Abstract: A PC, which is an information processing device, simulates a control program and displays the result of the simulation on a monitor. The PC acquires a value, and identification information identifying a variable for at least one variable at an arbitrary time during the simulation. The PC modifies the control program in accordance with an instruction from a user. The PC simulates the modified control program with the value of the variable identified by the acquired identification information as the value of the acquired variable. The PC displays the result of simulating the modified control program on the monitor.

Abstract: The system behavior is evaluated by checking the position and the orientation of a target processed by a processing device in accordance with a control instruction. A simulator estimates a behavior of a system including a processing device that processes a target. The simulator includes a measurement unit that performs image measurement of an input image including at least a part of a target as a subject of the image, an execution unit that executes a control operation for generating a control instruction directed to the processing device based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit, and a reproduction unit that reproduces, in the system, a behavior of a target detected in the input image together with information about a type and an orientation of the target based on time-series data for the control instruction output from the execution unit and the measurement result from the measurement unit.

Abstract: A structure allows more efficient simulation using preliminary obtained image data for a target such as a workpiece. A simulator includes a creating unit that virtually creates a simulation target system in a three-dimensional virtual space, a measurement unit that performs image measurement of preliminary obtained image data using a visual sensor and outputs a measurement result, a reception unit that receives a setting of an imaging area defined for the visual sensor in a manner associated with the created system, a calculation unit that calculates a transform parameter based on a relative positional relationship between the created system and the set imaging area, and an execution unit that receives an input of a result obtained by transforming the measurement result generated by the measurement unit using the transform parameter, and executes a control operation in accordance with a control program associated with the system.

Abstract: The simulation reflects the actual behavior of a target in an application involving a target near a transporting surface of a carrier instead of being placed directly on the transporting surface. A simulator includes a creating unit that virtually creates a system in a three-dimensional virtual space, a tracking unit that updates positions of targets on the transporting surface in the three-dimensional virtual space based on a corresponding movement of the carrier, and updates a position of a target picked up by the processing device in association with a behavior of the processing device, and an instruction generation unit that generates a control instruction for the behavior of the processing device based on the position of each target. When the processing device places a target within a predetermined range from the transporting surface, the tracking unit associates the target with the transporting surface and updates a position of the target.

Abstract: A simulator includes a measurement unit that performs image measurement of preliminarily obtained image data corresponding to processing performed using a visual sensor, an execution unit that executes a control operation for generating a control instruction directed to a processing device based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit and for generating a read instruction directed to the measurement unit for reading the image data, a storage unit that stores the image data read in response to the read instruction in a manner associated with information indicating a position or a displacement of a carrier serving as a reference for the image measurement performed in response to the read instruction, and a reproduction unit that reproduces a behavior of the created system based on time-series data for the control operation output from the execution unit and the information associated with the image data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: One or more embodiments may provide a simulator for reproducing, in a virtual space, a motion of a machine that is controlled by a control program to manipulate an object. The simulator includes a processor configured with a simulation program to perform operations including: determining a condition of the object from a real space image; calculating an initial position of a virtual object in the virtual space corresponding to the determined condition; calculating a command value for moving a virtual machine in the virtual space, according to the control program and based on the position of the virtual object manipulated by the virtual machine in the virtual space, wherein the virtual machine corresponds to the machine; and creating display data for displaying one of: a motion of the virtual machine and a motion of the virtual object that are moved in accordance with the calculated command value.

Abstract: A control device is provided with a task execution unit, a collection unit which collects variables which have been referenced and updated in a user program and a management unit which manages the collected variables. The user program includes a collection instruction program which instructs the collection of the variables by the collection unit. The collection instruction program further includes distinguishing information for a user to distinguish the location of the collection instruction program in the user program. When the collection of the variables has been instructed by the collection instruction program, the management unit associates the variables collected by the collection unit with the distinguishing information of the collection instruction program.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus includes a processor that executes a simulation of a control program executed on a controller. The controller controls motion of a machine that handles an object. The processor includes: a motion control device that controls motion of a virtual machine based on a motion command to move the virtual machine in a virtual space, with the virtual machine corresponding to the machine; a determination device that determines whether a volume of a region, where a work space in which the virtual machine works overlaps with the virtual object, is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the virtual object being handled by the virtual machine and corresponding to the object; and a follow-up device that makes the virtual object follow the motion of the virtual machine based on the motion command when the volume is equal to or greater than the reference value.

Abstract: A control device includes a task execution unit; a storage unit which stores a variable in a program, which is capable of being referenced and updated; and a collection unit which collects a variable when a task is executed. The storage unit stores reference data corresponding to the variable. A plurality of tasks include: an update task which is capable of updating and referencing the variable; and a reference task which is capable of referencing the reference data. The collection unit collects the reference data when the plurality of tasks are executed.

Abstract: One or more embodiments may provide a simulator for reproducing, in a virtual space, a motion of a machine that is controlled by a control program to manipulate an object. The simulator includes a processor configured with a simulation program to perform operations including: determining a condition of the object from a real space image; calculating an initial position of a virtual object in the virtual space corresponding to the determined condition; calculating a command value for moving a virtual machine in the virtual space, according to the control program and based on the position of the virtual object manipulated by the virtual machine in the virtual space, wherein the virtual machine corresponds to the machine; and creating display data for displaying one of: a motion of the virtual machine and a motion of the virtual object that are moved in accordance with the calculated command value.

Abstract: The simulation reflects the actual behavior of a target in an application involving a target near a transporting surface of a carrier instead of being placed directly on the transporting surface. A simulator includes a creating unit that virtually creates a system in a three-dimensional virtual space, a tracking unit that updates positions of targets on the transporting surface in the three-dimensional virtual space based on a corresponding movement of the carrier, and updates a position of a target picked up by the processing device in association with a behavior of the processing device, and an instruction generation unit that generates a control instruction for the behavior of the processing device based on the position of each target. When the processing device places a target within a predetermined range from the transporting surface, the tracking unit associates the target with the transporting surface and updates a position of the target.

Abstract: A command value for moving a virtual machine is calculated according to a control program and based on model data of a virtual object (step S313, step S314) where the virtual machine corresponds to a machine and the virtual object is manipulated by the virtual machine in a virtual space and corresponds to an object; motion of the virtual machine which is moved in accordance with the calculated command value is calculated (step S315); motion of the virtual object which is moved in accordance with the calculated motion of the virtual machine (step S315); a virtual space image is generated (step S115) where the virtual space image is assumed to be acquired in the case where the calculated motion of the virtual machine or the calculated motion of the virtual object is virtually photographed; and the command value is calculated further based on the generated virtual space image (step S313, step S314).

Abstract: A simulator includes a measurement unit that performs image measurement of preliminarily obtained image data corresponding to processing performed using a visual sensor, an execution unit that executes a control operation for generating a control instruction directed to a processing device based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit and for generating a read instruction directed to the measurement unit for reading the image data, a storage unit that stores the image data read in response to the read instruction in a manner associated with information indicating a position or a displacement of a carrier serving as a reference for the image measurement performed in response to the read instruction, and a reproduction unit that reproduces a behavior of the created system based on time-series data for the control operation output from the execution unit and the information associated with the image data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A structure allows more efficient simulation using preliminary obtained image data for a target such as a workpiece. A simulator includes a creating unit that virtually creates a simulation target system in a three-dimensional virtual space, a measurement unit that performs image measurement of preliminary obtained image data using a visual sensor and outputs a measurement result, a reception unit that receives a setting of an imaging area defined for the visual sensor in a manner associated with the created system, a calculation unit that calculates a transform parameter based on a relative positional relationship between the created system and the set imaging area, and an execution unit that receives an input of a result obtained by transforming the measurement result generated by the measurement unit using the transform parameter, and executes a control operation in accordance with a control program associated with the system.

Abstract: A sequence control portion of a control program is configured to execute simulation for one period to generate an execution result related to the sequence control portion. A motion control portion is configured to execute simulation for one period to generate an execution result related to the motion control portion. A control period number is then increment updated. Whether or not a resumable control period is determined, and if determined as the resumable control period, content of a resuming data buffer (828) updated in the previous control period is saved in a resuming data storage section (826).

Abstract: In a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) simulation system, at least one of a PLC simulator and an external simulator executes processing while checking the status of program execution in the other. For example, the PLC simulator provides a socket interface, and operates upon receiving various commands from the external simulator. The external simulator checks, using a command, whether processing for a program is being executed or the execution is finished in the PLC simulator. The external simulator checks the status of operation of the program in the PLC simulator, and executes processing accompanying writing to a PLC memory or the like, in a case where contention of access to the PLC memory does not occur.

Abstract: A command value for moving a virtual machine is calculated according to a control program and based on model data of a virtual object (step S313, step S314) where the virtual machine corresponds to a machine and the virtual object is manipulated by the virtual machine in a virtual space and corresponds to an object; motion of the virtual machine which is moved in accordance with the calculated command value is calculated (step S315); motion of the virtual object which is moved in accordance with the calculated motion of the virtual machine (step S315); a virtual space image is generated (step S115) where the virtual space image is assumed to be acquired in the case where the calculated motion of the virtual machine or the calculated motion of the virtual object is virtually photographed; and the command value is calculated further based on the generated virtual space image (step S313, step S314).

Abstract: A PC, which is an information processing device, simulates a control program and displays the result of the simulation on a monitor. The PC acquires a value, and identification information identifying a variable for at least one variable at an arbitrary time during the simulation. The PC modifies the control program in accordance with an instruction from a user. The PC simulates the modified control program with the value of the variable identified by the acquired identification information as the value of the acquired variable. The PC displays the result of simulating the modified control program on the monitor.

Abstract: In a PLC simulation system (10), at least one of a PLC simulator (2) and an external simulator (4) executes processing while checking the status of program execution in the other. For example, the PLC simulator (2) provides a socket interface, and operates upon receiving various commands from the external simulator (4). The external simulator (4) checks, using a command, whether processing for a program is being executed or the execution is finished in the PLC simulator (2). The external simulator (4) checks the status of operation of the program in the PLC simulator (2), and executes processing accompanying writing to a PLC memory (205b) or the like, in a case where contention of access to the PLC memory (205b) does not occur.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus includes a processor that executes a simulation of a control program executed on a controller. The controller controls motion of a machine that handles an object. The processor includes: a motion control device that controls motion of a virtual machine based on a motion command to move the virtual machine in a virtual space, with the virtual machine corresponding to the machine; a determination device that determines whether a volume of a region, where a work space in which the virtual machine works overlaps with the virtual object, is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the virtual object being handled by the virtual machine and corresponding to the object; and a follow-up device that makes the virtual object follow the motion of the virtual machine based on the motion command when the volume is equal to or greater than the reference value.