JP2002305777A - Remote maintenance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote maintenance system that eliminates the need for revising settings of a network environment. SOLUTION: The remote maintenance system that remotely sets and maintains target devices is configured with the target devices being objects of remote maintenance and an instruction device that transmits electronic mail with a command described thereon to the target devices via the Internet, and the target device perform the command described electronic mail received by them to conduct setting and maintenance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote maintenance system for remotely setting and maintaining a control device such as a controller, and more particularly to a remote maintenance system which does not require a change in network environment settings.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional remote maintenance system, reading and writing of data in a controller via a LAN (Local Area Network), reading, writing and changing of a program in a controller, reading of log information in a controller, and other controllers. Various settings and operation modes are set.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of such a conventional remote maintenance system. In FIG. 7, 1 and 4 are general-purpose computers such as personal computers (hereinafter simply referred to as computers), 2 is a controller which is a device to be maintained, 3 is a firewall, 5 is a mobile phone capable of communicating via the Internet. , 100 is a LAN and 200 is the Internet.

The computer 1 is connected to the controller 2 via the LAN 100. The LAN 100 is connected to the Internet 200 via the firewall 3, and the computer 4 and the mobile phone 5 are connected to the Internet 200.

Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an ISO (Internationa
l A table showing the Internet and the protocols used by the controller 2 corresponding to the model of the structure of the seven-layer network protocol established by the Organization For Standardization, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining communication of FIG.

When remote maintenance is performed on the controller 2 from the computer 1 via the LAN 100, the computer 1 uses TCP (Tran
smission Control Protocol) or UDI (User Da
A for the controller 2 using the tagram protocol).
CSII (American Standard Code for InformationIn
terchange) Send commands in code or binary code.

For example, as shown by “RC01” in FIG. 9, the computer 1 transmits a command to the controller 2 using TCP or UDP.

On the other hand, the controller 2 having received the command from the LAN 100 executes the command and, if necessary, responds to the computer 1 by using the transport layer TCP or UDI shown in FIG. Send

For example, as indicated by “RS01” in FIG. 9, the controller 2 transmits a response to the computer 1 using TCP or UDP.

Here, further detailed operation of the controller 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the controller 2, and FIG.
1 is a configuration block diagram showing details of control means of the controller 2.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes the same reference numeral as in FIG. 7, reference numeral 6 denotes control means for controlling the entire controller 2, reference numeral 7 denotes input / output means to which various inputs and outputs are connected, and reference numeral 8 denotes data and Storage means 9 for storing a program or the like describing the operation, and communication means 9 for performing communication via the LAN 100.

The LAN 100 is connected to the communication means 9, and inputs and outputs of the communication means 9 are mutually connected to the control means 6. Further, the input / output of the input / output means 7 and the storage means 8 are also mutually connected to the control means 6.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 10 denotes a control function;
Reference numeral 1 denotes a communication processing function corresponding to a TCP or UDP communication protocol. Data received from the communication unit 9 is processed by a communication processing function 11, and a processing result is passed to a control function 10.

The communication means 9 receives the command arriving via the LAN 100, and the control means 6 receives the command from the communication means 9 and executes the command. For example, if the command is a request to read data in the controller 2, predetermined data stored in the storage unit 8 is read and transmitted to the LAN 100 via the communication unit 9.

At this time, the communication processing function 11 transmits the received ASCII communication data via the communication means 9 based on TCP or UDP.
Control function for I-code and binary code commands 10
Hand over to

The control function 10 executes the command, etc., and transfers a response to the communication processing function 11 as necessary.

The communication processing function 11, which has received the response from the control function 10, converts the response to TCP or U
It transmits via the communication means 9 based on DP.

As a result, the command is transmitted to the controller 2 using TCP or UDP, and the controller 2 executes the received command, so that the computer 1 can perform maintenance of the controller 2 via the LAN 100.

Further, if necessary, T
By transmitting a response using CP or UDP, it becomes possible for the computer 1 to obtain necessary data and to make settings and confirm operation status.

[0020]

However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, TCP or U is used as a communication protocol.
Since the DP is used, the Internet 200 is transmitted to the controller 2 installed inside the firewall 3.
When the maintenance is performed from the computer 4 or the mobile phone 5 through the firewall, the command is blocked by the firewall 3 and cannot reach the controller 2 in the general setting of the firewall 3.

In other words, the general setting of the firewall 3 has a problem that the maintenance of the controller 2 installed inside the firewall 3 via the Internet 200 cannot be performed.

For this reason, it is necessary to change the setting of the firewall 3 so that commands using the TCP or UDP communication protocol can be passed.

The setting change of the firewall 3 cannot be easily made because only a part of the network administrator or the like can change the setting, and the setting change operation of the firewall 3 is complicated. Could have problems with vulnerabilities. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a remote maintenance system that does not require setting change of a network environment.

[0024]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a remote maintenance system for remotely setting and maintaining a target device in a remote maintenance system. The target device, and an instruction device for transmitting an e-mail describing a command to the target device via the Internet, and executing the command described in the e-mail received by the target device to perform setting and maintenance. By doing so, it is not necessary to change the setting of the network environment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first aspect, the target device transmits an e-mail including a response to the instruction device via the Internet as necessary. Thus, it is possible to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side, and to confirm settings and operation status.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the command is described in the body of an e-mail or in an attached file, thereby making it unnecessary to change the setting of the network environment. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the second aspect, the response is described in a text of an e-mail or an attached file to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side. It is possible to perform settings, check the operation status, and the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the third and fourth aspects, security is improved by writing a password in the body of an e-mail or an attached file.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the third and fourth aspects, security is improved by encrypting and transmitting a body or an attached file of an e-mail. I do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote maintenance system according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of commands are described in the body of an e-mail or an attached file as the commands to perform complicated processing. It can be executed by one e-mail.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the target device is a controller having an electronic mail transmission / reception function, so that the network environment can be controlled. No need to change settings. Further, it becomes possible to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side, and to confirm settings and operating conditions.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the target device is a measuring device having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. No need to change settings. Further, it becomes possible to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side, and to confirm settings and operating conditions.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the target device is a recorder having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. No need to change settings. Further, it becomes possible to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side, and to confirm settings and operating conditions.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the target device is an OA device having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. No need to change settings. Further, it becomes possible to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side, and to confirm settings and operating conditions.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first and second aspects, the target device is a control device having an electronic mail transmission / reception function, so that the network environment can be improved. No need to change settings. Further, it becomes possible to obtain necessary data on the pointing device side, and to confirm settings and operating conditions.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first aspect,
Since the instruction device is a computer having an electronic mail transmission / reception function, it is not necessary to change the setting of the network environment.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first aspect,
Since the pointing device is a mobile phone having an e-mail transmission / reception function, it is not necessary to change the setting of the network environment.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first aspect,
The instruction device has an electronic mail transmission / reception function.
With S, there is no need to change the setting of the network environment.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance system according to the first aspect,
The pointing device has a PD having an e-mail sending / receiving function
With A, there is no need to change the settings of the network environment.

[0040]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a remote maintenance system according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a controller which is a maintenance target device;
Reference numerals 3, 15 and 16 denote mail servers, 14 a firewall, 17 a computer as a maintenance instruction device, 18 a mobile phone as a maintenance instruction device capable of transmitting and receiving e-mail via the Internet, 10
0a is a LAN, 200a is the Internet.

The controller 12 exchanges e-mails with the mail server 13. The mail server 13 is connected to the LAN 100a, and the LAN 100a is connected to the Internet 200a via the firewall 14.

Also, mail servers 15 and 16 are connected to the Internet 200a, and the computer 17 exchanges electronic mail with the mail server 15,
The mobile phone 18 exchanges e-mail with the mail server 16.

Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a table showing protocols and the like used by the controller 12 and the Internet corresponding to a model of a seven-layer network protocol structure established by ISO, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining communication between the computer 17 and the controller 12. .

From the computer 17 to the Internet 20
In the case where the controller 12 is remotely maintained via the LAN 0a and the LAN 100a, the computer 17 sends an e-mail to the controller 12 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) of a session layer which is an upper layer of the transport layer shown in FIG. I do.

Specifically, the command is described in the body of the e-mail, or the command is described in the attached file and transmitted.

In a general setting of the firewall 14, since the e-mail can pass through the firewall 14, it is possible to prevent the e-mail from being blocked by the firewall 14.

For example, as shown by “RC11” in FIG. 3, the computer 17 uses the SMTP to
The mail server 15 transmits the received e-mail to the mail server 13 via the Internet 200a, the firewall 14, and the LAN 100a as indicated by "RC12" in FIG.

Then, the controller 12 receives the e-mail from the mail server 13 as indicated by “RC13” in FIG.

On the other hand, the controller 12 which has received the e-mail from the mail server 13 extracts and executes the command from the body or the attached file of the e-mail and executes the computer by using the SMTP of the session layer shown in FIG. A response is sent to 17.

Specifically, the response is described in the body of the electronic mail, or the response is described in the attached file and transmitted.

For example, as shown by “RS11” in FIG. 3, the controller 12
The mail server 13 transmits the received e-mail to the mail server 15 via the LAN 100a, the firewall 14, and the Internet 200a as indicated by "RS12" in FIG.

Then, the computer 17 receives the electronic mail from the mail server 15 as indicated by “RS13” in FIG.

Here, the detailed operation of the controller 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the controller 12,
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit of the controller 12, and FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram illustrating details of the control unit of the controller 12.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 100a designates the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes storage means for storing data, programs describing the operation of the controller 12, and the like, and reference numeral 22 denotes communication means for performing communication via the LAN 100a.

The LAN 100a is connected to the communication means 22, and the input and output of the communication means 22 are mutually connected to the control means 19. The input / output of the input / output means 20 and the storage means 21 are also mutually connected to the control means 19.

In "S001" in FIG. 5, the control means 19
Receives the e-mail arriving via the LAN 100a via the communication means 22, extracts the command from the e-mail received in "S002" in FIG.
The command extracted in 3 "is executed.

Further, in "S004" in FIG. 5, the control means 19 determines whether or not a response is necessary, and if a response is required, the control means 19 in "S005" in FIG.
Reference numeral 9 creates a response e-mail, and transmits the response e-mail via the communication unit 22 via the LAN 100a in "S006" in FIG.

For example, if the extracted command is a request to read data in the controller 12, predetermined data stored in the storage means 21 is read and transmitted to the LAN 100 a via the communication means 22.

Further, details of the control means 19 will be described.
In FIG. 6, 23 is a control function, 24 is a command extraction function for extracting a command from the body or an attached file of an e-mail, 25 is a mail function corresponding to the SMTP communication protocol, and 26 is a response to the body or an attached file of the e-mail. This is the response mail creation function to be described.

The electronic mail from the communication means 22 is received and processed by the mail function 25, processed by the command extracting function 24, and the processing result is passed to the control function 23. The response from the control function 23 is processed by the response mail creation function 26 and passed to the mail function 25.

The mail function 25 receives an e-mail via the communication means 22 based on SMTP, and the command extraction function 24 extracts a command from the text or the attached file of the received e-mail and transfers it to the control function 23.

Then, the control function 23 executes the command, etc., and transfers a response to the response mail creation function 26 as necessary.

The response mail creating function 26 that has received the response from the control function 23 writes the response in the body of the electronic mail or the attached file, and passes the created electronic mail to the mail function 25.

The mail function 25 transmits the received e-mail via the communication means 22 based on SMTP.

As a result, by using the SMTP that can pass through the firewall 14 as the communication protocol and writing the command in the body of the e-mail or the attached file and transmitting it to the controller 12 as the e-mail, the setting change of the firewall, in other words, No need to change network environment settings.

Further, by transmitting a response from the controller 12 by e-mail as needed, it becomes possible for the computer 17 to obtain necessary data and to confirm settings and operating conditions.

In the description shown in FIG. 1, the controller is exemplified as the object of maintenance. However, remote maintenance of a measuring device, a recorder, a control device other than the controller, an OA device, etc., capable of transmitting and receiving e-mail is enabled. Become.

In the description shown in FIG.
Although the e-mail in which the command is described in the main body or the like is transmitted from 7, the electronic mail in which the command is described in the main body or the like may be transmitted from the mobile phone 18 to the controller 12.

If electronic mail can be transmitted and received via the Internet, a PH
S (Personal Handyphone System) or PDA (Personal
Digital (Data) Assistants) may be used.

In all of the explanatory diagrams shown in FIG.
Although the description is made using P, in some cases, a mail server for transmission and a mail server for reception may be separately provided.

For example, in such a configuration, the receiving mail server uses POP (Post Office) as a communication protocol.
In some cases, the received e-mail may be transmitted to a computer or the like, which is a client, by using a protocol.

As a security measure, a password may be separately described in the text of the e-mail or in the attached file. In this case, the security is improved. For example, the controller 1 can be used by a third party who does not know the password.
2 can be prevented from being illegally operated.

Further, if the password is simply described, there is a possibility that a malicious third party may intercept the password. Therefore, the body of the electronic mail or the attached file is encrypted and transmitted, and the receiving side decrypts the encrypted data. Conversion may be performed. In this case, security is further improved.

Further, since remote maintenance via the Internet 200a is possible, remote maintenance of devices installed abroad is also possible.

Further, since a plurality of commands can be described in the body of an e-mail or an attached file, complicated processing can be executed by one e-mail.

[0076]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. Claims 1, 3,
According to the inventions of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, the command is described in the body of the e-mail or the attached file using the SMTP that can pass through the firewall as the communication protocol. By sending the mail to the target device, it is not necessary to change the settings of the firewall, in other words, to change the settings of the network environment.

Further, claims 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by transmitting a response by e-mail from the target device 2 as necessary,
Necessary data can be obtained on the pointing device side, and settings and operation status can be confirmed.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, a password is separately described in the body or the attached file of the e-mail, or the body or the attached file of the e-mail is encrypted and transmitted. , Improve security.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, by describing a plurality of commands in the body of an e-mail or in an attached file, it is possible to execute complicated processing by one e-mail.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a remote maintenance system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing protocols and the like used by the Internet and a controller;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating communication between a computer and a controller.

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the controller.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram showing details of control means of the controller.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional remote maintenance system.

FIG. 8 is a table showing protocols and the like used by the Internet and a controller.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating communication between a computer and a controller.

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 11 is a configuration block diagram showing details of control means of the controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,4,17 Computer 2,12 Controller 3,14 Firewall 5,18 Cellular Phone 6,19 Control Unit 7,20 Input / Output Unit 8,21 Storage Unit 9,22 Communication Unit 10,23 Control Function 11 Communication Processing Function 13 , 15, 16 Mail server 24 Command extraction function 25 Mail function 26 Response mail creation function 100, 100a LAN 200, 200a Internet

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A remote maintenance system for remotely setting and maintaining a target device, the target device being a target of remote maintenance, and an instruction device for transmitting an e-mail containing a command to the target device via the Internet. A remote maintenance system comprising: executing a command described in an e-mail received by the target device to perform setting and maintenance. 2. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the target device transmits an e-mail including a response as necessary to the instruction device via the Internet. 3. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein said command is described in a text of an electronic mail or an attached file. 4. The remote maintenance system according to claim 2, wherein said response is described in a text of an electronic mail or an attached file. 5. The remote maintenance system according to claim 3, wherein a password is described in a text or an attached file of the electronic mail. 6. The remote maintenance system according to claim 3, wherein the body or the attached file of the electronic mail is encrypted and transmitted. 7. The remote maintenance system according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of commands are described in a body of an electronic mail or an attached file as the commands. 8. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein said target device is a controller having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. 9. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the target device is a measuring device having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. 10. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the target device is a recorder having a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail. 11. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the target device is an OA device having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. 12. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the target device is a control device having a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail. 13. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is a computer having a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail.
system. 14. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein said pointing device is a mobile phone having an electronic mail transmission / reception function. 15. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is a PHS having a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail. 16. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is a PDA having a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail.