Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a technique according to which a programmable display device sequentially displays, by display objects on a screen, statuses and circumstances of an input device and an output device on the basis of device data. This technique carries out logging of the device data according to logging setting information generated by a logging setting information generating device. In addition, according to the above technique, when a collection cycle setting is selected on a menu screen, a collection period setting section transmits a predetermined instruction to a display control section so as to cause a display section to display a setting screen via which collection cycle information can be input.

Patent Literature <NUM> concerns an object adjusting tool comprising a setting screen, that adjusts the display states of objects displayed on a plurality of screens.

However, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> does not assume a situation in which an end user of the programmable display device attached to a device configures and/or changes a setting of logging or the like in the programmable display device. If there arises a need to configure and/or change the setting of logging or the like in the programmable display device, the end user needs to request an outside manufacturer or the like that has designed the device to configure and/change the setting. Thus, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> takes much cost and time to configure and/or change the setting, disadvantageously. An aspect of the present invention has an object to reduce the cost and time taken to configure a process setting for a programmable display device.

In order to attain the object, a programmable display device as defined in the independent claim <NUM> is provided. Further optional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost and time taken to configure the process setting of the programmable display device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a programmable display device <NUM> in accordance with Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the programmable display device <NUM> includes a control section <NUM>, a display section <NUM>, a touch panel <NUM>, a user memory <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, and an interface section <NUM>.

The programmable display device <NUM> is connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) <NUM> via a communication cable, so as to be communicable with the PLC <NUM>. The programmable display device <NUM> is a dedicated computer configured to display a graphics screen for operation and display to realize an operation function and a display function specific to the programmable display device. The programmable display device <NUM> is used as a human machine interface (HMI).

The control section <NUM> identifies an action of displaying the status of a device <NUM> connected to the PLC <NUM> or an action of controlling the status of the device <NUM> in accordance with the operation carried out on the touch panel <NUM>. The control section <NUM> controls each section of the programmable display device <NUM>. The control section <NUM> includes a display control section <NUM>, an obtaining section <NUM>, a setting accepting section <NUM>, and a process executing section <NUM>.

The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a screen. The obtaining section <NUM> obtains, from the PLC <NUM>, data related to the device <NUM>. The setting accepting section <NUM> accepts a process setting concerning the data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>. The process executing section <NUM> executes a process in accordance with the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>.

Here, the process setting refers to configuring a setting concerning (a) the content of a process to be executed for the data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> and (b) information for executing the process. To be more specific, the process setting includes configuring a new setting and reconfiguring the setting to change (edit) the already-set matter(s).

The display section <NUM> displays a screen. The touch panel <NUM> accepts input operation that an end user has carried out on the display section <NUM>. The user memory <NUM> stores information therein. The speaker <NUM> outputs audio to the outside of the programmable display device <NUM>. Hereinafter, the end user may simply be referred to as a "user", occasionally.

Note that the programmable display device <NUM> may incorporate an interface alone in place of the speaker <NUM>. If the programmable display device <NUM> incorporates the interface alone, the speaker <NUM> is connected to the programmable display device <NUM> as an external device via the interface. The interface section <NUM> is a communication section via which the programmable display device <NUM> communicates with the PLC <NUM>.

The PLC <NUM> is a control device configured to read the status of the device <NUM> and/or provide a control instruction to the device <NUM> at predetermined scanning times in accordance with the sequential program prepared by a user. The device <NUM> may be a device controlled by the PLC <NUM>, a device configured to output a value detected by a sensor, and/or the like. There are a plurality of such devices <NUM>. The programmable display device <NUM> displays, via e.g. a screen and/or parts, the status of the device <NUM> obtained by the PLC <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a display screen P1 displayed on the display section <NUM>, which is included in the programmable display device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The display screen P1 is shown as one example of the display screen displayed on the display section <NUM>. The process related to the display screen P1 described herein is also described as one example. The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1 shown in <FIG>.

The display screen P1 includes a switch SW1, a numerical value indicator ND1, and a trend graph TG1. The switch SW1 is an object corresponding to one of the devices <NUM>, and accepts operation for turning-ON/OFF, for example. The numerical value indicator ND1 is an object corresponding to one of the devices <NUM>, and displays the numerical value of the latest data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>. The trend graph TG1 is an object corresponding to one of the devices <NUM>, and indicates a graph of the values of the data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> and accumulated in the user memory <NUM>.

The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the switch SW1, the numerical value indicator ND1, and the trend graph TG1 as objects in this manner. Each object has a device address and/or a variable(s) specifying a place for storing data that the obtaining section <NUM> is to obtain from a device memory of the PLC <NUM>.

The user memory <NUM> stores therein data of plural display screens including the display screen P1. The user memory <NUM> accumulates therein data that the obtaining section <NUM> has obtained from the PLC <NUM> for the purpose of displaying the trend graph TG1.

When the user carries out predetermined operation such as pressing and holding the numerical value indicator ND1 on the display screen P1, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a setting item list L1 concerning the numerical value indicator ND1. The setting item list L1 includes switching buttons B1, B2, and B3 and setting buttons B4, B5, and B6.

The switching button B1 is a button used to switch between enabling and disabling of a logging function that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>. The switching button B2 is a button used to switch between enabling and disabling of a notification function that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>. The switching button B3 is a button used to switch between enabling and disabling of data analysis that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>. The logging, notification, and data analysis that are to be executed by the process executing section <NUM> are examples of the content of the process to be executed for the data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>.

The setting button B4 is a button used to cause the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen for configuring a setting concerning the logging function that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>. The setting button B5 is a button used to cause the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen for configuring a setting concerning the notification function that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>. The setting button B6 is a button used to cause the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen for configuring a setting concerning the data analysis that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a setting screen SP1 displayed on the display section <NUM>, which is included in the programmable display device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The setting screen SP1 is one example of the setting screen displayed on the display section <NUM>. The process concerning the setting screen SP1 described herein is also one example. In response to user operation of touching the setting button B4 on the display screen P1, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the setting screen SP1 for configuring a setting concerning the logging function that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>.

The setting screen SP1 is a screen for accepting a setting concerning the logging of data related to the numerical value indicator ND1. Hereinafter, data indicating a numerical value concerning the numerical value indicator ND1 will be referred to as numerical data. The setting screen SP1 includes setting items SA1 to SA8, a cancel button C1, and an enter button E1.

The setting item SA1 is an item for setting a cycle of executing logging of numerical data to the user memory <NUM>. The setting item SA1 is provided based on the assumption that the process executing section <NUM> executes logging of numerical data to the user memory <NUM> in response to a trigger issued at a certain cycle, in a state where the user memory <NUM> can store the numerical data therein. The setting item SA2 is an item for setting the number of logs of numerical data that the process executing section <NUM> logs to the user memory <NUM>.

The setting item SA3 is an item for enabling or disabling the function in which the process executing section <NUM> overwrites the logs of the numerical data in the user memory <NUM> so as to keep updating the logs of the numerical data logged to the user memory <NUM>. In a case where the function that can be set via setting item SA3 is disabled, the process executing section <NUM> stops logging of the numerical data to the user memory <NUM> at the point of time when the number of logs of the numerical data logged to the user memory <NUM> reaches the number of logs having been set via the setting item SA2.

The setting item SA4 is an item for setting the current time and for displaying the current time so that it can be referred to at the time of setting a starting date and time and an ending date and time. The setting item SA5 is an item for setting the date and time to start the logging of the numerical data that is to be carried out by the process executing section <NUM> with respect to the user memory <NUM>. The setting item SA6 is an item for setting the date and time to end the logging of the numerical data that is to be carried out by the process executing section <NUM> with respect to the user memory <NUM>.

The setting item SA7 is an item for setting a file name of a file which is created by the process executing section <NUM> and in which the numerical data is accumulated. The process executing section <NUM> stores this file in the user memory <NUM>.

The setting item SA8 is an item for accepting a selection as to which of a first setting and a second setting is to be selected. In the first setting, only numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> while the numerical value indicator ND1 is displayed on the display section <NUM> is specified as target data, which is numerical data that is to be subjected to the logging executed by the process executing section <NUM>. In the second setting, numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> while the obtaining section <NUM> is executing the obtaining of the numerical data is specified as the target data.

When the user carries out operation of touching the enter button E1 on the setting screen SP1, the setting accepting section <NUM> detects the operation from the touch panel <NUM>. The setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP1, a process setting configured via the setting items SA1 to SA8, which are included in the setting screen SP1. The process executing section <NUM> causes the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM> to be stored in the user memory <NUM> such that the process setting is associated with the numerical value indicator ND1. The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP1, and causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

Meanwhile, when the user carries out operation of touching the cancel button C1 on the setting screen SP1, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP1, and causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

As described above, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP1 displayed in response to predetermined operation, a process setting concerning (a) the content of a process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> and (b) information for executing the process. The setting accepting section <NUM> accepts the process setting in a state where the obtaining section <NUM> is executing the obtaining of the numerical data. The process executing section <NUM> executes the process including the content on the basis of the above information and in accordance with the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>.

The process setting configured via the setting screen SP1 is accepted in a state where the obtaining section <NUM> is executing the obtaining of the numerical data. Consequently, the end user can easily configure the process setting via the setting screen SP1 by himself/herself, without the need to pay attention to a variable name and/or a device address. This can reduce the cost and time taken for the process setting.

Furthermore, the above configuration enables the end user to configure the process setting by himself/herself, thereby eliminating the need to request an outside manufacturer or the like to configure the process setting. In addition, the above configuration eliminates the need for the outside manufacturer or the like to identify, among plural pieces of data, a piece(s) of data requiring a process setting before delivering the programmable display device <NUM> to the end user. Consequently, the outside manufacturer or the like can deliver the programmable display device <NUM> to the end user in a simple manner without various kinds of advance preparations.

The configuration shown in <FIG> will be further described. Specifically, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP1, accumulation of the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>, the accumulation of the numerical data being accepted as the content of the process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>. The process executing section <NUM> executes, as the process to be executed for the numerical data, the accumulation of the numerical data accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>. Consequently, the end user can easily configure the process setting concerning the accumulation of the numerical data via the setting screen SP1.

In addition, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP1, the selection as to which of the first setting and the second setting is to be selected, the selection being accepted as the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>. In a case where the first setting is accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>, the process executing section <NUM> executes logging of only the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> while the numerical value indicator ND1 is displayed on the display section <NUM>. In a case where the second setting is accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>, the process executing section <NUM> executes logging of the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM> while the obtaining section <NUM> is executing the obtaining of the numerical data.

In the case where the first setting is accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>, the amount of the numerical data that is to be subjected to the logging by the process executing section <NUM> is smaller than that of the case where the second setting is accepted, and thus the burden on the programmable display device <NUM> can be reduced. In addition, since the above configuration enables the end user to switch between the first setting and the second setting, the amount of data to be collected can be changed according to the period of time to execute the logging.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a setting screen SP2 that is not the setting screen SP1 shown in <FIG>. In response to user operation of touching the setting button B5 on the display screen P1 shown in <FIG>, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen SP2 used to configure a setting concerning the notification function that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>, as indicated by the reference sign <NUM> in <FIG>. The setting screen SP2 accepts a notification setting concerning the numerical value indicator ND1. The setting screen SP2 includes setting items SB1 to SB3, a reference button RB1, a cancel button C2, and an enter button E2.

The setting item SB1 is an item for setting a predetermined condition. The process executing section <NUM> executes notification concerning the numerical value indicator ND1, if the predetermined condition on the numerical data concerning the numerical value indicator ND1 is satisfied. The notification may be an indication of an abnormality of the numerical value indicator ND1, for example. Via the setting item SB1, it is possible to set the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is used as a condition for monitoring the numerical value indicator ND1.

The setting item SB1 includes a plus button SBB, which is a button used to set a new condition in addition to the condition(s) having been set via the setting item SB1. The user can add a new condition by carrying out operation of touching the plus button SBB. Via the setting item SB1, it is possible to set AND, OR, and the like.

The setting item SB2 is an item for setting a way to execute the notification concerning the numerical value indicator ND1. The way that can be set via the setting item SB2 may be an e-mail, audio output from the speaker <NUM>, a buzzer, and/or color changing or flashing of the display screen P1, for example. The setting item SB3 is concerned with a setting content similar to that of the setting item SA8. However, the setting item SB3 is related to notification, rather than to the logging of the setting item SA8.

The reference button RB1 is a button used to cause the display section <NUM> to display a result of data analysis executed by the process executing section <NUM>. Upon user operation of touching the reference button RB1, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a table T1, which indicates the result of the data analysis executed by the process executing section <NUM>, as indicated by the reference sign <NUM> in <FIG>. The table T1 is one example of the result of the process having been executed by the process executing section <NUM>.

The table T1 includes, as examples of representative values of the numerical data calculated by the process executing section <NUM>, a maximum value, a minimum value, and an average value of the numerical values of the logs of the numerical data as well as a maximum value, a minimum value, and an average value of the intervals between the logs of the numerical data. That is, the table T1 includes the information indicating the changes in the numerical values of the numerical data occurred until the process setting is configured via the setting screen SP2 as well as the information indicating the time intervals between the changes in the numerical values.

The reference sign <NUM> in <FIG> indicates the table T1 showing the result of the data analysis. However, this is not limitative. Alternatively, the table T1 may indicate a result obtained by any of other calculation methods and other analysis methods involving use of the numerical data accumulated in the user memory <NUM>. Upon user operation of touching an omission button RB2, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the result of the data analysis.

When the user carries out operation of touching the enter button E2 on the setting screen SP2, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP2, the process setting configured via the setting items SB1 to SB3, which are included in the setting screen SP2. The process executing section <NUM> causes the user memory <NUM> to store therein the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>. The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP2, and then causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

Meanwhile, when the user carries out operation of touching the cancel button C2 on the setting screen SP2, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP2, and then causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

As described above, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, as the content of the process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>, notification that is to be executed when a predetermined condition on the numerical data is satisfied. The setting accepting section <NUM> accepts the predetermined condition as the information for executing the process.

In addition, the process executing section <NUM> executes the notification as the process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>, if the predetermined condition on the numerical data is satisfied. Consequently, the end user can easily configure the setting concerning the predetermined condition for the notification via the setting screen SP2.

Furthermore, the process executing section <NUM> executes, as the process to be executed for the numerical data, the data analysis of analyzing the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>. The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the setting screen SP2 in response to predetermined operation, and also causes the display section <NUM> to display the result of the process having been executed by the process executing section <NUM>. In other words, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the result of the data analysis having been executed by the process executing section <NUM>.

Consequently, the setting screen SP2 is displayed on the display section <NUM>, and the result of the data analysis is also displayed on the display section <NUM>. Therefore, the end user can easily configure the process setting via the setting screen SP2 while referring to the result of the data analysis.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a setting screen SP3 that is not the setting screen SP1 shown in <FIG> or the setting screen SP2 shown in <FIG>. In response to user operation of touching the setting button B6 on the display screen P1 shown in <FIG>, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen SP3 used to configure a setting concerning the data analysis that is to be executed by the process executing section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The setting screen SP3 is a screen for accepting a setting concerning data analysis of numerical data related to the numerical value indicator ND1. The setting screen SP3 includes a setting item SC1, a table T2, a reference button RB3, a reset button RS1, a cancel button C3, and an enter button E3. The setting item SC1 is concerned with a setting content similar to that of the setting item SA8. However, the setting item SC1 is related to data analysis, rather than to the logging of the setting item SA8.

Via the table T2, a kind of a representative value that is to be set as the target data can be selected from among the kinds of the representative values of the numerical data included in the table T1. Upon user operation of touching one(s) of the kinds of the representative values included in the table T2, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a sign(s) indicating the selected one(s) of the kinds of the representative values. The process executing section <NUM> calculates only a representative value(s) of the kind(s) having been selected via the table T2, and the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display only the representative value(s) having been calculated by the process executing section <NUM>.

Similarly to the reference button RB1, the reference button RB3 is a button used to cause the display section <NUM> to display a result of data analysis having been executed by the process executing section <NUM>. Upon user operation of touching the reference button RB3, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the table <NUM>, which is described above.

The reset button RS1 is a button used to reset the representative value(s) of the numerical data having been calculated by the process executing section <NUM> to zero. When the user carries out operation of touching the reset button RS1, the process executing section <NUM> detects the operation from the touch panel <NUM>, and resets the calculated representative value(s) of the numerical data to zero.

When the user carries out operation of touching the enter button E3 on the setting screen SP3, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP3, the process setting configured via the setting item SC1, the table T2, and the reset button RS1 included in the setting screen SP3. The process executing section <NUM> causes the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM> to be stored in the user memory <NUM> such that the process setting is associated with the numerical value indicator ND1. The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP3, and then causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

Meanwhile, when the user carries out operation of touching the cancel button C3 on the setting screen SP3, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP3, and then causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

As described above, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP3, data analysis of analyzing the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>, the data analysis being accepted as the content of the process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>. The process executing section <NUM> executes, as the process to be executed for the numerical data, the data analysis accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>.

Furthermore, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts the data analysis as the content of the process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section <NUM>. Specifically, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP3, at least one kind of the representative values of the numerical data as the information for executing the process.

The process executing section <NUM> calculates only the representative value of the kind accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>, and the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display only the representative value having been calculated by the process executing section <NUM>. Consequently, the end user can cause the display section <NUM> to display only the necessary representative value by setting the kind of the representative value via the setting screen SP3.

The following will describe Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. For convenience of description, members having functions identical to those described in Embodiment <NUM> are assigned identical referential numerals, and their descriptions are omitted here. <FIG> is a view illustrating a display screen P2 displayed on a display section <NUM> included in a programmable display device <NUM> in accordance with Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention.

The following will explain a case where, in response to user input operation carried out on the display section <NUM> of the programmable display device <NUM>, a process executing section <NUM> refers to authentication information stored in a user memory <NUM> and executes an authentication process of authenticating the user. In this case, if the user is authenticated by the process executing section <NUM>, a display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P2 shown in <FIG>.

The display screen P2 includes a user name UN and an authority level AL of the user authenticated by the process executing section <NUM>. In the user memory <NUM>, the user name, the authority level of the user, and the authentication information are preliminarily stored in association with each other.

A setting accepting section <NUM> refers to the authority level of the user and the authentication information stored in the user memory <NUM>, and determines, in accordance with the authority level of the user, whether to permit or inhibit a transition to the setting screen. Specifically, the setting accepting section <NUM> permits a transition to the setting screen, if the setting accepting section <NUM> determines that the authority level of the user is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Meanwhile, the setting accepting section <NUM> inhibits a transition to the setting screen, if the setting accepting section <NUM> determines that the authority level of the user is lower than the predetermined level. The setting screen described herein refers to any of the setting screens SP1 to SP3 of Embodiment <NUM>.

The following will explain a case where the setting accepting section <NUM> determines that the authority level AL of the user is lower than the predetermined level in <FIG>. In this case, even when the user carries out predetermined operation such as pressing and holding the numerical value indicator ND1 on the display screen P2, the setting accepting section <NUM> inhibits a transition to the setting screen and therefore the display control section <NUM> would not allow the display section <NUM> to display the setting item list L1.

In this case, the display control section <NUM> may cause the display section <NUM> to display, by e.g. a pop-up screen, information indicating an operation error. This configuration makes it possible to prevent an erroneous operation and an erroneous setting made by a user who is not familiar with the device and equipment and does not have an authority.

The following will describe Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. For convenience of description, members having functions identical to those described in Embodiment <NUM> are assigned identical referential numerals, and their descriptions are omitted here. <FIG> is a view illustrating a setting screen SP4 displayed on a display section <NUM> included in a programmable display device <NUM> in accordance with Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention.

If predetermined operation is carried out on the display screen P1 shown in <FIG> after an obtaining section <NUM> has started obtaining of data, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen SP4. The setting screen SP4 includes a table T3. The table T3 includes items that can be set via the setting screens SP1 to SP3 of Embodiment <NUM>. These items are listed in the table T3.

In response to user operation of touching the items in the table T3, the setting accepting section <NUM> switches between activation and deactivation of the data logging, notification, and data analysis. The table T3 shows whether the data logging, notification, and data analysis are activated or deactivated.

Consequently, the user can easily check, in a list, whether each of the data logging, notification, and data analysis is activated or deactivated by referring to the table T3. As a result, it is possible to avoid performance degradation that might otherwise be caused by unnecessary operation. In addition, in response to user operation of touching one of the items in the table T3, the display control section <NUM> may cause the display section <NUM> to display a setting screen for the touched one of the items. Furthermore, in place of the table T3, icons indicating the items may be included in the setting screen SP4.

When the user carries out operation of touching the enter button E4 on the setting screen SP4, the setting accepting section <NUM> accepts, via the setting screen SP4, the process setting configured via the table T3 included in the setting screen SP4. The process executing section <NUM> causes the user memory <NUM> to store therein the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM>. The display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP4, and then causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

Meanwhile, when the user carries out operation of touching the cancel button C4 on the setting screen SP4, the display control section <NUM> causes the display section <NUM> to stop displaying the setting screen SP4, and then causes the display section <NUM> to display the display screen P1.

Note that, after the obtaining section <NUM> has started obtaining of the numerical data, the process executing section <NUM> may execute a process in which all of the process settings accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM> are stored in a project (a file including a series of the display screens) downloaded to the programmable display device <NUM>. Alternatively, the process executing section <NUM> may execute a process in which, among the process settings, only a setting(s) being not a setting(s) already stored in the project is stored in the project.

In the case where the above process is carried out, the setting accepting section <NUM> may accept, via the setting screen, a selection as to whether (a) all of the accepted process settings are to be stored in the project or (b) among the accepted process settings, only the setting(s) being not the setting(s) already stored in the project is to be stored in the project. Thanks to this configuration, the amount of the information of the process setting(s) to be stored in the project may be reduced. This can save time. The project described above is downloaded to the programmable display device <NUM> from an external device such as a personal computer (PC), and is then stored in the user memory <NUM>.

The following will explain a case where the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section <NUM> is applied also to another programmable display device <NUM>. By storing the process setting in the project and storing the project in a storage medium or the like, it is possible to easily reflect the process setting also to another programmable display device <NUM>. This may sometimes reduce the amount of the information of the process settings. In such a case, it is possible to save the time taken for such a work. That is, if there exist devices of the same type and pieces of equipment of the same type, it is possible to manage the process settings as settings specific to one of the devices or pieces of equipment or to manage the process settings as common settings for the devices and the pieces of equipment and duplicate the process settings.

Control blocks (the control section <NUM>, specifically, the display control section <NUM>, the obtaining section <NUM>, the setting accepting section <NUM>, and the process executing section <NUM>) of the programmable display device <NUM> can be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) provided in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like or can be alternatively realized by software.

In the latter case, the programmable display device <NUM> includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software realizing the foregoing functions. The computer, for example, includes at least one processor and at least one computer-readable storage medium storing the program. An object of the present invention can be achieved by the processor of the computer reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium. Examples of the processor encompass a central processing unit (CPU). Examples of the storage medium encompass a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a read only memory (ROM), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, and a programmable logic circuit. The computer may further include a random access memory (RAM) or the like in which the program is loaded. Further, the program may be supplied to or made available to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network and a broadcast wave) which allows the program to be transmitted. Note that an aspect of the present invention can also be achieved in the form of a computer data signal in which the program is embodied via electronic transmission and which is embedded in a carrier wave.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means disclosed in differing embodiments.

Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows:
A programmable display device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: an obtaining section configured to obtain data; a setting accepting section configured to accept a process setting via a setting screen displayed in response to predetermined operation, the process setting concerning (a) a content of a process to be executed for the data obtained by the obtaining section and (b) information for executing the process; and a process executing section configured to execute the process including the content, on the basis of the information and in accordance with the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section, the setting accepting section being further configured to accept the process setting in a state where the obtaining section is executing the obtaining of the data.

The process setting configured via the setting screen is accepted in a state where the obtaining section is executing the obtaining of the data. Consequently, an end user can easily configure the process setting via the setting screen by himself/herself, without the need to pay attention to a variable name and/or a device address. This can reduce the cost and time taken for the process setting.

The setting accepting section may be further configured to accept, via the setting screen, accumulation of the data obtained by the obtaining section, the accumulation of the data being accepted as the content; and the process executing section may be further configured to execute, as the process, the accumulation of the data accepted by the setting accepting section. Consequently, the end user can easily configure, via the setting screen, the process setting for the accumulation of the data.

The setting accepting section may be further configured to accept, as the content, notification that is to be executed in a case where a predetermined condition on the data is satisfied, and the setting accepting section may be further configured to accept the predetermined condition as the information; and the process executing section may be further configured to execute the notification as the process, in a case where the predetermined condition on the data is satisfied. Consequently, the end user can easily configure, via the setting screen, the setting concerning the predetermined condition for the notification.

The programmable display device may further include a display control section configured to cause a display section to display the setting screen in response to the predetermined operation, the display control section being further configured to cause the display section to display a result of the process having been executed by the process executing section, wherein: the setting accepting section may be further configured to accept, via the setting screen, data analysis of analyzing the data obtained by the obtaining section, the data analysis being accepted as the content; the process executing section may be further configured to execute, as the process, the data analysis having been accepted by the setting accepting section; and the display control section may be further configured to cause the display section to display a result of the data analysis having been executed by the process executing section.

Since the setting screen is displayed on the display section and the result of the data analysis is also displayed on the display section, the end user can easily configure the process setting via the setting screen while referring to the result of the data analysis.

The setting accepting section may be further configured to accept, via the setting screen, at least one kind of one or more representative values of the data as the information, in the case where the setting accepting section accepts the data analysis as the content; the process executing section may be further configured to calculate only a representative value of said at least one kind having been accepted by the setting accepting section; and the display control section is further configured to cause the display section to display only the representative value having been calculated by the process executing section. The end user can cause the display section to display only a necessary representative value by setting a kind of a representative value via the setting screen.

The programmable display device may further include a display control section configured to cause a display section to display the setting screen in response to the predetermined operation, the display control section being further configured to cause the display section to display an object related to the data, wherein: the setting accepting section is further configured to accept, via the setting screen, a selection as to which of a first setting or a second setting is to be selected, the selection being accepted as the process setting, the first setting specifying, as target data, only data obtained by the obtaining section while the object is displayed on the display section, the target data being the data that is to be subjected to the process executed by the process executing section, the second setting specifying, as the target data, data obtained by the obtaining section while the obtaining section is executing the obtaining of the data; and the process executing section is further configured to: execute the process only for the data obtained by the obtaining section while the object is displayed on the display section, in a case where the first setting is accepted by the setting accepting section; and to execute the process for the data obtained by the obtaining section while the obtaining section is executing the obtaining of the data, in a case where the second setting is accepted by the setting accepting section.

Claim 1:
A programmable display device (<NUM>) for displaying a status of a device connected to a programmable logic controller (<NUM>), PLC, characterized by comprising:
a communication section (<NUM>) configured to communicate with the PLC (<NUM>);
an operation accepting section (<NUM>) configured to accept input operation by an end user;
an obtaining section (<NUM>) configured to obtain, from the PLC (<NUM>), via the communication section (<NUM>), numerical data related to the device so as to display a status of the device;
a setting accepting section (<NUM>) configured to accept a process setting by detecting, from the operation accepting section (<NUM>), the input operation to a setting screen (SP1-SP4) displayed in response to predetermined operation, the process setting concerning (a) a content of a process to be executed for the numerical data obtained by the obtaining section (<NUM>) and (b) information for executing the process; and
a process executing section (<NUM>) configured to execute the process including the content, on the basis of the information and in accordance with the process setting accepted by the setting accepting section (<NUM>),
the setting accepting section (<NUM>) being further configured to accept the process setting in a state in which the status of the device obtained from the numerical data by the obtaining section is displayed on the setting screen (SP1-SP4).