JP2001053763A - Peripheral equipment for programmable controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set the connection of the peripheral unit of PC by extracting respective pieces of connection destination information for every desired connection constitution selected from an image drawing corresponding to the connection constitution from a connection destination designation information table and setting them as connection destination data. SOLUTION: A program compilation means 4 is constituted of a processing part 41, a screen control part 42 controlling display to a display means 5, a key input control part 43 controlling input from a keyboard 6, an auxiliary storage device control part 44 controlling an auxiliary storage device 7 and a memory 45 where an operation state at the time of execution is stored. A user depresses a key showing a connection destination route table screen by the keyboard 6 for designating an objective programmable controller PC with an image drawing. The user operates an image selection part by the keyboard 6 or a mouse and selects a connection destination route corresponding to the system of the user himself. The user himself does not select respective setting areas.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a peripheral device for programming / maintaining a plurality of programmable controllers connected on a network for controlling a group of machinery and equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a programmable controller (hereinafter referred to as "P") has been used to control the sequence of mechanical equipment.
C "). Peripheral devices as devices connected to the PC and performing predetermined programming / maintenance include a program for the PC to perform sequence control and transfer the program to the PC, and a state in which the PC performs the sequence control. It has a monitoring function. At this time, the PC and the peripheral device are connected. Since there are a plurality of PCs on the network, it is necessary to specify the PC to be connected from the peripheral device.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a connection destination designation screen 100 for a user to specify a PC connected to a peripheral device. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a personal computer-side I / F which is an interface (hereinafter, referred to as an I / F) on a peripheral device for connecting a PC and a peripheral device constituted by a personal computer, for example.
A setting area 102 is a PC side I / F which is a PC side I / F.
A setting area 103 is a network type setting area for designating the type of network, and a network station number setting area 104 is for designating a PC number (station number) assigned on the network. On the connection destination designation screen 100, the user can set the PC-side I / F setting area 101 and the PC-side I / F
An F setting area 102 is set. Further, when connecting from the connected PC to another PC via the network, the type of network and the network station number are set in the network type setting area 103 and the network station number setting area 10.
Specify using 4.

[0004] The personal computer-side I / F setting area 101 is for designating the I / F of the personal computer, and generally includes a serial port, an Ethernet board, a network connection board, a USB port, and the like. Select the I / F to be used. Further, detailed settings are required depending on the selected I / F. For example, in the case of a serial port, it is necessary to set a port number and a communication speed. PC side I / F
The setting area 102 is an I / F setting of the PC, and a selectable I / F is determined by a setting of the personal computer side I / F, and an I / F to be used is selected from the selectable I / F. For example, if the PC I / F is a serial port, the PC I
For / F, only an I / F capable of serial communication, such as a CPU unit or a serial communication unit, can be selected. Further, detailed settings are required depending on the selected I / F. For example, in the case of Ethernet, an IP address needs to be set. Network type setting area 103
Specifies the type of network connecting the PCs, and it is possible to connect from various manufacturers' networks such as OONET to widely used networks such as Ethernet, etc. . The network station number setting area 104 specifies which PC among the PCs existing on the network. The designation method differs depending on the item selected in the network type setting area 103.

[0005]

When a user tries to connect a peripheral device to a PC connected on a network,
Recognizes all system configurations on the network to be connected, since it is necessary to specify the connection target, and the personal computer side I / F, PC
Unless the side I / F is a person who has knowledge of the entire system, it is difficult to specify the connection destination for the target PC on the network, and it is difficult for anyone to easily connect. In addition, there is a problem that if the setting information contains an error, communication with the target PC cannot be performed normally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a PC peripheral device that allows even a person who does not recognize the entire system configuration on a network to easily set connection of PC peripheral devices.

[0007]

A peripheral device of a programmable controller according to the present invention comprises a connection destination information management table for setting and storing, as image graphic information, a connection configuration constructed by each combination of a programmable controller and a network communication path. From the connection destination designation information table for setting and storing each connection destination information for each connection configuration, display means for displaying the image graphic information, and an image diagram corresponding to the connection configuration displayed on the display means, a desired connection is obtained. Selecting means for selecting a configuration, setting means for extracting each connection destination information for each of the connection configurations corresponding to the image diagram selected by the selection means from the connection destination designation information table, and setting as connection destination data , With.

[0008] Further, when a desired connection configuration is selected from the image diagram, by selecting the name of the connection configuration, the image diagram is displayed.

Further, by specifying search conditions, images are narrowed down and a connection configuration is selected.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a state diagram showing a state where a plurality of PCs are connected on a network. In the figure,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a program editing device as a PC peripheral device, and reference numeral 2 denotes a PC which is network-generated by the network communication device 3. Although not shown, a predetermined sequence process is performed by connecting and controlling devices to be controlled.
In PC2, 2a is the first PC and 2b is 2
The second PC is shown, and each PC is mutually connected by the network communication device 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a block configuration of the program editing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 4 is a program editing means for creating / maintaining a program of a PC, 5 is a CRT as a display means for displaying information such as an image diagram of a connection destination, 6 is a keyboard as an operation input means, and 7 is a device for storing information. This is an auxiliary storage device. The program editing means 4 includes a processing unit 41, a CRT
5, a screen control unit 42 for controlling the display on the keyboard 5, a key input control unit 43 for controlling the input from the keyboard 6, an auxiliary storage device control unit 44 for controlling the auxiliary storage device 7, and an operation state at the time of execution. It comprises a memory 45.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the connection destination information management table. When the program editing means 4 selects a target PC connected to the network 3, information for selecting the target PC is stored in the memory 45 in advance. Have been. In the figure, reference numeral 451 denotes a connection destination information management table, and its storage items include a connection destination image name 451a, image diagram information 451b, and a connection destination designation information table Index.
For each row (image name 451a), an image diagram information 451b storing a figure corresponding to the image name 451a, and an index of a connection destination designation information table storing setting information required for actual connection are set. Have been. In the connection destination information management table 451,
When the program editing unit 4 is started, the connection destination information management data existing on the auxiliary storage device 7 is stored by the program editing unit 4.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the connection destination designation information table. When the target PC connected to the network 3 is specified by the program editing means 4, information for determining connection destination information (PC side I). / F, PC side I / F
Etc.) are stored in the memory 45 in advance. In the figure, reference numeral 452 denotes a connection destination designation information table, and as its storage items, connection destination information 452a (PC side I / F, PC side I / F) stored side by side from connection destination information 1 to n.
Etc.), and a connection destination information management table Index 452b for displaying the corresponding image name and image diagram. The connection destination specification information table 452 stores the connection destination specification information data existing on the auxiliary storage device 7 by the program editing unit 4 when the program editing unit 4 is started.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing connection destination data.
Connection destination data (PC side I / F, PC) to be actually used for connection with the target PC by the program editing means 4
Side I / F) is stored in the memory 45. In the figure, reference numeral 453 denotes connection destination data, and connection destination information 1 (4
531) to information n (453n) necessary for determining connection information (PC side I / F, PC side I / F)
, Etc.) are lined up. The connection destination data 453 is stored by the program editing unit 4 when the program editing unit 4 is activated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a connection destination designation screen 8 for the user to specify a target PC connected to the network by the program editing means 4. In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes a PC-side I / F setting area for setting a PC-side I / F when communicating with a PC, and 82 denotes a PC-side I / F for setting a PC-side I / F when communicating with a PC. A / F setting area 83 is a different station designation setting area set when communicating with a PC of another station via a network from a PC actually connected when communicating with the PC, and 84 is a different station designation setting area when performing other station designation. A network communication route setting area for setting what kind of network to communicate with is a connection route list button 85 for opening a connection destination route list screen for selecting a target PC based on an image diagram. Based on the information selected on the connection destination designation screen 8, the program editing means 4 specifies a target PC on the network. In the setting of the connection destination designation screen 8, a connection is made to the PC via the RS232C, and the PC is connected to a PC of another station via the network.

FIG. 7 shows a connection destination route list screen 9 for the user to specify the target PC connected to the network by the image by the program editing means 4.
In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes an image display unit for displaying an image diagram corresponding to the image name selected by the user;
Is an image selection unit for the user to select an image name. When the user selects an image name using the image selection unit 92, an image diagram corresponding to the selected image name is displayed on the image display unit 91.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the connection destination route list screen processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of initializing the display of the connection destination route list screen. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for displaying an image diagram of the connection destination route list screen. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for registering connection destination information.

The configuration of the network as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. When the program editing means 4 is activated, the connection destination information management table 451 and the connection destination designation information table 4
52 (PC I / F, PC I / F)
) Is stored from the auxiliary storage device 7. And
Information related to all communication paths supported by the program editing device is set in the connection destination information management table 451 and the connection destination designation information table 452 by data on the auxiliary storage device 7. Also, the head information of the connection destination information table 452 is stored in the connection destination data 453. Thereafter, the connection destination information management table i at the head of the connection destination information table 452
The connection destination information management table 451 is generated by the ndex 452b.
Is displayed on the connection destination designation screen 8 in order to select a target PC on the program editing apparatus.

First, the general operation performed by the user will be described. The case where the user selects the PC 2b set on the network as the PC to be edited by the program editing device on the connection destination designation screen 8 (see FIG. 6) of the program editing device will be described. First, the user edits the program editing apparatus, that is, the connection path list screen 9 using the keyboard 6 to specify the target PC by using an image diagram.
Is pressed. Then, the connection destination route list screen 9 (see FIG. 7) is displayed, and the user operates the image selection unit 92 with the keyboard 6 or the mouse as the input operation means, and selects the connection destination route corresponding to the user's own system. And press the “OK” button. Then
The connection destination designation screen 8 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed again. At this time, the personal computer side I / F setting area 81, the PC
The respective setting areas of the side I / F setting area 82, the other station designation setting area 83, and the network communication path setting area 84 reflect predetermined settings based on the image diagram shown in FIG. Is no longer required.
The user can change the station number, network No. of the connection destination unit on the screen of FIG. And enter
Settings need to be ensured.

Next, the processing inside the program editing apparatus will be described. Target PC on the program editing device
On the connection destination designation screen 8 (see FIG. 6) for selecting a button, the user presses a button 8 for displaying a connection route list screen 9.
When 5 is pressed, a process for displaying the connection destination route list screen 9 (see FIG. 7) starts. When the process of the connection destination route list screen 9 starts, first, in step S1, the display initialization process of the connection destination route list screen 9 is performed. Step S1 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. (The details will be described later.) When the display of the connection destination route list screen 9 is initialized,
By step S2, a state of waiting for an instruction from the user is established. In step S2, the user selects the image selecting unit 9
When the selected image name of No. 2 is changed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the process of changing the image display unit 91 for the changed image name is performed. Step S3 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. (Details will be described later) On the other hand, when the user gives an end instruction in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4, where connection destination information setting processing for connection destination data 453 is performed. Step S4 is
It operates according to the flowchart of FIG. (Details will be described later) If a cancel instruction is issued in step S2, the connection destination route list screen 9 is closed, the screen returns to the connection destination designation screen 8, and the processing on the connection destination route list screen 9 is ended.

Next, the connection destination route list screen display initialization processing for initializing the display of the connection destination route list screen 9 performed in step S1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S10, the row number counter i of the connection destination information management table 451 is set to i = 0. Then, in step S11, it is checked whether or not all the image names 451a registered in the connection destination information management table 451 have been registered in the image selection unit 92 of the connection destination route list screen 9. When all the image names 451a registered in the connection destination information management table 451 are not registered in the image selection unit 92 as a result of the determination in step S11, the connection destination information management table 45 is determined in step S12.
The image name 451a of the i-th row of the first
Then, the process proceeds to step S12, where the row number counter i = i + 1 of the table is set, and the process is repeated until all the image names 451a are registered.

In step S11, if all the image names 451a have been registered in the image selecting section 92,
Proceeding to step S14, the table row number counter i
= 0. Thereafter, in step S15, the connection destination information 1 to n in the i-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452 are compared with the connection destination information 1 to n in the connection destination data 453. First, since it is necessary to display an image diagram of the information set in the connection destination data 453, in step S15, the connection destination information 1 to n in the i-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452
When the connection destination information 1 to n of the connection destination data 453 do not match, the row counter i = i + 1 is set in step S16.

In step S15, the connection destination information 1 to n in the i-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452 and the connection destination data 45
If the connection destination information 1 to n of the third information match, step S17
Then, the line number data m of the connection destination information management table 451 is set to the connection destination information management table Index 452b of the i-th row in the connection destination specification information table 452. Next, in step S18, m in the connection destination information management table 451 is set.
The image name 451a on the line is set to a state selected by the image selection unit 92. Next, in step S19, the image name 451a exists on the auxiliary storage device 7 corresponding to the image diagram information 451b on the m-th line in the connection destination information management table 451. The image diagram is displayed on the image display unit 91, and the process ends.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of FIG. 10 showing the image display unit change processing for displaying the image selected by the image selection unit 92 on the image display unit 91 of the connection destination route list screen 9 performed in step S3. It will be described using FIG. Here, the image selection unit 92 can be changed by a user using a keyboard or a mouse, and the processing is executed when the change is detected. In step 30, the name of the image selected by the image selection unit 92 is obtained, and in step S31, the row number counter i of the table is set to i = 0. In step S32, the image name 451 of the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451
Compare with a.

If it is determined in step S32 that the image name 451a does not match the i-th row in the connection destination information management table 451, then in step S33, the row number counter i = i + 1
And the process is repeated until the comparison result matches. on the other hand,
If it matches the image name 451a in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 in step S32,
34, an image corresponding to the image diagram information 451b in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 is acquired from the auxiliary storage device 7, and displayed on the image display unit 91 of the connection destination route list screen 9, and the image display unit The change processing ends.

Next, the connection destination information setting processing for registering connection destination information in the connection destination data 453 based on the selected image performed in step S4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S40, the image name selected by the image selection unit 92 is obtained, and then in step S41, the row number counter i of the table is obtained.
= 0. In step S42, the image name 451a in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 is compared with the acquired image name selected by the image selection unit 92.

In step S42, if the image name 451a does not match the i-th row in the connection destination information management table 451, the row number counter i = i + in step S43.
The process is repeated until the comparison result matches. On the other hand, in step S43, the connection destination information management table 451
If the image name 451a of the i-th row matches the image name 451a of the i-th row, the row number data m = the connection destination designation information table Index of the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 in step S44.
451c. Next, in step S45, the connection destination specification information 1 to n in the m-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452
Is set in the connection destination information 1 to n of the connection destination data 453, and the connection destination information setting processing ends. The personal computer side I / F, the PC side I / F, etc. are acquired based on the set information, and the actual communication with the PC is performed.

According to the present embodiment, based on the image diagram information selected by the image in the connection destination data, the settings of various types of connection destination information provided corresponding to the image diagram information are reflected as the connection destination data. Therefore, the user can make settings by selecting a connection destination path based on an image diagram without knowing the configuration of the entire system, thereby improving the user interface and easily performing program editing / maintenance on the target PC. Becomes
It goes without saying that the setting operation can be performed in the same manner as in the related art by selecting various setting areas on the connection destination designation screen 8.

Embodiment 2 In the present embodiment, a connection destination information management table search information table is added to the first embodiment, and a search is made possible on a connection destination route list screen. In this embodiment, FIGS.
FIG. 6 is similar to the first embodiment, and further includes a connection destination information management table search information table (FIG. 12).
Based on this, a search keyword area is added to the connection destination route list screen (FIG. 13).

Next, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the connection destination information management table search information table 454. When the program editing apparatus selects a target PC connected to the network, the connection destination stored in the memory 45 is selected in an image. Information for searching the information management table 451 is stored. In the figure, the connection destination information management table search information table 454 includes an index 454a for the connection destination information management table indicating a line number corresponding to each image name 451a of the connection destination information management table, and items to be displayed on the image selection unit. Search keyword 45 to narrow down
4b is stored. I to connection destination information management table
In the image name indicated by ndex 454a, TRUE is stored if the item corresponds to an item that can be displayed on the image display unit with the specified search keyword 454b, and FALSE is stored if not. The connection destination information management table search information table 454 stores the connection destination information management table search information data existing on the auxiliary storage device 7 by the program editing means 4 when the program editing means 4 is started. Is done.

FIG. 13 shows a connection destination route list screen 9A for the user to specify the target PC connected to the network by the image using the program editing apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 91A denotes an image display unit for displaying an image diagram corresponding to the image name selected by the user, 92A denotes an image selection unit for the user to select an image name, and 93A denotes a connection destination route list displayed on the image selection unit 92A. This is a search keyword selection unit for narrowing down. When the user selects a network to be used with the search keyword 93A, the connection destination route is narrowed down, and the content displayed on the image selection unit 92A is narrowed down.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the connection destination route list screen processing. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of initializing the display of the connection destination route list screen. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process for displaying an image diagram of the connection destination route list screen. FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a process of narrowing down connection destination routes. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering connection destination information.

The configuration of the network as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. When the program editing device 4 is started, the connection destination information management table 451 and the connection destination designation information table 4
52 (PC I / F, PC I / F)
) Is stored from the auxiliary storage device 7. And
Information related to all communication paths supported by the program editing device is set in the connection destination information management table 451 and the connection destination designation information table 452 by data on the auxiliary storage device 7. Also, the head information of the connection destination information table 452 is stored in the connection destination data 453. Thereafter, the connection destination information management table i at the head of the connection destination information table 452
The connection destination information management table 451 is generated by the ndex 452b.
Is displayed on the connection destination designation screen 8 in order to select a target PC on the program editing apparatus.

First, the general operation performed by the user will be described. The case where the user selects the PC 2b set on the network as the PC to be edited by the program editing device on the connection destination designation screen 8 (see FIG. 6) of the program editing device will be described. First, the user edits the program editing apparatus, that is, the connection path list screen 9 using the keyboard 6 to specify the target PC by using an image diagram.
A button 85 for displaying A is pressed. Then, the connection destination route list screen 9A (see FIG. 13) is displayed, and the user operates the keyboard 6 or the mouse as the input operation means.
The connection destination route is narrowed down from the search keyword area 93A, and the content displayed on the image selection unit 92A is narrowed down. Then, the user operates the narrowed image selection unit 92A, selects a connection destination path corresponding to the user's own system, and presses an “OK” button. Then
The connection destination designation screen 8 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed again. At this time, the personal computer side I / F setting area 81, the PC
Each setting area of the side I / F setting area 82, the other station designation setting area 83, and the network communication path setting area 84 reflects predetermined settings based on the image diagram shown in FIG.
The user himself / herself does not select and operate each setting area. The user can change the station number, network No. of the connection destination unit on the screen of FIG. Must be entered to ensure the settings.

Next, processing in the program editing apparatus will be described. Target PC on the program editing device
When the user presses a button 85 for displaying the connection route list screen 9A on the connection destination designation screen 8 (see FIG. 6) for selecting the connection destination, the connection destination route list screen 9A (see FIG. 13)
The process for displaying is started. When the process of the connection destination route list screen 9A starts, first, in step S5, the display initialization process of the connection destination route list screen 9 is performed. In addition,
Step S1 operates according to the flowchart of FIG.
(Details will be described later) When the display of the connection destination route list screen 9A is initialized, the process waits for an instruction from the user in step S6. In step S6, when the user changes the selected image name of the image selection unit 92A, the process proceeds to step S7, and the process of changing the image display unit 91A for the changed image name is performed. Step S7 operates according to the flowchart of FIG.
(Details will be described later) On the other hand, when the user selects a keyword in the search keyword area 93A in step S6, the process proceeds to step S8, and based on the selected keyword,
The narrowing-down process of the image selection unit 92A on the connection destination route list screen is performed. Step S8 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. (Details will be described later) In step S6, when an end instruction is given by the user, the process proceeds to step S9, and connection destination information setting processing for connection destination data 453 is performed. Step S9 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. (Details will be described later) If a cancel instruction is issued in step S6, the connection destination route list screen 9A is closed, the screen returns to the connection destination designation screen 8, and the connection destination route list screen 9
The process at A is terminated.

Next, the connection destination route list screen display initialization processing for initializing the display of the connection destination route list screen 9A performed in step S5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S50, the row number counter i of the connection destination information management table 451 is set to i = 0. And
In step S51, it is checked whether or not all the image names 451a registered in the connection destination information management table 451 have been registered in the image selection unit 92A of the connection destination route list screen 9A. As a result of the determination in step S51,
When all the image names 451a registered in the connection destination information management table 451 are not registered in the image selection unit 92A, in step S52, the image name 451a in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 is changed to the image selection unit. 92A, the process proceeds to step S52, the row number counter of the table is set to i = i + 1, and the process is repeated until all the image names 451a are registered.

If all the image names 451a have been registered in the image selection section 92A in step S51, the flow shifts to step S54 to set the table row number counter i = 0. Thereafter, in step S55, the connection destination information 1 to n in the i-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452
And the connection destination information 1 to n of the connection destination data 453 are compared.
In step S55, i in the connection destination designation information table 452
When the connection destination information 1 to n in the row does not match the connection destination information 1 to n in the connection destination data 453, the row number counter i is set to i = i + 1 in step S56.

In step S55, the connection destination information 1 to n in the i-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452 and the connection destination data 45
If the connection destination information 1 to n of the third information match, step S57
Then, the line number data m of the connection destination information management table 451 is set to the connection destination information management table Index 452b of the i-th row in the connection destination specification information table 452. Next, in step S58, m of the connection destination information management table 451 is set.
In the state where the image name 451a on the line is selected by the image selection unit 92A, next, in step S59,
An image diagram existing on the auxiliary storage device 7 corresponding to the image diagram information 451b in the m-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 is displayed on the image display section 91A, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the image display unit changing process for displaying the image selected by the image selection unit 92A on the image display unit 91A of the connection destination route list screen 9A in step S7. It will be described using FIG. Here, the image selection unit 92A
The change can be made by the user using the keyboard or the mouse, and the process is executed when the change is detected.
In step S70, the image name selected by the image selection unit 92A is acquired, and then, in step S71, the row number counter i of the table is set to i = 0. Step S72
Then, a comparison is made with the image name 451a in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451.

If it is determined in step S72 that the image name 451a does not match the i-th row in the connection destination information management table 451, then in step S73, the row number counter i = i + 1
And the process is repeated until the comparison result matches. on the other hand,
If it matches with the image name 451a of the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 in step S72,
The process proceeds to 74, and an image diagram corresponding to the image diagram information 451b in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 is acquired from the auxiliary storage device 7 and displayed on the image display section 91A of the connection destination route list screen 9A. The change processing ends.

Next, in step S8, the user selects from the set search keywords to narrow down the image display unit 9 from among the many connection destination routes.
The connection destination route list narrowing process for narrowing the connection destination route displayed in 1A will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S80, the keyword selected by the image search keyword selection unit 93A is obtained.
The keyword displayed in the image search keyword selection section 93A is the connection destination information management table search information table 4
A search keyword 454 preset in 54
b. Next, in step S81, the row number counter i of the connection destination information management table search information table 454 in FIG. 12 is set to i = 0. Then, in step S82, it is checked whether or not the process has proceeded to the last line of the connection destination information management table search information table 454. If No is determined in step S82, the process proceeds to step S83, and the i-th row of the column of the search keyword obtained in step S80 in the search keyword 454b of the connection destination information management table search information table 454 becomes Check whether it is TRUE.

If the determination is Yes in step S83, the process proceeds to step S84, where the connection destination information management table I of the connection destination information management table search information table 454 is set.
The image name of the connection destination information management table 451 indicated by the connection destination information management table Index 454a in the i-th row of the column index 454a is registered in the image selection unit 92A, and then, in step S85, the row number counter i = i + 1
To step S82. On the other hand, step S8
When No is determined in step 3, the process proceeds to step S86,
The process proceeds to step S82 again with the row number counter i = i + 1. If it is determined Yes in step S82,
The connection destination route list narrowing process ends. Before selecting a search keyword, all the image names in the connection destination information management table 451 are displayed on the image display unit 92A. However, after the connection destination route list narrowing process, the connection destination information management table search information table 454 is displayed. Only the image names of the rows of the connection destination information management table indicated by the index 454a of the connection destination information management table of the row set to TRUE in the column of the selected search keyword are narrowed down to the image display unit 92A. It will be displayed in an embedded manner.

Next, the connection destination information setting processing for registering connection destination information in the connection destination data 453 based on the selected image performed in step S9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S90, the image name selected by the image selection unit 92A is acquired, and then, in step S91, the row number counter i of the table is set to i = 0. In step S92, the image name 451a in the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451 is compared with the acquired image name selected by the image selection unit 92A.

In step S92, when the image name 451a does not match the i-th row in the connection destination information management table 451, the row number counter i = i + in step S93.
The process is repeated until the comparison result matches. On the other hand, in step S93, the connection destination information management table 451
When the image name 451a of the i-th row matches the image name 451a of the i-th row, in step S94, the row number data m = the connection destination designation information table Index of the i-th row of the connection destination information management table 451
451c. Next, in step S95, the connection destination specification information 1 to n in the m-th row of the connection destination specification information table 452
Is set in the connection destination information 1 to n of the connection destination data 453, and the connection destination information setting processing ends. The personal computer side I / F, the PC side I / F, etc. are acquired based on the set information, and the actual communication with the PC is performed.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the connection route list narrowing process allows
The connection destination route list is narrowed down, so that the user can easily select a desired connection destination, and settings can be made more easily.

[0046]

【The invention's effect】

According to the present invention, the connection configuration of the PCs connected to the network is visually grasped, and the desired connection destination information is determined by selecting from the images. Even a user who does not know can easily perform the setting work, and the work efficiency of the user can be improved.

Further, since a plurality of images can be narrowed down by the search content designated by the user, the information to be selected is limited, and the work efficiency of the user can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a state diagram showing a state where a plurality of PCs are connected on a network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a block configuration of a program editing device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a connection destination information management table.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a connection destination designation information table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing connection destination data.

FIG. 6 is a screen diagram showing an example of a connection destination designation screen.

FIG. 7 is a screen diagram illustrating an example of a connection destination route list screen.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing connection destination route list screen processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for initializing the display of a connection destination route list screen.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for displaying an image diagram of a connection destination route list screen.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for registering connection destination information.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a connection destination information management table search information table.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a connection destination route list screen process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a connection destination route list screen process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of initializing display of a connection destination route list screen.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process for displaying an image diagram of a connection destination route list screen.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process of narrowing down connection destination routes.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing for registering connection destination information.

FIG. 19 is a screen diagram showing an example of a connection destination designation screen according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 program editing device, 2 programmable controller, 3 network communication device, 4 program editing means, 5 display means, 6 keyboard, 7 storage device,
8 Connection destination designation screen, 9 Connection destination route list screen, 41
Processing unit, 45 memories, 91, 91A image display unit,
92, 92A image selection section, 93A search keyword area, 451 connection destination information management table, 452 connection destination designation information table, 453 connection destination data, 454
Connection destination information management table search information table.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shigeki Yamada 5-107-1, Higashi-Osone-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Mechatronics Software Company (72) Inventor Yuka Morimoto Kita-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 1071-Kami 5-chome, Higashi-Osone-cho Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Mechatronics Software Company (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Goto 1071-Kami 5-chome, Higashi-Osone Town, Kita-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Mechatronics Software Company (72) Inventor Yoshimi Tanaka 5-107-1, Higashi-Osone-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya-city, Aichi Prefecture Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Mechatronics Software Type Company (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Murase 1071, Kami-Ochi-cho, Higashi-Osone-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Mitsubishi Electric Mechatronics Software Inc. F-term (reference) 5B089 GA21 KA01 KA13 KB04 KC15 KC23 KC53 LB17 5E501 AA13 AC02 AC24 AC35 BA03 BA05 CA03 DA03 DA12 FA14 FA22 FA44 FB43 5K030 GA14 GA17 GA18 HD06 JA10 KA01 KA04 KA05 KA07 LB02 LD17 MA03 MD03 A08 DB16 EA07 EC01 EC04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A connection destination information management table for setting and storing a connection configuration constructed by each combination of a programmable controller and a network communication path as image graphic information, and a connection for setting and storing each connection destination information for each connection configuration. A destination designation information table, a display means for displaying the image graphic information, a selection means for selecting a desired connection configuration from an image diagram corresponding to the connection configuration displayed on the display means, and a selection means selected by the selection means. A peripheral device for a programmable controller, comprising: setting means for extracting connection destination information for each connection configuration corresponding to the image diagram from the connection destination designation information table and setting the connection destination data. 2. The peripheral device for a programmable controller according to claim 1, wherein when a desired connection configuration is selected from the image diagram, the image diagram is displayed by selecting a name of the connection configuration. 3. The peripheral device for a programmable controller according to claim 3, wherein the image is narrowed down by designating a search condition, and a connection configuration is selected.