JP2002041338A - How to create a database - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that no data base to realize optional functions can be created and dissatisfaction of a user is especially large about functions of a GUI part in a builder to be provided by a manufacturer. SOLUTION: A function inside the builder is made possible to be accessed from the outside, a user creates a program to realize functions of the GUI part by fetching a type library in which information with which the function inside the builder can be accessed from the outside is stored by a language on the market such as Visual Basic (registered trademark) and creates the data base by calling the function inside the builder. The data base to realize the optional functions can be created even without knowing the inner structure of the builder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention can realize any function without knowing the internal structure of a builder.
The present invention relates to a method for creating a database that defines device functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a distributed integrated control system (DCS) for controlling and monitoring a plant, it is necessary to construct a control function and an operation monitoring function suitable for the plant to be controlled and monitored. Such control functions and operation monitoring functions are constructed by engineering functions.

[0003] The engineering function of the distributed integrated instrumentation system is composed of a plurality of builders provided by manufacturers. FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of such an engineering function. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 7 denotes an engineering function. The engineering function 7 includes a plurality of builders, and can be broadly classified into an operation monitoring function creation builder and a control function creation builder. In this figure, the engineering function 7 includes an operation monitoring function creation builder 71 and a control function creation builder 72.

The database created by the operation monitoring function creation builder 71 is downloaded to the operation monitoring station 8, and the database created by the control function creation builder 72 is downloaded to the control station 9. The operation monitoring station 8 and the control station 9 perform operation monitoring and control of the plant based on the downloaded database.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a builder.
Each builder is a GU that builds a user interface
It is divided into an I (Graphical User Interface) part and a compiler part that converts data input by the user into data that can be understood by the control function and the operation monitoring function. The database is constructed by the GUI part and the compiler part by the operation of the user.

[0006]

However, such an engineering function has the following problems.

The user has no choice but to create a database using a builder provided by the manufacturer of the distributed integrated instrumentation system. The GUI frame was largely determined by the builder, and the operability and window image differed from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not always possible to provide a GUI that satisfies users and engineers.

[0008] The provided builder usually does not provide a customizing function. Therefore, there is also a problem that the user cannot customize.

Further, there is another problem that it is difficult for a user to create a builder, particularly a compiler part.
The function of the compiler part is to convert the data into data that can be understood by the control function and the operation monitoring function. In order to create the compiler part, it is necessary to understand all the databases of the distributed integrated instrumentation system. Therefore, it was virtually impossible for a user to create a builder. In addition, manufacturers rarely published databases to prevent technology leakage.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is:
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for creating a database for realizing an arbitrary function without a user knowing the internal structure of a builder.

[0011]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a function in a builder for constructing a database is made accessible from the outside, and the function in the builder is constructed. After reading a type library holding information of functions accessible from the PC and creating a program for operating the apparatus, the functions in the builder are accessed to create a database related to the program. It is possible to create a database that realizes any function without knowing the internal structure of the builder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, at least a function for starting the builder and a function for importing a file related to a created program are provided as functions in the builder that can be accessed from the outside. , A function for generating a database, and a function for ending a builder. Start the builder, import the files and create the database,
A series of operations of terminating the builder can be continuously performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a function included in the builder can be externally accessed using an automation function. . This can be realized using a commercially available tool.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the builder is provided with an export function for outputting the internal data to the outside. It is designed to be edited. Additional functions can be easily realized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a database for defining a control function or an operation monitoring function of an integrated instrumentation system for controlling a process is used. It was done. This is particularly effective because the internal structure of the builder is complicated.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. According to the present invention, a user of a GUI, such as a distributed integrated instrumentation system, creates an application on Windows NT (registered trademark) using Visual Basic or Visual C ++ (registered trademark), and creates a user builder from the application. CSV file or TXT
The file is converted into a general-purpose file, and the general-purpose file is imported into a compiler provided by the manufacturer. Therefore, the user can freely create the GUI portion.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a database creation method according to the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a user builder created by a user using Visual Basic or Visual C ++, 2 is a general-purpose file created by the user builder 1, 3 is a builder provided by a maker, and 4 is created by a builder 3. It is a database.

A user creates an application having a GUI that he or she wants to realize using Visual Basic, Visual C ++, or the like, and creates a user builder 1. This user builder 1 is converted into a general-purpose file 2 that can be interpreted by the builder 3. This general-purpose file 2 is imported into the builder 3.

Next, the user builder 1 activates the builder 3, calls the file import function, and imports the general-purpose file 2 into the builder 3. Subsequently, the database generating function is called to compile the imported general-purpose file to create the database 4 and terminate the builder 3.

The database 4 stores the operation monitoring station 8 or the control station 9 as described with reference to FIG.
Downloaded to That is, the application created by the user and the builder 3
Data can be freely exchanged with the.

That is, the database 4 is created using the builder 3 provided by the manufacturer, and the compiler of the builder 3 is used for the compiler part. Therefore, the user can treat the difficult compiler part as a black box. In the GUI part, the user himself creates Visual B
Since it is created with asic or Visual C ++, it can be customized freely.

Next, the relationship between the user builder 1 and the builder 3 provided by the manufacturer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
The same elements as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
, 5 is a type library provided together with the builder 3 from the manufacturer.

The type library 5 is a file in which data for providing information on functions in the builder 3 to the outside is stored. The user builder 1 reads the type library 5 and calls the functions in the builder 3 to call the functions. The builder 3 can be started, a file import function or a database generation function can be called, and the builder 3 can be terminated. By using this function, the user builder 1 can activate the builder 3 and create the database 4 as described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the functions in the builder 3 can be used, that is, the automation function provided by Microsoft is used to open the functions in the builder 3 to the outside. The automation function is a function for manipulating objects implemented in another application from one application, and for publishing its own object so that it can be operated from another application.

When the automation function is used, a file called type library containing information on functions provided to the outside is created. By using this file, the application created by the user can freely use the functions (functions) inside the builder.

When the export function (function for outputting data or the like from the builder) is used, tools such as batch character replacement can be easily realized. FIG. 3 shows this configuration.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 61 denotes a file, and 62 denotes a character string replacement tool. The character string is saved in the file 61 by the export function of the builder 3, and the file 61 is edited by the character string replacement tool 62 and imported to the builder 3. By changing the portion of the character string replacement tool 62, not only replacement but also various editing can be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the user creates the function of the GUI portion, but it is also possible to create the function of another portion, for example, the control portion.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the functions in the builder for constructing the database are made accessible from the outside, and the type library holding the information of the functions that can be accessed from the outside is read to operate the apparatus. After the program is created, a function in the builder is accessed to create a database related to the program. There is an effect that a database that realizes an arbitrary function can be created without knowing the internal structure of the builder. Also, the functions that can be realized by the builder are not limited.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, at least a function for starting the builder and a function for importing a file related to a created program are provided as functions in the builder that can be accessed from the outside. , A function for generating a database, and a function for ending a builder. From the program created by the user, there is an effect that a series of operations of activating the builder, creating the database, and terminating the builder can be continuously performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a function included in the builder can be externally accessed using an automation function. . There is an effect that it can be realized using a commercially available tool. for that reason,
The builder of the present invention can be quickly realized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the builder is provided with an export function for outputting the internal data to the outside. It is designed to be edited. There is an effect that an additional function can be easily realized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a database for defining a control function or an operation monitoring function of an integrated instrumentation system for controlling a process is used. It was done. This is particularly effective when used in an integrated instrumentation system in which the internal structure of the builder is complicated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a user builder and a builder provided by a manufacturer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration for character string replacement.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a conventional engineering function.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a builder provided by a manufacturer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 User builder 2 General-purpose file 3 Builder 4 Database 5 Type library 61 File 62 Character string replacement tool

Claims (5)

[Claims] In a method for creating a database that defines the functions of an apparatus, a function in a builder for constructing the database is made accessible from outside, and a type library holding information on functions that can be accessed from outside is provided. A method for creating a database, wherein a program for reading and operating a device is created, and a function in the builder is accessed to create a database related to the program. 2. A function which can be accessed from outside of the builder at least includes a function for starting the builder, a function for importing a file related to a created program, a function for generating a database, and a function for ending the builder. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the database is created. 3. The database creation method according to claim 1, wherein a function included in the builder can be accessed from outside using an automation function. 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the builder has an export function for outputting internal data to the outside, and edits the data inside the builder using the export function and the import function. Or claim 3
How to create the mentioned database. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said database creation method is used to create a database defining a control function or an operation monitoring function of the integrated instrumentation system for controlling a process. How to create a database.