JP2002182708A - Programmable indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a programmable indicator with which each operator can communicate with each other. SOLUTION: Each programmable indicator 5 is connected with each other through a local area network 6 and can display the state of a device 21 which a programmable logic controller 3 connected to another programmable indicator controls or instruct state control. The multimedia data processing part 65 of the programmable indicator 5 of a transmission side generates multimedia data showing a video and sound which are inputted from a camera 8 and a microphone 9, and transmits it to the programmable indicator 5 of a reception side. In the programmable indicator 5 of the reception side, the multimedia processing part 65 reproduces multimedia data by using a liquid crystal display 54 and a loudspeaker 57. Thus, an abnormality can be reported in voice and by video without performing a key operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an HMI (Human) of a control system connected to a control device for controlling a device.
The present invention relates to a programmable display that operates as a machine interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 5, in a conventional control system 101, various devices 12 of a target system 102, such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembler, are used.
In order to control 1..., A programmable logic controller (hereinafter abbreviated as PLC) 103 and a programmable display 105 connected to the PLC 103 via a serial cable 104 and serving as an HMI of the control system 101 include: Widely used.

In recent years, complex target systems 10
2 is controlled, a plurality of programmable displays 105 are controlled.
Are connected to each other by a local area network (LAN) 106, and the control system 10
One is also beginning to be used. Each programmable display 105 of the control system 101 receives data indicating the state of the device 121 and the device 1 via the LAN 106.
21 is transmitted / received to indicate a state control instruction. Thereby, the state of the device 121a controlled by the PLC 103a connected to a certain programmable display 105a is
The state of the device 121a can be displayed on the other programmable display 105b or can be operated from the other programmable display 105b.

In the above configuration, when a certain programmable display device 105a detects an abnormality, the programmable display device 105a issues an abnormality to a predetermined programmable display device 105b such as a programmable display device related to the detected abnormality. The operator is notified and alerts the operator of the programmable display 105b by, for example, displaying the occurrence of an abnormality on the programmable display 105b. Thus, the operator of the programmable display device 105b that has received the notification can grasp the occurrence of the abnormality.
Further, if necessary, more detailed information can be obtained by operating the programmable display 105b and making an inquiry to the programmable display 105a of the notification source.
Therefore, the programmable display 10 that has detected the abnormality
The operator of the programmable display device 105b other than 5a can quickly and accurately grasp the abnormality and deal with the abnormality. As a result, a safe control system 101 can be realized.

[0005]

However, in the control system 101, for example, a problem that the operator vaguely recognizes, a problem that occurs with an abnormality detected by the programmable display 105a, and a problem that is found by the operator. , Programmable display device 105
When an event that is not grasped by a is transmitted to another programmable display 105b, the programmable display 105a
Waiting for a key operation from the operator and notifying the information of the key input, there arises a problem that prompt response is difficult.

In particular, when an abnormality occurs, the operator of the programmable display 105a concentrates on grasping and coping with the abnormality.
There is a case where labor is not saved in the operation of inputting information for notifying the operator of the key.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a programmable display device that allows mutual exchange between operators without burdening the operators. is there.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a programmable display device which communicates with a control device for controlling a device to present the status of the device. And a communication unit for communicating with another programmable display via a network, wherein the multi-display for capturing the moving image or the sound and reproducing the moving image or the sound by the presentation means of the programmable display on the receiving side. An acquisition means for generating media data and transmitting it to the communication means is provided.

In the above configuration, in the programmable display device on the transmitting side, the capturing means captures at least one of a moving image and a sound to generate multimedia data. Further, the communication means of the programmable display transmits the multimedia to the receiving-side programmable display via the network. On the other hand, when receiving the multimedia data from the transmitting-side programmable display via the network, the receiving-side programmable display reproduces the moving image and the audio indicated by the multimedia by its own presentation means. As a result, the receiving-side programmable display device can reproduce the moving image and the sound captured by the capturing means of the transmitting-side programmable display device.

[0010] Here, the programmable display is provided with presentation means for operating as an HMI (Human Machine Interface) of the control system. In addition, in order for a plurality of programmable displays to cooperate with each other and control a device connected to each control device, each programmable display includes a communication unit, and each programmable display is connected via a network. Interconnected. Therefore, by using these means for the transmission and reproduction of multimedia data, the transmission of moving images and audio can be performed without newly providing a circuit or wiring for transmitting and reproducing moving images and audio, and the receiving side can be used. Can be played.

In particular, many programmable displays can display a moving image indicated by a video signal input from the outside in order to display an image near the device captured by a video camera. Therefore, if a programmable display capable of displaying a moving image is used, a programmable display capable of capturing and transmitting a moving image can be realized without newly designing a programmable display having a circuit for inputting a moving image.

Further, in the above configuration, since the programmable display captures / reproduces the video and the audio, the video and the audio can be exchanged between the operators of the programmable display without providing any device other than the programmable display. Therefore, even if the programmable display is provided near the target system and the place where it can be installed is limited, it is possible to exchange video and audio between operators by installing the programmable display. Control system can be realized.

[0013] Further, the programmable display according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, further comprises a reproducing means for reproducing the multimedia data received by the communication means by the presenting means. It is characterized by:

In this configuration, when the communication means receives the multimedia data, the reproduction means of the programmable display reproduces the multimedia data with the presentation means. Therefore, it is possible to construct a control system capable of bidirectionally transmitting moving images or sounds without newly providing a reproducing device.

Furthermore, a programmable display according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of the second aspect, the reproducing means reproduces the received multimedia data in real time.

In this configuration, when the communication means receives the multimedia data, the reproducing means reproduces at least one of a moving image and an audio in real time based on the multimedia data. As a result, both programmable displays can operate as a telephone or a videophone.

Therefore, for example, a telephone or videophone system is constructed between a programmable display operated by an operator who has grasped the occurrence of an abnormality and a programmable display of the operator operating a device affected by the abnormality. It is possible to realize a control system capable of accurately and quickly reporting an abnormality. Further, for example, even if the installation location of each programmable display is remote and each operator is a control system that is difficult to interact with each other, by constructing a telephone or videophone system between the programmable displays, This makes it possible to realize a control system in which the operators easily interact with each other and have a sense of unity.

On the other hand, a programmable display according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, further comprises a storage unit for storing received multimedia data.
The reproduction means reproduces the multimedia data stored in the storage means when a predetermined event occurs.

In the above arrangement, when the communication means receives the multimedia data, the storage means stores the multimedia data. Further, for example, when a predetermined event occurs, such as reception of a reproduction operation from an operator, the reproduction means reproduces the multimedia data. As a result, when the transmitting programmable display transmits the multimedia data, even if the operator of the receiving programmable display is away from the seat,
At the time of occurrence of the above-mentioned event, if an operator is near the programmable display on the receiving side, the operator can watch and listen to the moving image and sound captured by the programmable display on the transmitting side without any problem.

If the above-mentioned event is an event whose occurrence timing can be specified by the operator of the receiving-side programmable display, the receiving-side operator can determine the reproduction timing of the multimedia data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the presenting means includes an address for specifying a device for displaying a state, and an address on a screen for displaying the device. With reference to the processing instruction word indicating the correspondence relationship with the area, the state of the device is displayed, and the capturing means is an address for specifying the destination programmable display, and
The present invention is characterized in that the presentation means specifies a transmission destination based on a processing instruction word including an address in the same format as a format when designating another programmable display device as a device. As an example of the same format, as a device,
When specifying the storage area of the programmable display, the combination of the name of the programmable display and the character string indicating the storage area in the programmable display is specified, while when specifying the programmable display as the destination, the programmable display There is a case where a combination of a device name and a character string indicating a means for receiving multimedia data is designated in the programmable display device.

According to this configuration, both the presenting means and the fetching means operate based on the processing instruction word including the address of the device or the destination, and designate the programmable display device as the device for displaying the status. In this case, the address at the time of designation and the address at the time of designating the programmable display device as the destination of the multimedia data are set in the same format. Therefore, for example, like a manager of a control system including a programmable display, a person who determines the operation when the presentation unit displays the state of the device by setting the processing instruction word on the presentation unit of the programmable display is A processing instruction word for designating the destination of the multimedia data can be set in the capturing means without having to remember a new designation method.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes:
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, this is a system for controlling a target system 2 having devices 21... Such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembler, and the above devices 21 are controlled based on a control program stored in advance. PLC (control device) 3 to be controlled and each PLC 3 via a serial cable 4, and as an HMI of the control system 1, an operator of the target system 2 is often provided near the target system 2. And a local area network (L) that connects each programmable display 5 with, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).
AN) 6 and the LAN 6, and in many cases, at a location farther from the target system 2 than the programmable display 5, for example, a process of creating (modifying) a control program is performed. And a control host computer 7 for management. FIG.
In order to simplify the illustration, the device 21, PLC
3 and the programmable display 5 are shown one by one, but the number of the devices 21 connected to the PLC 3 and the number of the PLCs 3 and the programmable display 5 provided in the control system 1 depend on the scale of the control system 1. It can be set to any value depending on the situation. Further, the transmission path between the programmable display 5 and the corresponding PLC 3 may be any type as long as they can communicate with each other, and may be wired or wireless.

The programmable display device 5 performs an operation for displaying the state of the device 21 on the screen based on the screen data determined by combining the processing instruction words (tags),
A PLC-side communication processing unit 51 for specifying an operation when controlling the state of the device 21 in accordance with an operation on the screen, and communicating with the PLC 3 via the serial cable 4;
A network-side communication processing unit (communication means) 52 that communicates with the control host computer 7 and other programmable displays 5 via the LAN 6, a screen data memory 53 that stores the screen data, and Via a PLC 3 connected to the own device or another programmable display 5 and a PL connected thereto
Each device 2 that displays the status on the display screen via C3
1 is acquired and, for example, to the liquid crystal display 54,
An HMI processing unit (presentation means) 56 for displaying the status of each device 21 and instructing the device 21 to control the status of the device in response to an operation on the touch panel 55 is provided. Further, the programmable display 5 is also provided with a speaker 57, and the HMI processing unit 56 can output a predetermined sound from the speaker 57 when an abnormality occurs to call attention of the operator.

More specifically, in the programmable display device 5 according to the present embodiment, a tag on the screen data includes an area on the screen and an address (device address) of a device corresponding to display in the area. A display tag indicating the correspondence and an input tag indicating the correspondence between the area on the screen and the device address corresponding to the input to the area are defined. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the above tags is
It can be associated with at least one of the plurality of unit screens.

The HMI processing unit 56 extracts display tags related to the currently displayed unit screen from the screen data stored in advance in the screen data memory 53, and performs the following for each display tag at predetermined intervals. Reads the contents of the device address related to the display tag, and specifies on the screen a graphic in the expression format specified by the display tag according to the contents of the device address, such as a part figure corresponding to the read value. To the specified area. On the other hand, when the programmable display 5 receives an input operation on the touch panel 55, the HMI processing unit 56 searches the screen data for an input tag corresponding to the currently displayed unit screen and matching the input operation, For example, an instruction is given to the PLC 3 connected with the serial cable 4, or the PLC 3 connected to another programmable display 5 via the LAN 6, the programmable display 5 and the serial cable 4.
The content of the device address indicated by the input tag is changed according to the input result. Thereby, the programmable display device 5 can display the state of the device indicated by the screen data at the display position indicated by the screen data in the expression format indicated by the screen data, or control the device in accordance with the input operation indicated by the screen data.

The screen data is created (corrected) by the control host computer 7 or the like in accordance with the current state of the target system 2 or the proficiency of the operator of the control system 1, for example. Stored in the screen data memory 53, the HMI processing unit 56 operates based on the screen data. Therefore, by changing the screen data, the programmable display 5 can display an operation screen according to the current state of the target system 2 to be controlled and the proficiency of the operator of the control system 1, and can receive an operation. Further, as described above, since the screen data can be specified by a combination of the input / display range and the control operation of the related device, the screen data is less than the case of newly creating a program for controlling or displaying a device. Can be created / modified with effort.

The device address is an address for specifying a device to be controlled.
1 shows one area of a storage device provided in the PLC 3, the programmable display 5, the control host computer 7, or the like. In addition, the above-described device includes a touch panel 55
Or a memory in which data manually input from an input device such as a barcode reader (not shown) is stored. Note that acquisition / change of the device state may be instructed each time, or a cache is prepared in the programmable display 5 and, at the time of acquisition / change, the cache is accessed and at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time. Communication may be performed for each event to synchronize with the entity of the device address.

Here, the communication protocol used by the PLC 3 for communication differs depending on the PLC 3 model, such as for each manufacturing company, or for each product even if it is the same company, due to the development of the PLC 3 from the sequencer. Often have. Therefore, for example, in order to mutually connect the PLCs 3 and the control host computer 7 to form a network, it is necessary to make the models of the PLCs 3 in the control system 1 uniform, and to construct the large-scale control system 1. Is difficult.

On the other hand, in the control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the programmable display 5 and the control host computer 7 connected to each PLC 3 are connected to a LAN.
6 and a common protocol defined independently of the communication protocol (dedicated protocol) unique to the PLC 3 as a communication protocol for the LAN 6. Further, each of the programmable displays 5 is provided with a protocol conversion unit 58. The protocol conversion unit 58 performs protocol conversion such as conversion of an instruction code, conversion of an argument, or conversion of a control code at the time of transmission. Then, the communication between the control host computer 7 and other programmable displays 5 and the PLC 3 connected to the own device is relayed.

In this configuration, devices on the LAN 6, such as the programmable display 5 and the control host computer 7, are connected to the PL connected to another programmable display 5.
Regardless of the model of C3, communication can be performed by a common protocol via LAN6. As a result, it is easy to mix different types of PLCs 3 in the control system 1.

Further, in the above configuration, unlike the case where the PLCs 3 are connected to each other, the configuration is indispensable to the control system 1 and furthermore, since it operates as an HMI, the programmable display has more computing power than the PLC 3. Since the display device 5 processes most of the communication, for example, when the control host computer 7 and the programmable display device 5 communicate with each other, such as when downloading screen data,
C3 can be excluded. Therefore, the load on the PLC 3 can be reduced, and the computing capacity required for the entire control system 1 can be reduced. Note that the programmable display device 5 has sufficient computing power while waiting for a user operation, so that protocol conversion can be performed without improving computing power for protocol conversion.

Further, the programmable display 5 according to the present embodiment is inputted from the microphone 9 and the video input processing section 62 for storing the video signal output from the camera 8 as digital video data in the camera memory 61. An audio input processing unit 64 that stores an audio signal as digital audio data in an audio memory 63;
64 generates multimedia data indicating the captured video and audio, transmits the generated multimedia data to another programmable display 5 via the LAN 6, and receives multimedia data from the other programmable display 5 when the multimedia data is received.
A multimedia data processing unit 65 to be reproduced by the I processing unit 56. The camera 8 and the microphone 9 are
When reduction of the installation place is required, it may be mounted on the programmable display 5. Further, for example, when not only the operator of the programmable display 5 is to be photographed but also the appearance of the device 21 is to be photographed, the operator removes the device 21 from the installation place at the time of photographing and
May be provided separately from the programmable display 5 so that the external appearance can be moved to a place where photography can be performed. Note that the multimedia data processing unit 65 corresponds to a capturing unit and a reproducing unit described in the claims.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the camera 8
A video window tag for arranging an area for displaying an image input from a unit screen on a desired unit screen is defined. The HMI processing unit 56 determines that the video window tag indicating the current arrangement on the unit screen is screen data. If it is included in the screen data of the memory 53, the position and size of the area for displaying the video from the camera 8 are specified with reference to the video window tag. Further, the HMI processing unit 5
Reference numeral 6 denotes a video window tag in the display area of the liquid crystal display 54 by transferring the content of the camera memory 61 to a storage area corresponding to the area in a video memory (not shown) at a predetermined cycle. Camera 8 in the area indicated by
Images can be displayed.

Similarly, in the present embodiment, an audio tag indicating whether or not the audio input from the microphone 9 is to be output to the speaker 57 is defined. If included, the audio memory 63
, The voice input to the microphone 9 is transmitted to the speaker 57.
Can be output.

In this embodiment, a videophone call tag for generating multimedia data and transmitting it to another programmable display 5 is also defined. The videophone call tag includes data for specifying the programmable display 5 of the transmission destination, and the HMI processing unit 56 associates the screen data of the screen data memory 53 with the current unit screen. If the videophone call tag is included, the multimedia data processing unit 65
To generate and transmit multimedia data.

The format of the multimedia data may be any format as long as video and audio are transmitted via the LAN 6 and can be reproduced by the programmable display 5 on the receiving side. , MPEG (Moving
Picture Expert Group 2 format is adopted, and the multimedia data processing unit 65 generates a data string in the MPEG2 format by referring to the camera memory 61 and the audio memory 63, and confirms that the data is multimedia data. The multimedia data is generated with the identifiers shown.

Further, in the present embodiment, a videophone call tag for reproducing on the own liquid crystal display 54 and the speaker 57 when multimedia data is received from another programmable display 5 is also defined. Similar to the video window tag, the videophone call tag includes data for specifying a range (position, size, and the like) of an area for displaying a video indicated by the multimedia data, and includes HMI processing. When the videophone call tag indicating the current arrangement on the unit screen is included in the screen data in the screen data memory 53, the unit 56 refers to the videophone call tag and refers to the display area of the multimedia data. To identify. Further, the HMI processing unit 56
Is, for example, instructs the multimedia data processing unit 65 to sequentially develop each frame of the video included in the multimedia data into a storage area corresponding to the display area in a video memory (not shown) at a predetermined cycle. For example, in the display area of the liquid crystal display 54, the video (moving image) indicated by the multimedia can be displayed in the area indicated by the videophone call tag. Further, the HMI processing unit 56 can receive the sound indicated by the multimedia data from the multimedia data processing unit 65 and output the sound to the speaker 57.

In the above videophone calling tag,
The transmission destination is specified in a display tag, an input tag, or the like in the same format as when the other programmable display 5 is specified as a device. In particular,
For example, when a storage area of the programmable display 5 is specified as a device in a display tag, a character string indicating a name of the programmable display 5 and a character string indicating a storage area in the programmable display 5 are specified in combination. In such a case, in the videophone call tag, the destination is specified by a combination of a character string indicating the name of the programmable display 5 and a character string indicating the multimedia data processing unit 65. Is done. In the videophone call tag, the display area is specified as
It is specified to specify in the same format as the specification in the display tag and video window tag. Therefore, the creator of the screen data does not need to learn the new specification method,
Screen data including videophone tags can be created.

In the above configuration, the operation of each programmable display 5 during a videophone call will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the following,
For convenience of description, for example, like the programmable display 5α on the transmission side, the members executed on the transmission side and the steps executed on the transmission side are denoted by Greek letters α for the reference numerals, and the members on the reception side and the reception side. The steps to be performed are referenced with the Greek letter β.

That is, in the programmable display 5α on the transmitting side, step 1α shown in FIG.
For example, when the operator instructs to display a unit screen including a videophone calling tag and a videophone answering tag, and instructs to start the operation of the videophone function, The HMI processing unit 56α
In 2α, the multimedia data processing unit 65α is instructed to generate multimedia data. In addition, HMI
The processing unit 56α, based on the videophone call tag,
While specifying the programmable display 5β of the transmission destination,
Instruct the network-side communication processing unit 52α to transmit the multimedia data created by the multimedia data processing unit 65α to the programmable display 5β.

On the other hand, the programmable display 5β on the receiving side
For example, when the network-side communication processing unit 52β starts receiving multimedia data, or when the transmission-side programmable display device 5α notifies that the unit screen including the videophone call tag has been displayed. Alternatively, when a predetermined event occurs, such as when instructed by an operator, the HMI processing unit 56β switches the screen to a unit screen that includes a videophone call tag, for example, and performs a videophone function. Is started (S1β). Further, in S2β, the HMI processing unit 56β specifies the display area based on the videophone call tag and transmits the video included in the multimedia data received by the network-side communication processing unit 52β to the display area. The multimedia data processing unit 65β is instructed to display. In addition, the HMI processing unit 56β instructs the multimedia data processing unit 65β to output the sound included in the multimedia data from the speaker 57β.

Thus, on the transmitting side, the camera 8α
Video and audio input to the microphone 9α,
Liquid crystal display 54β and speaker 57β on the receiving side
And can be played in real time. Further, in the above description, the multimedia data transmission from one to the other has been described, but each programmable display 5 according to the present embodiment includes:
Each of the programmable displays 5 can operate as both a transmitting side and a receiving side, and can exchange video and audio through bidirectional communication.

The generation, transmission and reproduction steps (S2α and S2β) of the multimedia data are performed, for example, on one of the programmable displays 5 until a predetermined event occurs, such as when the operator instructs the end of the videophone. When the event occurs, each of the programmable displays 5α and 5β ends the operation as the videophone, for example, returning to the unit screen immediately before starting the operation as the videophone (S3α). -S3 [beta]).

Here, in the LAN 6 according to the present embodiment,
Since the packet transmission method is adopted instead of the circuit switching method, even if the multimedia data and the data other than the multimedia data, such as the data relating to the device status, use the same transmission path (LAN6). Regardless, even while each programmable display 5 is operating as a videophone, other data such as control-related data can be transmitted. In addition, even if it is a circuit switching system,
If the multimedia data and other data are transmitted in a superimposed manner, the multimedia data can be transmitted without hindering other data transmission.

[Second Embodiment] By the way, in the first embodiment, when the programmable display 5β on the receiving side reproduces the video and audio indicated by the multimedia data in real time while receiving the multimedia data. However, in the present embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration in which reproduction is performed when a predetermined event occurs after completion of reception of multimedia data.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the programmable display 15 according to the present embodiment stores the multimedia data received by the network-side communication processing unit 52 in addition to the configuration of the programmable display 5 described above. The HMI processing unit 56 includes a multimedia data memory (storage means) 66. When a predetermined event occurs, for example, when a playback instruction is received from an operator, the HMI processing unit 56 The multimedia data stored in the media data memory 66 can be reproduced by the liquid crystal display 54 and the speaker 57.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the start of capturing video and audio is instructed on the programmable display 15α on the transmission side (S11α), the multimedia data processing unit 63α causes the Until the end of capture is instructed, multimedia data is generated as in the case of the videophone, and the network-side communication processing unit 52α outputs the programmable display 15 to the destination.
is transmitted to β (S12)
α). However, in this case, the multimedia data includes
As the identifier, the programmable display 15β on the receiving side
, Data for instructing postponement of reproduction until a predetermined event occurs is added.

On the other hand, the programmable display 15 on the receiving side
In β, if the received multimedia data is provided with an identifier indicating reproduction delay, the network-side communication processing unit 52β stores the multimedia data in the multimedia data memory 66β (S11β). Note that, when the multimedia data is received, the HMI processing unit 56β, for example, displays a figure indicating the reception of the multimedia data on the liquid crystal display 5 based on a display tag in which the memory storing the presence or absence of the reception is a device address.
It is desirable to inform the operator of the reception of the multimedia, for example, by displaying it on 4β.

Further, the programmable display 1 on the receiving side
When the operator instructs the reproduction of the multimedia data by operating 5β (S12β), the multimedia data processing unit 65β performs the same operation as in the case of the videophone until the reproduction of the multimedia data ends in S14β. ,
The multimedia data is reproduced on the liquid crystal display 54β and the speaker 57β (S13β).

In the above configuration, the programmable data display 15β on the receiving side is provided with the multimedia data memory 66β, and the reproduction timing of the multimedia data can be set separately from the time when the multimedia data is received. Therefore, even when the operator of the programmable display 15β is away from the seat when receiving the multimedia data, if the programmable display 15β is near the programmable display 15β when reproducing the multimedia data, The operator can receive the video and audio transmitted from the transmission side. In particular, when the event for reproducing the multimedia data is an input from the operator of the programmable display 15β, the operator can determine the reproduction time point, so that the video and audio can be reliably received.

Each of the members 51 to 58 and 61 to 66 described in the first and second embodiments executes a program stored in a storage means such as a ROM or a RAM when a calculation means such as a CPU executes the program. , A functional block realized by controlling an input / output device such as a touch panel device or a liquid crystal display device, or a communication circuit such as an interface circuit. Therefore, the computer having these units reads the recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or the like) on which the program is recorded, and executes the program to realize the programmable display 5 (15) according to the present embodiment. it can. For example, if a program for downloading a program via the serial cable 4, the LAN 6, or another communication path is installed in the computer in advance, the program is transmitted to the computer via the communication path. Can also be distributed.

In each of the above embodiments, the programmable display 5 (15) is provided with the members (61, 62) for inputting video.
And a case where the multimedia data processing unit 65 transmits and receives multimedia data indicating both audio and video, including both the input and output members (63 and 64). The multimedia data processing unit 65 may include a member, and may transmit and receive multimedia data indicating only one of audio and video. However, when both are transmitted as in the above embodiments, the control system 1 in which the operators of the programmable displays 5 (15) can easily exchange with each other can be realized.

In each of the above embodiments, multimedia data including a data string indicating audio and video and an identifier are generated, and whether or not the data is multimedia data is distinguished by the identifier in the multimedia data. The same effect can be obtained by discriminating with an identifier transmitted separately from multimedia data, such as a port number or a file name at the time of transmission. Furthermore, the programmable display 5 on the receiving side
If (15) can be identified from the data string itself, the identifier need not be added. However, attaching the identifier can simplify the processing on the receiving side.

Also, whether or not to reproduce in real time is also discriminated by the identifier. However, whether or not to reproduce in real time is set in advance by screen data stored in the programmable display 15β on the receiving side. The user can select whether or not to reproduce in real time on the programmable display 15β on the receiving side.

[0056]

As described above, the programmable display according to the first aspect of the present invention captures a moving image or a sound and reproduces the moving image or the sound by the presentation means of the programmable display on the receiving side. A configuration is provided in which capturing means for generating data and transmitting the multimedia data to a programmable display device on the receiving side is provided.

In the above configuration, multimedia data is transmitted and reproduced by the communication means and the presentation means provided in advance in the programmable display in order to present the state of the device on another programmable display. There is an effect that a control system capable of exchanging moving images and sounds between operators of the programmable display device can be constructed without newly providing members and devices for transmitting and reproducing moving images and sounds.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the multimedia data received by the communication means is converted into
This is a configuration including a reproducing unit for reproducing by the presenting unit.

In this configuration, when the communication means receives the multimedia data, the reproducing means of the programmable display causes the presenting means to reproduce the multimedia data. Therefore, there is an effect that a control system capable of bidirectionally transmitting moving images or sounds can be constructed without newly providing a reproducing device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the configuration of the second aspect, the reproducing means reproduces the received multimedia data in real time.

In this configuration, when the communication means receives the multimedia data, the reproducing means reproduces at least one of a moving image and an audio in real time based on the multimedia data. As a result, the two programmable displays can operate as a telephone or a videophone, and have an effect that a control system in which the respective operators can easily interact with each other and have a sense of unity can be realized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a programmable display device according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising storage means for storing received multimedia data, wherein the reproduction means is determined in advance. When the event occurs, the multimedia data stored in the storage means is reproduced.

Therefore, when the above-mentioned event occurs, even if the operator of the programmable display on the receiving side is away from the seat when the programmable display on the transmitting side has transmitted the multimedia data, the programmable display on the receiving side is generated. If there is an operator near the computer, the user can watch and hear the moving image and the sound captured by the programmable display device on the transmitting side without any trouble.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the presenting means displays an address for specifying a device for displaying a state and a display of the device. The status of the device is displayed with reference to the processing instruction word indicating the correspondence relationship with the area on the screen to be displayed, and the capturing means is an address for specifying the destination programmable display device. In this configuration, the transmission destination is specified based on a processing instruction word including an address in the same format as a format when the means specifies another programmable display device as a device.

According to this configuration, both the presenting means and the fetching means operate based on the processing instruction word including the address of the device or the transmission destination, and designate the programmable display device as the device for displaying the status. In this case, the address at the time of designation and the address at the time of designating the programmable display device as the destination of the multimedia data are set in the same format. Therefore, by setting the processing instruction word in the presentation means of the programmable display, the person who determines the operation when the presentation means displays the state of the device can transmit multimedia data without learning a new designation method. There is an effect that the processing instruction word for designating the destination can be set in the capturing means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control system.

FIG. 3, showing another embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional technique and showing a main configuration of a control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 3 Programmable logic controller (control device) 5 (15) Programmable display 6 Local area network (network) 21 Device 56 HMI processing unit (presentation means) 52 Network side communication processing unit (communication means) 65 Multimedia data processing unit (Importing means; reproducing means) 66 Multimedia data memory (storage means)

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) KK06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Communication with a control device for controlling a device,
A programmable display having presentation means for presenting the state of the device, and communication means for communicating with another programmable display via a network; A programmable display device, further comprising a capture unit for generating multimedia data to be reproduced by a presentation unit of the device and transmitting the multimedia data to the communication unit. 2. The programmable display according to claim 1, further comprising a reproducing means for reproducing the multimedia data received by said communication means by said presentation means. 3. The programmable display according to claim 2, wherein said reproducing means reproduces the received multimedia data in real time. 4. A storage device for storing received multimedia data, wherein the reproducing device reproduces the multimedia data stored in the storage device when a predetermined event occurs. The programmable display according to claim 2, wherein 5. The display means displays the status of a device by referring to a processing instruction word indicating a correspondence between an address for specifying a device for displaying a status and an area on a screen for displaying the device. In addition, the capturing means is an address for specifying the destination programmable display, and a processing instruction word including an address in the same format as when the presenting means specifies another programmable display as a device. On the basis of the,
2. The programmable display according to claim 1, wherein a transmission destination is specified.