TWI584090B - A programmable controller system, a programmable display, a drawing editing device, a recording medium recording a program - Google Patents

Description

Programmable controller system, programmable display, drawing editing device, recording medium recording program

The present invention is directed to a system including a programmable display.

The programmable display is generally connected to various connection devices such as a PLC main body or a temperature adjustment device, and displays a numerical display or a lamp number for displaying the status of the connected devices, or a switch for the user to make an arbitrary instruction. Image of the project. Also, an item is also called a picture part. On the screen of the programmable display (referred to as the operation display screen), a plurality of screen parts (items) are usually displayed. The information (such as screen data) for displaying such an operation display screen is arbitrarily created by a developer or the like in advance in a support device (not shown), and is downloaded from the support device to the programmable display.

In the above-mentioned screen data, each of the above-mentioned items includes an image of the item (an image of a switch image or a light number) or a display position coordinate, and further includes an address of a specific area (allocation memory address) of an external memory to be described later, and the like. data. Further, there are cases where some programs are included.

Each of the above items (screen parts), for example, respectively Any component that is connected to the device is displayed, and the state of the component is displayed, and an instruction of the switch (ON/OFF) of the component is received. For example, when the numerical value indicates the item of the temperature measurement value of the temperature adjustment device, the current temperature is displayed as a numerical value at any time.

The display control related to the various items described above is implemented in each item by, for example, periodically performing a specific process. The specific processing is, for example, reading the storage material of the specific area (distribution memory) of the memory device (which is an external memory) in the connected device, and determining the display content of the display item based on the storage data (display) Update processing) and so on. Further, the device is connected, and the storage data of the specific area of the external memory is updated at any time (for example, the temperature adjustment device updates the temperature measurement value at any time).

Further, the data read by the external memory is temporarily stored in a specific area of a memory device (which is a shared memory) in the programmable display, and the display content of the item is determined/displayed based on the stored data.

In this case, the process of reading the storage data of the external memory in the shared memory is performed periodically by, for example, a specific function unit (herein, a communication unit (not shown)) of the programmable display. The communication unit communicates with various connection devices such as the PLC main body and the temperature adjustment device, and acquires the storage data of the specific memory area of the external memory in the connection device, and overwrites the data in the specific memory. region. Next, the programmable display unit performs a display control function unit (also referred to as an item display unit) related to the various items described above, The shared memory is accessed periodically, and the item display content is controlled.

However, if the communication with the connected device is incorrect, or if the external memory itself or its specific memory area is abnormal (including temporary), the data acquisition processing of the external memory may fail. In this case, the communication unit can recognize the connection device of the communication partner, and the item display unit performs an operation of notifying the user of the error window such as "the communication error with the PLC main body" is displayed on the screen.

Further, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of semi-transparently displaying an alarm window displayed when an alarm occurs on the background screen. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user cannot refer to important information because the alarm window obscures the display content of the background screen.

In the above prior art of Patent Document 1, the blending ratio of each portion constituting the alarm window is set in advance, and when the alarm window is displayed, the respective portions of the window image and the image of the background image are blended as described above. The rate is synthesized and displayed.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-267267

Here, there are various needs for the display type of the aforementioned items of the programmable display. For example, there are also users who want to behave like glass reflections or project representations that look like stereoscopic spots. In the case of performing various kinds of special performances, it is processing the project image data itself. of.

Here, in recent years, there have been various changes in the item display. For example, in the case of a button, there are many types of buttons in which various colors, various shapes, characters, and the like are combined. In this case, for example, when a user proposes a performance such as glass reflection for all the buttons, it is necessary to separately process the project images for all the buttons, so that the workload becomes huge, and the number of drawings is large. It will take a lot of time.

Further, even in the case where the above processing is performed, there is a problem that the desired image does not necessarily become. For example, in order to perform the above-described reflection of the glass, it is expected to be a true expression of a button (or a display portion or the like) that is close to reality. However, when an item such as a numerical display or a graphic display is used instead of a button, the following problems may occur.

For example, an item for numerical value display is used as an example. First, an item image (for example, a frame) registered in advance is displayed, and is drawn on the item image by, for example, a certain value (for example, measurement temperature) collected periodically, for example, in The item display is displayed in the box to display the current measured temperature.

In the case of performing the above-described processing, the item image may be, for example, an image in which the frame is reflected by the glass. Next, the numerical value is drawn on such an item image, so that the item is displayed as a numerical value displayed on the glass. However, in reality, the glass is the outer cover of the display portion, so that the display of such items is not realistic and the user feels unnatural.

In the case of the above example, it is expected that the same value is displayed. It is subjected to performance such as glass reflection, but it is difficult to achieve such performance according to the prior art. Therefore, a technique that is expected to make such display possible, in other words, an improvement in design performance related to item display is realized.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image for a specific expression prepared in advance, which can be combined with a specific blending ratio for each item image to display a specific image of the item, thereby reducing the number of drawings/time and further reducing the number of drawings/times. A programmable controller system, a programmable display, a drawing editing device, etc. that achieve improved design performance.

The support device of the present invention includes a project image memory means, an overlay video memory means, and a screen data generating means.

The project image memory means memorizes various item images used for the screen of the aforementioned programmable display.

The overlapping image memory means memorizes the superimposed image synthesized by the above-mentioned item image.

The screen data generating means associates any of the superimposed images with any of the item images, and generates screen data including the associated information.

Further, the programmable display of the present invention has a screen material storage means and an item display means.

The screen data memory means memorizes the screen material created by the support device.

The item display means generates and transparently synthesizes the superimposed image based on the aforementioned assignment information included in the screen material. A composite image with the aforementioned project image.

1‧‧‧Programmable display

2‧‧‧Communication interface

3‧‧‧Communication line

4‧‧‧Connecting machine

5‧‧‧Drawing editing device

6‧‧‧Communication line

10‧‧‧Display operation control device

11‧‧‧CPU

12‧‧‧ROM

13‧‧‧RAM

14‧‧‧Communication controller

15‧‧‧Graphics controller

16‧‧‧Touch Panel Controller

17‧‧‧ Busbar

18‧‧‧Touch panel

19‧‧‧ Display

21‧‧‧ body program

22‧‧‧ Screen Information

23‧‧‧Communication program

31‧‧‧ Drawing Editor

32‧‧‧Screen data file

33‧‧‧Communication program files

41‧‧‧Project Generation Department

42‧‧‧Project processing time schedule

43‧‧‧Project Processing Department

44‧‧‧Communication Processing Department

45‧‧‧Common memory

46‧‧‧Project list

47‧‧‧Overlapping image data

61‧‧‧Project form

62‧‧‧ coordinates

63‧‧‧ size

64‧‧‧Device name

65‧‧‧ address

66‧‧‧Information in various project forms

67‧‧‧Overlapping images

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire system including the programmable display of this example.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the programmable display of this example.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the software of the system.

4(a) to (c) are examples of the items of the previous or the present example.

Fig. 5 (a) to (d) are examples of screens for creating a project image for a specific performance.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the processing function of the programmable display of this example.

7(a) and 7(b) show a specific example of the shared memory, and (c) shows a specific example of the item list.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the communication processing unit.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the item processing unit.

Fig. 10 is an example of the data structure of the memory list.

11(a) and 11(b) are diagrams for explaining the alpha blending process.

Fig. 12 is a display example (the second) of the item of this example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the entire system including the programmable display 1 of this example. Make up the picture.

Further, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is only an example, but is not limited to this example. For example, the programmable display 1 does not have to be connected to the drawing editing device 5 via the communication line 3. The programmable display 1 and the drawing editing device 5 may exist separately. The programmable display 1 can be used for displaying a screen for a programmable display using the screen data as long as it can accommodate the screen data according to the method.

The programmable controller system of the type shown in FIG. 1 has various connected devices 4 and a programmable display 1 connected to various connected devices 4 via a communication line 6. Further, the programmable display 1 is configured to be connected to the drawing editing device 5 via the communication line 3. The programmable display 1 is provided with a plurality of communication interfaces 2 (communication ports), and is connected to various connection devices 4 or the drawing editing device 5 via communication lines 3/communication lines 6 connected to the respective communication interfaces 2.

The drawing editing device 5 is a support device of the above-described prior art, and is provided to support a user (such as a screen material) for displaying the operation display screen on the programmable display 1 The function. In the past, various project images were prepared in advance, and the user repeatedly selected the desired project image and placed the job at the desired location to create the above-mentioned screen data.

The drawing editing device 5 can also be regarded as an example of a support device for creating a screen (screen material) for supporting a programmable display.

Next, in this method, not only the aforementioned existing project images, but also described later The superimposed image is also prepared in advance and stored in the drawing editing device 5 or the like. This superimposed image is basically a composition image that is synthesized by a single item image (according to the synthesis of alpha blending described later, etc.).

Overlapping images is an image that achieves a specific performance. Thereby, the composite image obtained by the superimposed video image being synthesized by the above-mentioned item image is a video in which the specific expression is reflected on the item image of the composition target. The specific expression described above is, for example, an expression such as glass reflection or a representation of a spot that appears to be three-dimensional, but it is of course not limited to such an example.

In other words, in this method, a specific performance item is displayed (for example, a display such as a glass reflection, or an item for a display of a stereoscopic spot), and a specific expression made in advance is used. The image used is also superimposed on the image to achieve it. That is, the item display of the specific expression described above is realized by the superposition of the superimposed image (alpha blending, etc.) on the item image.

Further, in this example, an example of the technique of the above-described transmission synthesis is described by taking alpha blending as an example, but it is not limited thereto. Other techniques can also be used as a means of permeable synthesis.

The so-called "background" of the alpha blending process is the project image, and the "foreground" is the overlay image.

The superimposed image may be arbitrarily created on the drawing editing device 5 in advance, or may be a specific device in another development environment (not shown). It is created arbitrarily and stored in the drawing editing apparatus 5.

In the drawing editing device 5, when the user performs the desired special processing on the selected/arranged item image, the desired overlapping image is selected from among the various superimposed images, and the operation associated with the item image is given. One type of overlay image can also be assigned to a plurality of item images. The screen data created in this way is added to the arranged item image, and also includes the superimposed image to which the item image is associated.

The aforementioned picture material is downloaded to the programmable display 1.

The programmable display 1 performs the process of displaying the respective item images of the screen data at a specific arrangement position in the same manner as before. However, the superimposed video is associated with the item video and the synthesis processing using the superimposed video is performed. Wait). Thereby, the expression such as the aforementioned glass reflection is added to the item image.

Further, the drawing editing device 5 is realized by, for example, a general general-purpose computer (a personal computer or the like). Therefore, although it is not specifically illustrated, it has a structure of a general personal computer or the like. In other words, for example, there are a memory processor such as a CPU, a memory device such as a memory or a hard disk, an operation unit such as a keyboard or a mouse, a display unit such as a display, and a communication function unit.

The foregoing memory device causes a specific application to be memorized in advance, and the above-described arithmetic processor executes the application, so that various functions of the drawing editing device 5 (for example, various functions shown in FIG. 3) are realized. The various functions of the drawing editing apparatus 5 have been briefly explained and will be described in detail later.

In addition, the programmable display 1, the hardware itself constitutes It can be a general structure. Therefore, it will be briefly explained below with reference to FIG. 2.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the programmable display 1 of this embodiment.

The programmable display 1 has the function of operating the display of the display screen or the like based on the above-described screen data, etc., in the same manner as the above-described example, but the composite display using the superimposed video (alternatively, etc.) is also performed as described above. Wait. See below for details.

The illustrated programmable display 1 has a display operation control device 10, a touch panel 18, a display 19, the aforementioned communication interface 2, and the like.

The display operation control device 10 is composed of a CPU 11, a ROM 12 (flash memory or the like), a RAM 13, a communication controller 14, a graphic controller 15, a touch panel controller 16, and the like, and these are connected to the bus bar 17.

The CPU 11 controls a central processing unit (calculation processor) that displays the entire operation control device 10. The CPU 11 executes various calculation operations (processing) of the programmable display 1 by executing a program (for example, a main body program 21 to be described later) that is previously stored in the ROM 12. This processing has also been briefly explained, but will be described in detail later.

Further, in the ROM 12, the screen material (the screen material 22 to be described later) described in the above prior art is accommodated. As described above, the screen data, for example, each item such as a switch and a lamp number arranged on the aforementioned screen, has information related to the display such as the image of the item, the coordinates of the display position, the size, and the like. Further, the screen material also has data relating to memory access, etc., such as the allocation of the memory address (the address of the allocated memory area). Then, in the case of this example, the overlapping image or the overlapping image associated with the item is also included. Do not want information, etc.

According to the above-described processing of the CPU 11, there is an access processing to the allocated memory area or the like, or a process for generating/displaying a screen based on the operation of the screen material. The features of the programmable display 1 according to this method are mainly related to this screen display.

By the processing of the CPU 11, for example, the display data such as the screen data or the acquisition data of the access processing to the allocated memory area, for example, is developed (drawn) on the RAM 13 (or a video RAM (not shown)). . See below for details. According to this drawing, the graphics controller 15 displays the aforementioned operation display screen and the like on the display 19.

The display 19 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like, and the touch panel 18 is provided so as to be superposed on the liquid crystal panel. On the display 19, basically, the operation display screen in which a plurality of item images are arranged at a specific position is displayed. However, in the case of the present method, as described above, the item image to which the superimposed video is associated is assigned, and the superimposed video (such as Alpha mixed) is synthesized and displayed on the item video.

Further, the communication controller 14 performs communication (data transmission and reception, etc.) with the connection device 4 or the drawing editing device 5 such as a PLC main body or a temperature adjustment device (not shown) via the communication interface 2.

The detection result of the pressing operation (touch) position on the touch panel 18 by the operator or the like is taken in by the CPU 11 or the like through the touch panel controller 16 and analyzed. For example, the analysis is performed based on the above-described display position coordinates or size data of each item. For example, if the operator touches the display position of the image of the switch, the CPU 11 or the like will analyze it to perform this. Switch operation.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the configuration of the software of the foregoing system.

The program/display data, the main program 21, the screen data 22, and the communication program 23 are stored in the ROM 12 (flash memory or the like), for example. The CPU 11 performs display control of the operation display screen for a programmable display or the like by reading/executing/referencing these programs/data and the like.

This operation display screen is composed of image display of various items such as numerical display, lamp number, and switch, and the display contents of each item are reflected by, for example, each connected device 4 (external memory; allocated memory area). The form of the obtained information (acquisition data) is updated at any time.

In short, the CPU 11 executes display control of the aforementioned operation display screen based on the main body program 21, the screen data 22, and the acquired data. At this time, the display content of each item (each screen part) on the operation display screen is the content (the numerical value display such as temperature or the lighting/lighting of the light source, etc.) which reflects the content of the acquired data.

The screen data 22 is, for example, a screen data file 32 that is arbitrarily created on the side of the drawing editing device 5, and is downloaded and stored in the programmable display 1. Further, the communication program 23 is also received, for example, in the communication program file 33 (part of) of the drawing editing device 5, and is downloaded and stored in the programmable display device 1.

The communication program 23 of the programmable display 1 is a program for communicating with the connection device 4 via the communication line 6. Usually, in the connection machine Each of the models of the device 4 has an inherent communication protocol (communication regulation), and communication between the programmable display 1 and the connected device 4 is performed in accordance with the communication regulations. Therefore, the communication program 23 must be developed in various models of each connected device 4. Further, of course, the CPU 11 or the like realizes communication processing with the connected device 4 by executing the communication program 23.

There are various manufacturers/models for the connected devices 4 such as the PLC main body, and each manufacturer/various model has a separate communication program. The communication program 23 is sometimes available depending on the manufacturer/model of the connected device 4. There are multiple species.

Further, the communication between the programmable display 1 and the drawing editing device 5 is performed, for example, by the main body program 21 and the drawing editor 31 (the communication function can be incorporated into the drawing editor 31). This portion is not directly related to the technique of the present invention and is not illustrated/illustrated.

In the communication program 23, in the HD (hard disk) not shown in the drawing editing device 5, a plurality of communication program files 33 groups (a plurality of communication programs developed for each model) are stored in advance. Next, when the drawing editing device 31 selects/designates an arbitrary connected device 4 by the user, the drawing program 31 transfers the communication program file 33 corresponding to the selected connected device 4 to the programmable display 1, and memorizes For the aforementioned communication program 23.

Further, a program for realizing various processes such as access to the allocated memory area or screen display may be included in the main body program 21, and may be included in the screen data file 32 (screen data 22). In any case, the program can be implemented by, for example, the aforementioned CPU 11 executing such a program. Various actions of the display 1.

Here, the drawing editor 31 of the drawing editing device 5 also has a support function for creating an operation display screen (the screen material) desired by the user. As described above, the various item images that have been created in advance are memorized in the hard disk of the drawing editing device 5 or the like. By displaying the support function of the screen according to the operation of the drawing editor 31, these various item images are displayed in a list, and the user selects the desired item image and arranges it at a desired position. This function is about the same as before.

Next, the drawing editor 31 of this example further has the processing functions of the various functional parts 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d shown. Further, these various functional units are realized by a CPU (not shown) included in the drawing editing device 5 executing a program stored in a memory unit (not shown).

In addition to the above-described existing screen data creation support function, the drawing editor 31 of the present example has various functional units of the item video storage unit 31a, the superimposed image storage unit 31b, the screen material generation unit 31c, and the transfer unit 31d.

The item image storage unit 31a stores various item images (for screen material creation) used for the screen of the programmable display.

The superimposed image storage unit 31b memorizes the superimposed video that is synthesized and transmitted to the item image.

The screen data generating unit 31c associates an arbitrary superimposed image with an arbitrary item video, and generates a screen material 32 (22) including the information to which the association is given.

Transfer means, this screen data 32 (22) to the programmable display 1 Transfer and remember.

Here, a general example of each item video is shown in FIG. 4(a).

Here, as an example, display examples of various items such as numerical display items, graphic items, and switch items are shown. For example, in the case of a numerical value display item, a rectangular frame or the like shown in the figure is the item video, and '1234' shown in the figure is the above-mentioned acquired data. Or, in the case of the light number item, the two types of images, such as a lighting image and a blackout image, are registered as the item image, and the lighting image is displayed when the data is '1', and the data is obtained as ' When 0' is displayed, the light-off image is displayed. In this way, on the operation display screen, each item (screen part) is displayed in a form in which the content of the obtained data is reflected based on the item image and the acquired data.

Here, in the case where it is desired to have a reflection of glass, for example, some processing is performed based on the existing item images of FIG. 4( a ), but as described above, even if such processing is performed, for example, it does not become. The display shown in Figure 4(b). For example, if a numerical display item is taken as an example, the two lines of the reflection of the glass shown in the figure are drawn as '1' or '2', so that part of the two oblique lines are hidden. Therefore, from the perspective of the user, it will be seen that the value '1234' is displayed on the glass.

On the other hand, the display of Fig. 4(b) is such that there is a glass present on the display portion. In short, a more realistic display is possible.

Further, for example, in the graphic item shown in FIG. 4(a), only one of the various graphic item images is displayed, and other graphic item images having various shapes or image items having different colors and the same shape are displayed. It is registered in advance and registered in the drawing editing apparatus 5. This is also the same for the numerical display item or switch item shown.

Therefore, for example, when the user desires to have a glass reflection for all the graphic items, it is necessary to perform processing operations on all the existing graphic item images. This is also the same for numerical display items or switch items. Therefore, as the number of types of project images differs, the work load of the issuer or the like becomes very large.

On the other hand, in the present method, the developer or the like may add, for example, a superimposed image as shown in FIG. 4(c). In short, it is not necessary to add the image for each item as shown in Fig. 4(b). In the memory device of the drawing editing device 5, the existing item images of FIG. 4(a) and the superimposed images of FIG. 4(c) are memorized in advance.

Further, in Fig. 4(c), the white portion means a transparent color. In short, for the white part, even if it is synthesized to the project image, the project image is displayed as it is. For example, when the numerical value display item is shown, it is transparent except for the two oblique lines shown in the figure, and the result of the combination with the numerical value display item of FIG. 4(a) is as shown in the numerical value display item of FIG. 4(b).

5(a) to (d), a drawing editor screen example and a work example for creating an operation display screen (screen data file 32) according to the present method on the drawing editor 31 are displayed.

The drawing editor 31 first lets the user make selection/configuration of the desired item. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the user arranges the desired item image (here, the numerical display item) on the desired position on the screen. Set. Further, the '1234' shown in the figure is an arbitrary numerical value set for preview, but such a numerical value may not be displayed.

Next, when the user clicks on the operation (designation) of the configured item image, for example, the item setting window shown in FIG. 5(b) is displayed.

Next, when the user clicks on the "overlapping image selection" button in the item setting window, the superimposed image selection window shown in FIG. 5(c) is displayed. As described above, the various superimposed images that have been created in advance are stored in the memory device of the drawing editing device 5. The drawing editor 31 displays a list of these various superimposed images in the superimposed image selection window shown in FIG. 5(c), and allows the user to select the desired superimposed image. Thereby, the selected superimposed image is assigned to the item specified in the aforementioned FIG. 5(a).

Further, before that, for example, as shown in FIG. 5(d), a preview screen in which a designated item image and a superimposed image (alternation is mixed) may be displayed. In this case, after confirming the preview screen, the user causes the selected superimposed video to be associated with the designated item by operating a confirmation button or the like (not shown). This is, for example, the information (item image, configuration coordinates, size, allocated memory address, etc.) of the specified item, and the selected superimposed video or the like is added.

The user repeatedly performs the operation of arranging the desired item at the desired position, or assigns the desired superimposed image to the item in accordance with the occasion, to create an arbitrary operation display screen (screen data file 32). .

Once upon a time, in the screen data 22 (screen data file 32), Contains the information of each item (project image or configuration coordinates, size, allocated memory address, etc.) that is placed on the aforementioned screen. In this method, information on the superimposed video to which the superimposed video is associated (the image itself or the identification information of the superimposed video, etc.) is added to the item to which the superimposed video is associated with the above-described work.

The screen data file 32 thus created is downloaded to the programmable display 1 and stored as the screen material 22.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the processing function of the programmable display of this example.

The CPU 11 realizes, for example, various processing functions shown in the broken lines of FIG. 6 by executing, for example, a specific program (for example, the main body program 21, the communication program 23, and the like) stored in the ROM 12. In other words, the following items are generated by the item generation unit 41, the item processing time history unit 42, the item processing unit 43 (including the item display means), and the communication processing unit 44 (44-1, 44-2, etc.). Processing functions are implemented.

Further, the item display means is, for example, a function unit that generates and displays a composite image of the superimposed image and the item image in a transparent manner based on the related information included in the screen material. The assignment related information is information for associating an arbitrary superimposed video with an arbitrary item video, and is arbitrarily created on the side of the drawing editing apparatus 5 (for example, information included in the screen material 22).

Further, for example, the item generation unit 41, the item processing time history unit 42, and the item processing unit 43 are realized by the main body program 21. The communication processing unit 44 is realized by the main body program 21 and the communication program 23.

In addition, when these processing functions are executed, before use The screen material 22 or the superimposed image data 47 shown is described. Further, the superimposed image data 47 is actually included in the screen material 22 as described above, but may be regarded as being separately displayed on the drawing. However, this is not limited to this example. For example, all of the superimposed video images may be stored in the programmable display 1 as the superimposed video data 47 in advance. In the case of this example, for example, the screen material 22 includes the identification information of the superimposed video to which the association is given, and the like (again, the ID for identification is assigned in advance to each superimposed video).

The item generation unit 41 generates an item list 46 based on the screen material 22 and the like. This is for example produced in the form of a part of the extracted picture material 22.

Here, the data composition diagram of the item list 46 is displayed in FIG. 7(c).

The item list 46 of the illustrated example is composed of item items 61, coordinates 62, size 63, device name 64, address 65, "data of each item type" 66, and data items of the superimposed image 67. Other than the superimposed image 67, it may be the same as that seen from the front, and will be briefly described below.

In the item form 61, item type identification information indicating the type (switch, lamp number, numerical value display, etc.) of the item is stored.

In the "data of each item type" 66, the accompanying information such as the image data of the item (the item image; the item form is a switch image). The data showing the display position and size of the item image on the screen is accommodated in the aforementioned coordinates 62 and 63. These are the information related to the image display of each item on the operation display screen.

In addition, the device name 64 and the address 65 are related to the memory allocation information of each item, and correspond to the foregoing allocated memory address. In short, loading The memory area indicated by the address 65 of the memory shown by the name 64 is assigned to the area of the item (the aforementioned allocated memory area). In this memory area, for example, if the item form 61 is a light number, the flag lighting/lighting flag data indicating the light number is accommodated. For example, if the item form 61 is a numerical value display, some numerical data (for example, a temperature measurement value, a motor rotation speed, a pressure value, etc.) is accommodated in the memory area.

The item processing time history unit 42 performs time history management such as display state update processing of each item image of the item processing unit 43. In short, the item processing time history unit 42 periodically calls the item processing unit 43 to execute, for example, the processing of FIG. 9 described later (in other words, the processing of FIG. 9 is cyclically executed).

The item processing unit 43 draws (expands) each item image on the RAM 13 based on the item list 46 or the storage material of the shared memory 45 to be described later. At this time, the acquired data is also drawn (expanded) on the RAM 13 in accordance with the type of the item. In this case, it is also possible to perform the same process as the previous method. However, in the present method, the item to which the superimposed video is associated is also subjected to the process of superimposing the video in the item image synthesis (alarming, etc.).

Further, the graphics controller 15 displays the operation display screen by displaying the drawing material on the RAM 13 on the display.

The communication processing unit 44 is a communication processing unit 44-1 and 44-1 included in each of the connected devices 4 (4-1,4-2). In other words, the communication processing unit 44-1 shown in the figure communicates with the connection device 4-1 via the communication line 6 using the communication port WAY1 corresponding to the connection device 4-1, and acquires the specificity of the memory. Containment information for the area (distribution memory area). The data is acquired and overwritten in a specific area of the shared memory 45.

Similarly, the communication processing unit 44-2 shown in the figure communicates with the connection device 4-2 via the communication line 6 using the communication port WAY2 corresponding to the connection device 4-2, and acquires a specific area of the memory (distribution). Containment information of the memory area). The data is acquired and overwritten in a specific area of the shared memory 45.

Further, the process of acquiring the stored data in the allocated memory area or the process of storing the shared memory itself may be approximately the same as before.

Specific examples of the shared memory 45 are shown in Figs. 7(a) and (b).

Fig. 7(a) shows a data structure example of the shared memory 45, and Fig. 7(b) shows a data storage example.

In the example shown in Fig. 7(a), the storage material 50 of the shared memory 45 is composed of the data items of the file 51, the device name 52, the address 53, and the data 54.

In other words, the identification information of the communication device or the like is substantially the information identifying the connection device 4 of the communication partner. The device 52 is identification information of the memory device in the connection device 4 of the communication partner. The address 53 is the address of a specific memory area of the memory device shown by the device 52, and the data 54 is stored in the data obtained by the memory area.

Further, the 埠51 and the device name 52 and the address 53 can be regarded as equivalent to the aforementioned "allocated memory address" of each item. In short, Figure 7 Each record shown in (b) corresponds to each project. By storing the above-mentioned allocated memory addresses of the respective items included in the screen data 22 and the like in the device name 52 and the address 53, the respective records shown in FIG. 7(b) are generated. Further, for example, the number of the cymbal number or the like may be determined based on the device name 52 or the like, and the determined 埠 number or the like may be accommodated in the cymbal 51, but is not limited thereto.

When the screen update processing (the processing of FIG. 9 or the like) is performed cyclically, the information recorded by the shared memory 45 is also referred to for each item.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the communication processing unit 44.

For example, in the communication processing units 44-1 and 44-2 of the example of Fig. 6, the processing of Fig. 8 is executed for each cycle (fixed period).

In the processing example of FIG. 8, first, the shared memory 45 is referred to, and the memory list 70 associated with the connected device 4 that is responsible for itself is generated (step S1). For example, when the processing by the communication processing unit 44-1 is performed, the memory list 70 related to the connected device 4-1 is generated.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the data structure of this memory list 70.

In the illustrated example, the memory list 70 is composed of data items of the device name 71, the address 72, the data 73, and the error information 74. For example, in the case of the communication processing unit 44-1, the 埠 51 extracts all the records of "WAY1" from the shared memory 45. Then, by storing the information of the device name 52, the address 53, and the data 54 of each of the extracted records in the device name 71, the address 72, and the data 73, the related device is generated. Memory list 70 of 4-1. Also, the information 73 and the error information 74 are not necessary. Alternatively, it may be accommodated to display flag information that has been processed.

Thereafter, the generated memory list 70 is referred to, and the processing of steps S2 to S5 is repeatedly executed until the determination in step S5 becomes NO.

That is, the unprocessed record (which is the processing target record) is taken out from the memory list 70, and a memory read command according to the recorded content is generated, and the command is sent to the connected device 4 responsible for it by the communication line 6 ( Step S2). Next, a response from the connected machine 4 for this command is awaited (step S3). The command includes information (access memory address) of the access object specified by the device name 71 or the address 72, and the connected device 4 reads the memory area (distributed memory area) indicated by the memory address. The data is sent to answer the response processing of the read data.

When there is a response from the connection device 4, the read data included in the response is stored in the shared memory 45 in the column 54 of the record corresponding to the record of the processing target (step S4).

Next, it is checked whether or not there is an unprocessed record remaining in the item list 70, and if it remains (YES in step S5), the process returns to step S2, and if there is no remaining (step S5, NO), the process ends.

Further, in Fig. 8, a processing example relating to reading of data from the allocated memory area is shown, but is not limited to this example. When the item is a switch or the like, the data writing process to the allocated memory area is performed, but the illustration and description are omitted for this content. Also, in the case of writing, the written data is contained. In the field of the aforementioned information 73.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the process of the item processing unit 43.

As described above, the processing of FIG. 9 is executed cyclically under the management of the project processing time portion 42.

In the processing example of FIG. 9, the item processing unit 43 first performs the initialization processing of the item list 46 (step S11). This is, for example, setting a flag (whether or not the flag has been processed) of all the records of the item list 46 to '0' (unprocessed). Thereafter, the processing of steps S12 to S19 is repeatedly executed until step S19 described later becomes NO.

That is, in the item list 46, an arbitrary record is selected as a processing target record among unprocessed records (records whose flag is '0' (unprocessed) not shown). Next, the device name 64, the address 65, and the like of the processing target record are acquired (step S12), and the data of the shared memory 45 is used to retrieve the data (step S13). In short, for example, the device name 52 and the address 53 are the same records as the device name 64 and the address 65 obtained as described above, and are recorded as described above. Next, the recorded material 54 (the data acquired from the allocated memory area, etc.) is acquired (step S13).

Next, based on the respective materials related to the display of the processing target record, the data 54 acquired in step S13 is subjected to processing (expanding) on the RAM 13. Here, the case where the numerical value display item is drawn is shown and described as an example.

That is, first, according to the "data of each item form" 66 recorded by the processing object, the specific image data of the item is drawn (project image) Like), etc. (step S14). Thereby, for example, a rectangular frame (an example of an item image) as shown in the drawing is drawn.

Next, the material 54 is correspondingly drawn and described in the item image (step S15). For example, as shown in the figure, a numerical value such as "1234" is drawn inside the rectangular frame.

Next, it is determined whether or not the superimposed image is associated (step S16). This is determined, for example, by whether or not the superimposed image 67 recorded in the processing target is stored in the data (here, the superimposed image itself). When there is a superimposed video (YES in step S16), the superimposed video image is subjected to a synthesizing process in which alpha (alfa) is mixed in the item video and the numerical value drawing region (step S17).

Thereby, the expression of the glass reflection like the illustration can be achieved.

In the above-described processing, in particular, after the drawing of the item image in step S14, the numerical value drawing of step S15 is performed on the drawing area of the item image, and the superimposed image is subjected to alpha blending for the drawing. In short, the Alpha blending process of the superimposed image drawn with the "project image + numerical value" as the background is performed. Thereby, the actual display as shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 4(b) can be performed. In other words, it does not appear to be a display that displays values on the glass as before.

Further, as described above, the graphics controller 15 displays an operation display screen in response to the above-described drawing material by displaying the drawing material or the like on the RAM 13 on the display.

Execution ends the processing of the foregoing steps S14, S15, with the field The difference is further included after the execution of the processing of the end step S17, and the flag (not shown) of the processing target record of the item list 46 is changed to '1' (processed) (step S18).

Next, if there is still an unprocessed record remaining in the item list 46 (YES in step S19), the process returns to step S12, and if all of the items have been processed (step S19, NO), the process ends.

In the past, it was necessary to create/register a project image of a specific performance (for example, an image such as a glass reflection) in advance. In this regard, in this method, as long as the pre-production/registration can be applied to the overlapping images of the plurality of items, the labor and time for development can be reduced. Furthermore, in this method, it is possible to perform an item display that is more realistic than the previous one (real texture), and the design performance can be improved.

11(a) and 11(b) are diagrams for explaining an Alpha blending process.

The Alpha blending process itself is an existing process and will be briefly described below.

First of all, the image data in this case is not RGB data, but RGBA data.

The data format of the RGBA data is shown in Fig. 11(a).

In general, the image data having transparency maintains the color information of the data format as shown in Fig. 11(a) for each pixel.

As shown in Fig. 11(a), A showing transparency, red for red, green for G, and blue for B are composed of 8-bit information (0 to 255 in decimal).

Next, in the illustrated example, the full bits of R, G, and B are respectively '1', which means white. On the other hand, A is expressed as a data value of 127 in decimal, which is about half (50%) of the aforementioned 255. That is, the illustrated example of information means that the transparency is 50% white.

The synthesis processing of the aforementioned Alpha blend is performed using the above-described item image of the RGBA data and the superimposed image 67.

Alpha blending of image data having transparency generally performs the following calculations as shown in Fig. 11(b) for each point (each pixel) of the image.

Out _A =src _A +dst _A (1-src _A )

Out _RGB =(src _RGB ×src _A +dst _RGB ×dst _A (1-src _A )/out _A

Among them, out _X : output image (synthetic image)

Src _X : mixed image (foreground; in this case, overlapping image)

Dst _X : mixed image (background; in this case, project image)

(Also, x means A (transparency), R (red), G (green), B (blue). For example, out _A means the transparency of the output image (synthetic image).

Further, according to this method, for example, the item display shown in Fig. 12 can be realized.

For example, assume that there is an existing project image as shown in FIG. This is a simple display of the bar graph, which changes the stick in response to the value of the data. length.

For such an existing project image, the overlapping images of the apostles are transparently synthesized, and the composite image as shown in the figure can be displayed. That is, performance such as an hourglass can be achieved. Moreover, the superimposed image shown in the figure, for example, the glass corresponding to the hourglass and the space in the glass (the space in which the sand is placed) are all completely transparent, and all other portions are, for example, uniform white or the like. Thereby, the display of the bar graph is visible in the portion of the space inside the glass, but otherwise becomes invisible, so that the composite image as shown in the figure is displayed.

As described above, according to the programmable controller system of the present example, the programmable display 1, the drawing editing device 5, etc., it is possible to specifically blend the respective image images by using a predetermined image for performance. Rate the display of the project image that is synthesized to achieve a specific performance. Thereby, the number of drawings/time can be reduced.

Further, it is possible to realize an item display that is more realistic (real texture) than before, and it is possible to achieve an improvement in design performance related to the item display.

Claims (10)

A programmable controller system is a programmable display connected support device, wherein the support device includes: an item video memory means for storing various item images for use in a screen of the programmable display, and the memory is The superimposed image memory means of the superimposed image synthesized by the project image, the arbitrary superimposed image is associated with any of the item images, and the image data generating means for generating the image data of the associated information is generated, and the image data is transferred And the transferable means for the programmable display; the programmable display device has: a picture data memory means for storing the transferred picture data, and the transparently synthesizing the overlapping image according to the associated information included in the picture data a project display means for displaying the composite image of the item image; wherein the programmable display device is further connected to one or more connected devices, and a specific memory area of the memory connected to the device is allocated to each item of the screen data. The aforementioned programmable display And further having the aforementioned items, accessing the aforementioned specific ones assigned to the item The memory area is a communication processing means for reading the storage data of the specific memory area; and the item display means is displayed based on the read storage data when the item image is displayed. The programmable controller system of claim 1, wherein the programmable display device further has a data acquisition means for acquiring data from a specific memory area related to the item at any time or periodically; the item display means is as described above After drawing the acquired data in the drawing area of the item image, the superimposed image is synthesized by transmitting the drawing of the item image and the acquired material. The programmable controller system of claim 1, wherein the item image and the overlapping image are transparency image data. The programmable controller system of claim 1, wherein the processing of the above-described transparent synthesis is an alpha blending process. The programmable controller system of claim 1, wherein the superimposed image is a video for performing a specific expression, and the synthesized image is an image obtained by reflecting the specific expression in the item image of the composition target. For example, the programmable controller system of claim 5, wherein the specific performance described above is a reflection of the glass, or a manifestation of a three-dimensional bright spot. A support device for supporting a screen for a programmable display, characterized in that it has a project image memory means for storing various item images of a screen for the programmable display, and memorizing the superimposed image that is synthesized by transmitting the image of the item. And superimposing an image memory means for associating any of the superimposed images with any of the item images, generating a picture data generating means for including the picture data of the associated information, and transferring means for transferring the picture data to the programmable display; Further, the programmable display device is further connected to one or more connected devices, and each of the screen data items is assigned a specific memory area of the memory of the connected device, and the programmable display device further includes the respective items. The communication processing means for storing the stored data of the specific memory area is read out to the specific memory area allocated to the item. A programmable display having a picture memory for storing information related to a project image and an overlay image a screen data storage means, and an item display means for displaying the composite image of the superimposed image and the item image by combining the associated information contained in the screen data; wherein the programmable display is further connected to One or more connected devices are assigned a specific memory area of the memory connected to the device in each of the screen data, and the programmable display further includes the above-mentioned specific items assigned to the item in the respective items. The memory area is a communication processing means for reading the storage data of the specific memory area; and the item display means is displayed based on the read storage data when the item image is displayed. A recording medium recording a program, wherein the program enables a computer that supports a device for creating a screen for a programmable display to perform a function of: storing an image memory of various item images of a screen for the programmable display; And means for generating a superimposed image of the superimposed image synthesized by the image of the item, and an image data generating means for associating the superimposed image with any of the item images to generate a picture data including the associated information ; the above programmable display is further connected to more than one connector Each of the items of the screen data is assigned a specific memory area of the memory connected to the device, and the programmable display further includes access to the specific memory area of the item in the respective items, and reads A communication processing means for storing the contained data in the specific memory area. A recording medium recording a program, wherein the program causes a computer of the programmable display to perform the function of: recording a picture data memory means of the picture data including the related information of the item image and the superimposed image, and according to the picture material The related information included in the image is generated by a combination of the superimposed image and the composite image of the item image; and the programmable display is further connected to one or more connected devices, and the image data is Each item is assigned a specific memory area of the memory connected to the device, and the programmable display further includes access to the specific memory area allocated to the item in each of the items, and reads the storage of the specific memory area. The communication processing means of the data; the item display means is also displayed based on the read storage data when the item image is displayed.