JP7797298B2 - Creation device and programmable display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a creation device and a programmable display.

The drawing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 places the constituent objects used in a composite object on a composite object editing screen when the user performs selection operations such as adding an object. The drawing device also assigns the properties of the composite object to the properties of the constituent objects, and defines the types and property names of the properties used in the composite object. Furthermore, the drawing device associates the properties of each composite object with the properties of the constituent objects.

International Publication No. 2012/117539

When a composite object is duplicated in the drawing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the same information is generated multiple times. Therefore, when a programmable display displays a screen using drawing data created by the drawing device, the processing speed of the programmable display slows down and a large amount of storage space is used. This problem is particularly concerning when the program that operates the programmable display is created using object-oriented programming.

One aspect of the present invention aims to improve the processing speed and reduce storage space required for a programmable display when the programmable display displays a screen using a project that defines a screen having a composite object.

In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention provides a creation device that creates a project specifying a screen having a composite object containing at least one object, which is used for display on a programmable display device, and includes: a master generation unit that generates master data including first display information for displaying a first object among the objects included in the composite object; an identification unit that identifies second display information for displaying a second object, different from the first object, among the objects included in the composite object; and a slave generation unit that generates slave data including the second display information identified by the identification unit and reference information for referencing the first display information.

The slave generation unit generates slave data that includes the second display information identified by the identification unit and reference information for referencing the first display information. Therefore, when multiple slave data are generated, each slave data references the first display information included in the master data. Therefore, when a composite object is duplicated, multiple copies of the same first display information are not generated. When a programmable display device uses the slave data, the processing speed of the programmable display device can be improved and storage space can be reduced.

The first display information may include first attribute information indicating attributes of the first object, the second display information may include second attribute information indicating attributes of the second object, and the reference information may be information for referencing the first attribute information. The master data includes the first attribute information, and the slave data includes reference information for referencing the first attribute information. This eliminates the need to store and generate the same first attribute information multiple times.

The first display information may include, for each first object, first attribute information indicating attributes of the first object, the second display information may include second attribute information indicating attributes of the second object, and the reference information may be information for referencing the first attribute information for each first object. The master data includes first attribute information for each first object, and the slave data includes reference information for referencing the first attribute information for each first object. This allows for a reduction in reference information.

The reference information may be a hash value generated based on the first display information. Because the reference information is a hash value generated based on the first display information, management of the reference information is easy or unnecessary.

The first display information may be information that cannot be changed when the slave data is edited. When a user edits slave data, this can prevent the user from accidentally editing the referenced first display information.

A programmable display according to one aspect of the present invention is a programmable display that displays the screen defined by the project created by the creation device, and may include a first generation unit that generates a first instance of the first display information from the master data, and a second generation unit that generates, from the slave data, a second instance of the second display information and instance reference information that references the first instance generated by the first generation unit.

The second generation unit generates a second instance of the second display information and instance reference information that references the first instance generated by the first generation unit. Therefore, when multiple instances of instance reference information are generated, each instance reference information references and executes the first instance. Therefore, multiple identical first instances are not generated, and when the programmable display device displays a composite object using slave data, the processing speed of the programmable display device can be improved and storage space can be reduced.

The programmable display may include a management unit that manages the second instances as a single piece of state information when the second generation unit generates multiple second instances, and a display control unit that changes the overall display of the multiple second instances based on a change to the single piece of state information managed by the management unit. Because the display control unit changes the overall display of the multiple second instances, it can provide a screen that is easy for the user to recognize.

One aspect of the present invention can improve the processing speed of programmable displays and reduce storage space requirements.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a PC and a programmable display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a diagram showing a numeric display as an example of a composite object included in a screen defined by a project created by the PC shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a diagram showing master data and a plurality of slave data included in a project created by the PC shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in which a control unit of the PC shown in FIG. 1 creates a project. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing master data and a plurality of slave data included in a project in the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in which a control unit of a PC creates a project in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing master data and a plurality of slave data included in a project in embodiment 3 of the present invention. 10 is a graph showing the number of instances and the number of pieces of reference information in the conventional technique and the first to third embodiments. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing master data and a plurality of slave data included in a project in embodiment 4 of the present invention. 10A is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a conventional programmable display device, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a display panel of a programmable display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
The configurations of a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as "PC") 1 and a programmable display device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the PC 1 and the programmable display device 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(PC1)
1, the PC 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, an interface unit 30, a display unit 40, and an operation unit 50. The PC 1 is communicably connected to the programmable display device 2. The PC 1 is an example of a creation device that creates a project used for displaying the programmable display device 2. The project defines a screen having a composite object that includes at least one object.

The control unit 10 includes a master generation unit 11, an identification unit 12, and a slave generation unit 13. The control unit 10 controls each unit of the PC 1 and creates projects. Details of the processing of the master generation unit 11, identification unit 12, and slave generation unit 13 will be described later. The storage unit 20 stores projects created by the control unit 10.

The interface unit 30 is a communication unit that enables the PC 1 to communicate with the programmable display device 2. The display unit 40 is a monitor that displays the processing contents of the PC 1. The operation unit 50 is, for example, a keyboard that allows the user to input data and a mouse that allows the user to perform operations.

(Programmable Display 2)
1, the programmable display device 2 includes a control unit 21, a display panel 22, a touch panel 23, a user memory 24, and interface units 25 and 26. The programmable display device 2 is connected to a PLC (programmable logic controller) 3 as an external device.

The programmable display unit 2 is connected to the PLC 3 via a communication cable, and communicates with the PLC 3. The programmable display unit 2 is a dedicated computer that displays screens for operation and display, thereby realizing the operation and display functions unique to programmable displays, and is used as an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device.

The control unit 21 determines the operation of displaying the status of the device 4 connected to the PLC 3 and the operation of controlling the status of the device 4 in response to operations on the touch panel 23. The control unit 21 includes a first generation unit 211, a second generation unit 212, a management unit 213, and a display control unit 214. Details of the processing of the first generation unit 211, the second generation unit 212, the management unit 213, and the display control unit 214 will be described later.

The display panel 22 displays screens created by the user and the status of the device 4. The user memory 24 stores screens created by the PC 1 as a group of related screens in a file format called a project. Projects are created by the control unit 10 of the PC 1 and downloaded from the PC 1.

The interface unit 25 is a communication unit that allows the programmable display device 2 to communicate with the PC 1. The interface unit 26 is a communication unit that allows the programmable display device 2 to communicate with the PLC 3.

PLC3 is a control device that reads the status of device 4 and issues control instructions to device 4 at predetermined scan times according to a sequence program created by the user.

(complex object)
Fig. 2 shows a numeric display ND as an example of a composite object included in a screen defined by a project created by PC1 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2A, the numeric display ND includes a grid GL, a rectangle Q1, a character display CH, a rectangle Q2, a polygon TR1, a rectangle Q3, and a polygon TR2. The grid GL, the rectangle Q1, the character display CH, the rectangle Q2, the polygon TR1, the rectangle Q3, and the polygon TR2 are parts as examples of objects.

The grid GL is an invisible line that divides the area in which the numeric display ND is placed into two rows and three columns. The rectangle Q1 is a rectangle located in the left-hand area of two rows and two columns of the area divided by the grid GL. The character display CH is a character display located in the left-hand area of two rows and two columns of the area divided by the grid GL.

Rectangle Q2 is a quadrangle located in the first row, third column area of the area divided by grid GL. Polygon TR1 is an equilateral triangle located in the first row, third column area of the area divided by grid GL, with its vertex facing up. Rectangle Q3 is a quadrangle located in the second row, third column area of the area divided by grid GL. Polygon TR2 is an equilateral triangle located in the second row, third column area of the area divided by grid GL, with its vertex facing down.

(master data)
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing master data MD and multiple slave data SD-1 to SD-N included in a project created by PC1 shown in Fig. 1. The master data MD includes a list, and the list has multiple pieces of reference information and multiple values. In the list, multiple pieces of reference information are associated with multiple values.

The correspondence between the multiple reference information and multiple values in the list is as shown in Figure 3. The multiple values in the list are used in common among the properties of the multiple components included in the slave data SD-1 to SD-N. Furthermore, each of the multiple values in the list represents a collection of data such as an instance (entity) generated by the programmable display device 2.

The multiple values contained in the list of master data MD are an example of first display information for displaying a first object. First objects will be described later. The multiple values contained in the list of master data MD are first attribute information indicating the attributes of the first object. In other words, the first display information includes the first attribute information. Note that the first display information may also include, in addition to the first attribute information, first entity information indicating the entity of the first object.

The value V_RW indicates that the grid divides the area into two rows, and the value V_CL indicates that the grid divides the area into three columns. The value V_LC1 indicates the position of the first row and first column of the areas divided by the grid, and the value V_BD indicates the border color or boundary line color.

The value V_FC1 indicates light blue, and the value V_FC2 indicates white. The value V_LC2 indicates the position of the area in the first row and third column of the area divided by the grid, and the value V_FC3 indicates yellow.

The value V_OP1 indicates a function that adds one number, and the value V_DT1 indicates an equilateral triangle with its vertex pointing up. The value V_LC3 indicates the position of the second row, third column area among the areas divided by the grid, and the value V_OP2 indicates a function that subtracts one number. The value V_DT2 indicates an equilateral triangle with its vertex pointing down.

(Slave data)
The slave data SD-1 includes a plurality of values corresponding to a plurality of parts. In the slave data SD-1, the names of the parts are associated with a plurality of values. The correspondence between the names of the parts and the values in the slave data SD-1 is as shown in FIG. 3.

The value GL-1 indicates the entity of the grid GL, and the value Q1-1 indicates the entity of the rectangle Q1. The value CH-1 indicates the entity of the character display CH, and the value Q2-1 indicates the entity of the rectangle Q2. The value TR1-1 indicates the entity of the polygon TR1, and the value Q3-1 indicates the entity of the rectangle Q3. The value TR2-1 indicates the entity of the polygon TR2.

Slave data SD-1 also includes properties and public properties for multiple parts. The properties of the multiple parts, excluding the text display CH property, have multiple names and multiple pieces of reference information. In the properties of the multiple parts, excluding the text display CH property, multiple names and multiple pieces of reference information are stored in association with each other.

The properties of the character display CH have multiple names, multiple pieces of reference information, and one value. In the properties of the character display CH, multiple names are associated with multiple pieces of reference information or one value. A public property has one name and one value. A public property is information specific to the character display CH. A public property is associated with one name and one value.

The properties of grid GL have reference information RI_RW corresponding to the row and reference information RI_CL corresponding to the column. The reference information RI_RW held by the properties of grid GL is information for referencing the value V_RW corresponding to the reference information RI_RW in the master data MD. The reference information RI_CL held by the properties of grid GL is information for referencing the value V_CL corresponding to the reference information RI_CL in the master data MD.

The second generation unit 212 of the control unit 21 of the programmable display device 2 references the values V_RW and V_CL in the grid GL properties. As a result, a grid GL is placed on the screen, dividing the area where the numeric display device ND is placed into a 2-row x 3-column area, as shown in Figure 2 (A).

The properties of rectangle Q1 have reference information RI_LC1 corresponding to the position, reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary, and reference information RI_FC1 corresponding to the color. The reference information RI_LC1 in the properties of rectangle Q1 is information for referencing the value V_LC1 corresponding to the reference information RI_LC1 in the master data MD.

The reference information RI_BD held by the property of rectangle Q1 is information for referencing the value V_BD corresponding to the reference information RI_BD in the master data MD. The reference information RI_FC1 held by the property of rectangle Q1 is information for referencing the value V_FC1 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC1 in the master data MD.

The second generation unit 212 references the values V_LC1, V_BD, and V_FC1 in the properties of the rectangle Q1. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(A), a light blue-colored rectangle Q1 is placed within the boundary formed around the 2-row x 2-column area, based on the position of the 1st row, 1st column area of the area divided by the grid GL.

The properties of rectangle Q2 include reference information RI_LC2 corresponding to the position, reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary (release), and reference information RI_FC1 corresponding to the color (release). Furthermore, the properties of rectangle Q2 include reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary (push), reference information RI_FC3 corresponding to the color (push), and reference information RI_OP1 corresponding to the operation.

The reference information RI_LC2 held by the property of rectangle Q2 is information for referencing the value V_LC2 corresponding to the reference information RI_LC2 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_BD held by the property of rectangle Q2 is information for referencing the value V_BD corresponding to the reference information RI_BD in the master data MD. The reference information RI_FC1 held by the property of rectangle Q2 is information for referencing the value V_FC1 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC1 in the master data MD.

The reference information RI_FC3 held by the property of rectangle Q2 is information for referencing the value V_FC3 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC3 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_OP1 held by the property of rectangle Q2 is information for referencing the value V_OP1 corresponding to the reference information RI_OP1 in the master data MD.

The second generation unit 212 references the values V_LC2, V_BD, V_FC1, V_FC3, and V_OP1 in the properties of rectangle Q2. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(A), rectangle Q2 is placed in the first row, third column position of the area divided by the grid, and is colored light blue within a boundary formed around the one row by one column area. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(B), when rectangle Q2 is pressed, it turns yellow, and the value of the character display CH, that is, the value ZI-1 described below, is set to be incremented by one.

The properties of rectangle Q3 include reference information RI_LC3 corresponding to the position, reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary (release), and reference information RI_FC1 corresponding to the color (release). Furthermore, the properties of rectangle Q3 include reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary (push), reference information RI_FC3 corresponding to the color (push), and reference information RI_OP2 corresponding to the operation.

The reference information RI_LC3 held by the property of rectangle Q3 is information for referencing the value V_LC3 corresponding to the reference information RI_LC3 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_BD held by the property of rectangle Q3 is information for referencing the value V_BD corresponding to the reference information RI_BD in the master data MD. The reference information RI_FC1 held by the property of rectangle Q3 is information for referencing the value V_FC1 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC1 in the master data MD.

The reference information RI_FC3 held by the property of rectangle Q3 is information for referencing the value V_FC3 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC3 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_OP2 held by the property of rectangle Q3 is information for referencing the value V_OP2 corresponding to the reference information RI_OP2 in the master data MD.

The second generation unit 212 references the values V_LC3, V_BD, V_FC1, V_FC3, and V_OP2 in the properties of rectangle Q3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, rectangle Q3 is placed in the second row, third column position of the area divided by the grid, and is colored light blue within a boundary formed around the one row by one column area. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2C, when rectangle Q3 is pressed, it turns yellow, and the value of the character display CH, that is, the value ZI-1 described below, is set to be decremented by one.

The properties of the character display CH have reference information RI_LC1 corresponding to the position, reference information RI_FC2 corresponding to the color, and a value ZI-1 corresponding to the text. The reference information RI_LC1 held by the properties of the character display CH is information for referencing the value V_LC1 corresponding to the reference information RI_LC1 in the master data MD.

The reference information RI_FC2 held by the property of the character display CH is information for referencing the value V_FC2 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC2 in the master data MD. The value ZI-1 in the string() held by the property of the character display CH is the same as the value ZI-1 held by the public property included in the slave data SD-1, and they are synchronized.

The second generation unit 212 references the values V_LC1, V_FC2, and ZI-1 in the properties of the character display CH. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, the character display CH, which is colored white, is positioned based on the position of the area in the first row and first column of the area divided by the grid GL. Furthermore, the character in the character display CH indicates the value ZI-1.

The properties of polygon TR1 include reference information RI_LC2 corresponding to the position, reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary, reference information RI_FC2 corresponding to the color, and reference information RI_DT1 corresponding to the data.

The reference information RI_LC2 held by the properties of polygon TR1 is information for referencing the value V_LC2 corresponding to the reference information RI_LC2 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_BD held by the properties of polygon TR1 is information for referencing the value V_BD corresponding to the reference information RI_BD in the master data MD.

The reference information RI_FC2 held by the properties of polygon TR1 is information for referencing the value V_FC2 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC2 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_DT1 held by the properties of polygon TR1 is information for referencing the value V_DT1 corresponding to the reference information RI_DT1 in the master data MD.

The second generation unit 212 references the values V_LC2, V_BD, V_FC2, and V_DT1 in the properties of polygon TR1. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(A), polygon TR1 is placed in the first row, third column of the area divided by the grid, with the boundary formed around the equilateral triangular area with its vertices pointing upwards and colored white.

The properties of polygon TR2 include reference information RI_LC3 corresponding to the position, reference information RI_BD corresponding to the boundary, reference information RI_FC2 corresponding to the color, and reference information RI_DT2 corresponding to the data.

The reference information RI_LC3 held by the properties of polygon TR2 is information for referencing the value V_LC3 corresponding to the reference information RI_LC3 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_BD held by the properties of polygon TR2 is information for referencing the value V_BD corresponding to the reference information RI_BD in the master data MD.

The reference information RI_FC2 held by the properties of polygon TR2 is information for referencing the value V_FC2 corresponding to the reference information RI_FC2 in the master data MD. The reference information RI_DT2 held by the properties of polygon TR2 is information for referencing the value V_DT2 corresponding to the reference information RI_DT2 in the master data MD.

The second generation unit 212 references the values V_LC3, V_BD, V_FC2, and V_DT2 in the properties of polygon TR2. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(A), polygon TR2 is placed in the area in the second row and third column of the area divided by the grid, with the boundary formed around the equilateral triangular area with its vertices pointing downwards and colored white.

The public property included in slave data SD-1 has a value ZI-1 corresponding to a variable. The value ZI-1 of the public property is an integer, and is set to the value of the device address of the device memory of PLC3. The value ZI-1 is an example of second display information for displaying a second object that is different from the first object.

The first object is an object included in the composite object whose property does not include the value of a public property. The second object is an object included in the composite object whose property includes the value of a public property. Furthermore, the value ZI-1 is second attribute information indicating the attribute of the second object. In other words, the second display information includes the second attribute information. Note that the second display information may include, in addition to the second attribute information, second entity information indicating the entity of the second object.

The grid GL, rectangle Q1, rectangle Q2, polygon TR1, rectangle Q3, and polygon TR2 of the numeric display ND shown in Figure 2 are examples of first objects because their properties do not include public property values. The character display CH of the numeric display ND is an example of a second object because its properties include public property values.

(Duplicating a composite object)
When a numeric display ND, which is an example of a composite object, is duplicated, slave data SD-2 is generated by duplicating slave data SD-1. Similarly, slave data SD-1 can be duplicated to generate slave data SD-3 to SD-N. N in "SD-N" is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.

In slave data SD-N, the multiple values corresponding to the multiple parts are different from those in slave data SD-1. For example, the value indicating the entity of grid GL is changed from value GL-1 to value GL-N. Also, in slave data SD-N, the values corresponding to variables in public properties are changed from value Z1-1 to value Z1-N, compared to slave data SD-1.

Here, the reference information held by the properties of the multiple parts included in slave data SD-1 is first attribute information, that is, information for referencing the multiple values held in the list in master data MD. Therefore, master data MD contains first attribute information, and slave data SD-1 contains reference information for referencing the first attribute information. This eliminates the need to store and generate the same first attribute information multiple times.

(Process flow of project creation by control unit 10)
Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process in which the control unit 10 of the PC 1 shown in Fig. 1 creates a project. The control unit 10 executes the process shown in Fig. 4 using screen editing software. Furthermore, when a user operates the operation unit 50 to register a composite object in a project, the control unit 10 executes the process shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, when a user operates the operation unit 50 to duplicate a composite object, the control unit 10 may execute the process shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Figure 4 (A), the master generation unit 11 of the control unit 10 determines whether master data exists in the project (S1). If the master generation unit 11 determines that master data exists in the project (YES in S1), the control unit 10 proceeds to processing in S3.

If the master generation unit 11 determines that there is no master data in the project (NO in S1), it generates master data (S2). The master data generated in S2 is, for example, the master data MD shown in FIG. 3. After the master generation unit 11 generates the master data, the slave generation unit 13 of the control unit 10 generates slave data (S3). The slave data generated in S3 is, for example, the slave data SD-1 shown in FIG. 3.

The master generation unit 11 generates master data, and the slave generation unit 13 generates slave data, causing the control unit 10 to create a project. The project created by the control unit 10 is stored in the storage unit 20.

(Process flow of master data generation by the master data generation unit 11)
4B, in the process of S2, the master generation unit 11 acquires a part from the data structure stored in the storage unit 20 (S21). After acquiring the part from the data structure, the master generation unit 11 acquires the properties of the part acquired in S21 from the data structure (S22).

Assuming that the master generation unit 11 acquires a grid GL in S21, the master generation unit 11 acquires, for example, a value V_RW as a property of a row of the grid GL in S22. After acquiring the property from the above data structure, the master generation unit 11 determines whether the property acquired in S22 references the value of a public property (S23).

For example, the text property of the character display CH references the public property value ZI-1. Therefore, when the master generation unit 11 acquires the value ZI-1 as the text property of the character display CH in S22, it determines that the property acquired in S22 references the value of the public property. On the other hand, for example, the property of a row in the grid GL does not reference the value of a public property. Therefore, when the master generation unit 11 acquires the property of a row in the grid GL in S22, it determines that the property acquired in S22 does not reference the value of a public property.

If the master generation unit 11 determines that the property acquired in S22 references the value of a public property (YES in S23), it proceeds to processing in S26. If the master generation unit 11 determines that the property acquired in S22 does not reference the value of a public property (NO in S23), it determines whether the property acquired in S22 is included in the master data (S24).

If the master generation unit 11 determines that the property acquired in S22 is included in the master data (YES in S24), it proceeds to processing in S26. If the master generation unit 11 determines that the property acquired in S22 is not included in the master data (NO in S24), it generates the property acquired in S22 in the master data (S25).

Specifically, the master generation unit 11 associates reference information with values and generates the reference information and values in the master data MD. In S25, the master generation unit 11 may also generate a reference list in the master data for the programmable display device 2 to reference properties, in order to assist the programmable display device 2 in searching for properties when generating an instance.

The master generation unit 11 determines whether the next property exists for the part obtained in S21 (S26). If the master generation unit 11 determines that the next property exists for the part obtained in S21 (YES in S26), it proceeds to processing in S22. If the master generation unit 11 determines that the next property does not exist for the part obtained in S21 (NO in S26), it determines whether the next part exists in the composite object (S27).

If the master generation unit 11 determines that the composite object has a next part (YES in S27), it proceeds to processing in S21. If the master generation unit 11 determines that the composite object does not have a next part (NO in S27), it ends processing in S2.

(Processing flow of slave data generation by the slave generation unit 13)
In the process of S3, as shown in (C) of FIG. 4, the slave generation unit 13 generates public properties (S31). Specifically, before the process of S23 by the master generation unit 11, the identification unit 12 of the control unit 10 identifies second display information for displaying the second object. For example, in response to a user's operation of the operation unit 50, the identification unit 12 identifies the value ZI-1 as second display information for displaying the character display CH as the second object. In the process of S31, the slave generation unit 13 generates public properties having the value ZI-1.

After generating the public properties, the slave generation unit 13 acquires the part from the data structure stored in the storage unit 20 (S32). After acquiring the part from the data structure, the slave generation unit 13 generates the part acquired in S32 in the slave data (S33). For example, if the slave generation unit 13 acquires grid GL from the data structure, it generates the value GL-1 in the slave data. Note that the slave generation unit 13 may not execute the process of S33, and instead generate the part acquired by the master generation unit 11 in S21 in the master data.

After generating the part, the slave generation unit 13 obtains the properties of the part obtained in S32 from the data structure (S34), similar to the processing of S22 by the master generation unit 11. After obtaining the properties from the data structure, the slave generation unit 13 determines whether the master data generated by the master generation unit 11 in S2 includes reference information for the properties obtained in S34 (S35).

For example, the reference information RI_RW for the properties of a row in the grid GL is included in the master data MD generated by the master generation unit 11. Therefore, when the slave generation unit 13 acquires the properties of a row in the grid GL in S34, it determines that the master data MD includes the reference information for the properties acquired in S34.

If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the master data contains reference information for the property acquired in S34 (YES in S35), it uses the reference information in the master data (S37). If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the master data does not contain reference information for the property acquired in S34 (NO in S35), it generates the property acquired in S34 in the slave data (S36).

After processing S36 or S37, the slave generation unit 13 determines whether the part acquired in S32 has a next property (S38). If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the part acquired in S32 has a next property (YES in S38), it proceeds to processing S34. If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the part acquired in S32 does not have a next property (NO in S38), it determines whether the composite object has a next part (S39).

If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the composite object has a next part (YES in S39), it proceeds to processing in S32. If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the composite object does not have a next part (NO in S39), it ends processing in S3.

When a user operates the operation unit 50 to duplicate a composite object on a screen specified by a project, for example, the slave generation unit 13 duplicates slave data SD-1 to generate slave data SD-2. Similarly, the slave generation unit 13 can duplicate slave data SD-3 to SD-N by duplicating slave data SD-1.

When the slave generation unit 13 copies slave data SD-1 to generate slave data SD-N, it generates multiple values corresponding to multiple parts in the slave data SD-N. For example, the slave generation unit 13 generates value GL-N corresponding to grid GL in the slave data SD-N.

The slave generation unit 13 also generates public properties in the slave data SD-N in response to user operation of the operation unit 50. Specifically, for example, a variable name, device address, or the like, specified by the user, is set to the value ZI-N as second display information for displaying the character display CH as the second object. The slave generation unit 13 generates public properties having the value ZI-N. Furthermore, the slave generation unit 13 duplicates the reference information for multiple parts in the slave data SD-1 into the slave data SD-N.

In the above manner, the slave generation unit 13 generates slave data that includes the second display information identified by the identification unit 12 and reference information for referencing the first display information. Therefore, when multiple slave data are generated, each slave data will reference the first display information included in the master data.

As a result, when a composite object is duplicated, the same first display information is not generated multiple times, and when the programmable display device 2 uses slave data, the processing speed of the programmable display device 2 can be improved and the storage area can be reduced. In particular, when switching screens on the programmable display device 2, the programmable display device 2 does not need to generate duplicate instances, improving processing speed and reducing storage area. This storage area is the storage area of the main memory, such as a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) (not shown) provided in the programmable display device 2, where processing actually takes place, or the user memory 24. Instance generation will be described later.

The first display information may be information that cannot be changed when the slave data is edited. Specifically, when the user edits the slave data by operating the operation unit 50, the user cannot change the first display information. For example, when editing slave data SD-1, the user cannot change multiple values contained in the list of master data MD. This prevents the user from accidentally editing the referenced first display information when editing slave data, that is, from making an erroneous operation that could result in the loss of commonality in the master data MD.

Furthermore, the first display information is information that can be changed when master data is edited, and the second display information is information that can be changed when slave data is edited. Specifically, when editing slave data by operating the operation unit 50, the user can change the second display information. For example, when editing slave data SD-1, the user can change the value ZI-1 of the public property of slave data SD-1.

Furthermore, the slave generation unit 13 may not perform the process of S33 when generating slave data SD-1 in the process of S3, but may perform the process of S33 when generating slave data SD-2 to SD-N.

(Display on programmable display 2)
The display panel 22 of the programmable display device 2 displays a screen defined by the project created by the PC 1. Specific details are explained below. The control unit 21 of the programmable display device 2 downloads the project from the PC 1 via the interface unit 25. When using runtime software created using object-oriented programming, the control unit 21 executes the following process.

The first generation unit 211 of the control unit 21 generates a first instance of the first display information from the master data included in the downloaded project. Specifically, the first generation unit 211 generates first instances of multiple values contained in the list of master data MD shown in FIG. 3.

The second generation unit 212 of the control unit 21 also generates, from the slave data included in the downloaded project, a second instance of the second display information and instance reference information that references the first instance generated by the first generation unit 211. Specifically, the second generation unit 212 generates a second instance of the value ZI-1 included in the slave data SD-1 shown in FIG. 3. The second generation unit 212 also generates, from the reference information included in the slave data SD-1, instance reference information that references the first instances of multiple values included in the list of master data MD.

When multiple instance reference information items are generated, each instance reference information item references and executes the first instance. Therefore, when the same first instance is not generated multiple times and the programmable display device 2 displays a composite object using slave data, the processing speed of the programmable display device 2 can be improved and the storage area can be reduced.

(Modification)
The master data MD and/or the plurality of slave data SD- 1 to SD-N may be generated by the screen editing software of the control unit 10 or may be generated by the runtime software of the control unit 21 .

[Embodiment 2]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Figure 5 is a diagram showing master data MD2 and multiple slave data SD2-1 to SD2-N included in a project in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(master data)
As shown in Fig. 5, the master data MD2 includes properties of multiple parts. In the properties of the multiple parts included in the master data MD2, multiple names and multiple values are stored in association with each other. The multiple values of the properties of the multiple parts included in the master data MD2 are an example of first display information. Furthermore, the multiple values of the properties of the multiple parts included in the master data MD2 are first attribute information.

The properties of the grid GL have a value V_RW corresponding to the row and a value V_CL corresponding to the column. The properties of the grid GL correspond to the reference information RI_GL of the slave data SD2-1.

The properties of rectangle Q1 include a value V_LC1 corresponding to the position, a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary, and a value V_FC1 corresponding to the color. The properties of rectangle Q1 correspond to reference information RI_Q1 of slave data SD2-1.

The properties of rectangle Q2 include a value V_LC2 corresponding to the position, a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary (release), and a value V_FC1 corresponding to the color (release). The properties of rectangle Q2 also include a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary (push), a value V_FC3 corresponding to the color (push), and a value V_OP1 corresponding to the operation. The properties of rectangle Q2 are associated with reference information RI_Q2 of slave data SD2-1.

The properties of rectangle Q3 include a value V_LC3 corresponding to the position, a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary (release), and a value V_FC1 corresponding to the color (release). The properties of rectangle Q3 also include a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary (push), a value V_FC3 corresponding to the color (push), and a value V_OP2 corresponding to the operation. The properties of rectangle Q3 are associated with reference information RI_Q3 of slave data SD2-1.

The properties of polygon TR1 include a value V_LC2 corresponding to the position, a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary, a value V_FC2 corresponding to the color, and a value V_DT1 corresponding to the data. The properties of polygon TR1 are associated with reference information RI_TR1 of slave data SD2-1.

The properties of polygon TR2 include a value V_LC3 corresponding to the position, a value V_BD corresponding to the boundary, a value V_FC2 corresponding to the color, and a value V_DT2 corresponding to the data. The properties of polygon TR2 are associated with reference information RI_TR2 of slave data SD2-1.

(Slave data)
The slave data SD2-1 includes a plurality of values and a plurality of pieces of reference information corresponding to a plurality of parts. In the slave data SD2-1, the names of the plurality of parts are associated with the plurality of values and the plurality of pieces of reference information. The correspondence between the names of the plurality of parts in the slave data SD2-1 and the plurality of values and the plurality of pieces of reference information is as shown in FIG.

The reference information RI_GL corresponding to the grid GL is information for referencing the properties of the grid GL in the master data MD. The second generation unit 212 references the properties of the grid GL. As a result, a grid GL is placed on the screen, dividing the area in which the numeric display ND is placed into an area of 2 rows and 3 columns, as shown in Figure 2 (A).

The reference information RI_Q1 corresponding to the rectangle Q1 is information for referencing the properties of the rectangle Q1 in the master data MD. The second generation unit 212 references the properties of the rectangle Q1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, the rectangle Q1 colored light blue is placed within the boundary formed around the 2-row x 2-column area, based on the position of the area in the first row and first column of the area divided by the grid GL.

The reference information RI_Q2 corresponding to rectangle Q2 is information for referencing the properties of rectangle Q2 in the master data MD. The second generation unit 212 references the properties of rectangle Q2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, rectangle Q2 colored light blue is placed in the position of the first row, third column area of the area divided by the grid, within the boundary formed around the one row by one column area. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2B, when rectangle Q2 is pressed, it turns yellow and the value ZI-1 is incremented by one.

The reference information RI_Q3 corresponding to rectangle Q3 is information for referencing the properties of rectangle Q3 in the master data MD. The second generation unit 212 references the properties of rectangle Q3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, rectangle Q3 colored light blue is placed in the second row, third column position of the area divided by the grid, within the boundary formed around the one row by one column area. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2C, when rectangle Q3 is pressed, rectangle Q3 turns yellow and the value ZI-1 is set to be decreased by one.

The reference information RI_CH corresponding to the character display CH is information for referencing the properties of the character display CH included in the slave data SD2-1. The properties of the character display CH have a value V_LC1 corresponding to the position, a value V_FC2 corresponding to the color, and a value ZI-1 corresponding to the text. The properties of the character display CH are associated with the reference information RI_CH of the slave data SD2-1.

The value ZI-1 in string() of the character display CH property is the same as the value ZI-1 of the public property included in slave data SD2-1, and they are synchronized. The public property included in slave data SD2-1 is the same as the public property included in slave data SD-1 shown in Figure 3.

The second generation unit 212 references the properties of the character display CH. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(A), the character display CH, colored white, is positioned based on the position of the area in the first row and first column of the area divided by the grid GL. Furthermore, the character in the character display CH indicates the value ZI-1.

The reference information RI_TR1 corresponding to polygon TR1 is information for referencing the properties of polygon TR1 in the master data MD. The second generation unit 212 references the properties of polygon TR1. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(A), polygon TR1 is placed in the first row, third column position of the area divided by the grid, with the boundary colored white within the equilateral triangular area with its vertices pointing upward.

The reference information RI_TR2 corresponding to polygon TR2 is information for referencing the properties of polygon TR2 in the master data MD. The second generation unit 212 references the properties of polygon TR2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, polygon TR2 is placed in the second row, third column position of the area divided by the grid, with the boundary colored white within the equilateral triangular area with its vertices pointing downward.

(Duplicating a composite object)
When a numeric display ND, which is an example of a composite object, is duplicated, slave data SD2-2 is generated by duplicating slave data SD2-1. Similarly, slave data SD2-1 can be duplicated to generate slave data SD2-3 to SD2-N. N in "SD2-N" is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.

In slave data SD2-N, the multiple values corresponding to multiple components are different from those in slave data SD2-1. Also, in slave data SD2-N, the values corresponding to variables in public properties are changed from value Z1-1 to value Z1-N, compared to slave data SD2-1.

As described above, the first display information includes, for each first object, first attribute information indicating the attributes of the first object. In other words, the first display information as multiple values of the properties of multiple parts contained in the master data MD2 includes, for each part, first attribute information indicating the attributes of the part. Furthermore, the multiple reference information corresponding to multiple parts contained in the slave data SD2-1 is information for referencing the first attribute information for each first object.

The master data includes first attribute information for each first object, and the slave data includes reference information for referencing the first attribute information for each first object. This allows for a reduction in the amount of reference information.

(Process flow of project creation by control unit 10)
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process in which the control unit 10 of the PC 1 creates a project in the second embodiment of the present invention. When the user operates the operation unit 50 to register a composite object in a project, the control unit 10 executes the process shown in Fig. 6. Note that when the user operates the operation unit 50 to duplicate a composite object, the control unit 10 may also execute the process shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the control unit 10 executes steps S4 to S6 in the same manner as steps S1 to S3 shown in FIG. 4A. The master data generated in S5 is, for example, master data MD2 shown in FIG. 5. The slave data generated in S6 is, for example, slave data SD2-1 shown in FIG. 5.

(Process flow of master data generation by the master data generation unit 11)
6B, in the process of S5, the master generation unit 11 acquires a part from the data structure stored in the storage unit 20 (S51). After acquiring the part from the data structure, the master generation unit 11 determines whether or not the part acquired in S51 has a property that references the value of a public property (S52).

For example, the text property of the character display CH references the public property value ZI-1. Therefore, when the master generation unit 11 acquires the character display CH in S51, it determines that there is a property that references the value of a public property for the component acquired in S51. On the other hand, for example, the row and column properties of the grid GL do not reference the value of a public property. Therefore, when the master generation unit 11 acquires the grid GL in S51, it determines that there is no property that references the value of a public property for the component acquired in S51.

If the master generation unit 11 determines that there is a property that references the value of a public property (YES in S52), it proceeds to processing in S56. If the master generation unit 11 determines that there is no property that references the value of a public property (NO in S52), it obtains the property of the part obtained in S51 from the above data structure (S53).

After acquiring the properties from the above data structure, the master generation unit 11 generates the properties acquired in S53 in the master data (S54). Specifically, the master generation unit 11 associates names with values and generates the names and values in the master data MD. Note that in S54, the master generation unit 11 may also generate a reference list in the master data that the programmable display device 2 uses to reference properties, in order to assist the programmable display device 2 in searching for properties when generating instances.

The master generation unit 11 determines whether the next property exists for the part acquired in S51 (S55). If the master generation unit 11 determines that the next property exists for the part acquired in S51 (YES in S55), it proceeds to processing in S53. If the master generation unit 11 determines that the next property does not exist for the part acquired in S51 (NO in S55), it determines whether the next part exists in the composite object (S56).

If the master generation unit 11 determines that the composite object has a next part (YES in S56), it proceeds to processing in S51. If the master generation unit 11 determines that the composite object does not have a next part (NO in S56), it ends processing in S5.

(Process flow of slave data generation by the slave generation unit 13)
In the process of S6, as shown in (C) of Fig. 6, the slave generation unit 13 generates public properties (S61), similar to the process of S31 shown in (C) of Fig. 4. After generating the public properties, the slave generation unit 13 acquires components from the data structure stored in the storage unit 20 (S62). After acquiring the components from the data structure, the slave generation unit 13 generates the components acquired in S62 in the slave data (S63). Note that the master generation unit 11 may generate the components acquired in S51 in the master data without the slave generation unit 13 executing the process of S63.

After generating the part, the slave generation unit 13 determines whether there is a property that references the value of a public property for the part acquired in S62 (S64), similar to the processing of S52 by the master generation unit 11. If the slave generation unit 13 determines that there is no property that references the value of a public property (NO in S64), it uses the property of the part in the master data as the reference destination for the reference information of the part acquired in S62 (S65).

If the slave generation unit 13 determines that there is a property that references the value of a public property (YES in S64), it obtains the property of the part obtained in S62 from the data structure (S66). After obtaining the property from the data structure, the slave generation unit 13 generates the property obtained in S66 in the slave data (S67).

After generating the properties, the slave generation unit 13 determines whether the next property exists for the part acquired in S62 (S68). If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the next property exists for the part acquired in S62 (YES in S68), it proceeds to processing in S66. If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the next property does not exist for the part acquired in S62 (NO in S68), it determines whether the next part exists in the composite object (S69).

If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the composite object has a next part (YES in S69), it proceeds to processing in S62. If the slave generation unit 13 determines that the composite object does not have a next part (NO in S69), it ends processing in S6.

When the slave generation unit 13 copies slave data SD2-1 to generate slave data SD2-N, it copies into slave data SD2-N the multiple pieces of reference information corresponding to the multiple parts in slave data SD2-1 and the multiple values of the character display CH property.

[Embodiment 3]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. Figure 7 is a diagram showing master data MD3 and multiple slave data SD3-1 to SD3-N included in a project in the third embodiment of the present invention.

(master data)
As shown in Fig. 7, the master data MD3 includes a list and properties of multiple parts. The list included in the master data MD3 is the same as the list included in the master data MD shown in Fig. 3. The properties of the multiple parts included in the master data MD3 are the same as the properties of the multiple parts included in the slave data SD-1 shown in Fig. 3. However, the master data MD3 does not include a property for character display CH. Furthermore, the properties of the multiple parts included in the master data MD3 are each associated with multiple pieces of reference information included in the slave data SD3-1, similar to the properties of the multiple parts included in the master data MD2 shown in Fig. 5.

(Slave data)
As shown in FIG. 7, the slave data SD3-1 differs from the slave data SD2-1 shown in FIG. 5 in that the values corresponding to the position and color in the character display property CH are changed to reference information.

(Number of instances and number of reference information in the first to third embodiments)
Fig. 8 is a graph showing the number of instances and the number of pieces of reference information for the conventional technology and embodiments 1 to 3. Fig. 8(A) is a graph showing the number of instances for the conventional technology and embodiments 1 to 3, and Fig. 8(B) is a graph showing the number of pieces of reference information for the conventional technology and embodiments 1 to 3. The conventional technology in Fig. 8 is a technology in which, when duplicating a composite object, the entire composite object is duplicated.

The number of instances shown in (A) of Figure 8 is the number of instances generated by the control unit 21 of the programmable display device 2, and the number of reference information shown in (B) of Figure 8 is the number of instance reference information generated by the control unit 21 of the programmable display device 2.

In Figure 8 (A), IS1 to IS4 correspond to the prior art, embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 3, respectively. The horizontal axis indicates the number of composite objects, and the vertical axis indicates the number of objects. Specifically, the number of objects on the vertical axis in Figure 8 (A) indicates the number of instances (number of entities) of parts and properties to be generated, while the number of objects on the vertical axis in Figure 8 (B) indicates the number of pieces of information for referencing the instances of parts and properties to be generated.

As shown in Figure 8 (A), in embodiments 1 to 3, the number of instances of a composite object can be reduced compared to conventional technology. Furthermore, the greater the number of composite objects, the greater the expected effect of reducing the number of instances. As shown in Figure 8 (B), the disadvantage of embodiment 1, which is the large amount of reference information, can be improved in embodiments 2 and 3. Furthermore, the greater the number of composite objects, the greater the expected effect of reducing the amount of reference information.

By reducing the number of parts and properties generated, the time required to create and delete composite objects can be shortened, and the amount of main memory, such as the DRAM, and user memory 24 used by the programmable display device 2 can be reduced. Furthermore, the effects of improving processing speed and reducing storage space vary depending on the number of composite objects and the contents of the objects that make up the composite objects. Since multiple composite objects are often placed on the screen, and the functions and designs of the parts that make up a composite object are often unified, the above effects tend to be significant.

(Modification)
The control unit 10 may include a selection unit that selects which of the processes of the first to third embodiments to perform in order to select an embodiment that takes into consideration the effect of reducing the number of instances and the number of pieces of reference information. The selection unit may select which of the processes of the first to third embodiments to perform in response to a user's operation of the operation unit 50, or may automatically select which of the processes of the first to third embodiments to perform.

[Embodiment 4]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing master data MD4 and multiple slave data SD4-1 to SD4-N included in a project in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 9, the master data MD4 and the multiple slave data SD4-1 to SD4-N differ from the master data MD and the multiple slave data SD-1 to SD-N shown in Figure 3 in that the reference information is a hash value.

When generating master data MD4, the master generation unit 11 generates a hash value based on each value. For example, the master generation unit 11 generates a hash value HS_RW based on the value V_RW. Furthermore, when retrieving properties from the above data structure, the master generation unit 11 generates a hash value if a new property is retrieved.

Furthermore, the hash values held by the properties of multiple parts in slave data SD4-1 are reference information for referencing values corresponding to the hash values in master data MD4. For example, the hash value HS_RW held by the properties of grid GL is reference information for referencing the value V_RW corresponding to the hash value HS_RW in master data MD4. In this embodiment, the reference information for referencing the first display information is a hash value generated based on the first display information. This makes it easy or unnecessary to manage the reference information.

[Embodiment 5]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the first to fourth embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Fig. 10A is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a conventional programmable display device. Fig. 10B is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the display panel 22 of the programmable display device 2 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 10 (A), in a conventional programmable display, each of instances Q11 to Q16 is connected to an internal device of PLC3 for communication. Each of instances Q11 to Q16 monitors the corresponding internal device.

For example, even if a communication error occurs between PLC3 and instance Q14, a conventional programmable display changes the display of each of instances Q11 to Q16. For example, a conventional programmable display changes the display of each of instances Q11 to Q16 by changing the border, icon, or color.

In contrast, when the second generation unit 212 generates multiple second instances Q11 to Q16, the management unit 213 of the control unit 21 provided in the programmable display device 2 according to this embodiment manages the multiple second instances Q11 to Q16 as a single piece of state information. For example, this single piece of state information may be a variable that uses an array or a structure. Each of the multiple second instances Q11 to Q16 monitors a corresponding internal device.

Furthermore, the display control unit 214 of the control unit 21 changes the overall display of the multiple second instances Q11 to Q16, as shown in FIG. 10B, based on a change to the one piece of state information managed by the management unit 213. For example, the display control unit 214 changes the display of the multiple second instances Q11 to Q16 as a whole by changing the borders, icons, or colors. This consolidates objects for display changes, thereby reducing the usage of the main memory, such as the DRAM, and the user memory 24.

If a communication error occurs between PLC3 and at least one second instance, the management unit 213 changes the status information. The display control unit 214 changes the overall display of multiple second instances Q11 to Q16, making it easier for the user to recognize the screen. Furthermore, since there is no need to manage status information for each second instance, the processing speed of the programmable display device 2 can be improved and storage space can be reduced.

[Software implementation example]
The functions of the PC 1 and the programmable display 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 10 and the control unit 21).

In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The functions described in each of the above embodiments are realized by executing the program using this control device and storage device.

The above program may be stored non-transitory on one or more computer-readable storage media. These storage media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, integrated circuits incorporating logic circuits that function as each of the above control blocks are also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may run on the control device, or on another device (such as an edge computer or cloud server).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 PC
2 Programmable display device 11 Master generation unit 12 Identification unit 13 Slave generation unit 211 First generation unit 212 Second generation unit 213 Management unit 214 Display control unit MD, MD2, MD3, MD4 Master data SD-1, SD2-1, SD3-1, SD4-1 Slave data

Claims (6)

A creation device for creating a project that defines a screen having a composite object including at least one object, which is used for displaying on a programmable display, comprising:
a master generating unit that generates master data including first display information for displaying a first object among the objects included in the composite object;
an identification unit that identifies second display information for displaying a second object different from the first object among the objects included in the composite object;
a slave generation unit that generates slave data including the second display information identified by the identification unit and reference information for referencing the first display information ,
The creating device is characterized in that the first display information is information that cannot be changed when the slave data is edited . the first display information includes first attribute information indicating an attribute of the first object;
the second display information includes second attribute information indicating attributes of the second object;
2. The creating device according to claim 1, wherein the reference information is information for referencing the first attribute information. the first display information includes, for each of the first objects, first attribute information indicating an attribute of the first object;
the second display information includes second attribute information indicating an attribute of the second object;
2. The creating device according to claim 1, wherein the reference information is information for referencing the first attribute information for each of the first objects. The creation device described in claim 1, characterized in that the reference information is a hash value generated based on the first display information. A programmable display device that displays a screen defined by a project created by a creation device that creates a project that defines a screen having a composite object including at least one object, the composite object being used for displaying the programmable display device, the programmable display device comprising:
The creating device is
a master generating unit that generates master data including first display information for displaying a first object among the objects included in the composite object;
an identification unit that identifies second display information for displaying a second object different from the first object among the objects included in the composite object;
a slave generation unit that generates slave data including the second display information identified by the identification unit and reference information for referencing the first display information,
The programmable display comprises:
a first generation unit that generates a first instance of the first display information from the master data;
A programmable display device comprising: a second generation unit that generates, from the slave data, a second instance of the second display information and instance reference information that references the first instance generated by the first generation unit. a management unit that manages the second instances as one piece of state information when the second generation unit generates the second instances;
The programmable display device according to claim 5, further comprising: a display control unit that changes the overall display of the plurality of second instances based on a change in the one piece of state information managed by the management unit.