JP4966635B2 - Program creation support apparatus and program creation support method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program creation support apparatus and a program creation support method suitable for creating an application program using a GUI-based form.

  Application programs that use GUI-based forms include control programs and analysis programs. Conventionally, a program creation support device for a control program has a creation screen for creating a data flow. When creating a data flow diagram, a user arranges elements (function blocks) on a form and sequentially connects them with signal lines. The method of doing is taken. In this case, the elements are arranged on the assumption that the data is executed in order from left to right and further from top to bottom, and the signal lines of the elements are connected by straight lines or broken lines (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

In addition, the electrical circuit system analysis program has a preprocessor for circuit creation, and the user selects a predetermined element (component) using the mouse and places it on the palette, and in sequence, The input / output terminals can be connected by straight lines or broken lines to construct an electric circuit. Further, analysis data and a program are generated based on the circuit drawing, and an analysis result is obtained by executing the program (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-106380 H. Kr. Hoidalen, “ATPDraw-Graphical Preprocessor to ATP-EMTP”, [online], [October 27, 2006], <URL: http://www.ece.mtu.edu/atp/ATPDraw/ ATPDraw.html>

  In the program creation apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when placing an element on a form, the user places the element while paying attention to the positional relationship between the top, bottom, left and right while envisioning the data flow, and the signal lines overlap. There is a problem that it takes time to create a data flow diagram because it is necessary to connect the wires with care so as not to become.

  In the preprocessor of the analysis program described in Non-Patent Document 1, the user can freely arrange elements on the pallet. However, when connecting the input / output terminals of the element, the connection may be drawn on the element, and skill is required to create a final circuit diagram.

  The present invention is an invention for solving the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a program creation support apparatus and a program creation support method that can easily create an application on a GUI-based form.

In order to achieve the object, the element arranged on the GUI-based form has at least one input / output port, and the port of the first element (for example, the output port) of the two different elements. 111) and a port of the second element (for example, the input port 124), a control unit (for example, the control unit 2), when connected, a free curve connecting line (for example, a control line) The link 123) is combined and displayed on the display unit (for example, the display screen 119), and the link information is stored in the storage unit (for example, the storage unit 3). Of the two different elements displayed on the display unit, when a connection instruction for connecting the port of the first element and the port of the second element is given, the control unit sets a free curve between the ports. bound to a binding line when displayed in the table radical 113, when the port together does not face the outer vicinity of the region of the element in the direction away from the direction and the own elements away from the port of the other first element The first control point is placed on the first element, and the coupling line is drawn out in the linear direction connecting the port of the first element and the first control point, and away from the counterpart of the port of the second element and away from the own element. the second control point is arranged near the outside of the area of the element in the direction, pull the bond line to the port and the straight line direction connecting the second control point of the second element, One, the portion which overlaps with the region of the coupling line Gae Remento is a bond line and displaying behind the region of the element.

  According to the present invention, a program creator can easily create an application on a GUI-based form.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a program creation support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a screen displayed on an output apparatus. The electronic computer 1 includes a control unit 2, a storage unit 3, an input device 4 such as a mouse (pointing device), and an output device 5 such as a display.

  Specifically, the control unit 2 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that operates according to a program, causes the output device 5 to display a program creation tool screen, executes the program creation tool, and creates a program. Run the program created using the tool for

  The storage unit 3 includes basic element information 6 related to various basic elements such as the basic element A115, basic element B116, and basic element C117 provided by the program creation tool, and general element information related to the general element 118 provided by the program creation tool. 7. Application logic information 10 which is application logic created by the user of the program creation tool, and information necessary for using the program creation tool is stored although illustration is omitted.

  The application logic information 10 includes link information 9, general-purpose element internal logic information 11, and drawing area element information 12 described later. Here, an element means a program logic having a certain function. The elements are composed of basic elements and general-purpose elements described later.

  A basic element is a function for creating a program, in which the function, the number of input ports, the number of output ports, and the types of values that each port can hold are determined in advance by the program creation tool. Elements that cannot be changed by the user of the tool. In the case of FIG. 1, in the basic element 110, the basic element 110 has two input ports on the left side of the square by drawing two circles indicating the input port and one circle indicating the output port on the right side of the square. It shows that it has one output port.

  A generic element is a program creation tool whose function, number of input ports, number of output ports, and types of values that can be held by each port are not specified. An element that can be changed by the user of the tool.

  The input port is a graphic representation of arguments in the program logic expressed by basic elements or general-purpose elements on the display screen 119 on the output device 5. In FIG. 1, it is indicated by a circle. The output port is a graphic representation of the return value in the program logic expressed by the basic element or the general-purpose element in the drawing area 122 on the output device 5. In FIG. 1, it is indicated by a circle.

  The link is an output port included in a certain basic element, for example, in the case of FIG. 1, the output port 111 of the basic element 110 and an input port of a general-purpose element arranged separately from it, for example, in the case of FIG. The input port 113 is associated, and specifically, the same value as the value of the output port is assigned to the input port. In FIG. 1, a curve 114 is displayed as a link 114. Similarly, in order to associate the output port 111 with the input port 124, they are connected by a link 123.

  The basic element information 6 represents the characteristics of each basic element, and the element name given so that the user of the program creation tool can easily understand the function, the program logic of the basic element, the number of input ports, It is composed of the value type of each input port, the number of output ports, and the value type of each output port.

  The general-purpose element information 7 is composed of an element name given to indicate that it is a general-purpose element, image data necessary for display in the drawing area 122, and the like.

  The link information 9 includes data relating to a combination of a set of output ports and input ports connected by a link, and a link color and a curve shape. However, the link used inside the general element is included in the general element internal logic information 11.

  The general-purpose element internal logic information 11 indicates the number of input ports set in the general-purpose element, the number of output ports, the value type of each port, the program logic of the general-purpose element, and the basic elements and general-purpose elements configured in the general-purpose element. It consists of data related to elements and data related to links indicating their relationship. The internal logic of the general-purpose element may be configured using not only the basic element but also the general-purpose element. In this case, it is necessary to further define the internal logic for the general-purpose element used for creating the general-purpose element internal logic. However, in this regard as well, if it is configured using basic elements, general-purpose elements, and links, general-purpose element internal logic can be created without looking at the source code.

  The element information 12 in the drawing area includes information on elements arranged in the drawing area 122 and properties set for the input port or output port of the element.

  In the element list box 121 on the display screen 119, basic elements that can be arranged in the drawing area 122 are displayed. For example, when it is desired to place the basic element A 115 in the drawing area 122, it can be realized by performing a drag and drop operation using the input device 4 such as a mouse. In FIG. 1, the basic element A115, the basic element B116, the basic element C117, and the like in the element list box 121 are represented by character strings. However, they are not character strings but represent the characteristics of each basic element, such as images. There may be. A character string indicating the general-purpose element 118 is shown at the end of the list of elements displayed in the element list box 121. The arrangement of the general element 118 in the drawing area 122 can also be realized by the same operation as the basic element A115. In FIG. 1, the general-purpose element 118 in the element list box 121 is expressed by a character string, but it may be an image or the like indicating the characteristics of the general-purpose element instead of the character string.

  The toolbar 120 can realize various operations when using the program creation tool by operations using the input device 4 such as a mouse. Instead of preparing the toolbar 120, various operations used in the program creation tool may be performed by preparing shortcut keys that are pressed simultaneously by combining several buttons on the keyboard. Both toolbars and shortcut keys may be provided simultaneously.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining basic elements and general-purpose elements. The basic element 201 shows a program logic having a certain function. In FIG. 2, this is represented by a quadrangle, but it may be a non-quadrangle shape such as a triangle or an ellipse. The basic element 201 has one or both of an input port and an output port in addition to the program logic. These can have values such as numeric values and character strings. Each port has a type of value that can be held. Examples of the type of value include a string type (character string) and an int type (integer). In the case of basic elements, the number of input ports and output ports that can be held and the type of the value of each port are already determined. Each port can be connected to a link capable of associating a set of ports by connecting an output port of one element and an input port of another element with a line.

  FIG. 2A shows an example of basic elements. The basic element 201 has three ports, an input port 202, an input port 203, and an input port 204 as input ports, and two ports, an output port 205 and an output port 206, as output ports. The numbers 0, 1, and 2 are written on the right side of each input port 202, 203, and 204, and the numbers 0 and 1 are written on the left side of each output port 205 and 206. This is a plurality of input ports or output ports. In order to distinguish between them, instead of numbers, the drawing area is expressed by alphabets such as A and B, and words that indicate the nature of the port, such as “COM port number” or “execution cycle”. These elements may be displayed at 122. Further, in order to simplify the layout of elements, symbols such as numerals and alphabets, and words indicating properties may be omitted and not displayed unless particularly necessary.

  FIG. 2B shows an example of a general-purpose element. The general-purpose element 211 can set the number of input ports on the screen and the type of value that the port can hold, and the output port can also set the number of output ports and the type of value that the port can hold as with the input port. Can be set. As shown in FIG. 2B, (m + 1) input ports such as an input port 212, an input port 213, and an input port 214, an output port such as an output port 215, an output port 216, an output port 217, and an output port 218 are provided. (N + 1). In FIG. 2B, the points between the input port 213 and the input port 214 and between the output port 217 and the output port 218 are indicated by dots, which indicates that the number of ports is variable. ing.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing application creation processing using a program creation tool. First, an operation for requesting activation of a program creation tool such as double-clicking a shortcut icon for activating the program creation tool displayed on the output device 5 (see FIG. 1) This is done by the user using the input device 4 (see FIG. 1). A description will be given with reference to FIG.

  When the program creation tool is activated, the control unit 2 reads information necessary for executing the program creation tool from the storage unit 3 and displays a display screen of the program creation tool on the output device 5 (S301). Next, when a tool user uses a toolbar 120 or a shortcut key for creating a new drawing area 122 in the program creation tool display screen 119, a request for creating a new drawing area 122 is issued. When this is done, the control unit 2 performs a new creation process of the drawing area 122 (S302), and creates a new drawing area 122 in the display screen 119. The drawing area 122 may be automatically created at the same time when the program creation tool is started without any operation by the program creation tool user, or as described above, the operation by the program creation tool user. The drawing area 122 may be newly created after the above.

  Next, the tool user selects one of the elements displayed in the element list box 121 by the input device 4 such as a mouse (S303), and operates the drawing area 122 by dragging and dropping it. Then, the control unit 2 displays the element on the drawing area 122 (S304). For example, when the basic element A115 is to be arranged in the drawing area 122, it can be realized by a drag-and-drop operation using the input device 4 such as a mouse by the tool user.

  Since the basic element is a program logic having a certain function, even a single element can be operated as an application. In this embodiment, a plurality of elements are used and a link is used between the elements. To create an application. The second and subsequent elements are arranged by the same operation as described above.

  Next, a procedure for creating a link will be described. When an operation by the input device 4 is performed on a figure indicating an output port of an element, for example, a circle such as the output port 111 (see FIG. 1), for example, when the left button of the mouse is dragged, a link is displayed. A curved link 123 shown is displayed in the drawing area 122. One end of the curve is connected to the output port 111, but at this point, the other is not connected to any input port. When the mouse button that has been pressed is released on the figure indicating the input port of another element, for example, a circle such as the input port 124 while being dragged, the control unit 2 adds a curve to the input port. The link 123 is displayed with one end connected, the port information at both ends of the link is stored in the link information 9, and a link is generated between the two ports (S305). A method of displaying the link curve will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the program creation tool user completes selection of necessary elements and connection of links, upon receiving an application execution instruction from the input device 4, the control unit 2 reads the application logic information 10 stored in the storage unit 3. And the application created by the user of the program creation tool is executed (S306).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying a link curve. FIGS. 4A and 4B are comparative examples, and FIG. 4C is an example according to the present embodiment. In the comparative example of FIG. 4A, the link is hidden under the element, and it is not known from which port the curve appears. In the comparative example of FIG. 4B, the curve of the link can be displayed on the front of the element instead of the back of the element, but the character string (for example, RFID Obj) on the element may be difficult to read. It is not a good way to display links. On the other hand, FIG. 4C is an example according to the present embodiment, but once the link curve is drawn to the right side of the output port and to the left side of the input port, it is easy to understand which port is exiting. ing. RFID is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency Identification, and Obj is an abbreviation for Object.

  Next, a detailed link display method will be described. The links 114 and 123 (see FIG. 1) are free curves. The free curve may be any curve, but there is a Hermitian curve, a Bezier curve, a B-spline curve, a cut-maru-rom curve, or the like. Here, the description will be made with a cubic Bezier curve. In this case, it is necessary to set four points: a start point, a first control point, a second control point, and an end point. The start point and end point are the port positions of the element.

  Here, the start point is an output port of an element (the output port is displayed on the right side of the element), and the end point is an input port of an element other than the element (the input port is on the left side of the element). It shall be displayed.) The first control point is placed on the right side of the start point (output port), and the second control point is placed on the left side of the end point (input port). In addition, both the first control point and the second control point are not plotted on the straight line connecting the start point and the end point. The straight line connecting the start point and the first control point becomes the tangent line of the curve at the start point, and the straight line connecting the second control point and the end point becomes the tangent line of the curve at the end point, so the right side of the output port (outside the element), A curve is drawn to the left. Control points are set so that they do not obscure the back of the element and do not know from which port the curve is coming out.

  The display form drawing area 122 (see FIG. 1) is divided vertically and horizontally into meshes (mesh). Information such as presence / absence of elements, presence / absence of link, start point of cubic Bezier curve, control point, presence / absence of end point is set in each mesh. When an element is arranged on a certain mesh, for example, element presence / absence: 1 (or true), and on the other hand, in a mesh without an element, element presence / absence: 0 (or false) Set presence information. Since the size of an element depends on the type of element and can be changed by the user, the element can span several meshes. Another element cannot be newly placed on a mesh in which an element is placed and the element presence / absence information is set to “1 (true)”. Similarly, the end point of a link cannot be superimposed on the end point of another link. This is to prevent two different values from being set to the same input port of the same element when the end points of the links are the same.

  There is no restriction on the start point of the link. It is possible to set the same output value to a plurality of input ports. If the link does not protrude to the right side of the element drawing area and is hidden behind the element (start point: output port), or does not protrude to the left side of the element drawing area, it hides behind the element In the case (end point: input port), the control point is taken again and the process is repeated until the link is displayed outside the element drawing area. The method of setting the control point is repeated until, for example, a random number is generated to randomly determine the control point and the link is properly displayed. Whether or not the link is hidden in the element drawing area can be determined from the element presence / absence information and link presence / absence information of each mesh.

  When an element is moved, the start point (or end point) of the link attached to the element is also moved at the same time, and information on each mesh is reset as the element is moved. The control points are replotted in the same manner as described above, and the links are redrawn.

  In the present embodiment, when a certain element is selected, a link connected to a port on the element may be highlighted by changing a color, for example.

  In this embodiment, input / output distribution may be automatically performed when a link is brought close to a port. For example, information indicating the vicinity of an input port is set in a mesh around an input port. In addition, information regarding the type of value (int, string, etc.) that can be accepted by the input port is set. Information about the value type is also set in the mesh where the end point of the link is placed.

  If the user of the tool for creating a program left-clicks the mouse on a certain output port and keeps the left button pressed and approaches the vicinity of the input port, connection is possible when the element approaches within a certain distance. If the input port is automatically connected to the closest one and can be left as it is, release the left button to confirm the connection. If you continue to move while pressing the left button, it will be automatically connected to the closest one at that time, and this state will continue until you release the left button.

  In this embodiment, the color of the port may be changed when a value is input to the port. A unique ID is assigned to each port and stored in a database (DB). Information regarding whether or not a valid value is stored in each port can be set. When a valid value is stored, the valid value storage presence / absence information is, for example, 1 (or true), and the property regarding the display color of the port is the color of the port where the valid value is not stored ( For example, the color (for example, green) different from white) is set. In this way, it is possible to identify which port has an error and the position of the erroneous element or port.

  In this embodiment, a port for displaying an error may be provided as an output port of the element. When there is an error, information regarding the error may be set in the port and the color of the port may be changed and displayed. For example, if an RFID reader / writer is not connected when reading RFID, a character string such as “No reader / writer is connected” is linked to the error display output port ID in the DB. Stored. At this time, the color of the port is set to, for example, green. As a result, it can be seen that error information is output, and when the mouse cursor is moved over the element, the error information is displayed, for example, in a separate window.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a general-purpose element creation process. The description will be made with reference to FIG. In the initial state, the general-purpose element has neither an input port nor an output port. When the tool user instructs to add the required number of input ports, the control unit 2 stores the general element internal logic information 11 (S401). The control unit 2 sets the value type of each input port added in the process S401 and stores it in the general-purpose element internal logic information 11 (S402).

  Next, when the program creation tool user instructs to add the required number of output ports, the control unit 2 stores the information in the general-purpose element internal logic information 11 (S403). The control unit 2 sets the value type of each output port added in the process S403 and stores it in the general-purpose element internal logic information 11 of the storage unit 3 (S404). Finally, when the program creation tool user creates the program logic inside the general-purpose element by the basic element, the general-purpose element, and the link, the control unit 2 stores it in the general-purpose element internal logic information 11 (S405).

  Before generating the general-purpose element internal logic, the program creation tool user can double-click the general-purpose element 112 displayed in the drawing area 122 by, for example, the mouse to double-click the program logic inside the general-purpose element. A drawing area different from the drawing area 122 for creation is overlapped with the drawing area 122 and output. The flow of processing for creating program logic inside the general-purpose element is the same as that in FIG. After the creation process of the program logic inside the general-purpose element is finished, the drawing area 122 for generating the original application logic is displayed by using the toolbar 120 or the keyboard shortcut.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display at the time of internal logic creation processing of a general-purpose element. The general-purpose element input side element 501 includes (m + 1) input ports such as an input port 502, an input port 503, and an input port 504. These input ports are general-purpose element input ports, but function as output ports for the general-purpose element input-side element 501 in the internal logic setting screen of FIG. The general-purpose element output-side element 505 includes (n + 1) output ports such as an output port 506, an output port 507, an output port 508, and an output port 509. These output ports are general-purpose element output ports, but function as input ports for the general-purpose element output-side element 505 in the internal logic setting screen of FIG.

  Here, (k + 1) basic elements such as the basic element 510, the basic element 511, and the basic element 512 are used to generate the internal logic. The combination of these basic elements and the type of each basic element can be freely selected. In addition to basic elements, general-purpose elements may also be used in generating internal logic. Program logic is generated by links for associating basic elements, general-purpose elements, and their input or output ports arranged to generate internal logic.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when setting the number of input ports and a value type of a general-purpose element. The description will be made with reference to FIG. In the general element input port information setting window 601, information on input ports such as the input port 502, input port 503, and input port 504 of the general element input side element 501 is displayed. In the input port list box 602, a list of input ports of the general-purpose element input side element 501 is displayed. When the add button 603 is clicked by the input device 4 such as a mouse, or when an instruction for adding a port is received by using a shortcut key or the like, the control unit 2 adds one input port and uses the input port information as general-purpose information. The information is stored in the element internal logic information 11, and “input port m” or the like is added and displayed at the end of the list in the input port list box 602. By performing this processing, for example, (m + 1) times from a state where there is no input port, the (m + 1) times from the input port 502 to the input port 504 are added to the general-purpose element internal logic information 11 of the storage unit 3 for the general-purpose element 112. ) Pieces of input port information are stored.

When the control unit 2 accepts selection of one input port displayed in the input port list box 602 by the input device 4, for example, “input port 0”, the control unit 2 displays the selected input port in the port information display area 604. Display name 605 and value type 606 are displayed.
The display name 605 of the input port and the value type 606 are set as initial values. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the display name 605 is set to “input port 0”, and the value type 606 is set to “Object” as an initial value. When the input port is added, the general element internal logic information 11 is stored. However, these initial values are not necessarily the same as those in FIG. 7 and may be different values.

  When the control unit 2 receives an instruction to change the display name 605 from the input device 4, the control unit 2 shifts to the edit mode. For example, the left button of the mouse is doubled at a position where “display name: input port 0” is displayed. When clicked, displays a window for changing the display name. Alternatively, only the “input port 0” portion can be edited. When a new name, for example, a name such as “COM port number” or “execution cycle” is input by the input device 4 such as a keyboard and then the enter key is pressed, the name change is accepted and the general element Store in the internal logic information 11. Similarly, the value type 606 can also be changed. The user of the program creation tool may input “String”, “int”, or the like using a keyboard, or may display these items in a list and select them.

  When the control unit 2 receives an instruction to delete the input port by the input device 4 in a state where one of the input ports is selected, for example, when the delete button 607 is clicked with the mouse, the selected input is selected. The information about the port is deleted from the general-purpose element internal logic information 11, the input port is deleted, and the display of the input port is deleted from the list of input ports in the input port list box 602.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when setting the number of output ports and the value type of a general-purpose element. The description will be made with reference to FIG. The control unit 2 displays information on output ports such as the output port 506, the output port 507, the output port 508, and the output port 509 of the general-purpose element output-side element 505 in the general-purpose element output port information setting window 701. The control unit 2 displays a list of output ports of the general-purpose element output side element 505 in the output port list box 702. When the add button 703 is clicked by the input device 4 such as a mouse or when an instruction to add a port is received by using a shortcut key or the like, the control unit 2 stores the output port information in the general-purpose element internal logic information 11, One output port is added and added to the end of the list in the output port list box 702 and displayed. By performing this process from a state where there is no output port, for example, (n + 1) times, (n + 1) output ports from the output port 506 to the output port 509 for the general-purpose element 112 in the general-purpose element internal logic information 11 Store information.

When the control unit 2 accepts selection of one output port displayed in the output port list box 702 by the input device 4, for example, “output port 0”, the selected output port is displayed on the port information display screen 704. Display name 705 and value type 706 are displayed.
The output port display name 705 and the value type 706 are set as initial settings. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the display name 705 is set to “output port 0” and the value type 706 is set to “Object” as an initial value. When the output port is added, the general element internal logic information 11 is stored. However, these initial values are not necessarily the same as those in FIG.

  When the control unit 2 receives an instruction to change the display name 705 by the input device 4, the control unit 2 shifts to the edit mode, and doubles the left button of the mouse at a position where “display name: output port 0” is displayed, for example. When clicked, displays a window for changing the display name. Alternatively, only the “output port 0” portion can be edited. When a new name, for example, a name such as “normal end event” or “tag data” is input by the input device 4 such as a keyboard and the enter key is pressed, the control unit 2 accepts the name change, Stored in the general element internal logic information 11. Similarly, the value type 706 can be changed. A user of the program creation tool may input “String”, “int”, or the like using a keyboard, or may display these items in a list and select them.

  When the control unit 2 receives an instruction to delete the output port from the input device 4 in a state where one of the output ports is selected, for example, when the delete button 707 is clicked with the mouse, the selected output port is selected. Is deleted from the general-purpose element internal logic information 11, the output port is deleted, and the display of the output port is deleted from the output port list in the output port list box 702.

  Note that the processing for adding and deleting the input port or output port described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 may be performed before the processing for generating the internal logic of the general-purpose element described with reference to FIG. Then, after the process of generating the internal logic of the general-purpose element, a process such as deleting an unnecessary input port or output port may be performed.

Next, an example of link reconnection will be described using an RFID reader / writer as an example.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a reader / writer control program. The program configuration includes a form 901, an element 902 for displaying the form, an RFID device 903, components 904 and 905 in the element, an RFID reader 906 for executing RFID tag reading, and an element 907 for setting a tag. It is configured. Even if the creator of the program does not know the detailed specifications of the individual elements, the control program of the reader / writer can be configured by connecting the elements with links. In this state, when the RFID device 903 is replaced with the RFID device 908, the element of the RFID device 908 is displayed in the drawing area 122 (see FIG. 1), and the link to the RFID reader 906 is changed from 903 to 908. Application programs can be modified.

  In the present embodiment, the display colors of the elements may be divided according to functions. Form 901, RFID devices 903, 908 (such as a muchip reader) are shown in blue. Parts 904 and 905 in the element (for example, text boxes and buttons included in the created form) are shown in green. For example, an element 902 for displaying a form, an RFID reader 906 for executing RFID tag reading, and an element 907 for setting a tag are shown in red.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the link between the two ports has been described as a free curve. Since the link is a curved line, if the combination of the output port and the input port is not exactly the same, the two lines will not overlap and appear as one. For example, if there are two pairs of output ports and input ports connected by a link and both of them are on a straight line, if the link is a straight line, the two lines will overlap, making the combination difficult to understand. The position where the element is displayed must be moved by the input device 4. However, if it is a curve, the connection between the ports can be confirmed without moving the position of the element.

  According to the present invention, a screen viewer can distinguish and distinguish between data input to an object and data output from the object only on one specific, GUI-based form, and between the objects. The relationship can be grasped, and the application creator can easily create the application on the GUI-based form without looking at the source code of the program. Further, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to grasp the relationship between objects regardless of the arrangement of objects on the screen.

It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the structure of the apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and an output device. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display of a basic element and a general purpose element. It is a flowchart which shows the application creation process using the tool for program creation. It is a figure explaining the display method of the curve of a link. It is a flowchart which shows the creation process of a general purpose element. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display at the time of the internal logic creation process of a general purpose element. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen when setting the number of input ports of a general purpose element, and a value type. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen when setting the number of the output ports of a general purpose element, and a value type. It is a figure which shows the structure of the program of reader / writer control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic computer 2 Control part 3 Storage | storage part 4 Input device 5 Output device 6 Basic element information 7 General-purpose element information 9 Link information 10 Application logic information 11 General-purpose element internal logic information 12 Element information in drawing area 110 Basic element 111 Output port 112 General-purpose Element 113 Input port 114 Link 119 Display screen 120 Toolbar 121 Element list box 122 Drawing area 123 Link 124 Input port 201 Basic element 211 General element 501 General element input side element 505 General element output side element 601 General element input port information setting window 602 Input port list box 604 Port information display area 701 General-purpose element output port information Settings window 702 output port list box 704 port information display area

Claims (8)

A program creation support device for creating a program by combining a plurality of elements on a program creation screen,
The element has at least one or more input / output ports, and a display unit that displays the connection relationship between the element and the plurality of elements;
A storage unit for storing functional information on the element displayed on the display unit and coupling information between the plurality of elements;
A control unit that performs processing of the combination instruction when a combination instruction is made between the plurality of elements displayed on the display unit;
Of the two different elements displayed on the display unit, when a connection instruction is made to connect the port of the first element and the port of the second element,
The controller is
When displaying on the display unit coupled to a bond line of free curve between the ports between, when the ports to each other does not face the direction and self away from the port of the partner before Symbol first element A first control point is disposed in the vicinity of the outside of the region of the element in a direction away from the element, the coupling line is drawn out in a linear direction connecting the port of the first element and the first control point, and A second control point is arranged in the vicinity of the outside of the area of the element in a direction away from the counterpart of the second element and in a direction away from the own element, and the port of the second element and the second control point are connected. A portion where the coupling line is drawn out in a linear direction and the coupling line overlaps with the area of the element displays the coupling line behind the area of the element. A featured program creation support device. The controller is
When drawing a connection line of a plurality of free curves from the port of the first element, the positions of the first control points of the plurality of free curves are arranged without overlapping, and the ports of the first element and the plurality of free curves 2. The program creation support apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connection line is drawn in a linear direction connecting to the first control point of the free curve and displayed on the display unit. The program creation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the element on the display unit is selected, the control unit changes a display color of a coupled line coupled to a port of the element. The program creation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the element in a different display color on the display unit according to a function of the element. 2. The program creation support according to claim 1, wherein when one end of the coupling line enters within a predetermined distance of the port, the control unit couples to the nearest port among the connectable ports. apparatus. The storage unit can store a predetermined value for the port;
The program creation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a display color of the port depending on the presence or absence of the predetermined value. Among the ports of the element, the output port includes an error display port for displaying an error of the internal logic of the element,
The program creation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets error information in the error display port when the error occurs during execution of the program. A display unit that displays an element having at least one input / output port and a plurality of the elements connected to each other, a function information related to the element displayed on the display unit, and a connection information between the elements are stored. A storage unit, and a control unit that performs processing of the combination instruction when the combination of the plurality of elements displayed on the display unit is instructed, and a program combining a plurality of elements on the display unit A program creation support method for a program creation support device for creating
Among the two different elements displayed on the display unit, when a request instruction is made to combine the port of the first element and the port of the second element,
The controller is
When displaying on the display unit coupled to a bond line of free curve between the ports between, when the ports to each other does not face the direction and self away from the port of the partner before Symbol first element A first control point is disposed in the vicinity of the outside of the region of the element in a direction away from the element, the coupling line is drawn out in a linear direction connecting the port of the first element and the first control point, and A second control point is disposed in the vicinity of the outside of the area of the element in a direction away from the counterpart of the port of the second element and in a direction away from the own element, and the port of the second element and the second control point drawer said coupling line in a linear direction connecting the and portion where the connecting line is overlapped with the region of the element to display the binding wire behind the region of the element Program creation support method, characterized in that.