JPH10333721A - Programming tool for programmable controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce programmer's attention to the interface between programmable controllers and to improve programming easiness by allowing a multi-controller write data detecting means to detect and output data which are being written by programmable controllers among common data that a common data detecting means has detected. SOLUTION: A program editor 11, a program dividing means 12, the common data detecting means 13, the multi-controller write data detecting means 14, and a man-machine interface 15 are provided. The common data detecting means 13 detects data shared by application programs divided by the program dividing means 12 and outputs them to the man-machine interface part 15. The multi-controller write data detecting means 14 outputs data which are being written by programmable controllers among the common data detected by the common data detecting means 13 to the detection man-machine interface part 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a programming tool for a programmable controller, and more particularly to a programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program (sequence program) for a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 26 shows a conventional programming tool for a programmable controller, and FIG. 27 shows an application program for a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, using a conventional programming tool for a programmable controller. The procedure is shown. In these figures, reference numeral 50 denotes a programming tool for a programmable controller, 51 denotes a program editor included in the programming tool 50, and 60 denotes a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers. An application program 70 created for each controller 60 is provided from the programming tool 50 to the programmable controller 60.

FIGS. 28A and 28B show an operator interface screen of the programming tool 50. FIG.

The conventional programming tool 50 for a programmable controller does not consider a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers 60.
Plurality of interconnected programmable controllers 60
To create an application program for a programmable controller system consisting of
As shown in (a) and (b), it is necessary to create an application program 70 using the programming tool 50 for each programmable controller 60.

[0005]

As described above, a conventional programming tool for a programmable controller uses a programming tool for each programmable controller to create an application program. Therefore, a programming tool composed of a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers is used. When creating an application program for the controller system, it is difficult to grasp the whole picture of the program, and the programmer must pay the utmost attention to the interface between the programmable controllers, which makes it difficult to program and read the program. Includes problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. In a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, it is easy to grasp the whole picture of a program, It is an object of the present invention to reduce the load on a programmer for an interface and to obtain a programming tool for a programmable controller which is excellent in ease of programming and program readability.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention is provided for a programmable controller for creating an application program for a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers. The programming tool has a man-machine interface unit for displaying a divided region designation frame on a display screen of an application program, and a program dividing unit for assigning each unit of the application program whose region is designated by the divided region designation frame to each programmable controller. Is what you are doing.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, a divided region designation frame is displayed on the display screen of the application program by the man-machine interface unit, and the divided region of the application program is designated by the divided region designation frame. Each program dividing means allocates each part of the designated application program to each programmable controller.

A programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention is a programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program for a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, and is arbitrarily selected by a man-machine interface unit. All parts of the application program described in the sequential function chart are allocated to each programmable controller, and at this time, all parts connected in the same single sequence as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface part are allocated to the same programmable controller. It has a program dividing means to allocate.

[0010] In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the program dividing means allocates each part of the application program described in the sequential function chart arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface to each programmable controller. All parts connected in the same single sequence as the parts arbitrarily selected by the parts are assigned to the same programmable controller.

A programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention is a programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program of a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, and is arbitrarily selected by a man-machine interface unit. A program for allocating each part of the application program of the ladder diagram language description to each programmable controller, and allocating all parts connected to the same network as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface part to the same programmable controller at the time of this allocation It has a dividing means.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the program dividing means allocates each part of the application program of the ladder diagram language description arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface to each programmable controller. All parts connected to the same network as the part arbitrarily selected by the part are assigned to the same programmable controller.

A programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention is a programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program for a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, and is arbitrarily selected by a man-machine interface unit. A program for allocating each part of an application program described in a text format language to each programmable controller, and allocating all parts connected in the same context as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface part to the same programmable controller at the time of this allocation It has a dividing means.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the program dividing means assigns each part of the application program of the text format language description arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface to each programmable controller,
All parts connected in the same context as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit at the time of this allocation are allocated to the same programmable controller.

A programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention is the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the invention described above, wherein the program dividing means removes a portion where the programmable controller is already assigned to a part of the selected application program. If it does, it includes a duplicate assignment warning unit that outputs a warning.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, when the duplication assignment warning section of the program dividing means includes a portion where the programmable controller has already been allocated to a part of the selected application program, a warning output is output. Do.

A programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention is the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the invention described above, wherein the program dividing means uses an input / output contact before dividing the program by an instruction from a man-machine interface unit. The portion including the input / output contact includes an input / output contact corresponding automatic assignment unit that automatically assigns the portion to the programmable controller that owns the corresponding input / output contact.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the portion where the input / output contact corresponding automatic assignment unit of the program dividing means uses the input / output contact before the program division by the instruction from the man-machine interface unit is performed. This part is automatically assigned to the programmable controller that owns the corresponding input / output contact.

A programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention is the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the invention described above, wherein the shared data detection means detects and outputs data shared between the application programs divided by the program division means. It has.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the shared data detecting means detects and outputs data shared between the application programs divided by the program dividing means.

According to a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, in the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the invention described above, writing is performed from a plurality of programmable controllers out of the shared data detected by the shared data detecting means. The multi-controller write data detecting means for detecting and outputting data is provided.

In the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the multiple-controller write data detecting means detects data written by the plurality of programmable controllers from the shared data detected by the common data detecting means. Output.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a programming tool for a programmable controller, and FIG. 2 shows a procedure for creating an application program of a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers using the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention. I have.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a programming tool for a programmable controller. The programming tool 10 includes a program editor 11, a program dividing unit 12, a shared data detecting unit 13,
It has a multi-controller write data detection unit 14 and a man-machine interface unit 15.

The man-machine interface unit 15 includes a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a screen display device, and the like, and displays a divided area designation frame F (see FIG. 3) on the display screen of the application program. Can be visually designated by the divided region designation frame F.

The program editor 11 edits and creates an application program, which is basically the same as the conventional one.

The program dividing means 12 includes a divided area designation frame F displayed on the display screen of the application program by the man-machine interface unit 15.
A program division / allocation process for allocating each part of the application program whose area is specified by (see FIG. 3) to each programmable controller is performed.

The shared data detecting means 13 detects data shared between the application programs divided by the program dividing means 12, and outputs this to the man-machine interface unit 15.

Multiple controller write data detecting means 14
Detects data written from a plurality of programmable controllers from among the shared data detected by the shared data detecting means 13 and outputs the data to the man-machine interface unit 15.

FIG. 2 shows a procedure for creating an application program of a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers by using a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same portions as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the above-described conventional example, and the description thereof is omitted.

The programming tool 10 uses the pointing device of the man-machine interface unit 15 to divide each program module of the application program of the programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers 60 by using the pointing device of the man-machine interface unit 15 by the divided area designation frame F. As specified arbitrarily, the program is divided by the program dividing means 12,
The divided application program 70 is assigned to each programmable controller 60.

Then, the data shared between the programmable controllers 60 is detected by the shared data detecting means 13 and displayed on a screen (presented to a programmer).
Further, the data being written from the plurality of programmable controllers is detected by the plural-controller write data detecting means 14, and this is displayed on the screen (presented to the programmer).

Next, the operation of the program dividing means 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an operator interface screen in the program division mode. In FIG. 3, reference numeral C indicates a cursor of a pointing device such as a mouse, and reference numeral F indicates a divided region designation frame obtained by dragging the pointing device. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the application program is described in a sequential function chart.

FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of an application program created using the programming tool 10. The application program is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of program modules. The program modules include a module ID section for each program module, a controller ID section of a programmable controller that executes the program module, a program code section, It has a data section and a write data section.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the program dividing process by the program dividing means 12.

First, the programmer selects an arbitrary program module of the application program described in the sequential function chart by using the pointing device on the program editor 11 by specifying the area by the divided area specifying frame F (step S).
101).

Next, the controller ID of the programmable controller for executing the selected program module is input (step S102).

Next, the input controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID data section (see FIG. 4) of the selected program module (step S103).

Steps S101 to S103 are repeated until there are no unselected program modules (step S104).

When creating an application program of a programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers by the program dividing means 12 as described above, the programmer
First, an application program for the entire system can be created, and then the application program can be arbitrarily assigned to each programmable controller. This eliminates the need to consider the interface between the programmable controllers when programming the entire system, making programming easier. I do.

Further, since the application program of the whole system can be programmed on a single editor screen, the whole picture of the program can be easily grasped, and the readability of the program is improved.

Next, the operation of the shared data detecting means 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows an output screen of the shared data detecting means 13, and FIG. 7 shows a data list for managing the shared data. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the shared data detecting process by the shared data detecting means 13.

First, read data and write data are read from the read data portion and the write data portion (see FIG. 4) of the application program (step S201).

Next, it is determined whether or not the read data is registered in the data list (see FIG. 7) (step S202). If not registered in the data list, the read data is additionally registered in the data list (step S203).

Next, the corresponding flag of the data list is set based on the ID of the programmable controller that executes the program module including the data portion of the read data and the type of the read data or the write data (step S204).

Step S2 is performed until read data and write data of all program modules are processed.
01 to Step S204 (Step S204)
205).

Next, data is read from the data list (step S206), and it is determined whether the read data is accessed by a plurality of controllers (step S207).

If the data has not been accessed by a plurality of controllers, the data is deleted from the data list (step S208).

Steps S206 to S208 are repeated until all the data are processed (step S209), and finally, the contents of the data list are displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 6 (step S210).

The shared data detecting means 13 allows the programmer to obtain a list of data shared between the controllers.
The validity of dividing application programs by
The evaluation becomes easier, and the programmer can quickly and accurately perform a measure such as subdivision of the program, thereby improving the ease of programming.

Next, the operation of the multi-controller write data detecting means 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 shows an output screen of the multi-controller write data detecting means 14. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the multi-controller write data detection processing by the multi-controller write data detection means 14.

First, data is read from the data list (see FIG. 7) created by the shared data detecting means 13 (step S301).

Next, it is determined whether or not the read data is being written from a plurality of programmable controllers (step S302). If writing is not performed from multiple programmable controllers,
The data is deleted from the data list (step S3
03).

Steps S301 to S303 are repeated until all the data are processed (step S304), and finally, the contents of the data list are displayed as shown in FIG. 9 (step S305).

Since the program data detection means 14 for a plurality of controllers described above enables the programmer to obtain a list of data being written from a plurality of programmable controllers which require exclusive control or program re-division. This makes it easier to evaluate the validity of dividing the application program by the program dividing means 12, and allows the programmer to quickly and accurately perform actions such as adding an exclusive control mechanism and re-dividing the program. Ease of operation is improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the application program described in the sequential function chart has been described. However, other application programs such as a ladder diagram language, a function block diagram language, a structured text language, an instruction list language, a C language, etc. It is needless to say that the same operation can achieve the same object in the same language.

(Embodiment 2) The programming tool for a programmable controller according to the second embodiment is shared with the program editor 11 and the program dividing means 12 as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. It has a data detection unit 13, a multiple controller write data detection unit 14, and a man-machine interface unit 15.

In the second embodiment, the program dividing means 1
2 assigns each part of the application program of the sequential function chart description arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit 15 to each programmable controller, and the same single sequence as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit 15 at the time of this allocation. All parts linked by are assigned to the same programmable controller.

That is, in the application program described in the sequential function chart, the program dividing means 12 converts all the parts connected in the same single sequence as the parts selected by the programmer by the pointing device or the like into the same programmable program. Performs processing to assign to the controller. Here, the single sequence is a sequence that does not include the selective branch sequence or the parallel branch sequence.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are operator interface screens in the program division mode in this embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the program division processing by the program division means 12 of the second embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 11A, an arbitrary program module of an application program described in a sequential function chart by using a pointing device on the program editor 11 is divided into a divided region designation frame f (FIG. 11 (a)
(See step S401).

Next, it is determined whether or not higher-order modules of the selected module are connected in a single sequence (step S402). If the upper module is connected in a single sequence, the module is added to the selected area (step S403). Similarly, it is determined whether lower modules of the selected module are connected in a single sequence (step S404). If the modules are connected in a single sequence, the module is added to the selected area. (Step S40
5). At this point, the selected area (divided area specifying frame) f
Are automatically enlarged as shown in FIG.

Next, the controller ID of the programmable controller that executes the selected program module is input (step S406), and the input programmable controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID data section (see FIG. 4) of the selected program module. (Step S407).

Steps S401 to S407 are repeated until there are no unselected program modules (step S408).

The program dividing means 12 allows the programmer to know a logical chunk of the application program described in the sequential function chart, which is a hint for better division based on the logical strength of the application program. And the ease of programming is improved.

(Embodiment 3) A programming tool for a programmable controller according to Embodiment 3 is shared with a program editor 11 and a program dividing means 12 in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. It has a data detection unit 13, a multiple controller write data detection unit 14, and a man-machine interface unit 15.

In the third embodiment, the program dividing means 1
2 assigns each part of the application program of the ladder diagram language description arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit 15 to each programmable controller.
All parts connected to the same network as the part arbitrarily selected are assigned to the same programmable controller.

That is, the program dividing means 12 converts all parts of the application program described in the ladder diagram language, which are connected to the same network as the parts selected by the programmer by the pointing device or the like, to the same programmable controller. Perform the assignment process.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are operator interface screens in the program division mode in this embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the program division processing by the program division means 12 of the third embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 13A, an arbitrary program module of an application program described in a ladder diagram language using a pointing device on the program editor 11 is divided into a divided region designation frame f (FIG. 13 (a)) (step S501).

Next, all the modules included in the same rung as the selected module are added to the selected area (step S502).

Next, it is determined whether or not the upper rung of the selected module is connected to the same network (step S503). If the upper rung is connected to the same network, the module is added to the selected area (step S504).

Similarly, it is determined whether or not the lower rung of the selected module is connected to the same network (step S505). If the rung is connected to the same network, the module is added to the selected area. (Step S506). At this point, the selected area (divided area specifying frame) f is automatically enlarged as shown in FIG.

Next, the controller ID of the programmable controller that executes the selected program module is input (step S507), and the input controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID data program (see FIG. 4) of the selected program module (see FIG. 4). Step S508).

Steps S501 to S508 are repeated until there are no unselected program modules (step S509).

The program dividing means 12 allows the programmer to know a logical chunk of the application program described in the ladder diagram language, which is a hint for better division based on the logical strength of the application program. And the ease of programming is improved.

(Embodiment 4) A programming tool for a programmable controller according to Embodiment 4 is shared with a program editor 11 and a program dividing means 12, similarly to the programming tool for Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. It has a data detecting means 13 and a multi-controller write data detecting means 14.

In the fourth embodiment, the program dividing means 1
2 performs a process of parsing the entire program in the application program described in the structured text language, and allocating all parts included in the same context as the part selected by the programmer to the same programmable controller. .

FIGS. 15A and 15B show an operator interface screen in the program division mode in this embodiment, and FIG. 16 shows a syntax management table. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a program dividing process by the program dividing means 12 of the fourth embodiment.

First, a syntax analysis of the entire application program described in the structured text language is performed (step S601), and each line of the program is divided into contexts such as conditional branches and repetitions. Create a syntax management table as shown.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15A, an arbitrary program module of the application program is transferred from the program editor 11 to the divided area designation frame f (FIG.
(Refer to (a))) (step S602).

Next, the context ID of the first line of the selected area is obtained from the syntax management table as shown in FIG. 16 (step S603). Next, the first line of the obtained context ID is obtained from the syntax management table, and the range up to that line is added to the selected area (step S60).
4). Similarly, the context ID of the last line of the selection area
Is obtained from the syntax management table (step S605), the last row of the obtained context ID is obtained from the syntax management table, and the range up to that row is added to the selected area (step S606). At this point, the selected area (divided area command frame) f is automatically enlarged as shown in FIG.

Next, the controller ID of the programmable controller that executes the selected program module is input (step S607), and the input controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID data section (see FIG. 4) of the selected program module (see FIG. 4). Step S608).

Steps S601 to S601 are repeated until there are no unselected program modules.
Steps 608 to 608 are repeated (step S609).

The program dividing means 12 allows the programmer to know the logical chunk of the application program described in the structured text language, which is a hint for better division based on the logical strength of the program. And the ease of programming is improved.

In this embodiment, an application program described in a structured text language has been described. However, if a text format language such as an instruction list language or a C language is used, the same operation can be achieved by the same operation. It goes without saying that it can be done.

(Embodiment 5) A programming tool for a programmable controller according to Embodiment 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the program dividing means 12 is provided with a duplicate allocation warning unit 16. Duplicate assignment warning unit 16
When a programmer divides an application program arbitrarily by the program dividing means 12 and assigns the program program to each programmable controller, if a part selected by the programmer includes a part to which a program controller has already been allocated, a warning output is output to a man-machine interface. This is performed for the unit 15.

FIG. 19 shows an operator interface screen in the program division mode in this embodiment, and FIG. 20 shows a warning screen. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a program dividing process by the program dividing means 12 according to the fifth embodiment.

First, an arbitrary program module of an application program described in a sequential function chart using a pointing device on the program editor 11 is divided into a divided region designation frame f
(Step S701).

Next, it is determined from the controller ID section of the program module whether or not a programmable controller has already been assigned to the selected area (step S702).

As shown in FIG. 19, the selection area f
If a programmable controller (PC2) is already assigned to the program, a warning screen as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed (step S703), and the programmer selects whether to continue or interrupt the processing (step S703). S
704).

In the case of interruption, the current selection is invalidated, and the control shifts to step S707. On the other hand, when continuing, the controller ID of the programmable controller that executes the selected program module is input (step S705), and the input controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID portion of the selected program module (step S706). .

Steps S701 to S701 are repeated until there are no unselected program modules.
Steps 706 to 706 are repeated (step S707).

The program dividing means 12 as described above allows the programmer to immediately know the programming error, so that the attention on the programming error at the time of programming is reduced and the ease of programming is improved.

In this embodiment, an application program described in a sequential function chart has been described. However, other languages such as a ladder diagram language, a function block diagram language, a structured text language, an instruction list language, and a C language may be used. It goes without saying that a similar operation can achieve a similar object.

(Embodiment 6) A programming tool for a programmable controller according to Embodiment 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the program dividing means 12 is provided with an input / output contact corresponding automatic assignment unit 17.

Before the division of the application program instructed by the man-machine interface unit 15, the automatic allocation unit 17 corresponding to the input / output contact sets the program module using the input / output contact to the program module having the input / output contact. Performs processing to automatically assign to the controller.

FIG. 23 shows the internal configuration of an application program created by using the programming tool according to this embodiment, and FIG. 24 shows an input / output contact management table. As shown in FIG. 23, the program module in this embodiment includes a module ID section for each program module, a controller ID section of a programmable controller that executes the program module, a program code section, a read data section, It has an input / output contact data section in addition to the input data section.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a program dividing process by the program dividing means 12 according to the sixth embodiment.

First, the input / output contact information used by the program module is read from the input / output contact data section of the program module (step S801).

Next, it is determined whether or not there is read-out input / output contact information (step S802). If not, control is transferred to step S805. If there is input / output contact information, the controller ID of the programmable controller that owns the input / output contact is acquired from the input / output contact using the input / output contact management table as shown in FIG. 24 (step S803). ).

Next, the most frequent owned controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID data field of the program module (step S80).
4). Then, Steps S801 to S804 are repeated until all the program modules are processed (Step S805). Next, an arbitrary program module of the application program is selected using a pointing device on the program editor 2 (step S806).

Next, the controller ID of the programmable controller that executes the selected program module is input (step S807), and the input controller ID is stored in the execution controller ID data field of the selected program module 8 (step S807).
808).

Steps S806 to S806 are repeated until there are no unselected program modules.
The steps up to 808 are repeated (step S809).

With the above-described program dividing means 12, it becomes possible to assign a program having a dependency on the programmable controller by using the input / output contacts to an appropriate programmable controller.
The ease of programming is improved.

[0108]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention, the divided area of the application program is designated by the divided area designation frame displayed on the display screen of the application program, Since each program dividing means allocates each part of the application program in which the divided area is specified to each programmable controller, the application program of the programmable controller system including a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers can be programmed on a single editor screen. It is easy to grasp the whole picture of the program, the readability of the program is improved, and the divided area of the application program is specified by the divided area designation frame. Since specify, designated divided area of the application program, a visual environment, easily, so as to be performed accurately.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, the program dividing means allocates each part of the application program described in the sequential function chart arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface to each programmable controller. For all parts connected in the same single sequence as the parts arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface,
Since this is assigned to the same programmable controller, all parts closely related to the arbitrarily selected part are automatically selected, and the ease of programming is improved.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, the program dividing means allocates each part of the ladder diagram language description application program arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface to each programmable controller,
All parts connected to the same network as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface at the time of this assignment are assigned to the same programmable controller, so that all parts closely related to the arbitrarily selected part are assigned. Portions are automatically selected, increasing the ease of programming.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, the program dividing means allocates each part of the application program of the text format language description arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface to each programmable controller. All parts connected in the same context as the arbitrarily selected part by the man-machine interface are assigned to the same programmable controller, so that all parts closely related to the arbitrarily selected part are automatically And the ease of programming is improved.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller of the present invention, when the duplicate allocation warning section of the program dividing means includes a portion where the programmable controller is already allocated to a part of the selected application program, a warning is issued. Since the output is performed, the ease of programming is improved.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, the input / output contact corresponding automatic allocating section of the program dividing means uses the input / output contacts before dividing the program by the instruction from the man-machine interface section. Since the part is automatically assigned to the programmable controller having the corresponding input / output contact, the ease of programming is improved.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, since the shared data detecting means detects and outputs data shared between the application programs divided by the program dividing means, a plurality of interconnected pluralities are detected. When creating an application program for a programmable controller system including a programmable controller, the interface between the programmable controllers is automatically inspected, and the programmer's attention to the interface between the programmable controllers is reduced, and the ease of programming is improved.

According to the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the next invention, the plurality of controller write data detecting means is the data which is written from the plurality of programmable controllers out of the shared data detected by the shared data detecting means. Detect
When creating an application program for a programmable controller system consisting of multiple interconnected programmable controllers, the interfaces between the programmable controllers are automatically inspected, reducing the programmer's attention to the interfaces between the programmable controllers. , The ease of programming is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing Embodiments 1 to 4 of a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for creating an application program using a programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operator interface screen in a program division mode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of an application program created by using the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program dividing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an output screen of shared data detection according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a data list for managing shared data according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing shared data detection processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an output screen of multiple controller write data detection according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a multi-controller write data detection process according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing an operator interface screen in a program division mode in the second embodiment, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a program dividing process according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams each showing an operator interface screen in a program division mode according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a program dividing process according to the third embodiment.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams showing an operator interface screen in a program division mode according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a syntax management table according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a program dividing process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing a programming tool for a programmable controller according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an operator interface screen in a program division mode according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning screen according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a program dividing process according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the programming tool for a programmable controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of an application program created in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an input / output contact management table according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a program dividing process according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a conventional programming tool.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for creating an application program using a conventional programming tool.

FIG. 28 is an operator interface screen in a program division mode in a conventional programming tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Programming tool, 11 Program editor, 12 Program division means, 13 Shared data detection means, 14 Multiple controller write data detection means, 1
5 Man-machine interface unit, 16 Duplicate assignment warning unit, 17 Input / output contact correspondence automatic assignment unit.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program for a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, comprising: a man-machine interface unit for displaying a divided area designation frame on a display screen of the application program; And a program dividing means for allocating each part of the application program whose area is specified by the divided area specifying frame to each programmable controller. 2. A programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program of a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, wherein each part of an application program of a sequential function chart description arbitrarily selected by a man-machine interface unit. Is assigned to each programmable controller, and at the time of this assignment, all parts connected in the same single sequence as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit are assigned to the same programmable controller. A programming tool for a programmable controller, characterized in that: 3. A programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program for a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, wherein each part of an application program of a ladder diagram language description arbitrarily selected by a man-machine interface unit. Is assigned to each programmable controller, and at the time of this assignment, there is provided program dividing means for assigning all the parts connected to the same network as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit to the same programmable controller. Features a programming tool for programmable controllers. 4. A programming tool for a programmable controller for creating an application program of a programmable controller system comprising a plurality of interconnected programmable controllers, wherein each part of an application program in a text format language description arbitrarily selected by a man-machine interface unit. Is assigned to each programmable controller, and at the time of this assignment, there is provided program dividing means for assigning, to the same programmable controller, all parts connected in the same context as the part arbitrarily selected by the man-machine interface unit. Features a programming tool for programmable controllers. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the program dividing unit includes a duplicate allocation warning unit that outputs a warning when a part of the selected application program includes a part to which a programmable controller is already allocated. The programming tool for a programmable controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The program dividing means according to claim 1, wherein, prior to program division by an instruction from a man-machine interface unit, the program dividing means owns a corresponding input / output contact for the part using the input / output contact. The programming tool for a programmable controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an input / output contact corresponding automatic assignment unit that is automatically assigned to the controller. 7. The shared data detecting means according to claim 1, further comprising a shared data detecting means for detecting and outputting data shared between the application programs divided by said program dividing means. A programming tool for programmable controllers. 8. A multi-controller write data detecting means for detecting and outputting data written from a plurality of programmable controllers from among the shared data detected by the shared data detecting means. The programming tool for a programmable controller according to claim 7.