JP2006333324A - Programmable display unit, control program and recording medium with the program stored - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To wholly display a keyboard of touch panel input type even in a narrow display region. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of characters are assigned to each character key of a pop-up keyboard displayed according to keyboard screen data. A set value input controller 21a in a programmable display unit changes the character, whenever the key is pressed and displays on the set value display part on a screen. Thereby, since the input of a plurality of distinct characters becomes possible using a single key, the display area of the pop-up keyboard is reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a programmable display that displays a touch keyboard capable of inputting numbers, characters, and the like on a screen.

  Control display devices such as programmable displays and panel computers as HMI (Human Machine Interface) devices, such as dot display screens, operation input switches, host controller (PLC) interfaces, and operation inputs on the screen It is a display for operation provided with a program memory for proper control. In general, since the programmable display performs graphic display, it can be provided with functions such as an operation panel, a switch, an indicator light, etc., and can be used for various monitors and devices for management such as device operating status and work instructions. It has a function as a terminal for inputting set values via a touch panel.

  The screen displayed on such a programmable display can be created by the user by using screen creation software (drawing software). When creating a screen, a user configures a desired screen by using a switch, a lamp, a numeric keypad, a meter display, a part such as a meter display, a graph display, and the like provided by the drawing software in a personal computer.

  The created screen is transferred to the programmable display device as screen data and stored. In addition, when the PLC is in operation, the programmable display device displays each component or figure on the screen according to the operation state of the device based on data exchanged with the PLC.

  Conventionally, in such a programmable display, a pop-up keyboard that can be input on a touch panel is displayed on the screen, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to input a set value used for control. Some models have functions that can be used. Since such a keyboard can be displayed on the screen when necessary, a display unit having a small area can be used effectively.

  When trying to display a large keyboard for inputting various symbols such as numbers, alphabets, and four arithmetic operations on the programmable display, the keyboard can be sufficiently displayed on a model (for example, 10 inches) having a large display screen size. . However, a model with a small display screen size (for example, 6 inches) cannot display all the large keyboards as described above.

On the other hand, the programmable display disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to display a part of the keyboard and change the keyboard display area by making the keyboard scrollable. Thereby, even a large keyboard can be displayed on a programmable display having a small screen size.
JP 2002-244798 A (published August 30, 2002)

  However, in order to display the keyboard in a scrollable manner as described above, it takes time to design a keyboard display program. In addition, since the keyboard is scrolled and displayed, depending on the characters and symbols to be input, the operator is required to perform a cumbersome operation of frequently scrolling the keyboard, so that the operability of the keyboard is impaired.

  Further, it is conceivable to increase the display resolution and display a small keyboard, and display a large keyboard in a small display area. However, with such a method, the keys on the keyboard become too small, making it difficult to operate the desired keys with fingers. For this reason, it is necessary to display the keyboard in a certain size for convenience of operation. In addition, in the case of a matrix type touch panel, if the key becomes too small, the resolution limit is exceeded, so that the touch of the key cannot be recognized correctly.

  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 capable of displaying a touch panel input-type keyboard as a whole even in a narrow display area.

  In the programmable display which displays the screen containing the keyboard which has the character key for inputting a character, and the character display part which displays the character input by this keyboard in the programmable display which concerns on this invention, said subject In order to solve the problem, a plurality of characters are assigned to each character key of the keyboard, and the programmable display switches the character assigned to the character key when the character key is pressed. It is characterized by comprising switching display control means for displaying on the display unit.

  In the above configuration, when a character key is pressed by the operator, the character assigned to the character key is switched and displayed on the character display unit by the switching display control means. In this way, by assigning a plurality of characters to one character key of the keyboard and switching the characters, the character keys can be reduced. Thereby, since the display area of a keyboard reduces, the whole keyboard can be displayed also in the programmable display of a small screen display size.

  In the programmable display, a plurality of characters assigned to the character keys are divided into groups, and the switching display control means can switch and select the groups when a switching key included in the keyboard is pressed. preferable. In this way, the character keys can be further reduced by assigning more characters to one character key and switching the characters. Thereby, since the display area of the keyboard is further reduced, the entire keyboard can be displayed even on a programmable display having a smaller screen display size.

  The control program of the present invention is a control program for operating any of the above-mentioned programmable displays, and is a program for causing a computer to function as the switching display control means. The control program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Thus, a keyboard with a small display area can be displayed by causing a computer to read and execute a control program.

  As described above, the programmable display device according to the present invention includes switching display control means for switching a plurality of characters assigned to the character key to be displayed on the character display unit when the character key of the keyboard is pressed. This eliminates the need to move the display location by scrolling the keyboard as in the prior art, thereby simplifying the operation and development of the keyboard display program. Therefore, the operability of the pop-up keyboard and the development efficiency of the keyboard display program can be improved.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a programmable display 2, a PLC 3, a device 4, and a serial cable 5.

  The programmable display 2 and the PLC 3 are connected via a serial cable 5. The serial cable 5 is a cable that can perform communication using a communication protocol unique to the PLC 3. The communication protocol is often different for each PLC 3 model, such as for each manufacturing company, or for each product even if it is the same company, because the PLC 3 has been developed from a sequencer.

  The PLC 3 captures output data output from the input device 4 via the input unit according to a sequence program (such as a ladder program) created by the user, and gives control data to the output device 4. As the input device 4, devices such as sensors (temperature sensors, optical sensors, etc.) and switches (push button switches, limit switches, pressure switches, etc.) are used. As the output device 4, an actuator, a relay, a solenoid valve, a display, or the like is used. These devices 4... Are arranged in required parts of various target systems such as a production line. The device 4 may be a specific area in the memory unit 22 to be described later for storing data manually input from an input device such as a touch panel 24 to be described later. The device 4 may be a specific area in the PLC 3.

  The memory (device memory) in the PLC 3 stores data (word data and bit data) such as the state of the device 4 and the setting value of the device 4 in an area specified by the device address. In the memory, the word device is set as an area for storing word data such as numeric values as input / output data, and is designated by a word address (device address, word address). The bit device is set as an area for storing bit data such as an on / off state, and is set by a bit address (device address, bit address). With such a setting, it is possible to control the devices 4... Simply by accessing any word device or bit device in the PLC 3 or to individually retrieve information relating to the state thereof.

  In the following description, the device address is appropriately referred to as an address.

  The programmable display 2 is provided with an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and is a dedicated computer that realizes an operation function and a display function unique to the programmable display by displaying input operation and display screen data created by the user. is there. The programmable display 2 that is preferably used as the HMI of the control system 1 is based on screen data determined by combining processing instructions (tags) to be described later. The operation for controlling the state of the device 4 according to the operation on the screen is specified. This programmable display 2 acquires the state of each device 4 that displays the state on the display screen via the PLC 3 by communicating with the PLC 3 via the serial cable 5. For example, the programmable display 2 displays the state of each device 4 on the display 34 described later. It has a function to display the status. The programmable display 2 has a function of instructing the device 4 to control the state of the device in response to an operation on the touch panel 24 described later.

  The acquisition / change of the state of the device 4 may be instructed each time, or a cache is prepared in the programmable display 2 and the cache is accessed at the time of acquisition / change, and at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined intervals. Communication may be performed for each event to synchronize with the actual device address.

  The programmable display device 2 includes an HMI processing unit 21, a memory unit 22, a touch panel 23, a display 24, and an interface unit (I / F in the figure) 25 in order to realize the above functions. Hereinafter, each main part of the programmable display 3 will be described in detail.

  The touch panel 23 is an input device provided for performing input on the display screen of the display 24. The display 24 is preferably a flat display such as a liquid crystal display or an EL display in order to configure the programmable display device 2 to be thin. The interface unit 25 is a communication control unit for the programmable display 2 to perform serial communication with the PLC 3, and is connected to the serial cable 5.

  The HMI processing unit 21 performs various types of data processing in order to perform display control processing of the user screen described later. The display control process (display control function) will be described in detail later.

  The memory unit 22 includes memories such as a DRAM 22a, a FEPROM (Flash Erasable and Programmable ROM) 22b, and an SRAM 22c.

  The DRAM 22a is mainly used for work during arithmetic processing such as display control, and is also used for temporary storage of data exchanged with the PLC 3. In particular, the DRAM 22a has a state memory area for transferring the state (device address content) of the device 4 stored in the input / output memory of the PLC 3 to / from the input / output memory.

  The SRAM 22c is used for logging data obtained from the PLC 3, and for storing setting value data (recipe data) to be given to the PLC 3.

  The FEPROM 22b is a rewritable read-only flash memory, and plays the role of a hard disk drive in a general personal computer. A flash memory does not have a movable part and is resistant to impacts, and thus operates stably even in a poor ambient environment.

  The FEPROM 22b has areas for storing an HMI processing program, a communication protocol, and screen data, respectively, as shown in FIG.

  The HMI processing program (control program) is a program for realizing basic functions for operating the programmable display device 2 such as image display control, input operation control, and communication control. Functions realized by the HMI processing program in the HMI processing unit 21 will be described in detail later.

  The communication protocol is a protocol used in communication processing with the PLC 3, and is uniquely determined according to the model (manufacturer) of the PLC 3. This communication protocol includes a command code that instructs reading of data to the PLC 3. By combining this command code with an address associated with the control function of the PLC 3, data regarding a desired control function can be transmitted to the PLC 3.

  The screen data is data of a screen displayed on the programmable display 2 and includes a base screen to be displayed on the display 24, data of parts, a processing instruction word W assigned to each part, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a processing instruction word (tag) W included in the screen data is created for each event to be executed on the base screen. The processing instruction word W basically includes the file number F of the base screen on which the display control operation is to be executed, the event name T for specifying the operation content to be executed on the base screen, and the execution event for each execution event. A set of reference information I including one or a plurality of data to be referred to is provided.

  In the programmable display device 2 according to the present embodiment, as the above-described tag, a display tag indicating the correspondence between the area (display range) on the base screen and the device address of the device corresponding to the display in the area, and the on-screen An input tag indicating the correspondence between an area (input range) and an address corresponding to a touch input to the area is defined. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each tag can be associated with at least one of a plurality of unit screens.

  The display tag can display a predetermined graphic at a corresponding position on the base screen in conjunction with the operation of the touch panel 23. That is, the display tag includes the file number of the base screen as the file number F, includes the event name that specifies the display of the display target such as a graphic as the event name, and specifies the display coordinate range of the display target and the display target to be called It includes a number and an address for referencing the display target when displaying.

  The input tag enables the bit device set at a predetermined address position in the state memory area provided in the DRAM 22a to be reversed in conjunction with, for example, a touch operation on the touch panel 23. That is, the input tag includes the file number of the unit screen as the file number F, the event name specifying the operation of the touch panel 23 as the event name T, and the input coordinates that validate the input operation from the touch panel 23 as the reference information I The range and the address to which data should be rewritten in conjunction with the touch operation of the touch panel 23 are included.

  The screen data is created by a user using screen creation software (drawing software) installed in a personal computer, etc., transferred to the programmable display 2 and stored in the FEPROM 22b in a file format. This screen file includes graphic data and address data. The graphic data includes graphic data such as circles and rectangles, component data, character strings, processing instruction words W, and the like. The address data includes comments corresponding to the addresses and addresses set by the drawing software for data associated with addresses such as part data and processing instruction word W in the graphic data.

  Further, the screen data includes base screen data and keyboard screen data as shown in FIG. The keyboard screen data is screen data for displaying a pop-up keyboard described later. The base screen data includes the screen number of the keyboard screen as call screen data so that the keyboard screen is called from the base screen.

  The HMI (Human Machine Interface) function of the HMI processing unit 21 displays screen data, sets various data on the user screen, transmits the set data to the PLC 3, and displays the data received from the PLC 3 on the user screen. Etc. Such a function is realized by causing an arithmetic processing means such as a CPU provided in the programmable display 2 to execute the above-described HMI processing program.

  Specifically, the HMI processing unit 21 extracts display tags related to the unit screen currently being displayed from the screen data, and the contents of the device address related to each display tag with respect to the display tags in a predetermined cycle. Each time the data is read from the PLC 3 and the parts in the expression format specified by the display tag are displayed in a specified area on the screen in a form corresponding to the read value. On the other hand, when the input operation to the touch panel 23 is received, the HMI processing unit 21 searches the screen data for an input tag corresponding to the unit screen currently displayed and matches the input operation, and the device address indicated by the input tag The contents (data stored in the memory area specified by the device address) are rewritten according to the input result. As a result, the programmable display 2 displays the state of the device 4 indicated by the screen data at the display position (parts etc.) indicated by the screen data in the expression format indicated by the screen data. Display device, a graph display device, etc.), and the state of the device 4 can be changed in response to an input operation via a component on the displayed screen.

  The HMI processing unit 21 includes a set value input control unit 21a as shown in FIG.

  The set value input control unit 21a displays a pop-up keyboard that enables a set value to be input to the device 4, and also displays a display component (set value display) for displaying the set value input by the pop-up keyboard. Etc.) at a designated position on the base screen. When the setting value display part of the setting value display component is touched by the operator, the setting value input control unit 21a calls the keyboard screen data based on the keyboard screen management number included in the base screen data. To display the pop-up keyboard. Thereby, the setting value can be input by the hop-up keyboard.

  The input set value is temporarily stored in the SRAM 22c and transmitted to the PLC 3 by the HMI processing unit 21.

  Specifically, the set value input control unit 21a displays a keyboard 101 as a pop-up keyboard as shown in FIG. The keyboard 101 has 15 (3 columns, 5 rows) keys 102 to 116 (character keys). Keys 102 to 112 arranged from the top are provided for inputting characters (any of letters (including numbers) and symbols), and four or five characters are assigned thereto, respectively. The bottom three keys 114 to 116 are a clear key for erasing all input data, a delete key (deletion key) for deleting one input character, and an enter key (confirmation key) for determining the input data. And roles are assigned one by one. A key 112 provided at the left end of the second row from the bottom corresponds to a space key for providing a blank, and is also assigned one role.

  The set value input control unit 21a (switching display control means) cyclically switches the four characters assigned to the keys 102 to 112 each time the keys 102 to 112 are pressed by the operator, and the set value display component. To display. At this time, the set value input control unit 21a switches the character based on the touch signal output from the touch panel 23 and the coordinate information in a state where the keys 102 to 112 are pressed. For example, the set value input control unit 21a, for each key 103 to which “A”, “B”, “C”, “2” is assigned, “A” → “B” → “C” → “ Switching between 2 ”→“ A ”...

  The HMI control unit 21 is a functional block part realized by an HMI processing program (control program) stored in the FEPROM 22b being executed by an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU. The HMI processing program can be recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the programmable display 2 and may be installed in the programmable display 2 from the recording medium.

  The above recording media include tape systems such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disk systems such as flexible disks and hard disks, optical disk systems such as CD-ROM, MO, MD, and DVD, IC cards (including memory cards), optical A card system such as a card is preferred. In addition, the program medium may be a medium that carries a fixed program including a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash ROM, or the like.

  In addition, the programmable display device 2 may be a medium that fluidly carries a program so as to download the program from the communication network as long as the programmable display 2 is configured to be connectable to a communication network including the Internet.

  In the programmable display device 2 configured as described above, when the programmable display device 2 is a large model having a screen display size of 10 inches, the keyboard 101 is displayed on the displayed screen 201 as shown in FIG. Even if the set value indicators 102 to 104 are further displayed, a sufficient display area can be secured.

  The set value indicators 102 to 104 are display components provided on the base screen as the set value display components described above. Character input display on these setting value indicators 102 to 104 is performed as follows. For example, when “123” is input and displayed, the operator presses the key 102 to switch from “.” → “/” → “@” → “1”, and presses the key 103 to “A” → “B” → “ Switch from “C” to “2”, and press the key 104 to switch from “D” to “E” to “F” to “3”. That is, when the operation moves to a different key, the character input with the key operated immediately before is determined. The character input by the keyboard 101 is acquired from the keyboard screen data by the set value input control unit 21a and temporarily stored in the SRAM 22c. The character is transferred from the SRAM 22c to the PLC 3 when the key 106 (enter key) is pressed.

  In a state where the keyboard 101 is not displayed, when any one of the setting value indicators 102 to 104 is touched, the keyboard screen data is called by the setting value input control unit 21a and the keyboard 101 is displayed. When the setting value input control unit 21a switches the input to the setting value indicators 102 to 104, when any one of the inactive setting value indicators 102 to 104 is touched, the setting value input control unit 21a sets the keyboard as active. 101 enables input.

  When the programmable display 2 is a medium-sized model having a screen display size of 6 inches, as shown in FIG. 7, the keyboard 101 is displayed on the displayed screen 202, and the setting value displays 101 to 103 are further displayed. However, a sufficient display area cannot be secured, but the entire keyboard 101 can be displayed.

  Thus, the display area of the keyboard 101 can be reduced by assigning a plurality of characters to one key of the keyboard 101 and switching the characters. This eliminates the need to scroll the keyboard 101 and move the display location as in the prior art, thereby simplifying the operation and development of the keyboard display program. Therefore, the operability of the pop-up keyboard and the development efficiency of the keyboard display program can be improved.

  Further, the pop-up keyboard can be further miniaturized by adopting the following configuration.

  As the above keyboard screen data, data of the keyboard 301 shown in FIG. This keyboard has nine (3 columns, 3 rows) keys 302-310. Keys 302 to 305 arranged from the top are provided for inputting characters (any of letters (including numbers) and symbols). Each of the keys 302 and 303 is assigned 12 characters, the key 304 is assigned 14 characters, and the key 305 is assigned 8 characters. Characters assigned to the keys 302 to 304 are divided into three groups, and characters assigned to the keys 305 are divided into two groups.

  The bottom three keys 308 to 310 correspond to the above-described clear key, delete key (deletion key), and enter key (confirmation key), respectively, and are assigned roles one by one. A key 307 provided at the right end of the second row from the top corresponds to a space key for providing a blank, and is also assigned one role. Furthermore, a key 306 (switching key) provided in the middle of the second row from the top is a key provided for switching a character group assigned to the keys 302 to 305.

  When any of the keys 302 to 305 is pressed and then the key 306 is pressed, the set value input control unit 21a switches and selects the character group and displays it on the set value display component. For example, for the key 303, the assigned characters are the first group (“G”, “E”, “F”, “4”), the second group (“H”, “I”, “J”, “5”) and the third group (“L”, “M”, “N”, “6”). Each time the key 303 is pressed, the set value input control unit 21a switches and displays characters within the first group. When the key 306 is subsequently pressed, the setting value input control unit 21a switches to the second group and displays characters. The set value input control unit 21a cyclically performs group switching by the key 306 in the order of first group → second group → third group → first group.

  With this configuration, the number of keys can be reduced by six compared to the keyboard 101, although a switching operation using the keys 306 is added compared to the keyboard 101. As a result, the pop-up keyboard can be further miniaturized, and the keyboard 301 and the setting value displays 102 to 104 can be displayed even on the programmable display 2 having a screen display size smaller than 6 inches.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Since the programmable display of the present invention can reduce the display area of the keyboard by assigning a plurality of characters to one key of the keyboard displayed on the screen and switching the characters, the small size of the display screen is small. It can be applied to a programmable display.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part containing the HMI process part which is the center part of control of the programmable display in the control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the said control system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the program structure stored in FEPROM of the programmable display in the said control system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic format of the instruction | indication processing word contained in the screen data of the user screen displayed with the said programmable display. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pop-up keyboard displayed on the said programmable display. It is a figure which shows the screen which displays the said pop-up keyboard displayed on a programmable display with a big screen display size. It is a figure which shows the screen which displays the said pop-up keyboard displayed on a programmable display with a small screen display size. It is a figure which shows the other structure of the pop-up keyboard displayed on the said programmable display.

Explanation of symbols

2 Programmable display 21 HMI processing unit 21a Set value input control unit (switching display control means)
101, 301 Keyboard 102-112 key (character key)
201 Screen 302-305 Key (character key)
306 key (switching key)

Claims (4)

In a programmable display for displaying a screen including a keyboard having character keys for inputting a character and a character display unit for displaying the character input by the keyboard.
The keyboard has a plurality of characters assigned to each character key,
The programmable display is provided with a switching display control means for switching a character assigned to the character key and displaying it on the character display unit when the character key is pressed. A plurality of characters assigned to the character keys are divided into groups,
The programmable display according to claim 1, wherein the switching display control means switches and selects the group when a switching key included in the keyboard is pressed.   A control program for operating the programmable display device according to claim 1 or 2 for causing a computer to function as the switching display control means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 3 is recorded.

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