Patent Publication Number: US-2013238104-A1

Title: System design device

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an FA system design device that designs a system constituted by FA devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A system constituted by factory-automation (FA) devices such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a display is designed and established by device manufacturers of the FA devices. Because the FA system is constituted by combining units (the FA devices) having various features, a design range is allocated to each of the device manufacturers when the system development is performed. Each of the device manufacturers uses a system design device to create a system configuration diagram (design the system) within its allocated design range. 
     For example, in a case where the system is designed on a large scale by a plurality of device manufacturers, an operator of the system design device (hereinafter, “designer”) from each of the device manufacturers shows design ranges allocated to the other device manufacturers (hereinafter, “system outside of allocated design range”) as a general-purpose unit in the system configuration diagram. When there are a plurality of the systems outside of the allocated design range, general-purpose units are created in the system configuration diagram by the number of the systems outside of the allocated design range. 
     Similarly, the designer shows a device that is not supported by the system design device as a general-purpose unit in the system configuration diagram. In a case where there are a plurality of the devices that are not supported by the system design device, general-purpose units are created in the system configuration diagram by the number of the devices that are not supported by the system design device. 
     Therefore, as the number of the systems outside of the allocated design range and the number of the devices that are not supported by the system design device are larger, an increased burden is imposed on the designer at the time of designing the system. To reduce the burden imposed on the designer at the time of designing the system, there is a technique to represent a plurality of functions as one virtual unit (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-146385 
       
    
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in the above conventional technique, in a case where a system is designed by many device manufacturers, each designer of the device manufacturers has to create many general-purpose units in a system configuration diagram. Further, in a case where there are many devices that are not supported by a system design device in the system, the designer has to create many general-purpose units in the system configuration diagram. As described above, when the system is designed on a large scale, many general-purpose units have to be created in the system configuration diagram. Therefore, there is a problem that much time and effort is required to create the system configuration diagram. 
     The present invention has been achieved to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system design device that can easily create a system configuration diagram. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the above problem and in order to attain the above object, a system design device of the present invention includes: a storage unit that stores therein configuration diagrams of FA devices designed by the device itself among FA devices that are constituent elements of an FA system as design-target-unit configuration diagrams and stores therein configuration diagrams of a plurality of FA devices that are not designed by the device itself among the FA devices as a general-purpose-unit configuration diagram that is one configuration diagram; an input unit that has input thereto command information for specifying at least one of the design-target-unit configuration diagrams and the general-purpose-unit configuration diagram; a system-configuration-diagram creation unit that reads a design-target-unit configuration diagram and a general-purpose-unit configuration diagram from the storage unit according to command information input from the input unit and creates a system configuration diagram of the FA system; and a display unit that displays a system configuration diagram created by the system-configuration-diagram creation unit, thereby displaying a plurality of FA devices that are not designed by the device itself among the FA devices as a general-purpose-unit configuration diagram that is one configuration diagram. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The system design device according to the present invention can easily create a system configuration diagram. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a hardware configuration of a system design device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the system design device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a configuration of general-purpose unit information. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a configuration of a screen displayed on a display device of the system design device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an operation process procedure in the system design device. 
         FIG. 6  is a configuration example of an FA system. 
         FIG. 7  is an example of a screen displayed on the display device. 
         FIG. 8  is a functional block diagram of a system design device according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a configuration of a screen displayed on a display device of the system design device according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a parameter-setting process procedure. 
         FIG. 11  is an example of a parameter setting screen. 
         FIG. 12  is an example of a parameter setting screen in a case where parameters are station numbers. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a link-file-setting process procedure. 
         FIG. 14  is an example of a link-file setting screen. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of a system design device according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  depicts a hardware configuration of a system design device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A system design device  50 A is a computer or the like that creates a system configuration diagram of an FA system constituted by FA devices such as a PLC and a display and that designs the FA system. The system design device  50 A starts software (a system design program) having been installed therein in advance, thereby creating the system configuration diagram. 
     In the system design device  50 A according to the present embodiment, an FA device outside of the allocated design range and an FA device in which its design is not supported by the system design device  50 A are represented as one general-purpose unit (hereinafter, “integrated general-purpose unit”) in the system configuration diagram. 
     The system design device  50 A includes an input device  51  including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a display device  52  such as a liquid crystal monitor, a central calculation device  53 , and a storage device  54 . In the system design device  50 A, the input device  51  and the display device  52  are connected to the central calculation device  53  and the storage device  54  through a bus line. 
     The central calculation device  53  is an information processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU). The storage device  54  is a device such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. 
     The central calculation device  53  uses the system design program that is a computer program to create a system configuration diagram. The display device  52  displays the system configuration diagram and the like on a display screen based on a command from the central calculation device  53 . For example, the display device  52  displays a unit component (the FA device) and the integrated general-purpose unit that are incorporated in the FA system on the display screen as the system configuration diagram. 
     The input device  51  inputs command information input by a designer (a user of the system design device  50 A). Command information for specifying a type of the FA device to be designed by the system design device  50 A, command information for displaying the integrated general-purpose unit on the system configuration diagram, and the like are input to the input device  51 . The command information input to the input device  51  is transmitted to the central calculation device  53 . 
     The system design program is held in the ROM in the storage device  54  and loaded into the RAM in the storage device  54  through a bus line. The central calculation device  53  executes the system design program loaded into the RAM. Specifically, in the system design device  50 A, according to a command input from the input device  51  by the user, the central calculation device  53  reads the system design program from the ROM and develops it in a program holding area in the RAM to perform various processing. The central calculation device  53  temporarily stores various data generated by the various processing in a data holding area formed in the RAM. 
     The system design program executed by the system design device  50 A has a module configuration including a system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  that is described later. These modules are loaded on a main storage device and generated on the main storage device. 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the system design device according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 2  depicts a functional block diagram of the system design device  50 A achieved by using the central calculation device  53  and the storage device  54  that are shown in  FIG. 1 . Therefore, the input device  51  and the display device  52  are not shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The system design device  50 A includes an input processing unit  60 , a display processing unit  61 , a calculation unit  62 A, and a storage unit  67 A. The input processing unit  60  performs processing for inputting information, transmitted from the input device  51 , to the calculation unit  62 A. The display processing unit  61  creates display data to be output to the display device  52 . The display processing unit  61  creates display data based on a calculation result calculated by the calculation unit  62 A (a system configuration diagram and the like), and outputs the display data to the display device  52 . 
     The calculation unit  62 A performs a function of creating a system configuration diagram. The calculation unit  62 A includes the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63 . The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  includes a general-purpose-unit creation processing unit  59 . 
     The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  performs processing for creating a system configuration diagram to be displayed on the display device  52 . The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  also performs processing for creating information concerning the system configuration diagram. 
     The general-purpose-unit creation processing unit  59  performs processing for creating an integrated general-purpose unit to be displayed on a system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . The general-purpose-unit creation processing unit  59  also performs processing for creating information concerning the integrated general-purpose unit. 
     The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  has a drawing function of graphically drawing an FA system configuration on a screen and a unit arrangement function of arranging a unit component selected from a list on the screen at the time of drawing the FA system configuration. The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  according to the present embodiment uses an FA device that is a design target and specified by the designer (design-target-unit configuration diagram) and the integrated general-purpose unit specified by the designer (general-purpose-unit configuration diagram) to create a system configuration diagram. 
     The general-purpose-unit creation processing unit  59  performs various information settings such that the integrated general-purpose unit arranged on the system configuration diagram can represent a plurality of units. The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  stores the created system configuration diagram in a system-configuration-diagram storage unit  68 . 
     The storage unit  67 A stores therein the system configuration diagram, a configuration diagram of a unit component, and the like that are created by using the calculation unit  62 A. The storage unit  67 A includes the system-configuration-diagram storage unit  68  and a unit-component storage unit  69 . The system-configuration-diagram storage unit  68  includes a general-purpose-unit information storage unit  58 . 
     The system-configuration-diagram storage unit  68  stores therein the system configuration diagram created by using the calculation unit  62 A. The unit-component storage unit  69  stores therein diagrams representing an FA device in which its design is supported by the system design device  50 A, a network cable, and the like and diagrams representing the integrated general-purpose unit and the like as unit component diagrams related to unit components. In other words, the unit-component storage unit  69  stores therein a configuration diagram of an FA device designed by the device itself (the system design device  50 A) (design-target-unit configuration diagram) and a configuration diagram of a plurality of FA devices that are not designed by the device itself (one general-purpose-unit configuration diagram). 
     The unit component diagrams stored in the unit-component storage unit  69  are used when the calculation unit  62 A creates a system configuration diagram. The designer selects a unit component diagram needed to create the system configuration diagram (a unit component diagram within the allocated design range) from the unit component diagrams stored in the unit-component storage unit  69  and uses the selected unit component diagram to create the system configuration diagram. The general-purpose-unit information storage unit  58  stores therein general-purpose unit information that is information concerning the integrated general-purpose unit. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a configuration of general-purpose unit information.  FIG. 3  depicts a data structure of general-purpose unit information  76  held in the general-purpose-unit information storage unit  58 . The general-purpose unit information  76  includes device information  77 . The number of the FA devices represented as one integrated general-purpose unit is held in the device information  77 . In other words, the device information  77  is the number of the FA devices that constitute the integrated general-purpose unit. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a configuration of a screen displayed on a display device of the system design device according to the first embodiment. A screen  72 A displayed on the display device  52  of the system design device  50 A includes the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 , a unit-component display unit  74 , a general-purpose-unit information setting unit  75 , and the like. 
     The system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is an area that displays a system configuration diagram created by the designer using the calculation unit  62 A. The unit-component display unit  74  is an area that displays a list of unit component diagrams of the FA devices, the integrated general-purpose unit, the network cable, and the like that are constituent elements of the system configuration diagram. The general-purpose-unit information setting unit  75  is an area for inputting and setting the number of the FA devices displayed as the integrated general-purpose unit. 
     The unit component diagrams to be displayed on the unit-component display unit  74  are stored in the unit-component storage unit  69 . The display processing unit  61  reads the unit component diagrams from the unit-component storage unit  69  based on a command from the calculation unit  62 A and displays them on the unit-component display unit  74 . The display processing unit  61  also reads the system configuration diagram from the system-configuration-diagram storage unit  68  and displays it on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     Next, an operation process procedure in the system design device  50 A is explained.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the operation process procedure in the system design device. The system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  in the system design device  50 A displays the unit component diagrams on the unit-component display unit  74 . Specifically, the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  transmits the unit component diagrams stored in the unit-component storage unit  69  to the display processing unit  61  and also transmits a command for displaying the unit component diagrams on the unit-component display unit  74  to the display processing unit  61 . 
     Accordingly, the display processing unit  61  displays the unit component diagrams on the unit-component display unit  74 . 
     Thereafter, the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  determines whether the FA devices that are design targets in the FA system are all arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (Step S 10 ). A designer visually determines whether the FA devices in the FA system are all arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 , for example. When the FA devices are all arranged, information indicating that the FA devices are all arranged (device arrangement confirmation information) is input to the input device  51  by the designer. The device arrangement confirmation information is input to the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  through the input processing unit  60 . Based on whether the device arrangement confirmation information is input, the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  determines whether the unit component diagrams are all arranged. 
     When the unit component diagrams are not all arranged (NO at Step S 10 ), whether the FA device to be arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is an FA device supported by the system design device  50 A is determined (Step S 20 ). 
     When the FA device to be arranged is displayed on the unit-component display unit  74  (YES at Step S 20 ), this FA device to be arranged is determined to be supported by the system design device  50 A. The designer visually determines whether the FA device to be arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is displayed on the unit-component display unit  74 , for example. When the FA device to be arranged is displayed on the unit-component display unit  74 , a diagram representing this FA device to be arranged is dragged and dropped from the unit-component display unit  74  onto the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  by the designer (Step S 30 ). Accordingly, the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  creates information concerning the FA device having been dragged and dropped. The diagram showing the FA device is then displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     On the other hand, when the FA device to be arranged is not displayed on the unit-component display unit  74  (NO at Step S 20 ), this FA device to be arranged is determined not to be supported by the system design device  50 A. In this case, whether the integrated general-purpose unit has already been arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is determined (Step S 40 ). The designer visually determines whether the integrated general-purpose unit is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 , for example. When the integrated general-purpose unit is not displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (NO at Step S 40 ), the integrated general-purpose unit is dragged and dropped from the unit-component display unit  74  onto the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (Step S 50 ). Accordingly, the general-purpose-unit creation processing unit  59  creates information concerning the integrated general-purpose unit having been dragged and dropped. The diagram showing the integrated general-purpose unit is then displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     After the diagram representing the FA device to be arranged is dragged and dropped from the unit-component display unit  74  onto the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (Step S 30 ), whether the FA devices that are design targets in the FA system are all arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is determined (Step S 10 ). 
     When the integrated general-purpose unit is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (YES at Step S 40 ), whether the FA devices that are design targets in the FA system are all arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is determined (Step S 10 ). 
     After the integrated general-purpose unit is dragged and dropped from the unit-component display unit  74  onto the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (Step S 50 ), whether the FA devices that are design targets in the FA system are all arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is determined (Step S 10 ). 
     In the system design device  50 A, processing from Steps S 10  to S 50  is repeated until the FA devices that are design targets in the FA system are all determined to be arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     When the FA devices that are design targets in the FA system are all determined to be arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (YES at Step S 10 ), whether the integrated general-purpose unit is arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is determined (Step S 60 ). The designer visually determines whether the integrated general-purpose unit is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 , for example. When the integrated general-purpose unit is arranged, information indicating that the integrated general-purpose unit is arranged (unit arrangement confirmation information) is input to the input device  51  by the designer. The unit arrangement confirmation information is input to the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  through the input processing unit  60 . Based on whether the unit arrangement confirmation information is input, the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  determines whether the integrated general-purpose unit is arranged. 
     When the integrated general-purpose unit is arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (YES at Step S 60 ), the number of the FA devices represented as the integrated general-purpose unit is input to the general-purpose-unit information setting unit  75  by the designer (Step S 70 ). Accordingly, the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  holds the number of the FA devices represented as the integrated general-purpose unit in the device information  77 . Meanwhile, when the integrated general-purpose unit is not arranged in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  (NO at Step S 60 ), the processing for creating a system configuration diagram is finished. 
     The system configuration diagram is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  by the processing for creating a system configuration diagram described above. A plurality of the FA devices that are not supported by the system design device  50 A can be displayed as one integrated general-purpose unit on the system configuration diagram by the processing for creating a general-purpose unit. The created integrated general-purpose unit is held in the general-purpose-unit information storage unit  58 . The integrated general-purpose unit held in the general-purpose-unit information storage unit  58  is read as needed and displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     A configuration example of the FA system created by a designer using the system design device  50 A is explained.  FIG. 6  is a configuration example of the FA system. An FA system  11   r  shown in  FIG. 6  includes a PLC  4   r  and a PLC  5   r  that are FA devices supported by the system design device  50 A. The FA system  11   r  also includes a barcode reader  6   r , a barcode reader  7   r , a PLC  8   r , a PLC  9   r , and a PLC  10   r  that are FA devices not supported by the system design device  50 A. The PLCs  4   r ,  5   r ,  8   r ,  9   r , and  10   r  and the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  are connected to an FA network  3   r.    
       FIG. 7  is an example of a screen displayed on the display device. A system configuration diagram  11   s  of the FA system  11   r  shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed on the screen  72 A. The PLC  4   r  and the PLC  5   r  are FA devices supported by the system design device  50 A. Therefore, as diagrams showing the PLC  4   r  (PLC  2 ) and the PLC  5   r  (PLC  1 ), a PLC  4   s  and a PLC  5   s  are displayed on the unit-component display unit  74 . 
     When the system configuration diagram  11   s  of the FA system  11   r  is created by using the system design device  50 A, the PLC  4   s  and the PLC  5   s  are dragged and dropped from the unit-component display unit  74  onto the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  by the designer. Accordingly, the PLC  5   s  and the PLC  4   s  are displayed respectively as a first PLC 1  and a second PLC 2  on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     Meanwhile, the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  are FA devices that are not supported by the system design device  50 A. Therefore, diagrams showing the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  are not displayed on the unit-component display unit  74 . In a case where unit component diagrams are not displayed on the unit-component display unit  74  or where unit component diagrams are not design targets, one diagram representing the integrated general-purpose unit is dragged and dropped from the unit-component display unit  74  onto the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  by the designer. Accordingly, as a diagram showing the integrated general-purpose unit, an integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     Consequently, as a diagram showing the FA network  3   r , the system configuration diagram  11   s  in which the PLCs  4   s  and  5   s  and the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  are connected is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . 
     Furthermore, the number of the FA devices represented as the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is input to the general-purpose-unit information setting unit  75  by the designer. The integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  corresponds to the five FA devices in total which are the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r . Therefore, the number of the FA devices in the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s , “5” is input to the general-purpose-unit information setting unit  75 . 
     A conventional system design device needs to create five general-purpose units in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  in order to represent the five FA devices that are the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r . On the other hand, it suffices that the system design device  50 A according to the present embodiment creates one integrated general-purpose unit in the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  in order to represent the above five FA devices. 
     System design of the FA system is performed by each device manufacturer. However, unless FA devices (units) outside of its allocated design range are correctly arranged, duplicate network station numbers assigned to the FA devices cannot be checked for. In the present embodiment, a plurality of the FA devices are replaced with one integrated general-purpose unit, thereby eliminating the need to know details of the FA devices outside of the design range. This saves time and effort to create a system configuration diagram. 
     As described above, according to the first embodiment, in a case where there are a plurality of FA devices outside of the allocated design range and FA devices that are not supported by the system design device  50 A, these FA devices are represented as one integrated general-purpose unit on a system configuration diagram. Accordingly, the designer does not need to create general-purpose units on the system configuration diagram by the number of the FA devices outside of the allocated design range and the devices that are not supported by the system design device  50 A. Therefore, it is possible to easily create the system configuration diagram. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 14 . In the second embodiment, a parameter such as a station number is set to each of FA devices that constitute an integrated general-purpose unit. Further, a link file is set to each of the FA devices that constitute the integrated general-purpose unit. 
       FIG. 8  is a functional block diagram of a system design device according to the second embodiment. Among respective constituent elements shown in  FIG. 8 , those realizing the same functions as the constituent elements of the system design device  50 A shown in  FIG. 2  are denoted by like reference signs and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted. 
     Because a hardware configuration of a system design device  50 B according to the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the system design device  50 A explained in the first embodiment, descriptions thereof are omitted. A system design program executed by the system design device  50 B has a module configuration including the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63 , a parameter-setting processing unit  84 , a link-file-setting processing unit  85 , and a link-file execution unit  86  that are described later. These units are loaded on a main storage device and generated on the main storage device. 
     The system design device  50 B starts software (the system design program) having been installed therein in advance, thereby creating a system configuration diagram, setting a parameter to an FA device in an FA system, and setting a link file. 
     The system design device  50 B includes the input processing unit  60 , the display processing unit  61 , a calculation unit  62 B, and a storage unit  67 B. The calculation unit  62 B has the same function as the calculation unit  62 A. The storage unit  67 B has the same function as the storage unit  67 A. 
     The calculation unit  62 B includes the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63 , the parameter-setting processing unit  84 , the link-file setting processing unit  85 , and the link-file execution unit  86 . The storage unit  67 B includes the system-configuration-diagram storage unit  68 , the unit-component storage unit  69 , a parameter storage unit  87 , and a link-file storage unit  88 . 
     The parameter-setting processing unit  84  sets a parameter to an FA device that constitutes a system configuration diagram. The parameter-setting processing unit  84  stores a parameter of the FA device and a parameter of the integrated general-purpose unit, which are input by a designer, in the parameter storage unit  87 . 
     The link-file-setting processing unit  85  sets an external tool that is not included in a product as a link file. For example, the link file is a file executed by an application other than that of the system design device  50 B. The link-file-setting processing unit  85  stores a link file input by the designer in the link-file storage unit  88 . The link-file execution unit  86  reads the link file from the link-file storage unit  88  and executes the link file. 
     The parameter storage unit  87  stores therein the parameter of the FA device and the parameter of the integrated general-purpose unit, which are input by the designer. The link-file storage unit  88  stores therein the link file input by the designer. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a configuration of a screen displayed on a display device of the system design device according to the second embodiment. A screen  72 B displayed on the display device  52  of the system design device  50 B includes the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 , the unit-component display unit  74 , the general-purpose-unit information setting unit  75 , a parameter setting unit  96 , a link-file setting unit  97 , and the like. 
     The parameter setting unit  96  is an area for inputting and setting a parameter to an FA device that constitutes a system configuration diagram. The link-file setting unit  97  is an area for inputting and setting a link file. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a parameter-setting process procedure. When a parameter is set to an FA device that constitutes a system configuration diagram, the system configuration diagram is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . Thereafter, the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is selected by a designer. The integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is selected by the designer using a mouse or the like (the input device  51 ) (Step S 100 ). 
     When the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is selected, the parameter-setting processing unit  84  displays a parameter setting screen corresponding to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  on the parameter setting unit  96  (Step S 110 ). 
       FIG. 11  is an example of the parameter setting screen. A parameter setting screen  15  is a screen for inputting and setting a correspondence relationship between a “device name” of each of FA devices that constitute the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  and a “parameter” of each of the FA devices. A parameter input field  16  that is a field to input the “parameter” and an OK button  17  that commands to finish the parameter input are arranged in the parameter setting screen  15 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts a case where the “device names” of the FA devices that constitute the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  are an FA device “a” to an FA device “f,” respectively. The “parameters” corresponding to the respective FA devices “a” to “f” are input for the FA devices “a” to “f” by a designer. Specifically, the parameters of the respective FA devices “a” to “f” are input into the parameter input field  16  (Step S 120 ). 
     After the parameters of the respective FA devices “a” to “f” are input, the OK button  17  on the parameter setting screen  15  is pressed by the designer (Step S 130 ). Accordingly, the parameter input processing is finished. Thereafter, the parameter-setting processing unit  84  determines whether the parameter input into the parameter input field  16  is a correct parameter (Step S 140 ). 
     When the parameter input into the parameter input field  16  is determined to be incorrect (NO at Step S 140 ), the parameter-setting processing unit  84  notifies the designer that the incorrect parameter is input. Specifically, the parameter-setting processing unit  84  outputs an error screen (a dialog) indicating that the incorrect parameter is input to the display processing unit  61  (Step S 150 ). Accordingly, the error screen indicating that the incorrect parameter is input is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  or the parameter setting unit  96 . The device name and the like of the FA device in which the incorrect parameter is input are displayed on the error screen. The parameter-setting processing unit  84  stores the parameter of the FA device and the parameter of the integrated general-purpose unit, which are input by the designer, in the parameter storage unit  87 . 
     Next, parameter setting processing in a case where a parameter is set to an FA device that constitutes the FA system  11   r  shown in  FIG. 6  is explained. In the present embodiment, a case where the parameter set to the FA device is a station number (a network station number) is explained. The parameter set to the FA device can be any kind of parameter other than the station number. For example, the parameter set to the FA device can be an Internet protocol (IP) address of the FA device or a media access control (MAC) address of the FA device. 
     The system design device  50 B creates the system configuration diagram  11   s  of the FA system  11   r . The barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  that are FA devices not supported by the system design device  50 B are represented as the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  in the system configuration diagram  11   s.    
     When a designer uses the input device  51  such as a mouse to select the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s , a parameter setting screen  18  shown in  FIG. 12  is displayed on the parameter setting unit  96 . The parameter setting screen  18  is an example of the parameter setting screen  15 . The parameter setting screen  18  is a screen for inputting and setting a correspondence relationship between a “device name” of each of FA devices that constitute the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  and a “station number” that is an example of the parameter of each of the FA devices. A station-number input field  19  that is a field to input the “station number” and an OK button  20  that commands to finish the station-number input are arranged in the parameter setting screen  18 . 
     As the “device name” of each of the FA devices, the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  that constitute the integrated general-purpose unit are displayed on the parameter setting screen  18 . The “station numbers” corresponding to the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  are input respectively for the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  by the designer. Specifically, the station numbers of the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  are input respectively into the station-number input field  19 . After the station numbers are input, the OK button  20  is pressed by the designer to finish the station-number input processing. 
     Thereafter, the calculation unit  62 B checks a list and a range of the station numbers based on information set by the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63 . The calculation unit  62 B also reflects the information set by the system-configuration-diagram creation processing unit  63  on each project. 
     A conventional system design device needs to set the station numbers respectively to the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r  by individually opening the parameter setting screen  18 . On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set all the station numbers at once by opening the parameter setting screen of one integrated general-purpose unit representing the barcode readers  6   r  and  7   r  and the PLCs  8   r  to  10   r.    
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a link-file-setting process procedure. When a link file is set to an FA device that constitutes a system configuration diagram, the system configuration diagram is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73 . Thereafter, the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  is selected by a designer. The integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is selected by the designer using a mouse or the like (the input device  51 ) (Step S 200 ). 
     When the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is selected, the link-file-setting processing unit  85  displays a link-file setting screen corresponding to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  on the link-file setting unit  97  (Step S 210 ). 
       FIG. 14  is an example of the link-file setting screen. A link-file setting screen  24  is a screen for inputting and setting a link file and the like of the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s . A link-file input field  25  that has a file name (a path) of a link file input therein and an OK button  26  that commands to finish link-file setting are arranged in the link-file setting screen  24 . 
     The link file is input into the link-file input field  25  by a designer. Specifically, the path in which the link file of the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is stored is input into the link-file input field  25  (Step S 220 ). 
     After the link file is input, the OK button  26  on the link-file setting screen  24  is pressed by the designer (Step S 230 ). Accordingly, the link-file input processing is finished. 
     Thereafter, the link-file-setting processing unit  85  determines whether the link file input into the link-file input field  25  is a correct link file (Step S 240 ). Specifically, the link-file-setting processing unit  85  determines whether the link file exists in the path input into the link-file input field  25 . The link-file-setting processing unit  85  also determines whether a character, which is defined as a prohibited character by the system design device  50 B, is included in the path input into the link-file input field  25 , for example. 
     When an incorrect path is determined to be input into the link-file input field  25  (NO at Step S 240 ), the link-file-setting processing unit  85  notifies the designer of contents of the error. Specifically, the link-file-setting processing unit  85  outputs an error screen (a dialog) indicating that the incorrect path is input to the display processing unit  61 . Accordingly, the error screen indicating that the incorrect path is input is displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  or the link-file setting unit  97  (Step S 250 ). 
     An operation of the system design device  50 B in a case where a link file is set to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is explained. A case where a manual file of the FA device displayed as the integrated general-purpose unit is set as a link file is explained. The system design device  50 B creates the system configuration diagram  11   s  of the FA system  11   r . When the designer uses the input device  51  such as a mouse to select the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  on the system configuration diagram  11   s , the link-file setting screen  24  is displayed on the link-file setting unit  97 . 
     A path in which the manual file is stored is input into the link-file input field  25  on the link-file setting screen  24 , and the OK button  26  is pressed. Accordingly, the manual file can be set as a link file to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s.    
     The link file set to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is held in the link-file storage unit  88 . The link file set to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  is executed by double-clicking the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  on the system configuration diagram  11   s , for example. In the present embodiment, the manual file is started as a link file. Specifically, the link-file execution unit  86  reads the manual file from the link-file storage unit  88  and transmits it to the display processing unit  61 . Accordingly, contents of the manual file are displayed on the system-configuration-diagram display unit  73  and the like. 
     As described above, the external tool that is not included in a product is set to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  in the system configuration diagram  11   s . Therefore, there is no need to determine what the necessary external tool is when software is started. 
     While a case where one link file is set to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s  has been explained in the present embodiment, a plurality of link files can be set to the integrated general-purpose unit  12   s.    
     As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to set parameters to an FA system outside of the allocated design range and to a plurality of FA devices that are not supported by the system design device  50 B all at once through parameter setting processing on one integrated general-purpose unit. Accordingly, the designer does not need to set parameters by the number of the FA devices outside of the allocated design range and the FA devices that are not supported by the system design device  50 A. 
     Further, because a link file can be set to the integrated general-purpose unit, it is possible to execute the link file having been set by an external application by only double-clicking the integrated general-purpose unit on an FA system configuration diagram. Therefore, a burden of system design processing on a designer can be reduced. Further, it is possible to easily check for duplicate parameters such as duplicate station numbers. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     As described above, the system design device according to the present invention is suitable for designing an FA system that is constituted by FA devices. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               3   r  FA network 
               6   r ,  7   r  barcode reader 
               11   r  FA system 
               11   s  system configuration diagram 
               12   s  integrated general-purpose unit 
               15 ,  18  parameter setting screen 
               16  parameter input field 
               19  station-number input field 
               24  link-file setting screen 
               25  link-file input field 
               50 A,  50 B system design device 
               51  input device 
               52  display device 
               53  central calculation device 
               54  storage device 
               58  general-purpose-unit information storage unit 
               59  general-purpose-unit creation processing unit 
               62 A,  62 B calculation unit 
               63  system-configuration-diagram creation unit 
               67 A,  67 B storage unit 
               68  system-configuration-diagram storage unit 
               69  unit-component storage unit 
               72 A,  72 B screen 
               73  system-configuration-diagram display unit 
               84  parameter-setting processing unit 
               85  link-file-setting processing unit 
               86  link-file execution unit 
               87  parameter storage unit 
               88  link-file storage unit 
               96  parameter setting unit 
               97  link-file setting unit