JP4000841B2 - Connection setting support tool in distributed control system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a connection setting support tool in a distributed control system having a plurality of devices capable of data transmission via a communication medium, devices connected to the respective devices, and operation of the devices being related by data transmission between the devices. It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a distributed control system has been proposed in which devices are connected to a plurality of devices that enable data transmission via a communication medium, and data communication is performed between the devices, thereby associating operations of the devices. .
[0003]
In this type of distributed control system, each device is configured with a microcomputer as the main component, and data communication between devices is possible, and various functions can be set for each device by programs. It has become. Hereinafter, a program that determines the function of a device is called a function block. A plurality of functional blocks can be set in one device, and one or more network variables used for data transfer are set in each functional block. That is, the functional block is described in the C language for the device, and the network variable can be handled in the same way as the variable in the C language. However, if a network variable is defined as an output network variable (hereinafter simply referred to as an output variable), the assigned value becomes the data sent to other function blocks, and the network variable is changed to an input network variable (hereinafter simply referred to as an output network variable). If it is defined as an input variable), data can be received by substituting data from other functional blocks into this variable. In particular, when the functional block is related to transmission / reception between devices, the assignment of data to an output variable means transmission of a packet, and the definition of an input variable means reception of a packet. In other words, if output variables and input variables are associated with each other, data can be exchanged, and within one device, output variables and input variables are associated with each other between two functional blocks. Data can be exchanged. In addition, data can be transferred between different devices by transmitting and receiving packets. In the network variable, an attribute value (hereinafter referred to as an input value) given as an initial value or a specified value according to the type of the network variable is set as necessary. Each functional block is given a functional block name for identification. In addition, variable names and variable types are defined for input variables and output variables, respectively. There are various variable types, such as an on / off type that defines only on / off, and a character string type, a time type, a temperature type, a current type, and a voltage type that use character string, time, temperature, current, and voltage as data.
[0004]
By the way, each device has its own address for individually identifying the device. In addition, a destination address that is an address of a packet transmission partner is set. In the function block of the device on the packet receiving side, if an input variable corresponding to the output variable of the function block of the device on the transmitting side is defined, the output variable and the input variable are associated with each other and data can be transferred. Here, a plurality of destination addresses can be set in one functional block, and if a plurality of types of output variables are defined in one functional block and associated with each destination address, different packets are transmitted to a plurality of devices. It is also possible to do. Alternatively, if a plurality of destination addresses are associated with one output variable set in one functional block, it is possible to transmit packets having the same contents to a plurality of devices. The destination address is stored in an address table provided in the functional block.
[0005]
Now, it is assumed that a control-side device such as a lighting load or an air conditioner is controlled in response to a monitoring-side device such as a switch (or a sensor). Further, it is assumed that the monitoring device is provided with a display unit for displaying data transmitted from the control device. Hereinafter, the control-side device is referred to as a controlled device, and the monitoring-side device is referred to as an operation indicator. In addition, it is assumed that the operation indicator and the controlled device are associated with each device. That is, the operation state of the operation indicator is input to the device as monitoring data, and the device to which the controlled device is connected outputs a signal instructing the operation of the controlled device. An interface is provided between the device and the equipment as necessary. For example, when controlling on / off of the power supply of the controlled device, the controlled device is connected using a relay controlled by the device as an interface. In the device connected to the controlled device, the output variable can be set in the function block so that the data corresponding to the operation of the controlled device is returned when the packet from the device connected to the operation indicator is received. If the input variable corresponding to is defined in the function block of the device connected to the operation indicator, the content of the data returned from the device connected to the controlled device is displayed on the display means provided in the operation indicator. It becomes possible.
[0006]
Each device includes a communication unit that performs data communication with each other via a communication medium, and an arithmetic processing unit that executes a function block set according to a device connected to the device. In addition, the self address, the destination address, and the contents of the functional block are respectively written in a nonvolatile memory provided as a storage unit in each device. A program as a functional block can be easily described by using a library prepared in the device as firmware, but it is also possible to develop a unique program and set a functional block. A device name is set for each device to identify the device, and a device type for each type of device connected to the device is set corresponding to the device name. Examples of the device type include a switch and a TU (control unit). That is, if the device type is a switch, it corresponds to an operation indicator, and if the device type is TU, it corresponds to a controlled device. Furthermore, in each functional block, a variable name and a variable type are defined for the network variable as described above. These device names, device types, function block names, variable names, and variable types are also stored in a nonvolatile memory provided in each device.
[0007]
In order to construct a distributed control system using such devices, it is necessary to set function blocks for each device. Each function block defines an input variable and an output variable. After the functional block is set, in order to associate the operation indicator with the controlled device, it is necessary to set the own address for each device and set the destination address as the packet transmission destination. Further, the function block and output variable on the packet transmission side must be associated with the destination address, and the input variable of the function block on the packet reception side must be associated with the address on the packet transmission side. That is, addressing for setting each device's own address and binding for logically connecting the output variable and the input variable are required.
[0008]
When binding between a plurality of function blocks provided in one device, an output variable may be specified in the function block on the data transmission side, and an input variable may be specified in the function block on the data reception side. You can specify. In addition, when performing binding between functional blocks of different devices, a destination address is set in the functional block on the transmission side, the destination address is associated with an output variable, and the input variable in the functional block on the reception side is associated with the transmission side. An address must be associated. In short, in the binding work, the sending side (device name, function block name, variable name and variable type of output variable) must be registered in the non-volatile memory, and the receiving side (device name, function block name). , The variable name and variable type of the input variable, (input value if necessary)) must be registered in the non-volatile memory. Furthermore, it is necessary to associate addresses between different devices.
[0009]
As described above, since various kinds of information need to be set for each functional block at the time of binding, if the number of devices constituting the distributed control system increases, a great deal of labor is required for the binding work. Therefore, in order to facilitate the binding work, a connection setting support tool configured using a personal computer has been considered. Here, since the connection setting support tool is used for the binding work, it is used after the setting and addressing of the functional blocks are completed.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 7, the connection setting support tool 1 includes a network database DB 1, and the network database DB 1 is connected to a communication medium through the input data processing unit 11. The input data processing unit 11 acquires a device name, a device type, a function block name, a variable name, and a variable type for each device connected via a communication medium, and stores it in the network database DB1. That is, data having the contents shown in FIG. 9 is registered in the network database DB1. In the network database DB1, in addition to reading the data set for each device through the input data processing unit 11, if there is a definition file used when data is set for each device, the device name and device of each device are sent through the interface 12. It is possible to obtain the type, function block name, variable name, and variable type.
[0011]
In the binding work for associating the input variable with the output variable, the connection relation data processing unit 10 reads out the data registered in the network database DB1. The connection relation data processing unit 10 displays the data read from the network database DB1 on the display unit 15 that is a display device in association with the symbol graphic registered in the image database DB3. On the screen of the display unit 15, as shown in FIG. 8, symbol graphics are displayed in units of functional blocks, and each functional block shows the name of the device in which the functional block is provided and the functional block name of the functional block. At the same time, input variables and output variables for each functional block are shown together with variable names and variable types (this screen is referred to as a connection screen). The device type corresponding to each device is displayed in another area of the screen of the display unit 15 together with the device name (lower part of FIG. 8). On this screen, the input variable and the output variable can be associated with each other by connecting the terminals set for each input variable and the output variable according to an instruction from the operation unit 14. The operation unit 14 includes a keyboard and a mouse. When an output variable and an input variable to be connected are selected in a symbol graphic displayed on the screen, a connection line connecting the two is automatically displayed on the screen. Is done. If an input value is required for the input variable, the input value can be set from the operation unit 14 by specifying the input variable. When the connection relation between the input variable and the output variable is set by such an operation, the connection relation data processing unit 10 temporarily stores the setting content on the screen of the display unit 15 in the screen database DB3. Since the existing connection relationship of each device is also taken into the connection relationship data processing unit 10 through the input data processing unit 11, the existing connection relationship is also displayed on the screen of the display unit 15.
[0012]
When the setting contents on the screen of the display unit 15 are stored in the screen database DB3 in this way, the contents stored in the screen database DB3 and the contents of the network database DB1 are collated, and the input variable and the output variable are compared. The connection relationship is stored in the connection relationship database DB2 in a form that can be registered in each device. In addition, if the input variable and the output variable are connected by the symbol displayed on the screen, the connection relation data processing unit 10 automatically associates the address of each device.
[0013]
When the connection between the input variable and the output variable is performed using the symbol on the screen of the connection setting support tool 1 as described above, the connection relationship by the symbol displayed on the screen of the display unit 15 is stored in the image database DB3. Based on the contents stored in the image database DB2, the connection relation data processing unit 10 generates connection relation data as shown in FIG. The connection relation data is stored in the connection relation database DB2, and the connection relation data is transferred to each device through the output data processing unit 16. That is, the output data processing unit 16 transfers the connection relation data to each device, and each device stores the connection relation data transferred from the connection setting support tool 1 in the nonvolatile memory. In this way, the logical connection relationship of each functional block of each device is determined. Thus, after registering connection relation data in each device, data transmission between devices can be performed with the connection setting support tool 1 removed.
[0014]
By the way, if one destination address is associated with one own address, the operation display and the controlled device are individually controlled in one-to-one correspondence. However, when a plurality of destination addresses are associated with one own address, operation display is performed. It is possible to control a plurality of controlled devices simultaneously by associating a plurality of controlled devices with controlled devices in a one-to-many manner. That is, if a plurality of destination addresses are associated with one own address, it is possible to control a plurality of controlled devices simultaneously by operating one operation indicator. Such simultaneous control includes group control for controlling a plurality of controlled devices to the same control state, and pattern control for controlling the control states of the plurality of controlled devices to preset individual control states. . For example, in group control, all controlled devices are turned on if the controlled devices belonging to the group are turned on, and in pattern control, if the pattern control is turned on, the controlled devices belonging to the pattern are turned on / off. It will be in a preset state.
[0015]
The operation of creating connection relation data on the screen of the display unit 15 of the connection setting support tool 1 will be described more specifically. The example shown in FIG. 8 exemplifies a case where four devices D1 to D4 are registered in the network database DB1, and the four devices D1 to D4 are shown as squares at the bottom of the screen shown in FIG. In addition, the device names and device types of the devices D1 to D4 are shown. In the remaining portion of the screen, five functional blocks FB1 to FB5 set for the devices D1 to D4 are indicated by square symbols. In the illustrated example, the device D1 includes two function blocks FB1 and FB2. Each functional block FB1 to FB5 is provided with input variables VI1 to VI10 and output variables VO1 to VO6, respectively. However, in the illustrated example, only two function variables FB2 and VI3 are used for the function block FB2 of the device D1, but each of the function blocks FB1, FB3 to FB5 has one input variable VI1, VI6, VI7, and VI9. Used. Two output variables VO1 to VO6 are provided in the function block FB1, and one is provided in each of the remaining function blocks FB2 to FB5.
[0016]
The device types of the devices D1 and D2 are switches, and an operation indicator is connected to each of the devices D1 and D2. The device types of the devices D3 and D4 are TU, and each of the devices D3 and D4 is an object such as an illumination load. A control device is connected. In the illustrated example, by operating the switch of the device D1, the controlled device of the device D3 is turned on, the controlled device of the device D4 is turned off, and the on / off control state of the controlled device is changed from the devices D3 and D4 to the device D1. It is configured to be returned to. Further, the switch of the device D2 is associated with the controlled device of the device D3, and the controlled device of the device D3 can be turned on / off by operating the switch of the device D2, and the control state of the device D2 being turned on / off from the device D3 Is configured to send back. That is, the switch of the device D1 performs pattern control for controlling the controlled devices of the devices D3 and D4 separately, and the switch of the device D2 is configured to perform individual control in association with the controlled device of the device D3.
[0017]
In order to realize pattern control, the device D1 is provided with two function blocks FB1 and FB2, and the function block FB1 is provided with two output variables VO1 and VO2 for ON and OFF. When the switch of the operation indicator connected to the device D1 is operated, ON data is transmitted to the input variable VI7 connected to the output variable VO1, and OFF data is transmitted to the input variable VI9 connected to the output variable VO2. Is transmitted. When the data from the output variable VO1 is transferred to the input variable VI7 of the functional block FB4 of the device D3, the device D3 turns on the controlled device, and the data from the output variable VO2 is input to the input variable VI9 of the functional block FB5 of the device D4. When it is delivered, the device D4 turns off the controlled device. On the other hand, on and off data are returned to the functional block FB2 of the device D1 from the output variables VO5 and VO6 of the functional blocks FB4 and FB5 provided in the devices D3 and D4. That is, the functional block FB2 of the device D1 includes two input variables VI2 and VI3 that receive data from the output variables VO5 and VO6, respectively. In the function block FB2, when the data passed to the input variable VI2 is on and the data passed to the input variable VI3 is off, the data of the output variable VO3 is set to “success”, and this data is set to the input variable of the function block FB1. It is handed over to VI1. In the function block FB1, when “success” data is received from the function block FB2 within a predetermined time from the operation of the switch, ON is displayed on the display means. When “success” data cannot be received, processing such as retransmission of the data is performed. .
[0018]
In the illustrated example, one function block FB4, FB5 is associated with each of the two output variables VO1, VO2 in the function block FB1, but each of the output variables VO1, VO2 is appropriately set for a plurality of destination addresses. If the functional block FB1 is configured to be used in this order, a plurality of functional blocks can be associated with one output variable VO1, VO2. In this case, it is possible to perform control to turn on a plurality of controlled devices all at once and simultaneously turn off another plurality of controlled devices by operating a switch. That is, the function block FB1 sequentially transmits data to a plurality of destination addresses subject to pattern control, and selects one of the two output variables VO1 and VO2 for each destination address. Can do.
[0019]
If group control is performed in the same manner, data is transmitted in order to a plurality of destination addresses, and on / off data is repeatedly transmitted to each destination address using an on / off type output variable.
[0020]
In the case of individual control, on / off data of the switch of the device D2 is transmitted to the device D3, and the function block FB4 of the device D3 controls the controlled device to be on or off, and from the output variable VO5 to the input variable VI6. Return the control status data of the controlled device. Therefore, the device D2 can know the response of the controlled device to the operation of the switch. If “success”, the display means is turned on or off, and if there is no “success” response, processing such as data retransmission is performed. .
[0021]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to set the input / output relationship of each of the devices D1 to D4 as described above, it is necessary to connect input variables and output variables shown as symbols on the screen of the display unit 15 with connection lines. Therefore, in order to reduce the possibility of erroneous connection of connection lines, restrictions are imposed so that combinations of inputs and outputs that cannot be operated are not accepted. However, if the input / output combination is operable, the connection operation is possible, and the number of devices that can be listed by symbols on the screen of the display unit 15 is limited. Scrolling is necessary, making it difficult to see the connection relationships of the connection lines connecting the devices, and the connection lines intersect in a complicated manner, making it difficult to understand the connection relationships of the connection lines. As a result, it becomes difficult to check the connection relationship between devices on the screen of the display unit 15, and erroneous connection is likely to occur. That is, there is a high possibility that connection-related data is erroneously set.
[0022]
In addition, connection operations for group control and pattern control are indistinguishable from connection operations for individual devices, and each device that is the target of group control or pattern control must be connected in order. There is a problem that it takes time and is likely to cause erroneous connection.
[0023]
Further, in the pattern control and group control, the control state of the controlled device is returned from a plurality of functional blocks that control the controlled device (function blocks FB5 and FB6 in the example of FIG. 8). The value expected as the data returned from the function block must be set as the input value in the input variable of the device connected to the operation indicator. That is, in the function block corresponding to the switch operation (function block FB1 in the example of FIG. 8), output variables (output variables VO1 and VO2 in the example of FIG. 8) must be associated with each of a plurality of destination addresses. In the function block (function block FB2 in the example of FIG. 8) for monitoring the operation of the device, input values must be set for a plurality of input variables (input variables VI2 and VI3 in the example of FIG. 8). In short, when the functional block corresponding to the switch and the functional block for monitoring the operation of the controlled device are separated, as in the case of pattern control and group control, both functional blocks are set in the form of character strings. The contents of the data must correspond, but since the data is individually set for each functional block, there is a possibility that an erroneous setting that may impair the data correspondence may occur.
[0024]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and its purpose is to reduce the possibility of erroneous setting of the connection relationship between devices while reducing the labor for creating connection relationship data between devices. It is to provide a connection setting support tool.
[0025]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation indicator connected to the monitoring side device, having a monitoring side device and a control side device each transmitting data to each other via a communication medium and having an address set. A distributed control system for controlling a controlled device by specifying an address and transmitting data corresponding to an operation to a controlling device to which the controlled device is connected. Each device determines the function of each device. A function block that is a program is set, and each function block is assigned an output variable to which data for transmission to another function block is assigned and data for receiving data from another function block. Input variables are provided, and each device is input by storing the address of the device that is the data receiver as the destination address. Used in a distributed control system provided with storage means for storing the connection relationship between the number and the output variable, and for each device capable of transmitting data via a communication medium, the device, the functional block, the input variable, and the output variable A network database in which pairs are registered; A cell that is a grid for entering data for each item of device name, function block name, and variable name in a unit of triple of device name, function block name, and variable name is arranged in one line and input variable A table with the area related to the triplet and the area related to the output variable triplet divided into left and right Display on the display Input variables and output variables that are logically connected to each other are input side by side on the same line of the list by operating the operation unit. In the data registration processing unit and the data registration processing unit Logically connected to each other Input and output variables And A connection relation database stored as connection relation data, and an output data processing section for registering each connection relation data stored in the connection relation database in the storage means of the device via a communication medium. The connected input variables and output variables are displayed side by side on the same line of the list, and data can be input to each cell of the list by operating the operation unit.
[0026]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the data registration processing unit arranges a set of a device, a functional block, and an output variable on the left and right sides in the list, and the device and the functional block. A set of input variables is arranged on the left and right sides, and one of input variables and output variables registered in the network database is displayed in advance in the list.
[0027]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the data registration processing unit arranges a set of devices, functional blocks, and output variables on one side of the list in the list. When the data is input to any cell, the data related to the data is extracted from the network database and the data input to the cell Narrow down the range of data choices that can be entered in other cells according to the constraint conditions, and when the data entered in other cells can be uniquely determined by the constraint conditions based on the data entered in the cell, The list is automatically entered.
[0028]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the function block set in the monitoring device is designated in the list, the data registration processing unit displays all input variables of the functional block. In addition, a function block having an output variable connected to the input variable on the same line as the input variable and a cell for inputting the device are arranged, and when data is input to any cell, the data is related. Data to be extracted from the network database, and the range of data choices that can be entered in other cells is narrowed down by the constraints imposed by the data entered in the cells, and other cells are sorted by the constraints imposed by the data entered in the cells. When the data to be entered in can be determined uniquely, the data of other cells are automatically entered in the list. Characterized in that it.
[0029]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of controlled devices are simultaneously controlled to the same control state by operation of an operation indicator connected to the monitoring device. Data registration when a plurality of input variables connected to output variables of functional blocks provided in each control side device are provided in the monitoring side device in order to associate a plurality of control side devices with a plurality of control side devices. In the processing unit, the list is provided with a cell for inputting whether or not to be included in the control target to be controlled all at once in the same row as each input variable.
[0030]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, one monitoring is performed so that a plurality of controlled devices are controlled to the set control states by operating the operation display connected to the monitoring device. When a plurality of input variables connected to an output variable of a function block provided in each control device are provided in the monitoring device in order to associate a device on the side and a plurality of devices on the control side, In the data registration processing unit, the list is provided with a cell for inputting whether or not to be included in the control target to be controlled simultaneously in the same row as each input variable and a control state. .
[0031]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the data processing unit includes a plurality of functional blocks provided in the device according to data registered in the network database, and When the connection relationship between the output variable of the functional block and the input variable of another functional block can be uniquely determined, data is automatically input to the corresponding cell of the list.
[0032]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the data registration processing unit pulls down options that can be entered for each cell in the list using data registered in the network database. It is indicated by a menu.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
The configuration of the distributed control system targeted by the present embodiment is the same as that described as the prior art, and includes a plurality of devices connected to each other via a communication medium, and each device has an operation indicator as a device. Or a controlled device is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection setting support tool 1 of the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as the connection setting support tool 1 of the conventional configuration, and is conventional in that a data registration processing unit 17 is added. It differs from the configuration. The data registration processing unit 17 has the same function as the connection relationship data processing unit 10 in that it has a function of reading data stored in the network database DB1, but the connection relationship data processing unit 10 uses the image database DB3. Is different from that the data registration processing unit 17 displays information in a tabular format on the screen of the display unit 15 without using symbols.
[0034]
The data registration processing unit 17 is connected according to an instruction from the operation unit 14. Relationship When the data creation process is activated, a list as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 15. In this embodiment, connection Relationship At the start of data creation, there is no data in each cell of the list, and data is registered in each cell of the list by performing the following operations. In this list, the output variable and the input variable are sorted and displayed in the left and right areas in units of triples of device name, function block name, and variable name. The input variable in the right area displayed on the same line as the output variable in the left area is a logically connected relationship. The output variable that is (device 1, function block 1, output variable 1) in the first row means that it is connected to the input variable that is (device 3, function block 1, input variable 1). In FIG. 8, this corresponds to the output variable VO1 in the functional block FB1 of the device D1 being connected to the input variable VI7 in the functional block FB4 of the device D3. Similarly, No. 2 in FIG. In FIG. 8, the row 2 corresponds to the output variable VO2 in the functional block FB1 of the device D1 being connected to the input variable VI9 in the functional block FB5 of the device D4. In this way, the output variables and the input variables that are connected when represented on the screen of the display unit 15 using symbol graphics are arranged side by side in the table format.
[0035]
On this screen, data can be input to each cell or data of each cell can be changed by operating the operation unit 14. When each cell is designated and a selection operation is performed, data that can be input in each cell is displayed on the pull-down menu PDM. “Selecting each cell and performing a selection operation” means, for example, that the mouse is provided in the operation unit 14 and clicked in a state where the mouse cursor is positioned on an area corresponding to the cell.
[0036]
Here, in the network database DB1, device names of devices constituting the distributed control system, function block names set in each device, output variables and input variables of each function block are registered. When the pull-down menu PDM is displayed in the cell of the device name column, all devices with function blocks having on / off type output variables that make up the distributed control system are displayed as options in the pull-down menu PDM. The
[0037]
When the device name is determined, the pull-down menu PDM related to the function block name on the same line as the determined device displays only the function block names whose output variables are on / off type among the function blocks set for the selected device as options. The Further, when the function block name is determined, in the pull-down menu PDM related to the variable name on the same line as the determined function block, only on / off type output variables among the output variables of the selected function block are displayed as options. As described above, when one of the input variable and the output variable is determined as the function block name and the variable name, the selection range is limited to extract the other candidate by narrowing down to the same variable type. This possibility can be greatly reduced. For input variables, the device name, function block name, and variable name are selected in the same manner as the output variable.
[0038]
FIG. 2 shows the No. in the device name on the output variable side. An example of selecting a device name for line 5 is shown. No data is entered in this cell. By selecting this cell and performing a selection operation, all device names in which function blocks having on / off type output variables registered in the network database DB1 are set are extracted. This is shown in the pull-down menu PDM. Here, as shown as an example in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the distributed control system is composed of four devices D1 to D4, and each of the devices D1 to D4 has on-off type output variables VO1, VO3, and VO4, respectively. , VO5, and VO6 are set as function blocks FB1 to FB5, all devices D1 to D4 are shown as options.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, only functional blocks having on / off type output variables or input variables are targeted because it is assumed that the lighting load is turned on / off by a switch. When considering light, fading, etc., a function block having an output variable or input variable other than the on / off type can also be selected.
[0040]
In the above example, the options presented in the pull-down menu PDM corresponding to each cell are limited according to the contents of other cells in the same row, so depending on the contents of the data registered in the network database DB1, When the contents of a plurality of cells are determined, the contents of the remaining cells in the same row may be uniquely determined. In this case, if the contents of the remaining cells are displayed in the cells without performing the selection operation by the operation unit 14, some operations can be omitted, and the binding work can be efficiently performed. it can.
[0041]
As described above, if the output variable and the input variable are written in the left and right areas of the list displayed on the screen of the display unit 15 and the registration operation is performed by the operation unit 14, the data registration processing unit 17 performs the on-screen display. The data set in is written in the connection relation database DB2. The display by the list shown in FIG. 2 is associated with the display by the symbol graphic described above, and the contents describing the relationship between the output variable and the input variable in the list can be displayed on the display unit 15 by the symbol graphic. Is possible. Conversely, when the relationship between the output variable and the input variable is represented on the display unit 15 by a symbol graphic, the relationship between the output variable and the input variable can be displayed in a list. If the relationship between the device name / function block name / output variable name triple on the output variable side and the device name / function block name / input variable name triple on the input variable side is determined in this way, Since the destination address associated with the address is also determined, these data are registered in the connection relation database DB2. That is, in the connection relation database DB2, the device name / function block name / output variable name / destination address or device name / function block name / input variable name is associated with the own address of each device. To transmit these data to each device. In each device, in the nonvolatile memory, the data transmitted from the connection relation database DB2 is checked against the contents set in each device, and if they match, the data transferred from the connection relation database DB2 is registered in the nonvolatile memory. Here, input values are associated with input variable names as necessary.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the output variable is displayed on the list so as to be on the left side, but the output variable may be arranged on the right side.
[0043]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, data may not be input for some cells in the list displayed on the screen of the display unit 15 (data input to other cells in the same row). If the data to be input to the remaining cells is uniquely determined), data is normally input for each cell. However, the data registered in each cell on the output variable side can know the device name and the function block name for all the output variables by referring to the contents of the network database DB1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the correspondence relationship between the output variable and the input variable is expressed in a table format, all data registered in the network database DB1 is extracted for the output variable. Displayed in advance in the list.
[0044]
Similarly to the first embodiment, when data related to an input variable can be uniquely determined by inputting data related to an output variable, the data related to the input variable is also automatically input. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the hatched portion indicates data that is automatically displayed. In this embodiment, a remarks column is provided, and the remarks column indicates the reason when an input variable is automatically determined. In the figure, “fixed” indicates that it is uniquely determined.
[0045]
No. In line 3, since the output variable and the input variable are connected between the two functional blocks in one device, the connection relation between the output variable and the input variable is uniquely determined and corresponds to the output variable. This means that input variables are determined automatically. That is, as described in the prior art, in a device that performs pattern control or group control, a functional block that sequentially generates destination addresses of a plurality of devices that are targets of pattern control or group control in association with output variables, and Two function blocks are required: a function block that confirms the “success” of control in response to responses from multiple devices subject to pattern control or group control, and the output variable of the function block that performs response confirmation is Since the input variables of the functional block having a plurality of destination addresses are connected one-to-one, the connection relationship between the input variable and the output variable is uniquely determined between the two functional blocks. In the example of FIG. 8, this corresponds to connecting the input variable VI1 of the functional block FB1 and the output variable VO3 of the functional block FB2 in the device D1.
[0046]
No. In line 6, No. Since the output variable 1 provided in the functional block 1 of the device 2 in the row 4 is connected to the input variable 1 provided in the functional block 1 of the device 3 and the controlled device is controlled by the operation indicator, this control is performed. As a response, it is automatically determined that the output variable 1 provided in the functional block 1 of the device 3 is connected to the input variable 1 provided in the functional block 1 of the device 2. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, the output variable VO4 provided in the functional block FB3 of the device D2 is connected to the input variable VI7 provided in the functional block FB4 of the device D3, so that it is provided in the functional block FB4 of the device D3. This corresponds to the restriction that the output variable VO5 is connected to the input variable VI6 provided in the function block FB3 of the device D2.
[0047]
Therefore, in this embodiment, by referring to the data stored in the network database DB1, the connection relationship is unique by using the constraint condition for the connection relationship between the input variable and the output variable provided in the function block of each device. When it can be determined, it is displayed in a list displayed on the display unit 15. As can be seen from the above description, when the combination of input variables and output variables can be automatically determined from the data registered in the network database DB1 (No. 3 line), other input variables and output variables There are cases where a combination of the above and the constraint condition is generated and the combination can be determined (No. 6 line).
[0048]
As described above, for the output variable, all data in the network database DB1 is extracted and displayed in the list, and the input variable is automatically associated with the output variable when it can be uniquely determined by the constraint condition. Thus, the connection work between the input variable and the output variable is partially automated, and the possibility of erroneous setting is reduced. Moreover, since the data that can be automatically set is automatically presented in the list by the judgment of the data registration processing unit 17, the user only needs to set undecided data, and the cell in which the data is to be set. As a result, the connection work between the input variable and the output variable can be greatly saved. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0049]
In this embodiment, data related to the output variable is input in advance to the list, but data related to the input variable may be input to the list in advance. In this case, data related to the output variable corresponding to the input variable is input.
[0050]
(Third embodiment)
In each of the embodiments described above, when connecting an input variable and an output variable, the output variable is shown in the left column of the list, and the input variable is shown on the right side of the list in order to associate the input variable after the output variable is determined first. In this embodiment, regarding the device connected to the operation indicator, in this embodiment, the input variable that receives a response from the device connected to the controlled device and the function block set in the device connected to the controlled device An example of associating with the output variable is shown. That is, in this embodiment, after determining an input variable first, the example which determines the output variable which should be connected to the input variable is shown. The table format of this embodiment is particularly suitable for setting group control or pattern control.
[0051]
That is, in the present embodiment, for the device connected to the operation indicator, the input variable receiving the response from the device connected to the controlled device is extracted from the network database DB1 and displayed in a table format, and each input variable in the table is displayed. Enter the output variables to be connected to each input variable on the same line. Here, as in each of the embodiments described above, the output variable is specified as a triple consisting of a device and a functional block. Therefore, the device name, function block name, and output variable name (output variable name) are input on the same line as the input variable. When the output variable name is determined, the on / off type input variable of the function block having the output variable receives an instruction from the operation display unit. Therefore, the input variable of the function block in the device to which the controlled device is connected is set. Can be determined. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since connection work between input variables and output variables is assumed when performing group control or pattern control, whether or not to perform group control or pattern control is included in the control target. Is also associated with an input variable that receives a response in the device connected to the display controller.
[0052]
Accordingly, as described above, the device name, the function block name, and the variable name of the output variable (output variable name) are sequentially input in association with the input variable extracted from the network database DB1. At the same time, as in the first embodiment, the choices in the selectable range by the pull-down menu are presented using the information extracted from the network database DB1, and if restrictions occur according to the data input to each cell, the choices can be narrowed. , Determine the data uniquely and automatically enter the data in other cells. When data is input to the output variable name cell, the device and function block are specified. If the function block has only one on / off type input variable, the contents of the input variable name cell are automatically set. To be determined. In addition, when there are a plurality of input variables, they are selected from a pull-down menu. Whether the control is group control, pattern control or individual control is selected in advance by the operation unit 14, whether it is a control target in the case of group control or whether the control content is on or off in the case of pattern control. The user decides whether to
[0053]
First, the case of performing group control will be exemplified. When the device 1 to which the operation indicator is connected as shown in FIG. 4 is input to the field F1, the input of the function block (function block 2) that receives a response from the function block of the device to which the controlled device is connected with respect to the input device 1 Variables (input variable 1 and input variable 2) are extracted from the network database DB1 and displayed as a list of variable names (input variable names) of the input variables. Regarding the device name, a pull-down menu for displaying as an option the device name of the device connected to the operation indicator among the device names stored in the network database DB1 is associated with the field F1. In the case of group control, the item to the right of the input variable name is “group setting”, and it is possible to specify whether or not each input variable is associated with a group control response. In the example shown in the figure, for input variables that receive responses from devices that belong to group control, enter ○ in the “Group setting” item cell, and for input variables that are not subject to group control, enter “Group setting” item cells. X is entered. Here, for the input of ○ and ×, a pull-down menu having choices of ○ and × may be displayed in each cell of the group setting.
[0054]
Thereafter, in order to specify an output variable connected to the input variable, a device, a function block, and an output variable connected to the controlled device are sequentially input. As described above, when an output variable is specified, an on / off type input variable of the same functional block can be uniquely determined in many cases. When it can be uniquely determined, the input variable is automatically displayed as shown by a hatched portion in FIG. Type in. Even if it cannot be determined uniquely, there are few choices, so that a pull-down menu is used. For input variables that are not subject to group control (that is, input variables for which X is set in the group control cell), information regarding the device to which the controlled device is connected is not extracted. In group control, a plurality of controlled devices that are targets of group control are controlled to be in the same state. Therefore, a plurality of destinations can be obtained using one output variable in a functional block of a device connected to an operation indicator. It is only necessary to transmit data to the addresses one after another, and it is only necessary to select whether or not the target is group control.
[0055]
When the user selects pattern control using the operation unit 14, as shown in FIG. 5, an item “pattern setting” is displayed instead of the item “group setting” in FIG. Unlike group control, in pattern control, a plurality of controlled devices to be subjected to pattern control can be controlled to different states. However, in this embodiment, only two types of ON and OFF can be selected as the control state of the controlled device. Therefore, “ON” corresponding to ON and “OFF” corresponding to OFF are selected in the “pattern setting” item. "And" x "that is not subject to pattern control are options. These options can be selected by a pull-down menu associated with the cell of the “pattern setting” item. The pattern control is the same as in the group control except that the item “pattern setting” is replaced with the item “group setting”.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 6, for the operation indicator for performing the individual control, an “P / G unused” item is shown instead of the “group setting” item in FIG. It cannot be entered. Other items are the same as in group control. For the device to which the controlled device is connected, enter the device name, function block name, and output variable name, and enter the input variable of the same function block as this output variable. decide.
[0057]
Other configurations and operations of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the device connected to the operation indicator receives a response from the device connected to the controlled device. The input variable is associated with the output variable in the device to which the controlled device is connected, and the input variable of the same functional block as the output variable is specified, making it easy to associate with group control and pattern control Thus, the possibility of erroneous setting can be reduced as compared with the case where the connection relation of group control or pattern control is set using only symbols. In addition, when a constraint condition occurs in the data that can be entered in the cells of other items as data is entered in the cells corresponding to each item in the list, the selection variable is narrowed down using the constraint condition, so the input variable And labor saving of connection work between output variables.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
Invention of Claim 1 According to the configuration The input variables and output variables that should be displayed are displayed side by side on the same line in the list. Compared to the case where the connection relationship is indicated by the symbol connection, the connection relationship between the input variable and the output variable is easier to see and compared to the symbol. Then, it is possible to display a larger number of tabular forms on the display screen, and even if the screen is scrolled, the input variables and output variables to be connected are lined up on the left and right, so the connection relationship is incorrect. There is no. That is, the possibility of erroneous connection can be reduced by adopting a table format.
[0059]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the data registration processing unit arranges a set of a device, a functional block, and an output variable on the left and right sides in the list, and the device and the functional block. A set of input variables is arranged on the left and right sides, and one of the input variables and output variables registered in the network database is displayed in advance in the list, and the input variables and output variables For example, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the data into the list and to prevent the user from forgetting to input data of the connection partner. Also, input variables or output variables that are not yet connected on the connection screen can be displayed in the list.
[0060]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the data registration processing unit arranges a set of devices, functional blocks, and output variables on one side of the list in the list. When the data is input to any cell, the data related to the data is extracted from the network database and the data input to the cell Narrow down the range of data choices that can be entered in other cells according to the constraint conditions, and when the data entered in other cells can be uniquely determined by the constraint conditions based on the data entered in the cell, The list is automatically entered. For some cells, the range of options is narrowed down or the data is automatically Since or is force, it is possible to input operation data to reduce the possibility of erroneous input on which is labor saving.
[0061]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the function block set in the monitoring device is designated in the list, the data registration processing unit displays all input variables of the functional block. In addition, a function block having an output variable connected to the input variable on the same line as the input variable and a cell for inputting the device are arranged, and when data is input to any cell, the data is related. Data to be extracted from the network database, and the range of data choices that can be entered in other cells is narrowed down by the constraints imposed by the data entered in the cells, and other cells are sorted by the constraints imposed by the data entered in the cells. When the data to be entered in can be determined uniquely, the data of other cells are automatically entered in the list. Since the input variables are entered in the list in advance, only the output variables need to be set, and the range of options is narrowed down for some of the cells of the device, function block, and output variable. Since data is automatically input, data input work can be saved and the possibility of erroneous input can be reduced.
[0062]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of controlled devices are simultaneously controlled to the same control state by operation of an operation indicator connected to the monitoring device. Data registration when a plurality of input variables connected to output variables of functional blocks provided in each control device are provided in the monitoring device in order to associate the control device with a plurality of control devices. In the processing unit, in the list, a cell for inputting whether or not to be included in the control target to be controlled simultaneously is provided in the same row as each input variable, and a plurality of controlled devices are the same. In group control that controls the control status all at once, the output variables of multiple devices on the control side are associated with multiple input variables provided on the monitoring device. Will be the number of control target-loop control is determined, it is possible to prevent an input forgetting.
[0063]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, one monitoring is performed so that a plurality of controlled devices are controlled to the set control states by operating the operation display connected to the monitoring device. When a plurality of input variables connected to an output variable of a function block provided in each control device are provided in the monitoring device in order to associate a device on the side and a plurality of devices on the control side, In the data registration processing unit, in the list, a cell for inputting whether or not to be included in the control target to be controlled simultaneously in the same row as each input variable and a control state is provided. In the pattern control that controls all controlled devices to the set control state at once, the output variables of multiple devices on the control side with respect to the input variables provided on multiple devices on the monitoring side Associating Since, the number of the control target of the pattern controlled by the number of input variables will be is determined, it is possible to prevent an input forgetting.
[0064]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the data processing unit includes a plurality of functional blocks provided in the device according to data registered in the network database, and When the connection relationship between the output variable of the functional block and the input variable of another functional block can be uniquely determined, data is automatically input to the corresponding cell of the list, and a plurality of devices are included in one device. It is possible to save labor for inputting data into the list when there is a functional block.
[0065]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the data registration processing unit pulls down options that can be input for each cell in the list using data registered in the network database. Since it is indicated by a menu and data that can be input to each cell is selected from the options shown in the pull-down menu, the selection range of data to be input to the cell is narrowed, and the possibility of erroneous input can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the above.
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of the above.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the above.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional example.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view showing a display example in the same as above.
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the above.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the above.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Connection setting support tool
10 Connection-related data processing section
11 Input data processing section
12 interface
14 Operation unit
15 Display section
16 Output data processing section
17 Data registration processor
DB1 network database
DB2 image database
DB3 connection database

Claims (8)

The device has a monitoring device and a control device that transmit data to each other via a communication medium, and each has an address, and receive data according to the operation of the operation display connected to the monitoring device. A distributed control system that controls controlled devices by specifying and transmitting addresses to control devices connected to control devices, and each device has a function block that is a program that determines the function of each device In addition, each function block is provided with an output variable to which data for transmission to another function block is assigned and an input variable to which data for receiving data from another function block is assigned. By storing the address of the device that is the data receiver as the destination address in the device, the input variable and the output variable Network in which a set of devices, functional blocks, input variables, and output variables is registered for each device capable of data transmission via a communication medium, which is used in a distributed control system provided with storage means for storing connection relationships A cell, which is a cell for inputting data for each item of device name, function block name, and variable name, is arranged in one row in a unit of a database, device name, function block name, and variable name. In addition, an input variable and an output variable logically connected to each other are displayed on the display unit, and a list of the left and right regions for the input variable triplet and the output variable triplet is displayed. a data registration processing unit input side by side on the same line of the table by the operation unit of the operation, the input variables that are logically connected to each other by the data registration processing unit and an output variable A connection relation database that stores the connection relationship data, distributed control, characterized in that each connection relationship data stored in the connection relation database via a communication medium and an output data processing unit to be registered in the storage means of the device Connection setting support tool in the system. In the data registration processing unit, in the list, a set of devices, functional blocks, and output variables are arranged on one side of the left and right, and a set of devices and functional blocks are arranged on the other side of the left and right, 2. The connection setting support tool in the distributed control system according to claim 1, wherein one of an input variable and an output variable registered in the network database is displayed in advance in the list. In the data registration processing unit, in the list, a set of devices, functional blocks, and output variables are arranged on one side of the left and right, and a set of devices and functional blocks are arranged on the other side of the left and right, When data is input to one of the cells, data related to the data is extracted from the network database, and the range of data options that can be input to other cells is narrowed down according to the constraints imposed by the data input to the cell. The data of another cell is automatically input to the list when the data input to the other cell can be uniquely determined by the constraint condition by the data input to the cell. The connection setting support tool in the distributed control system according to claim 2. In the data registration processing unit, when the function block set in the monitoring device is specified in the list, all the input variables of the function block are displayed, and the input variable is displayed on the same line as the input variable. A function block with output variables connected as a transmitting side and a cell for inputting a device are arranged. When data is input to any cell, data related to the data is extracted from the network database and input to the cell. The range of data choices that can be entered in other cells is narrowed down by the constraint conditions based on the specified data, and when the data entered in other cells can be uniquely determined by the constraint conditions based on the data entered in the cell, 2. The distributed system according to claim 1, wherein the data is automatically entered into the list. Connection setting support tool in the system. In order to associate one monitoring device with a plurality of control devices so that a plurality of controlled devices can be controlled simultaneously in the same control state by operating an operation indicator connected to the monitoring device, When the monitoring device is provided with a plurality of input variables connected to the output variable of the function block provided in the control device, the data registration processing unit is the same as each input variable in the list. 5. The connection setting support tool in a distributed control system according to claim 4, further comprising a cell for inputting whether or not to be included in a controlled object to be controlled simultaneously in a row. To associate one monitoring device with a plurality of control devices so that a plurality of controlled devices are controlled simultaneously to the set control states by operating an operation indicator connected to the monitoring device. In addition, when the monitoring device is provided with a plurality of input variables connected to the output variable of the functional block provided in each control device, the data registration processing unit includes each input in the list. 5. The connection setting support tool in a distributed control system according to claim 4, wherein a cell for inputting whether or not to be included in the control target to be controlled simultaneously and a control state is provided in the same row as the variable. In the data processing unit, a plurality of functional blocks are provided in the device based on data registered in the network database, and there is a connection relationship between an output variable of any functional block and an input variable of another functional block. The connection setting support tool in the distributed control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when it can be uniquely determined, data is automatically input to a corresponding cell of the list. 8. The data registration processing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein options that can be input for each cell in the list are indicated by a pull-down menu using data registered in the network database. The connection setting support tool in the distributed control system according to item 1.

Images