JPH01175337A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a work procedure when a main device reads out communication data stored in respective terminal units by providing a leased storage part to store the communication data to be exchanged between shared storage parts in the respective terminal units in the main device. CONSTITUTION:A leased storage part 13 to store the communication data to be exchanged between respective terminal units P1-PN is provided in a main device 11 and the same data as the communication data stored in a shared storage parts M1-MN of the respective terminal units P1-PN are always stored in it. Thus, at the time of reading out the data about the desired terminal unit P1-PN in the main device 11, all have to be done is to read out the data stored in the storage part 13 provided in the main device 11, the work procedure is omitted and can be easily executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention is directed to communication between so-called programmable controllers, which are used in large numbers on production lines in factories, for example, and a host computer that controls the operations of a plurality of programmable controllers. Related to communication devices.

Prior Art A typical prior art is shown in FIG. Communication line 1
A plurality of programmable controllers pt, p2 . . . , PN includes shared memories m1, m2, . ..., mN are provided.

These plural programmable controllers p1゜P2.
..., pN controls the operation of a series of production machines used in, for example, a production line. Since such a series of production machines are arranged in one production line, they are required to perform operations in conjunction with each other. For this reason, each programmable controller p1. p:
2. ....

In pN, information regarding data on the production process is mutually exchanged via the communication line 11, and each shared memory ml,
m2. ..., stored in mN.

On the other hand, these plural programmable controllers ρ1.
P2. ..., a host computer 1 that controls the operation of the PN is connected to the communication line 11 via an interface 4 that includes a general-purpose buffer memory 2 and a control section 3.

Conventionally, a host computer 1 stores each of the shared memories ml,
m2. There are two methods for reading communication data stored in mN.

First, the first method is to send a read command from the host computer 1 to each programmable controller pl, p2.
．． ..., pN, and a response to this read command, that is, communication data stored in each shared memory, is read through the general-purpose buffer memory 2. As a second method, each programmable controller pi, p2, . . . , pN directly sends the communication data to the host computer 1, whereby the host computer 1 This is how to read it.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the first method, the operator must separately create a communication control program on the host computer 1 side to control sending of read commands and the like. Also,
In the second method, the operator separately creates a communication control program for each programmable controller, such as at what timing or under what conditions communication data should be sent. In either case, conventionally, when the host computer 1 reads the communication data in each programmable controller, a separate program for communication control must be created, and that work is required. was complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to significantly simplify the work procedure when a main device reads communication data stored in a shared storage section in each terminal device. The purpose is to provide equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a plurality of terminal devices each having a shared storage section for storing communication data that is periodically exchanged with each other, and a main device that controls the operation of each terminal device. , and a main device having a dedicated storage section for storing communication data exchanged between shared storage sections in each of the terminal devices.

Function: In the communication device of the present invention, communication data regarding, for example, each terminal device itself is periodically exchanged between each terminal device and stored in each shared storage unit. Therefore, the shared storage section of each terminal device stores, for example, the latest communication data regarding each other terminal device.

According to the present invention, a dedicated storage section for storing communication data exchanged between the terminal devices is provided in the main device.

This storage section always stores the same communication data as the communication data stored in the shared storage section of each terminal device. That is,
This storage unit has the same function as the shared storage unit in each terminal device.

Therefore, in order to read data related to a desired terminal device on the main device side, it is only necessary to read the data stored in the storage section provided within the main device. After sending the , wait until the data is sent! I!
! It eliminates complicated work procedures and is extremely easy to perform.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. Programmable controllers PL and P2 which are a plurality of terminal devices each connected to the communication line 11
．． ..., PN includes shared memories Ml, M2, . ....

MN is provided.

These plural programmable controllers P1゜P2.
..., PN is used, for example, when controlling the operations of a series of production machines used on a production line. A series of such production machines are arranged to perform their respective roles in one production line, and are required to perform operations in coordination with each other.

Therefore, in a programmable controller that controls each production machine, it is desirable to mutually exchange the latest information that occurs one after another in the production process, and to control each production machine based on this information. , each programmable controller PI, P2.
. . , PN includes shared memories Ml, M2 . ...
, MN are provided.

On the other hand, these plural programmable controllers PL,
P2. . . . A host computer 11, which is a main device that controls the operation of the PN, is provided with an interface 15, and the host computer 11 is connected to the communication line 12 via the interface 15. The interface 15 includes a general-purpose buffer memory 12, a shared buffer memory 13 (described later), and a control unit 14 that controls the communication state within the interface 15.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of communication data.

Here, for convenience of explanation, the number of programmable controllers connected to the communication line 12 will be limited to three, and their operations will be explained. In the figure, reference numeral 21
, 22 and 23 indicate each shared memory area of the three programmable controllers, and are denoted by reference numeral 2.
The portion marked with 4 indicates a memory area within the shared buffer memory 13 of the host computer 11.

Each of the shared memory areas 21 to 23 is divided into the number of programmable controllers connected to the communication line 12, respectively. That is, in this case, each shared memory area 2
1 to 23 are first to third divided regions 21a and 22, respectively.
a, 23a; 21b.

It is divided into three parts: 22b, 23b: 21c, 22c, and 23c. In the shared memory areas 21 to 23 having such a configuration, communication data sent from a programmable controller having a certain shared memory is received by a programmable controller having another shared memory area,
stored within this shared memory area. Such transmission and reception of communication data is performed one after another at a constant cycle. For example, communication data stored in the first divided area 21a in the shared memory area 21 is transmitted via the communication line 12 and stored in the first divided areas 22a and 23a in the two shared memory areas 22 and 23. Each is stored. Similarly, the communication data stored in the first divided area 22a in the shared memory 22 and the third memory area 23c in the shared memory area 23 are also stored in the corresponding divided areas in other shared memory areas. Ru. As described above, such operations are executed one after another at regular intervals, so newly received communication data is overwritten on old communication data that was received before. Therefore, each shared memory area 21 to 23 always stores the latest information regarding other shared memory areas. By such an operation, the same communication data is always stored in the shared memory area in the plurality of programmable controllers, and mutual operations can be coordinated.

A shared memory area 24 corresponding to the shared buffer memory 13 of the host computer 11 includes each of the shared memories 21 to
Like 23, it is divided into three, and each shared memory 21 to 2
It always receives the communication data sent by 3 and stores it. Such operations are executed by the communication control section 14 within the interface 15, independently of the application program within the host computer 11.

Due to this operation, the shared memory area 24 has the following information:
Shared memory area 21 in each programmable controller
A data array similar to ~23 is obtained.

In other words, a plurality of programmable controllers PL, P2 . ..., the latest communication data mutually exchanged between the PNs is always stored in the shared buffer memory 13 within the host computer 11. Therefore, host computer 1
On the 1 side, when reading the contents of the shared memory in each programmable controller, there is no need for the operator to create a communication control program, and this can be executed by simply referencing the memory in the host computer 11. This greatly simplifies the work procedure.

In addition, each programmable controller PL, P2,...
. , PN includes shared memories Ml, M2 . Although a memory area other than MN is provided, when the host computer 11 accesses data in this memory area, it accesses the data via the general-purpose buffer memory 12 in the interface 15, as in the past. Just do it.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, when the main device reads communication data exchanged between each terminal device and stored in each shared storage section, the work procedure can be significantly simplified. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of data, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a typical prior art. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Host computer, 13... Shared buffer memory, 14... Communication control unit, 15... Interface, 21-24... Shared memory area, PI, P2
゜..., PN...Programmable controller, M
l. M2. ..., MN...Shared memory agent Patent attorney Kei Saikyo Part 2 Figure 3 Procedure amendment writing method) % formula %, Name of the invention Communication device 3, Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Applicant Address name (504) Sharp Corporation ',,T>. ＼Representative
1-・1,1. Δ. 4. Agent +t:i:'
Address 1-13-38 Nishihonmachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka Shinko Jin Building 1tIi EXO525-5985INTAPT
J International FAX GIll&Gn (06)538-
0247 March 29, 1986 (Shipping) 6. Drawings to be amended Surface 7. Contents of amendments: Engraving of drawings (no changes in content). that's all

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of terminal devices, each having a shared storage section for storing communication data that is periodically exchanged with each other, and a main device that controls the operation of each terminal device, the main device comprising: and a main device having a dedicated storage for storing communication data to be exchanged.