JP4396120B2 - Programmable display - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a programmable display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when multiple system devices are connected using a programmable display, parameter setting and monitoring of each system device can be performed individually with a cable between the system device in the system and the setting computer without using a display. It has been done by connecting directly or by replacing one cable with a plurality of system devices.
[0003]
Further, as another conventional example, there is one in which setting of devices in the system is performed via a display. In this conventional example, the display manufacturer can confirm in advance what kind of system device the system device connected to the display device is, and the display device manufacturer can connect in advance to control the system device. It is necessary to program the information of the system devices that are actually connected and incorporate them into the display unit as ROM software of the display unit. In the case of this conventional example, the connection between the display device and the system device is often a single connection line, and when a plurality of devices are connected simultaneously, the devices connected first are connected in cascade. (For example, patent document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-36375 (FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the parameter setting when connecting the conventional programmable display and the system device has the following problems.
First, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to prepare a plurality of setting computers for each system device to be set up, or to change the cables for each setting device with one setting computer. It was.
Second, because the manufacturer and product specifications differ for each system device to be set, the connection form such as cables is often different, and it is necessary to prepare connection means such as cables for the number of types of devices to be set. It was.
Third, when setting parameters using the parameter setting menu built in the display unit, it is necessary for the display manufacturer to change the software of the display unit whenever the number of target devices to be set increases. There is a problem that the device user cannot easily add connections or change settings.
[0006]
Furthermore, when the number of system devices to be connected increases, the display user cannot add connections or change settings, and the display manufacturer needs to modify the software of the display body. In addition, since the connection is cascade, the communication process is a serial process when accessing each system device, for example, for setting communication or monitoring communication. In the serial processing, since it is difficult to perform high-speed monitoring of each system device and parallel processing of setting communication, there is a problem that the communication time of the entire system is slow.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a programmable display capable of connecting and setting a plurality of system devices from a setting computer via a programmable display.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A programmable display according to the present invention includes a plurality of system devices and a plurality of these through a plurality of communication ports. plural System equipment Multiple corresponding to Connected to a setting computer having setup software, the setting computer Using Collected from the set information and the above communication ports Communication format used with each system device A programmable display that stores information and performs data communication between the setting computer and each system device using the stored information, from the setting computer, plural Setup software Using either Created communication data and Of this communication data Receiving a communication request including I / F information including information for specifying a communication port as a transmission destination, determining a communication port as a transmission destination from the communication request, this Transfer the communication data to the system device connected to the determined communication port. , Reply data is received from the system device that has received the communication data, and the above-mentioned information is stored from the information specifying the communication port that has received the reply data. The The I / F information is created using information, and communication response data including the I / F information and the reply data is By replying to the communication port that received the above communication request Send to the above setting computer And information on the communication mode used between the system devices collected from the plurality of communication ports before the data communication between the setting computer and each system device is performed. Send to configuration computer To do.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
A programmable display according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As an example of a programmable display using the present invention, a description will be given of one programmable display with a built-in port controller adapted to a production line system.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system equipment control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, system equipment for controlling a production apparatus in a production line system (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus” as appropriate). 5) and a setting computer 2 which is an environment setting arithmetic processing device that transmits setting data to these system devices 5 are a programmable display (hereinafter referred to as “display” as appropriate) 1 having a port control unit 11. Connected through. The setting computer 2 and the programmable display 1 are connected by a general-purpose communication cable 3, and the programmable display 1 and the system device 5 are connected by a communication cable 4 unique to the system device. Here, the setting computer and the system device are collectively referred to as an external connection device as appropriate.
[0013]
The setting computer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The setting computer 2 is connected to an I / F driver 21 having an information setting menu 26 as connection information setting means for each system device, a communication port 22 for transmitting data from the setting computer 2 to the outside, and a connection A driver DB 23 that is a database of connection information of the system device 5 set by the I / F driver 21 is provided as information storage means. For example, a serial port is used as the communication port 22. The I / F driver 21 performs communication between the setup software 24 of each system device 5 and the system device 5 to be controlled. The I / F driver 21 includes a virtual port 25 as means for realizing communication with the system device 5.
[0014]
On the information setting menu 26 of the I / F driver 21, the communication port number of the designated programmable display 1 is set between the setup software 24 of the designated system device 5 and the system device 5 corresponding to the setup software 24. The communication path between the set-up software 24 of each system device and the system device 5 corresponding to the set-up software is secured. The information setting menu 26 of the I / F driver 21 collects information necessary for the I / F driver 21 to link the setup software 24 of each system device and the communication port number of the display 1. Used when
The information setting menu 26 of the I / F driver 21 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0015]
The setting items shown in FIG. 2 are set from a communication port specification menu 61 for specifying the type of communication port of the setting computer 2 to which the communication cable 3 of FIG. A virtual port number designation menu 62 that is a virtual port on a setting computer for securing communication means between the connected port and a plurality of system devices 5 connected to the programmable display, and after actually passing through the display 1 The display port number designation menu 63 on the display side, which is a communication port connected to each system device, is provided from the I / F driver by setting the virtual port number designation menu 62 and the display port number designation menu 63. The communication path to the exit (communication port 12B) is determined.
Next, in order to determine the protocol to be sent to the determined communication path, the type of the system device connected to the display device is designated by the device information setting menu 64. The communication form 65 is information registered in a communication DB 13 (to be described later) by the port monitoring monitor 14 (to be described later) collecting information on a port ID set in advance in the H / W of the communication port. By issuing a DB request command from the setting computer 2 when the menu is activated, information received from the communication DB 13 of the display 1 is displayed in the communication form 65 as a connection form between the display and the system device.
[0016]
By linking the setup software information 68 of FIG. 2 to the connection device information of this communication port, a communication path from the setting computer 2 to the system device 5 to be controlled is established.
The monitoring operation of the setup software 24 of each system device 5 is set by the operation setting menu 66. Further, if necessary, the timeout time in the transparent communication can be set by the timeout setting menu 67.
[0017]
Next, the detail of a structure of the programmable display 1 is demonstrated using FIG. The programmable display 1 that transparently transmits communication data from the setting computer 2 to each system device 5 includes a port control unit 11 including a port monitoring monitor 14, from the port control unit 11 and the port monitoring monitor 14 therein. It has communication DB13 which stores the collected information. The port control unit 11 receives and disassembles the communication protocol transmitted from the I / F driver 21. Responsible for distributing the decomposed data to the communication port 12B.
The port monitoring monitor 14 collects communication information of the setting computer 2 or a plurality of communication ports (multiports) 12B to which each system device 5 can be connected and the system devices connected to the communication port 12A. Responsible for monitoring the operation status. The communication DB 13 is an editable database and stores information collected from the port control unit 11 and the port monitoring monitor 14.
The communication ports 12A and 12B are communication ports provided in advance or expandable by the display, and in addition to a dedicated bus cable and a general-purpose serial cable, an expansion I / F such as a USB or other connection means is added. Thus, a communication form such as USB or other connection means can be selected, and any device necessary for the system, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), an inverter, a servo amplifier, a temperature controller, can be selected at the end of the communication port 12B. A device such as a container is connected.
[0018]
Next, transmission data will be described. The setting computer 2 is equipped with setting setup software 24a to 24n for performing parameter setting of each system device 5 and device monitoring. For example, using the setup software 24a for the device 5a, The actual data flow performed when setting 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The communication data a is transmitted from the setup software 24a for the device 5a of the setting computer 2 to the device 5a.
Since the setup software 24a for the device 5a communicates with the device 5a, the I / F driver 21 uses the driver DB 23, and from the information of the device 5a, the virtual port 62 for the device 5a, etc. / F information b is generated.
A communication request a + b including communication data a and I / F information b is transmitted from the communication port 22 to the display-side communication port 12A.
[0019]
Upon receiving the communication request a + b from the communication port 12A, the programmable display device 1 separates the above-described communication request a + b from the data communication a and the I / F information b by the port control unit 11, and the I / F information. b is analyzed based on FIG. 4, the data transmission destination (in this case, the device 5 a) is determined, and the communication data a is transmitted from the communication port 12 a to the device 5 a via the port monitoring monitor 14. FIG. 4 shows details of the I / F information used for communication, and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the port control unit transmission side inside the display.
[0020]
FIG. 4 shows the details of the I / F information b, and 61 determines the number of a physical communication path used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates. 62 determines the number of the virtual communication path set on the I / F driver used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates. Reference numeral 63 denotes a communication path number on the programmable display used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates. Reference numeral 64 denotes the name of the counterpart device with which the setup software 24 used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates communicates, and designates the type of setup software used with the port. 65 determines a communication form to be used between system devices with which the setup software 24 communicates. Reference numeral 66 denotes the state of the communication path used between the system devices with which the setup software 24 communicates.
[0021]
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing for transmitting data from the setting computer 2 to the system device 5. A detailed flow of communication processing will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the setting computer 2, the system designer activates the setup software of the system device to be set or monitored, selects the parameter to be set or the information of the device to be monitored, generates the communication data a, and sets up the setup software. Together with the information, a transmission request to the I / F driver 21 is issued (step 71). The I / F driver 21 that has received the transmission data request queries the driver DB 23 for connection information of the system device based on the setup software information (step 72). The driver DB 23 receives the inquiry in step 72, searches the connection information of the requested setup software from the database, and returns a reply to the I / F driver 21 with the I / F information part b and the virtual port number to be used (step 79). ). The driver DB 23 is constructed when the user sets the information setting menu of FIG. 2 (step 70). The I / F driver 21 receives the answer from the driver DB 23 and creates transmission data a + b (step 73). The I / F driver 21 transmits the data for transmission a + b to the programmable display device 1 via the designated virtual port (step 74).
[0022]
The port controller 11 that has received the data in the programmable display 1 divides the received data into the communication data part a and the I / F information part b, and transmits the communication data part a to the port monitoring monitor part 14 (step). 76). The port control unit 11 further extracts the display unit port number from the I / F information unit b, determines the transmission destination port, and transmits the display unit port number to the port monitoring monitor unit (step 77). The port monitoring monitor unit 14 transparently transmits the communication data a to each system device 5 using the port number instructed by the port control unit 11 (step 78).
[0023]
Next, reply data will be described. The flow of reply data c from the system device 5a to the setting computer 2 in response to a communication request when setting the device 5 using the device 5 setupware 24a on the setting computer 2 is shown in FIGS. 3 will be described. The response from the system device 5a is returned from the communication path 4 to the port control unit 11 through the communication port 12B. The port control unit 11 that has received the reply data c refers to the communication port number 12a and the communication DB 13, and extracts I / F information b, which is reply destination information. A reply response c + b is created from the reply data c and the I / F information b, and a reply response c + b is returned from the communication port 12A to the communication port 22 of the setting computer 2. The I / F driver 21 that has received the reply response c + b from the communication port 22 decomposes the reply response into reply data c and I / F information b, analyzes the I / F information b, and returns the reply response destination device 1. The reply data c is transmitted transparently to the setup software 24a. Details of the reception side I / F information are shown in FIG. 5, and a flowchart on the reception side of the port control unit inside the display is shown in FIG.
[0024]
FIG. 5 shows the details of the I / F information b, and 61 determines the number of a physical communication path to be used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates. 62 determines the number of the virtual communication path set on the I / F driver used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates. Reference numeral 63 denotes a communication path number on the programmable display used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates.
Reference numeral 64 denotes a device name of a communication partner used with each system device 5 with which the setup software 24 communicates, and designates the type of the setup software used with the port. 65 determines a communication form to be used between system devices with which the setup software 24 communicates. Reference numeral 66 denotes the state of the communication path used between the system devices with which the setup software 24 communicates.
[0025]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing for returning data from the system device 5 to the setting computer 2. A detailed flow of the reply process will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the system device receives the communication data from the setting computer 2, it returns a reply according to the communication content. First, reply data c to communication data received inside the system device is created (step 81). The reply data c is transmitted from the communication port of the system device to the communication port 12B of the programmable display (step 82). In the programmable display, the port monitor 14 receives this data, and inquires the communication DB 13 for I / F information based on the H / W port information at the time of reception. The I / F information b is acquired by the response from the communication DB 13, and communication response data c + b is created together with the reply data c (step 83). Reply response data is transmitted from the port control unit 11 of the programmable display device to the communication port 22 of the setting computer 2 through the communication port 12A (step 84). The I / F driver that has received the reply response data from the communication port 12A divides the received data into the communication data part c and the I / F information part b, and transmits only the communication data part c transparently to the setup software (step) 86). The I / F driver 21 extracts the display unit port number from the I / F information part b, requests setup software information from the driver DB 23, and obtains setup software information of the device desired to communicate (step 87). The I / F driver 21 transmits the reply data c transparently from the information acquired in step 87 to the setup software as the communication partner (step 88).
[0026]
FIG. 8 shows a data structure of the driver DB 23 provided in the setting computer 2 for storing the connection information of the system devices set by the I / F driver 21 of FIG. 62A, 63A, and 64A are data set by the setting menu 26. 65A is information registered in the communication DB 13, which will be described later, by the above-described port monitoring monitor 14 collecting information of the port ID set in advance in the communication port H / W, and starting the I / F driver setting menu Sometimes it is information received from the communication DB 13 of the display 1 by issuing a DB request command from the setting computer 2. 66A and 67A are data set as required by the setting menu 26. Data 68 </ b> A is set by the setting menu 26.
[0027]
FIG. 9 shows a data structure of the communication DB 13 provided in the display unit for storing the port connection information collected from the port control unit 11 and the port monitoring monitor 14 of FIG. 62B, 63B, and 64B are data set by the setting menu 26. 65B is information that the port monitoring monitor 14 collects information of the port ID set in advance in the H / W of the communication port and registers it in the communication DB 13. 66B and 67B are data set as required by the setting menu 26. Reference numeral 69 denotes information acquired by the port monitoring monitor by monitoring the communication port of the main body of the display, and is data indicating whether or not a physical system device is connected to the communication port of the actual display.
[0028]
FIG. 10 shows virtual ports set by the I / F driver 21 of FIG. The I / F driver 21 uses the driver DB 23 to switch the virtual ports 25a to 25n according to the procedure of FIG.
[0029]
In addition, it is good also as a structure which can expand several extended communication I / F with a multistage laminated mounting system via the expansion connector of several option I / F on a programmable display main body, respectively. An ID for identifying a communication format is set in advance in the communication port, and the port monitoring monitor 14 in FIG. 1 can recognize the number and types of currently connected communication ports by reading this ID. it can. The information recognized by the port monitoring monitor 14 is collected in the DB as the communication DB 13 in FIG. These communication ports are not unique to each system device and can be expanded as general-purpose I / Fs. Since this communication port can be used for both system devices and setting computers, the number of system devices to be connected and the number of communication paths to the setting computer are added to the display unit. Even if the setting tool corresponding to each system device does not have a communication method such as USB or other connection means, it can be freely adjusted within the range of the maximum number of communication paths for expansion. In the display device according to the present invention, a communication method such as USB or other connection means can be used, and high-speed data communication can be realized.
[0030]
As described above, according to the embodiment, by connecting the programmable display 1 and the setting computer 2 with a single communication cable to a manufacturer, a type, or a device having a different purpose, Since the setting computer 2 can communicate with the system equipment connected to the programmable display 1 through the programmable display 1, the setting computer 2 and each system equipment, such as a PLC, an inverter, a servo amplifier, and a temperature controller. There is an effect that parameter setting and monitoring of a plurality of system devices 5 connected to the programmable display 1 from the setting computer 2 can be performed without connecting them individually.
Moreover, when the programmable display 1 is installed in a place away from the production line, for example, in a management room, and the management of each device 5 on the production line is performed by the programmable display 1 from there, the programmable display 1 By connecting the setting computer 2 to a communication port installed on the front of 1, for example, the setting and monitoring of each device 5 on the production line can be set and monitored without going to the production line. is there.
[0031]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
A programmable display according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The communication ports 12A and 12B of the programmable display have general-purpose specifications so that they can be used for both system devices and setting computers. For this reason, the communication port provided in the display unit or expandable can be used for both the system device and the setting computer. Therefore, the number of connected system devices and the communication path between the setting computer and The number can be freely adjusted within the range of expandable ports. For example, two serial ports can be used simultaneously for the setting computer 2. Since the I / F driver is preinstalled with a driver for USB or other connection means, communication means other than serial communication, such as USB or other connection means, can be used.
[0032]
FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of communication transparency (transparent) using a plurality of ports. By setting the number of virtual ports of the I / F driver 21 and the number of physical communication paths (communication ports 22) as a pair, parameter setting and monitoring requests by a plurality of setup software can be communicated simultaneously. The port controller of the programmable display includes two types of buffers, a high-speed buffer for transmission 15 and a high-speed buffer for reply 16, which can store a plurality of large amounts of data.
[0033]
12 to 14 show setting examples of the I / F driver setting menu. FIG. 12 designates the setup software display associated with the virtual port PORT1 of the I / F driver as the COM1 port of the setting personal computer, and sets the communication path for setting the programmable display via the CH1 of the programmable display. This is a specified example. In FIG. 13, the setting software PLC associated with the virtual port PORT2 of the I / F driver is designated for the COM2 port of the setting personal computer, and the communication path for PLC setting is designated via the CH2 of the programmable display. It is an example. In FIG. 14, the setup software INV associated with the virtual port PORT4 of the I / F driver is designated for the USB port of the setting personal computer, and the communication path for INV setting is designated via CH4 of the programmable display. It is an example.
[0034]
According to this embodiment, the number of communication paths is multiplied by n (the number of communication paths of the setting computer), and parameter setting and device monitoring can be performed more quickly and efficiently. . Even when the existing system device setup software does not support the communication protocol of USB or other connection means, the USB port or other connection means port can be used via this I / F driver. There is an effect that the time required for data communication and monitoring can be shortened.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, each computer connected to the programmable display via the programmable display from the setting computer. system Because it can communicate with the device, the setting computer and each system There is no need to connect each device individually, and each computer connected to this programmable display via the programmable display from the setting computer. system There is an effect that parameter setting and monitoring of the device can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a port information setting menu according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a data structure on the communication protocol transmission side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a data structure on the communication protocol response side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart on the port control unit transmission side according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart on the port control unit response side according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a data structure of a driver DB according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a data structure of a communication DB according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a virtual port according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a system block diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a setting example of a port information setting menu according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows a setting example of a port information setting menu according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 shows a setting example of a port information setting menu according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Setting computer
11 Port controller
12A, 12B communication port
13 Communication DB
14 port monitoring monitor
21 I / F driver
23 Driver DB

Claims (1)

It is connected to a plurality of system devices and a setting computer having a plurality of setup software corresponding to the plurality of system devices via a plurality of communication ports, and the information set using the setting computer and the plurality of the plurality of system devices Programmable display that stores information on the form of communication used between each system device collected from the communication port and performs data communication between the setting computer and each system device using the stored information Because
A communication request including communication data created using any of the plurality of setup software and I / F information including information specifying a communication port to which the communication data is transmitted is received from the setting computer. and determines the communication port to which to send from said communication request, this to the determined system equipment connected to the communication port to transfer the communication data receives the reply data from the system equipment which has received the communication data to create the I / F information using the information described above stored the information specifying the communication port having received this reply data, the communication response data consisting of the I / F information and the reply data, the communication By sending a reply to the communication port that received the request ,
Information on the communication mode used between the system devices collected from the plurality of communication ports is transferred to the setting computer before data communication is performed between the setting computer and each system device. A programmable display characterized by transmitting .

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