Display control program, display control device, display control system, and display control method

Abstract

This program causes a display control device (10) to function as: an acquisition unit (12) for acquiring a control program (40) that stipulates the contents of control processing for obtaining a plurality of output values which are from a plurality of input values inputted by the apparatus to the PLC and which are to be outputted by a PLC to an apparatus; and a display control unit (16) for generating, and causing a display device to display, an input / output relationship image that indicates that a dependency relationship holds true between a display input value included in the plurality of input values and a display output value that is included in the plurality of output values and is dependent on the display input value via one or more intermediate values in the control processing, in such a form that information pertaining to the one or more intermediate values is omitted. The display control device (10) assists a user by presenting an overview of the control program (40).

Description

Display control program, display control device, display control system, and display control method

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

[0002] In factory automation (FA), various processes are realized by controlling equipment using programmable logic controllers (PLCs). PLCs execute control programs to perform the control processes specified by the control programs. Control programs executed by PLCs can be complex depending on the scale and control content of the FA system they control. Therefore, it can be difficult for operators to understand the control content when creating a control program or when debugging a completed program after a problem has occurred.

[0003] To address this issue, it is possible to use technology to support the programming of control programs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technology that displays parameters that make up instruction codes in a graphical format. This technology allows users to visually understand the content of arithmetic processing.

[0004] International Publication No. 2014 / 167623

[0005] The values ​​stored in the memory of a PLC are called device values, and the storage area, address, or label of the device values ​​is sometimes called a device. 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 content, it is desirable to be able to easily recognize the overview of the control process separately from the details of the control process. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 displays related devices from input devices to output devices in order, connecting them one by one, in a graph format. Therefore, when the calculation processing performed on the values ​​of the input devices is complex, checking on the graph whether the input devices are connected to the output devices intended at the time of design is a cumbersome task and places 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 overview of the control processing by the programmable controller.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide information that allows an outline of control processing by a programmable controller to be easily recognized.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the display control program of the present disclosure causes a computer to function as: an acquisition means for acquiring a program that specifies the content of a control process for obtaining multiple output values ​​that are output by the programmable controller to a controlled device from multiple input values ​​input to the programmable controller by an input device; and a display control means for generating an input / output relationship image that shows, in a form that omits information regarding one or more intermediate values, that a dependency exists between a display input value included in the multiple input values ​​and a display output value included in the multiple output values, which display output value depends on the display input value via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, and displaying the image on a display device.

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

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an input / output relationship image according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a display control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a display control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of unit allocation information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of comment data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for setting parameters according to the first embodiment.

[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. A display control system 1000 according to this embodiment corresponds to a part of an FA system constructed in a facility such as a factory or plant. This FA system is a system that performs processes such as product manufacturing, workpiece machining, and object inspection. As shown in FIG. 1 , the display control system 1000 allows a user U1 to recognize an outline of the processes defined in a control program 40 using a display control device 10. Based on the recognized outline, the user U1 may create or debug the control program 40, or perform other tasks.

[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 the PLC 20. 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 Fieldbus 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 an output value notified from the execution unit 21 to the device 32. The input unit 22 and the 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, which is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), centrally manages the components of the PLC 20. The execution unit 21 executes a preset control program 40. The control program 40 is, for example, a program written in the form of a ladder diagram, but is not limited to this and may be a program written in other formats, such as a function block diagram, a sequential function chart, an instruction list, or 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 FA device having an actuator, a machine tool, a robot, or other 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, the device 31, which is a sensor, detects a workpiece on a conveyor belt, and as a result of the execution of a calculation process defined in the control program 40, an operation command for the device 32, which is a robot, is generated and transmitted to the device 32, thereby realizing the workpiece transport process. In this example, data indicating the workpiece detection result corresponds to the input value, and the operation command corresponds to the output value.

[0018] Note that input of input values ​​by the device 31 is not limited to the input unit 22, but may be made to the execution unit 21. Similarly, output of output values ​​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 processing related to input values ​​to the execution unit 21 and output values ​​from the execution unit 21. Furthermore, the PLC 20 may be an integrated control device rather than a building block type configured by combining multiple units.

[0019] The number of devices 31, 32 is 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, 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 status 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 a 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 input device values ​​as input values, output device values ​​as output values, and 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 storage areas for the respective values, and these addresses or storage areas may be referred to below as input devices, output devices, and intermediate devices. These devices can also be considered labels for identifying addresses or storage areas.

[0023] 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. As such, each input device is a combination of an initial "X" and a numeric value corresponding to the number of the input device, each output device is a combination of an initial "Y" and a numeric value corresponding to the number of the output device, and each intermediate device is a combination of an initial "M" and a numeric value corresponding to the number of the intermediate device. Note that the numeric values ​​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. Specifically, 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. In other words, 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. In other words, 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] 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 relationships between input values ​​X0, X1, and X3 and output values ​​Y0, Y2 to Y5 in a form that omits information about intermediate values. In detail, the input / output relationship image shows the dependency relationships between input values ​​and output values ​​by connecting input nodes corresponding to input values ​​with 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 of 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 of 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 relationship between these nodes. However, information such as whether the dependency relationship between these nodes is direct or indirect, how many intermediate values ​​are involved in the relationship, which intermediate values ​​are involved in the relationship, and what kind of calculation processing, including logical operations, is involved is excluded from the drawing target.

[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 realizes various functions and executes the processes described below by executing a program P1 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103. 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 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.

[0031] 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 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 in accordance with 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 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.

[0034] By the cooperation of the above-mentioned hardware configurations, the display control device 10, as shown in Figure 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 that needs to be set 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 in accordance with instructions from the display control unit 16.

[0036] The acquisition unit 12 is mainly realized by cooperation of the processor 101, the input unit 104, and the communication unit 106. The acquisition unit 12 acquires the control program 40, input / output value information 41 relating to input and output values, and image information 42 indicating images to be displayed as nodes in the input / output relationship image. The acquisition unit 12 may acquire this information as direct input from the user U1, by reading it from an address specified 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 by other methods. For example, the acquisition unit 12 may acquire the unfinished control program 40 that the user U1 is creating using the IDE application of the display control device 10 by reading it 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 multiple output values ​​that are output by the PLC 20 to a controlled device from multiple 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 that indicates the dependency relationships between 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 the input and output devices assigned to that unit. In the example of FIG. 5 , input devices X0 to XF are assigned to the execution unit 21, and input devices X10 to X1F are assigned to the input unit 22. That is, an input value input to the execution unit 21 is one of the input device values ​​X0 to XF. Similarly, an input value input to the input unit 22 is one of the input device values ​​X10 to X1F. In this way, the unit allocation information 411 indicates the units constituting the PLC 20 to which input values ​​to be processed by the control program 40 are input. Similarly, the unit allocation information 411 indicates the units constituting the PLC 20 to which output values ​​resulting from processing by the control program 40 are output.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the comment data 412 associates each input device and each output device with a comment previously assigned to the device. Typically, the comment briefly describes the role of the device. For example, in FIG. 6 , the comment "Operation LED (Light Emitting Diode)" assigned to the output device Y0 indicates that the output value of Y0 is output in accordance with the lighting state of the LED that indicates the operating status. 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 also 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] As shown in FIG. 7, the image information 42 is data that associates keywords that are frequently used as part or all of a comment with appropriate images that represent devices to which comments containing the keywords are attached. The image information 42 is used to display images that represent devices in the 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] 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 devices to be displayed in the input / output relationship image from among the input devices and output devices used in the processing defined in the control program 40, based on the input / output value information 41. In detail, as illustrated 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, combinations of two or more input devices to which similar comments are attached are shown as options 51, and combinations of two or more output devices to which similar comments are attached are shown as options 54. The presentation unit 14 analyzes the comment data 412 and determines groups of similar comments to generate the options 51 and 54. The analysis method for the comment data 412 may be, for example, clustering based on the distance between comments using 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, via a user interface, candidates for display input values ​​that are to be selected by the reception means 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, via a user interface, candidates for display output values ​​that are to be selected by the reception means 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 device designation or options 51, 52, 54, and 55 is displayed in boxes 53 and 56, and the selection of the device to be displayed is completed by pressing the confirm 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 the display output device, respectively. Furthermore, the value of the display input device may be referred to as the display input device value or the display input value, and the value of the display output device may be referred to as the display output device value or the 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 a user's selection of a display input device and a display output device. The reception unit 15 then notifies the display control unit 16 of the received selection. The reception unit 15 corresponds to an example of a reception means that receives, via a user interface, a selection of a display input value from a plurality of input values, and corresponds to an example of a reception means that receives, via a user interface, a selection of a display output value from a plurality of output values.

[0047] The display control unit 16 is mainly realized by the processor 101. The display control unit 16 reads the control program 40 from the storage unit 13, analyzes the inter-device dependencies described in the control program 40, and stores the analysis results in the storage unit 13 as dependency information 43. Details of the dependency analysis will be described later. The display control unit 16 also receives selection results of display input devices and display output devices from the reception unit 15 and generates an input / output relationship image indicating the dependency between these display input devices and display output devices based on the dependency information 43. The display control unit 16 then 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 indicating, in a form omitting information about one or more intermediate values, the establishment of a dependency between a display input value included in a plurality of input values ​​of a 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 depending on the display input value via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, and displays the image on a 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 begins when a user U1 inputs a start instruction to 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 content of each step constituting the flowchart may be changed as desired, and the order in which the steps are executed 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 the 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 combinations 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, with respect to 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 with respect to output values, it may indicate, with respect to 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 accepting unit 15 accepts 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 confirm button 57 is pressed, the accepting unit 15 accepts the input device included in the box 53 as the selected display input device, and 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 that depends on the display input device is searched for by a depth-first search method.

[0053] In the dependency relationship determination process, the display control unit 16 selects one unselected device from the display input devices as a search reference device (step S41), as shown in Fig. 10. For example, when 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. Note that the order in which the search reference device is selected from the display input devices may be in ascending or descending order of the numbers included in the display input devices, the order specified in box 53, or 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 processing defined in the control program 40 (step S42). Specifically, the display control unit 16 searches the circuit blocks that make up the control program 40 for those that define processing that is conditional on the value of the current search reference device, and identifies devices that change in that processing. For example, if the current search reference device is X0, the search results in the discovery of a circuit block numbered "(0)" in Figure 1, and Y0 is detected as an associated device.

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

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined that an associated device has been detected (step S43; Yes), the display control unit 16 determines whether the detected associated device or devices include a display output device (step S44). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, if 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 the determination in step S44 is affirmative. This identifies a dependency relationship that exists between the currently selected display input device and the detected display output device. If 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, if it is determined that the related 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 the related 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, along with the number of searches, in the repeatedly executed dependency determination process of Fig. 10. The underlined associated devices indicate 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 there is any intermediate device that was detected in step S43 but has not been set as the search reference device (step S46). When the pair of X0 and Y0 is registered in step S45, there is no intermediate device that was 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 of the display input devices have been selected (step S48). That is, the display control unit 16 determines whether or not all of the display input devices accepted by the accepting unit 15 in step S3 of Fig. 9 have been selected by executing step S41 one or more times.

[0061] If it is determined that all display input devices have not been selected (step S48; No), the display control unit 16 proceeds to step S41, where it selects a new display input device that has not been selected (step S41). For example, X1 is selected as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0062] In the next step S42, the circuit block numbered "(4)" in Figure 1 is identified, and in step S43, intermediate device M0 is detected as a related device, but since this intermediate device M0 is not included in the display output devices, the judgment 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 a 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. Thereafter, 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. Since the output device Y5 is included in the display output devices as shown in Fig. 8, the determination in step S44 is affirmative. 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. 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, if 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 determination in step S46 is affirmative, M20 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 Y4 being registered in the dependency information 43 as shown in FIG. 11.

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

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9 , following the dependency determination process of 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 nodes 61 and 62 are determined, as illustrated in FIG. 13 . Note that if an image cannot be determined based on the comments, no image may be used as the node, and simply the character string of the device name may be represented as the node. Furthermore, if two or more images can be used as a result of the analysis based on the comments, one of the images may be selected using a predetermined selection method, or multiple images may be used in combination for one node. Note that the process of step S51 may be executed before step S4.

[0072] Next, the display control unit 16 generates an input / output relationship image in which input nodes corresponding to display input devices and output nodes corresponding to display output devices that have a dependency relationship with the display input devices are connected by lines indicating the dependency relationships (step S52). For example, the display control unit 16 references the dependency relationship information 43 in FIG. 11 and connects the input node corresponding to display input device X0 and the output node corresponding to display output device Y0 with a line as shown in FIG. 13. Similarly, the display control unit 16 connects the input node corresponding to X1 with a line and the output node corresponding to Y5, and connects the input node corresponding to X3 with lines and the output nodes corresponding to Y2 to Y4, thereby generating an input / output relationship image such as that shown in FIG. 2. Note that nodes not connected by a line indicate 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). Thereafter, the display control process ends.

[0074] As described above, the display control device 10 according to this embodiment displays on the display unit 11 an input / output relationship image that shows the establishment of a dependency relationship between a display input device and a display output device that depends on the display input device, with information about one or more intermediate devices omitted. This allows the user to easily recognize pairs of display input devices and display output devices that have a dependency relationship. Therefore, the display control device 10 can provide information that allows the user U1 to easily recognize an overview of the control processing by the programmable controller. This in turn reduces the amount of work required for the user U1 to understand the design situation and perform verification work.

[0075] When related devices are expanded and displayed one by one, as shown in FIG. 14 , user U1 must find the input and output devices of interest from the group of nodes displayed in a tree-like manner according to their dependency relationships. While the example in FIG. 14 is a relatively simple tree, the number of circuit blocks or lines in a control program 40 typically exceeds several hundred. In other words, a tree containing several hundred or more lines connecting nodes is generated. Visually finding a device from such a tree is a very tedious task. In contrast, the input / output relationship image according to this embodiment makes it easy to find display input devices and display output devices that have a 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 user U1 to select only the display input devices for which he or she wants to understand dependencies from among the many input devices handled by the control program 40, and display the input / output relationship image. Similarly, the reception unit 15 receives a selection of display output devices. This allows the user U1 to select only the display output devices for which he or she wants to understand dependencies from among the many output devices, and display the input / output relationship image.

[0077] Furthermore, the presentation unit 14 presents a combination of two or more input devices as selection candidates for display input devices based on the input / output value information 41. This allows the user U1 to easily select input devices that are related to each other based on the input / output value information 41. In particular, since comments attached to input devices often describe the roles of the input devices, the selection candidates based on the comments allow the user U1 to easily select two or more input devices whose roles are related to each other. Furthermore, when input devices are assigned to units that constitute 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 selection candidates for display output devices.

[0078] Furthermore, the display control unit 16 determines, based on the comments, images to be displayed as input nodes corresponding to the display input devices and output nodes corresponding to the display output devices. 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 comments attached to display input values ​​is displayed as an input node corresponding to the display input values, and corresponds to an example of a display control means that generates an input / output relationship image in which an image obtained by analyzing comments attached to display output values ​​is displayed as an output node corresponding to the display output values. When images are used as nodes, 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 the one shown in Fig. 2. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 15, display input devices X4 and X5, which 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 lines with one node. Here, consecutive devices means that the device numbers are consecutive.

[0080] In the example of Figure 15, the display input device X1 is positioned at the same vertical position as 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 Figure 2, which improves visibility. Note that X1, whose position is changed, may be offset horizontally as shown in Figure 15 to make the change clear. However, instead of an offset, it may be displayed in a manner that clearly distinguishes it from other devices, such as by changing its color or size.

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

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

[0083] 16 , nodes that are not connected to lines may be excluded from the drawing target. That is, display output devices that do not depend on any display input devices may be excluded from the drawing target, and display input devices that do not depend on any display output devices 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 display input values ​​selected from a plurality of input values, on which none of the display output values ​​selected from a plurality of output values ​​depend, and display output values, on which none of the display input values ​​depend, are excluded from the drawing target.

[0084] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above. Note that the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment will be designated 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 this embodiment, multiple devices are collectively associated with one node.

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

[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, the four input nodes corresponding to X0-X3 and the four output nodes corresponding to the 64 devices Y0-Y3F are connected by lines corresponding to the dependency relationships between the devices. In detail, as shown in FIG. 2 , there are dependency relationships between devices as shown in the dependency relationship information 43 on the right side of FIG. 11 , and all of Y0, Y2-Y5, which have dependency relationships with X0, X1, and X3, are included in Y0-YF, which corresponds to a single output node, in FIG. 18 . Therefore, the input nodes corresponding to X0, X1, and X3, respectively, are connected to that output node.

[0087] 18, multiple display output devices correspond to one output node, but multiple display input devices may also correspond to one input node. The input / output relationship image corresponds to an example of an image that shows, by lines connecting, input nodes corresponding to one or more display input values ​​and output nodes corresponding to one or more display output values, including display output values ​​that depend on the display input value corresponding to the input node.

[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 dependency relationships between input and output devices.

[0089] Embodiment 3. Next, the third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above. Note that the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment described above. In the first embodiment described above, 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 device dependency. However, it is also possible to display device values ​​for the nodes. Below, an example of displaying specific values ​​for a display input device and a 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 input values ​​from output values ​​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 user U1 specifies an input value for a display input device for the input / output relationship image displayed by the display control unit 16. In detail, user U1 operates cursor 71 to select display input device X1, and then specifies the value of X1 as OFF from a submenu 72 that is displayed. Such input value specification 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, specification of a simulated input value as a display input value shown in the input / output relationship image.

[0092] When the receiving unit 15 accepts the designation of an 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 when the input value is adopted and responds to the display control unit 16 with an output value obtained as a result of the simulation. The display control unit 16 then reflects the output value, which is the result of the simulation, in the input / output relationship image. Specifically, 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 exists between the simulated input value and the simulated output value, with information regarding intermediate values ​​omitted. The simulation unit 17 corresponds to an example of a simulation means that obtains, by simulating the control process, a simulated output value output from the PLC when the simulated input value is input to the PLC.

[0093] Note that input values ​​not specified by user U1 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 embodiment 1 may be displayed without displaying a value. Furthermore, even if a single input value is specified, the output value of a display output device that depends on multiple input values ​​cannot be determined. For such output values ​​that cannot be determined, a message may be displayed as an undetermined value, or a node similar to that in embodiment 1 may be displayed without displaying a value. In FIG. 20, output values ​​that cannot be determined as either ON or OFF are displayed as "ON / OFF," indicating that either value is possible.

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

[0095] When the receiving unit 15 accepts the designation of an 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 will output the designated output value when the control program 40 is executed, and responds with the search result to the display control unit 16. The display control unit 16 then reflects the input value, which is the search result, in the input / output relationship image. Specifically, 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 search result. As a result, the input / output relationship image shows that a dependency relationship exists between the simulated input value and the simulated output value, with information regarding the intermediate value 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 this embodiment, the user U1 can check, in the input / output relationship image, the output values ​​obtained when a specific value is designated as a display input device. Furthermore, the user U1 can check, in the input / output relationship image, the input values ​​that should be input when a specific value is designated as a display output device. This allows the user U1 to easily grasp the overview of the control process.

[0097] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above. Note that the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, all information about intermediate devices was omitted, but the ability to display information about intermediate devices as needed is believed to contribute to the convenience of user U1. Below, an example of displaying information about an intermediate device designated by user U1 will be described.

[0098] 22 shows that user U1 selects a line connecting X3 and Y3 on the input / output relationship image displayed by the display control unit 16 to specify an intermediate value in the dependent relationship between these devices. In more detail, user U1 operates 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. The specification of such an intermediate value is accepted by the accepting unit 15. The accepting unit 15 corresponds to an example of a accepting means for accepting a selection of one or more intermediate values ​​to be displayed.

[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 specified intermediate value, as shown in FIG. 23 . In particular, the display control unit 16 displays an input / output relationship image that shows not only the dependency relationship between the display input device and the display output device, but also the dependency relationship between the display input device and the specified intermediate device, the dependency relationship between the specified intermediate devices, and the dependency relationship between the specified intermediate device and the display output device. The input / output relationship image that displays the intermediate value is generated by referencing dependency information 43 in which information about 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 about 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 of intermediate devices between the display input device and the display output device as needed.

[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 discovered by a depth-first search starting from each of the display input devices, but this is not limiting. Other search methods may be adopted, or the display output device or an intermediate device may be used as the starting point.

[0103] Although the example in which the image displayed as a node is obtained from predetermined image information 42 has been described, 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 artificial intelligence (AI).

[0104] Although the example shows the use of a single type of solid line as the line connecting the nodes, this is not limiting and a highly visible input / output relationship image may be generated using multiple lines of different colors, thicknesses, or other line types.

[0105] Although the example in which the presentation unit 14 and the reception unit 15 correspond to a user interface has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 25, the presentation unit 14 may present information to the user U1 via an external UI terminal, and the reception unit 15 may receive information from the user U1 via the UI terminal. In the case of Fig. 25, the presentation unit 14 and the reception unit 15 are mainly realized by the communication unit 106.

[0106] Furthermore, although an example in which the display control device 10 has the display unit 11 has been described, 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 an ordinary computer system.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] The above process 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-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.

[0113] 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.

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

[0115] 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.

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

[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. A display control program that causes a computer to function as: 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; and a display control means for generating an input / output relationship image that shows, on a display device, that a dependency 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, the display output value depending on the display input value via one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process, in a form that omits information about the one or more intermediate values.

2. The display control program according to claim 1, wherein the program is written by specifying addresses of the input values, output values, and intermediate values ​​stored in a memory of the programmable controller.

3. The display control program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the program is written in the form of a ladder diagram, structured text, function block diagram, sequential function chart or instruction list.

4. A display control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as: a receiving means for receiving, via a user interface, a selection of the display input value from the plurality of input values.

5. The display control program of claim 4, further causing the computer to function as a presentation means for presenting, via the user interface, candidates for the display input values ​​that are the subject of the selection to be accepted by the acceptance means, wherein the acquisition means acquires input value information regarding each of the input values, and the presentation means presents combinations of two or more of the input values ​​as the candidates based on the input value information.

6. The display control program according to claim 5, wherein the input value information indicates at least one of a comment attached to each of the input values ​​and a unit constituting the programmable controller to which the input value is input.

7. A display control program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as: a receiving means for receiving, via a user interface, a selection of the display output value from the plurality of output values; and a presentation means for presenting, via the user interface, candidates for the display output value that are the subject of the selection to be accepted by the receiving means; wherein the acquisition means acquires output value information regarding each of the output values; and the presentation means presents combinations of two or more of the output values ​​based on the output value information as the candidates.

8. A display control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7, wherein the acquisition means acquires input value comment information indicating comments attached to each of the input values, and the display control means generates the input / output relationship image showing an image obtained by analyzing the comments attached to the display input values ​​as input nodes corresponding to the display input values.

9. A display control program as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7, wherein the acquisition means acquires output value comment information indicating comments attached to each of the output values, and the display control means generates the input / output relationship image showing an image obtained by analyzing the comments attached to the display output values ​​as output nodes corresponding to the display output values.

10. The display control program of claim 2, wherein the display control means generates the input / output relationship image, which shows input nodes corresponding to the display input values ​​and output nodes corresponding to the display output values ​​that depend on the display input values ​​connected by lines, with fewer crossing lines than when the input nodes are arranged in order of consecutive addresses of the corresponding display input values ​​and the output nodes are arranged in order of consecutive addresses of the corresponding display output values.

11. A display control program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the input / output relationship image shows input nodes corresponding to one or more of the display input values ​​and output nodes corresponding to one or more of the display output values, including the display output value that depends on the display input value corresponding to the input node, connected by lines.

12. A display control program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as a receiving means for receiving, via a user interface, a selection of the display input value from the plurality of input values ​​and the display output value from the plurality of output values, and wherein the display control means generates the input / output relationship image in which, among the display input values ​​selected by the selection, the display input value on which none of the display output values ​​selected by the selection depends, and among the display output values ​​selected by the selection, the display output value on which none of the display input values ​​selected by the selection depends, are excluded from the drawing target.

13. A display control program as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as: a receiving means for receiving, via a user interface, the designation of a simulated input value as the display input value shown in the input / output relationship image; and a simulation means for obtaining, by simulating the control process, a simulated output value output from the programmable controller by the control process when the simulated input value is input to the programmable controller; and the display control means for displaying, on the display device, the input / output relationship image which shows, in a form that omits information relating to the intermediate value, that a dependency relationship exists between the simulated input value and the simulated output value.

14. A display control program as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as: a receiving means for receiving, via a user interface, the designation of a simulated output value as the display output value shown in the input / output relationship image; and a searching means for searching for a simulated input value to be input to the programmable controller when the simulated output value is output by the control process; and the display control means causes the display device to display the input / output relationship image which shows that a dependency relationship exists between the simulated input value and the simulated output value in a form in which information relating to the intermediate value is omitted.

15. A display control program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the computer to function as a receiving means for receiving a selection of a display intermediate value from the one or more intermediate values, and wherein the display control means switches the input / output relationship image to be displayed on the display device to a new image showing the dependency between the display input value and the display intermediate value, the dependency between the display intermediate values, and the dependency between the display intermediate value and the display output value in a form in which information about the intermediate values ​​other than the display intermediate value is omitted.

16. A display control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring a program that specifies the content of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​output by a programmable controller from a plurality of input values ​​input to the programmable controller; and a display control means for displaying on a display device an input / output relationship image that indicates, in a form that omits information about one or more intermediate values, that a dependency 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, the display output value depending on the display input value via the one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process.

17. A display control system comprising: a display control device according to claim 16; and a display device that displays an image generated by the display control device.

18. A display control method comprising: an acquisition means acquiring a program that specifies the content of a control process for obtaining a plurality of output values ​​output by a programmable controller from a plurality of input values ​​input to the programmable controller; and a display control means displaying on a display device an input / output relationship image that indicates, in a form that omits information regarding 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 the one or more intermediate values ​​in the control process.

Images