PLC Dashboard Template Setup for No-Code Control Data Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

In industrial settings, the lack of a straightforward method for non-programmers to create data utilization programs for collecting and displaying control data from programmable logic controllers (PLCs) leads to inefficiencies, as it requires programming knowledge and results in delayed improvements due to organizational barriers between programmers and site management personnel.

Innovation Solution

A setting device that facilitates the creation of data utilization programs and dashboards for PLCs, allowing users to select templates, designate data collection, and generate display data, enabling easy customization and data processing without extensive programming knowledge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a person in charge of site management wants to change control data or dashboard display, then the desired customization can be achieved, but it requires programming knowledge and organizational coordination with programmers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to change control data and dashboard displayVSAvoidProgramming knowledge requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the control program functionality within the PLC itself, allowing site management personnel to modify control data and dashboard displays directly without needing to contact external programmers. The PLC includes a program creating section that enables non-programmers to make changes through a simplified interface, effectively copying the essential data modification capabilities into the control device where it is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The PLC is designed to be self-service capable by including integrated functions for data modification and dashboard customization within the PLC itself. The program creating section allows site management personnel to independently modify control programs and data without external assistance, and the PLC can automatically generate and execute modified control data, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring external programming support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If site management personnel convey demands to programmers, then improvements can be made, but a large number of days elapse from demand until improvement is completed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveControl program improvement qualityVSAvoidTime from demand to improvement completion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares control data and dashboard templates in advance within the PLC, so when site management personnel need modifications, the foundational structures are already in place and can be quickly adapted. The PLC includes pre-configured data structures and display templates that can be rapidly modified without starting from scratch, significantly reducing the time from demand to implementation while maintaining improvement quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The PLC creates local copies of control program modification capabilities, allowing immediate implementation of changes without external programming intervention. The program creating section within the PLC enables site management personnel to make changes that are executed instantly, eliminating the time lag associated with conveying demands to external programmers and waiting for their availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If templates of dashboards and data utilization programs are stored in the PLC, then creation work is facilitated, but the PLC requires additional storing section capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDashboard and program creation easeVSAvoidPLC storing section capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The PLC's storing section is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as operational memory for control operations and as a repository for templates and programs. The same memory resources are dynamically allocated between active control data and template storage, allowing the PLC to provide template-based ease of creation without requiring separate dedicated storage hardware, thus avoiding additional volume expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11409257B2Setting device that sets a programmable logic controller and PLC system that collects control data and a dashboard for displaying control data

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 KEYENCE CORP

AI summary

To facilitate work for creating a data utilization program for collecting control data held by a PLC and a dashboard for displaying the control data. A setting device receives selection of a dashboard, receives designation of collection target data, creates setting data including a set of a template of the dashboard and a template of a data utilization program, and transfers the setting data to a PLC. A second executing section of the PLC executes, based on the setting data, predetermined data processing on the collection target data to generate display target data. The display target data is linked with a graph display component included in the template of the display data of the dashboard.