JP2007304826A - Monitoring program of system operation situation by plurality of terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve widely known problems of a system which comprises a master and a slave to be a system for monitoring a plurality of facility equipment controllers in a network connected by bus. <P>SOLUTION: In a program for monitoring controllers on the network connected by bus, monitoring terminals installing the program, and a monitoring method by the program, from one monitoring terminal, a reply to a state request telegram transmitted to a controller is received by all the monitoring terminals. On the basis of an address of a transmitter controller of the reply, all the monitoring terminals update a transmission destination address to an address of a controller next to the controller of the transmitter in reception order. Then, the monitoring terminal which has a preset latest transmission time of day transmits a state request telegram. This cycle is repeated in the system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for monitoring the operating status of a controller 2 that controls equipment such as a plurality of lights and air conditioners used in home automation, for example, and a monitoring method therefor.

  The specific contents of home automation, which is a system that introduces electronic equipment in a house and manages the equipment in the house, includes the rationalization, labor saving, and automation of housework, safety management such as disaster prevention and crime prevention, and going out. For example, using a telephone, you can control the switches of various electrical products such as air conditioners and rice cookers from outside, and supply hot water to the bathtub. In addition, when there is an abnormality in the equipment, a mechanism is used to sound an alarm or notify a security company.

  In the case of home automation, a computer for controlling a large number of facilities installed in a house, that is, a controller 2 is installed. There is a need for a monitoring system in which the operation status of the controller 2 is sequentially monitored so that the user can always confirm from a multipoint that the large number of facilities are operating normally.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a computer system including a master 6 and a slave 7 by bus connection is known as a system for monitoring the operation status of a large number of controllers 2 from multiple points. In the case of this system, first, the master 6 transmits a status request message to the controller 2, and both the master 6 and the slave 7 receive a reply from the controller 2. The operating status can be monitored.
In the case of bus connection, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a master connected to the transmission line is communicating, there is a technical restriction that other masters cannot communicate.

The monitoring system including the master 6 and the slave 7 has the following problems.

(1) In order to prevent one computer from occupying the communication state of each transmission path for the master 6, commands are periodically transmitted and received with a time interval. In this case, it is necessary to develop two types of programs: a program for the master 6 and a program for the slave 7 that only receives. (Refer to FIGS. 8 and 9 for flowcharts of the program for the master 6 and the program for the slave 7.)
Accordingly, the development period becomes longer and the development cost increases. Further, it is necessary to distinguish the software installation work for each computer, and the maintenance work becomes complicated.

  (2) For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the master 6 is out of order, the status request message is not transmitted from the master 6, so the operating status of the controller 2 cannot be confirmed from the slave 7.

  (3) For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the number of masters 6 is large, each master 6 communicates at each timing, and different masters 6 communicate with the same controller 2 in duplicate. Therefore, the communication amount increases in proportion to the number of masters 6.

  (4) It takes a long time until the operation status of the controller 2 can be confirmed by all the masters 6 from the increase in the communication amount.

  (5) The transmission line connecting the monitoring terminal 3 to the controller 2 is used not only for monitoring the controller 2 but also for transmitting signals from the equipment 4 connected to the controller 2 to other equipment 4. Therefore, the increase in the communication volume adversely affects communications other than monitoring.

  An important object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring program, a monitoring terminal 3 in which the monitoring program is installed, and a monitoring method, which have solved the problems of a known monitoring system including a master 6 and a slave 7.

  That is, as a result of intensive studies to solve the problems of the known monitoring system including the master 6 and the slave 7, all the monitoring terminals 3 can transmit a status request message, and moreover, from one monitoring terminal 3 A reply to the status request message transmitted to the controller 2 can be received by all the monitoring terminals 3. In addition, based on the address of the controller 2 returned to the status request message, all the monitoring terminals 3 cause the status request message to be transmitted next, and only the monitoring terminal 3 having a preset latest transmission time is generated. However, the present invention has been completed by finding that the problem of the monitoring system composed of the known master 6 and slave 7 can be solved by using a system that repeats a cycle of sending a status request message.

That is, the present invention is completed based on the following points <1> to <5>.
<1> A unique address is assigned to all the controllers 2 to be monitored, and a reception order is set.
<2> The transmission time of the status request message is set based on a random number generated in the monitoring terminal 3 only for the first time, and the transmission time is updated when the status request message is transmitted from the next time.
<3> All the monitoring terminals 3 receive a reply from the controller 2 to the status request message transmitted from one monitoring terminal 3.
<4> The controller having the next highest reception order, based on the address of the controller 2 included in the reply from the controller 2 to the status request message for all the monitoring terminals 3 that transmit the status request message Update to address 2.
<5> When the transmission time of the monitoring terminal 3 and the reception order of the controller 2 are set in advance, the monitoring terminal 3 specifies and communicates with the controller 2.

  The program of the present invention having the above points has the following advantages (I) to (IV).

  (I) Each monitoring terminal 3 in which the program of the present invention is installed receives a controller response to a status request message transmitted by all the monitoring terminals 3, and always transmits a status request message based on the response. Thus, the operation status of the controller 2 can be monitored independently without depending on the other monitoring terminals 3.

  (II) Since the program of the present invention allows communication by designating the transmission time of each monitoring terminal 3 and the controller 2 of the reception destination, the amount of communication can be minimized and the timing of communication can be controlled. The time until the state confirmation of the controller 2 is completed can be shortened, and the stability of network communication is improved.

  (III) For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the program of the present invention, the communication amount can be minimized and the communication timing can be controlled. Since there is no proportional increase, the number of monitoring terminals 3 that can be connected to the network can be increased.

  (IV) Since there is only one type of monitoring terminal 3 using the program of the present invention, only one type of software for the monitoring terminal 3 needs to be developed. Compared to the terminal 3, the software development period can be shortened, and maintenance is easy.

  Here, with respect to the fact that the amount of communication, which is an advantage of the monitoring system by the program of the present invention, can be minimized, FIG. 3 (the monitoring system of the present invention) and FIG. 10 (the monitoring system by the known master 6 and slave 7). ) Will be described in detail.

  In the case of FIG. 10 (a monitoring system using a known master 6 and slave 7), each of the monitoring terminal 3 (1), the monitoring terminal 3 (2), and the monitoring terminal 3 (3) is connected to the controllers 2 (1) to (5). A status request message is transmitted to each of the above. In other words, in order for all the monitoring terminals 3 to confirm the operating status of all the controllers 2, it is necessary to send a status request message 15 times and receive a reply from the controller 2.

In the case of FIG. 3 (the monitoring system of the present invention), first, the receiving order is determined for the controllers 2 (1) to 2 (5) in numerical order, and the monitoring terminals 3 (1), 3 (2) and 3 For the monitoring terminal 3 (3), the transmission time is set in numerical order, and the address of the controller 2 (1) having the highest reception order is set as the transmission address.
Next, the monitoring terminal 3 (2) having the next transmission time transmits a status request message to the controller 2 (2).
Next, based on the reply from the controller 2 (2), the transmission addresses of all the monitoring terminals 3 are updated to the addresses of the controller 2 (3).
Next, the monitoring terminal 3 (3) transmits a status request message to the controller 2 (3).
Thereafter, if the same is repeated, the operation status of the controllers 2 (1) to (5) can be confirmed by transmitting the status request message five times and returning the same.

That is, for each of the five controllers 2, a single status request message is sent from the monitoring terminal 3 and a single reply is sent from each of the five controllers 2, in other words, with a minimum amount of communication. The operating status of all the controllers 2 can be confirmed on all the monitoring terminals 3.

  Accordingly, when there are three masters 6 or three monitoring terminals 3 for five controllers 2, and in the case of the monitoring system of the present invention, the communication amount of the monitoring system of the known master 6 and slave 7 is 1/3. The operating status of all the controllers 2 can be confirmed. Further, in the case of the monitoring system of the present invention, the time required for confirming the operating status of all the controllers 2 can be reduced to 1/3 of the known master 6 and slave 7 monitoring system.

  Specifically, the present invention relates to the following inventions (a) to (f).

(A) In a network in which a plurality of controllers and a plurality of monitoring terminals are bus-connected, a monitoring program for the operating status of the controller by the monitoring terminals,
A process for setting the reception order of the status request message in the controller, and a process for setting the transmission time of the status request message in the monitoring terminal;
An operation status monitoring program for a controller, characterized in that
(B) In a network in which a plurality of controllers and a plurality of monitoring terminals are bus-connected, a monitoring program of the operating status of the controller by the monitoring terminals,
Processing for setting the reception order of the status request message in the controller;
A process for setting the transmission time of the status request message in the monitoring terminal;
A process in which the monitoring terminal in which the latest transmission time is set transmits a status request message to the updated transmission address;
A process in which all monitoring terminals receive a reply to the status request message from the controller;
Based on the response from the controller, the transmission address of all the monitoring terminals is updated to the address of the controller with the next highest reception order, and the specified number of times regarding the transmission of the status request message from the same monitoring terminal, the same controller If there is no reply from the process, the controller determines that the failure,
(A) A monitoring program for the operating status of the controller.
(C) The transmission time of the status request message of all the monitoring terminals is a transmission time set based on a random number generated at the monitoring terminal only for the first time, and thereafter the next transmission time at the transmission of the status request message (A) or (b), the controller operating status monitoring program.
(D) A monitoring terminal in which the program described in (a), (b) or (c) is installed.
(E) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in (a), (b) or (c) is recorded.
(F) In a network in which a plurality of controllers and a plurality of monitoring terminals are bus-connected, the monitoring terminal monitors the operation status of the controller,
Processing for setting the reception order of the status request message in the controller;
A process for setting the transmission time of the status request message in the monitoring terminal;
A process in which the monitoring terminal in which the latest transmission time is set transmits a status request message to the updated transmission address;
A process in which all monitoring terminals receive a reply to the status request message from the controller;
Based on the response from the controller, the transmission address of all the monitoring terminals is updated to the address of the controller with the next highest reception order, and the specified number of times regarding the transmission of the status request message from the same monitoring terminal, the same controller If there is no reply from the process, the controller determines that the failure,
A method for monitoring the operating status of the controller, characterized in that

  Next, in order to clearly explain the present invention, definitions of terms used in the present specification are described.

  “Bus connection” means that devices are connected in parallel to a common path called a bus. In the case of bus connection, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a computer connected to the transmission path is communicating, there is a restriction that other computers cannot communicate.

  The “state request message” includes, for example, a header, a transmission source address, a destination address, and a command related to ON / OFF of the circuit of the equipment 4 connected to the controller 2 such as an air conditioner and lighting.

  “Monitoring terminal 3” refers to the operation status of the controller 2 and the equipment connected to the controller 2, such as an air conditioner and lighting, by sending a status request message to the controller 2 and receiving a reply from the controller 2. 4 is a computer that can monitor the on / off of the circuit 4.

  The “controller 2” means, for example, a computer that controls a large number of facilities 4 installed in a house, such as an air conditioner and lighting. A computer that can be used as the controller 2 of the present invention is a computer that includes a communication unit 1 and a communication unit 2, and the communication unit is connected to a control unit. (See Figure 1 for details)

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

An example of a network to which the present invention can be applied is the network shown in FIG. The function of each part of the network will be described below.
A unique address is assigned to the controller 2 (U1, U2,... Un) and a reception order is set.
Of the controllers 2 (U1, U2,... Un), only the controller 2 that matches the address of the destination controller 2 included in the status request message received from the communication unit 1 receives the status request. A reply to the electronic message is transmitted to the communication unit 2.
The control unit receives data from each communication unit, controls the relay according to the command included in the status request message, and transmits the latest status to the controller 2 and the monitoring terminal 3.
When the transmission line 1 is in communication with a specific monitoring terminal 3 or controller 2, another monitoring terminal 3 cannot transmit.

  The program of the present invention is represented by the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, and its function is configured by the following procedure.

Step S1:
For all the controllers 2, the receiving order of the status request message from the monitoring terminal 3 is determined.

Step S2:
A random number is generated at the time of starting each monitoring terminal, and the transmission time of all the monitoring terminals 3 is set based on the random number. Further, the address of the controller 2 with the highest reception order is set as the transmission address of all the monitoring terminals 3. Set.

Step S3:
It is determined whether the monitoring terminal 3 has received a normal reply from the controller 2.
Step S4:
When the monitoring terminal 3 receives a normal reply from the controller 2, based on the address of the controller that sent the reply, the monitoring terminal 3 selects the address to which the next status request message will be transmitted, Update to a higher controller address. In addition, the number of status request message transmissions is cleared.

Step S5:
The monitoring terminal 3 determines whether it is a transmission time of a periodic status request message.

Step S6:
If it is the transmission time, the monitoring terminal 3 transmits a status request message to the controller address updated in step S2. In addition, the transmission time of the next status request message is set, and the number of transmissions of the status request message is updated.

Step S7:
In order to determine the communication failure of the controller 2, the monitoring terminal 3 counts the number of times the status request message is transmitted to the same destination address, and determines whether the number exceeds a predetermined number of times set in advance.

Step S8:
In step S9, when the number of transmissions exceeds the preset number of preset times, the transmission address is updated to the address of the next highest controller and the number of transmissions of the status request message is cleared. Furthermore, the transmission time of the next status request message is set.

  If the number of transmissions exceeds the specified number, the monitoring terminal 3 determines that the communication of the controller 2 is defective and allows the communication with the controller 2 at the address of the next controller to be continued. Specifically, when there is no reply from the controller for one transmission of the status request message, two more status request messages are sent and when there is no reply from the controller, It is determined that the communication of the controller is bad.

  Accordingly, it is apparent from the above description that the object of the present invention can be easily achieved. The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting, as other elements may be altered, modified, or changed without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

  In the case of the present invention, since the amount of communication required for monitoring of the controller 2 can be minimized, network troubles due to an increase in the amount of communication can be reduced. Therefore, the operation status of the controller 2 on the network to which the controller 2 is connected by bus connection can be stably monitored by the monitoring terminal 3 installed at many points and installed with the program of the present invention.

  Furthermore, since the monitoring terminal 3 of the present invention can independently receive the transmission of the status request message and the reply from the controller, even if some of the monitoring terminals 3 fail, the remaining monitoring terminals 3 The operating status of all the controllers 2 can be monitored without being affected by the failed monitoring terminal 3.

  Therefore, the present invention is suitable for monitoring the operating status of the controller 2 itself and the device 4 such as an air conditioner and the lighting through the controller 2 in the network constructed as home automation, which is given as an example of the network. .

To better understand the nature and purpose of the present invention, the drawings are attached.
It is a schematic diagram regarding the network which the program of this invention can apply. It is a flowchart regarding the program of this invention. It is a schematic diagram regarding the network which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the communication state of the monitoring terminal 3 and controller 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram regarding command transmission from the master 6 It is a schematic diagram which the master 6 and the slave 7 receive the reply from a terminal. It is the schematic diagram which showed the communication failure at the time of failure of the master 6. FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the communication impossible state at the time of communication of the master. It is a flowchart about a master 6 program. It is a flowchart about a slave 7 program. 4 is a wiring diagram between a master 6 and a controller 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a communication state between a master 6 and a controller 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

(U1), (U2), ... (Un):
For example, a controller to which equipment such as lighting and an air conditioner used in home electronics is connected is shown.
EQ1, EQ2 ... EQn:
For example, the equipment used in home electronics such as lighting and air conditioners is shown.
IF: Indicates a device that connects to RS-232C of a personal computer.
1: Transmission path 2: Controller 3: Monitoring terminal 4: Equipment such as used in home electronics 5: Communication time between the monitoring terminal of the present invention and the controller 6: Master 7: Slave 8: Status request message Transmission 9: Reply from controller 10: Indicates that the master is out of order.
11: Indicates that masters 2 and 3 cannot transmit.
12: Indicates the passage of time.
13: Communication time between the controller and a known master S81: A process that means "whether a reply from the controller has been received?"
S82: Processing meaning “perform processing according to received content”.
S83: Processing meaning “periodic command transmission by master program”.
S84: Processing meaning “command transmission, time setting until next command transmission, destination address setting at next command transmission”.
S91: A process that means "whether a reply from the controller has been received?"
S92: Processing meaning “perform processing according to received content”.

Claims (6)

A plurality of controllers and a plurality of monitoring terminals are programs for monitoring the operating status of the controller by the monitoring terminals in a network connected by a bus,
A process for setting the reception order of the status request message in the controller, and a process for setting the transmission time of the status request message in the monitoring terminal;
An operation status monitoring program for a controller, characterized in that A plurality of controllers and a plurality of monitoring terminals are programs for monitoring the operating status of the controller by the monitoring terminals in a network connected by a bus,
Processing for setting the reception order of the status request message in the controller;
A process for setting the transmission time of the status request message in the monitoring terminal;
A process in which the monitoring terminal in which the latest transmission time is set transmits a status request message to the updated transmission address;
A process in which all monitoring terminals receive a reply to the status request message from the controller;
Based on the response from the controller, the transmission address of all the monitoring terminals is updated to the address of the controller with the next highest reception order, and the specified number of times regarding the transmission of the status request message from the same monitoring terminal, the same controller If there is no reply from the process, the controller determines that the failure,
The monitoring program according to claim 1, wherein the operation status of the controller is executed.   The transmission time of the status request message of all the monitoring terminals is the transmission time set based on the random number generated at the monitoring terminal only for the first time, and thereafter, the next transmission time is updated when the status request message is transmitted. An operating status monitoring program for a controller according to claim 1 or 2.   A monitoring terminal in which the program according to claim 1, 2 or 3 is installed. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 1, 2 or 3 is recorded. In a network in which a plurality of controllers and a plurality of monitoring terminals are connected by a bus, the monitoring terminal monitors the operation status of the controller,
Processing for setting the reception order of the status request message in the controller;
A process for setting the transmission time of the status request message in the monitoring terminal;
A process in which the monitoring terminal in which the latest transmission time is set transmits a status request message to the updated transmission address;
A process in which all monitoring terminals receive a reply to the status request message from the controller;
Based on the response from the controller, the transmission address of all the monitoring terminals is updated to the address of the controller with the next highest reception order, and the specified number of times regarding the transmission of the status request message from the same monitoring terminal, the same controller If there is no reply from the process, the controller determines that the failure,
A method for monitoring the operating status of the controller, characterized in that

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