Ladder Diagram Coordinate Encoding for Lower Program Data Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ladder diagram programs have a large data volume due to handling graphic elements, which increases significantly with complex programs, making data storage and processing inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A program development support apparatus that allocates two-dimensional coordinates to circuit elements and connection lines, allowing the ladder diagram program to be stored using text data format, reducing data volume by associating circuit elements, vertical connection lines, and their coordinates, thereby expressing positions and connections efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all elements (circuit elements, horizontal connection lines, vertical connection points) are handled as graphic elements, then the ladder diagram program can be visually represented and edited, but the overall data volume significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ladder diagram data into two distinct parts: graphic elements for visual display and coordinate data for precise positioning. By separating the visual representation from the positional information, the system can store only essential coordinate data rather than complete graphic element data, significantly reducing data volume while maintaining visual editing capabilities through coordinate-based reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the ladder diagram structure by storing only coordinate information (two-dimensional coordinates) rather than complete graphic element data. This coordinate-based copy is sufficient to reconstruct the visual layout and maintain editing functionality while occupying minimal storage space compared to storing full graphic element representations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex ladder diagram programs with many circuit elements and connection lines are created, then the functionality and complexity of controlled systems increase, but the data volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data representation parameter from storing complete graphic element data to storing only coordinate parameters (two-dimensional coordinates). This parameter change allows the system to handle complex ladder diagrams with many circuit elements and connection lines efficiently, as the coordinate-based representation scales linearly with complexity rather than exponentially, maintaining manageable data volumes even for highly complex programs.
Data Source
AI summary
A program development support unit includes an arithmetic unit and a storage unit. A ladder diagram editing program and an edited ladder diagram program are stored in the storage unit. The arithmetic unit is configured to execute the ladder diagram editing program to edit the ladder diagram program, and store the ladder diagram program in the storage unit. The arithmetic unit is configured to allocate two-dimensional coordinates to a ladder diagram expressed by the ladder diagram program. The arithmetic unit is configured to detect two-dimensional coordinates and types of circuit elements included in the ladder diagram, and detect two-dimensional coordinates of any vertical connection lines included in the ladder diagram. The arithmetic unit is configured to store the circuit elements, the vertical connection lines, the two-dimensional coordinates of the circuit elements, and the two-dimensional coordinates of the vertical connection lines in the storage unit in association with each other.