JP2012195651A - Control system, control device, operation terminal, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly establish communication between a device on a network and an operation terminal which is not present on the network, even when a user does not grasp address information of the device on the network.SOLUTION: A control system 10 comprises: a first programmable logic controller 101 connected to a network 300; and a computer 200 connected to the first programmable logic controller 101 via a second network 302 different from the first network 300. The first programmable logic controller 101 includes: a function to hold address information of a second programmable logic controller 102 and address information of a third programmable logic controller 103 on the first network 300; and a function to transmit the address information to the computer 200. The computer 200 receives the address information from the first programmable logic controller 101.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control system, a control device, an operation terminal, and a program, and more particularly, to a technique for establishing communication between a device on a network and an operation terminal not on the network.

  2. Description of the Related Art A programmable logic controller (PLC) used as a control device for a manufacturing machine in an automated factory or the like is known. For example, the programmable logic controller is managed using a computer (such as a commercially available personal computer) in which software called a tool is installed, or a display used for setting the programmable logic controller.

  The programmable logic controller, the computer, and the display are connected via a network using, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-243825 (Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-243825 A

  However, some networks are restricted from connecting computers directly to the network, for example for administrative reasons. In such a network, for example, when changing or confirming the setting of a programmable logic controller, a specific programmable logic controller functions as a router, and the computer and other programmable logic controllers communicate with each other via the programmable logic controller. It is possible.

  In order for a computer and other programmable logic controllers to communicate via a specific programmable logic controller functioning as a router, route information (routing table) to the network must be set in the computer.

  Therefore, there is a problem that communication is not established unless the route information is set correctly. In addition, when route information is set by mistake, a communication failure with an existing network may occur. Furthermore, if the address information of the programmable logic controller that is the communication partner is unknown, the path information itself cannot be set. In order to avoid these problems, the user must know in detail the configuration of the network to which the programmable logic controller is connected.

  However, the address information may be unknown immediately after starting up the production line or when some trouble occurs. In this case, it is necessary to check the address information one by one by connecting a computer using each connection port for each programmable logic controller. Such work is troublesome for the user.

  On the other hand, RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is known as a technique for dynamically constructing route information without relying on a user's manual work. RIP is a protocol for exchanging route information between routers. Although introduction of RIP is easy, route information is transmitted to the entire network, which may increase the load on the network. In addition, unintended exchange of route information may cause a network failure.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the purpose of the present invention is not on a device on the network and on the network even if the user does not know the address information of the device on the network. It is to establish communication correctly with the operation terminal.

  The control system includes a control device connected to the first network and an operation terminal connected to the control device via a second network different from the first network. The control device includes means for acquiring address information of devices on the first network, and means for transmitting address information to the operation terminal. The operating terminal includes means for receiving address information from the control device.

  The control device connected to the first network is connected to the control device via a means for obtaining address information of devices on the first network and a second network different from the first network. Means for transmitting address information to the operating terminal.

  An operation terminal connected via a second network different from the first network has means for receiving address information of a device on the first network from a control device connected to the first network. Including.

  A program obtains address information of a device on the first network from a control device connected to the first network, and connects to the control device via a second network different from the first network. And a step of transmitting address information to the operating terminal.

  Another program receives address information of a device on the first network from a control device connected to the first network to an operation terminal connected via a second network different from the first network. The step to perform is performed.

  An operation terminal connected to the control device via a second network different from the first network to which the control device is connected receives address information of devices on the first network from the control device. Thereby, the operating terminal can communicate with the device on the first network using the address information.

It is a figure which shows the control system containing a computer and a some programmable logic controller. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of a programmable logic controller, and the function of a computer. It is a figure which shows the information of a programmable logic controller. It is a figure which shows network configuration information. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a programmable logic controller, and the hardware constitutions of a computer. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed in order to produce network configuration information. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed in order that the programmable logic controller on a network may transmit the address information of a programmable logic controller. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed in order to transmit address information to a computer. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed in order that a computer may communicate with the programmable logic controller on a network. It is a figure which shows node list information. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed in order to relay communication with a computer and the programmable logic controller on a network.

  A control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control system 10 includes a first programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as a first controller) 101, a second programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as a second controller) 102, and a third programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as a first controller). 3) and a computer 200. The number of programmable logic controllers is not limited to three and may be any number as long as it is one or more.

  The first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 are used as control devices. The computer 200 is used as an operation terminal operated by a user.

  The first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 are electrically connected to each other via the first network 300. The first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 may be connected wirelessly.

  The first network 300 connects the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 to each other using Ethernet. For example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) or UDP / IP (User Datagram Protocol / Internet Protocol) is used as an Ethernet communication protocol. Since a well-known technique may be used for the connection method using Ethernet, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here. Communication standards other than Ethernet may be used.

  Different machine tools are connected to the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103, respectively. The first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 have a function as a control device of these machine tools.

  On the first network 300, as an example, “10.6.100.1” is assigned to the first controller 101 as an IP address. The second controller 102 is assigned “10.6.100.2” as an IP address. The third controller 103 is assigned “10.6.100.3” as the IP address.

  In this embodiment, the IP addresses assigned to the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 are fixed IP addresses selected by a user who designs or manages a production line, for example. These IP addresses are examples, and the assigned IP addresses are not limited to these.

  The computer 200 is connected to any one of the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 via a second network 302 different from the first network 300. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the second network 302 is established between the computer 200 and the first controller 101 using USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  In the second network 302, for example, “192168.251.2” is assigned to the computer 200 as an address. The first controller 101 is assigned “192168.251.2” as an address. These addresses are fixed addresses selected by a user who designs or manages a production line, for example. These addresses are examples, and the assigned addresses are not limited to these.

  The computer 200 is a commercially available personal computer, for example. The computer 200 can be any type of computer such as a notebook computer, a desktop computer, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

  The computer 200 is installed with an engineering tool which is a program for causing the computer 200 to execute a desired function. The user can change the settings of the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 by using the computer 200 as an operation terminal.

  A dedicated control device called a programmable display may be used instead of or in addition to the computer 200. That is, you may use a programmable display as an operation terminal. The programmable display displays, for example, operating states and setting contents of the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103. A programmable display has a touch panel, for example. The user can change the settings of the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103 by operating the touch panel.

  A programmable display may be connected to the first network 300 instead of or in addition to the programmable controller and used as a control device.

  The functions of the first controller 101, the second controller 102, the third controller 103, and the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The first controller 101 includes a connection function 111, a request function 121, a reception function 131, a holding function 141, a transmission function 151, and a transfer function 161. These functions are realized, for example, when a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes a program installed in the first controller 101. The above functions may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware.

  The connection function 111 processes connection (communication) with the first network 300 and connection (communication) with the computer 200 by USB.

  The request function 121 requests the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 on the first network 300 to transmit address information including each IP address to the IP address of the first controller 101. A request for address information including each IP address is broadcast to all devices on the first network 300, that is, the second controller 102 and the third controller 103. Along with the request, for example, address information including the IP address of the first controller 101 is transmitted.

  When receiving the request, the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 transmit each address information with the IP address of the first controller 101 as a destination.

  The reception function 131 receives each address information transmitted from the second controller 102 and the third controller 103. The holding function 141 holds each received address information. More specifically, each received address information is stored in the first controller 101. Note that the address information need not be held. That is, the first controller 1010 may not have the holding function 141.

  The first controller 101 creates network configuration information from the address information received and stored from each programmable logic controller. FIG. 3 shows address information of the second controller 102 as an example. FIG. 4 shows an example of the network configuration information. The address information of each programmable logic controller includes, in addition to the IP address, additional information such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address and a name, a model and a unit version. These pieces of information are examples, and the information is not limited to these.

  The network configuration information is created by integrating information received from each programmable logic controller. The network configuration information shown in FIG. 4 includes address information of the first controller 101 itself. The network configuration information is not limited to that shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the transmission function 151 transmits the address information of the devices on the first network 300 to the computer 200 via the second network 302 different from the first network 300. More specifically, the above-described network configuration information including address information is transmitted to the computer 200.

  The transfer function 161 is a function for the first controller 101 to operate as a router. The transfer function 161 transfers the data transmitted from the computer 200 to the first controller 101 with the IP address of the second controller 102 or the third controller 103 as the destination on the device on the first network 300, to the device designated as the destination. Forward. Similarly, the transfer function 161 designates a device on the first network 300, that is, data transmitted from the second controller 102 or the third controller 103 to the first controller 101, with the IP address of the computer 200 as the destination. To the computer 200.

  The second controller 102 includes a connection function 112 and a transmission function 122. These functions are realized by the CPU executing a program installed in the second controller 102, for example. The above functions may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware.

  The connection function 112 processes connection (communication) with the first network 300. The transmission function 122 transmits the address information of the second controller 102 to the first controller 101 via the first network 300.

  Similarly, the third controller 103 includes a connection function 113 and a transmission function 123. These functions are realized, for example, when the CPU executes a program installed in the third controller 103. The above functions may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware.

  The connection function 113 processes connection (communication) with the first network 300. The transmission function 123 transmits the address information of the third controller 103 to the first controller 101 via the first network 300.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the computer 200 includes a connection function 210, a request function 220, a reception function 230, and a transmission function 240. These functions are realized by the CPU executing a program installed in the computer 200, for example. The above functions may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware.

  The connection function 210 processes connection (communication) with the first controller 101 via the second network 302 using USB.

  When the computer 200 is connected to the first controller 101 via the second network 302, the request function 220 sends the address information of the devices on the first network 300, more specifically, the network configuration information to the address of the computer 200. The first controller 101 is requested to transmit. When receiving the request, the first controller 101 transmits the address information of the devices on the first network 300 with the address of the computer 200 as the destination.

  The reception function 230 receives address information of each device on the first network 300, more specifically, network configuration information including address information, transmitted from the first controller 101. Instead of receiving the network configuration information from the first controller 101, the computer 200 may create the network configuration information based on the address information received from the first controller 101.

  The transmission function 240 transmits, to the first controller 101, data whose destination is the IP address of the second controller 102 or the third controller 103.

  The hardware configurations of the first controller 101, the second controller 102, the third controller 103, and the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows only the first controller 101 among the first controller 101, the second controller 102, and the third controller 103. Since the hardware configurations of the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 are the same as or substantially the same as the hardware configuration of the first controller 101, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The first controller 101 (second controller 102 and third controller 103) includes an arithmetic device 401, a nonvolatile storage device 411, a volatile storage device 421, and a communication device 431.

  The arithmetic device 401 is, for example, a CPU. The arithmetic device 401 executes various software (programs) including an operating system (OS). The nonvolatile storage device 411 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard disk drive). The nonvolatile storage device 411 stores an execution module for software executed by the arithmetic device 401.

  The volatile storage device 421 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The volatile storage device 421 is used to hold a work area required by each software, for example.

  The communication device 431 is used for controlling communication via the first network 300 or the second network 302. The communication device 431 may be a device external to the first controller 101.

  The computer 200 includes an arithmetic device 500, a nonvolatile storage device 510, a volatile storage device 520, a communication device 530, and a display device 540. The arithmetic device 500, the non-volatile storage device 510, the volatile storage device 520, and the communication device 530 are the same as or substantially the same as the arithmetic device 401, the non-volatile storage device 411, the volatile storage device 421, and the communication device 431, respectively. . Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The display device 540 displays various information such as the above-described network configuration information. A general monitor or the like is used for the display device 540.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the control structure of the program executed by the first controller 101 to create the network configuration information shown in FIG. 4 will be described. Note that the program described below is executed, for example, when the first controller 101 is activated, or when the first controller 101 receives a request for address information of devices on the first network 300 from the computer 200. The

  In step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 100, a request for address information including each IP address is broadcast from the first controller 101 to the first network 300 to the second controller 102 and the third controller 103. The

  Thereafter, when the first controller 101 receives address information from each programmable logic controller in S102, network configuration information is created in S104.

  With reference to FIG. 7, a control structure of a program executed by the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 to transmit each address information will be described.

  In S200, it is determined whether a request for requesting address information including an IP address has been received. When the request is received (YES in S200), the address information is transmitted to the source of the request, that is, the IP address of first controller 101 in S202.

  With reference to FIG. 8, a control structure of a program executed by the first controller 101 to transmit address information of the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 to the computer 200 will be described.

  In S300, it is determined whether or not the first controller 101 and the computer 200 are connected via the second network 302 using USB. Since a known general technique may be used as a method for determining whether or not the programmable logic controller and the computer 200 are connected using the USB, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  When first controller 101 and computer 200 are connected via second network 302 using USB (YES in S300), the computer 200 requests the address information of the devices on first network 300 in S302. Is received or not.

  When the first controller 101 receives the request (YES in S302), in S304, the first controller 101 obtains address information of the devices on the first network 300, specifically, the second controller 102 and the third controller 103. It is determined whether or not it is held.

  If first controller 101 holds the address information (YES in S304), the address information of the device on first network 300 is transmitted to computer 200 in S306.

  In addition, regardless of whether the first controller 101 holds the address information of the second controller 102 and the third controller 103, the first controller 101 sends the address information of the devices on the first network 300 from the computer 200. 6 may be executed to acquire the address information of the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 and transmit the acquired address information to the computer 200. In this case, it may be determined whether to retain the acquired address information in response to a request from the computer 200.

  With reference to FIG. 9, a control structure of a program executed by the computer 200 to communicate with the second controller 102 or the third controller 103 will be described.

  In S400, it is determined whether or not computer 200 is connected to the programmable logic controller via second network 302 using USB. When computer 200 is connected to the programmable logic controller (YES in S400), in S401, address information of the connected programmable logic controller is requested to the connected programmable logic controller.

  Thereafter, when the address information of the connected programmable logic controller, for example, the address information of the first controller 101 is received (YES in S402), in S403, routing is performed in the computer 200 based on the received address information. The table is set automatically.

  Furthermore, the computer 200 requests | requires the address information of the apparatus on the 1st network 300 toward the connected programmable logic controller in S404.

  Thereafter, when address information of devices on the first network 300, specifically, network configuration information is received (YES in S405), the node list information shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device 540 in S406. The The node list includes the IP address of each programmable logic controller. The node list information shown in FIG. 10 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The node list information may include information (such as an IP address and a MAC address) of the computer 200 itself.

  The user operates the computer 200 to select a connection (communication) destination from the devices (programmable logic controllers) indicated in the node list information.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when a programmable logic controller as a connection destination is selected (YES in S <b> 408), a connection (communication) between the programmable logic controller selected as the connection destination and computer 200 is established.

  Specifically, in S410, data destined for the IP address of the programmable logic controller selected as the connection destination is directed to the first controller 101, that is, the programmable controller that provides the address information on the first network 300. Sent.

  Note that the routing table may be set when the computer 200 and the devices (the second controller 102 and the third controller 103) on the first network 300 are actually connected.

  A control structure of a program executed by the first controller 101 to relay communication between the computer 200 and the second controller 102 or the third controller 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the first controller 101 receives data destined for the IP address of the second controller 102 or the third controller 103 from the computer 200 via the second network 302 using USB (YES in S500), in S502, The first controller 101 transmits the received data on the first network 300 toward the IP address of the device designated as the destination, that is, the second controller 102 or the third controller 103.

  On the other hand, when the first controller 101 receives data destined for the address of the computer 200 on the first network 300 from the second controller 102 or the third controller 103 (YES in S504), in S506, the first The one controller 101 transmits the received data to the address of the computer 200 on the second network 302 using USB.

  As described above, the computer 200 connected to the first controller 101 via the second network 302 different from the first network 300 to which the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 are connected is connected to the first network 300. Address information of the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 is received from the first controller 101. Accordingly, the computer 200 can communicate with the second controller 102 and the third controller 103 on the first network 300 using the address information.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

10 control system, 101, 102, 103 programmable logic controller, 111 connection function, 112, 113 connection function, 121 request function, 122, 123 transmission function, 131 reception function, 141 holding function, 151 transmission function, 161 transfer function, 200 Computer, 210 connection function, 220 request function, 230 reception function, 240 transmission function, 300 first network, 302 second network, 401 arithmetic device, 411 non-volatile storage device, 421 volatile storage device, 431 communication device, 500 arithmetic operation Device, 510 non-volatile storage device, 520 volatile storage device, 530 communication device, 540 display device.

Claims (14)

A control device connected to the first network;
An operation terminal connected to the control device via a second network different from the first network,
The controller is
Means for obtaining address information of a device on the first network;
Means for transmitting the address information to the operation terminal,
The control system, wherein the operation terminal includes means for receiving the address information from the control device. The operation terminal further includes means for transmitting data destined for the device to the control device,
The control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device further includes means for transferring data transmitted from the operation terminal to the control device with the device as a destination, to the device.   The control system according to claim 2, wherein the control device further includes means for transferring data transmitted from the device to the control device with the operation terminal as a destination, to the operation terminal.   The control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device further includes means for receiving the address information from the device. A control device connected to the first network,
Means for obtaining address information of a device on the first network;
A control device, comprising: means for transmitting the address information to an operation terminal connected to the control device via a second network different from the first network.   The control device according to claim 5, further comprising means for transferring data transmitted from the operation terminal to the control device with the device as a destination, to the device.   The control device according to claim 6, further comprising means for transferring data transmitted from the device to the control device with the operation terminal as a destination, to the operation terminal.   The control device according to claim 5, wherein a communication protocol of the first network is different from a communication protocol of the second network.   The control device according to claim 5, further comprising means for receiving the address information from the device. A control device connected to a first network and an operation terminal connected via a second network different from the first network,
An operation terminal including means for receiving address information of a device on the first network from the control device.   The operation terminal according to claim 10, further comprising means for transmitting data addressed by the device to the control device.   The operation terminal according to claim 10, wherein a communication protocol of the first network is different from a communication protocol of the second network. In the control device connected to the first network,
Obtaining address information of devices on the first network;
A program for causing an operation terminal connected to the control device via a second network different from the first network to execute the step of transmitting the address information. A control device connected to a first network and an operation terminal connected via a second network different from the first network;
The program which performs the step which receives the address information of the apparatus on the said 1st network from the said control apparatus.

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