Control Program Graph Views for Device Variable Dependencies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently associating and ascertaining the location of device variables and their dependency relations within control programs, especially when division programming is performed across multiple subprograms, leading to poor visibility and degraded efficiency in coding and debugging.
Innovation Solution
A graph display device that acquires dependency relation information from control programs divided into subprograms, generates directed graphs to represent device variables and their dependencies, and allows users to switch between different graph views to associate device variables with their locations and dependencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a control program is divided into multiple subprograms to improve coding efficiency, then coding efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to associate device variables with their locations and dependency relations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary information processing device that acts as a mediator between the divided subprograms and the final visualization. This device collects device variable information from multiple subprograms, processes the dependency relations, and generates a unified directed graph that preserves the associations between device variables and their locations despite the program division
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges information from multiple divided subprograms into a single unified directed graph representation. By combining the device variable data and dependency relations from all subprograms, the system creates a comprehensive view that maintains the associations that would otherwise be lost due to program division
2Ease of operation
If device dependency relations are visualized to improve maintenance capability, then maintenance capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual analysis and tracking of device dependencies with an automated information processing system. The system automatically extracts device variable information from subprograms, analyzes dependency relations, and generates visualizations, thereby reducing the complexity burden on users while improving maintenance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified graphical copy (directed graph) of the complex device dependency relations. This visual representation copies only the essential information about device variables and their dependencies, making the complex system easier to understand and maintain without requiring users to analyze the full complexity of the control program
Data Source
AI summary
A technology for associating and ascertaining the location of device variables which are in a control program and correspond to devices, and the dependency relations between the device variables, when division programming is carried out, is provided. A graph display device according to one aspect of the present invention generates a first directed graph, which comprises a plurality of first nodes respectively representing the device variables, and edges representing the existence of a dependency relation, and a second directed graph, which comprises a plurality of regions corresponding respectively to each subprogram, a plurality of first nodes, and edges, wherein the first nodes are arranged in a region of a subprogram that uses the device variable to be expressed from among the plurality of regions. In response to an instruction from a user the display device switches between displaying the generated first directed graph and displaying the generated second directed graph.