JPH04257902A - Programmable controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the work of another operator from being interrupted by receiving the selection/cancel requests of operation inhibition to respective equipment and the set/cancel requests of simulation to respective signals from the plural operators and judging whether the work is enabled or not. CONSTITUTION:A storage circuit 15a in an arithmetic unit 15 stores the numbers of signals related to each equipment 17, which is an operation object, as corresponding data in advance. Next, when the desired equipment 17 to select/cancel the operation inhibition is selected from the picture of a display device 11 by a touch operation, it is retrieved whether there is the equipment 17 in the operation set inhibition data or not. When there is no equipment 17, the processing of the operation inhibition is executed and based on the corresponding data, the signal number corresponding to the equipment 17 is registered as the simulation set inhibition data. When the desired signal to set/cancel the simulation of the signal is selected by an input device 11a, it is retrieved whether there is the signal in the simulation set inhibition data or not. When there is no signal, the processing of the signal simulation is executed and based on the corresponding data, the equipment 17 corresponding to the signal is registered as the operation set inhibition data.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Purpose of the invention]

0002

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a CR switch instead of a switch.
The present invention relates to a programmable controller that has the function of manually operating operated devices such as valves and pumps from the screen of a display device such as a T, and having the function of changing any signal of an arithmetic device into a simulated value using data from an input device.

0003

[Prior Art] In recent years, with the development of digital technology, conventional relay-based control devices have been replaced with programmable controllers using microprocessors, and this has led to new technology in monitoring, operation, and maintenance methods. It has been adopted.

[0004] In terms of monitoring and operation, manual operation of equipment such as valves and pumps installed on-site in industrial and power generation plants has traditionally been performed using twist switches or push-button switches on the control panel's operating table. is a CR with touch input function.
A method using a screen such as T is being adopted. In such a system, an operator selects a device to be operated and issues an operation command by touching the symbol of the device to be operated on the flow path diagram or configuration diagram of the plant displayed on a CRT screen. .

[0005] Furthermore, in terms of testing or maintenance, before moving to actual plant operation, functional tests of programmable controllers and operation checks of equipment are sequentially performed, but in this case, signals from external processes carry out the work. However, it may not be in the required state, or conversely, the calculation result may not necessarily be output directly to an external process.

For example, if a process is set to start a pump based on the logical product of multiple external conditions, all of the external conditions must be met in order to confirm the operation of the pump alone, but the testing process Sometimes external conditions do not necessarily hold true on the process side. Furthermore, when outputting the calculation results directly to an external process, the process may not be able to output the results due to individual adjustments or the like. For this reason, during testing or maintenance work, the grounding state of the signal lines for inputting and outputting external processes is changed as appropriate at the terminal board that connects the signal lines to the process input/output device. However, in recent years, transmission devices have been used to interface between arithmetic units and process input/output devices, and each device has become distributed, so the above-mentioned method does not necessarily allow for efficient testing or maintenance. It's becoming impossible to do so.

Therefore, recently, by connecting an input device such as a keyboard to an arithmetic unit and inputting the number and simulated value of the signal to be simulated, the arithmetic unit stores the signal simulation data and calculates the actual value of the specified signal. The programmable controller has a function to perform calculations using simulated values instead of the values of .

[0008] On the other hand, during testing or maintenance work, it is often necessary to prohibit the operation of equipment to check its long-term operation. In this case, in conventional control panels, switches and pushbutton switches corresponding to the equipment have been hung with tags prohibiting their operation; Requests related to operation management, such as selection and cancellation of prohibited operations, can also be input using touch operations, and the same can be done by changing the color of the symbol of the device or displaying a mark to prevent operation near the symbol.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional plant testing or maintenance work described above, many workers often carry out several work items in parallel, and therefore it is difficult to select operations that are prohibited or operate equipment. Each worker may perform signal simulation work for confirmation at the same time. For example, if a worker selects to prohibit operation by touch operation on a CRT, another worker may change the operation of the device by simulating the signal related to starting the device. Workers must notify the workers performing the signal simulation so that they do not do the signal simulation.

[0010] Considering the typical form of plant testing and maintenance work in which a large number of workers work in parallel while sharing a large number of operated devices and signals,
Such a method based on interdependence between workers is not practical and poses a great risk in terms of work management. In the case of a programmable controller that employs a switchless touch operation method using a CRT or a signal simulation method using an arithmetic unit, the above problem occurs because work tags cannot be physically hung.

[0011] The present invention was made in order to eliminate such conventional drawbacks, and allows selection and prohibition of operations for each device, such as hanging or checking work tags hung on switches and terminal blocks. A programmable system that accepts cancellation requests and simulated setting/cancellation requests for each signal from multiple workers, determines whether the requested work is possible, and prevents each worker from interfering with the work of other workers. The purpose is to provide a controller.

0012

[Structure of the invention]

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention instructs the operation of an operated device such as a valve or a pump by using a symbol representing the operated device displayed on the screen of a display device. In a programmable controller, the programmable controller has a screen input operation means for performing a screen input operation, and a means for replacing an arbitrary signal of an arithmetic unit specified on a screen displayed on the display device with a simulated value, the selection and prohibition of operation for the operated device. An operation prohibited device input means for inputting a cancellation request;
a simulated value input means for setting and canceling the simulated value of the signal;
By inputting a request for selection/cancellation of prohibition of operation from the operation prohibited device input means, the simulated setting of the signal for the specified device is confirmed, and by inputting the simulated value setting and cancellation of the signal from the simulated value input means. , a confirmation means for checking the operation prohibition setting of the device regarding the input signal, and processing for selecting and canceling the operation prohibition when there is no signal simulation setting,
Register data regarding the device for which a request for selection/cancellation of operation prohibition is input from the operation prohibited device input means, perform signal simulation processing if there is no operation prohibition setting for the device, and register data regarding the device corresponding to the signal. It is characterized by comprising a calculation means.

[0014]

[Operation] In the present invention, in order to enable simultaneous or parallel selection/cancellation of prohibition of operations and setting/cancellation of signal simulation, the number of the signal associated with each device to be operated is stored in advance as corresponding data. Next, when you select the device whose operation you want to prohibit or cancel by touch operation from the CRT screen that has touch operation function, it searches to see if the device exists in the operation setting prohibition data, and if it does not, performs the operation prohibition process. At the same time, the signal number corresponding to the device is registered as simulated setting prohibition data based on the correspondence data. In addition, when you select a signal for which you want to set or cancel signal simulation using an input device such as a keyboard, the system searches to see if the signal exists in the simulation setting prohibition data, and if it does not exist, performs signal simulation processing, and also performs signal simulation processing based on the corresponding data. The device corresponding to that signal is registered as operation setting prohibited data.

In such a work procedure, if there is a selected device or signal in each setting prohibition data, it is excluded from the work as being prohibited from being operated or simulated, and a prohibition display is displayed on the CRT to notify the operator.

[0016]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a programmable controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a programmable controller, and 17 is an operated device of the plant. This programmable controller 1
0 is a display device 11 such as a CRT that displays the configuration, status, and various information of the plant and operated equipment; a screen touch input device 11a attached to the display device 11 that inputs touch operation commands from a worker; An input device 13 such as a keyboard for inputting character information such as letters, a peripheral device controller 14 for the display device 11 and the input device 13, an internal storage circuit 15a that stores input information from the screen touch input device 11a and the input device 13. an arithmetic unit 15 for storing process information from the plant and performing control calculations by inputting process information from the plant;
It is composed of a process input/output device 16 that inputs and outputs data between an arithmetic device 15 and an operated device 17 of the plant.

The following description will focus on the operation prohibition and signal simulation settings aimed at the effects of the programmable controller 10 configured as described above. First, the worker uses the input device 13 to display the operated device 1 displayed on the display device 11 in advance.
Among the 7 symbols, the device whose operation is prohibited and the signal number in the arithmetic unit 15 of the output signal to the device are input and stored as corresponding data 20 in the storage circuit 15a. FIG. 2 shows the structure of the corresponding data 20 stored in the storage circuit 15a.
Shown below. For example, when the above procedure is input for device A, a group of correspondence data 21 for device A consisting of a device name and a signal corresponding to the device name is stored. Such a storage area of the corresponding data 21 for device A is stored in the storage circuit 15a for each device whose operation is prohibited.

Next, the worker who prohibits the operation of a device selects the device whose operation is to be prohibited or cancels the prohibition from among the symbols of the operated devices 17 displayed on the display device 11, and touches the symbol on the screen. do. The arithmetic device 15 receives the device selection command transmitted from the screen touch input device 11a, returns a selection of prohibition of operation or a request for cancellation to the display device 11, and waits for the operator to make a selection. Display device 11 including touch input device 11a
).

When the operator selects to prohibit operation, the arithmetic unit 15 checks whether the selected device is included in the operation setting prohibition data 60 in the memory circuit 15a, and if the selected device is not present or if cancellation is selected. In this case, the data corresponding to the operation prohibition is stored as an operation prohibition value in the operation data 30 that stores the operation information on the device by the touch operation of the memory circuit 15a, and it is displayed that the device is in the operation prohibited or released state. Display is performed by changing the color of the symbol of the device 11 or by outputting or erasing a mark near the symbol.

However, if the device is included in the operation setting prohibition data 60, a message indicating that the operation is not allowed is displayed on the display device 11 and confirmation from the operator is requested. When the worker selects the confirmation selection indicating that the operation is prohibited from the display device 11, the above-mentioned operation prohibition selection information is erased and the operation prohibition process is not performed. FIG. 3 shows the structure of the operation data 30 stored in the storage circuit 15a by the operation of the operated device 17. For example, in device A, an area is provided in the memory circuit 15a as the operation data 31 of device A, and an operation value corresponding to the operation of the device and an operation prohibition value corresponding to selection or cancellation of operation prohibition are determined. the specified address. In this way, N pieces of operation data from device A to device Y, which are targets of touch operations from the display device 11, are written. 32 is operation data of device Y.

Further, the worker who simulates the signals inputs the signal number in the arithmetic unit 15 of the signal to be simulated using the input device 13, and selects the signal to be set or canceled for simulation. The arithmetic device 15 receives the signal selection command transmitted from the input device 13, sends back a request for setting or canceling the simulation to the display device 11, and waits for the operator's selection. When the worker selects the simulation setting and inputs a selection command from the input device 13, the arithmetic device 15 then sends a message to the display device 11 to input information on the simulation value, and waits for the worker's input again. The operator follows the message and inputs necessary information using the input device 13. When the input is completed, the arithmetic device 15 displays the currently selected signal number and simulated value on the display device 11, and requests confirmation from the operator. When the worker inputs a confirmation command for input information from the input device 13, the arithmetic unit 15 checks whether the input signal number is within the simulation setting prohibition data 50 in the memory circuit 15a, and if it is not, the signal number and simulation The values are stored in pairs in the storage circuit 15a.

However, if there is simulation setting prohibition data 50, a display indicating that simulation is prohibited is displayed on the display device 11, and confirmation from the operator is requested. When the worker inputs a confirmation command to prohibit simulation from the input device 13, the above input information is erased and simulation is not performed. Memory circuit 1 for signal simulation setting/cancellation
FIG. 4 shows the structure of the simulated data 40 stored in 5a. For example, when signal simulation is set for signal number B using the procedure described above, signal number B and its simulated value are stored as simulation data 41 of signal number B in the storage circuit 15a. 42 is simulated data of signal number M. In this way, if the signal simulation is set N times, the memory circuit 1
5a, N pieces of simulated data are created.

On the other hand, when canceling the signal simulation, the target signal number is selected using the input device 13 and a cancellation request is input in the same manner as when setting the signal. Upon receiving the cancellation request, the arithmetic unit 15 stores information regarding the selected signal number in the storage circuit 1.
5a and displayed on the display device 11. If the information is correct, when the worker inputs a cancellation command from the input device 13, the calculation device 15 deletes the corresponding signal number and its simulated value from the simulated data, and if there is a signal number after that signal number, it becomes vacant. Fill the memory area.

Next, a procedure for creating the simulated setting prohibition data 50 and the operation setting prohibition data 60 created in the storage circuit 15a will be described. Programmable controller 10
The arithmetic unit 15 in the device picks up the device whose operation is prohibited from the operation data 30, and calculates the corresponding data 21 of device A and the corresponding data 22 of device N regarding the device whose operation is prohibited in the corresponding data 20. The signal number is stored in the storage circuit 15a as a simulation prohibition signal.

Memory circuit 15 for inhibiting signal simulation
FIG. 5 shows the structure of the simulated setting prohibition data 50 stored in a. For example, when the device A is in the operation prohibited state, the signal numbers A, C, and N stored in the corresponding data 21 of the device A of the device A are set as the signal of the simulated prohibited state in the storage circuit 15a.
It is stored in the simulation prohibited data area within. Similarly, the arithmetic unit 15 picks up a signal number in a simulated state from the simulated data 40, and selects a device that includes a signal number in a simulated state from the corresponding data 20 in the corresponding data 21 of the device A and the corresponding data 22 of the device N. It is picked up from inside and stored in the memory circuit 15a as a device for stopping touch operations.

Memory circuit 1 for stopping touch operation
FIG. 6 shows the structure of the operation setting prohibition data 60 stored in 5a.
Shown below. For example, when signal number B is in a simulated state, the arithmetic unit 15 searches for which device the signal number B belongs to, and selects the corresponding device (in this case, device N) as the device to which the touch operation is to be stopped. It is stored in the operation stop data area in 15a.

The operation data 30 created in the storage circuit 15a in this way prohibits the operation of the operated device 17 on the display device 11, and also displays the simulated data 40.
The signal number in the arithmetic unit 15 is set to a simulated value using the data.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent each worker who is performing a different task such as prohibiting the operation of the operated device 17 or simulating a signal from entering the work area of other workers even in normal work procedures. You can perform the work as if you were checking a work tag hung on a conventional switch or terminal block.

In the above embodiment, a CRT is assumed as the display device 11, but the present invention can also be applied to devices such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and an EL (electroluminescence) display. In addition, as the screen touch input device 11a, there are infrared type, capacitive type, etc. depending on the method of detecting the touched position on the screen, and it is assumed that the method is operated by directly touching the screen using these.
It is obvious that other indirect input means such as a mouse, light pen, tablet, etc. may also be used. Of course, as a related input device, a keyboard is also shown as an example as a typical input means, and a screen touch input mechanism may be used for signal simulation input. Further, although the operated device 17 such as a valve or a pump is assumed to be the operation target, the present invention can be easily applied to any device such as a controller that can be operated from a CRT screen.

[0030]

As explained above, according to the programmable controller of the present invention, requests for selection/cancellation of prohibition of operations for each device and requests for simulated setting/cancellation for each signal are received from a plurality of workers, and the operations of the requests can be performed. Testing and maintenance work can be carried out safely and efficiently by determining whether or not each worker is able to do so and preventing each worker from interfering with the work of other workers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a programmable controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of corresponding data stored in a storage circuit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of operation data stored in a storage circuit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of simulation data stored in a storage circuit for signal simulation setting/cancellation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of simulation setting prohibition data stored in a storage circuit to prohibit signal simulation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of operation setting prohibition data stored in a storage circuit to stop touch operations.

[Explanation of symbols]

10...Programmable controller 11...Display device 11a...Screen touch input device 13...Input device 14...Peripheral device controller 15...Arithmetic device 15a...Memory circuit 16...Process input/output device 17...Operated device 20...Corresponding data 30...Operation data 40...Simulated data 50...Simulation setting prohibited data 60...Operation setting prohibited data

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Screen input operation means for operating a device to be operated such as a valve or a pump by instructing a symbol representing the device to be operated displayed on a screen of a display device; In the programmable controller, the programmable controller has means for replacing any signal of an arithmetic unit specified on a screen with a simulated value, an operation prohibited device input means for inputting a request for selection/cancellation of prohibition of operation for the operated device, and a signal simulator. A simulated value input means for setting and canceling the value, and selection and selection of operation prohibition from the operation prohibited device input means.
By inputting a cancellation request, the simulated setting of the signal for the specified device is confirmed, and by inputting the simulated value setting and cancellation of the signal from the simulated value input means, the operation prohibition setting of the device related to the input signal is confirmed. If there is no signal simulation setting, the device processes the selection/cancellation of operation prohibition, registers the data regarding the device for which the operation prohibition selection/cancellation request has been input from the operation prohibited device input means, and A programmable controller comprising: arithmetic means that performs signal simulation processing when there is no operation prohibition setting, and registers data regarding equipment corresponding to the signal.