JP7109224B2 - Communication system and upper equipment - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system and a host device having a host device and a plurality of host devices connected via a communication line.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a communication system, a higher-level device has a function of setting addresses of lower-level devices in order to perform communication between a higher-level device and a plurality of lower-level devices (see Patent Document 1, for example). The communication system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 employs CAN (Controller Area Network) communication and device net protocol, and a higher-level device holds a table that records the addresses of lower-level devices. Note that the device net protocol defines the number of lower devices that can be connected to one upper device, and if the number of lower devices exceeds this number, it is necessary to divide the lower devices into multiple systems. In this case, the host device must manage the station address set for each system in addition to the logical address set for each lower device.
Then, when an address setting request is received from a lower-level device, the higher-level device notifies the lower-level device of the address with the lowest number among the unused addresses. Then, the lower device determines the address notified from the higher device. Then, the upper device registers the determined address in the table as the address of the lower device.

JP-A-2006-29769

However, in the conventional communication system, the user is required to issue two instructions for each lower-level device, ie, a request for address setting and confirmation of the address notified from the higher-level device, which is cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of setting an address for a lower-level device with a simpler operation than the conventional structure.

A communication system according to the present invention comprises an upper device and a plurality of lower devices connected via a communication line. a higher transmission unit for transmitting an address setting request message, which is a message notifying one of the addresses not registered as the addresses of the lower device registered as the address of the lower device, to the temporary address, which is the initial address of the lower device; When a higher-level receiving unit that receives and a confirmed message that notifies an address is received by the higher-level receiving unit, the address is registered in the table as the address of the lower-level device that is the source of the confirmed message. a registering unit, the lower device receives a message, and when an address setting request message addressed to itself is received by the lower receiving unit, the lower device registers the address notified by the address setting request message. a display unit for displaying, a reception unit for receiving selection of an address after the address is displayed by the display unit, a confirmation unit for confirming and registering the address received by the reception unit as the address of the own device, and a confirmation unit confirming and a low-level transmission unit for transmitting a confirmation telegram notifying the assigned address to the high-level device.

According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, it is possible to set the address for the lower device with a simpler operation than the conventional configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a host device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the low-order apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of address setting operation by the communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a monitor operation in a test run mode by the host device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 6A and 6B are diagrams showing examples of hardware configurations of a higher-level device and a lower-level device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The communication system, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a higher-level device 1 and a plurality of lower-level devices 2 connected via communication lines. This communication system adopts RS-485 communication, and performs serial communication from a higher-level device 1 to a plurality of lower-level devices 2 using a polling selection method.

As shown in FIG. 2, the host device 1 includes a holding unit 101, a mode setting unit 102, a message creation unit 103, a message reception unit (upper-order reception unit) 104, a message transmission unit (upper-order transmission unit) 105, and a transmission control unit 106. and a registration unit 107 .

The holding unit 101 holds a table in which addresses (logical addresses) are recorded. In the initial state, in the table, all addresses of numbers that can be set for the lower device 2 in address setting are recorded in an unused state (not registered as an address of the lower device 2).

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that address numbers 1 to 240 can be set for the lower device 2 in address setting. In FIG. 1, address (3) is registered in lower device (No. 3), address (4) is registered in lower device (No. 4), and address is not registered in other lower device 2. is shown. In addition, a predetermined first temporary address is registered as an initial address for the lower-level device 2 whose address is not registered. The first temporary address is an address with a number different from the number that can be set for the lower device 2 in address setting. In FIG. 1, the number of the first tentative address is 254. In FIG.

Note that the holding unit 101 includes, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically EPROM), Magnetic discs, flexible discs, optical discs, compact discs, mini discs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and the like are applicable.

Note that FIG. 2 shows a case where the holding unit 101 is provided inside the host device 1 . However, without being limited to this, the holding unit 101 may be provided outside the host device 1 .

Mode setting unit 102 sets the operation mode of host device 1 . Operation modes of the host device 1 include a normal mode, a test run mode, and an address setting mode. The normal mode is a mode for normal operation and a mode for monitoring the operating information of the lower device 2 . The test run mode is a mode for checking the address of the lower device 2 and monitoring the running information. The address setting mode is a mode switched by the mode setting unit 102 when instructed by the user who operates the host device 1 in the test run mode, and is a mode for assisting the address setting for the lower device 2 . Further, the mode setting unit 102 does not receive a confirmation message, which will be described later, by the message receiving unit 104 even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the message transmitting unit 105 has transmitted an address setting request message, which will be described later, or when the message is instructed by the user. In this case, the operation mode of the host device 1 is switched from the address setting mode to the trial operation mode.

The message creating unit 103 creates a message.
When the host device 1 is in the normal mode, the message creating unit 103 creates a message (status request message) requesting transmission of operation information for the lower device 2 whose address has been registered. This status request message indicates the identification code, the type of message, the address (source address) of the self device (upper device 1) that is the source of the message (source address), the address of the destination of the message (destination address), and the like. have information. It should be noted that message creation unit 103 uses the address in use recorded in the table (the address registered as the address of lower device 2) as the destination address.

Further, when the host device 1 is in the trial operation mode, the message creating unit 103 creates a message requesting transmission of operation information (status request message) for all addresses recorded in the table. This status request message has information indicating an identification code, a message type, the address of the device that sent the message (source address), the address of the message destination (destination address), and the like. Note that the electronic message creation unit 103 uses all addresses (used addresses and unused addresses) recorded in the table as transmission destination addresses.

Further, when the host device 1 is in the address setting mode, the electronic message creating unit 103 targets the lower device 2 whose address is not registered, and selects one of the unused addresses recorded in the table (for example, create an address setting request message that notifies the address with the lowest number). This address setting request message includes an identification code, type of message, the address of the device that sent the message (source address), the address of the destination of the message (destination address), an unused address, etc. It has the information shown. Note that the electronic message creating unit 103 uses the first temporary address as the destination address.

The message receiving unit 104 receives messages. Further, when receiving a message, the message receiving unit 104 determines whether the message is addressed to itself based on the destination address included in the message. The message receiving unit 104 acquires the message when determining that the message is addressed to itself, and discards the message when determining that the message is not addressed to itself.

The message transmission unit 105 transmits messages. When the message creating unit 103 creates a status request message, the message sending unit 105 sends the status request message by a polling selection method. Further, when the message creating unit 103 creates an address setting request message, the message sending unit 105 sends the address setting request message.
The transmission control unit 106 controls transmission of electronic messages by the electronic message transmission unit 105 .

When the electronic message receiving unit 104 receives the confirmed electronic message, the registration unit 107 registers the address notified by the confirmed electronic message in the table as the address of the lower device 2 that is the transmission source of the confirmed electronic message.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower device 2 includes a recording unit 201, a message creation unit 202, a message reception unit (lower order reception unit) 203, a message transmission unit (lower order transmission unit) 204, a transmission control unit 205, a display unit 206, It has a reception unit 207 and a determination unit 208 .

The recording unit 201 records the address of its own device (lower device 2). In the initial state, the recording unit 201 records the first temporary address as the address of its own device.
Examples of the recording unit 201 include nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, DVDs, and the like. do.

Note that FIG. 3 shows the case where the recording unit 201 is provided inside the lower device 2 . However, without being limited to this, the recording unit 201 may be provided outside the lower device 2 .

The message creating unit 202 creates a message.
When the message receiving unit 203 receives a status request message addressed to itself, the message creation unit 202 creates a message (response message) indicating a response to the status request message. The response message is a message that notifies the operation information of the device itself. This response message contains information indicating the identification code, the type of message, the address of the device itself that is the source of the message (source address), and the address of the host device 1 that is the destination of the message (destination address). In addition to this, it has operating information of its own device (information indicating the operating state, temperature information, refrigerant state, etc.).

Further, when the address is confirmed by the confirmation unit 208, the message creating unit 202 creates a message (confirmation message) for notifying the confirmed address. This fixed message is information indicating the identification code, the type of message, the address of the device that sent the message (source address), and the address of the host device 1 that is the destination of the message (source address). have It should be noted that message creation unit 202 uses the address determined by determination unit 208 as the transmission source address.

The message receiving unit 203 receives messages. Further, when receiving a message, the message receiving unit 203 determines whether the message is addressed to itself based on the destination address included in the message. The message receiving unit 203 acquires the message when it determines that the message is addressed to itself, and discards the message when it determines that the message is not addressed to itself.

The message transmission unit 204 transmits messages. When the message creation unit 202 creates a response message, the message transmission unit 204 transmits the response message. Further, when the electronic message creating unit 202 creates a final electronic message, the electronic message transmitting unit 204 transmits the final electronic message.
The transmission control unit 205 controls transmission of electronic messages by the electronic message transmission unit 204 .

When the message receiving unit 203 receives an address setting request message addressed to the device itself, the display unit 206 displays the unused address notified by the address setting request message on a display (not shown) of the own device. to display.
After the display unit 206 displays unused addresses, the accepting unit 207 accepts address selection by the user.

The confirming unit 208 confirms the address received by the receiving unit 207 as the address of its own device and registers it in the recording unit 201 .

Next, an operation example of the communication system according to Embodiment 1 will be described.
First, an example of address setting operation by the communication system will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the high-level device 1 is in the trial operation mode.
In the address setting operation by the communication system, when the simple address setting is instructed by the user who operates the host device 1, as shown in FIG. and transmits an address setting request message (step ST401).

At this time, first, the mode setting unit 102 switches the operation mode from the test run mode to the address setting mode in response to the simple address setting instruction by the user. For example, a simple address setting button is displayed on a display (not shown) of the host device 1, and when the user selects the simple address setting button, the mode setting unit 102 switches the operation mode to the address setting mode.
Then, the message creating unit 103 creates an address setting request message that notifies one of the unused addresses recorded in the table. Note that the electronic message creating unit 103 uses the first temporary address as the destination address.
Then, the message transmitting unit 105 transmits the address setting request message created by the message creation unit 103 under the control of the transmission control unit 106 .

Next, the lower device 2 whose address is not registered receives the address setting request message and performs provisional setting of the address according to the user's operation (step ST402).

At this time, first, the message receiving unit 203 receives an address setting request message addressed to itself. Since the lower device 2 whose address is not registered has its own address as the first temporary address, it acquires the address setting request message as a message addressed to itself.
Then, the display unit 206 displays the unused address notified by the address setting request message on the display. In FIG. 4, unused addresses are displayed on the displays of the lower device (No. 1), the lower device (No. 2), and the lower device (No. 5).
After the unused addresses are displayed on the display unit 206, the accepting unit 207 accepts address selection by the user. For example, the display unit 206 displays an unused address and an address confirmation button on the display. When the user operating the lower device 2 selects the address confirmation button, the receiving unit 207 receives selection of an unused address. As a result, the lower device 2 can provisionally set the address. The display unit 206 may allow the user to manually select an address other than the unused address, and the reception unit 207 may receive the selection of this other address. FIG. 4 shows a case where the lower device (No. 1) temporarily sets the address.

The address setting request message is also received by the lower-level device 2 whose address has been registered. good.
Further, in the low-level device 2 whose address is not registered, when an address setting request message is further received from the high-level device 1 while an unused address is displayed on the display unit 206, the display unit 206 displays a new address. Display unused addresses on the display.

Then, lower device 2 determines the address (step ST403). That is, the confirming unit 208 confirms the address received by the receiving unit 207 as the address of its own device and registers it in the recording unit 201 .

Subsequently, lower device 2 transmits a confirmation message to higher device 1 (step ST404).
At this time, first, the electronic message creating unit 202 creates a final electronic message.
Then, under the control of the transmission control unit 205 , the message transmission unit 204 transmits the confirmation message created by the message creation unit 202 to the host device 1 . In the polling selection method, a request message such as a status request message is normally sent from the upper device 1, and the lower device 2 sends a response message to the request message. 2 can voluntarily transmit telegrams. Further, the electronic message transmitting unit 204 transmits the confirmation electronic message using the vacant time of the transmission period during which the request electronic message and the response electronic message are transmitted.

Next, host device 1 receives the confirmation message and registers the address (step ST405).
At this time, first, the message receiving unit 104 receives the confirmation message.
Then, the registration unit 107 registers, in the table, the address notified by the confirmation message received by the message reception unit 104 as the address of the lower-level device 2 that is the source of the confirmation message.

After that, the host device 1 shifts to transmission of an address setting request message for notifying the next unused address (steps ST406 to ST410). When there is no unused address in the table, the host device 1 transmits an address setting request message that notifies the first temporary address.

Thereafter, if the message receiving unit 104 does not receive the confirmation message even after a certain period of time has passed since the message sending unit 105 sent the address setting request message, the mode setting unit 102 changes the operation mode from the address setting mode to the test operation mode. back to
Further, when the lower device 2 does not receive an address setting request message from the higher device 1 for a certain period of time, it returns to normal operation.

As described above, in the communication system according to the first embodiment, the upper device 1 voluntarily notifies the lower device 2 of an unused address and sets the address without receiving a request from the lower device 2 . As a result, the user who operates the lower device 2 only needs to select the address, and the address setting for the lower device 2 can be performed with a simpler operation than the conventional configuration.
Further, when the low-order device 2 is replaced, the high-order device 1 first returns the address of the low-order device 2 before the replacement to the unused state in the table. After that, the host device 1 performs address setting for the post-swapping lower device 2 by the operation shown in FIG.

In the above description, the mode setting unit 102 returns the operation mode from the address setting mode to the test operation mode when the high-level device 1 does not receive the confirmation message even after a certain period of time has passed since the transmission of the address setting request message. . However, the mode setting unit 102 may return the operation mode from the address setting mode to the test operation mode, for example, when the user operating the host device 1 instructs to end the address setting.

Next, an example of the monitor operation in the test run mode by the host device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the monitoring operation in the test run mode by the host device 1, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the message creating section 103 creates a status request message (step ST501). Note that the electronic message creating unit 103 uses all the addresses recorded in the table as the destination addresses.

Next, under the control of transmission control section 106, message transmission section 105 transmits the status request message created by message creation section 103 by the polling selection method (step ST502).
After that, the lower device 2, which has registered as its own address the same address as the destination address of the status request message, receives this status request message, creates a response message, and sends this response message to the upper device 1. Reply.

Next, message receiving section 104 receives the response message (step ST503). After that, the sequence returns to step ST501, and the host device 1 proceeds to create a status request message for the next destination address.
Even if the message receiving unit 104 does not receive a response message even after a certain period of time has passed since the message sending unit 105 sent the status request message, the sequence returns to step ST501, and the host device 1 sends the message to the next destination. Move to creating a status request message for the address. That is, in this case, the upper device 1 determines that the lower device 2 does not exist as the destination of the status request message.

As described above, in the communication system according to the first embodiment, the host device 1 monitors all addresses recorded in the table in the trial operation mode. As a result, the upper device 1 can immediately monitor the lower device 2 whose address has been set in the address setting mode.

Next, an application example of the communication system according to Embodiment 1 will be described.
The communication system according to the first embodiment is applicable to, for example, a cooling system in which the lower-level device 2 is used as a showcase controller and the higher-level device 1 is used as a higher-level controller that centrally manages a plurality of showcases.
Further, the communication system according to Embodiment 1 can be applied to an air conditioning system using, for example, the lower-level device 2 as a controller for air conditioners and the higher-level device 1 as a higher-level controller that collectively manages a plurality of air conditioners. .

In the above, the cooling system or the air conditioning system as described above is mentioned as an application destination of the communication system according to Embodiment 1, but the application destination of the communication system is not limited to this.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the host device 1 includes the holding unit 101 that holds a table in which addresses are recorded, the message transmission unit 105 that transmits an address setting request message to a temporary address, and the message and the address of the lower-level device 2 that is the source of the confirmed message is added to the table when the confirmed message is received by the message receiving unit 104 that receives the confirmed message. The lower device 2 includes a registration unit 107 for registering as a message, and a message receiving unit 203 for receiving a message, and when the message receiving unit 203 receives an address setting request message addressed to itself, the address setting request A display unit 206 that displays the address notified by the message, a reception unit 207 that receives selection of the address after the address is displayed on the display unit 206, and the address received by the reception unit 207 is determined as the address of the device itself. and an electronic message transmitting unit 204 for transmitting a fixed electronic message notifying the address decided by the fixing unit 208 to the host device 1 . As a result, the communication system according to the first embodiment can set an address for the lower-level device 2 with a simpler operation than the conventional configuration.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 6, a hardware configuration example of the upper device 1 and the lower device 2 according to the first embodiment will be described. An example of the hardware configuration of the host device 1 will be described below, but the same applies to the host device 2 as well.
The electronic message receiving unit 104 in the host device 1 is realized by the receiving device, and the electronic message transmitting unit 105 is realized by the transmitting device. Also, each function of the mode setting unit 102 , message creation unit 103 , transmission control unit 106 and registration unit 107 in the host device 1 is realized by the processing circuit 51 . The processing circuit 51 may be dedicated hardware, as shown in FIG. 6A, or a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit, It may be a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 52 .

When the processing circuit 51 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 51 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate). Array), or a combination thereof. The functions of the mode setting unit 102, the message creation unit 103, the transmission control unit 106, and the registration unit 107 may be realized by the processing circuit 51, or the functions of each unit may be collectively realized by the processing circuit 51. .

When the processing circuit 51 is the CPU 52, the functions of the mode setting unit 102, the message creation unit 103, the transmission control unit 106, and the registration unit 107 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 53 . The processing circuit 51 implements the function of each part by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 53 . That is, the host device 1 includes a memory 53 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 51, results in execution of the steps shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. It can also be said that these programs cause the computer to execute the procedures and methods of the mode setting unit 102 , the message creation unit 103 , the transmission control unit 106 and the registration unit 107 . Examples of the memory 53 include nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, DVDs, and the like. do.

The functions of the mode setting unit 102, the electronic message creation unit 103, the transmission control unit 106, and the registration unit 107 may be partly implemented by dedicated hardware and partly implemented by software or firmware. . For example, the function of the mode setting unit 102 is realized by a processing circuit 51 as dedicated hardware. It is possible to realize the function by reading and executing the .

Thus, the processing circuitry 51 can implement each of the functions described above by means of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

It should be noted that, within the scope of the present invention, any component of the embodiment can be modified or any component of the embodiment can be omitted.

1 upper device, 2 lower device, 51 processing circuit, 52 CPU, 53 memory, 101 holding unit, 102 mode setting unit, 103 message creating unit, 104 message receiving unit (upper receiving unit), 105 message transmitting unit (upper transmitting unit ), 106 transmission control unit, 107 registration unit, 201 recording unit, 202 message creation unit, 203 message reception unit (lower order reception unit), 204 message transmission unit (lower order transmission unit), 205 transmission control unit, 206 display unit, 207 Reception unit, 208 Confirmation unit.

Claims (4)

Equipped with a higher-level device and a plurality of lower-level devices connected via a communication line,
The host device is
a holding unit that holds a table in which addresses are recorded;
Spontaneously, an address setting request message, which is a message notifying one of addresses not registered as addresses of the lower device recorded in the table, is set to a tentative address, which is an initial address of the lower device. an upper transmitter that transmits to
a higher-level receiving unit that receives telegrams;
a registration unit for registering, in the table, the address as an address of the lower-level device that is the transmission source of the confirmation message when a confirmation message, which is a message notifying an address, is received by the upper receiving unit; ,
The lower device is
a lower receiving unit that receives telegrams;
a display unit for displaying the address notified by the address setting request message when the lower receiving unit receives the address setting request message addressed to the device itself;
a reception unit that receives selection of an address after the address is displayed by the display unit;
a determination unit that determines and registers the address received by the reception unit as the address of the device itself;
A communication system comprising: a lower transmitting unit that transmits to the upper device a confirmation telegram that notifies the address determined by the determining unit. a mode setting unit that sets an operation mode of the higher-level device to an address setting mode according to an instruction from a user;
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said host transmission unit transmits an address setting request message when said host device is in an address setting mode. The mode setting unit, when the high-level receiving unit does not receive a confirmation message even after a certain period of time has passed after the transmission of the address setting request message by the high-level transmitting unit, or when instructed by a user, the high-level transmitting unit Switch the operating mode of the device from address setting mode to test run mode,
When the host device is in a trial operation mode, the host transmission unit transmits a status request message, which is a message having all the addresses recorded in the table as destination addresses, by a polling selection method,
The low-order transmission unit is characterized in that, when the low-order reception unit receives a status request message addressed to itself, the low-order transmission unit transmits a response message, which is a message indicating a response to the status request message, to the high-level device. A communication system according to claim 2. a holding unit that holds a table in which addresses are recorded;
Spontaneously assigns an address setting request message, which is a message notifying of one of the addresses not registered as the addresses of the lower device recorded in the table, to the tentative address, which is the initial address of the lower device. an upper transmission unit that transmits;
a higher-level receiving unit that receives telegrams;
a registration unit for registering, in the table, the address as the address of the lower-level device that is the transmission source of the confirmation message when a confirmation message, which is a message notifying an address, is received by the upper receiving unit. upper device .

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