JPH0628014A - Sfc programming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To instantaneously enable discriminating continuity when the leading step of a page is continued on the final step of the preceding page by displaying a program continuing symbol graphic on a graphic display means, converting the displayed graphic into a program continuation defining instruction, adding the converted instruction to an instruction on the leading step of the page. CONSTITUTION:In the case of switching a current page to the succeeding page while continuing a program, a continuous step graphic is specified from a continuous step graphic input part 11a. Thereby a sequential file chart(SFC) graphic following a continuous step graphic on its head is displayed on a display device and a graphic conversion part 15 reads out graphic data corresponding to the displayed SFC graphic from a graphic storing part 12 and a continuous step display part 12a. The continuous step graphic data are converted into a continuous step defining instruction and the converted instruction is transferred to the graphic conversion part 15, which imparts the transferred instruction to the input operand of a leading instruction of the page to form a transaction instruction and stores the formed instruction in a storage part 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an SFC programming device for creating a program using the SFC command system, and more particularly, to a symbol and command for defining continuation of a program over a plurality of pages, It relates to an SFC programming device that describes the symbol and stores the instruction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field, various information to be controlled, for example, physical quantity information such as a predetermined quantity of products passing through the exit of a belt conveyor, or danger when a cutting machine is operating. There is logical information such as detection of a moving object in the area. A programmable controller (hereinafter referred to as a PC) is widely used as a device for performing a predetermined output control (sequence control) according to the various information.

This PC programming method is a PC development that allows a user, who has conventionally been distant from both hardware and software with respect to a computer, to easily build a program without being aware that the PC is a computer. Based on its original purpose, it usually involves a completely different form of description than computer programming. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, generally, an expanded connection diagram of a relay circuit using symbol marks such as contacts (switches) 51 and 52 and coils (relays) 53 that have been used in the field before the PC was used.

In recent years, a PC-specific program description format called a sequential function chart (hereinafter referred to as SFC) has received attention. This description format is a programming language that makes it possible to graphically display the control operation of the PC in an easy-to-understand manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the above described relay circuit diagram is called a step (A, B or C). And transition (T1 or T
2) are alternately arranged in the description part called as a link 61
It is described while being linked by. Step A,
B or C represents the input / output group of each process to be controlled, and the transition T1 or T2 represents the selection condition of the next subsequent step.

A relay circuit figure (hereinafter simply referred to as an SFC figure) that constitutes the steps and transitions of the SFC description is converted into a program code by the SFC programming device and stored in the PC. The stored program code is not machine code that can be executed as it is inside a PC, which is generally called a programming language, but is simply converted into a code that can be easily analyzed by the PC (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate code). Is.

The basic structure of this intermediate code is "(F op
1 op2 ... Opn) ". S
Since the FC figure itself is an action type (function type) program, the structure of the intermediate code converted from this is also a function type language. In the above basic structure, “(” is the start of an instruction, “F” is the name of the instruction, and “)” is the end of the instruction. Also, op1, op2, etc. are operands of the instruction, and these can be further instructions.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are examples of intermediate codes stored in the PC. The intermediate codes S71, S72, and S73 stored in the same figure as (3) are divided into three pages.
The intermediate code S71 of the first page is shown in FIG.
Only the second line of is shown. In the figure, “(TRAS) represents the beginning of a transition instruction, the first operand“ T1 ”represents a transition condition, the second operand“ (_A) ”represents an input step group, and the third operand“ (_B) ”. Represents the output step group, and the final ")" represents the end of the transition instruction. The transition instruction turns the input step off and the output step on when the transition condition of the first operand is on and when the input step of the second operand is on and the output step of the third operand is off. To do. That is, at this time, the next subsequent step is selected. In this way, the program described by the SFC graphic proceeds while the selection / non-selection of the next subsequent step is determined by the transition instruction.

The SFC description program used after being converted into such an intermediate code is described and input by a PC user (operator) creating an SFC figure by an SFC programming device.

The above-mentioned programming device usually has an instruction storage unit 81 and a page switching unit 8 as shown in FIG.
2, graphic conversion unit 83, graphic storage unit 84, display conversion unit 8
5, a display unit 86, an input unit 87, and a page designation unit 88. The graphic storage unit 84 is a ROM in which various SFC graphic information such as line data and graphic data are stored in advance.
It has a (Read Only Memory) section and a work area for storing input information.

When the operator creates the program, first, the SFC graphic information for one page is keyed from the input section 87. The storage unit 84 reads the SFC graphic information designated by the key input from the ROM unit and stores it in the work area together with the coordinate information and the like. Display conversion unit 85
Reads the SFC graphic information stored in the storage unit 84 and converts it into a dot image display format, that is, an SFC graphic. The display unit 86 displays the SF converted into the above display format.
Display the C figure on a display device or the like (Z91 in FIG. 9).
reference). The program is written in this way.

The graphic information stored in the graphic storage unit 84 of the displayed and described SFC graphic is read by the graphic conversion unit 83 and converted into an intermediate code. The page code “PAGE” is added to the converted intermediate code by the page switching unit 82 and stored in the command storage unit 81. In this way, the written program is input.

Then, the operator operates the SFC graphics Z91 and Z9 displayed on the display device by the display unit 86.
The program is sequentially described page by page while checking 2, Z93, etc. (see FIG. 9). The storage unit 81 stores the SFC figures Z91, Z92 and Z93.
The intermediate codes S71, S72 and 73 converted from
The page command “PAGE” is added and sequentially stored (see FIGS. 8 and 7 (a)).

When the operator wants to display the program stored in the instruction storage unit 81 in the form of the intermediate code on the display device for tracing or the like, the operator of the program to be displayed from the page designating unit 88 is selected. Enter the page number. The page switching unit 82 reads the intermediate code having the “PAGE” command in the order corresponding to the input page number from the command storage unit 81.
Next, the read intermediate code is converted into the graphic conversion unit 83.
Are converted into graphic information, and the graphic information is stored in the graphic storage unit 84. Then, as in the case of creating the program, the display conversion unit 85 reads the graphic information and converts it into a display format, and the display unit 86 displays the SFC graphic converted into the display format on the display device. Display unit 86
A printer can be connected to the printer, and the operator can print the SFC graphic displayed on the display device.

[0014]

As described above, when the operator writes an SFC graphic over a plurality of pages with the conventional SFC programming device, the intermediate code command that is converted from the intermediate code instructions that form the page is used in the program. Page command "PAGE" at the top of the group
Is added and stored in the instruction storage unit 81. Therefore, when the operator calls up the SFC graphic over the plurality of pages once input for confirmation, change, correction, etc., and again displays it on the display device or the like, the operator can designate and display an arbitrary page.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional SFC graphic, for example, the step F, which is the final output of the SFC graphic Z92 on the second page in FIG. 9, is the SFC graphic Z9 on the third page.
It is the first input of step F3, and the SFC figure Z92 of the second page and the SFC figure Z9 of the third page
Even though 3 continues as a program, the operator specifies and displays the SFC figure Z93 on the 3rd page, and if he just looks at it, the sequence in which the first step continues from the previous page There is a drawback that it cannot be immediately discriminated whether or not it is an (SFC figure).

If the continuity of the program cannot be immediately identified in this way, it becomes difficult for the operator to understand the SFC graphic over a plurality of pages, and the advantage of the SFC graphic used because the display of the program flow is easy to understand. However, there is a problem in that the efficiency of programming work such as program creation, modification, and change performed using the SFC pattern is also significantly reduced.

Such a problem is that when the first step of the page continues with the last step of the previous page, the descriptive figure representing the continuation of the page does not exist in the SFC figure, and It is considered that the intermediate code to be converted is caused by the fact that the page instruction “PAGE” indicating a page break exists but the instruction word indicating a page continuation does not exist.

It is an object of the present invention to be able to immediately identify the continuity of a page if the first step of the page continues with the last step of the previous page.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is premised on an SFC programming device for creating a program for a programmable controller using the SFC command system.

According to the first aspect of the invention (see the block diagram of FIG. 1A), the graphic display means 1 displays a continuation symbol graphic that defines continuation of the program over a plurality of pages. The means 1 includes, for example, a memory for storing continuation symbol graphic information, a keyboard for designating the continuation symbol graphic information, a display device for displaying the continuation symbol graphic based on the continuation symbol graphic information based on the key designation, and the like. For example, as described in claim 3, the leading step of the continuing page is displayed by a continuation symbol graphic defining continuation of the program.

The conversion means 2 converts the continuation symbol graphic displayed by the graphic display means 1 into a program continuation definition command that defines continuation of the program. The means 2 is
For example, it comprises a microprocessor or the like for discriminating a continuation symbol graphic and converting the discriminated continuation symbol graphic into a program continuation definition instruction code. For example, as described in claim 4, the converted program continuation definition instruction is stored in a page. Add to the command of the first step.

The storage means 3 stores the program continuation definition command converted by the conversion means 2. The means 3 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like. In the invention described in claim 2 (see the block diagram of FIG. 1B), in addition to the graphic display means 1, the conversion means 2 and the storage means 3 of the invention described in claim 1, the inverse conversion means 4 is a storage means. The program continuation definition command stored in 3 is read out and converted back into a continuation symbol graphic. The means 4 comprises, for example, a microprocessor which discriminates the program continuation definition instruction code and inversely converts the discriminated program continuation definition instruction code into a continuation symbol graphic.

[0023]

When the described program has a page continuation, the continuation symbol graphic representing the continuation of the program is displayed by the graphic display means 1, and the continuation symbol graphic is defined by the conversion means 2 for the continuation of the program. It is converted to a continuation definition command and added to the command at the first step of the page. The instruction of the first step of the page to which the program continuation definition instruction is added is stored in the storage means 3.

The program continuation definition command added to the command of the top step of the page stored in the storage means 3 is read by the inverse conversion means 4, and the top step of the continuing page is displayed in a continuation symbol graphic.

This makes it possible to immediately identify the continuity of a page when the first step of the page continues with the last step of the previous page.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, the newly created symbol figure (continuation step figure indicating continuation of page) is S
A major feature of this system is that it is added to the FC description and converted into an intermediate code, and the intermediate code is systematically converted into an SFC graphic again.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an SFC programming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the SFC programming device includes an input unit 11, a graphic storage unit 12, a display conversion unit 13, a display unit 14, a graphic conversion unit 15, a page switching unit 16, and a page designation for instructing a page to be switched to the page switching unit 16. It is composed of a unit 17 and a command storage unit 18.

The input unit 11 is provided with various input keys for programming, and various SFC graphic data conventionally used are designated by the key input.
Further, the input section 11 has a continuation step figure input section 11a separately, and a continuation step figure which is a new symbol figure showing continuation of a page is input by an input key provided in the continuation step figure input section 11a. Is specified.
Then, the input unit 11 uses the input key to specify the SFC.
Position information indicating the display position is added to the graphic information and the graphic storage unit 12 is notified.

The graphic storage unit 12 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various conventionally used SFC graphic data such as line data and graphic data are stored in advance, and a notification from the input unit 11. RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing the SFC graphic data read from the ROM together with the notified coordinate data based on the above
have. The graphic storage unit 12 also has a continuous step graphic storage unit 12a separately. The continuation step figure storage unit 12a reads out from the ROM the ROM section for storing the continuation step figure data in advance and the continuation step figure data designated and notified by the key input of the continuation step figure input section 11a of the input section 11. And a RAM unit for temporarily storing the data.

The display conversion unit 13 has a continuous step display conversion unit 13a for converting continuous step graphic data into a display format in addition to a conventional display conversion unit for converting SFC graphic data into a display format. The storage unit 12 or the continuous step graphic storage unit 12a reads the conventional SFC graphic data or the continuous step graphic data and the coordinate information, converts them into a display format, and displays the display data converted into the display format on the display unit 14. Output.

The display unit 14 displays a conventional SFC graphic or continuous step graphic on the display device based on the display data input from the display conversion unit 13 or its continuous step display conversion unit 13a.

The graphic conversion unit 15 has a continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a separately. The graphic conversion unit 15 reads out the conventional SFC graphic stored in the graphic storage unit 12 and converts it into a conventional intermediate code. , Continuation step figure converter 1
5a reads the continuous step graphic stored in the continuous step graphic storage unit 12a and converts it into an intermediate code defining the continuous step.

The page switching unit 16 converts the intermediate code converted by the graphic conversion unit 15 or the continuous graphic conversion unit 15a into
A page command "PAGE" is added based on the page specification from the page specification unit 17, and the page command "PAGE" is added.
The intermediate code added with is stored in the page storage area designated by the page designation section 17 of the instruction storage section 18.

The page switching unit 16 reads out the intermediate code stored in the instruction storage unit 18 to read the figure conversion unit 1.
5 or its continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a can also be input / output in the reverse direction.

That is, the page switching unit 16 inputs the page number from the page designating unit 17 at the time of tracing the program, and outputs the intermediate code having the "PAGE" instruction of the order corresponding to the input page number. It is read from the instruction storage unit 18 and output to the graphic conversion unit 15 or its continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a.

The graphic conversion unit 15 converts the conventional intermediate code into conventional SFC graphic data and stores it in the graphic storage unit 12. The continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a converts the intermediate code defining the continuous step into continuous step graphic data. It is converted and stored in the continuous step graphic storage unit 12a.

The display conversion unit 13 or the continuous step display conversion unit 13a reads out graphic data and converts it into a display format, as in the case of creating a program, and the display unit 14 displays the SFC graphic converted into the display format. Is displayed on the display device, or the displayed SFC graphic is printed by a connected printer or the like.

FIG. 3 (a) shows the continuation step graphic, and FIG. 3 (b) shows the continuation step definition command of the intermediate code converted from the continuation step graphic. As shown in FIG. 7A, the continuous step graphic has a pentagonal shape which is the same shape as the baseball home base, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the continuous step definition command is represented by [CSTEP].

The pentagonal continuous step graphic data of FIG. 3 (a) is previously stored in the ROM of the continuous step graphic storage section 12a of the storage section 12 of FIG. 2, and the continuous step graphic storage section 12a includes an input section. The pentagonal continuous step graphic data is read from the ROM and temporarily stored in the RAM by the key input of the continuous step graphic input unit 11a. The pentagonal continuous step graphic data temporarily stored in the RAM is read by the display conversion unit 13, converted into a display format by the continuous step display conversion unit 13a, and further displayed on the display device by the display unit 14. To be done. Alternatively, it is read by the graphic conversion unit 15, converted into the continuous step definition command [CSTEP] shown in FIG. 3B by the continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a, and further stored in the command storage unit 18.

Further, the continuation step figure conversion unit 15a
The page switching unit 16 causes the continuation step definition command [C
[STEP] is read from the command storage unit 18 and input to the graphic conversion unit 15, the continuous step definition command [CSTEP] is reversely converted into pentagonal continuous step graphic data and the continuous step of the graphic storage unit 12 is executed. Figure memory 1
2a.

The operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be further described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained. This figure is a diagram for explaining a mutual conversion flow of an SFC graphic, a continuation step graphic showing page continuation in an intermediate code, and its definition command.

First, in the case of creating a program, when the operator sequentially designates and inputs one page of SFC graphics by key input from the input unit 11, the input unit 1
1 displays the SFC graphic input for one page on the display device via the graphic storage unit 12, the display conversion unit 13, and the display unit 14 (PAGE1 (Z21) in the same figure).
reference).

When the operator inputs a confirmation key to this display, the graphic conversion unit 15 stores the graphic data corresponding to the SFC graphic being displayed in the graphic storage unit 12.
Read from the page, add a page command [PAGE], and convert into an intermediate code (see S21 in the figure).

When the operator designates one page by key input from the page designating section 17, the page switching section 17 stores the intermediate code for one page converted by the figure converting section 15 in the storage section 18-1. It is stored in the page storage area (see P21 in the same figure). As a result, the SFC graphic similar to the conventional one is converted into the intermediate code as in the conventional one and stored in the predetermined area of the storage unit 18 based on the page designation.

In this way, the conversion from the SFC graphic to the intermediate code and the storage processing are performed for each page by the PAG shown in FIG.
E1 (Z21), S21, P21, and PAGE2 (Z
22), S22, and P22 are sequentially executed.

Next, the case where the program (SFC figure) is continuing and the leading step of the SFC figure whose page has been switched continues to the ending step of the previous page will be described.

When the operator switches to the next page while continuing the program, in this case, the input unit 11
The pentagonal continuous step graphic shown in FIG. 3 (a) can be designated by a key input from the continuous step graphic input section 11a.

When the operator designates a pentagonal continuous step graphic by key input, the continuous step graphic input section 11a causes the continuous step graphic storage section 12 to operate.
a, an SFC graphic with a pentagonal continuous step graphic at the beginning is displayed on the display device through the a, continuous step display conversion unit 13a, and display unit 14 (PAGE in FIG.
3 (Z23)).

When the operator inputs a confirmation key, the figure conversion unit 15 causes the SFC being displayed to be displayed.
The graphic data corresponding to the graphic is read from the graphic storage unit 12 and the continuous step graphic storage unit 12a. Then, the conversion of the pentagonal continuous step graphic data read from the continuous step graphic storage unit 12a is performed by the continuous step graphic conversion unit 15
ask a.

The continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a converts the pentagonal continuous step graphic data into a continuous step definition command [CSTEP] and delivers it to the graphic conversion unit 15.

The figure converting section 15 converts the contents F of the first step read from the figure storing section 12 and the conventional figure data T5, G, T6, and H into intermediate codes, and the continuous step figure converting section 15a converts them. The continuous step definition instruction [CSTEP] is converted to the intermediate code and added to the input operand "(_ F)" of the head instruction of the page, and the transition instruction "(TRAS T5 (_
[CSTEP] F) (_ G)) "(see S23 in the figure).

In this way, the page switching unit 17 causes the page designating unit 17 to send the intermediate code for one page, which has the continuous step definition command [CSTEP] converted by the graphic converting unit 15 added to the head command. By specifying the page (three pages in this example) by key input, as in the case of the other pages described above,
Stored in the 3-page storage area of the storage unit 18 (P2 in FIG.
3). As a result, the intermediate code indicating the continuation of the page (continuation of the SFC graphic) is stored.

Next, the operation when the program stored in the storage unit 18 as the intermediate code as described above is read out for tracing or the like and again displayed on the display device as an SFC figure will be described with reference to FIG. To do.

The intermediate codes of the first page and the second page stored in the storage section 18 in the figure are intermediate codes having the same structure as conventional ones. These intermediate codes are stored in the storage unit 1 by the page switching unit 16 according to the designation from the page designating unit 17.
8, the figure conversion unit 15 inversely converts the SFC figure data into the SFC figure data, the figure storage unit 12 temporarily stores the SFC figure data, and the display conversion unit 13 converts the SFC figure data into a display format and displays it. Part 14 is the SF of the display format
The C graphic data is displayed on the display device.

Next, as in the intermediate code of the third page stored in the storage unit 18, the continuation step definition command [C
The case where [STEP] is added to the first instruction will be described.

Also in this case, the page switching unit 16 reads the third page from the storage unit 18 according to the designation from the page designating unit 17. The intermediate code is converted into SF by the graphic conversion unit 15.
Although it is converted back to C graphic data, the continuation step definition command [CSTE] added to the input operand of the first command
When P] is recognized, the continuous step definition conversion unit 15a is requested to perform reverse conversion of the continuous step definition command.

The continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a converts the continuous step definition command [CSTEP] into pentagonal continuous step graphic data according to the above request and delivers it to the graphic conversion unit 15.

The figure conversion unit 15 reads the above intermediate code "(TRAS T5
(_ [CSTEP] F) (_ G)) "is analyzed and the first step F and SFC graphic data T5, G, T6,
And H, and the pentagonal continuous step graphic data converted by the continuous step graphic conversion unit 15a is output to the graphic storage unit 12 as the first step graphic F of the page converted into the SFC graphic data.

The graphic storage unit 12 stores the conventional SFC graphic data in the conventional SFC graphic data temporary storage area, and stores the pentagonal continuous step graphic data in the continuous step graphic storage unit 12a.

The display conversion unit 13 and the continuous step display conversion unit 13a are the same as in the case of program creation.
The conventional SFC graphic data and pentagonal continuous step graphic data are converted into a display format and displayed on the display device of the display unit 14 (see PAGE3 (Z23) in FIG. 4).

Although the continuous step graphic is a pentagon in the above embodiment, it is not limited to a pentagon.
Any figure that is not confused with other figures may be used. Also,
Although the continuation step definition command is represented by "[CSTEP]", any expression that is not confused with other commands may be used.

[0062]

According to the present invention, a descriptive graphic representing a continuation of a page can be used for the SFC graphic, and the SFC graphic can be used.
Not only the page command that indicates a page break but also the command word that indicates continuation of a page can be added to the intermediate code converted from a figure, so that the first step of a page is the same as the last step of the previous page. In this case, it is possible to immediately recognize that the page is continuing, and thus it is easy to understand the SFC graphic even if the page is continuing, and the flow of the program is easy to understand. Creating programs using figures,
The efficiency of programming work such as corrections and changes is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are block diagrams of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an SFC programming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a continuous step graphic, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a continuous step definition command converted from the continuous step graphic.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of conversion of an SFC graphic, a graphic showing page continuation in an intermediate code, and a definition command thereof according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a developed connection diagram of a relay circuit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an SFC description.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example of a conventional intermediate code stored in a PC.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional programming device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an SFC figure and page switching of a conventional programming device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 graphic display means 2 conversion means 3 storage means 4 inverse conversion means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An SFC programming device for creating a program for a programmable controller using a sequential function chart (hereinafter, referred to as SFC) command system, and a continuation symbol representing continuation of the program over a plurality of pages. Graphic display means (1) for displaying a graphic, conversion means (2) for converting the continuation symbol graphic displayed by the graphic display means (1) into a program continuation definition command for defining continuation of a program, and the conversion An SFC programming device comprising: a storage unit (3) for storing the program continuation definition command converted by the unit (2). 2. An inverse conversion means (4) for reading the program continuation definition command stored in the storage means (3) and inversely converting it into a continuation symbol graphic defining continuation of the program. The SFC programming device according to claim 1. 3. The SFC programming device according to claim 1, wherein the continuation symbol graphic displayed by the graphic display means (1) represents a top step of a page. 4. The SFC programming device according to claim 1, wherein the program continuation definition command converted by the conversion means (2) is added to the command at the top step of the page.