System for designing visual information to be displayed on monitor unit used in combination with programmable controller

A system for designing visual information reproduced on a monitor unit utilized in combination with a programmable logic controller (PLC), said system comprising:

• an image design tool operating on a personal computer equipped with a first display;
• and
• said monitor unit connected to said PLC which executes a program for controlling an operation of a device coupled to said PLC, said monitor unit including a second display which is different from said first display, a memory, and a control section for controlling the operation of said monitor unit;
• said second display giving thereon task information to be performed by the device managed by the PLC, and including a touch screen for entry of a specific instruction to be carried out by the PLC for control of said device,
• said image design tool creating a source display code for displaying said visual information on said second display,
• said image design tool being provided with a conversion means for translating said source display code into a corresponding bitmapped image and exporting said bitmapped image to said memory of said monitor unit for immediate reproduction of said visual information on said second display,
• said image design tool having means for drawing, on said first display, a plurality of rectangular frames to be included in said visual information, each rectangular frame being written in said source display code which is translated by said conversion means into said bitmapped image which is exported to said memory in said monitor unit.