Sequence Program Monitoring with Dynamic Device Value Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional program creation apparatuses face inefficiencies in monitoring and updating device information, particularly when device purposes or value ranges change, requiring users to manually edit and update monitor screens, which diverges from programming and complicates judging the operating condition of sequence programs.
Innovation Solution
A program creation apparatus with a data acquisition unit to obtain device information and an operating condition display unit, along with a display format definition information item retaining unit, to dynamically update and display device values based on specified conditions, enhancing visibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional monitoring function displays device values using fixed data type categories, then the display format is simple and consistent, but the user cannot immediately understand the purpose and meaning of device values, requiring additional interpretation work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the monitoring function with the programming function into an integrated development environment. The monitoring display now shows not only device values but also device purposes, I/O relationships, and program context information simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate monitoring tools and manual interpretation work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an information processing unit that acts as an intermediary between the device data and the display. This unit automatically extracts and processes device purpose information, I/O relationships, and contextual meaning, presenting them in a unified format that bridges the gap between raw device values and user understanding.
2Ease of operation
If the monitoring function provides detailed device information to help understanding, then the visibility of device values improves, but the complexity of the monitoring interface and the work required to maintain it increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of information in contextually appropriate locations and formats within the monitoring interface. Device values are shown alongside their specific purposes, I/O relationships are displayed near relevant program instructions, and color-coding highlights critical information, allowing users to quickly locate and understand specific device meanings without being overwhelmed by overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring interface dynamically adapts its display based on the current program context and user selections. When a user examines a specific program instruction, the monitoring function automatically highlights related device values and shows their purposes in context. The interface can switch between different views (detailed vs. summary) depending on the operational phase, reducing unnecessary complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual editing of monitor screens is required to update device information, then flexibility in customization is achieved, but the productivity and efficiency of program development decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function implements self-service by automatically detecting device information, purposes, and relationships from the program code itself. When the program is loaded or modified, the system automatically updates the monitoring display to reflect current device usage, eliminating the need for manual screen editing while maintaining full adaptability to program changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing and organizing device information during program loading or compilation. The system提前 extracts device purposes, establishes I/O relationships, and prepares contextual data structures, so that when monitoring is needed, the information is already organized and ready for immediate display without requiring real-time manual updates.
4Reliability
If separate monitor screen creation is required, then specific monitoring views can be customized, but additional work diverging from programming itself is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal monitoring interface that serves multiple verification purposes simultaneously. The same integrated display can show device values for debugging, I/O relationships for understanding program flow, and contextual information for verifying program logic, eliminating the need for multiple specialized monitoring screens and the time required to create and switch between them.
Data Source
AI summary
A program creation apparatus includes a device information item acquisition unit that obtains data that vary in value in accordance with operating condition of a control program executed by an industrial controller, an operating condition display unit that displays the operating condition of the control program on the basis of the data, and a display format definition information item retaining unit that retains, for data obtained by the device information item acquisition unit, a display format definition information item used when the operating condition display unit displays the operating condition.