JPH11327610A - Monitoring method and device for programmable controller system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To retrieve the device data of the generation factor of operation information from a sequence program, to display them on a monitor and to check a device factor without the need of a PC(program controller) peripheral device. SOLUTION: In this monitoring method, by selecting one of operation history information in operation history display by this monitoring device 1 and selectively operating circuit retrieval, the device having the generation factor of the operation information is searched from the sequence program read from a programmable controller 3 to the memory of the monitoring device 1 and a searched result is displayed at the display device 14 of the monitoring device 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitoring method and apparatus for a programmable controller system, and more particularly to a monitoring method and apparatus for monitoring the operation status of a robot or a numerical controller via a programmable controller for controlling the robot or a numerical controller. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 16 shows a system configuration of a production / assembly line including a monitoring device for a programmable controller system for monitoring the operation status of a robot or a numerical control device on a production / assembly line in a factory. 16, reference numeral 1 denotes a monitor device for a programmable controller system, 2 denotes a personal computer connected to the monitor device 1 for creating screen data for monitor display, 3 to 5 denote programmable controllers (PCs),
6 is a robot connected to PC4, 7 is a numerical control device connected to PC3, 8 is a monitor device 1 and PC3 to P3.
9 is a LAN cable for a PC system for connecting bidirectional data communication with C5.
The PC peripheral devices for editing the sequence program of the PC 5 are shown.

In the PC system LAN 8, the monitor 1 with input means is assigned a station number 0, the first PC 3 is assigned a station number 1,
The PC 4 is set to the station number 2 and the fifth PC 5 is set to the station number 3 to connect the monitor device 1 with input means to the PCs 3 to 5.

[0004] The monitor device 1 for the PC system is manufactured and manufactured.
A plurality of PCs 3 to 5 in the assembly line are monitored and monitored. The PC device data transmitted from the PCs 3 to 5 can be displayed, and since there are input devices, a production instruction is issued to the PCs 3 to 5. PC device data for PC3 to PC5, that is, data that can be written to the devices of PC3 to PC5. PC3 to PC5 can be supervised and managed.

[0007] As shown in FIG. 17, the monitor device 1 has a C that executes a system program for the monitor device.
PU 11, a memory 12 for storing a system program for a monitor device, screen data, and the like, a CRT 14 for displaying a character string and the like on a screen, a touch panel 13 as one of input devices, and a PC 3 to PC 5 for data communication. P
It has a C interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 15 and a personal computer I / F 16 for data communication with the personal computer 2.

The personal computer 2 includes a CPU 21 for executing a personal computer system program, a memory 22 for storing the personal computer system program and screen data, a CRT 23 for displaying a character string on the screen, and a keyboard 24 as an input device. And a monitor device I / F 25 for data communication with the monitor device 1.

The PCs 3 to 5 are a CPU 31 for executing a system program for a personal computer, a memory 32 for storing a system program for a personal computer, a character code of a PC device, and the like, and a monitor device I for data communication with the monitor device 1. / F 33 and a PC peripheral I / F 34 for performing data communication with the PC peripheral device 9. PC3
PC5 is a device memory (memory 3) for storing device values indicating states of devices and the like provided as control targets.
The control target is controlled via the device memory by repeatedly executing the sequence program in which the device name indicating the address of 2) is described.

The PC peripheral device 9 includes a CPU 91 for executing a system program for the PC peripheral device, a memory 92 for storing a system program for the PC peripheral device, and a CRT, LCD, or the like for displaying a character string on the screen. Table 9
3 and a PCI / F 94 for data communication with the PC 3. The PC peripheral device 9 reads the sequence program via the PCI / F 94, passes the device information, searches for the device information from the sequence program, displays the search result on the display 93, and monitors the PC. I do.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a conventional monitor device. The monitor device 1 reads a device value in the memory 32 of the PC 3 via the PCI / F 15 and displays the device value on the CRT 14. The display of the device data is performed by the operation history executed by the CPU 11. The communication task B analyzes the device data read out from the device information by the monitor task (device data monitor task) A, passes the analyzed device data to the operation history monitor task A, and displays the operation history monitor task A on the CRT 14. Done.

A device data display operation by the conventional monitor device will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. First, data of the screen 1 to be monitored is read from the memory 12 (step S100).

The screen data stored in the memory 12 is composed of screen 1 data and comment data as shown in FIG. 20, and the screen 1 data is the first display character data (NO. 1 display data) and second alarm history data (NO. 2 display data). FIG.
0 indicates that each display data is composed of a screen display position (coordinate), a display attribute, a screen data display element, a screen data display station number, a screen data display PC device, and a screen data display comment number. If the data is NO. 0 to NO. 255 shows an example in the case where the configuration is 255.

The display of the alarm history data is performed by monitoring a plurality of device memories of the PC corresponding to the control target at a set cycle, and setting a comment set when the device of the PC corresponding to the control target matches the set condition. Is a function of the monitor device 1 that displays the information.

Next, display is performed on the CRT 14 in accordance with the display attributes of the data on the screen 1 (step S101). Since the display attribute of the display data (NO. 1) of the data on the screen 1 is character, character string data is extracted from the display element and the character string is displayed on the CRT 14. Since the display attribute of the display data (NO. 2) is the alarm history, the alarm history display data is displayed on the CRT 14.

Next, device data (device value) corresponding to the PC station number and PC device data defined in the data of the screen 1 is read from the PC (step S1).
02). For the display data (NO.1), the corresponding PC station number and the PC device are null, so that no processing is performed. For the display data (NO.2), the display station number 1 and the display PC devices M0 to M255 are read from the PC.

Next, a comment corresponding to the device data (device value) read from the PC is displayed (step S103). About display data (NO.1),
Since there is no corresponding comment data, no processing is performed. Regarding the display data (NO.2), the corresponding comment data is read from the memory 12 and a comment, for example, "robot abnormal" is displayed on the CRT 14 together with the alarm date and time. I do. Finally, it is determined whether to continue the display operation (step S104). For example, the data of the screen 1 is displayed until there is a display request of another screen data.

A screen image of the screen data 2 displayed on the screen by the display processing as described above is as shown in FIG. As described above, when the alarm history is displayed by the monitor device 1, the operator searches the monitor display by the PC peripheral device 9 to search for the cause of the alarm.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a monitor execution operation by the PC peripheral device 9 for searching for an alarm cause of the "robot abnormal state" displayed on the monitor device 1. When monitoring by the PC peripheral device 9, the PC
The peripheral device 9 is connected to the PC to be monitored.

When the connection is completed, the sequence program is read from the PC (step S110), a robot error (M10) having an alarm generated in the monitor device 1 is searched, and the search result is displayed on the display 93 (step S1).
11). To search for a robot abnormality (M10), select a coil search on the ladder display screen as shown in FIG. 23, and enter the device name to be searched, for example, "M10".
Enter the step number of the sequence program to be searched. In the example, "0" of the head NO is input to search from the head of the sequence program. The monitor is executed for the displayed search result (step S112). FIG.
Indicates a display image of a search result obtained by executing the monitor. Finally, it is determined whether to continue the monitor displayed on the display 94 (step S113).

As a conventional example of the above-mentioned type of monitor, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-260696. In this monitor device, apart from the display of the monitor information of the entire production / assembly line at the time of monitoring, which has been performed conventionally, the address of the monitor memory where the monitor information is stored is set by switching the display mode by the input means. Displaying monitor data including information on the screen can be selectively performed.

In addition, a monitor device incorporated into an individual control device such as a numerical control device or a programmable controller, in other words, a numerical control device or a programmable controller with a monitor, is used to monitor the operating status and abnormalities of the details of its own machine. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-
This is disclosed in JP-A-150808 and JP-A-58-189736.

[0021]

In the conventional example as shown in FIGS. 16 to 24, when the system user examines the device factor of the comment displayed in the alarm history of the monitor device, it is necessary to check the device factor. PC communicating with monitor device
It is necessary to connect a PC peripheral device to the PC, read the sequence program by the PC peripheral device, search using the PC device information of the screen data, and monitor. Therefore, a PC peripheral device is required separately from the monitor device. In addition, it requires complicated operations and lacks convenience.

Further, equipment for PC peripheral devices and a place for installing PC peripheral devices are required, and it takes much time, and system maintenance is not easy.

In the monitor device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-260696, the device factor of the comment displayed in the alarm history cannot be searched for from the PC program, and the search result can be displayed as a circuit. Can not.

JP-A-5-150808 and JP-A-5-150808
The numerical control device and the programmable controller with a monitor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-189736 can monitor only the operation status and abnormal location of the own device, and each numerical control device and the programmable controller have a monitoring function. There must be.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to retrieve device data as a cause of generation of operation information from a sequence program and display it on a monitor, thus requiring a PC peripheral device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring method and apparatus for a programmable controller system that can check device factors without any trouble and facilitate system maintenance.

[0026]

In order to achieve the above object, a monitoring method for a programmable controller system according to the present invention comprises selecting one of operation history information in an operation history display by a monitor device, and performing a circuit search. When a selection operation is performed, a device causing operation information is searched for from a sequence program read from the programmable controller into the memory of the monitor device, and the search result is displayed on a display of the monitor device.

A monitor method for a programmable controller system according to the next invention is to display the search result on a screen in a ladder circuit format.

A monitoring method for a programmable controller system according to the next invention is to display the search result in a window on an operation history display screen.

In order to achieve the above object, a monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention includes an operation history monitor function for displaying an operation history and a sequence program transmitted from the communicating programmable controller. A circuit monitor function for reading into the sequence program area of the memory and displaying the same, one of the operation history information is selected in the operation history display by the operation history monitor function, and a circuit search is selected and operated. A device that causes operation information to be generated is searched by the circuit monitor function from a sequence program read into the sequence program area by a programmable controller, and a search result is displayed.

A monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the next invention displays the search result on a screen in the form of a ladder circuit.

A monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the next invention displays the search result in a window on an operation history display screen.

[0032]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a monitoring method and an apparatus for a programmable controller system according to the present invention; In the embodiments of the present invention described below, the same components as those of the above-described conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the above-described conventional example, and description thereof will be omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention. The memory 12 has a system program area 12a for storing a system program for the monitor device and a screen data area 12b for storing screen data.
And a sequence program area 12c for storing a sequence program read from a PC connected to the network.

The CPU 11 executes a system program to execute a sequence program from a communicating PC separately from an operation history monitor function for displaying an operation history such as an alarm history on the CRT 14 in the same manner as the conventional one. To the sequence program area 12 of the memory 12
c) to implement a circuit monitor function of displaying the information on the CRT 14 in the form of a ladder circuit, displaying one of the operation history information with the cursor key in the operation history display by the operation history monitor function, and operating the circuit search key. To start a circuit monitor function, search for a device that causes operation information, for example, a device that causes an alarm, from the sequence program read from the PC into the sequence program area 12c of the memory 12 by the circuit monitor function, and search the ladder circuit for the search result. The processing for displaying on the CRT 14 is carried out.

The cursor key Ka and the circuit search key Kb for selecting one of the operation history information (device data) displayed on the screen are given as virtual keys by the screen display of the CRT 14 and the touch panel 13 (see FIG. 8). .

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of Embodiment 1 of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention. In this monitor device 1, in addition to the device data monitor A and the communication task B, a control task (hereinafter, task manager) C for controlling each function in the monitor device 1, and a circuit monitor task D which is the above-described circuit monitor function. And a key task E for managing inputs on the touch panel 13.

When an alarm factor search request (circuit search request) is input from the touch panel 13 to the monitor device 1, the key task E notifies the task manager C of a ladder circuit display request notification. Requested task manager C
FIG. 3 shows the device information of the alarm selected from the device data monitor task A, and adds the information.
A task start request with device information as shown in (1) is issued to the circuit monitor task D. The circuit monitor task D that has received the task start request with device information performs a search based on the device information from the sequence program read from the PC 3 via the communication task B, and displays the search result on the CRT 14 of the monitor device 1.

The task activation request with device information is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), it has a start flag for starting / stopping a task and device information (an area for storing alarm information selected from the device data monitor task A), and executes flag processing at the time of start. .

Next, the display operation of the monitor device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a comment from the monitor device 1 and the device data of the PC, and a circuit search key Kb.
5 is a flowchart of an operation of extracting device information at the time of input of a search, searching the sequence program read from the PC 3 and displaying the search result, and an operation of moving a cursor by a cursor movement key Ka.

First, a sequence program of the connected PC is read from the connected PC with which it is communicating, and stored in the sequence program area 12c of the memory 12 (step S1), and the screen data area 12b of the memory 12 is read.
The data of the screen 1 is read out (step S2).

As shown in FIG. 7, the screen data stored in the screen data area 12b includes touch key data in addition to screen 1 data and comment data similar to the conventional screen data. I have. The touch key data includes a touch key name, key display coordinates, and key data (key code), and a key corresponding to the touch key name input to the key task E when the key is input from the touch panel 13. Pass the data to the task manager E.

Next, display is performed on the CRT 14 in accordance with the display attributes of the data on the screen 1 (step S3), and touch key data is set and displayed (step S4). Then, device data (device value) corresponding to the PC station number and PC device data defined in the data of the screen 1 is read from the PC (step S5), and corresponds to the device data (device value) read from the PC. The comment is displayed (step S6). Thereby, CRT
At 14, the screen display as shown in FIG. 8 is made. In this screen display, an up / down cursor key Ka and a circuit search key Kb are added as compared with the conventional one.

Next, it is determined whether or not there is a touch input (step S7). If there is no touch input, the device data monitor operation for displaying the data on the screen 1 is continued. On the other hand, if there is a touch input, the touch input code is determined (step S8), and if the key code is the upper or lower cursor key Ka, the cursor is moved to the corresponding comment (line) (step S9). If the key code of the touch input is the circuit search key Kb, the device information (M10) of the alarm with the cursor is read, and a start request with device information to which the device information is added is issued (step S10).

This activates the circuit monitor task D,
The device information (M10) is passed to the circuit monitor task D (step S11). The circuit monitor task D searches for the passed device from the sequence program stored in the sequence program area 12c, and finds the search result in a ladder circuit format as shown in FIG.
4 (step S12).

Finally, it is determined whether or not the display operation is to be ended (step S13).
No), continue displaying search results. An end key Kc is added to the screen display of the search result shown in FIG. 9, and when the end key Kc is operated (Yes at Step S13), a monitor screen of device data as shown in FIG. Return to

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for reading out the alarm device. In the reading of the alarm device, the alarm number with the cursor is taken out (step S20), and the PC device corresponding to the alarm number is taken out (step S21). FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the instruction search of the circuit monitor task. In the instruction search of the circuit monitor task, the sequence program is compared with the coil search instruction (step S30). If they match (Yes in step S31), one block of the matched sequence program is displayed (step S32). If they do not match (No at Step S31), comparison with the next sequence program is performed.

As described above, one operation of selecting one of the alarm information displayed on the screen and inputting a circuit search key searches for an alarm cause from the sequence program read from the PC, and sends the search result to the CRT 14. Since the display can be performed, maintenance of the entire system including the PC, the control device, and the monitor device can be performed more easily than in the past.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a monitor device for a programmable controller system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment,
A window manager F is provided, and a ladder circuit of a search result is window-displayed on a device data display screen.

When an alarm factor search request (circuit search request) is input from the touch panel 13 to the monitor device 1, the key task E notifies the task manager C of a ladder circuit display request notification. Requested task manager C
Acquires the device information of the selected alarm from the device data monitor task A, issues a task activation request with device information to which the information is added to the window manager F, and requests the window manager F to open a new window. After processing for opening the window, the window manager F issues a start request to which device information has been added to the circuit monitor 27.
To Task D.

The circuit monitor task D, which has received the task start request with device information, performs a search based on the device information from the sequence program read from the PC 3 via the communication task B, and returns the search result to the CRT 1 of the monitor device 1.
4 is displayed in a window.

FIG. 11 shows comments from the device data of the monitor device 1 and the PC, retrieves device information when the circuit retrieval key Kb is input, retrieves it from the sequence program read from the PC, and opens a new window. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement which displays a search result in a window and the operation | movement which moves a cursor with a cursor movement key. Steps S1 to S11 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, in order to duplicate the description, steps S1 to S1 are performed.
Description of 1 is omitted.

When the window manager F is activated by the activation request with device information (step S11a), it is determined whether or not the window is already open (step S11b). If the window is not open (No at step S11b), Open the window (step S11
c).

As shown in FIG. 15, the search result of the sequence program is displayed on the window in the form of a ladder circuit (step S12). If the window has already been displayed, the search result is updated and displayed in the already displayed window. FIG. 12 shows an operation flow of the window manager F. Wind Manager F
If there is a window display request, the window display is performed (step S40), and if there is a key input within the window, the key input is passed to the function that requested the window display (step S41).

FIG. 13 shows screen data in the second embodiment, FIG. 14 shows a device data display screen, and FIG.
Indicates a window display of the searched ladder circuit.

As described above, one operation of selecting one of the alarm information displayed on the screen and inputting a circuit search key searches for an alarm cause from the sequence program read from the PC, and sends the search result to the CRT 14. The search results can be displayed in a newly opened window, and the search results can be updated and displayed without closing the window each time the selected alarm is changed. Maintenance of the whole system can be performed more easily than before.

[0056]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the monitoring method for the programmable controller system of the present invention, one of the operation history information is selected in the operation history display by the monitor device, and the circuit search is selected. As a result, a device causing the operation information is searched for from the sequence program read from the programmable controller into the memory of the monitor device, and the search result is displayed on the display device of the monitor device. In addition, the device causing the operation information can be displayed on the monitor device, and the maintenance of the entire system including the PC, the control device, and the monitor device can be performed more easily than before.

According to the monitoring method for a programmable controller system according to the next invention, the search result is displayed on the screen in the form of a ladder circuit, so that it is easy to understand the device that caused the operation information.

According to the monitoring method for the programmable controller system according to the next invention, the search result is displayed in a window on the operation history display screen, so that the maintenance of the entire system including the PC, the control device, and the monitor device is performed in comparison with the conventional method. And it will be easier.

According to the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the next invention, one of the operation history information is selected in the operation history display by the operation history monitor function, and the circuit search is selected and operated. From the sequence program read in the sequence program area, a device that causes operation information is searched for by the circuit monitor function and the search result is displayed, so that the device that causes operation information can be identified without the need for a PC peripheral device. Can be displayed,
Maintenance of the entire system including the PC, control equipment, and monitor device can be performed more easily than in the past.

According to the monitor device for the programmable controller system according to the next invention, the search result is displayed on the screen in the form of a ladder circuit, so that it is easy to understand the device that caused the operation information.

According to the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the next invention, the search result is displayed in a window on the operation history display screen, so that the maintenance of the entire system including the PC, the control device, and the monitor device can be performed as compared with the related art. And it will be easier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of a monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration of a task activation request with device information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for reading an alarm device in the first embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a circuit monitor task instruction search in the first embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen data configuration in the first embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a device data display screen according to the first embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a ladder circuit according to the first embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a monitor device for a programmable controller system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operation of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a window manager in the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen data configuration in a second embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a device data display screen according to a second embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a ladder circuit according to a second embodiment of the monitor device for a programmable controller system according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a production / assembly line including a monitoring device for a programmable controller system that monitors the operation status of a robot or a numerical control device in a production / assembly line in a factory.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional monitor device for a programmable controller system, a programmable controller, a personal computer, and a PC peripheral device.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a conventional monitor device for a programmable controller system.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional monitor device for a programmable controller system.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen data configuration of a conventional monitor device for a programmable controller system.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a device data display screen of a conventional monitor device for a programmable controller system.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC peripheral device.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a ladder display screen in the PC peripheral device.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a search result screen in the PC peripheral device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 monitor device, 2 personal computer, 3 ~
5 PC, 7 numerical controller, A device data monitor task, B communication task, C task manager, D
Circuit monitor task, E key task, F window manager.

Claims (6)

[Claims] An operation history is displayed on a monitor of a monitor device. When one of operation history information is selected and a circuit search is selected and operated, a cause of the generation of the operation information from a sequence program read into a memory of the monitor device from a programmable controller. A device for searching for a programmable controller system, wherein the search result is displayed on a display device of a monitor device. 2. The monitoring method for a programmable controller system according to claim 1, wherein the search result is displayed on a screen in a ladder circuit format. 3. The monitoring method for a programmable controller system according to claim 1, wherein the search result is displayed in a window on an operation history display screen. 4. An operation history monitor function for performing a process of displaying an operation history, and a circuit monitor function for reading a sequence program from a communicating programmable controller into a sequence program area of a memory and displaying the read sequence program, When one of the operation history information is selected in the operation history display by the operation history monitor function and the circuit search is selected and operated, the device which causes the generation of the operation information from the sequence program read into the sequence program area from the programmable controller is selected. A monitor device for a programmable controller system, wherein the search is performed by the circuit monitor function, and a search result is displayed. 5. The monitor device for a programmable controller system according to claim 4, wherein the search result is displayed on a screen in a ladder circuit format. 6. The monitor device for a programmable controller system according to claim 4, wherein the search result is displayed in a window on an operation history display screen.