JP2007233459A - Programmable display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a programmable display unit capable of operating a programmable display unit itself without having any adverse influence on the operation of external equipment while displaying the display picture of the external equipment. <P>SOLUTION: This programmable display unit is provided with: a means for inputting an operation to an external controller; a means for inputting/outputting information between with the external controller; a means for storing the display picture data of a picture to be displayed corresponding to operation instruction information and/or input information from the external controller; a means for generating information for displaying the monitor picture of the operating status of the external controller and/or information for displaying an operation picture corresponding to the external controller; a means for acquiring information for displaying an output display picture from external equipment; a means for compounding the monitor/operation picture information and the output picture information, and for generating information for displaying a composite picture where an operation on the monitor/operation picture and an operation on the output display picture of the external equipment are made possible; and a means for displaying the composite picture based on the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a programmable display, and more particularly to a programmable display capable of operating the programmable display itself while displaying a screen of a personal computer or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a programmable display, there is a function (RGB input function) that displays a personal computer screen on a programmable display and uses the programmable display instead of a personal computer monitor.

  In addition to such a technique, a technique for displaying RGB images from a plurality of information devices on one display device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a technique has been proposed in which a composite signal (video signal) and an RGB signal are simultaneously displayed, the screens are aggregated, and a personal computer is operated while watching television (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-22177 A JP-A-60-253389

  However, according to the above conventional technique, a personal computer screen (hereinafter referred to as an RGB input screen) using an RGB input function is used by switching to an operation screen (hereinafter referred to as a monitor screen) provided by a programmable display. There must be. For this reason, during the display of the RGB input screen, the monitor screen of the programmable display device is displayed and the user cannot operate while viewing the screen. That is, only one of the RGB input screen and the monitor screen is in an active state, and the screens cannot be operated together on the RGB input screen and the monitor screen.

  For example, during the operation of the personal computer while watching the RGB input screen, an alarm function such as a programmable display may cause forced switching from the RGB input screen to the monitor screen. When such forced switching occurs, the operation on the personal computer is also forcibly interrupted. In addition, since a desired operation cannot be performed, there is a problem that unintended processing is performed, for example, data is terminated without being saved, and the user is disadvantaged.

  Further, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, a plurality of inputs can be displayed, but a switch for operating a programmable display cannot be synthesized and displayed, and a plurality of input screens are both active. It is not possible to enter a state. Similarly, in the technique of Patent Document 2, a plurality of inputs can be displayed, but a switch for operating a programmable display cannot be synthesized and displayed, and a plurality of input screens are both active. It is not possible to enter a state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and obtains a programmable display capable of operating the programmable display itself without adversely affecting the operation of the external device while displaying the display screen of the external device. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the programmable display according to the present invention displays the operation state of the connected external control device and also provides operation instruction information for instructing the operation to the external control device. A programmable display that accepts and transmits the operation instruction information to the external control device, the operation instruction information input means for inputting the operation instruction information for instructing the operation to the external control device, and the information between the external control device Information input / output means for inputting / outputting, display screen data storage means for storing display screen data of a screen to be displayed corresponding to operation instruction information and / or input information from an external control device, operation instruction information and / or A monitor for displaying a monitor screen of the operating state of the external control device based on input information from the external control device and display screen data Monitor / operation screen information generating means for generating screen information and / or operation screen information for displaying an operation screen for the external control device, and an output display screen from an external device connected to the own device Output screen information acquisition means for acquiring output screen information, and a composite screen that combines the monitor / operation screen information and the output screen information, and allows both the operation on the monitor / operation screen and the operation on the output display screen of the external device. Screen processing means for generating composite screen information for display, and display means for displaying a composite screen based on the composite screen information are provided.

  According to the present invention, the monitor / operation screen information for monitoring the operating state of the external control device or operating the external control device and the output screen information from the external device connected to the own device are synthesized and monitored. Generating composite screen information for displaying a composite screen capable of both an operation on the operation screen and an operation on the output display screen of the external device, and displaying the composite screen based on the composite screen information; Thus, there is an effect that the programmable display itself can be operated without adversely affecting the operation of the external device while displaying the display screen of the external device.

  Embodiments of a programmable display device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following description, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a programmable display according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the programmable display device 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment displays the operation state of an external control device 200 such as a programmable controller (PLC) connected to the self-programmable display device 100 and the external control. This is a programmable display that receives operation instruction information for instructing an operation on the device 200 from a user (operator) and transmits the operation instruction information to the external control device 200. And it is a programmable display which can design freely the monitor screen which has arrange | positioned the display components which display the switch which a user operates apparatus, and the state of the connected apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the programmable display device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel 101, an external input / output unit 102, a screen setting data storage unit 103, an RGB signal input unit 104, and an input display control unit 105. And a drawing controller unit 106, an image memory 107, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 108.

  The touch panel 101 is an operation instruction information input unit that inputs operation instruction information that instructs an operation to the external control device 200. Input information (operation information) performed by the user using the touch panel 101 is input to the input display control unit 105.

  The external input / output unit 102 is information input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from an external control device 200 connected to the outside.

  The screen setting data storage unit 103 is a display screen data storage unit that stores display screen data of a screen to be displayed corresponding to operation instruction information and / or input information from the external control device 200. As the display screen data, data such as screen layout information, input control information, and settings related to drawing control are stored. These display screen data are user data that can be set and changed by the user.

  The RGB signal input unit 104 is an output screen information acquisition unit that acquires an RGB signal from the personal computer 300 as screen information for displaying an output screen from a computing device such as the personal computer 300 connected to the outside. Also, since the RGB signal acquired from the personal computer 300 is an analog signal, the RGB signal input unit 104 converts the acquired RGB signal from an analog signal to a digital signal and outputs the converted signal to the drawing controller unit 106.

  The input display control unit 105 and the drawing controller unit 106 display a monitor screen of the operation state of the external control device 200 based on the operation instruction information and / or input information from the external control device 200 and display screen data. Monitor / operation screen information generation means for generating operation screen information for displaying monitor screen information and / or an operation screen for the external control device 200.

  In addition, the drawing controller unit 106 combines the monitor / operation screen information and the output screen information, and generates a composite screen that allows both the operation on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 and the operation on the output display screen of the personal computer 300. It also functions as a screen processing means for generating composite screen information for display.

  Here, based on the input information (operation information) input from the touch panel 101 and the display screen data stored in the screen setting data storage unit 103, the input display control unit 105 serves as a monitor screen for a programmable display. The drawing controller unit 106 is instructed to start and update drawing of the screen to be displayed.

  The drawing controller unit 106 starts and updates the drawing of the screen displayed as the monitor screen of the programmable display according to the instruction of the input display control unit 105, and generates monitor screen information for displaying the monitor screen of the programmable display To do. In addition, the drawing controller unit 106 synthesizes the generated monitor screen information with the RGB signal that is converted into a digital signal and output from the RGB signal input unit 104, and operates on the monitor / operation screen and the output display of the personal computer 300. Generates composite screen information for displaying a composite screen that can be manipulated on the screen.

  Further, the drawing controller unit 106 outputs the RGB signals to the image memory 107 as they are when the screen composition is not performed. The generated monitor screen information is output to the image memory 107 as it is.

  The image memory 107 temporarily stores the composite screen information generated by the drawing controller unit 106.

  The LCD 108 is a display unit that receives the composite screen information temporarily stored in the image memory 107 and displays the composite screen based on the composite screen information. Although description is omitted here, display processing on the LCD 108 is controlled by a dedicated LCD controller. The touch panel 101 is provided on the LCD 108.

  Processing in the programmable display 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 108 displays a monitor / operation screen on which an operation state (control state) of the external control device 200 and operation switches for the external control device are displayed as images.

  In this state, state information on the operation state (control state) in the external control device 200 is input from the external control device 200 via the external input / output unit 102. This state information is input to the input display control unit 105, and the input display control unit 105 monitors the programmable display based on the state information and the display screen data stored in the screen setting data storage unit 103. The drawing controller unit 106 is instructed to start and update drawing of a screen displayed as a screen.

  The drawing controller unit 106 starts and updates the drawing of the screen displayed as the monitor screen of the programmable display according to the instruction of the input display control unit 105, and performs the monitor / operation for displaying the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display Generate screen information. Then, the generated monitor / operation screen information is output to the image memory 107 as it is.

  The image memory 107 temporarily stores the monitor / operation screen information and outputs the monitor / operation screen information to the LCD 108. The LCD 108 displays the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 based on the monitor / operation screen information. Display or update the screen.

  Here, when a user (operator) inputs operation instruction information for instructing an operation to the external control device 200 using the touch panel 101, the input information (operation information) is input to the input display control unit 105. Input information (operation information) is output to the external control device 200 via the external input / output unit 102.

  The input display control unit 105 updates the drawing of the screen displayed as the monitor screen of the programmable display based on the operation information and the display screen data stored in the screen setting data storage unit 103. To instruct.

  The drawing controller unit 106 updates the drawing of the screen displayed as the monitor screen of the programmable display according to the instruction of the input display control unit 105, and displays the monitor / operation screen information for displaying the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display Is generated. Then, the generated monitor / operation screen information is output to the image memory 107 as it is.

  The image memory 107 temporarily stores the monitor / operation screen information and outputs the monitor / operation screen information to the LCD 108. The LCD 108 displays the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 based on the monitor / operation screen information. Update. Accordingly, in this state, the operation state (control state) of the external control device 200 and the operation switch for the external control device are displayed as images on the LCD 108, and the operation state (control state) of the external control device 200 can be monitored. In addition, an operation for the external control device 200 can be performed.

  Next, the case where the output screen of the personal computer 300 is displayed on the LCD 108 from this state and the work on the personal computer is performed will be described. In this case, the display on the LCD 108 is switched to the output screen of the personal computer 300 by the display switching function.

  At this time, the RGB signal input unit 104 acquires an RGB signal from the personal computer 300 as screen information for displaying an output screen from the personal computer 300. Also, since the RGB signal acquired from the personal computer 300 is an analog signal, the RGB signal input unit 104 converts the acquired RGB signal from an analog signal to a digital signal and outputs the converted signal to the drawing controller unit 106.

  The drawing controller unit 106 outputs the RGB signals to the image memory 107 as they are. The image memory 107 temporarily stores the RGB signals and outputs the RGB signals to the LCD 108. The LCD 108 displays and updates the output screen of the personal computer 300 based on the RGB signals. In this state, the output screen of the personal computer 300 can be displayed on the LCD 108 and the personal computer can be operated.

  Next, in the state where the output screen of the personal computer 300 is displayed on the LCD 108 and the personal computer is operated as described above, for example, an abnormal state or the like occurs in the operation state (control state) of the external control device 200 and the external control device 200. A case where an alarm signal is transmitted from will be described. This alarm signal is input to the drawing controller unit 106 via the external input / output unit 102 and the input display control unit 105.

  In accordance with the alarm signal, the drawing controller unit 106 synthesizes the output screen of the personal computer 300 and the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 so that both the operation on the monitor / operation screen and the operation on the output display screen of the personal computer 300 can be performed. A simple composite screen. The composite screen in the present invention is an image obtained by superimposing the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 on the output display screen of the personal computer 300. However, the composite screen is not simply superimposed, but only two screens are combined. is there.

  Specifically, the drawing controller unit 106 synthesizes the monitor screen information described above and the RGB signal that is converted into a digital signal and output from the RGB signal input unit 104, and performs operations on the monitor / operation screen and the personal computer 300. Generating composite screen information for displaying a composite screen that can be operated together with the output display screen. The generated monitor / operation screen information is output to the image memory 107 as it is.

  The image memory 107 temporarily stores the composite screen information and outputs the composite screen information to the LCD 108. The LCD 108 displays the composite screen based on the composite screen information.

  The composite screen displayed on the LCD 108 in this way is a screen that allows both an operation on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 and an operation on the output display screen of the personal computer 300. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams for explaining an image of screen composition in the present invention. In the present invention, for example, by combining the output display screen of the personal computer 300 as shown in FIG. 2-1 and the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 as shown in FIG. As shown, a composite screen of the output display screen of the personal computer 300 and the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display device 100 can be created and displayed.

  At this time, the output display screen of the personal computer 300 is combined with a specific color on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100, for example, a transparent color region. For this reason, at the time of designing the monitor / operation screen, a portion made with a color other than the specific color for composition can be displayed on the LCD 108 simultaneously with the output display screen of the personal computer 300. As an example, the output display screen of the personal computer 300 does not include the display component 402 that displays the state of the connected device and the switches 403 operated by the user that are arranged on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display device 100. The color area 401 is combined so as to overlap.

  By performing such composition, an image on the output display screen of the personal computer 300 and a display component 402 and switches 403 arranged on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 as shown in FIG. A composite screen can be created without overlapping. Even when the personal computer 300 is operated, there is no trouble in confirming the display component 402 or operating the switches 403. When setting the arrangement of the display component 402 and the switches 403 on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display device 100, some consideration is necessary for the arrangement positions.

  Further, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to synthesize the image on the output display screen of the personal computer 300 and the display component 402 and the switches 403 arranged on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 so as not to overlap. . For example, by combining the output display screen of the personal computer 300 as shown in FIG. 3A and the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 as shown in FIG. 3B, the personal computer 300 as shown in FIG. A composite screen of the output display screen and the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 can be created and displayed. In the composite screen illustrated in FIG. 3C, the display component 410 partially overlaps the image on the output display screen of the personal computer 300. When the frequency of using a specific layout screen is high as the output display screen of the personal computer 300 and there is no significant influence even if a part of the images overlap, it is possible to perform such composition.

  In addition, in the programmable display 100 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the alarm signal as described above, the output display screen of the personal computer 300 and the programmable display 100 according to the composite switching control information transmitted from the external control device 200. It is possible to switch whether or not to perform the synthesis process with the monitor / operation screen.

  Moreover, in the programmable display 100 concerning this Embodiment, the synthesis | combination process of the synthesis | combination with the output display screen of the personal computer 300, and the monitor and the operation screen of the programmable display 100 also according to the synthesis switching control information which an own apparatus emits. The presence or absence of execution can be switched. For example, it is possible to manually switch whether or not the synthesis process is performed, and to provide a composition process switching switch on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 and other parts. In this case, when an alarm signal such as that described above is input, the alarm is displayed on the screen by a window to alert the user, and the user himself / herself operates the changeover switch for executing the synthesis process to operate the personal computer 300. It is also possible to shift from the output display screen to the composite screen.

  According to the programmable display device 100 according to the present embodiment as described above, a composite screen capable of both the operation on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display device 100 and the operation on the output display screen of the personal computer 300 is combined. That is, information on the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 can be obtained while displaying the display screen of the PC 300 output display screen on the LCD 108, and further, the programmable display itself can be obtained without adversely affecting the operation of the personal computer 300. Operation is possible, and the operation of the personal computer 300 is also possible.

  Therefore, the device can be controlled through the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 by displaying the composite screen as necessary even while the LCD 108 is used as the monitor of the personal computer 300.

  Further, since the output screen of the personal computer 300 and the monitor / operation screen of the programmable display 100 are both active in the composite screen, the output of the programmable display 100 can be changed from the output display screen of the personal computer 300 as before. The operation on the personal computer 300 is not forcibly interrupted with the forced switching to the monitor / operation screen. Thus, there is no problem that unintended processing is performed in the processing of the personal computer 300 that has conventionally occurred, resulting in a disadvantage to the user.

  In addition, as described above, only when an alarm signal is input, an alarm is displayed on the output display screen of the personal computer 300 by a window to call attention, and the user himself / herself operates the switch for executing the synthesis process. By shifting from the output display screen of the personal computer 300 to the composite screen, the user can normally concentrate on the personal computer operation, and can shift to the control screen for checking the state of the device only when an abnormality occurs in the device. It is also useful for improving efficiency and avoiding problems due to delays in alarm confirmation.

  As described above, the programmable display according to the present invention is useful for a programmable display in an environment where an external device such as a personal computer is connected and used frequently.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the programmable display concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a personal computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the monitor and operation screen of a programmable display. It is a figure which shows an example of the synthetic | combination screen of the display screen of a personal computer, and the monitor and operation screen of a programmable display. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a personal computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the monitor and operation screen of a programmable display. It is a figure which shows an example of the synthetic | combination screen of the display screen of a personal computer, and the monitor and operation screen of a programmable display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Programmable display 101 Touch panel 102 External input / output part 103 Screen setting data storage part 104 RGB signal input part 105 Input display control part 106 Drawing controller part 107 Image memory 108 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
200 External Control Device 300 Personal Computer 401 Transmission Color Area 402 Display Parts 403 Switches 410 Display Parts

Claims (8)

A programmable display that displays the operating state of the connected external control device, receives operation instruction information for instructing an operation on the external control device, and transmits the operation instruction information to the external control device,
Operation instruction information input means for inputting operation instruction information for instructing an operation to the external control device;
Information input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from the external control device;
Display screen data storage means for storing display screen data of a screen to be displayed corresponding to the operation instruction information and / or input information from the external control device;
Based on the operation instruction information and / or input information from the external control device and the display screen data, monitor screen information and / or the external display for displaying a monitor screen of the operation state of the external control device A monitor / operation screen information generating means for generating operation screen information for displaying an operation screen for the control device;
Output screen information acquisition means for acquiring output screen information for displaying an output display screen from an external device connected to the device;
The monitor / operation screen information and the output screen information are combined to generate composite screen information for displaying a composite screen that allows both operations on the monitor / operation screen and operations on the output display screen of the external device. Screen processing means for
Display means for displaying the composite screen based on the composite screen information;
A programmable display comprising: The programmable display according to claim 1, wherein the output screen information is an RGB signal output from a personal computer terminal. The screen processing means can switch whether or not the synthesis process of the monitor / operation screen information and the output screen information is executed, and when the synthesis process is not executed, the monitor / operation screen information or the output screen information Only the any one of these is output. The programmable display of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The screen processing means is capable of switching whether or not to perform a synthesis process between the monitor / operation screen information and the output screen information in accordance with synthesis switching control information issued by an external device connected to the own device. The programmable display according to claim 3. The said screen processing means can switch the execution presence or absence of the synthetic | combination process with the said monitor and operation screen information and the said output screen information according to the synthetic | combination switching control information which an own apparatus emits. Programmable display. The programmable display device according to claim 5, wherein the combination switching control information can be input by the operation instruction information input unit. The programmable display according to claim 1, wherein the screen processing unit synthesizes an output display screen from the external device with a predetermined transparent color portion of the monitor screen and / or the operation screen. The programmable display according to claim 1, wherein the display screen data is information that can be set and changed.

Images