JPH07281713A - Process control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve extendability to various processes and usability for parts by transmitting and receiving a message by converting data into a signal form to be used for controlling a corresponding process while referring to system configuration data. CONSTITUTION:A signal input/output processing means 13 for inputting/ outputting a signal from the process to be a control object is arranged on the side of a client 2. A server 1 stores initial data specific to the process in a system configuration information storage part 3 and while referring to the system configuration data, the message for controlling the process as the control object of the client 2 is prepared and transmitted between the respective clients 2 by a main control processing part 11. When this message is received, while referring to these system configuration data, the data are converted to the signal form to be used for controlling the correspondent process and outputted to the process by the signal input/output processing means 13 of the client 2 and on the other hand, the data from the process are converted into corresponding message and transmitted to the server 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for providing a system for controlling various processes by using a client / server network system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when constructing a system for controlling various processes (equipment), there has been a strong demand for improving performance such as inherent performance and reliability of a sensor and a control target itself, and pursuing those demands. The main focus of development is on the process control side, and a system specific to the process to be controlled has been constructed.

For example, the history of automation in various production systems in general industry is from automation of individual equipment to automation of lines, management of physical distribution including a plurality of equipments and lines, and management of production sites and production management. It has evolved into a complex integrated network system including departments.

When constructing such an integrated network system, the bottleneck is not only the control side, but also various information processing, inter-device communication, etc. are integrally performed. Therefore, the entire integrated system is a so-called control-centric system. Is to be built. In other words, the external restrictions for the integrated system construction due to the equipment to be controlled make various controls, various information processing, inter-device communication, etc. completely integrated, and affect the structure of the entire system. Yes, it is difficult to build a system that emphasizes only control.

For the above reasons, when a system for performing various controls is constructed, it becomes a so-called one-piece dish (that is, development is focused only on process-specific control) and is distributed to the market one after another. Is invited.

On the other hand, the recent trend in the computer industry is
The downsizing from host-centric systems to client / server systems is intensifying the competition for system construction costs.

Therefore, even in the field of control systems,
For example, there is a strong demand for automation of software design work, but automation has not yet been achieved compared with construction technologies such as GUI (Graphic User Interface) and office processing (information processing) systems. The current situation.

As one of the countermeasures described above, there is an approach of constructing a system in consideration of reusability and flexibility capable of supporting various processes in order to reduce newly created parts. In the field of system construction, no effective realization method has been proposed at present.

[0009]

As described above, as a subject of the present system construction technology for various process control systems, since a control-centric integrated system is being constructed, flexibility, that is, to various processes, is achieved. There is a problem that the system can be constructed only with the extremely low scalability and reusability.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
A control system for controlling various processes using a server network system is to provide a process control system having flexibility, that is, expandability to various processes and high reusability.

[0011]

The above-described problems can be solved by the means described below.

That is, in a multi-client / server network system in which a process (equipment) to be controlled is connected to a client and the process is controlled, the server is an input / output signal necessary for controlling the process peculiar to each process. Storage means configured to include at least the specification information of the above, storage of system configuration data, reception of data stored in the storage, reception of data change, data change processing, data stored in the storage A control processing unit that creates and transmits a message for controlling a process controlled by the client between the information processing unit that displays at least the above and each client by referring to the system configuration data and transmitting the message. Prepare Further, each of the clients includes an input / output processing unit, and when the input / output processing unit receives a message from the control processing unit, the input / output processing unit refers to the system configuration data stored in the storage unit to perform a corresponding process. The data is converted to a signal format used for controlling and output to the process, the data from the process is input, the system configuration data is referred to, and the corresponding message is converted to the control processing unit. It is a means of transmitting.

The system configuration data stored in the storage means has a common format. First, for each client, a facility number, a facility name, and a facility validity flag indicating whether or not the facility is valid are set. It is preferable to have at least equipment data to be included, secondly, operation data including at least equipment control specifications, and thirdly, signal data including at least digital input and output signal specifications for controlling the equipment. .

[0014]

For example, an "information processing section" based on a human demand model such as accounting processing and inquiry processing, and timing based on physical rules such as input processing of various sensor output signals and output processing of various control devices, Clearly separate from the "control processing unit" that requires the restriction of execution order.

Further, the control process itself is provided in the server by referring to the system configuration information, which is configured to have facility data, operation data, and signal data unique to various sensors and various control devices. It is performed by the control processing unit and the input / output signal processing unit provided in the client. The control processing unit and the input / output signal processing unit are coupled by exchanging messages, and the process to be controlled by the client and the input / output signal processing unit are digital inputs (hereinafter often simply referred to as “DI”). , Digital output signals (often simply referred to as “DO” below) are combined by transmission and reception.

According to the present invention, the so-called information processing unit and the control processing unit are separated, so that a so-called component reuse type system can be constructed. Furthermore, information processing, communication,
Various processes including control are performed in the client / server system by using system configuration information stored as system configuration information including control information and configuration information unique to each facility. Since the actual process control is performed by sending and receiving messages and digital input / output signals, it is possible to reduce the influence on the diversification of the process to be controlled. That is, it is only necessary to change the message and the digital input / output signal, which can be easily realized by changing the system configuration information.

Since the information processing unit is configured separately from the control processing unit, it is possible to apply an engineering automation tool or the like only to the information processing unit to which various commercially available automation tools are generally applicable. Control system development efficiency is improved.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration according to the present invention.

The server 1 is an embodiment of a client / server system in a control system for a production system of general industry, and the server 1 is realized by a workstation having an input / output device, for example.

Further, the server 1 may be connected to a higher-level computer system or the like by a communication line such as an optical fiber.

The server 1 and each client 2 (No. 1)
To No. 6) is connected by a communication line such as an optical fiber.

Each client is configured to have at least an interface circuit for exchanging signals with various devices and a control unit for performing predetermined control.

Of course, it may be configured to have an input / output device. In the example of FIG. 1 to No. The No. 3 client has a display device having a function of displaying when a predetermined signal is input, and the No. The four clients are equipped with an alarm lamp having a function of lighting the lamp when a predetermined signal is input. These clients are configured, for example, in the case of a personal computer or a controller, are provided for each target facility, and the configuration of the client is usually changed with the addition or modification of the facility.

Further, each client is connected to the sensor / control device. Various sensors and equipment (processes) and the sensor / control device are connected via signal lines.

A digital input signal (hereinafter often referred to as DI) is input from the process to the sensor / control device via such a signal line, and a digital output signal (hereinafter often referred to as DO). Is output to the process from the sensor / control device.

FIG. 2 includes signal initial data which is data such as physical addresses of process input / output signals, client equipment initial data for the server, and operational initial data corresponding to client numbers. 6 is a configuration example of a system configuration information file configured to include the initial data for clients as many as the number of clients.

These data can be received from a computer located higher than the server via a communication line, but generally, the data is set via an input / output device provided in the server. , Changes are made and stored. Then, the corresponding client initial data is transmitted to the client corresponding to the client number, and the receiving client stores this data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system configuration information file has a text code for identifying the system configuration information and No. 1 client initial data to No. n client initial data. further,
The initial data for each client is the client number and
It is configured to have facility initial data, operation initial data, and signal initial data.

Further, the equipment initial data includes the equipment number, the equipment name of the equipment controlled by the client,
It is configured to have a facility type, a facility valid flag indicating whether or not the facility is actually valid, and a related operation number.

The operation initial data includes an operation number,
It is configured to have an operation name, an operation form (operation condition), and an operation valid flag. It should be noted that, for example, when it is not necessary to output the work instruction, the operation valid flag is set to be invalid, thereby eliminating unnecessary processing.

A concrete example of these data is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

A specific example will be described assuming an automatic warehouse equipped with a stacker crane.

The text code is an identifier added to identify the text of the system configuration information in the server.

The "equipment initial data" is data that defines information about the equipment controlled by the client.

"Equipment No. (number)" is an identifier for identifying a plurality of existing equipment. Each equipment is usually numbered in order from "01". Therefore, the equipment No. Is, for example, data “01”.

The "equipment name" is data indicating the name of the equipment. For example, in the case of an automated warehouse, the data “SOCO 01” is stored.

The "equipment type" is data indicating the type which is a feature of the equipment. For example, in the case of an automated warehouse, it represents the format of shelves. Furthermore, specifically, one shelf location (combination of row-strip-tier) in the form of one shelf is called a single shelf, and one shelf location is a back shelf. The two shelves, the front shelves and the front shelves, are called double shelves and are data for distinguishing between them. Therefore, for example, data "single shelf" is stored.

The "equipment valid flag" is data indicating whether the equipment is to be controlled (valid) or not (invalid).

For example, in the case of a facility to be added in the future, or if it actually exists but is not present during the linkage test with the facility, the flag is set to "invalid".

More specifically, when "1", it is effective.
It suffices to indicate invalidity when the value is other than "1".

The "operation number (number)" is a pointer to the corresponding operation initial data when there are a plurality of operation modes for a certain facility.

Next, "operation initial data" is data for equipment operation corresponding to a certain client, and when there are a plurality of operation modes for the corresponding equipment, the operation number.
Is data used as an identifier.

The "operation No. (number)" functions as an identifier for identifying a plurality of operation initial data, as described above. The number of specific operation numbers, for example,
“01” is stored.

The "operation name" is data indicating the type of operation of the equipment. For example, if the operation is the management of an automated warehouse, it is set to "Sokokokanri".

The "operation form" is data representing the form of operation of the equipment. For example, in the case of an automated warehouse, it represents the form of operation in which warehouse management is performed, and in the case of an operation in which products can be stored freely at a shelf location. Is a free location method, and when a given product can only be stored in a given shelf location, it is a fixed location method and is data for distinguishing the two.

The "operation valid flag" is data indicating whether the operation of the equipment is valid or not (invalid).

For example, it is used for temporarily invalidating the operation of the facility.

More specifically, when "1", it is effective.
It suffices to indicate invalidity when the value is other than "1". Also, the signal initial data indicated by the square frame in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of the initial data for signals, which constitutes the system structure information file.

The signal initial data, which plays a role as control information for the process, has a signal register address definition, an interrupt DI definition, and a DO definition.

The signal register address definition is: interrupt DI start address, interrupt DI number, DI start address, DI
Data, the DO start address, and the DO number.

The interrupt DI definition is made up of data of an interrupt detection method, a rising chattering width, and a falling chattering width.

Further, the DO definition is configured to have data of an output method and pulse width of a DO signal that needs to be reset after a lapse of a certain time.

Hereinafter, such data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

"Signal initial data" is data relating to a signal when the signal is exchanged with the corresponding client.

The signal register address definition, the interrupt DI definition, and the DO definition are preferably stored by the server itself, or sent by the server to the corresponding client and stored by the client.

The "signal register address definition" is the "interrupt DI start address" for storing the start address of the stored signal in the register for storing the interrupt DI signal from the process to the client, and the interrupt given from the process. “Interrupt DI number” that stores the number of DIs (for example,
32 points), "DI start address" that stores the start address of the stored signal in the register that stores the DI signal, and "D" that stores the number of DIs given from the process.
I number ”(eg 128 points). In addition, “DO which stores the start address of the register in which the DO signal is stored
It also has a "start address" and a "DO number" (for example, 32 points) for storing the number of DO signals given to the process.

"Interrupt DI definition" is defined by the number of interrupt DIs.
For example, No. 1 to No. D for each of up to 32
It has information of "detection method", "rising width", and "falling width" of the I signal.

The detection method is, for example, when the signal state changes from off to on, it is detected that an interrupt has occurred. In the case of "rising detection", "1" is set, and when the signal state is changed from off to on, Detects that an interrupt has occurred,
The case of “falling edge detection” is set to “2”, and further, at least one of the changes of both is detected as an interrupt occurrence, and the case of “rising edge falling edge detection” is “3”.
And is data for distinguishing these.

The "rising width" is, for example, "rising detected".
In order to determine that an interrupt has occurred when the signal changes from off to on and the on state continues for a period of “monitoring cycle time (tw) × rising width (5)” or more, This is the data that determines the time width. Similarly, the "falling width" is set. The monitoring cycle time (tw) is
It may be set in advance via an input / output device provided in the server.

The "DO definition" is the number of DOs, for example, No.
1 to No. For each of up to 32, the information about the “output method” and “pulse width” of the DO signal is included.

The "output method" is, for example, "1" when the DO signal needs to be stopped (pulse output) within a predetermined time after outputting the DO signal, and when the DO signal does not need to be stopped. Is data for setting values other than “1” and distinguishing them.

"Pulse width" is used when it is necessary to stop the DO signal for a predetermined time. For example, after "DO reset processing cycle time (tr) x pulse width (5)" time has elapsed, DO This is the data for stopping the signal.

When the system configuration data is changed due to the change of the process (equipment), it is preferable that the system configuration is such that the fact that the system configuration data is changed is displayed and output.

The upper part of FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a system in which a conventional information processing model and a control processing model are mixed, and the lower part of FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a system in which an information processing model and a control processing model are separated. And is shown by comparison.

The conventional system is configured to have an input device, an output device, and a part in which an information processing model and a control processing model are mixed.

The information processing model and the control processing model can be realized by an electronic device such as a CPU, a ROM and a RAM.

Here, the information processing model means a process in which real-time processing is not always essential. For example, input / output processing performed via an input / output device or the like based on a human request such as accounting processing or collation processing. (Man-machine interface processing) and database update processing.

The control processing model means processing that must be performed in accordance with a predetermined condition (for example, response time) by an event from the outside, and, for example, the loading / unloading state instructed by the loading / unloading station of the warehouse is ,
Input processing of sensor signals from the sensor to detect whether it is entering or exiting, output processing of control signals for controlling the control equipment equipped in automatic warehouse equipment etc. by stacker crane The processing is based on physical rules, and there are constraints (predetermined conditions) such as response time, control signal output timing, and control execution order.

The following figure shows an information processing model for inputting / outputting information (database) based on a human requirement model,
It shows a system that separates the control processing model, which requires timing and execution processing order constraints. Information is input from the database 6 to the information processing model 4, and information is output to another database 6.

The control processing model 5 receives a signal from the sensor 7 and outputs a control signal to the control device 8.

Further, the sensor 7 detects a physical quantity that changes in the process 9, and the control device 8 outputs a control signal for controlling the process 9.

Information unique to the sensor 7 and the control device 8 is stored in the control processing model 5 as the system configuration information 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to perform process and input / output processing, and the information processing model. And are configured to be combined by exchanging messages.

Here, the message means various commands and responses exchanged between the control processing model and the information processing model, and a plurality of messages in the control processing model corresponding to various control devices. It also includes commands and responses sent and received between processes.

As described above, the feature of the configuration of the present invention is that the information processing model 4 and the control processing model 5 are separated, and both are connected by exchanging messages.

Next, FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the system shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4 (a configuration in which the information processing model and the control processing model are separated) is realized by a client / server network system. Internal structure of the
In particular, the control processing model is specifically shown.

In this embodiment, the signal input / output processing means 13 for inputting / outputting a signal from a process is arranged on the client side, and this means is mainly common to various processes via the process signal register. Performs signal input / output processing. Further, various control procedures unique to the process are configured to be performed by the control processing main unit 11 on the server side.
Initial data unique to the process (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is stored in the system configuration information storage unit 3, and the control processing main unit performs control processing according to the system configuration information.

The initial signal data in the system configuration information is sent from the server to the corresponding client in advance and stored in each server. Further, the information processing model is coupled with the control processing model by exchanging messages.

The server side comprises an information processing model 4, a control processing main section 11, an interrupt acceptance processing section 12, and a communication section 10.

On the client side, the communication unit 10, the interrupt report processing unit 22, the interrupt DI monitoring processing unit 23, the DI
It is configured to have a capture unit 24, a DO output processing unit 25, a DO reset processing unit 26, and a process signal register.

The respective constituent elements that make up the control processing model are arranged on the server side and the client side.

Further, each component shown in FIG.
It can be realized by electronic devices such as CPU, ROM, RAM, and various CMOSs. A process to be controlled is connected to the client.

Hereinafter, DI (signal) means a digital input signal, and DO (signal) means a digital output signal. Further, the interrupt DI (signal) refers to a digital input signal used for interrupt detection.

The main constituent elements will be described below.

The communication section 10 is arranged on both the server side and the client side, and is a means for exchanging a message 14 between the signal input / output processing section 13 on the client side and the server side. It can be realized by an interface circuit including an electronic device such as.

The interrupt acceptance processing section 12 is means for accepting an interrupt request from a client, activating the control processing section 11 and sending a message to the information processing model.

The information processing model 4 is composed of, for example, an input / output device and a storage means for storing a program for operating the input / output device.

The system configuration information storage unit 3 is means for storing initial data (see FIGS. 2 and 3) peculiar to a process.

The control processing main part 11 performs control processing according to the system configuration information. It also performs process-specific control procedures. The control procedure is, for example, a process of changing and setting system configuration information corresponding to a process, which is stored in accordance with data input via an input device.

The process signal register is a means for temporarily storing a signal transmitted / received to / from the process.

In the client, the interrupt report processing unit 22, the interrupt DI monitoring processing unit 23, and the DI acquisition unit 24
A DO output processing unit 25, a DO reset processing unit 26,
The DO output processing unit 25 constitutes a signal input / output processing unit 13. Then, the signal input / output processing unit 13 and the server
Messages are exchanged via the communication unit 10 to be coupled.

The DO output processing unit 25 receives the command message from the server, sets the signal corresponding to the command message in the process signal register, and activates the DO reset processing unit 26 at a predetermined timing.

The DO reset processing section 26 is, for example, a DO
If the output method specified by definition is pulse output, the pulse width specified in advance (n: n is a natural number)
Is a means for resetting a predetermined signal in the process signal register at a time interval of “pulse width (n) × monitoring time (t)” by multiplying by a previously specified monitoring time (t).

The DI acquisition unit 24 is a means for acquiring a predetermined DI state from the process signal register and transmitting it to the server via the communication unit 10 in response to a request from the control processing main unit 11.

The interrupt DI monitor processing section 23 stores the interrupt DI stored in a predetermined address of the process signal register.
The signal is monitored periodically by a predetermined detection method and interrupt D
When the state change of the I signal occurs, the interrupt report processing unit 22 is activated.

The interrupt report processing unit 22 is activated by the interrupt DI monitoring processing unit 23 and uses the interrupt DI signal as a message via the communication unit 10 to send a message to the server. Send to 12.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control processing main portion 11 shown in FIG.

This flow chart shows the procedure of the control processing unique to the equipment corresponding to the client, and shows the control procedure of the control device which is the control target. By using the equipment initial data and operation initial data that make up the system configuration information, the content of the message is reduced as much as possible, and even if the control target is changed, that is, the system configuration is changed, the change can be easily handled. The processing procedure is determined so that it can be done.

Here, the processing procedure will be described by taking as an example the control of storage in an automatic warehouse equipped with a stacker crane.
It goes without saying that the automated warehouse is just an example of the process.

The following is a description of the flowchart.

The present process is repeated for the number of facilities, that is, up to the maximum number of facilities.

This processing is started by the activation of the interrupt reception processing section 12.

In step S001, it is determined whether or not the automatic warehouse (corresponding to "equipment name (soco 01)" in FIG. 12) as a control target is valid. This is determined by referring to the contents of the equipment valid flag. For example, when the equipment valid flag is “1”, it is determined that the equipment is valid, that is, startable.

Next, in step S002 (information condition), it is determined whether or not there is warehousing tracking, which is information regarding equipment. Proceed to next step only if there is receipt tracking.

Next, in step S003 (equipment condition), the state relating to the equipment, that is, the state of the stacker crane with respect to the warehouse whose equipment name is "SOCO 01" is checked, and a command for controlling the stacker crane is sent. Is determined whether or not is possible. For example, if the stacker crane is on standby, it is determined that it is possible to send a command.

Next, in step S004, inventory data, which is information necessary for sending a command to the equipment, is fetched. It should be noted that the inventory data is position information or the like of an empty shelf in which products and the like can be stored.

Next, in step S005, as an internal process, the position of the shelf (shelf location) in which the item corresponding to the information of the incoming tracking is stored is determined.

Next, in step S006, a message is output to the signal input / output processing unit and the information processing model in order to store an item in the determined shelf location.

The above processing is repeated for the number of facilities assigned to the clients. Of course, different equipment may be assigned to each client, rather,
This is more common. However, for any equipment, steps S001 to S00 shown in FIG. 6 are performed.
The control process main unit 11 may perform the process according to the procedure up to 6. Of course, the detailed processing contents in each step need to be changed to those specific to the equipment, but such a change can be dealt with only by changing the system configuration information, that is, by changing the equipment initial data and the operation initial data. sell.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the interrupt DI monitoring processing performed by the interrupt DI monitoring processing section.

This process is for periodically monitoring the change in the status of the interrupt DI.

First, in step S101, the interrupt D
The state of the I signal is, for example, a time interval of “rising pulse width (n) × monitoring time (t)” or more and is “1” as a digital signal.
If the state of is continued, it is determined that the state change has occurred. If a state change has occurred, the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, processing for activating the interrupt report processing section is performed.

Note that, when the interrupt report processing section is activated, an alarm lamp and a display provided in the client as shown in FIG. 1 may be driven.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of an automated warehouse in a production system which is an example of a process.

1 is a server, 2 is a client, 15 is an indicator, 16 is an input / output device, 17 is a conveyor, 18 is a stacker crane, 19 is a shelf, and 20 is a production line.

The present system is a block diagram of a so-called automatic warehouse in which the products produced on the production line are stored in the empty space of the shelf 19. The server 1 and the client 2 are connected by a communication line, and the server 1 is provided with an input / output device 16, and the necessary data can be input and output via the input / output device 16. Each client is provided with a display device 15, which can be realized by a display device such as a CRT, for example.

Equipment No. 1 and equipment No. 1 2 is
The process is controlled by a different client.

The products produced on the production line 20 are conveyed to the storage station by the storage conveyor on the side of the facility 1. The receiving station is a stacker crane 18
The product is stored in the storage shelf location (vacant space of the shelf 19) by referring to the storage shelf location information that is managed in advance.

At this time, the display 15 displays the determined storage destination, that is, the storage shelf location.

FIG. 8 shows the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention relating to warehousing control in an automatic warehouse system. further,
It shows the flow of signals from the input of the arrival signal of the receiving station (corresponding to the interrupt DI signal) to the operation command and the input of the operation completion signal of the stacker crane in response to the operation command until the inventory data is updated.

This system comprises an information processing model 4, a server side control processing section 21, a signal input / output processing section 13 and a process 9.

First, the information processing model 4 includes the receipt tracking 6a, the inventory data 6b, and the receipt tracking update unit 4
b, inventory data updating unit 4d warehousing, tracking reading unit 4
a and an inventory data reading unit 4c.

The warehousing tracking 6a and the inventory data 6b in the figure are a kind of database, and the warehousing tracking updating unit 4b and the inventory data updating unit 4d are respectively an operation command from the warehousing control unit 21a and an interrupt receiving unit. In response to the operation completion message from 12a, the warehousing tracking is deleted and the inventory data is added.

Further, the warehousing tracking reading section 4a and the inventory data reading section 4c perform a process of reading predetermined data from the database, and the read data is given to the warehousing control section 21a.

Further, the control processing unit on the server side comprises a system configuration information storage unit 3c, a warehousing control unit 21a, and an interrupt reception unit 12a.

The signal input / output processing unit 13 includes the DI capturing unit 2
4a, a DO output unit 25a, a DO reset unit 26a, an interrupt reporting unit 22a, and an interrupt monitoring unit 23a, which are respectively included in the DI capturing unit 24, the DO output processing unit 25, and the DO output processing unit 25 in FIG. Reset processing unit 26, interrupt report processing unit 2
2. It corresponds to the interrupt DI monitoring processing unit 23. The interrupt reception unit 12a is a unit corresponding to the interrupt reception processing unit 12 shown in FIG. Further, it is provided with a signal initial data storage section 3b for storing signal initial data sent from the server. As described above, in the present embodiment, the client side is configured to store the signal initial data, which is a part of the system configuration information.

The system configuration information storage unit 3b stores system configuration information unique to this process. The warehousing control unit 21a inputs information on arrival of the warehousing station and a signal from the DI acquisition unit 24a, and refers to the contents of the system configuration information storage unit 3c to issue an operation command for performing the warehousing operation. It is given to the output unit 25a. The DO output unit 25a activates the DO reset unit 26a and further gives an operation command signal (DO signal) to the control device.
The DI capturing unit 24a inputs the stacker crane standby signal as a DI signal.

Further, in response to the operation command signal (DO signal) to the stacker crane, which is the control device on the process side, the stacker crane stores an item from the storage station to the storage rack location, and when the operation ends normally. Becomes "OK" and the operation completion signal (interrupt DI)
Is sent from the process to the interrupt monitoring unit 23a, the interrupt reporting unit 22a is activated, and an interrupt is reported.

If the arrival station arrival signal is detected by the interruption monitoring unit 23a by the sensor provided in the arrival station, the arrival station arrival information is transmitted via the interruption reporting unit 22a and the interruption receiving unit 12a. And sent to the storage control unit 21a.

Further, the DI capturing section 24a and the DO output section 2
5a, the DO reset unit 26a, the interrupt reporting unit 22a, and the interrupt monitoring unit 23a perform processing while referring to the data in the signal initial data storage unit 3b.

[0133] In the figure, "⇒" indicates the transmission / reception of a message, and "... →" indicates the flow of database reference, data deletion, addition operation, each processing signal, and the like.

The effect of this embodiment is that the signal input / output processing unit for inputting / outputting signals common to various processes is arranged on the client side, and the initial signal data is also stored on the client side. Then, by installing and allocating a client for each process to be controlled, the signal input / output processing unit can be reused. Then, only by changing the initial data for signals, it is possible to configure a system that can handle various processes. That is, the components of the signal input / output processing unit other than the data stored in the signal initial data storage unit can be reused even if the process is changed.

Further, on the server side as well, the information processing model and the control processing on the server side are clearly separated and coupled to the exchange of messages, so that a part peculiar to the target process (ie, the process is changed). If so, it is possible to collect the parts that must be changed) in the control processing unit on the server side, and further to reuse the control processing main unit on the server side by changing the definition of the system configuration information.

Since the information processing model and the control processing model are clearly separated from each other, reusability of the software for the information processing model and the software for the control processing and portability of these software ( In other words, porting of software developed for other processes to this system will be easy.

In the conventional system in which the information processing model and the control processing model are mixed, it is difficult to develop general-purpose software for each model, and, for example, there is no software considering only the information processing model. ,
This is because if the process is changed, it is necessary to develop new software in consideration of the entire system configuration. Further, in the system in which the information processing model and the control processing model are mixed, the portability of software is a difficult task, which means that the reusability of the system is significantly improved.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure from the receipt of the message “arrival at the receiving station” of the storage control in FIG. 8 to the output of the message “operation command”.

First, when the message "arrival at the warehousing station" is received, it is determined in step S201 whether or not the equipment "SOO 01" is valid, that is, whether or not a control command can be given. Then, only when it is valid, the process proceeds to step S202.

Next, in step S202, the contents of warehousing tracking in the database are read to determine whether warehousing tracking exists. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S203.

Next, in step S203, it is determined whether or not the stacker crane, which is a control device, is in a standby state. If it is determined to be in standby, the process proceeds to step S204.

Next, in step S204, the contents of the inventory data in the database are read out. The inventory data is information regarding at which position there is a storage space.

Next, in step S205, the contents of the inventory data are referred to, and a process for determining a receiving shelf which is a shelf to be stored is performed.

Next, in step S206, an "operation command" message is sent to update the tracking, and the warehousing tracking is deleted.

Next, in step S207, an "operation command" message is sent to the DO output processing section, and the process is given an operation command signal for the storage rack location, which is an operation command. Based on this operation command signal, the stacking crane storage control processing is performed.

FIG. 10 shows a state transition diagram in the loading / unloading process of the stacker crane.

"Standby" and "in operation" indicated by □ are
The stacker cranes are in standby and in operation, respectively.

Also, the "operation instruction" indicated by the circle 14
“Abnormality content” and “operation complete” indicate messages exchanged between the stacker crane, which is the controlled equipment, and the signal input / output processing unit.

For example, with respect to the stacker crane in the "in operation" state, it is checked whether or not the operation is completed after a lapse of a predetermined time. If the operation is completed, a "operation complete" message is output and " It will be in the "waiting" state. Also, if the operation is not completed, the message "Abnormal content" is output,
The status is "standby".

As described above, the contents of the message are “operation command”, “operation completed”, and “abnormality content”, and the information processing model on the server side and the control processing which are separately present by the message. Combine models. In addition, information such as control information, attributes, and message destinations, which must be given to the input / output signal processing unit on the client side,
It has been eliminated as much as possible, and has a system configuration capable of coping with various types of equipment by configuring the system configuration data stored on the client side and changing the initial data for signals.

As described above, the information processing model and the control processing model are clearly separated, and the control processing model influenced by the constraint condition of the equipment is separated from the final product and developed as a control component for the corresponding equipment. As a result, it becomes possible to cope with the diversification of equipment, and the expandability and reusability of parts when constructing a system are dramatically improved.

[0152]

According to the present invention, when constructing a control system for various processes in various industrial fields, there is provided a process control system which is not affected by the diversification of processes and has improved expandability and reusability of parts. realizable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a system configuration information file.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a signal initial data section.

FIG. 4 is a comparative explanatory diagram of a configuration of a conventional control system and a system according to the present invention in which an information processing model and a control processing model are separated.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment in which the system according to the present invention is configured by a client server.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process in a control process main part.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt DI monitoring process.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of receiving control by a stacker crane in an automatic warehouse system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a warehousing control process.

FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram for explaining a stacker crane loading / unloading state.

FIG. 11 is a configuration example of an automated warehouse which is an example of a process.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of specific examples of facility initial data and operation initial data.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of signal initial data.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Server, 2 ... Client, 3 ... System configuration information storage unit, 4 ... Information processing model, 5 ... Control processing model, 6
... database, 7 ... sensor, 8 ... control device, 9 ... process, 10 ... communication section, 11 ... control processing main section, 12 ... interrupt acceptance processing section, 13 ... signal input / output processing section, 14 ... message, 15 ... Display device, 16 ... I / O device, 17 ... Conveyor, 18 ... Stacker crane, 19 ... Shelf, 20 ... Production line, 21 ... Server side control processing unit, 22 ... Interrupt report processing unit, 23 ... Interrupt DI monitoring Processing unit, 24 ... DI capturing unit,
25 ... DO output processing unit, 26 ... DO reset processing unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A multi-client / server network system in which a process (equipment) to be controlled is connected to a client to control the process, wherein the server is an input / output signal required for controlling a process unique to each process. Storage means configured to include at least the specification information of the above, storage of system configuration data, reception of data stored in the storage, reception of data change, data change processing, data stored in the storage A control processing unit that creates and transmits a message for controlling a process controlled by the client between the information processing unit that displays at least the above and each client by referring to the system configuration data and transmitting the message. And each of the clients includes an input / output processing unit, and the input / output processing unit includes the control unit. When a message is received from the processing unit, referring to the system configuration data stored in the storage means, the data is converted into a signal format used for controlling the corresponding process and output to the process. Process control system for inputting data from the device, referring to system configuration data, converting to a corresponding message, and transmitting the message to the control processing unit. 2. The system configuration data stored in the storage means according to claim 1, having a common format,
For each client, firstly, equipment number, equipment name,
Facility data including at least a facility valid flag indicating whether the facility is valid, second, operation data including at least facility control specifications, and third, at least digital input and digital output signal specifications for controlling the facility. A process control system, characterized in that it is configured to include signal data including.