JP2000029676A - Step editing system for sequencer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user friendly step editing system of a sequencer capable of editing steps even without the knowledge of a ladder diagram and easily and intuitively understanding the execution order of the edited steps and the outline of execution contents. SOLUTION: The sequencer is provided with a storage medium (memory 1) where the data of respective pictures for indicating the respective steps are recorded and a plotting means 2 for expressing the respective steps by the pictures or graphics on the screen of a monitor 3. By arranging the respective pictures for indicating the respective steps in an order and displaying them on the screen of the monitor 3 in the plotting means 2, the sequencer decides the execution order of the respective steps and records the execution order in the prescribed storage medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a program creation system for a sequencer (sequence control device), and more particularly to a step editing method in a sequencer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a sequence control device (sequencer), steps of an operation to be controlled, that is, setting of an operation order of each operation program (also referred to as a module) are mainly performed by a ladder diagram (ladder diagram).

In other words, a ladder diagram that defines the operation of each individual block, that is, a predetermined code for identification is attached to each step, and the order of execution of each step is arranged, that is, the codes are ordered. It is the conventional method that is determined by doing this. The sequencer sequentially executes the steps identified by the codes in the order in which the codes are arranged.

Conventionally, to edit each step, the contents of the program module drawn in the ladder diagram (that is, the operation contents of the steps) are understood, and the user determines the order. Knowledge was required of the user. Also, even if you look at the order of the codes assigned to each step, that is, the execution order of the steps indicated by the order of the codes, what kind of steps were edited so that the steps were executed There was a problem that I could hardly understand.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a user can edit a step without knowing the ladder diagram, and can easily and intuitively understand the execution order of the edited step and the outline of the execution contents. It is to provide a friendly sequencer step editing method.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A step editing method for a sequencer according to the present invention solves the above-mentioned problem. In a program creation system mounted on a sequencer, one control operation for defining an operation of a control target is provided. A unit program module, that is, a method of setting the order of steps, is as follows. The sequencer is provided with a storage medium in which data of individual pictures indicating individual steps are recorded, and a drawing means for expressing the individual steps as pictures or figures on a monitor screen. On the monitor screen, by displaying each picture indicating each step in order, the sequencer determines the execution order of each step and records the execution order in a predetermined storage medium. I do.
The storage medium for storing the picture data and the storage medium for storing the execution order of the steps may be the same one storage medium or different storage media.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention has a storage medium or a recording medium (hereinafter, also referred to as a memory), like a normal sequencer (a data creation system thereof). The memory receives various input signals from various input devices,
A program (hereinafter, also referred to as an operation program) for performing an operation on an object (substantially, an actuator) controlled by the sequencer is stored. This operation program is stored in the memory as a module for each step. Of course, the user may create a desired step other than the existing module. That is, a new module may be created by copying and combining predetermined units of programs from various modules. In any case, the steps representing a series of actions are stored in memory as program modules.

[0008] Further, in the memory, data of each picture expressing each step is recorded. Although the picture data should be prepared in advance, the picture data may be created independently by the user, or may be created by modifying existing picture data. One of skill in the art should design the picture as deemed appropriate to represent the activity of a step. The drawing means retrieves picture data representing the steps from the memory and displays the data on a monitor. By arranging the picture data representing the steps on the monitor in the order desired by the user, the steps can be edited. The order of the pictures, that is, the execution order of the steps, is recorded in the memory. When the sequencer executes the steps, the sequencer recognizes the order of the pictures recorded in the memory, reads out the module corresponding to the picture from the memory, and proceeds. Naturally, an operation of reading the existing sequence of steps from the memory, displaying the sequence of pictures on the monitor, and changing the sequence of the pictures to edit the steps can also be performed.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The sequencer (not shown) includes a memory 1 (for example, a RAM), which is a recording medium or a storage medium. The memory 1 is divided into several areas, and a group of module programs as one control operation unit. , An area for storing a group of picture data representing each module, and an area for recording the order of steps edited on the monitor screen. The drawing means 2 forms the control center of the step editing method according to the present invention, and is substantially a CPU. An input / output interface device 4 is provided as usual between the memory 1 and the drawing means 2 having a CPU as a main component. The drawing means 2 includes a memory 1
And reads necessary data from the memory 1, and writes data processed by itself based on the read data to the memory 1.

The drawing means 2 can display the read data and the data processed by the drawing means 2 on the monitor 3. As shown by the data flow of the numbers, the drawing means 2
Reads the picture data representing the module and displays it on the monitor 3 as a picture. The pictures synthesized from the read picture data are arranged in an order desired by the user.
That is, steps are edited by arranging pictures representing modules on the monitor 3 screen. At this time, if necessary, as shown in the flow of number data, data relating to the steps (modules) represented by the picture data may be displayed on the monitor 3 at the same time.
The order of the steps edited on the monitor 3 is determined by the drawing unit 2
Is written to the memory 1.

The user can call the desired sequence of steps on the screen of the monitor 3 by the drawing means 2 and shift the sequence of the steps to execution by a sequencer (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In the top diagram of FIG. 2, on the monitor 3 screen,
A picture α representing and representing the step (module) A is displayed. The drawing means 2 reads the step A from the memory 1
Is read and displayed. Of course, at this time, it is desired that various data relating to step A be displayed on the screen at the same time, for example, in a table format (however, it is free to those skilled in the art). This is to make it easier for the user to recognize what the picture α means. In FIG. 2, each picture representing each step is represented by α, β,
Although a symbol such as γ is used, a picture designed by a person skilled in the art to appropriately express the content of the step is displayed (see FIG. 3 described later).

When it is desired to execute step B after step A, a picture β expressing step B is displayed on the right of the picture α as shown in the middle diagram of FIG. In this way, for example, modules that are operation units are A, B, E,
When it is desired to edit the steps so that the steps are executed in the order of K, J, and C, pictures representing the steps are arranged as shown in the bottom diagram of FIG. Step A is picture α, Step B
Is a picture β, a step E is a picture ε, a step K is a picture λ,
Step J corresponds to the picture κ and step C corresponds to the picture gamma. Therefore, on the monitor 3 screen,
When the drawing unit 2 reads the picture data from the memory 1 and arranges the pictures, such as α, β, ε, λ, κ, and γ, the order of the steps is determined. The order of these steps is recorded in the memory 1 by the drawing means 2. Memory 1
In the predetermined region of the order of the steps α, β, ε, λ,
Recorded as κ and γ.

For example, if the order of execution of these steps is denoted by the letter "a" and the order is called "a" and the sequence of the order "a" is executed, the steps A, B, E, K, J, The modules are executed by the sequencer in the order of step C.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an edit screen of a step. The screen of the monitor 3 is divided into a step editing area 3a and a picture menu area 3b. The picture menu area 3b is a list of pictures or pictures that are schematically displayed in order to show the user what pictures are in each step stored in the memory 1. Area. This menu area
It is recommended that it be located at the left, right, top or bottom corner of the monitor screen. FIG. 3 shows that the menu area is provided at the lower corner of the monitor screen.

A picture meaning step / origin return is copied from the menu area and pasted in the step edit area. Similarly, step and unload forward, step and
The picture of the extracted retreat is also moved from the menu area to the step edit area. The copying of the picture from the menu area to the step editing area may be performed by dragging and dropping with the mouse.

[0017]

The step editing method of the sequencer according to the present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects. Picture data representing each step is recorded in the memory 1, and the drawing means 2 arranges pictures representing the steps reproduced from the picture data on the screen of the monitor 3 in an appropriate order, thereby allowing the user to The order of execution of steps can be edited visually and intuitively using pictures. The execution order of the edited steps is stored in memory 1
, The sequencer can execute the steps by calling the data in which the order of the steps is recorded. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to edit a step without knowledge of a ladder diagram, and to execute an edited step in a user-friendly sequencer in which the execution order of the edited step and the outline of the executed content are easily understood intuitively. A step editing method can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a step edit screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 memory 2 drawing means (CPU) 3 monitor 3a step editing area 3b picture menu area 4 input / output interface device AX step (module) α-ω Picture data expressing module ~ Number to distinguish signal flow

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a program creation system mounted on a sequencer, one operation unit program module that defines an operation to be controlled, that is, a method of setting the order of steps, is shown in the sequencer. A storage medium on which data of each picture is recorded; and a drawing means for expressing each of the steps as a picture or a graphic on a monitor screen, wherein the drawing means indicates each step on the monitor screen. By arranging and displaying the pictures in order, the sequencer determines the execution order of each step and records the execution order in a predetermined storage medium. Editing method.