JP2013030034A - Programming device for programmable controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is possible for a program of a programmable controller to complicate a management system of the program by storing the program after changing a program name or by overwriting and storing the program as it is when correction or editing is performed by a user.SOLUTION: A programming device for a programmable controller performs programming of a program that is operated in the programmable controller. The programming device comprises program creation/editing means which creates or edits a program when creating or editing the program on the basis of an existent file including an existent program, file storage means in which, when storing the program created/edited by the program creation/editing means, a novel file is created and stored with a file name of the existent file, and file name character string addition means which adds a character string to the end of the file stored by the file storage means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a programming device for a programmable controller.

  As background art of this technical field, there is JP-A-2006-85279 (Patent Document 1). This publication describes that “providing a file management ladder program capable of appropriately executing an overwrite process and protecting an original file in consideration of user convenience”.

JP 2006-85279 A

  Patent Document 1 describes a file management mechanism for overwriting processing. However, the file management of Patent Document 1 cannot manage the contents of changes between existing files and new files.

  In such file management, for example, when a problem occurs with a new file, there is a case where comparison between the existing file and the new file cannot be easily performed as a cause search. And these can be considered even for programming devices.

  In general, the programming device is not used as a single programming device, but an external device is separately prepared, and a program is written to and read from the external device. A programmable controller is an external device connected to a programming device for a programmable controller.

  In many cases, a ladder program that is processed by a programmable controller is designed and coded by a control panel designer and then delivered to an end user. After delivery, the ladder program is often changed by the end user himself or herself for reasons such as equipment repair.

  Due to this change, the ladder program delivered from the control panel designer in the form of personal computer data or drawings may not match the ladder program that is actually processed by the programmable controller. Sometimes.

  In addition, the ladder program is finally changed / modified in a state where the programmable controller is incorporated in the actual equipment in order to adjust the processing timing of the input / output signals and the communication synchronization with other peripheral devices. . Depending on the equipment to be incorporated, “ladder program modification → ladder program writing → operation verification” may be repeated in order to perform slight timing adjustment.

  If the ladder program is modified and saved by changing the name of the ladder program, or overwritten as it is, the management system such as version management of the ladder program may become complicated. is there.

  Further, when creating a new ladder program, a ladder program that has been used before may be referred to, or a part of a ladder program that has been used before may be modified to create a new ladder program.

  In this case, it may be necessary to verify some differences in the operating environment when operating between the new ladder program and the ladder program to be diverted. For example, subtle differences in operation may occur due to differences in the hardware specifications (CPU version, etc.) of the programmable controller. Or, the difference in the firmware version of the operating programming controller may affect the difference in operation.

  Therefore, in the programming device, it may be necessary to manage the information regarding the use environment and the operation environment.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to support user's program correction and programming for these management systems, mechanisms and configurations enabling management.

  The present invention improves the above problems.

  The present invention provides a programming device provided with a file management ladder program that manages the contents of changes between an existing ladder program and a new ladder program using a common management table during overwriting.

  For example, when creating a new program or editing an existing program using a programming device, as a user operation, for example, to protect an existing program even if overwriting processing is apparently performed Is to be able to.

  In addition, information such as changes and differences between new programs and existing programs, changes to new programs, and information specific to the hardware that makes up the programmable controller at the time of use is automatically read out in a common management table. Centralized management is possible, so that a management system can be provided without burdening the user.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, the structure as described in a claim is employ | adopted, for example.

  The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-mentioned problems. To give an example, “a program editing device for programming a program operating on a programmable controller and a program editing unit for creating and editing the program” When saving the created and edited program, a file saving means for creating a new file and protecting the existing file without overwriting the existing file, and automatically adding a character to the end of the file name of the saved new file File name character string adding means for adding a column, information on the new file, management information input means for inputting a difference between the existing file and the new file, and hardware constituting a programmable controller used when the new file is created Read specific information about Management information input means for inputting to the management table, management table file creation means for automatically creating a management table file indicating the contents of the inputted management table, and communication means for communicating with the programmable controller It is characterized by providing a “programming device for a programmable controller”.

  Further, the above means will be described in other expressions below.

  Program creation / editing means for creating or editing a program when a program is created or edited based on an existing file having an existing program in a programming device for a programmable controller for programming a program operating on a programmable controller And, at the time of saving the program created and edited by the program creation and editing means, a file saving means for creating a new file and saving it with the file name of the existing file, and the end of the file name saved by the file saving means File name character string adding means for adding a character string to the communication means and communication means for communicating with the programmable controller.

  In addition, the file name character string adding unit includes a storage number counting unit that counts the number of times a program is created or edited based on an existing program included in an existing file and stored as a new file. The character string is a storage count number obtained from the storage count counting means, and the storage count counting means adds a predetermined numerical value to the storage count number when a new file is stored using the storage count number. To do.

  In addition, a management table file creation unit that creates a management table file having a management table for managing information on a program stored in the file stored by the file storage unit is provided, and information on a program included in the new file is stored in the management table. Management information input means is provided for inputting information relating to the difference between the program information to be input or the program of the existing file and the program information of the new file to the management table.

  The information input to the management table by the management information input unit is the file name of the file stored by the file storage unit, or the date / time and time information when the file was stored by the file storage unit, or , Including at least one of information on an operator who created or edited the program.

  In addition, when the new file is saved by the file saving means, unique information input means for reading out the unique information about the hardware constituting the programmable controller and inputting it to the management table is provided.

  The information input to the management table by the management information input means is at least one of information related to a version of a CPU that is a central control device that operates on the programmable controller, or information related to firmware that controls the CPU. Include one.

  According to the present invention, an existing program can be protected by overwriting processing when a new program is created or an existing program is edited by using a programming device, and the new program and the existing program are changed. System that automatically reads information such as differences in new programs, changes in new programs, and information specific to the hardware of the programmable controller at the time of use, making it possible to manage them centrally using a common management table, and managing them without imposing a burden on the user To be able to provide.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

It is a block diagram of the programming apparatus of the Example based on this invention. It is an example of the new creation screen display of the Example based on this invention. It is an example of a display of the ladder program of the Example based on this invention. It is an example of a display of the ladder program of the Example based on this invention. It is an example of a display of the ladder program of the Example based on this invention. It is an example of a display of the overwrite storage function setting screen of the Example based on this invention. It is an example of a display of the management table item setting screen of the Example based on this invention. It is a management table display example of the Example based on this invention. It is a management table display example of the Example based on this invention. It is a management table display example of the Example based on this invention. It is a management table display example of the Example based on this invention. FIG. 6 is a process flowchart for displaying the display examples of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a detailed flowchart figure of the process which performs overwrite preservation | save of the Example based on this invention. It is a detailed flowchart figure of the process which performs the management table update of the Example based on this invention. It is a block diagram of the programmable controller of the Example based on this invention.

  Hereinafter, examples will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, when an existing ladder program is edited in a programming device for a programmable controller (hereinafter referred to as a programming device) and, for example, an apparent overwrite saving operation is performed by a user operation, the original ladder program is protected. An example in which the management table is updated will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a programming device in the programmable controller of the present embodiment.

  The programming device includes a CPU 10, a main storage device 20, an auxiliary storage device 30, an input device 40, an output device 50 that performs output such as display, and a communication interface 60.

  The programming device may be software operating on the general-purpose computer having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 as well as the dedicated computer having the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a hardware configuration diagram of the programmable controller.

  The programmable controller includes a CPU 1510, a main storage device 1520, an auxiliary storage device 1530, an input device 1540, an output device 1550 that performs display output, and a communication interface 1560.

  The programmable controller and the programming device communicate with each other between the communication interface 60 and the communication interface 1560, and processing such as writing, reading, and collating ladder programs as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed.

  FIG. 2 is a setting screen for creating a new ladder program displayed on the output device 50 of the programming device of FIG.

  The newly created setting area 200 has a ladder program name input area 210, a button 220 for reflecting the setting, and a button 230 for canceling the setting.

  The new creation setting area 200 is displayed only when creating a new ladder program, and is not displayed when editing an existing ladder program.

  3 is an existing ladder program created by the programming device of FIG. 1, and is a display example displayed on the output device 50 of the programming device of FIG. The programming device display area 300 has an area 310 for displaying a ladder program and an area for displaying a display area 320 for the name of the ladder program currently being edited.

  The programming device displays the ladder program input by the user using a symbol and an I / O number in an area 310 for displaying the ladder program.

  In FIG. 3, “TEST [R0]” is displayed as the program name in the ladder program name display area 320.

  FIG. 3 shows a general ladder program. In FIG. 3, when the contact X0 is turned on, the coil MCS0 is turned on. The program is such that when the contact X1 is turned on, the coil Y100 is turned on, and when the contact X2 is turned on, the coil Y101 is turned on.

  In FIG. 4, when the overwrite saving operation is performed after editing the ladder program of FIG. 3, “TEST [R1]” is displayed as the program name in the ladder program name display area 320 by the programming device. It is a display example.

  When the user edits the existing ladder program in the area 300 where the ladder program is displayed, and the user performs overwrite save processing, the ladder program input to the ladder program name input area 210 shown in FIG. 2 as a new file. The program is saved with the name of the ladder program with the saved count number of the area 611 displaying the saved count number of the current ladder program shown in FIG.

  By this processing, the program name “TEST [R0]” displayed in the currently edited ladder program name display area 320 shown in FIG. 3 becomes the name of the ladder program currently being edited shown in FIG. The display area 320 of the program name “TEST [R1]” is displayed.

  Through the above processing, the ladder program with the program name “TEST [R0]” shown in FIG. 3 can be protected without the user being aware of it. That is, even if the user apparently overwrites after creating and editing the ladder program, the ladder program with the program name “TEST [R0]” shown in FIG. ] ”Is protected without being overwritten.

  In FIG. 4, the program name “TEST [R1]” is obtained by adding and adding “[R1]” to the “TEST” specified by the user by the programming device by calculation.

  Details of FIGS. 6 and 12 will be described later.

  Next, the management table creation operation will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a display example of the management table. In order to easily manage differences between ladder programs, a management table is used so that the relationship before and after editing and modification can be grasped visually.

The management table area 800 includes a management item 810, an area 820 for displaying a change point at the time of saving, and an empty space area 830.
A new ladder program shown in FIG. 3 is created and saved as the ladder program shown in FIG.

  By this saving operation, a process 1210 for updating the management table shown in FIG. 12 is activated to create a new management table. The process 1210 for updating the management table shown in FIG. 12 searches the management table in FIG. 8 from the path entered in the area 641 for entering the storage destination path in the existing management table shown in FIG.

  For the retrieved table, the difference between the ladder program in FIG. 3 and the ladder program in FIG. 4 regarding the management item specified by the user in the management item 720 shown in FIG. 7 and the data that can provide the display example shown in FIG. Output and save to the management table. After saving, the management table of FIG. 8 becomes the management table of FIG. 9 to which the new change area 840 has been added.

  In addition, when the process 1210 for performing overwrite storage and management table creation / update shown in FIG. 12 cannot retrieve the management table from the path entered in the area 641 for entering the storage path of the existing management table shown in FIG. , Overwrite storage, management table creation / update processing 1210 creates a new management table, and the difference between the ladder program of FIG. 3 and the ladder program of FIG. 4 regarding the management item specified by the user in the management item 720 shown in FIG. The management contents are output to the management table and saved.

  The stored management table is a display example of FIG. After the saving, 1 is added to the count number in the area 611 displaying the saved count number of the current ladder program shown in FIG.

  With the above processing, the management table can be updated without the user being aware of it. 6, 7 and 12 will be described later.

  With the above processing, the management table can be updated without the user being aware of it. By displaying the edited contents of the ladder program in the management table, the user can visually grasp the difference in the ladder program. In addition, by outputting the change date and the hardware / software version of the programmable controller in the management table and recording them, the development environment at the time of creation can be grasped, and future periodic maintenance can be performed smoothly. .

  In the example of the management table in FIG. 9, “2010/11/20” is exemplified as the change date. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and information regarding the changed time may be acquired from a programmable controller or a programming device and input, stored, recorded, and saved as a management table. It may be time information that means a short time interval such as date, minutes, seconds, etc., not limited to days.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, these pieces of information are provided with specific information input means as means for reading out specific information related to the hardware constituting the programmable controller and inputting it into the management table. It may be provided.

  For example, the unique information input means provided in the programming device obtains information about the hardware from the programmable controller via the communication means that communicates with the programmable controller, and inputs it to a data area where a management table can be displayed, You may memorize | store, record, and preserve | save.

  Further, for example, information related to the hardware of the programmable controller is written, stored, recorded, and saved in a predetermined storage area such as the main storage device 1520 and the auxiliary storage device 1530 of the programmable controller. The unique information input means provided in the programming device reads, references, and inputs, stores, records, and saves the management table in the data area through the communication means that communicates with the programmable controller. It may be a thing.

  Alternatively, for example, a signal that requests information from the programming device by providing information related to the hardware of the programmable controller so that a program to be output to the programming device can be operated by the programmable controller via communication means. In response to a command or request, a program to be output to the programming device may be activated and operated to output the information to the programming device.

  Then, the unique information input means reads out and refers to the output from this program via the communication means for communicating with the programmable controller, and inputs, stores, records, and saves the data in the data area where the management table can be displayed. It may be a thing.

  The above-mentioned “information about the hardware of the programmable controller” is not limited to this, but will be described later, “firmware” that is software for controlling the CPU and microcomputer, and basic control of hardware. It may be information related to information unique to the software for performing.

  In the management table of FIG. 9, there is a column “CPU HARD.REV”, and version information such as “Ver.0132” is displayed. This is stored, recorded, and saved in the data storage area so that version information such as “Ver.0132” can be displayed in the display column “CPU HARD.REV” in the management table of FIG. is there.

  However, the present invention is not limited to the version information of the CPU 1510 of the programmable controller exemplified in the “CPU HARD.REV” column.

  For example, when the communication interface 1560 has a communication controller or a communication microcomputer (or communication microcomputer) that performs control so that communication processing can be executed, the version information of the communication controller or communication microcomputer is specified as the specific information. The information input means and the unique information acquisition means may be read out or acquired and stored, recorded, written, and saved in the data area so that they can be displayed in the display column provided in the management table of FIG.

  Naturally, the CPU 1510, the communication interface that controls the communication interface 1560 so that the communication process can be executed, or the communication microcomputer, not limited to the information related to the specific information of the hardware constituting the programmable controller, The data may be stored, recorded, written, and saved in the data area so that it can be acquired and displayed in the management table of FIG.

  In the above description, information specific to hardware is exemplified, but information related to software may be used.

  For example, software that controls the CPU 1510 includes what is called firmware. The information related to the unique information of the firmware may be read out, acquired, and stored, recorded, written, and saved in the data area so that it can be displayed in the management table of FIG.

  Of course, the name is not limited to “firmware”, and may be related to information unique to software for basic control of hardware.

  In addition, the specific information input unit describes an example in which both the reading unit for specific information regarding the hardware configuring the programmable controller and the unit for inputting to the management table are executed. Also in this respect, it is possible to use different configurations and means instead of the same.

  In other words, the unique information acquisition means for reading the unique information about the hardware constituting the programmable controller and the unique information input means for inputting the read unique information to the data area for displaying the management table are different configurations. As means, it may be realized, executed and configured.

  Stored, recorded, written, and saved in the data area so that the management table can display information specific to these hardware or software specific information for basic hardware control. The following advantages are expected to be obtained.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 9, “TEST [R00] .PRJ” of “2010/11/13” was changed to “TEST [R01] .PRJ” on the change date of “2010/11/20”. .

  The change contents of the change date of “2010/11/20” are “Circuit No. 243”, “Circuit No. 243”, “Power failure storage area”, and “IP address” from the management table of FIG. You can refer to it.

  If the programmable controller executes “TEST [R01] .PRJ” after the change, it may not perform a desired operation such as a normal operation or an operation that satisfies the design specifications.

  In this case, “TEST [R01] .PRJ” is executed by a programmable controller on which a CPU having a different version information of the CPU 1510 is mounted even if the program is changed to perform normal operation. Therefore, it is expected that the desired operation is not performed.

  That is, the programmable controller does not operate normally or does not perform the desired operation because “Circuit No. 243”, “Circuit No. 243”, “Cold out memory area”, “IP” It is fully anticipated that the cause is that the CPU 1510 has a different version information, not the change in the address.

  In such a case, it can be found in the management table in FIG. 9 that the version information of the programmable controller in the “CPU HARD.REV” column is different, so that the cause that does not operate normally or does not perform the desired operation can be found sooner. It becomes possible to do. In this respect, for example, the maintenance of the programmable controller can be easily performed, and the convenience and operability of the operator can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

  To reiterate, this point is not limited to hardware specific information, but to “firmware”, software specific information for basic hardware control. Is the same. By making it possible to find from the display column provided in the management table of FIG. 9 that these “firmware” and software-specific information for basic control of hardware are different, Maintenance and the like can be easily performed, and the convenience and operability of the operator can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, information relating to information unique to the hardware, “firmware”, information relating to software unique information for basic hardware control, for example, the unique information input means The unique information acquisition means is stored, recorded, written and stored in the data area so that it can be read out from the programmable controller, acquired, and displayed in the corresponding display field of the management table of FIG.

  In a programming device that does not include these execution means, the user needs to check or find each of these pieces of information, and the operability is not as good as that of the above embodiment.

  In these respects, in the above-described embodiment, the management table of FIG. 9 can be displayed, and the management table can be displayed in correspondence with the change of the program, which greatly contributes to the improvement of the operability for the operator. is there.

  Here, “the management table can be displayed in correspondence with the change of the program” means that the character string is added by the file name character string adding unit when the file storing unit stores the file. The file name and the character string name are provided with a column that can be displayed in the management table of FIG. 9, and can be displayed and stored, recorded, written, and saved in the data area so that it can be displayed. It also includes such things.

  This corresponds to, for example, the program name “TEST [R00] .PRJ” in FIG. 9, the change contents, the change date, the column “CPU HARD.REV” (or hardware specific information, “ "Firmware", information related to software-specific information for basic hardware control) can be displayed. Then, in correspondence with the program name “TEST [R01] .PRJ”, change contents, change date, “CPU HARD.REV” column (or hardware specific information, “firmware”, hardware basics The information that is related to the software-specific information for performing general control) can be displayed, thereby improving the operability and convenience for the operator. .

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the management table of FIG. 9, the file name and the program name “TEST [R01] .PRJ”, which is the name of the character string, are associated. Change contents, change date, “CPU HARD.REV” column (or hardware specific information, “firmware”, software specific information for basic hardware control) Information can be displayed.

  In this regard, when the programmable controller does not perform a desired operation in a program such as “TEST [R01] .PRJ”, the desired operation is caused by the change contents to the program described in the change contents column. This is useful for determining whether or not a desired operation is not performed due to a change in the operating environment of the programmable controller.

  Information in the column of “CPU HARD.REV” (or information specific to hardware, “firmware”, software-specific information for basic hardware control) is generally displayed. The display program and software can be operated to be displayed or referred to.

  Or, among the above information, for example, for the version information of the CPU and microcomputer, the case and the case of the programmable controller are opened, and the version information printed and stamped on the surface of the CPU and microcomputer is directly read. This can be confirmed.

  However, it may be troublesome and difficult to open the casing and case of the programmable controller. Or, if the cooling fins and heatsinks are provided on the surfaces of the CPU and the microcomputer in some cases, it is difficult to directly read the printing and engraving on the surface of the CPU and the microcomputer as a real problem. Many cases are expected.

  In addition, the version information of the CPU and microcomputer is not always described in, for example, a specification document, or may be changed without notice even if described.

  This is not limited to the CPU and microcomputer version information, but the same applies to information specific to the hardware, "firmware", and information related to software specific information for basic hardware control. is expected.

  Including the above, the “CPU HARD.REV” column (or hardware specific information, “firmware”, and basic hardware control are added to the management table of FIG. Information related to software-specific information) is more useful to the operator during maintenance, etc., and is useful for improving and improving the efficiency of operability and workability. is there.

  Furthermore, when a program operated by a programmable controller does not perform a desired operation at the time of maintenance or the like, the operator tends to think that the cause is due to a change in the program. For this reason, it is expected that it will become more difficult to operate normally if the change contents of the program are confirmed or further changes are made.

  On the other hand, in the above embodiment of the present invention, the “CPU HARD.REV” column (or hardware specific information, “firmware”, basic hardware control is included in the management table of FIG. This information itself suppresses the operator from being perceived by myopia only in the contents of the change, which is another factor. It is also possible to call attention to information including these operating environments as well as to perform maintenance, work, and operations.

  It should be noted that the information in the management table is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and is displayed in correspondence with the name having a file name and a character string. It is good.

  In this embodiment, a description will be given of an example in which a new management table is created when a ladder program is newly created in the programming device and an overwrite saving operation is performed after creation.

  FIG. 5 is a display example in which a ladder program is newly created by the programming device of FIG. 1 and displayed on the output device 50. The programming device display area 300 has an area 310 for displaying a ladder program and an area for displaying a display area 320 for the name of the ladder program currently being edited.

  In FIG. 5, “TEST” input on the new ladder program creation screen of FIG. 2 is displayed as a program name in the ladder program name display area 320. Since the ladder program in FIG. 5 is not changed by editing or the like, the character string “[R1]” or the like of the stored count number is not added.

  FIG. 3 shows that when the overwrite saving operation is performed after the ladder program shown in FIG. 5 is newly created, “TEST [R0]” is displayed as the program name in the ladder program name display area 320 by the programming device. This is a display example.

  When the user edits the ladder program in the area 310 where the ladder program is displayed and the user performs the save process, the process 1210 for overwriting and creating / updating the management table shown in FIG. 12 starts the process. The ladder program name in which the saved count number of the area 611 for displaying the saved count number of the current ladder program shown in FIG. 6 is added to the end of the ladder program name input in the ladder program name input area 210 shown in FIG. Save the file containing the edited ladder program.

  In FIG. 3, the program name “TEST [R0]” is obtained by adding “[R0]” to the “TEST” specified by the user by the programming device by calculation.

  After saving, the display area 320 of the ladder program name currently being edited shown in FIG. 5 becomes the display shown in the display area 320 of the name of the ladder program being edited shown in FIG. Details of FIGS. 6 and 12 will be described later.

  Next, the management table creation operation will be described.

  A new ladder program shown in FIG. 5 is created and saved as the ladder program shown in FIG. By this saving operation, a process 1220 for updating the management table shown in FIG. 12 is activated to create a new management table.

  In the management table, the management contents of the ladder program in FIG. 4 relating to the management item specified by the user in the management item 720 shown in FIG. 7 are output and stored in the management table.

  The newly created management table is shown in FIG. After the saving, 1 is added to the count number in the area 611 displaying the saved count number of the current ladder program shown in FIG. As a result, the program name in FIG. 3 corresponds to the program name in FIG. With the above processing, a new management table can be created without the user being aware of it.

  FIG. 6 is a display example of the overwrite storage function setting displayed on the output device 50 of the programming device of FIG.

  The overwrite saving function setting display area 600 includes a check box 610 for enabling a function for changing a ladder program name during overwriting processing, a check box 660 for disabling a function for changing a ladder program name during overwriting processing, and the current ladder program. Area 611 for displaying the stored count number, a button 612 for resetting the stored count number of the current ladder program to 0, a check box 620 for enabling a function for updating the management table, and a function for updating the management table are disabled. Check box 650, check box 630 that uses a new management table, button 631 for setting the management item contents of the new management table, check box 640 that uses an existing management table, and an area for entering the path to store the existing management table 641, above Button 670 to reflect the settings you have made to the ladder program being edited, with a button 680 that is not reflected in the ladder program of editing the contents of the above-mentioned set.

  By displaying the overwriting storage function setting display area 600 shown in FIG. 6 on the programming device output device 50, it is possible to set by the user's own judgment.

  FIG. 7 is a display example of management item settings displayed on the output device 50 of the programming device of FIG.

  The management item setting display area 700 is an area 710 for displaying candidates for management items, an area 720 for displaying items to be managed in the currently set management table, a button 730 to be added to the managed items, and a deletion from the managed items. A button 740 for reflecting the setting related to the management item, and a button 760 for reflecting the setting related to the management item.

  The management item setting display area 700 is valid only when a new management table is created. When an existing management table is used, the management item reflects the management item of the existing management table.

  When the button 631 for setting the management item content of the new management table shown in FIG. 6 is clicked, the management item setting display area 700 is displayed on the output device 50 of the programming device of FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart for displaying the display examples of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 11.

  In order to perform the process in the present embodiment, first, the process 1200 for reading the save counter reads the current value in the area 611 displaying the save count number of the current ladder program. Subsequently, a process 1210 for overwriting and updating the management table updates the overwriting and management table.

  Details of the process 1210 for overwriting and updating the management table are shown in FIG. 13 and will be described later. Finally, the process 1220 of adding 1 to the storage counter adds 1 to the storage counter.

  In the above description, it is described that the storage counter is incremented by 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the value of the storage counter is updated so that the value does not overlap with that before the update. good. Therefore, it is not limited to “1 addition”, and for example, a predetermined numerical value may be added. Furthermore, by selecting an initial value as appropriate, a predetermined numerical value may be subtracted instead of addition.

  FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart of the process 1210 for overwriting and updating the management table. At the time of overwriting, it is determined whether or not the program name is changed (step 1310). If the check box 660 for disabling the function of changing the ladder program name at the time of overwriting is checked (step 1310-NO). The overwriting is performed as it is (step 1350). If the check box 610 for enabling the function of changing the ladder program name at the time of overwrite processing is checked (step 1310-YES), the existing ladder program is not overwritten and the ladder program name input area 210 shown in FIG. The ladder program name stored in the area 611 for displaying the current ladder program storage count number shown in FIG. It should be noted that both the check box 660 for disabling the function for changing the ladder program name during overwrite processing and the check box 610 for enabling the function for changing the ladder program name during overwrite processing are both checked or both. The fact that there is no check does not exist.

  In this regard, the user may not accept an input such as “there is a check on both”. Alternatively, if “both are not checked”, a warning display is displayed on the screen in an easy-to-understand manner and a check is requested or, for example, the “OK” button 670 is instructed so that the next process is not executed. You may make it do.

  After the overwriting process is completed, it is determined whether or not to update the management table (step 1330). If the check box 650 for disabling the function for updating the management table is checked, the processing in FIG. 13 is terminated as it is (step 1330 -NO). If the check box 620 for enabling the function to update the management table is checked, the management table is created / updated (step 1330-YES). It should be noted that the two items of the check box 650 for disabling the function for updating to the management table and the check box 620 for enabling the function for updating to the management table are both checked or unchecked. do not do.

  In this regard, the user may not accept an input such as “there is a check on both”. Alternatively, if “both are not checked”, a warning display is displayed on the screen in an easy-to-understand manner and a check is requested or, for example, the “OK” button 670 is instructed so that the next process is not executed. You may make it do.

  When the check box 620 for enabling the function for updating to the management table is checked, the management table is created / updated. It is determined whether or not to use a new management table (step 1340).

  When the check box 630 that uses the new management table is checked (step 1340-YES), a new management table is created (step 1370). When creating a new management table, the management items output to the management table reflect the settings in the management item setting display area 700 shown in FIG.

  When the check box 640 that uses an existing management table is checked (step 1340 -NO), the existing management table is searched from the area 641 for inputting the storage path of the existing management table. If the search is successful (step 1360-YES), the searched management table is used. If the search is not successful (step 1360-NO), a new management table is created (step 1370).

  Thereafter, the newly created or existing management table is updated to the management table with the difference between the existing ladder program corresponding to the management item and the new ladder program, and the management content of the new ladder program (step 1380). The difference between the existing ladder program corresponding to the management item and the new ladder program, and the process of updating the management contents of the new ladder program in the management table are shown in FIG. 14 and will be described later.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing for updating the difference between an existing ladder program corresponding to a management item and a new ladder program and the management contents of the new ladder program in the management table. At the start of processing, the connection state of the programmable controller is confirmed (step 1410).

  If it is connected to the programmable controller (step 1410-YES), the hardware version and software version of the programmable controller are read (step 1420). Thereafter, it is determined whether a management table is newly created (step 1430).

  If the management table is newly created (step 1430-YES), the management content corresponding to the management item is read from the main storage device 50 of the programming device in the first row of the management table and output to the management table. Is terminated (step 1450).

  If it is an existing management table (step 1430-NO), after confirmation, it is referred from the first row of the management table, and it is confirmed whether the management contents are output (step 1440).

  If not output (step 1440-NO), the difference between the existing ladder program corresponding to the management item and the new ladder program corresponding to the management item and the management content are read from the main storage device 50 of the programming device and output to the management table. (Step 1470).

  If it has been output (step 1440-YES), the next line is referenced (step 1460), and the process is repeated until a line for which no management content is output is found.

  In the present embodiment, each example when the programming device and the programmable controller are connected and when not connected will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a display example of the management table.

  The management table area 800 of FIG. 10 has a management item 810, an area 820 for displaying a change point at the time of saving, a free space area 830, a new update content display area 840, and an item non-output area 860.

  FIG. 11 is a management table updated from the management table of FIG.

  The management table area 800 of FIG. 11 has a management item 810, an area 820 for displaying a change point at the time of saving, an empty space area 830, and an item non-output area 860.

  FIG. 14, the difference between the existing ladder program corresponding to the management item and the new ladder program, the processing of updating the management content of the new ladder program to the management table, the hardware version of the programmable controller in the management item of the management table specified by the user, Alternatively, if hardware information specific to the programmable controller, such as the software version of the programmable controller, is specified, the communication interface 60 of FIG. 1, the communication interface 60 of the programming device and the communication interface 1560 of the programmable controller may be connected. 1, the programmable controller is configured via the communication interface 60 of the programming device and the communication interface 1560 of the programmable controller shown in FIG. 15. Hardware hardware version, read the software version of the programmable controller.

  The hardware version and software version of the programmable controller use a communication procedure determined in advance between the programming device and the programmable controller.

  A command for reading the hardware version and software version of each programmable controller from the programming device is transmitted to the programmable controller, and the received programmable controller sends back the hardware version and software version stored in the main memory 1520.

  When the programming device receives it, it outputs the hardware version / software version to the management table.

  If the communication interface 60 of the programming device and FIG. 15 and the communication interface 1560 of the programmable controller are not connected, the items of the hardware version of the programmable controller and the software version of the programmable controller should be output to the management table. First, it is blank as in the management table display example non-output item 860 in FIG.

  Through the above processing, the past connection state of the programmable controller can be grasped by referring to the management table.

  In the above description, the hardware version of the hardware configuring the programmable controller and the software version of the programmable controller have been described.

  The hardware version of the hardware includes, for example, information related to a version of a CPU that is a central control device that controls a programmable controller or a microcomputer that is a microcomputer.

  Further, the software version of the programmable controller may include, for example, firmware for controlling the CPU or the microcomputer.

  In addition, although the embodiment based on the present invention has been described above, it is literally an embodiment, and it is possible to add, delete, and replace another configuration for a part of the configuration of each embodiment. It is.

  10: CPU, 20: main storage device, 30: auxiliary storage device, 40: input device, 50: output device, 60: communication interface 60, 1510: CPU, 1520: main storage device, 1530: auxiliary storage device, 1540: Input device 1550: Output device 1560: Communication interface 200: New creation setting area 210: Ladder program name input area 300: Programming device display area 320: Ladder program name display area 310: Ladder program display 611: Area for displaying the stored count number, 700: Management item setting display area, 800: Management table area.

Claims (6)

In a programming device for a programmable controller that programs a program that operates on a programmable controller,
When creating or editing a program based on an existing file with an existing program,
Program creation / editing means for creating or editing the program;
When saving the program created and edited by the program creation and editing means, a file saving means for creating a new file and saving it with the file name of the existing file;
File name character string adding means for adding a character string to the end of the file name stored by the file storage means;
A communication means for communicating with the programmable controller;
A programming device for a programmable controller, comprising: The programming device for a programmable controller according to claim 1,
A management table file creating means for creating a management table file having a management table for managing information on a program included in the file saved by the file saving means;
Management information input means is provided for inputting information on the program of the new file into the management table, or inputting information on the difference between the program information of the existing file and the program information of the new file into the management table. A programming device for a programmable controller. The programming device for a programmable controller according to claim 2,
Information input to the management table by the management information input means is
The file name of the file stored by the file storage means;
Or information on the date and time when the file was saved by the file saving means,
Or information about the operator who created or edited the program,
A programming device for a programmable controller comprising at least one of the above. The programming device for a programmable controller according to claim 2,
A programming device for a programmable controller, comprising: unique information input means for reading out unique information about hardware constituting the programmable controller and inputting it to the management table when a new file is saved by the file saving means. The programming device for a programmable controller according to claim 4,
Information input to the management table by the management information input means is
Information about the version of the CPU, which is a central controller operating on the programmable controller,
Or information on firmware controlling the CPU,
A programming device for a programmable controller comprising at least one of the above. The programming device for a programmable controller according to claim 1,
A save number counting means for counting the number of times a program is created or edited based on an existing program that an existing file has and saved as a new file,
The character string added by the file name character string adding means is a save count obtained from the save count counting means,
The programming controller for a programmable controller, wherein the save count counting means adds a predetermined numerical value to the save count when a new file is saved using the save count.

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