data registered in the holding unit 107 by the registration unit 103 to the operating device 40 (step ST506). Note that the transmission of the data by the transmission unit 104 may be performed, for example, when a transmission instruction is given by an administrator or the like.

[0073] Next, an operation example of the operating device 40 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0074] First, the reception unit 401 receives the data indicating the number of areas and the setting data for the area names transmitted from the transmission unit 104 of the engineering device 10 (step ST1101).

[0075] Next, the operating device side generation unit 402 generates data indicating a display screen on which area names are displayed based on the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 401 in step ST1101 and the setting data for the area names (step ST1102).

[0076] Note that in step ST1102, the operator-side generation unit 402 performs the same processing as step ST503 by the device-side generation unit 105 described above. That is, when the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 401 is "1", the operator-side generation unit 402 generates data indicating a display screen in which the data indicating the two split character strings are concatenated left and right and displayed. When the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 401 is "4", the operator-side generation unit 402 generates data indicating a display screen in which the data indicating the two split character strings are arranged vertically and displayed. When the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 401 is "8", the operator-side generation unit 402 generates data indicating a display screen in which only the first data of the data indicating the two split character strings is displayed.

[0077] Next, the display control unit 403 causes the display unit 404 to display the display screen indicated by the data generated by the operator-side generation unit 402 (step ST1103).

[0078] In the above description, an example in which the operator 40 receives both the data indicating the number of areas and the setting data for the area name from the transmission unit 104 of the engineering device 10 has been described. However, for the data indicating the number of areas among these, instead of receiving it from the transmission unit 104, it may be directly set in the operator 40 by an administrator or the like. Even in that case, the operator-side generation unit 402 may generate data indicating a display screen on which the area name is displayed in the same manner as above based on the data indicating the number of areas directly set in the operator 40 by an administrator or the like and the setting data for the area name received by the reception unit 401.

[0079] As described above, in the facility monitoring system 1000 according to Embodiment 1, in the engineering device 10, the reception unit 102 can receive, as setting data for the area name in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 changes according to the number of areas, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts. Further, the engineering device 10 registers the engineering data including the setting data in the holding unit 107, and can transmit at least the setting data for the area name among the engineering data registered in the holding unit 107 to the operator 40.

[0080] Also, in the facility monitoring system 1000 according to Embodiment 1, the operator 40 receives the setting data for the area name transmitted from the engineering device 10, and based on the received setting data for the area name and the number of areas, generates data indicating a display screen on which the area name is displayed, and can display the display screen indicated by the generated data on the display unit 404.

[0081] In this regard, in the conventional engineering device including the above-described Patent Document 1, an administrator or the like needs to consider the appearance of the area name and adjust whether the area name is appropriately displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40, for example, by deliberately inserting a space or the like in the middle of the setting data, which has been a factor in reducing the efficiency of the engineering work.

[0082] On the other hand, in the facility monitoring system 1000 according to Embodiment 1, as described above, the engineering device 10 can set, in advance, as setting data for the area name, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts, and the operator 40 can display a display screen on the display unit according to the setting by the engineering device 10. Thereby, for an area name in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 changes according to the number of areas, an administrator or the like does not need to adjust whether it is appropriately displayed on the display unit 404, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the engineering work.

[0083] Also, in the engineering device 10, as described in step ST503 and step ST504, based on the data indicating the number of areas received by the reception unit 102 and the setting data for the area name, the device-side generation unit 105 generates image data simulating the display screen when the area name is actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. The second display control unit 106 causes the display device 50 to display the image indicated by the generated image data. As a result, an administrator or the like can confirm the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 in the engineering device 10 without actually displaying the area name on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. In particular, since the engineering work by the engineering device 10 is often performed in an office or the like and the operator 40 is not always at hand, this is particularly effective in such cases.

[0084] Also, when generating the above image data, if the device-side generation unit 105 generates image data with an image of the location where the operator 40 is actually installed or an image of the appearance of the operator 40 added to the display screen, an administrator or the like can confirm the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 in a state very close to the actual display mode, and the time for adjustment work that the administrator or the like has to enter the actual installation site of the operator 40 can be shortened.

[0085] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the facility monitoring system 1000 includes the engineering device 10 and a device (operation unit 40) that monitors or controls devices installed in the facility. The engineering device 10 includes a reception unit 102 that receives, as setting data for variable items among the display items displayed on the display unit 404 of the operation unit 40, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts, where the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 changes according to a predetermined condition; a registration unit 103 that registers, in the holding unit 107, engineering data including the setting data for the variable items received by the reception unit 102; and a transmission unit 104 that transmits, to the operation unit 40, at least the setting data for the variable items among the engineering data registered in the holding unit 107 by the registration unit 103. The operation unit 40 includes a reception unit 401 that receives the setting data for the variable items transmitted from the transmission unit 104 of the engineering device 10; an operation unit side generation unit 402 that generates data indicating a display screen on which the variable items are displayed, based on the setting data for the variable items received by the reception unit 401 and a predetermined condition; and a display control unit 403 that causes the display unit 404 to display the display screen indicated by the data generated by the operation unit side generation unit 402. Thereby, in the facility monitoring system 1000, it becomes unnecessary to adjust whether the variable items, for which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operation unit 40 changes according to a predetermined condition, are appropriately displayed on the display unit 404, and it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the engineering work.

[0086] Further, the engineering device 10 includes a first display control unit 101 that causes a display device 50 to display a setting screen on which data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts can be set as setting data for variable items, and the reception unit 102 receives the setting data for the variable items via the setting screen displayed on the display device 50 by the first display control unit 101. Thereby, the engineering device 10 can easily receive the setting data for the variable items from an administrator or the like via the setting screen.

[0087] Further, the device 30 is an operator 40 operable by a user. The predetermined condition is the number of areas within the facility to be monitored by the operator 40, and the variable item is the name of the area. As a result, in the engineering device 10, it becomes unnecessary to adjust whether the area name, the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40, is appropriately displayed on the display unit 404 according to the number of areas, and it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of engineering work.

[0088] Also, the reception unit 102 of the engineering device 10 receives data indicating a predetermined condition. The engineering device 10 is based on the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit 102 and the data indicating the predetermined condition, and generates image data that simulates a display screen when the variable item is actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. It includes a device-side generation unit 105 and a second display control unit 106 that causes the display device 50 to display an image indicated by the image data generated by the device-side generation unit 105. As a result, an administrator or the like can confirm the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 with the engineering device 10 without actually displaying the area name on the display unit 404 of the operator 40.

[0089] Also, the device-side generation unit 105 is based on the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings received as the setting data for the variable item by the reception unit 102 and the data indicating the predetermined condition, and at least a part of the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings is concatenated and displayed. It generates image data simulating a display screen, or image data simulating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings is arranged vertically. As a result, the engineering device 10 can generate image data simulating a display screen using at least a part of the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings. Also, an administrator or the like can confirm the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 from the image generated according to the data indicating the predetermined condition.

[0090] In addition, the device-side generation unit 105 generates image data that simulates a display screen in which only at least a part of the data indicating the string divided into a plurality of parts, which is received as setting data for variable items by the reception unit 102, and the data indicating a predetermined condition are displayed. Thereby, the engineering device 10 can reduce the processing load involved in generating the image data simulating the display screen. In addition, an administrator or the like can check the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 based on the image generated according to the data indicating a predetermined condition.

[0091] In addition, the device-side generation unit 105 generates image data to which an image of the location where the operator 40 is installed or an image of the appearance of the operator 40 is added with respect to the display screen when the variable item is actually displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40. Thereby, an administrator or the like can check the display mode of the area name on the display unit 404 in a state extremely close to the actual display mode, and can shorten the time for adjustment work that the administrator or the like enters the installation site of the actual operator 40 to perform.

[0092] According to the first embodiment, the engineering device 10 includes a reception unit 102 that receives, as setting data for a variable item, data indicating a string divided into a plurality of parts, among the display items displayed on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 that monitors or controls the devices installed in the facility, and the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 changes according to a predetermined condition; a registration unit 103 that registers the engineering data including the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit 102 in the holding unit 107; and a transmission unit 104 that transmits at least the setting data for the variable item among the engineering data registered in the holding unit 107 by the registration unit 103 to the operator 40. Thereby, in the engineering device 10, it is not necessary to adjust whether the variable item whose number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit 404 of the operator 40 changes according to a predetermined condition is appropriately displayed on the display unit 404, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the engineering work.

[0093] In addition, within the scope of the present invention, any component in the embodiment can be modified, or any component in the embodiment can be omitted.

[0094] For example, in the above description, the case where the variable item is the area name and the predetermined condition is the number of areas is taken as an example for explanation. However, these are just examples, and the variable item and the predetermined condition may be other than these. Also, in the above description, the case where the device on which the variable item is displayed is the operator 40 is taken as an example for explanation. However, the device on which the variable item is displayed is not limited to this, and it may be a device other than the operator 40 as long as it has a display unit. Further, in the above description, the reception unit 102 is described by taking the case where it receives data indicating a character string divided into two as the setting data for the variable item (area name) as an example. However, the reception unit 102 is not limited to this, and it may receive data indicating a character string divided into three or more.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1000 Facility Monitoring System 10 Engineering Device 20 Primary Device 30 Secondary Device 40 Operator 50 Display Device 101 First Display Control Unit 102 Reception Unit 103 Registration Unit 104 Transmission Unit 105 Device-Side Generation Unit 106 Second Display Control Unit 107 Holding Unit 401 Reception Unit 402 Operator-Side Generation Unit 403 Display Control Unit 404 Display Unit 601 Setting Screen 6011 First Line 6012 Second Line 6013 Check Box 701 Image 7011 Display Area for Area Name 801 Image 8011 Display Area for Area Name 901 Image 9011 Display Area for Area Name

Claims

1. An engineering device and a device for monitoring or controlling equipment installed in a facility, wherein the engineering device has a reception unit that receives, as setting data for a variable item among display items displayed on a display unit of the device, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts, the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit varying according to a predetermined condition; a registration unit that registers, in a holding unit, engineering data including the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit; and a transmission unit that transmits, to the device, at least the setting data for the variable item among the engineering data registered in the holding unit by the registration unit. The device has a reception unit that receives the setting data for the variable item transmitted from the transmission unit of the engineering device; an operator-side generation unit that generates data indicating a display screen on which the variable item is displayed, based on the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit and the predetermined condition; and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the display screen indicated by the data generated by the operator-side generation unit. The device is an operator operable by a user, the predetermined condition is the number of areas in the facility that the operator monitors, and the variable item is the name of the area, characterizing a facility monitoring system.

2. The engineering device has a first display control unit that causes a display device to display a setting screen on which data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts can be set as the setting data for the variable item; and the reception unit receives the setting data for the variable item via the setting screen displayed on the display device by the first display control unit. The facility monitoring system according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The reception unit of the engineering device receives data indicating the predetermined condition, and the engineering device has a device-side generation unit that generates image data simulating a display screen when the variable item is actually displayed on the display unit of the device, based on the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit and the data indicating the predetermined condition; and a second display control unit that causes the display device to display an image indicated by the image data generated by the device-side generation unit. The facility monitoring system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by comprising

4. Based on data indicating a plurality of divided character strings received as setting data for the variable item by the reception unit, and data indicating the predetermined condition, the device-side generation unit generates image data simulating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings is concatenated and displayed, or image data simulating a display screen in which at least a part of the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings is arranged vertically and displayed, the facility monitoring system according to claim 3.

5. Based on data indicating the plurality of divided character strings and data indicating the predetermined condition, the device-side generation unit generates image data simulating a display screen in which only at least a part of the data of the data indicating the plurality of divided character strings is displayed, the facility monitoring system according to claim 3.

6. The device-side generation unit generates image data in which an image of the location where the device is installed or an image of the appearance of the device is added to the display screen when the variable item is actually displayed on the display unit of the device, the facility monitoring system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. Among the display items displayed on the display unit of a device that monitors or controls equipment installed in a facility, as setting data for a variable item in which the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit changes according to a predetermined condition, a reception unit that receives data indicating a plurality of divided character strings; a registration unit that registers engineering data including the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit in a holding unit; a transmission unit that transmits at least the setting data for the variable item among the engineering data registered in the holding unit by the registration unit to the device; comprising the device is an operator that can be operated by a user, the predetermined condition is the number of areas in the facility that the operator monitors, the variable item is the name of the area, an engineering device.

8. A facility monitoring method in a facility monitoring system including an engineering device and a device that monitors or controls equipment installed in a facility, A step in which a reception unit of the engineering device receives, as setting data for a variable item among display items displayed on the display unit of the device, data indicating a character string divided into a plurality of parts, where the number of characters that can be displayed in one line on the display unit changes according to a predetermined condition; A step in which a registration unit of the engineering device registers engineering data including the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit in a holding unit; A step in which a transmission unit of the engineering device transmits, to the device, at least the setting data for the variable item among the engineering data registered in the holding unit by the registration unit; A step in which a reception unit of the device receives the setting data for the variable item transmitted from the transmission unit of the engineering device; A step in which an operator-side generation unit of the device generates data indicating a display screen on which the variable item is displayed, based on the setting data for the variable item received by the reception unit and the predetermined condition; A step in which a display control unit of the device causes the display unit to display the display screen indicated by the data generated by the operator-side generation unit; having; the device is an operator that can be operated by a user; the predetermined condition is the number of areas in the facility that the operator monitors; the variable item is the name of the area, and a facility monitoring method is characterized by this.

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