JPH01116706A - Picture displaying method for display device of controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correctly and promptly grasp the operation condition and abnormal condition of an external controller by displaying important data prior to the other data when plural picture codes are sent in a short time from the external control device to a display device. CONSTITUTION:A display device 3 stores the picture data by dividing a title and contents at every picture code number, and stores the data quantity of the picture data. Every time the picture code is received from an external controller 2, a displaying effective period is allotted to the picture code, and at the input time point of the new picture code, the extinction time point of the displaying effective period concerning the picture code received, and the operating time point of a confirmation key, a content displaying key, and a scroll key, all of the picture data concerning the effective picture code already displayed and the picture data selected by the prescribed priority from the picture data are displayed. Thus, on the picture of limited capacity in a controlled device 1, the plural conditions generated in a short time can be suitably displayed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention is combined with a control device such as a sequencer that controls a controlled device such as a mechanical device, and displays on-screen data indicating the operating status, failure condition, and operating guide information of the controlled device on a screen with a predetermined display capacity. A screen display method for a display device, the method comprising:
This relates to a screen display method that minimizes the amount of data that a control device sends to a display device for screen display, especially when the total amount of data to be displayed on the screen at the same time exceeds the display capacity. The present invention also relates to a screen display method that enables display to be as effective as possible. Note that in the following figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

2. Description of the Related Art - Some display devices of this type receive and store display data sent from an external device, and then output the stored display screen data. On the other hand, the built-in image data or character string data, such as display screen data, is stored in advance in the memory of the display device itself, and this display screen data is stored in advance in the memory of the display device itself. Some devices attach a code number, receive the screen code number from an external device, and output a specified display. This display includes:
It may be a figure or a picture, it may be just an example of text, or it may be a combination of these depending on the case.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, such display devices have the following problems. (1) If an abnormal condition occurs in a mechanical device (controlled device) to be monitored within a short period of time, the system will switch to new data without waiting for confirmation of the previously displayed content. It is not possible to accurately grasp the status of mechanical equipment. (2) On the other hand, if we were to hold the display output until it is confirmed according to the display screen code number sent from the control device, then we would be able to grasp the latest status of the mechanical device side. The problem is that it cannot be done. (3) Next, the screen code number sent from the mechanical equipment side at the time of an abnormality is memorized, and according to this memorized content, the display content can be changed at regular intervals on the display device side, or operations provided on the display device side can be performed. It is also possible to check the displayed content by operating switches to change the display output, but in this case, only the screen data for one screen code number is displayed on one screen, and that screen data may contain low-priority data other than the title, and it is necessary to check these screen data one screen at a time from the oldest to the oldest, making it difficult to grasp the overall operating status of the mechanical equipment. There is. (4) Furthermore, some of these display devices generally include a CRT and a control device for controlling the CRT as part of a computer application system, and various displays are performed by this control device. However, such a system has the problem that it is not practical for displaying the status of a mechanical device controlled by a sequencer because it is large and more expensive than a sequencer. An object of the present invention is to enable a display device to store screen data divided into a title and its content for each screen code number, and to store the amount of screen data, and to store screen data by screen code number (hereinafter simply referred to as Each time a screen code (referred to as a screen code) is received, the screen code is displayed. The display validity period is assigned, the time when a new screen code is input, the time when the display validity period for the received screen code expires,
Or, at the time of operation of the confirmation key, content display key, or scroll key, a display method that displays all the screen data for the currently displayed valid screen code, or screen data selected from this screen data in a predetermined priority order. By providing this, it is possible to accurately display a plurality of states occurring in a controlled device within a short period of time on a screen with limited capacity. Also, the configuration of the display device is L
The aim is to make it small and inexpensive by making it a so-called flat type using a CD, plasma display, etc.

[Means and operations for solving the problems] In order to achieve the above object, the method of the present invention includes a control device (external control device 2, etc.) that controls a controlled device (1, etc.) such as a mechanical device. screen data indicating the status of the controlled device etc. is displayed in a predetermined display capacity (such as the display panel 16) - (1
Display device for control device (3 lines, etc.) to display on the screen
etc.), the display device displays predetermined screen data (table MDI, explanatory text D2, etc.) and the amount of data (number of lines, etc.) for each screen code (PC, etc.) for specifying the screen data. and each time the screen code is received from the control device, a predetermined period (starting from the time of reception) is determined for the screen code during which the display of the screen data is valid. In addition to setting the display validity period (hereinafter referred to as "display validity period"), the time at which the new screen code is received, and the expiry time (hereinafter referred to as the display validity period) corresponding to each screen code that has already been received.
(e.g., when a display valid timer counts over), or at the time when the predetermined signal is input from the operation signal input means that inputs the predetermined signal, all of the screen codes corresponding to the screen code that are currently within the display valid period 1 so that the screen data, or screen data selected from the screen data under predetermined selection conditions, is displayed on the screen, or further, the operation signal input means selects the screen data displayed on the screen. A display confirmation signal input means (confirmation key, etc.) that specifies the screen code for screen data that does not require further display, or at least the total amount of screen data corresponding to the screen code that is currently within the display validity period. exceeds the display capacity, content display signal input means (content display key etc.), or similarly, when the display capacity is exceeded, out of the screen data corresponding to the screen code that is currently within the display validity period, the screen with the title of each screen code arranged in a predetermined order Scroll signal input means (such as a scroll key) for scrolling the display of the screen.゜D22 etc.) subdivided screen data, screen code reception time,
It is determined based on the priority of
do it like this.

【Example】

FIG. 4 shows an example of the connection between the display device of the present invention and its external device. Reference numeral 1 denotes the main body of the controlled device, which may be any object to be controlled, such as a machine for assembly, work, or inspection, or a device for maintaining temperature, humidity, etc. These controlled devices 1 are controlled by an external control device 2 such as a sequencer. The term "external" means an external device for the flat display device 3. The controlled device 1 and the external control device 2 do not necessarily need to be placed separately, and in many cases, the external control device 2 is housed within the controlled device 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a control cable by which the external control device 2 controls various loads such as motors and valves in the controlled device 1. 3 is a flat display device which is the main subject of the present invention,
The display device 3 is connected to the external control device 2 via a signal line 5. Signals indicating the operating state or abnormal state of the controlled device 1 are constantly notified from the external control device 2 to the display device 3 via the signal line 5. FIG. 3 shows a system configuration diagram of this display device 3. 11 is a microcomputer (also abbreviated as microcomputer) that controls the entire function of this display device 3; 12 is a character generator that creates pattern data for display figures such as characters; and 13 stores programs and display screen data for the microcomputer 11. ROM consisting of EEPROM etc., 1
4 is a RAM of the microcomputer 11, and thus the microcomputer system of the display device 3 is configured. This microcomputer system has a flat display panel 16, and fixed screen data to be displayed on the display panel 16 is transferred to the RAM 14 via the loader 17, or
Alternatively, it is set in ROM13. Further, the microcomputer 11 is connected to the external control device 2 via a signal line 5. Further, when an abnormal state occurs on the external control device 2 side, the microcomputer 11 directly receives a buzzer control signal through the signal line 5, activates the buzzer 21, and notifies the occurrence of the abnormality. However, in this case, the microcomputer 11 does not necessarily need to directly receive the buzzer control signal from the external control device 2, and the display image signal sent from the external control device 2 to the microcomputer 11 is given meaning, and the meaning of this signal is The microcomputer 11 may determine this and automatically operate the buzzer 21. Naturally, it is also necessary to confirm the operation of the buzzer 21 and then stop the operation of the buzzer via the buzzer stop switch 22. Note that here we are mainly thinking about using a sequencer programmable controller (sequencer programmable controller) as the external control device 2.
The display device 3 shown in FIG. 3 must be a simpler system than this sequencer. FIGS. 1(8) to 1(E) show various display examples on the screen F of the display panel 16 in the display device 3. In this example, the screen F has a display area consisting of line numbers LN values 1 to 6. 03°06, - at the top left of screen F
The two-digit number such as , etc. is the screen code PC for specifying the screen data, and the character string that is on the same line as this screen code PC and follows the screen code PC is about the screen data corresponding to this screen code. The title is D1. Also, in the line following the screen code PC, the character string following the title D1 is an explanatory text D2 (D2
1. D22°-・-). Now, the same figure (A) is the screen code PC that should be displayed on the screen.
A display example is shown when there is only one. In other words, if only the screen code PC with the value "03" is sent from the external control device 2 to the display device 3 after some time,
This shows a case in which no other screen code PC has been sent subsequently. Note that when the display device 3 receives the screen code PC from the external control device 2 in this way, a predetermined display validity period is assigned to the screen code PC from the time of reception. Here, the display valid period is a period predetermined for each screen code PC, and within this period is a period during which the screen code PC (and its screen data) is to be displayed. However, if the number of screen code PCs within this display validity period increases and it is no longer possible to display all valid screen data on screen F at once, the screen in question will be displayed for the entire period of this display validity period. There is no guarantee that the data will be displayed. Further, the screen code PC (and its screen data) whose display validity period has elapsed will not be displayed unless a new screen code PC is received. Although the screen code PC and the title D1 are always displayed together in FIG. 1, the screen code PC may be omitted and only the title D1 may be displayed. By the way, when the microcomputer 11 in the display device 3 receives the screen code PC value "03" as described above, the display panel 16
On the screen F, there is a title DI "Water temperature abnormality" stored in advance in the ROM 13 or RAM 14 corresponding to the code value "03" and a message "Please check the cooling water" added to this title D1. Explanatory text D2 (D21) is displayed. In this case, there is no other screen data to display, so the screen code PC and title are placed in the second line of line number LN.
In addition, the explanatory text D21 is also placed in the fourth line, and the remaining 1st line.
Each line of 3°5.6 is left blank to make it easier for the user of the display device to understand. If only one screen code PC is sent from the external control device 12 as shown in FIG. 1(A), the display device 3
Users can easily check the contents. However, when an abnormal state occurs in the controlled device 1, the influence extends to other parts, and as a result, a new abnormality may occur. In many cases, it is important to accurately understand the process by which the abnormal condition occurs in order to take correct measures against the abnormal condition. Therefore, these abnormalities that occur within a short period of time are displayed, for example, as shown in (B) to (E) in the same figure. FIG. 3B shows a display example when the display device 3 receives a new screen code PC (value "06") following the state shown in FIG. In this case, the display contents of FIG. 10A are moved up one line at a time and are placed between the first to third lines of screen F, and new screen data is displayed between the fourth to sixth lines. Here, "Transport unit abnormality" on the 4th line is the title D1 for the new screen code "06", and the explanatory text D2 ("The transport unit is not operating") on the 5th line (
D21) and the explanatory text D2 (D22) "Please stop the machine and inspect it" on the 6th line are explanatory texts regarding the new title of "conveyance unit abnormality". Next, FIG. 1(C) shows a display when two new screen codes of values "08" and "05" are received following the state of FIG. 1(B). In this case, the second
Even if the blank lines are filled, the 4 screen code values are 103", "
Since all the screen data for 06'', 08, and 05 cannot be displayed, the data should be displayed in descending order of priority. In other words, in the example of this figure (C), within one screen code PC Now, screen code PC and its title D1, then explanation D
2 (D21), followed by explanatory text D2 (D22), and the former is given priority, and between the screen codes PC, the oldest ones given priority in the order of input time to the display device 3. Also, in one screen F, the screen code P
C (and its title DI) shall take precedence over any other explanatory text D2. In this way, in the same figure (C), the first. Third. 5th゜6th
4 screen codes PC (and its title DI) on each line of
is displayed, and explanatory texts D21 corresponding to the screen codes in the first and third lines are displayed in two blank lines (second and fourth lines), respectively. Next, Figure 1 (D) is another display example similar to Figure 1 (C), in which the screen code value "03" on the second line has priority compared to other displayed screen code values. Since it is set to the highest value, the explanatory text D21 "Please check the cooling water" corresponding to this screen code PC value "03" is displayed on the third line. Further, in the example of this figure (D), the reception time T1 of each screen code PC is shown on the right end side of the screen F. These time data can be easily realized by providing a clock LSI in the microcomputer system shown in FIG. Note that instead of the reception time T1, data on the elapsed time after the screen code PC in question was received may be displayed, and this data is useful for analyzing abnormalities. In this way, the title D1 for each screen code PC is displayed first to show what has occurred, and if anything else is displayed on the screen F
If there is a blank line that can be displayed within the blank line, content such as explanatory text D2 having a high priority is added to the blank line. In order to display according to the priority order in this way, for example, specify four levels of priority from A to D for each screen code PC value, and first display the A rank screen code PC and its title D1 from the top of the screen. , then the B rank, and then the C rank. In this case, the anomalies, and therefore the information that should be displayed, should be displayed in the order in which they occurred, or
Whether to display the information in the priority order or in the order of occurrence can be specified in the program of the microcomputer system shown in FIG. 3, or can be selected by operating a switch in the key matrix 23. These functions can be freely implemented using a microcomputer system. Next, FIG. 1(E) shows that the display device 3 receives a large number of screen codes PC, for example, seven, within a short period of time, and is unable to display all the received screen codes PC within one screen F. In this example, the maximum number of lines that can be displayed on one screen is 6 lines, so if the number of screen codes PC received within the display validity period exceeds that number, the display screen will be scrolled. (that is, moving upward and cyclically one line at a time as if looking at a scroll), the reception screen code CN as the number of receptions is displayed on the sixth line. Each of these screen codes PC When it is necessary to see the explanatory text D2 for , place the cursor on the corresponding code PC on the screen F, and then operate the key for checking the screen code contents in the key matrix 23, that is, the content display key. Then, this operation is read by the microcomputer 11, and the entire screen data for each screen code PC can be displayed as shown in Figure 1 (8).The screen data for each screen code PC includes the aforementioned As shown above, there is a title D1 and an explanatory text D2 of its contents, but the screen code PC and title Di are displayed first by giving priority to each pair of screen code PC and title Di and each explanatory text D2,
Next, if there is a blank line in the display screen, by displaying the explanatory sentence D2 with a higher priority among the undisplayed explanatory sentences D2 corresponding to the displayed screen code PC, the overall view will be better for the user. Alternatively, it is possible to give priority to reading displays with a high degree of urgency. In addition, the explanatory text D2 can also be changed from the above D21°D22 as necessary.
It is also possible to display a part of the explanatory text with priority by subdividing it into sections and providing a hierarchy of necessary priorities for the subdivided sections. FIG. 2(A) is a general flowchart showing an example of screen display control of the microcomputer 11 in the display device 3, and FIG. 2(B) is the same as FIG. 2(A).
12 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the screen editing output operation (step S09) in FIG. In the same figure (A), the microcomputer 11 is always in step SOO.
Read the screen code PC input in step 301,
If there is a timer (referred to as a display valid time) that counts the display valid period set corresponding to each received screen code PC, this timer is counted (incremented). If there is no new screen code PC input (Stefuji 50
25 branch N), and if the display valid timer has not counted over (step 303, branch N), the process returns to step S00 again without doing anything. If a new screen code PC is received (step 3
02. Branch Y), if there is no display output so far (step 304; branch N), a new display output is performed (step 506), and a display valid timer corresponding to that screen code PC is set (activated) for, for example, one minute. . If this display valid timer counts over in step S03 (branch Y), for example, if one minute has elapsed since the display, the display valid timer is stopped in step 309, and the screen code corresponding to this timer is The display related to the PC is ended, and a new screen is edited and output as described later. If, when receiving the new screen code PC in step 302 (branch Y), another screen is already being displayed in step SO4 (branch Y), a new screen corresponding to the new screen code is displayed in step SO8. A valid timer is set, and in step SO9, new display screen data is edited and displayed from the previous display screen data and screen data related to the new screen code PC, as described later. If the display valid timer for each screen code PC counts over in step SO3 (branch Y), it is assumed that the display output of the screen data related to the screen code in question is no longer necessary, and the display output is performed in step SO9 as described later. Erase the screen data and recreate and display new edit screen data. Note that the display clear key is the key matrix 2 of the display device 3.
3, and when this clear key is pressed, each display valid timer is cleared and the screen can be displayed in a standby state or not displayed. In addition to the rear key like this, there is a third
Of course, it is also possible to clear the screen from the external control device 2 side via the signal line 5 shown in the figure. Next, based on FIG. 2(B), the screen editing output procedure in step 309 in FIG. 2(A) will be explained. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the display valid timer has timed out, and if it has timed out (branch Y).
, proceed to step S3. Also, if it is not timed out (
Branch N), in step S2 it is determined whether the confirmation key in the key matrix 23 has been pressed (that is, ONL, Taka), and if it has been pressed (branch Y), the process proceeds to step S3;
If it is not pressed (branch N), the process advances to step S2A. In this step S3, the display of screen data related to the screen code for which the display valid timer has timed out or the screen code specified by placing the cursor and pressing the confirmation key is erased, and from then on (a new screen (unless the code is entered) the display of the relevant screen data is disabled. In step S2A, it is determined whether or not the content display key in the key matrix 23 has been pressed, and if it has been pressed (branch Y
), the process proceeds to step 32B, and if it is not pressed (branch N), the process proceeds to step S4. In this step 32B, the entire screen data related to the screen code on which the cursor is placed is displayed as shown in FIG. 1(A). In step S4, it is determined whether the received number of screen codes within the display valid period is greater than 6. If it is larger (branch Y), the process proceeds to step S16, and the priority order among the screen codes PC to be displayed is determined. In step 516A, five sets of screen codes PC and their titles D1 are checked in descending order of priority, and the number of valid all-screen codes currently displayed, that is, the number of received screen codes CN in FIG. 1(E). Then, the process proceeds to step 316B. In this step 5L6B, it is further determined whether the scroll key in the key matrix 23 is pressed, and if it is not pressed (branch N), the process advances to step S17.
If it has been pressed (branch Y), the process advances to step 316C. In step 316C, it is determined whether or not there is any screen code that is not currently displayed among the valid screen codes. If there is no screen code (branch N), the process proceeds to step 317, and if there is (branch Y). , proceed to step 516D. In this step 516D, in the display as shown in FIG. 1(E), a display process is performed in which the display contents from the first line to the fifth line of the screen are cyclically moved up one line at a time using a scroll display method. . In other words, the display contents (screen code PC and title Di) that have been displayed on the first line are erased, and the display contents that have been displayed on the second line are moved to the first line. In the same way, the display content that was displayed on the 5th line until now is moved to the 4th line, and the screen code that was on the 5th line until now is moved to the 5th line. The screen code with the next highest priority in the screen code PC (However, if the priority of the screen code that was on the 5th line until now was the lowest among all screen codes that are valid for display, the highest screen code )
Make the PC and its title D1 displayed. Also the 6th
Processing is performed so that the number of all-screen codes that are currently valid for display is displayed as the number of received screen codes CN for the row. In this way, the process advances to step S17. Now, if the number of display valid screen codes is 6 or less in step S4 (branch N), the process advances to step S5. In this step S5, it is determined whether or not there is a blank line on the currently displayed screen F. If there is a blank line (branch Y), the process advances to step S6, and if there is not (branch N), the process advances to step S7. In step S7, display processing is performed only for all screen codes that are valid for display and their titles, and in step S8 it is determined whether a blank line has been created. If there is a blank line (branch Y), step S
In step 9, the priority search is performed, and in step 310, the explanatory text D is searched.
The explanatory text D2 having the highest priority is divided into one line and displayed on the screen code PC that has the highest priority among the screen codes PC that cannot display 2, and the process returns to step S8. In this way, as long as there are blank lines, the explanatory texts D2 are displayed in the highest priority order possible. In step S6, the total number of blank lines following the explanatory text currently being displayed is compared with all lines of the screen data (that is, screen code, title, and explanatory text) to be newly displayed this time. If the blank line is larger (branch Y), the process advances to step S13 to add the current display data to the previous display. If the blank line is smaller in step S6 (branch N), check whether there is a blank line above the title in step Sll, and if there is a blank line (branch Y), step 3
Fill in the blanks in step S12 and return to step S6. If there is no blank line in step Sll (branch N), it is checked in step 314 whether there is a blank line between the title and explanatory text of the display data so far, and if there is a blank line (branch Y),
In step S15, blank lines are filled in and the process returns to step S6. By doing so, new screen data can be displayed without changing the display format of the existing display data much. In step S17, the processed image is displayed and output. τEffect of the invention] According to this invention, when multiple screen codes are sent from an external control device to a display device in a short period of time, important data is given priority among the screen data for each screen code. Since we decided to use a screen display method that displays the external control device as a whole, it is now possible to quickly and accurately understand the operating status of the external control device and the process of abnormal situation occurrence.
This has the effect that the user of the display device can accurately operate the controlled device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing examples of various display screens based on the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for screen display control as an example of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a system configuration of the display device. 4 are block diagrams showing the basic configuration of the entire system. l: Controlled device, 2: External control device, 3: Display device, 4
: Control cable, ゛5: Signal line, 11: Microcomputer, 12
:Character generator, 13:ROM. 14: RAM, 16: Display panel, 17: Loader, 23
:Key matrix, PC two-screen code, title in D, D2
(D21. D22): Explanation, T1: Reception time, CN: Reception screen code number. r-ni-m-1 Ha, 〆- OLLI Fang 2 (A) Jyo 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A display device for a control device that is combined with a control device that controls a controlled device such as a mechanical device and displays screen data indicating the status of the controlled device on a screen with a predetermined display capacity. In the screen display method, the display device stores predetermined screen data and its data amount for each screen code for specifying screen data, and each time the display device receives the screen code from the control device, the screen For the code, set a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the display validity period) during which the display of the screen data is valid, starting from the time of reception, and the time of reception of the new screen code, the expiration point of the display validity period corresponding to each screen code that has already been received;
Or, at the time of inputting the predetermined signal from the operation signal input means for inputting the predetermined signal, all the screen data corresponding to the screen code that is currently within the display validity period, or a predetermined value from the screen data. 1. A screen display method for a display device for a control device, characterized in that screen data selected under selection conditions is displayed on the screen. 2) In the method according to claim 1, the operation signal input means specifies the screen code for screen data that does not require further display among the screen data displayed on the screen. Display confirmation signal input means, or when at least the total amount of screen data corresponding to the screen code currently within the display validity period exceeds the display capacity, the specified screen out of the screen data displayed on the screen A content display signal input means for instructing to display all the screen data related to the code on the screen, or when the display capacity is exceeded, the screen data corresponding to the screen code that is currently within the display validity period. A screen display method for a display device for a control device, comprising: a scroll signal input means for scrolling the display of titles for each screen code arranged in at least a predetermined order on the screen. 3) In the method according to claim 1, the selection condition is based on the priority order of at least the screen code, subdivided screen data belonging to each screen code, and the reception time of the screen code. 1. A screen display method for a display device for a control device, characterized in that: