FBD Program Comparison Using Vertical Set Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing program comparison tools for function block diagram languages, such as those used in factory automation, face challenges in efficiently displaying and comparing large programs, leading to time-consuming horizontal scrolling and difficulty in referencing comparison results.
Innovation Solution
A program comparison apparatus that rearranges function block diagram programs into vertical sets based on execution order, allowing for side-by-side display and easy identification of differences, using a set alignment unit and difference detection unit to highlight changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If program components are arranged horizontally on the screen, then the program structure is preserved, but the screen space is insufficient and requires horizontal scrolling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the horizontal arrangement of program components into a vertical arrangement, utilizing the Y-axis dimension instead of the X-axis. This dimensional change allows the entire program to be displayed within the screen's vertical space, eliminating the need for horizontal scrolling and improving reference efficiency while preserving program structure through sequential ordering.
2Loss of time
If the program is displayed horizontally, then all program components can be shown in sequence, but multiple screens are required and comparison takes more time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical arrangement along the Y-axis to compress the program display into a single screen view. By ordering program components sequentially from top to bottom, the system eliminates the need for multiple screens or horizontal scrolling, thereby reducing comparison time while maintaining program structure through the vertical sequence.
3Ease of operation
If program components are rearranged vertically, then screen space is optimized and comparison is easier, but the original horizontal program structure is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rearranges program components from horizontal to vertical arrangement along the Y-axis, optimizing screen space utilization. This dimensional transformation allows all components to fit within a single screen while maintaining sequential logic through top-to-bottom ordering, thereby improving comparison ease without losing program structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A program comparison apparatus includes: a set alignment unit that divides a comparison source-program which is a first FBD program into sets of program components connected to one another, and rearranges the sets in a line along a Y-axis direction which is a vertical direction in ascending order of execution, and also divides a comparison edited-program which is a second FBD program into sets of program components connected to one another, and rearranges the sets in a line along the Y-axis direction in ascending order of execution; a difference detection unit that detects a difference in the sets between the comparison source-program and the comparison edited-program rearranged as difference information; and a difference display control unit that causes the sets of the comparison source-program and the comparison edited-program that are rearranged to be displayed within a screen of a display device.