JP4000864B2 - Development support apparatus, program product, and automatic monitoring method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a development support apparatus, a program product, and an automatic monitoring method .
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known, a programmable controller (PLC) used in factory automation (FA) inputs ON / OFF information of input devices (switches, sensors, etc.), and a sequence program written in a ladder language ( Control is performed by executing a logical operation in accordance with the user program and outputting an ON / OFF information signal to an output device (relay, valve, actuator, etc.) based on the result of the operation.
[0003]
By the way, when an abnormality occurs in the PLC, a PLC user program or the like is read onto the development support apparatus in order to identify the abnormality location, and a connection between the PLC and the development support apparatus is established. After that, the problem location is identified by the debugging function of the development support apparatus. If the problem location is specified, the user program or the like is corrected as appropriate, and the corrected user program or the like is downloaded to the PLC, so that the system can be operated normally.
[0004]
In the prior art, the following operations and procedures are performed as a procedure until the debugging process can be performed. In other words, as an example, there is a method in which backup data is read into a development support apparatus and debugged while being connected to a PLC. However, in this method, in order to cope with an abnormality immediately, it is necessary to prepare backup data for the PLC around all the PLCs. Furthermore, in order to debug correctly, it is necessary that the content of the backup data and the content of the data held by the PLC match, and it is unknown when the abnormality occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to construct and execute a mechanism that always matches the data contents of the PLC with the contents of the backup data. Then, a load of processing for matching the contents of the backup is applied, and an influence on the original processing of the PLC occurs.
[0005]
Another method is to generate a project for a PLC to be maintained on a development support device (for example, CX-Programmer: the product of the applicant), and then connect to the PLC and data required from the PLC. Is read into the development support device. Then, it is possible to perform debugging processing based on the fetched data.
[0006]
By the way, in order to generate a project, it is first necessary to set the model code (model) and communication conditions of the target PLC. Therefore, the user must acquire the model code and communication condition of the PLC in which an abnormality has occurred by using a manual or the like, and register the information via the input device of the development support apparatus. However, it is cumbersome to find and register the model code and the like under the tense situation when an abnormality occurs. Also, if the PLC itself is exposed to the outside, the model code may be visible and confirmed directly, but if the PLC is built into the device There is a problem that the model code cannot be seen, it is difficult to determine the model code, it takes time to generate a project, and it takes time to make debugging possible.
[0007]
Furthermore, in any of the cases described above, the user (maintenance person in charge) needs to perform various operations as pre-processing for entering the work of identifying the abnormal part by the debug function, which is complicated. In addition, the user is not necessarily familiar with the operation of the development support apparatus, and as the number of operations increases, the problem is solved in a short time. In particular, when performing maintenance, the FA system including the target PLC will be stopped, and production processing cannot be performed during the stoppage period. Since it is important to take care of it, it takes a long time to start debugging as described above.
[0008]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a development support apparatus, a program product, and an automatic monitoring method that can be connected to a PLC in which an abnormality has occurred with a simple operation and can acquire necessary information to enable debugging. Objective.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The development support apparatus according to the present invention is a development support apparatus for a PLC that includes a communication unit that communicates with a PLC and a debugging unit that debugs based on the PLC information acquired through the communication unit. Then, the communication condition storage means for storing a plurality of communication conditions for communicating with the PLC, and the communication condition selected from the plurality of communication conditions stored in the communication condition storage means, the communication A request for returning a specific information specifying the PLC is sent to the PLC via the means, and the correct communication condition is determined from the presence or absence of a response from the PLC, and the determined correct communication condition and the response are acquired. A project for the PLC including the specific information is generated, a connection with the PLC is established according to the determined correct communication condition after the project is generated, and a program necessary for debugging from the PLC is included in a state where the connection is established. Acquire information, store the acquired information in the corresponding area of the generated project, and Information is configured with a means for initiating a monitoring program on the basis of the project stored. In the embodiment, the means for establishing the connection and the acquiring means are realized by a preprocessing function. As this communication means, for example, as shown in the embodiment, a communication means for performing serial communication can be used.
[0010]
According to the present invention, when the development support apparatus is connected to the PLC in which an abnormality has occurred and the operation is started, a return request is first made by sequentially using communication conditions prepared in advance. Then, when a return request is received under communication conditions supported by the PLC, the PLC can return a response to the request. However, if the request is sent under different return conditions, the PLC cannot correctly receive the return request. Therefore, no response can be returned. Therefore, the development support apparatus can determine whether or not the communication conditions when the return request is transmitted are correct depending on whether or not there is a response. That is, when a response is received, it can be determined that the communication condition sent at that time is the correct communication condition supported by the target PLC. Further, since specific information (model code (model) in the embodiment) for specifying the PLC is sent in the response, the specific information can be used when performing a debugging process or the like. And since communication conditions and specific information can be acquired automatically, it can be in the state which can be debugged easily and rapidly.
[0011]
That is, a function for generating a project necessary for debugging based on the specific information acquired in the response is provided, and the acquisition unit is operated after the project is generated, and the acquired information is added to the project. Can be configured. In addition, the project can be performed based on the determined correct communication condition and the specific information acquired by the response. This project generation and information addition enable debugging.
[0012]
Further, on the premise of each of the above-described inventions, it is preferable that the communication condition to be alternatively selected is preferentially selected as the communication condition selected as the correct communication condition. If it does in this way, by using a development support apparatus, the communication conditions set in PLC often used in the factory etc. will be selected preferentially. Therefore, the correct communication conditions can be determined more quickly and can be set in a state where debugging can be performed quickly.
[0013]
More preferably, an output means for outputting and displaying information on the specific information acquired by the response on a display device is provided. By doing so, it is possible to know the model of the target PLC.
[0014]
Moreover, it is good to provide the function which checks whether it is a code | cord | chord which can be used when correcting a user program based on the said specific information acquired by the response, and can use only the said usable code | cord | chord. If it does in this way, it can control that a user program etc. are corrected using the code which cannot be used accidentally. This is especially effective when online editing.
[0015]
A program product according to the present invention is a program product for a development support apparatus including a debugging unit that debugs based on information on the PLC acquired through a communication unit that communicates with a PLC. Access to a communication condition storage unit that stores a plurality of communication conditions, use the acquired communication conditions to process the acquisition of the communication conditions alternatively from the plurality of communication conditions, and to the PLC via the communication means A process for sending a return request for specific information for identifying the PLC, a process for determining a correct communication condition based on the presence or absence of a response from the PLC , a determined correct communication condition, and the specific information acquired in the response A project for the PLC including the PLC and the connection with the PLC according to the determined correct communication condition after the project is generated. In a state where the connection is established and the connection is established, information including a program necessary for debugging is acquired from the PLC, and the acquired information is stored in the corresponding area of the generated project, and necessary information is stored. And a process for starting monitoring the program based on the project that has been executed.
The automatic monitoring method according to the present invention is an automatic monitoring method in a development support apparatus including a debugging unit that debugs based on information on the PLC acquired via a communication unit that communicates with the PLC, and communicates with the PLC. To access a communication condition storage unit that stores a plurality of communication conditions, and to obtain a communication condition alternatively from the plurality of communication conditions, using the acquired communication condition, and via the communication means The process of transmitting a return request for specific information for identifying the PLC to the PLC is performed, the process of determining the correct communication condition from the presence or absence of a response from the PLC, the process of determining the correct communication condition and the response A project for the PLC including the acquired specific information is generated, and the determined correctness is generated after the project is generated. A process for establishing a connection with the PLC is performed according to communication conditions, and information including a program necessary for debugging is acquired from the PLC in a state in which the connection is established, and the acquired information is stored in a corresponding area of the generated project. A process for starting monitoring of the program is performed based on the project in which the necessary information is stored.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration including a development support apparatus 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, various units such as a power supply unit 1, a PLC main body (also referred to as a CPU unit) 2, and an I / O unit 3 are electrically and mechanically connected by a CPU bus or the like to constitute a PLC. The PLC main body 2 is provided with a serial port 2 a, and the development support apparatus 10 can be connected to the serial port 2 a via the communication cable 5. The PLC main body 2 and the development support apparatus 10 can send and receive information (user programs and other data) by RS-232C. Although not specifically shown, the memory of the PLC main body 2 stores user programs, data indicating operation status such as input / output information, and specific information for identifying itself such as a machine code (model). Also, it has a function of returning necessary information to the development support apparatus 10 in accordance with a command from the development support apparatus 10.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of a preferred embodiment of the development support apparatus 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a communication interface 11 for RS-232C is provided, and information is transmitted to and received from the PLC main body 2 via the communication interface 11. Further, the received information is taken into the MPU 12, and specific transmission / reception of information is controlled by the MPU 12. The MPU 12 has a debugging function and a preprocessing function in relation to the present invention. The debugging function is a conventionally known function, and has a function of performing a debugging process based on information (user program, data, etc.) acquired from the PLC main body 2 and specifying an abnormal part. Further, it has a function of correcting an abnormal part and downloading a corrected program or the like to the PLC main body 2. In addition, since the same algorithm as the conventional algorithm can be used for performing such a process, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0018]
Here, in the present invention, the communication condition database 13 is provided in the storage unit 16 such as a hard disk. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication condition database 13 is a table that associates PLC types (PLC series), network types (communication procedures), and communication speeds. All communication conditions (in this example, 14 types) of the maintenance target PLC main body of the development support apparatus 10 are prepared.
[0019]
The preprocessing function implemented in the MPU 12 attempts to connect to the PLC main body 2 by sequentially executing a plurality of communication conditions registered in the communication condition database 13 from the top, and determines the communication conditions of the PLC main body 2 to be connected. Then, it has a function of generating a project for the target PLC main body 2 and executing processing for reading out necessary information from the PLC main body 2. Specifically, it has a function of executing the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, first, the communication condition database 13 is accessed, and one communication condition is acquired (ST1). Since the acquired communication conditions are performed in order from the top, the communication condition stored next to the previously acquired communication condition is acquired. As a matter of course, the first communication condition is acquired at the head (in the case of FIG. 3, “C Series, SYSWAY, 9600”).
[0020]
Next, it is determined whether new communication conditions have been acquired (ST2). That is, the process of step 1 is executed to determine whether a new communication condition has been acquired. And if there is no communication condition, all the communication conditions are checked in the process up to the previous time, and it means that none of the corresponding communication conditions exist, so an error is notified and this time The process ends (ST3).
[0021]
If new conditions can be acquired, a request for return of “model code (model)” is made to the PLC main body 2 under the communication conditions, and acquisition of the model code is attempted (ST4). If the PLC main body 2 normally receives the return request, it returns its model code to the development support apparatus 10 as a response in response to the return request.
[0022]
That is, the PLC main body 2 corresponds to any one of the 14 types of communication conditions described above (may be compatible with a plurality of types). When a request is sent, the content is analyzed and a normal response is returned. However, when a request is sent under unsupported communication conditions, it cannot be received normally, so a response is returned. I can't.
[0023]
In other words, when standing on the development support apparatus 10 side, if there is a response from the PLC main body 2, it can be determined that the communication conditions used at the time of transmission in step 4 are correct, and there is no response even after a certain period of time. In this case, it can be estimated that the communication condition was wrong. Therefore, in the branch determination in step 5, it is determined whether or not there is a response. If there is no response, the process returns to step 1 to execute processing based on the next communication condition.
[0024]
On the other hand, if a response is received, it can be determined that the communication condition of the target PLC main body 2 is the communication condition used in step 4, so the process proceeds to step 6 and the history information in the communication condition database 13 is updated. Actually, the communication condition used this time is moved to the head of the communication condition database 13. For example, in the specific example of the data structure shown in FIG. 3, if a response is received at the tenth “CS1 Series, SYSWAY, 115000”, this communication condition is the head, that is, “C Series, SYSWAY, 9600”. Place them on top of each other and move them down one by one. As a result, when the next maintenance is performed on the same PLC main body 2, the communication conditions are finally determined at the 10th time this time, but the next time “CS1 Series, SYSWAY, 115000” Since the communication condition is not selected (when communication with the PLC main body is not performed), the communication condition is immediately determined.
[0025]
Moreover, although the communication conditions of the PLC main body installed in one factory are not necessarily one, they are often collected into several types. Therefore, by using this development support apparatus 10 several times, the communication conditions used in the factory are gathered at the upper level (the top side) of the communication condition database 13. Communication conditions can be determined in a relatively short time.
[0026]
Note that the method of preferentially selecting is not limited to the one that is determined as the correct communication condition as described above, and for example, the selected number of times is accumulated, and the number of times of accumulation is determined. It is also possible to select the items in descending order.
[0027]
In addition, the communication condition is acquired in order from the top in step 1. For example, when the communication condition to be read is specified by the pointer, each time the communication condition is acquired in step 1, the next communication condition is set. It can be executed by moving the pointer and returning the position of the pointer to the head of the communication condition database 13 in step 6. Further, for example, it is possible to cope with the problem by setting n = 0 before step 1 and acquiring the nth communication condition from the head after executing “n = n + 1” in step 1.
[0028]
On the other hand, in the present invention, since the model code information is acquired as a response when the communication condition is confirmed, if the communication condition of the target PLC main body 2 can be determined as described above, the target content is determined from the response content. The model code (model) of the PLC main body 2 can be obtained at the same time. Therefore, a project for the current PLC main body 2 is generated based on the acquired model code and communication conditions (ST7). The generated project 14 is stored in a storage unit 16 such as a hard disk. The project generation can be performed based on the model code, and the communication conditions can be avoided.
[0029]
The project data structure of the project generated here is PLC model information (model, communication conditions), I / O table, system setting, initial value data, variable table, program, etc. Various information other than PLC model information An area for storing is secured. When a project is generated based on a model code (model) (without using communication conditions), the PLC model information is only the model. Furthermore, when a project is generated based on PLC model information (model and communication conditions), the PLC model information serving as a reference for generating both is registered as project data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The PLC model information may not be stored in the project.
[0030]
This project is also described in the background section of the invention. For example, this project is generated prior to the debugging process in CX-Programmer (Applicant's product). Although the name may be different in other companies' products, it is for setting an area for storing information read from the PLC thereafter.
[0031]
After this project is generated, online connection is established with the PLC main body 2 according to the determined communication conditions to establish a connection (ST8). Next, necessary information (user program, variable table, and other data) is read from the PLC main body 2, and the acquired information is stored in the corresponding area of the generated project (ST9). After that, based on the project that has been generated and stored the necessary information, the program starts monitoring.
[0032]
That is, the debugging function is activated, a desired debugging process is executed, and an abnormal part is specified. In addition, necessary correction processing is also performed. At this time, since a code that can be used is determined depending on the model of the PLC main body, whether or not the code used in the modified program is usable is also checked based on the acquired model code. This check function is particularly effective for online editing. Thus, the acquired model code can be used not only for project generation but also for such a check.
[0033]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the user simply connects the target PLC body 2 and the development support apparatus 10 and performs a simple operation such as operating the preprocessing function. Reads information from the establishment of the connection, it can be automatically performed until it is ready to debug. Therefore, the operability is good and the debugging can be performed in a short time, so that the total time required for maintenance can be shortened.
[0034]
Although the description is mixed, during monitoring and debugging, necessary information is output and displayed on the display 10a via the display interface 15 as shown in FIG. Since the functions of the MPU 12 and the display interface 15 for outputting and displaying are well known in the art, description thereof will be omitted.
[0035]
Here, in the present embodiment, information specifying the PLC main body to be processed such as the acquired model code or the model name based on the acquired model code is displayed on the display 10a. When the acquired model code is not displayed as it is, but is displayed with a name that is easy for the user to understand, a table in which the model code is associated with the name is stored in a storage unit such as a memory in advance, and the MPU 12 stores the table. Information to be displayed can be acquired by accessing and referring to the table. In this embodiment, the user can establish a connection with the PLC body and read information without knowing the model code of the PLC body to be processed. The type of PLC main body is not known, and there is a possibility that it may affect the identification and correction work of an abnormal part (unknown code is usable, etc.). Therefore, by outputting and displaying specific information for specifying a model such as a model code to be processed, it is possible to easily know the model of the target PLC main body, and to perform quick and accurate maintenance.
[0036]
In addition, the pre-processing function for executing the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described above is configured by an application program (program product) in this embodiment, installed in a computer that is the development support apparatus 10, and each processing is performed in the MPU. Operates as a department. Information to be stored in the communication condition database may also be supplied as the program product or together with the program product.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine correct communication conditions and automatically acquire specific information, so that it is possible to connect to a PLC in which an abnormality has occurred quickly and acquire necessary information for debugging. It can be in a state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an entire system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a development support apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a communication condition database.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating functions of the MPU.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply unit 2 PLC main body 2a Serial port 3 I / O unit 10 Development support apparatus 10a Display 11 Communication interface 12 MPU
13 Communication Condition Database 14 Project 15 Display Interface 16 Storage Unit

Claims (6)

In a development support apparatus for PLC comprising a communication means for communicating with a PLC and a debugging means for debugging based on the PLC information acquired via the communication means,
Communication condition storage means for storing a plurality of communication conditions for communicating with the PLC;
Using a communication condition selected alternatively from the plurality of communication conditions stored in the communication condition storage means, a request for returning specific information specifying the PLC is transmitted to the PLC via the communication means. The correct communication condition is determined from the presence / absence of a response from the PLC, the project for the PLC including the determined correct communication condition and the specific information acquired by the response is generated, and the determined correct communication is generated after the project is generated. Establish a connection with the PLC according to the conditions, and with the connection established, acquire information including a program required for debugging from the PLC, store the acquired information in the corresponding area of the generated project, and Start monitoring the program based on the project where the information is stored Development support apparatus characterized by comprising a stage.   The development support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication condition to be alternatively selected is preferentially selected from those selected as a correct communication condition.   The development support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit configured to output and display information on the specific information acquired by the response on a display apparatus.   Based on the specific information acquired in the response, a function is provided for checking whether or not the code can be used when correcting the user program, and having only the usable code available The development support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A program product for a development support apparatus having debugging means for debugging based on information of the PLC acquired via communication means communicating with a PLC,
A process of accessing a communication condition storage unit that stores a plurality of communication conditions for communicating with the PLC, and acquiring communication conditions alternatively from the plurality of communication conditions;
A process of transmitting a return request for specific information identifying the PLC to the PLC via the communication means using the acquired communication condition;
A process for determining correct communication conditions from the presence or absence of a response from the PLC ;
A process for generating a project for the PLC including the determined correct communication condition and the specific information acquired in the response, and establishing a connection with the PLC according to the determined correct communication condition after the project is generated;
With the connection established, information including a program required for debugging is acquired from the PLC, and the acquired information is stored in a corresponding area of the generated project, and the necessary information is stored based on the project. A program product characterized by having a program for executing a process for starting monitoring of the program. An automatic monitoring method in a development support apparatus having a debugging means for debugging based on information on the PLC acquired via a communication means communicating with a PLC,
Access a communication condition storage unit that stores a plurality of communication conditions for communicating with the PLC, and perform processing for obtaining communication conditions alternatively from the plurality of communication conditions,
Using the acquired communication conditions, a process of transmitting a return request for specific information specifying the PLC to the PLC via the communication means,
A process of determining correct communication conditions from the presence or absence of a response from the PLC,
Generate a project for the PLC that includes the determined correct communication condition and the specific information acquired in the response, and perform a process for establishing a connection with the PLC according to the determined correct communication condition after the project is generated,
With the connection established, information including a program required for debugging is acquired from the PLC, and the acquired information is stored in the corresponding area of the generated project. To start program monitoring based on the project in which various information is stored
An automatic monitoring method characterized by that.

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