JP2007299205A - Control program creation device, input support method, and input support program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control program creation device properly displaying an input candidate even for a character string inputted by designating a different notation format. <P>SOLUTION: This control program creation device using a plurality of notation formats for input of a memory address in device designation is provided with a notation format designation part 21 designating one of the notation formats based on user operation, an address transformation part 23 transforming an inputted character string into a memory address based on designation of the notation format by the notation format designation part 21, a history information storage part 24 storing the memory address transformed by the address transformation part 23 as history information 24a, and an input candidate display part 25 extracting a memory address matched with the character string from the history information 24a based on designation of the notation format in inputting the character string and displaying an input candidate based on the extraction result when a user inputs the character string comprising a part of the device designation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control program creation device, an input support method, and an input support program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a program that defines the operation of a PLC, using device designation that designates a PLC device by an address in a memory area. The present invention relates to an improvement of a program creation device for creating a control program to be described.

  A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is known as a control device that controls devices such as a drive device and a sensor. The PLC is a rewritable electronic device that operates based on a control program created using a program creation device such as a ladder editor. A specific function provided in the PLC or a device connected to the PLC is usually called a device. In the above program creation device, a control program is created by the user specifying a memory address in the PLC in association with such a device. That is, if the device specified by the PLC is designated by the address of the memory area in the PLC as device designation, the control program is described using this device designation.

  When creating a control program, for example, a device designation is determined by designating a command or the like in a mnemonic format and inputting a memory address. When the control program is created, the device designation determined in this way is displayed in a ladder format on the screen. In such a device designation, character information indicating a function or the like is often added so that a function or the like assigned to the device designation can be easily determined. The character information added to the device designation is called a device comment and is designated in association with the input of the memory address.

  When creating a control program, it is very convenient if a device comment corresponding to a memory address is displayed as an input candidate together with the previously input memory address by inputting a part of the memory address. Therefore, a program creation device has been proposed in which a character string input as a memory address is stored as history information and the history information is displayed when the user inputs a character string (for example, Patent Document 1). In the program creation device described in Patent Document 1, a memory address that matches a character string input by a user is extracted from history information and displayed as an input candidate. In general, many control program creation apparatuses can use different notation formats for inputting memory addresses. In addition to directly inputting a memory address, there are many cases where a memory address is designated by inputting a variable assigned in advance to the memory address.

  In the above-described conventional control program creation device, the input character string is stored as history information as it is, so that a character string input by specifying a different notation format and a character string input as a variable are associated with each other. Even if the memory addresses are the same, they are displayed as different character strings in the notation format at the time of input. For this reason, there has been a problem that the number of pieces of history information displayed as input candidates increases. Further, when the input candidates are narrowed down and displayed at the memory address that matches the character string input by the user, there is a problem that the character strings input by specifying different notation formats are not displayed as input candidates.

  In general, various extension units are connected to the PLC, and it is often used as a PLC system including a PLC main body (herein referred to as a CPU unit) and an extension unit. The expansion unit is an additional unit specialized for a specific function, and a memory area in the CPU unit is allocated when connected to the CPU unit. The CPU unit controls the expansion unit by changing the state data in the memory area designated by a predetermined memory address with respect to the expansion unit to which the specific memory area is allocated.

  In recent years, a unit that performs serial communication with a plurality of slave units (herein referred to as a master unit) is often used as one of such extension units. The master unit operates based on a predetermined communication protocol, and transmits / receives status data to / from each slave unit (sometimes called a slave unit). A memory address is assigned to each slave unit for each device, and the CPU unit controls each slave unit via the master unit by designating the memory address and reading / writing status data.

The assignment of a memory address and identification information to each slave unit and the addition of a device comment are usually set using an editing device for a master unit (such as a utility tool). In the conventional control program creation device, when specifying the device of each child device, for example, the user displays the setting information of each child device by the editing device, and is assigned to the device of each child device by looking at this setting information. There was a need to determine the memory address and function. For this reason, there is a problem that the operability when inputting the memory address for designating the device of the slave unit is not good.
2004-259084 gazette

  As described above, in a conventional control program creation device, a character string that is input with a different notation format or a character string that is input as a variable is different even if the associated memory address is the same. Is displayed in the notation format at the time of input, there is a problem that the number of history information displayed as input candidates increases. Furthermore, when the input candidates are narrowed down and displayed at a memory address that matches a part of the character string input by the user, there is a problem that the character strings input by specifying different notation formats are not displayed as input candidates. . In addition, there is a problem that the operability when inputting a memory address for designating a slave device is not good.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can appropriately display input candidates even for character strings input by specifying different notation formats or character strings input as variables. It is an object to provide a control program creation device, an input support method, and an input support program. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control program creation device capable of preventing duplicate display of character strings having the same associated memory address. Also, when narrowing down the input candidates to the memory address that matches a part of the input character string and displaying it, the character string that is input by specifying a different notation format from the input of the part of the character string is also displayed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control program creation device that can be made to operate.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a control program creating apparatus that improves the operability when a master unit designates a device of each slave unit that performs serial communication.

  A control program creation device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a program for defining a PLC operation, and creates a control program described using device designation for designating a device of the PLC by an address of a memory area. This is a creation apparatus, which is a control program creation apparatus that can use two or more different notation formats for inputting a memory address in the device designation. Specifically, a notation format specifying means for specifying one of the notation formats, an address conversion means for converting an input character string into the memory address based on the designation of the notation format by the notation format specifying means, and the above Based on the designation of the notation format at the time of inputting the character string when a character string comprising a part of the device designation is input, and the history storage means for storing the memory address converted by the address conversion means as history information The memory address matching the character string is extracted from the history information, and input candidate display means for displaying the input candidate based on the extraction result is configured.

  In this control program creation device, an input character string is converted into a memory address based on designation of a notation format, and the converted memory address is stored as history information in the order of input. When a character string consisting of a part of device designation is input, a memory address is extracted from the history information based on designation of a notation format at the time of inputting the character string, and input candidates are displayed. With such a configuration, for character strings that are input by specifying different notation formats, the history information is converted into memory addresses and stored, so that character strings with the same associated memory addresses are duplicated. Can be prevented from being displayed. In addition, when the input candidates are narrowed down and displayed to the memory address that matches the input character string, the input character string can be displayed by specifying a notation format different from that at the time of inputting the character string. .

  In addition to the above configuration, the control program creation device according to the second aspect of the present invention is configured such that the input candidate display means displays the input candidates in the notation format specified at the time of inputting the character string.

  In addition to the above configuration, the control program creation device according to the third aspect of the present invention is a character information storage means for storing character information specified in association with the input character string in association with the history information corresponding to the input character string. The input candidate display means is configured to display the character information associated with the memory address extracted from the history information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program creation device comprising: a variable allocation storage unit that stores variable allocation information for the memory address, in addition to the configuration described above, wherein the address conversion unit is configured to store the variable allocation information based on the variable allocation information. An input character string as a variable is converted into a memory address, and the input candidate display means is configured to extract a memory address that matches the character string based on the variable assignment information. According to such a configuration, since the character string input as a variable is stored in the history information after being converted into a memory address, the character strings having the same associated memory address are displayed in duplicate. Can be prevented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program creation device, which is an expansion unit to which a CPU unit and a memory area in the CPU unit are allocated, and defines an operation of a PLC system constituted by a master unit that performs serial communication with a slave unit. A control program creation device that creates a control program described using device designation that designates a device of the slave unit by an address of the memory area. Specifically, when the address assignment storage means for storing the address assignment information for each device for the child device and the child device designation information for designating the child device are input, based on the child device designation information. Input candidate display means for extracting the address assignment information and displaying input candidates based on the extraction result; and device designation determination means for determining the device designation based on the address assignment information selected from the input candidates And is configured.

  In this control program creation device, when child device designation information for designating a child device is input, address assignment is extracted based on the child device designation information, and input candidates are automatically displayed. When inputting a memory address for designating a slave device, if desired address allocation information is selected from the input candidates, device designation is determined based on the address allocation information. According to such a configuration, input candidates can be narrowed down and displayed in the address assignment information of the slave unit designated by the entered slave unit designation information, so that the master unit device for serial communication by the master unit can be displayed. The operability when specifying can be improved.

  In the control program creation device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the master unit performs serial communication with two or more of the slave units, and the address assignment storage unit is provided for each device for each of the slave units. The address assignment information stored in two or more groups is stored, and when the input candidate display means inputs the group identification information together with the handset designation information, the handset designation is performed. The address allocation information is extracted based on the information and the identification information.

  In the control program creation device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the address allocation information includes character information associated with a memory address, and the input candidate display means includes the extracted address allocation information. The character information is displayed.

  An input support method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a program for defining the operation of a PLC, and when creating a control program described using device designation that designates a device of the PLC by an address of a memory area, This is an input support method in a control program creation apparatus that can use two or more different notation formats for inputting a memory address in the device designation. Specifically, a notation format specifying step for specifying any of the notation formats, an address conversion step for converting an input character string into the memory address based on the designation of the notation format in the notation format specifying step, and A history storage step for storing the memory address converted in the address conversion step as history information, and when a character string consisting of a part of the device designation is input, based on the designation of the notation format at the time of inputting the character string A memory address that matches the character string is extracted from the history information, and an input candidate display step for displaying input candidates based on the extraction result.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input support method for defining an operation of a PLC system comprising a CPU unit and an expansion unit to which a memory area in the CPU unit is allocated, and comprising a master unit that performs serial communication with a slave unit. This is an input support method in a control program creating apparatus that creates a control program that is a program and is described using device designation that designates a device of the slave unit by an address of the memory area. Specifically, when an address assignment storage step for storing address assignment information for each device for the slave unit and a slave unit designation information for designating the slave unit are input, based on the slave unit designation information An input candidate display step for extracting the address assignment information and displaying input candidates based on the extraction result; and a device designation determination step for determining the device designation based on the address assignment information selected from the input candidates It consists of.

  An input support program according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a control program that defines the operation of a PLC, and is used to create a control program that is described using device designation that designates a device of the PLC by an address in a memory area. An input support program to be executed in a control program creation apparatus capable of using two or more different notation formats for inputting a memory address in the device designation, and a notation format designation procedure for designating one of the notation formats; Based on the designation of the notation format in the notation format designation procedure, an address conversion procedure for converting the input character string into the memory address, a history storage procedure for storing the memory address converted in the address conversion procedure as history information, When a character string consisting of a part of the device specification is entered, An input candidate display procedure for extracting a memory address matching the character string from the history information based on the designation of the notation format at the time of inputting the character string and displaying input candidates based on the extraction result It is characterized by doing.

  An input support program according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is an expansion unit to which a CPU unit and a memory area in the CPU unit are allocated, and defines an operation of a PLC system including a master unit that performs serial communication with a slave unit. An input support program executed in a control program creating apparatus for creating a control program described using device designation for designating a device of the slave unit by an address of the memory area. When the address assignment storage procedure for storing the address assignment information for each device for the device and the child device designation information for designating the child device are input, the address assignment information is extracted based on the child device designation information. Input candidate table that displays input candidates based on extraction results And instructions, on the basis of the selected address assignment information from the above input candidates, and executes the device designation step of determining the device designation.

  According to the control program creation device, the input support method, and the input support program according to the present invention, the history information is stored after being converted into a memory address for the character string input by specifying a different notation format. It is possible to prevent duplicate character strings having the same memory address from being displayed. In addition, when narrowing down the input candidates to the memory address that matches the character string entered as part of the device designation and displaying it, the character string entered by designating a different notation format from that when the character string was entered Can be displayed. Therefore, input candidates can be appropriately displayed even for character strings input by specifying different notation formats or character strings input as variables.

  In addition, since input candidates can be narrowed down and displayed for address allocation information that matches the input identification information, the master unit can improve the operability when specifying the device of each slave unit for serial communication. it can.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a control system including a control program creation device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This control system includes a PLC system 1 including a CPU unit 10 and expansion units 11 to 13, a control program 2 a that defines the operation of the PLC system 1, and a control program creation device 100 that creates system configuration information 2 b. The PLC system 1 is arranged in a factory, for example, and is used for various controls related to a production line.

  The CPU unit 10 is a control device that controls the input / output device 5 and the expansion units 11 to 13, and includes a program information storage unit 2, a CPU 3, and a state data storage unit 4. The input / output device 5 includes an output device such as a driving device and an indicator, or an input device such as a sensor, a switch, and a counter.

  The expansion units 11 to 13 are additional units that can be attached to and detached from the CPU unit 10. Here, it is assumed that the temperature adjustment unit 11, the input / output unit 12, and the network connection unit 13 are connected to the CPU unit 10 as expansion units. Each unit 11 to 13 is connected to the CPU unit 10 in this order.

  The temperature adjustment unit 11 is a device for controlling the heater 7 based on detection data from the temperature sensor 6 and performing temperature management. The input / output unit 12 is a device having a terminal block to which a plurality of input / output devices can be connected. The network connection unit 13 is a device for connecting to a communication network 8 such as a LAN.

  The CPU unit 10 is a unit that functions even if each of the expansion units 11 to 13 is not connected, whereas the expansion units 11 to 13 do not function as a single unit and are used while being connected to the CPU unit 10. It has become a unit.

  The program information storage unit 2 is a memory that stores the control program 2a and the system configuration information 2b transferred from the control program creation device 100 in a rewritable manner. The control program 2a is a program that defines the operation of the PLC system 1, and is described using device designation. A device here is an input / output device connected to each unit 10-13 or a specific function provided in each unit 10-13, and device designation is a device specified by each unit 10-13. Is program data for designating by the address of the memory area in the state data storage unit 4.

  The system configuration information 2b is memory area allocation information for each of the units 10 to 13, and address information indicating the memory area in the state data storage unit 4 is designated for each unit.

  The CPU 3 is a control circuit that operates based on the control program 2a stored in the program information storage unit 2 and reads / writes state data to / from the state data storage unit 4 based on the system configuration information 2b. The status data here is output data to the device, input data from the device, or control data of the device.

  The state data storage unit 4 is a memory that rewrites state data in an area specified by a memory address, and includes memory areas 4a to 4d assigned to each unit by the CPU 3 based on the system configuration information 2b.

  Here, it is assumed that the memory area 4 a is an area assigned to the CPU unit 10 as “unit 0”. State data relating to the CPU unit 10 is stored in the memory area 4a. Further, it is assumed that the memory area 4b is an area assigned to the temperature control unit 11 as “unit 1”. State data relating to the temperature control unit 11 is stored in the memory area 4b. Further, it is assumed that the memory area 4c is an area allocated to the input / output unit 12 as “unit 2”. State data relating to the input / output unit 12 is stored in the memory area 4c. Further, it is assumed that the memory area 4d is an area allocated to the network connection unit 13 as “unit 3”. State data relating to the network connection unit 13 is stored in the memory area 4d.

  The CPU unit 10 controls the units 11 to 13 by changing the state data in the memory area specified by the memory address to the units 11 to 13 to which the memory areas 4b to 4d are assigned. Is going.

  The control program creation device 100 is a program creation device that creates the control program 2a, and has a function of creating and editing a control program based on a user operation. Here, it is assumed that the control program creation device 100 is provided by an information processing terminal such as a personal computer having a display 100a and an operation input unit 100b. In the control program creating apparatus 100, a plurality of different notation formats can be used for inputting a memory address in device designation.

  Note that such a control program creation apparatus 100 can be realized by executing an input support program on the information processing terminal. Such an input support program is provided via a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or provided together with an information processing terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the control system in FIG. 1, and illustrates a functional configuration in the control program creation device 100. In addition to the display 100a and the operation input unit 100b, the control program creation device 100 includes a notation format designation unit 21, a conversion table storage unit 22a, a variable assignment storage unit 22b, an address conversion unit 23, a history information storage unit 24, and input candidates. The display unit 25 and the device designation determination unit 26 are configured.

  The notation format designation unit 21 performs an operation of designating any of the notation formats based on a user operation. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of different notation formats can be used for inputting a memory address for designating a device. That is, when the control program is created and edited, the notation format can be switched as necessary, and the same memory address can be designated by a character string having a different notation format. The notation format here defines the notation method of the character string that specifies the memory address.

  The conversion table storage unit 22a is a memory that stores a conversion table in which associations for associating character strings having different notation formats with memory addresses are defined. The memory address here is address data associated in common with character strings having different notation formats.

  The variable allocation storage unit 22b is a memory that stores variable allocation information for memory addresses. In general, the control program for the PLC system 1 is created using a variable (sometimes referred to as a label or the like) that specifies state data instead of the memory address in the CPU unit 10 from the viewpoint of improving diversion. It is often done. If a control program is created using such variables, when a new control program is created by combining a plurality of control programs, it is possible to avoid address assignment by simply changing the variable assignment information for associating variables with memory addresses. Matching can be easily resolved. A control program created using a variable is normally converted into a memory address based on variable allocation information when transferred to the CPU unit 10, and the converted control program is transferred to the CPU unit 10. In the variable allocation storage unit 22b, address allocation for each variable previously allocated to the memory address by the user is stored as variable allocation information.

  The address conversion unit 23 performs a process of converting the input character string into a memory address based on the designation of the notation format by the notation format designation unit 21. The conversion process to the memory address based on the designation of the notation format is performed based on the conversion table. An input character string as a variable is converted into a memory address based on variable assignment information.

  The history information storage unit 24 stores the memory addresses converted by the address conversion unit 23 as history information 24a in the order of input, and corresponds to the device comment 24b specified by the user in association with the input character string. It is a memory that stores information in association with history information 24a. The history information 24a includes a memory address corresponding to the input character string and identification information indicating the input order. The device comment 24b is character information indicating a function assigned to the device.

  Here, when storing the memory address as history information, if the same memory address is already registered, the old one is deleted from the history information, and the new one is registered as history information.

  When the user inputs a character string, the input candidate display unit 25 extracts a memory address that matches the character string from the history information 24a based on the designation of the notation format at the time of inputting the character string, and extracts it An operation for displaying input candidates based on the result is performed. Specifically, the above operation is performed when a character string constituting a part of the memory address is input at the time of inputting the memory address in the device designation. That is, each memory address included in the history information 24a is converted into a currently designated notation format, and a memory address that matches the character string (a character string corresponding to the currently designated notation format) is extracted. Alternatively, each memory address included in the history information 24a is converted into a variable based on the variable assignment information, and a memory address (a character string as a variable) that matches the character string is extracted.

  Here, it is assumed that the extraction result is displayed as an input candidate in the notation format specified at the time of inputting the character string. In addition, it is assumed that the memory address extracted from the history information 24a and the device comment 24b associated with the memory address are displayed as a list of input candidates. Each input candidate is displayed on the edit screen of the display 100a.

  The device designation determination unit 26 performs a process of determining device designation based on the memory address selected by the user from the input candidates and outputting it as a part of the control program.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the control program creation device 100 of FIG. FIG. 3A shows a conversion table that is referred to when converting an input character string and a memory address. In this example, the character string “a ₁ a ₂ ... A _k ” input by designating the notation format A and the character string “b ₁ b _{2. m} ”is associated with the memory address“ c ₁ c ₂ ... c _n ”. That is, even when the character string “a ₁ a ₂ ... A _k ” is input in the notation format A, the character string “b ₁ b ₂ ... B _m ” is input in the notation format B. Even in this case, the common memory address “c ₁ c ₂ ... C _n ” is stored as the history information 24a.

  A character string in each notation format and a memory address are associated with each other in a one-to-one relationship, and one memory address can be extracted by specifying one character string in any notation format. . If one memory address is designated, one corresponding character string can be extracted in any notation format.

  FIG. 3B shows variable assignment information assigned by the user to the memory address. In this example, the variable “a” is assigned to the memory address “R00000”, and the variable “b” is assigned to the memory address “R00010”. In such a case, when the variable “a” is input, the memory address “R00000” is stored as the history information 24a, and when the variable “b” is input, the memory address “R00010” is stored as the history information 24a. .

  Variables and memory addresses are associated with each other in a one-to-one relationship, and one memory address can be extracted by designating any one variable. If one memory address is designated, any one variable can be extracted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation in the control program creation device 100 of FIG. 2, and shows a control program editing screen 31. The edit screen 31 is an input screen on the display 100a, and the control program to be edited is displayed in a ladder format.

  On the edit screen 31, the display area 32 of input boxes 32a and 32b for adding a device designation in the control program is superimposed on the display area of the control program to be edited and displayed according to the input characters. A selection window 33 is arranged. The input box 32a is a display area for inputting a command for specifying a device and a memory address in a mnemonic format and displaying an input character string. The input box 32b is a display area for inputting a device comment and displaying the input character string.

  When device designation is determined by inputting a command and a memory address in the input box 32a, the device designation is added to the control program, and a ladder is displayed on the editing screen 31. In this example, a command “LD”, a memory address “R000”, and a device comment “device comment 1” have already been input, and a ladder diagram with a device comment is displayed. The address “R000” is, for example, a character string input by specifying the notation format A. Here, it is assumed that the notation format is switched to the notation format B different from the notation format A after the address “R000” is input.

  A command “LD” is newly input in the input box 32a, and the device-designated additional position 34 is selected. In this state, when a character “X” is further entered into the input box 32a, a memory address that matches the character “X” is extracted from the history information 24a, and a memory address that matches the character “X” is extracted. If it exists, a selection window 33 for selecting an input candidate is displayed.

  This selection window 33 is displayed only when the memory information matching the character input as the memory address in the input box 32a exists in the history information 24a. In the selection window 33, input candidates are listed in the current notation format, ie, notation format B, and a device comment 24b associated with the history information 24a is arranged at each memory address. Specifically, “device comment 1” is added to the address “X00”, and “device comment 2” is added to the address “X01”. Further, “device comment 3” is added to the address “X02”, and “device comment 4” is added to the address “X03”.

  For each input candidate, for example, the address input immediately before is arranged in the uppermost stage, and arranged in the lower stage as the input order becomes older.

  That is, if the first character “X” of the address is input in the input box 32 a following the command, the memory address starting with the character “X” is extracted from the history information 24 a and displayed in the selection window 33. If the user selects a desired memory address on the selection window 33 while referring to the device comment, the memory address is input and the device designation is completed. In the selection window 33, the selected memory address and device comment are focused 33a.

  In the conventional method of storing the input character string as history information as it is, when the character “X” is input, the character string “R000” is not extracted as an input candidate. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the input character string is converted into a memory address and history information is stored, when the character “X” is input, the memory address indicated by the character string “R000” in the notation format A In the notation format B, the character string “X00” is used, and if the character string “R000” has already been input, the character string “R000” is appropriately extracted as an input candidate (displayed as the character string “X00”). That is, even character strings input in different notation formats and variables can be appropriately extracted from the history information and displayed as input candidates.

  Here, it is assumed that the character string input as the memory address is displayed in the ladder diagram in the same notation format.

  Steps S101 to S106 in FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation in the control program creation device 100 in FIG. First, if there is an input of a character string by the user, the input candidate display unit 25 refers to the history information 24a and determines whether there is a history that matches the character string (steps S101 to S103).

  At this time, if there is a history that matches the character string, history information 24a that matches the character string is extracted and displayed as an input candidate in the selection window 33 (step S104). Next, if a memory address is selected and designated by the user from the input candidates on the selection window 33, the device designation determining unit 26 determines device designation and outputs it as a control program (steps S105 and S106).

  According to the present embodiment, the history information 24a stores the character string input as a variable and the character string input by specifying a different notation format, since it is converted into a memory address and stored. It is possible to prevent duplicate character strings having the same memory address from being displayed. In addition, when narrowing down and displaying input candidates to memory addresses that match the character string entered by the user, it is also possible to display a character string that has been entered by specifying a different notation format or variable than when the character string was entered. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which each input candidate is displayed in the notation format specified when the character string is input when the user inputs the character string has been described. It is not limited to this. For example, each memory address extracted from the history information 24a may be displayed in the notation format specified at the time of inputting the memory address.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the example in which the history information 24a that matches the character string input by the user is extracted and displayed as an input candidate has been described. In contrast, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which address allocation information that matches the identification information input by the user is extracted and displayed as an input candidate.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a control system including a control program creation device 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The control system includes a PLC system 201 including a CPU unit 10 and a master unit 211, and a control program creation device 200 that creates a control program that defines the operation of the PLC system 201. The PLC system 201 is disposed in a factory, for example, and is used for various controls related to the production line.

  The master unit 211 is an additional unit that can be attached to and detached from the CPU unit 10, and performs serial communication with a plurality of slave units 213 via the bus 212. The master unit 211 operates based on a predetermined communication protocol, and transmits / receives state data to / from each slave unit 213 (slave unit). The slave unit 213 is an input / output device having various functions. Each slave unit 213 is assigned a memory address in the CPU unit 10 for each device. The CPU unit 10 designates the memory address and reads / writes the status data, whereby each slave unit 213 is connected via the master unit 211. Is controlling.

  The control program creation device 200 is a program creation device that creates a control program, and has a function of creating and editing a control program based on a user operation. Here, it is assumed that the control program creation device 200 is provided by an information processing terminal such as a personal computer having a display 100a and an operation input unit 100b. In this control program creating apparatus 200, address assignment information based on identification information input by the user is extracted when a device is designated for each slave unit 213.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the control system of FIG. 6, in which a functional configuration in the control program creation device 200 is illustrated. The control program creation device 200 includes an address assignment information storage unit 221, an input candidate display unit 222, and a device designation determination unit 223, in addition to the display 100a and the operation input unit 100b. The address assignment information storage unit 221 is a memory that stores address assignment information 221a and identification information 221b of each group.

  The address allocation information 221a is memory address allocation information for each slave unit 213, and includes address allocation for each device defined by the slave unit 213. The address assignment information 221a is divided into a plurality of groups, and identification information 221b is associated with each group. The address assignment information 221a includes character information (device comment) associated with the memory address. Such address assignment information 221a, identification information 221b, and character information are created using an editing device (utility tool) for the master unit 211.

  When the user inputs the identification information 221b, the input candidate display unit 222 performs an operation of extracting the address assignment information 221a based on the identification information and displaying the input candidates based on the extraction result. Here, it is assumed that character information included in the extracted address assignment information 221a is displayed as a list as input candidates. Each input candidate is displayed on the edit screen of the display 100a.

  The device designation determination unit 223 performs a process of determining device designation based on the address assignment information 221a selected by the user from among the input candidates and outputting it as a part of the control program.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control program creation device 200 of FIG. 7, in which address assignment information 231 to which identification information is added is shown. In this example, “station number” is designated as the identification information 221b, and address allocation information 221a is arranged for each station number.

  Specifically, a station number is assigned to each slave unit 213, and a memory address and a device comment for each device are arranged for each group specified by the station number. For example, station number “# 01” is assigned to slave unit “SLAVE-AD”, and memory addresses “RLY11600”, “RLY11601”, “RLY11602”,... Each memory address includes a station number, an offset amount of the memory address, and character information as a device comment. Further, the station number “# 02” is assigned to the child device “LOCAL-A”, and memory addresses “RLY12600”, “RLY12601”,...

  Here, in the station number “# 01”, the symbol “#” (sharp) is a command for input support predetermined as handset designation information for designating the handset 213, and the number “01” It is assumed that the identification information is predetermined as group designation information for designating a group assigned to the child device 213.

  In each group, character information “station comment” indicating the function assigned to the station number is arranged. Each slave unit 213 is assigned one or two station numbers.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation in the control program creation device 200 of FIG. 7, and shows a control program editing screen 232. This edit screen 232 is an input screen on the display 100a, and displays a control program to be edited in a ladder format.

  The edit screen 232 is displayed in accordance with the display area 233 of the input box 233a for adding a device designation in the control program and the input character string so as to overlap the display area of the control program to be edited. A selection window 234 is arranged. The input box 233a is a display area for inputting a command for specifying a device and a memory address in a mnemonic format and displaying the input character string.

  When a command and a memory address are input in the input box 233a and device designation is determined, the device designation is added in the control program, and a ladder is displayed on the edit screen 232. On the editing screen 232, a device-designated additional position 235 is selected. In this state, after inputting the character string “MASTER-A” designating the master unit 211 in the input box 233a and further inputting “# 01” as the identification information 221b, the identification information “# 01 The address assignment information 221 a in the group designated by “” is extracted from the address assignment information storage unit 221, and input candidates are displayed in the selection window 234.

  In the selection window 234, a list of device comments associated with the address assignment information 221a specified by the identification information 221b input in the input box 233a is displayed. In this example, “# 01-RX000: device comment 1”, “# 01-RX001: device comment 2”, and “# 01-RX002: device comment 3” are displayed.

  That is, if the group identification information 221b “# 01” is input in the input box 233a following the identification information of the master unit 211, the address assignment information 221a specified by “# 01” is extracted, and the selection window 234. If the user selects a desired memory address on the selection window 234 while referring to the device comment, the memory address is input and device designation is completed. In the selection window 234, the currently selected device comment is focused 234a.

  Steps S201 to S206 in FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation in the control program creation device 200 in FIG. First, if the user inputs the identification information 221b (station number), the input candidate display unit 222 refers to the address assignment information 221a and extracts a device comment assigned to each memory address (steps S201 to S203). ).

  Next, the input candidate display unit 222 displays the extracted device comments as input candidates in the selection window 234 (step S204). Next, when a device comment is selected and specified from the input candidates on the selection window 234 by the user, the device specification determination unit 223 inputs the memory address corresponding to the device comment, determines the device specification, and performs control. Output as a program (steps S205 and S206).

  According to the present embodiment, input candidates can be narrowed down and displayed in the address assignment information 221a that matches the identification information 221b input by the user, so that the operability when specifying the device of each slave unit 213 is improved. Can be made.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the address assignment information 221a is extracted based on the identification information when the user inputs the group designation information together with the slave unit designation information as the identification information 221b. The invention is not limited to this. For example, when the user inputs handset designation information, the address assignment information 221a may be extracted based on the handset designation information and displayed as an input candidate. Specifically, when the symbol “#” as the slave unit designation information is input after the input of the character string designating the master unit 211, all the address allocation information 221a for the slave unit 213 is extracted and input candidates are input. Displayed in the selection window. In this way, the address assignment list for the slave unit 213 can be called simply by inputting the slave unit designation information, so that the operability when inputting the device designation for the slave unit 213 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the master unit 211 performs serial communication with a plurality of slave units 213 has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to a case where the master unit performs serial communication with only one slave unit 213. It goes without saying that can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the PLC main body is used as a PLC unit, and an extension unit is connected as a PLC system. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be used in a PLC unit having a single function of the PLC system. Yes.

It is the perspective view which showed an example of schematic structure of the control system containing the control program creation apparatus 100 by Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example in a main part of the control system in FIG. 1, in which a functional configuration in a control program creation device 100 is illustrated. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure in the control program creation apparatus 100 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation in the control program creation device 100 of FIG. 2, and shows a control program editing screen 31. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation in the control program creation device 100 of FIG. It is the perspective view which showed an example of schematic structure of the control system containing the control program creation apparatus 200 by Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example in a main part of the control system in FIG. 6, in which a functional configuration in the control program creation device 200 is illustrated. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in the control program creation device 200 of FIG. 7, in which address assignment information 231 to which identification information is added is shown. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in the control program creation device 200 of FIG. 7, in which a control program editing screen 232 is illustrated. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the operation | movement in the control program creation apparatus 200 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 PLC system 2 Program information storage unit 2a Control program 2b System configuration information 3 CPU
4 State data storage units 4a to 4d Memory area 10 CPU units 11 to 13 Expansion unit 21 Notation format designation unit 22a Conversion table storage unit 22b Variable assignment storage unit 23 Address conversion unit 24 History information storage unit 24a History information 24b Device comment 25 Input Candidate display unit 26 Device designation determination unit 100 Control program creation device 100a Display 100b Operation input unit 200 Control program creation device 201 PLC system 211 Master unit 212 Bus 213 Slave unit 221 Address assignment information storage unit 221a Address assignment information 221b Identification information 222 Input Candidate display part 223 Device designation determination part

Claims (11)

A program for defining a PLC operation, a control program creation device for creating a control program described using device designation for designating a device of the PLC by an address of a memory area, the memory address in the device designation In a control program creation device that can use two or more different notation formats for input of
A notation format specifying means for specifying any of the above notation formats;
Address conversion means for converting the input character string into the memory address based on the designation of the notation format by the notation format designation means;
History storage means for storing the memory address converted by the address conversion means as history information;
When a character string consisting of a part of the device specification is input, a memory address that matches the character string is extracted from the history information based on the specification of the notation format when the character string is input, and extracted A control program creation device comprising input candidate display means for displaying input candidates based on a result.   2. The control program creation device according to claim 1, wherein the input candidate display means displays the input candidates in a notation format specified when the character string is input. Character information storage means for storing character information specified in association with the input character string in association with the history information corresponding to the input character string,
2. The control program creation device according to claim 1, wherein the input candidate display means displays the character information associated with a memory address extracted from history information. Variable allocation storage means for storing variable allocation information for the memory address;
The address conversion means converts the input character string as the variable into a memory address based on the variable allocation information,
2. The control program creation device according to claim 1, wherein the input candidate display means extracts a memory address that matches the character string based on the variable assignment information. An expansion unit to which a CPU unit and a memory area in the CPU unit are allocated, and is a program that defines the operation of a PLC system configured by a master unit that performs serial communication with the slave unit. In a control program creation device for creating a control program described using a device designation designated by an address of the memory area,
Address allocation storage means for storing address allocation information for each device for the slave unit;
When the child device designation information for designating the child device is input, the address assignment information is extracted based on the child device designation information, and input candidate display means for displaying the input candidate based on the extraction result;
A control program creation device comprising device designation determination means for determining the device designation based on address assignment information selected from the input candidates. The master unit performs serial communication with two or more slave units,
The address allocation storage means is an address allocation for each device to each of the slave units, and stores the address allocation information divided into two or more groups,
6. The input candidate display means, when the identification information of the group is inputted together with the slave unit designation information, extracts the address assignment information based on the slave unit designation information and the identification information. The control program creation device described in 1. The address assignment information includes character information associated with the memory address,
The control program creation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the input candidate display means displays the character information included in the extracted address assignment information. A program for defining the operation of the PLC, which is different from the input of the memory address in the device designation when creating a control program described using the device designation for designating the PLC device by the address of the memory area. In the input support method in the control program creation device that can use the above notation format,
A notation format specifying step for specifying any of the above notation formats,
An address conversion step for converting the input character string into the memory address based on the designation of the notation format in the notation format designation step;
A history storage step of storing the memory address converted in the address conversion step as history information;
When a character string consisting of a part of the device specification is input, a memory address that matches the character string is extracted from the history information based on the specification of the notation format when the character string is input, and extracted An input support method comprising: an input candidate display step for displaying input candidates based on a result. An expansion unit to which a CPU unit and a memory area in the CPU unit are allocated, and is a program that defines the operation of a PLC system configured by a master unit that performs serial communication with the slave unit. In the input support method in the control program creating apparatus for creating the control program described using the device designation designated by the address of the memory area,
An address assignment storage step for storing address assignment information for each device for the slave unit;
An input candidate display step for extracting the address assignment information based on the child device designation information and displaying input candidates based on the extraction result when the child device designation information for designating the child device is input;
An input support method comprising: a device designation determining step for determining the device designation based on address assignment information selected from the input candidates. A control program for defining the operation of the PLC, which differs from the memory address input in the device designation when creating the control program described using the device designation for designating the PLC device by the address of the memory area An input support program that is executed in a control program creation device that can use two or more notation formats,
A notation format specifying procedure for specifying one of the above notation formats,
An address conversion procedure for converting the input character string into the memory address based on the designation of the notation format in the notation format designation procedure;
A history storage procedure for storing the memory address converted in the address conversion procedure as history information;
When a character string consisting of a part of the device specification is input, a memory address that matches the character string is extracted from the history information based on the specification of the notation format when the character string is input, and extracted An input support program for executing an input candidate display procedure for displaying input candidates based on a result. An expansion unit to which a CPU unit and a memory area in the CPU unit are allocated, and is a control program that defines the operation of a PLC system configured by a master unit that performs serial communication with the slave unit, the slave unit device An input support program that is executed in a control program creation device that creates a control program that is described using device designation that designates the address by the address of the memory area,
Address allocation storage procedure for storing address allocation information for each device for the slave unit;
An input candidate display procedure for extracting the address assignment information based on the child device designation information and displaying the input candidate based on the extraction result when the child device designation information for designating the child device is input;
An input support program for executing a device designation procedure for determining the device designation based on address assignment information selected from the input candidates.

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