JPH035796A - Graphic display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce burden on a user by starting or interrupting the display of flow of a character string in accordance with state information sent from a host computer. CONSTITUTION:State information MD sent from an external circuit is successive ly written in a prescribed address of a state information storage means 61, and its value is changed with time. A system control means 63 successively reads out a display change processing word W from a data storage means 6 and decodes it and reads out corresponding state information MD from the state information storage means 61 based on address data AD. When it is judged that character strings should be displayed, a display data D is read out and a picture display part 64 generates a series of character strings based on display data D to display the flow on a prescribed area of a base picture, and there after, the picture display part 64 stops the flow display at the time of inversion of the value of state information MD. Thus, it is unnecessary for the user to be skillful in generation of control command, and the burden is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a device for displaying images such as figures, graphs, numbers, characters, etc. on the screen of an image display device such as a CRT or a plasma display, and particularly relates to a device for displaying images such as figures, graphs, numbers, characters, etc. The present invention relates to a graphic display device that can display a predetermined character string on a screen in response to data sent from an external circuit.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, display terminals have been used to connect online to a host computer and monitor the operating status of a plant consisting of tanks, piping, valves, etc., and the progress of processes in a machine shop. It has been proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-6130).

In this case, monitoring data from instrumentation systems such as tank level meters and limit switches that detect opening and closing of valves is sent to the host computer. The host computer is
The monitoring data is processed according to a preset procedure, and a control command for changing the image is created and sent to the image display device.

As a result, the image drawn on the image display device is changed in accordance with the change in the monitoring data.

In addition, if the monitoring data indicates the occurrence of an abnormal situation,
The host computer creates a control command to display a warning message representing the situation on the screen according to a preset procedure, and sends it to the image display device.

(Problem to be Solved) Conventional image display devices only have the function of changing the screen display according to control commands from a host computer, and the user needs to create control commands on the host computer. . Therefore, the user has to become proficient in creating complex control commands, which imposes a heavy burden on the user.

In addition, the warning message that should be displayed when an abnormal situation is discovered through monitoring data may include a long message that cannot be displayed in the corner of the screen, so when an abnormal situation occurs,
The display of the base screen was temporarily interrupted and switched to the warning message display screen, making it possible to display a long warning message using the entire screen. Therefore, while the warning text is being displayed, the base screen disappears and other monitoring data cannot be displayed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a host computer with a simple function of simply creating and transmitting binary data representing the situation when displaying a warning message on the screen when an abnormal situation occurs. To provide a graphic display device capable of automatically displaying a warning message on a screen in accordance with binary data (status information MD) sent from.

Another object of the present invention is to display a warning message on the screen,
Set the display position of each character of the warning message to 1 within the specified area of the screen.
Provided with a function that displays the entire text of the warning message on the screen (hereinafter referred to as flow display) by shifting in one direction by characters, erasing the first character in the area and extending new characters to the end. To provide a graphic display device capable of displaying a long warning message that cannot be displayed on the screen at once without switching the base screen.

(Means for Solving the Problems) As shown in FIG. 1, the graphic display device according to the present invention is capable of: a) generating a character string based on received data and displaying the character string in a flowing manner; b) status information MD sent from the host computer;
C) display data D representing a series of character strings to be displayed on the screen, and whether or not the character string should be displayed on the screen; a display change processing word W containing address data AD representing the storage position in the state information storage means of the state information indicating the state information;
is stored for each character string; and d) the display change processing word W in the data storage means is decoded to determine the state specified by the address data AD from the state information storage means. system control means (63) for reading information MD and sending display data D included in the display change processing word W to the image display section when the status information MD instructs display of a character string; A display change processing word W is registered in advance in the data storage means (6) for each character string to be displayed. Incidentally, the procedure for registering the display change processing word W in the data storage means (6) can be easily carried out in an interactive manner as described later.

The status information MD sent from the external circuit is sequentially written to a predetermined address of the status information storage means (61), and the value of the status information MD within the storage means changes with time.

The system control means (63) sequentially reads out the display change processing words W stored in the data storage means (6), decodes the read display change processing words, and executes the following procedure.

Based on the address data AD included in the display change processing word W, the state information MD corresponding to the address data is read from the state information storage means, and the value of the state information MD (
Whether or not to display a character string is determined depending on whether the character string is displayed (“0” or “1”).

When displaying a character string, the display data D included in the display change processing word W is read out, and the image display section (
64).

As a result, the image display section (64) generates a series of character strings based on the received display data D and displays them in a flowing manner in a predetermined area on the base screen.

This display operation continues as long as the status information instructs the display of the character sequence, and thereafter, when the value of the status information is reversed, the display of the character sequence is stopped.

The system control means repeatedly reads the state information MD set in the state information storage means, constantly monitors the value of the state information, and when there is a change in the state information MD of any address, the system control means reads out the state information MD set in the state information storage means. The same character string display operation as described above is also possible by searching for, calling the display change processing word W containing the address data AD representing the storage position of the changed state information, and decoding this. .

(Effects of the Invention) In the graphic display device according to the present invention, it is possible to start or stop displaying a flow of character strings in accordance with binary data (status information MD) sent from a host computer. Therefore, the host computer can be simply provided with a simple function that arranges and outputs the monitoring data sent from the instrumentation system into a binary status information MD, making it possible to create screen control commands like in the past. is not necessary.

Therefore, the burden on the user is significantly reduced compared to the conventional method.

Also, since the character rows are displayed in a flowing manner in a predetermined area of the screen, even if the length of the row exceeds the width of the screen or there are multiple character rows to be displayed at the same time, the base screen can be switched. All character strings can be displayed without

(Examples) Examples are provided to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing its scope.

Hereinafter, an example of an image display control device implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present device also has the functions of a conventional general graphic display device, but illustrations and explanations of these well-known configurations will be omitted.

The image display control device (1) is connected online to the host computer (2) as shown in Fig. 2, and includes a communication controller (13) and a keyboard (12) for receiving data from the host computer (2). I10 controller (14) for receiving input signals from CP
U (15), ROM (4) in which system programs (Figs. 9 to 13) described below are registered, various RAs described below
M (41) (42) (43) (44), a register (3) for controlling the data read timing by the communication controller (13), and a display (1).
1) Graphic controller (
5).

Of the four RAMs, the state information RAM (41) corresponds to the state information storage means, the event RAM (42) corresponds to the data storage means, and the system is further stored in ROM (4). A program corresponds to the system control means. The operations of these RAMs will be described later.

The video RAM (44) is used to develop data in the graphic RAM (43) into a screen image when the graphic controller (5) controls the drawing operation of the display (11).

In addition, the graphic controller (5) is configured as described below.
Event RAM (4
2) It has a function to decipher the JIS code sent from the machine, create a warning message, and display it in a running manner at the bottom of the base screen of the display (11).

On the other hand, the host computer (2) is a general digital computer or programmable controller, and has an input circuit (2) for receiving monitoring data from the instrumentation system.
21), a processing circuit (22) for storing the received monitoring data in memory according to a predetermined procedure, and a processing circuit (22) for reading data from the processing circuit (22) and outputting a strobe signal SR.
and an output circuit (23) for sending the start signal ST to the image display control device (1).

FIG. 3 shows the correspondence between the address space of the status information storage memory (24) provided in the host computer and the address space of the status information RAM (41) of the image display control device. As shown in the diagram (No. 0
An 8-bit long storage section consisting of bits to seventh bits is provided at necessary addresses (0th address to Nth address).

The monitoring data supplied to the host computer (2) is processed by a procedure preset in the processing circuit (22).
After being converted into binary data of 0"1" (status information MD), the data is stored in the memory (24) from the 0th bit of the 0th address to the 1st bit of the 0th address, ..., the 1st bit of the 1st address. Oth bit,
... are stored in order.

When one cycle of monitoring data from the instrumentation system is stored in the memory (24) of the processing circuit, the data in the memory (24) is transmitted to the image display control device (1) by the operation of the output circuit (23). The information is stored in the state information RAM (41) via the communication controller (13). At this time, the data stored in the memory (24) of the host computer is moved to the storage location indicated by the same address and bit of the status information RAM (41) of the image display control device, so that the contents of both memories are the same. The read and write operations are controlled so that.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the display change processing word W stored in the event RAM (42). First, the structure of the display change processing word W when changing the display color of the bulb will be specifically explained based on FIGS. 5 to 7.

The base screen in FIG. 5 is composed of three display blocks showing a tank (7), a pipe (71), and a valve (72). The tank (7) and piping (71) are as shown in Figure 6.
It is created as a fixed image on the display (11), and its graphic data is stored in the graphic RAM (43) together with a file number Fl (for example, No. 1).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the valve (72) is created as a separate image block that can be called relative to the fixed image, and is stored in the graphic RAM (43) with the file number F2 (for example, number 700). Registered.

When registering the display change processing word W in the event RAM (42) of FIG. 4, the apparatus is set to the drawing mode, and the registration procedure shown in FIG. 13 is performed by operating the keyboard (12).

By keying the file number Fl (number 1 in this case) of the fixed image mentioned above, the file number is stored at address 0 of the event RAM (42,) shown in FIG.

Next, state information (for example, "
Address A1 and bit address Bl (for example, A1=O) in the state information RAM (41) in which the state information RAM 1") should be stored.

By setting B1=O), these data are stored at the first and second addresses of the event RAM (42), respectively.

Further, the address A1 of the state information RAM (41),
The bit of the status information stored in bit address B1 is ON (
0N10FF data S (for example, “1”) or 0FF (“0”) indicating when to call a fixed image.
”). The data is stored in the third address of the event RAM (42).

Next, the type of image block (event) whose display should be changed,
In other words, data that distinguishes whether the display is a mark such as a valve, a library with a more complex structure than a mark, a time display, etc. (for example, "1" in the case of a mark display) is required. Set.

The data is stored at address 4 of the event RAM (42).

If the event name TN "Valve" is to be displayed at a position near the valve (72) as shown in FIG. 5, after inputting the display start position of the event name on the screen, key in "Valve".

These data are stored at addresses 5 and 6 of the event RAM (42).

Next, state information RAM (41
) in address A2 and bit address B2 (for example, A2=0
, B2=1), these data are stored at the seventh and eighth addresses of the event RAM (42), respectively.

Furthermore, the registration file number F2 of the valve image block (
By setting the key to 700 in this case, the file number is stored in the 9th address of the event RAM (42).

After that, when the status information of the address A2 and bit address B2 is ON (“1”) and 0FF (“0”), 0N10 representing the color to paint each mark (bulb).
Key in FF color information ZD. For example, to turn on the red designated key, and to turn off the designated green key.

The 0N10FF information ZD is stored at the 10th address of the event RAM (42).

Finally, coordinate data HD (X and Y shown in FIG. 5) indicating the display position of the mark (bulb) on the screen is input. The coordinate data is stored at address 11 of the event RAM (42).

Next, the structure of the display change processing word W for displaying the warning message in sequence will be explained.

The display change processing word W for displaying a warning message is sequentially written into a storage area set in advance in the event RAM (42), as shown in FIG. The display change processing word W uses the file number Fi as an index, as shown in the 101st to 111th addresses of the event A M (42), for example.
Display data D1 to D6 representing warning sentences such as "tank level low" created in advance in a series of JIS codes, and status information RAM (41) of status information corresponding to the warning sentences.
A warning call address Ai and a warning call bit Bi which are address data AD indicating the storage location in the file, display format information Ei indicating a display format such as blinking display or inverted character display, and a screen when displaying the warning message. It is composed of the information Gi representing the font size shown above.

To register a warning message, as shown in Figure 9, first create a warning message on the screen using the word processor function, and then key in the above-mentioned call address Ai and call bit Bi that correspond to the warning message. Finally, by keying in the display format and font size, the registration of the display change processing word is completed.

The registration of the event RAM (42) is completed by repeating the above-described creation and registration procedure of the display change processing word W for all events and warning messages to which the display change is to be performed.

The above procedure can be easily performed in the drawing mode through interaction between the display (11) and the user's key operations.

Next, the operation in the operation mode in which the image display control device (1) is connected to the host computer (2) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

When the device is powered on, it is first determined whether or not it is online with the host computer, as shown in FIG. 10. If NO, the drawing mode is set.

If YES, that is, if the status information MD is being written to the status information RAM by data communication from the host computer to the image display control device, event RA
The contents of the plurality of display change processing words W stored in M (42) are read out in order, and the warning processing and display operation described below are repeatedly executed.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the display operation, first, the screen call address A1 included in the read display change processing word W is
and screen call bit B1, status information RA
The value of the status information MD stored at address (A1.B1) of M (41) is read out, and the read value is compared with the value of the screen call 0N10FF data S included in the display change processing word.

If they do not match, it is determined that the host computer (2) has not issued an instruction to change the display, and the process returns to the data communication process.

When the state information MD and ON10FF data S match, a fixed image is called from the graphic RAM (43) based on the file number F1 included in the display change processing word W.

Next, the modes are branched depending on the type of event included in the display change processing word W, and processing is proceeded for each mode. For example, in the case of displaying a mark (valve), based on the event name start position and event name TN included in the display change processing word,
The event name TN (
“Draw valve °).

Thereafter, based on the event display call address A2 and the event display call bit B2 included in the display change processing word W, the state information data MD is read out from address (A2.B2) of the state information RAM (41). Data M
It is determined whether the value of D is "ON" or "OFF".

If the above judgment result is “ON”, the display change processing word W
The graphic data of the image block (bulb) registered in the graphic RAM (43) is read out based on the registered file number F2 included in the display change processing word W, and further specified by the coordinate data HD included in the display change processing word W. An image block (bulb) is displayed at the screen position in the color (red) when the 0N10FF color information is "ON". Furthermore, if the judgment result is "OFF", the graphic data of the image block (bulb) registered in the graphic RAM (43) is read out based on the registered file number F2 included in the display change processing word W. , and further displays the color (
green) to display the image block (bulb).

Thereafter, the process returns to the data communication process, and the display change based on the next display change processing word W is continued.

As shown in FIG. 4, if the event RAM contains a file for the display change processing word W that instructs warning display, the first
The warning process shown in FIG. 1 is executed.

That is, with reference to the setting contents of the display change processing BW, the state information MD at the bit position is read from the state information RAM based on the call address Ai and the call bit Bi included in the display change processing word, and its value is determined. When it is ON (“1”), the warning message display operation described below is executed, and it is turned 0FF (“
0''), the warning text is erased from the screen.

In the warning message display operation, the file number Fi1 display data D, to D6, display format information Ei1, and character size information Gi included in the display change processing word in FIG. 4 are read out. Then, the moving pitch of the warning text on the screen is set from the font size information.

The display data is sent to the display (11) as an image signal according to the display format information and the like.

Through the above procedure, the screen of the display (11) changes every moment according to the status information sent from the host computer (2).

Also, in this state, if an abnormality occurs in the operating state of the plant, monitoring data indicating, for example, an abnormal drop in the tank level, is input to the host computer, and status information instructing the display of a warning message is received by the image display control device. Then, the above-mentioned warning process is executed, and as shown in FIG.
As shown in , the warning text "Tank level low" is displayed at the bottom of the screen in a flow direction from the right side of the screen to the left side depending on the font size and the movement pitch and speed. Specific processing procedures for flow display can be easily set using known techniques.

The flow display of the warning text continues until the status information instructing the display of the warning text turns OFF.

If multiple pieces of status information that instruct the display of warning messages in the status information RAM are turned ON at the same time, and multiple warning messages are to be displayed at the same time, they will be displayed in the preset priority order, for example in the order of file number. These warning messages are displayed one after another.

In the image display control device (1), a program is provided to the host computer (2) that converts monitoring data from the instrumentation system into status information and stores it in the memory (24) shown in FIG. However, most of the programs store the monitoring data directly in the memory (24) as status information.
It is extremely easy to create a program because the process involves moving the data to a predetermined location.

In addition, since the content of warning messages and the display format on the screen can be freely set, specifications can be changed individually and flexibly for various instrumentation systems in plants, factories, etc. to be monitored. It is possible to respond.

The drawings and the description of the above embodiments are for illustrating the present invention, and do not limit the invention described in the claims.
Nor should it be construed as limiting the scope.

Further, it goes without saying that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the graphic display device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the specific configuration of the image display control device and the host computer, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the specific configuration of the image display control device and the host computer. An explanatory diagram showing the correspondence relationship between memory and status information RAM, FIG. 4 is an event RA
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the base screen, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the fixed image part that makes up the screen, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the display change processing word stored in M. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing how the warning message is displayed in sequence. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the warning message creation operation in the drawing mode. FIG. 10 is the flow chart showing the warning message creation operation in the operation mode. 11 is a flowchart showing the warning processing operation of FIG. 10, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart showing the display operation in Figure 10.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a registration procedure for changing an image block in the drawing mode. (1)...Image display control device (2)...Host computer (11)...Display MD...Status information W...Display change processing word

Claims (1)

[Claims] [1] A series of characters representing predetermined contents based on status information MD sent as binary data from an external circuit;
A graphic display device capable of displaying a character string such as a symbol on a part of the screen, the device comprising: a) generating a character string based on received data and displaying the character string in a predetermined area on the screen in the column direction; an image display unit (64) capable of sequentially displaying all the characters from the beginning to the end while moving the characters; and b) a state information storage means in which the state information MD is to be stored as an array of binary data. (61); c) display data D representing a series of character strings to be displayed on the screen;
Data storage means in which a display change processing word W including address data AD representing a storage position in the state information storage means of state information instructing whether or not to display the character row on the screen is stored for each character row. (6) and d) The display change processing word W in the data storage means is decoded and the state information MD specified by the address data AD is read out from the state information storage means, and the state information MD is the character string. A graphic display device comprising system control means (63) for sending display data D included in the display change processing word W to the image display unit when display is instructed.