Array Variable Element Search in FA Control Program Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional control program editing devices, users face difficulties in easily and accurately selecting elements from array variables due to the need to refer to a list of comments and specify an appropriate index.
Innovation Solution
A control program editing device that includes a search term input unit, an element list acquisition unit, an extraction unit, a display control unit, a selection unit, and an application unit, which assists users in selecting elements from array variables by displaying a list of candidates with comments and allowing users to select appropriate elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually refer to a list of comments and specify an index to select an element from an array variable, then the user can locate the desired element, but the operation becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically acquiring the element list and comments from the variable table before the user needs to select an element. The comments are pre-processed and displayed alongside element indices, so when the user inputs a search term, the system has already prepared the filtered results with corresponding comments ready for immediate selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically generating and displaying the element list with comments based on the user's search term. Instead of requiring the user to manually search through the variable table and match indices with comments, the system autonomously retrieves, filters, and presents the relevant information in a user-friendly format, allowing the user to simply select from the displayed options.
2Measurement precision
If users manually search through the variable table to match indices with comments, then the correct element can be identified, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the element list and comments into a single integrated display. Instead of requiring the user to separately view the variable table, locate the element index, and then find the corresponding comment, the system combines both pieces of information in one view, showing each element index alongside its associated comment from the variable table.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the relevant information needed for element selection - specifically filtering the element list based on the user's search term and extracting only the matching elements with their corresponding comments. This extraction eliminates unnecessary information and focuses the user's attention only on the relevant elements, simplifying the selection process while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to easily and without mistakes select an element that is stored among array variables in an IDE of a FA system. A control-program-editing device (1) for editing a control program, the device comprising a search term input unit (11) that accepts a user input of a search term when a specific element is inputted into a control program from variables that include a plurality of elements, an element-list-acquiring unit (12) that acquires an element list, an extracting unit (13) that extracts elements that are associated with the search term, and a display control unit (14) that performs control to display the elements extracted by the extracting unit and to display comments that explain the elements, with a user input that selects one element from the displayed elements being accepted and applied to the control program.