JP2020008946A - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of reducing time and effort when a user creates screen data of a programmable display.SOLUTION: An information processing device accepts a drag-and-drop operation for dragging an object and dropping the object in a drawing area provided in a display screen of the information processing device. The information processing device draws the object dropped in the drawing area. The information processing device generates, on the basis of the drawing of the object, screen data of a screen that is displayed in a programmable display. When a second object #2 as the object is dropped in a first area in the drawing area in a state in which an object #1 as the object is arranged in the first area, the information processing device causes the object #1 and the object #2 to be aligned in the first area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, an information processing apparatus having a drawing editor for generating a display screen of a programmable display by arranging a plurality of objects is known. The display screen generated by the drawing editor is downloaded to the programmable display as screen data.

JP 2005-31835 A

  When a user creates a display screen of a programmable display, the information processing apparatus arranges objects and sets properties (appearance, etc.) of each object, and then performs a drag-and-drop operation using a mouse and an object alignment function. It is necessary to adjust the position of the object using. For this reason, when the number of objects increases, the number of operations required for positioning the objects increases significantly.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of reducing the trouble when a user creates screen data of a programmable display. It is in.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing apparatus is an operation receiving unit that receives a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object in a drawing area provided in a display screen of the information processing apparatus; The image processing apparatus includes drawing means for drawing an object dropped on the drawing area, and screen data generating means for generating screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display based on the drawing of the object. When the second object as an object is dropped on the first area in a state where the first object as the object is arranged in the first area in the drawing area, the first object is drawn. And the second object are aligned in the first area.

  According to the above configuration, the user does not need to perform an operation of aligning the first object and the second object. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble when the user creates the screen data of the programmable display.

  Preferably, when the third object as the object is dropped in the second area in the drawing area, the drawing means arranges the third object at the position where the third object is dropped.

  According to the configuration, in the second area, the third object is arranged at the position where the third object is dropped. In this way, different processing can be executed depending on whether the position where the object is dropped is the first area or the second area.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a display control unit that causes a display screen to display a setting screen for setting an arrangement mode of the objects. When the first direction is set on the setting screen, when the second object is dropped, the drawing unit moves the first object and the second object in the horizontal direction of the first area. Line up. When the second direction is set on the setting screen, when the second object is dropped, the drawing unit moves the first object and the second object in the vertical direction of the first area. Line up.

  According to the above configuration, the first object and the second object can be aligned in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction according to the setting on the setting screen.

  Preferably, the display control means further displays an icon on the display screen. When the icon is clicked in a state in which the first object and the second object are aligned in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the drawing means causes the first object and the second object to be aligned. Are aligned in the other of the horizontal and vertical directions.

  According to the above configuration, the user can switch the arrangement of the first object and the second object from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction or from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction by simply clicking the icon. Becomes

  Preferably, when the first direction setting has been made, and when the first position setting has been further made on the setting screen, the drawing means sets the first object at the upper end position in the first area. The second object and the second object are aligned in the horizontal direction, and when the second position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are positioned at the center position in the first area. When the third position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are horizontally aligned at the lower end position in the first area.

  According to the above configuration, the first object and the second object are laterally aligned at any of the upper end position, the center position, and the lower end position in the first area according to the setting on the setting screen. Can be done.

  Preferably, when the second direction setting has been made, and when the fourth position setting has been further made on the setting screen, the drawing means sets the first object at the left end position in the first area. When the second object and the second object are aligned in the vertical direction, and the fifth position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are positioned at the center position in the first area. When the sixth position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at the right end position in the first area.

  According to the above configuration, the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at any of the left end position, the center position, and the right end position in the first area according to the setting on the setting screen. Can be done.

  Preferably, the size of the object is fixed according to the type of the object. When aligning a plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object in the first area, and when it is not possible to display the plurality of objects in one line or one column, the drawing means may display the plurality of objects in two or more lines or two lines by a wrapping process. Sort by more than columns.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of objects can be aligned in the horizontal direction or the horizontal direction without changing the size of the objects.

  Preferably, when the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object are aligned in the first region, the drawing unit sets a size of each of the plurality of objects in order to display the plurality of objects in one row or one column. Make it smaller.

According to the above configuration, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.
Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a change unit that changes the size of the first area based on the operation. In a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column, the drawing unit determines that the plurality of objects cannot be arranged in one row or one column by reducing the size of the first region. Are arranged in one row or one column by reducing the size of each of.

  According to the above configuration, even when the user performs the operation of narrowing the first area, the user does not need to perform the operation of changing the position and the size of the object to fit in one row or one column. Therefore, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.

  Preferably, when the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column and the size of the first area is enlarged in the row direction or the column direction, the size of the first area after the enlargement is increased. , The size of each of the plurality of objects is increased.

  According to the above configuration, when the user performs the operation of enlarging the first area, it is not necessary to perform the operation of changing the position and size of each object. Therefore, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.

  Preferably, the drawing means changes the size of each object in accordance with the size of the first area and the number of objects dropped in the first area.

  According to the above configuration, the user can obtain screen data in which a plurality of objects are arranged without performing an operation of changing the size of each object.

  Preferably, when the information processing apparatus receives an input for designating a range in the drawing area in a state where the first area is not set, the information processing apparatus generates an arrangement and a size of one or more objects included in the designated range as a template. The apparatus further includes a template generating unit that performs the processing.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve data diversion and reduce the number of steps required for the user's screen design.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes setting means for setting an address or a variable to the object in accordance with the order in which the objects are dropped in the first area.

  According to the above configuration, addresses and variables can be automatically allocated at the same time as the arrangement of objects, so that the number of steps required for the user's screen design can be significantly reduced.

  According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method includes the steps of: dragging an object; and accepting a drag-and-drop operation of dropping the object to a drawing area provided in the display screen. Drawing the object, and generating screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display based on the drawing of the object. In the step of drawing, when a second object as an object is dragged to a preset area in a state where the first object as an object is arranged in a preset area in the drawing area, The first object and the second object are aligned in a preset area.

  According to the above configuration, the user does not need to perform an operation of aligning the first object and the second object. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble when the user creates the screen data of the programmable display.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce time and effort when a user creates screen data of a programmable display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of generating screen data of a programmable display. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a PLC system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display of a PC by executing an application used when creating screen data of a programmable display. FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a setting example on a setting screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of setting on the setting screen. FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram for explaining an alignment process. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement mode of objects. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement mode of objects. FIG. 9 is a transition diagram for explaining an alignment process. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement mode of objects. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement mode of objects. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a switching operation of an object alignment direction. It is a figure for explaining object return processing performed when the number of objects increases. FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing object wrapping processing performed when an operation of narrowing a layout frame is performed. FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an object reduction process performed when the number of objects increases. FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing an object reduction process performed when an operation of narrowing a layout frame is performed. FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing an object enlargement process performed when an operation of enlarging a layout frame is performed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a PC. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing executed by the PC. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a PC. FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram for explaining an alignment process. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram for explaining another example of the alignment processing. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a PC. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on the PC after FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on the PC after FIG. 24. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on the PC after FIG. 25. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on the PC after FIG. 26. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a PC. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a PC. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a drawing area of a display screen displayed on the PC after FIG. 29. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a PC.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the following, a process executed in an information processing device (typically, a PC (Personal Computer)) that generates screen data to be transmitted to a programmable display will be described. That is, a description will be given of a situation in which the information processing apparatus generates screen data using the drawing editor function. An example of a display screen described later is displayed on a display of the information processing device.

§1 Application Example FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of generating screen data of a programmable display.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus sets a drawing area (drawing area) on a display screen of the information processing apparatus by executing a drawing function. The drawing area includes a first area and a second area. Typically, the first area is set by a user operation. Typically, a region other than the first region in the drawing region is automatically determined as the second region along with the setting of the first region.

  The information processing apparatus receives a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object in the drawing area. Further, the information processing apparatus draws the object dropped in the drawing area.

  For example, as shown in state (A), the information processing device accepts dragging of object # 1 and dropping of object # 1 on the first area in the drawing area. In this case, since the area where the object # 1 is dropped is the first area, the information processing apparatus moves the position of the object # 1 from the dragged position to another position (for example, as shown in the state (B)). , The left end of the first area).

  Next, as shown in a state (C), the information processing device accepts a drag of the object # 2 and a drop of the object # 2 on the first area. In this case, the information processing apparatus aligns the object # 1 and the object # 2 in the first area by moving the position of the object # 2 as shown in a state (D). For example, as shown in state (D), the information processing apparatus aligns object # 1 and object # 2 so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction of the display screen (the direction of the X axis in the drawing).

  When the information processing apparatus receives the drag of the object # 3 and the drop of the object # 3 on the second area in the drawing area as illustrated in the state (E), the information processing apparatus returns to the state (F). As shown in (2), the object # 3 is arranged at the dropped position. That is, the concession processing device does not execute the alignment processing of the object # 3 outside the first area.

  The information processing device generates screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display based on the drawing of the object. Note that the generated data is typically transmitted from the information processing device to the programmable display. Alternatively, the generated data is stored in a programmable display using a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

  As described above, when the object # 2 is dropped in the first area in a state where the object # 1 is arranged in the first area in the drawing area, the information processing apparatus sets the object # 1 and the object # 2 in the first region.

  According to the above configuration, the user does not need to perform an operation of aligning the plurality of objects # 1 and # 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble when the user creates the screen data of the programmable display.

§2 Configuration example [Embodiment 1]
<A. System Configuration>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a PLC system 1000 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, PLC system 1000 includes a plurality of PLCs 1, 2, 3, a programmable display 4, and a PC (Personal Computer) 5 as an information processing device.

  Each of the PLCs 1 to 3 typically includes a CPU unit 10 that is a main body for executing a program, a power supply unit 12 that supplies power to the CPU unit 10 and the like, and an IO (Input / Output) that exchanges signals from a field. And a unit 14. The IO unit 14 is connected to the CPU unit 10 via the system bus 11. Typically, the IO unit 14 obtains an input signal from the detection sensor 6 which is a field device, and drives the relay 7 which is a field device in accordance with a result of executing a program in the CPU unit 10.

  The programmable display 4 plays a role as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) in an HMI (Human Machine Interface) environment. The programmable display 4 includes an operation unit such as a touch panel, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, a communication unit that communicates with the CPU unit 10, and a control unit that controls each unit. Each of the PLCs 1 to 3 can change various settings in accordance with an operation of the operation unit of the programmable display 4, and can display predetermined information of the PLC on the programmable display 4.

  The PC 5 is connected to the programmable display 4. The PC 5 has a function of monitoring the operating states of the connected PLCs 1 to 3 and values of various data. When causing the PC 5 to function as a support device, the PC 5 generates programs to be executed by the PLCs 1 to 3 and setting information. Further, the PC 5 may have a debugging function or a simulation function to assist a user in generating an executable program.

  The PLCs 1 to 3 communicate with the programmable display 4 by, for example, one of FINS (Factory Interface Network Service) communication, HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) communication, or EIP (EtherNet / IP) communication.

<B. User Interface>
(B1. Screen drawing)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display of the PC 5 by executing an application used when creating screen data of the programmable display.

  Referring to FIG. 3, display screen 550 of PC 5 has a drawing area (drawing area) 551 for drawing (drawing) by the user. When the user sets a layout frame in the drawing area 551, an area 552 within the layout frame (an example of a “first area”) and an area 553 outside the layout frame (an example of a “second area”) are set. Is formed.

  In FIG. 3, a rectangle indicated by a dotted line represents a layout frame. Hereinafter, the area 552 in the layout frame is referred to as an “in-frame area 552”, and the area 553 outside the layout frame is also referred to as an “out-of-frame area 553”.

  An icon 554 is displayed in the drawing area 551. The function assigned to the icon 554 will be described later.

  The display screen 550 has a tool box. The toolbox includes, for example, a button tool 556, a lamp tool 557, a graphic tool 558, a standard control tool 559, a gauge tool 560, an HMI control tool 561, a custom tool 562, It has a conveyor tool 563 and a tank tool 564.

  The button tool 556 includes a tool 5561 for drawing a “set button”, a tool 5562 for drawing a “toggle button”, a tool 5563 for drawing a “button” (normal button), and “ It has a tool 5564 for drawing a “momentary button” and a tool 5565 for drawing a “reset button”. Each of the "set button", "toggle button", "button", "momentary button", and "reset button" is an example of an object.

  The example of FIG. 3 illustrates a state where the PC 5 is performing a drag-and-drop operation by the user. Specifically, the state immediately before the drag operation is performed by selecting the tool 5563 with the mouse and the button object 601 is dragged into the area 551 is shown.

  Although details will be described later, in the PC 5, the objects are aligned in the in-frame area 552. That is, the layout processing is executed within the layout frame. Hereinafter, first, a setting screen for setting the arrangement mode will be described, and then, a specific example of the arrangement will be described. The setting screen is displayed on the screen 550 based on a user operation.

(B2. Setting screen)
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a setting example on the setting screen.

  Referring to FIG. 4, on setting screen 570, the user can set the arrangement mode (style). The setting screen 570 includes icons 571 and 572 for setting the arrangement direction, radio buttons 573 and 574 for setting whether to wrap (return) the arranged object, and an area corresponding to the drawing area 551. 551A, an area 552A corresponding to the in-frame area 552, icons 575, 576, 577 relating to the position, and buttons 578, 579.

  One of the icons 571 and 572 is selected. In addition, any one of the icons 575, 576, and 577 is in a selected state.

  The example of the setting screen 570 in FIG. 4 shows a state where the icon 571 is selected. In the case of this setting, the PC 5 horizontally aligns the objects arranged in the in-frame area 552. Further, the example of the setting screen 570 in FIG. 4 shows a state where the icon 575 is selected. In the case of this setting, the PC 5 arranges the objects arranged in the frame area 552 at the upper end position in the frame area 552.

  Further, when the icon 576 is selected in a state where the icon 571 is selected, the PC 5 horizontally aligns the objects arranged in the frame area 552 at the center position in the frame area 552. Further, when the icon 577 is selected in a state where the icon 571 is selected, the PC 5 horizontally aligns the objects arranged in the frame area 552 at the lower end position in the frame area 552.

  The PC 5 displays the selected arrangement direction and the selected position using three sample figures (square, triangle, and circle in the figure) so that the user can easily confirm the setting contents.

  When the button 578 is selected by the user, the PC 5 determines the settings set by the user. When the button 579 is selected by the user, the PC 5 discards the current settings.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another setting example on the setting screen.
Referring to FIG. 5, an example of this setting screen 570 shows a state in which icon 572 is selected. In the case of this setting, the PC 5 vertically aligns the objects arranged in the in-frame area 552. The example of the setting screen 570 in FIG. 5 shows a state in which the icon 580 is selected. In the case of this setting, the PC 5 aligns the objects arranged in the frame area 552 at the left end in the frame area 552.

  When the icon 581 is selected in a state where the icon 572 is selected, the PC 5 vertically aligns the objects arranged in the frame area 552 at the center position in the frame area 552. Furthermore, when the icon 582 is selected in a state where the icon 572 is selected, the PC 5 vertically aligns the objects arranged in the frame area 552 at the right end in the frame area 552.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given of a specific example of an arrangement mode when various settings are made on the setting screen 570. In particular, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a “button” object and a “circle” object as an example of a graphic are drawn in a frame area 552 by a drag-and-drop operation.

(B3. Align horizontally)
FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram for explaining the sorting process when the icon 571 and the icon 576 (see FIG. 4) are in the selected state on the setting screen 570. That is, FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram when the arrangement in the horizontal direction and the center position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 6, as shown in state (A), PC 5 receives the drag of object 611 and the drop of object 611 on framed area 552 in drawing area 551. In this case, since the area where the object 611 is dropped is the in-frame area 552, the PC 5 moves the position of the object 611 from the dragged position to the center left end of the in-frame area 552 as shown in the state (B). And move.

  Next, as illustrated in a state (C), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 612 and the drop of the object 612 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, as shown in the state (D), the PC 5 moves the position of the object 612 so that the object 611 and the object 612 are laterally aligned from the left end side at the center position in the in-frame area 552.

  Next, as shown in a state (E), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 613 and the drop of the object 613 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, the PC 5 moves the position of the object 613 to move the object 611, the object 612, and the object 613 in the lateral direction from the left end side at the center position in the frame area 552 as shown in the state (F). Align.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the objects 611, 612, and 613 when the icon 571 and the icon 575 (see FIG. 4) are in a selected state on the setting screen 570. That is, FIG. 7 is a state transition diagram when the arrangement in the horizontal direction and the upper end position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 7, when accepting the drop of object 613 on framed area 552, PC 5 moves object 613 to move object 611, object 612, and object 613 within framed area 552. Align horizontally from the left end at the upper end position.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the objects 611, 612, and 613 when the icon 571 and the icon 577 (see FIG. 4) are selected on the setting screen 570. FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram when the arrangement in the horizontal direction and the lower end position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when accepting the drop of object 613 in frame area 552, PC 5 moves object 613 to move object 611, object 612, and object 613 in frame area 552. At the lower end position, align horizontally from the left end.

(B4. Vertically aligned)
FIG. 9 is a transition diagram for explaining the sorting process when the icon 572 and the icon 581 (see FIG. 5) are in the selected state on the setting screen 570. That is, FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram when the arrangement in the vertical direction and the center position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 9, as shown in state (A), PC 5 accepts a drag of object 611 and a drop of object 611 on framed area 552 in drawing area 551. In this case, since the area where the object 611 is dropped is the in-frame area 552, the PC 5 moves the position of the object 611 from the dragged position to the upper center position of the in-frame area 552 as shown in the state (B). And move.

  Next, as illustrated in a state (C), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 612 and the drop of the object 612 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, as shown in the state (D), the PC 5 moves the position of the object 612 to vertically align the object 611 and the object 612 from the upper end side at the center position in the frame area 552.

  Next, as shown in a state (E), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 613 and the drop of the object 613 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, as shown in the state (F), the PC 5 moves the position of the object 613 to move the object 611, the object 612, and the object 613 in the vertical direction from the upper end side at the center position in the frame area 552. Align.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the objects 611, 612, and 613 when the icon 572 and the icon 580 (see FIG. 5) are selected on the setting screen 570. That is, FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram when the arrangement in the vertical direction and the left end position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when accepting the drop of object 613 to frame area 552, PC 5 moves object 613 to move object 611, object 612, and object 613 within frame area 552. At the left end, align vertically from the top.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the objects 611, 612, and 613 when the icon 572 and the icon 582 (see FIG. 5) are in a selected state on the setting screen 570. That is, FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram when the arrangement in the vertical direction and the right end position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when receiving the drop of object 613 on framed area 552, PC 5 moves object 613 to move object 611, object 612, and object 613 in framed area 552. At the right end, align vertically from the top.

(B5. Switching process)
(1) Switching Process Using Setting Screen 570 The user can cause PC 5 to execute a switching process between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the following operation.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9 again, the operation of displaying setting screen 570 and selecting icon 572 in a state where a plurality of objects are arranged in the horizontal direction as in state (F) of FIG. 6 is completed, for example. Then, the PC 5 vertically aligns the plurality of objects, for example, as shown in the state (F) of FIG. Similarly, when the operation of displaying the setting screen 570 and selecting the icon 571 is completed in a state where a plurality of objects are aligned in the vertical direction as in the state (F) of FIG. As shown in a state (F), a plurality of objects are aligned in the horizontal direction.

  Further, when one or more objects are arranged in the frame area 552, when the icon 575, 576, 577 (see FIG. 4) is selected, the position corresponding to the selected icon is set. To move the object. For example, when switching from the state where icon 576 is selected to the state where icon 575 is selected, PC 5 changes the position of the object from the state (F) in FIG. 6 to the state in FIG. 7, for example.

  Similarly, when the user selects one of the icons 580, 581, 582 (see FIG. 5) in a state where one or more objects are arranged in the frame area 552, the icon is associated with the selected icon. Move the object to the position. For example, when the state where icon 581 is selected is changed to the state where icon 580 is selected, PC 5 changes the position of the object from the state (F) in FIG. 9 to the state in FIG. 10, for example.

  According to such a configuration, the user can change the alignment direction and the position of the object even during the drawing. Therefore, since it is not necessary to start drawing again from the beginning, it is possible to reduce the work load on the user.

(2) Switching between horizontal and vertical directions using icon 544 FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a switching operation of the alignment direction of objects.

  Referring to FIG. 12, state (A) shows state (F) in FIG. That is, in the state (A) of FIG. 12, the object 611, the object 612, and the object 613 are laterally aligned from the left end side at the center position in the frame area 552.

  The state (B) shows the state (F) in FIG. That is, in the state (B) of FIG. 12, the object 611, the object 612, and the object 613 are vertically aligned from the upper end at the center position in the frame area 552.

  When the user clicks the icon 554 with the mouse or the like in the state (A), the PC 5 switches the arrangement of the objects 611, 612, and 613 in the in-frame area 552 from the state (A) to the state (B). That is, the PC 5 changes from the horizontal arrangement to the vertical arrangement.

  Similarly, when the user clicks icon 554 with the mouse or the like in state (B), PC 5 switches the arrangement of objects 611, 612, and 613 in framed area 552 from state (B) to state (A). . That is, the PC 5 changes from the vertical arrangement to the horizontal arrangement.

  In this way, the user can sequentially switch between the horizontal and vertical arrangements simply by clicking on the icon 554. For this reason, a series of operations, such as starting up the setting screen 570 and clicking the icons 571 and 572 (see FIG. 4 and the like) related to the arrangement direction, become unnecessary. Therefore, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.

(B6. Object return processing)
The object return processing (wrap processing) will be described with reference to two examples.

(1) First Example FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing the object return processing performed when the number of objects increases. In this example, it is assumed that the size of the object is fixed according to the type of the object.

  Referring to FIG. 13, in state (A), object 611, object 612, and object 613 are laterally aligned from the left end side at the center position in framed area 552.

  Next, as illustrated in a state (B), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 614 and the drop of the object 614 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, the PC 5 determines whether or not the four objects 611, 612, 613, and 614 fit in one line based on the size of the object 614 (in this case, the size in the horizontal direction).

  When the PC 5 determines that the data cannot be accommodated, the PC 5 executes the return processing as shown in the state (C). Specifically, the position of the object 614 is moved to the left end of the in-frame area 552 and below the object 611 at the left end. In this case, the objects 611, 612, and 613 are also moved upward (Y direction) so that the object group including the objects 611, 612, 613, and 614 is located at the center position of the in-frame area 552.

  As described above, when aligning the plurality of objects in the frame area 552, the PC 5 aligns the plurality of objects in two or more lines by a wrapping process when the objects cannot be displayed in one line. According to such a configuration, the objects can be aligned in the horizontal direction without changing the size of the objects.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the objects are arranged in the horizontal direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which vertical alignment is performed. More specifically, when aligning a plurality of objects in the frame area 552, the PC 5 aligns the plurality of objects in two or more rows by a wrapping process when the plurality of objects cannot be displayed in one line.

(2) Second Example FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the object wrapping process performed when the operation of narrowing the layout frame is performed (that is, when the in-frame area 552 is narrowed).

  Referring to FIG. 14, if the layout frame is narrowed in the direction indicated by arrow 590 as shown in state (A), object 613 will not fit in frame area 552. In this case, the PC 5 performs the return processing as shown in the state (B). Specifically, the position of the object 613 is moved to the left end of the in-frame area 552 and below the object 611 at the left end. In this case, the objects 611 and 612 are also moved upward (Y direction) so that the object group including the objects 611, 612 and 613 is located at the center position of the in-frame area 552.

  As described above, when aligning the plurality of objects in the frame area 552, the PC 5 aligns the plurality of objects in two or more lines by a wrapping process when the objects cannot be displayed in one line.

(B7. Object reduction processing)
The object reduction process will be described with two examples.

(1) First Example FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing an object reduction process performed when the number of objects increases.

  Referring to FIG. 15, as shown in state (A), in a state where objects 611, 612, and 613 are aligned in the horizontal direction, a drag of object 614 and a drop of object 614 on framed area 552 are accepted. . In this case, the PC 5 determines whether or not the four objects 611, 612, 613, and 614 fit in one line based on the size of the object 614 (in this case, the size in the horizontal direction).

  When the PC 5 determines that the size does not fit, the PC 5 executes a process of reducing the size of all the objects 611, 612, 613, and 614 as shown in state (B). Typically, the objects 611, 612, 613, and 614 are reduced so that the objects 611, 612, 613, and 614 are arranged in one line and fit in the in-frame area 552.

  As described above, when aligning the plurality of objects in the frame area 552, the PC 5 reduces the size of each of the plurality of objects in order to display them in one line. According to such a configuration, the objects can be aligned in one row in the horizontal direction. According to this, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the objects are arranged in the horizontal direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which vertical alignment is performed. Specifically, when aligning a plurality of objects in the frame area 552, the PC 5 reduces the size of each of the plurality of objects in order to display them in a line.

(2) Second Example FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an object reduction process performed when an operation of narrowing the layout frame is performed (that is, when the in-frame region 552 is narrowed).

  Referring to FIG. 16, if the layout frame is narrowed in the direction indicated by arrow 590 as shown in state (A), object 613 will not fit in frame area 552. In this case, the PC 5 performs reduction processing of each object as shown in the state (B). Typically, with the objects 611, 612, and 613 aligned in one line, the objects 611, 612, and 613 are reduced so as to fit in the narrowed frame area 552.

  As described above, when the PC 5 determines that the plurality of objects cannot be arranged in one line due to the size of the in-frame area 552 being reduced in the horizontal direction in a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one line, A plurality of objects are arranged in one line by reducing the size of each object. According to such a configuration, even when the user performs an operation of narrowing the in-frame area 552 in the horizontal direction, the user does not need to perform an operation of changing the position and the size of the object so as to fit in one line. As described above, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the objects are arranged in the horizontal direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which vertical alignment is performed. Specifically, when the PC 5 determines that the plurality of objects cannot be arranged in one line due to the vertical reduction of the size of the in-frame area 552 in a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one line, The plurality of objects are arranged in a line by reducing the size of each of the plurality of objects.

(B8. Object enlargement processing)
The object enlarging process will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an object enlargement process performed when an operation to enlarge the layout frame is performed (that is, when the in-frame area 552 is expanded).

  When the objects 611, 612, and 613 are arranged in one row in the horizontal direction as shown in the state (A), and the layout frame is enlarged in the direction indicated by the arrow 591 as shown in the state (B) , PC5 perform an object enlargement process. Typically, the PC 5 expands the objects 611 to 613 in the vertical and horizontal directions at the same ratio so that the ratio of the total width of the three objects 611 to 613 to the width of the in-frame area 552 is kept constant.

  In this way, when a plurality of objects are arranged in one line and the size of the in-frame area 552 is enlarged at least in the row direction, the PC 5 determines a plurality of objects based on the size of the in-frame area 552 after the enlargement. Increase the size of each of the objects. According to such a configuration, when the user performs an operation of expanding the in-frame area 552 in the horizontal direction, the user does not need to perform an operation of changing the position and size of each object. As described above, the user's work load for changing the screen design can be reduced.

<C. Functional configuration>
FIG. 18 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the PC 5.

  Referring to FIG. 18, PC 5 includes an input device 701, a display device 702, a control unit 703, and a communication IF unit 704.

The input device 701 includes a keyboard 510 and a mouse 512.
The control unit 703 controls the overall operation of the PC 5. The control unit 703 also functions as a drawing editor. The control unit 703 includes an operation reception unit 731, a display control unit 732, a screen data generation unit 733, an area size change unit 734, and an object size change unit 735.

  The display control unit 732 causes the display device 702 to display various screens according to the state of the PC 5. The display control unit 732 causes a display screen 550 (see FIG. 3) of the display device 702 to display a setting screen 570 (FIG. 4 or the like) for setting the arrangement mode of the objects based on a user operation. The display control unit further displays an icon 554 (see FIG. 3) on the display screen 550 (typically, the drawing area 551).

  The display control unit 732 includes a drawing unit 7320. The drawing unit 7320 includes an alignment processing unit 7321.

  The operation receiving unit 731 receives various user operations via the input device 701. For example, the operation receiving unit 731 receives a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object on a drawing area 551 provided in the display screen 550 of the PC 5. Further, the operation receiving unit 731 receives an operation of changing (enlarging or reducing) the size of the layout frame (in other words, the area 552 in the frame). Further, the operation receiving unit 731 receives an operation of changing the position of the layout frame (in other words, the area 552 within the frame).

  When the operation receiving unit 731 receives a drag-and-drop operation of dropping an object in the drawing area 551, the drawing unit 7320 draws the dropped object in the drawing area 551. The alignment processing unit 7321 aligns the objects dropped in the in-frame area 552 based on the settings on the setting screen.

  Drawing section 7320, for example, when a second object (for example, object 612) is dropped on frame area 552 in a state where the first object (for example, object 611) is arranged in frame area 552. , The first object and the second object are aligned in the frame area 552. On the other hand, when the third object is dropped in the out-of-frame area 553, the drawing unit 7320 places the third object at the position where the third object is dropped.

  The screen data generation unit 733 generates screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display 4 based on the drawing of the object. Specifically, the screen data generation unit 733 receives the drawing data from the drawing unit 7320 and generates the display screen data. The screen data generation unit 733 sends the generated screen data to the communication IF unit 704.

The communication IF unit 704 transmits screen data to the programmable display 4.
Hereinafter, further processing of the drawing unit 7320 will be described. Hereinafter, the object 611 will be described as an example of the first object, and the object 612 will be described as an example of the second object.

  (1) Referring to FIG. 6 again, drawing section 7320 drops object 612 when icon 571 is selected on setting screen 570 (when the first direction is set). And the object 611 and the object 612 are aligned in the horizontal direction of the in-frame area 552.

  Referring again to FIG. 9, drawing section 7320 determines that object 612 is dropped when icon 572 is selected on setting screen 570 (when the second direction is set). , The object 611 and the object 612 are aligned in the vertical direction of the in-frame area 552.

  (2) Referring to FIG. 12 again, drawing section 7320 displays object 611 and object 612 in a state where objects 611 and 612 are aligned in one of the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). When the icon 544 is clicked, the objects 611 and 612 are aligned in the other of the horizontal and vertical directions.

  (3) When the icon 571 is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the first direction is set) as shown in FIG. 4, the drawing unit 7320 performs the following processing.

  When the icon 575 (see FIG. 4) is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the first position is further set), the drawing unit 7320 sets the upper end position in the frame area 552 at the upper end position. The objects 611 and 612 are aligned in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 7).

  When the icon 576 is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the second position is further set), the drawing unit 7320 sets the object 611 and the object 612 at the center position in the frame area 552. Are aligned in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 6).

  When the icon 577 is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the third position is further set), the drawing unit 7320 sets the object 611 and the object 612 at the lower end position in the frame area 552. Are aligned in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 8).

  (4) When the icon 572 is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the first direction is set) as shown in FIG. 5, the drawing unit 7320 performs the following processing.

  When the icon 580 (see FIG. 5) is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the fourth position is further set), the drawing unit 7320 sets the left end position in the frame area 552 at the left end position. The object 611 and the object 612 are aligned vertically (see FIG. 10).

  When the icon 581 is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the fifth position is further set), the drawing unit 7320 sets the object 611 and the object 612 at the center position in the frame area 552. Are aligned in the vertical direction (see FIG. 9).

  When the icon 582 is selected on the setting screen 570 (when the sixth position is further set), the drawing unit 7320 sets the object 611 and the object 612 at the right end position in the frame area 552. Are aligned vertically (see FIG. 11).

  (5) Referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 again, drawing section 7320 arranges a plurality of objects including object 611 and object 612 in frame area 552, and when it is not possible to display the objects in one line or one column, returns Sorts the objects in two or more rows or two or more columns.

  (6) Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 again, when aligning a plurality of objects including the object 611 and the object 612 in the frame area 552, the drawing unit 7320 displays the object in one line or one column. Reduce the size of each of the plurality of objects.

  (7) When the size of the in-frame area 552 is changed by the area size changing unit 734 based on a user operation, the drawing unit 7320 performs the following processing.

  Referring again to FIG. 16, in a state where a plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column, drawing section 7320 reduces the size of framed area 552 so that the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column. If it is determined that the plurality of objects cannot be arranged, the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column by reducing the size of each of the plurality of objects.

  (8) Referring to FIG. 17 again, when a plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column and the size of the in-frame region 552 is expanded in the row direction or the column direction, the drawing unit 7320 The size of each of the plurality of objects is increased based on the size of the in-frame area 552 after the enlargement.

<D. Control structure>
For convenience of explanation, the control structure will be described below, focusing on processing when an object is dropped in the frame area 552 of the drawing area 551. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing executed by the PC 5.

  Referring to FIG. 19, in step S1, PC 5 sets the value of predetermined variable i to 1. In step S2, the PC 5 receives an operation of dropping the first object in the in-frame area 552. In step S3, the PC 5 arranges the first object in the frame area 552 according to the setting on the setting screen 570 (see state (B) in FIG. 6).

  In step S4, the PC 5 determines whether or not an operation of dropping the (i + 1) th object in the frame area 552 has been received. When determining that the operation has been received (YES in step S4), the PC 5 arranges the first to (i + 1) th objects in the frame area 552 according to the settings on the setting screen in step S5. When determining that the operation has not been received (NO in step S4), PC 5 advances the process to step S7.

  In step S6, the PC 5 increments the value of the variable i. That is, the PC 5 increases the value of the variable i by one. In step S7, the PC 5 determines whether or not an instruction to generate screen data for a programmable display device (user instruction) has been received.

  When determining that the generation instruction has been received (YES in step S7), the PC 5 generates screen data (screen data for a display) based on the object in the drawing area 551 in step S8. When determining that the generation instruction has not been received (NO in step S7), PC 5 returns the process to step S4.

<E. Hardware Configuration>
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the PC 5. Referring to FIG. 20, PC 5 executes CPU 502 for executing various programs including an OS, ROM (Read Only Memory) 504 for storing BIOS and various data, and stores data necessary for CPU 502 to execute the programs. And a hard disk (HDD) 508 for storing programs executed by the CPU 502 in a nonvolatile manner.

The PC 5 further includes a keyboard 510 and a mouse 512 for receiving an operation from the user, and a monitor 514 for presenting information to the user. Further, the PC 5 includes a communication interface (IF) 518 for communicating with the programmable display 4 or the like. The PC 5 is communicably connected to the programmable display 4 by a communication IF 518.
[Embodiment 2]
In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the size of an object is changed each time the object is dropped on the in-frame area 552. In the present embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common points with the first embodiment will not be repeated.

  FIG. 21 is a state transition diagram for explaining the sorting process. In this example, it is assumed that the icon 571 and the icon 576 are in a selected state on the setting screen 570 (see FIG. 4). That is, it is assumed that the arrangement in the horizontal direction and the central position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 21, as shown in state (A), PC 5 receives the drag of object 621 and the drop of object 621 on framed area 552. In this case, since the area where the object 621 is dropped is the area 552 within the frame, the PC 5 enlarges the size of the object 621 and moves the position of the object 621 from the dragged position as shown in the state (B). It is moved to the center position of the in-frame area 552. Specifically, the PC 5 enlarges the object 621 at the same magnification in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction so that the horizontal width of the in-frame area 552 and the horizontal width of the object 621 match.

  Next, as shown in a state (C), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 622 and the drop of the object 622 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, the PC 5 horizontally aligns the object 621 and the object 622 in order from the left end at the center position in the frame area 552 as shown in the state (D).

  Specifically, the PC 5 changes the sizes of the objects 621 and 622 so that the scaling ratios of the object 621 and the object 622 from the default size are the same. More specifically, the PC 5 enlarges or reduces the size of the objects 621 and 622 so that the total width of the two objects 621 and 622 matches the horizontal width of the in-frame area 552. Since the objects 621 and 622 are the same kind of object, they have the same size as shown in the state (D).

  Next, as shown in the state (E), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 623 and the drop of the object 623 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, as shown in the state (F), the PC 5 arranges the object 621, the object 622, and the object 623 in the horizontal direction in order from the left end side at the center position in the frame area 552.

  Specifically, the PC 5 changes the sizes of the objects 621, 622, and 623 so that the scaling ratios of the objects 621, 622, and 623 from the default sizes are the same. More specifically, the PC 5 enlarges or reduces the size of the objects 621, 622, and 623 so that the total width of the three objects 621, 622, and 623 matches the horizontal width of the in-frame area 552.

  As described above, the PC 5 (specifically, the drawing unit 7320) is configured to change the size of each object in accordance with the size of the in-frame area 552 and the number of objects dropped in the in-frame area 552. More specifically, the PC 5 automatically changes the size of each object so that the size of each object is equal to the size of the in-frame area 552 divided equally by the number of objects dropped in the in-frame area 552. That is, the PC 5 executes a fitting process for the layout frame. According to this configuration, the user can obtain screen data in which a plurality of objects are arranged without performing an operation of changing the size of each object.

  Note that the drawing unit 7320 may be configured to perform a wrapping process when the number of objects increases and if the number of objects does not fit in a line in the frame area 552 unless it is reduced to the default size or less.

  In the above description, an example in which objects are arranged in the horizontal direction is given. However, the above processing can be applied to the case where objects are arranged in the vertical direction. The setting screen 570 may be configured so that whether or not to perform the above-described processing can be set.

<Modification>
FIG. 22 is a state transition diagram for explaining another example of the sorting process. Also in this example, it is assumed that the icon 571 and the icon 576 are in a selected state on the setting screen 570 (see FIG. 4). That is, it is assumed that the arrangement in the horizontal direction and the central position is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 22, as shown in state (A), PC 5 receives the drag of object 621 and the drop of object 621 on framed area 552. In this case, since the area where the object 621 is dropped is the area 552 within the frame, the PC 5 enlarges the size of the object 621 and moves the position of the object 621 from the dragged position as shown in the state (B). It is moved to the center position of the in-frame area 552. More specifically, the PC 5 enlarges the object 621 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction so that the horizontal width and the height of the in-frame area 552 and the horizontal width and the height of the object 621 match.

  Next, as shown in a state (C), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 622 and the drop of the object 622 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, the PC 5 horizontally aligns the object 621 and the object 622 in order from the left end at the center position in the frame area 552 as shown in the state (D).

  Specifically, the PC 5 changes the sizes of the objects 621 and 622 so that the scaling ratios of the object 621 and the object 622 from the default size are the same. More specifically, the PC 5 enlarges or reduces the size of the objects 621 and 622 in the horizontal direction so that the width of the in-frame area 552 and the total width of the two objects 621 and 622 match. In addition, the PC 5 matches the vertical size of the object 622 with the height of the in-frame area 552. Since the objects 621 and 622 are the same kind of object, they have the same size as shown in the state (D).

  Next, as shown in the state (E), the PC 5 receives the drag of the object 623 and the drop of the object 623 on the area 552 within the frame. In this case, as shown in the state (F), the PC 5 arranges the object 621, the object 622, and the object 623 in the horizontal direction in order from the left end side at the center position in the frame area 552.

  Specifically, the PC 5 changes the sizes of the objects 621, 622, and 623 so that the scaling ratios of the objects 621, 622, and 623 from the default sizes are the same. More specifically, the PC 5 enlarges or reduces the size of the objects 621, 622, and 623 so that the total width of the three objects 621, 622, and 623 matches the horizontal width of the in-frame area 552. Also, the PC 5 matches the vertical size of the object 623 with the height of the in-frame area 552. Since the objects 621, 622, and 623 are the same type of object, they have the same size as shown in the state (F).

According to such a configuration, the in-frame area 552 can be filled with one or more objects, and a plurality of objects can be aligned.
[Embodiment 3]
In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a template relating to the arrangement of objects is generated, and new screen data is generated using the generated template. In the present embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common points with the first embodiment will not be repeated. It should be noted that the PC in the present embodiment is referred to as “PC5A” for convenience of description to distinguish it from the PC 5 in the first embodiment.

<A. Overview of processing>
The PC 5A has a mechanism in which the position, size (relative position with respect to the selection range, proportionate size) and type of the object within the range selected by the user and the type can be stored as templates.

  As a setting of the in-frame area 552, a mechanism for reading the template information is prepared. When the template information is read, the PC 5A automatically arranges and sorts the objects of the type defined in the template at the position and size defined in the template in the frame area 552 of the read template. .

  When the object is dropped in the frame area 552 from which the template information is read, the PC 5A places the object at a specified position at a specified size if the type of the object is defined in the template.

  Note that when the size of the frame area 552 is changed by a user operation, the PC 5A automatically changes the size of each object at a fixed rate while maintaining the positional relationship of the objects already arranged in the frame area 552. I do.

<B. User Interface>
An example of the user interface in the creation and use of the template will be described below.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the display screen 550 of the PC 5A. Referring to FIG. 23, the user specifies range 801 in drawing area 551. When the layout template storage item 803 in the context menu 802 is selected by a click operation with a mouse or the like in a state where the range 801 is specified, the arrangement and size of the objects included in the range 801 are stored as a template.

  Note that typically, the template is stored in a state where it is given a name so that it can be distinguished from other templates. The storage location of the template may be the storage location of the file. A mechanism that prepares a list such as a library list in the tool and stores the template there may be used.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display screen 550 displayed on the PC 5A after FIG. Referring to FIG. 24, the user sets an in-frame area 552. Thereafter, the user selects the layout template application item 805 in the context menu 804 by a click operation with a mouse or the like. Further, typically, after selecting item 805, the user selects a template. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a library list of tools is displayed and a template to be applied is selected from the list.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display screen 550 displayed on the PC 5A after FIG. Referring to FIG. 25, PC 5A sets element regions 5521, 5522, 5523, 5524, 5525, and 5526 based on the selected template in region 552 within the frame, and sets the element regions (specifically, element Area layout frame) is displayed. Specifically, the in-frame area 552 is further divided into a plurality of areas based on the position and the relative size of the object included in the applied template.

  Further, the PC 5A displays the types of objects that can be arranged in each of the element areas 5521 to 5526. For example, in the example of FIG. 25, “Label”, “DataDisplay”, and “Button” are displayed as the types of objects.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display screen 550 displayed on the PC 5A after FIG. Referring to FIG. 26, the user drags a desired object (“button” in FIG. 26) in a state where the template is applied (state in FIG. 25), and An operation of dropping the object 631 at the position is performed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a display screen 550 displayed on the PC 5A after FIG. Referring to FIG. 27, when object 631 is dropped on framed area 552, the object is placed in an element area that matches the type of object 631.

  In the example of FIG. 27, since the object 631 is a button, the object is arranged in the element region of the button. More specifically, in this example, the setting is such that the objects are arranged in order from the left, and no objects are arranged in two of the element regions 5523 and 5526. Therefore, the PC 5A places the object 631 in the left element region 5523. Deploy. More specifically, the PC 5A enlarges (or reduces) the object 631 so that the object 631 fills (fits) the element region 5523.

<C. Functional configuration>
FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of PC 5A.

  Referring to FIG. 28, PC 5A includes an input device 701, a display device 702, a control unit 703A, a communication IF unit 704, and a template storage unit 705.

  The control unit 703A controls the overall operation of the PC 5A. The control unit 703A is different from the control unit 703 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 18) in including a template generation unit 736 and a template reading unit 737. Therefore, the following description focuses on processing in template generating section 736 and template reading section 737, and the contents described in the first embodiment will not be repeated.

  The operation receiving unit 731 receives an input specifying a range in the drawing area 551 in a state where the in-frame area 552 is not set (see FIG. 23).

  The template generation unit 736 generates, as a template, the arrangement and size of one or more objects included in the specified range. The template generation unit 736 stores the generated template in the template storage unit 705.

  When the operation receiving unit 731 receives a user operation for setting the in-frame area 552, the drawing unit 7320 draws the in-frame area 552 in the drawing area 551. Next, when the operation receiving unit 731 receives a user operation of displaying a context menu and selecting an item to apply a layout template (see FIG. 24), the PC 5A applies the selected template to the in-frame area 552. Specifically, the template reading section 737 reads the selected template from the template storage section 705. The template reading unit 737 sends the read template to the drawing unit 7320.

The drawing unit 7320 displays, based on the template, the element areas of the template in the frame area 552 of the drawing area 551 together with the type name of each element area (see FIG. 25).
When the operation receiving unit 731 receives a drag-and-drop operation of an object in a state where the element area is displayed (see FIG. 26), the drawing unit 7320 fits the object to an element area of the same type as the type of the object. (See FIG. 27).

<D. Advantages>
In a screen design of a programmable display, a user creates an application by combining several objects and displaying or setting certain information in an easy-to-understand manner. If the object combined in this way is convenient and versatile, it is diverted to a part of the screen used in another programmable display. However, even with the same combination of objects, the appearance (design) often changes according to the programmable display device to be used or the preference of the user.

The PC 5A can provide a mechanism that can save and reproduce the type and size positional relationship of the object for such purposes. Therefore, according to the PC 5A, there is an effect that the data diversion is improved and the number of steps required for the user's screen design is reduced.
[Embodiment 4]
In the present embodiment, a configuration in which an address or a variable can be set for an object will be described. In the present embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common points with the first embodiment will not be repeated. It should be noted that the PC in the present embodiment is referred to as “PC5B” for convenience of description to distinguish it from the PC 5 and the like in the first embodiment.

<A. Overview of processing>
As a setting of the in-frame area 552, a mechanism for setting an address and / or a variable is prepared. If an object is dropped in the area 552 within the frame, if the object has a function of displaying the value of an address and / or a variable and writing the input value to the address and / or a variable. , PC5B automatically assigns the address and / or variable set in the in-frame area 552 to the setting of the object. At this time, every time the object is dropped into the frame area 552, the PC 5B automatically increments the address in the case of an address, automatically increments the last number of the variable name in the case of a variable, and sets the variable as an array variable. In the case of, the value after the increment is assigned to the setting of the object by automatically incrementing the element number.

<B. User Interface>
An example of the user interface in the phase of setting an address will be described below.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the display screen 550 of the PC 5B. Referring to FIG. 29, PC 5B displays “assigned address” item 565 as a setting item of area 552 within the frame.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the drawing area 551 of the display screen 550 displayed on the PC 5B after FIG. Referring to FIG. 30, when object 641 is dropped onto in-frame area 552, assigned address “W0.0” shown in FIG. 29 is set in object 641. With this setting, the value indicated in the item 565 of “assigned address” is incremented to “W0.1”. In this state, when the user drops the next object 642 in the frame area 552, the assigned address “W0.1” is set in the object 641.

<C. Functional configuration>
FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of PC 5B.

  Referring to FIG. 31, PC 5B includes an input device 701, a display device 702, a control unit 703B, and a communication IF unit 704.

  The control unit 703A controls the overall operation of the PC 5B. The control unit 703B differs from the control unit 703 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 18) in including a setting unit 738. Therefore, the following description focuses on the processing in setting section 738, and the contents described in the first embodiment will not be repeated.

The setting section 738 includes an address setting section 7381 and a variable setting section 7382.
The address setting unit 7381 assigns an address to the object dropped in the in-frame area 552. The address setting unit 7381 increments the address after the assignment. The address setting unit 7381 assigns the incremented address to the object dropped next to the in-frame area 552.

  The variable setting unit 7382 sets a variable for the object dropped in the in-frame area 552. After the assignment, the variable setting unit 7382 automatically increments the last number of the several names or the element number, as described above. The variable setting unit 7382 assigns the incremented variable to the object dropped next in the frame area 552.

<D. Advantages>
In a screen design of a programmable display, an object for displaying information possessed by a device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) is arranged. Normally, after arranging the objects, PLC addresses and / or variables are assigned to the settings of each object. This setting operation takes time as the number of objects increases.

  According to the PC 5B, addresses and variables can be automatically assigned at the same time as the placement of objects, so that the number of steps required for the user's screen design can be significantly reduced.

<< Appendix >>
[Configuration 1]
An information processing device (5, 5A, 5B),
Operation accepting means for accepting a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object on a drawing area (551) provided in a display screen (550) of the information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) (731)
Drawing means (7320) for drawing the object dropped in the drawing area (551);
Screen data generation means (733) for generating screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display based on the drawing of the object;
The drawing means (7320) is configured to place the first object as the object in the first area (552) in the first area (552). An information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) for aligning the first object and the second object in the first area (552) when the second object is dropped.

[Configuration 2]
When the third object as the object is dropped in the second area (553) in the drawing area (551), the drawing means (7320) places the third object in the dropped position. The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to Configuration 1, which is arranged.

[Configuration 3]
Display control means (732) for displaying a setting screen (570) for setting the arrangement mode of the objects on the display screen (550);
The drawing means (7320)
When the first direction is set on the setting screen (570), when the second object is dropped, the first object and the second object are moved to the first object. Aligned in the horizontal direction of the area (552),
When the second direction is set on the setting screen (570), when the second object is dropped, the first object and the second object are changed to the first object. The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the information processing device is aligned in a vertical direction of the region (552).

[Configuration 4]
The display control means further displays an icon (554) in the display screen,
The drawing unit (7320) clicks the icon (554) in a state where the first object and the second object are aligned in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first object and the second object are aligned in the other of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. , 5B).

[Configuration 5]
When the first direction setting is made, the drawing means (7320)
When the first position is further set on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are horizontally aligned at the upper end position in the first area (552). ,
When the second position is further set on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are horizontally aligned at a center position in the first area (552). ,
When the third position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are horizontally aligned at a lower end position in the first area (552). The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 and 4, (5, 5A, 5B).

[Configuration 6]
When the second direction setting is made, the drawing unit (7320)
When the fourth position is further set on the setting screen (570), the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at the left end position in the first area (552). Line up,
When the fifth position is further set on the setting screen (570), the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at a central position in the first area (552). Line up,
When the sixth position setting is further performed on the setting screen (570), the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at the right end position in the first area (552). The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to Configuration 5, wherein the information processing device is arranged in a row.

[Configuration 7]
The size of the object is fixed according to the type of the object,
When the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object are aligned in the first area (552), when the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object cannot be displayed in one line or one column, The information processing apparatus (5, 5A, 5B) according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of objects are arranged in two or more rows or two or more columns by processing.

[Configuration 8]
When the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object are aligned in the first area (552), the drawing unit (7320) displays the objects in one line or one column. The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, wherein the size of each of the plurality of objects is reduced.

[Configuration 9]
A changing unit (734) for changing a size of the first area (552) based on an operation;
In a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column, the drawing means (7320) reduces the size of the first area (552) so that the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column. The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to Configuration 8, wherein when it is determined that the plurality of objects cannot be arranged, the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column by reducing the size of each of the plurality of objects.

[Configuration 10]
In a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column, if the size of the first area (552) is enlarged in the row direction or the column direction, the drawing unit (7320) may perform the enlargement after the enlargement. The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to configuration 9, wherein the size of each of the plurality of objects is increased based on the size of the first area.

[Configuration 11]
The said drawing means (7320) changes the size of each said object according to the size of the said 1st area | region (552), and the number of the said objects dropped in the said 1st area | region (552). The information processing device (5, 5A, 5B) according to any one of 1 to 6.

[Configuration 12]
When an input for specifying a range in the drawing area (551) is received in a state where the first area (552) is not set, the arrangement and size of one or more objects included in the specified range are generated as a template. The information processing apparatus (5A) according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, further comprising a template generation unit (736) for performing the processing.

[Configuration 13]
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a setting unit (738) for setting an address or a variable to the object in accordance with the order in which the objects are dropped in the first area (552). 5B).

[Configuration 14]
An information processing method,
Accepting a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object on a drawing area (551) provided in a display screen (550);
Drawing the object dragged into the drawing area (551);
Generating screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display (4) based on the drawing of the object,
In the step of drawing, the first object as the object is arranged in a preset area (552) in the drawing area (551), and the predetermined area (552) is placed in the preset area (552). An information processing method, wherein, when a second object as an object is dragged, the first object and the second object are aligned in the preset area (552).

  The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description of the embodiments, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1, 2, 3 PLC, 4 programmable display, 5 PC, 6 detection sensor, 7 relay, 10 CPU unit, 14 IO unit, 11 system bus, 12 power supply unit, 512 mouse, 514 monitor, 544, 554, 571, 572, 575, 576, 577, 580, 581, 582 Icons, 550 display screen, 551 drawing area, 551A, 552A area, 552 inside area, 553 outside area, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562 , 563, 564, 5561, 5562, 5563, 5564, 5565 Tools, 565, 803, 805 items, 570 setting screen, 573,574 radio buttons, 578, 579 buttons, 590, 591 arrows, 601, 611, 612, 613 , 614,6 21, 622, 623, 631, 641, 642 objects, 701 input device, 702 display device, 703, 703A, 703B control unit, 704 communication IF unit, 705 template storage unit, 731 operation reception unit, 732 display control unit, 733 Screen data generation unit, 734 area size change unit, 735 object size change unit, 736 template generation unit, 737 template read unit, 738 setting unit, 801 range, 1000 systems, 5521, 5522, 5523, 5524, 5525, 5526 element area , 7320 drawing unit, 7321 alignment processing unit, 7381 address setting unit, 7382 variable setting unit.

Claims (14)

An information processing device,
Operation receiving means for receiving a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object in a drawing area provided in a display screen of the information processing apparatus;
Drawing means for drawing the object dropped in the drawing area;
Screen data generating means for generating screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display based on the drawing of the object,
The drawing means is configured such that, in a state where the first object as the object is arranged in the first area in the drawing area, when the second object as the object is dropped in the first area An information processing apparatus for aligning the first object and the second object in the first area;   2. The drawing unit according to claim 1, wherein, when a third object as the object is dropped on a second area in the drawing area, the drawing unit places the third object at the position where the third object is dropped. 3. Information processing device. Display control means for displaying a setting screen for setting the arrangement mode of the objects on the display screen,
The drawing means,
When the first direction is set on the setting screen, when the second object is dropped, the first object and the second object are moved to the side of the first area. Aligned in the direction
When the second direction is set on the setting screen, when the second object is dropped, the first object and the second object are moved vertically in the first area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is arranged in a direction. The display control means further displays an icon in the display screen,
When the icon is clicked in a state in which the first object and the second object are aligned in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the drawing unit outputs the first object. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an object and the second object are aligned in the other of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. When the first direction setting is made,
When a first position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are horizontally aligned at an upper end position in the first area,
When the second position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are laterally aligned at a center position in the first area,
The method further comprises, when a third position setting is further performed on the setting screen, horizontally aligning the first object and the second object at a lower end position in the first area. The information processing device according to any one of items 3 and 4. When the second direction setting is made,
When a fourth position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at a left end position in the first area,
When a fifth position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at a central position in the first area,
When the sixth position setting is further performed on the setting screen, the first object and the second object are vertically aligned at a right end position in the first area. 6. The information processing apparatus according to 5. The size of the object is fixed according to the type of the object,
When the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object are arranged in the first area, when the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object cannot be displayed in one line or one column, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein are arranged in two or more rows or two or more columns.   When the plurality of objects including at least the first object and the second object are aligned in the first area, the drawing unit may display each of the plurality of objects in one line or one column. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the information processing device is reduced. The apparatus further includes changing means for changing a size of the first area based on an operation,
When the drawing unit determines that the plurality of objects cannot be arranged in one line or one column by reducing the size of the first region in a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one line or one column 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column by reducing the size of each of the plurality of objects.   In a state where the plurality of objects are arranged in one row or one column, when the size of the first area is enlarged in a row direction or a column direction, the drawing unit may include an image of the first area after the enlargement. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the size of each of the plurality of objects is increased based on the size.   7. The drawing device according to claim 1, wherein the drawing unit changes a size of each of the objects according to a size of the first area and a number of the objects dropped on the first area. 8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   When an input for specifying a range in the drawing area is received in a state where the first area is not set, a template generating unit that generates, as a template, the arrangement and size of one or more objects included in the specified range is further provided. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set an address or a variable in the object in accordance with an order in which the object is dropped on the first area. An information processing method,
Accepting a drag-and-drop operation of dragging an object and dropping the object in a drawing area provided in a display screen;
Drawing the object dragged into the drawing area;
Generating screen data of a screen to be displayed on the programmable display device based on the drawing of the object,
In the drawing step, in a state where the first object as the object is arranged in a preset area in the drawing area, a second object as the object is dragged to the preset area. Then, the first object and the second object are aligned in the preset area.

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