Output support device and output support method

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to easily identify a signal waveform to be traced.　An output support device according to the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires signal information, which includes at least one from among a signal address, a signal name, and a comment related to a signal of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program; a signal type analysis unit that analyzes a signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program; and an output information generation unit that generates output information for outputting trace waveform data in a mode according to the signal type.

Description

Output support device and output support method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an output support device and an output support method, and more particularly to an output support device and an output support method that facilitate determination of signal waveforms of a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0002] Regarding PLC output support devices, Patent Document 1 describes a numerical control device with a built-in programmable controller that enables comments in multiple languages ​​to be displayed with a single sequence program and that also displays appropriate comments on a maintenance screen. Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes that the numerical control device stores comments related to signals or sequence programs at addresses in a signal information area in a sequence program, for each language, and stores the corresponding language as a display (language) attribute. When the numerical control device sets a language (e.g., English) and displays a ladder diagram, the comment (second comment in English) is displayed for addresses with a comment in the set language (English).

[0003] Regarding PLCs, Patent Document 2 discloses a PLC programming device that reduces the burden on designers. Specifically, Patent Document 2 discloses that the PLC programming device includes: a signal information analysis unit that acquires electrical design specification data, including electrical design specifications related to signals connected to a numerical control device and created by an electrical design tool, and analyzes signal information connected to the numerical control device; a numerical control device information acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the numerical control device; a signal control information storage unit that stores signal control information corresponding to the setting information of the numerical control device and including a template program for controlling signals connected to the numerical control device; and a sequence program generation unit that acquires the signal control information from the signal control information storage unit based on the signal information connected to the numerical control device, and generates a sequence program based on the acquired signal control information, the signal information connected to the numerical control device, and the setting information of the numerical control device.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes a control system design support device that enables automatic batch conversion of object attribute values ​​related to a control system, facilitating reconfiguration. Specifically, Patent Document 3 describes that the control system design support device sets an object management table in which target object data for each element in a document is written, and data identifying the record, and sets field data in the object management table as data related to the element attribute value. It also describes that a document table containing the above data is constructed, making it easy to search for elements and element attribute values ​​related to the same object within the target document, thereby facilitating editing of document data.

[0005] JP 2005-215955 A International Publication No. 2024 / 075146 JP 10-171852 A

[0006] In PLCs, the trace function is used for debugging or troubleshooting as a technique for monitoring changes in signal state. When tracing signals in a PLC, unless the user is an experienced engineer, it can be difficult to distinguish the target signal waveform from the many signal waveforms. While it is possible for the user to make it easier to distinguish signal waveforms by individually setting colors, etc. for the signal waveforms to be traced, this setting work is time-consuming.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an output support device and an output support method that allow a user to easily distinguish the signal waveform of the tracing target.

[0008] A first representative aspect of the present disclosure is an output support device including: an acquisition unit that acquires signal information, including at least any one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment, related to signals of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program; a signal type analysis unit that analyzes a signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program; and an output information generation unit that generates output information for outputting trace waveform data in a manner according to the signal type.

[0009] A second representative aspect of the present disclosure is an output support method in which a computer executes the steps of: acquiring signal information, including at least one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment, related to signals of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program; analyzing a signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program; and generating output information for outputting trace waveform data in a manner corresponding to the signal type.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an output support device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation of analyzing a signal type using combined signal information consisting of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a waveform form information table showing the correspondence between signal types, waveform shapes, and waveform colors. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of an acquisition unit in an example operation of the output support device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of a part of the signal type analysis unit in an example operation of the output support device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the signal type analysis unit, the output information generation unit, and the output unit in an example operation of the output support device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an output support method. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an output support device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the machine information analysis unit and the signal type analysis unit in an example operation of the output support device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the signal type analysis unit, the output information generation unit, and the output unit in an example operation of the output support device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an output support device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the output information generation unit, the template acquisition unit, and the input unit in an example operation of the output support device according to the third embodiment.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, "signal type" refers to, for example, "A-contact signal / IO input," "B-contact signal / IO input," "Numerical data type signal / internal relay," etc., as illustrated in FIG. 2 , and "aspects according to signal type" refers to, for example, the waveform shape and waveform color illustrated in FIG. 3 and the waveform format illustrated in FIG. 10 . (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an output support device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the output support device 10 includes a storage unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a signal type analysis unit 103, an output information generation unit 104, and an output unit 105. One or both of the storage unit 101 and the output unit 105 may not be included in the output support device 10 and may be provided outside the output support device 10.

[0012] The storage unit 101 stores signal information, including at least one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment, relating to signals of a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a sequence program. The signal information includes one or more of the signal address, the signal name, and the comment, but may also include other information.

[0013] The sequence program is written using, for example, ladder language, ST (Structured Text) language, SFC (Sequential Function Chart) language, FBD (Function Block Diagram) language, IL (Instruction List) language, or the like.

[0014] The acquisition unit 102 acquires signal information and a sequence program from the storage unit 101 and outputs them to the signal type analysis unit 103. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire the signal information and the sequence program from a PLC programming device or a server (not shown) via a network. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire one of the signal information and the sequence program from the storage unit 101 and acquire the other from a PLC programming device or a server (not shown) via a network. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire signal information from sampling data stored in the storage unit 101.

[0015] The signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the type of signal using the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and the information acquired from the sequence program, and outputs the signal type to the output information generation unit 104. Here, the signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the sequence program to acquire the signal information, but the acquisition unit 102 may analyze the sequence program to acquire the signal information and output the signal information to the signal type analysis unit 103. In that case, a part of the acquisition unit 102 executes a part of the function of the signal type analysis unit 103 that acquires the signal information from the sequence program, and the part of the acquisition unit 102 and the signal type analysis unit 103 become "a signal type analysis unit that analyzes the signal type using the signal information and the sequence program."

[0016] The signal information acquired by the signal type analysis unit 103 from the acquisition unit 102 includes at least one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment. The information acquired by the signal type analysis unit 103 through analysis of the sequence program includes information not included in the signal information acquired from the acquisition unit 102. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of analyzing a signal type using the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and information acquired from the sequence program. In FIG. 2, xESP is a signal name indicating an abnormal stop, JOGplus is a signal name indicating a forward jog operation, and JOGminus is a signal name indicating a reverse jog operation. The A-contact signal and B-contact signal shown in FIG. 2 can be identified by the contact symbols specified in the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard, which are shown in the sequence program. The signal address, signal name, and comment of each line of the signal information shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the signal type on the same line as the line of signal information.

[0017] The signal type analysis unit 103 obtains, for example, the signal address "%X5.0" as signal information from the acquisition unit 102. With only this signal address, it is difficult to determine whether the signal is a rising or falling edge. The signal type analysis unit 103 obtains from the sequence program that the contact is a rising edge contact, and uses this rising edge contact and the signal address "%X5.0" to analyze that the signal is a "rising edge signal" from the rising edge contact and that the signal is an "IO input" from the signal address "%X5.0."

[0018] If the signal type analysis unit 103 can analyze the signal type using only the signal information received from the acquisition unit 102, the acquisition unit 102 does not need to acquire a sequence program, and the signal type analysis unit 103 does not need to receive the sequence program from the acquisition unit 102.

[0019] The output information generation unit 104 generates output information for outputting trace waveform data in a manner corresponding to the signal type and outputs the generated output information to the output unit 105. The output information generation unit 104 pre-stores one or both of a waveform shape and a waveform color corresponding to the signal type, and generates at least one of a waveform shape and a waveform color as output information in a manner corresponding to the signal type output from the signal type analysis unit 103. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a waveform appearance information table stored in the output information generation unit 104, which indicates the correspondence between the signal type and a waveform shape and a waveform color. In FIG. 3, the waveform appearance information table indicates the correspondence between the signal type and a waveform shape and a waveform color. However, the waveform appearance information table may also be a waveform appearance information table indicating the correspondence between the signal type and one of a waveform shape and a waveform color. A user may previously set one or both of a waveform shape and a waveform color in a manner corresponding to the signal type, create a waveform appearance information table, and store the waveform appearance information table in the storage unit of the output information generation unit 104. Alternatively, the system may previously store the waveform appearance information table in the storage unit of the output information generation unit 104. The output information generating unit 104 outputs output information including at least one of a waveform shape and a waveform color in a manner according to the signal type to the output unit 105. The manner according to the signal type is not limited to at least one of a waveform shape and a waveform color, and may be a waveform format such as a solid line or a dashed line.

[0020] Based on the output information, the output unit 105 assigns at least one of a waveform shape and a waveform color corresponding to the signal type to the signal to be traced, and outputs the resulting trace waveform data. When the output target of the output unit 105 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), the output of the output unit 105 is display information. When the output target of the output unit 105 is a printing device such as a printer or multifunction peripheral, the output of the output unit 105 is print information. When the output target of the output unit 105 is a communication device, the output of the output unit 105 is display information, print information, or file information, and the output unit 105 outputs the display information, print information, or file information as communication information via the communication device to a PLC programming device or server (not shown) over a network. The file information can be stored in a memory unit of the PLC programming device or server. The display device, printing device, and communication device may be provided within or outside the PLC.

[0021] An example of the operation of the output support device 10 described above will be described below. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the acquisition unit in the example of the operation of the output support device 10. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of a part of the signal type analysis unit in the example of the operation of the output support device 10. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the signal type analysis unit, output information generation unit, and output unit in the example of the operation of the output support device 10.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4 , the acquisition unit 102 acquires the signal address “%X0012.1” of the signal to be traced from the sampling data stored in the storage unit 101 and outputs it as signal information to the signal type analysis unit 103. The signal information output from the storage unit 101 includes information indicating that the signal address of the signal name “OPEN_DOOR” and the comment “door open / close sensor” is the signal address “%X0012.1.” In FIG. 4 , the signal name “OPEN_DOOR,” the signal address “%X0012.1,” and the comment “door open / close sensor” are shown as an example of signal information acquired by the acquisition unit 102. The signal information may be one or more of the signal name “OPEN_DOOR,” the signal address “%X0012.1,” and the comment “door open / close sensor.” The acquisition unit 102 also acquires a sequence program stored in the storage unit 101 and outputs it to the signal type analysis unit 103.

[0023] The signal type analysis unit 103 receives signal information including the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", signal address "%X0012.1", and comment "door open / close sensor" and the sequence program. As shown in Figure 5, the signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the code in which the signal to be traced is referenced from the sequence program, and obtains the signal name "OPEN_DOOR" and the contact "rising contact", which are information on the analysis result. The following number 1 shown in Figure 5 indicates that it is a rising contact.

[0024] The signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the signal to be an "A-contact signal / IO input" using the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", signal address "%X0012.1", comment "door open / close sensor", and contact "rising edge contact". The signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the signal to be an "A-contact signal" from the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", comment "door open / close sensor", and contact "rising edge contact", and analyzes the signal to be an "IO input" from the signal address "%X0012.1". Then, as shown in FIG. 6 , the signal type analysis unit 103 outputs signal type information including the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", signal address "%X0012.1", comment "door open / close sensor", and signal type "A-contact signal / IO input" to the output information generation unit 104.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, the output information generation unit 104 receives signal type information, refers to the waveform form information table shown in Figure 3, extracts the waveform shape and waveform color corresponding to the signal type "A contact signal / IO input", and outputs output information including, for example, the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", the signal type "A contact signal / IO input", the waveform shape, and the waveform color "red" to the output unit 105.

[0026] The output unit 105 outputs display information, based on the output information, to the display screen of the display device, in which the signal to be traced is colored red as a waveform color according to the signal type, as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows an example in which display information is displayed on the PLC screen of the PLC.

[0027] In the operation example described above, the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", signal address "%X0012.1" and comment "door open / close sensor" are obtained from the memory unit, and the signal name "OPEN_DOOR" and contact "rising contact" are obtained from the sequence program to analyze the signal type. However, the present invention is not limited to this example as long as information that can be used to analyze the signal type can be obtained.

[0028] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an output support method. In the following description, an example in which the output support method of the present disclosure is executed by the output support device 10 will be described, but the output support method of the present disclosure can also be executed by a configuration other than the output support device 10.

[0029] In step S1 , the acquisition unit 102 acquires signal information and a sequence program from the storage unit 101 and outputs them to the signal type analysis unit 103 .

[0030] In step S2 , the signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the signal type using the signal information and sequence program acquired by the acquisition unit 102 , and outputs the signal type to the output information generation unit 104 .

[0031] In step S3, the output information generating unit 104 generates output information for outputting the trace waveform data in a manner corresponding to the signal type, and in step S4 outputs the generated output information to the output unit 105. The output information in a manner corresponding to the signal type includes, for example, at least one of waveform shape, waveform format, and waveform color.

[0032] In step S5, it is determined whether or not to continue the process. If the process is not to be continued (if "NO"), the process ends, and if the process is to be continued (if "YES"), the process returns to step S1.

[0033] According to the output support device and output support method of the present embodiment described above, it is possible to easily identify the signal waveform to be traced. Therefore, even an unskilled engineer can easily determine which change points in the signal waveform should be noted. Furthermore, since output information is generated based on the signal type analyzed based on the signal information and the sequence program, the time and effort required to set the color of the waveform, etc., is eliminated.

[0034] Second Embodiment Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an output support device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, an output support device 10A has a machine information analysis unit 106 added between the storage unit 101 and the acquisition unit 102 of the output support device 10 shown in Fig. 1, and the configuration other than the machine information analysis unit 106 is the same as the configuration of the output support device 10. The machine information analysis unit 106 analyzes machine information included in a machine manual and generates signal information using the machine information.

[0035] An example of the operation of the output support device 10A will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the machine information analysis unit and the signal type analysis unit in the example of the operation of the output support device 10A. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the signal type analysis unit, the output information generation unit, and the output unit in the example of the operation of the output support device 10A.

[0036] The machine information analysis unit 106 reads out the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", the signal address "%X0012.1", and the sequence program of the signal information shown in Fig. 9 from the storage unit 101. Similar to the operation of the acquisition unit 102 shown in Fig. 4, the machine information analysis unit 106 acquires the signal address "%X0012.1" of the signal to be traced from the sampling data stored in the storage unit 101, and acquires information indicating that the signal address of the signal name "OPEN_DOOR" is the signal address "%X0012.1" from the storage unit 101. The machine information analysis unit 106 also extracts the signal type "operation panel switch" from the machine manual stored in its own storage unit based on the signal address "%X0012.1". Then, the machine information analysis unit 106 outputs the sequence program and signal information including the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", the signal address "%X0012.1", and the signal type "operation panel switch" to the signal type analysis unit 103 via the acquisition unit 102. As shown in FIG. 9 , the machine manual records that when the signal address is "%X0" to "%X255", the signal type is "operation panel switch". The machine manual stored in the memory unit of the machine information analysis unit 106 may be provided by the manufacturer along with the PLC and may be stored in the memory unit in advance, or may be stored in the memory unit by the user.

[0037] The signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the signal type using the signal information and sequence program acquired by the acquisition unit 102, and outputs signal type information including the signal type to the output information generation unit 104. As shown in Fig. 5, the signal type analysis unit 103 analyzes the code in which the signal to be traced is referenced from the sequence program, and acquires the signal name "OPEN_DOOR" and the contact "rising edge contact." If the signal information acquired from the machine information analysis unit 106 via the acquisition unit 102 is the signal type "operation panel switch," the signal name "OPEN_DOOR," and the signal address "%X0012.1," and the analysis result of the sequence program is the signal name "OPEN_DOOR" and the contact "rising edge contact," the signal type will be "I / O input operation panel switch."

[0038] 10 , when the signal type is “I / O input operation panel switch”, the output information generation unit 104 sets the waveform color to red and the waveform format to a dashed line. The output information generation unit 104 outputs output information including the signal name “OPEN_DOOR”, the signal type “I / O input operation panel switch”, the waveform color “red”, and the waveform format “dashed line” to the output unit 105.

[0039] Based on the output information, the output unit 105 applies red to the signal to be traced as a waveform color corresponding to the signal type, and outputs display information in which the waveform format is a dashed line to the display screen of the display device. Figure 10 shows an example of display information displayed on the PLC screen of the PLC.

[0040] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to analyze the machine information contained in the machine manual to generate signal information, and further signal information can be added to the signal information from the memory unit and the signal information obtained from the sequence program.

[0041] 11 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an output support device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 11, the output support device 10B is obtained by adding a template acquisition unit 107 and an input unit 108 to the output support device 10. The output support device 10B has the same configuration as the output support device 10, except for the template acquisition unit 107 and the input unit 108.

[0042] The template acquisition unit 107 acquires a template including a correspondence between signal types and waveform colors from the input unit 108. While waveform colors are used as an example here, the template may be a waveform shape or waveform format, or a combination of waveform colors, waveform shapes, and waveform formats. The input unit 108 is a keyboard, a liquid crystal device with a touch panel, or the like, which allows a user to input a template including a correspondence between signal types and waveform colors. The template acquisition unit 107 may acquire the template from a server (not shown) via a network, without using the input unit 108. If the template acquisition unit 107 acquires the template from a server (not shown) via a network, without using the input unit 108, the input unit 108 may not be provided.

[0043] An example of the operation of the output support device 10B will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the flow of information in the output information generation unit, template acquisition unit, and input unit in this example of the operation of the output support device 10B. As shown in FIG. 12 , if the input unit 108 is a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel, the user inputs a waveform color for the signal type and presses the OK button. FIG. 12 shows a case in which the user inputs "purple," "green," "orange," and "black" as waveform colors corresponding to the signal types "I / O output," "I / O input," "internal relay," and "temporary variable," respectively.

[0044] The template acquisition unit 107 acquires from the input unit 108 a template shown in Fig. 12 which includes a correspondence between signal types and waveform colors, and outputs the template to the output information generation unit 104. As shown in Fig. 12, when the signal type information acquired from the signal type analysis unit 103 is a signal name "OPEN_DOOR" and a signal type "I / O input", the output information generation unit 14 refers to the template, sets the waveform color to "green", generates output information including the signal name "OPEN_DOOR", the signal type "I / O input", and the waveform color "green", and outputs the generated output information to the output unit 105. Here, the output information does not include a waveform format, but the waveform format may be included.

[0045] The output unit 105 outputs display information, based on the output information, in which the signal to be traced is colored green as a waveform color corresponding to the signal type, to the display screen of the display device. Fig. 12 shows an example in which display information is displayed on the PLC screen of the PLC.

[0046] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the template acquisition unit acquires a template that indicates the correspondence between the signal type and at least one of the waveform shape, waveform color, and waveform format. Therefore, by setting or changing the template, it is possible to set or change at least one of the waveform shape, waveform color, and waveform format that corresponds to the signal type, as necessary.

[0047] In order to realize the functional blocks included in the output support device in each embodiment described above, the output support device can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of these. The access information output method can also be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of these. "Realized by software" here means that the method is realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

[0048] To realize the components included in the output support device using software or a combination of these, the output support device includes a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit functions as an execution unit. The output support device also includes an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various control programs such as application software or an OS (Operating System), and a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores data temporarily required for the processing unit to execute the programs.

[0049] The output support device then has an arithmetic processing unit that reads application software or an OS from the auxiliary storage device, and executes arithmetic processing based on the application software or OS while loading the loaded application software or OS into the main storage device. Furthermore, the output support device controls various hardware components based on the results of this arithmetic processing. This realizes the functional blocks of this embodiment. The output support method can also be implemented using a configuration similar to that of the output support device.

[0050] The components included in the output support device can be realized by hardware including electronic circuits, etc. When the output support device is configured by hardware, some or all of the functions of the components included in the output support device can be configured by an integrated circuit (IC), such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a gate array, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).

[0051] The program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transient computer readable media.

[0052] According to the output support device and output support method of the present disclosure including the above-described embodiments, it is possible to easily distinguish the signal waveform of the tracing target.

[0053] Although the above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0054] The following supplementary note is further disclosed regarding the above embodiment: (Supplementary note 1) An output support device (10, 10A, 10B) comprising: an acquisition unit (102) that acquires signal information including at least any one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment related to signals of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program, a signal type analysis unit (103) that analyzes a signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program, and an output information generation unit (104) that generates output information for outputting trace waveform data in a mode according to the signal type.

[0055] (Supplementary Note 2) The output support device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the output information generation unit (104) generates at least one of a waveform shape, a waveform color, and a waveform format of the signal as the output information in a manner corresponding to the signal type.

[0056] (Supplementary Note 3) An output support device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, comprising a machine information analysis unit (106) that analyzes machine information included in a machine manual and generates the signal information based on the machine information, wherein the signal type analysis unit (103) is capable of analyzing the signal type based on the signal information.

[0057] (Supplementary Note 4) The output support device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, further comprising a template acquisition unit (107) that acquires a template including a correspondence between the signal type and the output information.

[0058] (Supplementary Note 5) An output support method in which a computer executes the steps of: acquiring signal information, including at least one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment, related to signals of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program; analyzing a signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program; and generating output information for outputting trace waveform data in a manner according to the signal type.

[0059] 10, 10A, 10B Output support device 101 Storage unit 102 Acquisition unit 103 Signal type analysis unit 104 Output information generation unit 105 Output unit 106 Machine information analysis unit 107 Template acquisition unit 108 Input unit

Claims

1. An output support device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires signal information, including at least one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment, related to signals of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program; a signal type analysis unit that analyzes the signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program; and an output information generation unit that generates output information for outputting trace waveform data in a manner corresponding to the signal type.

2. The output support device according to claim 1, wherein the output information generating unit generates as the output information at least one of the waveform shape, waveform color, and waveform format of the signal in a manner corresponding to the signal type.

3. An output support device as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising a machine information analysis unit that analyzes machine information contained in a machine manual and generates signal information based on the machine information, and the signal type analysis unit is capable of analyzing the signal type based on the signal information.

4. The output support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a template acquisition unit for acquiring a template including a correspondence between the signal type and the output information.

5. An output support method in which a computer executes the steps of: acquiring signal information, including at least one of a signal address, a signal name, and a comment, related to signals of a programmable logic controller, and a sequence program; analyzing a signal type using the acquired signal information and the sequence program; and generating output information for outputting trace waveform data in a manner according to the signal type.

Images