JP7248416B2 - Piece tracking system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention uses, for example, raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products as objects, and acquires performance data of these objects (hereinafter also referred to as pieces), and tracks the current position, movement status, etc. of the objects. It relates to a tracking system and a program used for this system.

For example, in a steelworks, steel billets, pipes, steel bars, wire rods, etc. are moved in large quantities by means of transportation such as roller tables, belt conveyors, trucks, and in-house railways before being shipped as products after being processed and measured. are doing. Conventionally, a tracking system for tracking these objects has been designed for each ironworks and a dedicated program has been created.

However, since the dedicated program includes many items that are individually designed for each business site, even if you want to use the program at another business site that manufactures similar products, you cannot use it as it is. It cannot be done, and the modification of the program becomes significant. Significant modification of a program requires a great deal of effort to identify, code, test, and debug the modification. Further, if one program is modified, it may be necessary to modify other cooperating programs, resulting in deterioration of the quality of the entire system.

As an example of a technique for reducing program development man-hours, conventionally, data related to tracking is stored in a file in a secondary storage device as a standard component, and this standard component is loaded when the program is compiled to create a program with a tracking function. A system for automatically generating is proposed (Patent Document 1).

However, the system of Patent Document 1 can only automatically generate a part of the source code, and if there is a change in the structure of the tracking data, the standard parts are corrected, and the program source is automatically generated again. and the program needs to be modified. Moreover, the system of Patent Document 1 needs to compile a modified source program when the structure of the tracking data is changed.

In addition, from the standpoint of a business that undertakes system development, although customer needs for piece tracking systems are high and the market is promising, there are many customers with small investment scales, so reducing the offer price is a challenge. It was.

JP 2004-199265 A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the conventional tracking system does not sufficiently componentize the tracking function, and it is difficult to use the program of the existing system in other similar systems. be.

Specifically, in the conventional tracking system, 1) modification of standard components, modification of source programs, compilation, and testing take time and effort, 2) development costs are high, and 3) the proportion of manual work is occupied. There was a problem that it was easy to cause quality deterioration in the entire system due to its large size.

The present invention solves the above problems and improves productivity by fully componentizing the tracking function and including part of the setting and control functions, thereby reducing the development cost of the tracking system. It is intended to

The piece tracking system of the present invention is
A piece tracking system that has an information storage unit and a function unit, uses an information processing device to track the position of an object, acquires performance data of the object from a lower-level device, and outputs setting data to the lower-level device. and
The information holding unit has at least a tracking information definition for setting items to be tracked and a zone information definition for setting information of a zone in which an object exists, and has a definition file capable of updating the definition data,
The most important feature of the function unit is that it includes a tracking function unit that generates, moves, and deletes tracking data according to the internal information of the definition file when an event occurs.

In the present invention, when there is a change in the structure of the tracking data, the user updates the definition data in the definition file using a definition creation tool such as a spreadsheet application.

Then, when an event occurs, the tracking function unit generates, moves, and deletes tracking data according to the internal information in the definition file.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there is no need to modify or compile the program even if the structure of the tracking data is changed.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a piece tracking system of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of definition data included in a definition file; It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the connection relationship on the network of an information processing apparatus, an OPC server, PLC, and an operation terminal. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of items of tracking information definition; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of items of zone information definition; It is a figure explaining the concept of the zone information definition of this invention, and the content of an automatic setting function part and a result collection-storage function part. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of tag definition items; It is a figure which shows the example of the item of a signal information definition. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of items of a tracking event definition; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of items of automatic setting definition; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of items of a result collection event definition; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of items of plug-in definition;

An example of a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG.

[System configuration]
The system configuration of the piece tracking system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The piece tracking system 10 of this embodiment uses steel slabs, pipes, steel bars, wire rods, etc., manufactured in a steel mill as objects. It is a system that tracks the status, processing status, etc. Also, the piece tracking system 10 of this embodiment is a system that acquires performance data of an object from a lower-level device capable of mutually transmitting and receiving data on a network, and outputs setting data to the lower-level device.

The piece tracking system 10 is implemented by installing the program of the present invention in an information processing device 100 such as a server device or a personal computer device. The hardware configuration of this information processing apparatus 100 will be described later.

The piece tracking system 10 of the present embodiment includes, as function units, a tracking function unit 1, an OPC communication function unit 2 as an example of a process input/output control unit, a signal function unit 3, a setting/control function unit 4, It has a result collection and storage function unit 5 , a piece number allocation unit 6 and a remote object function unit 7 . The setting/control function unit 4 includes an automatic setting function unit 4a and a plug-in function unit 4b. The piece number allocation unit 6 includes a plan acquisition function unit 6a, an automatic numbering function unit 6b, and an OPC acquisition allocation function unit 6c, which is an example of a tag type data acquisition allocation function unit.

The secondary storage device of the information processing device 100 in which the piece tracking system 10 is implemented includes a definition file 20, a result file 30, and a plan file 40 as information holding units. The definition file 20 is a file that stores a plurality of definition data, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. It consists of automatic setting definition 26 , result collection event definition 27 , and plug-in definition 28 . Reference numeral 50 denotes a definition creation tool used when the user initially registers each definition data in the definition file 20 or updates the registered data.
Details of each functional unit, each file, and each definition data of the piece tracking system 10 described above will be described later.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus 100 in which the piece tracking system 10 is implemented. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 110, a memory 120 such as RAM and ROM, a secondary storage device 130, a display device 140, an input device 150, an output device 160 such as a printer, a communication device 170, and these devices. A bus 180 is provided for connecting devices.

The CPU 110 is a processor that controls the entire information processing apparatus 100 . The processing of each functional unit of the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention is realized by the CPU 110 executing predetermined processing based on the program loaded in the memory 120 . In other words, what is expressed as a "functional part" in this specification means means implemented by executing a program.

The secondary storage device 130 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The secondary storage device 130 stores data of source programs and object programs, and also includes files and definition data (the program of the present invention is (information storage unit to be used) is recorded.

The display device 140 is a display device, a liquid crystal monitor, or the like, and can display definition file data and tracking data. The input device 150 is a device that accepts user instructions and inputs data, such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse.

The communication device 170 is a LAN board, a wireless LAN board, or the like. The information processing device 100 is connected via a network to an OPC (OLE for Process Control) server 200, which is an example of a tag-type data server of a lower device. Here, the tag system is a mechanism for designating a data name, an address name, etc., and acquiring and writing data. Operation terminals 300 and 301 are external devices for users to perform operations such as reference and correction of tracking data. The communication device 170 controls communication processing between these lower devices and external devices.

[Network configuration]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between the information processing apparatus 100 in which the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention is implemented, lower-level devices, and external devices.

Various devices are installed in the steelworks, and the various devices are connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC: Programmable Logic Controller). The various devices include, for example, sensors that detect the passage of objects on the production line. PLC 400 in this embodiment means a plurality of PLCs installed in the factory.

When the PLC 400 receives a passing signal indicating that an object has passed from various devices installed at required positions in the factory, and measurement data such as the length and weight of the object, the data is stored in the register of the PLC 400. and control various devices.

The PLC 400 is also connected to the OPC server 200, which is a host device. OPC is a process control standard designed for secure and reliable data exchange and interoperability in industrial automation and other fields. A communication standard between the PLC 400 and the OPC server 200 is TCP/IP.

The OPC communication standard (OPC DA), for example, is used for connection between the OPC server 200 and the information processing apparatus 100 in which the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention is implemented. A tracking event signal, setting data, performance data, and the like are transmitted and received between the OPC server 200 and the information processing apparatus 100, the details of which will be described later.

The communication standard between the operation terminal 300 (301) and the information processing apparatus 100 in which the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention is implemented is TCP/IP, and data can be transmitted and received between them by wire or wirelessly. As the operation terminal 300 (301), a personal computer device, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, or the like can be used. A screen is displayed on the monitor of the operation terminal 300 (301) so that the tracking data handled by the piece tracking system 10 can be divided into zones in which the target object exists.

[Description of definition file]
Next, each definition data of the definition file 20 used by the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention and the definition creation tool 50 will be described in detail.

<1. Definition creation tool>
The definition file 20 is a file for making various settings for the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention, and registration of the definition data is performed by the definition creation tool 50 . As the definition creation tool 50, a spread sheet application (specifically, Microsoft Excel (registered trademark), for example) commercially available as general-purpose software can be used.

Microsoft Excel (registered trademark) can use data in tabular format that is easy for users to refer to and data in CSV (Common Separated Value) format separated by commas. The user uses the definition creation tool 50 to register definition data and execute macros to update the data in the definition file. Alternatively, the data in the definition file can be updated directly without using macros. In other words, in the definition file 20 of this embodiment, data can be input by the definition creation tool 50, and the data can be updated by executing the macro of the definition creation tool 50, or the user can directly update the data without using the macro. It is.

In the piece tracking system 10 of this embodiment, of the definitions shown in FIG. 2, the tracking information definition 21, the zone information definition 22, and the tag definition 23 are essential definition data that must be input by the user. On the other hand, the signal information definition 24, the tracking event definition 25, the automatic setting definition 26, the performance collection event definition 27, and the plug-in definition 28 are optional definition data for which the user determines whether or not input is necessary.

<2. Tracking information definition>
The tracking information definition 21, as shown in FIG. 5, defines the tracking data (for example, the length, weight, tension, etc. of the object) handled by the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention. When there are two types of measurement methods for tension, they are distinguished by assigning numbers such as tension 1 and tension 2.

In the definition data of the definition file 20, the present invention employs a Dictionary class that holds a plurality of pairs of names and values associated with the names. For example, in the tracking information definition 21, the name "tension 1" and the property name "Tension1" are paired.

Normally, when coding definition data in a program, the address part of the computer instruction is converted as an absolute address that indicates the memory address itself at the time of compilation. Sometimes you have to compile the program again. On the other hand, in the case of the present invention that employs the Dictionary class as the definition development execution environment, pairs such as "Tension 1" and "Tension 1" are held such that one value can access the other. Therefore, by simply changing the definition in the definition file 20 without changing the name used in the program, the program can access the address of the changed definition data at the time of execution.

Therefore, the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention, which employs the Dictionary class for the definition data of the definition file 20, can cope with changes in the definition data without compiling.

The tracking information definition 21 always has one key item, and enables direct retrieval using the key. In FIG. 5, a "piece number" uniquely assigned to the object is set as a key. The above data items and key settings are performed by the user from the setting screen of the operation terminal 300 .

<3. Zone information definition>
The zone information definition 22, as shown in FIG. 6, defines the information of the location where the object is managed by the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention.

The equipment of the factory where the piece tracking system 10 is introduced is diverse, but the present invention does not depend on the equipment of the factory, and in order to improve the productivity of the development of the tracking system, the concept of the place where the object is tracked is used. It is divided into ``zones'', and it is possible to grasp when an object enters a certain zone and when an object exits a certain zone. As a result, movement of an object can be grasped as movement from one zone to the next zone without depending on the name or type of equipment in the factory.

In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, the movement of the object from when the tracking data is generated until it is deleted, that is, until the received object is processed and measured and shipped as a product, It is grasped by associating with 10 zones (Zone1 to Zone10) set by the user.

As shown in FIG. 6, zone settings can include names such as "Zone1" and "Zone2" as well as abbreviations such as "Z01" and "Z02." In addition, the values of "type" and "number of management" are set for each zone.

Each zone is numbered from the carry-in side to the carry-out side by a "branch number" indicating the position within the zone, and the "type" of the zone is set according to the contents of the facility. Three types of "1: fixed", "2: buffer (FIFO)", and "3: buffer (LILO)" can be set.

Specifically, "1: Fixed" manages branch numbers in the zone from the carry-in side within the range of 1 or more and the zone management number or less. It is a mode to carry out. In addition, "2: Buffer (FIFO)" manages branch numbers in the zone in the range of 1 or more and the zone management number or less from the export side. It is a mode to carry out. In addition, "3: Buffer (LILO)" manages the branch numbers in the zone from the export side in the range of 1 or more and the zone management number or less. It is a mode to carry out.
The automatic setting function for the equipment 500 in Zone3 and the result collection function for acquiring from the measuring device 501 in Zone9 will be described later.

<4. Tag definition>
The tag definition 23 associates tag names registered in the OPC server 200 connectable to the PLC 400 with definition data in the definition file 20 .

In the tag definition 23, as shown in FIG. 8, tag names such as "EVT01" to "EVT08" are defined. These are designated OPC tags, which are examples of designated tags used in the OPC server 200 , and serve as information that uniquely identifies tracking event signals transmitted and received between the OPC server 200 and the information processing apparatus 100 .

This specified OPC tag is linked with the tag name used in the signal information definition 24, tracking event definition 25, result collection event definition 26, automatic setting definition 27, and plug-in definition 28, and is used in processing that refers to these definitions. be done.

The piece tracking system 10 of this embodiment has a function of reading the tag setting information of the OPC server 200 from the address table of the PLC 400 and taking in the registered tag information. Specifically, a CSV file containing data of specified OPC tags exported from the OPC server 200 can be imported by a spreadsheet application (for example, Microsoft Excel (registered trademark)).

<5. Signal information definition>
The signal information definition 24 defines a logical expression of two or more tags, whereas the tracking event definition 25 described later only defines and detects the rise or fall for each tag, and defines a complex It allows for event timing.

For example, in the tracking event definition 25 in FIG. 9, it is defined that the tracking data is "moved" from "zone 1" to "zone 2" by the "rise" of the tag name "EVT02". On the other hand, in the signal information definition 24, as a logical expression for the signal name "SIG01", "STS01" (status 1) of "EVT02" is "1 (ON)" and "STS02" (status 2) is "0 (OFF)". In other words, "SIG01" is not simply a "rising edge" of the signal, but arbitrary status information is added to the condition, so that it is possible to deal with complicated signal generation conditions desired by the user. In the data of the "calculation formula" in FIG. 9, "&&" means a logical product, and "==" means an equality operator of "equals".

<6. Tracking event definition>
The tracking event definition 25 detects the "rise" and "fall" of each tag, and executes generation, movement, and deletion of tracking data. As the tag name to be defined, in addition to the specified OPC tag, the signal information definition tag shown in FIG. 9 can also be specified.

For example, in the example of the tracking event definition 25 in FIG. 10, the tracking data is "generated" in "zone 1" by the "rise" of the tag name "EVT01". Also, the tracking data "moves" from "zone 2" to "zone 3" due to the "falling edge" of the tag name "EVT03". Further, the tracking data is "deleted" in "zone 10" by the "rising edge" of the tag name "EVT11".

Further, in the tracking event definition 25, a tag name "SIG01", which is a signal information definition tag, is also defined in addition to the definition by the designated OPC tag described above. Tracking data "moves" from "zone 1" to "zone 2" when "SIG01" satisfies a predetermined condition and becomes "rising".

<7. Automatic setting definition>
By setting the automatic setting definition 26 in advance, data can be output from the tracking information in the designated zone position to the designated OPC tag when an event occurs. The event tag can also specify a signal information definition tag in addition to the specified OPC tag.

For example, in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 11, by defining the automatic setting definition 26 as shown in FIG. 11, the specified OPC tag "SET01" The setting data “41” can be output for the item with the tracking property name “Tension1” (name “tension 1”).

Similarly, in "zone 3", due to the "rising edge" of the signal "EVT03", setting data "141" is set for the item with the tracking property name "Tension2" (name "tension 2") of the specified OPC tag "SET02". and one-shot output with a holding time of 3000 msec for the setting completion tag "FIN01".

These “setting data” are transmitted via the OPC server 200 . As a result, each setting data is output to the facility 500 existing in "Zone 3" in FIG.

<8. Result collection event definition>
By setting the result collection event definition 27, data can be captured from the designated OPC tag to the tracking information in the designated zone position when the event occurs. The event tag can also specify a signal information definition tag in addition to the specified OPC tag.

For example, in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 12, by defining the result collection event definition 27 as shown in FIG. can be obtained from the item of the tracking property name "Length" (name "length") of the object.

Similarly, in "Zone 9", due to the "rise" of the signal of "FIN02", the track record data of the object "5678 ” can be obtained.

These "actual data" are received via the OPC server 200 after once communicating with the PLC 400 from the measuring instrument 501 existing in "Zone 9" in FIG.

<9. Plugin definition>
The plug-in definition 28 is a function for creating a plug-in to deal with processing specific to the system that cannot be handled by the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention. By setting the plug-in to be used and the call event in the plug-in definition 28, any subroutine can be called when a predetermined event occurs. The event tag in the plug-in definition 28 can specify a signal information definition tag as well as a specified OPC tag.

The subroutines called from the plug-in definition 28 are not limited to those coded by the user, and may use external system modules such as the cooperation DLL 60, model calculation DLL 61, and FTP transmission DLL 62 shown in FIG. This makes it possible to easily implement functions such as linking with other companies' systems, model calculation, and file transfer.

For example, in the example of FIG. 13, the "rise" of the signal with the tag name "EVT03" can call the Run method with the plug-in name "calculation" with the tracking data in "zone 3" as an argument. The Run method with the plug-in name of "calculation" is coded in advance by the user.

[Description of Embodiment Corresponding to Claims]
Next, an embodiment of the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention will be described in detail in association with the claims.

The core program of the piece tracking system 10 is the tracking engine. The tracking engine receives a tracking event signal from the OPC server 200 via a remote connection, and processes each functional unit.
The processing of each functional unit described below with reference to FIG. 1 also serves as an explanation of the processing performed by each step of the program of the present invention.

<Embodiment 1>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 1 is
It has an information holding unit and a functional unit, uses the information processing device 100 to track the position of the object, acquires performance data of the object from the lower-level device, and outputs setting data to the lower-level device. There is
The information holding unit has at least a tracking information definition 21 for setting items to be tracked and a zone information definition 22 for setting information of a zone in which an object exists, and a definition file 20 capable of updating the definition data. Along with preparing
The function unit includes a tracking function unit 1 that generates, moves, and deletes tracking data according to internal information in the definition file 20 when an event occurs.

According to the piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 1, when there is an addition or change in the structure of the tracking data, the user uses a general-purpose spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel (registered trademark) to display the definition data. The definition data of the definition file 20 including the tracking information definition 21 and the zone information definition 22 can be updated at any time by registering them in the format and executing a macro, for example. Since the definition data of this definition file 20 employs the Dictionary class as described above, compilation is not required even if the definition data is changed.

The piece tracking system 10 reads the definition file 20 when the system is started, and holds information registered in the definition file 20 as internal information. When receiving a tracking event signal from the OPC server 200 , the tracking function unit 1 generates, moves, and deletes tracking data according to the internal information in the definition file 20 . In this specification, "generation" of tracking data means that tracking has started in a certain zone, and "movement" means that an object has moved from one zone to the next. Also, "deletion" of tracking data means that tracking has ended in a certain zone.

Further, in this specification, "at the time of occurrence of an event" means "occurrence of a trigger" to start program processing, such as receiving a tracking event signal from the OPC server 200, for example.

According to the piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 1 described above, even if the structure of the tracking data is changed, there is no need to modify or compile the program.
Therefore, 1) modification of standard components, modification of source programs, compilation, and testing take time and effort, 2) development costs are high, and 3) the ratio of manual work is large. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that it is easy to cause quality deterioration in the entire system.

<Embodiment 2>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 2 is
The definition file 20 includes a tracking event definition 25 that sets the timing of event occurrence and the operation mode,
The tracking function unit 1 generates, moves, and deletes tracking data according to the timing and operation mode set in the tracking event definition 25 .

The tracking event definition 25, as shown in FIG. 10, sets the tag name, timing, mode, zone number before movement, zone number after movement, and the like. By reading the definition of the tracking event definition 25, the tracking function unit 2 can assign pre-movement and post-movement modes for each event.

<Embodiment 3>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 3 is
The lower device is an OPC server 200 connectable to the PLC 400,
The definition file 20 includes an automatic setting definition 26 that defines setting data to be output to the OPC server 200,
The function section includes an automatic setting function section 4a for outputting setting data from the tracking data in the designated zone position to the designated OPC tag based on the automatic setting definition 26 when an event occurs.

As shown in FIG. 11, the automatic setting definition 26 can output setting data from the tracking information in the designated zone position to the designated OPC tag or the designated signal information definition tag when an event occurs. By reading this automatic setting definition 26, the automatic setting function unit 4a outputs predetermined data to the designated OPC tag or the designated signal information definition tag.

<Embodiment 4>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 4 is
The definition file 20 includes a performance collection event definition 27 that defines performance data acquired from the OPC server 200,
The functional unit includes a performance collection and storage function unit 5 that acquires performance data from a designated OPC tag for tracking data in a designated zone position based on the performance collection event definition 27 when an event occurs.

As shown in FIG. 12, the result collection event definition 27 can acquire the result data from the specified OPC tag in the tracking information in the specified zone position or from the specified signal information definition tag when the event occurs. By reading the result collection event definition 27, the result collection and storage function unit 5 acquires the result data from the specified OPC tag or the specified signal information definition tag.

In addition, the track record collection/storage function unit 5 saves the data in the track record file 30 when the tracking data is deleted. The user can specify the file name of the result file 30 and whether or not to save it.

In the conventional tracking system, the setting data output processing for the facility 500 and the performance data acquisition processing from the measuring instrument 501 had to be described in the program source. This is also realized with the definition data in the definition file 20.

<Embodiment 5>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 5 is
The definition file 20 includes a signal information definition 24 that sets a logical expression for generating a signal,
The function unit includes a signal function unit 3 that generates an event by combining signals from the OPC server 200 in a logical expression according to the setting of the signal information definition 24 .

The signal information definition 24 sets a logical expression for generating a new signal, as shown in FIG. By reading the signal information definition 24, the signal function unit 3 can execute complicated conditions desired by the user other than the rise and fall of the signal.

In the conventional tracking system, there was no other means than to describe the logical expression between signals in the program source, but the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention realizes this on the definition data. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the signal generation condition is changed, only the signal information definition 24 needs to be changed, and the source program does not need to be modified.

<Embodiment 6>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 6 is
The definition file 20 includes tag definitions for associating tag names registered in the OPC server 200 with definition data registered in the definition file 20,
The function section includes an OPC communication function section 2 that transmits and receives tracking event signals via the OPC server 200 .

In other words, the OPC communication function unit 2 has a function of setting tags in the OPC server 200 and capturing tracking events. The piece tracking system 10 of this embodiment accesses the OPC server 200 via, for example, DeviceXPlorer (registered trademark of Takebishi Co., Ltd.).

The OPC communication function unit 2 is incorporated in the process input/output control unit of the piece tracking system 10, reads the tracking event signal including the information of the designated OPC tag transmitted from the OPC server 200, and performs predetermined tracking processing. Accordingly, even when communicating with PLCs 400 of a plurality of different vendors, uniform settings are possible, and complicated processing considering vendors is not required.

<Embodiment 7>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 7 is
The definition file 20 includes a plug-in definition 28 that sets plug-ins to be used and call events,
The function section includes a plug-in function section 4b that calls a predetermined program based on the setting of the plug-in definition 28 when an event occurs.

The plug-in definition 28 calls a module created by the user or a module provided by an external system as a subroutine. The plug-in function unit 4b reads the plug-in definition 28 and executes subroutines to handle processing unique to the system.

<Embodiment 8>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 8 is
The information holding unit includes a plan file 40 in which data related to production plans are recorded,
The functional unit provides a plurality of piece number allocation methods set in the tracking information definition 21 and includes a piece number allocation unit 6 including at least a method of allocating a piece number based on the data of the plan file 40 .

The piece number is usually an item often set as a key in the tracking information definition 21, but the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention allows selection of the method of determining the piece number from three methods. Specifically, a method based on the plan file 40 (plan acquisition function unit 6a), a method based on automatic numbering (automatic numbering function unit 6b), and a method based on the specified OPC tag (OPC acquisition allocation function unit 6c). .

The method using the plan acquisition function unit 6a is highly convenient because the existing plan file 40 can be used as an input source. The method using the automatic numbering function unit 6b uses, for example, a format "YYYYMMDD9999" in which a date and a serial number are combined. The method by the OPC acquisition allocation function unit 6c allocates a piece number at the time of tracking generation.

<Embodiment 9>
The piece tracking system 10 of Embodiment 9 is
The function unit includes a remote object function unit 7 that enables the operation terminals 300 and 301 connected to the information processing apparatus 100 via a network to refer to the tracking zone information together with the tracking data.

In the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a screen is displayed on the monitor of the operation terminal 300 (301) so that the tracking data handled by the piece tracking system 10 can be viewed separately for each zone. is easy to grasp the current position of the object.

<Embodiment 10>
The following programs are installed in the information processing apparatus 100 in which the piece tracking system 10 of the present embodiment described above is installed.

The program of Embodiment 10 is
A program for causing the information processing apparatus 100 to perform tracking processing for tracking the position of an object, acquiring performance data of the object from the OPC server 200, and outputting setting data to the OPC server 200,
It has at least a tracking information definition 21 for setting items to be tracked, a zone information definition 22 for setting information on a zone in which an object exists, and a tag definition 23 for associating tag names registered in the OPC server 200. , using a definition file 20 capable of updating definition data,
a process input/output control step of transmitting and receiving a tracking event signal via the OPC server 200;
a tracking function step of generating, moving, and deleting tracking data according to the internal information of the definition file 20 when an event occurs;
is executed by the information processing apparatus 100 .

The piece tracking system 10 of the present invention divides a program into components to implement a series of "functions". A piece tracking system 10 for tracking an object is configured by a collection of component programs.

As described above, the piece tracking system 10 of the present invention improves productivity by fully componentizing the tracking function unit 2 and including a part of the setting/control function unit 4. The development cost of the tracking system can be reduced. The effects of the present invention are listed below.

1) In the tracking function unit 20, the definition file 20 enables creation of definition data such as entry conditions, exit conditions, and connection conditions for tracking processing using a general-purpose spreadsheet application (eg, Microsoft Excel (registered trademark)). was built, and all tracking functions were realized without programming.

Since the database is a constraint on the sharing of the tracking system, the present invention also considers the elimination of the database. Specifically, the Dictionary class was adopted as the development execution environment, eliminating the need to compile even if the definition data changed.

2) As for the communication function, a remote object class is adopted, and a mechanism is constructed in which the operation terminals 300 and 301 can share the tracking data.

3) In the OPC communication function unit 2, the process information obtained from the PLC 400 is shared with the definition file 20 by the tag definition 23, and a mechanism is constructed in which the trigger conditions from the process and the tracking data can be linked without a program.

4) In the setting/control function unit 4, the conventional system builds each database for linking event signals such as zone entrances and exits with performance data such as workpiece dimensions, whereas the present invention The system can now link event signals and data without programming.

The plug-in function unit 4b enables expansion of functions for control involving complicated calculations. A mechanism has been constructed in which creation of definition data for plug-ins can also be managed by the definition file 20 .

5) In the performance collection/storage function unit 5, the conventional system has constructed a database for collecting performance data such as workpiece dimensions. Can be handled without programming. In addition, the result collection/storage function unit 5 can generate the result file 30 for each piece without programming.

In the present invention, as a result of sufficiently examining the range in which componentization is effective and proceeding with development, it is possible to construct a component that can be applied to 50% of all piece tracking system projects. can be reduced by 15%.

Since the present invention is fully componentized, program modification and compilation are not required, and even if such need arises, the scope of program modification is limited to local areas.

[Other embodiments]
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that the embodiments may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the technical ideas described in each claim.

For example, the present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above embodiments to the information processing apparatus 100 via a network or a storage medium, and the CPU 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 reads and executes the program. It can also be implemented in a form that

Also, although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the OPC server 200 is installed independently, the present invention is not limited to this. The OPC server 200 may be integrated with the information processing device 100 and may be incorporated in the information processing device 100 . Alternatively, a configuration that does not use the OPC server 200 is also possible. In this case, the functional unit can directly communicate with the PLC, which is a lower-level device, to obtain performance data of the target object from the PLC and output setting data to the PLC.

Also, although not shown in FIG. 1, in order to facilitate failure analysis, a log storage function unit may be provided that outputs each event that occurs in the piece tracking system 10 to a log file.

1 tracking function part 2 OPC communication function part 3 signal function part 4 setting/control function part 4a automatic setting function part 4b plug-in function part 5 result collection and storage function part 6 piece number assignment part 7 remote object function part 10 piece tracking system 20 definition file 21 tracking information definition 22 zone information definition 23 tag definition 24 signal information definition 25 tracking event definition 26 result collection event definition 27 automatic setting definition 28 plug-in definition 30 result file 40 plan file 100 information processing device 200 OPC server 300, 301 Operation terminal 400 PLC

Claims (8)

A piece that has an information holding part and a function part, uses an information processing device to track the position of an object, acquires performance data of the object from the lower device, and outputs setting data for equipment to the lower device A tracking system,
The information holding unit includes a tracking information definition that sets items to be tracked, a zone information definition that sets information on a zone in which an object exists , a tracking event definition that sets event generation timing and an operation mode, and the subordinate an automatic setting definition that defines setting data to be output to the device , a definition file capable of updating the definition data, and a plan file in which data related to the production plan are recorded;
When an event occurs, the function unit generates, moves, and deletes tracking data according to the timing and operation mode set in the tracking event definition in the definition file , and based on the automatic setting definition. , an automatic setting function unit for outputting setting data to a specified tag from tracking data at a specified zone position, and providing a plurality of methods for assigning piece numbers to be set in the tracking information definition; A piece tracking system comprising a piece number assigning unit including at least a method of assigning piece numbers based on data in a plan file . 2. A piece tracking system according to claim 1, wherein said subordinate device is a tag-type data server communicable with a PLC. The definition file includes a result collection event definition that defines the result data to be obtained from the tag-based data server,
The function unit is characterized by comprising a result collection and storage function unit that acquires track record data from a specified tag for tracking data in a specified zone position based on the track record collection event definition when an event occurs. A piece tracking system according to claim 2. The definition file includes a signal information definition that sets a logical expression for generating a signal,
4. The function unit according to claim 2, wherein the function unit comprises a signal function unit that generates an event by combining signals from the tag-type data server in a logical expression according to the setting of the signal information definition. piece tracking system. The definition file includes tag definitions for associating tag names registered in the tag-based data server with definition data registered in the definition file,
5. The piece tracking system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said function unit comprises a process input/output control unit for transmitting and receiving a tracking event signal via said tag type data server. The definition file includes plugin definitions that set plugins to be used and call events, and
6. The piece tracking system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said function unit comprises a plug-in function unit that calls a predetermined program based on the setting of said plug-in definition when an event occurs. . 7. The functional unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the functional unit includes a remote object functional unit that enables an operation terminal connected to the information processing device via a network to refer to the tracking zone information together with the tracking data. piece tracking system as described in It is a program for tracking the position of an object, acquiring performance data of the object from the tag-type data server, and causing the information processing device to perform tracking processing for outputting setting data for equipment to the tag-type data server. hand,
A tracking information definition that sets items to be tracked, a zone information definition that sets information about a zone in which an object exists, a tag definition that associates a tag name to be registered in the tag-based data server , and an event generation timing. and an automatic setting definition for defining setting data to be output to the tag-type data server; a definition file capable of updating the definition data ; with a recorded plan file,
a process input/output control step of transmitting and receiving tracking event signals via the tag-based data server using the definition file ;
a tracking function step of generating, moving, and deleting tracking data according to the timing and operation mode set in the tracking event definition in the definition file when an event occurs ;
an automatic setting function step of outputting setting data to a specified tag from tracking data at a specified zone position based on the automatic setting definition;
providing a plurality of piece number allocation methods set in the tracking information definition, and causing the information processing apparatus to execute a piece number allocation step including at least a method of allocating a piece number based on the data of the plan file. program.

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