JP6476080B2 - Design support apparatus, design support method, design support program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support apparatus, a design support method, a design support program, and a recording medium.

  Conventionally, in a control system, a programmable logic controller (hereinafter simply referred to as a controller) that controls various output devices (such as a solenoid valve and a motor) displays the state of the output device on a display of a programmable display. The programmable display has input means such as a touch panel. The controller inputs a control instruction from the operator via the programmable display and controls the output device. Such a display screen of the programmable display is created by, for example, a design support tool executed on a personal computer and transferred to the programmable display (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-148875 A

  By the way, the programmable display can also switch and display a display screen including various information. In the design support tool described above, data for a plurality of display screens is created, and the data for each display screen is set in a programmable display. The display screen is set for each control item by the controller, for example, and is switched based on an operation on the panel. The design support tool is required to easily manage a plurality of display screens created in this way.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to facilitate management of a plurality of display screens.

  A design support apparatus that solves the above problems is a design support apparatus used for designing a display screen of a programmable display, and a management screen display unit that displays a management screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix, Of the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen, a creation screen display unit that displays a creation screen that creates a display screen corresponding to a cell selected based on an instruction operation, a base image of the display screen, and an instruction A setting information processing unit that sets setting information of a display screen including image data of an object arranged on the base image based on an operation, and a plurality of cells displayed on the management screen based on an instruction operation A symbol setting unit for setting a symbol in the selected cell, and the management screen display unit displays the set symbol in the selected cell.

  According to this configuration, the creation screen corresponding to the selected cell among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen is displayed. Objects are arranged on the base image displayed on the creation screen, and image data of the display screen of the programmable display is created. A symbol is set for the cell. Therefore, by setting a symbol for a cell in which setting information of the display screen is set, the symbol is displayed in a cell corresponding to the created display screen, and the display screen can be easily grasped by the symbol.

  In the design support apparatus, it is preferable that the creation screen display unit displays the creation screen after the symbol is set for the selected cell by the symbol setting unit.

  According to this configuration, since a symbol is set for a cell when a display screen is created, it is possible to save time and effort for setting a symbol later. It is also possible to prevent forgetting to set a symbol.

  In the design support apparatus, it is preferable that the symbol setting unit sets the symbol for the selected cell after the setting information is set by the setting information processing unit.

According to this configuration, it is possible to set a symbol at an arbitrary timing or change the symbol.
In the design support apparatus, the symbol includes a figure, and the symbol setting unit displays a sub-screen for selecting a plurality of preset figures, and sets the figure selected based on an instruction operation to the cell. It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, the cell can be easily identified by the graphic set in the cell. In addition, by selecting from a plurality of preset figures, it is possible to easily set a symbol for a cell.

  In the design support apparatus, the symbol includes a color, and the symbol setting unit displays a sub-screen for selecting a plurality of preset colors, and sets the color selected based on an instruction operation to the cell. It is preferable to do.

According to this configuration, the display screen corresponding to the cell can be intuitively grasped by the set color.
In the design support apparatus, it is preferable that the symbol includes identification information, and the management screen display unit displays the identification information based on an instruction operation.

According to this configuration, it is possible to grasp the meaning of the symbol set in the cell by displaying the identification information.
A design support method for solving the above problem is a design support method executed in a design support apparatus used for designing a display screen of a programmable display device, and displays a management screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix. A management screen display step, a creation screen display step for displaying a creation screen for creating a display screen corresponding to a cell selected based on an instruction operation among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen, and the display A setting information processing step for setting setting information of a display screen including a base image of the screen and image data of an object arranged on the base image based on an instruction operation; and a plurality of cells displayed on the management screen A symbol setting step for setting a symbol in a cell selected based on the instruction operation, and the management screen display step. In displays the setting symbols in the selected cell.

  According to this configuration, the creation screen corresponding to the selected cell among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen is displayed. Objects are arranged on the base image displayed on the creation screen, and image data of the display screen of the programmable display is created. A symbol is set for the cell. Therefore, by setting a symbol for a cell in which setting information of the display screen is set, the symbol is displayed in a cell corresponding to the created display screen, and the display screen can be easily grasped by the symbol.

  A design support program for solving the above problems is a design support program executed in a design support apparatus used for designing a display screen of a programmable display, and displays a management screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix. A management screen display step, a creation screen display step for displaying a creation screen for creating a display screen corresponding to a cell selected based on an instruction operation among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen, and the display A setting information processing step for setting setting information of a display screen including a base image of the screen and image data of an object arranged on the base image based on an instruction operation; and a plurality of cells displayed on the management screen A symbol setting step for setting a symbol in a cell selected on the basis of the instruction operation. In the display step, displaying the setting symbols in the selected cell.

  According to this configuration, the creation screen corresponding to the selected cell among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen is displayed. Objects are arranged on the base image displayed on the creation screen, and image data of the display screen of the programmable display is created. A symbol is set for the cell. Therefore, by setting a symbol for a cell in which setting information of the display screen is set, the symbol is displayed in a cell corresponding to the created display screen, and the display screen can be easily grasped by the symbol.

A recording medium that solves the above problem is a computer-readable recording medium that records the design support program.
According to this configuration, a design support program that can easily manage a plurality of display screens is provided.

  According to the present invention, management of a plurality of display screens can be facilitated.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a control system. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a design support apparatus and a programmable display. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of a design support apparatus and a programmable display. The block diagram which shows the conceptual structure of a design support tool. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement screen of a design support tool, (b) is explanatory drawing of a screen file management screen, (c) is a partial enlarged view of a screen manager. Explanatory drawing which shows the information setting of a symbol. Explanatory drawing which shows the information setting of a symbol. Explanatory drawing which shows the information setting of a symbol. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement screen of a design support tool. Explanatory drawing of another screen file management screen.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system includes a programmable controller (PLC: Programmable Logic Controller) 11, an external device 12 connected to the programmable controller 11, and a programmable display 13.

  The external device 12 is a device to be controlled by the programmable controller 11 and includes an input device and an output device. As the input device, for example, various sensors such as a temperature sensor and an optical sensor, and various switches such as a limit switch and a pressure switch are used. As the output device, for example, an actuator such as an electromagnetic valve or a motor, a display, or the like is used. Note that a communication device or a storage device may be used as the external device 12.

  The programmable display 13 has an operation unit operated by a user and a display unit that displays various types of information. The programmable display 13 stores data (screen files) of a plurality of display screens. The programmable display 13 selects one of a plurality of screen files based on the user's operation and displays the display screen of the selected image file. Thereby, the programmable display 13 switches a display screen. Note that the display screen may be switched based on the setting of the programmable controller 11.

  The programmable controller 11 displays the state of the external device 12 on the programmable display 13. Moreover, the programmable controller 11 displays the information of an own machine on the programmable display 13. FIG. The programmable controller 11 inputs a user's control instruction via the programmable display 13 and controls the external device 12.

  Although one external device 12 is shown in FIG. 1, a control system in which a plurality of external devices are connected to the programmable controller 11 may be used. Moreover, although one programmable controller 11 was shown in FIG. 1, it is good also as a control system with which the several programmable controller was connected with respect to the programmable display 13. FIG.

  The display screen of the programmable display 13 is created by a display screen design support tool (hereinafter simply referred to as a design support tool) executed by a display screen design support device (hereinafter simply referred to as a design support device) and transferred to the programmable display. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the programmable display 13 is connected to the design support apparatus 30 via the communication cable 14.
The design support apparatus 30 is realized by a computer program executed on a computer used for a general purpose such as a computer (for example, a personal computer (PC)) that executes a design support tool. The computer program to be executed is the above design support tool. Hereinafter, an example realized by a personal computer will be described.

  The personal computer 30 is a terminal for design input operation, and has a computer main body 31 and a monitor 32. On the monitor 32, an operation screen of the design support tool is displayed. The computer main body 31 is connected to the programmable display 13 via the communication cable 14. The computer main body 31 transmits the setting information of the display screen created by the design support tool to the programmable display 13, and the programmable display 13 stores the setting information. In addition, it is also possible to supply the setting information of the designed display screen to the programmable display 13 using a recording medium such as a memory card (not shown) instead of the communication cable 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the programmable display 13 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, a system memory 23, a setting storage memory 24, and a communication unit 25. The display unit 22 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22a as a display device and a touch panel 22b as an operation input device. The system memory 23 stores an operation system program. The control unit 21 controls the entire system based on the operation system program. The setting storage memory 24 stores setting information (screen file) for the display screen of the display unit 22. The communication unit 25 is connected to the communication cable 14 and transmits / receives data to / from the personal computer 30.

  The computer main body 31 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 41, a memory 42, an information storage unit 43, a display interface (display I / F) 44, a communication interface (communication I / F) 45, an operation interface (operation I / F). ) 46 and an external interface (external I / F) 47. The CPU 41 is a processor that performs various processes. The memory 42 stores programs and data during operation. The information storage unit 43 is, for example, a hard disk device or a silicon disk device. The information storage unit 43 stores various programs and data including the design support tool 50.

  The display interface 44 is connected to the monitor 32 and outputs a signal for display to the monitor 32. The communication interface 45 is connected to the programmable display 13 via the communication cable 14 and transmits / receives data to / from the programmable display 13. The operation interface 46 is connected to the operation unit 34. The operation unit 34 is an operation device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

  The external interface 47 is connected to the recording medium 35. The recording medium 35 is a portable medium such as a DVD. The recording medium 35 is used for providing the design support tool 50. The design support tool 50 is copied or installed from the recording medium 35 to the information storage unit 43. The design support tool may be copied or installed from another computer connected to the network. In this case, the storage device of another computer connected to the network functions as a recording medium. As the recording medium 35, for example, a card type memory device (memory card) may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the design support tool 50 includes a screen file management unit 51 and a setting information processing unit 52. The screen file management unit 51 and the setting information processing unit 52 are each executed by a computer (CPU 41 shown in FIG. 3) as program steps. The object library 54 and the symbol library 53 are data used by the design support tool 50 and are provided by being included in the design support tool 50.

  The screen file management unit 51 includes a management screen display unit 61, a creation screen display unit 62, and a symbol setting unit 63. The management screen display unit 61, the creation screen display unit 62, and the symbol setting unit 63 are executed by a computer (CPU 41 shown in FIG. 3) as steps included in the screen file management unit 51. For convenience of explanation, the functions (CPU operations) of the management screen display unit 61, the creation screen display unit 62, and the symbol setting unit 63 may be described as functions of the screen file management unit 51.

  The management screen display unit 61 displays a screen file management screen on the display unit 22 shown in FIG. The management screen display unit 61 displays the number of cells corresponding to the base screen number that can be set on the display screen on the screen file management screen. Then, the management screen display unit 61 displays the symbol set for the screen file 55 in a cell corresponding to the screen file 55. The cell corresponding to the screen file 55 is a cell having the same number as the base screen number of the display screen corresponding to the screen file 55, that is, the base screen number included in the screen file 55. Thus, by displaying the symbol in the cell corresponding to the base screen number of the display screen (screen file 55), the created display screen (or the display screen being created) can be easily confirmed.

  The creation screen display unit 62 displays a screen such as a design screen on the monitor 32 shown in FIG. The setting information processing unit 52 performs various processes of information (setting information) regarding the setting of the display screen in order to design the display screen of the programmable display 13. The setting information processing unit 52 inputs screen settings such as the base image of the display screen, the arrangement of objects relative to the base image, and the color of the base image based on an operation input signal or the like by an instruction operation of the operation unit 34 shown in FIG. Then, the input setting information is processed. After the setting of the display screen is completed, the setting information processing unit 52 creates a screen file 55 including image data of the display screen as setting information.

  The object library 54 has information on various objects used on the display screen of the programmable display 13. The object includes character parts such as characters and images as well as switch parts, lamp parts, keyboard parts, graph parts, and the like. The object information includes data indicating the shape and function of the object. The setting information processing unit 52 sets parameters such as the arrangement position, size, and color of the object selected based on the instruction operation. The setting information processing unit 52 stores information and parameters of the selected object in the screen file 55.

  In FIG. 4, one screen file 55 is shown. The setting information processing unit 52 creates one screen file 55 for one display screen designed for the programmable display 13 shown in FIG. That is, the setting information processing unit 52 creates a screen file 55 for each display screen of the programmable display 13. Therefore, a plurality of screen files 55 are stored in the information storage unit 43 shown in FIG. The plurality of screen files 55 are transferred to the programmable display device 13 via the communication cable 14 shown in FIG. 3 and stored in the setting storage memory 24.

  The screen file management unit 51 manages a plurality of screen files 55. For example, a name for identification is set on the display screen processed by the setting information processing unit 52. A management number (base screen number) is set for the base image of the display screen.

  The screen file management unit 51 sets a name and a base screen number for a display screen created based on an instruction operation of the operation unit 34 shown in FIG. 3, and creates a screen file 55 including the name and the base screen number. The setting information processing unit 52 stores the setting information (color and the like) of the base image and the information (arrangement information and the like) of the object arranged on the base screen in the screen file 55.

  The symbol setting unit 63 sets a symbol for the screen file 55 based on the instruction operation of the operation unit 34 shown in FIG. The symbol library 53 has information on symbols set in the screen file 55.

  The symbol includes a part to be displayed in the cell, background information, and identification information. The parts include graphic parts and character parts such as characters and images. The background includes a background color, a pattern, and a pattern color. An image such as a monochrome image or a pattern image may be set as the background. The symbol information includes information such as the color of the part and the background, the thickness of the line drawing the part, and the like. The symbol setting unit 63 displays a setting screen for setting a symbol in a cell on the display unit 22 shown in FIG. Then, the symbol setting unit 63 sets information input or selected on the setting screen based on the instruction operation of the operation unit 34 shown in FIG. 3 as a symbol for the cell. For example, the screen file management unit 51 stores the set symbols (various information) in the screen file 55.

The design support tool 50 displays a main screen (main window) for the user to create a display screen.
FIG. 5A shows an example of the main screen 100.

  On the main screen 100, a plurality of (two in FIG. 5A) creation screens 101 and 102, an object library screen 120, and a screen file management screen 130 as a management screen are displayed. The object library screen 120 is displayed as a screen (window) for each part, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of cells 131 are displayed on the screen file management screen 130. The number of cells 131 displayed on the screen file management screen 130 corresponds to the number of display screens that can be set for one programmable display, for example, 1024. The plurality of cells 131 are arranged in a matrix.

Each cell 131 has a rectangular shape, for example. The size of each cell 131 changes (in proportion) with the size of the screen file management screen 130.
The number of cells 131 arranged in the horizontal direction is fixed, for example, 16. In other words, the plurality of cells 131 are arranged in a matrix having a horizontal × vertical number of “16 × 64”.

  The number of vertical cells 131 displayed on the screen file management screen 130 changes according to the size (length in the vertical direction) of the screen file management screen 130. In FIG. 5B, 20 cells 131 are displayed in the vertical direction.

  Around the rectangular area where the cells 131 are arranged (upper and left sides in FIG. 5B), the numbers of the cells 131 are written in hexadecimal numbers. The numbers of the cells 131 are “0” to “3FF” in hexadecimal. The number of the cell 131 is, for example, a base screen number. In the horizontal direction, the first digit, that is, the characters “0” to “F” are displayed. Further, a scroll bar 133 is displayed around the rectangular area in which the cells 131 are arranged (on the right side in FIG. 5B), and all the cells 131 can be displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, each cell 131 is displayed according to selection or non-selection. For example, the cell 131a is a selected cell, and is displayed as if the central portion is sinking. The other cells are not selected and are displayed as if the center is raised. The cell 131a corresponds to the creation screen 101, and the creation screen 101 creates an image file including image data of the display screen. The cell 131b corresponds to the creation screen 102, and the creation screen 102 creates an image file including the image data of the display screen. The cells 131a and 131b are cells in which the screen file 55 shown in FIG. 4 is created, that is, cells associated with the screen file 55. The set symbols 132a and 132b are displayed in the cells 131a and 131b, respectively. Therefore, the numbers of the cells 131a and 131b, that is, the number of the base screen on which the display screen is set can be easily confirmed by the symbols 132a and 132b.

  The set symbols 132a and 132b indicate display screens corresponding to the cells 131a and 131b. For example, the symbol 132a set in the cell 131a indicates a screen (initial screen) displayed at the time of activation. The symbol 132b set in the cell 131b indicates a screen (maintenance screen) for setting various parameters of the programmable display 13 and the programmable controller 11 (see FIG. 1). In this way, the display screen (for example, type) can be confirmed by the symbols 132a and 132b set in the cells 131a and 131b.

  5A to 5C show an example in which a graphic part is set as a symbol for a cell. For example, a background color may be set as a symbol for the cell. For example, in FIG. 5C, the cell 131b can be easily confirmed by setting the background color of the cell 131b to be different from the color (for example, standard color) of the adjacent cell 131.

Next, an example of setting symbols for cells will be described.
The screen file management unit 51 shown in FIG. 4 displays a symbol setting screen.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the symbol setting screen 140 to be displayed.

  The symbol setting screen 140 includes a name input unit 141, a background setting unit 142, a backlight setting unit 143, and a display symbol setting unit 144. In addition, the symbol setting screen 140 displays an approval button 145 (indicated as “OK”) for changing a symbol to be displayed based on the input information, and a cancel button 146 for canceling the input information.

  The name input unit 141 is for setting identification information for a symbol set in a cell. The identification information indicates the meaning of the symbol set in the cell. The set identification information includes, for example, a description of a display screen. As the identification information set as the description of the display screen, for example, “initial screen”, “maintenance screen”, “menu screen”, and the like are set. Further, the display order may be set as the identification information. By setting different identification information even for the same graphic, the display screen can be grasped from the identification information for the displayed symbol.

  The background setting unit 142 sets a background color (background color), a background pattern, and a pattern color, and displays display units 142a, 142c, and 142e and pull-down buttons 142b, 142d, and 142f for each. The display unit 142a, 142c, 142e displays a color or the like corresponding to the set value or the initial value. The pull-down buttons 142b, 142d, and 142f display a sub screen for setting.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the background color pull-down button 142b is operated (for example, an instruction with a mouse cursor and a mouse button click). In FIG. 7, the name input unit 141 and the background setting unit 142 are shown, and other parts are omitted.

  A plurality of selection boxes 151 are displayed on the sub-screen 150, and the colors set for each of the selection boxes 151 (colors are not expressed in the drawing) are displayed. By clicking the selection box 151, the color of the selection box 151 is selected as the background color and displayed on the display unit 142a. The same applies to the pattern and pattern color.

  The backlight setting unit 143 shown in FIG. 6 sets colors and operations. The backlight setting unit 143 sets the display mode of the cell on the display screen that transitions from the display screen of the selected cell. The programmable display 13 shown in FIG. 1 displays one display screen among a plurality of set display screens (image data). And the programmable display 13 switches a display screen according to the set order based on predetermined | prescribed operation (For example, the button in which "next" is displayed is touched). Switching the display screen is called display screen transition.

  The backlight setting unit 143 sets a display form (color, operation) of a cell in which a transition display screen is set. For example, the color is the display color of the cell, and the operation sets the display state (lit or flashing) of the display color. The backlight setting unit 143 displays a plurality of selection buttons 143a corresponding to the color to be selected and a plurality of selection buttons 143b corresponding to the operation. By selecting one of the plurality of selection buttons 143a and 143b by an instruction operation (for example, click), the selected color and operation are set.

  The display symbol setting unit 144 shown in FIG. 6 sets a symbol to be displayed in the cell 131 of the screen file management screen 130. In the display symbol setting unit 144, a display unit 144a and a change button 144b are displayed. The display unit 144a displays a symbol set in the selected cell. The change button 144b displays a sub screen for setting a symbol in the selected cell.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the change button 144b is operated. In FIG. 8, portions other than the display symbol setting unit 144 are omitted.
A plurality of selection boxes 161 are displayed on the sub-screen 160, and each selection box 161 displays a graphic that can be set as a symbol. By clicking the selection box 161, the symbol in the selection box 161 is selected and displayed on the display unit 144a. In FIG. 8, an example of a figure is shown as a component that can be set as a symbol. However, when a character component such as a character or an image is used as the component, the component is displayed in the selection box 161.

(Function)
Next, the operation of the design support tool 50 will be described.
The design support tool 50 shown in FIG. 4 sets a symbol corresponding to the screen file 55 when the screen file 55 is created, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, a screen file management screen 130 is displayed on the main screen 100. The screen file management screen 130 displays a plurality of cells 131 arranged in a matrix. Among the displayed cells 131, a cell corresponding to the number of the base screen to be created is operated (for example, double-clicked).

  For example, the base screen number is “000”. In this case, the upper left cell 131a is operated in FIG. Then, a symbol setting screen 140 is displayed as shown in FIG. In this symbol setting screen 140, necessary items are input or selected, and the approval button 145 is operated (clicked). Based on the operation, the screen file management unit 51 shown in FIG. 4 creates a screen file 55 including the selected cell number (base screen number) and information on the set symbol.

Next, the setting information processing unit 52 displays a creation screen and an object library screen.
As shown in FIG. 9B, a main screen 100 displays a creation screen 101 and an object library screen 120.

  A base image 101 a is displayed on the creation screen 101. The designer performs a predetermined operation (for example, right click) on the creation screen 101 to set the background and color of the base image 101a.

  Various objects 121 are displayed on the object library screen 120. The designer appropriately selects the object 121 in the object library screen 120 and places it on the base image 101 a of the creation screen 101. Then, the designer performs a predetermined operation (for example, right click on the object 101b), and sets the position, size, color, and the like of the placed object 101b.

In addition, symbols can be set after the screen file 55 is created.
As shown in FIG. 5A, two creation screens 101 and 102 are displayed on the main screen 100. A screen file including image data created corresponding to these two creation screens 101 and 102 is stored in the information storage unit 43 shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, symbols 132a and 132b are displayed in the cells 131a and 131b of the screen file management screen 130, respectively.

  For example, the designer performs a predetermined operation (for example, right click on the cell 131b) for the cell 131b. The screen file management unit 51 shown in FIG. 4 displays the symbol setting screen 140 shown in FIG. 6 based on the operation. With this symbol setting screen 140, it is possible to set (change) a symbol for the cell 131b.

  The screen file management unit 51 displays the identification information included in the symbol information set in the cell 131. For example, the screen file management unit 51 selects one cell 131 based on an instruction operation (for example, left click) of the operation unit 34 shown in FIG. The screen file management unit 51 reads the symbol information of the selected cell 131 from the information storage unit 43. Then, the screen file management unit 51 displays the identification information included in the information, for example, in a pop-up window. For example, when the display screen is shared by a plurality of designers, identification information is set by each designer. Therefore, by displaying the identification information, the designer can understand the meaning of the symbol set in the cell.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) On the main screen 100, a plurality of creation screens 101 and 102, an object library screen 120, and a screen file management screen 130 as a management screen are displayed. A plurality of cells 131 are displayed on the screen file management screen 130. The cell 131a corresponds to the creation screen 101, and the creation screen 101 creates an image file including image data of the display screen. The cell 131b corresponds to the creation screen 102, and the creation screen 102 creates an image file including the image data of the display screen. The set symbols 132a and 132b are displayed in the cells 131a and 131b, respectively. Therefore, the numbers of the cells 131a and 131b, that is, the number of the base screen on which the display screen is set can be easily confirmed by the symbols 132a and 132b. The display screen (for example, type) can be confirmed by the symbols 132a and 132b set in the cells 131a and 131b.

  (2) The screen file management screen 130 displays a plurality of cells 131 arranged in a matrix. For example, the cell 131a is operated (for example, double-clicked). Then, a symbol setting screen 140 is displayed. Then, after setting a symbol for the cell 131a on the symbol setting screen 140, the setting information processing unit 52 displays the creation screen 101 corresponding to the cell 131a. Thus, since the symbol is set for the cell 131a when the display screen is created, it is possible to save the trouble of setting the symbol later. In addition, forgetting to set a symbol can be prevented.

  (3) The designer performs a predetermined operation (for example, right click on the cell 131b) for the cell 131b for which the display screen is set. The screen file management unit 51 shown in FIG. 4 displays the symbol setting screen 140 shown in FIG. 6 based on the operation. With this symbol setting screen 140, it is possible to set (change) a symbol for the cell 131b.

  (4) The set symbols 132a and 132b indicate display screens corresponding to the cells 131a and 131b. For example, the symbol 132a set in the cell 131a indicates a screen (initial screen) displayed at the time of activation. The symbol 132b set in the cell 131b indicates a screen (maintenance screen) for setting various parameters of the programmable display 13 and the programmable controller 11 (see FIG. 1). In this way, the display screen (for example, type) can be confirmed by the symbols 132a and 132b set in the cells 131a and 131b.

  (5) As a symbol of the cell 131, a background color, a background pattern, and a pattern color are set. By setting the background color, pattern, and pattern color, the display screen corresponding to the cell can be intuitively grasped.

  (6) The screen file management unit 51 displays the identification information included in the symbol information set in the cell 131. For example, when the display screen is shared by a plurality of designers, identification information is set by each designer. Therefore, by displaying the identification information, the designer can understand the meaning of the symbol set in the cell.

In addition, you may implement each said embodiment in the following aspects.
-You may change suitably the structure (part which performs a function) of the design support tool 50 shown in FIG. For example, the creation screen display unit 62 may be included in the setting information processing unit 52. Further, the design support tool 50 may include the functional blocks independent of the screen file management unit 51.

-The display of various screens may be appropriately changed with respect to the above embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows another screen file management screen 200. On this screen file management screen 200, a predetermined number (for example, 256) of cells 131 are displayed. The screen file management screen 200 displays a page number 201 and page switching buttons 202 and 203. The screen file management unit displays a predetermined number (256) of cells as one page. For example, as described above, 4096 cells are divided into four pages. Then, the page to be displayed is switched based on an instruction operation for the page switching buttons 202 and 203. Even in this case, the information of the screen file (information on the display screen) for the cell can be easily confirmed by the symbol of each cell 131.

  The screen file management unit 51 may store the symbol information set for the cell in the file in association with the information (for example, the base screen number) of the screen file 55 corresponding to the cell.

  A plurality of screen files 55 may be stored in one folder, and the folder may be transferred to the programmable display 13. By creating each programmable display for managing the display screen by using a folder on a computer, it is possible to manage the display screen in a plurality of programmable displays.

  A plurality of screen files 55 may be managed by one management file (project file). For example, identification information for specifying each of the plurality of screen files 55 (for example, a file name (file name)) is stored in the management file. Management file information is updated according to the addition / modification / deletion of the display screen. Based on the information in the management file, the screen file is transferred from the computer to the programmable display. By creating a management file for each programmable display that manages display screens by a computer, it is possible to manage display screens in a plurality of programmable displays.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Programmable display device 30 ... Design support apparatus 35 ... Recording medium 52 ... Setting information processing part 61 ... Management screen display part 62 ... Creation screen display part 63 ... Symbol setting part 101, 102 ... Creation screen 101a, base image, 101b, 121, object, 131, 131a, 131b, cell, 132a, 132b, symbol.

Claims (9)

A design support device used for designing a display screen of a programmable display,
A management screen display unit for displaying a management screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix;
Of the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen, a creation screen display unit that displays a creation screen that creates a display screen corresponding to the cell selected based on the instruction operation;
A setting information processing unit that sets setting information of a display screen including a base image of the display screen and image data of an object arranged on the base image based on an instruction operation;
Of a plurality of cells displayed on the management screen, a symbol setting unit that sets a symbol in a cell selected based on an instruction operation;
Have
The design support device, wherein the management screen display unit displays the set symbol in the selected cell.   The design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation screen display unit displays the creation screen after the symbol is set for the selected cell by the symbol setting unit.   The design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the symbol setting unit sets the symbol for the selected cell after the setting information is set by the setting information processing unit. The symbol includes a figure,
The symbol setting unit displays a sub-screen for selecting a plurality of preset figures, and sets the figure selected based on an instruction operation in the cell;
The design support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The symbol includes a color;
The symbol setting unit displays a sub-screen for selecting a plurality of preset colors, and sets the color selected based on an instruction operation in the cell;
The design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The symbol includes identification information;
The management screen display unit displays the identification information based on an instruction operation;
The design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A design support method executed in a design support device used for designing a display screen of a programmable display,
A management screen display step for displaying a management screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix;
A creation screen display step for displaying a creation screen for creating a base image corresponding to a cell selected based on an instruction operation among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen;
A setting information processing step for setting setting information of a display screen including the base image and image data of an object arranged on the base image based on an instruction operation;
A symbol setting step of setting a symbol in a cell selected based on an instruction operation among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen;
Have
In the management screen display step, the set symbol is displayed in the selected cell. A design support program executed in a design support apparatus used for designing a display screen of a programmable display,
A management screen display step for displaying a management screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix;
A creation screen display step for displaying a creation screen for creating a base image corresponding to a cell selected based on an instruction operation among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen;
A setting information processing step for setting setting information of a display screen including the base image and image data of an object arranged on the base image based on an instruction operation;
A symbol setting step of setting a symbol in a cell selected based on an instruction operation among the plurality of cells displayed on the management screen;
Have
In the management screen display step, the set symbol is displayed in the selected cell.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the design support program according to claim 8 is recorded.