JP3497441B2 - Control server device and control system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is used in control system having a programmable display device, from a remote location, flop
The present invention relates to a control server device and a control system for editing screen data of a programmable display device .

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, programmable logic
The controller (hereinafter, abbreviated as PLC) is, for example,
It is widely used as a control device for controlling various target systems such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembly machine. Further, in recent years, as the target system has become more complicated, a plurality of PLCs have been used in cooperation with each other. Further, the display of the data from each PLC or the control instruction to the PLC is not only performed by the display device arranged in the vicinity of the PLC, but is also installed, for example, in a place apart from these display devices. A control system may be constructed so that the host computer for control can also display or operate. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, in a conventional control system 501, a PLC 503 is positioned as the center of control, and each PLC 503 is provided with a device 521 of a target system 502, a display and a control instruction. The programmable display 505 is connected. Further, another PLC 503 and a control host computer 507 are connected to the PLC 503 via a serial cable 504. Transfer of control data between the PLC 503 and the control host computer 507 and between each PLC 503 is performed by the PLC 503. It is done using the communication function of. In the configuration, the display processing unit 571 of the control host computer 507 communicates with the PLC 503 to receive data indicating the state of the target system 502, displays the screen according to the state, and responds to the user's input. Send control data to PLC 503,
The target system 502 is controlled according to the control data. Similarly, the programmable display 505 displays / controls the state of the target system 502 while communicating with the PLC 503 based on the screen data. Here, the screen data defining the display / control operation of the programmable display device 505 is often generated by the drawing processing unit 572 of the control host computer 507, but an engineer who can edit the screen data can It is not always always near the control host computer 507. Therefore, when the technician edits the screen data from a remote place, the terminal device in which the drawing processing unit 591 similar to the drawing processing unit 572 of the control host computer 507 and the communication processing unit 592 are installed in advance. 509 is prepared, and the drawing processing unit 591 creates screen data according to the instruction of the engineer and stores it in the screen data memory 593. Further, the communication processing unit 592 reads the screen data from the screen data memory 593 according to the instruction of the engineer, and the modem 594, the public telephone line 508, and the modem 573.
It is transmitted to the drawing processing unit 572 via.

However, in the above configuration, the screen data is stored in the control host computer 50.
Since it is edited by the terminal device 509 having the same drawing processing unit 591 and communication processing unit 592 as those of No. 7, the terminal device 50
It is necessary to install in advance a program for realizing each processing unit 591/592 in 9. As a result, it takes time to install the program,
The terminal devices that can edit the screen data are limited.
The control host computer 507 is generally a general-purpose computer arranged in the vicinity of the target system 502, and has a higher computing capacity and storage capacity than a portable computer. Therefore, the drawing processing unit 572 of the control host computer 507.
Also requires a relatively large amount of working or storage memory, and requires a relatively high computing capacity in order to obtain a reaction speed that is easy to operate. As a result, the similar drawing processing unit 59
The terminal device 509 having No. 1 also requires a high computing capacity and a large storage capacity. In addition, in the above configuration, the screen data is stored in the screen data memory 593 of the terminal device 509, and then the communication processing unit 592 transmits the screen data. As a result, the storage locations of the screen data are dispersed, and it becomes difficult to manage the screen data. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to edit screen data of a programmable display device from a remote place,
It is to realize a control system that allows easy management of screen data.

A control server device according to the invention of claim 1 controls or displays the state of the device by acquiring or changing the state of the device based on screen data . A control server device for use in a control system provided with, and having screen data storage means for storing the screen data, characterized in that the following means are taken to solve the above problems. That is, a translation means for translating an applet consisting of a predetermined procedure so that it does not depend on the model into a machine language for its own device, an input / output means controllable by the translation means, and the translation means executes the applet. as a terminal apparatus having a downloading means for downloading the file to determine required when
The terminal-side communication means capable of communicating with the computer and the terminal-side communication means cooperate with each other to cause the translation means to communicate with the terminal-side communication means to display a screen corresponding to the screen data of the screen data storage means on the input / output means , An operation of editing the screen data in response to the input to the input / output means, and an operation of instructing the terminal side communication means to update the screen data of the screen data storage means according to the editing result. Via an applet storage means for storing each applet group for performing each in a file and the terminal side communication means,
The server means for transmitting the file in which the applet is stored to the download means and for updating the screen data of the screen data storage means based on the screen data update instruction from the translation means. In the above configuration, when editing the screen data, the server means of the control server device reads the applet from the applet storage means and sends it to the download means of the terminal device via the terminal side communication means. On the other hand, the translation means of the terminal device communicates with the terminal side communication means based on the applet and causes the input / output means to display a screen corresponding to the screen data of the screen data storage means. Also, the translation means is
Based on the applet, the screen data is edited according to the input to the input / output means. Further, the translating means instructs the terminal side communication means to update the screen data of the screen data storage means based on the applet in accordance with the editing result. On the other hand, when the server means of the control server device is instructed to update the screen data by the translation means that executes the applet, the screen data stored in the screen data storage means of the control server device is displayed in response to the instruction. Update. The edited screen data may be transmitted to the programmable display device via a wireless / wired communication path, or the control server device may store the screen data in a recording medium, and the programmable display device may store the edited screen data in the recording medium. by, for example, read, flop
The programmable display is transmitted to the programmable display , and the programmable display performs display / control according to the screen data. In the above configuration, the translation means of the terminal device translates and executes the applet to perform each operation for editing the screen data. Therefore, if the terminal device has a general-purpose translation means, the user of the terminal device can display the screen indicated by the screen data without any trouble even if the program for editing the screen data is not installed in the terminal device in advance. You can edit the screen data while watching. Also, since the screen data to be updated is the screen data in the control server device, unlike when each terminal device creates screen data and then uploads it,
The screen data can be centrally managed by the control server device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of managing the screen data update. In addition, among the display operation, the editing operation, and the instruction operation, all the operations that can be executed by the translation unit are stored in any of the files that can be output by the applet storage unit. For example, there is a file that describes only an operation that the translation means does not need to execute at present, such as a display operation of a part that is not currently displayed. On the other hand, the download means downloads the files necessary for the translation means to execute the applet among all the files. Therefore, the amount of data to be downloaded can be significantly reduced compared to the case where all the operations that can be executed by the terminal device are downloaded to the terminal device. Further, the control server device according to the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the configuration of the invention of claim 1, it is provided with an authenticating means for authenticating the terminal device or a user of the terminal device. In the above configuration, the authentication means of the control server device, when the screen data editing is requested from the terminal device, for example,
The combination of the identification code and the password received from the terminal device is compared with a combination stored in advance to authenticate the terminal device or the user of the terminal device, and access from the terminal device that has failed authentication is denied. As a result, it is possible to realize a safe control system although the screen data can be edited from a remote place. Further, the control server device according to the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the configuration of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the terminal side communication means communicates with the terminal device via the Internet. . In the above configuration, since the terminal-side communication means communicates with the terminal device via the Internet, the communication cost according to the distance to the terminal device is required, as in the case of communicating with the public telephone line of the circuit switching system. do not need. Also,
Support personnel control system, by operating the terminal device from connectable locations in the Internet, for example, up
As in the case of editing in the control host computer disposed in the vicinity Roguramaburu display, edit the screen data of the programmable display device <br/>. As a result, the control system can be maintained without arranging support personnel for the control system near the programmable display . Also bill
The control system according to the invention of claim 4 is the control system according to claim 1, 2 or
3. Control server device and programmable display device according to 3,
A control system comprising:
Edit the edited screen data over a wireless or wired communication channel.
To the programmable display via
The ramable display can display or display according to the screen data.
It is characterized by performing control. Further, in claim 5,
The control system according to the invention is described in claim 1, 2 or 3.
Equipped with control server device and programmable display
The control server device is a
Store the collected screen data in a storage medium and
The mable display reads the recording medium and displays the screen.
Characterized by displaying or controlling according to the data
There is. Even with these configurations, the translation means of the terminal device
By translating and executing the
Take action. Therefore, the terminal device uses a general-purpose translation means.
If equipped, the program for editing screen data
Even if it is not pre-installed on the device,
The user can view the screen indicated by the screen data without any problems.
However, you can edit the screen data. Also, the screen to be updated
Since the data is screen data in the control server device,
Upload after each terminal device creates screen data
Screen data on the control server device
Can be centrally managed. As a result, manage screen data update
You can reduce the effort. In addition, display operation, edit operation and
Of the instruction actions, all actions that can be performed by the translation means are
Any of the files that can be output by the applet storage means
Some of those files are stored in
For example, the display operation of parts that are not currently displayed
A file that describes only the actions that the stage currently does not need to perform.
There is also Le. On the other hand, the download method is all files
Of the files needed by the translator to run the applet
To download. Therefore, the terminal device can execute
Compared to downloading all the operations to the terminal device
Therefore, the amount of data to be downloaded can be significantly reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The following is a description with reference to FIG.
That is, the control system 1 according to the present embodiment is
Prepare application program on client side
Without being placed near the controlled object, even from a remote location
Screen data that controls the display / control of the programmable display device
An editable system, for example, as shown in FIG.
And target system 2 consisting of devices 21 ...
Programmable logic controller
(PLC) 3 and PLC 3 via serial cable 4
Connected to the target system 2, often in the vicinity of the target system 2.
Is operated by the operator of the target system 2 at
Programmable display (control display device) 5 and each professional
The network 6 that connects the programmable displays 5 and
A control host computer connected to the network 6.
Data (control server device) 7 and the Internet 8
A client that can be connected to the control host computer 7.
And a terminal device (terminal device) 9. Above professional
The programmable display 5 displays, for example, a processing instruction word (tag).
Based on the screen data determined by combining, input and
And a display that can control the screen display, and
PLC side communication unit connected to cable 4 or network 6
The communication unit between the processing unit 51 and the network side communication processing unit 52.
In addition to the protocol converter 53 that relays the message,
Screen data memory 54 for storing surface data, and screen data
Display based on the operator's operation and communication results.
And a display processing unit 55 that performs processing. This embodiment
Then, the display processing unit 55 switches a plurality of unit screens.
Each unit screen can be displayed, for example, as shown in FIG.
In addition, a static figure B that does not change the displayed contents, such as a nameplate,
Shape, like an switch, lamp, or meter.
Part figure J (J
1) is formed on the base screen. On the other hand
The screen data for displaying the screen is
File number F on the base screen and the file number to be executed on the base screen.
Refers to each event name and the event name N that specifies the operation content
A tag W including one or more reference information R
It is composed together. The tag W has a predetermined screen area (table
Depending on the contents of the specified device address,
In the case of the display tag WL that displays the part graphic J that is shown in FIG.
As described above, the reference information R includes the display coordinate range (X / Y).
, Device address A, and, for example, part graphic J
In case of switch, file of figure showing ON and OFF
File number to be referenced at the time of display, such as the figure file shown
No. FL and No. FL are included. Also, if the tag is an input tag,
5, as the reference information R, the effective input coordinate range
(X ・ Y) and the device address where the input result is written
And A. On the other hand, the table of the programmable display 5
The display processing unit 55 displays the screen data memory at a predetermined time interval.
From 54, the file number F of the base screen is currently displayed
The display tag WL, which is the base screen of the
The contents of the device address A of WL are stored in the memory of PLC3.
3a and read the part graphic J according to the content on the screen
indicate. For example, in FIG. 2, the screen data memory 5
The display tag WL1 stored in 4 indicates the display of the switch.
And is compatible with the device with device address A1.
It When executing the display tag WL1, the display processing unit 5
In the case of 5, the device address A1 is "0", so
It is judged that the switch is OFF, and the memo of the display processing unit 55
Corresponding to OFF among the files stored in Re 55a
The displayed file FL1 graphic is displayed in the display coordinate range (X.
Y). As a result, the coordinate range (X / Y)
Displays a part graphic J1 showing the switch in the OFF state.
To be done. In this way, the display processing unit 55 displays the predetermined time interval.
By executing the display tag in the screen data with
The device status is reflected on the screen of the Mable display 5.
It In addition, such as pressing operation on the touch panel not shown,
When the operator's input operation is received, the display processing unit 55
Is currently displayed from the screen data in the screen data memory 54.
Corresponding to the input base that corresponds to the input operation
Search the search WT and the input tag WT will be displayed according to the input result.
Change the contents of device address A. For example, valid
Input coordinate range (X / Y) is the same coordinate as the above part graphic J1
Set to the range and change the contents of the same device address A1.
If the input tag WT1 to be updated is included in the screen data
If the operator selects the part graphic J1 on the display screen shown in FIG.
When pressed, as a result of the search by the display processing unit 55, the input tag W
T1 is discovered. In this case, the display processing unit 55
For example, PLC side communication processing unit 51 and network side communication processing
Corresponding to the input tag WT1 by giving an instruction to the unit 52
The contents of the device address A1 are rewritten. In addition,
After the force operation, the display processing unit 55 processes the display tag WL1.
Then, the content of device address A1 is changed to "1".
Therefore, the display processing unit 55, as shown in FIG.
Corresponding to the file FL2, and displays the component figure J2 indicating ON
Display on top. As a result, the display processing unit 55 causes the input operation
The contents of the device address are rewritten according to
The screen display can be updated according to the contents of the device address.
It The device address A is the device to be controlled.
The address that identifies the chair, for example PLC3
Programmable display 5 and PLC 3 such as memory 3a
The information provided on the control host computer 7, etc.
This shows one area of the storage device, and details will be described later, for example.
The PLC side communication processing unit 51 and the network side communication.
The processing unit 52 uses the PLC 3 or another programmable display 5
The contents of each address can be obtained or
You can change the content. In addition, the acquisition / change of the content is
May be instructed each time, or in the programmable display 5
Prepare a cache and store it when you get / change the contents.
Access to the booth and at predetermined time intervals
Communicate with each event and synchronize with the actual device address A
You may take On the other hand, the control host computer
7 is a display process for monitoring and controlling the entire control system 1.
Part 71 and a common protocol connected to the network 6
Interface (IF) unit 72 and common protocol I
Each programmable via the F section 72 and the network 6.
Communication with the display unit 5 to respond to requests from the display processing unit 71 and the like.
Server unit 73, for example, a display or mouse
Interface with the user, such as
In many cases, an input / output unit 74 is provided.
From a location farther than the programmable display 5,
System 2 or PLC 3 or programmable display
The state 5 can be displayed and controlled by the input / output unit 74. Well
The control host computer 7 is a programmable
Screen data memory that stores the screen data of the display unit 5
(Screen data storage means) 75 and Java (registered trademark)
It is written in a language and is an application for editing the screen data.
Applet memory (letter
Memory) 76 and the application stored in the applet memory 76.
The virtual machine 77 that executes the bullet and the bar
The virtual machine of the chal machine 77 and the client device 9
A public server that transmits applets to Thin 91 (described later)
Section 78, and is edited by executing the above applet.
Are collected and stored in the screen data memory 75 in a unified manner.
The screen data is displayed in the server unit 73 and the common protocol IF unit.
Each programmable via 72 and network 6
It is distributed to the display unit 5. In addition, the public server unit 78 is
The terminal-side communication means and server means described in the claims
And authentication means. Here, applet memory 7
6 shows multiple applets as files,
The virtual machine 77 is installed in the Java language.
Translate an applet written in Japanese to create a virtual machine
The machine language of the CPU that implements
Is an interpreter. In addition, the virtual machine 77
Contains an applet that references other applets
When an applet α is executed,
If applet β is required, please download the applet B from the above.
You can request the open server unit 78 to acquire the applet β.
It In addition, the virtual machine 77
If you remember the settings, you can read the applet.
And you don't have to get the same applet again
The applet transmission time can be shortened. Also,
Execution of control syntax in function α, function call, or
By sending a message to the object, etc.
Instead of running applet α, other applet β
I can do it. In this way, the virtual machine 77
Receives applets from the open server section 78 as needed
And each applet can be operated in cooperation.
On the other hand, the virtual machine 77 of the screen data memory 75
All actions that may be performed when editing screen data
File stored in the applet memory 76
Described in any of the groups. Here, when editing
Display operation of screen data among operations that may be performed
For example, by instructing the public server unit 78,
Acquires the screen data stored in the screen data memory 75.
Movements and each tag included in the screen data
Display coordinate range (X / Y) of the tag on the screen of the force unit 74
Includes an operation of displaying an icon indicating a tag.
The file that stores the applet is divided according to the tag type.
May be specified, or the operation related to multiple tag types may be
It may be stored in one file. Also, editing
In the work, for example, a palette of icons according to the tag type
The operation of displaying on the input / output unit 74 and the operation of the input / output unit 74
Access, based on the operation of selecting an icon in the palette.
The operation of arranging on the screen of the force unit 74, or the input / output unit
Depending on the icon drag and drop operation by 74
Include the operation to change the display position of the icon.
It In addition, device tags associated with input and display tags.
Prompt the user to enter the dress and depending on the input result
To change the device address associated with each tag
Also included. Note that the edited result is, for example, an object.
Virtual machine 77 as a field value of
It may be stored in the memory of the
Once publicized, such as by communicating the editing results to the public server unit 78
It may be stored in the memory of the server unit 78. Furthermore, above
The update operation of the screen data, for example, according to the editing result,
By the operation of sending the screen data correction instruction to the public server unit 78
May exist, or create screen data according to the edited result
And replace the screen data in the screen data memory 75.
As described above, the operation may be an instruction to the public server unit 78.
Yes. In either case, the public server unit 78
Update the screen data in the screen data memory 75 according to the instruction
it can. In addition, the applet according to the present embodiment is a virtual machine.
When run on machine 77, the user can
Place the icon indicating the tag at the position of
Screen by simply associating the controller with the device address.
Can create data. Therefore programmable display
Compared to the case of modifying the display program of the device 5,
Decide (change) the display and operation of each programmable indicator 5.
Yes, the user of the control system 1 (control host computer
User of the computer 7 or client device 9) is the target
Actual situation of system 2 and operation of programmable display 5
Data mastery or user preference
You can Further, the public server unit 78 is, for example,
A WWW server (HTTP server), etc.
The virtual machine 77 in the storage computer 7 alone
Without using a communication path such as the Internet 8
The client device 9 bar is also communicated with the ant device 9.
Apply applet memory 76 to chal machine 91.
Can be transmitted. On the other hand, the client device 9
In addition to the virtual machine 91, for example, a general-purpose browser
Equipped with a browser 92 implemented by software
Browser 92 is a computer connected to the Internet 8.
To communicate with the device and receive the applet into a virtual machine
91 can be executed. Also, the browser 9
2 is, for example, HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).
ol) text from server device such as HTML document
You can also receive and view the book. The above bar
The chal machine 91 is the translation means described in the claims.
And download means. In the above configuration, FIG.
Step 1 shown in (hereinafter, abbreviated as S1)
The client device while the control system 1 is operating
9 browser 92 controls via Internet 8.
To the public server section 78 of the host computer 7 for use
Then, edit the screen data of a certain programmable display 5.
When the request is made, the public server unit 78, in S2,
For example, the identification number received from the client device 9 and
Whether or not the password is a predetermined combination
Edit the above screen data by checking
Authorized by the client device 9 or its user
Client device that authenticates whether or not
Deny access from 9. If the authentication is successful, S3
In the public server 78, the public server unit 78, for example,
Client based on (Resource Identifier) etc.
The screen data requested by the device 9 is determined and, for example, C
GI (Common Gateway Interface) and BGI (Binary G
ateway Interface), etc., applet memory 7
From 6 to display / edit the instructed screen data
Read out the applet and click
Send to client device 9. Also, the browser 92
The applet is executed by the virtual machine 91.
On the other hand, the virtual machine 91 of the client device 9
When you run the applet, the control host computer 7
Similar to the case when the virtual machine 77 executes,
The screen corresponding to the surface data is input / output of the client device 9.
Displayed on the display screen of the input / output unit 93
93 mouse and keyboard input apparatus Input from
The screen data is edited accordingly. Where the virtual machine
Thin 91 is a target not included in the screen data to be edited.
Unnecessary applets such as applets for displaying groups
Do not download and need a new applet
Then, the process of S3 is performed again, and the public server unit 7
8 to get the applet. As a result, for control
Transmission between the host computer 7 and the client device 9
The amount of data to be sent depends on whether all applets are transmitted,
Transmits all editing programs created for screen data
Compared with the case of The above birch
Virtual machine 91, like virtual machine 77,
Cache the letlet and need the same applet
When you refer to the cache, it will be further transmitted
The amount of data can be reduced. Here, the client device 9
The virtual machine 91 is the host computer 7 for control.
Internet 8 with slower data transmission rate than
Since it is communicating with the public server section 78 via the
Even if the same amount of data is required,
Than the virtual machine 77 in the host computer 7
Longer and the response time to the user is longer.
U Therefore, download unnecessary applets and
The same applet is prevented from being retransmitted to reduce the amount of data transmission.
Response time is shortened, and screen data that is easier to use
An editing system can be realized. When editing is complete, the birch
Is a bar for the control host computer 7.
As with the chal machine 77, the screen
The update server is instructed to update the data (S5), and the public server unit 78
Update the screen data in the screen data memory 75 according to the instruction
Yes (S6). The updated screen data is displayed in S7.
Is delivered to the programmable display device 5 and is sent to S8.
The programmable display 5 displays according to the screen data.
To start. As described above, the control system according to the present embodiment is
In system 1, applet memory 76 is used to control
Stored in the screen data memory 75 of the storage computer 7.
Stores applets for editing screen data
Then, the public server unit 78 is updated via the Internet 8.
Deliver the let. This allows the client device 9 to
A program for editing screen data is installed in advance.
Or if they are located in remote areas,
Also, the client device 9 is a control host computer
The screen data can be edited in the same manner as 7. As a result, the
You can save the trouble, time and cost of the toll. Also,
If you upgraded the collection applet
Also just update the applet in applet memory 76
Edit the new version to each client device 9.
You don't need to distribute a collection program. As a result, the bar
The time and effort required to upgrade can also be greatly reduced. Furthermore
The above applet is installed on the control host computer 7.
Edit the screen data stored in the screen data memory 75.
This is an applet for editing, and the screen
The screen data in the data memory 75 is updated. As a result,
Each client device 9 has a screen data editing program
Prepare screen data and each screen data
Easier to manage screen data compared to editing
It In addition, the screen data is not displayed on the client device 9.
Since it is stored in the control host computer 7,
The storage capacity required for the client device 9 can be reduced and used for control.
Has less computing power and storage capacity than the host computer 7.
No client device (Thin Client) even client
Device 9 can be realized. Note that the client device 9
-While the virtual machine 91 is editing screen data,
A virtual machine 77 of your host computer 7,
Or a virtual machine 9 of another client device 9.
As when 1 edits the same screen data, multiple
Sometimes when I try to edit screen data at least one
The editing result by the virtual machine 77 (91) is
It is not reflected in the screen data of the screen data memory 75.
Therefore, for example, it is executed by the virtual machine 91 or the like.
The applet that is displayed will be published when the screen data is edited.
Communicates with the server unit 78 to allow another person to edit the screen data to be edited.
Make sure you are not editing and then start editing.
Then, another person edits the screen data in the public server section 78.
Edit the screen data at the same time by notifying that you do not
It is preferable to control not to collect. In addition, this place
If the editing is finished, the applet that updates the screen data
Communicates with the public server unit 78 to finish editing the screen data.
End, that is, another person may edit the screen data
Notify to that effect. In addition, the control host computer 7
And the client device 9 via the Internet 8.
Since they communicate with each other, it is possible that
However, the nearest Internet service provider
Mutual communication is possible by connecting to Ida (ISP) via public line
Become Noh. Therefore, through the circuit-switched public telephone line
Significantly reduce communication charges compared to connecting to each other
it can. In addition, communication via the Internet 8
Then, the client device 9 and the control host computer
7. Programmable display 5 and PLC 3
System and the system are installed in different countries.
However, the user of the client device 9 has no problem.
The same as when operating the control host computer 7.
You can edit screen data. Here, the optimal screen is
Uniquely decided because it depends on your skill and proficiency
It is not possible and is often changed relatively often. By the way
However, in this embodiment, the user of the client device 9
Even if you are in a different country than the above system,
Appropriate screen data is requested according to the request from the system operator.
Can be generated to support operators. Therefore, the operation
Even if the person does not create the screen data, the system
Without having to place many support personnel near
Can flexibly meet the requirements of. As a result, support
Optimizes the screen data in spite of reducing the time
You can keep it. In the above description, the control
If the display device is a programmable display 5,
The screen data consists of a combination of tags
The case has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The screen data regulates the control / display operation by the control display device.
The same effect can be obtained if it is determined. By the way
Therefore, in this embodiment, the control host computer 7 is
Programmable display by communicating with programmable display 5
The screen data of the container 5 is updated, but it is not limited to this
However, as in the conventional control system shown in FIG.
The host computer 7 for programming is programmed via PLC3.
The screen data may be transmitted to the mable display device 5. However
However, in this case, the control host computer 7
Dedicated to the PLC3 model to communicate with the LC3
Since it is necessary to communicate with the protocol, the control host
It takes time and effort to create a communication program for the computer 7.
Will end up. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control system
It is indispensable for system 1 and requires more computing power and storage capacity than PLC 3.
Programmable display 5 with room to do protocol conversion
Therefore, the control host computer 7 is
Since you can communicate with a common protocol regardless of the model of
The time and effort required to create a communication program can be greatly reduced.
The programmable display 5 is connected as shown in FIG.
Even if it is, a dedicated protocol is required to communicate with PLC3.
You need to communicate with Col. Therefore, the programmable
The display 5 and the control host computer 7 and PLC 3
The communication protocol of the programmable display 5
There is no increase in the time and effort required to create a col. Specifically, this embodiment
In the control system 1 according to the state, display contents or control contents
If they are the same, regardless of the PLC3 model, display / control
In this case, the data string 61 transmitted through the network 6 (see FIG.
In network 6 so that
A transmission protocol (common protocol) is specified.
The programmable display 5 arranged at the center of communication
In addition to the dedicated protocol specified for each PLC3 model,
A PL that is connected to itself by mutually converting the communication protocol
C3 and host computer 7 for control or other professional
It relays the communication with the programmable display 5. This allows
PLC3 connected to each programmable display 5 mutually
When different proprietary protocols are used for
Each programmable display 5 and control host controller
The computers 7 can communicate using a common protocol. The above
The target system 2 includes, for example, valves and motors.
Controlled device that operates according to instructions, or, for example,
Target systems such as flow sensors and temperature sensors
2 Provided with a device 21 such as a sensor that detects the state of each part
The PLC 3 is communicating with each device 21.
Each device according to the control program stored in advance.
It controls the switch 21. The control program is
For example, from the control host computer 7 to the programmable
It is transmitted to each PLC 3 by distributing it via the display unit 5.
Will be sent. Here, PLC3 was developed from a sequencer
For example, each manufacturer and product type
The control program is different for each PLC3 model.
Not just a dedicated protocol for each PLC3 model
Many are equipped with. Therefore, PLC3
Programmable display 5 via real cable 4
A communication protocol that is connected and that can communicate with the PLC3.
Communicate with the programmable indicator 5 via Col. Dedicated to the above
In the protocol, when instructing to read the data,
Well, as shown in Fig. 8, the code to be transmitted next is an instruction.
A control code (ESC) indicating that there is a
Command code (RD) for reading data
Read start address (X0001) and read
(5) and a control code (RET) indicating the end of transmission
The data string 41 including the is transmitted. However, each PLC3
In between, the command system including the command code is
, The order of addresses and sizes, and the control code itself.
The body, or an expression when expressing an address or size
Expression (bit width when showing a numerical value or code type when showing a character
Others) are often different from each other. On the other hand, the true
The network 6 according to the embodiment is, for example, Ethernet.
LAN (Local Trademark: Xerox Co., Ltd.)
A network) and each programmable display 5
The control host computer 7 is a TCP / IP protocol.
Communicate with each other on Col. This allows, for example, control
Control host computer used by system 1 developer
Is not the operating company of the control system 1
If you are connecting from different locations via a telephone line
Also, if it is a communication device that can communicate with TCP / IP,
Network without hindering data transmission between communication devices
You can freely participate in Week 6. In addition, TCP / IP protocol
In Col, the TCP module is used when transmitting the data string 61.
Modules such as IP modules and IP modules
However, in this specification, "Network
The data string 61 transmitted by the server 6
73, etc. “The upper layer requests the TCP module to transmit.
Then, the TCP module on the receiving side passes it to a higher layer.
It is used to mean "data string". Here, in this embodiment
The network specified by the network 6 above.
In the common protocol, the data string 61 is as shown in FIG.
, For example, display / control data or control program
Identification data 62 for identifying whether or not the data body
63 and 63 are included. In addition, display / control data
Then, for example, an instruction to read the data is sent to the PLC.
The contents of the instruction are shown in the data body 63r when it is transmitted to
Common code 64 and the functions associated with the common code 64.
As the continuous information 65, the read start address 65a and
The read size 65b is included. Also the data
When writing the data, the data body 63w contains related information.
As the information 65, the write start address 65c and the write
The inclusion data 65d is included. The common code 64 is
Of the commands that each PLC 3 can understand,
Between commands, regardless of the command code of each PLC3,
The code is unified. Also, for example, start reading
Address 65a and read size 65b, etc.
Transmission order of data in information 65 and representation at the time of transmission
The format is unified regardless of the PLC3 model. this
According to the common protocol, the programmable display 5
To be executed regardless of PLC3 connected to
Command can be uniquely identified, and the network can be used for display / control.
6 is a data string 61 transmitted in
If they are the same, the same device will be used regardless of the PLC3 model.
Data row. Here, the programmable display 5
As described above, the PLC side communication processing unit 5 shown in FIG.
1. Network side communication processing unit 52 and protocol change
The protocol conversion unit 53 includes the conversion unit 53.
If the dedicated protocol and the common protocol are different from each other,
If so, both protocols are converted to each other. This allows professionals
The programmable display 5 is used for communication with a dedicated protocol.
Do not relay the communication with the communication protocol as necessary.
Connected to itself or another programmable display 5
The LC3 status is displayed on the screen and the operator
An instruction to each PLC 3 can be output according to the operation. The above
The protocol conversion unit 53 performs mutual conversion of protocols.
Is transmitted by a dedicated protocol as the protocol information of
Data transfer former indicating the format of the data string 41
FMT and command code with dedicated protocol,
Command conversion table that shows the correspondence with the above common code
I remember Bull TBL. Specifically, shown in FIG.
As described above, the data transfer format FMT is
Of the data sequence 41, for example, the data content
Body, size of data, or address to read / write
Parts that change depending on the data content that is actually transmitted, such as
It is a skeleton-shaped data string in which
In the definition part, only the usage is defined. In addition,
If the code code area is undefined, it is actually transmitted.
Data transfer format FMT extracted from data string
Is common to multiple commands, the command code
Area is also undefined and data is transferred between these instructions.
The transmission format may be shared. Also, command conversion
As shown in FIG. 10, the common code is stored in the table TBL.
64 and PLC3 connected to the serial cable 4
The correspondence with the command code of
The conversion unit 56 changes from one code to the other code.
Can be exchanged. The data transfer format FMT and
The combination of the mand conversion table TBL is a programmer
The bull display 5 and the PLC 3 display data related to display / control.
Before communicating the data with the PLC3 communication protocol
PLC configured according to different communication protocols
3 is connected, the protocol information is switched.
It For example, when changing from PLC3 of model A to model B
The command conversion table TBLa shown in FIG.
It is switched to the command conversion table TBLb. In addition,
The communication protocol selection method is, for example, a control host command.
Operate the computer 7 and programmable display 5 to use
It may be selected by the user. In addition, programmable display
5 sequentially selects the communication protocol that it can send
, A command that can specify the communication protocol of PLC3,
It is sent to LC3 and the response code from PLC3
The communication protocol may be automatically determined. Also professional
The programmable display 5 uses a PLC 3 that can be connected to itself.
For all the communication protocols used,
Information may be stored or is currently connected.
Only the communication protocol of PLC3 which is
From the control host computer 7 or
Can be downloaded in various ways, such as via a recording medium
You may. In this way, the data transferred to and from the PLC 3 is
Data array 41 in real time during operation of the control system 1.
The programmable display 5 is turned on by
PL regardless of where the input data came from
Data can be transferred to C3 and PLC3 is changed
Stop the control system 1 even if
I can respond immediately. Here, the programmable display 5 is
Although it is an essential component of the control system 1, in recent years,
To display an image of high resolution, for example, several megabytes
It has a storage capacity of
It Therefore, the programmable display 5 has a sufficient remaining capacity.
Therefore, the above protocol conversion can be performed. Also, the program
Between the mable display 5 and the control host computer 7
In addition, since PLC3 is not present, PLC3
It is possible to concentrate on the control of the get system 2. Therefore, the figure
11, the conventional configuration shown in FIG.
Connected to each PLC 503 and programmable display 5
05 by connecting the communication of the control system 501
Compared to the configuration in which most PLCs 503 process, PLCs
The storage capacity and processing capacity of can be reduced. In addition, the amount of communication is large
As an example of such a process, the target system 2 manufactures
Is it a host computer 7 for control when converting products?
Screen data to programmable display 5
Processing and the like. However, in the present embodiment,
In the control system 1, the screen data passes through the PLC 3.
PLC3 does not download the screen data.
Even if it does, the load is low and it continues to operate normally.
be able to. Furthermore, regardless of the PLC3 model, each
Programmable display 5 and control host computer
Communication between the terminals 7 is carried out by a common protocol. According to
Multiple PLC3s in the same control system 1.
It is possible to make it available, and the range of model selection is broadened. Furthermore
In addition, like the conventional control system 501 shown in FIG.
PLC503a with different communication protocol is mixed
In order to control the communication system 501,
It is divided into sub-networks of Col and between sub-networks
Unlike the case where the converter 510 is arranged in the control system,
1 has a common communication protocol in the network 6.
It So, for example, a hub, bridge, or router.
You can freely use the devices connected to the network 6.
Therefore, the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of these devices and PLC3 is also improved.
Can be improved In addition, since the converter 510 is unnecessary, the control system
The manufacturing cost of the entire stem 1 can be reduced. In addition, this embodiment
Is essential to the control system 1 in the control system 1 according to the state
That the programmable display unit 5 converts the protocol
And a programmable table connected to network 6
Devices such as the indicator 5 and the control host computer 7 are
Regardless of LC3 model, mutual communication is possible with common protocol
It Therefore, the common host computer for control 7
The protocol unit 72 and the server unit 73 have a common protocol.
You can communicate with each programmable display unit 5 just by communicating with Col.
And PLC3 via the programmable display 5
Can communicate. More specifically, the server unit 73 is a device
Write request, read request, etc. based on address
Identify the destination (IP address) of the data and set the destination
In the case of programmable display 5, the above data can be
Send to the above IP address with Col. On the other hand, device
When the dress is determined to be PLC3, the server unit 73
I of programmable display 5 to which PLC 3 is connected
The above data is transmitted to the P address. In addition, each program
The correspondence between the programmable display 5 and the IP address is
When the Rable display 5 is connected to the network 6
For example, the user of the control host computer 7 may
I or the host computer 7 for control is free
The P address is assigned and determined, and the server unit 73
It is stored in a storage area (not shown). Also, each program
Device address of programmable display 5 and program
Device add-on of PLC3 connected to the programmable display 5
The response is determined, for example, for each programmable display 5.
The host computer for control 7
Read the correspondence table stored in the mable display 5 for control
If it can be set from the host computer 7, please refer to the correspondence table.
It is decided by distributing it to the programmable display 5.
Therefore, the server of the control host computer 7
The part 73 includes a device address correspondence table and an IP address.
By referring to the correspondence table of
The IP address to which the request is sent can be determined. In addition,
The above members 51 to 55, 71 to 78 and 91 to 93
Is a memory such as a ROM or RAM.
Run the program stored in the memory, touch panel
Or an input / output means such as a liquid crystal display device or an interface
By controlling communication circuits such as face circuits
It is a functional block that appears. Therefore, these hands
A computer having a step recorded the above program
Read the recording medium (for example, CD-ROM, etc.)
Only by executing the program, the program according to the present embodiment
Programmable display 5, control host computer 7 and
And the client device 9 can be realized. Especially the client
Virtual machine 91 and browser 92 of the device 9
Is pre-installed on many computers
This can be achieved with general-purpose browser software, and most of the
The computer has an input / output unit 93. Therefore,
These computers have special programs installed
Operating as client device 9 without
It Note that, for example, serial cable 4 or network
6, via the Internet 8 or other communication channels
The program to download the program is
If it is pre-installed on your computer,
The above program to the above computer via a communication path
It can also be distributed.

As described above, the control server device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises the translation means for executing the applet, the input / output means, and the download means for downloading the file necessary for executing the applet. The terminal side communication means capable of communicating with the computer as the terminal device , and the respective cooperating operations, thereby providing the above translation means,
An operation of communicating with the terminal side communication means to display a screen corresponding to the screen data of the screen data storage means on the input / output means, and an operation of editing the screen data according to an input to the input / output means. Via the terminal side communication means, and an applet storage means for storing an applet group in a file for causing the terminal side communication means to perform an operation of instructing the terminal side communication means to update the screen data of the screen data storage means, respectively. A server means for transmitting the file in which the applet is stored to the download means and for updating the screen data of the screen data storage means based on the screen data update instruction from the translation means. Is. In the above configuration, the translation means translates and executes the applet while the download means of the terminal device downloads the required file. Therefore,
Performs each operation for screen data editing. Therefore, if the terminal device is equipped with a general-purpose translation means, even if the program for editing screen data is not pre-installed in the terminal device, the user of the terminal device, without transmitting too much data, There is an effect that the screen data can be edited while looking at the screen indicated by the screen data. Also, since the updated screen data is the screen data in the control server device,
Unlike the case where individual terminal devices create screen data and then upload it, the screen data can be centrally managed by the control server device. As a result, the effect of reducing the time and effort for managing the screen data update is also obtained. As described above, the control server device according to the second aspect of the present invention is the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, which is provided with an authentication unit that authenticates the terminal device or the user of the terminal device. In the above configuration, when the terminal device requests the screen data to be edited, the authentication means of the control server device authenticates the terminal device or the user of the terminal device, and rejects the access from the terminal device that failed in the authentication. . As a result, there is an effect that a safe control system can be realized although the screen data can be edited from a remote place. As described above, the control server device according to the invention of claim 3 has the configuration of the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal-side communication means communicates with the terminal device via the Internet. is there. In the above configuration, since the terminal-side communication means communicates with the terminal device via the Internet, it is cheaper than the case of communicating with the public telephone line of the circuit switching method, and the support personnel of the control system can be programmed.
The effect that the control system can be maintained without disposing the control system in the vicinity of the ramable display is provided . From claim 4
As described above, the control system according to the first aspect of the invention has the following features.
Or the control server device according to 3 and programmable
A control system equipped with an indicator, comprising:
The device sends edited screen data via wireless or wired communication.
Send to the programmable display via the channel,
Programmable display displays according to the screen data.
Alternatively, the control is performed. The system according to the invention of claim 5
As described above, the system is described in claim 1, 2 or 3.
Equipped with on-board control server device and programmable display
In the above control system, the control server device comprises
Store the edited screen data in a storage medium and
The ramable display reads the recording medium and displays the image.
Characterized by displaying or controlling according to surface data
ing. Even with these configurations, in the above configuration, the terminal device
Do not download a file that requires a download method.
However, the translation means translates and executes the applet. did
Therefore, each operation for editing the screen data is performed. According to
If the terminal device has a general-purpose translation means, the screen
A program for editing data is installed in the terminal device in advance.
End, without sending too much data, even if
The user of the end device, looking at the screen indicated by the screen data,
The screen data can be edited. Also,
The screen data to be updated is the screen data in the control server device.
Therefore, after each terminal device creates screen data,
Unlike uploading, the control server device
Screen data can be centrally managed. As a result, the screen data
It also has the effect of reducing the trouble of managing new
It

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between screen data and a display screen in the above control system, showing an example when a switch is in an OFF state.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a tag included in the screen data.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure example of a display tag among the above tags.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of an input tag among the above tags.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between screen data and a display screen in the control system, and showing a case where a switch is turned on.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data transfer format used in a dedicated protocol in the control system.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data transfer format used in a common protocol in the control system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conversion table used when the programmable display device performs mutual conversion between a dedicated protocol and a common protocol.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a control system according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control system 5 programmable display device 7 for controlling a host computer (control server device) 8 Internet 9 client device (terminal device) 21 Device 75 screen data memory (screen data storage means) 76 applet memory (applet storing means) 78 public server Department (terminal side communication means; server means;
Authentication means) 91 Virtual machine (translation means; download means) 93 Input / output unit (input / output means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Thirty-four Kato 8-2-52 Nanko East, Suminoe-ku, Osaka City, Osaka (56) References JP-A-11-109933 (JP, A) Special Features Kaihei 11-259123 (JP, A) JP 10-98778 (JP, A) JP 10-232784 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 19 / 048 G05B 19/05

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A screen which is used in a control system provided with a programmable display for controlling or displaying the state of a device by acquiring or changing the state of the device based on the screen data and storing the screen data. A control server device having a data storage means, which is a translation means for translating an applet consisting of a predetermined procedure that does not depend on a model into a machine language for its own device, and an input / output means controllable by the translation means. And a terminal-side communication means capable of communicating with a computer as a terminal device having a download means for downloading a file that is necessary when the translation means executes the applet. The translation means communicates with the terminal side communication means to communicate with the screen data of the screen data storage means. Operation for displaying a screen corresponding to the input / output means on the input / output means, operation for editing the screen data in response to input to the input / output means, and storage of the screen data in the communication means on the terminal side according to the editing result. The applet storage means for storing in each file an applet group for instructing an operation to update the screen data of the means, and the file in which the applet is stored is transmitted to the download means via the terminal side communication means. A server means for updating the screen data of the screen data storage means based on the screen data update instruction from the translation means. 2. An authentication means for authenticating the terminal device or a user of the terminal device is provided.
The control server device described. 3. The control server device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal-side communication means communicates with the terminal device via the Internet. 4. The control server according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
Control system with device and programmable indicator
And the control server device wirelessly edits the edited screen data.
Or the above programmable display via a wired communication path
To the programmable display, and the programmable display
Control that displays or controls according to the
system. 5. The control server according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
Control system with device and programmable indicator
A is, the control server apparatus, stores the screen data edited
The recording medium is stored in a medium, and the programmable display reads the recording medium.
Display or control according to the screen data.
Control system characterized by.