PLC Configuration Diagram Generation From System Image Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PLC system construction support devices face challenges in creating system configuration diagrams for actually constructed PLC systems, particularly due to difficulties in preparing a communication environment and potential errors from user recognition of units, as well as lack of unit information.
Innovation Solution
A PLC system construction support program that acquires image data of the PLC system, recognizes unit arrangements, and generates system configuration diagrams by comparing image data with stored unit information, reducing errors and environmental dependencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection information is collected through communication between CPU unit and PLC system construction support device, then system configuration diagram can be created for actually constructed PLC system, but communication environment preparation becomes necessary which is difficult in complex manufacturing lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image copying technology to capture visual information of the PLC system configuration. Instead of requiring communication protocols and data exchange, the system creates a visual copy (image) of the actual PLC system arrangement and processes this image data to generate the system configuration diagram, thereby eliminating communication environment requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical communication system with an optical/image processing system. By substituting data transmission through communication protocols with image capture and processing, the system avoids the complexity of establishing communication connections while achieving the same goal of obtaining system configuration information
2Ease of operation
If user manually selects units from candidate lists based on past arrangement history, then system configuration diagram can be created, but user errors occur due to false recognition of units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically identify and select units through image recognition technology. The system processes the captured image data to automatically determine unit types, models, and arrangements without requiring user intervention in unit selection, thereby eliminating false recognition errors while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image data as an intermediary between the actual PLC system and the system configuration diagram creation process. This intermediary carries accurate visual information about unit arrangements and characteristics, enabling precise automatic identification without relying on user interpretation or manual selection from candidate lists
3Loss of information
If communication is established to collect unit information, then complete system configuration information can be obtained, but communication cable passing becomes difficult in complex manufacturing lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures complete system configuration information through visual copying via image data. The image capture process records all visible units, their arrangements, and characteristics in a single non-intrusive operation, obtaining complete information without requiring physical access for cable installation or communication setup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts system configuration information directly from the visual appearance and characteristics of units in the captured image. By extracting relevant information (unit types, models, arrangements) from image data alone, the system eliminates the need for communication infrastructure while obtaining complete configuration information
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional PLC system construction support device is used for pre-construction planning, then reasonable arrangement can be found, but it cannot create diagram for actually constructed system and user may select wrong units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of having users select units from candidate lists based on historical data, the system captures an actual image of the constructed PLC system and automatically identifies units from that image. This inversion ensures the diagram reflects the actual constructed system rather than planned or assumed configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables automatic unit identification through image recognition, allowing the system to self-determine unit types, models, and arrangements without user intervention. This eliminates false recognition errors while maintaining the ability to create accurate system configuration diagrams for actually constructed PLC systems
Data Source
AI summary
A PLC system construction support program for creating a system configuration diagram depicting a configuration of a PLC system constructed causes a computing terminal to function as: an image acquisition section that acquires image data of an image of the PLC system; a system configuration recognition section that creates system configuration information including arrangement information and selected unit information; a system configuration diagram generation section that creates a system configuration diagram based on the system configuration information; and a system configuration diagram editor section that performs display processing for displaying the system configuration diagram on a display section.