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

Abstract

This program causes a computer that supports work for editing a display screen of a display (20) connected to a programmable controller to function as: an acquisition unit (12) that acquires transition data (40) indicating a condition in which transition of the display screen occurs regardless of the presence or absence of an operation on the display (20) and a transition destination screen that is a transition destination when the condition is satisfied and / or a transition source screen that is a transition source; and a display control unit (15) that causes a display unit (161) to display the transition indicated by the transition data (40) using a simulated image simulating the display screen.

Description

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

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

[0002] In factory automation (FA), various processes are realized by controlling equipment using programmable logic controllers (PLCs). A display connected to the PLC is used as a human-machine interface (HMI) to monitor the operating status of the PLC and to set information for the PLC. The display is a programmable display or a user interface (UI) terminal, also known as a graphical operation terminal (GOT).

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

[0004] In response to this, a technology has been proposed that allows a designer to design a UI while easily recognizing screen transition relationships without launching a simulator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which a component placed on a screen is linked to a destination screen that is transitioned to by an operation on the component, and when a user selects the component, the editing target is switched to the destination screen.

[0005] Patent No. 4476223

[0006] In recent years, displays have been required to have the ability to execute background processing and to link with external devices, and these functions can interfere with the screen transitions of the display. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 only considers screen transitions caused by operations on components placed on the screen, and does not consider screen transitions caused by factors other than the operations of such components. This makes it difficult for designers to recognize screen transition relationships caused by factors other than the operations of components on the screen, which could increase the workload involved in designing the display screen of the display.

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

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the assistance program of the present disclosure causes a computer that assists in the task of editing the display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller to function as an acquisition means that acquires transition data indicating the conditions under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the display device, and at least one of the destination screen that is the destination of the transition when the condition is met and the source screen that is the source of the transition, and a display control means that displays the transition indicated by the transition data on a display device using a simulated image that simulates the display screen.

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

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the assistance system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition based on an operation on an operation component according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of action data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a script according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a control program according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a second example of highlighting an operation component according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of highlighting an element of transition data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. FIG. 5 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. FIG. 6 shows a script according to the modified example. FIG. 7 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. FIG. 8 shows a script according to the modified example. FIG. 9 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. FIG. 10 shows a script according to the modified example. FIG. 11 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. FIG. 12 shows a script according to the modified example. FIG. 13 shows a mapping image according to a modified example. FIG. 14 shows a mapping image according to a modified example.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0018] FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen transition based on the screen control information 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the display screen 21 of the display device 20 switches from screen A1 to screen A2, screen A3, screen A4, and screen A5 in that order, and then returns from screen A5 to screen A1. This screen transition occurs due to operations performed on the hatched operation components on screens A1 to A5. For example, operating operation component A1a on screen A1 transitions the display screen 21 to screen A2. The operation performed on the operation component may be, for example, pressing the operation component by touching the finger or stylus of worker U2 to the area on the display screen 21, which is a touch screen, where the operation component is displayed, or may be some other operation.

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

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

[0021] Returning to FIG. 1 , the control unit 22 has a function of monitoring the device values ​​of the PLC 50 and executes processing according to these device values, thereby indirectly executing processing defined in the control program 43 that changes the device values. For example, consider a case in which the control program 43 illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed by the PLC 50. The control program 43 in FIG. 5 defines that when the condition that the device value [X30] is ON is met, a value of 5 is stored as the device value [D1]. As described above, since the device value [D1] corresponds to the screen number, the control program 43 in FIG. 5 indicates that when the device value [X30] is ON, the display screen 21 transitions to screen A5.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0029] The auxiliary storage unit 103 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). 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 processor 101 with data used by the processor 101 in accordance with instructions from the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also stores data supplied from the processor 101.

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

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

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

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

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

[0035] The acquisition unit 12 is realized mainly by cooperation between the processor 101 and the communication unit 106. The acquisition unit 12 acquires transition data 40 via the network NW and stores the acquired transition data 40 in the storage unit 13. The acquisition unit 12 corresponds to an example of an acquisition means that acquires transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of a display screen occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the display device, and a transition destination screen that is the transition destination when the condition is met.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0048] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, when screen A4 is specified from screens A1 to A5 displayed on the display device 20 as the display screen 21, screens A3 and A5 are found in the search, and mock images of these screens A3 and A5 are displayed. Furthermore, transition data 40 related to the specified screen is displayed as a search result. Specifically, icons of the transition data 40 that cause a transition to the specified screen are displayed as shown in Fig. 10. This allows the designer U1 to easily recognize the direct transition screen of the specified screen, even when the screen transition relationships are complex.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 8 , following step S7, the display control unit 15 determines whether the edit mode has been designated by the designer U1 (step S8). The edit mode is a mode for editing a designated screen designated by the designer U1. In the edit mode, the designer U1 arbitrarily changes the components to be placed on the designated screen and the processing to be executed when the components are operated. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , by hovering the cursor over a simulated image of one of the screens and selecting the item "Edit this screen" from the displayed submenu, the screen is designated as the designated screen and the edit mode is then designated. Note that in the edit mode, the transition data 40 may be designated as the object to be edited.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0057] FIG. 15 illustrates a situation in which an element related to a screen transition is selected in step S92 from the script 42 serving as the transition data 40 to be edited. The elements constituting the script 42 may be individual lines, statements obtained by syntax analysis, or other elements. FIG. 15 also illustrates that when an element related to a screen transition is selected, a mock image of a direct transition screen corresponding to the element is highlighted. The display control unit 15 corresponds to an example of a display control means that, when the transition data is edited, displays a mock image of the transition destination screen indicated by the transition data on the display device, and when an element related to the transition destination screen is selected via the user interface from among the multiple elements constituting the transition data displayed as the editing target, highlights and displays the mock image of the transition destination screen related to the selected element on the display device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0068] 21, a possible example of such a script 42 is one that assigns 2 to the device value [D1] when the conditions that the device value [D1] indicating the screen number is 1 and the device value [D101] is 1 are met. In other words, when both the source screen and the destination screen are fixed, the screen transition defined by the script 42 is represented by an arrow pointing from the mock-up image of the source screen to the icon of the script 42, and an arrow pointing from the icon to the mock-up image of the destination screen, as shown in FIG.

[0069] Although the above description deals with an example in which the transition data 40 alone realizes a screen transition, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transition data 40 may be combined with other information to realize a screen transition. In the example of FIG. 22 , the screen control information 30 specifies that an operation on an operational item A1a on a screen A1 transitions to a screen A2, while an operation on another operational item A1b stores a value of 1 as a device value

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0075] Furthermore, the lines representing screen transitions are not limited to arrows, and may be any lines whose direction can be recognized by the designer U1. For example, as shown in Figure 20, nodes may be connected by simple lines with no direction, as long as the transition is generally from left to right, except for the connection between the rightmost and leftmost nodes.

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

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

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

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

[0080] The editing application 110 also has a launching unit 111 that launches the editing application 120. The launching unit 111 is mainly realized by the processor 101. As shown in Fig. 28 , the launching unit 111 launches the editing application 120 when an operational component related to transition data 40 is selected while the editing application 110 is being used. The launching unit 111 corresponds to an example of a launching means that launches an editing application for editing transition data when an operational component included in a screen displayed as an editing target is selected via a user interface when editing the screen as a display screen and the operation for the selected operational component is related to the transition data.

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

[0082] As described above, when editing the screen control information 30 and editing the transition data 40 are performed using separate applications, editing one can be easily performed while editing the other. In particular, for the control program 43, a dedicated IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that is different from that used for UI design of the display device 20 is often used, which eliminates the need to launch and switch between two applications.

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

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

[0085] In the configuration according to the above embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the reception unit 11 may be included in the UI unit 16.

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

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

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

[0089] For example, by storing and distributing program P1 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 installing program P1 on a computer, a device that executes the above-mentioned processing can be configured.

[0090] Furthermore, 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 by superimposing it on a carrier wave, for example.

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

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

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

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

[0095] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0096] The present disclosure is suitable for designing a display screen for a display device used in an FA field.

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

Claims

1. A support program for causing a computer that supports the task of editing the display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller to function as: an acquisition means for acquiring transition data indicating the conditions under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the display device, and at least one of a destination screen that is the destination of the transition when the condition is met and a source screen that is the source of the transition; and a display control means for displaying the transition indicated by the transition data on a display device using a simulated image that simulates the display screen.

2. The assistance program according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the condition is met is determined by referencing a value at a predetermined address in a memory of the programmable controller or the display device.

3. The assistance program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transition data is a control program executed by the programmable controller to control equipment, a script executed by the display, or action data that indicates, in association with the condition, the action to be taken when the condition is met.

4. An assistance program as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as: a reception means for receiving settings for transitions of the display screen resulting from operations on operation components displayed on the display screen; and a storage means for storing setting data indicating the content of the settings received by the reception means in a predetermined storage area; and the acquisition means for acquiring the transition data from a source different from the storage area.

5. The assistance program according to claim 4, wherein the computer is connected to a network, and the acquisition means acquires the transition data via the network.

6. The assistance program of claim 4 or 5, wherein the display control means displays on the display device a mapping image that represents the transition between multiple screens indicated by the setting data using the mock images of each of the multiple screens and lines connecting the mock images, and for the mock images of the destination screen and the source screen indicated by the transition data, the mapping image that represents the transition indicated by the transition data is displayed in a form different from the expression of the transition indicated by the setting data.

7. The assistance program described in claim 6, wherein the mapping image represents the transition indicated by the transition data by connecting images or characters related to the transition data with lines to the mock image of the destination screen or source screen indicated by the transition data, and the images or characters related to the transition data represent the type of the transition data, the condition indicated by the transition data, or a screen to which a transition occurs between the destination screen or the source screen.

8. The assistance program of claim 4 or 5, wherein the accepting means accepts the designation of one designated screen from a plurality of screens displayed on the display device as the display screen, and the display control means, when the designation of the designated screen is accepted, causes the display device to display the simulated image of a direct transition screen between the designated screen and the designated screen, where the transition indicated by the transition data or the setting data occurs without passing through another screen, and excludes from the display objects the simulated image of an indirect transition screen between the designated screen and the designated screen, where the transition indicated by the transition data or the setting data occurs via another screen.

9. The assistance program according to claim 8, wherein the receiving means receives the designation of the designated screen as the editing target, and the display control means, when an operation component included in the designated screen displayed as the editing target is selected via a user interface, highlights and displays on the display device the simulated image of the direct transition screen to which the designated screen transitions in response to an operation on the selected operation component.

10. The assistance program of claim 8, wherein the receiving means receives the designation of the specified screen as the editing target, and the display control means, when the mock image of the direct transition screen is selected via a user interface, highlights and displays on the display device the operation component that causes the selected mock image of the specified screen displayed as the editing target to transition to the direct transition screen.

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

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

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

14. An assistance program as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, further causing the computer to function as a launching means for launching an editing application for editing the display screen when, when the transition data is edited, an element relating to a transition screen which is at least one of the transition destination screen and the transition source screen indicated by the transition data is selected via a user interface from among a plurality of elements constituting the transition data displayed as the editing target.

15. A support device that supports the task of editing a display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the display device, and at least one of a destination screen that is the destination of the transition when the condition is met and a source screen that is the source of the transition; and a display control means for displaying the transition indicated by the transition data on a display device using a simulated image that simulates the display screen.

16. An assistance system comprising: a display connected to a programmable controller; and the assistance device according to claim 15, which assists in editing the display screen of said display.

17. A method for assisting in editing a display screen of a display device connected to a programmable controller, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring transition data indicating a condition under which a transition of the display screen occurs regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the display device, and at least one of a destination screen that is the destination of the transition when the condition is met and a source screen that is the source of the transition; and a display control means for displaying the transition indicated by the transition data on a display device using a simulated image that simulates the display screen.

Images