Programming Port Map Control to Prevent Cross-Language Overwrites

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional programming assistance devices fail to prevent overwriting of set values on physical I/O ports when programs written in different programming languages are created, leading to unintended changes in set values.

Innovation Solution

A programming assistance device and method that display a map information table as a list, associating reference names with set values for each device port, with a writing determination unit to check if a set value has been written and an overwriting prohibition unit to prevent writing of new values on ports already set by another program, ensuring that each program author writes to the appropriate field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple program authors create programs in different programming languages for the same system, then programming proficiency and working efficiency are improved, but the risk of accidentally overwriting set values on device ports increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking efficiencyVSAvoidintegrity of set values
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing overwriting before it occurs. The overwriting prohibition unit detects when a set value field has already been written (by the writing determination unit) and blocks subsequent writing attempts, thereby preventing the harmful overwriting action before it can compromise the integrity of set values across multiple programming languages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the writing determination unit that continuously monitors the state of set value fields and provides information to the overwriting prohibition unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect existing set values and respond by prohibiting overwriting, thus maintaining reliability while allowing multiple authors to work efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If a map information table is displayed to show set values for device ports, then program authors can reference correct values, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference accuracyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The map information table is segmented into distinct columns for reference names and set values, with each device port clearly separated. This segmentation organizes the information in a structured, easy-to-reference format that reduces cognitive load on program authors while maintaining comprehensive information display, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing perceived complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3842879B1Programming assistance device, programming assistance method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 OMRON CORP
  • EP3842879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3842879B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3842879B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In the present invention, a map information table is displayed as a list on a display screen (S11). The map information table associates a reference name field representing each of the plurality of device ports with a set value field for each device port. It is determined whether a set value has been written on the set value field for each of the device ports regarding a first program in a first programming language (S12). Writing of a set value on the set value field is prohibited regarding a second program in a second programming language, which is different from the first programming language, for a device port for which it is determined that a set value has been written on the set value field regarding a first program in the first programming language (S14).