DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

The program causes the display control device (10) to function as an acquisition unit (12) that acquires a control program (40) that specifies the content of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​output by the PLC to the device from a plurality of input values ​​input by the device to the PLC, and a display control unit (16) that generates an input / output relationship image that shows, in a form that omits information about one or more intermediate values, that a dependency is established between a display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and a display output value included in the plurality of output values ​​that depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, and displays the image on a display device. The display control device (10) supports the user by presenting an overview of the control program (40).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control program, a display control device, a display control system, and a display control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In FA (Factory Automation) sites, various processes are realized by controlling equipment with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). PLCs execute control programs to carry out the control processes defined by the control programs. The control programs executed by PLCs can be complex depending on the scale and control content of the FA system to be controlled. For this reason, it can be difficult for workers to understand the control content when creating a control program or when debugging a program after a problem has occurred even after the program has been completed.

[0003] Therefore, it is possible to use a technology to support the programming of a control program (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technology that displays parameters that configure instruction codes in a graphical format. This technology allows the user to visually grasp the contents of the arithmetic processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 167623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The values ​​stored in the PLC memory are called device values, and the storage area, address, or label of device values ​​are sometimes called devices. Control processing can generally be said to determine the output device value, represented by an actuator, by performing arithmetic processing on the input device value, represented by the sensing result.

[0006] When an operator understands the control contents, it is desirable that the operator can easily recognize the outline of the control process separately from the details of the control process. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 displays related devices from the input device to the output device in a graph format by connecting them one by one in order. Therefore, when the arithmetic processing applied to the value of the input device is complicated, it is a cumbersome task to check on the graph whether the input device is connected to the output device intended at the time of design, and it is a heavy burden on the operator. Therefore, the graph displayed in the technology of Patent Document 1 does not provide information that allows the operator to easily recognize the outline of the control process by the programmable controller.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide information that enables easy recognition of the outline of control processing by a programmable controller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a display control program of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition means for acquiring a program that specifies the content of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​that are output by the programmable controller to a controlled device from a plurality of input values ​​input to the programmable controller by an input device; a display control means for generating an input / output relationship image that shows, in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, that a dependency is established between a display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and a display output value included in the plurality of output values, the display output value depending on the display input value via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, and displaying the image on a display device; a receiving means for receiving, via a user interface, a selection of a display input value from a plurality of input values, and a presenting means for presenting, via the user interface, candidates for the display input value to be selected and to be accepted by the receiving means, wherein the acquiring means acquires input value information relating to each of the input values, and the presenting means presents a combination of two or more input values ​​as candidates based on the input value information; Function as. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide information that allows an overview of control processing by a programmable controller to be easily recognized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display control system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an input / output relationship image according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a display control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a display control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of unit allocation information according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of comment data according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of image information according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for setting parameters according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] Flowchart showing display control processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 10] Flowchart showing dependency determination processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining generation of dependency information according to the first embodiment; [Figure 12] Flowchart showing image generation processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a node according to the first embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen of a dependency relationship according to a comparative example; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing an input / output relationship image according to a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an input / output relationship image according to a modified example. [Figure 17]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for setting parameters according to the second embodiment; [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input / output relationship image according to the second embodiment; [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a display control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining designation of a display input value according to the third embodiment; [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining designation of a display output value according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining designation of an intermediate value according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input / output relationship image according to the fourth embodiment; [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of dependency relationship information according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a display control device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

[0012] Embodiment 1 The display control system 1000 according to the present embodiment corresponds to a part of an FA system constructed in a facility such as a factory or a plant. This FA system is a system that performs manufacturing of products, machining of workpieces, inspection of objects, and other processes. As shown in FIG. 1, the display control system 1000 allows a user U1 to recognize an outline of the above processes defined in a control program 40 by a display control device 10. Based on the recognized outline, the user U1 may create or debug the control program 40, or may perform other work.

[0013] The display control system 1000 includes a display control device 10 that displays an overview of a control program 40 to a user U1, a PLC 20 that controls devices 31 and 32 by executing the control program 40, and the devices 31 and 32.

[0014] The display control device 10 is connected to the PLC 20 via a communication line such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or an industrial network, and communicates with each other. The devices 31 and 32 are each connected to the PLC 20 via a signal line for transmitting a voltage signal or a current signal, a communication line for transmitting serial data, an industrial network, or other communication path. The industrial network is, for example, a field network that complies with the field bus standard, and differs from a so-called information network in that real-time performance is guaranteed.

[0015] The PLC 20 is a control device that executes sequence control processing. The PLC 20 corresponds to an example of a programmable controller. The PLC 20 has an execution unit 21 that executes a control program 40 and obtains an output value by performing arithmetic processing based on an input value, an input unit 22 that receives an input value from a device 31 and notifies the execution unit 21 of the input value, and an output unit 23 that outputs the output value notified from the execution unit 21 to the device 32. An input unit 22 and an output unit 23 are connected to the execution unit 21 via a system bus 24, and these units communicate with each other via the system bus 24.

[0016] The execution unit 21 is a unit that centrally manages the components of the PLC 20, and is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit) unit. The execution unit 21 executes a preset control program 40. The control program 40 is, for example, a program written in the format of a ladder diagram, but is not limited to this and may be a program written in another format. Examples of other formats include a function block diagram, a sequential function chart, an instruction list, and structured text.

[0017] The device 31 is, for example, a switch, a button, a sensor, or other input device. The device 31 corresponds to an example of an input device that inputs an input value to the PLC 20. The device 32 is, for example, an actuator, a machine tool, a robot, or other FA device having an operating unit. The device 32 corresponds to an example of a controlled device that receives an output value output from a programmable controller. For example, based on the result of the device 31 being a sensor detecting a workpiece on a belt conveyor, a calculation process defined in the control program 40 is executed, and an operation command for the device 32 being a robot is generated and transmitted to the device 32, thereby realizing a workpiece transport process. In this example, data indicating the detection result of the workpiece corresponds to an input value, and the operation command corresponds to an output value.

[0018] It should be noted that the input of the input value by the device 31 is not limited to the input unit 22, but may be made to the execution unit 21. Similarly, the output of the output value to the device 32 is not limited to the output unit 23, but may be made by the execution unit 21. The control program 40 shown in Fig. 1 mainly describes the processing related to the input values ​​to the execution unit 21 and the output values ​​from the execution unit 21. Also, the PLC 20 may be an integrated type control device, rather than a building block type configured by combining a plurality of units.

[0019] The numbers of devices 31, 32 are each arbitrary and may be one or more than one. Furthermore, the number of input values ​​input from one device 31 to the PLC 20 may be one or more, and the number of output values ​​output from the PLC 20 to one device 32 may be one or more. The input and output values ​​may be constantly transmitted like current values ​​or voltage values, or may be periodically transmitted, or may be transmitted only when a predetermined event including an abnormality occurs.

[0020] The display control device 10 is a personal computer, or an Industrial Personal Computer (IPC) or a Graphical Operation Terminal (GOT) used for at least one of monitoring the state of the PLC 20 and setting information to the PLC 20. The display control device 10 executes an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) application for developing the control program 40, and may be used by a user U1 to develop the control program 40. The control program 40 created using the display control device 10 is written to the PLC 20 and set in the PLC 20.

[0021] The display control device 10 analyzes the control program 40 to generate an image showing an outline of the control program 40, and presents the outline of the control program 40 to the user U1 by displaying the image on the screen of the display unit 11. The display control device 10 supports the work of the user U1 based on the presented outline.

[0022] 1, the control program 40 is written by specifying the addresses of the input device values ​​as input values, the output device values ​​as output values, and the intermediate device values ​​as intermediate values ​​handled inside the PLC 20. The addresses of the input device values, output device values, and intermediate device values ​​correspond to the storage areas of the respective values, and these addresses or storage areas may be referred to below as the input device, output device, and intermediate device. These devices may also be considered as labels for identifying the addresses or storage areas.

[0023] In Fig. 1, X0, X1, and X3 respectively indicate input devices, Y0, Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y5 respectively indicate output devices, and M0, M10, and M20 respectively indicate intermediate devices. Thus, each input device is a combination of a leading "X" and a number corresponding to the number of each input device, each output device is a combination of a leading "Y" and a number corresponding to the number of each output device, and each intermediate device is a combination of a leading "M" and a number corresponding to the number of each intermediate device. The numbers corresponding to the device numbers will be expressed in hexadecimal below.

[0024] The circuit block with the block number "(0)" in the control program 40 shown in FIG. 1 indicates that a process is executed in which the value of Y0 is determined in conjunction with the bit value of X0, with the bit value of X0 being the condition. In detail, when the value of X0 is ON, the value of Y0 is ON, and when the value of X0 is OFF, the value of Y0 is OFF. That is, the output value of Y0 depends on the input value of X0. Similarly, the circuit block with the block number "(12)" indicates that a process is executed in which the value of Y2 and the value of M10 are determined in conjunction with the bit value of X3, with the bit value of X3 being the condition. That is, the output value of Y2 and the intermediate value of M10 depend on the input value of X3. Furthermore, as can be seen from the circuit block with the block number "(18)", the output value of Y3 and the intermediate value of M20 depend on the intermediate value of M10. Therefore, the output value of Y3 depends on the input value of X3 via the intermediate value of M10.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows an example of an input / output relationship image displayed to user U1 by display unit 11 of display control device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the input / output relationship image shows the dependency between input values ​​X0, X1, and X3 and output values ​​Y0, Y2 to Y5 in a form in which information on intermediate values ​​is omitted. In detail, the input / output relationship image shows the dependency between input values ​​and output values ​​by connecting input nodes corresponding to input values ​​and output nodes corresponding to output values ​​that directly or indirectly depend on the input values ​​with lines.

[0026] For example, in the control program 40 in Fig. 1, the output value of Y3 depends on the input value of X3 via the intermediate value of M10, but in the input / output relationship image in Fig. 2, the node corresponding to Y3 is directly connected to the node corresponding to X3 by a line, indicating that there is a dependency between these nodes. Furthermore, information such as whether the dependency between these nodes is a direct or indirect relationship, how many intermediate values ​​are involved, which intermediate values ​​are involved, and what kind of calculation processing, including logical calculations, is involved is excluded from the drawing.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the display control device 10 will be described. Fig. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the display control device 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the display control device 10 is configured as a computer having a processor 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, an input unit 104, an output unit 105, and a communication unit 106. The main memory unit 102, the auxiliary memory unit 103, the input unit 104, the output unit 105, and the communication unit 106 are all connected to the processor 101 via an internal bus 107.

[0028] The processor 101 includes a CPU as a processing circuit. The processor 101 executes a program P1 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 to realize various functions and execute processes described below. The program P1 corresponds to an example of a display control program.

[0029] The main memory unit 102 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory). A program P1 is loaded into the main memory unit 102 from the auxiliary memory unit 103. The main memory unit 102 is used as a working area for the processor 101.

[0030] The auxiliary storage unit 103 includes a non-volatile memory represented by an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) and a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). In addition to the program P1, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores various data used in the processing of the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 supplies the data used by the processor 101 to the processor 101 according to an instruction from the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also stores data supplied from the processor 101.

[0031] The input unit 104 includes input devices such as a hardware switch, an input key, a keyboard, and a pointing device. The input unit 104 acquires information input by the user U1, and notifies the processor 101 of the acquired information.

[0032] The output unit 105 includes output devices such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a speaker. The output unit 105 presents various information to the user U1 according to instructions from the processor 101.

[0033] The communication unit 106 includes a communication interface circuit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 106 receives a signal from the outside and outputs data indicated by the signal to the processor 101. The communication unit 106 also transmits a signal indicating the data output from the processor 101 to the external device.

[0034] By the cooperation of the above-mentioned hardware configurations, the display control device 10, as shown in FIG. 4, has, as its functions, a display unit 11 that displays an input / output relationship image to user U1, an acquisition unit 12 that acquires various information, a memory unit 13 that stores various information, a presentation unit 14 that presents information to be set in order to generate the input / output relationship image, a reception unit 15 that accepts information set by user U1, and a display control unit 16 that displays the input / output relationship image on the display unit 11.

[0035] The display unit 11 is mainly realized by the output unit 105. The display unit 11 receives image data indicating an image generated by the display control unit 16 from the display control unit 16, and displays the image on the screen according to an instruction from the display control unit 16.

[0036] The acquisition unit 12 is mainly realized by the cooperation of the processor 101, the input unit 104, and the communication unit 106. The acquisition unit 12 acquires the control program 40, the input / output value information 41 related to the input value and the output value, and the image information 42 indicating the image to be displayed as a node in the input / output relationship image. The acquisition unit 12 may acquire these pieces of information as information directly input by the user U1, or may acquire them by reading them from an address designated by the user U1 in the auxiliary storage unit 103, an external server, or a memory card inserted in the display control device 10, or may acquire them by other methods. For example, the acquisition unit 12 may acquire the unfinished control program 40 that the user U1 is creating by using the IDE application of the display control device 10 by reading them from the auxiliary storage unit 103. The acquisition unit 12 stores the acquired information in the storage unit 13. The acquisition unit 12 corresponds to an example of an acquisition means for acquiring a program that specifies the contents of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​output by the PLC 20 to a controlled device from a plurality of input values ​​input to the PLC 20 by an input device.

[0037] The storage unit 13 is mainly realized by at least one of the main storage unit 102 and the auxiliary storage unit 103. The storage unit 13 stores the control program 40, input / output value information 41, and image information 42 acquired by the acquisition unit 12. The storage unit 13 provides the input / output value information 41 to the presentation unit 14. The storage unit 13 also provides information used by the display control unit 16 to the display control unit 16, and stores information provided by the display control unit 16. The information provided by the display control unit 16 includes dependency information 43 indicating the dependency of devices defined in the control program 40.

[0038] The input / output value information 41 includes unit assignment information 411 indicating the unit of the PLC 20 to which each device is assigned, and comment data 412 indicating a comment previously assigned to each device. The input / output value information 41 corresponds to an example of input value information relating to each input value, and corresponds to an example of output value information relating to each output value.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the unit allocation information 411 is data that associates each unit constituting the PLC 20 with an input device and an output device assigned to the unit. In the example of FIG. 5, the input devices X0 to XF are assigned to the execution unit 21, and the input devices X10 to X1F are assigned to the input unit 22. That is, the input value input to the execution unit 21 becomes one of the input device values ​​from X0 to XF. Also, the input value input to the input unit 22 becomes one of the input device values ​​from X10 to X1F. In this way, the unit allocation information 411 indicates the units constituting the PLC 20, to which the input value to be processed by the control program 40 is input. Similarly, the unit allocation information 411 indicates the units constituting the PLC 20, to which the output value that is the result of processing by the control program 40 is output.

[0040] The comment data 412, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is data that associates each input device and each output device with a comment that has been added to the device in advance. Usually, a short description of the role of the device is written as a comment. For example, the comment "operation LED (Light Emitting Diode)" added to the output device Y0 in FIG. 6 indicates that the output value of Y0 is output corresponding to the lighting state of an LED for displaying the operation state. The input / output value information 41 including the unit allocation information 411 and the comment data 412 is used by the presentation unit 14 to present the setting parameters of the input / output relationship image to the user. The comment data is used by the display control unit 16 together with the image information 42 to generate the input / output relationship image. The comment data corresponds to an example of input value comment information and an example of output value comment information.

[0041] The image information 42 is data that associates a keyword that is frequently used as part or all of a comment with an appropriate image that represents a device to which a comment containing the keyword is attached, as exemplified in Fig. 7. The image information 42 is used to display an image that represents a device in an input / output relationship image. For example, the comment "LED in operation" attached to the output device Y0 shown in Fig. 6 contains the keyword "LED", so the image associated with "LED" in the image information 42 is used to represent the output device Y0, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0042] Returning to Fig. 4, the presentation unit 14 is realized mainly by cooperation between the processor 101 and the output unit 105. The presentation unit 14 presents to the user U1 information for the user U1 to select a device to be displayed in the input / output relationship image from among the input devices and output devices used in the process defined in the control program 40, based on the input / output value information 41. In detail, as exemplified in Fig. 8, setting items for selecting the input devices and output devices to be displayed in the input / output relationship image are displayed on the display unit 11.

[0043] 8, in the comment data 412, a combination of two or more input devices with similar comments is shown as option 51, and a combination of two or more output devices with similar comments is shown as option 54. The presentation unit 14 analyzes the comment data 412 and determines groups of similar comments to generate options 51 and 54. The analysis method of the comment data 412 may be, for example, clustering based on the distance between comments by natural language processing, or another method.

[0044] 8, in the unit allocation information 411, a combination of input devices assigned to one unit is shown as option 52, and a combination of output devices assigned to one unit is shown as option 55. The presentation unit 14 generates options 52 and 55 based on the unit allocation information 411. The presentation unit 14 corresponds to an example of a presentation means that presents candidates for display input values ​​that are the subject of selection to be accepted by the accepting means, via a user interface, and presents combinations of two or more input values ​​based on input value information as candidates, and corresponds to an example of a presentation means that presents candidates for display output values ​​that are the subject of selection to be accepted by the accepting means, via a user interface, and presents combinations of two or more output values ​​based on output value information as candidates.

[0045] Then, the device selected by user U1 from the individual designation of each device or from options 51, 52, 54, 55 is displayed in boxes 53, 56, and the selection of the device to be displayed is completed by pressing a decision button 57. Hereinafter, the input device and output device selected to be displayed in the input / output relationship image may be referred to as the display input device and display output device, respectively. Also, the value of the display input device may be referred to as the display input device value or display input value, and the value of the display output device may be referred to as the display output device value or display output value.

[0046] Returning to Fig. 4, the reception unit 15 is realized mainly by cooperation between the processor 101 and the input unit 104. The reception unit 15 receives the user's selection of a display input device and a display output device. Then, it notifies the display control unit 16 of the received selection. The reception unit 15 corresponds to an example of a reception means that receives a selection of a display input value from a plurality of input values ​​via a user interface, and corresponds to an example of a reception means that receives a selection of a display output value from a plurality of output values ​​via a user interface.

[0047] The display control unit 16 is mainly realized by the processor 101. The display control unit 16 reads out the control program 40 from the storage unit 13, analyzes the dependency relationship between devices described in the control program 40, and stores the analysis result in the storage unit 13 as dependency relationship information 43. The analysis of the dependency relationship will be described later in detail. The display control unit 16 also receives the selection result of the display input device and the display output device from the reception unit 15, and generates an input / output relationship image showing the dependency relationship between these display input device and display output device based on the dependency relationship information 43. Then, the display control unit 16 displays the generated input / output relationship image on the display unit 11. The display control unit 16 corresponds to an example of a display control means that generates an input / output relationship image showing the establishment of a dependency relationship between a display input value included in a plurality of input values ​​of the control process defined by the control program 40 and a display output value included in a plurality of output values ​​of the control process, the display output value being dependent on the display input value via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, in a form in which information about one or more intermediate values ​​is omitted, and displays the image on the display device.

[0048] Next, the display control process executed by the display control device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13. The display control process is started when a start instruction is input by the user U1 to a specific application software of the display control device 10. This application software may be an IDE application for developing the control program 40, or may be another application. The display control process corresponds to an example of a display control method. Note that the flowcharts shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 12 are merely examples, and the contents of each step constituting the flowchart may be changed as desired, and the execution order of the steps may be changed as desired, as long as the functionality of the display control device 10 is ensured.

[0049] 9, in the display control process, the acquisition unit 12 acquires a control program 40, input / output value information 41, and image information 42 (step S1). The acquisition unit 12 may acquire these pieces of information from different information sources. For example, the acquisition unit 12 may acquire the control program 40 being edited by the user U1 by reading it from the main storage unit 102, acquire the input / output value information 41 input via a user interface, and acquire the image information 42 from an external cloud server.

[0050] Next, the presentation unit 14 presents a combination of two or more input / output devices as selection candidates based on the input / output value information 41 (step S2). Specifically, the presentation unit 14 presents candidates as shown in Fig. 8. The presentation unit 14 may present selection candidates based on only one of the unit allocation information 411 and the comment data 412 in the input / output value information 41, or may present selection candidates based on both. That is, the input / output value information 41 may indicate, for input values, at least one of the comments attached to each input value and the units constituting the PLC 20 to which the input values ​​are input, and, for output values, may indicate, for output values, at least one of the comments attached to each output value and the units constituting the PLC 20 to which the output values ​​are output.

[0051] Next, the reception unit 15 receives the selection of the display input device and the display output device by the user U1 via the user interface (step S3). In the example of Fig. 8, when the decision button 57 is pressed, the reception unit 15 receives the input device included in the box 53 as the selected display input device, and receives the output device included in the box 56 as the selected display output device.

[0052] Next, the display control unit 16 executes a dependency determination process (step S4). In the following, an example will be described in which, from each display input device, a display output device dependent on the display input device is searched for by a depth-first search method.

[0053] In the dependency determination process, the display control unit 16 selects one unselected device from among the display input devices as a search reference device (step S41), as shown in Fig. 10. For example, in a case where input devices X0 to X5 are selected as display input devices as shown in Fig. 8, X0 becomes the search reference device in the first step S41 executed. Note that the order of selecting the search reference device from the display input devices may be ascending or descending order of the numerical values ​​included in the display input devices, may be the order specified in the box 53, or may be another order.

[0054] Next, the display control unit 16 searches for associated devices that depend on the value of the current search reference device in the control process defined in the control program 40 (step S42). Specifically, the display control unit 16 searches for circuit blocks that configure the control program 40 that define a process that is conditional on the value of the current search reference device, and identifies devices that change in that process. For example, when the current search reference device is X0, the search results in the discovery of a circuit block numbered "(0)" in FIG. 1, and Y0 is detected as an associated device.

[0055] Following step S42, the display control unit 16 determines whether or not an associated device has been detected (step S43). If it is determined that an associated device has not been detected (step S43; No), the display control unit 16 proceeds to step S46.

[0056] On the other hand, when it is determined that an associated device has been detected (step S43; Yes), the display control unit 16 determines whether or not the detected associated device or devices include a display output device (step S44). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, when Y0 is detected as an associated device, the detected Y0 is selected as a display output device as can be seen from FIG. 8, and therefore the determination in step S44 is positive. This allows a dependency relationship to be found between the currently selected display input device and the detected display output device. When it is determined that the associated devices do not include a display output device (step S44; No), the display control unit 16 proceeds to step S46.

[0057] On the other hand, when it is determined that the associated devices include a display output device (step S44; Yes), the display control unit 16 associates the selected display input device with the display output device discovered as an associated device and registers them in the dependency information 43 (step S45). For example, the dependency relationship between the display input device X0 and the display output device Y0 is registered as a pair of X0 and Y0 as shown in the first row of the dependency information 43 on the right side of FIG.

[0058] The table on the left side of Fig. 11 shows the transition of the selected display input device, the current search reference device, and the detected associated devices together with the number of searches in the repeatedly executed dependency determination process of Fig. 10. Among the associated devices, the underlined devices indicate the devices that were determined to be included as display output devices in step S44.

[0059] 10, following step S45, the display control unit 16 determines whether or not there is an intermediate device that was detected in step S43 but has not been set as a search reference device (step S46). When the pair of X0 and Y0 is registered in step S45, there is no intermediate device detected in step S43, and therefore the determination in step S46 is negative.

[0060] If the determination in step S46 is negative (step S46; No), the display control unit 16 determines whether or not all the display input devices have been selected (step S48). That is, the display control unit 16 determines whether or not all the display input devices accepted by the accepting unit 15 in step S3 in FIG. 9 have been selected by executing step S41 one or more times.

[0061] When it is determined that all display input devices have not been selected (step S48; No), the display control unit 16 proceeds to step S41 and newly selects an unselected display input device (step S41). For example, X1 is selected as shown in FIG.

[0062] In the next step S42, the circuit block marked with the number "(4)" in Figure 1 is identified, and in step S43, the intermediate device M0 is detected as an associated device. However, since this intermediate device M0 is not included in the display output devices, the determination in step S44 is negative.

[0063] Then, in step S46, it is determined that the intermediate device M0 was detected in step S43 but has not yet been set as the search reference device, that is, the determination in step S46 is affirmative (step S46: Yes).

[0064] Next, the display control unit 16 sets the intermediate device determined in step S46 as a new search reference device (step S47). For example, the intermediate device M0 is set as the search reference device. After that, the display control unit 16 proceeds to step S42.

[0065] In step S42 after the intermediate device M0 is set as the search reference device, the circuit block numbered "(8)" in Fig. 1 is identified, and in step S43, the output device Y5 is detected as an associated device, and since this output device Y5 is included in the display output devices as shown in Fig. 8, the determination in step S44 is positive. Then, in step S45, the pair of the display input device X1 and the display output device Y5 is registered as a pair having a dependency relationship, as shown on the right side of Fig. 11.

[0066] In step S46 following step S45, only one intermediate device, M0, is detected, and it is determined that M0 has already been set as the search reference device, so the determination in step S46 is negative. Then, since there is an unselected display input device, the determination in step S48 is negative, and in step S41, for example, X2 is set as the search reference device. However, in step S42, the circuit block including X2 is not included in the control program 40 as can be seen from FIG. 1, so the determinations in steps S43 and S46 are both negative.

[0067] Next, the determination in step S48 is negative again, and in step S41, the display input device X3 is selected as the search reference device. Then, by executing steps S42 to S45, the pair of the display input device X3 and the display output device Y2 is registered in the dependency relationship information 43 as shown in FIG.

[0068] Next, the judgment in step S46 is affirmative, M10 is set as the search reference device in step S47, and steps S42 to S45 are executed, resulting in the pair of display input device X3 and display output device Y3 being registered in the dependency information 43 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0069] Furthermore, if the judgment in step S46 is positive, M20 is set as the search reference device in step S47, and steps S42 to S45 are executed, as a result of which the pair of display input device X3 and display output device Y4 is registered in the dependency information 43 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0070] Then, the determinations in steps S46 and S48 are both negative, and display input device X4 is set as the search reference device in step S41. However, similar to X2, since no related device of the search reference device exists in the control program 40, no pair of devices having a dependent relationship is registered. Following display input device X4, in step S41 which is executed again, display input device X5 is set as the search reference device, but similarly no pair of devices is registered. Then, as a result of the determination in step S48 being positive, the processing by the display control unit 16 returns from the dependent relationship determination processing in FIG. 10 to the display control processing in FIG. 9.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, following the dependency determination process in step S4, the display control unit 16 executes an image generation process (step S5). In the image generation process, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 16 analyzes the comment data to determine images to be displayed as nodes corresponding to the display input device and the display output device (step S51). As a result, images to be used for the nodes 61 and 62 are determined, as exemplified in FIG. 13. When an image cannot be determined based on the comment, no image is used as the node, and a character string of the device name may simply be represented as the node. When two or more images can be adopted as a result of the analysis based on the comment, any one of the images may be adopted by a predetermined selection method, or multiple images may be used in combination for one node. The process of step S51 may be executed before the above step S4.

[0072] Next, the display control unit 16 generates an input / output relationship image in which an input node corresponding to a display input device and an output node corresponding to a display output device having a dependency relationship with the display input device are connected by a line indicating the dependency relationship (step S52). For example, the display control unit 16 refers to the dependency relationship information 43 in FIG. 11 and connects the input node corresponding to the display input device X0 and the output node corresponding to the display output device Y0 by a line as shown in FIG. 13. Similarly, the display control unit 16 connects the input node corresponding to X1 and the output node corresponding to Y5 by a line, and connects the input node corresponding to X3 and the output nodes corresponding to Y2 to Y4 by lines, thereby generating an input / output relationship image as shown in FIG. 2. Note that, for nodes not connected by a line, it is represented that there is no dependency relationship between the devices.

[0073] Thereafter, the process by the display control unit 16 returns from the image generation process of Fig. 12 to the display control process of Fig. 9. Then, following the image generation process of step S5, the display control unit 16 causes the display unit 11 to display the input / output relationship image generated in step S5 (step S6). Then, the display control process ends.

[0074] As described above, the display control device 10 according to the present embodiment displays on the display unit 11 an input / output relationship image showing the establishment of a dependency between a display input device and a display output device dependent on the display input device, with information about one or more intermediate devices omitted. This allows the user to easily recognize pairs of a display input device and a display output device having a dependency. Therefore, the display control device 10 can provide information that allows the user U1 to easily recognize the outline of the control process by the programmable controller. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the man-hours required for the user U1 to grasp the design situation and perform verification work.

[0075] When related devices are expanded one by one and displayed, as shown in Fig. 14, the user U1 needs to find the input device and output device of interest from the group of nodes displayed in a tree shape according to the dependency relationship. The example of Fig. 14 is a relatively simple tree, but the number of circuit blocks or lines of the control program 40 is generally several hundred lines or more. That is, a tree containing several hundred lines connecting the nodes is generated. It is a very complicated task to visually find a device from such a tree. In contrast, the input / output relationship image according to the present embodiment makes it easy to find the display input device and display output device having the dependency relationship.

[0076] The reception unit 15 also receives a selection of display input devices to be included in the input / output relationship image from among the multiple input devices handled by the control program 40. This allows the input / output relationship image to be displayed by selecting only the display input devices for which the user U1 wants to understand dependencies from among the many input devices handled by the control program 40. Similarly, the reception unit 15 receives a selection of display output devices. This allows the input / output relationship image to be displayed by selecting only the display output devices for which the user U1 wants to understand dependencies from among the many output devices.

[0077] Furthermore, the presentation unit 14 presents a combination of two or more input devices as selection candidates for the display input device based on the input / output value information 41. This allows the user U1 to easily select an input device having a relationship based on the input / output value information 41. In detail, since a comment attached to an input device often describes the role of the input device, the selection candidates based on the comment allow the user U1 to easily select two or more input devices whose roles are related to each other. Furthermore, when the input devices are assigned to the units constituting the PLC 20 as shown in FIG. 5, the selection candidates based on the unit assignment information 411 allow the user U1 to easily select an input device assigned to each unit. The same applies to the selection candidates for the display output device.

[0078] Further, the display control unit 16 determines images to be displayed as input nodes corresponding to the display input device and output nodes corresponding to the display output device based on the comments. The display control unit 16 corresponds to an example of a display control means that generates an input / output relationship image in which an image obtained by analyzing a comment attached to a display input value is shown as an input node corresponding to the display input value, and corresponds to an example of a display control means that generates an input / output relationship image in which an image obtained by analyzing a comment attached to a display output value is shown as an output node corresponding to the display output value. When images are used as nodes, the visibility is higher than when text information such as device names is displayed, and a user-friendly interface can be provided.

[0079] The display control unit 16 may generate an input / output relationship image that is more convenient for the user U1 than that shown in Fig. 2. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 15, display input devices X4 and X5 that are not connected to any display output device are grouped together in one node. In this way, the display control unit 16 may associate consecutive display input devices or display output devices that are not connected by a line with one node. Here, consecutive devices means that the numbers of the devices are consecutive.

[0080] In the example of Fig. 15, the display input device X1 is disposed at a position equivalent in the vertical direction to the display output device Y5 that depends on X1. This allows the display input device X1 and the display output device Y5 to be simply connected by a single straight line, and there is no line intersection as in Fig. 2, improving visibility. Note that X1, whose position is changed, may be offset in the horizontal direction as shown in Fig. 15 so that the change is clear. However, instead of offsetting, it may be displayed in a form that clearly indicates that it is different from other devices, such as by changing the color or size.

[0081] Similarly, the order of the display output devices may be changed so as to reduce the number of line intersections. However, it is preferable that either the display input devices or the display output devices are arranged in an order in which their addresses are consecutive.

[0082] In the example of Figure 15, the display control unit 16 corresponds to an example of a display control means that generates an input / output relationship image in which input nodes corresponding to display input values ​​and output nodes corresponding to display output values ​​dependent on the display input values ​​are connected by lines, with fewer crossing lines than when the input nodes are arranged in order of consecutive addresses of corresponding display input values ​​and the output nodes are arranged in order of consecutive addresses of corresponding display output values.

[0083] Also, as shown in Fig. 16, nodes that are not connected to lines may be excluded from the drawing target. That is, a display output device that does not depend on any display input device may be excluded from the drawing target, and a display input device that does not depend on any display output device may be excluded from the drawing target. In the example of Fig. 16, the display control unit 16 corresponds to an example of a display control means that generates an input / output relationship image in which a display input value that is not dependent on any display output value selected from a plurality of output values ​​among display input values ​​selected from a plurality of input values ​​and a display output value that is not dependent on any display input value among display output values ​​are excluded from the drawing target.

[0084] Embodiment 2 Next, the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, one device basically corresponds to one node shown in the input / output relationship image. In contrast, in the present embodiment, multiple devices are collectively associated with one node.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 17, the reception unit 15 according to the present embodiment receives the correspondence between a plurality of display input devices and input nodes, and the correspondence between a plurality of display output devices and output nodes, as inputs to the boxes 501 and 502 by the user U1. In the example of FIG. 17, the correspondence between the devices and the nodes is set for the display input devices X0-X3 by the input contents of "[X0], [X1], [X2], [X3]". Here, the device surrounded by [ ] corresponds to one node, so that each of X0 to X3 corresponds to one node. Also, in the example of FIG. 17, for the 64 display output devices Y0-Y3F, it is set that 16 display output devices are grouped together and correspond to a total of four nodes as "[Y0-YF], [Y10-Y1F], [Y20-Y2F], [Y30-Y3F]".

[0086] In response to the settings in FIG. 17, the display control unit 16 generates an input / output relationship image as shown in FIG. 18. That is, four input nodes corresponding to X0-X3 and four output nodes corresponding to 64 devices Y0-Y3F are connected by lines corresponding to the dependency relationships between the devices. In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, there is a dependency relationship between the devices as shown in the dependency relationship information 43 on the right side of FIG. 11, and all of Y0, Y2-Y5 having a dependency relationship with X0, X1, and X3 are included in Y0-YF corresponding to one output node in FIG. 18. Therefore, the input nodes corresponding to X0, X1, and X3 are connected to the output node.

[0087] 18, multiple display output devices correspond to one output node, but multiple display input devices may correspond to one input node. The input / output relationship image corresponds to an example of an image in which input nodes corresponding to one or more display input values ​​and output nodes corresponding to one or more display output values ​​including a display output value that depends on the display input value corresponding to the input node are connected by lines.

[0088] As described above, by aggregating a plurality of devices into one node, it becomes possible to easily recognize a more abstract overview of the dependencies between input devices and output devices.

[0089] Embodiment 3 Next, the third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, images, device names, and comments are displayed as nodes in the input / output relationship image, and the nodes are connected to each other by lines indicating the device dependencies. However, it is also possible to display device values ​​for the nodes. Below, an example of displaying specific values ​​of the display input device and the display output device will be described.

[0090] 19, the display control device 10 according to this embodiment includes a simulation unit 17 that simulates the execution of a control program 40, and a search unit 18 that searches for an input value from an output value of the control program 40. The simulation unit 17 and the search unit 18 are each mainly realized by a processor 101.

[0091] 20 shows that the user U1 specifies an input value of a display input device for the input / output relationship image displayed by the display control unit 16. In detail, the user U1 operates the cursor 71 to select the display input device X1, and specifies the value of X1 as OFF from the submenu 72 that is displayed and can be set to ON or OFF. Such a specification of the input value is accepted by the accepting unit 15. The accepting unit 15 corresponds to an example of a accepting means that accepts, via a user interface, the specification of a simulated input value as a display input value shown in the input / output relationship image.

[0092] When the reception unit 15 receives the designation of the input value, the display control unit 16 notifies the simulation unit 17 of the designated input value. The simulation unit 17 simulates the execution of the control program 40 in the case where the input value is adopted, and responds to the display control unit 16 with an output value obtained as a result of the simulation. Then, the display control unit 16 reflects the output value, which is the result of the simulation, in the input / output relationship image. In detail, the output value is displayed as a node corresponding to the display output device. In the example of FIG. 20, the output value of the display output device Y5 is displayed as OFF, which is the result of the simulation. As a result, the input / output relationship image shows that a dependency relationship is established between the simulated input value and the simulated output value in a form in which information on intermediate values ​​is omitted. The simulation unit 17 corresponds to an example of a simulation means that obtains a simulated output value output from the PLC by a control process when the simulated input value is input to the PLC, by simulating the control process.

[0093] Incidentally, for input values ​​not specified by the user U1, they may be displayed in the input / output relationship image as a predetermined initial value, or may be displayed as an unspecified value, or a node similar to that in the first embodiment may be displayed without displaying a value. Even if a single input value is specified, the output value of the display output device that depends on multiple input values ​​cannot be determined. For such output values ​​that cannot be determined, they may be displayed as an undetermined value, or a node similar to that in the first embodiment may be displayed without displaying a value. In FIG. 20, output values ​​that cannot be determined to either ON or OFF are displayed as "ON / OFF" to indicate that either value can be taken.

[0094] 21 shows that the user U1 specifies an output value of a display output device for the input / output relationship image displayed by the display control unit 16. In detail, the user U1 operates the cursor 71 to select the display output device Y5, and specifies the value of Y5 as OFF from the submenu 73 that is displayed and can be set to ON or OFF. Such a specification of the output value is accepted by the accepting unit 15. The accepting unit 15 corresponds to an example of a accepting means that accepts, via a user interface, a specification of a simulated output value as a display output value shown in the input / output relationship image.

[0095] When the reception unit 15 receives the designation of the output value, the display control unit 16 notifies the search unit 18 of the designated output value. The search unit 18 searches for an input value that outputs this output value when the control program 40 is executed, and responds to the display control unit 16 with the search result. Then, the display control unit 16 reflects the input value, which is the result of the search, in the input / output relationship image. In detail, the input value is displayed as a node corresponding to the display input device. In the example of FIG. 21, the output value of the display input device X1 is displayed as OFF, which is the result of the search. Thereby, the input / output relationship image shows that a dependency relationship is established between the simulated input value and the simulated output value in a form in which information on the intermediate value is omitted. The search unit 18 corresponds to an example of a search means that searches for a simulated input value to be input to the PLC when the simulated output value is output by the control process.

[0096] As described above, according to the display control device 10 of the present embodiment, the user U1 can confirm in the input / output relationship image the output value obtained when a specific value is designated as the display input device. Also, the user U1 can confirm in the input / output relationship image the input value that should be input when a specific value is designated as the display output device. This allows the user U1 to easily grasp the outline of the control process.

[0097] Embodiment 4 Next, the fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, all information about intermediate devices is excluded, but being able to display information about intermediate devices as necessary is considered to contribute to the convenience of the user U1. An example of displaying information about an intermediate device designated by the user U1 will be described below.

[0098] 22 shows that the user U1 selects a line connecting X3 and Y3 on the input / output relationship image displayed by the display control unit 16, and specifies an intermediate value that is in a dependent relationship between these devices. In detail, the user U1 operates the cursor 71 to select the line, and then determines the input of a command to display the intermediate value from a submenu 74 that is displayed. Such specification of the intermediate value is accepted by the accepting unit 15. The accepting unit 15 corresponds to an example of a accepting means that accepts the selection of a display intermediate value from one or more intermediate values.

[0099] When the reception unit 15 receives the designation of the intermediate value, the display control unit 16 switches the input / output relationship image to one that displays the designated intermediate value, as shown in FIG. 23. In detail, the display control unit 16 displays an input / output relationship image that shows the dependency relationship between the display input device and the designated intermediate device, the dependency relationship between the designated intermediate devices, and the dependency relationship between the designated intermediate device and the display output device, in addition to the dependency relationship between the display input device and the display output device. The input / output relationship image that displays the intermediate value is generated by referring to the dependency relationship information 43 in which information on related devices is also registered, as shown in FIG. 24. The display control unit 16 corresponds to an example of a display control means that switches the input / output relationship image to be displayed on the display device to a new image that shows the dependency relationship between the display input value and the display intermediate value, the dependency relationship between the display intermediate values, and the dependency relationship between the display intermediate value and the display output value in a form in which information on the intermediate value other than the display intermediate value is omitted.

[0100] As described above, according to the display control device 10 of this embodiment, the user U1 can check the details of the dependency relationship between intermediate devices between the display input device and the display output device as necessary.

[0101] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0102] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the dependency relationship between the display input device and the display output device is found by a depth-first search starting from each of the display input devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other search methods may be adopted, or the display output device or an intermediate device may be used as the starting point.

[0103] Also, although an example has been described in which the image displayed as the node is acquired from predetermined image information 42, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 16 may generate an image based on a comment using so-called generation AI (Artificial Intelligence).

[0104] Although an example has been shown in which a single type of solid line is used as the line connecting the nodes, the present invention is not limited to this. A highly visible input / output relationship image may be generated by using a plurality of lines having different colors, thicknesses, and other line types.

[0105] Also, an example in which the presenting unit 14 and the receiving unit 15 correspond to a user interface has been described, but the presenting unit 14 may present information to the user U1 via an external UI terminal, and the receiving unit 15 may receive information from the user U1 via the UI terminal, as shown in Fig. 25. In the case of Fig. 25, the presenting unit 14 and the receiving unit 15 are mainly realized by the communication unit 106.

[0106] Also, an example in which the display control device 10 has the display unit 11 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an input / output relationship image may be displayed on an external display device 11a as shown in Fig. 25. The display unit 11 and the display device 11a each correspond to an example of a display device that displays an image generated by the display control device 10.

[0107] Furthermore, the number of display input devices shown by the input / output relationship image may be one, and the number of display output devices shown by the input / output relationship image may be one.

[0108] The functions of the display control device 10 according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by dedicated hardware or by a general computer system.

[0109] For example, the program P1 can be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), and the program P1 can be installed on a computer to configure an apparatus that executes the above-mentioned processing.

[0110] Also, the program P1 may be stored in a disk device of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded to a computer, for example, by being superimposed on a carrier wave.

[0111] The above-mentioned processing can also be achieved by starting and executing the program P1 while transferring it via a network such as the Internet.

[0112] Furthermore, the above-mentioned processing can also be achieved by executing all or part of the program P1 on a server device, and executing the program P1 while the computer transmits and receives information related to the processing via a communications network.

[0113] In addition, when the above-mentioned functions are shared and realized by the OS (Operating System) or by the OS working together with an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or may be downloaded to a computer.

[0114] Furthermore, the means for realizing the functions of the display control device 10 is not limited to software, and a part or the whole of the functions may be realized by dedicated hardware or circuits.

[0115] Various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0116] The present disclosure is suitable for developing control programs to be used in FA fields. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 10 display control device, 11 display unit, 11a display device, 12 acquisition unit, 13 memory unit, 14 presentation unit, 15 reception unit, 16 display control unit, 17 simulation unit, 18 search unit, 20 PLC, 21 execution unit, 22 input unit, 23 output unit, 24 system bus, 31, 32 equipment, 40 control program, 41 input / output value information, 42 image information, 43 dependency information, 51, 52, 54, 55 options, 53, 56, 501, 502 box, 57 decision button, 61, 62 node, 71 cursor, 72 to 74 submenu, 101 processor, 102 main memory unit, 103 auxiliary memory unit, 104 input unit, 105 output unit, 106 communication unit, 107 internal bus, 411 unit allocation information, 412 Comment data, 1000 display control system, P1 program.

Claims

1. Computers, Acquisition means for acquiring a program that defines the content of a control process for obtaining multiple output values ​​to be output to a controlled device by the programmable controller from multiple input values ​​input to the programmable controller by an input device. Display control means that generates an input / output relationship image showing, in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, that a dependency relationship exists between a display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and a display output value included in the plurality of output values, which in the control process depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values, and displays this image on a display device. A receiving means that accepts the selection of the display input value from the plurality of input values ​​via a user interface. The presenting means functions as a means for presenting, via the user interface, the candidate display input values ​​that are to be selected by the receiving means. The acquisition means acquires input value information for each of the input values, The presentation means presents two or more combinations of the input values ​​based on the input value information as candidates. Display control program.

2. The program is described by specifying the addresses of the input value, the output value, and the intermediate value stored in the memory of the programmable controller. The display control program according to claim 1.

3. The program is described in the form of a ladder diagram, structured text, function block diagram, sequential function chart, or instruction list. The display control program according to claim 1.

4. The input value information includes at least one of the comments attached to each of the input values, and the units constituting the programmable controller to which the input values ​​are input. The display control program according to claim 1.

5. A computer, Acquisition means for acquiring a program that defines the content of a control process for obtaining multiple output values ​​to be output to a controlled device by the programmable controller from multiple input values ​​input to the programmable controller by an input device. Display control means that generates an input / output relationship image showing, in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, that a dependency relationship exists between a display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and a display output value included in the plurality of output values, which in the control process depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values, and displays this image on a display device. A receiving means that accepts the selection of the display output value from the plurality of output values ​​via a user interface. A presentation means that presents, via the user interface, the candidates for the display output value that are to be selected by the reception means, To make it function as, The acquisition means acquires output value information for each of the output values, The presentation means presents two or more combinations of the output values ​​based on the output value information as candidates. Display control program.

6. The acquisition means acquires input value comment information indicating the comments attached to each of the input values, The display control means generates an input / output relationship image in which the image obtained by analyzing the comment attached to the display input value is shown as an input node corresponding to the display input value. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

7. The acquisition means acquires output value comment information indicating the comments attached to each of the output values, The display control means generates an input / output relationship image that shows the image obtained by analyzing the comment attached to the display output value as an output node corresponding to the display output value. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

8. The display control means generates an input / output relationship image in which input nodes corresponding to the display input value and output nodes corresponding to the display output value dependent on the display input value are connected by lines, wherein the input nodes are arranged in an order in which the addresses of the corresponding display input values ​​are sequentially numbered, and the output nodes are arranged in an order in which the addresses of the corresponding display output values ​​are sequentially numbered, and the input / output relationship image has fewer line intersections than when the input nodes are arranged in an order in which the addresses of the corresponding display output values ​​are sequentially numbered. The display control program according to claim 2.

9. The aforementioned input / output relationship image is shown by connecting with lines one or more input nodes corresponding to the display input values ​​and one or more output nodes corresponding to the display output values, which include the display output values ​​that depend on the display input values ​​corresponding to the input nodes. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

10. The receiving means receives the selection of the display input value from the plurality of input values ​​and the display output value from the plurality of output values ​​via the user interface. The display control means generates an input / output relationship image excluding from the drawing target any of the selected display input values ​​that are independent of any of the selected display output values, and any of the selected display output values ​​that are independent of any of the selected display input values. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

11. The aforementioned computer, It is further configured to function as a simulation means for simulating the aforementioned control process, The receiving means receives the designation of the simulated input value as the display input value shown in the input / output relationship image via the user interface. The simulation means obtains a simulated output value, which is output from the programmable controller by the control process when the simulated input value is input to the programmable controller, by simulating the control process. The display control means causes the display device to display the input / output relationship image, which indicates that a dependency relationship exists between the simulated input value and the simulated output value, in a form that omits information regarding the intermediate value. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

12. The aforementioned computer, To further function as a search method for finding values, The receiving means receives the specification of the simulated output value as the display output value shown in the input / output relationship image via the user interface. The search means searches for a simulated input value that should be input to the programmable controller when the simulated output value is output by the control process. The display control means causes the display device to display the input / output relationship image, which indicates that a dependency relationship exists between the simulated input value and the simulated output value, in a form that omits information regarding the intermediate value. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

13. The receiving means receives the selection of a display intermediate value from the one or more intermediate values, The display control means switches the input / output relationship image to be displayed on the display device to a new image that shows the dependency relationship between the display input value and the display intermediate value, the dependency relationship between the display intermediate values ​​themselves, and the dependency relationship between the display intermediate value and the display output value in a form that omits information about intermediate values ​​other than the display intermediate value. The display control program according to claim 1 or 5.

14. An acquisition means for acquiring a program that defines the content of a control process for obtaining multiple output values ​​to be output by a programmable controller from multiple input values ​​input to the programmable controller, A display control means that causes a display device to display an input / output relationship image in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, indicating that a dependency relationship exists between the display input values ​​included in the plurality of input values ​​and the display output values ​​included in the plurality of output values, which depend on the display input values ​​via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, A receiving means that accepts the selection of the display input value from the plurality of input values ​​via a user interface, A presentation means that presents, via the user interface, the candidate display input values ​​that are to be selected by the reception means, Equipped with, The acquisition means acquires input value information for each of the input values, The presentation means presents two or more combinations of the input values ​​based on the input value information as candidates. Display control device.

15. Acquisition means for acquiring a program that defines the content of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​to be output by a programmable controller from a plurality of input values ​​input to the programmable controller, A display control means that causes a display device to display an input / output relationship image in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, indicating that a dependency relationship exists between the display input values ​​included in the plurality of input values ​​and the display output values ​​included in the plurality of output values, which depend on the display input values ​​via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, A receiving means for receiving the selection of the display output value from the plurality of output values ​​via a user interface, A presentation means that presents, via the user interface, the candidate display output values ​​that are to be selected by the reception means, Equipped with, The acquisition means acquires output value information for each of the output values, The presentation means presents two or more combinations of the output values ​​based on the output value information as candidates. Display control device.

16. A display control device according to claim 14 or 15, A display device that displays an image generated by the display control device, A display control system equipped with the following features.

17. The acquisition means acquires a program that defines the content of the control process for obtaining multiple output values ​​output by the programmable controller from multiple input values ​​input to the programmable controller, The display control means causes the display device to display an input / output relationship image in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, indicating that a dependency relationship exists between the display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and the display output value included in the plurality of output values, which in the control process depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values, and that such a dependency relationship exists between the display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and the display output value which depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values. The receiving means receives the selection of the display input value from the plurality of input values ​​via the user interface. The presentation means presents, via the user interface, the candidates for the display input value that are to be selected by the receiving means. This includes, The acquisition means acquires input value information for each of the input values, The presentation means presents two or more combinations of the input values ​​based on the input value information as candidates. Display control method.

18. The acquisition means acquires a program that defines the content of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​to be output by the programmable controller from a plurality of input values ​​input to the programmable controller, The display control means causes the display device to display an input / output relationship image in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values, indicating that a dependency relationship exists between the display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and the display output value included in the plurality of output values, which in the control process depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values, and that such a dependency relationship exists between the display input value included in the plurality of input values ​​and the display output value which depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values. The receiving means receives the selection of the display output value from the plurality of output values ​​via the user interface. The presentation means presents, via the user interface, the candidates for the display output value that are to be selected and received by the receiving means. This includes, The acquisition means acquires output value information for each of the output values, The presentation means presents two or more combinations of the output values ​​based on the output value information as candidates. Display control method.

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