JP2002094521A - Communication system for control and recording medium with communication program for control recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for control, which opens a picture displayed on a display device such as a programmable display device to the public through the Internet without the need for storing picture data by a host computer or the like. SOLUTION: Upon the receipt of a request of displaying picture data from a client unit 9, an open server section 16 of the host computer 1 makes a request to the programmable display device (display device) 2 to transfer designated picture data (e.g. picture data of user screen displayed on the display device 2 at present). A data processing section 21 of the display device 2 extracts the picture data from a user memory 27 and uploads the data to the host computer 1. A file conversion section 14 converts the picture data into an HMTL/ XML file and stores the HMTL/XML file into HMTL/XML file storage sections 15a, 15b. Transmitting the file by the open server section 16 to the client unit 9 allows the client unit 9 to display the picture data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control communication system capable of confirming a screen displayed on the control display device by a terminal device arranged at a place remote from the control display device such as a programmable display device. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An industrial control device called a programmable logic controller (hereinafter, referred to as a PLC) or the like is used to implement various controls such as a sequence control, in order to realize various controls such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembling machine. It is widely used as a control device for controlling a target system. Further, in recent years, with the complexity of the target system, a plurality of PLCs have been used in cooperation with each other. The display of data from each PLC and the control instruction to the PLC are performed not only by a control display device arranged near the PLC, but also by a control device installed at a location away from these display devices. In some cases, a control system is constructed so that a host computer can display or operate the computer.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, in a conventional control system, a PLC 101 is positioned as a center of control, and each PLC 101 has an input / output device 102a of a target system 102.
And the status of the device, and the PLC 101
And a programmable display device 103 for giving a control instruction to the computer. Further, the PLC 101 has another P
An LC 101 and a control host computer 104 are connected via a serial cable 105, and the PLC 10
1 and the control host computer 104 and each PLC
The transfer of control data between the PLCs 101
1 is performed using the communication function.

In the above configuration, the programmable display 103 performs display / control based on screen data.
The screen data includes position information for specifying an area on the base screen and a device 1 corresponding to display and input in the area.
The information indicating the correspondence with the address 02a is set as a unit, and is configured by a combination of the information. Such screen data is generated by the image processing unit 104a of the control host computer 104, and then distributed to each programmable display 103.

On the other hand, a display processing unit 104b of the control host computer 104 communicates with the PLC 101, receives data indicating the state of the device 102a, displays a screen according to the state, and responds to a user input. P
Control data is sent to the LC 101, and the target system 102 is controlled according to the control data. Similarly,
The programmable display 103 displays / controls the state of the device 102a while communicating with the PLC 101.

Here, the control host computer 104
Since the application and the installation place of the programmable display device 103 are different, both the hardware configuration such as a CPU and a memory map and the software configuration such as an operating system are different. Therefore, the display processing unit 104 b of the control host computer 104 cannot perform display / control based on the screen data of the programmable display 103. Therefore, in order to confirm the display content of the programmable display 103, it is necessary to go to the installation location of the programmable display 103 and confirm.

Further, the above-mentioned control system is basically a closed system, and it is not possible to see the state of the control system such as a screen of a programmable display from a remote place.

As a system for solving the above-mentioned inconvenience, the applicant of the present application converts data showing a screen of a programmable display into a format that can be displayed on a terminal device via the Internet, and converts the data via the Internet via the Internet. Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-07700 describing a configuration for distribution to a terminal device
No. 2 was filed earlier.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the local control system 111 includes a programmable display 11
2 and the control host computer 121 are connected via a network 131 communicating with a predetermined common protocol. Programmable display 112
Is used when the PLC 132 communicates with the control host computer 121 or another programmable display 112.
The protocol conversion unit 116 converts between the communication by the dedicated protocol IF (interface) unit 114 using the dedicated protocol specific to the model of the LC 132 and the communication by the common protocol IF (interface) unit 115 using the common protocol. Relay by doing.

Thus, each programmable display 11
2 and the control host computer 121 can communicate with a common protocol regardless of the type of the PLC 132 connected to the other programmable display 112 when communicating with the other programmable display 112.

The screen data generated by the image processing unit 122 and stored in the screen data memory 123 is
Programmable display 11 via network 131
2 is downloaded to the screen data memory 113.
In the programmable display 112, the display processing unit 11
7, on the screen displayed based on the screen data, the device 133 based on the data from the PLC 132.
Is reflected, or a control instruction to the PLC 132 is input from the screen through the operation input unit 118.

Further, the control host computer 1
21 is provided with a public server unit 124 that can connect to the Internet 132. When the applet is accessed from the client device 141, the image processing unit 12
2 is converted by the conversion unit 125 to generate a public file and an applet, and the public server unit 12
4 to the client device 141. Further, the client device 141 that executes the applet by the virtual machine 142 communicates with the control host computer 121 via the public server unit 124,
The data of the device 133 acquired by the server unit 127 via the common protocol IF (interface) unit 126 is received and displayed by the browser 143.

Here, the above-mentioned screen data defines an operation when the programmable display 112 displays a screen. The client device 141 does not access each device in the local control system 111 but uses a public server. The data of the device 133 is received from the unit 124.
This allows the client device 141 to display a screen having the same content as the screen displayed on the programmable display 112, even though the client device 141 is connected via the Internet 151.

[0014]

In the control system having the above configuration, the control host computer 121 generates a public applet based on the screen data stored in the screen data memory 123. Therefore, if the control host computer 121 does not include the screen data memory 123, the above-described applet cannot be generated, and the screen data cannot be displayed on the client device 141.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a screen displayed on a control display device such as a programmable display can be displayed on the Internet even if the screen data is not stored in a host computer or the like. It is an object of the present invention to realize a control communication system that can be opened to the public via the Internet.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a control communication system according to the present invention displays the status of a device on a display screen created in advance and issues a control instruction to the device. Acquiring means for acquiring screen data, which is data of the display screen, and device data, which is data indicating the state of the device, from a control display device provided via the display screen, and the acquired screen data and Generating means for generating terminal data for displaying the display screen on the display surface of the terminal device based on the device data; and a network for transmitting the terminal data to the terminal device via a network. Communication means for communicating with the terminal device.

In the above configuration, when screen data and device data are obtained by the obtaining means, terminal data is generated by the generating means based on these data. This terminal data is transmitted to the terminal device through the network by the communication means. As a result, the terminal device displays a display screen based on the screen data and the device data.

Therefore, the display screen displayed on the control display device can be displayed even in a terminal device located at a position separated from the control display device. Further, since the screen data is obtained from the control display device, it is not necessary to store the screen data in the server device having the generating unit and the communication unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another control communication system of the present invention displays a device state on a display screen created in advance and sends a control instruction to the device to the display screen. A display unit for controlling the display screen, the storage unit storing screen data that is data of the display screen, and transmitting the screen data stored in the storage unit in response to a request from a terminal device. A control display device having transmission means, and communication means capable of acquiring device data, which is data indicating the state of the device, from the control display device and communicating with the terminal device via a network; An operation of inquiring the communication means for the device data corresponding to the screen data, and the terminal device responding to the inquiry by the terminal device. Execution program storage means for storing an execution program for causing the terminal device to execute an operation for displaying a display screen, and the display screen on the display surface of the terminal device based on the acquired screen data and the device data. And generating means for generating terminal data for displaying, the communication means transmits the execution program and the terminal data to the terminal device so as to cause the terminal device to perform each of the operations. And acquiring the device data to be inquired by the terminal device and transmitting the acquired device data to the terminal device.

In the above configuration, when there is a request for transmission of screen data from the terminal device, the transmission means transmits the screen data stored in the storage means. Then, based on the screen data, the generating means generates terminal data including a program for executing the above operations.
The terminal data and the execution program (such as an applet) stored in the execution program storage unit are transmitted to the terminal device through the network by the communication unit. Further, when there is an inquiry about device data from the terminal device by the execution program, the communication means transmits the device data acquired from the control display device to the terminal device. The terminal device that has received the command executes the execution program using the terminal data, thereby displaying the display screen reflecting the device state based on the device data.

Therefore, similarly to the above-described control communication system, a display screen displayed on the control display device can be displayed even in a terminal device located at a position separated from the control display device. Further, since the screen data is obtained from the control display device, it is not necessary to store the screen data in the server device having the generating unit and the communication unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the recording medium of the present invention stores a control communication program for executing each process for realizing each means of each of the above-mentioned control communication systems. Therefore, similarly to the above-described control communication systems, it is not necessary to store the screen data in the server device.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control communication system according to this embodiment includes a host computer 1 and a plurality of programmable displays (hereinafter, referred to as displays) 2.
, And a plurality of PLCs 3.

The host computer 1 and the display 2 ...
Are connected to each other via a common network 4 capable of performing communication using a common communication protocol. On the other hand, the display 2 and the PLC 3 are individually connected via a dedicated network 5 capable of performing communication using a unique communication protocol for each PLC 3. Display 2
Is connected to a computer 8 for creating a user screen (display screen) described later. Further, the common network 4 is connected to the Internet 10 as a network via a router (not shown). The client device 9 is connected to the Internet 10.

In the present embodiment, when the display device 2 performs data communication via the common network 4, the common network 4 can communicate with the unified communication protocol regardless of the communication protocol transmitted through the dedicated network 5.
Stipulates a common communication protocol (common protocol) for communication protocols that can be transmitted by. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a local area network (LAN) such as Ethernet (trademark: Xerox Corporation) is used as the common network 4.
Has adopted TCP / IP as a communication protocol.

The PLC 3 includes a CPU / power supply module,
An input unit and an output unit are provided. CPU
The power supply module includes a CPU unit including a CPU and a memory, and a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit of the PLC 3. The CPU unit calculates a control data to be given to an output device (O / D in the figure) 7 based on a signal input from the input device (I / D in the figure) 6 via the input unit according to the control program. Perform processing. The input unit and the output unit are portions having an interface function connected to an input device 6 and an output device 7 as devices, respectively, and convert a digital signal or an analog signal input / output between these devices into the above-described device. It communicates with the CPU unit.

As the input device 6, a device such as a sensor (temperature sensor, optical sensor, etc.) and a switch (push button switch, limit switch, pressure switch, etc.) are used. As the output device 7, an actuator, a relay, a solenoid valve, a display, or the like is used. These input devices 6 and output devices 7 are arranged in required parts of various target systems such as a production line.

The computer 8 is constituted by, for example, a personal computer, and includes the above-described drawing editor 8a and screen data file storage section 8b.

The drawing editor 8a has a function as a terminal in which the display 2 inputs various monitor values for management such as the operating status of the input devices 6 and the output devices 7 and work instructions, and setting values for the devices. Screen creation software for creating a user screen to be displayed on the display unit 25 so as to include

Generally, the drawing editor 8a includes a switch, a lamp, a numeric keypad, various displays (for example, a numerical display, a meter display, and a graph display) so as to create a user screen which is a screen unique to the user. It has components (display elements), a tag setting function, a drawing function, a text input function, and the like. As the components, not only a single component having a single function but also a composite component having a plurality of functions, such as a composite switch, a counter, and a timer, are prepared. Like the single component, such a composite component is registered in a library format so that it can be arranged at a desired position on the base screen by an operation such as drag and drop.
The tag as a display element is a desired moving image function set at a desired position (area) in order to express a dynamic change such as a numerical value or a straight line at an arbitrary position on the screen.

The drawing editor 8a displays input / output numbers (devices) assigned to the input / output terminals of the PLC 3 to which the input / output devices 6, 7 corresponding to the components and tags arranged on the created user screen are connected. Address) is assigned to the above parts and tags via variables.

The screen data file storage unit 8b stores the screen data, which is the data of one screen of the user screen created by the screen editor 8a, as one file (screen data file). The screen data stored here is transmitted to the display 2 as needed, and downloaded to the user memory 27.

The client device 9 as a terminal device includes:
For example, a virtual machine 91 and a browser 92
And The virtual machine 91 is capable of executing a Java (registered trademark) language program, and stores platform-independent bytecode in the client device 9.
To native code. On the other hand, the browser 92
Communicates with a device connected to the Internet 10 and causes the virtual machine 91 to execute the received applet. The browser 92 is, for example, an HTTP (Hyper
It is also possible to receive a document such as an HTML document from an arbitrary server device using a protocol such as Text Transfer Protocol and view it.

The above-described virtual machine 91 and browser 92 can be realized by general-purpose browser software preinstalled in many computers. therefore,
These computers can operate as the client device 9 without installing a special program. Also, a common network 4, a dedicated network 5,
If a program for downloading a program via various communication paths including the Internet 10 is installed in the computer in advance, the program can be distributed to the computer via the communication path. .

The display 2 as a control display device has a RA
It has memories such as M, ROM, flash ROM, and VRAM, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and controls the operation of each unit of the display 2 by these. The display 2 includes a data processing unit 21, interface units (I / Fs in the figure) 22 and 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a conversion data storage unit 26, a user memory 27, and a maintenance port 28. I have.

The data processing unit 21 performs various processes for performing a protocol conversion process described later, display control of a user screen, and a process of uploading (transmitting) the user screen stored in the display unit 2 to the host computer 1. Of data processing.

The data processing unit 21 is connected to both networks 4.
When the communication protocols in 5 are different from each other, the above protocol conversion processing is performed so as to convert one communication protocol to the other communication protocol with reference to the data stored in the conversion data storage unit 26. This protocol conversion is performed, for example, in International Patent Publication WO99 / 5618.
No. 6 performs the method.

The data processing section 21 performs the above-described display control so that the display section 25 draws the user screen using a VRAM or the like based on the user screen data (screen data) created by the above-described drawing editor 8a. I do. In addition, the data processing unit 21 switches a plurality of user screens in response to a switching instruction input by a user.

On the user screen, the above-mentioned predetermined parts and tags are combined as symbols on a background screen imitating the target system. In the user screen configured as described above, the operation status of the input device 6 and the output device 7 and the input operation from the input unit 24 described later are performed by the parts / tags corresponding to the actual operations of the input / output devices 6 and 7. And changes in the display state (color, etc.). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, each user screen converts a display state such as a name plate or the like, a static figure B whose display content is not changed, a shape, a color, a blinking state such as a switch, a lamp, or a meter. A part graphic J (J1) as a display element is formed by being arranged on a base screen.

On the other hand, the screen data of the user screen is
As shown in FIG. 2, a file number F of the base screen and an event name N for specifying the operation content to be executed on the base screen
And a processing instruction word W including one or a plurality of pieces of reference information R referred to for each execution event. As shown in FIG. 3, a processing instruction word W as specific information for specifying a display element (part or tag) is transferred to a predetermined screen area (display coordinate range) in accordance with the content of a predetermined device address. In the case of the processing instruction word WL for displaying J, the reference information R includes the display coordinate range (X, Y), the device address A, and, for example, when the component graphic J is a switch, a graphic file indicating ON and OFF. And a file number FL to be referred to at the time of display, such as a file of a figure indicating the above. In addition, as shown in FIG.
In the case of a processing instruction word WT that defines an input operation via
The reference information R includes input coordinate ranges X and Y on the touch panel in the input unit 24 and a device address A that is turned on in conjunction with the designation of the input coordinate range.

The data processing section 21 as transmission means extracts screen data of the designated user screen from the screen data stored in the user memory 27 in response to a request from the server section 11 described later in the host computer 1. To the host computer 1. Data processing unit 2
1 registers a password to which access is permitted in advance in the user memory 27 or the like, and permits uploading of screen data when the host computer 1 recognizes that the password input by the user is a registered password. . As described above, by performing the security check for restricting the upload of the screen data, it is possible to prevent the screen data from being carelessly leaked.

The data processing unit 21 is software that can be provided in the form of a program medium as package software, and is downloaded from the host computer 1 to the display 2 in advance. In addition, this software can be used when shipping the display 2 if necessary.
It may be installed in the display 2 in advance.

Here, the above-mentioned program medium is a recording medium which can be separated from the host computer 1 and the display 2, and is a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, or a magnetic disk system such as a floppy disk or a hard disk. , CD-ROM, MO, MD, DVD, etc., optical disk system, IC card (including memory card), card system such as optical card, or mask R
It may be a medium that carries a fixed program including a semiconductor memory such as an OM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash ROM, or the like.

Further, since the control communication system has a system configuration connectable to a communication network including the Internet 10, it may be a medium that carries a program in a fluid manner so as to download the program from the communication network. Good. However, when downloading a program from a communication network like this,
The download program may be stored in the host computer 1 in advance, or may be installed from another recording medium.

The interface unit 22 is connected to the common network 4 for performing communication between the host computer 1 and another display device 2. The output data of the PLC 3 is transferred from the display 2 to the host computer 1 by communication via the common network 4 as described later. On the other hand, the interface unit 23 is connected to the dedicated network 5 for performing communication with the PLC 3. Output data from the PLC 3 is transferred to the display 2 by communication via the dedicated network 5 as described later.

The input unit 24 is constituted by an input device such as a touch panel for inputting on the display surface of the display unit 25. The display unit 25 is configured by a flat display element such as a liquid crystal panel or an EL panel in order to configure the display 2 in a small size that is easy to incorporate into a control panel or the like.

The conversion data storage section 26 stores data necessary for protocol conversion processing. This data may be in any format as long as the communication protocol can be converted between the dedicated network 5 and the common network 4. The converted data storage unit 26 according to the present embodiment is transmitted through the dedicated network 5. A data transfer format indicating a data format and a command conversion table indicating a correspondence relationship between command codes transmitted by the networks 4.5 are stored.

The user memory 27 as a storage means is a memory for storing a user screen created by the user with the drawing editor 8a, and is constituted by a flash ROM or the like.

The maintenance port 28 is a communication port for performing communication with the computer 8 described above.
The maintenance port 28 is provided for downloading screen data of a user screen created by the drawing editor 8a of the computer 8 to the user memory 27 or the like.

In the display 2 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, the data processing unit 21 displays the file number F of the base screen from the user memory 27 at a predetermined time interval. The processing instruction word WL which is the displayed base screen is extracted, and the device address A of each processing instruction word WL is extracted.
Is read from the memory 3a of the PLC 3 and the component graphic J corresponding to the content is displayed on the display surface of the display unit 25.
For example, the processing instruction word WL stored in the user memory 27
Reference numeral 1 denotes a switch display, which corresponds to the device having the device address A1.

When the processing instruction word WL1 is executed, since the content of the device address A1 is "0", the data processing unit 21 determines that the switch is OFF, and stores it in the memory 21a of the data processing unit 21. Among the stored files, the graphic of the file FL1 associated with OFF is displayed in the display coordinate range (X, Y). As a result, in the coordinate range (X, Y), the component graphic J1 indicating the switch in the OFF state is displayed. As described above, when the data processing unit 21 executes the processing instruction word WL1 or the like in the screen data at predetermined time intervals, the state of the device is reflected on the user screen displayed on the display 2.

When the data processing section 21 receives an operator's input operation such as a push operation on the touch panel of the input section 24, the data processing section 21 converts the screen data stored in the user memory 27 into the base screen currently displayed. A search is made for an input processing instruction word WT that matches the input operation described above.
Change the content of For example, the valid input coordinate range (X,
Y) is set in the same coordinate range as the above-mentioned part graphic J1,
When the processing instruction word WT1 for changing the contents of the same device address A1 is included in the screen data, when the operator presses the part graphic J1 on the screen shown in FIG. The directive WT1 is found. Then, the data processing unit 21 sets the processing instruction word WT
Rewrite the contents of the device address A1 corresponding to No. 1.

Further, after the input operation, the data processing unit 21
Processes the processing instruction word WL1, as shown in FIG.
Since the content of the device address A1 has been changed to “1”, the data processing unit 21 corresponds to the file FL2,
A part graphic J2 indicating ON is displayed on the user screen. As a result, the data processing unit 21 rewrites the content of the device address according to the input operation, and updates the display state of the user screen according to the content of the device address.

The device address A is an address (input / output number described above) for specifying a device to be controlled (the input device 6 and the output device 7).
It represents an area of a storage device provided in the display 2, the PLC 3 or the host computer 1 such as the memory 3 a of the LC 3. In addition, the above-described device includes an input unit 24
Alternatively, the memory may store data manually input from an input device such as the above. Further, for example, the interface units 22 and 23 of the display 2
By communicating with the PLC 3 and the other display 2 connected to the device, the content of each address can be obtained or the content can be changed. Here, the acquisition / change of the contents may be instructed each time, or a cache is prepared in the display 2 and, when the contents are acquired / changed, the cache is accessed, and at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time. Communication may be performed for each event to synchronize with the entity of the device address A.

The host computer 1 has a CPU and a memory (RA), like a general-purpose personal computer.
M, ROM, etc.), an external storage device (hard disk drive, MO drive, etc.), a display device, and an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.). The host computer 1 includes a server unit 11, an interface unit (I / F in the figure) 12, a screen data file storage unit 1,
3, a file conversion unit 14, a file storage unit 15, and a public server unit 16.

The interface section 12 is connected to the common network 4 for performing communication with the display 2.

The server unit 11 performs processing such as data communication processing with the display units 2 via the common network 4 and processing for collecting output data of the PLC 3 transferred from the PLC 3 via the display unit 2. . The output data is data (device data) indicating the state of the device (numerical value, ON / OFF, etc.) or output of the PLC 3 itself (alarm output, etc.). The server unit 11 supplies such output data and device address to the public server unit 16 in response to a request.

The server unit 11 requests the above-mentioned data processing unit 21 of the display 2 to upload screen data in response to a user's input instruction, and transmits the screen data uploaded via the data processing unit 21 to the screen data. It is stored in the file storage unit 13. In addition, the server unit 11 also receives a request from the client device 9 via the public server unit 16 to request the data processing unit 2 for uploading.
1 is communicated.

The screen data file storage section 13 stores a screen data file (screen data file) uploaded from the user memory 27 of the display 2 by the data processing section 21 and the server section 11 described above. The screen data file storage unit 13 may be constituted by a hard disk device or the like as a dedicated storage unit. In addition, the screen data file storage unit 13 stores a free space in a memory such as a main memory (not shown) provided in the You may use as. By using the memory in this way, the configuration of the storage device in the host computer 1 can be simplified.

The file conversion unit 14 as a generating means
The screen data file stored in the screen data file storage unit 13 is stored in the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) described above.
ge) file and XML (eXtensible Mark-up Langua)
ge) Generate terminal data by converting to file. The file conversion unit 14 sequentially extracts, for example, processing instruction words (processing instruction words WL, WT, etc.) of the unit screen in which the file number F of the base screen is a predetermined value from the screen data for the display device 2. By generating the generated XML element and setting the content of the XML element according to the processing instruction word, an XML file of the unit screen is created.

The display file storage unit 15 has an HTML file storage unit 15a, an XML file storage unit 15b, and an applet storage unit 15c. The HTML file storage unit 15a and the XML file storage unit 15b store an HTML file and an XML file as terminal data transmitted in response to a request from the client device 9, respectively. On the other hand, the applet storage unit 15c as an execution program storage unit stores an applet as an execution program transmitted in response to a request from the client device 9.

Here, the above-mentioned HTML file, XML
Describe files and applets.

First, an XML file stored in the XML file storage unit 15b is created for each unit screen (one user screen) included in the screen data for the display device 2. Each XML file includes an XML element indicating each processing instruction word related to the unit screen.

For example, processing instruction words (display tags) WL for displaying the base screen (unit screen) = 1 (main screen) are included in the screen data for the display 2 in the format shown in FIG. If there is, the XML element corresponding to the main screen includes the Tag element E1 corresponding to the processing instruction word WL as shown in FIG. This Tag element E1
Include a TagName element E11, an X element E12 and a Y element E13, a LibraryNo element E14 corresponding to an event name, a display coordinate range, a reference file number, a device address, and the like.
BitSymbolName element E15 and the like are included. Librar
The yNo element E14 represents a registration number in a library tag for using a figure registered in the library by the user. The content (content) of each of the elements E11 to E15 is, for example, “L_0000”, −232 and 120, 101, 0 according to the content of the processing instruction word WL, respectively.
It is set to 10100.

In a Tag element E2 (here, a touch panel input tag) corresponding to an input processing instruction word (input tag) WT shown in FIG. 4, an event name, a device address,
TagName element E2 corresponding to each valid input range
1. The contents of the SymbolName element E22, X element E23 and Y element E24, X2 element E25 and Y2 element E26 are set according to the contents of the processing instruction word WT.

On the other hand, the applet stored in the applet storage unit 15c is referred to by the HTML file, and the operation when the display 2 displays or operates the unit screen while referring to the XML file. This is an execution program that causes the client device 9 to execute the same operation as the above. This applet is executable by the virtual machine 91 of the client device 9 in the present embodiment.
Implemented as bytecode written in Java language.

The above applet is a class in which a method corresponding to the type of a processing instruction word (tag) that can appear in screen data is defined, and a method for referring to an XML file and calling a method corresponding to the tag type. Is defined. The virtual machine 91 that executes this applet can refer to the XML file and call a method corresponding to the tag type based on the XML element indicating the tag.

For example, among the methods executed by the virtual machine 91, the method corresponding to the tag type is called at a predetermined time interval in the case of a display tag, and requests data of a specific device address to the server unit 11. , A drawing method for performing display according to the response. Further, the method corresponding to the input tag is called when an input event occurs, and the server unit 11 writes data corresponding to the input result to a specific device address.
This is the input method to request.

Here, in the screen data according to the present embodiment, the switching operation of each unit screen is also realized as an input tag, and the input tag has a device address as a device address in the storage area in the display 2. And a system area in which data indicating the currently displayed unit screen is stored.

Therefore, of the above input methods,
The input method for requesting an instruction to change to the specific system area is the same as the normal input method.
1, and transmits an XML file corresponding to the unit screen after the change. Thereby, the client device 9 and the display 2 can always display the same unit screen.

The input method may change the contents of an alternative storage area provided in the client device 9 instead of transmitting the change instruction to the specific system area. In this case, when referring to the system area by another method, the alternative storage area is referred to instead of making an inquiry to the server unit 11. In this case, the client device 9 can display a unit screen different from the unit screen currently displayed on the display 2 even if the unit screen is for the display 2.

Further, for example, the same unit screen as that of the display unit 2 can be specified by setting a parameter at the time of execution of an applet, which will be described later, or by displaying a menu in conjunction with a selection operation of the unit screen. Display or
Each of the above methods may be created so that it is possible to select whether to display a different unit screen. In this case, for example, when the user wants to monitor the operation of the operator of the display unit 2 in spite of using the same applet or XML file, the former is selected and the display unit 2 is displayed separately from the operation of the operator. If you want to monitor, you can choose the latter.

A method for referring to the XML file is, for example, an XML file indicating a tag from the XML file.
The L element is extracted, an instance of a class corresponding to the type of the tag (for example, the content of the TagName element in the XML element) is generated, and the parameter of the tag (for example, the XML element in the XML element) is added to the field of the instance. By setting the content of each element), the virtual machine 91 can execute a method corresponding to the XML file.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the HTML file includes a character string P11 for causing the virtual machine 91 of the client device 9 to execute the applet.
A character string P1 required as an HTML document such as “<HTML>” or “<TITLE>” is included. The HTML file includes, for example, HT such as a character string for displaying a character or an image that describes the display 2 displayed by the applet.
A character string P2 conforming to the ML format may be included.
Further, the HTML file may include a character string P12 for executing an applet for switching unit screens.

In this embodiment, an XML file is provided for each unit screen.
The information (global information) related to the entire screen data (display 2) such as the specification of the unit screen to be displayed first and the specification of the display 2 when the browser 92 displays the HTML file is the above-described characters. It is included in column P11. In the case of this embodiment, the information is specified as a parameter when executing the applet.
The first unit screen is the attribute name "BASESCR" of the PARAM element.
("1" in this example).

The public server 16 as a communication means responds to a request from the client device 9 by, for example, URI (Univ.
HTML file and XM requested by the client device 9 on the basis of
An L file or an applet is determined, and these are distributed to the client device 9. This public server section 16
Sends the above applet from the interface unit 12 to the client device 9 via the common network 4 and the Internet 10. Host computer 1
Functions as a Web server (server device) on the Internet 10 by including the public server unit 16.

The public server unit 16 as acquisition means
Is a client device 9 that executes the distributed applet.
Receives the inquiry about the content of the device address A from the server unit 11, the server unit 11 accesses the server unit 11 to obtain data (device data) indicating the state of the device address A, and returns the data to the client device 9. When receiving the instruction to change the content of device address A from client device 9, public server unit 16 rewrites the content of device address A to a value corresponding to the instruction.

The server 11 and the file converter 14 described above.
The public server 16 is software that can be provided in the form of program media as package software, and is installed in the host computer 1 in advance. This program medium also has a host computer 1 and a display 2 similar to the aforementioned program medium.
A recording medium configured to be separable from the recording medium.

In the control communication system configured as described above, the public server unit 16 in the host computer 1 performs the operation of displaying the display 2 according to the state of the device based on the screen data and the operation. It instructs the client device 9 to perform substantially the same operation as when instructing a device state change. However, unlike the case where the display 2 operates based on the screen data, the display destination is the display surface of the display device (not shown) of the client device 9, and the operation is received from the input device (not shown) of the client device 9.

Further, the party to which the client device 9 inquires about the status of the device and the transmission destination of the status change instruction are also changed to the public server unit 16. For this reason, the public server unit 16 communicates with the client device 9 that operates according to the above-described instruction, transmits data indicating the state of the device (device data) to the client device 9, and transmits a device state change instruction to the client device 9. 9 can be received. Further, the public server unit 16
It communicates with the display 2 at a predetermined timing.
In addition to grasping the status of the device connected to the device, the device status change instruction can be transmitted.

Thus, even when the client device 9 is connected from a remote place via the Internet 10, the client device 9 displays a screen having the same contents as the screen of the display unit 2 and operates the device by the same operation. You can control the state.

Subsequently, in the above-described control communication system, the process of displaying the screen data of the display 2 on the client device 9 and performing an operation from the displayed user screen will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

First, the client device 9 accesses the public server unit 16 in the host computer 1 via the Internet 10 and instructs the user to display a user screen of a certain display 2 (S1). Then, the public server unit 16 confirms whether or not the identification number, the password, and the like received from the client device 9 are registered in advance, and performs display / control on the user screen. It is checked whether or not the device 9 or its user is permitted (S2), and access from the client device 9 which is not permitted is rejected.

When the access is permitted, the display unit 2 causes the data processing unit 21 to inquire from the public server unit 16 via the server unit 11 of the identification number,
It is checked whether or not the upload of the screen data is permitted to the client device 9 or its user by confirming whether or not the password or the like is registered in the display device 2 in advance (S3). The upload from the client device 9 that is not permitted is rejected.

When the upload is permitted, the display 2
The screen data (screen data file) is uploaded to the screen data file storage unit 13 or the like (S4). At this time, the data processing unit 21 of the display 2
The designated screen data is taken out from 7 and transferred to the host computer 1. In the host computer 1, the server unit 11 receives the screen data and stores it in the screen data file storage unit 13 or the main memory.

As described above, if the user can select whether to display the user screen displayed on the display unit 2 or another user screen, the client apparatus 9 can display the screen. By selecting one of them when instructing data upload, any form of screen data can be taken into the host computer 1.

Further, based on the screen data file uploaded to the screen data file storage 13, H
A public file such as a TML file and an XML file is generated and stored in a user area in the HTML file storage unit 15a and the XML file storage unit 15b (S5). The public server unit 16 reads the HTML file for displaying the user screen requested by the client device 9 from the HTML file storage unit 15a only for the authorized regular client device 9,
The file is transmitted to the client device 9 via the Internet 10 (S6). Further, using the file, the client device 9 displays a user screen and gives a control instruction via the user screen (S7), and a series of processes is completed.

The screen data may be directly converted by the file conversion unit 14 without storing the screen data retrieved from the user memory 27 in the screen data file storage unit 13 or the like. In this case, the process of storing the uploaded screen data in S4 is omitted.

Here, the processing in S7 is specifically performed as follows.

First, the browser 92 of the client device 9
Represents each APPLET element (“<APPLET>
From the public server unit 16 to the virtual machine 9.
Let 1 run. In addition, the virtual machine 91 that executes the above-mentioned applet has an XM required for displaying the user screen.
The L file is obtained from the public server unit 16. further,
The virtual machine 91 communicates with the public server unit 16 while referring to the XML file, displays the user screen of the display 2 specified by the HTML file, and performs control according to the operation on the user screen. Instruct.

More specifically, the virtual machine 91
Referring to the ML file, an instance corresponding to each processing instruction word is generated. Of these instances, the drawing method of the instance according to the processing instruction for display is
It is executed at a predetermined time interval. As a result, the virtual machine 91 inquires of the public server unit 16 about the contents of the device address A.

On the other hand, when the public server unit 16 receives the inquiry, the server unit 11 reads out the data from the area corresponding to the device address A in the storage area of the user corresponding to the applet and transmits the data to the client device 9 in the server unit 11. I do. When the data is transmitted to the client device 9 via the Internet 10, the above-mentioned drawing method performs a predetermined display on the user screen displayed on the client device 9 according to the data (contents of the device address A). The display of the area (X, Y) is updated.

Here, the XML file and the HTML file for calling the applet are generated based on the screen data, and each instance refers to the same device address as the corresponding processing instruction word in the screen data. Is set to The drawing method of each instance is created so as to display the same image as the processing instruction word when the contents of the device address are the same. Therefore, when the applet is executed, the user screen displayed on the client device 9 includes a component graphic J indicating the device status, similarly to the screens shown in FIGS.
1 (J2) is displayed.

The above HTML file includes a plurality of applets.
2 is drawn with relative coordinates in the screen area (for example, relative coordinates based on the upper left corner or the like). Therefore, the client device 9 can display the status of the device regardless of the number and order of the applets included in the HTML file.

On the other hand, when an input operation such as a mouse operation is performed during the execution of the applet, the virtual machine 91 sets the input method of the instance corresponding to the input operation among the instances corresponding to the input processing directive. Execute Thereby, the virtual machine 91 requests the server unit 11 via the public server unit 16 to write data corresponding to the input result to the specific device address. The server unit 11 rewrites the contents of the area of the requested device address A in the storage area. The rewritten content is transmitted to the display 2 via the common network 4. As a result, the operation result is reflected on the display surface of the client device 9 in the same manner as the display device 2 when the above-described drawing method is executed after writing.

Here, the host computer 1 synchronizes the content stored in the server section 11 with the entity of the device address stored in the display 2. When the synchronization is performed, the transmission direction is determined in accordance with, for example, a change time or an operation priority.

For example, when updating the storage contents of the server unit 11 in accordance with the contents of the device address of the display 2,
The server unit 11 acquires the contents of the device address as in the case of the display unit 2 and transmits the acquired contents as device data. Conversely, when the change of the storage content of the server unit 11 is transmitted to the entity of the device address, the server unit 11 reads out the stored device data and accesses the display unit 2 when the display unit 2 accesses. Send to

In the present embodiment, the HTML file and the XML file generated based on the screen data are stored in the HTML file storage unit 15a and the XML file storage unit 15b, but the file format is not limited to this. Not done. For example, a file for displaying based on device data, such as an HTML file for displaying data obtained by statistically processing device data, may be made public.

For example, based on the screen data and the device data, the host computer 1 can display an image file (a bitmap format or a JPEG format file) that can be displayed by the client device 9 with the same contents as the screen display of the display 2. ) May be generated as terminal data by a file conversion unit (not shown) instead of the file conversion unit 14, and the file may be transmitted to the client device 9. In this case, although the state of the device cannot be controlled from the client device 9, the screen of the display 2 can be displayed from a remote place. Also in this case, it is not necessary to install a program for displaying the screen of each display 2 in the client device 9 in advance, so that it is possible to reduce the labor, time and cost of installation.

However, if the communication speed between the public server 16 and the client device 9 is low, such as when the client device 9 is communicating via the Internet 10, the data indicating the screen is transmitted to the client device 9. The update speed decreases.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an applet that causes the client device 9 to perform the above inquiry, change instruction, and display operation is distributed, so that the amount of data transmission can be significantly reduced, and Speed can be greatly improved. Further, for example, a user interface such as cursor movement can be processed on the client device side, so that the response speed can be further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the applet is made public has been described as an example. However, instead of the applet, the applet is created by compiling a programming language such as basic, and operates in the same manner as the applet. The same effect can be obtained by distributing an execution program that causes the client device 9 to execute.

However, as in the present embodiment, when the virtual machine 91 of the client device 9 interprets and displays and controls the applet, if the client device 9 has a virtual machine, the operating system of the client device is used. Even if the machine language executable by the (OS) or the CPU is different, the applet can be executed. Therefore, the display / control can be performed by more client devices 9 in the same manner as the display device 2 without increasing the types of applets distributed by the public server unit 16.

As described above, the control communication system according to the present embodiment uploads the screen data stored in the display 2 and creates a file for publication based on the screen data. To display a user screen of the screen data, and perform an operation from the user screen. Thus, even if the host computer 1 does not have a dedicated screen data file storage unit 8b for storing screen data as in the case of the computer 8, the same user screen as the user screen displayed on the display 2 can be used. Can be displayed on the client device 9. Therefore, the screen data file storage unit 8b
It is not necessary to store the same screen data as that stored in the host computer 1 in the host computer 1.

[0106]

As described above, the control communication system according to the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring screen data as display screen data and device data as data indicating a device state from the control display device. Generating means for generating terminal data for displaying the display screen on the display screen of the terminal device based on the acquired screen data and the device data, and transmitting the terminal data to the terminal device. Communication means for communicating with the terminal device via a network so as to transmit.

According to another control communication system of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing screen data which is data of a display screen, and transmitting the screen data stored in the storage means in response to a request from a terminal device. A control display device having a transmitting unit, and a device that obtains device data that is data indicating the state of the device from the control display device, and a communication unit that can communicate with the terminal device via a network. An execution program for causing the terminal device to execute an operation of inquiring the communication means of the device data corresponding to the transmitted screen data and an operation of displaying the display screen on the terminal device in response to the inquiry Execution program storage means for storing
Generating means for generating terminal data for displaying the display screen on a display image of the terminal device based on the obtained screen data and the device data, wherein the communication means includes the terminal device The terminal device transmits the execution program and the terminal data to the terminal device so as to cause the terminal device to perform the above operations, and acquires device data to be queried by the terminal device and transmits the device data to the terminal device.

With the two control communication systems described above, even a terminal device located at a distance from the control display device can be used.
A display screen displayed on the control display device can be displayed. Further, since the screen data is obtained from the control display device, it is not necessary to store the screen data in the server device having the generating unit and the communication unit. There is an effect that the display screen displayed on the control display device can be disclosed more easily.

The recording medium of the present invention stores a control communication program for executing each process for realizing each means of the above-described control communication system. Therefore, the same effects as the effects of the above-described control communication systems are obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a processing instruction word included in the screen data.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of a display processing instruction word among the processing instruction words.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of an input processing instruction word among the processing instruction words.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between screen data and a displayed user screen when a switch in a programmable display device of the control communication system is in an OFF state.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between screen data and a displayed user screen when a switch in a programmable display of the control communication system is in an ON state.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an XML file stored in an XML file storage unit in a host computer for a public server of the control communication system.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an HTML file stored in an HTML file storage unit in a host computer for a public server in the control communication system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for uploading and releasing screen data from a programmable display in the control communication system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional control system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another conventional control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Programmable display (control display device) 6 Input device (device) 7 Output device (device) 9 Client device (terminal device) 10 Internet (network) 14 File conversion unit 15c Applet storage unit (execution program storage means) 16 public server unit (acquisition unit, communication unit) 21 data processing unit (transmission unit) 27 user memory (storage unit) 91 virtual machine

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B069 AA01 AA02 FA02 KA06 5B085 BE07 BG07 5B089 GA01 GA21 HA10 JB03 JB07 JB22 KA06 KA11 KB04 KH04 KH11 LB14 5K033 AA04 BA02 DA05 DB14

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A screen as data of the display screen from a control display device which displays a state of the device on a display screen created in advance and gives a control instruction to the device via the display screen. Acquiring means for acquiring data and device data that is data indicating the state of the device; and for displaying the display screen on a display surface of a terminal device based on the acquired screen data and the device data. A control communication system comprising: generating means for generating terminal data; and communication means for communicating with the terminal device via a network so as to transmit the terminal data to the terminal device. 2. A control display device for displaying a state of a device on a display screen created in advance and for giving a control instruction to the device via the display screen, wherein the data of the display screen is displayed. A control display device having storage means for storing the screen data, and transmission means for transmitting the screen data stored in the storage means in response to a request from the terminal device; and data indicating the state of the device. Communication device capable of acquiring device data from the control display device and communicating with the terminal device via a network; and inquiring the communication device for the device data corresponding to the transmitted screen data. And an execution program for causing the terminal device to execute the operation of displaying the display screen on the terminal device in response to a response to the inquiry. Execution program storage means for storing a screen, and generating means for generating terminal data for displaying the display screen on a display image of the terminal device based on the acquired screen data and the device data. The communication means transmits the execution program and the terminal data to the terminal device so as to cause the terminal device to perform each of the above operations, and acquires the device data to be inquired by the terminal device to acquire the terminal device. A communication system for control, characterized in that the communication is transmitted to the control system. 3. A screen which is data of the display screen from a control display device which displays a state of the device on a display screen created in advance and gives a control instruction to the device via the display screen. An acquisition process for acquiring data and device data that is data indicating the state of the device; and displaying the display screen on a display surface of a terminal device based on the acquired screen data and the device data. A computer readable recording of a control communication program for executing a generation process for generating terminal data and a communication process for communicating with the terminal device via a network so as to transmit the terminal data to the terminal device. recoding media. 4. A control display device for displaying a status of a device on a display screen created in advance and for giving a control instruction to the device via the display screen, wherein the data of the display screen is displayed. A control communication system provided with a control display device having storage means for storing screen data, and transmission means for transmitting the screen data stored in the storage means in response to a request from a terminal device. A computer-readable recording medium used in the computer, wherein the communication device obtains device data, which is data indicating the state of the device, from the control display device, and communicates with the terminal device via a network. Processing, querying the communication process for the device data corresponding to the transmitted screen data, and responding to the query. An execution program storing process for storing an execution program for causing the terminal device to execute the operation of displaying the display screen on the terminal device, based on the acquired screen data and the device data, A control communication program for executing a generation process for generating terminal data for displaying the display screen on a display image is recorded, and the communication process causes the terminal device to perform each of the operations. A recording medium for transmitting the execution program and the terminal data to the terminal device, acquiring device data to be queried by the terminal device, and transmitting the acquired device data to the terminal device.