WO2024013922A1 - Display support equipment and control equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention allows a user to locate, on a screen, an I/O device without physically tracing wiring, and to identify, on the screen, the appearance of the I/O device without referring to specifications.　This display support equipment, which has an input unit and a display unit and is connected to control equipment that retains a sequence program and allocation information including at least the names of I/O devices for inputting and outputting signals and the addresses of the signals, is provided with: a design information management unit that retains design information including at least the names of the I/O devices and images of the I/O devices; and an I/O information acquisition unit that acquires, from the control equipment, allocation information relating to a signal selected by a user in the sequence program, acquires the design information of the I/O device corresponding to the acquired allocation information, and notifies the display unit of the allocation information of the selected signal and/or the design information of the I/O device.

Description

Display support device and control device

The present invention relates to a display support device and a control device.

A machine tool is controlled by a numerical control device (CNC device) and external I/O (Input/Output) devices such as an operation panel through a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).
If the machine tool behaves in an unintended manner, check the sequence program on the PLC to identify the signal causing the problem.
For example, extract all the contacts and output signals (relays) of a sequence program (ladder program), group them by output signals (relays) that use contacts with the same address, and calculate the changes in the output signals in one cycle of the group. , the output signal is determined for each state in which the output signal transitions and is stored as reference output pattern data for each state, and the reference output pattern and the output signal pattern for each state determined during driving are There is a known technique for comparing and determining an abnormality if there is a mismatch. For example, see Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-134718

By the way, if the cause is a signal being input/output to/from the I/O device, there is a possibility that the I/O device is malfunctioning, so it is necessary to check whether there is any abnormality in the I/O device. It may be difficult to identify the I/O equipment because it is unclear what the external appearance of the I/O equipment is or where it is located on the machine tool.
For example, in the sequence program shown in FIG. 22, the user knows that if the mode selection signal does not respond, it can be changed using the net number signal "X6.0" indicated by the dashed rectangle, but the user knows that the signal "X6.0" is Sometimes it is difficult to know which button on the I/O device corresponds.
In this case, the user will see a screen showing the names and connection order of the I/O devices connected to the PLC shown in FIG. 23, and a screen showing the assigned I/O devices connected to the PLC shown in FIG. By comparing the screen showing the addresses and sizes of input and output signals, it is possible to identify which I/O device connected to the PLC is inputting and outputting which signal. . In the screen of Figure 23, group "00" indicates that the I/O device is "connection unit", group "01" indicates that the I/O device is "I/O-B3", etc. show. In addition, in the screen of FIG. 24, group "00" has an input signal of size "13" from address "X0000" and an output signal of size "8" from address "Y0000" of "connection unit" which is an I/O device. is being input/output to/from the PLC, and group "01" is an input signal of size "16" from address "X0013" of "I/O-B3", which is an I/O device, and address "Y0008". ” indicates that an output signal of size “16” is being input/output to/from the PLC.
After identifying the signal with the problem and the I/O device that is inputting and outputting the signal, the user needs to physically trace the wiring between the PLC and the I/O device, but it is not necessary to do any engineering work. Since devices other than I/O devices are arranged in a crowded space inside the machine, it may be impossible to physically trace the wiring, and it may be difficult to specify the location of the I/O devices.
Furthermore, since the user cannot specify the appearance of the I/O equipment on the display screen, the user may also have to refer to the specifications of the machine tool.

Therefore, it is desired that the user be able to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and be able to specify the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications.

(1) One aspect of the display support device of the present disclosure is an input device connected to a control device that holds allocation information including at least the name of an I/O device that inputs/outputs a signal and an address of the signal, and a sequence program. a display support device having a display section and a display section, the design information management section holding design information including at least a name of the I/O device and an image of the I/O device; The assignment information regarding the selected signal is acquired from the control device, the design information of the I/O device corresponding to the acquired assignment information is acquired, and the assignment information and/or the I/O device of the selected signal is acquired. and an I/O information acquisition unit that notifies the display unit of the design information of the I/O device.

(2) One aspect of the control device of the present disclosure includes the display support device described in (1).

According to one aspect, the user can specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and the appearance of the I/O device can be specified on the screen without referring to the specifications.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display support system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of allocation information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of design information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of offsets allocated to each I/O included in an I/O device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a sequence program displayed on a display unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit based on I/O detailed information. It is a flow chart explaining display processing of a display support device. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a display support system concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of design information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit based on I/O detailed information. It is a flow chart explaining display processing of a display support device. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a display support system concerning a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an I/O device having an LED lamp. It is a flow chart explaining display processing of a display support device. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a display support system concerning a 4th embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of allocation information. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a display support system concerning a 5th embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a sequence program. It is a flow chart explaining display processing of a display support device. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a display support system concerning a 6th embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a sequence program. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence program. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which shows the name and connection order of I/O equipment connected to PLC. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing addresses and sizes of input signals and output signals assigned to each I/O device connected to a PLC.

<First embodiment>
First, an outline of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, a display support device connected to a PLC that holds assignment information including at least the names of I/O devices that transmit and receive signals and addresses of signals that transmit and receive signals, and a sequence program has at least the names of I/O devices that transmit and receive signals. and an image of the I/O device, acquires assignment information regarding the signal selected by the user on the sequence program from the PLC, and design information of the I/O device corresponding to the acquired assignment information. and notifies the display unit of the selected signal allocation information and/or I/O device design information.
As a result, according to this embodiment, the user can specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and can see the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. It is possible to solve the problem of being able to identify.
The above is an outline of this embodiment.

Next, the configuration of this embodiment will be explained in detail using the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display support system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the display support system SYS includes a display support device 1, a PLC 2 as a control device, and N I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N (N is an integer of 1 or more). Note that, in FIG. 1, illustrations of industrial machines such as machine tools and robots, and numerical control devices and robot control devices that control the operations of the industrial machines are omitted.

The display support device 1, PLC 2, and I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N may be directly connected to each other via a connection interface (not shown). Note that the display support device 1, PLC 2, and I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N may be interconnected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In this case, the display support device 1, the PLC 2, and the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N may include a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with each other through such connections.

The I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N are, for example, known operation panels, switches, actuators, etc., and control the operation of industrial machines (not shown) via a PLC 2, which will be described later.
Although the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N are connected in a daisy chain in FIG. 1, they may be connected to the PLC 2, respectively.
Furthermore, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish each of the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N individually, these will also be collectively referred to as "I/O devices 3."

The PLC 2 is a PLC known to those skilled in the art that executes a sequence program such as a ladder program and performs various controls, arithmetic processing, signal input/output processing, etc. in accordance with the sequence program.
As shown in FIG. 1, the PLC 2 has a storage section 20.

The storage unit 20 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores system programs and the like executed by a processor (not shown) included in the PLC 2. Furthermore, the storage unit 20 holds a sequence program 201 and allocation information 202.
The sequence program 201 is a ladder program or the like.
The allocation information 202 is, for example, a table in which addresses of signals are associated in advance with names of I/O devices that input and output the signals.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation information 202.
As shown in FIG. 2, the allocation information 202 has storage areas for "signals" and "I/O devices."
In the "signal" storage area in the allocation information 202, the address of a signal such as "X6" is stored, for example.
The "I/O equipment" storage area in the allocation information 202 stores the names of I/O equipment such as "Module A" and "Module B" that input and output signals in the "signal" storage area. Ru.

The display support device 1 is, for example, a computer or a tablet terminal, and includes a control section 110, a storage section 120, an input section 130, and a display section 140. Further, the control unit 110 includes an I/O information acquisition unit 111. Further, the I/O information acquisition section 111 includes an I/O detailed information generation section 1110.

The input unit 130 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel disposed on a display unit 140 (described later), and accepts input from the user.

The display unit 140 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and inputs and outputs allocation information of a signal selected by the user and/or the signal notified from the I/O information acquisition unit 111, which will be described later. Design information such as images of I/O devices is displayed together with the sequence program 201.

The storage unit 120 is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores an OS and various software.
The storage unit 120 also includes a design information management unit 121.
The design information management unit 121 holds design information 1211.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the design information 1211.
As shown in FIG. 3, the design information 1211 has storage areas for "I/O equipment" and "external appearance."
In the storage area of "I/O equipment" in the design information 1211, names of I/O equipment such as "Module A" and "Module B" are stored in advance.
In the "external appearance" storage area in the design information 1211, an image showing the external appearance of the I/O device stored in the "I/O equipment" storage area is stored in advance.

Note that the design information 1211 may hold offsets assigned to each I/O (button, switch, dial, etc.) included in each I/O device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of offsets allocated to each I/O included in the I/O device 3. The upper part of FIG. 4 shows buttons a to i, which are I/O in the case of "Module B" in FIG. The lower part of FIG. 4 shows the offsets of buttons a to i. Note that the lower part of FIG. 4 shows that offsets such as "0" to "3" are assigned to buttons a to d among buttons a to i of "Module B."

The control unit 110 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, CMOS memory, etc., which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, which are well known to those skilled in the art.
The CPU is a processor that controls the display support device 1 as a whole. The CPU reads the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire display support device 1 according to the system program and application program. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 110 is configured to realize the function of the I/O information acquisition unit 111. Further, the I/O information acquisition section 111 is configured to realize the function of the I/O detailed information generation section 1110. Various data such as temporary calculation data and display data are stored in the RAM. The CMOS memory is backed up by a battery (not shown) and is configured as a nonvolatile memory that maintains its storage state even when the display support device 1 is powered off.

For example, on the screen of the sequence program 201 displayed on the display unit 140, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 acquires allocation information 202 regarding a signal selected by the user via the input unit 130 on the sequence program 201 from the PLC 2. At the same time, the design information of the I/O device 3 corresponding to the acquired allocation information is acquired, and the allocation information of the selected signal and/or the design information of the I/O device 3 is notified to the display unit 140.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 allows the user to input network information using the mouse, touch panel, etc. of the input unit 130 on the screen of the sequence program 201 displayed on the display unit 140. When the signal "X8.3" indicated by the hanging rectangle is selected and the "I/O Specification" button B1 is pressed, the allocation information regarding the selected signal "X8.3" shown in FIG. The allocation information 202 shown in is acquired, and the name "Module B" of the corresponding I/O device 3 is specified. The I/O information acquisition unit 111 acquires the image of "Module B" of the I/O device 3 specified based on the design information 1211 shown in FIG. 3 as image information. Then, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 acquires the signal selected in the I/O device 3 of "Module B" based on the address of the selected signal "X8.3" and the offset in the lower row of FIG. Specify the I/O that inputs and outputs "X8.3".

The I/O information acquisition unit 111 displays the allocation information of the selected signal “X8.3” and/or the image (design information) of the I/O device 3 of “Module B” on the display unit 140. The display unit 140 is notified of I/O detailed information generated by an I/O detailed information generation unit 1110, which will be described later. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 140 based on the I/O detailed information.
As shown in FIG. 6, on the screen, assignment information and an image showing the external appearance of the I/O device 3 are displayed in association with the selected signal "X8.3". The position of the I/O (button) that inputs and outputs " is indicated by a bold rectangle.
By doing so, the user can specify the position of the I/O device 3 on the screen of the display unit 140 without physically tracing the wiring, and also can specify the position of the I/O device 3 on the screen of the display unit 140 without referring to the specifications. The appearance of the I/O device 3 can be specified.

The I/O detailed information generating section 1110 generates I/O detailed information for displaying the selected signal allocation information and/or I/O device design information on the display section 140.
Specifically, the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 generates the screen shown in FIG. 6 as the I/O detailed information.

<Display processing of display support device 1>
Next, the flow of display processing of the display support device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the display processing of the display support device 1. The flow shown here is executed every time a signal on the sequence program is selected by the user.

In step S11, when the user selects a signal on the sequence program 201 on the screen of the sequence program 201 displayed on the display unit 140 and presses the "I/O specification" button B1, the input unit 130 inputs the following information. Accept the selected signal.

In step S12, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 acquires allocation information of the signal selected in step S11 from the PLC 2.

In step S13, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 identifies the name of the relevant I/O device 3 based on the allocation information acquired in step S12, and acquires the design information of the identified I/O device 3.

In step S14, the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 displays a screen displaying the assignment information of the selected signal and the design information including the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 on the display unit 140. Generate as information.

In step S15, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 notifies the display unit 140 of the I/O detailed information generated in step S14. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.

As described above, when a signal on the sequence program 201 is selected by the user on the displayed screen of the sequence program 201, the display support device 1 according to the first embodiment transmits the allocation information of the selected signal from the PLC 2. At the same time, the design information including the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 is acquired, and the allocation information of the selected signal and/or the image of the I/O device 3 is displayed. As a result, the display support device 1 can identify the location of the I/O device on the screen without the user physically tracing the wiring, and can identify the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.
The first embodiment has been described above.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the display support device 1 displays the allocation information of the signal selected by the user and the image of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal on the display unit 140. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the display support device 1A displays the position of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal selected by the user on the drawing of the industrial machine. It differs from
As a result, the display support device 1A according to the second embodiment allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. O The appearance of equipment can be specified.
The second embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display support system according to the second embodiment. Note that elements having the same functions as the elements of the display support system SYS in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 8, the display support system SYS according to the second embodiment includes a display support device 1A, a PLC 2, and I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N.
The PLC 2 and the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N have the same functions as the PLC 2 and the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N in the first embodiment.
The sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 are similar to the sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 in the first embodiment.

The display support device 1A includes a control section 110a, a storage section 120a, an input section 130, and a display section 140.
The input unit 130 and the display unit 140 have the same functions as the input unit 130 and the display unit 140 in the first embodiment.

The storage unit 120a is, for example, an SSD, an HDD, etc., similar to the storage unit 120 of the first embodiment, and stores an OS and various software. Furthermore, the storage section 120a includes a design information management section 121a. The design information management unit 121a holds design information 1211a.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the design information 1211a.
As shown in FIG. 9, the design information 1211a includes a drawing (image) of a machine tool as an industrial machine controlled by a signal from the PLC 2, and I/O equipment 3 arranged on the machine tool on the drawing (image). Contains a position table as position information.
The drawing (image) of the machine tool shown on the left side of FIG. 9 in the design information 1211a shows areas X, Y, Z, etc. set in advance in the machine tool.
On the other hand, the location table shown on the right side of FIG. 9 has storage areas for "location information" and "I/O equipment."
In the storage area of "position information" in the position table, areas X, Y, Z, etc. set in the image of the machine tool shown on the left side of FIG. 9 are stored.
The "I/O equipment" storage area in the position table contains I/O equipment such as "opening/closing door", "Module A", "Module B", etc. located at the position of the "position information" storage area. 3 names are stored.

The control unit 110a includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, CMOS memory, etc., which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, which is well known to those skilled in the art.
The CPU is a processor that controls the entire display support device 1A. The CPU reads the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire display support device 1A according to the system program and application program. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the control section 110a is configured to realize the function of the I/O information acquisition section 111a. Further, the I/O information acquisition section 111a is configured to realize the function of the I/O detailed information generation section 1110a.

For example, similar to the I/O information acquisition unit 111 of the first embodiment, the I/O information acquisition unit 111a is configured to be configured to be configured by the user on the screen of the sequence program 201 displayed on the display unit 140, as shown in FIG. When the signal "X8.3" indicated by the shaded rectangle is selected using the mouse or touch panel of the input unit 130, and the "I/O Specification" button B1 is pressed, the information related to the selected signal "X8.3" is selected. As the layout information, the layout information 202 shown in FIG. 2 held in the PLC 2 is acquired. The I/O information acquisition unit 111a identifies the name of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal "X8.3" as "Module B" based on the acquired allocation information 202.
Then, the I/O information acquisition unit 111a acquires the position information "Z" of the specified I/O device 3 of "Module B" based on the position table of the design information 1211a in FIG. The I/O information acquisition unit 111a uses the I/O information generated by the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110a to display the drawing (image) of the machine tool of the design information 1211a and the position information “Z” on the display unit 140. /O Notifies the display unit 140 of detailed information. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 140 based on the I/O detailed information.
As shown in FIG. 10, the displayed screen includes a drawing (image) of the machine tool, the name "Module B" of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the selected signal "X8.3", and the corresponding I/O device 3. /O device 3;
By doing so, the user can specify the position of the corresponding I/O device 3 on the screen of the display unit 140 without physically tracing the wiring.

The I/O detailed information generation unit 1110a generates a drawing (image) of the machine tool, the name of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the selected signal “X8.3”, and the position of the I/O device 3. A screen to be displayed on the display unit 140 is generated as I/O detailed information.

<Display processing of display support device 1A>
Next, the flow of display processing of the display support device 1A will be explained with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating display processing of the display support device 1A. The flow shown here is executed every time a signal on the sequence program is selected by the user.
Note that the processes in step S21, step S22, and step S25 are similar to the processes in step S11, step S12, and step S15 in FIG. 7, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S23, the I/O information acquisition unit 111a identifies the name of the corresponding I/O device 3 based on the allocation information acquired in step S12, and identifies the name of the machine tool drawing (image) based on the design information 1211a. The location of the corresponding I/O device 3 is acquired.

In step S24, the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110a creates a screen containing a drawing (image) of the machine tool, the name of the I/O device 3 identified in step S24, and the location of the I/O device 3. Generate as I/O detailed information.

As described above, when the user selects a signal on the sequence program 201 on the displayed screen of the sequence program 201, the display support device 1A according to the second embodiment performs a process based on the allocation information 202 and the design information 1211a. A drawing (image) of the machine tool and the position of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the selected signal are acquired, and the position of the corresponding I/O device 3 is displayed on the drawing (image) of the machine tool. As a result, the display support device 1A can specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without the user having to physically trace the wiring, and the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.
The second embodiment has been described above.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the display support device 1 displays the allocation information of the signal selected by the user and the image of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal on the display unit 140. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the display support device 1A displays the position of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal selected by the user on the drawing of the industrial machine. . On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the display support device 1B is different from the first embodiment in that the LED lamp included in the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal selected by the user is blinked via the PLC 2. The configuration is different from the second embodiment.
As a result, the display support device 1B according to the third embodiment allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. O The appearance of equipment can be specified.
The third embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display support system according to the third embodiment. Note that elements having the same functions as the elements of the display support system SYS in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 12, the display support system SYS according to the third embodiment includes a display support device 1B, a PLC 2, and I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N.
The PLC 2 and the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N have the same functions as the PLC 2 and the I/O devices 3-1 to 3-N in the first embodiment.
The sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 are similar to the sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 in the first embodiment.

The display support device 1B includes a control section 110b, a storage section 120, an input section 130, and a display section 140. Further, the control unit 110b includes an I/O information acquisition unit 111b. The I/O information acquisition unit 111b also includes an I/O detailed information generation unit 1110.
The storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 have the same functions as the storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 in the first embodiment.
The design information management section 121 has the same function as the design information management section 121 in the first embodiment.
The design information 1211 is equivalent to the design information 1211 in the first embodiment.

The control unit 110b includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, CMOS memory, etc., which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, which is well known to those skilled in the art.
The CPU is a processor that controls the entire display support device 1B. The CPU reads the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire display support device 1B according to the system program and application program. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 110b is configured to realize the function of the I/O information acquisition unit 111b. Further, the I/O information acquisition unit 111b is configured to realize the function of the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110.
The I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 has the same function as the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 in the first embodiment.

Like the I/O information acquisition unit 111 of the first embodiment, the I/O information acquisition unit 111b, for example, as shown in FIG. When the signal "X8.3" indicated by the shaded rectangle is selected using the mouse or touch panel of the input unit 130, and the "I/O Specification" button B1 is pressed, the information related to the selected signal "X8.3" is selected. As the layout information, the layout information 202 shown in FIG. 2 held in the PLC 2 is acquired. The I/O information acquisition unit 111b identifies the name "Module B" of the corresponding I/O device 3 based on the acquired allocation information 202. The I/O information acquisition unit 111b acquires an image of the I/O device 3 specified based on the design information 1211 shown in FIG. Then, the I/O information acquisition unit 111b acquires the selected signal in the I/O device 3 of "Module B" based on the address of the selected signal "X8.3" and the offset in the lower row of FIG. Specify the I/O that inputs and outputs "X8.3". The I/O information acquisition unit 111b displays the allocation information of the selected signal “X8.3” and/or the image (design information) of the I/O device 3 of “Module B” on the display unit 140. The I/O detailed information generated by the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 is notified to the display unit 140. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.

The I/O information acquisition unit 111b also issues a command (LED periodic blinking) to blink the LED lamp included in the I/O device 3 of the specified "Module B" in a specific pattern (for example, blinks at a cycle of 1 second, etc.). command) to the PLC2. Thereby, the I/O device 3 of "Module B" causes the LED lamp L1 to blink in a specific pattern based on the command (LED cycle blinking command) received from the PLC 2, as shown in FIG.
By doing so, the user can specify the location of the I/O device 3 without physically tracing the wiring.

<Display processing of display support device 1B>
Next, the flow of display processing of the display support device 1B will be explained with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating display processing of the display support device 1B. The flow shown here is executed every time a signal on the sequence program is selected by the user.
Note that the processing from step S31 to step S35 is similar to the processing from step S11 to step S15 in FIG. 7, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

In step S36, the I/O information acquisition unit 111b sends a command to the PLC 2 to cause the LED lamp of the I/O device 3 identified in step S33 to blink in a specific pattern. The specified I/O device 3 causes the LED lamp to blink in a specific pattern based on the command received from the PLC 2.

As described above, when a signal on the sequence program 201 is selected by the user on the displayed screen of the sequence program 201, the display support device 1B according to the third embodiment transmits the allocation information of the selected signal from the PLC 2. At the same time, the design information including the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 is acquired, and the allocation information of the selected signal and/or the image of the I/O device 3 is displayed. As a result, the display support device 1B can identify the location of the I/O device on the screen without the user having to physically trace the wiring, and can identify the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.
The display support device 1B also causes the corresponding I/O device 3 to blink the LED lamp in a specific pattern by sending a command to the PLC 2 to cause the LED lamp of the corresponding I/O device 3 to blink in a specific pattern. This allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device 3 without physically tracing the wiring.
The third embodiment has been described above.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the display support device 1 displays the allocation information of the signal selected by the user and the image of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal on the display unit 140. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the display support device 1A displays the position of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal selected by the user on the drawing of the industrial machine. . Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the display support device 1B is different from the first embodiment and the display support device 1B in that the LED lamp included in the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal selected by the user is blinked via the PLC 2. This is different from the second embodiment. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the display support device 1C uses one PLC 2C to hold allocation information regarding signals of the production line and I/O equipment in a production line constructed with a plurality of machine tools. This embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that the allocation information of the signal selected by the user and the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 are displayed on the display unit 140.
As a result, the display support device 1C according to the fourth embodiment allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. O The appearance of equipment can be specified.
The fourth embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display support system according to the fourth embodiment. Note that elements having the same functions as the elements of the display support system SYS in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 15, the display support system SYS according to the fourth embodiment includes a display support device 1C, a PLC 2C, machine tools MA and MB, and I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1. .
The display support device 1C, the PLC 2C, and the machine tools MA and MB may be directly connected to each other via a connection interface (not shown). Note that the display support device 1C, the PLC 2C, and the machine tools MA and MB may be interconnected via a network such as a LAN. In this case, the display support device 1C, the PLC 2C, and the machine tools MA and MB may be provided with a communication section (not shown) for communicating with each other through such a connection.

The machine tools MA and MB are machine tools that perform cutting, etc., which are well known to those skilled in the art who construct production lines, and operate based on instructions from a numerical control device (not shown). Furthermore, I/O devices 3A-1 and 3A-2 are connected to machine tool MA, and I/O device 3B-1 is connected to machine tool MB.
Note that the machine tools MA and MB may be robots, and may operate based on instructions from a robot control device (not shown).
Further, although the display support system SYS has two machine tools MA and MB, it is not limited to this, and may have three or more machine tools.
Furthermore, the number of I/O devices connected to the machine tools MA and MB is not limited to one or two, but may be three or more.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 are known operation panels, switches, actuators, etc., and control the operations of the machine tools MA and MB. .
Note that hereinafter, if there is no need to distinguish between the I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 individually, these will also be collectively referred to as "I/O devices 3."

Like the PLC 2 of the first embodiment, the PLC 2C is a PLC known to those skilled in the art that performs various controls, arithmetic processing, signal input/output processing, etc. according to a sequence program.
As shown in FIG. 15, the PLC 2C has a storage section 20.
The storage unit 20 has the same function as the storage unit 20 in the first embodiment, and stores the sequence program 201 and allocation information 202c.
The sequence program 201 is similar to the sequence program in the first embodiment.
The allocation information 202c is, for example, a table in which signals on the sequence program 201 are associated in advance with the I/O equipment 3 that inputs and outputs the signals for each of the machine tools MA and MB that construct the production line.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation information 202c.
As shown in FIG. 16, the allocation information 202c has storage areas for "signal", "I/O device", and "remarks".
In the "signal" storage area in the allocation information 202c, addresses of signals such as "X6" on the sequence program 201 are stored, similar to the "signal" in the allocation information 202 of the first embodiment.
The storage area for "I/O equipment" in the allocation information 202c contains I/O equipment such as "Module A" and "Module B", similar to the "I/O equipment" in the allocation information 202 of the first embodiment. The name of the O device 3 is stored.
The names of the machine tools MA, MB, etc. that construct the production line are stored in the "remarks" storage area in the allocation information 202c.

The display support device 1C includes a control section 110c, a storage section 120, an input section 130, and a display section 140.
The storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 have the same functions as the storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 in the first embodiment.
The design information management section 121 has the same function as the design information management section 121 in the first embodiment.
The design information 1211 is equivalent to the design information 1211 in the first embodiment.

The control unit 110c includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, CMOS memory, etc., which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, which is well known to those skilled in the art.
The CPU is a processor that controls the entire display support device 1C. The CPU reads the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire display support device 1C according to the system program and application program. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 110c is configured to realize the function of the I/O information acquisition unit 111c. Further, the I/O information acquisition unit 111c is configured to realize the function of the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110.
The I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 has the same function as the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 of the first embodiment.

For example, similar to the I/O information acquisition unit 111 of the first embodiment, the I/O information acquisition unit 111c is configured to receive information from the user on the screen of the sequence program 201 displayed on the display unit 140, as shown in FIG. When the signal "X8.3" indicated by the shaded rectangle is selected using the mouse, touch panel, etc. of the input unit 130 and the I/O specific button B1 is pressed, assignment information regarding the selected signal "X8.3" is displayed. As such, the allocation information 202c shown in FIG. 16 held in the PLC 2C is acquired. The I/O information acquisition unit 111c identifies the name of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal “X8.3” as “Module B,” and also identifies the machine tool in which the I/O device 3 is installed. Identify. Note that all the I/O devices 3 are connected to one PLC 2C, and since it is impossible for signals to overlap between the I/O devices 3, the I/O information acquisition unit 111c Identification becomes possible.
The I/O information acquisition unit 111c acquires an image of the specified I/O device 3 as image information based on the design information 1211 shown in FIG. Then, the I/O information acquisition unit 111 acquires the signal "X8.3" selected in the I/O device 3 of "Module B" based on the address of the selected signal "X8.3" and the offset in FIG. Specify the I/O that inputs and outputs ".3". The I/O information acquisition unit 111 acquires I/O details in order to display the assignment information of the selected signal “X8.3” and/or the image of the I/O device 3 of “Module B” on the display unit 140. The I/O detailed information generated by the information generation unit 1110 is notified to the display unit 140. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.

Note that the display processing of the display support device 1C is the same as in the case of FIG. 7, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

As described above, in the display support device 1C according to the fourth embodiment, the PLC 2C holds allocation information regarding the signals of the production line and I/O equipment, so that the user can select the sequence program 201 on the displayed screen of the sequence program 201. When the above signal is selected, the assignment information of the selected signal is acquired from the PLC 2C, the corresponding I/O device 3 and the installed machine tool are specified, and the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 is displayed. The design information including the selected signal is acquired, and the allocation information of the selected signal and the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 are displayed. As a result, the display support device 1C allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.
The fourth embodiment has been described above.

<Fifth embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the display support device 1C is configured such that, in a production line constructed with a plurality of machine tools using one PLC 2C, the PLC 2C holds design information of the production line and I/O equipment and is selected by the user. The signal allocation information and the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 are displayed on the display unit 140. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, the display support device 1D is connected to a PLC placed in each of a plurality of machine tools that construct a production line, and each PLC holds allocation information. It differs from the form.
As a result, the display support device 1D according to the fifth embodiment allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. O The appearance of equipment can be specified.
The fifth embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display support system according to the fifth embodiment. Note that elements having the same functions as the elements of the display support system SYS in FIG. 15 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 17, the display support system SYS according to the fifth embodiment includes a display support device 1D and machine tools MA1 and MB1.
The display support device 1D and the machine tools MA1 and MB1 may be directly connected to each other via a connection interface (not shown). Note that the display support device 1D and the machine tools MA1 and MB1 may be connected to each other via a network such as a LAN. In this case, the display support device 1D and the machine tools MA1, MB1 may include a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with each other through such a connection.

The machine tools MA1 and MB1, like the machine tools MA and MB of the fourth embodiment, are machine tools that perform cutting work etc. that are well known to those skilled in the art who construct production lines, and respond to commands from a numerical control device (not shown). operate based on
Further, a PLC 2D-1 and I/O devices 3A-1 and 3A-2 are arranged in the machine tool MA1. Further, a PLC 2D-2 and an I/O device 3B-1 are arranged in the machine tool MB1.
The I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 have the same functions as the I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 in the fourth embodiment.
Note that the machine tools MA and MB may be robots, and may operate based on instructions from a robot control device (not shown).
Further, although the display support system SYS has two machine tools MA1 and MB1, it is not limited to this, and may have three or more machine tools.
Further, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 individually, these will also be collectively referred to as "I/O devices 3."

The PLCs 2D-1 and 2D-2 are PLCs known to those skilled in the art that perform various controls, arithmetic processing, signal input/output processing, etc. in accordance with the sequence program 201, similar to the PLC 2 of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 17, the PLC 2D-1 includes a storage section 20. Note that PLC2D-2 also has the same configuration as PLC2D-1.
The storage unit 20 has the same function as the storage unit 20 in the first embodiment, and stores a sequence program 201 and allocation information 202.
The sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 are similar to the sequence program and allocation information 202 in the first embodiment.

The display support device 1D includes a control section 110d, a storage section 120, an input section 130, and a display section 140.
The storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 have the same functions as the storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 in the first embodiment.
The design information 1211 is equivalent to the design information 1211 of the first embodiment.

The control unit 110d includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, CMOS memory, etc., which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, which is well known to those skilled in the art.
The CPU is a processor that controls the entire display support device 1D. The CPU reads the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire display support device 1D according to the system program and application program. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 110d is configured to realize the function of the I/O information acquisition unit 111d. Further, the I/O information acquisition unit 111d is configured to realize the function of the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110.
The I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 has the same function as the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 of the first embodiment.

The I/O information acquisition unit 111d displays, for example, a screen on the display unit 140 for selecting the sequence program 201 of the PLC 2D-1 of the machine tool MA1 or the sequence program 201 of the PLC 2D-2 of the machine tool MB1, etc. The sequence program selection by the user is accepted via 130.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting the sequence program 201. FIG. 18 shows a case where the sequence program 201 of PLC 2D-1 of machine tool MA1 is selected.
The I/O information acquisition unit 111d acquires the sequence program 201 selected by the user from the PLC 2D-1, and displays the acquired sequence program 201 on the display unit 140. As shown in FIG. 5, the I/O information acquisition unit 111d receives a signal “X8.3” indicated by a shaded rectangle by the user using the mouse, touch panel, etc. of the input unit 130 on the displayed screen of the sequence program 201. When selected and the I/O specific button B1 is pressed, the allocation information 202 held in the PLC 2D-1 of the selected machine tool MA1 is acquired as allocation information regarding the selected signal "X8.3". The I/O information acquisition unit 111d specifies the name of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal "X8.3" as "Module B." The I/O information acquisition unit 111d acquires an image of the specified I/O device 3 as image information based on the design information 1211 in FIG. 3. Then, the I/O information acquisition unit 111d acquires the signal selected in the I/O device 3 of "Module B" based on the address of the selected signal "X8.3" and the offset in the lower row of FIG. Specify the I/O that inputs and outputs "X8.3".
The I/O information acquisition unit 111d acquires I/O details in order to display the assignment information of the selected signal “X8.3” and/or the image of the I/O device 3 of “Module B” on the display unit 140. The I/O detailed information generated by the information generation unit 1110 is notified to the display unit 140. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.

<Display processing of display support device 1D>
Next, the flow of display processing of the display support device 1D will be explained with reference to FIG. 19.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating display processing of the display support device 1D. The flow shown here is executed every time a sequence program is selected by the user.
Note that the processing from step S52 to step S56 is similar to the processing from step S11 to step S15 in FIG. 7, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S51, the I/O information acquisition unit 111d displays a screen on the display unit 140 for selecting the sequence program 201 of the PLC 2D-1 of the machine tool MA1, the sequence program 201 of the PLC 2D-2 of the machine tool MB1, etc. The selection of the sequence program 201 by the user is accepted through the section 130.

As described above, the display support device 1D according to the fifth embodiment connects to the PLC installed in each of the plurality of machine tools constructing a production line, and displays the sequence program selected by the user from among the plurality of machine tools. , when a signal on the sequence program is selected, the assignment information of the selected signal is acquired from the PLC of the machine tool that executes the selected sequence program, the corresponding I/O device 3 is identified, and the corresponding I/O device 3 is identified. Design information including an image of the I/O device 3 is acquired, and the assignment information of the selected signal and the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 are displayed. As a result, the display support device 1D can specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without the user having to physically trace the wiring, and the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.
The fifth embodiment has been described above.

<Sixth embodiment>
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The display support device 1C is configured to store design information of the production line and I/O equipment in a production line constructed using a single PLC 2C and multiple machine tools, and display information on assignments of signals selected by the user and corresponding information. The image of the I/O device 3 to be used is displayed on the display unit 140. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, the display support device 1D is connected to a PLC placed in each of a plurality of machine tools that construct a production line, and each PLC holds allocation information. It differs from the form. On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, the display support device 1E is connected to the lower PLCs arranged in each of a plurality of machine tools constructing a production line via the upper PLC. This is different from the fifth embodiment.
As a result, the display support device 1D according to the sixth embodiment allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and allows the user to specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. O The appearance of equipment can be specified.
The sixth embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display support system according to the sixth embodiment. Note that elements having the same functions as the elements of the display support system SYS in FIG. 17 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 20, the display support system SYS according to the sixth embodiment includes a display support device 1E, a host PLC 4, and machine tools MA1 and MB1.
The display support device 1E, the upper PLC 4, and the machine tools MA1 and MB1 may be directly connected to each other via a connection interface (not shown). Note that the display support device 1E, the upper PLC 4, and the machine tools MA1 and MB1 may be connected to each other via a network such as a LAN. In this case, the display support device 1E, the upper PLC 4, and the machine tools MA1 and MB1 may be provided with a communication section (not shown) for communicating with each other through such a connection.
Although the display support device 1E is connected to one higher-level PLC 4, the display support device 1E is not limited to this. For example, the display support device 1E may be connected to two or more upper PLCs 4 arranged for each of two or more production lines.

In the machine tool MA1, a PLC2D-1 as a lower PLC and I/O devices 3A-1 and 3A-2 are arranged. Furthermore, a PLC 2D-2 as a lower PLC and an I/O device 3B-1 are arranged in the machine tool MB1.
Machine tools MA1 and MB1 have the same functions as machine tools MA1 and MB1 in the fifth embodiment.
PLC2D-1 and 2D-2 have the same functions as PLC2D-1 and 2D-2 in the fifth embodiment.
The storage unit 20 has the same function as the storage unit 20 in the fifth embodiment.
The sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 are equivalent to the sequence program 201 and allocation information 202 in the fifth embodiment.
The I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 have the same functions as the I/O devices 3A-1, 3A-2, and 3B-1 in the fifth embodiment.

The host PLC 4 is, for example, a PLC known to those skilled in the art that executes a sequence program such as a ladder program and performs various controls, arithmetic processing, signal input/output processing, etc. in accordance with the sequence program.
When a sequence program 201 is selected by the display support device 1E, which will be described later, the upper PLC 4 is a PLC 2D-1 (or PLC 2D-2 of the machine tool MA1) as a lower PLC of the machine tool MA1 that executes the selected sequence program 201. The layout information 202 is sent to the display support device 1E.

The display support device 1E includes a control section 110e, a storage section 120, an input section 130, and a display section 140. The storage unit 120 also includes a design information management unit 121. The design information management unit 121 holds design information 1211.
The storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 have the same functions as the storage section 120, the input section 130, and the display section 140 in the first embodiment.
The design information management section 121 has the same function as the design information management section 121 in the first embodiment.
The design information 1211 is equivalent to the design information 1211 of the first embodiment.

The control unit 110e includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, CMOS memory, etc., which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, which is well known to those skilled in the art.
The CPU is a processor that controls the entire display support device 1E. The CPU reads the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire display support device 1E according to the system program and application program. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 20, the control section 110e is configured to realize the function of the I/O information acquisition section 111e. Further, the I/O information acquisition unit 111e is configured to realize the function of the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110.
The I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 has the same function as the I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 of the first embodiment.

The I/O information acquisition unit 111e displays, for example, a screen on the display unit 140 for selecting the sequence program 201 of the PLC 2D-1 of the machine tool MA1 or the sequence program 201 of the PLC 2D-2 of the machine tool MB1, etc. The sequence program selection by the user is accepted via 130.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting the sequence program 201. FIG. 21 shows a case where the sequence program 201 of PLC 2D-1 of machine tool MA1 is selected.
The I/O information acquisition unit 111e acquires the sequence program 201 selected by the user from the PLC 2D-1, and displays the acquired sequence program 201 on the display unit 140. As shown in FIG. 5, the I/O information acquisition unit 111e receives a signal “X8.3” indicated by a shaded rectangle by the user using the mouse, touch panel, etc. of the input unit 130 on the displayed screen of the sequence program 201. When selected and the I/O specific button B1 is pressed, the assignment information 202 held in the PLC 2D-1 of the selected machine tool MA1 is sent to the upper PLC 4 as the assignment information regarding the selected signal "X8.3". Get it through. The I/O information acquisition unit 111e specifies the name of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs the signal "X8.3" as "Module B." The I/O information acquisition unit 111e acquires an image of the specified I/O device 3 as image information based on the design information 1211 in FIG. 3. Then, the I/O information acquisition unit 111e acquires the signal selected in the I/O device 3 of "Module B" based on the address of the selected signal "X8.3" and the offset in the lower row of FIG. Specify the I/O that inputs and outputs "X8.3".
The I/O information acquisition unit 111e acquires I/O details in order to display the assignment information of the selected signal “X8.3” and/or the image of the I/O device 3 of “Module B” on the display unit 140. The I/O detailed information generated by the information generation unit 1110 is notified to the display unit 140. The display unit 140 displays the notified I/O detailed information.

Note that the display processing of the display support device 1E is the same as in the case of FIG. 19, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

As described above, the display support device 1E according to the sixth embodiment connects to the lower PLCs arranged in each of the plurality of machine tools constructing a production line via the upper PLC 4, and selects one of the plurality of machine tools from among the plurality of machine tools by the user. The selected sequence program is displayed, and when a signal on the sequence program is selected, the assignment information of the selected signal is acquired from the PLC of the machine tool that executes the selected sequence program and the corresponding I/O device is displayed. 3 is specified, design information including an image of the corresponding I/O device 3 is acquired, and allocation information of the selected signal and the image of the corresponding I/O device 3 are displayed. As a result, the display support device 1E can identify the location of the I/O device on the screen without the user physically tracing the wiring, and can identify the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.
The sixth embodiment has been described above.

Although the first to sixth embodiments have been described above, the display support devices 1 to 1E are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and include modifications, improvements, etc. within a range that can achieve the purpose.

<Modification 1>
In the first to third embodiments, the display support devices 1, 1A, and 1B are different from the PLC 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display support devices 1, 1A, and 1B may include a PLC 2.
Alternatively, the display support devices 1, 1A, and 1B may be included in the PLC 2.

<Modification 2>
Further, for example, in the first to sixth embodiments, the display support devices 1 to 1E have the design information management units 121, 121a, and 121d that include the design information 1211 and 1211a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the design information management units 121, 121a, and 121d may be provided in an information processing device such as a cloud server that is communicably connected to the display support devices 1 to 1E via a network (not shown).

Note that each function included in the display support devices 1 to 1E in the first to sixth embodiments can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Here, being realized by software means being realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

The program can be stored and delivered to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media are magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-ROMs, R, CD-R/W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM). The program may also be provided to the computer on various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can provide the program to the computer via wired communication channels such as electrical wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication channels.

Note that the step of writing a program to be recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes that are performed in chronological order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed in chronological order but are executed in parallel or individually. It also includes.

In other words, the display support device and control device of the present disclosure can take various embodiments having the following configurations.

(1) The display support device 1 of the present disclosure includes an input unit connected to a PLC 2 that holds allocation information 202 including at least the name of the I/O device 3 that inputs and outputs signals and the address of the signal, and a sequence program 201. 130 and a display section 140 , the design information management section 121 holds design information 1211 including at least the name of the I/O device 3 and the image of the I/O device 3; The assignment information 202 regarding the signal selected by the user is acquired from the PLC 2, and the design information 1211 of the I/O device 3 corresponding to the acquired assignment information 202 is acquired, and the assignment information and/or I/O device 3 of the selected signal is acquired. and an I/O information acquisition unit 111 that notifies the display unit 140 of design information of the /O device 3.
According to this display support device 1, the user can specify the location of the I/O device on the screen without physically tracing the wiring, and can specify the appearance of the I/O device on the screen without referring to the specifications. can.

(2) In the display support device 1 described in (1), the design information includes a drawing of an industrial machine controlled by a signal from the PLC 2 and position information of the I/O equipment 3 placed on the industrial machine on the drawing. The I/O information acquisition unit 111 may acquire design information of the I/O device 3 including position information of the I/O device 3.

(3) In the display support device 1 described in (1) or (2), the I/O information acquisition unit 111 displays the selected signal allocation information and/or the design information of the I/O device 3 on the display unit 140. The I/O information acquisition unit 111 includes an I/O detailed information generation unit 1110 that generates I/O detailed information to be displayed on the display unit 140. good.

(4) In the display support devices 1 to 1E described in any one of (1) to (3), the design information management unit 121 is provided in an information processing device that is communicably connected to the display support devices 1 to 1E. You can.

(5) In the display support device 1B according to any one of (1) to (4), when the user selects a signal on the sequence program 201, the I/O information acquisition unit 111b selects the corresponding I/O A command may be output to the PLC 2 to cause the LED lamp L1 included in the device 3 to blink in a specific pattern.

(6) The display support devices 1 to 1E described in any one of (1) to (5) may include a PLC 2.

(7) The PLC 2 of the present disclosure includes the display support devices 1 to 1E described in any one of (1) to (5).
According to this PLC 2, the same effect as (1) can be achieved.

1 Display support device 2 PLC
110 Control unit 111 I/O information acquisition unit 1110 I/O detailed information generation unit 120 Storage unit 121 Design information management unit 130 Input unit 140 Display unit 20 Storage unit 201 Sequence program 202 Allocation information 3-1 to 3-N I/ O equipment

Claims (7)

1. A display support device having an input section and a display section, connected to a control device that holds allocation information including at least the name of an I/O device that inputs and outputs a signal and the address of the signal, and a sequence program,
   a design information management unit that holds design information including at least a name of the I/O device and an image of the I/O device;
   The assignment information regarding the signal selected by the user on the sequence program is acquired from the control device, the design information of the I/O device corresponding to the acquired assignment information is acquired, and the assignment information of the selected signal is acquired from the control device. an I/O information acquisition unit that notifies the display unit of allocation information and/or the design information of the I/O device;
   A display support device comprising:
2. The design information includes a drawing of an industrial machine controlled by a signal from the control device, and position information of the I/O device arranged in the industrial machine on the drawing,
   The display support device according to claim 1, wherein the I/O information acquisition unit acquires design information of the I/O device including position information of the I/O device.
3. The I/O information acquisition unit generates I/O detailed information for displaying allocation information of the selected signal and/or design information of the I/O device on the display unit. Equipped with an information generation section,
   The display support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the I/O information acquisition unit notifies a display unit of the generated I/O detailed information.
4. The display support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the design information management unit is provided in an information processing device that is communicably connected to the display support device.
5. The I/O information acquisition unit outputs a command to the control device to cause an LED lamp included in the corresponding I/O device to blink in a specific pattern when a signal on the sequence program is selected by the user. A display support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The display support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the control device.
7. A control device comprising the display support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images