JP2003288458A - Integrated project management tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an integrated project management tool for eliminating the trouble of management by simplifying management, analysis, and monitor for a device which requires programming software or setting software to be used for an automation system such as an FA, PA, and BA, and for easily transferring information to a third person. <P>SOLUTION: A link setting window part W1 displays radio buttons a, b, and c for selecting one of three kinds of 'a file', 'Web page', and 'campus' and an input part I corresponding to the selected associated element. A user selects the element associated with configuring components from the radio buttons a, b, and c by using the displayed link setting window Q1, and selects the name of a file, the home page of the Web, and campus through the display part I displayed corresponding to the selection in order to associate the configuring components. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to FA, PA and BA.
The present invention relates to an integrated project management tool that manages and integrates various documents and information of projects and OA that correspond to various automation systems such as.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of various automation systems such as FA, PA, BA, etc., programmable controllers (hereinafter PL
C) is widely used, but as the tool software used for this PLC, there are various kinds of programming software such as programming software for programming, setting software for each unit such as I / O unit, and setting software for network. Software exists.

A user who normally uses a PLC uses each tool software, for example, a PL according to the purpose of use.
If you select from the start menu presented on the monitor screen by the basic program of C, start the tool software, and after setting the settings and programming according to your purpose and save it as a file, select the appropriate file. The process of saving by name is being performed.

By the way, when a FA, PA, BA system is constructed by using a large number of PLCs and networks, a large number of programmings and settings are, of course, necessary, which complicates the management, and the folder names and files stored by oneself. People often confuse or forget their names.

In order to prevent such confusion and forgetting, in order to clarify the management unit and organize the storage folders, it is necessary to create rules by themselves and manage them consciously, which is different from the original purpose. It is necessary to use.

Further, even if the files can be stored in a file in an organized format, the hardware configuration of the entire system and the position of each file in the entire file can be intuitively understood from only the character information of the file name. It was very difficult to grasp and understand.

Therefore, a general method is to store the hardware configuration as a drawing under separate management by using a commercially available drawing software or the like.

Further, when proposing a system to the user, the proposer draws a hardware system configuration diagram, etc. using commercially available drawing software etc. and proposes it to the user. However, the drawing itself is simply It's just a proposal, and it's not something that users can reuse later. Also, in creating a proposal, a high level of knowledge is required because it is necessary to fully understand and verify the usage and suitability of each unit that makes up the proposal. Also, when creating an estimate for the user, it was necessary to enter the price of each hardware into another spreadsheet software, etc. to create the estimate.

As described above, FA, PA, BA are conventionally used.
Equipment that requires programming software or setting software used for automation systems such as
It was very complicated and difficult to manage, analyze and monitor.

Therefore, the present inventor eliminates the complexity of file management and provides an integrated project management tool capable of visually and intuitively and easily activating the programming software and setting software used in various automation systems such as FA, PA, and BA. I have already proposed.

On the other hand, in the so-called IT era, not only files created by themselves, but also the Web that changes from moment to moment
It has been recognized that the information from the home page of is very important.

[0012]

By the way, the above-mentioned We
Although it is possible to register and edit the homepage address (URL) of b on the browser, the files created by itself and the homepage addresses related to them can be centrally managed in one file, and all information is passed to a third party. That was very difficult.

In other words, it is possible to create a file in HTML format with conventional home page creating software, and associate figures and texts therein with home page addresses, and associate figures and texts with files, but specify related files. You can't do it with simple operations like drag and drop. Although the created HTML file can be passed to a third party, the files associated with figures and texts have no choice but to be copied from their respective folders. The HTML format file has a problem that it cannot manage information of a plurality of pages as one file because one screen has one file.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device requiring programming software or setting software used in automation systems such as FA, PA, BA, etc. It provides an integrated project management tool that facilitates management, analysis, and monitoring to eliminate the complexity of management, and also makes it easy to transfer information to a third party.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, data of system parts used in various automation systems such as FA, PA, BA, etc., and graphic parts corresponding to fixed figures are provided. Data of the data and document parts are held in the database as at least component data, and the hardware of the project corresponding to the above automation system is created by pasting the above-mentioned components by the GUI on the campus constructed on the screen of the display device. When there is an operation using a GUI for drawing a wear structure and an image showing each component arranged on the campus, tool software such as setting software and programming software corresponding to the automation system is activated. Means and above tools When saving the setting contents by using the software and the programming contents by the programming software, a means for saving a file having the contents in a predetermined folder, and a GUI for the component parts associated with the saved file. When there is an instruction operation used, a means for reading a file corresponding to the component from the folder and displaying it on the screen of the display device is provided, and a GUI is used for the component displayed on the screen of the display device. If there is a designated operation, the file, Web
It has a means for displaying on the display device a screen for selecting one kind of associating element from a plurality of associating elements such as the home page address of each of the project and the jump destination page of a plurality of campuses existing in the project. To do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, file management software is started up when the above and the files are selected as the associating elements, and the correspondence on the display screen is caused by the startup of the software. It is characterized in that an associating means is provided by an operation of moving the display element of the file to be displayed on the campus onto the display element of the component using the GUI.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the associating means aggregates and saves all files associated with each of the component parts in a designated folder. It is characterized by having a function.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the set storage function has a function of compressing a group of files to be set and stored as a single file in a designated folder. It is characterized by being

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the invention, the set storage function is a function of updating the path information in the information of each component to the path information indicating the storage location of the association file. It is characterized by being equipped with.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the group storage function is configured to store the files associated with the components in a designated folder. When the file name to be saved is the same as the existing file name in the above folder, the display for prompting to change the file name to be saved by interrupting the collective save process and the GUI name change input screen on the display device It is characterized by having a function of displaying.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects of the invention, the set storage function stores the files associated with the component parts in a designated folder. When the file name to be saved is the same as the existing file name in the folder, a name changing function for generating and changing a file name in place of the file name to be saved is provided.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the set storage function sets a file in a folder in which a file associated with a component is present as a set storage target, and It is characterized in that it has a function to specify all lower folders existing under the hierarchy as targets for collective storage.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for expanding the compressed and collectively stored file, and the expansion means stores information on the components on the campus. When the information that specifies the application to be started is included in the information, a function of deleting the related application information that is started at the time of expansion is provided.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the basic functions of the embodiment of the present invention, which is actually constructed by using a computer system.

The project 3 dealt with in the present embodiment means a range to be managed (entire system such as FA, PA, BA, installation floor, and whole building (building) in some cases), and is used to configure the project 3. The component 1 is a graphic component 1A composed of fixed figures such as squares, circles and letters, a frame (concept equivalent to a motherboard) for clarifying the framework of each management unit, a PLC, a display,
A system component 1 including a hardware unit such as an image processing device and a CPU unit, and a network component 1
B, document parts 1C made of software for document creation such as commercially available word processor software and spreadsheet software, and variable tables 1D used in the software.

Each system component 1B has its own unique attributes (product name, product number, specifications, price, startup software information, etc.)
And information of attributes (programs, setting data, comments, etc.) that can be changed by the user, and as shown in FIG. 3, the symbols of these components constituting the component 1 are displayed on the screen of the display device 2 attached to the tool. Palette 20 being displayed
It is supposed to be displayed above.

The data of these parts 1B ... Is stored in the component part database 4, and the addition or change of the data of the stored component part 1 can activate the component part addition / change processing means 102. Has become.

A campus 21 for drawing is provided beside the pallet 20, and the drawing means provided as a basic function uses the GUI for the symbol of the component 1 displayed on the pallet 20. Under the control of the drag-and-drop processing function 105, the hardware configuration is provided by sticking by a drag-and-drop operation using a pointing device such as a mouse so that the hardware configuration can be drawn as shown in FIG.

Here, in the basic function, this campus 21
One or more of these are managed as one project 3, and by having the above-mentioned drawing means, the hardware configuration can be visually grasped, and individual hardware configuration units and files described later can be stored. By associating with each other, it is possible to manage visually without worrying about the folder for storing and storing the file and the file name.

Next, the component parts 1 displayed on the pallet 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1B1 denotes the above-mentioned frame, which is pasted on the campus 21 and then the CPU
It is essential to attach components such as system component 1B2 indicating a unit to the inside.

The system component 1B2 representing the CPU unit shown here is associated with a program file P1 for program editing and a program file P2 for editing other projects and data as shown in FIG. File P1,
The data editing program file P2, the network setting program files P3 to P5, and I described later.
Each program can be started by being associated with the P address setting program file P6.

The system components 1B3 to 1B5 are CPs.
A system component corresponding to a unit in which setting information is stored in a system register in the U or a config area, and is a system component 1 of a CPU unit in the same frame.
The data in the program file associated with B2 is displayed, and the setting information is the above CPU.
Although stored in the internal system register or config area, the setting information can be displayed on the screen of the display device 2 even by double-clicking the system components 1B3 to 1B5.

Further, the system components 1B6 and 1B7 indicate units in which setting information is stored respectively. The setting programs corresponding to these units are activated to display the data of the setting file associated with the unit. It is displayed on the screen of the device 2 and is a system component 1B.
Numeral 7 is a positioning unit for displaying position data setting contents X1 as shown in FIG.
Is associated with the setting content X2 set in the system component 1B8 of FIG. 3 connected to this unit.

Furthermore, the system component 1B9 can activate a program in a predetermined image editing program file P7 from this component.

The system component 1B10 in FIG. 4 is a LAN.
It corresponds to the unit and can start the program of the IP address setting program file P6.

Further, the variable table 1D has 1 in 1 frame.
This variable table 1 can be dropped.
Associated with D.

By sticking the above-mentioned component 1 on the campus 21, the hardware configuration can be drawn. In FIG. 3, A1 and A2 indicate setting dialogs,
In the setting dialog A1, a model name, a part name, a software name of a program editing program, and windows for writing comments, which are configured in the frame 1B1, are displayed together with operation buttons. In addition, in the setting dialog A2, the network type name, network name, and windows for writing comments are displayed together with operation buttons. The name of the program to be activated at the time of operation is attached to the "edit" button of the operation buttons.

As described above, the component 1 has fixed attributes (model name, type name, etc.) and variable attributes. The variable attributes are shown in the drawing program shown in FIG. The graphic processing unit 100 has a graphic attribute setting function 100a for setting the size, color, rotation, text insertion, grouping, etc. of the graphic component 1A, and a system component for setting startup software (program), comments, etc. By using the attribute setting function 100b, the size, color and shape of each component 1 on the campus 21 can be changed. In addition, a plurality of component parts 1 can be grouped and treated as one part, a front / rear surface changing function of the component part 1, a rotating function and the like can be performed.

The activation of the related tool software required for these processes is processed by the related tool software start processing means 101. The related tool start-up processing means 101 has a function of invoking the software requested to be started from the start-up software stored in the start-up software database 103 from the start-up software database 103 and starting it. Meanwhile, the startup software database 103
The adding / deleting / changing means 104 can delete / change the activating software stored in the ‘4’ and add processing of the activating software to be newly stored.

Now, by performing some operation such as clicking each component 1 on the campus 21, that component 1
The required tool software can be started by the related tool software start processing means 101 described above. The file F1 of the contents and programs set by the tool software started by this and the document file F2 are automatically file-related by the read / save processing function 106a of the project management processing means 106 without the user being aware of the folder. It is saved in an appropriate save folder created in the database 107. At this time, the folder name and the file name are automatically given.

For each component 1 that has been once saved as a file, when an operation instruction is given on the campus 21 by clicking the mouse or the like, the tool software required for the component 1 is started as the related tool software described above. The file F1 and F2 associated with the component 1 can be activated by the function of the processing unit 101, and the read / save processing function 106 of the project management processing unit 106 can be executed.
It can be automatically read by a and displayed on the display device 2. That is, the project management processing means 106 constitutes a storage / management means.

By the way, when the component 1 displayed on the campus is clicked with a pointing device such as a mouse, the file, the address of the Web home page (U
RL), or software that constitutes means for associating with any one of the associating elements of a plurality of campuses existing in the same project will be started under the operation of the related tool software start processing means 101. As shown in 1 (a), the link setting window W1 for association is displayed on the display device 2.

In the link setting window W1, radio buttons a, b, c capable of selecting any one of "File", "Web page" and "Campus", and an input corresponding to the selected association element. Part I is displayed, and the link setting window W1 displayed at startup displays the state in which the "file" radio button a shown in FIG. 1A is selected. The input section I displays an input field I1 for inputting a file name to be associated with a keyboard and an input field I2 for inputting a software name (related application name) to be associated with a keyboard.

In this link setting window W1, enter the file name and application name to be associated, and click OK.
Project management processing means 10 by clicking the button Ba
By the read / save processing function 106a of 6, the file is stored in the designated file in the file-related database 107.

When the radio button b is clicked as an association element and "Web page" is selected, the link setting window W1 shown in FIG. 1 (b) is displayed, and the input section I contains the address of the website of the related Web. An input field I3 for inputting is displayed. In the input field I3, (ht
The characters tp: //) are displayed to assist the input operation of the address.

In this link setting window W1, enter the address (URL) of the home page to be associated and click OK.
Project management processing means 10 by clicking the button Ba
The read / save processing function 106a of 6 registers the address of the home page input as the association information of the component 1 in the file association database 107.

When the radio button c is clicked as an associated element and "Campus" is selected, the link setting window W1 shown in FIG. 1C is displayed, and the input section I shows the number of the campus in the project and its number. A selection field I4 listing the names is displayed.

The campus number and its name displayed in the selection column I4 can be moved by moving the cursor and clicking the mouse to select the associated campus. At this time, the display of the display part of the selected campus is highlighted to indicate that it has been selected.
When the OK button Ba is clicked, the read / save processing function 106a of the project management processing means 106 registers the campus selected as the association information of the component 1 in the file-related database 107.

The cancel button B shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c)
The button b is a button for canceling the current processing by clicking, and the help button Bc is a button for displaying a help message that assists the user's operation.

FIG. 5 shows the file-related database 107.
Shows a file image stored in.

In other words, in the illustrated example, the management information file F1, the frame name folder FD21 ..., and the network name folder FD1 are stored in the project name folder FD1.
3 and 3 are provided respectively, and the folder FD corresponding to the frame
21 is a program file F related to the frame.
2. A setting data file F3 and a variable information file F4 are stored. A network setting file F5 is stored in the folder FD3 corresponding to the network.

These folder names and file names are assigned to each component 1 by the function of the file list display processing means 108.
It can be displayed and changed in a list on the screen of the display device 2 in association with.

The suitability of whether the hardware structure in the frame configured as described above or the hardware structure of the entire project 3 is proper is determined by operating the compatibility check processing means 109. You can For example, taking a PLC as an example, it is possible to check whether the unit configuration on one motherboard is within the permissible power supply capacity of the power supply unit, whether the number of units mounted in each unit is not exceeded, or the like. The data used for this conformity determination check is stored in the conformity determination database 110 and read out under the control of the check processing function 109a of the conformity check processing function 109, and the above-mentioned conformity check is performed based on this read data. Done.

If an unsuitable unit configuration is found by the check processing function 109a, the abnormality display processing function 109b causes the component 1 such as each frame or unit to be displayed as an error on the screen of the display device 2. Has become.

All the data such as the drawing information and the file related data set as described above can be saved as the project 3 in the file related database 107 by the read / save processing function 106a of the project management processing means 106.

In the project management processing means 106, if there is information of the component 1 which the user wants to reuse in the information in the saved file in the project 3, the component 1 is copied to another project 3 and re-created. It also has a function that enables use.

Further, normally, the data storage location of the project 3 is placed in the file-related database 107 constructed on the hard disk in the tool made up of the computer running the drawing means. Then, it is also assumed that the data of this project 3 is copied to another computer. At this time, by using the backup processing function 106c of the project management processing means 106, all the related information can be divided into one or a plurality of files and put together.

As a matter of course, it also has a restore processing function 106d for expanding the files put together in the above-mentioned form in another computer or the files backed up as mentioned above.

Further, the project management processing means 106 is provided with an estimate creation processing function 106e for creating an estimate based on the hardware configuration drawn, and the estimate creation processing function 106e not only serves for the user,
Also effective for reducing the burden on sales personnel. Further, the project management processing means 106 is also provided with a processing function 106b for converting a plurality of component parts 1 into one part.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, for example, if a sales person uses it when proposing a system, not only can the validity of the proposal be checked without detailed technical knowledge, but the hardware that has been drawn can also be checked. It is also possible to create an estimate of the hardware configuration.

Further, if the created drawing data is given to the user as it is, the user can manage the entire system by reusing the data.

Further, in order to quickly deal with each unit or new model released one after another, for example, by providing the component addition / modification processing means 102 with a function of downloading data using the Internet, It is also possible to easily update the data of 1.

Similarly, new software created to correspond to a new unit can be easily registered in the software group of the startup software database 103 that can be started from the tool of this embodiment by the add / delete / change function 104. .

Furthermore, the contents of project 3 are added / changed /
When the file is deleted, the file change history management processing unit 111, which manages the change history each time, can be deleted.

By the way, in the present embodiment, as the link setting window section W1 for selecting a file when associating the component 1, the input section I for inputting the file name and the application name as shown in FIG. 1A is used. It is displayed on the screen of the display device 2. For example, when a file is selected as an element to be associated in this selection window after displaying an association selection window (not shown), the configuration as shown in FIG. A folder next to the campus 21 displaying the part 1 (picture element described as Test10 ... in the illustrated example)
Alternatively, a display window X that displays a file (picture elements described as FileA ... in the illustrated example) in a tree shape is displayed, and a file (for example, F
The picture element of ileA) is dragged by operating a pointing device such as a mouse, and a component 1 on the campus 21
When it is dropped onto the file, the file is automatically associated with the component 1 and the file-related database 107
The function to be registered in may be provided as one of the functions of the project management processing means 106.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of components 1a and 1b on the campus 21 are respectively converted into files FileA,
When the file B is associated with the drag-and-drop operation as described above, the set save function 106g is set under the read / save processing function 106a of the project management processing unit 106 to save under the specified folder.
May have.

That is, in the example of FIG.
As described above, the file F is added to each of the two components 1a and 1b.
When ileA and FileB are associated with each other and (C: \ Test20) is designated as a folder for collective storage, the file management function of the project management processing means 106 is automatically associated with the component parts 1a and 1b (C : \ Test10 \ Test11 \ FileA) and (C: \ Test10 \ Test12 \ FileB)
Naru's two files, (C: \ Test20 \ Fi
LeA) and (C: \ Test20 \ FileB) are collectively stored in the folder (C: \ Test20).

When this group storage is performed, the group storage function 106g is provided with a file compression function, and a plurality of file groups, such as FileA and FileB, are collectively compressed under the folder (C: \ Test20). You may make it possible to save simultaneously as one file FileX.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen of a designated input window W2 for designating a file to be compressed when the compressed data is stored. In the designated input window W2, a place (folder) for storing the file is selected. An input field Ix for inputting, an input field Iy for the file name to be saved, a selection field Iz for selecting and inputting the type of file to be saved, and a check field Iw for specifying compression are displayed, and these fields Ix to Iw are displayed. If the save button Bd is operated at the time when the selection and input using is completed, the file is saved with the selected and input contents. At this time, if the check box Iw is checked, the target file is compressed and saved. In FIG. 8, a cancel button Bb is a button for canceling the current process, and a help button Bc is a button for displaying a help message.

By the way, when the above-mentioned set storage function 106g is activated, for example, the component 1 on the canvas 21 is
As the file association information in a, (C: \ Test
A folder (C: \ Test20 \ F) that automatically saves the place that becomes 10 \ Test11 \ FileA
ileA), the set saving function 106g also has a function of automatically updating the path.

If a file to be collectively stored, for example, a file having the same name as FileA exists under a folder (C: \ Test20), the contents of the existing file are changed. Therefore, the set saving function 106d is provided with a function of interrupting the set saving process and displaying a message prompting the file name change on the screen of the display device 2.

FIG. 9 shows a screen example of the collective save file designation window W3 corresponding to the display of the above message. In this example, for example, a field Oa for displaying the related file name and a field for displaying the collective save destination folder. Ob, a message display portion M1 indicating that the same name exists, and an input field Ia for allowing the user to input the file name to be changed using the GUI are displayed.

When the collective storage file designation window W3 is displayed, the user inputs the file name to be changed in the input field I.
If you fill in a with the keyboard and click the OK button Ba, the name is automatically changed. That is, OK button B
When a is clicked, the set save function works and the input field Ia
The name of the file to be collectively stored is updated with the file name entered in.

In FIG. 7, Bb is a button for canceling the processing, and Bc is a button for displaying a help message.

In the above case as a measure against the same file name, a message prompting the user to change the name is displayed, and the user inputs the file name to be changed based on the message. However, for example, when the same file name exists, a function of performing a process of automatically generating and changing the file name (for example, FileA) such as (FileA001) is automatically stored. It may be provided in 106 g so that the manual input or the automatic change described above can be selected.

In addition, the set save function 106g sets the files in the folder in which the file associated with the component 1 exists as a set save target, and sets all the lower folders existing under the hierarchy of the folder. A function that can be designated as a target may be provided.

For example, in FIG. 6, a file (File
All the files in the folder in which B) is stored ((C: \ Test10 \ Test12 \ Fi
le13 \ FileC)) (C: \ TEst2
A function that can be designated as an object to be collectively stored may be provided under 0). In this case, the file may be designated by clicking, or may be designated unconditionally and automatically set and stored.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the processing operation by all the functions provided with the above-mentioned set storage function 106g.

In the flowchart of FIG. 10, there is a step (S1) of selecting a target file for collective storage from files associated with the component 1 in which the target file is selected on the screen shown in FIG. This process (S1)
Then, it is specified whether only files associated with the component 1 are targeted (S11), files within the same folder are targeted (S12), or all files under the same folder are targeted (S13). After this designation, the set storage destination is checked (S2).

In this checking process, if there is a duplication (same name) in the file name, the name is automatically changed to avoid it (S21), or the existence of a duplication (same name) is checked (S22). In the latter case, if a duplicate name exists, a message is displayed (including a warning message) on the display window W1 as shown in FIG. 7 (S221), and a cancel button indicating whether or not the process should be canceled is displayed. Judging from the click of Bb or the click of the OK button Ba (S222), if the OK button Ba is clicked, the input file name is fetched and the name change process is performed (S223).

If the name change is unnecessary, or after the name change is made automatically or by the user's input, the set save (copy) process (S3) is performed, and then the set save process is terminated.

By the way, when the files collectively stored as described above are used in another computer, they cannot be used as they are in the state where the target files are collectively stored in a compressed form. Restore processing function 106d of the processing means 106
Is started to expand the target file and restore each file before compression and store it in an appropriate recording medium or transfer it to the target computer using a network. Since the folder position of the application that starts the target file may be different from that of another computer, the project management processing unit 106 has a function of deleting related application information that is started.

[0085]

According to the invention of claim 1, data of system parts used for various automation systems such as FA, PA, BA, etc., data of graphic parts corresponding to fixed figures,
The hardware configuration of the project corresponding to the automation system in which the data of the document parts is held in the database as at least the component data and the components are drawn by the GUI on the campus constructed on the screen of the display device. And a means for activating tool software such as setting software and programming software corresponding to the automation system when there is an operation using a GUI for an image showing each component arranged on the campus. , A means for saving a file having the contents in a predetermined folder at the time of saving the setting contents by using the tool software or programming contents by the programming software, and the means for associating with the saved file. When there is an instruction operation using a GUI for a certain component, a unit for reading the file corresponding to the component from the folder and displaying it on the screen of the display device is displayed on the screen of the display device. When there is an instruction operation using a GUI for a component, a plurality of association elements, such as the above file, the home page address of the Web, the jump destination page of a plurality of campuses in the project, are associated with the component. Since a unit for selecting one type of associating element from the above and displaying the associating screen on the display device is provided, the file or We
You can select the homepage of b, the campus in the project, and manage, analyze, and manage the devices that require programming software and setting software used for automation systems such as FA, PA, BA, etc.
This has the effects of facilitating monitoring, eliminating the complexity of management, and facilitating the transfer of component information to a third party.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the file management software is started when the above and the files are selected as the associating elements,
Since the associating means is provided by the operation of moving the display element of the corresponding file on the display screen by the activation of the software to the display element of the relevant component on the campus using the GUI, in addition to the above effect, It is easy to associate components with files.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the associating means aggregates and stores all files associated with each of the component parts in a designated folder. Because it has a function,
It is possible to easily store a set of files in which one component is associated with another in one folder.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the set storage function has a function of compressing a group of files to be set and stored as a single file in a designated folder. As a result, the storage capacity of the file can be reduced and the file group can be saved collectively.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the invention, the set storage function is a function of updating the path information in the information of each component to the path information indicating the storage location of the association file. Since it is equipped with, the path can be corrected automatically, and the burden of file management on the user is eliminated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects of the invention, the set storage function stores the files associated with the component parts in a designated folder. When the file name to be saved is the same as the existing file name in the above folder, the display for prompting to change the file name to be saved by interrupting the collective save process and the GUI name change input screen on the display device Since it has a function to display, it is possible to prevent overwriting by a file with the same name.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects of the invention, the set storage function stores the files associated with the component parts in a designated folder. When the file name to be saved is the same as the existing file name in the above folder, there is a renaming function that creates and changes the file name instead of the file name to be saved. Can be prevented, and there is no burden on the user to change the name.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the set save function sets the files in the folder in which the file associated with the component exists as the set save target, and Since there is a function that allows you to specify all subordinate folders existing under the hierarchy as targets for collective storage, it is possible to prevent the dissipation of files.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the fourth aspect of the present invention comprises means for expanding the compressed and collectively stored file, and the expansion means stores the information of the components on the campus. If the information to specify the application to be started is included in the file, a function to delete the related application information to be started at the time of deployment is provided. It is possible to prevent confusion due to the difference in the folder position of the application.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a screen explanatory view of an example of a link setting window section for selecting an association element to be associated with a component according to an embodiment of the present invention. (B) is a screen explanatory view of another example of the link setting window section for selecting an association element to be associated with the component in the above. (C) is a screen explanatory view of another example of the link setting window portion for selecting an associating element with respect to the component in the above.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view conceptually showing the same as above.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a display screen showing an image drawing operation image of the above.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the above-mentioned components.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an image of a data storage state of the above.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of associating a component with a file in the above.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of saving a set of files associated with the above-mentioned component parts.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a screen of a function example provided in the collective storage function used in the above.

FIG. 9 is a screen explanatory view of another example of the function provided in the set storage function used in the above.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above set storage function.

[Explanation of symbols]

W1 link setting window a to c radio buttons I input section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A display device for holding data of system parts used in various automation systems such as FA, PA, BA, etc., data of graphic parts corresponding to fixed figures, and data of document parts as at least component data in a database, and a display device. G on the campus to build on the screen of
An operation using a GUI for drawing the hardware configuration of the project corresponding to the automation system, which is performed by pasting the above-mentioned components by the UI, and an image showing each component placed on the above-mentioned campus using the GUI If so, a means for activating the setting software corresponding to the automation system, tool software such as programming software, and a file consisting of the setting contents and the contents of programming by the programming software when using the tool software are saved. When a means for saving in a predetermined folder and an instruction operation using a GUI for a component associated with the saved file are performed, a file corresponding to the component is read out from the folder and displayed on the display device. Together and means for displaying on the screen, GU against components displayed on the screen of the display device
When there is an instruction operation using I, one kind of associative element is made to be associated with the component concerned from a plurality of associative elements such as the above file, web homepage address, and jump destination page of a plurality of campuses in the project. An integrated project management tool comprising means for displaying a screen for selecting and associating with a display device. 2. When the above and files are selected as the associating elements, the file management software is started, and the display element of the corresponding file on the display screen by the start of the software is displayed as the component of the corresponding component on the campus. The integrated project management tool according to claim 1, further comprising an associating unit that is operated by moving the display element onto the display element using a GUI. 3. The associating means has an aggregate saving function of assembling and saving all files associated with each of the constituent parts in a designated folder. The integrated project management tool according to item 2. 4. The set storage function has a function of compressing a group of files to be set and stored as a single file in a designated folder. An integrated project management tool. 5. The integrated project management tool according to claim 3, further comprising a function of updating the path information in the information of each component to the path information indicating the storage location of the association file. 6. The collective saving function is such that when a file associated with a component is collectively saved in a designated folder, a file name to be saved is an existing file name in the folder. In the case of the same, a display for prompting to change the name of a file to be saved by interrupting the collective saving process and a function for displaying a name change input screen by GUI on the display device are provided. 5. The integrated project management tool according to any one of 5 to 5. 7. The collective saving function has the same file name as the existing file name in the folder when the files associated with the constituent parts are collectively saved in a designated folder. The integrated project management tool according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a name change function for generating and changing a file name instead of a file name to be saved in a case. 8. The collective save function sets a file in a folder in which a file associated with a component exists as a collective save target, and saves all subordinate folders existing under the hierarchy of the folder. The integrated project management tool according to claim 5, further comprising a function that can be designated as a target. 9. A means for expanding the compressed and collectively stored file is provided, wherein the expanding means includes information designating an application to be activated in the information of the constituent parts on the campus. 5. The integrated project management tool according to claim 4, further comprising a function for deleting related application information that is activated at the time of deployment.