JP2009020716A - Tool device and method for creating message transmission program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tool device for easily creating a program for communication and easily deciding the cause of an error. <P>SOLUTION: The tool device establishes a communication route from the tool device to a message transmission destination through a program transfer destination device establishes connection to the message transmission destination using the established communication route (S1), and secures the communication route when the communication is established (S2). After a message is created, the tool device sends the created message to the message transmission destination via the communication route where the connection establishment is secured (S3) and secures the message data when the message transmission succeeds (S4). Then, the tool device creates a transmission program and transfers it to a created control device (S5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tool device and a method for creating a message transmission program, and more particularly to a technique for creating a transmission program for performing message communication between devices and devices in a network system.

  PLC (programmable logic controller), which controls FA (factory automation) systems installed at production sites in production factories, connects input devices such as CPU units, sensors, and switches that execute calculations based on control programs. An input unit that captures these on / off signals as input signals, an output unit that sends output signals to actuators, relays, and other output devices, and a communication that connects and exchanges information with higher-level terminal devices It is configured by combining a plurality of units such as a unit and a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit.

  The CPU unit includes a program memory for storing a control program, a data memory for storing an input signal received by the input unit and an output signal as a calculation result of the control program, and a processing processor for performing arithmetic processing based on the control program. Part. The control program in the CPU unit is created by describing in a ladder language expressed by, for example, a ladder diagram (ladder chart) by operating a programming tool device by a PLC user (user) before operating the PLC. The Then, the created user program is converted from a ladder diagram symbol to an instruction word by the programming tool device, and an operand corresponding to each CPU unit is defined and downloaded to the target CPU unit. The processor unit of the CPU unit sequentially reads out the instruction word of the user program from the program memory, reads out the information of the input signal from the data memory based on the memory address according to the operand of the instruction word, and reads this data according to the user program. The logical operation is performed, the operation result is stored in the data memory, and the stored operation result is output to the output unit as an output signal. The processing processor unit of the CPU unit cyclically executes the input signal reading process, the user program execution process, and the output process output process.

  The PLC has a function of communicating with another PLC and other devices connected via a network. One of protocols for performing this communication is CIP (Common Industrial Protocol). When communication using CIP is performed, a communication message or the like is incorporated in the ladder program in a description compliant with the CIP specification.

  Actually, in order to operate a program including CIP communication with a PLC, a programmer first creates a ladder program. This ladder program includes a program for controlling the operation of the controlled machine and a program for performing CIP communication.

Next, the created ladder program is transferred to the PLC and debugged by a debugging device. If an error is found, the ladder program is corrected, then the corrected ladder program is transferred to the PLC and debugged again. The user repeatedly executes such processing until there is no error. A development support apparatus that acquires information necessary for debugging by connecting to a PLC is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP2003-241805

  When creating a program for performing CIP communication, the user needs to understand CIP and input and create complicated parameters, which is complicated. In addition, in the case of CIP, it is necessary to specify a route for sending a message, so it is necessary for the user to understand the network configuration and find and specify an appropriate route to the final message transmission partner. It is complicated. If the CIP communication cannot be performed when the program is downloaded to the actual machine and the program is executed, the following causes (1) to (4) are considered.

(1) The network configuration in the actual machine is not physically connected correctly.
(2) The communication path for sending a message set by the user is wrong (a path that does not connect to the transmission partner is set).
(3) The parameter of the CIP message is incorrect.
(4) The CIP message transmission process is not executed due to a program error or the like.

  When communication by CIP is not performed, the user needs to identify and correct the cause of the above (1) to (4). However, the cause of the communication error is not necessarily one, and a plurality of causes may occur at the same time, and it is complicated to specify the cause.

  If the cause can be identified, the user will correct it, but if all the causes are identified and not corrected correctly, further correction work will be required, so the ladder program will be recreated and transferred repeatedly. It takes time and effort to complete a correct program.

  A similar problem occurs when creating a program that executes message transmission using a communication protocol other than CIP.

  The object of the present invention is to easily create a program for performing communication even if there is not much technical knowledge about the communication protocol to be used. If there is an error, the cause can be easily identified. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool device and a method for creating a message transmission program that can reduce the time and labor required to create a finally operable program.

  (1) A tool device according to the present invention is a tool device that creates a message transmission program in a network system including a control device and transfers the message transmission program to the control device, where the message is transmitted from the tool device via the control device. A communication path confirmation unit that establishes a connection to the transmission destination of the message according to the determined communication path, and creates a message to be transmitted, and the transmission destination communication path confirmation unit The transmission test processing means for transmitting the created message to the destination of the message and the message transmission program on the communication path in which the establishment of the connection is guaranteed by the above, and the created message transmission program is transferred to the control device Transmission program creation processing means.

  The control device is, for example, a programmable controller (PLC), and corresponds to the first PLC 2 (CPU unit 2a) in the embodiment. The destination communication path confirmation unit corresponds to the CIP data generation unit 12 in the embodiment. The transmission test processing means corresponds to the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 in the embodiment. The transmission program creation processing means corresponds to the CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 in the embodiment.

  In the present invention, first, transmission destination communication path confirmation means is executed to confirm that a connection to the message transmission destination is established. At this time, if the establishment fails, it is corrected as appropriate and an attempt is made to establish the connection again. The process is repeated until the connection is successfully established. This ensures the communication path by confirming that the actual connection to the target is possible in the actual environment. Even if connection establishment fails, the cause is limited, for example, physical wiring is not performed correctly, so that the cause can be easily identified and corrected.

  Next, the transmission test processing means is executed to check whether the message can be correctly sent to the message destination. If there is a communication error, make appropriate corrections and perform the transmission test again. If the message transmission is successful, the message data (parameters etc.) used there is guaranteed to be correct. Also, if there is a communication error, the communication path is already guaranteed and no communication program has been created, so the cause of the error is limited, such as an error in the message data. In addition, the correction work can be easily performed.

  After that, an actual transmission program is created and the created program is transferred to the control device. If an error or the like occurs in the debug process after transfer, the validity of the communication path and message data is verified in the previous process. Since the problem is caused by a defect in the program itself, the cause can be easily identified and corrected.

  In this way, by performing validation at each stage, it is possible to easily isolate the problem even if an error occurs, and the subsequent processing can be performed based on the verified data. The creation and debugging of communication programs can be prevented as many times as possible, and the time to development can be shortened.

  (2) The transmission destination communication path confirmation means includes a function for displaying a message transmission destination network path designation screen showing the connection relation of each device constituting the network system with the tool device as a higher level in a tree shape, and a message transmission destination. And a function for recognizing a device designated as a device and creating a path for specifying a communication route from the tool device to the designated device.

  In this way, the user does not need to consider how each device is connected and what the message communication path should be, and can easily identify a communication path through which communication is possible. Further, even when a path is specified as in message communication by CIP, the path can be automatically created by the destination communication path confirmation means by specifying this communication path, and there is no technical knowledge about CIP. Can also be set.

  (3) The transmission program creation processing means establishes a connection to the control device that is the transmission destination of the transmission program, and when the connection is successfully established, the transmission program creation processing means starts from the tool device determined by the transmission destination communication path confirmation means. The difference between the communication path to the message destination and the communication path from the tool device to which the connection has been successfully established to the control device is extracted, and communication from the control device to the message destination is based on the extracted difference. It is preferable to provide a function for specifying a route. This ensures that the communication path based on the extracted difference data is the correct communication path from the control device to which the transmission program has been transferred to the message destination.

  (4) The message is transmitted by CIP communication, and the transmission test processing means receives each parameter input using a parameter input screen including an input area for a service code, a class ID, an instance ID, and an attribute ID. Can be obtained, a message for transmission test can be created, and the message can be transmitted to the destination of the message. In this way, parameters can be set without any technical knowledge regarding CIP.

  (5) A message transmission program creation method according to the present invention is a message transmission program creation method using a tool device that creates a message transmission program in a network system including a control device and transfers the program to the control device. Establishes a communication path from the tool device to the message transmission destination via the control device, and establishes a connection to the message transmission destination through the determined communication path, and the establishment succeeds. To confirm the communication path, and then create a message to be transmitted, and the tool device transmits the created message to the destination of the message using the communication path in which the establishment of the connection is guaranteed. If the message transmission is successful, the message data is guaranteed. And, thereafter, the tool device creates a transmission program, and to forward to the control apparatus produced.

  In the embodiment, the tool device is directly connected to the transfer destination PLC (CPU unit). However, the tool device is not necessarily connected directly. For example, the second PLC 3 (CPU unit 3a) of the embodiment is a transfer destination of the transmission program, and the present invention can also be applied to a device that transmits a message from the second PLC to another device (not shown).

  In the present invention, validity verification is performed in stages, so that even if an error occurs, the cause can be easily identified and corrected. Therefore, it is possible to easily create a program for communication even if there is little technical knowledge about the communication protocol to be used, and if there is a mistake, the cause can be easily identified and the operation finally performed. The time and effort required to create a possible transmission program is reduced.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a network system including a tool device 1 of the present invention. In an actual network system, personal computers, PLCs, and other devices are connected to a plurality of networks, but FIG. 1 shows a state in which two PLCs 2 and 3 are connected to the network 5 for convenience. .

  The first PLC 2 includes a CPU unit 2 a that executes a ladder program and the like, and a communication unit 2 b that is connected to the network 5. Of course, although not shown, the first PLC 2 appropriately connects various units such as an input / output unit, a control unit, and a power supply unit. The first PLC 2 is configured by mounting these units in predetermined slots of the backplane. Each unit is connected to the internal bus 2c disposed inside the backplane by being mounted in the slot, and data communication between the units via the internal bus 2c becomes possible.

  Similarly, the second PLC 3 includes a CPU unit 3a, a communication unit 3b, and the like. Although not shown, the second PLC 3 also includes other various units. Data communication between the units is performed via the internal bus 3c.

  The tool device 1 is connected to the CPU unit 2a of the first PLC 2 via the communication cable 4. In this example, Ethernet (registered trademark) is used for communication between the tool apparatus 1 and the first PLC 2, but USB may be used, and other various communication protocols may be used. The tool device 1 can be realized by a personal computer or a dedicated computer.

  FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the tool device 1. The tool device 1 includes a GUI (graphical user interface) 11, a CIP data generation unit 12, a CIP transmission test processing unit 13, and a CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14. Each of these functional units is for creating a program for sending a CIP message. The tool device 1 compiles the created ladder program and downloads the created ladder program to a PLC or the like. It has a function to do.

  The GUI 11 is a man-machine interface, displays various input screens on the display device of the tool device 1, and sends information input to the input area in the displayed input screen to the CIP data generation unit 12. An example of the input screen is shown in FIG. For each input area set in the input screen, the user operates an input device such as a keyboard / pointing device of the tool device 1 to perform text input or selection from a pull-down menu list.

  FIG. 4 shows an overall processing flowchart until the message transmission program is actually created using the tool device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the tool device 1 executes message transmission destination path designation processing based on parameter input from the user (S1), and determines whether or not the connection establishment is successful (S2).

  The message transmission destination path designation process in the process step S1 is executed by the CIP data generation unit 12, and a specific processing algorithm is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the CIP data generation unit 12 selects a communication interface (S11). That is, since the user inputs the communication interface to be used in the interface input area R1 in the input screen shown in FIG. 3, the CIP data generation unit 12 recognizes the input communication interface. The input of this communication interface is performed by a pull-down menu method. As shown in FIG. 6, here, Ethernet (registered trademark) is selected as a communication interface between the tool device 1 and the first PLC 2.

  Next, a communication path is selected (S12). That is, the CIP data generation unit 12 displays the “message transmission destination network path designation screen” shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 on the display device of the tool device 1. The tool device 1 displays information about the network configuration, that is, information about which device / device is connected to which network, and the configuration of each device / device, and displays the configuration of each device / device in a tree shape. Inquiries to each device / equipment on the network each time. Therefore, based on such information, the CIP data generation unit 12 represents the connection relationship of devices such as each device / apparatus in a tree shape with the tool device 1 as a higher rank. Here, the device refers to a communication path such as a device (unit unit in the case of a device composed of a plurality of units such as a PLC) / device, a network to which the device / device is connected, an internal bus, and the like. This is a component necessary for specifying the message (the element to which a message is transmitted).

  As shown in FIG. 7, a device (“... CPU01 ...” icon: corresponding to the CPU unit 2a of the first PLC 2) directly connected to the tool device 1 (“TCP: 2” icon) is displayed. When a device connected to a lower level is closed and not displayed, the user clicks [+] connected under the icon of the tool device 1 when specifying the hidden device as a device to be connected online. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8, the connected device is displayed.

  According to FIG. 8, the CPU unit 2a of the first PLC 2 is connected to the tool device 1, and the CPU unit 2a and the communication unit 2b (# 0 NE1S-CNS 21U) are connected via an internal bus 2c (Back Plane). The communication unit 2b and the communication unit 3b of the second PLC 3 (2 NE1S-CNS 21U) are connected via a field network (ControlNet: 2), and the communication unit 3b and the CPU unit 3a of the second PLC 3 (0 NE1S_CPU01_Rev03) It can be seen that the connection is made via the bus 3c (Back Plane). Then, the user specifies the connection destination by clicking the icon of the connection destination device. In the example of FIG. 8, the CPU unit 3a is selected. The CIP data generation unit 12 recognizes the clicked device and identifies the communication path from the tool device 1. The user simply clicks on the final destination device, and the communication path is specified. Therefore, the user does not need to examine or think about how to use the communication path, and set the communication path. Mistakes disappear.

  Next, the CIP data generation unit 12 determines a message transmission destination path (S13). In other words, the CIP data generation unit 12 generates a transmission destination path (designating devices constituting the communication path in order) based on the communication path determined by the execution of the processing step S12, and the generated path is shown in FIG. Are displayed in the network path designation area R2 in the input screen shown in FIG. An example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, from the relationship of the display area of the network path designation area R2, up to the network 5 (control net: 2) is displayed. Of course, the subsequent devices are also described. The path displayed in the network path designation area R2 can be changed by manual operation using the input device (keyboard, pointing device) of the tool device 1 as appropriate. As described above, the CIP data generation unit 12 automatically determines a communication path based on the transmission destination designated by the user, and automatically creates a path for specifying the communication path. Even without technical knowledge about CIP, it is possible to create a path to a transmission destination, eliminate input errors, and create a correct path at one time.

  If the content of the path is confirmed, the CIP data generation unit 12 connects to the message transmission destination (S14). Specifically, since the user clicks the “OpenNetwork” button in the input screen shown in FIG. 6, when the CIP data generation unit 12 recognizes the click, the CIP data generation unit 12 recognizes the click based on the path described in the network path designation region R2. Connect to the message destination.

  If the connection cannot be established and the message transmission destination cannot be connected, the branch determination in the processing step S2 is No, so the processing returns to the processing step S1 and the message transmission destination path designation processing is executed. No in this processing step S2 is a limited mistake such as a physical communication path not being established or a wrong path designation, so it is easy to identify the cause of the mistake and the contents of the mistake. Can be identified. In particular, when a path that was automatically created is used, it is considered that the physical connection of the wiring is not correctly connected (including disconnection). Is easy to do.

  On the other hand, when the connection is successfully established, the tool device 1 executes a message transmission test process based on the input from the user (S3), and determines whether the message transmission test is successful (S4).

  The message transmission test designating process in step S3 is executed by the CIP transmission test processing unit 13, and the specific processing algorithm is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The CIP transmission test processing unit 13 performs a predetermined process based on the data input to the input areas R3 to R7 provided in the “CIP Message” area on the input screen shown in FIG.

  Here, CIP message communication will be briefly described. In CIP, each device is modeled as a set of “objects”. An “object” is an abstraction of a specific component of a device (function in the device) and represents processing and data together. Data possessed by an object is referred to as an “attribute” (attribute), and the actual state of the object is referred to as an “instance”. A generalized object is called a “class”.

  When accessing the device from the outside, it is performed in units of objects. A request (for example, reading of data) made externally by accessing is referred to as a “service”. Each class of object is given a unique “class ID”. Similarly, “instance ID” and “attribute ID” are uniquely assigned to each instance and each attribute. By designating these three IDs in the device, it is possible to uniquely identify the access destination data (attribute). Some services do not require an instance ID or attribute ID.

  The CIP transmission test processing unit 13 receives an input of a service code specifying the content of the CIP message to be transmitted (S21). That is, when the triangular button in the service code input area R3 is clicked, the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 displays a list of service codes supported by the tool device 1 using a pull-down menu method. The CIP transmission test processing unit 13 displays the service code selected by the user in the service code input area R3. FIG. 6 shows an example in which “01” is selected as the service code. As shown in FIG. 6, the code number and the contents of the service are displayed in association with each other. The exemplified “Get_Attribute_All” means a service content that “obtains the entire attribute from the transmission destination”.

  Next, the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 acquires each ID input by the user to the class ID input area R4, the instance ID input area R5, and the attribute ID input area R6 (S22 to S24). Further, when there is service data to be transmitted, the user writes in the service data input area R7, so the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 accepts the input of the written service data (S25). The service code and class ID are required to be entered, but there may be no ID, data, etc. after that. The processing from step S21 to step S25 is executed by the CIP message transmission parameter creation unit 13a.

  If the contents input in the processing steps S21 to S25 are acceptable, the CIP message transmission middleware 13b of the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 executes message transmission processing on the message transmission destination (S26). Specifically, when the user clicks the “Test Message” button in the input screen shown in FIG. 6, the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 sends a test message to the message transmission destination specified by each ID. Send.

  When the message is transmitted, the result is returned from the transmission destination, so the CIP transmission test processing unit 13 displays the received reply content in the corresponding part of each of the display areas R8 to R10 of “Test Result”. That is, “00” is output to the result status display area R8 when transmission is successful, and a predetermined code is output when there is a transmission error. For example, when a supplemental status such as the content of an error at the time of transmission error is sent to the supplemental status display area R9, it is output. In the response data display area R10, when the answer of the transmitted service is returned, it is displayed. For example, when the transmitted message is data reading, the read data is output.

  If “00” is output to the result status display area R8, the branch determination in the processing step S4 is Yes. Therefore, the user repeatedly executes the message transmission test process in the processing step S3 while correcting the message, the service data, and the like until “00” is output in the result status display area R8. Since it has been confirmed that the data communication can be physically performed up to the device of the transmission partner by executing the processing steps S1 and S2, it is an error in the CIP message that No is determined in the branching determination of the processing step S4. The cause is limited. Therefore, it is relatively easy to specify an error location, and the correction work can be completed in a short time.

  On the other hand, when the message transmission test is successful, the tool device 1 executes a message transmission program creation process (S5). This message transmission program creation processing is performed by the CIP program creation processing unit 14 executing the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the message transmission program creation processing unit 14 displays the message transmission program setting input screen shown in FIG. 11, and accepts designation of a transmission destination path for transferring the message transmission program (S31). That is, a communication interface used when connecting to a program transfer destination device is input to the interface input area R11 in the setting input screen, and a transmission destination path to the program transfer destination device is set as a network path designation area. Input to R12. The input process of the interface and the designation of the destination path can be performed in the same procedure as the process steps S11 and S12 in FIG. Of course, the user may directly enter the text of the destination path. Since the program transfer destination is the CPU unit 2a of the first PLC 2 in this embodiment, after execution of the processing step 31, it is exemplified in each of the areas R11 and R12 in FIG.

  The CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 connects to the transmission destination to which the program is transferred (S32). Specifically, since the user clicks the “OpenNetwork” button in the setting power screen shown in FIG. 11, when the CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 recognizes the click, the path described in the network path designation area R12 is displayed. To connect to the program transfer destination.

  If the connection cannot be established and the transfer destination cannot be connected (No in S33), the process returns to the processing step S31 and starts again from the designation of the path. The reason for No in this processing step S33 is a limited mistake such as incorrect designation of the path for the program transfer destination, so that the cause of the mistake and the content of the mistake can be easily identified.

  On the other hand, if the connection is successfully established, the CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 extracts the difference in the program transfer destination path created in the processing step S31 from the message transmission destination path created by executing the processing step S1 (S34). . The extracted difference is a path from the device to the destination of the CIP message with reference to the device to which the program is transferred. Since these connection destination paths and transfer destination paths have both established connections and confirmed that they are correct paths, the path based on the extracted difference is the message from the device to which the message transmission program has been transferred. This is the correct path for specifying the communication path to the destination.

  Next, the CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 receives an input of a message transmission program creation parameter (S35). That is, the CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 acquires data input from the input areas R13 to R15 in the parameter setting input screen shown in FIG. Here, the input area R13 is an area for inputting a destination port number, the input area R14 is an area for inputting a timeout time for waiting for reception of a response after transmitting a message, and the input area R15 is response data. This area specifies the memory area. Both are performed by text input from the user.

  The CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 creates a message transmission program creation setting file based on the parameters determined in the processing steps S34 and S35 (S36). A series of processes (S31 to S36) up to this point are executed by the program creation parameter etc. creation unit 14a, and the created file is stored in the program creation parameter storage unit 14b.

  Next, the CIP transmission program creation unit 14c of the CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14 creates a message transmission program (S37). A specific processing algorithm of this processing step S37 is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the message transmission program creation setting file stored in the program generation parameter storage unit 14b is read (S41), and the program is actually created (S42). That is, since the necessary parameters for performing CIP communication such as a path for specifying the message transmission destination are set in the read setting file, the user creates the actual part of the transmission program. That is, the CIP transmission program creation unit 14c is the same as a kind of programming tool. Then, a message transmission program file incorporating the created program is created in the read message creation setting file and stored in the storage unit 14d (S43).

  The message transmission program file created and stored in this manner is downloaded to the device specified based on the transfer destination path. Then, after downloading, debug processing is performed on the actual machine, and if an error or the like occurs, it is confirmed that the path and other parameters for communicating the CIP message are correct, so the cause of the error is the program itself. The cause can be easily identified and corrected.

It is a figure which shows an example of the network system containing the tool apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure (software structure) of a tool apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of an input screen. It is a flowchart which shows the whole sequence for producing a transmission program. It is a flowchart which shows the specific algorithm of a message transmission destination path | pass designation | designated process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the input screen for demonstrating a message transmission destination path designation | designated process. It is a figure explaining a communication route selection process. It is a figure explaining a communication route selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the specific algorithm of a message transmission test process. It is a flowchart which shows the specific algorithm of a message transmission program creation process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen for demonstrating a message transmission program creation process. It is a flowchart which shows the specific algorithm of a message transmission program creation engine process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Tool device 11 GUI
12 CIP data generation unit 13 CIP transmission test processing unit 13a CIP message transmission parameter generation unit 13b CIP message transmission middleware 14 CIP transmission program creation processing unit 14a Program generation parameter creation unit 14b Program generation parameter storage unit 14c CIP transmission program Creation unit 14d CIP transmission program storage unit

Claims (5)

A tool device for creating a message transmission program in a network system including a control device and transferring the program to the control device,
A communication path from the tool device to the message transmission destination via the control device, a transmission path confirmation means for establishing a connection to the transmission destination of the message by the determined communication path;
A transmission test processing means for creating a message to be transmitted, and transmitting the created message to the transmission destination of the message in a communication path in which connection establishment is guaranteed by the transmission destination communication path confirmation means;
A transmission program creation processing means for creating a message transmission program and transferring the created message transmission program to the control device;
Tool device equipped with. The transmission destination communication path confirmation means includes
A function for displaying a message transmission destination network path designation screen showing the connection relation of each device constituting the network system with the tool device as a higher level in a tree shape,
A function for recognizing a device designated as a message destination and creating a path for identifying a communication path from the tool device to the designated device;
The tool device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The transmission program creation processing means establishes a connection to a control device that is a transfer destination of the transmission program, and when the connection is successfully established, the transmission program creation processing means sends a message from the tool device determined by the transmission destination communication path confirmation means. The difference between the communication path to the transmission destination and the communication path from the tool device to which the connection has been successfully established to the control apparatus is extracted, and the communication path from the control apparatus to the transmission destination of the message is determined based on the extracted difference. The tool device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a specifying function. The message is transmitted by CIP communication,
The transmission test processing means acquires each parameter input using a parameter input screen including an input area of a service code, class ID, instance ID, and attribute ID, creates a message for transmission test, and sends the message The tool device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tool device is transmitted to a transmission destination. A message transmission program creation method using a tool device for creating a message transmission program in a network system including a control device and transferring the program to the control device,
The tool device determines a communication path from the tool device to the message transmission destination via the control device, and establishes a connection to the message transmission destination through the determined communication path, Confirms the security of the communication path by succeeding,
Next, a message to be transmitted is created, and the tool device transmits the created message to the transmission destination of the message using a communication path in which the establishment of the connection is guaranteed. Confirm data security,
Thereafter, the tool device creates a message transmission program and transfers it to the created control device.

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