PLC Display Screen Generation Using Shared Equipment Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing screen generation methods for factory automation systems require significant development man-hours due to the need for creating unique equipment profiles and screen display message information, which cannot be shared with other apparatuses, leading to increased complexity and workload in generating display screens for multiple equipment setups.
Innovation Solution
A display screen generation apparatus connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) that includes an input unit, communication unit, and control unit with display content, layout, and screen generation units, allowing for the creation of display screens based on shared network configuration, equipment, and device allocation information, enabling the generation of screens that can be used across multiple apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If unique equipment profiles and screen display message information are created for each apparatus, then display screen generation accuracy is improved, but development man-hours and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling equipment profile information and screen display message information to be shared across multiple apparatuses through a common database. Instead of creating unique profiles for each apparatus, the system allows one apparatus to create equipment profiles that can be referenced and utilized by other apparatuses, thereby reducing redundant creation work while maintaining accurate display screen generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by allowing apparatuses to access and reuse equipment profile information and screen display message information from a shared database. Rather than recreating identical information for each apparatus, the system copies existing profiles and messages from the database, significantly reducing development man-hours while preserving the accuracy needed for display screen generation.
2Loss of time
If equipment profile information is shared across apparatuses, then development man-hours are reduced, but information security and system reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between apparatuses for sharing equipment profile information and screen display message information. This intermediary structure allows controlled access and retrieval of shared information, enabling multiple apparatuses to benefit from common data while maintaining systematic management and security controls over the shared information repository.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual creation of display screen information is performed, then information accuracy is improved, but productivity and development efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables apparatuses to automatically retrieve and utilize equipment profile information and screen display message information from the shared database without requiring manual creation for each apparatus. This self-service approach allows the system to automatically generate accurate display screens by accessing pre-stored information, significantly improving productivity while maintaining information accuracy through the structured database design.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus (101) includes an input unit (220); a communication unit (250); a display unit (210); and a control unit (240) including a display content setting unit (244), a layout setting unit (245) for setting a screen layout, and a screen generation unit (246) for generating a display screen based on the display content, the screen layout, and information acquired via the communication unit (250) and concerning the PLC. The display content setting unit (244) displays a candidate list of a display item based on at least one of: network configuration information (231) of equipments (103) and a PLC (102) which is created in advance, an equipment information file (232), and device allocation information (233) of the equipments (103) and the PLC (102), to the display unit, and sets display content based on input information coming from the input unit (220). The display apparatus can thus generate a display screen for an FA system based on information shared with another apparatus, as information concerning an equipment which is information other than screen configuration information.