JP2010061235A - Control device and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily control with a command before changing an control target apparatus even if the control target apparatus is changed. <P>SOLUTION: The control device is provided with a control part 1 for outputting a first command; a plurality of functional parts 3 and 6, including a GPIB functional part 5 for controlling first control target apparatus with the first command; a DLL execution part 2 for retrieving a plurality of functional parts in a prescribed priority order; and a pseudo-GPIB functional part 4 configured to be retrievable by the DLL executing part under the same conditions as those of the GPIB functional part, and stored in a higher priority order than that of the GPIP functional part for translating the first command into the second command for controlling the second equipment to be controlled. According to the start of control, the DLL execution part retrieves the functional part, according to the priority order, and recognizes the pseudo-GPIB functional part, and links the control part with the pseudo-GPIB functional part. The pseudo-GPIB functional part translates the first command into the second command, and transmits the second command to the second control target equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control apparatus and method for controlling another device to be controlled. In particular, when a control target device is controlled by a control program, when the control target device is replaced with a product of another company, or when the control target device is replaced with a product upgraded with a new command system. The control program used before the replacement may not be able to control the replaced product, but the present invention makes it possible to control the replaced product by effectively utilizing the control program before the replacement. Related to technology.

  In general, a control device (including a computer) controls an apparatus to be controlled with a command according to the control program by executing a control program after securing an interface (for example, GPIB) with the apparatus to be controlled.

  When the control target device is switched to one with a different command, the old control program needs to be recreated to a new control program with a new command. Therefore, there has been a technology on the control device side that automatically edits an old control program into a new control program based on a new command (Patent Document 1). However, this requires an automatic program editing means on the control device side.

  When a general computer is used as a control device, the control device often does not have an automatic editing device. In this way, the control device without the program editing function cannot be handled by the technique of Patent Document 1.

  By the way, today's control devices manage, for example, general-purpose functional components such as various interfaces and software (drivers) for operating a mouse and a printer so that they can be commonly used by various application software. . As a management function having such a management function and operating on the Windows (registered trademark) OS of the control device, there is software called DLL (Dynamic Link Library) (for DLL and the like) And is described in Patent Document 2.)

  For example, FIG. 5 shows the control device 100, which is a hardware representation thereof. In FIG. 5, on the CPU (OS), the DLL 130 stores functional components 140 such as the first functional unit 3 (for example, a mouse driver) and the nth functional unit 6 (for example, a printer driver) in a folder (Windows ( (Registered trademark) is managed with the extension dll. When the application program is executed on the CPU (OS) 110 (the control unit 1 is configured by the CPU 110 and the application program 120), the functional component 140 necessary for executing the application program 120 is determined in advance. When searching according to a certain priority order and recognizing that it exists, the functional component 140 is linked so as to function effectively in the execution of the application program 120. For example, when a print request is made by executing the application program 120, printing is enabled by the nth functional unit 6 (printer driver).

  The same applies to the control interface. FIG. 4 is a diagram functionally expressed by adding the GPIB function unit 5 to FIG. 5, and a function that the CPU 110 executes and controls as an application program 120 a program (GPIB.obj) controlled via the GPIB interface. The configuration is shown. For example, when the control unit 1 starts executing and the control unit 1 requests the GPIB function unit 5 (for example, file name; GPIB32.dll) as an interface driver for controlling the first control target device 210, the DLL When the function search unit 2a of the execution unit 2 searches each folder (in the directory) of the folder group 7 according to the folder priority order information 2c and recognizes the GPIB function unit 5 k + jth, the link unit 2b performs GPIB. The function unit 5 is linked to the control unit 1 (fine dotted line in FIG. 4). The GPIB function unit 5 receives the first command from the control unit 1 and controls the first control target device 210 using the GPIB interface. Conversely, when the GPIB function unit 5 receives the first command from the first control target device 210, the GPIB function unit 5 returns the command to the control unit 1 through the GPIB interface.

  The first functional unit 3, GPIB functional unit 5, nth functional unit, etc. in the above description may be stored in different folders or in the same folder. In practice, the control unit 1 and the DLL execution unit 2 in FIG. 4 are also configured by software as described above and stored in a predetermined folder.

  Moreover, the function of the function search part 2a is implement | achieved by the Load Library function, for example.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-69197 JP-A-2005-317115 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-93634

However, there may be a case where the first control target device 210 in FIG. 4 is replaced with a new version-up product with improved performance or another company's product. At that time, the following countermeasures (1) and (2) can be considered.
(1) Change or create a new application program for control of the control unit 1.
(2) A translation function is provided between the control device 100 (GPIB function unit 5) of FIG. 4 and the first control target device 210 (Patent Document 3).
In the case of (1), it is difficult to recreate a control application program, and in general, it is desirable to effectively use a control application program that has been used and reliable until now as an asset. Also in the case of (2), since the first command converted by the GPIB function unit 5 so as to be compatible with the GPIB interface is returned and translated, the cost and scale are increased. Moreover, if it comprises like patent document 3 without using the internal GPIB function part 5, the internal GPIB function part 5 will not be utilized as an asset.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for easily controlling with a command before switching even if the control target device is changed by adopting a configuration in which the translation function is handled by DLL.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to a control unit (1) that outputs a first command for controlling a first control target device, the first control target device, A plurality of function units (3, 5,...) Including a GPIB function unit (5) for linking and sending the first command to the first control target device via a GPIB interface and a function unit for executing other functions 6) and a DLL execution unit (2) for searching a plurality of the function units to be executed according to a predetermined priority order, and having a computer for executing the function units recognized by the search In the control device, the DLL execution unit is made recognizable under the same conditions as the GPIB function unit, and stored in the priority order higher than the GPIB function unit, and the first command is transmitted to the first control target device. And a pseudo-GPIB function unit (4) that can be linked to the GPIB function unit, and the DLL execution unit is configured so that the DLL execution unit A plurality of the function units to be executed are searched according to priority, the search is stopped when the pseudo-GPIB function unit is recognized, and the control unit and the pseudo-GPIB function unit are linked, thereby The GPIB function unit is configured to send and control the second command obtained by translating the first command to the second control target device via the GPIB function unit.

  The invention described in claim 2 is a control unit (1) that outputs a first command for controlling a first control target device; and the first command is linked to the first control target device. A plurality of function units (3, 5, 6) including a GPIB function unit (5) for transmitting a message to the first control target device via a GPIB interface and a function unit for executing other functions; A DLL execution unit (2) for searching a plurality of the function units to be executed according to the priority order, and executing the function unit recognized by the search by the control device having a computer. A control method for controlling a second control target device different from a control target device with a second command, wherein the DLL execution unit can recognize the first command under the same condition as the GPIB function unit, and Control of 2 A first setting step of preparing a pseudo GPIB function unit (4) having a dictionary that translates into a second command for controlling an elephant device and linkable to the GPIB function unit; and the pseudo GPIB function unit, A plurality of functional units to be executed by the DLL execution unit in accordance with the priority order together with a second setting stage for storing the priority order higher than the GPIB functional unit in the control device, and starting control by the control unit When the pseudo-GPIB function unit is recognized by searching for the search, the search step for stopping the search of the GPIB function unit, the DLL execution unit links the control unit and the pseudo-GPIB function unit, and A link stage in which the pseudo GPIB function unit links to the GPIB function unit, and the linked pseudo GPIB function unit receives the first frame from the control unit. The first command is translated into the second command with reference to the dictionary, and the second command obtained by the translation is converted into the second control via the GPIB. And a control step of controlling the second control target device by sending it to the target device.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo GPIB function unit includes a plurality of dictionaries for translating the first command into the second command, A configuration for inquiring the second control target device via the GPIB function unit for information for specifying a second control target device, and for specifying the dictionary based on the information from the second control target device; did.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the pseudo-GPIB function unit prepared in the first setting stage includes a plurality of the dictionaries,
The pseudo-GPIB function unit linked in the link stage inquires of the second control target device via the GPIB function unit about information for specifying the second control target device, and the second control target A specific step of specifying the dictionary based on the information from the device is included, and the control step is configured to translate based on the dictionary specified in the specific step.

  According to the present invention, it has the function of translating the first command into the second command using the characteristic functional operation of the DLL execution unit, and can be recognized under the same conditions as the original GPIB function unit. Since the pseudo GPIB function unit is recognized and linked to the control unit prior to the original GPIB function unit, it can be configured to facilitate translation between the control unit and the GPIB function unit. .

  An embodiment according to a control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an embodiment of a control device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation flow until the second control target device is controlled by the control device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of commands from the second control target device to the control device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional technique, and is a diagram showing a function when the first control target device is controlled instead of the second control target device in the present embodiment of the present invention. .

  This embodiment of FIG. 1 is a first command that has been used to control the first control target device 210 so far using the conventional form of FIG. 4, and is different from the first command. The second control target device 200 that operates with the command of 2 is to be controlled. The second control target device 200 is a device that covers almost the same function as the first control target device 210 and can be controlled from the outside. In other words, this corresponds to a device obtained by upgrading the first control target device 210 or a device of another manufacturer having the same function.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1 and the configuration of FIG. 4, in FIG. 1, the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 is stored in folders having a rank k higher than the rank k + j of folders in which the GPIB function unit 5 is stored in the folder priority order information 2c. 4 and that the control target is a second control target device that operates with the second command.

  Therefore, the control unit 1 in FIG. 1 is the same as the control unit 1 in FIG. 4, and its hardware configuration is for controlling the first control target device 210 for control via the GPIB interface as shown in FIG. 5. Application program 120 composed of the first command and a CPU 110 that executes the application program 120. The DLL execution unit 2 and the GPIB function unit 5 in FIG. 1 have the same functions as those in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 functions and operates as in the following (a) to (g).
(A) The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 uses the first command from the control unit 1 as the second command for controlling the second control target device 200, or vice versa. A command dictionary is provided for translation, and translated. It is determined whether the first command and the second command are different, and the different ones are translated. The first command and the second command may not be in the dictionary. In this case, only commands in the dictionary are translated, and those not in the dictionary are passed without being translated.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of types of second control target devices 200 and a plurality of second commands corresponding thereto, a dictionary is prepared for each type of the second control target device, for example, a manufacturer name Information specifying the device such as model name, version information, model name, etc. (one or a combination of them) is used so that a necessary dictionary can be selected and used.

(B) The function search unit 2a of the DLL execution unit 2 is searchable under the same conditions as the conditions for searching for the GPIB function unit 5. For example, if the GPIB function unit 5 is searched using the name as a condition, the pseudo-GPIB function unit 4 is also given the same name as the GPIB function unit 5 and can be searched by the function search unit 2a. . For example, the GPIB function unit 5 is composed of a file and GPIB 32. If the search is performed using the name dll, the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 also has the same name, GPIB32. It is made searchable with dll.

(C) The pseudo-GPIB function unit 4 is arranged at a higher position than the GPIB function unit 5 in the priority order in which the function search unit 2 a searches each folder in the folder group 7. Here, the folder (directory) manages the place where the software file is stored like a library.

Generally, in the control device 100 configured by a computer, the priority of search by the DLL execution unit 2 is as follows. Write in descending order.
-Directory (folder) where application software is loaded
・ Current directory (folder)
-Windows (registered trademark) system directory (folder)
For example, when the GPIB driver is installed, GPIB32. dll is copied to the Windows (registered trademark) system directory.

Therefore, for example, the GPIB function unit 5 is stored in the Windows (registered trademark) system directory, and its name is GPIB32. If the search is performed using the name “dll” (hereinafter described as this name), the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 also has the same name, GPIB32. It is possible to arrange with higher priority than the GPIB function unit 5 by loading it into the current directory or the directory where the application software is loaded (stored in advance) with dll.

(D) In the pseudo GPIB function unit 4, the function search unit 2 a is instructed by GPIB 32. When the search of dll is started and the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 first recognizes that the search condition matches, the link unit 2b links the control unit 1 and the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 (the fine dotted line in FIG. 1). ).

(E) The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 searches for a function unit having a lower priority order than the self GPIB 32. Search for dll. And found GPIB32. dll, that is, the GPIB function unit 5 and the self are linked. The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 may cause the DLL execution unit 2 to search for the GPIB function unit 5 and link with the GPIB function unit 5. That is, the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 causes the function search unit 2a to search for a function unit in a lower priority order than the self after searching the GPIB function unit 5 after being linked to the control unit 1. The link unit 2b is linked to itself and the GPIB function unit 5 (fine dotted lines in FIG. 1).

(F) As described in (a) above, when there are a plurality of types of second control target devices 200 and there are a plurality of second commands corresponding thereto, the pseudo control is performed after linking in (e) above. The GPIB function unit 4 inquires of the second control target device 200 via the GPIB function unit 5 about information to be specified such as a model name or a model name, and finds out the second control target device 200 that has been heard. The dictionary relating to the second command and the first command is specified and made available.

  Specifically, the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 causes the GPIB function unit 5 to transmit the GPIB command “* IDN?” To the second control target device 200. Here, the GPIB command “* IDN?” Is a GPIB command called Identification Query, and inquires about the manufacturer name, model name, and version number of the connected device. When the second control target device receives the command “* IDN?”, The second control target device transmits a response message composed of four fields separated by commas to the control device 101. For example, when the manufacturer of the second control target device = ANRITSU, the model name = MX999A, and the version number = 1.0, the response message “ANRITSU, MX999A, 0, 1.0” is displayed. Note that the third field separated by a comma is always 0 (zero) according to the message format. The pseudo GPIB function unit specifies its own internal dictionary based on the information of such a response message via the GPIB function unit 5.

  In this way, by using the Identification Query command that is a standard command in GPIB, a dictionary can be specified when the manufacturer and model name of the second controlled device 200 are different, and the same manufacturer and the same model You can specify a dictionary even if only the device version differs by name.

(G) The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 receives the first command from the control unit 1, and if the second command corresponding to the first command is in the dictionary (the dictionary specified in (f) above), the first command The second command is read (that is, translated) and sent to the second controlled device 200 through the GPIB function unit 5 to perform control according to the content of the first command. On the other hand, when the second command is received from the second control target device 200 through the GPIB function unit 5, if the first command corresponding to the second command is in the dictionary, the first command is read ( That is, it is sent to the translation control unit 1.

  2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining a series of operations of the present embodiment. The flow of operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Some may overlap with the above description.

S00: Preparation 1 (stage of preparing a conventional control device)
An existing control device 100 as shown in FIG. 4 is prepared. In order to distinguish it from the description of the prior art, here it is referred to as the control device 101. That is, the control unit 1 including the application program 120 including the first command for controlling the first control target device 210 via the GPIB interface, the CPU 110 executing the application program, and the DLL execution unit 2. And a control device 101 including the GPIB function unit 5 are prepared. The GPIB function unit 5 is assumed to be stored in advance in the Windows (registered trademark) system directory of the control apparatus 101 in FIG. 4.

S01: Preparation 2 (first and second setting stages)
The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 that performs the functions (a) to (g) is prepared (first setting stage), and the current directory of the control device 101 in FIG. ) (Second setting stage). Then, the desired second control target device 200 is connected. Here, the control apparatus 101 of FIG. 1 is comprised.

S02: Control start stage In FIG. 1, the control unit 1 starts control (the CPU 110 starts executing the application program 120), and GPIB32. Specifies the use of dll.

S03: Search stage The function search unit 2a assigns each folder (each directory) in the folder group 7 according to the folder priority order information 2c (for example, a directory in which application software is loaded, a current directory, a Windows (registered trademark) system). In the order of the directory))), each functional unit is searched and GPIB32. Search for dll.

S04: Link stage (1)
The function search unit 2a sets GPIB32. dll is recognized, that is, the stored pseudo GPIB function unit 4 is recognized. Then, the function search unit 2a stops the search when the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 is recognized. Then, the link unit 2 b links the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 recognized as the control unit 1.

S05: Link stage (2)
The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 searches for a function unit having a lower priority order than the self GPIB 32. Search for dll. And the GPIB 32. found in the system directory of Windows (registered trademark). dll, that is, the GPIB function unit 5 and the self are linked.

S06: Control target device confirmation stage The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 uses the linked GPIB function unit 5 to identify the second control target device 200 with respect to the second control target device 200 (manufacturer). Name, model name, version information, model name, etc.), the retrieved information is stored, and the second command of the second control target device 200 of the information and the dictionary relating to the first command are specified. And make it available.

S07 (Yes), S08 and S09: Control stage (1)
The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 receives the first command from the control unit 1, and if the second command corresponding to the first command is in the dictionary (the dictionary specified in S06 above), reads the second command. (Translation) control is performed according to the content of the first command sent to the second control target device 200 through the GPIB function unit 5.

S07 (No) and S09: Control stage (2)
The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 receives the first command from the control unit 1, and if there is no second command for the first command in the dictionary (the dictionary specified in S06 above), the first command = the first command Therefore, the first command is sent as the second command to the second control target device 200 through the GPIB function unit 5 and the control according to the content of the first command is performed.

S10 (Yes), S11 and S12: Control stage (3)
The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 receives the second command from the second control target device 200 through the GPIB function unit 5, and the first command corresponding to the second command is in the dictionary (the dictionary specified in S06 above). If so, the first command is read and sent to the (translation) control unit 1. For example, when the second control target device 200 is a measuring instrument, it is controlled by the control unit 1 and measured under desired conditions, stored in the measurement data storage unit 200a, and the stored measurement data is received from the measuring instrument. To do. In this case, the command for sending measurement data from the measuring instrument corresponds to the second command from the second control target device 200.

S10 (No) and S12: Control stage (4)
The pseudo GPIB function unit 4 receives the second command from the second device 200 to be controlled, and if the first command for the second command is not in the dictionary (the dictionary specified in S06 above), the first Therefore, the second command is sent as it is to the control unit 1 as the first command. If the second command from the second control target device 200 is a command for sending measurement data as described above, the control unit 1 receives the measurement data, processes the measurement data, or continues to the display unit. Display.

  With the configuration described above, the existing control device 100 is configured such that the pseudo GPIB function unit 4 having a translation function is searched and found before the GPIB function unit in which the DLL execution unit 2 executes the original interface function. Thus, since the translation function can be executed between the control unit 1 and the GPIB function unit 5, it is possible to control with a simple configuration even if the devices are controlled by different commands.

It is a figure which shows the function structure of embodiment of the control apparatus of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of operation | movement until it controls a 2nd control object apparatus by a control apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the command from a 2nd control object apparatus to a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows a prior art, and is a figure which shows a function when the 1st control object apparatus is controlled instead of the 2nd control object apparatus by this embodiment in this invention. It is a figure which shows the prior art, and is a figure for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of a control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 control unit, 2 DLL execution unit, 2a function search unit, 2b link unit,
2c folder priority order information, 3 first function section, 4 pseudo GPIB function section,
5 GPIB function unit, 6 nth function unit, 7 folder group 100, 101 control device, 110 CPU (OS),
120 application program, 130 DLL, 140 functional component 200 second control target device, 200a measurement data storage unit,
210 1st control object apparatus

Claims (4)

A control unit (1) that outputs a first command for controlling a first control target device and the first control target device are linked to each other, and the first command is linked to the first control by a GPIB interface. A plurality of function units (3, 5, 6) including a GPIB function unit (5) for sending to the target device and a function unit for executing other functions, and a plurality of units to be executed according to a predetermined priority order. And a DLL execution unit (2) for searching for the functional unit, and executing the functional unit recognized by the search.
The second command is made recognizable by the DLL execution unit under the same conditions as the GPIB function unit and stored in the priority order higher than the GPIB function unit, and the first command is different from the first control target device. A pseudo-GPIB function unit (4) that can be translated into a second command for controlling the control target device and can be linked to the GPIB function unit,
Before starting the control, the DLL execution unit searches for the plurality of function units to be executed in accordance with the priority, and stops the search when the pseudo GPIB function unit is recognized, and the control unit and the pseudo GPIB By linking the function unit, the pseudo GPIB function unit sends a second command obtained by translating the first command to the second control target device via the GPIB function unit and controls the second command. Control device characterized. A control unit (1) that outputs a first command for controlling a first control target device and the first control target device are linked to each other, and the first command is linked to the first control by a GPIB interface. A plurality of function units (3, 5, 6) including a GPIB function unit (5) for sending to the target device and a function unit for executing other functions, and a plurality of units to be executed according to a predetermined priority order. And a DLL execution unit (2) for searching for the functional unit of the second control unit, and a second control different from the first control target device by a control device having a computer for executing the functional unit recognized by the search A control method for controlling a target device with a second command,
The DLL execution unit has a dictionary that can be recognized by the DLL execution unit under the same conditions as the GPIB function unit, and translates the first command into a second command for controlling the second control target device, to the GPIB function unit A first setting stage for preparing a linkable pseudo GPIB function part (4);
A second setting stage for storing the pseudo GPIB function unit in the priority order higher than the GPIB function unit in the control device;
When the control by the control unit is started, the DLL execution unit stops searching for the GPIB function unit when it recognizes the pseudo GPIB function unit by searching for the plurality of function units to be executed according to the priority. Search phase to
A link stage in which the DLL execution unit links the control unit and the pseudo GPIB function unit, and the pseudo GPIB function unit links with the GPIB function unit;
When the linked pseudo GPIB function unit receives the first command from the control unit, the linked pseudo GPIB function unit translates the first command into the second command with reference to the dictionary, and obtains the first command. A control step of controlling the second control target device by sending the second command to the second control target device via the GPIB.   The pseudo-GPIB function unit includes a plurality of dictionaries for translating the first command into the second command, and information specifying the second control target device is transmitted via the GPIB function unit. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second control target device is inquired and the dictionary is specified based on the information from the second control target device. The pseudo GPIB function unit prepared in the first setting stage includes a plurality of the dictionaries, and
The pseudo-GPIB function unit linked in the link stage inquires of the second control target device via the GPIB function unit about information for specifying the second control target device, and the second control target Including a specific step of identifying the dictionary based on the information from the device;
3. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the control step, translation is performed based on the dictionary specified in the specifying step.

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