JP4372739B2 - PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY, CONTROL PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING THE PROGRAM, SCREEN CREATION DEVICE, SCREEN CREATION PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING THE PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a programmable display that switches and displays a plurality of screens, and a screen creation device that creates a screen to be displayed on the programmable display.

  Conventionally, for example, a programmable display is widely used as an HMI (Human Machine Interface) of a control system. The programmable display communicates with an external control device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), a temperature controller, and an inverter, and displays or rewrites data stored in a memory provided in these devices. . The operation for displaying data on the screen and the operation for rewriting data according to the operation on the touch panel are specified based on the screen created by the screen creation software.

  The programmable display device includes a touch panel that enables input on a display as an input device so that it can operate normally even in a poor environment. Based on the display of the programmable display, the operator grasps the state of the device to be controlled and operates the touch panel to input a control instruction to the device to the programmable display.

In a programmable display, it is often performed to switch and display a plurality of screens. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the screens are grouped by hierarchy and the screens are transferred (switched) between the hierarchies. Patent Document 1 also discloses that the screen is shifted in the same hierarchy. Transition between screens is performed using a screen switching switch.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-15628 (published on January 22, 1999)

  In the screen switching as described above, the transition between hierarchies can be performed only between adjacent hierarchies, and it is not possible to jump over the hierarchies.

  In recent years, a controller such as a PLC that plays a central role in the system has improved functions as a control device, and the types and number of devices to be connected have increased accordingly. For example, when a PLC is used as a controller for controlling each part of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, an axis control device for controlling an axis drive for transporting a wafer or the like, a motor serving as an axis drive source, an inverter for controlling the motor, etc. Connected to.

  Various parameters and the like necessary for the PLC to control each device described above are set on a screen displayed on the programmable display. Further, such setting is often performed in a predetermined order between devices, and screen switching according to the setting is frequently performed.

  However, with the limited screen switching method as described above, it may not be possible to switch the screen appropriately according to the setting.

  In addition to the above screen switching method, there is also a method of switching the screen if a predetermined condition is satisfied by the PLC program. In such a program, for example, after the parameters of the axis control device are set on the parameter setting screen of the axis control device, the screen is switched in a predetermined order such that the motor parameters are set on the motor parameter setting screen. Can be controlled.

  However, such a program is generally complicated and requires a lot of labor for development. In addition, the PLC that originally controls each connected device also performs screen switching control, which increases the memory consumption of the PLC and the load on the PLC.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate screen switching between groups regardless of a program created by a user.

  The programmable display which concerns on this invention is the programmable display which switches and displays a several screen, In order to solve said subject, the switching origin screen which becomes a switching origin from the specific screen in the group containing at least 1 screen Storage control means for storing a screen number for specifying the switching source screen in a predetermined storage area when switching from the switching source screen to a switching destination screen as a specific switching destination in another group is performed. Screen switching control means for switching the display to the switching source screen specified by the screen number stored in the storage area when switching of the display from the switching destination screen is instructed. It is a feature.

  In the above configuration, when switching from a switching source screen of a certain group to a switching destination screen of another group is performed, the screen number of the switching source screen is stored in the storage area by the storage control means. Further, when the display is switched from the switched switching destination screen, the screen switching control means switches the display to the switching source screen specified by the screen number stored in the storage area. At this time, since the screen is switched between different groups, the switching destination screen is treated as a new switching source screen, and the screen number is stored in the storage area by the storage control means. Thus, when switching the display to a new switching source screen, the screen switching control means switches the display to the new switching source screen based on the stored screen number.

  In this way, when switching screens between different groups, the display is switched to the screen specified by the screen number of the stored switching source screen, so it always switches to the switching source screen specified by the stored screen number. Is done. Therefore, movement between groups can be easily performed without using a special program created by the user.

  The control program of the present invention is a program for operating the programmable display, and causes a computer to function as each of the means. The control program is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Thereby, it is possible to easily switch screens between different groups.

  The screen creation device of the present invention is a screen creation device for creating a screen to be displayed on the programmable display device, and sets a group number for designating a group number for identifying each group on a screen belonging to each group. It is characterized by having grouping means.

  Thereby, the storage control means and the screen switching control means can recognize that the screen switching to be performed is between different groups with reference to the group number designated on the screen. Therefore, it is not necessary to specify a group number for the program as in the case of switching the screen by the special program.

  The screen creation program of the present invention is a screen creation program for operating the screen creation device, and causes a computer to function as the common part designating means. The screen creation program is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Thereby, the screen switching display between groups in a programmable display can be made easy.

  The screen creation device according to the present invention uses a specific screen in a group including at least one screen as a switching source screen as a switching source, and switches from the switching source screen to a switching destination screen as a specific switching destination in another group. When switching is performed, a storage control unit that stores a screen number for specifying the switching source screen in a predetermined storage area and a display switching from the switching destination screen are instructed to be stored in the storage area. Screen switching control means for switching the display to the switching source screen specified by the screen number. Thereby, it is possible to easily switch screen display between groups without using a special program created by the user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the memory for storing such a program and to reduce the load on the PLC because the execution of the program is not necessary. In particular, when parameter setting with a prescribed order is performed on the screen, the parameter setting can be advanced according to the screen display switching between groups, and the parameter setting can be performed efficiently. Play.

  The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a programmable display 2, a PLC 3, a device 4, and a serial cable 5.

  The programmable display 2 is connected to a personal computer 7 via a screen transfer cable 6. The screen transfer cable 6 is a cable for transferring screen data created by the personal computer 7 to the programmable display device 2 as will be described later, and a USB cable or the like is used. The personal computer 7 has screen design software installed and is connected to the programmable display 2 via the screen transfer cable 6 when transferring screen data created as described later. 2 and PLC 3 are disconnected from the programmable display device 2 during operation of the control system 1.

  On the other hand, the programmable display 2 and the PLC 3 are connected via a serial cable 5. The serial cable 5 is a cable that can perform communication using a communication protocol unique to the PLC 3. The communication protocol is often different for each PLC 3 model, such as for each manufacturing company, or for each product even if it is the same company, because the PLC 3 has been developed from a sequencer.

  The PLC 3 captures output data output from the input device 4 via the input unit according to a sequence program (such as a ladder program) created by the user, and gives control data to the output device 4. As the input device 4, devices such as sensors (temperature sensors, optical sensors, etc.) and switches (push button switches, limit switches, pressure switches, etc.) are used. As the output device 4, an actuator, a relay, a solenoid valve, a display, or the like is used. Various control devices such as an inverter, a shaft control device, and a temperature controller are also connected to the PLC 3 as the device 4.

  These devices 4... Are arranged in required parts of various target systems such as a production line. The device 4 may be a specific area in the memory unit 22 to be described later for storing data manually input from an input device such as a touch panel 24 to be described later. The device 4 may be a specific area in the memory 3a in the PLC 3.

  The memory 3a (device memory) in the PLC 3 stores data (word data or bit data) indicating the state of the device 4 (output value from the device 4 or set value to the device 4) in an area specified by the device address. Storing. In the memory 3a, the word device is set as an area for storing word data such as numeric values as input / output data, and is designated by a word address (device address). The bit device is set as an area for storing bit data such as an on / off state, and is set by a bit address (device address). With such a setting, it is possible to control the devices 4... By simply accessing any word device or bit device in the memory 3 a by specifying the device address, or to individually retrieve information relating to the state.

  In the following description, the device address is appropriately referred to as an address.

  The programmable display 2 is provided with an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and is a dedicated computer that realizes an operation function and a display function unique to the programmable display by displaying input operation and display screen data created by the user. is there. The programmable display 2 that is preferably used as the HMI of the control system 1 is based on screen data determined by combining processing instructions (tags) to be described later. The operation for controlling the state of the device 4 according to the operation on the screen is specified. The programmable display 2 acquires the state of each device 4 that displays the state on the display screen via the PLC 3 by communicating with the PLC 3 via the serial cable 5. For example, the programmable display 2 displays the state of each device 4 on the display 24 described later. It has a function to display the status. The programmable display 2 has a function of instructing the device 4 to control the state of the device in response to an operation on the touch panel 23 described later.

  The acquisition / change of the state of the device 4 may be instructed each time, or a cache is prepared in the programmable display 2 and the cache is accessed at the time of acquisition / change, and at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined intervals. Communication may be performed for each event to synchronize with the address entity.

  The programmable display device 2 includes an HMI processing unit 21, a memory unit 22, a touch panel 23, a display 24, and interface units (I / F in the figure) 25 and 26 in order to realize the above functions. Hereinafter, each main part of the programmable display device 2 will be described in detail.

  The touch panel 23 is an input device provided for performing input on the display screen of the display 24. As the display 24, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or a plasma display is preferably used in order to make the programmable display device 2 thin.

  The interface unit 25 is a communication control unit for the programmable display device 2 to communicate with the personal computer 7, and is connected to the screen transfer cable 6. On the other hand, the interface unit 26 is a communication control unit for the programmable display 2 to perform serial communication with the PLC 3, and is connected to the serial cable 5.

  The HMI processing unit 21 performs processing such as user screen display control described later, input operation control via the user screen, and communication control with a connected device such as the PLC 3. These processes will be described in detail later.

  The memory unit 22 includes memories such as a DRAM 22a, a FEPROM (Flash Erasable and Programmable ROM) 22b, and an SRAM 22c.

  The DRAM 22a is mainly used for work during arithmetic processing such as display control, and is also used for temporary storage of data exchanged with the PLC 3. In particular, the DRAM 22a exchanges data indicating the state of the device 4 stored in an area specified by an address in the memory 3a of the PLC 3 (hereinafter, this data is referred to as “address contents”) with the memory 3a. A state memory area.

  Note that storing the data is not limited to the memory 3a of the PLC 3. For example, if the programmable display 2 has a PLC control function, naturally, the data is stored in any region of the memory unit 22 of the programmable display 2.

  The SRAM 22c is used for logging data obtained from the PLC 3, and for storing setting value data (recipe data) to be given to the PLC 3.

  The FEPROM 22b is a rewritable read-only flash memory, and plays the role of a hard disk drive in a general personal computer. A flash memory does not have a movable part and is resistant to impacts, and thus operates stably even in a poor ambient environment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the FEPROM 22b has areas for storing an HMI processing program, a communication protocol, and screen data, respectively.

  The HMI processing program (control program) is a program for realizing basic functions for operating the programmable display 2 such as display control, input operation control, and communication control. Functions realized by the HMI processing program in the HMI processing unit 21 will be described in detail later.

  The communication protocol is a protocol used in communication processing with the PLC 3, and is uniquely determined according to the model (manufacturer) of the PLC 3. This communication protocol includes a command code that instructs reading of data to the PLC 3. By combining this command code with an address associated with the control function of the PLC 3, data regarding a desired control function can be transmitted to the PLC 3.

  The screen data is data of a screen (user screen) displayed on the programmable display 2 and includes a base screen to be displayed on the display 25, component data, a processing instruction word W assigned to each component, and the like. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the processing instruction word (tag) W included in the screen data is created for each event to be executed on the base screen. The processing instruction word W basically includes the file number F of the base screen on which the display control operation is to be executed, the event name T for specifying the operation content to be executed on the base screen, and the execution event for each execution event. A set of reference information I including one or a plurality of data to be referred to is provided.

  In the programmable display device 2 according to the present embodiment, a display tag, an input tag, a screen switching tag, and the like are defined as the above tags.

  The display tag indicates an association between an area (display range) on the base screen and an address corresponding to display in the area. The input tag indicates an association between an area (input range) on the screen and an address corresponding to a touch input to the area. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each tag can be associated with at least one of a plurality of unit screens.

  The display tag can display a predetermined object (display element) at a corresponding position on the base screen in conjunction with the occurrence of an event (event) such as a change in address contents. That is, the display tag includes the file number of the base screen as the file number F, includes the event name specifying the display of the object to be displayed as the event name T, the display coordinate range to be displayed as the reference information I, the display to be called It contains a file number that identifies the target and an address that is referenced when displaying the display target.

  The input tag, for example, inverts the bit device set at the predetermined address in the state memory area provided in the DRAM 22a in conjunction with the touch operation on the touch panel 23, or rewrites the value of the word device. Or That is, the input tag includes the file number of the unit screen as the file number F, the event name specifying the operation of the touch panel 23 as the event name T, and the input coordinates that validate the input operation from the touch panel 23 as the reference information I The range and the address at which data should be rewritten in conjunction with the touch operation of the touch panel 23 are included.

  The screen switching tag reads out screen data of a designated screen number from the FEPROM 22b in conjunction with a touch operation on the touch panel 23, for example, and switches and displays the screen from the currently displayed screen. That is, the screen switching includes the file number of the unit screen as the file number F, the event name specifying the operation of the touch panel 23 as the event name T, and the screen number of the screen to be switched as the reference information I.

  The screen data is created by a screen editor unit 73 described later, transferred to the programmable display device 2, and stored in the FEPROM 22b in a file format in the FEPROM 22b. This screen file includes graphic data and address data. The graphic data includes graphic data such as circles and rectangles, component data, character strings, processing instruction words W, and the like. The address data includes comments corresponding to the addresses and addresses set in the screen editor unit 73 for data associated with addresses such as part data and processing instruction word W in the graphic data.

  The comment includes an event name such as the operating state of the device 4, a code corresponding to the device 4 such as SW corresponding to the switch and the lamp, and an operation instruction.

  The HMI (Human Machine Interface) function of the HMI processing unit 21 displays screen data, sets various data on the user screen, transmits the set data to the PLC 3, and displays the data received from the PLC 3 on the user screen. Etc. Such a function is realized as a system control unit 21a shown in FIG. 4 by causing an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU provided in the programmable display 2 to execute the above-described HMI processing program.

  The system control unit 21a extracts display tags related to the unit screen currently being displayed from the screen data, and designates the contents of addresses related to the display tags at predetermined intervals for the display tags. Then, it reads out from the memory 3a of the PLC 3, and displays the parts in the expression format designated by the display tag in the designated area on the screen in a form corresponding to the read contents.

  On the other hand, when receiving an input operation to the touch panel 23, the system control unit 21a searches the screen data for an input tag corresponding to the unit screen currently being displayed and matches the input operation, and the content of the address indicated by the input tag Is rewritten according to the input result by designating an address in the memory 3a. As a result, the programmable display 2 displays the state of the device 4 indicated by the screen data at the display position (parts etc.) indicated by the screen data in the expression format indicated by the screen data. Device, graph display, etc.), display using objects (display elements) such as figures, graphs, etc., and change the state of device 4 according to input operations via objects for operations such as parts on the displayed screen I can do it.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the HMI processing unit 21 includes a screen switching control unit 21b and a storage control unit 21c.

  When a screen (switching screen) having a screen switching switch set by the screen editor unit 73 described later is displayed, when the screen switching control unit 21b is touch-operated, the screen switching control unit 21b Screen switching control is performed based on the screen switching switch data (screen switching switch setting data) assigned to the screen data. The above-mentioned screen change switch data includes a screen number indicating a change destination screen set in the screen change switch and a group number to which each screen belongs, and these are used as reference information I of the screen change tag. The Thus, when the screen switching control unit 21b receives an input operation to the touch panel 23 via the system control unit 21a, the screen switching control unit 21b corresponds to the currently displayed screen and searches the screen data for a screen switching tag that matches the input operation. The system control unit 21a is instructed to switch the display to the screen having the screen number indicated by the screen switching tag.

  The screen switching control unit 21b as a screen switching control unit also controls switching between groups of switching screens grouped in advance. Specifically, when the screen switching control unit 21b is instructed to switch the screen by operating the screen switching switch, the screen switching control unit 21b displays the group number of the currently displayed switching source screen (switching source screen) and the switching When the group number of the screen switch data for the read switching destination screen (switching destination screen) is compared and it is determined that they are different, the group number and screen number of the switching source screen are stored in the DRAM 22a in the storage control unit 21c. To memorize. Further, the screen switching control unit 21b reads the screen number from the DRAM 22a to the storage control unit 21c when the screen switching is instructed by operating the switch for returning to the previous screen in the switching destination screen. The switching destination screen is determined on the switching source screen specified by the screen number, and the switching instruction is given to the system control unit 21a. In addition, the screen switching control unit 21b determines the difference between the group number of the switching source screen stored at this time and the number of the currently displayed screen, and is currently displayed on the storage control unit 21c. An instruction is given to store the screen number of the new switching source screen in the DRAM 22a. That is, when switching the display to a screen of a different group, the screen switching control unit 21b stores the screen number of the switching source screen in the storage control unit 21c.

  In response to an instruction from the screen switching control unit 21b, the storage control unit 21c as a storage control unit stores the group number and the screen number in the switching storage area CM provided in the DRAM 22a. Further, the storage control unit 21c receives an instruction from the screen switching control unit 21b, reads the group number and the screen number stored in the switching storage area CM, and gives them to the screen switching control unit 21b.

  The HMI control unit 21 is a functional block part realized by an HMI processing program (control program) stored in the FEPROM 22b being executed by an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU. The HMI processing program can be recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the programmable display 2 and may be installed in the programmable display 2 from the recording medium.

  The above recording media (program media) include magnetic tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disk systems such as flexible disks and hard disks, optical disk systems such as CD-ROM, MO, MD, and DVD, and IC cards (memory cards). A card system such as an optical card is suitable. In addition, the program medium may be a medium that carries a fixed program including a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash ROM, or the like.

  Further, if the control system 1 is configured to be connectable to a communication network including the Internet, the control system 1 may be a medium that dynamically carries the program so as to download the program from the communication network.

  Next, the personal computer 7 will be described. The personal computer 7 includes a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), an external storage device (hard disk drive, MO drive, etc.), a display device and an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 7 includes a control unit 71, an interface unit (I / F in the figure) 72, a screen editor unit 73, and a data storage unit 74.

  The interface unit 72 is a communication control unit for performing communication with the programmable display device 2, and is connected to the screen transfer cable 6.

  The control unit 71 is a part that performs arithmetic processing realized by hardware (CPU, memory, etc.) and software (operating system, etc.). Further, the control unit 71 implements the screen editor unit 73 by executing drawing software that is an application program. The screen editor unit 73 is recorded on a recording medium configured to be separable from the personal computer 7 and can be installed in the personal computer 7 from this storage medium. Further, the personal computer 7 functions as a screen creation device by including the screen editor unit 73.

  The above-mentioned recording medium (program medium) is a computer-readable recording medium, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk system such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, MD, DVD, etc. A card system such as an optical disk system, an IC card (including a memory card), or an optical card is suitable. In addition, the program medium may be a medium that carries a fixed program including a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash ROM, or the like.

  Further, if the personal computer 7 is placed in an environment that can be connected to a communication network including the Internet, it may be a medium that fluidly carries the program so as to download the program from the communication network. However, when the program is downloaded from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in the personal computer 7 in advance or installed from another recording medium.

  The screen editor unit 73 can create a user screen that is a user's own screen, such as switches, lamps, numeric keys, various displays (for example, a numerical display, a meter display, and a graph display), It has a tag setting function, a drawing function, a text input function, and the like. As components, not only components having a single function but also components having a plurality of functions such as a composite switch, a counter, and a timer are prepared. Parts as display elements are registered in a library format so that the user can easily select them, and input tags, display tags, and the like corresponding to the functions of the parts are assigned in advance. The drawing function draws line figures (display elements) of straight lines and curves, draws basic figures (display elements) such as various graphs (display elements), circles, rectangles, and triangles, and the specified colors and patterns in the figure It is a function for performing painting by.

  When creating a user screen using such a screen editor unit 73, the user designates the position of the component on the base screen displayed on the display according to a predetermined operation procedure, so that the component is displayed on the base screen. Will be placed.

  The screen editor unit 73 includes a screen changeover switch setting unit 73a.

  The screen changeover switch setting unit 73a as grouping means provides a dialog box 101 for setting attributes as shown in FIG. 5 as a user interface, for example, and the setting contents (attributes) of each item input by the dialog box 101 Is set to the screen selector switch. The dialog box 101 shown in FIG. 5 includes a component display field 102, a switching screen number input field 103, a group number input field 104, an interlock designation field 105, an interlock address input field 106, and a touch effective condition designation field. 107.

  The component display field 102 is provided for displaying an image of the switch component SW selected as a screen change switch from a switch component list (not shown).

  The switching screen number input field 103 is provided for inputting a screen number of a switching destination screen (switching destination screen) for switching the display. The group number input field 104 is provided for inputting the group number described above.

  The interlock designation column 105 is a check box for designating validity / invalidity of the interlock function. The interlock address input field 106 is provided for inputting an interlock address associated with the switch component SW in order to activate the interlock function of the programmable display device 2. The touch effective condition designation field 107 (radio button) is provided for designating either “ON or OFF” “touch effective condition”.

  The interlock function of the programmable display 2 is that the switch component SW (screen changeover switch) is only in the state where the bit specified by the interlock address matches the specified “touch enable condition” of ON or OFF. Enable touch operation. That is, this interlock function does not accept the touch operation of the screen changeover switch until the state of the bit of the interlock address matches the state of the bit of the “touch effective condition”.

  When the “OK” button in the dialog box 101 is pressed by a mouse click operation or the like, the contents of each item are set for the switch component SW set in the dialog box 101. In addition, the contents of each set item are stored together with the screen data as screen switch data.

  The data storage unit 74 is a storage device that stores screen data created by the screen editor unit 73, screen changeover switch data, and the like. The data storage unit 74 is configured by a mass storage device such as a hard disk device. The screen data stored in the data storage unit 74 is transferred to the programmable display 2 and stored in the FEPROM 22b for downloading to the execution environment. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the screen changeover switch data is also stored in the FEPROM 22b together with the screen data.

  Next, the screen switching display operation in the programmable display 2 configured as described above will be described.

  First, here, as shown in FIG. 6, the screens of screen numbers 1, 21, 30 classified into group 1 and the screens of screen numbers 3, 12, 13, 50 classified into group 2 are displayed. An example of switching will be described.

  First, in group 1, the display on the screens with screen numbers 1, 21, and 30 is appropriately switched. These screens are provided with a screen change switch in which the screen number of the switching destination is designated. It is possible to switch between screens by operating the screen switch. This switching control is performed by the screen switching control unit 21b described above. When the screen switching control unit 21b compares the group number of the screen switching switch data read from the FEPROM 22b at the time of screen switching between the switching source screen and the switching destination screen and determines that they are the same group, The screen switching source screen group number and screen number are not stored in the DRAM 22a.

  Here, it is assumed that the screen with the screen number 21 is, for example, a screen 201 having a screen changeover switch 202 as shown in FIG. 7 for switching to the screen with the screen number 3 in the group 2. When the screen change switch 202 of the screen 201 is touched by the user, the screen change control unit 21b accepts the operation of the screen change switch 202 via the system control unit 21a, and the screen change switch data for the change destination screen. The group number (2) and the screen number (3) are read from the FEPROM 22b. Then, the screen switching control unit 21b compares the group number (1) of the currently displayed screen 201 with the read group number (2) and determines that they are different. In response to the determination, the storage control unit 21c stores the group number 1 and the screen number 21 of the screen 201 which is the switching source screen in the switching storage area CM of the DRAM 22a.

  Further, the screen switching control unit 21b gives an instruction to the system control unit 21a so as to switch the display to the screen having the screen number (3). Thereby, the display is switched from the screen of the screen number (21) in a different group to the screen of the screen number (3).

  Also in group 2, as in group 1, the display is appropriately switched on the screens of screen numbers 3, 12, 13, and 50 by the screen switching control unit 21b.

  Here, it is assumed that the screen of screen number 3 is a screen 211 having a return switch 212 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, in order to return the display to the previous screen. The return switch 212 is an operation switch for returning the display to the original group, and is set to the screen by the screen editor unit 73 like the screen changeover switch. When the return switch 212 on the screen 221 is touched by the user, the screen switching control unit 21b accepts the operation of the return switch 212 via the system control unit 21a, and the storage control unit 21c receives the switching storage area CM. The stored group number 1 and screen number 21 are read out. The screen switching control unit 21b determines a switching destination for the switching source screen identified by the screen number 21, that is, the screen 201, and gives a switching instruction to the system control unit 21a. As a result, the display is returned from the screen 211 with the screen number 3 to the screen 201 with the screen number 21.

  At this time, the screen switching control unit 21b compares the group number (2) of the currently displayed screen 211 before switching with the read group number (1) and determines that they are different. In response to the determination, the storage control unit 21c stores (rewrites) the group number (2) and the screen number (3) of the screen 211 that is the switching source screen in the switching storage area CM of the DRAM 22a.

  In this state, when the display is switched again to the group 2, the above-described screen switch 202 may be touched on the screen 201 with the screen number 21, but for example, the return switch 203 provided on the screen 201 is touch-operated. May be. The return switch 203 is a switch having a function equivalent to the above-described return switch 212 on the screen 211.

  When the screen switching control unit 21b receives an operation of the return switch 203 via the system control unit 21a, the screen switching control unit 21b causes the storage control unit 21c to read the group number 2 and the screen number 3 stored in the switching storage area CM. The screen switching control unit 21b determines a switching destination for the switching source screen identified by the screen number 3, that is, the screen 211, and gives a switching instruction to the system control unit 21a. As a result, the display is returned from the screen 201 with the screen number 21 to the screen 211 with the screen number 3.

  At this time, the screen switching control unit 21b compares the group number 1 of the currently displayed screen 201 before switching with the read group number 2, and determines that they are different. In response to the determination, the storage control unit 21c stores (rewrites) the group number 1 and the screen number 21 of the screen 201 which is the switching source screen in the switching storage area CM of the DRAM 22a.

  Thus, when switching the display to a screen of a different group, the screen switching control unit 21b determines that the screen number before and after the switching is a screen switching between different groups by comparison and displays it on the switching destination screen. And the group number and screen number of the screen before switching (switching source screen) are stored in the switching storage area CM. As a result, the screen switching path between the groups is stored as the group number and screen number of the switching source screen, so when switching the screen display to the switching source group, the switching screen (switching source screen) It is specified by the stored screen number. Therefore, regardless of the group hierarchy, switching of screens between groups can be easily performed via the screens identified in the group (screens of screen numbers 3 and 21 in the above example). In addition, since it is not necessary to use a program executed in the PLC 3 to control screen switching by the PLC 3 in order to perform display switching between the groups as described above, labor and cost required for developing the program are reduced. be able to. Further, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the memory for storing such a program and reduce the load on the PLC 3 due to the execution of the program.

  If the programmable display 2 having the screen switching function by the screen switching control unit 21b is used, when the PLC 3 functioning as a controller for controlling each unit of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus as described above is connected, the axis controlled by the PLC 3 When parameter settings for a control device, a motor, an inverter, etc. are made on the screen, the setting becomes easier by easily switching the screen display between groups. Specifically, after setting the parameters of the axis controller in a certain group, the motor parameters are set, and further the inverter parameters are set. If the same device parameters are set on this screen, switching between groups is performed in a predetermined route, so it is possible to return to the previous group screen by setting again, etc. The parameters can be set according to the setting order. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the screen switching order conventionally defined by the program can be defined by switching between groups.

  Further, when the return switches 202 and 212 are operated, the screen switching control unit 21b reads the screen number of the switching source screen that has been read. Therefore, in the setting by the screen editor unit 73 of the return switches 202 and 212, There is no need to specify the screen number.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The programmable display device of the present invention switches to a designated screen number when switching and displaying a plurality of grouped screens in a group, stores the screen number of the switching source screen, and displays the screen in the original group. By switching the display to the stored screen number when returning the display, it is possible to easily switch the screen display between groups without using a program created by the user, and to change the parameter settings of the device. Can be suitably used for switching.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system and personal computer which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the program structure stored in FEPROM of the programmable display in the said control system. It is a figure which shows the basic format of the instruction | indication processing word contained in the screen data of the user screen displayed with the said programmable display. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part containing the HMI process part which is the center of control of the said programmable display. It is a figure which shows the dialog box for attribute setting which the screen change switch setting part of the screen editor part which produces the screen displayed on the said programmable display provides. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display switching between the groups performed with the said programmable display. It is a figure which shows the screen used as the switching origin at the time of switching the screen display between groups. It is a figure which shows the screen used as the switching destination at the time of switching the screen display between groups.

Explanation of symbols

2 Programmable display 7 Personal computer (screen creation device)
21 HMI processing unit 21a System control unit 21b Screen switching control unit (screen switching control means)
21c Storage control unit (storage control means)
73 Screen Editor (Screen creation program)
73a Screen change switch setting part (grouping means)
101 Dialog Box 201 Screen 202 Screen Switch 203 Return Switch 211 Screen 212 Return Switch

Claims (6)

In a programmable display that switches and displays multiple screens,
When a specific screen in a group including at least one screen is used as a switching source screen as a switching source, the switching is performed when switching from the switching source screen to a switching destination screen as a specific switching destination in another group is performed. Storage control means for storing a screen number for specifying the original screen in a predetermined storage area;
Screen switching control means for switching the display to the switching source screen specified by the screen number stored in the storage area when switching of the display from the switching destination screen is instructed ,
When the screen switching control unit performs switching from the switching source screen to the switching destination screen, a group number that identifies a group of the switching source screen and a group number that identifies a group of the switching destination screen are Determine if they are the same,
When it is determined that the two group numbers are different from each other, the storage control unit stores a screen number for specifying the switching source screen in a predetermined storage area .   A control program for operating the programmable display device according to claim 1, wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 2 is recorded. A screen creation device for creating a screen to be displayed on the programmable display according to claim 1,
Screen creating apparatus characterized by comprising a grouping means for setting a group number for identifying each of the group on the screen belonging to each group.   A screen creation program for operating the screen creation device according to claim 4, wherein the screen creation program causes a computer to function as the grouping means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the screen creation program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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