# US 7,340,683 B2 · Programming tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,340,683 B2 - Document ID: US7340683B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/451,993 - Filed: 2001-03-29 - Published: 2005-05-12 - Granted: 2008-03-04 - Earliest claimed: 2001-03-29 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Jun Ueda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7340683B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/056: {Programming the PLC} - G05B 2219/13107: Logic symbols, plan LOP, functional block symbols FBS, functional programming FUP - Y10S 715/967: Visual or iconic programming - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A programming tool has selection means for selecting a plurality of function blocks displayed in a library format, storage means for storing the function blocks selected through the selection means in the order as they are selected, and drawing means, as a plurality of function blocks selected through the selection means are confirmed, for drawing and display the confirmed function blocks in the order as they are selected. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A programming tool comprising: a selection section for selecting a plurality of function blocks displayed in a library format; a coordinate calculation section for: calculating coordinates of positions of the plurality of selected function blocks based on the order of the function blocks as selected, calculating coordinates of positions of an input pin and an output pin based on attribute information of the selected function block, determining based on attribute information of the selected block and the previously selected blocks whether the functions blocks can be connected to each other, calculating coordinates of positions of a line connecting the input pin and the output pin of the function blocks when the functions blocks can be connected to each other, wherein the coordinate calculation section does not require a user to specify the position of the selected function blocks or pin connection information; a coordinate storage section for storing the calculated coordinates of the function blocks, the input pin and the output pin of the function blocks and the line connecting the input pin and the output pin of the function blocks, and a drawing section for drawing and displaying a state in which the selected function blocks are connected, based on the coordinates stored in the coordinates storage section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The programming tool according to claim 1, comprising a preview section for producing preview display of the selected function blocks at the function block selection time. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The programming tool according to claim 2, wherein when the preview display is produced, a virtual column for displaying the function blocks is provided, a predetermined maximum and actual values of lateral sizes of the function blocks displayed in the column are used to calculate lengths of output pins of the function blocks, and the function blocks in the column are aligned to the left. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The programming tool according to claim 1, wherein when a function block is selected, the function blocks as next candidates to the selected function block are narrowed down and the function blocks as the next candidates are displayed in a different manner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The programming tool according to claim 1, wherein, when a function block is selected, the function block is connected in parallel while predetermined key operation is performed in combination. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The programming tool according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information of the function blocks is entered before the block is selected. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The programming tool according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate calculation section calculates coordinates of the input and output pins of a selected function block, and the lines connecting appropriate function blocks before the selected function block is displayed to the user. ### Claim 8 A method for programming with a function block diagram, including the steps of: selecting a plurality of function blocks displayed in a library format; calculating coordinates of positions of the plurality of selected function blocks based on the order of the function blocks as selected; calculating coordinates of positions of an input pin and an output pin based on attribute information of the selected function block, determining based on attribute information of the selected block and the previously selected blocks whether the functions blocks can be connected to each other, calculating coordinates of positions of a line connecting the input pin and the output pin of the function blocks when the functions blocks can be connected to each other; storing the calculated coordinates of the function blocks, the input pin and the output pin of the function blocks and the line connecting the input pin and the output pin of the function blocks; and drawing and displaying a state in which the selected function blocks are connected, based on the stored coordinates, wherein a user is not required to specify the position of the selected function blocks or pin connection information to connect the input and output pins function blocks. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method for programming with a function block diagram of claim 8, fun her including a step of, prohibiting the selection of a function block based on attribute information of the previously selected function block. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method for programming with a function block diagram of claim 8, wherein the coordinates of the input and output pins of the function blocks, and the lines connecting the appropriate function blocks, are calculated before the function blocks are displayed to the user.