JP4214384B2 - Ladder program display switching method and programming device including function block call instruction - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display switching method and a programming device for a ladder program including a function block call instruction.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A programmable controller (PLC) is used as a control device for factory automation (FA). This PLC is composed of a plurality of units. That is, a power supply unit of a power supply source, a CPU unit that controls the entire PLC, an output unit that inputs a switch or sensor signal attached to an appropriate place in an FA production device or facility device, an output that outputs a control output Various units such as a unit and a communication unit for connecting to a communication network are appropriately combined.
[0003]
The control in the PLC (CPU unit) takes a signal input from the input unit into the I / O memory of the CPU unit (IN refresh) and performs a logical operation based on a user program written in a pre-registered ladder language (calculation) Execution), the operation execution result is written in the I / O memory, sent to the output unit (OUT refresh), and then the so-called peripheral processing is cyclically repeated.
[0004]
The above-described user program is normally created by a ladder program, and a function block call instruction defined by IEC61131-3 can be used in this ladder program. In other words, the function block call instruction defines data as a set of input / output parameters, can be connected to other blocks and internal variables by software, and is defined as a component having one algorithm that operates each time it is executed. . Therefore, when using a function block call instruction, first, a type defining an algorithm is created in advance, and when actually used in a program, it is instantiated and a memory is allocated and used.
[0005]
When the function block call instruction is used in the ladder program, a rectangular display form is obtained as shown in FIG. That is, the function block call instruction has a configuration in which a body B that defines a process for actually executing an operation is displayed in a rectangular form, an input terminal is provided on the left side of the body B, and an output terminal is provided on the right side. These input / output terminals are either connected to the ladder circuit (“EN” and “ENO” in the example of FIG. 1) or not connected to the ladder circuit. The latter includes input parameters called arguments, The output parameter is also called a return value. Furthermore, the number of input / output parameters can be set arbitrarily. For example, if 64 input / output parameters are set, the maximum number is 128. As for a method for displaying a program including such a function block call instruction, there has been an invention related to a programming device disclosed in Patent Document 1.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3102828
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the case of a program including a function block call instruction, as shown in FIG. 1, when the number of input / output parameters increases, one function block call instruction is displayed vertically and all are displayed on one screen. It becomes difficult. Also, when debugging, etc., it is common to display and confirm the previous and next ladder circuits to find the correction location, but when only one function block call instruction is displayed, the previous and next ladder circuits are included. It becomes difficult to display in one screen, and it becomes impossible to search for a correction part efficiently.
[0008]
In addition, editing for a function block call command requires that all input / output parameters be displayed and edited, and modification of the addresses assigned to the input / output parameters is assumed. It is desirable to display the input / output parameters. Therefore, when one function block calling instruction is displayed in a reduced size, each input / output terminal becomes small and difficult to see, so that the editing efficiency is lowered.
[0009]
Further, the above-described problem occurs not only during display but also during printing. That is, when printing, it is necessary to print all the input / output parameters, but when the number of input / output parameters increases, the block of the body B is located at the center of the paper P as shown in FIG. Only the middle part is printed and a lot of space is provided on the left and right, resulting in a low drawing density, which is not preferable.
[0010]
In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, display / non-display is set for each input / output parameter of the function block call instruction, and some input / output parameters are hidden. Thus, a technique for suppressing the body portion from becoming vertically long is disclosed. However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 newly causes the following problems.
[0011]
That is, display / non-display of a large number of input / output parameters (up to 128) must be performed for each command, which is very complicated. Further, when it is desired to check all input / output parameters at the time of editing, it is necessary to switch the setting to display once for the input / output parameters that are not displayed, which is complicated. Furthermore, when the input / output parameters to be displayed are increased, a vertically long rectangular shape is formed, which causes the same problem as described above. In addition, if a part of the information is displayed, a person who does not know the setting status cannot see whether the function block call instruction is displayed. Misunderstanding occurs.
[0012]
The present invention is a function that can perform debugging and other efficient operations by appropriately switching to a display format that suits the content to be processed even if it is a ladder program including a function block call instruction with a large number of input / output parameters. An object of the present invention is to provide a display switching method and a programming device for a ladder program including a block calling instruction.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A ladder program display switching method including a function block calling instruction according to the present invention is a ladder program display switching method including a function block calling instruction having a plurality of input / output terminals in a programming device. And as a display form of the function block call instruction, all display forms for displaying all the plurality of input / output terminals, and a simple rectangular display form for not displaying input / output terminals not connected to the ladder circuit of the ladder program. In accordance with an operation command from the input device of the programming device, the programming device recognizes whether the current display form is the full display form or the simple rectangular display form, and switches to another display form for display. did.
[0014]
The whole display form means that all input / output terminals (input / output parameters) are displayed regardless of the display form, and the rectangular display form (see FIG. 1) and the table form display form (see FIG. 5) referred to in the embodiment. )
[0015]
And on the premise of the above-described invention, and further, in all the display form, a rectangular display form in which an input / output terminal that is not connected to the ladder circuit is incorporated and displayed in a rectangular area for displaying the function block call instruction; The input / output terminals that are not connected to the ladder circuit outside the rectangular area are displayed in a table format, and the programming device displays the current display according to an operation command from the input device of the programming device. It is possible to recognize whether the form is the rectangular display form or the table form display, and switch to another display form for display.
[0016]
Further, as another solving means, as a display form of the function block call instruction based on the above assumption, a rectangular display form in which the input / output terminals are incorporated and displayed in a rectangular area for displaying the function block, and the rectangular A tabular display form in which input / output terminals not connected to the ladder circuit are displayed in a tabular form outside the area, and according to an operation command from the input device of the programming device, the programming device has a current display form Recognizing whether the display mode is rectangular or tabular, the display is switched to another display mode.
[0017]
A programming apparatus according to the present invention suitable for carrying out the invention of the display switching method described above is a programming apparatus for a ladder program including a function block calling instruction having a plurality of input / output terminals, the function block As the display format of the call instruction, there are a total display format that displays all the plurality of input / output terminals, and a simple rectangular display format that does not display input / output terminals that are not connected to the ladder circuit of the ladder program. Recognizing whether the current display form is the full display form or the simple rectangular display form based on the information stored and held in accordance with the operation command from the input device, the means for storing and specifying information specifying the form, A function to display by switching to the display form is provided.
[0018]
Further, as another solution means, as a display form of the function block call instruction, a rectangular display form in which the input / output terminals are incorporated and displayed in a rectangular area for displaying the function block, and a ladder circuit outside the rectangular area A table display form in which the input / output terminals not connected to each other are displayed in a table form, and means for storing and holding information specifying the current display form, and in accordance with an operation command from the input device, the stored and held information Based on this, it is possible to recognize whether the current display form is the rectangular display form or the tabular display form, and to switch to another display form for display. Of course, the above two apparatus configurations can be combined.
[0019]
The rectangular display form, which is an aspect of the entire display form, is to incorporate all input / output terminals in the rectangular area. However, the inclusion here does not necessarily have to be described inside the rectangular area, but outside the rectangular area. However, it is a concept that includes a case where it is described as being in contact with and connected to a rectangular area.
[0020]
For displaying the function block call instruction on the ladder program list, the main body (body B in the embodiment) is described in a rectangular area, input / output terminals are provided on the left and right sides thereof, and connection with other ladder circuits is attempted. Furthermore, the function block call instruction has an input / output terminal that is not connected to another ladder circuit, and an input / output parameter is assigned to the connected input / output terminal. Therefore, if the input / output terminals (input / output parameters) that are not connected to all other ladder circuits are incorporated in the rectangular area as in the conventional method, the rectangular area becomes vertically long as the number of input / output terminals increases. .
[0021]
Therefore, if a simple rectangular display form in which display of unconnected input / output terminals is omitted is taken, only one or several input / output terminals (EN / ENO in the embodiment) connected to other ladder circuits are rectangular areas. Since it is not displayed vertically even if the number of input / output terminals (input / output parameters) is large, the front and rear ladder circuits can be displayed simultaneously on one screen. Therefore, for example, it is suitable for searching a target ladder circuit at the time of debugging or for confirming the relationship before and after.
[0022]
In addition, when editing a function block call instruction, for example, processing such as changing the allocation of memory to an input / output terminal not connected to the ladder circuit is required, so it is not connected to other ladder circuits. Input / output terminals must also be displayed. That is, it is necessary to take a full display form. However, if the above-described rectangular display form is employed, if the number of input / output terminals is very large, there is a possibility that all the input / output terminals cannot be displayed simultaneously in one screen. In that case, the display area in the front-rear direction can be shortened as a whole by adopting the tabular display form and separately displaying the input and output terminals that are not connected to other ladder circuits in a separate tabular form. It is possible to display in one screen.
[0023]
Then, smooth programming (creation / editing) can be executed by appropriately switching and displaying each of the above-described display forms in accordance with the contents of the processing executed at that time.
[0024]
Preferably, the setting information specifying the current display form of the function block call instruction is recorded and held for each function block call instruction, and when the function block call instruction is displayed next, the recorded and held setting is stored. It is to display in a display form specified by information. As a result, when displaying a predetermined function block call command, it is displayed in the same display form as the previous display form, and it is not necessary to set each time, which is preferable. That is, in many cases, it is sufficient to display the same content as the previous time and to switch the display form as necessary, so that workability is improved.
[0025]
Furthermore, at least a function block call instruction displayed on the display device can be collectively switched to a designated display form. In this way, when performing a certain process (for example, searching for a target program (ladder circuit), etc.), there is a display form suitable for the process, but by switching to such a suitable display form at once, Subsequent workability is improved. Of course, each function block call instruction may be set each time, but by performing batch conversion, the update process can be performed efficiently.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A programming device (tool) 10 composed of a personal computer and a PLC (CPU unit) 20 are connected via a predetermined communication line 21. The communication line 21 is realized by, for example, direct cable connection using a serial line such as RS232C. Of course, it is not limited to such a direct connection, and a configuration in which the PLC 20 and the programming device 10 are connected via a network using another communication line may be adopted. The user program created by the programming device 10 is downloaded to the PLC 20 via the communication line 21.
[0027]
The programming device 10 includes a personal computer, and includes an input device such as a keyboard 11, a display 12, a CPU 13, and a memory 14 as a hardware configuration. Furthermore, a printer 15 is provided as an external device. In terms of the relationship with the present invention, the memory 14 records circuit data constituting the program and various option settings for specifying the display form and the like.
[0028]
Specifically, in addition to the normal rectangular display form shown in FIG. 1, a simple rectangular display form that hides all input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 4 and the input / output parameters as shown in FIG. The table format display form to be displayed is prepared, and switching to one of the display forms can be performed by one key operation given from the keyboard 11.
[0029]
Here, specific examples of the one-key operation include an operation using a function key of the keyboard 11 and an operation using a mouse. In consideration of on-site operation and input speed where it is difficult to use a mouse, it is preferable to use function keys. As an operation image using the function keys, for example, one function key is assigned as a key for switching between simple rectangle display and all display, and each time the key is pressed, simple rectangle display → all display → simple rectangle display → all display You can toggle the display. In addition, one function key is assigned as a key for switching between rectangular display and tabular display in all display states, and each time the key is pressed, the rectangular display and tabular display are toggled and displayed. Can do.
[0030]
Further, when the display mode is switched, the state is stored and held in the memory 14 as a property, so that when the circuit (function block call instruction) is displayed thereafter, it is displayed based on the previous display setting. ing. That is, it can be dealt with by storing information about the display form as one of the information that each function block call instruction has.
[0031]
Specific information on the display form includes parameter display setting information and parameter display form setting information. The parameter display setting information is set for each function block call instruction, is a flag that defines whether to display input / output parameters, and is one piece of information about the display form described above. When the parameter display setting information is not displayed, the display form in which the input / output parameters are not displayed as shown in FIG. Further, when the parameter display setting information is display, the input parameter is displayed. In this case, the display form in the table format as shown in FIG. 5 and the conventional display form shown in FIG. The parameter display form setting information defines which one is taken. The parameter display setting information and the parameter display form setting information are both set for each function block call instruction and updated as appropriate.
[0032]
Of course, the parameter display form setting information is set even in the function block calling instruction whose parameter display setting information is not displayed. In this case, when the parameter display setting information is not displayed, the input / output parameter is not displayed at that time, so that the actual display form is the simple rectangular display form of FIG. 4 regardless of the value of the parameter display form setting information. However, when the input / output parameters are displayed by switching the parameter display setting information from that state, the normal rectangular display form of FIG. The data is output in the tabular display form of FIG.
[0033]
In the case of the simple rectangular display form, the front and rear ladder circuits can be reliably displayed in one screen, which is suitable for detecting the ladder circuit to be processed during debugging. In the case of the tabular display form, all input / output parameters can be displayed on one screen without being particularly reduced, so that the function block call instruction can be easily corrected. In addition, the body B portion is not vertically long, which is preferable because the drawing density can be increased even when printing.
[0034]
Then, the display mode switching described above is executed by the CPU 13 operating according to the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with an instruction from the keyboard 11. That is, when a screen scroll up / down instruction is received from the keyboard 11 in the basic state X01 in which the ladder program is displayed on the display 12 and the function block calling instruction is not displayed, the screen is scrolled up or down accordingly (X02). . Then, it is determined whether or not a function block calling instruction is used in the ladder circuit displayed after scrolling (X03). That is, based on the circuit data stored in the memory 14 (user program in ladder language), it is determined whether or not the ladder circuit in the moving direction is a function block call command.
[0035]
When there is no function block call command, the process returns to the basic state X01 and waits for the next screen scroll command. On the other hand, if the function block call instruction exists in the ladder circuit after scrolling in the branch determination of X03, parameter display setting information is acquired (X04). When the parameter display setting information added to the acquired function block call instruction is “non-display”, the state becomes X05. That is, since the input / output parameter is not displayed, only the body B of the function block call instruction is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0036]
When the screen is scrolled by an instruction from the keyboard 11 in the state X05 in which the input / output parameter is not displayed, the screen jumps to X02 and scrolls the screen in the instructed moving direction. In the state X05, when a parameter display switching command is issued according to an instruction from the keyboard 11, the parameter display setting information is switched (X06). Along with this, the parameter display setting information (X07) added to the circuit (function block call instruction) is updated.
[0037]
If the parameter display setting information is not displayed in the current state X05, the display mode is switched to one of the display formats for displaying the input / output parameters, so the parameter display configuration setting information is acquired (X08). When the parameter display form setting information is rectangular, it is displayed in the normal rectangular display form shown in FIG. 1 (state X09). If the acquired parameter display form setting information is a table, the information is displayed in a table form shown in FIG. 5 (state X12).
[0038]
In addition, when the parameter display setting information is acquired (X04), even when the parameter display setting information is “display”, the parameter display form setting information of X08 is acquired and either the state X09 or the state X12 is displayed. The function block call instruction is displayed in the form.
[0039]
In the display mode for displaying input / output parameters in states X09 and X12, when a parameter display mode switching command is received by operating the keyboard 11 (X10), the display mode of input / output parameters is switched and displayed. That is, when a parameter display form switching command is received while a normal rectangular display of the state X09 is being displayed, the display is switched to the table display of the state X12. Similarly, when a parameter display switching command is received while displaying in the table format of the state X12, the display is switched to the normal rectangular display of the state 09. Then, in accordance with the parameter display form switching instruction, the parameter display form setting information (X11) added to the target function block call instruction is updated.
[0040]
Further, in any of the states X09 and X12 in which the input / output parameters are displayed, when the parameter display switching (X06) is received, the state is switched to the simple rectangular display form in which the input / output parameters are not displayed. At this time, the parameter display form setting information is not updated.
[0041]
Furthermore, in any of the states X09 and X12 in which the input / output parameters are displayed, screen scroll input is permitted. When the scroll command is received, the ladder circuit after scrolling is displayed through the processing of X02. .
[0042]
When a function block call instruction is displayed on the screen by processing according to the state transition diagram described above, any one of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is performed according to the information about the display form set for each function block call instruction. These three display forms can be switched as appropriate. Therefore, for example, by scrolling with the input / output parameter hidden, the target function block call instruction can be easily found during debugging. By displaying the input / output parameter in that state, the function block is displayed. Edit call instructions. Moreover, even if there are a large number of input / output parameters, the function block call instruction and its input / output parameters can be displayed on one screen by displaying in tabular form as shown in FIG. Easy to do.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, the display format is defined for each function block call instruction. When the display format is changed, the change processing is individually performed according to the state transition diagram shown in FIG. Is not limited to this, and the display form can be changed in a batch. Specifically, the display format batch conversion function shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is added to the CPU 13.
[0044]
That is, when the mode for changing the settings in a batch is selected by operating the keyboard 11, first, the parameter display setting information and the parameter display form setting information to be changed are determined (ST1). That is, “display / non-display” is determined for the parameter display setting information and “rectangle / table” is determined for the parameter display configuration setting information based on the input from the keyboard.
[0045]
Next, the circuit data in the memory is accessed, and the circuit data is sequentially acquired (ST2, ST3). When the function block call command is detected, the parameter display setting information and the parameter display form setting are changed to the contents determined in step 1 (ST4, ST5). Thereafter, the display format is changed according to the changed new setting information (ST6).
[0046]
The processes in steps 2 to 6 described above are performed for all ladder circuits. Note that all the ladder circuits mentioned here may be all ladder circuits constituting the program to be processed, or only the currently displayed ladder circuits constituting the ladder program to be processed. .
[0047]
In the above description, the display on the display 12 has been described. However, the same content (display form) can be output to the printer 15 as a matter of course. At this time, when displaying in the simple rectangular display form, the input / output parameters may be printed without being displayed. However, according to the parameter display form setting information, the normal rectangular display form or the tabular display form is used. In this way, printing can be performed with input / output parameters added.
[0048]
In addition, the function for executing the flowcharts shown in each of the above drawings is configured by an application program (program product) in the present embodiment and installed in a computer (personal computer) that is the tool device 10. Operates as a department.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even a program including a function block call instruction having a large number of input / output parameters can be appropriately switched to a display form suitable for the contents to be processed at that time. Therefore, debugging and other efficient operations can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display format of a conventional program.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form of a conventional program.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form.
FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating a display switching function.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a batch change function of a display form.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Programming device (tool)
11 Keyboard
12 display
13 CPU
14 memory
15 Printer
20 PLC
21 Communication line

Claims (7)

A ladder program display switching method including a function block call instruction having a plurality of input / output terminals in a programming device,
As a display form of the function block call instruction, all display forms that display all the plurality of input / output terminals, and a simple rectangular display form that does not display input / output terminals not connected to the ladder circuit of the ladder program,
According to an operation command from an input device of the programming device, the programming device recognizes whether the current display form is the full display form or the simple rectangular display form, and switches to another display form for display. To switch the display of ladder programs that include function block call instructions. The all display mode includes a rectangular display mode in which an input / output terminal not connected to the ladder circuit is incorporated in a rectangular area for displaying the function block call instruction, and a connection to the ladder circuit outside the rectangular area. It has a tabular display form that displays the input / output terminals that are not in a tabular format,
According to an operation command from the input device of the programming device, the programming device recognizes whether the current display form is the rectangular display form or the table form display, and switches to another display form for display. A ladder program display switching method including the function block call instruction according to claim 1. A ladder program display switching method including a function block call instruction having a plurality of input / output terminals in a programming device,
As a display form of the function block call instruction, a rectangular display form in which the input / output terminal is incorporated and displayed in a rectangular area for displaying the function block, and a ladder circuit of the ladder program is not connected outside the rectangular area. It has a tabular display format that displays input / output terminals in tabular format,
According to an operation command from the input device of the programming device, the programming device recognizes whether the current display form is the rectangular display form or the table form display, and switches to another display form for display. Ladder program display switching method including function block call instruction. Setting information for specifying the current display form of the function block call instruction is recorded and held for each function block call instruction,
4. When the function block call instruction is displayed next, the function block call is displayed in the display form specified by the recorded and held setting information. A method for switching the display of ladder programs including instructions. 5. The ladder program including the function block call instruction according to claim 1, wherein at least the function block call instruction displayed on the display device is collectively switched to a designated display form. 6. Display switching method. A ladder program programming device including a function block call instruction having a plurality of input / output terminals,
As a display form of the function block call instruction, all display forms that display all the plurality of input / output terminals, and a simple rectangular display form that does not display input / output terminals not connected to the ladder circuit of the ladder program,
Means for storing and holding information identifying the current display form;
According to an operation command from the input device, a function of recognizing whether the current display form is the full display form or the simple rectangular display form based on the stored and held information and switching to another display form is provided. A programming device characterized by. A ladder program programming device including a function block call instruction having a plurality of input / output terminals,
As a display form of the function block call instruction, a rectangular display form in which the input / output terminals are incorporated and displayed in a rectangular area for displaying the function block call instruction, and a ladder circuit of the ladder program are connected outside the rectangular area. It has a tabular display form that displays the input / output terminals that are not in tabular form,
Means for storing and holding information identifying the current display form;
In accordance with an operation command from the input device, a function of recognizing whether the current display form is the rectangular display form or the table form display based on the stored information and switching to another display form is provided. Programming device.

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