Screen Information Generation Device for Programmable Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

The workload associated with producing screen information for individual-manipulation screens in control object devices is high due to the difficulty in standardizing their display content, which is facility-specific.

Innovation Solution

A screen information generation device that generates display content for individual-manipulation screens based on chart programs, specifically arranging operation buttons corresponding to steps in a manner that reduces the workload by displaying normal-operation and opposite-operation steps adjacently and using distinct display manners to enhance operator convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If screen information for individual-manipulation screens is produced separately according to facility-specific specifications, then the display content can be customized to match specific operational requirements, but the workload increases significantly due to lack of standardization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility-specific customizationVSAvoidworkload in producing screen information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal screen information generation system that can handle multiple facility types through standardized templates. The system uses a common framework that adapts to different facilities by selecting appropriate templates rather than creating custom screens from scratch for each facility, thus reducing workload while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The screen information is divided into standardized templates that can be independently selected and combined. Each template represents a modular unit that can be reused across different facilities, allowing the system to maintain customization capability while reducing overall production workload through template reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If operation buttons are arranged in a standardized manner based on chart program steps, then the workload in producing screen information is reduced, but the display may not optimally reflect normal-operation and opposite-operation relationships

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload in producing screen informationVSAvoidoperator convenience in identifying opposite operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different display characteristics to operation buttons based on their operational relationships. Opposite operation buttons are displayed with distinct visual properties (such as positioning or styling) compared to normal operation buttons, allowing operators to quickly identify opposite operations while maintaining the overall standardized layout structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-arranges operation buttons in the display according to their operational relationships before the operator needs to use them. By automatically identifying and positioning opposite operation buttons adjacent to each other in the standardized template, the system eliminates the need for operators to search for opposite operations during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If operation buttons are displayed without considering operational relationships, then the screen layout is simpler to generate, but the likelihood of operator selection errors increases during abnormal conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen layout complexityVSAvoidlikelihood of selection errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses distinct display characteristics (such as color or visual styling) to differentiate operation buttons based on their operational relationships. Opposite operation buttons are displayed with unique visual properties that make them easily distinguishable from normal operation buttons, reducing the likelihood of selection errors during abnormal conditions while maintaining relatively simple layout generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS10599118B2Screen information generation device

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 JTEKT CORP

AI summary

A screen information generation device generates screen information indicating display content of a display device connected to a programmable controller that controls a control object device according to a chart program indicating execution order of a plurality of steps each provided per operation unit. When generating the screen information of an individual-manipulation screen for use in individually operating the control object device per operation unit, the screen information generation device is configured to generate the screen information based on the chart program such that a plurality of operation buttons that respectively correspond to the plurality of steps is displayed on the display device.