JP3494967B2 - Control system and recording medium on which program is recorded - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a terminal device arranged at a place distant from a control display device such as a programmable display device without drawing a new display screen.
The present invention relates to a control system capable of collectively confirming or controlling the states of devices displayed / operated on the control display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, programmable logic
The controller (hereinafter, abbreviated as PLC) is, for example,
It is widely used as a control device for controlling various target systems such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembly machine. Further, in recent years, as the target system has become more complicated, a plurality of PLCs have been used in cooperation with each other. Further, the display of the data from each PLC or the control instruction to the PLC is not only performed by the display device arranged in the vicinity of the PLC, but is also installed, for example, in a place apart from these display devices. A control system may be constructed so that the host computer for control can also display or operate.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, in a conventional control system 501, a PLC 503 is positioned as the center of control, and each PLC 503 has a device 521 of a target system 502, a display and a device 521. A programmable display 505 that gives a control instruction is connected. Further, another PLC 503 and a control host computer 507 are connected to the PLC 503 via a serial cable 504.
503 and the control host computer 507 and each P
The control data is transferred between the LC 503 by PLC.
The communication function 503 is used.

In the above structure, the programmable display 505 displays / controls based on the screen data. The screen data is formed by combining tags indicating the correspondence between the area on the screen and the address of the device corresponding to the display or input in the area, and the drawing processing unit 572 of the control host computer 507. After being created, it is delivered to each programmable display 505.

On the other hand, the display processing unit 571 of the control host computer 507 communicates with the PLC 503, receives data indicating the state of the target system 502, displays the data according to the state, and responds to the user's input. , PLC 503, and controls the target system 502 in accordance with the control data. Similarly, the programmable display 505 displays / displays the status of the target system 502 while communicating with the PLC 503.
Control.

Here, the control host computer 507
Since the application and the installation place are different from those of the programmable display 505, both the hardware configuration such as the CPU and the memory map and the software configuration such as the operating system are different. Therefore, the display processing unit 571 of the control host computer 507 displays / displays based on the screen data of the programmable display 505.
It cannot be controlled, and in order to draw a dedicated display screen and confirm the display content of the programmable display device 505, the user goes to the installation place of the programmable display device 505 and confirms it.

[0007]

However, the control system having the above structure is basically a closed system,
For example, there arises a problem that the state of the control system cannot be monitored or controlled from a general-purpose computer or the like arranged in a remote place.

Further, since a general-purpose computer also has a hardware and software configuration different from that of the programmable display 505 in many cases, in order to monitor and control the state of the control system from a remote place, the monitoring for the general-purpose computer is performed. If a control program is created and a supervisory control screen for a remote place is to be drawn, the labor of program creation and drawing will increase. In addition, unless these monitoring control programs and monitoring control screens are installed in advance, monitoring control cannot be performed, so that installation is troublesome especially when the user performing monitoring control frequently moves.

In addition, even if the monitor control screen is installed, for example, the programmable display 50
Even if the monitor control of a state other than the devices that can be displayed on the monitor control screen, such as the state of the device displayed only by 5, is suddenly needed, the monitor control cannot be performed. Therefore, when the user monitors and controls from a remote location,
The devices that can be monitored and controlled are limited.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to dispose a remote display device away from a control display device such as a programmable display device without drawing a new display screen. Another object of the present invention is to realize a control system capable of collectively confirming or controlling the states of devices displayed / operated on the control display device by the terminal device.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the control system according to the invention of claim 1 is based on screen data indicating a device required for display and a position for displaying the state of the device. , A display device for control that acquires the status of the device and displays the status of the device on a screen, a terminal-side communication unit that can communicate with the terminal device via a network, and divides the display screen of the terminal device into a plurality of areas For each of the above areas, an operation for inquiring the terminal side communication means about the state of the device indicated by the screen data corresponding to the area, and a portion of the area corresponding to the display position indicated by the screen data Storage means for storing terminal data including a program for causing the terminal device to perform a screen display operation in accordance with an inquiry result; Based on the screen data corresponding to the band, and a generating means for generating data for the terminal. Furthermore, the terminal-side communication means transmits the terminal data read from the storage means to the terminal device to perform each of the operations, and acquires the state of the device inquired by the terminal device performing the operation, It transmits to the said terminal device.

The above-mentioned devices are controlled objects themselves,
It may be a control device connected to the controlled object, or may be a memory on the control display device such as a memory in which data manually input from an input device such as a barcode reader is stored. . In addition, as the format of the terminal data, the above-mentioned program stores all procedures of each operation as C
It may be a code for instructing a computing means such as a PU or a virtual machine, or a basic program capable of executing some or all of the above operations by calling it in a predetermined procedure (for example, operating system or library). If it already exists, a part or all of the above procedure may be replaced with a code or a pointer for instructing the arithmetic means to call the basic program.
Further, in the program, a portion that changes according to screen data may be separated as data such as an XML file, and the program may refer to the data to cause the terminal device to perform each of the operations. In this case, the data is generated by the generation means, and the terminal data including the data and the program is transmitted to the terminal device.

In the above arrangement, the storage means stores the terminal data generated by the generation means in accordance with the screen data corresponding to each screen area of the terminal device, and the terminal data is stored in the terminal side communication. By means of, for example,
It is transmitted to the terminal device via a network such as the Internet.

On the other hand, the terminal device divides the screen of its own device into a plurality of areas based on the program of the received terminal data, and the terminal side communication means displays the state of the device necessary for the screen display of each area. And display the device status in each area based on the response. Here, the terminal side communication means obtains the status of the device by communicating with, for example, the control target itself of the control system, the control device or the control display device, or a communication device that relays communication with these. In response to an inquiry from the terminal device, the acquired device status is returned. The device inquiring about the state is the device indicated by the screen data, and the location of displaying the state of the device in each area of the screen of the terminal device is determined according to the display position indicated by the screen data.

As a result, the terminal device can be
And software configuration does not match the control display,
For example, access from a remote location via the Internet
Even if it is, on the screen of the terminal device without any trouble,
When the control display device displays based on each screen data
Multiple screens with the same contents as the screen can be displayed simultaneously. This conclusion
As a result, the terminal device can be installed regardless of the hardware configuration, the software configuration, or the access location, and in particular, without creating and installing the monitoring control screen for the terminal device or the monitoring control program for the terminal device. On the screen of the device, a plurality of screens having the same content as the screen displayed by the control display device based on each screen data can be simultaneously displayed, and the user can be more accurately notified of the state of the control system.

Furthermore, since the terminal data includes a program for screen display according to the state of the device,
After transmitting the terminal data, the terminal device and the terminal-side communication means may communicate the device status. So, for example, send an image in bitmap format,
As compared with the case where the screen of the control display device is transmitted to the terminal device, it is possible to reduce the data communication amount when continuing to display the device status. As a result, even when the terminal device and the terminal-side communication means are connected via a communication path with a low transmission speed, the screen can be displayed at a sufficient update speed.

The above-mentioned program may be a program including a machine language that can be executed by the terminal device, but it is an applet consisting of a predetermined procedure so that the program does not depend on the model. Is preferably provided with a translation unit that translates an applet into a machine language for its own device, such as a virtual machine.

In this case, the terminal side communication means transmits an applet that does not depend on the model of the terminal device as the program, and the translation means of the terminal device translates and executes the applet, whereby the terminal device is Inquires about and displays the device status to the communication means on the terminal side. As a result, even if there is only one type of applet stored in the storage means, a plurality of types of terminal devices simultaneously display a plurality of screens having the same content as the screen displayed when the control display device is based on each screen data. it can.

Here, in the case where the screen data includes a large number of unit screens, the terminal-side communication means is used for the terminal showing each operation related to all devices and display positions included in the screen data. When the data is transmitted, the amount of data for the terminal increases, and especially when the communication speed between the terminal device and the terminal-side communication means is slow, the terminal device starts processing for screen display. After that (more accurately, after the reception of the terminal data is started), the period until the actual display becomes long.

On the other hand, in the control system according to the invention of claim 2 , in the configuration of the invention of claim 1 , the screen data can indicate a device and a display position associated with a plurality of unit screens. , The control display device,
When the screen display is performed with reference to the screen data, the state is displayed only for the device related to the currently displayed unit screen, and the generation unit displays the device and display position related to the plurality of unit screens. When the data is received, the unit screen data indicating the device associated with each unit screen and the information according to the display position is generated, and the storage unit stores the unit screen data and the current data as the terminal data. A program that causes the terminal device to perform the above-described operations related to the unit screen by referring to the unit screen data corresponding to the unit screen being displayed, and a unit screen switching operation is performed in the terminal device, The terminal device stores a switching program for acquiring new unit screen data from the terminal side communication means.

In the above configuration, the terminal side communication means refers to the unit screen data corresponding to the currently displayed unit screen as the terminal data, and performs the above-mentioned operations related to the unit screen to the terminal device. The control program, the unit screen data referred to by the program, and the switching program are transmitted. As a result, the amount of data transmitted at one time can be reduced as compared with the case of transmitting terminal data related to all unit screens. Since the unit screen data includes the device displayed on the unit screen and information according to the display position such as the display position itself and the display position on the terminal device, the terminal device is Even if the terminal data related to the screen is not received, the unit screen can be displayed without any trouble.

Therefore, even when a large number of unit screens are included in one screen data, the period from the start of the processing for displaying the screen by the terminal device to the actual display is shortened. it can.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the control system according to the invention of claim 3 responds to an input operation based on screen data showing an input operation and a device controlled according to the input operation. and controlling the display device to control instruct the device, capable of communicating terminal side communication means with the terminal device via a network, the operation of dividing the display screen of the terminal apparatus into a plurality of regions, for each of the respective regions,
When the input operation indicated by the screen data corresponding to the area is accepted by the terminal device, according to the input operation,
Moreover, the storage means for storing the terminal data including the program for causing the terminal device to perform the operation for transmitting the control instruction to the device indicated by the screen data to the terminal side communication means, and the storage area corresponding to each area And a generation unit that generates the terminal data based on the screen data. The terminal-side communication means transmits the terminal data read from the storage means to the terminal device to cause each of the operations to be performed, and is instructed based on a control instruction from the terminal device performing the operation. The control instruction to the device.

The above device is a device to be controlled,
It may be a control device connected to the controlled object or a memory on the control display device. In addition, claim 1
As with, you can select various formats for the terminal data,
The above program is preferably an applet.

In the above configuration, the storage means stores the terminal data generated by the generation means in accordance with the screen data corresponding to each screen area of the terminal device, and the terminal data is stored in the terminal side communication. By means of, for example,
It is transmitted to the terminal device via a network such as the Internet.

On the other hand, when the terminal device divides the screen of its own device into a plurality of areas based on the program of the received terminal data and accepts an input operation to each area, the terminal device responds to the input operation and The control instruction to the device indicated by the screen data is transmitted to the terminal side communication means. The input operation corresponds to the input operation indicated by the screen data corresponding to each area.

Further, when the terminal-side communication means receives a control instruction from the terminal device, for example, the control target itself of the control system, the control device or the control display device, or a communication device for relaying communication therewith or the like. Communicate to convey control instructions to the device. Thereby, the device of the control system can operate according to the control instruction according to the input operation to each area of the screen of the terminal device.

As a result, the terminal device has a hardware configuration, a software configuration, or a configuration similar to that of claim 1 .
Regardless of where you access it, and in particular by inputting to multiple areas provided on the screen of the terminal device without creating and installing a monitor control screen for the terminal device or a monitor control program for the terminal device. A control instruction having the same content as when the control display device receives an input operation based on each screen data can be transmitted, and the states of many devices can be controlled as compared with the case of operating a single control display device.

Further, in the control system according to the invention described in claim 4, in the configuration of the invention described in claim 3 , the screen data can indicate an input operation and a device associated with a plurality of unit screens. When the control display device refers to the screen data and gives a control instruction, only the input operation and device related to the current unit screen are
With the control instruction, the generation means, when receiving the screen data indicating the input operation and the device related to the plurality of unit screens, generates the unit screen data indicating the input operation and the device related to each unit screen, In the storage means, as the terminal data, the unit screen data, a program that causes the terminal device to perform the operation related to the unit screen by referring to the unit screen data corresponding to the current unit screen, When a unit screen switching operation is performed on the terminal device, the terminal device stores a program for acquiring new unit screen data from the terminal side communication unit.

In the above structure, the terminal side communication means is a contractor.
In substantially the same manner as in Requirement 2 , a program that causes the terminal device to perform the above-described operations related to the unit screen by referring to the unit screen data corresponding to the currently displayed unit screen as the terminal data, The unit screen data referred to by the program and the switching program are transmitted. Therefore, even when a large number of unit screens are included in one screen data, it is possible to shorten the period from when the terminal device starts receiving the terminal data to when it actually receives the input operation.

[0031] The recording medium according to claim 5 and 6, a readable recording medium in one or more computers used by the control system, according to claim 1 or
Alternatively , a program for operating the computer is recorded as each means described in 3 .

When the program is read from the recording medium and executed, the control system including the computer operates as the control system according to claim 1 or 3 . Therefore, similarly to the control system according to claim 1 or 3 , the terminal device is irrespective of the hardware configuration, the software configuration, or the access location, and
In particular, the monitor / control screen for the terminal device and the monitor / control program for the terminal device can be displayed / operated in the same manner as the screen display / operation on a plurality of control display devices without installing and installing the program.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
It is as follows when it demonstrates based on FIG.
That is, the control communication system 1 according to the present embodiment,
A control system capable of collectively referring to and controlling screens and data similar to those of a programmable display disposed in the vicinity of a control target from a remote location without impairing the safety of the local control system. , A programmable logic controller (P) as a control device for controlling the device 11a of the target system 11 is shown.
LC) 12, a local control system 2 including a programmable display device (control display device) 14 capable of controlling input and screen display based on screen data determined by combining processing instruction words (tags), and details. As will be described later, the public server device 4 that is connectable to the local control system 2 via the Internet 3 and publishes data indicating the state of the local control system 2 and the public server device 4 via the Internet 3. A connectable client device (terminal device) 5 is provided.

The client device 5 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, a virtual machine 51 capable of executing a Java (registered trademark) language program, and a browser 52 realized by, for example, general-purpose browser software. Is equipped with. Browser 52 above
Can communicate with a device connected to the Internet 3 and cause the virtual machine 51 to execute the received applet. The browser 52 is, for example, H
HTML (HyperText Mar) can be sent from any server device using a protocol such as TTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).
You can also receive and browse documents such as kup Language) documents.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the local control system 2, each programmable display 14 can be connected to the PLC 12 via the serial cable 13, and in many cases, in the vicinity of the target system 11, the target system 11 can be connected. Operated by the operator. Further, the programmable displays 14 are connected to each other by a network 15 which is a local area network such as Ethernet (trademark: Xerox Co., Ltd.). Further, a control host computer 16 is connected to the network 15. In the present embodiment, the public server device 4 and the control host computer 16 correspond to the computers described in the claims.

Here, unlike the conventional control system 501 in which each PLC intervenes in the communication processing in the local control system 2, the local control system 2 is an essential component of the local control system 2 and HM
Since it operates as I (Human Machine Interface),
A programmable display 14 with a computing power reserve is configured to handle most of the communication, and each programmable display 14 has a PLC 12 connected to itself.
The dedicated protocol unique to each model and the common protocol in the network 15 are converted to another programmable display device 14, a control host computer 16, and the PLC 1.
Relay communication with 2. As a result, the programmable display 14 and the control host computer 16 are connected to the PLC 12 connected to another programmable display 14.
Regardless of the model, it is possible to communicate with the common protocol via the network 15. As a result, the control system 50
Compared with 1, PLCs 12 of different models can be easily mixed in the local control system 2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the programmable display 14 has an interface section (I) connected to the serial cable 13 and the network 15.
The F) section includes a dedicated protocol IF section 21 and a common protocol IF section 22, and further includes a protocol conversion section 23 that relays communication between the two, a screen data memory 24 that stores the screen data, a touch panel, and the like. A display processing unit 25 that performs display processing based on the screen data and the operation of the operator from the operation input unit 25a, the communication result, and the like.
It has and. Further, a bar code reader 25b, an ID sensor (not shown), or the like may be provided as other input means.

In the present embodiment, the display processing section 25 is
It is possible to switch between multiple unit screens.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a static figure B whose display contents are not changed, such as a nameplate, and a part figure J (J1) whose display state such as shape, color, and blinking state is changed like a switch, a lamp, or a meter. ) Is arranged on the base screen. On the other hand, the screen data for displaying the above screen is
As shown in FIG. 4, the file number F of the base screen and the event name N that specifies the operation content to be executed on the base screen.
And a tag W including one or more pieces of reference information R referred to for each execution event. When the tag W is a display tag WL that displays a part graphic J according to the content of a predetermined device address in a predetermined screen area (display coordinate range), as shown in FIG. The range (XY), the device address A, and the file number FL referred to at the time of display, such as a file of a figure indicating ON and a file of a figure indicating OFF when the part figure J is a switch, are included. When the tag is an input tag, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference information R includes the effective input coordinate range (X / Y) and the device address A in which the input result is written.

On the other hand, the display processing unit 25 of the programmable display 14 is arranged so that the screen data memory 24 can be displayed at predetermined time intervals.
The file number F of the base screen is extracted from the display tag WL which is the base screen currently being displayed.
Contents of device address A of
2a is read out, and the part graphic J according to the content is displayed on the screen. For example, in FIG. 3, the screen data memory 2
The display tag WL1 stored in No. 4 indicates the display of the switch and corresponds to the device of the device address A1. When executing the display tag WL1, the display processing unit 2
In No. 5, since the content of the device address A1 is “0”, it is determined that the switch is OFF, and among the files stored in the memory 25m of the display processing unit 25, the graphic of the file FL1 associated with OFF is Display coordinate range (X
Y). As a result, the coordinate range (X / Y)
A part graphic J1 showing the switch in the OFF state is displayed on. In this way, the display processing unit 25 executes the display tag in the screen data at a predetermined time interval, so that the screen of the programmable display 14 reflects the device state.

Further, when receiving an input operation of the operator such as a push operation on a touch panel (not shown), the display processing section 25 corresponds to the currently displayed base screen from the screen data of the screen data memory 24, and inputs the input operation. The input tag WT that matches is searched, and the content of the device address A indicated by the input tag WT is changed according to the input result. For example, the effective input coordinate range (X / Y) is the above-mentioned part graphic J1.
Is set to the same coordinate range as, and the same device address A1
When the input tag WT1 for changing the content of the item is included in the screen data, when the operator presses the part graphic J1 on the display screen shown in FIG.
The input tag WT1 is found. In this case, the display processing unit 25 gives an instruction to the dedicated protocol IF unit 21 or the common protocol IF unit 22, for example, to input the input tag WT.
The contents of the device address A1 corresponding to 1 are rewritten. Furthermore, when the display processing unit 25 processes the display tag WL1 after the input operation, the content of the device address A1 becomes "
Since it has been changed to "1", the display processing unit 25 displays the part graphic J2 corresponding to the file FL2 and indicating ON on the screen as shown in FIG. 7. As a result, the display processing unit 2
5 can rewrite the contents of the device address according to the input operation and update the screen display according to the contents of the device address.

The device address A is an address for identifying the device to be controlled, and is, for example, P
Programmable display 1 such as memory 12a of LC12
4, PLC 12, or control host computer 16
1 shows an area of a storage device provided in the storage device. Further, the device may be a memory in which data manually input from an input device such as the operation input unit 25a or the barcode reader 25b is stored. Furthermore, for example,
Dedicated protocol IF unit 21 and common protocol IF unit 22
However, by communicating with the PLC 12 or another programmable display 14, the content of each address can be acquired or the content can be changed. It should be noted that the acquisition / modification of the content may be instructed each time, or a cache is prepared in the programmable display unit 14, and at the time of the acquisition / modification of the content, the cache is accessed and at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time. It may be possible to communicate with each event and synchronize with the substance of the device address A.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the control host computer 16 has a display processing section 31 for monitoring and controlling the entire local control system 2 and a common protocol IF section 32 connected to the network 15 in common. The programmable display unit 14 is provided with a server unit (acquisition unit) 33 that communicates with each programmable display unit 14 via the protocol IF unit 32 and the network 15 and responds to a request from the display processing unit 31 or the like. The state of the target system 11, the PLC 12, or the programmable display 14 can be displayed and controlled from a place farther away.

The control host computer 16 is also provided.
Is provided with a drawing processing unit 34 that creates screen data of the programmable display 14 and a screen data memory 35 that stores the created screen data, and defines the display / control operation of each programmable display 14. After the screen data is created (corrected) collectively by the drawing processing unit 34,
It is distributed to each programmable display device 14 via the server unit 33, the common protocol IF unit 32, and the network 15.

As described above, the screen data is composed of a combination of tags indicating the correspondence between the area on the screen and the address of the device corresponding to the display or input in the area. The drawing processing unit 34, for example, displays a palette of tags, prompts the user to select a tag in the palette and place a desired tag on the screen. Further, the drawing processing unit 34 displays the placed tags at the designated coordinates and adjusts the coordinates of the tags according to the user's operation such as drag and drop. In addition, the drawing processing unit 34
Prompts the user to enter the device address associated with the input tag or display tag. As a result, the user can create the screen data by operating the drawing processing unit 34 to arrange the tag at a desired position on the screen and associating each tag with the address of the device.

Therefore, the display and operation of each programmable display device 14 can be determined (changed) more easily than when the display program of the programmable display device 14 is modified, and the user of the local control system 2 (control host computer). 16 users) target system 11
Can be adjusted to the actual situation, the proficiency level of the operator of the programmable display 14, or the preference of the user.

Further, in the control communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, based on the screen data for the programmable display 14, substantially the same operations as the following two operations, that is, the programmable operation is performed. An operation in which the display 14 displays according to the state of the device based on the screen data,
Further, the public server device 4 is provided to instruct the client device 5 to perform an operation substantially similar to the operation when instructing to change the state of the device according to the operation. However, unlike the case where the programmable display 14 operates based on the screen data, the display destination is the display device (not shown) of the client device 5, and the operation is received from the input device (not shown) of the client device 5. Further, the party to which the client device 5 inquires about the device status and the destination of the status change instruction are also changed to the public server device 4, and the public server device 4 communicates with the client device 5 that operates according to the above instruction, The state of the device can be transmitted to the client device 5, and an instruction to change the state of the device can be received from the client device 5. Further, the public server device 4 communicates with the local control system 2 at a predetermined timing, can grasp the state of the device in the local control system 2 and can transmit a device state change instruction.

As a result, the client device 5 displays a screen having the same contents as the screen of the programmable display 14 even if it is connected from a remote place via the Internet 3, and the device is operated by the same operation. You can control the state of.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation of the public server device 4 according to the present embodiment to instruct the client device 5 is such that the screen area G1 of the client device 5 is divided into a plurality of areas G11, for example, four areas. To G14, and is set to display the screens of the same contents as the screens of the predetermined plurality of programmable displays 14 in the respective regions G11 to G14. Further, by operating each of the areas G11 to G14, the state of the device can be controlled by the same operation as the operation on the corresponding programmable display 14.

As a result, the client device 5 can simultaneously display the screens of a plurality of programmable displays 14, such as one line, only by following the instructions from the public server device 4. As a result, the user of the client device 5 can grasp the screens of the plurality of programmable displays 14 at the same time, which is more efficient than grasping the respective states while switching the programmable displays 14 to be displayed on the client device 5. The state of the local control system 2 can be grasped. Further, since the public server device 4 instructs the client device 5 to display a plurality of predetermined screens, for example, the user of the client device 5 divides the screen into a plurality of screen areas by, for example, displaying a window. , A series of screens can be simultaneously displayed with less effort than in the case of sequentially specifying the screens of the programmable display 14 to be displayed to each. Since the settings of the displayed multiple screens are stored on the public server device 4 side, for example, when the user uses the client device 5 installed at the moving destination, the users from different client devices 5 are different from each other. Even if you access
The screen can be displayed with the same settings.

As described above, in the control communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, programmable display is provided from the public server device 4 provided separately from the local control system 2 to the client device 5 connected via the Internet 3. Data showing the state of the container 14 is made public. Therefore,
Even if an unauthorized access is attempted, the unauthorized access is concentrated not on the local control system 2 but on the public server device 4.

Further, when transmitting / receiving the status of the device, the communication partner of the local control system 2 is limited to the public server device 4, so that the local control system 2 is compared to the case of directly communicating with a large number of client devices 5. It is easy to improve the confidentiality of the communication path between the public server device 4 and the public server device 4. Furthermore, since the device data and the screen data are transmitted separately, it is difficult to restore the screen of the programmable display 14 even if some of the data indicating the device state and the screen data is heard. .

As a result, in the client device 5 connected to the Internet 3, the programmable display 14
Although it can be displayed / operated in the same manner as described above, it is possible to prevent unauthorized access to the local control system 2. Furthermore, even if the operation of the public server device 4 is hindered by the unauthorized access, the delivery to the client device 5 is only hindered, and the local control system 2 controls the controlled object without any hindrance. it can. As a result, a safer control communication system 1 can be realized.

In addition, when the data is disclosed on the Internet 3, not only the above-mentioned measures for preventing unauthorized access, but also the setting for always connecting to the Internet 3, the selection of the communication capacity with the Internet 3, etc. Since a skill different from management and maintenance of the local control system 2 is required, when each user installs a public server device in the local control system, each user needs to train an engineer who is familiar with these skills. is there.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, each local control system 2 has only to communicate with the specific public server device 4 via the Internet 3, so that setting and selection of communication capacity are easy. As a result, each user does not need to train a technician who is familiar with the Internet 3 and can concentrate only on management and maintenance of the local control system 2, so that the burden on each user can be reduced.

On the other hand, the public server device 4 requires a technician who is familiar with the Internet 3, but since the number of users is smaller than that when each user of each local control system 2 is trained individually, control communication is required. The number of engineers in the entire system 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the public server device 4 publishes the data and programs of each user, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required to manage and maintain the disk capacity, communication capacity, etc., as compared with the case where each user separately publishes them.

In particular, since the data communication amount with the Internet 3 changes according to the number of accesses, when the public server device 4 is accessed by an unspecified number of terminal devices, the required communication capacity should be predicted. Is extremely difficult. However, in the present embodiment, since the public server device 4 publishes the data and programs of each user, even if the communication capacities are set with the same margin as in the case where they are installed separately, in the case of separate cases. Than that, the margin of the communication capacity (data communication amount) becomes larger. Therefore, even if the data communication volume related to a certain user increases sharply due to an increase in the number of accesses to data and programs of a certain user, if the data communication volume related to another user does not increase, the data communication volume will increase. Can absorb the increase in As a result, it becomes easier to set the communication capacity as compared with the case where the public server devices are separately provided.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the control host computer 16 is provided with a public server side communication processing unit 36 that communicates with the public server device 4 via the Internet 3. When the local control system 2 and the public server device 4 perform cryptographic communication, the public server side communication processing unit 36 cryptographically communicates with the public server device 4 using a predetermined encryption key or decryption key.

In the public server side communication processing unit 36, for example, data for accessing the public server device 4, such as the telephone number of the provider used when connecting to the Internet 3 and the address of the public server device 4, For example, data for authenticating the public server device 4 such as an account name and password in the public server device 4 are stored. For example, when an instruction is given from a user or when screen data is changed, The screen data in the screen data memory 35 can be transmitted to the public server device 4 by communicating with the public server device 4 at a desired timing.

The public server side communication processing section 36 is also provided.
Is a device required for data disclosure in the public server device 4 by accessing the public server device 4 at a predetermined timing such as when the content of the device address (device data) in the local control system 2 is changed or at a predetermined time interval. The contents of the address can be transmitted to the public server device 4. The content of the device address is acquired via the server unit 33, as in the case where the display processing unit 31 acquires the content.
Further, if the client device 5 has instructed to change the content of the device address as a result of communicating with the public server device 4, the public server communication processing unit 36 displays the display processing unit 31.
Like when changing the contents of device address A,
The instruction is relayed, and the programmable display 14 itself or the PLC 12 connected to the programmable display 14,
A content change instruction can be transmitted to the device address entity.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the public server device 4 has a local control system side communication processing section (acquisition means) 41 for communicating with the local control system 2 via the Internet 3 and a local control system side. The data storage unit 42 that stores the device data received by the communication processing unit 41 from the local control system 2, and the storage unit includes an HTML file, an XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language) file, and an applet that are transmitted to the client device 5, respectively. In response to a request from the HTML file storage unit 43, the XML file storage unit 44, the applet storage unit 45, and the client device 5 via the Internet 3, the storage units 42 to 45 are accessed to store the HTML file and the XML file. , Send applet to client device 5 A public server unit that communicates with the client device 5 that executes the applet, transmits device data necessary for screen display of the client device 5, and receives a device data change instruction from the client device 5 ( The above-mentioned HTML based on the screen data of the terminal side communication means) 46 and the programmable display 14 or the screen data of the same format.
A file generation unit (generation means) 47 for generating a file and an XML file is provided.

The public server device 4 according to this embodiment can publish the states of a plurality of local control systems 2.
In each of the storage units 42 to 45, a storage area is assigned to the user of each local control system 2,
The local control system side communication processing unit 41 authenticates / identifies the user of the local control system 2 by using, for example, an account name and a password, and generates a file generated based on screen data from the local control system 2, or Device data is stored in each storage unit 42-
Of the 45 storage areas, it is stored in the area allocated to the identified user.

The XML file is created for each unit screen included in the screen data for the programmable display unit 14, and each XML file indicates each tag (processing instruction word) related to the unit screen. It contains XML elements.

For example, in the case where the screen data for the programmable display 14 includes the display tag WL of the base screen (unit screen) = 1 (main screen) in the format shown in FIG. 5, the main screen is displayed. In the corresponding XML file,
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the Tag element E1 corresponding to the display tag WL is included. The Tag element E1
Includes the event name, display coordinate range, reference file number, and TagName element E11, X element E12 and Y element E13, Libr corresponding to the device address and the like.
aryNo element E14 and BitSymbolN
Ame element E15 and the like are included, and each element E11 to
The content (content) of E15 depends on the content of the display tag WL, for example, “L_000 in the example of FIG.
0 ", 232 and 120, 101, and 010
It is set to 100. In addition, the input tag W shown in FIG.
In the Tag element E2 corresponding to T, TagN corresponding to the event name, device address, valid input range, etc.
ame element E21, SymbolName element E22,
In addition, X element E23, Y element E24, X2 element E25
The contents of the Y2 element E26 and the like are set according to the contents of the input tag WT. Here, each of the above elements E11 to E
The contents such as 26 may be set so as to match the contents of the display tag WL or the input tag WT, or, for example, at a ratio according to the difference between the resolution of the programmable display 14 and the resolution of the client device 5. The contents of the display tag WL and the input tag WT may be converted and set in a predetermined procedure such as enlargement / reduction.

The file generating unit 47, for example, uses the screen data for the programmable display device 14 to display a processing instruction word (tag WL.WT ...) Of a certain unit screen, that is, a tag in which the file number of the base screen is a predetermined value. Are sequentially extracted, an XML element corresponding to the tag is generated, and the XML
By setting the content of the element according to the tag, an XML file of the unit screen can be created.

On the other hand, the applet stored in the applet storage section 45 is referred to in the HTML file and the operation when the programmable display 14 displays or operates a unit screen while referring to the XML file. This program is a program that causes the client device 5 to execute the same operation as the above. In the present embodiment, the client device 5
The virtual machine 51 is realized as a bytecode written in the Java language that can be executed.

The applet includes a class in which a method corresponding to the type of tag that can appear in the screen data is defined, and a class in which a method that calls the method corresponding to the tag type is defined by referring to the XML file. And a virtual machine 51 that executes the applet
Can refer to an XML file and call a method according to a tag type based on an XML element indicating a tag.

Specifically, among the methods executed by the virtual machine 51, the method corresponding to the tag type is called at a predetermined time interval in the case of a display tag, for example.
This is a drawing method of requesting data of a specific device address to the public server unit 46 and performing display according to a response. The input tag is an input method that is called when an input event occurs and requests the public server unit 46 to write the data according to the input result to a specific device address.

Here, in the screen data according to the present embodiment, the switching operation of each unit screen is also realized as an input tag, and the input tag is stored in the storage area in the programmable display 14 as a device address. Of these, a system area in which data indicating the currently displayed unit screen is stored is associated.

Therefore, among the above input methods,
The input method requesting a change instruction to the specific system area transmits a change instruction of the unit screen to the public server unit 46, and at the same time, sends an XML file corresponding to the changed unit screen, similarly to the normal input method. Read. Thereby, the client device 5 and the programmable display 1
4 can always display the same unit screen.

The input method may change the contents of an alternative storage area provided in the client device 5 instead of transmitting the change instruction to the specific system area. In this case, when referring to the system area by another method, the alternative storage area is referred to instead of inquiring to the public server unit 46. In this case, the client device 5 uses the programmable display 14
Programmable display 1 even if it is a unit screen for
A unit screen different from the unit screen currently displayed in 4 can be displayed.

Further, for example, the same unit screen as that of the programmable display 14 can be specified by specifying it by a parameter setting at the time of executing an applet which will be described later, or by displaying a menu in conjunction with a unit screen selecting operation. Each of the above methods may be created so as to select whether to display or a different unit screen. In this case, although the same applet or XML file is used, if the operator wants to monitor the operation of the programmable display 14, for example, select the former,
The latter can be selected when it is desired to monitor the local control system 2 separately from the operator's operation.

The method for referring to the XML file is, for example, the XM indicating the tag from the XML file.
The L element is extracted, and the type of the tag (for example, the XML
An XML file is created by creating an instance of the class corresponding to the TagName element in the element) and setting the parameters of the tag (for example, the content of each element in the XML element) in the field of the instance. It is possible to cause the virtual machine 51 to execute a method according to the above.

On the other hand, in the HTML file, as shown in FIG. 10, a character string P11 for causing the virtual machine 51 of the client device 5 to execute the applet,
For example, the character string P1 required as an HTML document such as "<HTML>" or "<TITLE>" is included. Also, HTML
In the file, for example, a character string for displaying a character or an image that describes the programmable display 14 displayed by the applet, or a character string that indicates a link to a hypertext document that describes the local control system 2,
The character string P2 according to the HTML format may be included. Further, the HTML file may include the character string P12 for executing the applet for switching the unit screen.

The HTML file according to the present embodiment is created for each combination of the screens of the programmable display 14 that are predetermined to be displayed at the same time, and the character string P11 for applet execution is of the screen to be displayed simultaneously. Only the number is included. Further, the character strings P2 and P12 are provided in the number as required.

Further, in the present embodiment, an XML file is provided for each unit screen. For example, when the browser 52 of the client device 5 displays the HTML file, the unit screen to be displayed first and the programmable display are designated. Information relating to the entire screen data (programmable display device 14) such as designation of the device 14 is included in the character string P11. In the case of the present embodiment, the information is specified as a parameter when executing the applet. For example, the first unit screen has the attribute value of the attribute name "BASESCR" of the PARAM element ("1" in this example). ).

The file generating section 47 refers to a predetermined combination of screens and screen data of the screen, and generates an HTML file according to the combination,
It can be stored in the HTML file storage unit 43. The above combination may be preset by the user of the local control system 2 or may be preset according to an instruction from the client device 5.

Further, the public server unit 46 receives a request from the client device 5, for example, a URI (Universal R).
The HTML file, the XML file, or the applet requested by the client device 5 can be discriminated based on the esource identifier, etc., and these can be distributed to the client device 5.

Further, when the public server unit 46 receives the inquiry about the contents of the device address A from the client device 5 which executes the distributed applet, the public server unit 46 of the storage area of the data storage unit 42 for the user corresponding to the applet. In the area, moreover, the content of the area corresponding to the device address A is read out and returned to the client device 5. When receiving the instruction to change the content of the device address A from the client device 5, the content of the area corresponding to the device address A is rewritten to a value according to the instruction. Here, as described above, the local control system 2 and the public server device 4 communicate with each other at a predetermined timing, and the content of the data storage unit 42 is updated according to the instruction of the local control system 2. The local control system 2 is notified of the change in the data storage unit 42.
Therefore, the client device 5 can display and control the current status of the local control system 2.

The above members 21 to 25, 31 to 3
6, 41 to 47 and 51 and 52, arithmetic means such as CPU executes programs stored in storage means such as ROM and RAM, input / output means such as touch panel and liquid crystal display device, or interface circuit Is a functional block realized by controlling the communication circuit of. Therefore, a computer having these means can execute a recording medium (for example, C
The programmable display device 1 according to the present embodiment only needs to read the D-ROM) and execute the program.
4, control host computer 16, public server device 4
Also, the client device 5 can be realized. In particular, the virtual machine 51 and the browser 5 of the client device 5
2 can be realized by general-purpose browser software preinstalled in many computers, so these computers can operate as the client device 5 without installing a special program. In addition,
For example, if a program for downloading the program through the serial cable 13, the network 15, the Internet 3, or another communication path is installed in the computer in advance, the computer through the communication path may be used. The above program can also be distributed to.

In the above configuration, step 1 shown in FIG.
In (hereinafter, abbreviated as S1), the user of the local control system 2 operates the drawing processing unit 34 of the control host computer 16 to learn the actual situation of the target system 11 and the proficiency level of the operator of the programmable display device 14. Alternatively, the screen data is created / modified according to the user's preference. Further, the created screen data is distributed to the programmable display device 14 in S2 after it is confirmed to operate normally by, for example, a simulation or a connection test, and the programmable display device 14 converts the screen data into screen data in S3. The corresponding display and operation acceptance are started.

Here, since the optimum screen depends on the taste and the degree of proficiency, it cannot be uniquely determined and is often changed relatively frequently. However, as described above, in the present embodiment, the user of the local control system 2 (controlling host computer 16) can generate screen data with a combination of tags, so that it is possible to flexibly respond to these requests and create an optimal state. Can be kept.
Further, since the control host computer 16 can collectively manage the screen data, it is possible to easily manage the screen data as compared with the case where the management is performed in parallel at many places.

When the screen data is updated, the control host computer 16 (public server side communication processing unit 3
6) accesses the public server device 4 in S4, and the public server device 4 (local control system side communication processing unit 41), in S5, for example, the combination of the account and the password stored in advance and the received combination. The local control system 2 or the user thereof is authenticated by comparing with, for example. If the authentication is successful, the screen data is transmitted from the local control system 2 to the public server device 4 in S6. On the other hand, when the public server device 4 receives the screen data, in S7,
The file generation unit 47 generates a public file such as an HTML file and an XML file from the screen data, and stores it in the user area of the HTML file storage unit 43 and the XML file storage unit 44.

On the other hand, via the Internet 3, the client device 5 makes the public server device 4 (public server unit 46)
When the user accesses to and instructs to display a combination of screens of the programmable display 14 of a certain local control system 2 (S11), the public server unit 46, for example, uses the identification number and the password received from the client device 5 in advance. By confirming whether or not the combination is a predetermined combination, it is authenticated whether the display / control by the screen is permitted by the client device 5 or the user, and the client device 5 which is not permitted is authenticated. Access is denied (S12).

Upon confirming that the client device 5 is the authorized legitimate client device 5, the public server unit 46 determines in S13 among the public files generated in S7.
The HTML file for displaying the combination of screens requested by the client device 5 is read from the HTML file storage unit 43, and the file is transmitted to the client device 5 via the Internet 3. Further, the browser 52 of the client device 5 acquires from the public server device 4 the applet designated by each APPLET element (the part from "<APPLET>" to "</ APPLET>") in the HTML file,
The virtual machine 51 is made to execute. Further, the virtual machine 51 that executes the applet acquires the XML file required for screen display from the public server device 4.

Further, in S14, the virtual machine 51 of the client device 5 communicates with the public server unit 46 while referring to the XML file, and as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of programmable programs specified by the HTML file are programmed. The screen of the display 14 is displayed, and control is instructed according to the operation on the screen.

Specifically, the virtual machine 51 executing the applet refers to the XML file and creates an instance corresponding to each tag (processing instruction word). Of these instances, the drawing method of the instance corresponding to the display tag is executed at a predetermined time interval. As a result, the virtual machine 51 determines that the device address A
Inquires the contents of the public server device 4.

On the other hand, the public server unit 4 of the public server device 4
Upon receiving the inquiry, the data reading unit 6 reads the data from the area corresponding to the device address A in the storage area of the user corresponding to the applet in the data storage unit 42 and transmits the data to the client device 5. When the data is transmitted to the client device 5 via the Internet 3, the drawing method causes a predetermined display area (display area) on the display screen of the client device 5 according to the data (contents of the device address A). Update the X / Y) display.

Here, the XML file and the HTML file for calling the applet are generated on the basis of the screen data, and each of the instances references the same device address as the corresponding tag in the screen data. Is set to. In addition, the drawing method of each instance, if the content of the device address is the same,
It is created to display the same image as the tag. Therefore, when the applet is executed, the part graphic J1 (J2) showing the state of the device is displayed on the display screen of the client device 5, as in FIGS. 3 and 7.

The HTML file contains a plurality of applets. Each applet has a browser 52.
When the screen areas G11 to G14 are allocated from, the drawing is performed with the relative coordinates within the screen area (for example, relative coordinates with the upper left corner as a reference). Therefore, regardless of the number and order of the applets included in the HTML file, the client device 5 has screen areas G11 to G1.
At 4, the device status can be displayed.

On the other hand, when an input operation such as a mouse operation is performed during execution of the applet, the virtual machine 51 executes the input method of the instance corresponding to the input operation among the instances corresponding to the input tag.
As a result, the virtual machine 51 requests the public server unit 46 to write data according to the input result to the specific device address. Further, upon receiving the write request, the public server unit 46 causes the data storage unit 42 to
In the storage area of, the content of the area of the requested device address A is rewritten. As a result, the client device 5
After the writing, the operation result is reflected on the display screen of the same as the programmable display 14 when the drawing method is executed.

Here, the local control system 2 accesses the public server device 4 to synchronize the contents of the data storage section 42 of the public server device 4 with the substance of the device address of the local control system 2. When synchronizing the contents of the data storage unit 42 and the substance of the device address, the direction in which the data is transmitted is determined according to, for example, the change time and the priority order of the operation.

For example, when the data storage unit 42 of the public server device 4 is updated in accordance with the content of the device address of the local control system 2, the public server side communication processing unit 36, like the display processing unit 31, makes the device The contents of the address are acquired and sent as device data. On the contrary, when the change of the data storage unit 42 is transmitted to the substance of the device address, the local control system side communication processing unit 41 of the public server device 4 causes the data storage unit 42 to access the local control system 2 at the time of access. The device data is read from 42 and transmitted to the local control system 2. Further, when the public server side communication processing unit 36 receives the device data, the contents changing instruction is transmitted via the server unit 33 as in the case where the display processing unit 31 changes the contents.

In this embodiment, the case where the local control system 2 accesses the public server device 4 to synchronize the device data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the public server device 4 controls the local control system. 2 may be accessed to synchronize device data. However, in this case, since the local control system 2 needs to respond to the access from the public server device 4, it needs to be constantly connected to the Internet 3. Even in this case, since the access source is limited, the confidentiality can be improved as compared with the case where the access from the client device 5 is permitted, but the setting for connecting to the Internet 3 is troublesome. Therefore, when the local control system 2 and the public server device 4 are connected via the Internet 3, the local control system 2 is connected as in the present embodiment.
It is preferable to access from.

In the present embodiment, the file generator 4
XML file and H generated by 7 based on screen data
The TML file is stored in the HTML file storage unit 43 / XML.
Although the case where the file is stored in the file storage unit 44 in advance has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the screen data is stored and the file generation unit 47 causes the file generation unit 47 to store each file when requested by the client device 5. Create each storage unit 4
It may be stored in 3.44. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the file generating unit 47 is provided in the public server device 4 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the file generating unit 47 is provided in the local control system, and the public server device 4 generates the file. The HTML file or the XML file generated by the unit 47 may be received. In any case, HTML created according to the screen data
The same effect can be obtained by releasing the file or the XML file.

In the example of FIG. 1, the case where the local control system 2 and the public server device 4 are connected by the Internet 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and wide area communication such as a public telephone line network is performed. You may connect through a network. However, unlike the public telephone line network, the Internet 3 does not secure a line between the transmitting side and the receiving side, so that the communication cost is often set low. Therefore, when the distance between the local control system 2 and the public server device 4 is different, such as when the country where the local control system 2 is installed and the country where the public server device 4 is installed are different, as in the above-described embodiments, the Internet 3 is used. It is preferable to connect with.

Further, although the HTML file and the XML file generated based on the screen data are stored in the HTML file storage unit 43 and the XML file storage unit 44 according to the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, a file for displaying based on device data, such as an HTML file for displaying data obtained by statistically processing device data, may be made public.
The file may be created by the user of the local control system 2 or the operator of the public server device 4.

Even in this case, since the device data is synchronized between the local control system 2 and the public server device 4, the client device 5 does not directly communicate with the local control system 2 and the local control system 2 does not communicate with the local control system 2. The status of 2 can be displayed. Further, since it is only necessary to transmit the device data, the setting on the local control system 2 side can be simplified. Therefore, the state of the local control system 2 can be safely displayed on the client device 5 at a remote place without burdening the user of the local control system 2.

By the way, in FIG. 1, the case where the state of the local control system 2 is disclosed by the public server device 4 provided separately from the local control system 2 has been described as an example, but as shown in FIG. The local control system 2 may be provided with a public server unit or the like.

Specifically, in the control communication system 1a according to the modification, the control host computer 16a of the local control system 2a is replaced with the public server side communication processing section 36 shown in FIG. The unit 43 to the file generation unit 47 are provided. However,
The public server unit 46 accesses the server unit 33 instead of accessing the data storage unit 42, acquires the contents of the device address, and gives an instruction to change the contents of the device address. The file generator 47 also reads the screen data from the screen data memory 35 and generates an HTML file and an XML file. In the modification, the control host computer 16a corresponds to the computer described in the claims.

Even with this configuration, the client device 5
Is the local control system 2 via the Internet 3.
It is possible to display a screen similar to that of the programmable display 14 and operate on the screen. However, in this case, since the local control system 2a needs to respond to the access from the client device 5, it is difficult to prevent the access from the unauthorized client device. Therefore, even for the operator of the public server device 4, the programmable display device 1
Except when you do not want to show the screen data of 4 etc.,
As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to provide a public server device 4 different from the local control system 2.

In the above description, the applet distributed by the public server unit 46 is displayed / controlled based on an XML file indicating a tag (processing instruction word) related to each unit screen, as an example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, as the PARAM element described in the HTML file, the following character strings (codes), that is, the instances corresponding to all the tags included in the screen data are generated and A character string for setting each field according to the content of the tag may be described. in this case,
The file generation unit 47 refers to the contents of the tags for all the tags in the screen data, and generates the character string based on the reference result, as indicated by P11a in FIG.
In this case, the XML file storage unit 44 is unnecessary.

Regardless of the operation and calling method of the applet, the public server unit 46 controls the operation in which the programmable display 14 displays according to the state of the device based on the screen data and the change of the state of the device according to the operation. If the client device 5 can be instructed to perform an operation substantially similar to the operation at the time of instructing, the same effect as that of the control communication system 1 (1a) is obtained.

However, if the applets and HTML files corresponding to all the tags in the screen data are sent at once,
It takes a long time after the client device 5 accesses the public server unit 46 until the client device 5 starts displaying / operating. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is preferable to divide and transmit the data instructing the operation regarding each unit screen.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the client device (5) is provided with an operation of transmitting the inquiry / change instruction similar to that of the programmable display unit (14) to the public server unit 46 and an operation of displaying it according to the response. The case where the applet, the HTML file, and the XML file to be executed are distributed has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, based on the screen data and the device data, the public server device 4 or the local control system 2a (2) has the same contents as the screen display of the programmable display 14, and the image of the format that the client device 5 can display. A file (bitmap format, JPEG format file, or the like) may be generated and the file may be transmitted to the client device 5. In this case, the state of the device cannot be controlled from the client device 5, but the screen of the programmable display 14 can be displayed from a remote place.
Further, even in this case, it is not necessary to previously install the program for displaying the screen of each programmable display in the client device 5, so that the labor, time, and cost of installation can be reduced.

However, when the communication speed between the public server unit 46 and the client device 5 is low, such as when the communication is performed via the Internet 3, when the data indicating the screen is transmitted, the screen of the client device 5 is changed. Update speed will decrease.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the inquiry, change instruction and display operation are performed by the client device 5.
Since the applet to be performed is distributed, the data transmission amount can be greatly reduced and the response speed in the client device can be greatly improved. Further, for example, a user interface such as cursor movement can be processed on the client device side, so that the response speed can be further improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the applet is disclosed has been described as an example. However, instead of the applet, it is created by compiling a programming language such as Basic, and the same operation as the applet is performed. Even if the execution program that causes the client device 5 to execute is distributed, substantially the same effect can be obtained.

However, when the virtual machine 51 of the client device 5 interprets and displays / controls the applet as in the present embodiment, if the client device 5 includes the virtual machine, the operating system of the client device ( The applet can be executed even if the machine language that can be executed by the OS and CPU is different. Therefore, more client devices 5 can be provided without increasing the types of applets distributed by the public server unit 46.
Can be displayed / controlled in the same manner as the programmable display 14.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a plurality of character strings P11 (P11a) for calling the applet for screen display are provided in the HTML file according to the number of screens to be displayed at the same time, but this is not the only case. Not a thing.

For example, the file generation unit 47 is an HTML file (default file) having one character string P11 (P11a) for each screen data (each programmable display 14), which is substantially the same as in FIG. 10 (FIG. 13). May be generated, and the HTML file (index file) shown in FIG. 14 may be generated for each combination of the screens of the programmable display 14 that are predetermined to be displayed simultaneously. The index file has an FR that includes a FRAME element that refers to the default file for each screen.
When the browser 52 of the client device 5 receives the index file, the screen of the client device 5 is divided into a plurality of frames, and the default file is displayed in each frame. As a result, the character string P for calling the applet
It is possible to display a plurality of screens of the programmable display 14 on the client device 5 at the same time as in the case of providing a plurality of 11 (P11a).

As described above, the control system according to the present embodiment is
Obtains data showing multiple control display screens
Based on the acquisition means and the acquired data
Simultaneously display the screen of each control display device on the device display screen.
Means for generating terminal data to be displayed on the screen
Communication with the above terminal device via the network,
And a terminal-side communication means for transmitting data for the terminal.
It is characterized by that.

In the above arrangement, the acquisition means is, for example,
Communicates with the control display device to display a bitmap format screen
Receives data indicating itself or responds to device status.
Data showing the display method and data showing the device status.
Screens of multiple control display devices
When the data indicating the is acquired, the generation unit indicates each screen.
While converting the data into a format that can be displayed by the terminal device,
A plurality of screens are combined to generate terminal data. Furthermore
The terminal-side communication means is, for example, the Internet or the like.
Send terminal data to terminal device via network
To do.

As a result, the terminal device is
And software configuration does not match the control display,
For example, access from a remote location via the Internet
Even if it is, on the screen of the terminal device without any trouble,
When the control display device displays based on each screen data
Multiple screens with the same contents as the screen can be displayed simultaneously. But
Therefore, especially for the terminal device monitoring control screen and terminal device
Without having to create and install a supervisory control program for
Even if a single screen is displayed to the user of the terminal device.
Can show the status of many devices and control system status.
The state can be notified more accurately.

[0115]

According to the control system of the invention of claim 1 ,
As described above, based on the screen data corresponding to each area, a generation unit that generates terminal data for causing the terminal device to perform the display screen division operation, the device state inquiry operation, and the display operation, The terminal-side communication means for transmitting the terminal data to the terminal device to cause each of the above-mentioned operations to be performed, and for acquiring the state of the device inquired by the terminal device performing the operation and transmitting the device state to the terminal device. It is a composition.

[0116] Therefore, end the end device, hardware and software configurations, or, regardless of the location where you want to access, also, installed in particular create a monitoring and control program for the monitoring and control screen or the terminal device of the terminal device Instead, multiple screens with the same contents as the screen displayed by the control display device based on each screen data can be displayed on the screen of the terminal device at the same time, and the state of the control system can be presented to the user more accurately. The effect that it can be notified is produced.

Furthermore, after the terminal data is transmitted, the terminal device and the terminal side communication means may communicate the device status, so that the terminal device and the terminal side communication means are in a communication path with a slow transmission speed. Even when connected, the effect that the screen can be displayed at a sufficient update speed is also obtained.

As described above, in the control system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, when the generating means receives the screen data indicating a plurality of unit screens, each unit Unit screen data indicating a device related to the screen and information according to a display position is generated, and the unit screen data and the currently displayed unit screen are stored in the storage unit as the terminal data. The program stores a program for causing the terminal device to perform the above-described operations related to the unit screen by referring to the unit screen data, and a unit screen switching program.

Therefore, even when a large number of unit screens are included in one screen data, the period from the start of the process for the screen display by the terminal device to the actual display is set. The effect of being able to shorten is produced.

As described above, the control system according to the invention of claim 3 is based on the screen data corresponding to each area.
Generating means for generating terminal data for causing the terminal device to perform the dividing operation of the display screen and the operation of transmitting the control instruction to the device indicated by the screen data in response to the input operation to each area. A terminal-side communication unit that transmits terminal data to the terminal device to cause each of the above-described operations to be performed and that transmits a control instruction to the instructed device according to an instruction from the terminal device performing the operation. It has a structure.

Therefore, regardless of the hardware configuration, software configuration, or access location,
In particular, without creating and installing a supervisory control screen for the terminal device or a supervisory control program for the terminal device, inputting to multiple areas provided on the screen of the terminal device causes the control display device to display each screen data. Based on the above, it is possible to transmit a control instruction having the same content as when receiving an input operation, and it is possible to control the states of many devices more than when operating a single control display device.

As described above , in the control system according to the invention of claim 4, in the configuration of the invention of claim 3 , when the generating means receives the screen data related to a plurality of unit screens, Unit screen data indicating an input operation and a device associated with each unit screen is generated, and the storage unit stores the unit screen data as the terminal data and unit screen data corresponding to the currently displayed unit screen. Is configured to store a program for causing the terminal device to perform the above-described operations related to the unit screen and a unit screen switching program.

Therefore, even when a large number of unit screens are included in one screen data, the period from when the terminal device starts receiving the terminal data until when the input operation is actually accepted. The effect of being able to shorten.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control communication system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a local control system in the control communication system.

FIG. 3 shows a relationship between screen data and a display screen in the control communication system, in which a switch is OF
It is explanatory drawing which shows the time of F state.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of tags included in the screen data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure example of a display tag among the above tags.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of an input tag among the above tags.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between screen data and a display screen in the control communication system, in which a switch is turned on.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where it was set.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of a client device in the control communication system.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an XML file distributed from a public server device to a client device in the control communication system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an HTML file distributed from a public server device to a client device in the control communication system.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control communication system.

FIG. 12 shows a modified example of the control communication system, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control host computer of the local control system.

FIG. 13 is another explanatory example of the control communication system, and is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an HTML file distributed to a client device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating still another modification of the control communication system, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an HTML file distributed to a client device.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a control system, showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1.1a Control communication system (control system) 4 Public server device (computer) 5 Client device (terminal device) 11a Device 14 Programmable display (control display device) 16 / 16a Control host computer (computer) 33 Server unit (Acquisition Means) 41 Local Control System Side Communication Processing Unit (Acquisition Means) 47 File Generation Unit (Generation Means) 43 HTML File Storage Unit (Storage Means) 44 XML File Storage Unit (Storage Means) 45 Applet Storage Unit (Storage Means) 46 Public server section (terminal side communication means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI // G06F 13/00 351 G06F 13/00 351N (56) Reference JP-A-11-175180 (JP, A) JP-A-11 -110311 (JP, A) JP-A-10-124418 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 23/00-23/02 G06F 3/00 G06F 3/14 -3/153 G06F 11/28-11/34 G06F 13/00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A device required for display and the state of the device.
Based on the screen data showing the position to display
Get the status of the device and display the status of the device on the screen.
Control display device and terminal side communication that can communicate with the terminal device via the network
Means for dividing the display screen of the terminal device into a plurality of areas,
For each of the above areas, the image corresponding to the area
The device status indicated by the surface data is sent to the terminal side communication means.
Operation to inquire, and the screen of the above area
Inquires about the display position indicated by the data.
Cause the above terminal device to perform screen display operation according to the result.
Means for storing terminal data including a program
And the terminal based on the screen data corresponding to each area.
Generating means for generating data for use, and the terminal-side communication means is an end device read from the storage means.
Send the mess data to the terminal device to perform each of the above operations.
And the terminal device performing the operation inquires.
Acquire the device status and send it to the terminal device.
Control system characterized by. 2. The screen data is related to a plurality of unit screens.
The device and display position to be displayed can be indicated.
The customer display device displays the screen by referring to the screen data.
Device, only the device associated with the currently displayed unit screen
, The status is displayed, and the generation unit is configured to control the device related to the plurality of unit screens.
And when the screen data showing the display position is received,
Information related to the device and display position related to each unit screen
Unit data is generated and the storage means stores the unit data as the terminal data.
The screen data and the single screen corresponding to the currently displayed unit screen
Position above with reference to the screen data that are related to the unit screen each
A program for causing a terminal device to perform an operation, and the above terminal device
When the unit screen switching operation is performed in
A new unit screen data is sent to the device from the communication means on the terminal side.
And a switching program to get
The control system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An input operation and a control according to the input operation
The input data is
Flip a control display apparatus for control instruction to the device, capable of communicating terminal communicating with the terminal apparatus via a network
Means for dividing the display screen of the terminal device into a plurality of areas,
For each of the above areas, the image corresponding to the area
If the input operation indicated by the surface data is accepted by the above terminal device,
Screen, the screen data is displayed according to the input operation.
Control instructions to the device indicated by
A program that causes the terminal device to perform the operation of sending
The storage means for storing the terminal data included therein, and the terminal based on the screen data corresponding to each area
Generating means for generating data for use, and the terminal-side communication means is an end device read from the storage means.
Sending the mess data to the above terminal device to perform each of the above operations
And the control instruction from the terminal device that performs the operation.
Based on transmitting control instructions to the instructed device
Control system characterized by. 4. The screen data is related to a plurality of unit screens.
You can indicate the input operation and device to
The display device for control refers to the screen data and gives a control instruction.
Input unit and device related to the current unit screen,
In addition to giving a control instruction only for the chair, the above-mentioned generation means performs the input operation related to the plurality of unit screens.
And if you receive screen data showing the device,
A simple display showing the input operations and devices associated with each unit screen.
Unit screen data is generated, and the storage unit stores the unit data as the terminal data.
Screen data and unit screen data corresponding to the current unit screen
Refer to the user interface to perform the above operations related to the unit screen on the terminal device.
Screen and the unit screen on the terminal device
When a switching operation is performed on the terminal device,
Obtain new unit screen data from the communication means on the terminal side
The program and a program are stored.
3. The control system described in 3. 5. A device required for display and the state of the device.
Based on the screen data showing the position to display
Get the status of the device and display the status of the device on the screen.
Used in a control system equipped with a control display device
One or more computer-readable records
Terminal side communication that is a medium and is capable of communicating with a terminal device via a network
Means for dividing the display screen of the terminal device into a plurality of areas,
For each of the above areas, the image corresponding to the area
The device status indicated by the surface data is sent to the terminal side communication means.
Operation to inquire, and the screen of the above area
Inquires about the display position indicated by the data.
Cause the above terminal device to perform screen display operation according to the result.
Memory that stores terminal data including programs
And the terminal based on the screen data corresponding to each stage and each area.
As a generating means for generating data for use
A program for operating the computer is recorded, and the computer is operated as the communication means on the terminal side.
The program is a terminal device read from the storage means.
Data to the above terminal device to perform each of the above operations
Together with the device that the terminal device performing the operation makes an inquiry
Program that acquires the status of the device and sends it to the terminal device.
A recording medium that is 6. A device required for display and the state of the device.
Based on the screen data showing the position to display
Get the status of the device and display the status of the device on the screen.
Used in a control system equipped with a control display device
One or more computer-readable records
Terminal side communication that is a medium and is capable of communicating with a terminal device via a network
Means for dividing the display screen of the terminal device into a plurality of areas,
For each of the above areas, the image corresponding to the area
If the input operation indicated by the surface data is accepted by the above terminal device,
Screen, the screen data is displayed according to the input operation.
Control instructions to the device indicated by
A program that causes the terminal device to perform the operation of sending
The storage means for storing the terminal data included therein, and the terminal based on the screen data corresponding to the respective areas
As a generating means for generating data for use
A program for operating the computer is recorded, and the computer is operated as the communication means on the terminal side.
The program is a terminal device read from the storage means.
When the data is transmitted to the above terminal device to perform the above operations,
Both are based on the control instruction from the terminal device that performs the operation.
Program that transmits control instructions to the specified device
Is a recording medium.