JP6199088B2 - Device management apparatus and device management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device management apparatus and a device management method.

  At a site where a production process is managed, a large number of devices (for example, devices such as sensor devices and valve positioners) are arranged in the plant to manage the process. These devices have a self-diagnosis function and can detect an abnormality of the device. Patent Document 1 below discloses a device management system in which a device management apparatus sequentially performs self-diagnosis on a plurality of devices and acquires the diagnosis results.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-146631

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, self-diagnosis is sequentially executed for a plurality of devices in accordance with a predetermined circulation condition. However, if the administrator arbitrarily obtains a diagnosis result without following the patrol conditions, the administrator operates the device management apparatus to individually select the device, and causes the selected device to execute self-diagnosis. A series of operations for obtaining a diagnosis result must be repeated for each device, which requires time and effort when performing a self-diagnosis.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device management apparatus and a device management method capable of improving work efficiency when performing self-diagnosis. To do.

  The device management apparatus according to the present invention, when one or more of the devices are selected from among a plurality of devices as a target for executing a self-diagnosis for diagnosing the suitability of the operation of the device. Based on the device type information acquired by the device type acquisition unit and the device type acquisition unit that acquires the device type information corresponding to the device that has been selected, the device type is selected from a plurality of self-diagnosis contents. A self-diagnosis determination unit that determines the content of the self-diagnosis to be executed by the device, and a self-diagnosis execution unit that causes the selected device to execute the content of the self-diagnosis determined by the self-diagnosis determination unit. .

  In addition, the device management method according to the present invention, when one or more of the devices are selected from among a plurality of devices as a target for executing a self-diagnosis for diagnosing the suitability of the operation of the device, A device type acquisition step for acquiring device type information corresponding to the selected device, and a plurality of the self-diagnosis contents based on the device type information acquired in the device type acquisition step, A self-diagnosis determining step for determining the content of the self-diagnosis to be executed by the selected device; and a self-diagnosis execution for causing the selected device to execute the content of the self-diagnosis determined in the self-diagnosis determining step. Steps.

  By adopting such a configuration, device type information corresponding to one or more devices selected from a plurality of devices is acquired, and a plurality of self-diagnosis contents are obtained based on the acquired device type information. The content of the self-diagnosis to be executed by the selected device can be determined, and the content of the determined self-diagnosis can be executed by the selected device. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently execute the self-diagnosis corresponding to the selected device.

  A storage unit that stores a start command for starting execution of the self-diagnosis for each device type information is further provided, and the self-diagnosis determination unit corresponds to the device type information acquired by the device type acquisition unit. The startup command is extracted from the startup command stored in the storage unit to determine the content of the self-diagnosis, and the self-diagnosis execution unit determines the startup command extracted by the self-diagnosis determination unit. It is good also as performing the content of the said self-diagnosis by performing.

  The device type information includes device identification information for specifying the device, protocol information for specifying the communication protocol of the device, type information for specifying the type of the device, and a function management number for specifying the function of the device, The self-diagnosis execution unit groups the self-diagnosis contents that can be executed in parallel based on the type information, and sets the start command corresponding to the self-diagnosis contents belonging to the same group for each group. It is good also as carrying out collectively.

  The self-diagnosis execution unit selects the contents of the self-diagnosis to be executed in a predetermined order based on the type information, and sets the activation command corresponding to the selected contents of the self-diagnosis in the order. Therefore, it may be executed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the equipment management apparatus and equipment management method which can improve the working efficiency at the time of performing a self-diagnosis can be provided.

It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the equipment management system containing the equipment management apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the data structure of the apparatus information table shown in FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the data structure of the starting command information table shown in FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the tool screen used when selecting an apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the apparatus management apparatus in embodiment.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example, and does not exclude application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly described below. That is, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a device management system including a device management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device management system 100 includes a device management apparatus 1, one or more controllers 2, and one or more devices 3. The controller 2 and the device 3 are devices having a hierarchical relationship, and the controller 2 is located in the upper hierarchy, and the device 3 is located in the lower hierarchy of the controller 2.

  The device 3 is a device arranged in the plant. For example, a device equipped with a HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) communication function or a device that supports Foundation Fieldbus (Foundation (registered trademark) Fieldbus; FF) technology. Can be used.

  Examples of the device 3 include various sensor devices that detect flow rate, pressure, temperature, and the like, valve positioners that control various valves such as flow rate control valves and pressure control valves, and various actuators that operate pumps and fans. Applicable.

  The controller 2 is a device that performs overall control of the device 3 located in the lower hierarchy. For example, the controller 2 controls the valve positioner based on measured values such as flow rate and pressure acquired from the sensor device, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the valve provided in the pipe.

  The device management device 1 is a device that manages device information of the controller 2 and the device 3. The device management apparatus 1 physically includes, for example, a control device (not shown) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device (not shown) such as a memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an input device. (Not shown) and a display device (not shown). The storage device stores various tables for storing information related to device management. Examples of the various tables include a device information table 14a and a start command information table 14b. The device information table 14a and the start command information table 14b may be stored in a storage device outside the device management apparatus 1.

  The device information table 14 a is a storage unit that stores device information including configuration information of the controller 2 and the device 3. The data configuration of the device information table 14a will be described with reference to FIG. The device information table 14a includes, for example, a device ID (device identification information) item, a communication protocol item, a type item, an address information item, a hierarchy information item, a revision number (function management number) item, and a parameter item as data items.

  The device ID item stores identification information for specifying the controller 2 and the device 3. The communication protocol item stores information for specifying a communication protocol used by the controller 2 and the device 3. As a communication protocol used by the controller 2 and the device 3, for example, HART and FF are applicable.

  The type item stores type information for specifying the hardware type of the controller 2 or the device 3. Examples of the hardware model include a valve positioner and a flow rate sensor.

  The address information item stores an address indicating the location of the controller 2 or device 3 in the system. The hierarchy information item stores a device ID of a parent node and a device ID of a child node that have a hierarchical relationship with the own device.

  The revision number item stores a value that is counted up every time the parameter stored in the parameter item is changed. The parameter item stores a plurality of sets of parameter information in which a parameter ID for specifying a parameter and a value of the parameter are combined.

  In this embodiment, the case where the software function of the device is managed using the revision number will be described. However, the information for managing the software function of the device is not limited to the revision number, for example, a version number. Also good.

  Here, the content of the self-diagnosis for diagnosing whether the device is operating normally can be determined for each type of device. In the present embodiment, the device ID, communication protocol, type, and revision number are illustratively used as device type information for specifying the contents of self-diagnosis.

  The activation command information table 14b illustrated in FIG. 1 is a storage unit that stores information related to activation commands that activate self-diagnosis determined for each device type information. With reference to FIG. 3, the data structure of the activation command information table 14b will be described. The activation command information table 14b includes, for example, a device ID item, a communication protocol item, a type item, a revision number item, and an activation command item.

  The device ID item, the communication protocol item, the type item, and the revision number item are the same items as the device ID item, the communication protocol item, the type item, and the revision number item of the device information table 14a described above. The start command item stores information for specifying a command for starting the self-diagnosis.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device management apparatus 1 functionally includes, for example, a device type acquisition unit 11, a self-diagnosis determination unit 12, and a self-diagnosis execution unit 13.

  When one or more devices are selected from among the plurality of controllers 2 and devices 3 as a target for executing self-diagnosis, the device type acquisition unit 11 displays device type information corresponding to the selected device. Obtained from the information table 14a.

  An example of a tool screen used when selecting one or more devices is shown in FIG. On this tool screen, icons corresponding to a plurality of controllers 2 and devices 3 are displayed in a tree format. In FIG. 4, among the plurality of devices 3A to 3H belonging to the controller 2A, three devices 3A to 3C are selected as targets for executing the self-diagnosis. In this case, the device type acquisition unit 11 acquires the device type information by extracting the device type information corresponding to the three devices 3A to 3C illustrated in FIG. 4 from the device information table 14a.

  The self-diagnosis determination unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 determines the content of self-diagnosis to be executed for the device selected on the tool screen based on the device type information acquired by the device type acquisition unit 11. Specifically, the self-diagnosis determination unit 12 determines the content of the self-diagnosis by extracting a start command corresponding to the device type information acquired by the device type acquisition unit 11 from the start command information table 14b.

  The self-diagnosis execution unit 13 causes the self-diagnosis content determined by the self-diagnosis determination unit 12 to be executed on the device selected on the tool screen. Specifically, the self-diagnosis execution unit 13 executes the contents of the self-diagnosis by executing the start command extracted from the start command information table 14b.

  Here, the order in which the self-diagnosis is executed can be set as appropriate. For example, the self-diagnosis may be sequentially executed according to the order in which the devices are selected on the tool screen, or the self-diagnosis may be sequentially executed according to the display order on the tool screen.

  Further, the self-diagnosis contents that can be executed in parallel may be grouped, and the self-diagnosis contents belonging to the same group may be collectively executed. Examples of self-diagnosis that can be executed in parallel include, for example, self-diagnosis that is periodically executed in the device, and processing from the device management device between the start and end of the self-diagnosis. This applies to self-diagnostics that do not have any.

  In grouping the contents of self-diagnosis, the type of device can be used illustratively. In this case, the self-diagnosis execution unit 13 groups the self-diagnosis content determined by the self-diagnosis determination unit 12 for each type of device information corresponding to the self-diagnosis content, and performs self-diagnosis of the same group. Execute the start commands corresponding to the contents collectively. Thereby, the time required for the entire self-diagnosis to be executed by a plurality of devices can be shortened.

  It is also possible to select the contents of self-diagnosis to be executed in a predetermined order and execute an activation command corresponding to the selected contents of the self-diagnosis according to a predetermined order. For example, a process procedure corresponds to the predetermined order.

  When arranging the contents of self-diagnosis in a predetermined order, for example, the type of device can be used. In this case, the self-diagnosis execution unit 13 selects the contents of the self-diagnosis to be executed in a predetermined order from the contents of the self-diagnosis determined by the self-diagnosis determination unit 12 based on the type information of each device. Then, the activation command corresponding to the selected self-diagnosis content is executed according to a predetermined order. This makes it possible to efficiently execute self-diagnosis according to the process procedure.

  Next, the operation of the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the administrator uses the tool screen shown in FIG. 4 to select and instruct execution of one or more devices to be subjected to self-diagnosis, the device type acquisition unit 11 assigns the selected device to the selected device. Corresponding device type information is acquired from the device information table 14a (step S101).

  Subsequently, the self-diagnosis determination unit 12 extracts the activation command corresponding to the device type information acquired in step S101 from the activation command information table 14b, thereby causing the device selected on the tool screen to execute the self-diagnosis. The contents are determined (step S102).

  Subsequently, the self-diagnosis execution unit 13 causes the device selected on the tool screen to execute self-diagnosis by executing the startup command extracted in step S102 (step S103).

  As described above, according to the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment, by including the device type acquisition unit 11, device type information corresponding to one or more devices selected by the administrator is acquired from the device information table 14a. By having the self-diagnosis determining unit 12, the self-diagnosis content to be executed by the device selected by the administrator is determined from the plurality of self-diagnosis content based on the acquired device type information. In addition, by having the self-diagnosis execution unit 13, it is possible to cause the device selected by the administrator to execute the content of the determined self-diagnosis. Therefore, the self-diagnosis according to the device selected by the administrator can be efficiently executed.

  Therefore, according to the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment, it is possible to improve work efficiency when performing self-diagnosis.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device management apparatus 2 ... Controller 3 ... Device 11 ... Device classification acquisition part 12 ... Self-diagnosis determination part 13 ... Self-diagnosis execution part 14a ... Equipment information table 14b ... Startup command information table 100 ... Equipment management system

Claims (3)

Corresponding to the selected device when one or more devices are selected as targets for executing a self-diagnosis program for diagnosing suitability of operation of the device from a plurality of devices. A device type acquisition unit for acquiring device type information to be
A storage unit that stores a start command for starting execution of the self-diagnosis program for each device type information;
By extracting the start command corresponding to the device type information acquired by the device type acquisition unit from the start command stored by the storage unit , among a plurality of types of the self-diagnosis program , A self-diagnosis determination unit that determines the self-diagnosis program to be executed by the selected device;
A self-diagnosis execution unit that causes the selected device to execute the program for self-diagnosis determined by the self-diagnosis determination unit by executing the startup command extracted by the self-diagnosis determination unit;
Equipped with a,
The device type information includes device identification information for specifying the device, protocol information for specifying a communication protocol of the device, type information for specifying a type of the device, and a function management number for specifying a function of the device,
The self-diagnosis execution unit groups the self-diagnosis programs that can be executed in parallel based on the type information, and executes the startup command corresponding to the self-diagnosis programs belonging to the same group. Execute for each group together,
A device management apparatus characterized by that. The self-diagnosis execution unit selects the self-diagnosis program to be executed in a predetermined order based on the type information, and the startup command corresponding to the selected self-diagnosis program is The apparatus management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus management apparatus is executed according to an order. Corresponding to the selected device when one or more devices are selected as targets for executing a self-diagnosis program for diagnosing suitability of operation of the device from a plurality of devices. A device type acquisition step for acquiring device type information to be performed;
The start-up stored in the storage unit that stores the start-up command corresponding to the device-type information acquired in the device-type acquisition step and that starts the execution of the self-diagnosis program for each device-type information. A self-diagnosis determination step for determining the self-diagnosis program to be executed by the selected device from a plurality of types of self-diagnosis programs by extracting from a command ;
A self-diagnosis execution step for causing the selected device to execute the program for self-diagnosis determined in the self-diagnosis determination step by executing the startup command extracted in the self-diagnosis determination step;
Only including,
The device type information includes device identification information for specifying the device, protocol information for specifying a communication protocol of the device, type information for specifying a type of the device, and a function management number for specifying a function of the device,
The self-diagnosis execution step groups the self-diagnosis programs that can be executed in parallel based on the type information, and the startup command corresponding to the self-diagnosis programs that belong to the same group, Execute for each group together,
A device management method characterized by the above.

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