Monitoring screen creation support system, monitoring screen creation support method, and monitoring screen creation support program

Abstract

To provide a monitoring screen creation support system which allows for efficient editing work of a monitoring screen.SOLUTION: The monitoring screen creation support system supports creation of a monitoring screen to be displayed by a monitoring and control device 4 which monitors and controls an object to be monitored and controlled. The monitoring screen creation support system includes an attribute editing unit 20 which performs attribute setting of assigning an attribute of a display mode in the monitoring screen to a symbol representing a component of the object to be monitored and controlled in the monitoring screen and updates the attribute assigned to the symbol by the attribute setting, a difference information storage unit 27 in which difference information indicating a difference between the un-updated attribute and the updated attribute is stored, and a difference display unit 30 which acquires the difference information and displays a difference part being a position of the symbol having the attribute updated and the difference information in an editing screen where editing work of the monitoring screen is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring screen creation support system, a monitoring screen creation support method, and a monitoring screen creation support program for assisting in the creation of a monitoring screen.

Background Art

[0002] For facilities such as plants, water treatment facilities, or railway facilities, a monitoring and control system that monitors the state of the facility and controls the facility is known. This type of monitoring and control system displays a monitoring screen that shows the state of the facility to be monitored and controlled on a monitoring and control device.

[0003] The monitoring screen is created by arranging components, which are elements that make up the screen, on an editing screen displayed on a terminal device such as a personal computer. Also, using the editing screen, attributes of the display mode on the monitoring screen are assigned to the components or symbols composed of the components. A symbol represents a constituent of the monitoring target.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a screen construction device for editing a monitoring screen, which stores attribute information regarding the attributes of screen components and specification information indicating the specification regarding the attributes, and performs a display similar to the monitoring screen using screen components having attribute information in which the specification is reflected on a confirmation screen displayed together with the editing screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When changing the display format of a component or symbol in a monitoring screen created in the past, editing work is performed to update the attributes assigned to the component or symbol. In order to achieve the desired display format, it is important to understand the changes in attributes due to the update, to confirm whether the previous update was appropriate, or to identify the cause of any anomalies in the display format. In other words, when updating attributes, it is important to perform the editing work while understanding the changes in attributes from the past due to the update.

[0007] In the case of the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to check changes in attributes from the past, the worker performing the editing work must search the editing history of the monitoring screen for data indicating the content of updates made to the part or symbol. In this case, a separate task is required to check changes in attributes from the past, in addition to the editing work, which reduces the efficiency of the editing work. For this reason, the conventional technology has the problem that it is difficult to improve the efficiency of editing work on the monitoring screen.

[0008] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and aims to provide a monitoring screen creation support system that can streamline the editing work of monitoring screens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective, the monitoring screen creation support system according to this disclosure is a monitoring screen creation support system that assists in creating a monitoring screen displayed by a monitoring control device that monitors and controls a monitored and controlled object. The monitoring screen creation support system according to this disclosure comprises an attribute editing unit that performs attribute setting, which assigns attributes of the display manner on the monitoring screen to symbols representing components of the monitored and controlled object on the monitoring screen, and an attribute editing unit that updates the attributes assigned to the symbols by attribute setting, a difference information storage unit that stores difference information showing the difference between the attribute before the update and the attribute after the update, and a difference display unit that acquires the difference information and displays the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on an editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The monitoring screen creation support system described in this disclosure has the effect of streamlining the editing process for monitoring screens. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example configuration of the monitoring screen creation support device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows an example of an editing screen displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows an example of an editing screen displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates the screen data managed by the screen data management unit in the monitoring screen creation support device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the differential information managed by the differential information management unit in the monitoring screen creation support device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating an example of the operation procedure of the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of an operation for displaying differential information among the operations of the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 9] A diagram showing a configuration example of the differential information management unit provided in the monitoring screen creation support device according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of an editing screen displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of an operation for displaying differential information among the operations of the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 12] A diagram showing an example of an editing screen displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 13] A diagram showing an example of an editing screen displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of an operation for displaying differential information among the operations of the monitoring screen creation support system according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 15] A diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the monitoring screen creation support device according to Embodiments 1 to 4 [Figure 16] A diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the terminal device according to Embodiments 1 to 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a monitoring screen creation support system, a monitoring screen creation support method, and a monitoring screen creation support program according to the embodiments will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0013] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The monitoring screen creation support system 1 includes a monitoring screen creation support device 2 and a terminal device 3. The monitoring control device 4, the control device 6, and the gateway 7 shown in FIG. 1 constitute a monitoring control system. The monitoring control device 4 monitors and controls the equipment to be monitored and controlled. The equipment to be monitored and controlled is the equipment installed at the site.

[0014] The equipment to be monitored and controlled is, for example, a plant such as a power receiving and distributing plant or a power plant, a substation, a power generation plant, a water treatment facility, or railway equipment. The monitoring control device 4 controls the devices constituting the equipment and monitors the state of the devices. When the equipment to be monitored and controlled is a water treatment facility, the devices are, for example, pumps, solenoid valves, or blowers. When the equipment to be monitored and controlled is a substation, the devices are, for example, circuit breakers or disconnectors.

[0015] A plurality of sensors 5 for monitoring the equipment are installed in the equipment. Each sensor 5 measures the state of the equipment and outputs a measured value. When the equipment to be monitored and controlled is a water treatment facility, the plurality of sensors 5 include various sensors such as a flow rate sensor, a water level sensor, or a characteristic detection sensor. When the equipment to be monitored and controlled is a sewage treatment plant, the characteristic detection sensor is a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of NH3, a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of NH4+, or a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of ammonia nitrogen. When the equipment to be monitored and controlled is a substation, the plurality of sensors 5 include various sensors such as a voltage sensor, a current sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0016] A control device 6 and a gateway 7 are installed at the site to monitor and control the equipment on-site. The gateway 7 connects the control device 6 and the monitoring control device 4 so that they can communicate via the network. The control device 6 transmits monitoring data, including the measured values ​​output from each sensor 5, to the monitoring control device 4 via the gateway 7. The monitoring control device 4 acquires the monitoring data transmitted from the control device 6. In Embodiment 1, the network is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. The network may also be a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0017] The monitoring and control device 4 is built in a cloud environment. The cloud environment includes computer resources provided on a cloud service platform. The monitoring and control device 4 is composed of, for example, one or more cloud servers. A cloud server is a server built in the cloud environment.

[0018] The monitoring and control device 4 is connected to the user terminal, which is a terminal used by the user of the monitoring and control system, via a network so that they can communicate with each other. The user is a person who performs equipment monitoring and control tasks using the monitoring and control system. The illustration of the user terminal is omitted. The monitoring and control device 4 displays the monitoring screen on the user terminal by transmitting monitoring data that indicates the status of the monitored and controlled object to the user terminal.

[0019] The monitoring screen creation support device 2 assists in creating monitoring screens displayed by the monitoring control device 4. The monitoring screen creation support device 2, like the monitoring control device 4, is built in a cloud environment. For example, the monitoring screen creation support device 2 is composed of one or more cloud servers. In Embodiment 1, the monitoring screen displayed by the monitoring control device 4 includes the monitoring screen displayed on the user terminal by the monitoring control device 4.

[0020] Terminal device 3 is a personal computer operated by the worker creating the monitoring screen. The monitoring screen creation support device 2 and terminal device 3 are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other. The monitoring screen creation support device 2 is also connected to the monitoring control device 4.

[0021] The monitoring screen creation support device 2 executes a monitoring screen creation support program, which is a program that assists in the creation of monitoring screens. The operator creates a monitoring screen using the monitoring screen creation support program by operating the terminal device 3. In other words, the terminal device 3 uses the monitoring screen creation support program via the network. However, the form of use of the monitoring screen creation support program is not limited to via the network; the monitoring screen creation support program may also be installed on a personal computer operated by the operator, and the personal computer may execute the monitoring screen creation support program. The operator performs the editing work of the monitoring screen by operating the editing screen displayed on the terminal device 3.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiment 1. The monitoring screen creation support device 2 comprises an input unit 10, an input information analysis unit 11, a screen editing unit 12, a difference information management unit 13, a screen data management unit 14, and an output unit 15.

[0023] The input unit 10 receives information from an external device of the monitoring screen creation support device 2. The terminal device 3 transmits the information entered into the terminal device 3 by the operator to the monitoring screen creation support device 2. The input unit 10 receives the information transmitted by the terminal device 3, and the information entered into the terminal device 3 is input into the input unit 10. The input unit 10 outputs the information entered into the input unit 10 to the input information analysis unit 11. The input information analysis unit 11 analyzes the information obtained from the input unit 10.

[0024] The screen editing unit 12 executes processing according to the operator's operation of the editing screen. The operator edits the monitoring screen by operating the editing screen. Editing the monitoring screen includes arranging components, which are elements that make up the monitoring screen; assigning attributes of the display mode on the monitoring screen to components or symbols; assigning signals to symbols; and assigning logic to attributes. A symbol represents a component of the monitored and controlled object. A monitored and controlled object is, for example, equipment that makes up a facility. A component is a graphic that makes up a symbol.

[0025] Logic is information that indicates the behavior of a symbol in response to a signal. Symbol behavior refers to changes in the display of a symbol, such as changes in the color of a component, changes in the size of a component, changes in the shape of a component, or whether or not it blinks. On the monitoring screen, the state of the monitored and controlled object is represented by the behavior of the symbol.

[0026] The screen editing unit 12 comprises an attribute editing unit 20, a component placement processing unit 21, a component information storage unit 22, a logic assignment processing unit 23, and a logic storage unit 24. The input information analysis unit 11 outputs the information entered regarding the editing of the monitoring screen to the screen editing unit 12. The information from the input information analysis unit 11 is input to the attribute editing unit 20.

[0027] The attribute editing unit 20 performs attribute settings on the monitoring screen, assigning attributes to symbols for their display on the monitoring screen, and updating the attributes assigned to symbols through attribute settings. The attributes assigned to symbols include the attributes of the components that make up the symbol and the attributes of the symbol itself. Component attributes include color, thickness, size, and position on the monitoring screen. Symbol attributes include behavior in response to signals.

[0028] Information about the selection of parts and information about the location of parts are input to the part placement processing unit 21 via the attribute editing unit 20. The part placement processing unit 21 performs the processes of selecting the parts indicated in the input information and placing the parts at the locations indicated in the input information, thereby generating part information. The part information includes information indicating the type of part and information indicating the location of the part. The placement of parts by the part placement processing unit 21 forms a symbol that is displayed on the monitoring screen. The part information is stored in the part information storage unit 22.

[0029] When information about logic assignment is input to the attribute editing unit 20, the attribute editing unit 20 outputs the input information to the logic assignment processing unit 23. The logic assignment processing unit 23 performs the process of assigning logic to symbols according to the input information. The logic information assigned to the symbols is stored in the logic storage unit 24.

[0030] Information indicating the content of edits performed by the attribute editing unit 20, the component placement processing unit 21, and the logic assignment processing unit 23 is output from the attribute editing unit 20 to the difference information management unit 13, the screen data management unit 14, and the output unit 15, respectively. The output unit 15 transmits the information indicating the content of edits to the terminal device 3. The terminal device 3 receives the information from the output unit 15 and, based on the received information, displays the status of the monitoring screen being edited on the editing screen.

[0031] The screen data management unit 14 manages screen data, which is data that shows the content of the monitoring screen. The screen data management unit 14 comprises a screen data acquisition unit 31 and a screen data storage unit 32. The screen data acquisition unit 31 acquires information indicating the content of the edits from the attribute editing unit 20. When the operator instructs to save the edited monitoring screen, the screen data acquisition unit 31 outputs the screen data for the edited monitoring screen to the screen data storage unit 32. The screen data management unit 14 saves the screen data by storing the screen data in the screen data storage unit 32.

[0032] The screen data acquisition unit 31 acquires stored screen data by reading screen data from the screen data storage unit 32. The screen data acquisition unit 31 outputs the screen data to the output unit 15. The output unit 15 transmits the screen data to the monitoring control device 4. The monitoring control device 4 receives the screen data and displays a monitoring screen based on the received screen data.

[0033] When an operator instructs that the attributes of previously created screen data be updated, the attribute editing unit 20 instructs the screen data acquisition unit 31 to read the screen data. The screen data acquisition unit 31 acquires the saved screen data by reading the screen data from the screen data storage unit 32 according to the instructions from the attribute editing unit 20. The screen data acquisition unit 31 outputs the screen data to the screen editing unit 12. Once the attribute editing unit 20 has acquired the screen data, it updates the attributes according to the operator's instructions. When an operator instructs that the monitoring screen with updated attributes be saved, the screen data acquisition unit 31 outputs the screen data for the edited monitoring screen to the screen data storage unit 32. The screen data management unit 14 saves the screen data for the monitoring screen with updated attributes by storing the screen data in the screen data storage unit 32.

[0034] The differential information management unit 13 manages differential information. Differential information is information that shows the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated when an attribute is updated. The differential information management unit 13 includes a data storage unit 25, a differential analysis unit 26, a differential information storage unit 27, a differential information acquisition unit 28, a differential information formatting unit 29, and a differential display unit 30.

[0035] When editing is performed to update the attributes of screen data created in the past, the data storage unit 25 obtains information indicating the content of the editing from the attribute editing unit 20. The data storage unit 25 stores the edited screen data. The data storage unit 25 also obtains the screen data at the start of editing from the attribute editing unit 20. When the operator instructs the saving of the edited monitoring screen, the data storage unit 25 outputs the screen data at the start of editing and the edited screen data at the time of saving to the difference analysis unit 26.

[0036] The difference analysis unit 26 analyzes the screen data at the start of editing and the edited screen data at the time saving is instructed to determine the difference between the attributes of each component and symbol at the start of editing and the attributes of each component and symbol after editing. In other words, the difference analysis unit 26 determines the difference between the attributes before updating and the attributes after updating for each component and symbol. The difference analysis unit 26 outputs difference information showing the determined difference to the difference information storage unit 27. The difference information management unit 13 saves the difference information by storing the difference information in the difference information storage unit 27.

[0037] The difference information acquisition unit 28 acquires difference information by reading the difference information from the difference information storage unit 27. The difference information acquisition unit 28 outputs the acquired difference information to the difference information formatting unit 29. The difference information formatting unit 29 formats the difference information acquired from the difference information acquisition unit 28 for display on the editing screen. The difference information formatting unit 29 outputs the formatted difference information to the difference display unit 30. The difference information formatting unit 29 outputs difference location information, which is information indicating the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and update history, which is the history of when the attribute was updated, to the difference display unit 30.

[0038] The difference display unit 30 performs the following processes on the editing screen: displaying the difference locations, displaying the content of the difference information on the editing screen, and displaying the update history on the editing screen. The difference display unit 30 outputs difference display information, which is information for displaying the difference locations and difference information on the editing screen, to the output unit 15. The difference display unit 30 also outputs update history information to the output unit 15 for displaying the update history on the editing screen. The output unit 15 outputs the update history information and the difference display information to the terminal device 3. The terminal device 3 receives the update history information and displays the update history according to the received update history information. The terminal device 3 also receives the difference display information and displays the difference locations and difference information on the editing screen according to the received difference display information. In this way, the difference display unit 30 acquires difference information and displays the difference locations and difference information on the editing screen.

[0039] Figure 3 is the first diagram showing an example of an editing screen 40 displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The editing screen 40 displays the monitoring screen 41 that is the target of editing. The editing screen 40 is also provided with a group of buttons 42 for selecting components to be placed on the monitoring screen 41, and a button 43 for displaying the attribute update history. Each of the multiple buttons included in the group of buttons 42 is a button for selecting a component from among the pre-prepared components.

[0040] When a button corresponding to a component to be placed on the monitoring screen 41 is pressed by the operator from the button group 42, the component corresponding to the pressed button is displayed on the monitoring screen 41. By performing an operation on the displayed component, such as dragging and dropping the component, the component is placed in the position corresponding to the operation. In this way, a component is selected by an operation on the editing screen 40, and the selected component is placed in the position corresponding to the operation on the monitoring screen 41. A symbol is formed by appropriately placing components on the monitoring screen 41. For example, the symbol 44 shown in Figure 3 represents a solenoid valve.

[0041] For each component that makes up a symbol, the coordinates, which are positional information representing the position of the component on the monitoring screen 41, are included in the component's attributes. The positional information is set according to the above operation for determining the position of the component. Note that symbols may consist of one component or multiple components.

[0042] The component placement processing unit 21 performs the process of selecting components and placing the selected components according to the operator's operation. The attribute editing unit 20 sets the display manner of components on the monitoring screen 41, such as color or size, according to the operator's operation. The logic assignment processing unit 23 assigns signals to symbols and assigns logic according to the operator's operation.

[0043] The monitoring screen 41 displays a diagram that simulates the equipment being monitored and controlled, by arranging multiple symbols. The monitoring screen 41 exemplified in Figure 3 shows two water tanks, a pipe supplying water to one tank, a pipe sending water from one tank to the other, a pipe sending water from the other tank, and solenoid valves installed in each pipe. In Figure 3, the black-filled symbols and the white-outlined symbols are displayed in different colors. For example, the symbol representing a solenoid valve is displayed in a different color depending on whether it is in a closed or open state. In this case, logic is set for the symbol representing the solenoid valve to change its color depending on whether the signal indicates a closed state or an open state.

[0044] Figure 4 is a second diagram showing an example of the editing screen 40 displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. From the state shown in Figure 3, when the history display button 43 is pressed, the update history display area 45, which displays the update history, is displayed on the editing screen 40, as shown in Figure 4.

[0045] The update history display area 45 displays the update history in chronological order. The update history is a list of difference numbers and update dates and times, which are the dates and times when the updates indicated in the difference information were made. The difference number is a number assigned to the difference information managed by the difference information management unit 13. The difference number is assigned to the difference information when the difference information is saved in the difference information management unit 13. Difference information saved at different dates and times is assigned different difference numbers. Therefore, difference information saved at different dates and times can be identified by the difference number. Here, date and time is defined as year, month, day, hour, minute, and second.

[0046] Each row in the update history display area 45 corresponds to the difference information for each difference number. When an operator clicks on a row in the update history display area 45, an object 46 is displayed that surrounds the updated symbol shown in the difference information for the clicked row. The object 46 represents the difference location. Figure 4 shows the state in the update history display area 45 where the object 46 surrounding the symbol 44, which is the difference location, is displayed after clicking on the row with difference number "1". Also in Figure 4, the halftone tone applied to the row with difference number "1" is shown to be a different color from the other rows in the update history display area 45 after it was clicked.

[0047] Furthermore, if an update causes a difference in the attributes of symbol 44, a mark 47 indicating that a difference has occurred in the attributes of symbol 44 will be displayed near object 46. When mark 47 is clicked, a callout 48 displaying an overview of the difference information for symbol 44 will be displayed on the editing screen 40. The callout 48 exemplified in Figure 4 shows that the logic assigned to the attribute named "Anomaly Judgment" has been changed from "Logic 1" to "Logic 2". "Logic 1" and "Logic 2" are logics that determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the equipment based on the value indicated by the signal.

[0048] Furthermore, by clicking the "Show Details" text displayed in callout 48, a window showing detailed information about the difference information outlined in callout 48 will appear on the editing screen 40. For example, the window will display the threshold values ​​that determine whether or not an error occurs for both "Logic 1" and "Logic 2". If the threshold values ​​differ between "Logic 1" and "Logic 2", you can refer to the window to confirm that the threshold values ​​have changed due to the logic change from "Logic 1" to "Logic 2".

[0049] In this way, the difference display unit 30 displays the difference locations for a specified update from the update history by displaying the object 46. This allows the user to easily check the updated locations where attributes have been updated while performing editing work on the editing screen 40. Furthermore, the difference display unit 30 displays difference information for a specified update from the update history by displaying the callout 48, or by displaying the callout 48 and a window. This allows the user to easily check the changes in attributes from the past due to updates while performing editing work on the editing screen 40.

[0050] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the screen data managed by the screen data management unit 14 in the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiment 1. Each monitoring screen created by the screen editing unit 12 is assigned a screen number to identify the monitoring screen. The screen data storage unit 32 of the screen data management unit 14 stores the screen number, screen name, save date and time, and screen data, all linked together. The screen name is the name assigned to each monitoring screen created by the screen editing unit 12. In Figure 5, for example, "Screen 1" is the screen name assigned to the monitoring screen with screen number "1".

[0051] The save date and time is the date and time when the screen data was saved in the screen data storage unit 32. For screen data whose attributes have been updated, the save date and time is the date and time when the screen data was saved at the time of the last update. The screen editing unit 12 manages the screen data for each monitoring screen by saving the screen data for each monitoring screen. For example, the screen data for "Screen 1" is saved associated with the screen number "1", the screen name "Screen 1", and the save date and time for "Screen 1". Figure 5 shows that the screen data for each screen from "Screen 1" to "Screen 13" is saved associated with the screen number, screen name, and save date and time.

[0052] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the differential information managed by the differential information management unit 13 in the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiment 1. The differential information storage unit 27 of the differential information management unit 13 stores the screen number, the differential number, the coordinate position, and the differential information, all linked to each other. If the differential information indicates that the attributes of a component have been updated, the coordinate position is represented by the coordinates of the component whose attributes have been updated. If the differential information indicates that the attributes of a symbol have been updated, the coordinate position is represented by the coordinates of the symbol whose attributes have been updated.

[0053] For example, the first row of Figure 6 shows the difference information when an update is performed that changes the position of a part, along with the screen number, difference number, and coordinate position associated with that difference information. Here, the coordinates on monitoring screen 41 are defined as XY coordinates. The coordinate position "(100,300)-(400,500)" indicates that the part was moved from the position X=100,Y=300 to the position X=400,Y=500. The part ID (Identifier) ​​is unique identification information for each part. The difference information "Part Movement (Part ID 1) [(100,300)-(400,500)]" indicates that the part with part ID "1" was moved from the position X=100,Y=300 to the position X=400,Y=500.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 6, the difference information shown in the first row and the difference information shown in the second row both have the same screen number, "1," but the difference number in the first row is "1" and the difference number in the second row is "2." In this way, when the screen numbers are the same but the difference numbers are different, it indicates that the difference information was saved for the same monitoring screen 41 at different times. Also, in the example shown in Figure 6, the difference information shown in the first row and the difference information shown in the third row both have the same difference number, but the screen number in the first row is "1" and the screen number in the third row is "2." In this way, when the difference numbers are the same but the screen numbers are different, it indicates that the difference information was saved for different monitoring screens 41 at the same time.

[0055] Next, the procedure for operation by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for operation by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The procedure shown in Figure 7 is the procedure for operation of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 when a request for display of the monitoring screen 41 is made by the terminal device 3. The screen data of the monitoring screen 41 that has been requested to be displayed is assumed to be stored in the screen data storage unit 32.

[0056] In step S1, the monitoring screen creation support device 2 receives a request to display the monitoring screen 41 via the input unit 10 and the input information analysis unit 11. Upon receiving the request to display the monitoring screen 41, in step S2, the screen editing unit 12 reads the screen data of the monitoring screen 41 specified by the display request from the screen data management unit 14. The attribute editing unit 20 instructs the screen data management unit 14 to read the screen data. The screen data acquisition unit 31, in accordance with the instruction, acquires the screen data of the specified monitoring screen 41 from the screen data storage unit 32 and outputs the acquired screen data to the attribute editing unit 20. As a result, the screen editing unit 12 reads the screen data of the specified monitoring screen 41 from the screen data management unit 14.

[0057] The attribute editing unit 20 outputs the read screen data to the output unit 15. The output unit 15 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 3. In step S3, the terminal device 3 displays the monitoring screen 41 on the editing screen 40 based on the received screen data.

[0058] In step S4, the screen editing unit 12 determines whether or not an operation to edit the monitoring screen 41 has occurred on the terminal device 3. If an operation to edit the monitoring screen 41 has occurred (step S4, Yes), in step S5, the screen editing unit 12 executes the editing process of the monitoring screen 41 according to the operation. On the other hand, if there is no operation to edit the monitoring screen 41 (step S4, No), the monitoring screen creation support system 1 proceeds to step S12.

[0059] After completing step S5, in step S6, the monitoring screen creation support device 2 determines, via the input information analysis unit 11, whether or not there has been a request to save the edited monitoring screen 41. If there is no request to save the edited monitoring screen 41 (step S6, No), the attribute editing unit 20 outputs the edited screen data to the differential information management unit 13. In step S7, the data storage unit 25 of the differential information management unit 13 stores the edited screen data. The data storage unit 25 also obtains the screen data at the start of editing, i.e., the screen data before editing, from the attribute editing unit 20. After completing step S7, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 returns to step S4.

[0060] On the other hand, if a request is made to save the edited monitoring screen 41 (step S6, Yes), the data storage unit 25 outputs the edited screen data and the screen data before editing to the difference analysis unit 26. In step S8, the difference analysis unit 26 analyzes the difference between the attributes shown in the edited screen data and the attributes shown in the screen data before editing. The difference analysis unit 26 finds the difference between the attributes before updating and the attributes after updating for each component shown in the monitoring screen 41 and each symbol shown in the monitoring screen 41.

[0061] The difference analysis unit 26 outputs difference information indicating the calculated difference to the difference information storage unit 27. In step S9, the difference information management unit 13 stores the difference information in the difference information storage unit 27, thereby saving the difference information.

[0062] Furthermore, upon receiving a request to save the edited monitoring screen 41, the attribute editing unit 20 outputs the edited screen data to the screen data management unit 14. The screen data acquisition unit 31 outputs the screen data for the edited monitoring screen to the screen data storage unit 32. In step S10, the screen data management unit 14 saves the screen data by storing it in the screen data storage unit 32.

[0063] After completing step S10, in step S11, the screen editing unit 12 determines whether or not the terminal device 3 has closed the monitoring screen 41. If the monitoring screen 41 has not been closed (step S11, No), the monitoring screen creation support system 1 returns to step S4. On the other hand, if the monitoring screen 41 has been closed (step S11, Yes), the monitoring screen creation support system 1 terminates its operation according to the procedure shown in Figure 7.

[0064] In step S12, the monitoring screen creation support device 2 determines, using the input information analysis unit 11, whether or not there was a request to display differential information. If there is no request to display differential information (step S12, No), the monitoring screen creation support system 1 proceeds to step S11.

[0065] On the other hand, if a request for display of differential information is received (step S12, Yes), the differential information management unit 13 performs processing to display the differential information and the location of the difference on the terminal device 3. The differential information management unit 13 outputs the differential display information to the output unit 15. The output unit 15 transmits the differential display information to the terminal device 3. In step S13, the terminal device 3 displays the differential information on the editing screen 40 based on the received differential display information. The terminal device 3 also displays the location of the difference on the editing screen 40 based on the received differential display information. The differential information management unit 13 also performs processing to display the update history on the terminal device 3. The output unit 15 transmits the update history information to the terminal device 3. The terminal device 3 displays the update history on the editing screen 40 based on the received update history information. After completing step S13, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 returns to step S4.

[0066] Next, we will describe the details of the operation to display differential information. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for displaying differential information among the operations of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The procedure shown in Figure 8 is the operation procedure of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 from the time a request for display of differential information is received from the terminal device 3 until the differential information is displayed, and corresponds to step S13 shown in Figure 7.

[0067] In step S21, the monitoring screen creation support device 2 receives a request to display differential information via the input unit 10 and the input information analysis unit 11. In step S22, the differential information acquisition unit 28 of the differential information management unit 13 reads the differential information from the differential information storage unit 27. The differential information acquisition unit 28 outputs the differential information acquired from the differential information storage unit 27 to the differential information formatting unit 29.

[0068] In step S23, the difference information formatting unit 29 format the difference information. The difference information formatting unit 29 format the difference information for display on the editing screen 40. The difference information formatting unit 29 format the difference information exemplified in Figure 6 into difference information that will be displayed in the callout 48 on the editing screen 40. In addition, the difference information formatting unit 29 generates information about the difference locations to be displayed on the editing screen based on the coordinate position information associated with the difference information, as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, the difference information formatting unit 29 generates an update history to be displayed in the update history display area 45 shown in Figure 4, based on the difference information exemplified in Figure 6 and the information associated with the difference information in Figure 6.

[0069] The difference information formatting unit 29 outputs the formatted difference information, difference location information, and update history to the difference display unit 30. The difference display unit 30 performs processing to display the difference locations, processing to display the formatted difference information, and processing to display the update history. The difference display unit 30 outputs the difference display information and update history information to the output unit 15. The output unit 15 outputs the difference display information and update history information to the terminal device 3.

[0070] In step S24, the terminal device 3 displays the update history in the update history display area 45 based on the received update history information. When the operator clicks on one of the rows for each difference number in the displayed update history, the terminal device 3 accepts the selection of difference information in step S25.

[0071] In step S26, terminal device 3 displays the difference location and difference information. As shown in Figure 4, terminal device 3 displays the difference location by displaying an object 46 that surrounds the symbol 44, which is the difference location. If the difference information is about a difference in the attributes of symbol 44, terminal device 3 displays a mark 47 near object 46 indicating that a difference has occurred in the attributes of symbol 44. When the mark 47 is clicked, terminal device 3 displays a callout 48 that shows an overview of the difference information for symbol 44. Furthermore, when the text "Show Details" displayed in callout 48 is clicked, terminal device 3 displays a window showing detailed information about the difference information. With this, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 completes its operation according to the procedure shown in Figure 8.

[0072] According to Embodiment 1, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 stores difference information showing the difference between the attribute before the update and the attribute after the update, and displays the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen 40. The monitoring screen creation support system 1 makes it easy to check the difference in attributes before and after the update, and the location where the attribute has been updated, for updates to the attributes of parts or symbols in past editing work, during the editing work. The operator can perform the editing work while understanding the changes in attributes from the past due to the update. The operator can perform the editing work efficiently because complex work to check the changes in attributes from the past due to the update is not required. As a result, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 has the effect of making the editing work of the monitoring screen 41 more efficient.

[0073] Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 describes a modified version of the display of the difference in the editing screen 40. In Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in Embodiment 1, and the description will mainly focus on the configuration that differs from Embodiment 1.

[0074] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the differential information management unit 13A provided in the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiment 2. The differential information management unit 13A has the same configuration as the differential information management unit 13 shown in Figure 2, with the addition of a position calculation unit 33. By including the position calculation unit 33, the differential information management unit 13A displays the difference area enlarged on the editing screen 40.

[0075] The difference information formatting unit 29 outputs the formatted difference information, the difference location information which indicates the position of the symbol whose attributes have been updated, and the update history to the position calculation unit 33. The position calculation unit 33 outputs the formatted difference information and the update history to the difference display unit 30.

[0076] The difference information management unit 13A is capable of switching on and off a focus mode that displays the difference area in an enlarged view. When the focus mode is on, the position calculation unit 33 processes the difference area information to display the difference area in an enlarged view. The position calculation unit 33 outputs the corrected difference area information to the difference display unit 30. The difference display unit 30 displays the difference area in an enlarged view on the editing screen 40 according to the corrected difference area information.

[0077] Figure 10 shows an example of an editing screen 40 displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 10 shows an example of the editing screen 40 when the focus mode is on. In the editing screen 40 shown in Figure 10, the difference area, which is a symbol 52 surrounded by an object 46, is placed near the center of the editing screen 40 and displayed in an enlarged view. The monitoring screen 41 of the editing screen 40 displays the difference area and its surrounding area in an enlarged view. That is, the monitoring screen 41 displays a part of the equipment that is being monitored and controlled in an enlarged view. In addition, the monitoring screen 41 is provided with a display area 51 that indicates the location of the part of the entire equipment that is displayed in an enlarged view on the monitoring screen 41.

[0078] The editing screen 40 is provided with a slide button 50 for switching the focus mode on and off. By operating the slide button 50, the operator can switch between a magnified view of the difference area and a normal view that shows the difference area within the entire equipment. The magnified view of the difference area allows the operator to easily confirm the difference area. By checking the display area 51 in conjunction with the magnified view of the difference area, the operator can easily grasp the location of the difference area within the entire equipment.

[0079] Next, we will describe the operation of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 to display differential information. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for displaying differential information among the operations of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 2. The procedure shown in Figure 11 is the operation procedure of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 from the time a request for display of differential information is received from the terminal device 3 until the differential information is displayed.

[0080] Steps S21 to S25 in Figure 11 are the same as steps S21 to S25 in Figure 8. In Figure 11, after completing step S25, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 proceeds to step S31.

[0081] Terminal device 3 sends a focus mode switching request to monitoring screen creation support device 2 in accordance with the operation of the slide button 50. The input unit 10 and input information analysis unit 11 of monitoring screen creation support device 2 receive the focus mode switching request. The differential information management unit 13A switches the focus mode on or off based on the focus mode switching request using the position calculation unit 33.

[0082] In step S31, the position calculation unit 33 determines whether the focus mode is turned on. If the focus mode is on (step S31, Yes), the position calculation unit 33 applies processing to the information of the difference location to enlarge and display the difference location. The difference display unit 30 performs processing to display the enlarged difference location, processing to display the formatted difference information, and processing to display the update history. Then, in step S32, the terminal device 3 displays the difference location enlarged and displays the difference information. Note that the display of the update history and the display of the difference information are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0083] On the other hand, if the focus mode is not on (step S31, No), that is, if the focus mode is off, the position calculation unit 33 does not enlarge the difference area and outputs the difference area information to the difference display unit 30. Then, in step S26, the terminal device 3 displays the difference area and difference information, as in the first embodiment. With this, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 completes its operation according to the procedure shown in Figure 11.

[0084] According to Embodiment 2, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 is capable of displaying the difference in detail. This makes it easy for the operator to identify the difference.

[0085] Embodiment 3. Embodiment 3 describes a modified version of the display of the update history on the editing screen 40. In Embodiment 3, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 1 or 2, and the description will mainly focus on configurations that differ from those in Embodiment 1 or 2.

[0086] The differential information management unit 13 provided in the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiment 3 has the same configuration as the differential information management unit 13 shown in Figure 2. In Embodiment 3, the differential information management unit 13 groups and displays the update history by at least one of the following: symbols, parts, and the number of times the attributes of the symbols have been updated. The number of times the attributes of the symbols have been updated includes the number of times the attributes of the parts constituting the symbol have been updated and the number of times the attributes of the symbols have been configured.

[0087] The differential information formatting unit 29 generates a grouped update history. The differential display unit 30 receives the grouped update history from the differential information formatting unit 29 and displays the update history in groups based on at least one of the following: the symbol, the parts which are geometric shapes that make up the symbol, and the number of times the attributes of the symbol have been updated.

[0088] Figure 12 shows an example of an editing screen 40 displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 3. In the example shown in Figure 12, the update history display area 60, which displays the update history, shows the update history of multiple devices installed in the equipment that is the subject of monitoring and control, grouped by device. That is, the update history display area 60 displays the update history grouped by symbols. In Figure 12, "Valve 1", "Valve 2", "Valve 3", "Water Tank 1", and "Water Tank 2" are devices installed in the equipment.

[0089] In Figure 12, the update history is divided into groups: "Valve 1," "Valve 2," "Valve 3," "Tank 1," and "Tank 2." In Figure 12, for "Valve 1," the update history is displayed expanded for each difference number. For "Valve 2," "Valve 3," "Tank 1," and "Tank 2," only the group name (equipment name) is displayed, and the update history is collapsed. The update history can be expanded or collapsed for each group by clicking on the equipment name. The update history within each group is displayed chronologically.

[0090] Furthermore, the update history display area 60 is provided with a selection field 61 for selecting the criteria for grouping. As shown in Figure 12, the display of "Equipment" in the selection field 61 indicates that "Equipment" has been selected as the item for grouping. Clicking the selection field 61 displays a list of multiple item names that can be selected as the criteria for grouping. In addition to "Equipment," the multiple item names include "Parts," "Number of Updates," and "Time Series." If "Parts" is selected, the update history is grouped and displayed by part. If "Number of Updates" is selected, the update history is grouped and displayed according to the number of times the attributes of each piece of equipment, indicated by a symbol, have been updated. If "Time Series" is selected, the grouping is removed, and the update history for all pieces of equipment in the facility is displayed chronologically, similar to the case of the update history display area 45 shown in Figure 4. Note that the items used as criteria for grouping are not limited to symbols, parts, and number of updates. Any item can be set as the criteria for grouping.

[0091] In Embodiment 3, the procedure for displaying differential information is the same as the procedure shown in Figure 8. In Embodiment 3, a process for grouping and displaying the update history is added to the process for displaying the update history in the differential information formatting unit 29.

[0092] According to Embodiment 3, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 can display the update history in groups. This allows the operator to easily check the difference information and the locations of the differences.

[0093] Embodiment 4. Embodiment 4 describes a modified version of the display of the update history on the editing screen 40. In Embodiment 4, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiments 1 to 3, and the description will mainly focus on configurations that differ from those in Embodiments 1 to 3.

[0094] The differential information management unit 13 provided in the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiment 4 has the same configuration as the differential information management unit 13 shown in Figure 2. In Embodiment 4, the differential information management unit 13 displays the shape of the symbol before the attribute is updated and the shape of the symbol after the attribute is updated by superimposing them on each other. In Embodiment 4, the differential information management unit 13 also displays a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol, both before and after the update. For symbols that have been updated multiple times in the past, the "post-update attribute" in Embodiment 4 refers to the post-update attribute at the time of the last update. In other words, the "post-update attribute" refers to the current attribute.

[0095] The difference display unit 30 performs processing to display the shape of the symbol before the attribute update and the shape of the symbol after the attribute update superimposed on each other. The difference display unit 30 also performs processing to display a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol, both before and after the update.

[0096] Figure 13 shows an example of an editing screen 40 displayed by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 4. The editing screen 40 shown in Figure 13 displays a mark 47 indicating that a difference has occurred in the attributes of symbol 44. When mark 47 is clicked, a callout 70 displaying an overview of the difference information for symbol 44 is displayed on the editing screen 40. The callout 70 displays a graphic difference image and an attribute list as an overview of the difference information.

[0097] In Figure 13, the graphic difference image is the image labeled "Graphic Difference". The graphic difference image superimposes the shape of the symbol before the attribute update and the shape of the symbol after the attribute update. In Figure 13, the parts of the graphic difference image that are shown in white and the parts that are hatched are displayed in different colors.

[0098] In the graphic difference image, the shape of the outlined area represents the shape of the symbol before the attribute update. The combined shape of the outlined area and the hatched area in the graphic difference image represents the shape of the symbol after the attribute update. In other words, the hatched area represents the difference between the shape of the symbol before the attribute update and the shape of the symbol after the attribute update. The user can easily see how the shape of the symbol has changed from the graphic difference image.

[0099] In Figure 13, the attribute list is a table labeled "Attribute Difference." The attribute list shows the attributes before and after the update. For symbols marked with Mark 47, the attribute list displays both the attribute before and after the update side by side. In the attribute list shown in Figure 13, the "Current" column represents the updated attribute, i.e., the current attribute. In the attribute list shown in Figure 13, the "Original" column represents the attribute before the update. Workers can easily see how the attributes of a symbol have changed from the attribute list.

[0100] In the attribute list shown in Figure 13, rows with halftone dots represent attributes that have been changed by the update. Rows shown in white in the attribute list shown in Figure 13 represent attributes that have not been changed by the update. Rows with halftone dots are displayed in a different color than the rows shown in white to make them stand out more. In this way, the difference display unit 30 highlights the updated attributes in the attribute list.

[0101] In this way, by highlighting the updated attributes in the attribute list, workers can easily identify the attributes that have been changed by the update. Note that the highlighting is not limited to using a different color for the row containing the updated attribute compared to the row containing the unupdated attribute. For example, the highlighting could also be done by using a different text color for the updated attribute compared to the unupdated attribute. Furthermore, the highlighting is not limited to using a different color; any method that makes the updated attribute easily recognizable is acceptable. Highlighting could also include blinking, enlargement, or displaying a mark indicating that the attribute has been updated.

[0102] Next, we will describe the operation of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 to display differential information. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for displaying differential information, which is one of the operations performed by the monitoring screen creation support system 1 according to Embodiment 4. The procedure shown in Figure 14 is the operation of the monitoring screen creation support system 1 from the time a request for display of differential information is received from the terminal device 3 until the differential information is displayed.

[0103] Steps S21 to S25 in Figure 14 are the same as steps S21 to S25 in Figure 8. In Figure 14, after completing step S25, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 proceeds to step S41.

[0104] The difference display unit 30 obtains difference information from the difference information formatting unit 29. For symbols that have been updated multiple times in the past, the difference display unit 30 obtains difference information for each update from the difference information formatting unit 29. Based on the obtained difference information, the difference display unit 30 performs processing to display a graphic difference image and processing to display an attribute list. The difference display unit 30 outputs difference display information, which is information for displaying the difference locations, the graphic difference image and attribute list (which are difference information), and the update history on the editing screen 40, to the output unit 15. The output unit 15 outputs the difference display information to the terminal device 3.

[0105] In step S41, terminal device 3 displays the difference location, the graphic difference image, and the attribute list. When mark 47 is clicked, terminal device 3 displays a callout 70 that shows the graphic difference image and the attribute list. With this, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 completes its operation according to the procedure shown in Figure 14.

[0106] According to Embodiment 4, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 displays a graphical difference image in which the shape of the symbol before the attribute update and the shape of the symbol after the attribute update are superimposed on each other. The monitoring screen creation support system 1 also displays an attribute list, which is a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol before and after the update. This allows the operator to easily check how the attributes of the symbol have changed.

[0107] In the above explanation, the monitoring screen creation support system 1 is described as displaying both the graphic difference image and the attribute list, but it is sufficient if it displays at least one of the graphic difference image or the attribute list. By displaying at least one of the graphic difference image or the attribute list, the operator can easily confirm how the attributes of the symbol have been changed.

[0108] Next, the hardware configuration of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 will be described. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 according to Embodiments 1 to 4. The monitoring screen creation support device 2 is realized by a computer system comprising a processing circuit 80 and a communication device 81. The processing circuit 80 comprises a processor 82 and a memory 83. The processing circuit 80 is a circuit in which the processor 82 executes software.

[0109] The processing units of the monitoring screen creation support device 2, namely the input information analysis unit 11, the screen editing unit 12, the differential information management unit 13, and the screen data management unit 14, are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in memory 83. The processing circuit 80 realizes the functions of the above processing units by having the processor 82 read and execute the program stored in memory 83. In other words, the processing circuit 80 includes memory 83 which stores the program that will ultimately be executed as processing for the monitoring screen creation support device 2. It can also be said that the program stored in memory 83 causes the computer to execute the procedures and methods of the monitoring screen creation support device 2. The program stored in memory 83 is a monitoring screen creation support program for realizing the monitoring screen creation support system 1.

[0110] The processor 82 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The memory 83 includes, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Registered Trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs, or DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs). The storage section of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 is realized by the memory 83. The input section 10 and output section 15 of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 are realized by the communication device 81.

[0111] In addition, each component provided in the monitoring screen creation support device 2 in embodiments 1 to 4 may be implemented by two or more devices located at different positions. Each of the two or more devices may be implemented by the hardware configuration shown in Figure 15, for example. The two or more devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. Each of the two or more devices may be a server device. The two or more server devices may include a processing server and a data server.

[0112] Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 3 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 will be described. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 3 according to Embodiments 1 to 4. The terminal device 3 is realized by a computer system comprising a processing circuit 90, a communication device 91, an input device 94, and a display device 95. The processing circuit 90 comprises a processor 92 and a memory 93. The processing circuit 90 is a circuit in which the processor 92 executes software.

[0113] The processing functions of terminal device 3 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in memory 93. In the processing circuit 90, the processor 92 reads and executes the program stored in memory 93 to realize the processing functions of terminal device 3. The processor 92 and memory 93 are assumed to be the same as the processor 82 and memory 83 shown in Figure 15.

[0114] The communication function of terminal device 3 is realized by communication device 91. Input device 94 is a device for input operated by the user. Input device 94 includes, for example, a keyboard, mouse, keypad, or touch panel. Display device 95 is a device that displays a screen. Display device 95 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0115] Each of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 and terminal device 3 may include an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Each of the monitoring screen creation support device 2 and terminal device 3 may consist of two or more devices. The monitoring screen creation support program is stored on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or DVD-ROM, and a recording medium may be provided to realize each embodiment.

[0116] The configurations shown in each of the embodiments described above are examples of the content of this disclosure. The configurations of each embodiment can be combined with other known technologies. The configurations of each embodiment may be combined with each other as appropriate. It is possible to omit or modify parts of the configurations of each embodiment without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0117] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0118] (Note 1) A monitoring screen creation support system that assists in creating monitoring screens displayed by a monitoring and control device that performs monitoring and control of a target being monitored and controlled, An attribute editing unit performs attribute setting, which assigns attributes of the display mode on the monitoring screen to a symbol representing the component to be monitored and controlled, and updates the attributes assigned to the symbol by the attribute setting. A difference information storage unit that stores difference information showing the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated, A difference display unit that acquires the difference information and displays the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed. A monitoring screen creation support system characterized by comprising the following features. (Note 2) The difference display unit displays the update history, which is a history of when the attribute was updated, on the editing screen, and, The monitoring screen creation support system according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the difference display unit obtains the difference information of the update at the time of the update specified from the update history from the difference information storage unit, and displays the difference location indicated in the obtained difference information and the obtained difference information. (Note 3) The monitoring screen creation support system according to Appendix 2, characterized in that the difference display unit groups and displays the update history by at least one of the symbol, the parts which are geometric shapes that constitute the symbol, and the number of times the attribute of the symbol has been updated. (Note 4) The monitoring screen creation support system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the difference display unit enlarges and displays the difference area on the editing screen. (Note 5) The monitoring screen creation support system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that the difference display unit displays the shape of the symbol before the attribute is updated and the shape of the symbol after the attribute is updated by superimposing them on each other. (Note 6) The monitoring screen creation support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that the difference display unit displays a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol before and after the update. (Note 7) The monitoring screen creation support system according to Appendix 6, characterized in that the difference display unit displays the updated attribute by highlighting it in a list of the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated. (Note 8) A method for creating monitoring screens that are displayed on a monitoring control device that monitors and controls the target of monitoring, using a computer to assist in the creation of monitoring screens, The steps include updating the display mode attribute on the monitoring screen, which is assigned to the symbol representing the component of the monitored object on the monitoring screen, A step of storing difference information that shows the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated, The steps include obtaining the difference information, displaying the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed, A method for supporting the creation of a monitoring screen, characterized by including the following: (Note 9) The update history, which is a record of when the aforementioned attribute was updated, is displayed on the editing screen. The monitoring screen creation support method according to Appendix 8, characterized in that it obtains the difference information of the update at the time of the specified update from the update history, and displays the difference location shown in the obtained difference information and the obtained difference information. (Note 10) The method for creating a monitoring screen according to Appendix 9, characterized in that the update history is grouped and displayed based on at least one of the symbol, the parts which are geometric shapes that constitute the symbol, and the number of times the attribute of the symbol has been updated. (Note 11) A method for creating a monitoring screen according to any one of appendices 8 to 10, characterized in that the difference portion is enlarged and displayed on the editing screen. (Note 12) A method for creating a monitoring screen according to any one of appendices 8 to 11, characterized in that the shape of the symbol before the attribute is updated and the shape of the symbol after the attribute is updated are displayed superimposed on each other. (Note 13) A method for creating a monitoring screen according to any one of appendices 8 to 12, characterized in that it displays a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol before and after the update. (Note 14) The method for creating a monitoring screen according to Appendix 13, characterized in that, in a list of the attribute before it was updated and a list of the attribute after it was updated, the updated attribute is displayed by highlighting. (Note 15) The steps include updating the display mode attribute on the monitoring screen, which is assigned to a symbol representing a component of the monitored object, in a monitoring control device that monitors and controls the monitored object, A step of storing difference information that shows the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated, The steps include obtaining the difference information, displaying the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed, A monitoring screen creation support program characterized by causing a computer to execute a command. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1 Monitoring screen creation support system, 2 Monitoring screen creation support device, 3 Terminal device, 4 Monitoring control device, 5 Sensor, 6 Control device, 7 Gateway, 10 Input unit, 11 Input information analysis unit, 12 Screen editing unit, 13,13A Difference information management unit, 14 Screen data management unit, 15 Output unit, 20 Attribute editing unit, 21 Component placement processing unit, 22 Component information storage unit, 23 Logic assignment processing unit, 24 Logic storage unit, 25 Data storage unit, 26 Difference analysis unit, 27 Difference information storage unit, 28 Difference information acquisition unit, 29 Difference information formatting unit, 30 Difference display unit, 31 Screen data acquisition unit, 32 Screen data storage unit, 33 Position calculation unit, 40 Editing screen, 41 Monitoring screen, 42 Button group, 43 Button, 44,52 Symbol, 45,60 Update history display area, 46 Object, 47 Mark, 48,70 Speech bubble, 50 Slide button, 51 Display area, 61 Selection field, 80, 90 Processing circuit, 81, 91 Communication device, 82, 92 Processor, 83, 93 Memory, 94 Input device, 95 Display device.

Claims

1. A monitoring screen creation support system that assists in creating monitoring screens displayed by a monitoring and control device that performs monitoring and control of a monitored and controlled object, An attribute editing unit performs attribute setting, which assigns attributes of the display mode on the monitoring screen to a symbol representing the component to be monitored and controlled, and updates the attributes assigned to the symbol by the attribute setting. A difference information storage unit that stores difference information showing the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated, A difference display unit that acquires the difference information and displays the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed. A monitoring screen creation support system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The difference display unit displays the update history, which is a history of when the attribute was updated, on the editing screen, and, The monitoring screen creation support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the difference display unit obtains the difference information of the update at the time of the update specified from the update history from the difference information storage unit, and displays the difference location indicated in the obtained difference information and the obtained difference information.

3. The monitoring screen creation support system according to claim 2, characterized in that the difference display unit groups and displays the update history by at least one of the symbol, the graphic component constituting the symbol, and the number of times the attribute of the symbol has been updated.

4. The monitoring screen creation support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the difference display unit displays the difference area enlarged on the editing screen.

5. The monitoring screen creation support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the difference display unit displays the shape of the symbol before the attribute is updated and the shape of the symbol after the attribute is updated by superimposing them on each other.

6. The monitoring screen creation support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the difference display unit displays a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol before and after the update.

7. The monitoring screen creation support system according to claim 6, characterized in that the difference display unit displays the updated attribute by highlighting it in a list of the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated.

8. A method for creating monitoring screens that are displayed on a monitoring control device that monitors and controls the target of monitoring, using a computer to assist in the creation of monitoring screens, The steps include updating the display mode attribute on the monitoring screen, which is assigned to the symbol representing the component of the monitored object on the monitoring screen, A step of storing difference information that shows the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated, The steps include obtaining the difference information, displaying the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed, A method for supporting the creation of a monitoring screen, characterized by including the following:

9. The update history, which is a record of when the aforementioned attribute was updated, is displayed on the editing screen. The monitoring screen creation support method according to claim 8, characterized in that it obtains the difference information of the update at the time of the specified update from the update history, and displays the difference location shown in the obtained difference information and the obtained difference information.

10. The monitoring screen creation support method according to claim 9, characterized in that the update history is grouped and displayed based on at least one of the symbol, the parts which are geometric shapes that constitute the symbol, and the number of times the attribute of the symbol has been updated.

11. The method for creating a monitoring screen according to any one of 8 to 10, characterized in that the difference portion is enlarged and displayed on the editing screen.

12. A method for creating a monitoring screen according to any one of 8 to 10, characterized in that the shape of the symbol before the attribute is updated and the shape of the symbol after the attribute is updated are displayed superimposed on each other.

13. A method for creating a monitoring screen according to any one of 8 to 10, characterized in that it displays a list of the attributes assigned to the symbol before and after the update.

14. The monitoring screen creation support method according to claim 13, characterized in that the updated attribute is displayed by highlighting in a list of the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated.

15. The steps include updating the display mode attribute on the monitoring screen, which is assigned to a symbol representing a component of the monitored object, in a monitoring control device that monitors and controls the monitored object, A step of storing difference information that shows the difference between the attribute before it was updated and the attribute after it was updated, The steps include obtaining the difference information, displaying the difference location, which is the position of the symbol whose attribute has been updated, and the difference information on the editing screen where the editing work on the monitoring screen is performed, A monitoring screen creation support program characterized by causing a computer to execute a command.

Images