JP2001282598A - Operation screen management method for program expression display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation screen management method which can decrease the quantity of data to be managed and also can make the contents of change and the inter-file relation clearly understandable and which excels in its maintainability in a display device of program expressions 12 that is connected to a prescribed external device 14 and can perform its display in accordance with the control operation performed in the device 14. SOLUTION: The correction contents of each of files configuring an operation screen are preserved as a differential file and also the prescribed correlation is secured with an uncorrected file. Meanwhile, the difference information on contents which can be attained by every file is displayed in detail on a screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for managing an operation screen used for control or display in a display device of various programs such as industrial use or home use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such an operation screen, a plurality of screen files having a calling relationship with each other and a data file related thereto are grouped into one set and managed as a project file. In addition, if some bugs are added or changed after the bug fix for the project file has been completed and the project has been completed, save and manage it as a new project by changing the project file name, etc. Often done.

[0003]

However, with the above-described method of managing even a small change in function as a separate project, it is difficult to manage each project file while clarifying the difference between related projects. However, there are many inconveniences, such as a large file size to be managed and inconvenient handling.

[0004] As a result of the present inventors' consideration of such inconvenience, when a basic file is set and then the file is modified, the difference from the basic file is calculated and only the difference file is stored. By doing
It has been found that the above inconvenience can be eliminated at once.

The present invention has been made based on such knowledge, and when a basic file is modified, the modified file is saved as a difference file instead of being stored and managed as it is. In addition, by saving the file before modification in a predetermined association, the amount of data to be managed can be reduced, and the contents of changes and the relationship between files can be clearly grasped, and an operation screen with excellent maintainability The purpose is to provide a management method.

According to the present invention, furthermore, according to the difference in the contents of the modification to the basic file, the association with the basic file can be made different and can be stored, so that the classification of the contents of the modification becomes clear, It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation screen management method capable of more accurately grasping relationships and differences, and quickly recovering from a history even when a problem occurs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operation screen management method capable of reducing unnecessary corrections and increasing data reliability by restricting persons who can perform file operations. .

The present invention also provides an operation screen management method capable of greatly shortening the operation screen drawing time and the data transfer time by downloading only the difference file generated at the time of file update to the display device. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention further provides an operation screen in which a plurality of history and update files are simultaneously provided on a display device, and the management of each file can be performed only by the display device. The purpose is to provide a management method.

[0010] The "differential file" described above and below includes not only a file containing only data to be added to the basic file, but also data addition / removal or recombination with respect to data in the basic file. Alternatively, a file containing instruction data to be changed is also included. That is, the format of the difference file is not limited as long as the corrected file is reconstructed using the basic file and the difference file.

[0011]

As shown in FIG. 1, a method for managing an operation screen according to the present invention is connected to a predetermined external device 14 such as a PLC, and controls a control operation performed by the external device 14. The present invention is applied to the program type display device 12 which enables a corresponding display, and includes the following steps.

That is, a step of creating a basic first file such as an operation screen file or a project file, and modifying the first file by adding a functional component to the second file. , A third file that is a difference between the second file and the first file, and a third file that is a difference file and a basic file. The method includes a step of storing the first file in association with each other, and a step of reconstructing a second file from the first file and the third file.

When there are a plurality of the third files, the difference information of the contents realized in each file is displayed on the screen in a distinguished manner, so that the difference between the files can be clearly grasped.

If the difference information is a difference in display attributes such as a display color or a character string, the selection information is saved as a history file for the first file or a different project file related to the first file. Make it possible.
On the other hand, if the difference information is a difference in function attributes such as addition or deletion of a switch, the difference information is automatically stored as a separate project file, which is associated with the first file.

[0015] Of the above-mentioned steps, it is preferable that, in particular, the first file be modified so that only those having a preset authority can be executed.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the third file is created by, for example, an operation screen creation support device 10 different from the display device 12 on which the third file is to be displayed. Yes, in conjunction with the file update, the third
Can be configured to be automatically downloaded to the display device 12 only.

A step of storing the first and third files, a step of displaying difference information between the files, a step of creating a second file from the first and third files, The step of performing a display operation based on the second file is preferably performed on the display device 12 where the display operation is to be performed.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the display device 12 is connected to a predetermined external device 14 via a communication path 15 and can exchange data with the external apparatus 14 via the communication path 15. A data communication unit 2 that stores a plurality of processing instruction words including reference information that specifies the content of a unit operation to be processed;
A display control means 4 for decoding the processing instruction words W illustrated in FIG. 4 provided in the event data storage means 6 and displaying on the display 22 the information corresponding to the information referred to by each processing instruction word W. It is.

The file for the operation screen described above is
As illustrated in FIG. 3, 1 is provided on the base screen 28.
Alternatively, it is composed of a combination of a plurality of functional components 30 and one or a plurality of processing instruction words W for specifying the operation content of each functional component 30.

[0020]

As described above, the present invention reduces the amount of data to be managed by saving the contents of file modification as a difference file by preserving the file before modification in a predetermined association. As well as clearly understand the changes and the relationships between the files, and have excellent maintainability.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the difference in the contents of the modification to the basic file, the association with the basic file can be made different and can be stored, so that the classification of the contents of the modification becomes clear, and the relation between the files and the difference between the files can be clarified. Can be grasped more accurately, and even when a problem occurs, recovery can be performed quickly by searching the history.

By limiting the persons who can operate the file, unnecessary corrections are reduced, and the reliability of data can be increased.

Further, by constructing only the difference file generated at the time of updating the file to the display device 12, it is possible to greatly reduce the operation screen drawing time and the data transfer time.

Further, by simultaneously providing a plurality of history and update files on the display device 12 so that each file can be managed only by the display device 12, the project can be easily switched.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below based on the configuration of an operation screen creation support device 10 and a programmable display device 12 utilizing the operation screen created there. A specific description will be given based on an example in which an industrial programmable controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “PLC”) is used as an external device connected to the programmable display device 12 as shown in FIG. Of course, the present invention can be carried out in substantially the same manner even when a general-purpose or dedicated computer or other control device is used as the device, or a device that controls the operation of various electric appliances at home.

Further, the configuration of the programmable display device 12 using the created display screen is also an example, and the configuration is limited to such a configuration that the dedicated display device is used or a general-purpose personal computer device is used. is not.

The programmable display device 12 includes a PLC 16
Together with the console of the target system 18 or the like, or is independently provided, and is used as an operation and display panel for the target system 18. To perform various settings or control operations.

PLC for controlling target system 18
A circuit 16 is a unit for each required function such as a CPU unit and a memory unit, and the functions achieved as a whole in the PLC 16 by connecting each unit in parallel so as to be able to increase or decrease as necessary. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the related art that can be changed.

The storage location of various information input / output to / from the target system 18 is controlled by passive components such as level gauges and limit switches provided on the target system 18 to be controlled or displayed, or relays and motors. Each active component is allocated on a memory unit, and a word device is specified for word data whose input / output is numerical value, and a bit device is specified for bit data such as on / off information. By preliminarily setting a device-specific device name such as “D100” for each device, necessary data is stored in the memory unit so that the storage location can be specified by designating the device name.

Therefore, by simply accessing the arbitrary word device or bit device in the memory unit by designating the device name from inside or outside of the PLC 16, without knowing the actual address in the PLC 16,
The corresponding position of the target system 18 is controlled or data relating to the operation state thereof can be individually extracted.

The programmable display device 12 has substantially the same configuration as the personal computer device, and has a display control circuit 20 shown in FIG.
And a screen 78 on the display 22.
Is covered in close contact with a transparent touch panel 24, and an instruction by a pressing operation on the touch panel 24 is:
The coordinates are fetched via the touch panel controller 26 and analyzed to enable various manual operations by a fingertip at the time of a test, at an initial setting before the start of operation of the entire system, or during the operation.

Here, in the programmable display device 12, as shown in FIG. 3, a base screen 28 on which graphics and characters whose display contents do not need to be changed is displayed, and a processing instruction word for executing a predetermined functional operation or Designate various functional components 30, such as lamps and switches, which are formed by combining instruction processing words and change shape, blink, or change color on the base screen 28, and designate one file number F for each required display unit. Store it.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The processing instruction word W illustrated in FIG. 4 stored in advance above is intermittently read every minute time, and the operation of the content specified by the event name N of each processing instruction word W is extracted from the PLC 16 side. By sequentially executing the operations while referring to the data, a display operation in which a display figure or a numerical value changes in response to a change in the content of a bit device or a word device on the PLC 16 side is performed.

The basic structure of the processing instruction word W is shown in FIG.
(A) As shown in FIG.
8, a file name F specifying an operation content to be executed on the base screen 28, and reference information r including one or a plurality of data referred to for each execution event.
We have as a set.

For example, the processing instruction word WT shown in FIG.
Is to enable data at a predetermined bit position in the state data memory 34 to be inverted in conjunction with a pressing operation on the touch panel 24. That is, the file number F of the base screen 28, the event name N starting with, for example, “T” for specifying the operation of the touch panel 24, the input coordinate range XY for validating the input operation from the touch panel 24, the pressing operation of the touch panel 24, A bit position A in which data is to be rewritten in conjunction therewith.

Further, the processing instruction word WL shown in FIG.
In conjunction with the operation of the touch panel 24, a predetermined figure can be displayed at a corresponding position. That is,
For example, the state data memory 34 expanded on the RAM 36
Corresponding to the change of the predetermined bit position in the base screen 28
A predetermined functional component graphic can be displayed at a predetermined upper position, and a file number F of the base screen 28, an event name N starting with, for example, "L" for specifying the display of the functional component graphic, It comprises a display coordinate range XY, a file number FL for specifying a part graphic to be called from the graphic memory 38, and a bit position A in the state data memory 34 for referring to the part graphic at the time of display.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Two processing instruction words WL1 and WT in which Y1 matches each other.
1 is set in the event data memory 32. Further, the reference bit positions A1 of the processing instruction words WL1 and WT1 are made to coincide with each other, and when the data at the bit position A1 of the state data memory 34 is "0", it is made to correspond to the off state of the switch in advance.

When the display device 12 is started in such a state,
The PLC 16 turns off the switch contact. At the same time, the data FL1 of the part graphic corresponding to the OFF state of the switch is read out from the graphic memory 38 and is developed and displayed in the coordinate range X1 · Y1 on the base screen 28.

Here, when the display position of the switch-shaped functional part graphic on the touch panel 24 is pressed, the processing instruction word WT for the touch panel is searched, and the range including the relevant coordinates is referred from the instruction coordinates made via the touch panel 24. The presence or absence of the processing instruction word WT having the information r is determined.

For example, when one point in the coordinate range X1 · Y1 is pressed, the processing instruction word W configured as described above is pressed.
Since this corresponds to T1, the data value at the corresponding bit position A1 is inverted from “0” to “1” as shown in FIG. 5B, and the corresponding switch contact is turned on by the PLC 16. At the same time, the processing instruction word WL1 determines that the reference bit has changed to “1”, reads out the data FL2 of the functional part graphic corresponding to the ON state of the switch from the graphic memory 38, and reads the corresponding coordinate range X1 · Y1. By displaying on the upper side, the switch-shaped functional component graphic displayed on the display 22 is also changed from the off state to the on state.

Operation screen creation support device 1 embodying the present invention
0 is 1 used in the above-mentioned programmable display device 12.
Alternatively, the project file 44 includes a plurality of unit screen files 40 and an auxiliary data file 42 including related graphic and character data to be called and displayed from each unit screen. .

For example, a general-purpose personal computer device using a pointing device such as a mouse as an instruction input means on a display, a dedicated data processing device or the above-mentioned programmable display device 12 is used, and a predetermined program is used. Each function illustrated in FIG. 7 is realized.

In the present embodiment, a display section 46 for performing various display operations on a display screen, an operation screen creation section 48 for creating and correcting an operation screen, and a management section for the created screen data 50, and a data communication unit 52 for downloading the created screen data to the display device 12 side.

Here, the operation screen creating section 48 includes a creating section 54 for drawing figures such as circles and straight lines, an arrangement section 56 for functional components such as switches and lamps, and a base screen 28 for various processing instruction words W. Setting section 58 for one and one base screen 28
A screen data synthesizing unit 60 for creating screen data necessary for control by organizing the drawing graphics, character strings, functional components 30 or the data included in the processing instruction word W disposed thereon; And a screen data storage unit 62 for storing the data of

The drawing figure creation section 54 fills the line drawing mainly composed of straight lines and curves or the inside thereof with a predetermined color or pattern, and draws an arbitrary drawing figure on the base screen 28 in substantially the same manner as the conventional drawing apparatus. It can be created with.

The functional component arranging section 56 stores a large number of data groups for general-purpose functional components 30 such as switches and lamps using drawing figures and processing instruction words W, and stores the functional components as necessary. 30 is taken out and arranged at an arbitrary position on the base screen 28, and its size can be arbitrarily set while checking the size on the base screen 28.

The processing instruction word setting section 58 enables the processing instruction word W of a required function to be individually set on the base screen 28 from among the processing instruction word group prepared by the system, and New functions not generalized as parts can be configured arbitrarily.

The screen data synthesizing section 60 forms one unit screen file 40 by combining the data of the respective elements formed on the base screen 28 as described above into one, and a plurality of unit screen files 40. Are combined into one to form a project file 44 as shown in FIG.

As the screen data storage unit 62, an arbitrary storage device such as a hard disk device is used. The screen data storage unit 62 stores the screen data constituted by the screen data synthesizing unit 60 as described above, and performs data communication as necessary. Various data are downloaded to the programmable display device 12 via the unit 52.

Further, the screen data management unit 50 creates a unit screen having substantially the same configuration as the conventional one (not shown) by centering on the operation screen management window 64 illustrated in FIG. Window or an operation screen modification window 66 illustrated in FIG. 9 by way of example.

The operation screen management window 64 is provided with a call relation display column 68 of the operation screen using, for example, the left half of the window, and is included in the project file 44 configured as described above and the project file 44. For one or more unit screen files 40,
It is displayed in a tree shape corresponding to the calling relationship.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
There are two independent project files P1, P2, and P3, and the project file P1 includes three of B1 to B3.
A file for unit screens is included, and B
1 is a main unit screen, two unit screens B1 to B2 and B3 are individually called, and a unit screen B2
, The relationship in which the unit screen B3 is called is shown.

On the other hand, a screen data display field 70 is provided on the right side of the window. By clicking an icon shown in the call relation display field 68, if the selected file is the project file 44, it is included. If the selected file is the unit screen file 40 for all the unit screen files 40, the functional components 30 and the processing instruction words included in the unit screen are displayed in a list. In the illustrated example, when the project file P1 is selected, the summary data of the three unit screen files B1, B2, and B3 included in the project file P1 is displayed in a tabular format that can be listed.

Further, the operation screen management window 64
When the file name or the file symbol of the unit screen displayed above is selected and indicated, a correction window for the corresponding unit screen is opened as shown in FIG. 9, and the data can be corrected and updated for each unit screen.

Further, in the present invention, when the correction of the unit screen is completed, the corrected screen is stored in the form of a difference file with respect to the basic unit screen instead of overwriting and updating the data before the correction. Features.

That is, when the bug fix for the project P1 including the three unit screen files 40 of B1, B2 and B3 has been completed and the normal operation has been confirmed, each unit screen file 40 included in the project file 44 is confirmed. Is fixed and used as the basic file.

The contents modified thereafter are stored as a difference file of the basic file in principle, and the modification relation and the modification contents are visually displayed in the modification history management window 72 shown in FIG. The details can be displayed.

Here, the modification made to the basic unit screen B1 is changed to a functional component 3 such as a switch or a lamp.
If it is related to a function attribute related to a change in the function that can be achieved, such as 0 or addition or deletion of a processing directive,
A difference file corresponding to the corrected part is created.

Further, the created difference file is shown in FIG.
As shown in the above, while being automatically saved as the difference unit screen file 40a, and B1_1, B1 are displayed in the correction relation display column 74 on the correction history management window 72 while being associated as a child project of the project file P1.
A difference unit screen file 40a such as 1_2.
Is set, and an icon is displayed.

On the other hand, when a modification is made to the basic unit screen B1 that does not include a substantial change in the function to be achieved, such as changing only display attributes such as display colors and display characters. Even if there is, a difference file corresponding to the corrected portion is created in substantially the same manner as described above.

However, in this case, a selection screen is further displayed, and it is required to select whether to save as the above-described difference unit screen file 40a or save as the correction history file 41a.

When the difference file is stored as the correction history file 41a, the basic unit screen B
A file symbol or a file name for identifying the modification history file 41a, such as B1a, B1b,..., Is set in the order of creation, and an icon is displayed.

Further, a detailed information display column 76 is provided in the right half of the correction history management window 72. When a displayed icon is selected, details of functions included in the difference file specified by the icon, particularly each file, are displayed. By displaying the difference information of the contents realized by the above, the difference file is created for any purpose, and the function or display difference newly realized by the file can be easily identified. ing.

The contents displayed in the detailed information display field 76 can automatically analyze the difference file and directly display the contents of the functional components 30 and the processing instruction words W included therein. In addition, it is also possible to request the input of a comment when the difference file is created, to have the person who made the correction work input the contents of the correction as a document, and to display it.

In the case where the difference unit screen file B1_1 created and stored as described above is further modified to change the function, the same operation as described above is performed on the basic unit screen file B1. Need to repeat.

However, for a minute correction that does not require a change in function, it is possible to create a difference file for the difference unit screen file B1_1 and save and manage the difference file as a correction history file B1_1a.

Instead of creating a difference file for each unit screen, a difference file is created based on the correction contents added to a plurality of unit screens included in one project. 6, the difference between the basic project file 44 and the difference project file 4
4a can also be stored and managed.

Conversely, a modification is made in units of the functional components 30 and the processing instruction words W constituting the unit screen, a difference file is created in substantially the same manner as described above, and the modification history or function change history is managed. Can also.

Further, an operator who can make corrections for each project, each unit screen, or each functional component is specified, and access is restricted so that other persons cannot perform any correction work including deletion of files. , Unnecessary correction can be prevented beforehand.

The screen data management unit 50 shown in FIG. 7 further has a function of reconstructing a corrected unit screen file from the difference file created as described above and the basic unit screen file 40. .

Further, if no selection operation is performed on the project file 44, for example, the latest revision history file 41a and the basic one for the unit screen file 40 are automatically selected.
It is reconfigured as one project file 44.

The entire reconstructed project file 44 can be downloaded from the operation screen creation support device 10 to the display device 12 and overwritten and updated. However, in this embodiment, the display device 1
The second side also has substantially the same function as the operation screen creation support device 10 or at least a screen data management and synthesis function, and when the unit screen correction work performed as described above is completed, the created difference file is created. Only the display device 12 is selectively automatically downloaded to the display device 12 side.

The storage means on the side of the display device 12 stores a difference project file 44a comprising a difference file group in addition to the basic project file 44 shown in FIG. In such a state, the correction history management window 72 is opened almost in the same manner as in the above case,
By combining the selected difference files, a project file having an operation screen suitable for the purpose of use or use conditions can be automatically created.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a schematic configuration of a program type display device and an operation screen creation device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a programmable display device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a processing instruction word,
(A) is a basic configuration of a processing instruction word, (b) is a configuration of a processing instruction word for data input using a touch panel, (c)
Indicates the configuration of a processing instruction word for graphic display.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation procedure using a processing instruction word of the programmable display device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a project file.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation screen creation support device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen management window.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen correction window.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a correction history management window.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Data communication means 4 Display control means 6 Event data storage means 8 Operation screen management means 10 Operation screen creation support device 12 Programmatic display device 14 External device 15 Communication path 16 PLC 18 Target system 20 Display control circuit 22 Display 24 Touch panel 26 Touch panel Controller 28 Base screen 30 Functional parts 32 Event data memory 34 State data memory 36 RAM 38 Graphic memory 40 Unit screen file 42 Auxiliary data file 44 Project file 46 Display section 48 Operation screen creation section 50 Screen data management section 52 Data communication Unit 54 drawing figure creation unit 56 functional component placement unit 58 processing instruction word setting unit 60 screen data synthesis unit 62 screen data storage unit 64 operation screen management window 66 operation screen correction Window 68 call relation display field 70 screen data display field 72 correction history management window 74 correction relation display field 76 detailed information display field 78 display screen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B069 AA18 BB16 BC09 CA02 CA13 LA09 5B082 GA04 GC03 5E501 AA02 AC02 AC10 BA01 BA05 CB05 CB09 DA17 DA20 EA05 EA11 EA13 EB05 FA03 FA04 FA06 FA14 FA23 FB28 FB30

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An operation screen management method for a programmable display device connected to a predetermined external device and capable of performing a display corresponding to a control operation performed by the external device, comprising: Creating a second file by modifying the first file, and creating a second file from the second file and the first file described above. Creating a third file, storing the third file and the first file in association with each other, and re-creating a second file from the first file and the third file. An operation screen management method comprising: a configuring step. 2. The operation screen management method according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the third files, and the difference information of the contents realized in each file is displayed separately on a screen. 3. When the difference information is a difference in display attributes, the difference information can be saved as a history file for the first file or a different project file associated with the first file. 3. The operation screen management method according to claim 2, wherein when the difference information indicates a difference between the function attributes, the difference information is automatically stored as a separate project file although it is associated with the first file. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least
2. The operation screen management method according to claim 1, wherein the operation of modifying the file can be executed only by a person having a preset authority. 5. The third file is created by a device different from a display device that is to perform display corresponding to the third file. 3. The operation screen management method according to claim 1, wherein the third file is automatically downloaded to the display device. 6. A step of saving the first and third files, a step of displaying difference information between the files, and a step of creating a second file from the first and third files. The operation screen management method according to claim 1, wherein the step of performing a display operation based on the second file is performed on a display device that is to perform the display operation. 7. The above-mentioned display device is connected to a predetermined external device via a communication channel, and can transmit and receive data to and from the external device through the communication channel. Event data storage means capable of storing a plurality of processing directives including reference information for specifying the contents; decoding the processing directives provided in the event data storage means to correspond to the information referenced by each processing directive And a display control unit for performing the display on the display. The operation screen includes one or more functional components provided on the base screen and an operation content for specifying the operation content of each functional component. 7. The operation screen management method according to claim 1, comprising a combination with a plurality of processing instruction words.