Using Remote Operator
2/2010
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Welcome to Remote Operator Help Version: 11/02/10
Remote Operator enables you to use a PC to view and work with a remote
controller's HMI panel.
You can define any number of controllers, then open multiple sessions to view
them simultaneously, while docking or cascading windows according to your
preferences.
During a session, the remote controller is displayed, on-line, on your PC screen.
You can ‘press’ keypad keys and touch-screen objects of:
Stand-alone controllers that are directly connected to the PC via a cable.
Controllers within a network.
Devices with IP addresses, via Ethernet.
This utility can be used with Vision, M90/91, and Jazz controllers. Enhanced Vision
controllers require O/S versions 5.00 and higher; other series are compatible
regardless of OS version.
Using Remote Operator
Define the PLC
By default, Remote Operator opens with a single PLC named Remote PLC, defined
by default as directly connected to your PC using the programming cable supplied with
the controller kit.
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Using Remote Operator
1. To define the PLC, click the Communication Settings icon.
2. Under Connection Type, use the drop-down arrow to select Ethernet or
Serial. The communication parameter options will change accordingly.
3. Fill in the parameters according to your requirements. If you are accessing a
PLC in a CANbus/RS485 network, enter the Unit ID number. Connect your PC
to any controller in the network using the programming cable supplied with
the controller kit.
Note
♦
Different PCs can access a network at the same time, using
different controller units as bridges. However, 2 different PCs
cannot simultaneously access the same controller unit.
4. If you are accessing a Vision PLC, enter the PLC Name. This is required for
Vision PLCs only.
Note that you can save these definitions to Favorites, by clicking the
Favorites bar and selecting the first icon.
5. Test the connection by clicking the Check Connection button.
Note that you can change the default name by right-clicking it.
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Welcome to Remote Operator
Cache Files (Vision only)
When you use Remote Operator to access monochrome Vision controllers, you
will always see both the images and the text that are in the HMI application.
However, if you are accessing color Vision controllers, you will see only text. In
order to see the images, you must use a .urc file that contains images.
.ura and .urc: HMI cache files (Vision only)
HMI cache files enable Remote Operator to refer to HMI elements stored in the PC,
instead of taking them from the PLC.
Monochrome Vision
A cache file enables Remote Operator to load Displays more quickly.
The HMI cache files are in .ura format.
(note that V130, which loads displays quickly, does not use .ura files.)
Color Vision
If a cache file is not used, images will not be displayed and fonts may be
distorted.
A cache file includes fonts, and can include images. However, note that if the
file does not include images, Remote Operator will display a red 'X' in place
of graphics.
The HMI cache files are in .urc format.
Such files can be created in Remote Operator by selecting the option Create
Fonts and Images (*.urc) from PLC.
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Using Remote Operator
Note
♦
When Remote Operator creates a .urc file, the Vision enters
'System Mode'; the PLC continues running while displaying a
system image. The HMI application is not visible.
In addition, note that an interruption in communications may
leave the PLC inaccessible. In this case, the PLC may require
reset, which requires an operator to be physically present near
the PLC.
Other options
Show Case: Select this to hide or display the PLC enclosure around the Display
screen.
Refresh: Select to assign a display refresh rate or opt for Manual refresh.
Background Color: This will provide the background color in the window
displaying this PLC
Interpolation Mode: Different modes may display differently on your PC screen
Save Sessions
You can save a Remote Operator session as a file.
1. Open Remote Operator, and define PLCs together with their communication
settings.
2. Click Save on the toolbar. Enter a name for the Session, and then click Save.
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Welcome to Remote Operator
Once you have configured Remote Operator, enter Online mode by clicking Run.
In this mode, you can:
Use your cursor to operate the controller keypad and activate touch-screen
objects (relevant models).
Use your PC keyboard to operate the controller keypad (numeric keys,
function keys <F1> to <F8>). Note that the Vision <ESC> key is <E> on the
PC keyboard.
Enter Information Mode by pressing the <i> key with your cursor.
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