JP2002007973A - Programmable display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a programmable display capable of reducing the number of memory card drives required for a whole control system although a control host computer can access a memory card. SOLUTION: This programmable display 4 is provided with the memory card drive 21 as a temporarily startable device. When a start program is stored in a file system constructed on a memory card 21a as a file with a predetermined file name, the start program can be read and started. When the common protocol IF section 42 of the programmable display 4 receives a writing request including the file name and write data from a LAN(local area network) 5, it instructs a card access process section 45 to write the write data on the file having the file name in the file system constructed on the memory card 21a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a programmable display for displaying and controlling the state of a control target in a control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 12, in a conventional control system 101, a programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as a control device) is used as a control device for controlling various target systems 102 such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembling machine. , PLC) 103 is widely used. Furthermore, in recent years, target systems 102
With the increase in complexity, a plurality of PLCs 103 are used in cooperation with each other. In addition, each PLC 1
The display of data from the PLC 103 or the control instruction to the PLC 103 is performed not only by the programmable display 104 arranged near the PLC 103, for example, but also at a location away from the programmable display 104. Control host computer 106
The control system 101 may be constructed so as to be displayed or operated. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a programmable display device 104 having a relatively high calculation capability for interacting with an operator is arranged between the PLC 103 and the control host computer 106, and each programmable display device 104 and the control Host computer 106
The connection between the devices via the network 105 allows the PLC 10
The burden of 3 has been reduced.

Further, the programmable display device 104
Together with the display / control operation, if necessary, for example,
The data from the PLC 103 and the history of events such as operations (logging data) are stored, and are used for analyzing the operation status of the control system 101 and investigating the cause when a failure occurs.

Here, if the histories of many events are stored, the operation status can be analyzed in more detail and the cause of the trouble can be investigated, but the storage capacity required for storing the logging data increases. Therefore, the event for storing the history is selected according to each target system 102 and each operator.

On the other hand, since many programmable displays 104 are used in the control system 101, the memory capacity of each programmable display 104 built in from the beginning tends to be limited. Therefore, the programmable display 104 provided with the memory card drive 111 is used so that the storage location of the logging data can be increased as needed. The programmable display 1
At 04, when the storage capacity of the built-in memory is not enough to store the logging data, the memory card 112 having a capacity capable of storing the logging data is attached to the memory card drive 111, and the programmable display is Instead, the logging data is stored in the memory card 112.

[0006] In the vicinity of the target system 102, the ambient environment temperature generally tends to be high.
There are many vibrations and dust. Therefore, as a recording medium for logging data, a memory card is more preferable than a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a magneto-optical disk (MO).

In the above configuration, when referring to the logging data stored in the memory card 112, the control host computer 106
An instruction to read logging data is transmitted to the programmable display device 104. On the other hand, the programmable display 104
Receives the instruction to read the logging data, and obtains the logging data, for example, by referring to a predetermined address area in the address area of the memory card 112 as in the case of accessing the internal memory. Then, the data is returned to the control host computer 106 via the network 105. As a result, the control host computer 106 can acquire the logging data of each programmable display device 104, analyze the operation status of the control system 101, and find out the cause when a failure occurs.

Here, the control host computer 106
Is used in a better environment than the programmable display device 104, so that there are many types of recording media that can be used without malfunctioning. For example, compared to a memory card such as a floppy disk or a magneto-optical disk, A recording medium with a large storage capacity or a recording medium with a low unit price per capacity can be used. Therefore, the control host computer 106 has few opportunities to use a memory card, and
In many cases, the drive 111 is not prepared in advance.

However, although infrequently, the control host computer 106 may exchange data files with a portable computer not connected to a network via a memory card, for example. Therefore, there is also a control system 101 including a memory card drive 121 in the control host computer 106 in preparation for such a case.

In this configuration, the control host computer 106 saves the data file in the same manner as when accessing a hard disk or a floppy disk.
A file name is designated and saved in the memory card 122.
On the other hand, when reading the data file, the control host computer 106 specifies the file name of the data file and reads the data file from the memory card 122.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional control system 101, even when the access frequency is low, the memory card of the programmable display device 104 is not used.
Apart from the drive 111, the control host computer 1
Since the memory card drive 121 is provided in the controller 06, a problem arises that the number of memory card drives in the control system 101 increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the number of memory card drives required for the entire control system despite the fact that the control host computer can access the memory card. It is an object of the present invention to realize a programmable display capable of reducing the number of pixels.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a programmable display having communication means connectable to a network and a memory card drive capable of exchanging an accessible memory card. In order to solve the above problem, when the memory card drive is capable of accessing a memory card, among files in a file system built on the memory card, a file having a designated file name is deleted. Card access means for reading the contents, the communication means, when receiving an access request including a file name via the network, the card access means,
The contents of the file having the file name are instructed to be read, and the contents of the read file are returned to the transmission source of the access request via the network.

In the above configuration, for example, a transmission source device such as a control host computer connected to a programmable display via a network changes the file name to be referred to in substantially the same manner as when accessing the drive of the device itself. An access request including the access request is generated, and the access request is transmitted to the programmable display device via a network. On the other hand, when receiving the access request, the programmable display instructs the card access means to read out the file contents of the file name specified in the access request. Further, the card access means accesses the memory card drive of the programmable display device, and among the files in the file system constructed on the memory card, reads the contents of the file having the file name specified by the communication means. read out. The communication means returns the contents of the file read by the card access means to a transmission source of the access request, such as a control host computer, via a network.

In the above configuration, for example, a device such as a control host computer connected to the programmable display via a network can access the drive of the device itself even though a memory card drive is not provided. In almost the same manner as in the case of the above, the contents of a desired file in the memory card can be referred to. As a result, when the device refers to a file in the memory card, there is no need to connect a memory card drive different from the memory card drive in the programmable display, and the device is composed of the programmable display and the device and the like. The number of memory cards and drives in the entire control system can be reduced.

In particular, when the programmable display can be started from a memory card drive, the memory card is used to store a start-up program for maintenance and a control program. Therefore, it is desirable that the control host computer can access the memory card. However, if the programmable display having each of the above configurations is used, a memory card and a control host computer can be used.
This is particularly preferable because there is no need to provide a drive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a programmable display device comprising: a communication unit connectable to a network;
And a programmable display having a drive, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, when the memory card drive is capable of accessing a memory card, among the files in a file system built on the memory card, Card access means for writing the designated data to a file having the designated file name, wherein the communication means receives the access request including the file name and the write data via the network; In this case, the user is instructed to write the write data in the file having the file name.

In the above configuration, the transmission source device connected to the programmable display device via the network generates an access request including the file name and the write data in substantially the same manner as when accessing the drive of the device itself. Via the network to the programmable display. On the other hand, when receiving the access request, the programmable display device instructs the card access unit to write the write data specified by the access request to a file having the file name specified by the access request. Further, the card access means accesses the memory card drive of the programmable display to write and output the file having the file name designated by the communication means among the files in the file system constructed on the memory card. Write

Thus, the above-mentioned device is a memory card
Although a drive is not provided, data can be written to a desired file in the memory card in substantially the same manner as when accessing the drive of the own device. As a result, when the device writes a file in the memory card, there is no need to connect a memory card drive to the device, and the number of memory card drives in the entire control system can be reduced.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, the memory card may have a plate shape as long as the memory card accessible by the memory card drive can be replaced (removable). Then, it may be in the form of a stick. Further, a contact-type memory card drive that accesses the memory card by making electrical contact therewith, or a non-contact type memory card drive that accesses the memory card with an electromagnetic wave or the like may be used.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, at the time of activation, a file constructed on a memory card accessible by the memory card drive is provided. It is characterized in that it comprises a card activating means for reading out a file having a predetermined specific file name among the files in the system as a activating program and activating it.

In the above configuration, when the programmable display is started, for example, at the time of turning on the power or at the time of resetting,
The card activation means refers to a memory card accessible by the memory card drive to the memory card, and if a file having a specific file name exists, reads the file as a startup program and activates the file.

In the above configuration, since the programmable display can be started from the memory card drive, when the control program stored in the programmable display is changed, a maintenance operation different from a normal control operation is performed on the programmable display. At this time, if the maintenance operation program of the specific file name is stored in a memory card and the memory card is made accessible from the memory card drive, the maintenance operation program is not fixedly prepared on the programmable display. , Maintenance operation can be performed. The memory card can also store a maintenance operation program such as a control program to be updated, if necessary.
In this case, it is only necessary to bring the memory card to the installation location of the programmable display. Therefore, a program for communicating via a serial cable is stored in the programmable display, and at the time of maintenance, a portable computer storing the control program is connected to the programmable display and the control program is transferred as compared with the prior art. Thus, maintenance work can be simplified.

Further, a programmable display device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the third aspect, is provided with a normal activation device provided separately from the memory card drive and storing a control program; If the input means receives a predetermined specific operation, only once
Starting control means for starting from the memory card drive.

In the above configuration, when a specific operation such as a substantially simultaneous operation of a plurality of locations on the touch panel is performed, the activation control means causes the device when the programmable display is activated to operate, for example, a built-in memory or the like. Change temporarily from the device that normally starts to the memory card drive. In this case, even if the startup program of the specific file name is stored in the memory card accessible from the memory card drive, the programmable display is started from the normal startup device unless a specific operation is performed. . Therefore, the memory card is not used as a storage location of the logging data, for example, during normal control operation without deleting the boot program from the memory card or removing the memory card from the memory card drive. be able to.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described below with reference to FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a control system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that controls the state of a target system 2 including devices 2a... Such as motors, valves, and sensors. Logic Controller (PL)
C) 3 and a programmable display 4 connected to the PLC 3 and often operated by an operator near the target system 2. Each of the programmable displays 4 operates according to a control program stored in advance, as will be described in detail later.
3 to display the status of the device 2a and to transmit a control instruction to the device 2a to the PLC 3 in accordance with a communication result or an operator's instruction.

In the control system 1, the programmable displays 4 are connected to each other by a local area network (LAN) 5 such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Further, a control host computer 6 is connected to the LAN 5, and the control host computer 6 controls the entire control system 1. For example, when a defect is found in the control program, When the control program is improved, a part or all of the control program can be modified (created).

At the time of a normal control operation, that is, the CPU 14 of the programmable display 4 executes the control program and displays the display device 15, the touch panel 16, or
When hardware such as the communication circuit 18 and the network communication circuit 19 (both are described later) is controlled, the PLC 3 and the L
An interface unit (IF unit) connected to the AN 5 includes a dedicated protocol IF unit 41, a common protocol IF unit (communication means) 42, a protocol conversion unit 43 for relaying communication between the two IF units 41 and 42, and operation of an operator. And a display control processing unit 44 for performing a display / control operation based on the communication result and the like.

On the other hand, the control host computer 6
An arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU executes a program stored in a storage unit such as a memory or a hard disk, and monitors the entire control system 1 as a functional block realized by controlling hardware such as a display circuit and a communication circuit. A display processing unit 61 for performing control, a common protocol IF unit 62 connected to the LAN 5, and a common protocol IF unit 62
And a server unit 6 that communicates with each programmable display 4 via the LAN 5 and responds to requests from the display processing unit 61 and the like.
3, a drawing processing unit 64 for modifying (creating) screen data as a part of the control program, and an application processing unit 65 for executing a program such as a data analysis program of the control system 1. In the example of FIG. 1, only the drawing processing unit 64 is provided as a member that can change the control program, and a system program, a protocol program, an application program, and the like described later among the control programs include, for example,
Although the case where the program is changed by a computer such as a manufacturer of the programmable display 4 is shown, these programs may be changed by the control host computer 6.

Here, the PLC has a history of evolving from a sequencer, and for example, many PLCs have their own dedicated protocols, such as for each manufacturing company or each product type. However, in the control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the programmable displays 4 are directly connected by the LAN 5. Thus, unlike the conventional control system in which the PLC is interposed in the communication processing in the control system, the control system 1 has a configuration essential to the control system 1, and has more computational capacity and storage capacity than the PLC 3 for screen display. The programmable display 4 having a large margin can process most of the communication. Furthermore, each programmable display 4 is provided with a protocol conversion unit 43, which is configured in advance for a dedicated protocol specific to the model of the PLC 3 connected to itself and for communication on the network 5. The common protocol is converted to another programmable display 4, a control host computer 6, and a PL.
Relays communication with C3. The common protocol IF units 42 and 62 of the programmable display 4 and the control host computer 6 communicate with a predetermined common protocol regardless of the type of the PLC 3 connected to the other programmable display 4. Is set to As a result, it becomes easier to mix different types of PLCs 3 in the control system 1 than in the control system in which the PLCs are directly connected.

Here, the hardware configuration and the control program of the programmable display 4 will be described in detail. The control program includes hardware control processing, character and graphic display processing, and input to the touch panel. A system program that performs processing generally used by many programs, such as a processing for accepting
A protocol program for communicating with a predetermined communication protocol is included. The programmable display 4 according to the present embodiment is a display capable of controlling input and screen display based on screen data determined by combining processing instruction words (tags). Further, the screen data defining the display / control operation of the programmable display 4 and, for example, the system program is called based on the screen data, and each hardware of the programmable display 4
An extension program such as an application program for performing a display / control operation indicated by the screen data is included.

In the control program, the screen data includes a display tag indicating the correspondence between the address of the device corresponding to the display on the screen area and the area on the screen, and the display data corresponding to the input to the area on the screen. It consists of input tags indicating the correspondence between the address of the device to be
This can be easily created compared to the case where a program for performing a display / control operation by calling the above system program is created. The display contents and the arrangement of each display graphic are specific to the target system 2 and its operator. Therefore, the screen data is changed by the drawing processing unit 64 of the control host computer 6.

On the other hand, the programmable display 4 has
As shown in FIG. 2, as a normal startup device, a FEEPROM (Flash Elec) in which the control program is stored is stored.
trastically erasable and programmable ROM) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 storing an initialization program executed at power-on, font data, and the like.
And, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Randam Access Memory)
), The access speed is faster than that of each of the ROMs 11 and 12, and the main memory 13 used as a development area or used as a work area when executing a program stored in the FEEPROM 11 or the ROM 12; CPU (Central Proc) that executes a program stored in each of the memories 11 to 13 while accessing the
essing unit) 14 is provided. In addition, the programmable display 4 includes a display device 15 such as a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel 16 as input / output means.
An I / O circuit 17 for controlling the display device 15 and the touch panel 16 in response to an instruction from the PU 14;
And a network communication circuit 19 connected to the LAN 5.

Further, the programmable display 4 according to the present embodiment includes a memory card drive 21 for reading the memory card 21a as a temporary activation device, and is configured to be able to be activated from the memory card drive 21. I have. As the memory card 21a, for example, CompactFlash (registered trademark), SmartMedia (trademark), Memory Stick (trademark), or the like can be used. In addition, a contact type, proximity type, or non-contact type IC card may be used as long as the recording medium is a removable recording medium that holds a record in a semiconductor memory.

Further, a DIP switch 22 for semi-fixedly setting which is to be activated from, and a register which can be maintained, for example, before and after a reset process, are provided to temporarily activate the memory card drive 21. And a flag storage unit 23 for storing the indicated flag. Thereby, when a specific operation described later is received, the DIP
Regardless of the setting of the switch 22, it can be started from the memory card drive 21 only once.

Specifically, the ROM 12 according to the present embodiment
Contains an initial program that is executed when the power is turned on.
A hardware initialization program P1 for diagnosing and initializing the functions of each hardware, a communication program P2 for receiving a program from another device via the serial port 18a and storing it in the FEEPROM 11, and a FEEPROM 11 In addition to the internal startup program P3 that performs startup processing from the
Based on settings of a card activation program (card activation means) P11 for performing activation processing from the drive 21 and the DIP switch 22, etc., it is possible to select which of the above programs P2, P3 and P11 to execute immediately after power-on. And an activation selection program P12 to be executed. Also,
The card start-up program P11 also includes a program for clearing the flag in the flag storage unit 23 when starting up from the memory card drive 21. Note that FIG.
In this example, only programs stored in the ROM 12 or the FEEPROM 11 are listed and described for convenience of description, and do not indicate an address area in which each program is actually stored.

On the other hand, the control program P21 stored in the FEEPROM 11 is executed before the actual control operation is performed, and refers to the flag storage unit 23 to temporarily start up from the memory card drive 21. A flag check program P31 for checking whether or not the flag indicating is set, and a temporary start program P32 for instructing starting from the memory card drive 21 when the flag is set are included. further,
In the control program P21, when a specific operation is received as the above-described system program, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a specific display area A such as below the display screen is displayed.
1, a menu display program P33 for displaying a plurality of options including a boot drive selection process, and a flag setting program for setting a flag in the flag storage unit 23 when the boot drive selection process is selected as an option. P34. The flag check program P31 and the flag setting program P3
4 and the flag storage unit 23 correspond to the activation control means described in the claims.

In the present embodiment, as a specific operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, specific areas A11 to A11 provided at four corners of the input surface (display screen) of the touch panel 16 are provided.
Of the fourteen points, any three points are pressed almost simultaneously.
Upon detecting the operation, the menu display program P22 displays a menu. In the present embodiment, for example, even if the touch panel 16 is a digital touch panel or an analog touch panel, the specific areas A11 to A14 are divided into a plurality of pieces so as to be arranged on separate touch panels. Since a touch panel such as a touch panel capable of detecting operations on a plurality of regions is employed, the specific operation can be detected without any problem.

The FEEPROM 11 contains not only the control program P21 but also the control data D21.
For example, data necessary for display / control such as image images, sound data, graph data, and alarm data, or maintenance data such as backup of logging data and screen data is stored.

The control program P21 according to the present embodiment further includes a card access program P35.
In the normal control operation, as shown in FIG. 1, in response to an access request from the common protocol IF unit 42, the memory card 21 of the memory card drive 21
A card access processing unit (card access means) 45 for accessing a is formed as a functional block. The card access processing unit 45 includes the common protocol IF unit 4
2 receives the read request including the file name from the LAN 5, accesses the memory card drive 21 and
Among the file systems constructed on the memory card 21a, a file having the designated file name can be referred to.
Further, the contents of the file can be returned to the transmission destination of the read request via the common protocol IF unit 42. On the other hand, when the common protocol IF unit 42 receives a write request including a file name and write data,
The card access processing unit 45 can access the memory card drive 21 and write the write data to a file having a designated file name in the file system.

Here, the programmable display 4 is
It is used in an environment near the target system 2, that is, in a poor environment with a lot of water, oil, or dust. Therefore, not only the touch panel 16 that does not easily malfunction even in these environments is used as the input device, and the members 11 to 23 illustrated in FIG. 2 are stored in the housing 4a illustrated in FIG. Also, the surface on the touch panel 16 side is exposed,
In many cases, the housing 4a is buried in a wall surface or the like so that the back surface is not exposed. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an opening such as a slot of the memory card drive 21 or a vent (not shown) is arranged at a position not exposed on the rear surface or the side surface of the housing 4a. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the slot of the memory card drive 21 is arranged on the back surface. Thereby, exposure of the opening can be prevented, and normal operation can be continued even in the above-described poor environment.

Further, the memory card 21a has a memory card, such as an MS-DOS (registered trademark) compatible file system, which is stored in the control host computer 6.
When the drive 21 is connected, a file system accessible by the control host computer 6 is constructed. When the card start-up program P11 is executed, the programmable display 4 displays the file stored in the file system. Of these, a file having a predetermined file name is executed at startup. In the present embodiment, for example, the file name is “IPL.SY” on the root directory.
It is stipulated that the file “S” is executed at startup,
The memory card 21a stores the startup program (the maintenance program P4 shown in FIG. 2) with the file name.
1) is stored. Thus, even when the start-up program and the control program are created by a computer other than the control host computer 6, the computer stores the start-up program for the programmable display 4 on the memory card 21a in a predetermined manner. You just need to store it by the file name. Therefore, unlike the case where a file system having a new configuration is constructed or the case where the start-up program is stored in a specific area, the program can be started on the programmable display 4 without preparing a new formatting tool in the computer. The memory card 21a can be created.

When the memory card 21a has a FEEPRO
When used to update the control program P21 in M11, the memory card 21a stores a control program P21 to be updated in addition to the maintenance program P41. The control program P21 is FEE
It is configured to include a program to be transferred to the PROM 11 and a user interface program at the time of transfer. Further, control data D21 to be transferred to the FEEPROM 11 is also stored as needed.

More specifically, the maintenance program P41 according to the present embodiment includes a control program P21... Stored in the memory card 21a and a control data D21.
.. Among the control programs P21 and control data D21 having file names corresponding to the model of the programmable display 4.
Is configured to be selected and transferred. Thereby, even if the control program P21 and the control data D21 for a plurality of models are mixed in the memory card 21a, the control program P21 and the control data D21 suitable for the programmable display 4 are transferred without any trouble. it can. As a result, the capacity of the FEEPROM 11 and the main memory 13
The memory card 21a can be shared between a plurality of models having different capacities, and the trouble of carrying the memory card 21a can be reduced.

The maintenance program P41 includes not only a program for downloading a control program P21 (control data D21) to the FEEPROM 11, but also a program for downloading data from the FEEPROM 11 to the memory card 21a.
It also includes a program to upload to. In this case, the FEEPROM 1 of a certain programmable display 4
1 can be easily transferred to another programmable display 4. Further, as the maintenance program P41, the data in the memory card 21a and the FEEPROM
A program may be included that compares the data with the data in 11 and displays the differences on the display screen. The program to be transferred / compared may transfer / compare the entire control program P21 or control data D21, or may be set according to preset data or instructions from maintenance personnel.
A part may be selected and transferred / compared.

Here, the functions and user interfaces required at the time of maintenance are different from each other depending on the target system 2 and its operator. Therefore, the maintenance program P41 is stored in the ROM 12.
To store the necessary functions or user interface, or the ROM 12 having a larger capacity than that of realizing the desired function or user interface.
Is required. In addition, the user interface is liable to cause a program defect, and may be changed relatively frequently. On the other hand, in the programmable display device 4 of the present embodiment, as described above, the maintenance program P41 is stored in the memory card 21a. We can provide programs. Also, if the memory card 21a is sequentially mounted on each programmable display 4 in the control system 1, the memory card 21a can be shared by each programmable display 4, so that the ROM 12
The required memory capacity of the entire control system 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the data is stored in the control system 1.

The operation of referring to a file in the memory card 21a mounted on the memory card drive 21 of the programmable display 4 from the control host computer 6 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. It is. That is, in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1), the case where the drawing processing unit 64 or the application processing unit 65 of the control host computer 6 refers to a file in the hard disk in the control host computer 6 is considered. Similarly, when a file name in the memory card 21a attached to the memory card drive 21 is designated to perform reading, the server unit 63 transmits a data string indicating a file name, an identifier indicating a reading request, and Generate a read request containing
A read request is transmitted to the programmable display 4 having the memory card drive 21 via the common protocol IF unit 62 and the LAN 5. For example, the programmable display 4 to be the transmission destination may be specified by the server unit 63 based on the drive name included in the file name, or the programmable display 4 predetermined by the user may be the transmission destination. .

If there is a possibility that access to the memory card drive 21 such as reference or writing may interfere with the control operation of the programmable display 4, the server unit 63 sets the programmable display via the LAN 5 in advance. It is preferable to instruct the display unit 4 to shift to the off-line and temporarily suspend the control operation of the programmable display unit 4.

On the other hand, in S2, upon receiving the read request, the common protocol IF unit 42 of the programmable display 4 identifies the read request and the file name to be read based on the identifier in the read request. , And instructs the card access processing unit 45 to read the file having the file name. When giving an instruction to the card access processing unit 45, the common protocol IF unit 42 may issue the instruction, or the card access processing unit 45 may confirm the presence or absence of the instruction to the common protocol IF unit 42 at a predetermined timing. Is also good.

Also, the card access processing unit 45
, The memory card drive 21 is accessed to read out the contents of the file having the file name specified in S2 among the file systems constructed on the memory card 21a. Further, in S4, the card access processing unit 45 sets the common protocol IF unit 42
To cause the transmission source of the read request (in this case, the control host computer 6) to transmit the identifier indicating the response to the read request and the contents of the file. In the present embodiment, since the devices connected to the LAN 5 communicate with each other using the TCP / IP protocol, the source of the read request can be determined from the source IP address added to the packet including the read request. .

On the other hand, the control host computer 6
In step 5, when a response to the read request is received,
The image processing unit 6 instructed to read the file in S1
4 and the application processing unit 65. Here, as described above, the memory card 21a
A file system that can be accessed by the control host computer 6 when the memory card drive 21 is connected to the control host computer 6 is constructed. Can access files. Therefore, if the programmable display device 4 provided with the memory card drive 21 is connected to the LAN 5 even though the control host computer 6 is not provided with a memory card drive, it is connected to its own device. In the same manner as in the case where the file is present, the file in the memory card 21a can be read by designating the file name.

On the other hand, when writing to a file, in S11 shown in FIG. 8, when the drawing processing unit 64, the application processing unit 65, and the like designate a file name and instruct to write data, the server unit 63 writes A write request including an identifier indicating the request, a data string indicating the file name, and write data (write data) is generated and transmitted to the programmable display 4 having the memory card drive 21 in the same manner as in S1.

In step S12, the common protocol IF unit 42 of the programmable display 4 identifies the write request based on the identifier in substantially the same manner as in step S2.
Instructs the card access processing unit 45 to write the write data to the file having the file name indicated by the write request. Further, in S13, the card access processing unit 45 sets the memory card drive 21
To write the write data to the file having the file name specified in S12 among the file systems constructed on the memory card 21a. If necessary, whether the writing is successful or not is determined in S4.
In a manner similar to S5 and S5, a reply to the source of the write request may be returned.

Thus, the control host computer 6
If the programmable display 4 provided with the memory card drive 21 is connected to the LAN 5 though the memory card drive is not provided in the same manner as the case where it is connected to its own device, And specify
Data can be written to a file in the memory card 21a.

Next, each start-up operation of the programmable display 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. That is, for example, as in a normal control operation, D
The IP switch 22 is connected to the FE inside the programmable display 4.
FIG. 9 shows a case where the activation is set from the EPROM 11.
When the power is turned on at time t1 shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 14 of the programmable display 4
In step 1, first, the hardware initialization program P1 is read from the ROM 12 and executed. This allows
The programmable display 4 includes, for example, a main memory 13.
It initializes each hardware by diagnosing and initializing the functions of each hardware that can be accessed by itself, such as the display, the display device 15 and the touch panel 16.

Further, in S22, the CPU 14
The communication circuit 18 is controlled to determine whether a device such as a portable computer is connected to the serial port 18a. Here, during a normal control operation, a device such as a portable computer is not connected to the serial port 18a. In this case (NO in S22), in S23, the CPU 14 checks the DIP switch 22 to determine whether or not the activation from the memory card drive 21 is forced.

As described above, at time t1, DIP
The switch 22 is set to start from the FEEPROM 11. Therefore, after the determination in S23, the CPU 14 determines in S24, for example, the FEEPROM 11
By setting the execution start address of the control program P21 of the FEEPROM 1
Attempt to start from 1. Note that the address area that can be accessed simultaneously by the CPU 14 is limited, and when switching between the ROM 12 and the FEEPROM 11, for example,
The operation is started from the FEEPROM 11 by resetting the address area by switching to the FEEPROM 11 or the like. Further, the control program P21 of the FEEPROM 11 is
The control program P21 may be developed in the main memory 13 and jumped to the execution start address of the control program P21 after the development.

When the CPU 14 is started from the FEEPROM 11 in S24, the CPU 14 executes the flag check program P31 before executing the normal control operation of the control program P21, and refers to the flag storage unit 23 (S25). Here, immediately after the power is turned on, the flag storage unit 2
The flag of No. 3 is not set (NO in S25).
Therefore, the CPU 14 starts a normal control operation according to the control program P21, for example, instructing the PLC 3 according to the operation of the operator (S26).

On the other hand, during the period when the programmable display 4 is performing the normal control operation, the specific area A11 shown in FIG.
-Maintenance staff pushes A14 at multiple points, etc.
When a specific operation is detected (YES in S27), the CPU
In accordance with the menu display program P33 of the control program P21, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the menu 14 displays a menu including options such as maintenance options in a predetermined display area A1 (S28). Here, the display area A1 is limited to a part of the display screen, and in the remaining display area A2, a display for a normal control operation such as a device state display can be continued. Further, a slide button A3 is displayed in the display area A1, and by operating the slide button A3, the options displayed in the display area A1 can be changed as shown in FIG. In addition, the change method may be such that the displayed options may be changed so that a part of the displayed options may change, or may be changed so as to change all of them, every time the slide button A3 is operated.

When the activation from the memory card 21a is selected as an option (YES in S29), the CPU 14
Sets a flag in the flag storage unit 23 according to the flag setting program P34 in S30.

When the flag is set in S30, the processes after S21 are started in the same manner as described above (at time t2 in FIG. 9). However, in this case, since the flag is set in the flag storage unit 23, the CPU 14
After the determination in S25, in S41, the flag storage unit 2
Reset the flag of memory card drive 2
Start booting from 1.

Specifically, the card activation program P11 of the ROM 12 is executed, and the CPU 14 stores the program in the memory card 21a mounted on the memory card drive 21.
If a file having a predetermined file name exists as a boot program, the file is stored in the main memory 1
3 and execute.

Here, the memory card 2 according to the present embodiment
1a includes a control program P21 as shown in FIG.
And data P21 in addition to the control data D21.
Maintenance program P that can transfer 21 ・ D21
41 is stored under the specific file name. Therefore, when the card activation program P11 is executed, the maintenance program P41 is identified as an activation program and executed by the CPU.

Further, the maintenance program P41
Is executed, the CPU 14 specifies the model of the programmable display 4 from data such as the model name of the programmable display 4 stored in the ROM 12 in advance, and executes the control programs P21... In the memory card 21a. Of the data D21, the control program P21 and the control data D21 having the file name corresponding to the model are
Transfer to PROM11.

In step S41, after the memory card drive 21 is activated and the flag in the flag storage unit 23 is cleared, the programmable display 4 is reset by the instruction of the maintenance program P41 or the instruction of the maintenance personnel. , Programmable display 4
Repeats the processing after S21 (at time t3 in FIG. 9).

In this state, the flag has been reset in S41, so that the programmable display 4
It starts from the FEEPROM 11 in the same manner as at time t1. As a result, the programmable display 4 displays the FEEP
The new control program P2 transferred to the ROM 11
1 can be displayed / controlled.

Here, for example, the programmable display 4
In some cases, the programmable display 4 is reset when, for example, no longer accepts an operation or when a malfunction occurs. However, in this case, the flag is not set unlike the time point of t2. Therefore, at t2,
When a specific operation is performed, once the memory card drive 2
During the period after the start-up from time 1 (period after t3), even if the memory card 21a is inserted, the programmable display 4 keeps the FEEPROM 11 from being reset no matter how many times it is reset unless a specific operation is performed again. to start. Therefore, the conventional configuration in which the portable computer storing the control program changes the startup method depending on whether or not the portable computer is connected to the serial port 18a is simply referred to as a memory card / memory card.
Unlike the configuration applied to the activation from the drive 21, that is, the configuration in which the activation method is changed depending on whether the memory card 21a is mounted on the memory card drive 21, the programmable display 4 according to the present embodiment is different from the configuration shown in FIG. Is
After starting once from the memory card 21a, it can be started from the FEEPROM 11 even if the memory card 21a is mounted. As a result, after updating the control program P21 by temporarily starting up from the memory card drive 21 at the time of maintenance, when confirming whether the control program P21 is operating correctly, the maintenance staff removes and inserts the memory card 21a. It is not necessary to change the setting of the switching of the starting method, and it is possible to greatly reduce the labor for maintenance.

Further, even when the memory card 21a is mounted, it can be started from the FEEPROM 11, so that the memory card 21a can be continuously mounted during the normal control operation. Therefore, the memory card 21a can be used as a storage location for logging data and the like. As a result, FEE
A storage area for logging data having a capacity corresponding to the target system 2 can be easily secured as compared with the case where the PROM 11 is added.

When a portable computer is connected to the serial port 18a of the programmable display 4, after the determination in S22, the CPU 14 communicates with the computer to receive the control program P21, and the FEEPROM 11 To be stored. If the DIP switch 22 is set to start from the memory card drive 21, after the determination in S 23, the process proceeds to S 4.
At 1, activation from the memory card drive 21 is performed. Thereby, for example, the control program P2
In case of power failure at the time of writing 1, FEEPROM 11
, The programmable display 4 can be forcibly started from the memory card drive 21. Further, if another option is selected after the menu is displayed in S28 (NO in S29), CP
U14 waits for a specific operation in S27 while performing a normal control operation.

Here, in the present embodiment, the multi-point pressing of the touch panel 16 is adopted as the specific operation, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Substantially the same effects can be obtained. However, the multi-point pressing is an operation that is difficult to press without special care, even though it can be operated from the front of the touch panel 16, and even if an erroneous operation such as touching the touch panel 16 is performed by mistake, the multi-point pressing is performed. It is hard to become. As a result, erroneous activation from the memory card drive 21 due to erroneous operation can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the specific display area A
Although a menu is displayed on the screen 1 and an option including activation from the memory card drive 21 is selected, the present invention is not limited to this, and the entire display screen may be occupied. However, if the menu is displayed only in the display area A1 as in the present embodiment, the control data can be displayed in the remaining area A2 during the actual control operation or when the control operation is being tested. .

Further, in the present embodiment, since the slide button A3 is displayed and the options displayed in the display area A1 are changed, even though the size of the display area A1 is limited, the number of options is increased. Can be selected.

In the present embodiment, the control program P21 (control data D21) to be transferred by the maintenance program P41 is selected according to the file name, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the selection may be made by referring to another database stored in the memory card 21a. In any case, as long as the maintenance program P41 can specify the control program P21 (control data D21) corresponding to the model, substantially the same effect can be obtained. Note that the model lineup is changed depending on demand, business performance, and the like. Therefore, the program for selecting the model is an RO program that is difficult to rewrite.
Instead of M12, as in this embodiment, the memory card 2
It is more desirable to store it in 1a.

In the above description, only the transfer of the control program P21 from the serial port 18a has been described as the start-up processing other than the start-up processing from the FEEPROM 11 and the start-up processing from the memory card drive 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, other drives
When the / O unit is connected, it may be started from another drive. Also, in preparation for the case where the FEEPROM 11 is not completed, such as when the programmable display device 4 is prototyped, it is preferable that the ROM 12 attempts to start from the ROM emulator when it cannot be started from the FEEPROM 11.

In the present embodiment, the flag storage unit 23 is realized as a register capable of maintaining a value before and after the reset processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, the programmable display 4 often has limited address areas that can be accessed simultaneously. For example, a plurality of programs having different applications (operating times) such as a maintenance program and a control program are sequentially executed. In such a case, it is often the case that the address is reset once and the address area for each is switched. However, if the value of the flag is maintained before and after the reset process as in the present embodiment, even in such a case, the memory card
Activation from the drive 21 can be restricted at one time.

[0076]

As described above, the programmable display device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a memory card drive and a file name designated by a designated file name among files in a file system constructed on the memory card. When receiving an access request via a network and a card access means for reading the contents of the file, the card access means is instructed to read the contents of the file having the file name, and the contents of the read file are accessed. Communication means for returning the request to the transmission source of the request.

As described above, the programmable display according to the second aspect of the present invention provides a memory card drive and a file having a designated file name among files in a file system constructed on the memory card. Via a card access means for writing data and a network,
When an access request is received, the card access unit is provided with a communication unit that instructs the card access unit to write the write data to the file having the file name.

In each of the above-described configurations, for example, a device such as a control host computer connected to the programmable display via a network has a memory card drive, but does not have a drive for its own device. In substantially the same manner as when accessing, a file having a desired file name in the memory card can be accessed. As a result, there is no need to connect a memory card drive different from the memory card drive in the programmable display,
There is an effect that the number of memory cards and drives of the entire control system including the programmable display and the above devices can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the configuration according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the programmable display is started up, a predetermined one of the files in the file system is used. This is a configuration including card activation means for reading and activating a file having a specific file name as a startup program.

In the above configuration, since the programmable display can be started from the memory card drive, when performing a maintenance operation different from a normal control operation, it is only necessary to bring the memory card to the installation location of the programmable display. Therefore, a program for communicating via a serial cable is stored in the programmable display, and at the time of maintenance, a portable computer in which a control program is stored is connected to the programmable display,
This has the effect of simplifying the work at the time of maintenance, as compared with the conventional technique for transferring the control program.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a programmable display according to the third aspect of the present invention, which is provided separately from the memory card drive and has a normal start-up program in which a control program is stored. When the input device receives a predetermined specific operation, the device and the activation control device that activates the device only once from the memory card drive are provided.

According to the above configuration, even if the start-up program having the specific file name is stored in the memory card accessible from the memory card drive, the programmable display normally operates as long as there is no specific operation. Boot from boot device. Therefore, without deleting the boot program from the memory card or removing the memory card from the memory card drive,
There is an effect that the memory card can be continuously used even during the normal control operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an entire control system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a programmable display in the control system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the programmable display device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an input area operated when instructing activation from a memory card drive in the programmable display device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the programmable display.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a rear surface of the programmable display.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control system and showing when a memory card is referenced.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control system and showing a time of writing to a memory card.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an operation of the programmable display device and showing a relationship between an operation to the programmable display device and a start drive.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the programmable display.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the programmable display device.

FIG. 12 shows a conventional example, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a whole control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 Programmable display device 5 LAN (network) 11 FEEPROM (normal startup device) 16 Touch panel (input unit) 21 Memory card drive 21a Memory card 23 Flag storage unit (startup control unit) 42 Common protocol IF unit (communication unit) 45 Card Access processing unit (card access means) P11 Card activation program (card activation means) P31 Flag check program (activation control means) P34 Flag setting program (activation control means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (4)

[Claims] A communication means connectable to a network, and a memory card capable of exchanging an accessible memory card.
And a programmable display device having a drive, wherein, when the memory card drive is capable of accessing a memory card, a file having a designated file name among files in a file system constructed on the memory card. Card access means for reading the contents, the communication means, when receiving an access request including a file name via the network, instructs the card access means to read the contents of the file having the file name and And returning the content of the read file to the transmission source of the access request via the network. 2. Communication means connectable to a network, and a memory card capable of exchanging an accessible memory card.
And a programmable display having a drive, wherein, when the memory card drive is capable of accessing the memory card, among the files in the file system built on the memory card, Card access means for writing the designated data, the communication means, when receiving an access request including a file name and write data via the network, the card access means, to the file of the file name A programmable display device instructing to write the write data. 3. When starting, a file having a predetermined specific file name is read as a start program from among files in a file system constructed on a memory card accessible by the memory card drive, and is started. 3. The programmable display according to claim 1, further comprising a card activating means for performing the operation. 4. A normal activation device provided separately from the memory card drive and having a control program stored therein, and when an input means receives a predetermined specific operation,
4. The programmable display according to claim 3, further comprising activation control means for activating the memory card drive only once.