JP4131095B2 - Programmable controller programming device. - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a programmable controller programming apparatus for creating a sequence program executed by a programmable controller using a ladder diagram.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a branch circuit is created on each line constituting a ladder diagram in a programming device of a programmable controller, a branch start point and end point setting method has been performed as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 9, 11 is a programming device, 12 is a programmable controller to be maintained and adjusted by the programming device 11, and 13 is a ladder diagram display screen created by the programming device 11. In the display screen 13, 1 is a line for arranging a branch and an instruction group, 2 is a branch constituting a branch circuit, 3 is an instruction group, and a ladder diagram is composed of a combination of the line, branch, and instruction group. . Reference numeral 6 denotes a start point position of a branch to be newly inserted, and reference numeral 7 denotes a cursor position in the middle of branch setting. After the start point is determined, one end of the branch is dragged to the end point position.
However, in the prior art, restrictions on the position where the end point can be set with respect to the start point of the branch are not explicitly given as information, so whether or not the position assumed as the end point can actually be set is determined once by specifying the position. You cannot judge unless For this reason, there has been a problem that the work efficiency of program creation is lowered.
[0003]
As a problem in creating a program in which the work efficiency is reduced similarly to this, the problem exists when a parallel circuit as shown in FIG. 13 is created on the display screen 13 (FIG. 9). That is, the programmable controller sequence program is composed of a series circuit and a parallel circuit as shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, 50 is a sequence program before creating a parallel circuit, 51 and 52 are contact instructions, 60 is a sequence program that creates a parallel branch circuit, 61 is a parallel branch circuit, and 70 is a parallel circuit. The sequence program 71 is a parallel circuit.
Therefore, when the parallel circuit 71 is created by the sequence program 50, conventionally, the parallel branch circuit 61 is first created for the contact instruction 52, and then the contact instruction 51 is arranged in the created parallel branch circuit 61. The method was taken.
However, in such a conventional method, in order to create a parallel circuit, it is necessary to create a parallel branch circuit, which is troublesome, and there is a problem that a program cannot be created quickly.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve these problems, and whether or not the position assumed as the end point with respect to the start point of the branch as in the prior art can actually be set must be performed after the position designation is executed. To provide a programming device that can determine immediately whether or not it is possible to set the end point of the branch by indicating the direction of the position where the end point of the branch can be set. It is in.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a programming device capable of efficiently creating a sequence program for a programmable controller without the need to bother creating a parallel branch circuit when creating a parallel circuit.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the programmable controller programming device according to claim 1 includes a mouse, a CPU, a display device, and a storage area as input devices , and a ladder diagram is displayed on the display screen of the display device. a programmable controller programming apparatus for creating a sequence program for a programmable controller by creating a storage unit wherein the storage area of the branch information storage area constituting the ladder diagram, the position coordinates of the pointer of the mouse in the programmable controller programming apparatus and a mouse pointer position coordinates storage means having a storage area storing for, when arranging the branch circuit to the ladder diagram on the display screen, the mouse the starting point of the branch of the branch circuit After determining on the line, said by moving the mouse pointer on the display screen, the information of the position coordinates storage area of the pointer of the information of the branch information storage area mice were different branch circuits each other crossover A range in which a position where the end point of the branch can be set exists is determined based on the restriction of the circuit configuration that the branch end point should not be, and the position where the end point of the branch can be set on the display screen is determined from the start point of the branch branch the right guide if present in the right direction as viewed, the left guide if left, with a branch circuit settable direction display means for displaying the two guide three guide if both left and right It is a feature.
The invention of claim 2, wherein, like, provided with a mouse and CPU as an input device a display device and a storage area, a sequence program for a programmable controller by creating a ladder diagram on a display screen of the display device A programming device for a programmable controller to be created , wherein the storage area has storage means having a branch information storage area constituting the ladder diagram, and a mouse pointer position coordinate having a storage area for storing the position coordinate of the mouse pointer In a programming device for a programmable controller comprising storage means, when a branch circuit is arranged on a ladder diagram on the display screen, the branch screen start point is determined on the line with the mouse, and then the display screen the mouse pointer of the above By moving, the branch information data in the storage area and the information of the position coordinates storage area of the pointer of the mouse, different branch circuits each other of the end point of the branch based on the constraints of a circuit configuration that should not be crossed A branch circuit settable range display means for determining a range where a settable position exists and displaying a range where a settable position from the start point to the end point of the branch exists in a display form different from the surroundings is provided. It is characterized by that.
With the above configuration, the direction or area of the position where the branch end point can be set is indicated in advance, so it can be determined immediately whether it can be set, and therefore programming with high work efficiency can be performed.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an example of a display screen when a ladder diagram is created using the apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a branch, a line for arranging instructions, 2 is a branch constituting a branch circuit, and 3 is an instruction group.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the programming device of the programmable controller according to the present invention. In the figure, 21 is an input device (mouse), 22 is a main control unit including a CPU, 23 is a storage area (memory), and 24 is a display device.
In the storage area 23, there are the following three areas provided by the present invention.
Reference numeral 230 denotes an existing branch information storage area according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is stored and read as needed by the main control unit 22 and displays a ladder diagram on the display device 24.
Reference numeral 231 denotes a position coordinate storage area for contact instructions on the ladder diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is also stored and read as needed by the main control unit 22 and displays a ladder diagram on the display device 24. .
Reference numeral 232 denotes a mouse pointer position coordinate storage area used in the first and second embodiments. When the mouse pointer is moved by the input device (mouse) 21, the main control unit 2 stores the position coordinates in the storage area. Stored in
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the restrictions on the circuit configuration when branching is set using the display screen of FIG. 1 when creating a ladder diagram. In FIG. 3, 4 is an existing branch, and 5 is a branch to be newly set. When creating a ladder diagram, there is a restriction that crossing between different branch circuits is not allowed. This is because if the crossover is recognized, the logic of the circuit configuration becomes illegal.
When looking at the circuit of FIG. 3 based on this restriction, it can be seen that the new branch 5 does not intersect with the existing branch 4 in both of the diagrams (1) and (2) of FIG. . For this reason, the restrictions on the circuit configuration are maintained, and the new branch 5 is appropriate.
However, it is recognized that the new branch intersects with the existing branch 4 in both the diagrams (1) and (2) in FIG. That is, in FIG. 3 (B) (1), the existing branch 4 and the new branch 5 cross at a point a, and in FIG. 3 (B) (2), the existing branch 4 and the new branch 5 Are opposite in the section bc and cross. As described above, in (1) of (B), since the existing branch 4 and the new branch 5 cross each other, the restrictions on the circuit configuration are not observed and the logic becomes invalid. It is a thing.
The present invention is characterized by paying attention to this restriction and adopting a direction guide so as to be appropriate based on this restriction.
[0007]
FIG. 4 is an example of setting a branch where a guide indicating the right direction is displayed using the apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 8 denotes a direction guide indicating that a branch can be connected only in the right direction.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when a branch point of an existing branch is specified as the start point 6 of a new branch when a new branch is inserted, the end points of the new branch are crossed by different branch circuits. Due to the restriction of the circuit configuration that must not be set, there is a restriction that it can be set only on the right side of the starting point. Therefore, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4B, the direction guide 8 which means that the end point can be set only in the right direction is displayed.
Therefore, the operator only has to move the cursor position 7 in the direction indicated by looking at the direction guide 8, so that it is not necessary to consider whether the end point of a new branch can be set, and programming with high work efficiency can be performed.
If the end point of the new branch can also be set on the left side, the branches cross each other and the logic of the circuit configuration becomes invalid.
[0008]
FIG. 5 shows an example of setting a branch in which a guide indicating the left direction is displayed using the apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 9 denotes a direction guide indicating that a branch can be connected only in the left direction.
When a new branch is inserted from the state shown in FIG. 5A, when the merge point of the existing branch is designated as the start point 6 of the new branch, the end point of the new branch is crossed by different branch circuits. Due to the restriction of the circuit configuration that cannot be set, there is a restriction that it can be set only on the left side of the starting point. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, a direction guide 9 that means that the end point can be set only in the left direction is displayed. If the end point of the new branch can also be set on the right side, the branches cross each other and the logic of the circuit configuration becomes invalid.
[0009]
FIG. 6 shows an example of branch setting where a guide indicating both left and right directions is displayed using the apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a direction guide indicating that a branch can be connected in both the left and right directions.
When a branch is newly inserted from the state shown in FIG. 6A, if a position different from the branch point of the existing branch and the merge point is designated as the start point 6 of the new branch, both the left and right of the start point 6 are specified. Since there is a position that can be set as the end point, there is no restriction on the circuit configuration in the direction of the end point of the new branch. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, a direction guide 10 is displayed which means that end points can be arranged in both the left and right directions.
[0010]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for causing the display of FIGS.
In FIG. 7, the operator displays a ladder diagram such as 13 in FIG. 9 on the display screen of the display device (24 in FIG. 2), and starts a branching operation.
First, when the start point of a branch to be newly set is designated using the mouse (21 in FIG. 2) (step 1), whether or not the start point shares a point with the branch start point of the existing branch is determined. Go to “Region” (230 in FIG. 2) (step 2). As a result, if it is shared, the right direction guide (8 in FIG. 4) is displayed (step 3).
On the other hand, if the branch start point is not shared in Step 2, the process jumps to Step 4 to check whether the start point shares a point with the existing branch merge point (Step 4), and if shared, the left direction guide (9 in FIG. 5). ) Is displayed (step 6).
Further, if the merging point is not shared in step 4, the left and right direction guide (10 in FIG. 6) is displayed.
The operator draws a branch with the mouse while referring to these direction guides and drags it to the end point (step 8).
In this case, even if this drag is performed in accordance with the direction guide, it may be dragged too much as shown in d of FIG. 4 to cross an existing branch. Go to “information storage area” (230 in FIG. 2) (step 9). If it is crossed, no branch is formed (step 10). If it is not crossed, a branch is formed (step 11). The branching work ends.
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in setting a branch at the time of creating a ladder diagram, the direction of the position where the end point of the branch can be set after determining the start point of the branch is changed between different branch circuits. Is determined based on the restrictions on the circuit configuration that must not be crossed, and is displayed using three types of guides in the right direction, left direction, and left and right directions, so the direction in which the end point can be set can be immediately determined. Work efficiency is improved.
[0011]
In the first embodiment, the display is performed using three types of guides in the right direction, the left direction, and the left and right directions. As a modification, a settable range from the start point to the end point is used. Is displayed in a hatching manner as shown in FIG. 8 and displayed in a display form different from the surroundings, which is very convenient because the operator only needs to set the end point within this range.
As shown in FIG. 8A, when a new branch is inserted, if the branch point of the existing branch is designated as the start point 6 of the new branch, the end points of the new branch are crossed by different branch circuits. Due to the restriction of the circuit configuration that must not be set, there is a restriction that it can be set only on the right side of the starting point. When the display of the area 8 ′ within the existing branch range (hatching) and the display of the area 8 ″ outside the existing branch range (halftone dot) is performed based on this restriction, the operator can display the area 8 ′ or 8 ″. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider whether the end point of a new branch can be set, and programming with high work efficiency can be performed.
FIG. 8B is a display example when the start point 6 of the new branch is designated as the junction of the existing branches. As described above, the end point of the new branch is indicated by the display of the area 9 'within the range of the existing branch (hatching) and outside the range of the existing branch based on the restriction of the circuit configuration that different branch circuits must not cross each other. When the area 8 ″ is displayed (halftone dot), the operator only has to move the cursor position within the area 8 ′ or 8 ″, so there is no need to consider whether the end point of the new branch can be set. Efficient programming can be performed.
FIG. 8C shows an example of branch setting in which guides indicating both left and right directions are displayed. When a new branch is inserted, if a position different from the branch point of the existing branch and the merge point is designated as the start point 6 of the new branch, there are positions that can be set as end points on both the left and right sides of the start point 6. Therefore, when the area 10 ′ within the existing branch range is displayed (hatched), the operator only has to move the cursor position within the range of the area 10 ′, so it is considered whether the end point of the new branch can be set. Eliminates the need for efficient programming.
The area display may be a color display of each color in addition to hatching or shading.
The flowchart for performing this display is essentially the same as that in FIG. 7 except for steps 3, 6, and 7. Instead of displaying the guides at each step, the starting point of the existing branch point and the merging point are used. What is necessary is just to display the display of the inner area enclosed by display forms, such as hatching.
[0012]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 10 to 12. In FIG. 2, 21 is an input device, 22 is a main control unit including a CPU, 23 is a storage area, and 24 is a display device. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, A position coordinate storage area is provided, which is stored and read by the main control unit 22 as needed, and a ladder diagram is displayed on the display device 24. Reference numeral 232 denotes a mouse pointer position coordinate storage area. When the input apparatus 21 moves the mouse pointer, the main control unit 2 stores the position coordinates in the storage area.
FIG. 10 is an example of a ladder diagram displayed on the display device 24 of FIG. 2, and A, B, C, and D are contact instructions. 41 is a parallel circuit of the contact instruction C and the contact instruction D, and 42 is a parallel branch circuit for the contact instruction C. X and Y mean an X coordinate and a Y coordinate with the upper left corner of the ladder diagram as the origin.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the contents of data stored in the storage area 23 of FIG. 2. The position coordinate storage area 231 of the contact instruction is stored in the ladder diagram displayed on the display device 24. Display position coordinate data is stored as an X coordinate and a Y coordinate. The mouse pointer position coordinate storage area 232 stores mouse pointer display position coordinate data in the ladder diagram as an X coordinate and a Y coordinate.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a sequence program for a programmable controller using the programming device shown in FIG.
When the sequence program is created using the programming device according to the second embodiment, when the main control unit 22 (FIG. 2) is operated by a loaded program (not shown), the X coordinate and Y coordinate of the contact instruction in the ladder diagram. Is stored in the storage area 231, and the X and Y coordinates of the mouse pointer are stored in the storage area 232, and an input from the input device (mouse) 21 is awaited (step S1).
The mouse pointer is moved onto the contact instruction A to be selected and dragged by the mouse button (step S2).
A contact command having the same coordinates as the X and Y coordinates of the mouse pointer is retrieved from the position coordinate storage area 231 of the contact command (step S3).
If there is a contact instruction having the same coordinates, the mouse pointer is moved onto the contact instruction B for which a parallel circuit is to be created while keeping the drag (step S8).
The X coordinate and Y coordinate of the moved mouse pointer are stored in the storage area 232 (step S9), and the contact instruction of the same X coordinate and Y coordinate as the X coordinate and Y coordinate of the mouse pointer is stored in the position coordinate of the contact instruction. A search is performed from the region 31 (step S4).
If there is a contact instruction having the same coordinates, the selected contact instruction A is dropped with a mouse button (step S5), and a parallel branch circuit is created for the contact instruction B searched in step S4 (step S6), and step S3. The contact instruction A selected in step S6 is placed on the parallel branch circuit created in step S6 (step S7), and the process ends.
Thereby, the same circuit as the parallel circuit 41 is created.
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the contact instruction to be selected is dragged with the mouse, and the parallel instruction is dropped by dropping the dragged contact instruction at the contact instruction to create the parallel circuit. Since it can be easily created, the efficiency of sequence program creation is improved.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the setting of a branch when creating a ladder diagram, the direction of the position where the end point of the branch can be set is determined after the branch start point is determined. Judgment based on the circuit configuration restriction that the circuits should not cross each other, and display using three types of guides such as right direction, left direction, left and right direction, etc. Judgment can be made, and there is an effect of improving work efficiency.
Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a parallel circuit can be easily created by dragging a contact instruction to be selected with a mouse and dropping the dragged contact instruction at a contact instruction for which a parallel circuit is to be created. Therefore, the efficiency of sequence program creation is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of a ladder diagram display screen targeted by the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a programming device for a programmable controller according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for restricting a circuit configuration as a basis of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an example that can be set in the right direction in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example that can be set in the left direction in the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an example that can be set in both left and right directions in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for causing the display of FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an example of creating a new branch in a ladder diagram of a conventional programming device.
FIG. 10 is an example of a ladder diagram displayed on the display device.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of data stored in a storage area (memory).
FIG. 12 shows a procedure for creating a sequence program for a programmable controller according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a procedure for creating a conventional parallel circuit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Branch and instruction placement line 2 Branch constituting the branch circuit 3 Instruction group 4 Existing branch 5 New branch 6 New branch start position 7 Cursor in the middle of branch setting (drag state)
8 Right direction guide 9 Left direction guide 10 Left and right direction guide 11 Programming device 12 Programmable controller 13 to be maintained and adjusted by the programming device 11 Ladder diagram display screen 21 created by the programming device 11 Input device 22 Main controller 23 Storage area 231 Contact instruction position coordinate storage area 232 Mouse pointer position coordinate storage area 24 Display device 41 Contact instruction C and contact instruction D parallel circuit 42 Parallel branch circuit 50 for contact instruction C Sequence program 51 before creating parallel circuit Contact instruction 52 Contact instruction 60 Sequence program that created a parallel branch circuit 61 Parallel branch circuit 70 Sequence program 71 that created a parallel circuit Parallel circuit A, B, C, D Contact instruction X X coordinate Y ladder with the top left of the ladder diagram as the origin Y coordinate of the upper left of the diagram as the origin

Claims (2)

A programmable controller programming device comprising a mouse, a CPU, a display device, and a storage area as input devices, and creating a sequence program for a programmable controller by creating a ladder diagram on a display screen of the display device , A programmable controller programming device comprising: storage means having a branch information storage area constituting the ladder diagram in the storage area; and mouse pointer position coordinate storage means having a storage area for storing the position coordinates of the mouse pointer In
When the branch circuit is arranged on the ladder diagram on the display screen, the branch information is determined by moving the mouse pointer on the display screen after determining the branch start point of the branch circuit on the line with the mouse. Range in which the position where the end point of the branch can be set exists based on the information on the storage area, the information on the position coordinate storage area of the mouse pointer, and the restriction on the circuit configuration that different branch circuits should not cross each other determine, the display screen in the branch endpoint settable position is the branch branch of the if present in the right direction as viewed from the start point right guide, the left guide if left, the right and left programming of the programmable controller, characterized in that it comprises a branch circuit settable direction display means for displaying the two guide three guide if both Grayed apparatus. A programmable controller programming device comprising a mouse, a CPU, a display device, and a storage area as input devices, and creating a sequence program for a programmable controller by creating a ladder diagram on a display screen of the display device , A programmable controller programming device comprising: storage means having a branch information storage area constituting the ladder diagram in the storage area; and mouse pointer position coordinate storage means having a storage area for storing the position coordinates of the mouse pointer In
When the branch circuit is arranged on the ladder diagram on the display screen, the branch information is determined by moving the mouse pointer on the display screen after determining the branch start point of the branch circuit on the line with the mouse. Range in which the position where the end point of the branch can be set exists based on the information on the storage area, the information on the position coordinate storage area of the mouse pointer, and the restriction on the circuit configuration that different branch circuits should not cross each other Judging
A programmable controller programming device comprising branch circuit settable range display means for displaying a range in which a settable position from the start point to the end point of the branch exists in a display form different from the surroundings.

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