JP2001325010A - Programmable controller system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently construct a controller system, in which an application program is divided into plural parts and stored, so as to be distributed in plural controllers connected to each other with fewer loads. SOLUTION: The program blocks of controllers distributed in a network and parameters accompanied with them are arbitrarily combined and grouped in matching with objects to be controlled such as facilities/devices. Then, the download or upload of the application programs or parameters is realized by the group units. Also, this controller and a support tool are provided with functions for performing start or stop by the group units.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a programmable controller system in which a plurality of programmable controllers and at least one support tool are interconnected via communication means such as a network.
The present invention relates to a programmable controller system that divides an application program into a plurality of program blocks and stores the divided programs in a plurality of programmable controllers, thereby achieving system flexibility and achieving load distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A basic function of a programmable controller (hereinafter, simply referred to as a controller) is based on a combination of an input device, an arithmetic device, and an output device, and a signal input from a sensor or a switch connected to the input device. A control program such as a ladder created by a user stored in the processing device is executed based on the input result, and the execution result is output to an external motor through an output device. And output to actuators and the like.

In recent years, with the increase in the physical and logical scale of a control object, the control has been assigned to a plurality of controllers, and each controller inevitably has a communication function between the controllers. In addition, it is possible to transmit and share timing and various control information.

However, if communication via a network is interposed, information transmission between control logics is required, so that the information transmission time is often less than the required control responsiveness, and the cost of one unit is inevitably high. In many cases, the system had to be configured with a large-capacity controller.

[0005] However, with the recent development of network technology, the capability of transmitting information between controllers, including the communication speed, has been dramatically improved, and the control capability of the system has been greatly improved accordingly.

[0006] Further, as the cost and size of the controller have been reduced, it has become possible to construct a system that is comparable in cost and space efficiency to a system using a single large controller.

In this type of control system, when control is shared by a plurality of controllers using a network,
The following merits arise. 1) Flexibility in system construction arises in terms of the configuration and arrangement of hardware, making it easy to change equipment and devices. 2) Since the processing load is distributed to multiple controllers,
The performance required for each controller is suppressed, and an inexpensive controller can be used. 3) Even in the case of a controller failure, the controller constituting the system is divided into a plurality of units, so that the system down range is limited to a part and the reliability of the entire system is improved.

As described above, it has become possible to construct a system with a plurality of controllers for the configuration of equipment and devices, or for load distribution and optimum performance. Expected to increase.

In response to such a trend, in recent years,
There are many systems in which equipment and devices to be controlled are controlled using a plurality of controllers connected on a network.

On the other hand, in recent controllers, the number of input / output points that can be controlled by one controller tends to increase drastically due to the cost reduction of the semiconductor memory and the higher performance of the microcomputer chip. is there. In addition, the program capacity of the controller has increased in proportion to this.

[0011] Further, the enhancement of the functions of various machines designed by incorporating the controller and the manufacturing equipment itself has spurred an increase in the program capacity.

In such a tendency, in recent years, the controller has been divided or hierarchized in order to design a large-capacity program efficiently and with high quality, and to reuse and maintain it. There is a tendency to add a function of dividing a block.

[0013] In addition, there have been proposed functions of individually downloading and uploading program data divided into blocks to the controller, and in the controller, individually starting and stopping the program divided into blocks on the controller side. ing.

Using this function, the user can assign a divided block program to each of the devices controlled by one controller, and can assign each of the highly independent functional units within the device. The productivity is improved by sequentially or in charge of the design for each device or each function by a plurality of workers in the program design.

This function makes it possible to make the division of the program function in the controller clearer.
Even when a plurality of control targets are controlled by one controller, the target program is programmed in a block-divided form.

By combining the above-described system decentralization with the network and the division of the application programs, the distribution method becomes more flexible, and the distribution can be made not in units of controllers but in units of program blocks over the network. Has become.

[0017]

However, distributing the system means distributing the application program and its associated parameters.

The simplicity of the conventional one controlled object to one controller is no longer 1: 1, but a plurality of controllers to a plurality of controlled objects is inevitably n: m. This occurs as an adverse effect on the flexibility of the system configuration. As a result, equipment and equipment designers and maintainers have to work with great care for the complicated measures.

In addition, there is a natural difference in the work load between work for one controller and work for a program block having a plurality of controllers connected via a network.

In other words, what has conventionally been performed for one controller, such as downloading and uploading of application program data and parameter data using a programming tool, is performed for a plurality of controllers. Must be performed for each of the predetermined program blocks, so that debugging and maintenance work are extremely complicated.

Similarly, when starting or stopping equipment or devices, it is necessary to devise an operation so that specific program blocks of a plurality of controllers are simultaneously started and stopped.

In order to automate the simultaneous activation and the simultaneous stop by a plurality of controllers, a complicated programming is required by an application program, and a new load which does not exist in the past occurs.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a controller system in which an application program is divided into a plurality of units and distributed and stored in a plurality of interconnected controllers to be constructed efficiently and with a small burden. I do.

According to the present invention, a controller system in which an application program is divided into a plurality of units and distributed and stored in a plurality of controllers mutually connected via a network can be constructed efficiently and with a small burden. It is intended to provide a controller.

Further, the present invention flexibly and effectively utilizes an application program spanning a plurality of controllers of a controller system which is divided into a plurality of application programs and distributed and stored in a plurality of controllers connected to each other via a network. The purpose is to provide a support tool that can do it.

[0026]

A controller system according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of controllers for executing program blocks of an application program divided into a plurality of blocks as appropriate; and at least one support tool; This is a controller system mutually connected via a.

In the above system (for example, a controller,
Support tools and other system components)
A group setting information storage unit capable of setting and storing the program block and its associated parameters as a group across a plurality of controllers is included.

The controller has a function corresponding to a group designation as a receiving object in the support tool.
First transfer means for extracting the program blocks belonging to the group and the parameters associated therewith based on the contents stored in the group setting information storage means, and transferring the extracted program blocks and the parameters associated therewith to the support tool; And first storage means for receiving and storing the program blocks transferred from the support tool and the parameters associated therewith.

The support tool includes a group designating unit for designating the group as a transmission target or a reception target, and a program block belonging to the group and a program block belonging to the group corresponding to the group designation as a transmission target by the group designation unit. Second transfer means for extracting parameters to be performed based on the contents stored in the group setting information storage means, and transferring the extracted program block and its associated parameters to all the corresponding controllers; and the first transfer means And a second storage unit for receiving and storing the program block transferred from the controller and the parameters associated therewith.

Here, the communication means includes a LAN (local area network) and the like.

According to such a configuration, the first transfer means and the second storage means enable the support tool to upload the program blocks and the parameters associated therewith from the controller to the support tool in groups.

According to such a configuration, the second transfer means and the first storage means make it possible for the support tool to download the program blocks and the accompanying parameters from the support tool to the controller in units of groups. .

Therefore, even if the number of controllers used and the program are divided arbitrarily, there is no difference in work load, so that a more optimal system configuration in terms of cost and space efficiency can be selected and changed. .

Further, since a unit to be controlled, such as equipment, a device, or a functional unit, corresponds to a program structure,
The software structure matches the real world, making it easier for the maintenance worker to recognize and eliminate work errors.

Further, since the work load on the operator is small and the equipment, device, or functional unit can be associated with the controller in detail up to the program block unit, a more flexible system construction can be realized.

In a case where a plurality of persons perform debugging or maintenance work by sharing each of the apparatuses, it is possible to rearrange programs and start / stop each apparatus. Therefore, even if one controller is partially shared, Even in such a situation, the operation can be performed without interfering with the work of other workers, and the debugging / startup work efficiency is greatly improved.

Further, even if equipment, devices, or functional units are controlled by a part of program blocks of a plurality of controllers, they can be started and stopped in units of the control objects, so that between controllers and between program blocks It is not necessary to create a user program for generating the timing between them, and a highly secure system can be easily constructed.

Further, since a necessary part of the application programs of a plurality of controllers can be downloaded and uploaded in units of control objects, the work operation which has been repeatedly performed for each controller or each program block in the related art can be performed. Can be simplified, and the work efficiency at the time of debugging or maintenance of the equipment is greatly improved.

Since not only the program blocks but also the parameters associated with the program blocks can be managed together, the portability of the application program can be easily changed even when the number of controllers that execute the same application is changed.

Next, the controller according to the present invention allows a plurality of controllers, each of which divides and executes a plurality of application program blocks to be appropriately loaded and executed, and at least one support tool to communicate with each other via communication means. This is a controller applied to the controller system connected to.

This controller has a group setting information storage means capable of setting and storing the program block and its associated parameters over a group of a plurality of controllers, and a group designation as a reception target by the support tool. In response to the above, program blocks belonging to the group and parameters associated therewith are extracted based on the contents stored in the group setting information storage means, and the extracted program blocks and parameters associated therewith are transferred to the support tool. Transfer means; and storage means for receiving the program block transferred from the support tool or another controller and parameters associated therewith and storing the received program block in the group setting information storage means of the controller.

Next, the support tool according to the present invention connects a plurality of controllers, each of which appropriately executes a program block of an application program divided into a plurality of blocks, and at least one support tool via communication means. A support tool applied to interconnected controller systems.

The support tool includes group setting information storage means for setting and storing the program block and its associated parameters as a group across a plurality of controllers, and group specification means for specifying the group as a transmission target or a reception target. And extracting the program blocks belonging to the group and the parameters associated therewith based on the contents stored in the group setting information storage means in response to the group designation as the transmission target by the group designation means. There are provided transfer means for transferring the block and its associated parameters to all the corresponding controllers, and storage means for receiving and storing the program block and its associated parameters transferred from the controller.

Further, another controller system of the present invention is a programmable controller system having a plurality of programmable controllers which respectively execute the program blocks of the application program divided into a plurality of blocks as appropriate.

The above-mentioned programmable controller system includes group setting information storage means capable of setting and storing the above-mentioned program block and its associated parameters as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers. A group processing execution unit configured to execute a start process or a stop process for all program blocks belonging to the specified group by referring to the group setting information when the group is specified via the application program; And are provided.

Further, another controller system of the present invention comprises a plurality of programmable controllers each of which appropriately executes a plurality of divided application program blocks and executes the program blocks.
This is a programmable controller system in which two support tools are interconnected via communication means.
The programmable controller system includes a group setting information storage unit capable of setting and storing the program blocks and the parameters associated therewith as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers. When a group is designated via an application program, a group process executing means for executing a start process or a stop process for all program blocks belonging to the designated group with reference to the group setting information, Is provided.

According to such a configuration, through an instruction from an application program or a support tool,
It is possible to start or stop a program on a group basis.

[0048]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a controller system, a controller, and a support tool according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment of a controller system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the controller system comprises:
Three controllers, that is, a controller (controller A) 10-1 and a controller (controller B) 1
0-2, a controller (controller C) 10-3,
It is configured by connecting the support tool 20 to a network 30.

Here, in the controller system of this embodiment, the controller (controller A) 1
0-1 and the controller (controller B) 10-2 control the equipment A, and the controller (controller B)
10-2 and controller (controller C) 10-3
Controls the equipment B.

The controller (controller A) 1
0-1 and the controller (controller B) 10-2
And the controller (controller C) 10-3 are configured to exchange data via the network 30.

The support tool 20 is connected to the controller (controller A) 10- via the network 30.
1, the controller (controller B) 10-2, and the controller (controller C) 10-3 can exchange data.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration shown in FIG. 1 in which equipment A and equipment B to be controlled, a controller (controller A) 10-1, and a controller (controller B)
10-2 and a controller (controller C) 10-
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship with application programs mounted on a third application program;

In FIG. 2, a controller (controller A) 10-1 is a program block program (program block 1) PB-11 obtained by dividing an application program executed by the controller system.
And a program block program (program block 2) PB-12, and a controller (controller B) 10-2 is a program block program (program block 1) PB-21 obtained by dividing an application program executed by the controller system.
And a program block program (program block 2) PB-22, and the controller (controller C) 10-3 includes a program block program (program block 1) PB-31 obtained by dividing an application program executed by the controller system.
And a program block program (program block 2) PB-32.

The equipment A includes a program block program (program block 1) PB-11 of the controller (controller A) 10-1, a program block program (program block 2) PB-12, and a controller (controller B) 10-2. Program block program (program block 1) PB-
The equipment B is controlled by the controller 21 and the program block program (program block 2) PB-22 of the controller (controller B) 10-2 and the program block program (program block 1) PB-31 of the controller (controller C) 10-3. , Program block program (program block 2) PB-
32.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the controllers 10-1 to 10-3 of the controller system shown in FIG. 3, the controller 10 includes an arithmetic processor (CP)
U) 11, system program memory 12, user program memory 13, parameter memory 14, work memory 15, input / output memory (I / O memory) 16, communication interface (communication I / F) 17, input / output interface (I / F) The communication interface 17 is connected to the network 30 shown in FIG.
The input / output interface 18 is connected to an input / output device 19.

Here, the arithmetic processor 11 controls the overall operation of the controller 10, and the system program memory 12 is a memory for storing a system program of the controller 10 processed by the arithmetic processor 11. It is.

The user program memory 13 is a memory for storing application programs of the system, and the parameter memory 14 is a memory for storing various parameters for various calculations and processes in the controller 10. is there.

The work memory 15 includes the controller 1
0 is a memory for temporarily storing data for performing various operations / processes.

The input / output memory 16 is provided with the controller 1
0 is a memory that can be referenced / rewritten as a substitute for input / output information by executing a program at 0. In this embodiment,
The input / output memory stores not only the input / output information but also parameters for each program block.

The communication interface 17 constitutes an interface for connecting to the network 30.

The input / output device 19 is a device in which an input device connected to a sensor / switch and the like and an output device connected to a motor / actuator and the like are combined. Communication means for exchanging information with the other controller. In addition, "input / output device" is a device that combines an input device and an output device, but it also includes the meaning of a group of several independent input measures and several independent output devices. I have.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the support tool 20 of the controller system shown in FIG. 4, the support tool 20 includes an arithmetic unit 21, an input unit 27, and a display unit 28. The arithmetic unit 21 includes a central processing unit 22, a memory space 23, a display memory 24, and a bus 25. , An interface (I / F) 26. The memory space 23 basically stores data edited on the tool. In this example, the memory space 23 further includes a parameter data area 23.
-1, a user program data area 23-2, and a support tool program area 23-3.
Here, the central processing unit 22 uses the support tool 20
The overall operation of is controlled.

The parameter data area 23-1 of the memory space 23 stores various parameters required for the processing of the support tool 20, and the user program data area 23-2 stores the controllers 10-1 to 10-.
3 is stored in the support tool program area 2
The program executed by the support tool 20 executed by the central processing unit 22 is stored in 3-3.

The display device memory 24 is a memory for storing information output to the display device 28, and this information is rewritten by the central processing unit 22.

The interface 26 constitutes a communication interface for communicating with the controllers 10-1 to 10-3.

The input device 27 is a device for inputting a user request, and is composed of a keyboard, a pointing device and the like. The display device 28 is a device for displaying information in the display device memory 24, for example, a CRT. And so on.

In the controller system according to the embodiment having the above-described configuration, as will be described in detail later, the program blocks of the network-distributed controller and the parameters associated therewith are adjusted in an arbitrary combination according to the control target such as equipment or apparatus. The controller and the support tool are configured so as to enable grouping, download and upload of application programs and parameters on a group basis, and to have a function of starting and stopping on a group basis.

In the controller system according to this embodiment, information exchange is performed on the network 30 by a message service, and each request is issued to the other party. This message service is transmitted from the support tool 20 to the controllers 10-1 to 10-1.
Used for requests to 0-3 and requests from the controller to other controllers.

For each message, the network address of the destination is added to the command, whereby the destination of each message is specified. The following message service commands are prepared in the controller system of this embodiment.

1) Program block download Transmission command parameters Program block ID to download Program block data to download Contents of reception response Normal end or error end

2) Program block upload Send command parameter Program block ID to be uploaded Contents of reception response Normal end and program block data or error end

3) Program block parameter download Send command parameter Program block ID to download Program block parameter data to download Contents of reception response Normal end or error end

4) Program block parameter upload Transmission command parameter Program block ID to be uploaded Contents of reception response Normal end and program block parameter data or error end

5) Group setting information download Transmission command parameter Group setting information to be downloaded Contents of reception response Normal end or error end

6) Controller-specific network address information download Send command parameter Download controller-specific network address information Contents of received response Normal end or error end

7) Program block start / stop Transmission command parameters Program block ID to start / stop Start / stop instruction Contents of received response Normal end or error end

FIG. 5 shows specifications of a group start command and a group stop command for starting or stopping by designating a group from an application program, which are adopted in the controller system of this embodiment.
become that way. The group start command and the group stop command are stored at an arbitrary location in each program block, and are executed in the program operation process of each controller.

In FIG. 5, the group start instruction is
As shown in (a), a code representing “group activation” is stored in the operation code, and the “target group I” is stored in the operand.
D ”is stored. Also, the group stop instruction is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a code representing “group stop” is stored in the operation code, and the “target group I” is stored in the operand.
D ”is stored.

Next, the detailed operation of the controller system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the following flowchart.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an overall processing flow in controller 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, when the power-on initial process of the controller 10 is completed (step 601), the controller 10 first executes a predetermined common process (step 602), and then checks whether the program operation is possible (step 602). Step 603).

Here, if it is determined that the program operation is possible (YES in step 603), a program operation process is executed (step 604), and thereafter, an I / O refresh process of the I / O memory 16 is performed. (Step 6
05).

If it is determined in step 603 that the program operation is not possible (NO in step 603), the I / O memory 16 is executed without executing the program operation process.
(Step 605).

When the I / O refresh processing of the I / O memory 16 is completed, a predetermined network processing is executed (step 606), and the process returns to step 602 to repeat the above processing. As will be described in detail later, the network process (step 606) has both a function of processing a command from outside the controller and a function of processing a command issuance request from another process in the controller.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the network processing in step 606 shown in FIG.

In the network processing, the support tool 2
The following processing is performed in accordance with the status of receiving a command from 0 or another controller 10 and the status of a network processing request from another processing. Here, the command / response reception itself is performed by an interrupt process, and is stored in a temporary storage area on the work memory 15. 1) Processing according to commands from the support tool 20 and the other controller 10 2) Command issuing processing according to the content of the network processing request from other processing 3) Processing according to the response to the issued command

In FIG. 7, when this network processing is started (step 701), it is first checked whether there is a received command or a response (step 7).
02). If it is determined that there is no received command or response (NO in step 702), the process proceeds to step 705. If it is determined that there is a received command or response (YES in step 702), the received command or response is determined. After analysis (step 70
3), execute processing for each command and response (step 704).

Here, the contents of response processing for each command are shown below. In addition to the processing described below, there is a command processing to be provided as a normal controller, but the description is omitted here because it does not depend on the contents of this embodiment.

1) "Program block download"
Processing for command Program block I specified in command parameter
According to D, the received program block data is stored in a predetermined location of the user program memory 13. Here, a response of normal termination is returned if the processing is normally completed, and an error termination response is returned if the processing is not completed normally.

2) "Program block upload"
Processing for command Program block I specified in command parameter
According to D, the program block data is read from a predetermined location in the user program memory 13 area, and is returned as a normal end. However, if the processing does not end normally, a response indicating an error end is returned.

3) Processing for "download program block parameter" command Program block I specified in command parameter
According to D, the received parameter is stored in a predetermined location in the I / O memory 16 area. Here, a response of normal termination is returned if the processing is normally completed, and an error termination response is returned if the processing is not completed normally.

4) Processing for "Program block parameter upload" command Program block I specified in the command parameter
In accordance with D, parameter data associated with the program block is read from a predetermined location in the I / O memory 16 area, and is returned as normal termination. However, if the processing ends normally, a response of normal termination is returned. If the processing does not end normally, an error termination response is returned.

5) Processing for "Download Group Setting Information" Command The received group setting information is stored in a predetermined location of the parameter memory 14. Here, a response of normal termination is returned if the processing is normally completed, and an error termination response is returned if the processing is not completed normally.

6) Processing for “Download Controller-Specific Network Address Information” Command The received controller-specific network address information is stored in a predetermined location of the parameter memory 14. Here, a response of normal termination is returned if the processing is normally completed, and an error termination response is returned if the processing is not completed normally.

7) Processing for "program block start / stop" command Program block I specified in the command parameter
According to D, the status of the corresponding program block in the program block status information is changed to start or stop. Here, if the process ends normally, the process ends normally,
If the processing is not completed normally, an error end response is returned.

8) Response processing of "program block start / stop" command In the controller system of this embodiment, there is no special processing for both normal termination and error termination.

Returning to FIG. 7, in step 705, the network processing request item storage area is read, and it is checked whether there is a processing request (step 706). If it is determined that there is no processing request (N in step 706)
O), the network processing ends as it is (step 710).

If it is determined in step 706 that there is a processing request (YES in step 706), the first request in the network processing request item storage area is read (step 707), and a command corresponding to this request is generated. The request is transmitted (step 708), the network processing request item is set at the first level (step 709), and the network processing is terminated (step 710).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the program operation processing in step 604 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 8, when the program operation process is started (step 801), first, it is checked whether it is the first execution (step 802). Here, if it is determined that it is not the first execution (NO in step 802), the process proceeds to step 804, but if it is determined that it is the first execution (YE in step 802).
S), program block status information is generated (step 803), and the process proceeds to step 804.

In step 804, the first record of the program block status information is read, and it is checked whether the status is activated (step 805). here,
If it is determined that the status is not activated (step 80)
(NO in 5), the program execution process is terminated as it is (step 811).

If it is determined in step 805 that the status is activated (YES in step 805), the instructions in the corresponding program blocks are sequentially read (step 806), and execution processing is performed according to the instruction code (step 806). Step 807).

Next, it is checked whether the instruction is final (whether the execution processing has reached the final instruction of the program block) (step 808). If it is determined that the instruction is not final (step 80)
8), returns to step 805 and repeats the processing from step 805 to step 808. If it is determined that the processing is final (YES in step 808), the next record of the program block status information is read (step 809). .

If there is a remaining record (step 810), and it is determined that there is a remaining record (NO in step 810), the process returns to step 805 and repeats the processing from step 806 to step 810. If it is determined that none exists (YE in step 810)
S), the program execution process ends (step 8)
11).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the details of the group start command processing employed in the controller system of this embodiment. In FIG. 9, when the group start instruction processing is started (step 901), first, the group I defined in the operand of the “group start instruction”
D is read (step 902), a record in which the corresponding group ID exists is searched from the top of the group setting information (step 903), and there is no corresponding group ID (step 904).

Here, if it is determined that there is no corresponding group ID (YES in step 904), the group activation instruction processing is terminated (step 913).

In step 904, the corresponding group ID
If it is determined that there is (YES in step 904), the controller ID and program block I
D is read (step 905), and it is checked whether the read controller ID is the controller ID of the own controller (step 906).

If it is determined that the controller ID is not the controller ID of its own controller (NO in step 906), the controller searches for the network address of the controller from the network address information for each controller (step 907). Search for an empty record in the processing request item storage area (step 9)
08).

The controller network address is stored in the destination address of the empty record, the block start / stop command is stored in the command, and the corresponding program block ID and start are stored in the parameters (step 90).
9) Next, the next record having the corresponding group ID is searched from the group setting information (step 910), and the process proceeds to step 912.

On the other hand, at step 906, the controller I
If D is determined to be the controller ID of the own controller (YES in step 906), the status of the corresponding program block ID in the program block status information is changed to start (step 911), and step 9 is executed.
Go to 10.

In step 912, it is checked whether there is a corresponding record. If it is determined that there is a corresponding record (NO in step 912), the process returns to step 905, and the processing from step 905 to step 912 is repeated.
If it is determined that there is no applicable record (Y in step 912)
ES), the group start instruction process ends (step 913).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the group stop instruction processing employed in the controller system of this embodiment. In FIG. 10, when the group stop instruction processing is started (step 1001), first, the group ID defined in the operand of the “group stop instruction” is read (step 1002), and the corresponding group ID is read from the head of the group setting information. An existing record is searched (step 1003), and only a corresponding group ID is checked (step 1004).

Here, if it is determined that there is no corresponding group ID (YES in step 1004), the group stop motion command processing is terminated as it is (step 1013).

In step 1004, the corresponding group I
If it is determined that D exists (NO in step 1004),
The controller ID and the program block ID are read from the corresponding record (step 1005), and it is checked whether the read controller ID is the controller ID of the own controller (step 1006).

If it is determined that the controller ID is not the controller ID of its own controller (NO in step 1006), a network address of the controller is searched from the network address information for each controller (step 1007). An empty record in the processing request item storage area is searched (step 1008).

Then, the corresponding controller network address is stored in the destination address of the empty record, the block start / stop command is stored in the command, and the corresponding program block ID and stop are stored in the parameters (step 100).
9) Go to step 1011.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1006 that the controller ID is the controller ID of its own controller (YES in step 1006), the status of the corresponding program block ID in the program block status information is changed to stop (step 1010). ), And proceed to Step 1011.

In step 1011, the next record in which the corresponding group ID exists is searched from the group setting information (step 1011). Next, the absence of the corresponding record is checked (step 1012). If it is determined (NO in Step 1012), the process returns to Step 1005, and Steps 1005 to 101
The process of step 2 is repeated, but if it is determined that there is no corresponding record (YES in step 1012), the group stop instruction process ends (step 1013).

FIG. 11 shows the support tool 2 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the overall processing at 0. FIG.
In 1, when the processing of the support tool 20 is started (step 1101), first, a predetermined startup initial processing is executed (step 1102), and then a function selection by a user operation is performed (step 1103).

Next, it is checked whether the function selected by the function selection in step 1103 is a program editing function (step 1104). Here, if it is determined that the selected function is the program editing function (Y in step 1104).
ES) and execute the program editing function (step 110).
5) Return to step 1103.

If it is determined that the function selected in step 1103 is not a program editing function (NO in step 1104), it is next checked whether the function selected in step 1103 is a group setting function (step 110).
6). If it is determined that the selected function is the group setting function (YES in step 1106), the group setting function is executed (step 1107), and the process returns to step 1103.

If it is determined that the function selected at step 1103 is not a group setting function (step 1103).
Next, it is determined whether the function selected in step 1103 is a group transfer function (step 110).
8). If it is determined that the selected function is the group transfer function (YES in step 1108), the group transfer function is executed (step 1109), and the process returns to step 1103.

When it is determined that the function selected in step 1103 is not the group transfer function (step 1103).
Next, it is determined whether the function selected in step 1103 is a group control function (step 111).
0). If it is determined that the selected function is the group control function (YES in step 1110), the group control function is executed (step 1111), and the process returns to step 1103.

If it is determined that the function selected in step 1103 is not a group control function (step 1).
(NO in 110), branch to each function of the support tool according to the selection of another function, and execute each function of the support tool.

Then, it is checked whether or not each function of the support tool is completed (step 1112). If it is determined that the function is not completed (NO in step 1112), step 110 is executed.
Returning to step 3, if it is determined that the processing is completed (step 11).
12 (YES in step 12), and executes a predetermined end process (step 1).
113), the entire processing flow in the support tool 20 ends (step 1114).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the group setting function shown in step 1107 of FIG. 12, when the group setting function is started (step 1201), a program block list is displayed on the display device 28 (step 1202). Then, a group ID is input for each program block from the input device 27 (step 1203). The input group ID is stored as group setting information (step 1204).

Next, the stored group setting information is transmitted to all the controllers (step 1205).
This group setting function ends (step 120).
6).

FIGS. 13 and 14 show steps 11 and 11 in FIG.
10 is a flowchart illustrating details of a group transfer function indicated by 09. 13, when this group transfer function is started (step 1301), a download or upload selection screen is displayed on the display device 28 (step 1302). Then, selection input is performed from the input device 27 (step 1303).

Then, it is checked whether or not download is selected by the selection input in step 1303 (step 1303).
4). If it is determined that download has been selected (YES in step 1304), a group list is displayed on display device 28 (step 1305). Then, a group is designated from the input device 27 (step 130).
6).

Next, the program block ID belonging to the corresponding group and the controller ID of the target controller are searched from the group setting information (step 1307), and a list of program blocks to be downloaded is created (step 1308).

Then, the list is sequentially read (step 1309), and the corresponding program block data and program block parameters are read from the application program data table according to the list (step 1310).

Next, the controller ID is read from the list, and the corresponding network address is referred to from the controller-specific network address information (step 131).
1) Download the program block data to the target controller (step 1312), and download the program block parameter data to the target controller (step 1313).

Then, it is checked whether the processing has been performed up to the end of the list (step 1314). If it is determined that the processing has not been performed up to the end of the list (NO in step 1314), the process returns to step 1309, and steps 1309 to 1
The process of 314 is repeated. If it is determined that the process has been performed up to the end of the list (YES in step 1314), the group transfer function ends (step 1315).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
If it is determined at 04 that it is not a download selection (NO at step 1304), a group list is displayed on the display device 28 (step 1401). Then, the input device 27
The group is designated from (step 1402).

Next, the program block ID belonging to the corresponding group and the controller ID of the target controller are searched from the group setting information (step 1403), and a list of program blocks to be uploaded is created (step 1404).

Then, the list is sequentially read (step 1405), and the controller ID is read from the list.
The corresponding network address is referred from the network address information for each controller (step 1406).
Then, the program block data is uploaded to the target controller (step 1407), and the program block data is stored in the application data table according to the list (step 1408).

Next, block parameter data is uploaded from the target controller (step 140).
9) In accordance with the list, the program block parameter data is stored in the corresponding location of the program block parameter data table (step 1410).

Then, it is checked whether the processing has been performed up to the end of the list (step 1411). When it is determined that the processing has not been performed up to the end of the list (NO in step 1411), the process returns to step 1405, and steps 1405 to 1
The processing of 411 is repeated. If it is determined that the processing has been performed up to the end of the list (YES in step 1411), the group transfer function ends (step 1315).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the group control function shown in step 1111 in FIG. In FIG. 15, when the group control function is started (step 1501), the group list is displayed on the display device 2.
8 (step 1502). Then, a group is designated from the input device 27 (step 1503).

Then, the program block ID belonging to the corresponding group and the controller ID of the target controller are searched from the group setting information (step 1504), and a list of program blocks to be controlled is created (step 1505).

Next, a designation of start or stop is input from the input device 27 (step 1506), and it is checked whether the designation is a start (step 1507).

Here, when it is determined that the start is designated (YES in step 1507), the list is sequentially read (step 1508), and the network address of the controller is searched from the network address information for each controller (step 1509). .

Then, a command for requesting the target controller to start the corresponding program block is issued (step 1510), and it is checked whether the processing has been completed until the end of the list (step 1511). If it is determined that they have not been made (NO in step 1511),
Returning to step 1508, the processing from step 1508 to step 1511 is repeated. If it is determined that the processing has been performed up to the end of the list (YES in step 1511), the group control function ends (step 1516).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1507 that the command is not a start designation (NO in step 1507), the list is sequentially read (step 1512), and the network address of the controller is searched from the controller-specific network address information (step 1512). 1513).

Then, a command for requesting the target controller to stop the corresponding program block is issued (step 1514), and it is checked whether the processing has been completed until the end of the list (step 1515). If it is determined that they have not been made (NO in step 1515),
Returning to step 1512, the processing from step 1512 to step 1515 is repeated. If it is determined that the processing has been performed up to the end of the list (YES in step 1515), this group control function ends (step 1516).

FIG. 16 shows an example of "group setting information" used in the controller system of this embodiment.

Here, this group setting information is for storing the correspondence information between the program blocks and the groups to which they belong, and the controller (A to C) 10-1.
The information is stored in both the 10-3 side and the support tool 20 side.

Here, the “controller ID” is the controller (A to C) 10 connected to the network 30.
-1 to 10-3. “Program block ID” is an identifier of a program block.
The group ID is an identifier of a group to which the program block belongs.

The “network information for each controller” employed in the controller system of this embodiment
FIG. 17 shows an example of this.

This “network information for each controller”
Is for storing the address of the controller connected to the network 30 on the network 30, and is stored on both the controller side and the support tool side.

Here, the “controller ID” is the controller (A to C) 1 connected to the network 30.
The identifiers are 0-1 to 10-3, and the “network addresses” are the controllers (A to C) 10-1 to 10-3.
Is an address on the network 30 of the.

FIG. 18 shows an example of "application program data" stored in the controllers (A to C) 10-1 to 10-3 of the controller system according to this embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, the application program has two program blocks, “program block 1 data” and “program block 2 data”. An area is added.

Here, "data area information" indicates the data structure of application program data, and indicates the storage location of each program block. In the data of the program block, a group of instructions executed in the program operation processing is stored in the order of execution.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the “application program data table” used in the controller system of this embodiment. This “application program data table” is stored in the support tool 20.

In FIG. 19, the application program includes application program data of the controllers A to C. However, as the number of controllers connected to the network 30 increases, a data area is similarly added. Each application program data has the same data structure as the application program data stored for each controller.

Here, "data area information" indicates the data structure of the application program data table, and indicates a storage location for each application program data.

FIG. 20 shows an example of storage of “program block parameter data” associated with a program block stored in the controller of the controller system according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 20, the application program is composed of “program block 1 parameter data” and “program block 2 parameter data”.
There are three program blocks, but as the number of program blocks increases, a data area is similarly added.

Here, "data area information" indicates the data structure of application program data, and indicates the storage location of each program block.

The structure of parameter data associated with each program block of the application program stored in the support tool 20 of the controller system according to this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 21. .

In FIG. 21, the program block parameters include those of the controllers A to C. However, as the number of controllers connected to the network increases, a data area is similarly added. Each program block parameter data has the same structure as the program block parameter data stored for each controller.

Here, “data area information” indicates the data structure of the “program block parameter table”.
The storage location for each program block parameter data is shown.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the "network processing request item storage area" employed in the controller system of this embodiment. The “network processing request item storage area” is a work area used by the controller to request each processing to issue a command to the network processing.
The contents requested by the requesting process are stored. The additional storage of the request in the “network processing request item storage area” is a form in which a free area is searched from the head of the area and added to the end of the contents already requested. The "network processing request item storage area" is stored in the work memory 15 on the controller.

On the network processing side, processing is sequentially performed from the head of the “network processing request item storage area”. When the issuance of the command and the reception of the response are completed, the contents of the request are deleted, and the remaining contents are shifted down to the top of the area. .

Here, the "destination address" is the network address of the destination issuing the command, and the "command" is a parameter corresponding to the command code.

FIG. 23 shows an example of “program block status information” used in the controller system of this embodiment. This “program block status information” is a work area for controlling execution of each program block in the controller. At the first time of the program operation processing, all program blocks are activated and the work memory 15
In the program operation process, each program block is executed or stopped in accordance with the contents of the "program block status information". This “program block status information” is changed by a group start instruction and a group stop instruction.

Here, the “program block ID” is
Identifier of the program block, "Status"
Indicates a state and a state instruction of the corresponding program block.

Now, a specific operation example of the controller system of this embodiment based on the above configuration will be described below.

The operator stores the network address of the controller 10 connected to the network 30 in the support tool 20. This storage is stored as "address information for each controller" shown in FIG.
Here, this “controller-specific address information” is referred to as information (A).

Next, the operator sets the support tool 20
Then, the application program of the controller 10 connected to the network 30 is stored for each program block together with the corresponding information of the controller. This storage is stored as “application program data” shown in FIG. Here, this “application program data” is information (B).

Next, the operator sets the support tool 20
Next, the parameter data of the controller 10 connected to the network 30 is stored together with the correspondence information between the controller and the program blocks. This memory is shown in FIG.
Is stored as “program block parameter data” shown in FIG. Here, this “program block parameter data” is used as information (C).

Next, the operator operates the controller 10 connected to the network 30 by the support tool 20.
All the program blocks are grouped into one unit, such as a facility unit, and the setting data is stored. This storage is stored as “group setting information” shown in FIG. Here, this “group setting information” is referred to as information (D).

Then, copies of the information (A) and (D) are transferred to all the controllers 10 and
It is also stored on the 0 side. Here, this information is (A ') and (D').

(Download in Group Units by Support Tool 20) In the "download in group units by support tool 20" process, first, the operator specifies a group for which data is to be downloaded by the support tool 20.

Next, the support tool 20 derives the program blocks belonging to the set group from the information (D) including the controller 10 to be stored.

Then, the support tool 20 extracts the download data (application program block or parameter) for the controller 10 belonging to the specified group from the information (B) or (C).

Next, the support tool 20 transmits the information (A)
Then, the network addresses of the controllers 10 belonging to the group are derived, and all the corresponding controllers 1
0, and transmits the corresponding download data including the designation of the program block.

Then, the controller 10 receives the data (program block or parameter) transmitted from the support tool 20 and stores it in a predetermined storage location. (Uploading in Group Units by Support Tool 20) In this “uploading in group units by support tool 20” process, first, the operator specifies a group to which data is to be uploaded by the support tool 20.

Next, the support tool 20 derives the controller 10 and the program block belonging to the designated group from the information (D).

Then, the support tool 20 derives the network addresses of the controllers belonging to the group from the information (A), and requests all the corresponding controllers 10 to transmit data (application program blocks or parameters).

Thus, the controller 10 responds to the data transmission request from the support tool 20 by sending the data (application program block or parameter).
Is returned to the support tool 20.

Then, the support tool 20 receives the data (application program block or parameter) transmitted from the controller 10 and also associates the data with the transmission source (the above information (B) or information (C)). It is stored in a predetermined storage location.

(Start / Stop in Group Unit from Support Tool 20) In this “start / stop in group unit from support tool 20” process, first, an operator specifies a group to be started or stopped by the support tool 20. . Next, the support tool 20 derives the controller 10 and the program block belonging to the specified group from the information (D).

Then, the support tool 20 derives the network addresses of the controllers belonging to the group from the information (A), and transmits a start / stop request by designating a program block to all the corresponding controllers.

Next, the controller 10 starts / stops execution of the corresponding program block in response to a start / stop request from the support tool.

(Start / Stop in Group Unit from Controller 10) In this “start / stop in group unit from controller 10” process, the operator first starts or stops an application program in an arbitrary controller 10 in an arbitrary group. Is executed, and a target group is specified as a parameter for executing the instruction.

Next, when a predetermined execution condition incorporated in the program is established by the execution of the program by the controller 10, the above-described command is executed.

[0188] Then, the above controller 10 operates according to the group defined as the execution parameter of the function.
The controller 10 and the program block belonging to the specified group are derived from the information (D ′).

Then, the controller 10 sends the information (A
′), The network address of the controller 10 belonging to the group is derived, a request to start or stop the program block is transmitted to all the corresponding controllers 10, and the controller that has received the start / stop request from the controller 10 Activate / stop the execution of the program block accordingly.

In the present invention, the following method can be considered in addition to the above-described embodiment. 1) As means for specifying the network address from the controller on the controller side, the corresponding data (the above information (A ')) is not stored in the controller side in advance, but an inquiry is made to a support tool as needed.

2) Corresponding data (the above information (D ')) is stored in advance in the controller as means for specifying the controller and program block belonging to the group from the designation of the group on the controller side. Instead, contact support tools as needed.

3) Regarding the data upload, start and stop requests, the target controller and the program block are specified in advance, and the request is transmitted only to them. Then, a request is transmitted by broadcast to all the controllers, and the controller receiving the request determines whether or not the request is applicable.

4) On the controller side,
As means for specifying the network address, the corresponding data (the above information (A ')) is stored in one of the controllers in advance, and the other controllers inquire of the controller as needed.

5) As a means for specifying a controller and a program block belonging to a group by designating the group on the controller side, the corresponding data ((D ')) is stored in advance in one of the controllers. Every other controller queries that controller as needed.

[0195]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained.

1) Even if the number of controllers used and the program are divided arbitrarily, there is no difference in work load, so that it is possible to select and change the system configuration more optimal in terms of cost and space efficiency. .

2) Since the program structure corresponds to the unit to be controlled, such as equipment, apparatus, or functional unit, the software structure matches the real world, which makes it easy for the maintenance worker to recognize and the work mistakes. Disappears.

3) Since the work load on the operator is small and the equipment, device, or functional unit can be associated with the controller in detail up to the program block unit, a more flexible system can be constructed.

4) Programs can be rearranged and started and stopped in units of devices, such as when debugging and maintenance work is shared by a plurality of people for each device. Therefore, even if one controller is partially shared, Can be performed without interfering with the work of other workers,
The efficiency of debugging and start-up work is greatly improved.

5) The equipment, device, or functional unit is
Even if it is controlled by some program blocks of multiple controllers, it can be started and stopped in units of the control target, so there is no need to create a user program for generating timing between controllers and between program blocks. And a highly secure system can be easily constructed.

6) Since necessary portions of the application programs of a plurality of controllers can be downloaded and uploaded in units of control objects, work operations conventionally performed repeatedly for each controller or for each program block can be performed. Can be simplified, and the work efficiency at the time of debugging or maintenance of the equipment is greatly improved.

7) Since not only program blocks but also accompanying parameters can be managed together, application programs can be easily ported even when the number of controllers that execute the same application is changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows equipment A and equipment B to be controlled shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between application programs and application programs installed in a controller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a controller of the controller system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a support tool of the controller system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing specifications of a group start command and a group stop command for starting or stopping employed in the controller system of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an overall processing flow in the controller shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the network processing shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a program operation process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of a group start instruction process employed in the controller system of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of a group stop instruction process employed in the controller system of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an overall process in the support tool shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of a group setting function shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 1) showing details of a group transfer function shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 2) showing details of the group transfer function shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of a group control function shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of “group setting information” employed in the controller system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of “controller-specific network information” used in the controller system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of “application program data” used in the controller system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an “application program data table” employed in the controller system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of “program block parameter data” used in the controller system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a “program block parameter table” used in the controller system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “network processing request item storage area” employed in the controller system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of “program block status information” used in the controller system of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10-1 Controller (Controller A) 10-2 Controller (Controller B) 10-3 Controller (Controller C) 11 Arithmetic Processor (CPU) 12 System Program Memory 13 User Program Memory 14 Parameter Memory 15 Work Memory 16 Input / Output Memory (I / O memory) 17 Communication interface (communication I / F) 18 Input / output interface (I / F) 19 Input / output device 20 Support tool 21 Computing device 22 Central processing unit 23 Memory space 23-1 Parameter data area 23-2 User program Data area 23-3 Support tool program area 24 Display device memory 25 Bus 26 Interface (I / F) 27 Input device 28 Display device 30 Network A, B Equipment (control target)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A programmable controller comprising: a plurality of programmable controllers that respectively execute program blocks of an application program that are divided into a plurality of blocks and execute the program blocks; and at least one support tool connected to each other via communication means. A controller system, wherein the programmable controller system includes group setting information storage means capable of setting and storing the program block and parameters associated therewith as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers; The programmable controller stores the program blocks belonging to the group and the parameters associated therewith in the group setting information storage means in accordance with the group designation as a reception target in the support tool. First transfer means for extracting the extracted program blocks and the parameters associated therewith to the support tool, and receiving the program blocks and the parameters associated therewith transferred from the support tool First to memorize
The support tool includes: a group designation unit that designates the group as a transmission target or a reception target; and a group belonging to the group corresponding to the group designation as a transmission target by the group designation unit. Extracting a program block and its associated parameters based on the stored contents of the group setting information storage means, and transferring the extracted program block and its associated parameters to all corresponding programmable controllers;
And a second storage means for receiving and storing the program blocks transferred from the programmable controller by the first transfer means and the parameters associated therewith. system. 2. A programmable system comprising: a plurality of programmable controllers that execute program blocks of an application program divided into a plurality of blocks as appropriate, and at least one support tool connected to each other via communication means; A programmable controller applied to a controller system, wherein the program block and its associated parameters are set and stored as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers; In response to the group designation as above, program blocks belonging to the group and parameters associated therewith are extracted based on the contents stored in the group setting information storage means, and the extracted program blocks are extracted. A transfer unit for transferring a program block and parameters associated therewith to the support tool; and a storage unit for receiving and storing the program block transferred from the support tool and the parameters associated therewith. controller. 3. A programmable device comprising: a plurality of programmable controllers that execute program blocks of an application program divided into a plurality of blocks as appropriate, and at least one support tool connected to each other via a communication unit; A support tool applied to the controller system, wherein the program block and its associated parameters are set and stored as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers. A group designating means for designating the program as a reception target, and storing the program blocks belonging to the group and the parameters associated therewith in correspondence with the designation of the group as the transmission target by the group designating means. Transfer means for extracting the extracted program blocks and their associated parameters to all corresponding programmable controllers based on the storage contents of the means, and transferring the program blocks and their associated parameters transferred from the programmable controller. A support tool, comprising: storage means for receiving and storing. 4. A programmable controller system having a plurality of programmable controllers that respectively load and execute program blocks of an application program divided into a plurality of sections, wherein the programmable controller system includes the program blocks and the associated program blocks. Group setting information storage means capable of setting and storing parameters to be set as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers, wherein the programmable controller has a function of: A group process execution unit that executes a start process or a stop process for all of the program blocks belonging to the specified group with reference to the group setting information. Programmable controller system, characterized in that,. 5. A programmable controller comprising a plurality of programmable controllers, each of which divides a plurality of application program blocks and executes the program blocks as appropriate, and at least one support tool connected to each other via communication means. A controller system, wherein the programmable controller system includes group setting information storage means capable of setting and storing the program block and its associated parameters as a group across a plurality of programmable controllers. When a group is specified via an application program, the programmable controller refers to the group setting information and starts all program blocks belonging to the specified group. And group processing execution means for executing the processing or stop processing is provided, the programmable controller system, characterized in that.