JP2007179115A - Programmable display, control program, recording medium with the program recorded thereon, server, server program, and recording medium with the program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time to enable display in a replaced programmable display among a plurality of networked programmable displays based on screen data used by the previous programmable display. <P>SOLUTION: In starting the programmable display 2, a collation part 212 collates each of IDs sent from server computers including a download file server (DFS) 3 with an ID (computer identification data) stored in a data memory 22. The collation part 212 specifies based on a matched ID, the DFS 3 to send a download file including screen data and a control program for the programmable display 2 to the programmable display 2. In response to a request, a download request part 213 writes the download file (A station) sent from a server management part 32 to the data memory 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a programmable display capable of easily updating screen data and a server storing screen data therefor.

  The programmable display has an interface with the host controller (PLC, inverter, temperature controller, etc.), and displays the operating status of the devices connected to the host controller and gives control instructions to the devices. This is an operation-type display with a function to accept input from the screen. In general, since the programmable display has a graphic display function, it can display an operation panel, a switch, an indicator lamp, and the like, and serves as an operation terminal in the control system.

  The screen displayed on such a programmable display can be created by the user by using a computer (editor computer) in which screen creation software (screen editor) is installed, according to the specifications of the control system. When creating a screen, a user configures a desired screen using components, a drawing function, and the like provided by a screen editor in a personal computer or the like.

  The above parts are images representing switches, numeric keys, meter displays, graph displays, etc., and are prepared in advance in drawing software in a library format so that they can be combined and handled as actual parts. In addition, the above-described component is used in combination with an image representing the component and setting data for expressing the dynamic change of the image at a designated position on the screen. The setting data is stored in the memory of the programmable display as part of the screen data.

  The created screen is transferred (downloaded) to the programmable display as a data format readable by the programmable display (programmed display device) as screen data, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. When the host controller is in operation, output components such as a meter display on the screen displayed on the display unit of the programmable display dynamically change according to the state of the device connected to the host controller. Further, an input operation on the screen to an input component such as a switch is given to the device as a control instruction.

  Further, the screen data is managed so that it can be called by the screen number, and is managed collectively as a series of related screen data for the target system to be controlled. In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses that a project file is configured by one or a plurality of unit screen files, and each screen is managed.

Further, in Patent Document 1, for each screen number, an update date of the screen data file in the editor computer (operation screen creation device) and an update date of the screen data file stored in the programmable display are displayed for each screen number. In contrast, if the update date of the former file is newer, the screen data of the screen number is automatically transferred from the editor computer to the programmable display. As a result, it is possible to reliably download only the updated screen data out of the screen data in the project file, and to shorten the time required for downloading.
JP 10-105147 A (published on April 24, 1998)

  In recent control systems, a configuration in which a plurality of programmable displays are connected to a management computer via a network is realized against the background of networking in the field of FA. In such a control system, data from the host controller is collected in a computer via a corresponding programmable display, or control data created by the computer is distributed to the host controller via a programmable display. This has been put to practical use.

  However, as described above, in the programmable display disclosed in Patent Document 1, only the screen data updated by the editor computer can be automatically downloaded to the programmable display, but a new project file is automatically added. Can not be downloaded. Specifically, when a programmable display needs to be replaced due to a failure, etc., the same project file as the project file saved in the programmable display before replacement is automatically downloaded to the replaced programmable display. I can't. For this reason, a download operation is performed by a user's operation, and it takes time to start the replaced programmable display. For this reason, the restart of the control system is delayed, and there may be a problem that the production schedule is disturbed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a programmable display replaced in a plurality of programmable displays connected to a network is displayed by screen data used by the programmable display before replacement. The purpose is to shorten the time until operation is possible.

  The programmable display which concerns on this invention is the programmable display which displays a screen based on screen data, In order to solve said subject, the server which preserve | saves the said screen data for every several programmable display via a network And a server that is associated with an identification code assigned to each programmable display to identify a plurality of programmable displays connected to the network when the programmable display is activated. Transmission request means for requesting the server to transmit the screen data corresponding to the identification code of the activated programmable display device.

  In addition, the server of the present invention associates the identification code given to each programmable display in order to specify a plurality of programmable displays, and displays screen data provided to display the screen on each programmable display. A storage unit that stores each programmable display, and the screen data stored in the storage unit from the storage unit in response to a request for transmission of the screen data corresponding to the identification code from the programmable display Read control means for reading and transmitting the screen data corresponding to the identification code.

  In the above configuration, when the programmable display is activated in a state where the programmable display is connected to the server via the network, the transmission request means causes the identification code of the programmable display in the screen data in the server. The server is requested to transmit the desired screen data corresponding to. In the server, in response to the request, the screen data corresponding to the identification code is read from the storage unit and transmitted by the read control unit. The activated programmable display receives and acquires the screen data transmitted from the server.

  As a result, when replacing a programmable display due to a failure or the like, the programmable display with the same identification code as before replacement is simply connected to the network and activated, and the programmable display is replaced with the programmable display before replacement. The screen data used can be acquired. Therefore, the period during which the system is stopped when the programmable display is replaced can be shortened.

  In the programmable display device, the transmission request unit stores a control program for controlling the operation of the programmable display device together with the screen data for each of the plurality of programmable display devices when the programmable display device is activated. From the above, it is preferable to request the server to transmit the screen data and the control program corresponding to the identification code of the activated programmable display.

  Further, in the server, the storage unit stores a control program for controlling the operation of the programmable display device in association with the screen data together with the identification code, and the reading control unit stores the control program stored in the storage unit. Among the screen data and the control program, the screen data and the control program corresponding to the identification code from the storage unit in response to a request for transmission of the screen data and control program corresponding to the identification code from a programmable display Is preferably read and transmitted.

  Thereby, even if it replaces the failed programmable display with the programmable display in which the control program is not installed, the control program which has the function according to the programmable display can be downloaded and installed in the programmable display. .

  It is preferable that the programmable display includes storage means for storing the read screen data group. Thus, since the acquired screen data group is stored in the storage means and used, the screen data group can be transmitted once through a network in which a large number of devices are connected and communication is restricted. Screen data groups can be used.

  The programmable display has an execution environment for executing a screen display operation and an operation corresponding operation according to an operation instruction given to the screen based on the screen data group in a file format stored in the server. It is preferable to have. This eliminates the need to convert the screen data group into a file format that can be decoded by the programmable display device, thereby reducing the time required to transmit the screen data group from the server to the programmable display device.

  The control program of the present invention causes a computer that realizes the programmable display to function as the transmission request unit. The control program is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  The server program of the present invention causes a computer that realizes the server to function as the read control means. The server program is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Thereby, as above-mentioned, the period which the system has stopped at the time of replacement | exchange of a programmable display can be shortened.

  As described above, the programmable display device according to the present invention is connected to the network when the programmable display device is started, and the connection means for connecting to a server that stores a plurality of the screen data via the network. Among the screen data stored in the server in association with the identification code given to each programmable display in order to identify a plurality of programmable displays, the corresponding to the identification code of the activated programmable display Transmission request means for requesting the server to transmit screen data. Thereby, the period which the system has stopped at the time of replacement | exchange of a programmable display can be shortened. Therefore, there is an effect that an efficient operation of the system including the programmable display can be realized.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of programmable displays 2, a download file server 3, a network 4, a PLC 5, and a target system 6.

  Each programmable display 2 is connected to a download file server 3 via a network 4. The network 4 is a communication network including a local area network (LAN) made of Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like that can perform communication using a common communication protocol (common communication protocol). In the present embodiment, a configuration in which four programmable displays 2 of A station, B station, C station, and D station are connected to the network 4 will be described.

  In accordance with a sequence program (such as a ladder program) created by the user, the PLC 5 captures the state of the input device 7 via the input unit and outputs it at every predetermined scan time such as several tens of ms. A control instruction is given to the device 7 for use.

  As the input device 7, 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 7, an actuator, a relay, a solenoid valve, a display, or the like is used. These devices 7 are arranged in required parts of various target systems 6 such as a production line.

  The device 7 may be a specific area in a data memory (not shown) for storing data manually input from an input device such as the touch panel 25 described later. The device 7 may be a specific area in the memory in the PLC 5.

  The memory (device memory) in the PLC 5 stores data (word data or bit data) indicating the state of the device 7 (output value from the device 7 or set value to the device 7) in an area specified by the device address. is doing. In the memory, a word device is set as an area for storing word data such as numerical values as input / output data, and is designated by a word address (device 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). With such a setting, the device 7 can be controlled simply by accessing an arbitrary word device or bit device in the memory by specifying the device address, or information regarding the state can be individually taken out.

  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 an HMI device of the control system 1 is an operation for displaying the state of the device 7 on the screen based on screen data determined by combining processing definition information (tag) described later. The operation for controlling the state of the device 7 according to the operation on the screen is specified.

  The programmable display 2 acquires the state of each device 7 that displays the state on the display screen via the PLC 5 by communication with the PLC 5 via the serial cable 8. For example, the programmable display 2 displays the state of each device 7 on the display 24 described later. It has a function to display the status. The programmable display 2 has a function of instructing the device 7 to control the state of the device in response to an operation on the touch panel 25 described later.

  The acquisition / change of the state of the device 7 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 address entity.

  In order to realize the above functions, the programmable display 2 has an HMI control unit 21, a data memory 22, a work memory 23, a display 24, a touch panel 25, and an interface unit (I / F in the figure) 26. , 27. Hereinafter, each main part of the programmable display device 2 will be described in detail.

  As the display 24 as the display means, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or a plasma display is preferably used in order to make the programmable display device 2 thin. The touch panel 25 is an input device provided for performing touch input on the display screen of the display 24.

  The interface unit 26 (connection means) is a communication control unit for the programmable display device 2 to communicate with the download file server 3, and is connected to the network 4. The interface unit 26 is configured to perform network communication based on the IP addresses of the download file server 3 and the programmable display device 2.

  On the other hand, the interface unit 27 is a communication control unit for the programmable display 2 to perform serial communication with the PLC 5, and is connected to the serial cable 8. Further, the interface unit 27 includes the same number of communication ports as the number of connectable PLCs 5 so that a plurality of PLCs 5 can be connected. The correspondence between the manufacturer and model name of the PLC 5 and the communication port to which the PLC 5 is connected is set in advance as connected device data by the user. Further, the PLC 5 is given a connected device name such as PLC-A, PLC-B, PLC-C,... According to the communication port to be connected, and this connected device name is also added to the connected device data. included. Reading / writing data to / from the PLC 5 bit device and word device as described above is performed by designating the connected device name together with the address.

  The interface unit 27 performs communication using a communication protocol corresponding to the manufacturer and model of the PLC 5 based on the connected device data. The connected device data and the communication protocol are stored in, for example, a data memory 22 described below.

  The data memory 22 is a memory for storing a download file, the above communication protocol, computer specific data, an identification code, etc., and FEPROM (Flash Erasable and Programmable ROM) is used. Since FEPROM is a rewritable read-only flash memory, it 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 download file is a file in which a project file and an HMI control program, which will be described later, are grouped together, and is prepared for each programmable display 2 in the file server 3 in advance for downloading to the programmable display 2. The project file is data (screen file) of one or more user screens (unit screens) displayed on the programmable display device 2. In many cases, the project file usually includes a series of related screen data corresponding to the target system 6 or a product manufactured by the target system 6. This project file is stored in a different file format (file format readable by the HMI control unit 21) from a project file created by the screen editor unit 31 described later. Here, the file format is referred to as a memory file format.

  The programmable display device 2 selects one screen data based on a unique screen number assigned to each screen number from the project file, and displays a user screen based on the screen data.

  The screen data includes a base screen to be displayed on the display 24, part data, processing definition information to be described later assigned to each part, and the like. This screen data includes a graphic data part and an address data part. The graphic data section stores graphic data and selected parts for the mark created by the user, and the address data section stores the addresses and addresses for the input marks and parts so as to correspond to the graphic data section. The comment corresponding to is stored. Specifically, each mark or part in the graphic data part is associated with a corresponding comment and address in the address data part.

  Comments include event names such as the operating status (start, stop, etc.) of the device 7, codes corresponding to the device 7 such as SW and lamp corresponding to the switch, LAMP, operation instructions, and control targets The physical quantity that becomes. Comments can also be handled as variables. The comment defined in this way is associated with a desired device address corresponding to the device 7 in advance.

  The computer specifying data is data (identification code) for specifying a computer storing a project file used for display by the programmable display device 2, and a unique ID or the like is set as this data. Here, an ID for specifying the editor computer 3 is stored as computer specifying data.

  The identification code is a unique code given to each programmable display 2 in order to specify the programmable display 2 of each station, in other words, a code for specifying each station. As this identification code, an ID, an IP address, or the like can be used, and is set in advance. The identification code can be set on an identification code setting screen displayed on the programmable display 2 or can be set from a dip switch provided on the programmable display 2.

  The work memory 23 is constituted by, for example, a DRAM, and is used for temporary storage of data exchanged with the PLC 5 in addition to being used for work during arithmetic processing such as display control. In particular, the DRAM has a state memory area for transferring the state of the device 7 (the contents of the device address) stored in the PLC 5 memory to and from the PLC 5 memory.

  The HMI control unit 21 is a functional block realized by causing an arithmetic processing means such as a CPU provided in the programmable display 2 to execute the HMI control program. As described later, the above HMI control program is downloaded together with the project file from the file server 3 and incorporated in the programmable display device 2, but can also be recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the programmable display device 2. The programmable display device 2 may be installed from the recording medium. The HMI control program is individually prepared for each model in order to exhibit a function corresponding to the model of the programmable display device 2.

  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.

  Further, if the control system 1 is configured to be connectable to a communication network including the Internet, it may be a medium that carries the program in a fluid manner so as to download the program from the communication network. However, when the program is downloaded from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in advance in the programmable display 2 or may be installed from another recording medium.

  The HMI control unit 21 performs central control operations of the HMI function such as display control of the user screen, control of input operation via the user screen, and control of communication with a connected device such as the PLC 5.

  The aforementioned screen data includes process definition information (tag) that defines various processes performed in relation to the user screen. This processing specification information is created for each event to be executed on the base screen. Basically, the file number (screen number) of the base screen on which the display processing is to be executed and the base screen are executed. An event name for specifying the operation content to be performed and reference information including one or a plurality of data referred to for each execution event are provided as a set.

  In the programmable display device 2 according to the present embodiment, as the above-described tag, a display tag indicating the correspondence between the region (display range) on the base screen and the device address of the device corresponding to the display in the region, and the screen A touch 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 user screens.

  When acquiring the state of the device 7 and displaying it on the user screen, the HMI control unit 21 works the necessary information among the state information indicated by the bit device or the word device set in the memory in the PLC 5 in a timely manner. While reading into the memory 23, the display tag is repeatedly read out, and the part of the expression format specified by the display tag is displayed on the display 24 in a specified area on the screen in a form corresponding to the read value. As a result, a display operation that changes according to a change in the state of the bit device or the word device is executed, and the state of the device 7 acquired from the PLC 5 is reflected in the display state of the parts on the user screen.

  When the HMI control unit 21 gives a control instruction to the device 7 by input (touch input or numerical input) via the touch panel 25 on the user screen, the HMI control unit 21 repeatedly reads out the input tag described above, and references information in the input tag And a range for specifying an input position in a predetermined area of the user screen (effective input coordinate range in which input is valid) and an operation of the touch panel 25 (numerical value input operation, ON / OFF operation, etc.) are specified. The operation having the contents specified by the event name or the like is set in the memory in the PLC 5 as a bit device or a word device. For example, in the case of a numerical input operation, numerical data or the like is written as a control instruction to the word device, and in the case of an ON / OFF operation, a new bit state is written as a control instruction to the bit device. Thereby, in the PLC 5, the set control instruction is executed as the above operation, and the state of the device 7 changes.

  Here, the HMI control unit 21 includes a download control unit 211. When the programmable display 2 is newly connected to the network 4 and activated, the download control unit 211 is stored in the download file server 3 based on the identification code given to the programmable display 2. Control is performed so that the corresponding download file is automatically downloaded to the programmable display. The download control unit 211 has a collation unit 212 and a download request unit 213.

  When the programmable display device 2 is activated (turned on or initialized), the verification unit 212 communicates with all server computers connected to the network 4 including the download file server 3, and transmits data transmitted from each server computer. The included ID is checked against the ID stored in the data memory 22. Moreover, this collation part 212 recognizes that the server computer which transmitted the transmission data containing the said ID is a computer which is storing the project file which should be used with the said programmable display 2, when both ID corresponds. . Here, the server computer corresponds to the download file server 3.

  When the collation unit 212 recognizes that the project file server 9 is the computer, the download request unit 213 serving as a transmission request unit should download based on the identification code stored in the data memory 22. The download file server 3 is requested to download (send) the project file. Further, the download request unit 213 writes the project file transmitted from the download file server 3 in response to the above request in the data memory 23. Also, the download request unit 213 acquires the update date of the project file in the download file stored in the download file server 3 from the download file server 3, and downloads the project of the download file stored in the data memory 22. If the update date of the project file of the download file server 3 is newer than the update date of the file, the download file server 3 is requested to download the project file.

  The HMI control program for causing the above-mentioned HMI control unit 21 to function is not incorporated in the programmable display 2 in a state of being newly connected to the network 4 (the state at the time of shipment), and the download control unit 211 is Only the download control program to be functioning is installed. Unlike the HMI control program, this download control program is provided in common without depending on the model of the programmable display 2.

  Next, the download file server 3 will be described. The download file server 3 has a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), an external storage device (hard disk drive, MO drive, etc.), a display device, and an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) as in a general-purpose personal computer. is doing. The download file server 3 includes a screen editor unit 31, a server management unit 32, and a storage device 33.

  The screen editor unit 31 can create a user screen, which is a user's own screen, such as switches, lamps, numeric keys, various displays (for example, a numerical display, a meter display, and a graph display), It has a tag setting function, a drawing function, a text input function, and the like. As parts, not only parts having a single function but also parts having a plurality of functions, such as a composite switch, a counter, and a timer, are prepared. The parts are registered in a library format so that the user can easily select them, and input tags, display tags, and the like corresponding to the functions of the parts are assigned in advance.

  The screen editor unit 31 is a functional block realized by a computer constituting the download file server 3 executing an application program (screen creation program). This screen creation program is a program recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the download file server 3 and can be installed in the project file server 9 from this storage medium. This recording medium is a computer-readable recording medium similar to the recording medium on which the aforementioned HMI control program is recorded. Further, the download file server 3 functions as a screen creation device by including the screen editor unit 31.

  Note that the screen editor unit 31 may be provided in a computer independent of the download file server 3. In this case, the computer having the screen editor unit 31 communicates with the download file server 3 via the network 4 to access the storage device 33 to save and read the project file.

  When a user screen is created using such a screen editor unit 31, a project file is created in advance. Then, on the base screen that is expanded in a screen editing window (not shown) that is opened by designating the project file, the user designates the placement position of the parts according to a predetermined operation procedure, so that the base screen is displayed. Parts are arranged. The created screen data of each unit screen is saved with a unique screen number assigned as the screen of the designated project file. The screen editor unit 31 converts (compiles) the created project file into the above-described memory file format when saving the project file to the storage device.

  The server management unit 32 manages project files stored in the storage device 33. In response to a request from the download control unit 211, the server management unit 32 (reading control unit) transmits the ID of the download file server 3 to the requestable programmable display 2 or responds to a request from the download control unit 211. In response, the download file is downloaded to the requestable programmable display 2. As described above, the server management unit 32 also manages communication with the programmable display device 2 and the like connected to the network 4. Further, the server management unit 32 stores one of the download files in which the HMI control program and the ID are associated in advance based on the ID specified by the screen editor unit 31 when the project file is saved from the screen editor unit 31. As a part, a project file with a matching ID is saved.

  The server management unit 32 is a functional block realized by a computer constituting the download file server 3 executing an application program (server management program). This server management program is a program recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the download file server 3, and can be installed in the download file server 3 from this storage medium. This recording medium is a computer-readable recording medium similar to the recording medium on which the aforementioned HMI control program is recorded. Moreover, the project file server 9 functions as a server by including the server management unit 32.

  The storage device 33 as a storage unit is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores the project file that has been edited by the screen editor unit 31 and the above-described HMI control program as a set of download files. In the storage device 33, a project file is stored as a file in a storage format (save file). In addition, the storage device 33 stores a download file of each station and an identification code for specifying the programmable display 2 to which each project file is to be downloaded in association with each other. The screen editor unit 31 reads a designated download file from the storage device 33 when the user performs an editing process.

  The download file server 3 functions as a server that stores the screen data and the HMI control program by including the storage device 33 described above.

  Here, the operation of automatically downloading the project file in the control system 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, it is assumed that replacement is necessary because the programmable display 2 of the A station has failed. Then, the same identification code as the identification code stored in the data memory 22 of the programmable display 2 that has failed in advance is written in the data memory 22 of the new programmable display 2 to be replaced.

  When the new programmable display 2 is activated (powered on or initialized) while connected to the network 4, the collation unit 212 is connected to the network 4 in the download control unit 211 of the programmable display 2. The server computer being requested is requested to transmit the ID of each server computer. In response to this, the server management unit 32 of the project file server 9 transmits the ID of the download file server 3 to the programmable display device 2.

  The collation unit 212 collates the ID transmitted from each server computer including the download file server 3 (server management unit 32) with the ID (computer specific data) stored in the data memory 22, respectively. The collation unit 212 specifies the download file server 3 as a server computer that should transmit the download file to the programmable display 2 based on the ID when the two match as a result of the collation.

  The download request unit 213 adds an identification code to the download file server 3 specified by the collation unit 212 and requests the server management unit 32 to read the download file (A station) specified by the identification code. Upon receiving this request, the server management unit 32 reads out the download file of the A station from the storage device 33 based on the identification code, and transmits it to the programmable display 2 of the A station. Then, the download request unit 213 writes the transmitted download file in the data memory 22. The HMI control unit 21 performs the above-described display operation and operation corresponding operation based on the screen data of the project file written in the data memory 22.

  Thus, in said control system 1, the same identification code as the programmable display 2 before replacement | exchange is provided to the replaced programmable display 2, and the collation part 212 is at the time of starting of the programmable display 2 after replacement | exchange. The download file specified by the identification code is read out from the storage device 33 from the project file server 9 specified in (1) and automatically downloaded to the data memory 22 of the programmable display 2 after replacement.

  As a result, even if the programmable display 2 is replaced due to a failure of the programmable display 2 or a model change, the same download as the download file stored in the programmable display 2 before replacement is stored in the programmable display 2 after replacement. Files can be downloaded without requiring user intervention. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for downloading when replacing the programmable display. Therefore, the stop period of the control system 1 accompanying the replacement of the programmable display device 2 can be shortened.

  Then, based on FIG. 2, the control system 11 which is the other structure of this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control system 11 includes a plurality of programmable displays 2, a network 4, a PLC 5, a target system 6, and a project file server 9, as with the control system 1.

  The area for storing the project file stored in the data memory 22 shown in FIG. 1 is not set in the data memory 22 in the programmable display 2.

  Unlike the work memory 23 shown in FIG. 1, the work memory 23 in the programmable display 2 further has an area for storing a project file file. In the work memory 23, the project file is read in the same file format (save file format) as the project file saved in the storage device 93 to be described later, and saved until the programmable display device 2 is stopped.

  The HMI control unit 21 of the programmable display 2 can decipher the above-mentioned saved file format project file and displays the screen data of the project file. That is, the HMI control unit 21 executes an execution environment for executing a display operation for displaying the screen on the display 24 and an operation corresponding operation for performing an operation corresponding to the operation on the screen based on the screen data in the project file in the save file format. Have.

  The HMI control unit 21 includes a read control unit 214 instead of the download control unit 211 described above. The read control unit 214 includes a collation unit 215 and a read request unit 216. Unlike the download control unit 211 described above, the read control unit 214 is installed in the programmable display 2 in advance.

  The collation unit 215 basically collates the ID included in the transmission data from each server computer with the ID stored in the data memory 22 in the same manner as the collation unit 212 in the control system 1, and the two IDs match. Then, it is recognized that the server computer that has transmitted the transmission data including the ID is a computer that stores a project file to be used in the programmable display device 2. However, the collation unit 215 receives the switching instruction of the screen displayed on the programmable display 2 as well as when the programmable display 2 is activated (turned on or initialized) or the touch panel 25 by the user. The above collation processing is also performed when an instruction by a touch operation on the screen is received via.

  When the collation unit 215 recognizes that the project file server 9 is the above computer, the read request unit 216 selects the project file to be read based on the identification code stored in the data memory 22. 9 is requested. Further, the read request unit 216 writes the project file transmitted from the project file server 9 in response to the above request in the work memory 23.

  The project file server 9 includes a screen editor unit 91, a server management unit 92, and a storage unit 93. The screen editor unit 91 has a screen creation function substantially the same as the screen editor unit 31 described above, but unlike the screen editor unit 31, the project file is stored in a storage file format that is not converted to the memory file format described above. Save to 93.

  The server management unit 92 manages the project file stored in the storage device 93. The server management unit 92 transmits the ID of the project file server 9 in response to a request from the read control unit 214, or receives a project file in response to a request from the read control unit 214. Or send to. As described above, the server management unit 92 also manages communication with the programmable display device 2 and the like connected to the network 4.

  Similar to the server management unit 32 described above, the server management unit 92 is a functional block realized by a computer constituting the project file server 9 executing an application program (server management program). This server management program is a program recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the project file server 9 and can be installed in the project file server 9 from this storage medium. This recording medium is a computer-readable recording medium similar to the recording medium on which the aforementioned HMI control program is recorded. The project file server 9 functions as a server by including a server management unit 92.

  The storage device 93 as a storage unit is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores the project file that has been edited by the screen editor unit 91 in the above-described storage file format. In addition, the storage device 93 stores a project file of each station and an identification code for specifying the programmable display device 2 from which each project file is read in association with each other. The screen editor unit 91 reads a designated project file from the storage device 93 when the user performs an editing process.

  The project file server 9 includes the above-described storage device 93, thereby functioning as a server that stores screen data.

  Here, an operation of automatically reading a project file in the control system 11 configured as described above will be described.

  First, it is assumed that replacement is necessary because the programmable display 2 of the A station has failed. Then, the same identification code as the identification code stored in the data memory 22 of the programmable display 2 that has failed in advance is written in the data memory 22 of the new programmable display 2 to be replaced.

  When the new programmable display 2 is activated in a state where it is connected to the network 4, in the read control unit 214 of the programmable display 2, the verification unit 215 is connected to the server computer connected to the network 4. Request to send the ID of each server computer. In response to this, the server management unit 92 of the project file server 9 transmits the ID of the project file server 9 to the programmable display device 2.

  The collation unit 215 collates the ID transmitted from each server computer including the project file server 9 (server management unit 92) with the ID (computer specific data) stored in the data memory 22, respectively. The collation part 215 specifies the project file server 9 as a server computer which should transmit a project file to the said programmable display 2 based on the said ID, when both match as a result of collation.

  The read request unit 216 serving as a transmission request unit adds a identification code to the project file server 9 identified by the collation unit 215 and reads (transmits) the project file (A station) identified by the identification code. 92. In response to this request, the server management unit 92 reads out the project file of the A station from the storage device 93 based on the identification code, and transmits it to the programmable display device 2 of the A station. Then, the read request unit 216 writes the transmitted project file in the work memory 23.

  The HMI control unit 21 performs the above-described display operation and operation corresponding operation based on the screen data of the project file written in the work memory 23. When the programmable display device 2 is stopped (power is cut off) or the programmable display device 2 is initialized along with the stop of the control system 11, the project file stored in the work memory 23 is lost. The above processing is repeated again by the initialization of the programmable display device 2. Moreover, even if the programmable display 2 is started again, said process is repeated again.

  Thus, in said control system 11, the same identification code as the programmable display 2 before replacement | exchange is provided to the replaced programmable display 2, and the collation part 215 is started at the time of starting of the programmable display 2 after replacement | exchange. The project file specified by the identification code is read out from the storage device 93 from the project file server 9 specified in (1) and automatically written in the work memory 23 of the programmable display 2 after replacement. As a result, even if the programmable display 2 is replaced due to a failure of the programmable display 2 or a model change, the same project as the project file stored in the programmable display 2 before replacement is stored in the programmable display 2 after replacement. Based on the file, the above-described display operation and operation corresponding operation can be performed. Further, unlike the control system 1 described above, since the file format of the project file is not converted and the project file is not downloaded, the stop period of the control system 11 accompanying the replacement of the programmable display device 2 can be further shortened. Become.

  As described above, since the project file used in each programmable display 2 is stored and managed in the project file server 9, a configuration in which the project file is stored and managed in the programmable display 2 (the storage capacity of the data memory 22 is a normal number) Compared to (MB to several tens of MB), an overwhelmingly large number of project files can be centrally stored and managed. Thereby, a large number of screens and screens with a large amount of data (bitmaps and moving images) can be stored and managed by the project file server 9.

  In the control system 11, the read request unit 216 requests the server management unit 92 to transmit the project file, but may request transmission in units of screen data. In this case, the read request unit 216 specifies the project file by the identification code, and further specifies the screen data in the project file by the screen number. On the other hand, the server management unit 92 reads the screen data of the screen number designated in the designated project file and transmits it to the programmable display device 2. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a shortage of the storage capacity of the work memory 23 due to a project file having a large amount of data.

  In the above configuration, the project file and the screen data are once read into the work memory 23 and provided for display by the HMI control unit 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the read request unit 216 specifies screen data using a project file and a screen number preset in the data memory 22 or the like based on the identification code, and sends the corresponding project file from the storage device 93 to the server management unit 92. The screen data may be read out, and the acquired screen data may be directly displayed without being read into the work memory 23.

  Further, when a screen number is designated by a screen switching operation on the currently displayed screen, the read request unit 216 requests the server management unit 92 to read the screen data of the screen number. In response to the request, the server management unit 92 reads the screen data of the corresponding screen number from the project file and transmits it to the requesting programmable display device 2. Thereby, for example, by first loading a menu screen or the like provided at the top of the project file into the work memory 23, screen data in the storage device 93 can be sequentially called from the memory screen 93 to the programmable display 2. .

  In addition, although the programmable display 2 in the above-mentioned control systems 1 and 11 communicates with PLC5 and displays the control state of the device 7 or changes the control state, the programmable display 2 has the control function itself of PLC5. You may have. Such a programmable display device 2 includes an I / O for exchanging data with the device 7, a device memory for storing data of the device 7, and the like.

  Next, a project file management mode in the project file server 9 of the control system 11 will be described.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the project file prepared in each station is not a single project, but is composed of a plurality of three project files. Specifically, for the A station, the above three project files are an operation project file, a maintenance project file, and a system management project file. Although not shown, three project files are similarly prepared for the B station to the D station.

  The operation project file is a project file mainly including screen data for performing the above-described display operation and operation corresponding operation on a normal user screen. This operation project file is provided for use by general operators.

  The maintenance project file is a project file mainly including screen data for performing maintenance management using a maintenance screen. Examples of the maintenance screen include a self-diagnosis screen for performing a self-diagnosis of each function of the programmable display 2 and an alarm screen for displaying the contents of an alarm generated in the operation of the control system 1. This maintenance project file is provided for use by a maintenance manager.

  The system management project file mainly includes screen data for performing basic settings of the programmable display device 2. As basic settings, settings necessary for operating the programmable display 2 and optional settings are prepared. For example, display settings (brightness settings, etc.), communication settings (communication method, transmission speed, etc.) ), Settings related to printing (printer model settings), and the like. This system management project file is provided for use by a system manager.

  The operation project file, the maintenance project file, and the system management project file are associated with identification codes in the storage device 93 as in the case of the project file described above. For example, identification codes A1, A2, and A3 are associated with the operation project file, maintenance project file, and system management project file corresponding to station A, respectively. Thus, when the programmable display device 2 is activated, each project file (screen data when a screen number is designated) is read out to the work memory 23 based on the identification codes A1, A2, and A3 in the same manner as described above.

  At this time, when the read request unit 216 reads only the operation project file necessary for normal operation based on the identification code A1 at the time of startup, and touches a specific part of the touch panel 25 on the screen, Upon receiving the instruction, the maintenance project file and the system management project file may be read based on the identification code A2 or the identification code A3. Thereby, the maintenance project file and the system management project file can be read out to the programmable display 2 as necessary.

  Since the conventional project file includes all screen data for normal operators, screen data for maintenance, and screen data for system management, the screen configuration is complicated. Also, maintenance screens and system management screens are set to input passwords so that general operators do not perform incorrect operations. If the entered passwords are not authenticated, they cannot be displayed or operated. Since restrictions have been provided, such management and operation (setting and managing passwords) are bothersome. Further, when operator screen data is added to the project file, if this screen is related to maintenance screen data and system management screen data, the management becomes complicated.

  On the other hand, the screen configuration of each project file can be simplified by preparing it individually for the person who uses the project file as described above, and authentication using a password when using each project file This makes it easier to manage project files. In addition, since it is possible to manage each project file with a password in the project file server 9, it is easy to change or register the project file during operation, and the security level can be improved.

  In the above configuration, the example in which the programmable display device 2 is connected to the network 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one programmable display is directly connected via the transfer cable to which the project file server 9 transfers screen data. Even in the configuration connected to the device 2, the above-described project file management mode can be applied. In addition to storing the project file in the above-described form in the storage device 93, the project file may be stored in a portable recording medium such as a memory card. Thereby, the project file of the above-described form can be used for the programmable display 2 that is not connected to the network 4.

  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 changed within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The programmable display device of the present invention is connected to a plurality of networks, each having a unique identification code, and a project file (screen) stored in association with the identification code on the server when exchanged at startup. Data group) is downloaded from the server to the programmable display based on the identification code of the programmable display or read from the server to the programmable display. It can be shortened and can be suitably used for a control system using a programmable display.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the preservation | save form of the project file in the control system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1,11 Control system 2 Programmable display 3 Download file server (server)
4 Network 9 Project file server (server)
21 HMI control unit 22 Data memory (storage means)
23 Working memory 26 Interface section (connection means)
32, 92 Server management unit (reading control means)
33, 93 Storage device (storage means)
211 Download Control Unit 214 Read Control Unit 213 Download Request Unit (Transmission Request Unit)
215 Reading request section (transmission request means)

Claims (10)

In a programmable display that displays a screen based on screen data,
A connection means for communicatively connecting to a server that stores the screen data for each of a plurality of programmable displays via a network;
Among the screen data stored in the server in association with the identification code given to each programmable display to identify a plurality of programmable displays connected to the network when starting the programmable display A programmable display device, comprising: a transmission request unit that requests the server to transmit the screen data corresponding to the identification code of the programmable display device.   The transmission request means is a programmable display activated from the server storing a control program for controlling the operation of the programmable display together with the screen data for each of the plurality of programmable displays when the programmable display is activated. The programmable display device according to claim 1, wherein the server requests the server to transmit the screen data corresponding to the identification code of the device and the control program.   The programmable display according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the read screen data.   An execution environment for executing a screen display operation and an operation corresponding operation according to an operation instruction given to the screen based on the screen data in a file format stored in the server. Item 12. The programmable display according to Item 1.   The control program for functioning the computer which implement | achieves the programmable display of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 as said transmission request means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 5 is recorded. Corresponding to the identification code given to each programmable display in order to specify a plurality of programmable displays, the screen data provided to display the screen on each programmable display is saved for each programmable display Means,
Of the screen data stored in the storage unit, the screen data corresponding to the identification code is read from the storage unit in response to a request for transmission of the screen data corresponding to the identification code from a programmable display. A server comprising: a reading control means for transmitting. The storage means stores a control program for controlling the operation of the programmable display in association with the identification code together with the screen data,
The reading control unit is configured to store the screen data and the control program stored in the storage unit in response to a request for transmission of the screen data and the control program corresponding to the identification code from a programmable display. The server according to claim 7, wherein the screen data and the control program corresponding to the identification code are read from and transmitted.   A server program for causing a computer that realizes the server according to claim 7 or 8 to function as the read control unit.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the server program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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