JP2002244780A - User interface device and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface device capable of expanding a disposable region of an input section despite of facilitating a screen design. SOLUTION: When an either of setting value displays displayed on a screen is touched in S3, a programmable display searches a place not projecting out from a screen, even if a keyboard is displayed in the circumference of the setting value display to be inputted in S4, and pops up and displays the keyboard in a discovered place in S6. Though the display position of the keyboard is not set for every setting value display, this constitution can display it within the screen and shift it to a position where the setting value display to be inputted is not concealed. As a result, different from a conventional art sharing the keyboard displayed in a prescribed position by the multiple setting value displays, the screen design can be facilitated and the disposable region of the setting value display can be expanded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a user interface device which displays an input keyboard when an input to an input field is instructed and receives an input to the input field, and a program therefor. In particular, the present invention relates to a user interface device capable of achieving both easy screen design and free arrangement of input fields, and a program therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, the HM of a control system
Programmable displays are widely used as I (Human Machine Interface). The programmable display uses a touch panel as an input device so that it can operate normally even in a poor environment. The operator can grasp the state of the device to be controlled based on the display on the programmable display. In addition, the user operates the touch panel to input control instructions to the device to the programmable display.

Here, the touch panel is a pointing device, and cannot directly input characters and numbers. Therefore, for example, when it is necessary to input numbers and characters, such as when inputting a set value, the programmable display displays the keyboard K100 on the screen as shown in FIG. The character or number that the user instructed to input is identified according to which key of K100 is pointing. Also,
Since the keyboard K100 is unnecessary except for inputting characters and numbers, it is not normally displayed in order to use the screen widely, and pops up in a predetermined place only when input of characters or numbers is instructed. Is displayed.

Here, since a plurality of input values are often input on a screen for inputting set values, a plurality of set value displays (in this case, D101 to D10 in this case) for displaying set values are provided.
4) It is displayed. Therefore, when designing the screen for inputting the set value, setting the display position of the keyboard for each set value display unit is troublesome.

For this reason, in the conventional programmable display, the input keyboard K100 is shared among the plurality of set value displays D101 to D104, and input to any of the set value displays D101 to D104 is instructed. Even in this case, the keyboard K100 is displayed at a predetermined position (in this case, the lower right corner of the screen).

[0006] Thus, it is not necessary to set the display position of the input keyboard for each set value display, so that the time required for screen design can be greatly reduced.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the display position of the input keyboard is fixed in any of the setting value displays, so that the position where the setting value display can be arranged is limited. The problem of being restricted arises.

Specifically, in the example of FIG. 16, a keyboard K100 is displayed in a pop-up at the lower right corner of the screen.
Therefore, when the popup is displayed, the keyboard K100
When the setting value display D105 is to be arranged in an area where is displayed, the setting value display D105 is hidden by the keyboard K100 when the keyboard K100 is displayed for inputting to the setting value display D105. . As a result, during input to the set value display D105, the set value and the input value cannot be seen, and the operability of the programmable display is reduced.

On the other hand, if the set value display is arranged outside the area in order to confirm the set value and the input value at the time of input, the area where the set value display can be arranged becomes narrow, and the degree of freedom in screen design is reduced. Resulting in.

[0010] Here, particularly, in the case of a programmable display used in a control system, the installation place is often limited, for example, in the vicinity of a target system to be controlled, and a sufficient screen width and resolution cannot be obtained. There are many.
On the other hand, as the scale of the control system increases, the number of items to be set in relation to each other also increases, and it is required to arrange a large number of setting value indicators on a screen.

In many cases, the optimum screen configuration of the programmable display device differs depending not only on the configuration of the target system but also on the skill of the operator and the guidelines of the operator. Therefore, the frequency of screen design is relatively frequent as compared with ordinary application software and the like, and it is also required that the screen can be designed more easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a user interface device capable of enlarging an area in which an input field can be arranged, in spite of easy screen design, and , To provide that program.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, when an input to an input field is instructed, a keyboard for inputting to the input field is operated. In a user interface device having keyboard display means for pop-up display, when an input to an input field is instructed, the keyboard display means displays a location around the input field and at which the keyboard can be displayed on the screen. It is characterized in that the above-mentioned keyboard is displayed at the searched and found position.

In the above arrangement, the keyboard display means changes the display position of the keyboard according to the position of the input field to be input. Therefore, unlike the related art in which the display position is set for each input field, the setting of the display position for each input field is not required, so that it is possible to reduce the trouble in designing a screen including the input fields. In addition, in order to reduce the trouble at the time of setting, only one display position of the keyboard is set in advance, and even when inputting to any input field,
Unlike the related art in which the keyboard is popped up at the display position, the display position of the keyboard is changed around the input field to be input, so that the input field can be arranged at any position on the screen. The input fields to be entered are
It is not hidden by the keyboard. Therefore, it is possible to realize a user interface device capable of enlarging an area in which an input field can be arranged, despite easy screen design.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the user interface device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the keyboard display means uses an input field as an input target when searching for the place. A region when the keyboard is arranged at a predetermined relative position as a relative position is calculated, and if the region is not included in the screen, furthermore, the amount of movement in which the region fits on the screen is further reduced.
It is characterized in that the area is moved in a direction predetermined as a movement direction that does not overlap with the input field.

In this configuration, when searching for a place where the keyboard can be displayed, the keyboard display means first calculates an area when the keyboard is arranged at a predetermined relative position, and the area fits on the screen. If so, a keyboard is displayed in the area. On the other hand, if the area does not fit, an attempt is made to move the area in a predetermined direction by an amount corresponding to the movement of the area to fit on the screen and fit the area on the screen. In addition, even if the area is moved, if a displayable place is not found, an arrangement at another relative position may be attempted.

According to the above configuration, the calculation of the area when the keyboard is arranged at the relative position and the calculation of the movement amount necessary to fit on the screen in a predetermined direction are performed, and the surroundings of the input field are calculated. Of these, if there is a place where a keyboard can be displayed in the range along the movement direction based on the relative position,
You can find the place. As a result, the display location of the keyboard can be found in a short period of time even if the computing capacity is low.

When the ratio of the size of the keyboard to the size of the display screen is large, for example, when the size of the display screen is limited or when a full keyboard is displayed, for example, In some cases, the location where the keyboard can be displayed cannot be found. In this case, if the keyboard is not displayed at all, the key input to the input field becomes impossible, and if the input field is hidden, the data input to the input field becomes invisible and the key input becomes difficult.

On the other hand, in the user interface device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, when the keyboard display means does not find a place where a keyboard can be displayed, Instead of the keyboard, a search is made for a location that is smaller than the entire keyboard and capable of displaying a window of a predetermined size, the window is displayed at the found location, and the keyboard is inserted into the window. It is characterized in that a part is displayed so as to be switchable.

In this configuration, after attempting to display the entire keyboard, the keyboard display means searches for a display position of a window smaller than the entire keyboard and of a predetermined size by a similar search method. Therefore,
By setting the predetermined size to a size that does not hinder key input, even if the size of the entire keyboard with respect to the entire screen is relatively large, the position is such that display of input in the input field is not hindered. A part of the keyboard can be displayed in a size that does not hinder key input. Also, a part of the keyboard is displayed so as to be switchable to the window, for example, by scrolling the display part by inputting to a scroll bar or a scroll button, or by switching the display part with a display key switching button, Regardless of the key assigned to any of the keyboards, the key can be displayed without any trouble and the key can be input to the key. As a result, even if the size of the entire keyboard relative to the entire screen is relatively large, a user interface device with good operability can be realized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the user interface device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the keyboard display means displays the most frequently used portion of the keyboard when displayed in the window. Is displayed. The most frequently used portion may be determined by referring to the settings stored in advance, or the keyboard display unit may determine the portion by referring to the history of key input so far.

In the above configuration, when displaying a window, the keyboard display means displays the most frequently used part of the keyboard as the part to be displayed first. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the display portion needs to be switched at the time of the first key input, and it is possible to reduce the average number of operations.

The user interface device may be realized only by hardware, but may be realized by a computer executing a program. Specifically, the program according to the invention of claim 5 is a program for a computer to interface with a user. In order to solve the above problem, when an input to an input field is instructed, A keyboard display means for searching for a place where a keyboard for inputting to the input field can be displayed on the screen, and popping up the keyboard at the found position. It is characterized by having.

When the program is executed by a computer, the computer operates as the user interface device according to the first aspect. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect, it is possible to realize a user interface device capable of enlarging an area where an input field can be arranged, despite easy screen design.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The following is a description based on FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the control system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that controls a target system 2 having devices 21 such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembling machine, for example, and is stored in advance. A programmable logic controller (PLC) 3 for controlling each of the devices 21 based on the control program
A programmable display 5 connected to each PLC 3 via a serial cable 4 and operated by an operator of the target system 2 in the vicinity of the target system 2 in many cases as an HMI of the control system 1; For example, a local area network (LAN) 6 that is made of Ethernet (registered trademark) and connects each programmable display 5, and is connected to the LAN 6 and is more distant from the target system 2 than the programmable display 5 in many cases. A control host computer 7 that performs, for example, a process of creating (modifying) a control program and a process of designing a screen of the programmable display 5 at a place and manages the entire control system 1 is provided.

Although FIG. 1 shows one device 21, one PLC 3 and one programmable display 5 for simplicity of illustration, the number of devices 21 connected to the PLC 3 and the control system The numbers of the PLCs 3 and the programmable displays 5 provided in 1 can be set to arbitrary values according to the scale of the control system 1. Also, the programmable display 5 and the corresponding PLC
The transmission path between the transmission line 3 and the transmission line 3 may be any type as long as they can communicate with each other, and may be wired or wireless.

Here, the communication protocol used when the PLC 3 communicates differs depending on the PLC 3 model, such as for each manufacturing company or for each product even if it is the same company, due to the history of the development of the PLC 3 from the sequencer. Often have. Therefore, for example, in order to mutually connect the PLCs 3 and the control host computer 7 to form a network, it is necessary to make the models of the PLCs 3 in the control system 1 uniform, and to construct the large-scale control system 1. Is difficult.

On the other hand, the control system 1 according to the present embodiment connects the programmable display 5 and the control host computer 7 connected to each PLC 3 to a LAN.
6 and a common protocol defined independently of the communication protocol (dedicated protocol) unique to the PLC 3 as a communication protocol for the LAN 6. Further, each programmable display 5 also has a function of converting a protocol. For example, the programmable display 5 performs protocol conversion such as conversion of an instruction code, conversion of an argument, or conversion of a control code at the time of transmission. 7 and other programmable displays 5 and the PLC 3 connected to the own device.

In this configuration, devices on the LAN 6, such as the programmable display 5 and the control host computer 7, are connected to the PL connected to another programmable display 5.
Regardless of the model of C3, communication can be performed by a common protocol via LAN6. As a result, it is easy to mix different types of PLCs 3 in the control system 1.

Also, in the above configuration, unlike the case where the PLCs 3 are connected to each other, the configuration is indispensable to the control system 1, and furthermore, since it operates as an HMI, the programmable display has more computing power than the PLC 3. Since the display device 5 processes most of the communication, for example, when the control host computer 7 and the programmable display device 5 communicate with each other, such as when downloading screen data,
C3 can be excluded. Therefore, the load on the PLC 3 can be reduced, and the computing capacity required for the entire control system 1 can be reduced. Note that the programmable display device 5 has sufficient computing power while waiting for a user operation, so that protocol conversion can be performed without improving computing power for protocol conversion.

Here, the programmable display 5 suitably used as the HMI of the control system 1 displays the state of the device 21 on the screen based on the screen data determined by combining the processing instruction words (tags). And a PLC-side communication processing unit 51 that communicates with the PLC 3 via the serial cable 4 to specify the operation when the operation is performed and when the state of the device 21 is controlled in accordance with the operation on the screen.
A network-side communication processing unit 52 that communicates with the control host computer 7 and another programmable display 5 via the LAN 6; a screen data memory 53 that stores the screen data; The status of each device 21 that displays the status on the display screen is acquired via the PLC 3 connected to the device or via another programmable display 5 and the PLC 3 connected thereto. And an HMI processing unit 56 that displays the state of each device 21 and instructs the device 21 to control the state of the device in response to an operation on the touch panel 55.

More specifically, in the programmable display device 5 according to the present embodiment, as a tag constituting the screen data, an area (display range) on the screen and a device address (device) corresponding to display in the area are displayed. Address), and an input tag indicating a correspondence between an area (input range) on the screen and a device address corresponding to an input to the area. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the tags can be associated with at least one of the plurality of unit screens.

The HMI processing unit 56 extracts display tags related to the currently displayed unit screen from the screen data stored in the screen data memory 53 in advance, and, at a predetermined cycle, Reads the contents of the device address related to the display tag, and specifies on the screen a graphic in the expression format specified by the display tag according to the contents of the device address, such as a part figure corresponding to the read value. To the specified area. On the other hand, when the programmable display 5 receives an input operation on the touch panel 55, the HMI processing unit 56 searches the screen data for an input tag corresponding to the currently displayed unit screen and matching the input operation, For example, an instruction is given to the PLC 3 connected with the serial cable 4, or the PLC 3 connected to another programmable display 5 via the LAN 6, the programmable display 5 and the serial cable 4.
The content of the device address indicated by the input tag is changed according to the input result. Thereby, the programmable display device 5 can display the state of the device indicated by the screen data at the display position indicated by the screen data in the expression format indicated by the screen data, or control the device in accordance with the input operation indicated by the screen data.

The screen data is created (corrected) by the control host computer 7 or the like in accordance with the current state of the target system 2 or the proficiency of the operator of the control system 1. Stored in the screen data memory 53, the HMI processing unit 56 operates based on the screen data. Therefore, by changing the screen data, the programmable display 5 can display an operation screen according to the current state of the target system 2 to be controlled and the proficiency of the operator of the control system 1, and can receive an operation. Further, as described above, since the screen data can be specified by a combination of the input / display range and the control operation of the related device, the screen data is less than the case of newly creating a program for controlling or displaying a device. Can be created / modified with effort.

The device address is an address for specifying a device to be controlled.
1 shows one area of a storage device provided in the PLC 3, the programmable display 5, the control host computer 7, or the like. In addition, the above-described device includes a touch panel 55
Or a memory in which data manually input from an input device such as a barcode reader (not shown) is stored. Note that acquisition / change of the device state may be instructed each time, or a cache is prepared in the programmable display 5 and, at the time of acquisition / change, the cache is accessed and at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time. Communication may be performed for each event to synchronize with the entity of the device address.

Here, the above-mentioned display and input tags are provided on the programmable display 5 so that setting values to be input by an operator, such as the number of products to be manufactured today and parameters at the time of manufacturing, can be easily input. The set value display (input field) D1 to D4 shown in FIG.
Setting value display tags Td1 to Td4 for displaying
As shown in FIG. 4, pop-up keyboard tags Tp1 to Tp4 for displaying a keyboard (for example, K1) that pops up when an operation on a setting value display (for example, D1) is received are provided. In the following, for example, like a set value display tag Td1 corresponding to the set value display D1, a tag, a set value display, a keyboard, or the like corresponding to each other is referred to by attaching the same numeral in the code. And you do n’t need to distinguish between them,
Alternatively, when collectively referred to, as in a set value display D,
Reference without reference numeral.

Further, as will be described in detail later, the HMI processing unit 56 of the programmable display 5 according to the present embodiment displays the set value display D based on the two tags Td and Tp and sets the set value display D. When the display D is operated, a location around the set value display D and at which the keyboard K can be displayed is searched, and the keyboard K can be displayed in a pop-up display at the location.

Note that the programmable display 5 corresponds to the user interface device described in the claims, and the HMI processing section 56 corresponds to keyboard display means. Each of the members 51 to 56 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU that executes a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM or a RAM, and an input / output unit such as a liquid crystal display 54 or a touch panel 55 or an interface circuit. Is a functional block realized by controlling the communication means. Therefore, the computer having these units reads a recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or the like) on which the program is recorded and executes the program, whereby the programmable display 5 according to the present embodiment can be realized. Further, for example, if a program for downloading a program via the serial cable 4 or the LAN 6 or another communication path is installed in the computer in advance, the program is transmitted to the computer via the communication path. Can also be distributed.

In the above configuration, in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1) shown in FIG. 1, for example, each of the tags Td1
To Td4.Tp1 to Tp4 are created (corrected). In the present embodiment, the area for displaying the set value display D and the area for receiving an operation to the set value display D are set to the same area, and the display range of the set value display tag Td and the Both the input range of the pop-up keyboard tag Tp corresponding to the tag Td is set to the same range as the display area of the set value display D. In addition, for example, information necessary for specifying the operation of the display and operation of the set value display D, such as the address of a device controlled according to the set value of the set value display D, is set.

In the above S1, when the screen design for the operation is completed and the screen data is generated, the screen data is
In S2, the screen data memory 53 of the programmable display 5 is transmitted, for example, via the LAN 6.
And the HMI processing unit 56 starts displaying an operation screen and accepting an operation based on the screen data. Thereby, the programmable display 5
As shown in FIG. 3, set value indicators D1 to D4 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 54.

In this state, the operator touches the touch panel 5
5 is touched, the HMI processing unit 56 executes S3
In, based on the instruction from the touch panel 55, the operated area is identified, and the corresponding input tag is searched to determine whether the area corresponding to the set value display D is operated. In addition, if there is no input, or
When an area other than the set value display is operated (in S3 above, in other cases), the HMI processing unit 56 performs a process according to the operated area as necessary, and then performs the next input. Wait for.

On the other hand, when the set value display D is touched (when there is an input in S3), the HMI processing unit 56
Finds a popup keyboard tag Tp as an input tag corresponding to the operated area. In this case, HM
In step S4, the I processing unit 56 searches for a display position that can be displayed without protruding from the keyboard K from display positions relatively determined with reference to the set value display D to be input.

As a result of the search in S4, if a displayable position is found (YES in S5), the HMI processing unit 56
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a keyboard K is pop-up displayed at the position (S6). If not found (NO in S5 above), the HMI processing unit 56
Keyboard K at a predetermined position such as the lower right corner of the screen
Is displayed in a pop-up (S7).

In any case, when the keyboard K is displayed in a pop-up manner, the HMI processing unit 56
In step 1, an input to the keyboard K is awaited, and the input result is displayed on the target set value display D. Further, when a predetermined setting instruction such as pressing an enter key (ENT) on the keyboard K of FIG.
, The HMI processing unit 56 sets the input result to the device associated with the set value display D, more specifically, the device at the address specified by the pop-up keyboard tag Tp, and closes the keyboard K to perform the input process. finish.

If a display termination instruction of the keyboard K is input before the setting is instructed, for example, by touching the setting value display D again, the HMI processing unit 56 sets the input result to the device. Without closing the keyboard K. Before the setting is instructed, for example, an input instruction to another set value display D or an instruction to switch to another unit screen,
Even when another operation is instructed, the HMI processing unit 56 performs other processing without setting the device.

As described above, when pop-up display of the keyboard K is performed, the programmable display 5 according to the present embodiment searches for a place where the keyboard K can be displayed from around the set value display D to be input. And displays the keyboard K at the location where it was found. Therefore, unlike the related art in which the display position of the pop-up keyboard is set for each set value display D, the display position setting for each set value display D becomes unnecessary, and thus the set value display D is included. It is possible to reduce the trouble when designing the screen. Also, in order to reduce the trouble of setting, only one display position of the pop-up keyboard is set in advance, and even when inputting to any set value display D, the keyboard is pop-up displayed at the display position. Unlike the prior art, since the display position of the keyboard is changed around the set value display D to be input, the position of the input target Set value display D
Is not hidden by the keyboard. As a result of these,
Although the screen design is easy, the position where the setting value display D can be arranged can be enlarged without being hidden by the keyboard.

In the following, as shown in FIG. 3, four set value displays D1 to D4 are displayed and operated in the screen data, and set value display tags Td1 to Td4 and pop-up keyboard tags Tp1 to Tp4 for operation. Is included in the screen data, and the HMI processing unit 56
The processing of S4 and S5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in further detail by taking as an example a case where keyboards K1 to K4 for inputting setting values are displayed by detecting touches to D4 to D4.

That is, the HMI processing section 56 specifies the area occupied by the keyboard K when the keyboard K is arranged at the relative position defined on the right side of the set value display D in S21 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the relative position on the right side is, for example, in contact with the right end of the set value display D, and the upper end is set to the same position as each other. Therefore,
When the HMI processing unit 56 receives a touch operation on the set value display D1, the input range (or display range) of the tag Tp1 (or Td1) related to the set value display D1 is received.
From the relative position on the right side and the size of the keyboard K1 to be displayed, for example, XY coordinates (X1a, Y1a)
-As a rectangular area indicated by (X2a, Y2a),
The area A1a occupied by the keyboard K1 is specified. In addition,
The size of the keyboard K1 can be determined, for example, from the display area of the tag for displaying the keyboard K1 among the tags constituting the screen data.

Here, when the set value display D1 is touched, the area A1 where the keyboard K1 is to be displayed is displayed.
a does not protrude from the screen as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the HMI processing unit 56 determines in S22 that the keyboard K1 can be displayed in the area A1a, and in S6 shown in FIG. 1, the area of the search result (in this case,
The keyboard K1 is displayed on A1a).

On the other hand, when the set value display D2 is touched, the HMI processing unit 56 determines in step S21 that the area A2a when the keyboard K2 is displayed at the right relative position with respect to the set value display D2. Is calculated. However, the set value display D2 has the same position in the left-right direction as the set value display D1, but is located near the lower end of the screen. As shown in FIG. 6, the area A2a protrudes from the lower end of the screen. Therefore, the HMI processing unit 56 determines in the above S22 that the image cannot be displayed in the area A2a.

In this case, in S23, the HMI processing section 56 moves the area A2a in the vertical direction so that the area A2a falls within the screen. In the present embodiment, the ordinate is adjusted so that the lower end of the area A2a matches the lower end of the screen.

Further, in S24, the HMI processing unit 5
6 determines whether or not the adjusted area A2b is within the screen, and if it is (if possible), for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the search result area (in this case,
A2b) to display the keyboard K2 (S2 shown in FIG. 1).
6).

As another operation example, a set value display D
When 3 or D4 is touched, the HMI processing unit 56 determines in the above S21 that the area A3a (in the case where the keyboard K3 (K4) is displayed at the right relative position with respect to the set value display D3 (D4)). A4a) is calculated. However, the set value display D3 has the same position in the vertical direction as the set value display D1, but is arranged near the right end of the screen. As shown in FIG. 8, the area A3a protrudes from the right end of the screen. Further, the set value display D4 further includes:
Since the positions in the vertical direction are also different and are arranged at the lower right end of the screen, if the right area A4a is calculated by the same method, the right end and the lower end of the area A4a will protrude from the screen.

In these cases, since the right end of the area A3a (A4a) protrudes, unlike the case where the set value display D2 is touched, the area A3a
Even if (A4a) is moved in the vertical direction (upward), the adjusted area A3b (A4b) does not fit within the screen.

In these cases (if it is impossible in S24), the HMI processing unit 56 attempts to arrange on the left side in S25 to S28. More specifically, in step S25, similarly to step S21, when the keyboard K is arranged at a specific left position relative to the set value display D3 (D4), the area A3c (A4
c) is calculated. In the present embodiment, the left relative position is in contact with the left end of the set value display D, and the upper end is determined to be the same position.

If the area (for example, A3c) does not protrude (possible in S26), FIG.
As shown in the figure, the area of the search result (in this case, A3c)
The keyboard K3 is displayed (S6 shown in FIG. 1).

When the area (for example, A4c) calculated in S25 is outside the screen (S2).
6, when it is impossible), the HMI processing unit 56 proceeds to S27
In S28 and S28, similarly to S23 and S24, the area (A4c) is moved in the vertical direction, and it is determined whether or not the area is within the screen. In the case of the setting value display D4, since the area A4d after the movement is within the screen (possible in S28), the HMI processing unit 56 sends the keyboard to the area A4d after the adjustment as shown in FIG. K4 is displayed (S6 shown in FIG. 1).

When the size of the set value display D and the size of the keyboard K are larger than those on the screen, as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. Even if the keyboard K is arranged on the left side, the keyboard K may protrude from the screen.

In this case, the HMI processing unit 56
In step S8, it is determined that the keyboard K is not displayed. In steps S31 to S34 shown in FIG. 13, it is checked whether there is a place where the keyboard K can be displayed below or above the setting value display D. Specifically, in S31,
In substantially the same manner as in the above S21, based on the set value display D,
When the keyboard K is arranged at a specific lower position, the area (A5e) occupied by the keyboard K is calculated. If the keyboard K can be displayed in the area (A5e), the HMI
The processing unit 56 displays the keyboard K in the area (A5e), for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (S shown in FIG. 1).
6). On the other hand, if it is not within the screen (impossible in S32), in S33, the area (A6f) when the keyboard K is arranged at a specific relative position above is calculated, and the area (A6f) is calculated. Is displayed on the screen (possible in S34), the keyboard K6 is displayed in the area (A6f) as shown in FIG.
6). Here, in the present embodiment, the lower relative position contacts the lower end of the set value display D, and the left end is calculated as the same position. The upper relative position is indicated by the set value display D
And the left end is calculated as the same position. On the other hand, if it is not fit on the screen even if it is arranged upward (S
34, when it is impossible), the HMI processing unit 56
The process of S7 shown in FIG.
Is displayed.

In S31 to S34, as an example, unlike S21 to S28 shown in FIG. 5, after judging whether or not the arrangement to the relative position is possible, the arrangement to the next relative position is tried. While, similar to the above S21 to S28,
After failing in the arrangement at the relative position, the area in which the keyboard K is to be displayed is moved in a direction that does not overlap the set value display D (for example, in the case of an upper or lower relative position, the horizontal direction). An attempt may be made to fit the keyboard K within the screen.

As described above, the HMI processing unit 56 according to the present embodiment can display the keyboard K around the set value display D based on the set value display D to be input. A keyboard K is displayed at the position. This allows the display position of the keyboard K to be changed even though the position of the keyboard K is not individually set.
Is adjusted so that the set value display D to which the value is input is not hidden. As a result, the position at which the set value display D can be arranged can be expanded without being hidden by the keyboard, despite the ease of screen design.

By the way, for example, when a full keyboard capable of inputting alphanumeric characters is displayed,
When the size of the keyboard is further increased, there is a possibility that the keyboard may completely hide the set value display D or may not be able to display the keyboard itself, regardless of where the keyboard is disposed around the set value display D. .

In order to prepare for this case, the processing shown in FIG. 14 may be performed instead of S7 shown in FIG. 1 to try to arrange a window W for displaying only a part of the keyboard. Specifically, if the HMI processing unit 56 of the programmable display 5 according to the present modification fails to arrange the entire keyboard (NO in S5), in S41, the HMI processing unit 56 replaces the entire keyboard with a predetermined size. A search is made to see if the window W can be displayed around the set value display D to be input. It should be noted that the search method in S41 is shown in FIG.
Is a search method similar to S4 shown in FIG. 6, except that the size of the window W is used instead of the size of the keyboard K to determine whether display is possible.

Further, similarly to S5 to S7 shown in FIG. 1, in S42 to S44, the HMI processing unit 56
Displays a window W at the position where the window W can be displayed, and displays the window W at the lower right corner if not found. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, a window W7 is displayed around the set value display D7 (in this case, on the right side). Here, in the window W7, a portion of the keyboard K that includes a key that is likely to be input first is displayed, and by operating the scroll bars SB1 and SB2, The part displayed in the window W can be changed. Therefore, although the number of operations slightly increases due to the switching of the display portion, the key operation having the same contents as in the case where the entire keyboard is displayed can be input in a window W smaller than the entire keyboard.

In the present embodiment, the programmable display 5 used as the HMI of the control system 1 has been described as an example of the user interface device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When an input to the input field is instructed, a keyboard for input to the input field is displayed in a pop-up, and the same effect can be obtained as long as the user interface device prompts the user to input.

However, in the programmable display used in the control system, the installation place is often limited, for example, near the target system to be controlled, and the screen width (resolution) may not be sufficient. Many. On the other hand, as the scale of the control system increases, the number of items to be set in relation to each other also increases, and it is required to arrange a large number of setting value indicators on a screen. In many cases, the optimal screen configuration of the screen of the programmable display device differs depending not only on the configuration of the target system but also on the proficiency of the operator and the guidelines of the operator. Therefore, the screen design frequency is relatively frequent as compared with ordinary application software and the like, and it is also required that the screen can be designed more easily. As a result of these,
When the present invention is applied to a control system, the effect is particularly large.

[0067]

As described above, in the user interface device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when an input to an input field is instructed, the keyboard display means for pop-up displaying a keyboard for inputting to the input field is provided. A search is made for a location around the input field and at which the keyboard can be displayed on the screen, and the keyboard is displayed at the found position. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for operating a computer as keyboard display means according to the first aspect, and by executing the program, the computer is configured as a user interface device according to the first aspect. Operate.

In the above arrangement, the keyboard display means changes the display position of the keyboard according to the position of the input field to be input. Therefore, unlike the related art in which the display position is set for each input field, the setting of the display position for each input field is not required, so that it is possible to reduce the trouble in designing a screen including the input fields. In addition, in order to reduce the trouble at the time of setting, only one display position of the keyboard is set in advance, and even when inputting to any input field,
Unlike the related art in which the keyboard is popped up at the display position, the display position of the keyboard is changed around the input field to be input, so that the input field can be arranged at any position on the screen. The input fields to be entered are
It is not hidden by the keyboard. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to realize a user interface device capable of expanding an area in which an input field can be arranged, although screen design is easy.

As described above, in the user interface device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the keyboard display means displays an input field to be input when searching for the place. In addition to calculating a region when the keyboard is arranged at a predetermined relative position as a reference relative position, if the region does not fit on the screen, the input is further performed by the amount of movement that fits the region on the screen. In this configuration, the area is moved in a direction predetermined as a movement direction that does not overlap the column.

According to this configuration, the calculation of the area when the keyboard is located at the relative position and the calculation of the amount of movement required to fit on the screen in a predetermined direction are performed. Of these, if there is a place where a keyboard can be displayed in the range along the movement direction based on the relative position,
You can find the place. As a result, there is an effect that the display location of the keyboard can be found in a short time even if the computational ability is low.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect of the present invention, as described above, when the keyboard display means does not find a place where a keyboard can be displayed, Instead of the keyboard, a search is made for a location that is smaller than the entire keyboard and capable of displaying a window of a predetermined size, the window is displayed at the found location, and the keyboard is inserted into the window. In this configuration, a part is displayed so as to be switchable.

In this configuration, the keyboard display means searches the display position of the window by the same search method after trying to display the entire keyboard. Therefore, even when the size of the entire keyboard with respect to the entire screen is relatively large, a portion of the keyboard can be displayed in a position that does not hinder display of input in the input field, in a size that does not hinder key input, There is an effect that a user interface device with good operability can be realized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, the keyboard display means displays the most frequently used keyboard among the keyboards when displaying on the window. This is a configuration for displaying a high part of the image.

In the above configuration, when displaying a window, the keyboard display means displays the most frequently used part of the keyboard as the part to be displayed first. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the display portion needs to be switched at the time of the first key input, and it is possible to reduce the average number of operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the control system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of a programmable display provided in the control system and showing a state in which a keyboard is not displayed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of the programmable display device and showing a state in which a keyboard is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation when the programmable display device determines a display position of a keyboard.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the screen of the programmable display device, and showing a state in which an attempt to arrange a keyboard has failed at a predetermined position on the right side of the setting value display device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of the programmable display device, in which a lower end of the keyboard is adjusted and a keyboard is displayed.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen of the programmable display device, and is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an attempt to arrange a keyboard has failed on the right side of the setting value display device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of the programmable display device and showing a state in which a keyboard is displayed on the left side of the setting value display device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of the programmable display device, in which a keyboard is displayed after adjusting a lower end on the left side of the set value display device.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen of the programmable display, and is an explanatory view showing a state in which a keyboard is displayed below the set value display.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen of the programmable display, and is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a keyboard is displayed above the set value display.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the remainder of the operation when the programmable display device determines the display position of the keyboard.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a modification of the above-described programmable display device and showing an operation of the programmable display device.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen of the programmable display device, and is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a part of a keyboard is displayed in a window.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of a conventional programmable display.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Programmable display (user interface device) 56 HMI processing unit (keyboard display means) D1 to D6 Set value display (input field) K1 to K6 Keyboard W7 Window

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor San Chi Fan 8-2-52, Nanko-Higashi, Suminoe-ku, Osaka, Osaka F-term (reference) 5B020 CC12 DD30 FF53 GG13 5C082 AA01 AA24 BA02 BA12 CA52 CA55 CA63 CB06 MM08 5E501 AA02 BA03 BA05 CA02 CB05 EA10 EB05 EB19 FA25 FB13

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A user interface device having keyboard display means for pop-up displaying a keyboard for input to an input field when an input to the input field is instructed, wherein the keyboard display means comprises an input to the input field. A user interface device that searches for a place where the keyboard can be displayed on the screen around the input field and displays the keyboard at the found position. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard display means calculates an area when the keyboard is arranged at a predetermined relative position as a relative position based on an input field to be input when the location is searched. If the area does not fit on the screen, the area is further moved by a movement amount that fits on the screen in a direction predetermined as a movement direction that does not overlap the input field. The user interface device according to claim 1. 3. The keyboard display means according to claim 1, wherein, when a location where a keyboard can be displayed is not found, the keyboard display means replaces the keyboard with a location smaller than the entire keyboard and capable of displaying a window of a predetermined size. 3. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein a search is performed, the window is displayed at a position where the search is performed, and a part of the keyboard is switchably displayed in the window. 4. The user interface device according to claim 3, wherein said keyboard display means displays a most frequently used portion of the keyboard when displaying in said window. 5. A program for allowing a computer to interface with a user, wherein when an input to an input field is instructed, a keyboard for inputting to the input field is provided around the input field. A program that causes the computer to operate as keyboard display means for searching for a place that can be displayed on the computer and pop-up displaying the keyboard at the found position.