JP7215736B2 - Collection device, management device, communication device, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a collection device, management device, communication device, and control method.

2. Description of the Related Art Data acquired from industrial machines such as machine tools are transmitted to a communication terminal (simply referred to as a terminal) by communication. For example, there is an MTConnect standard as a communication standard for such communication (see Non-Patent Document 1).

According to the MTConnect standard, an agent (also referred to as a management device) acquires data output from an industrial machine via an adapter (also referred to as a collection device) connected to the industrial machine. Information about data items output by the industrial machine is held by the agent.

MTConnect Association, ”A free, open standard for the factory.”, [online], [searched on October 1, 2019], Internet <URL: https://www.mtconnect.org/>

Data obtained by an adapter from an industrial machine is generally sent from the adapter to the agent as a message containing the content of the data and the item of the data.

However, the adapter generally does not have correspondence information between the data output by the industrial machine and the items managed by the agent. can't Therefore, there is a problem that the adapter cannot send the above message to the agent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a collection device or the like that appropriately provides data output from an industrial machine to a management device from the collection device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a collection device according to an aspect of the present invention is a collection device that provides data acquired from an industrial machine to a management device, and includes items indicating items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine. an acquisition unit for acquiring information from the management device, the item information acquired by the acquisition unit, and an interface for acquiring the data related to the item indicated by the item information from the industrial machine. a generation unit for generating correspondence information; adding the item information associated with the data in the correspondence information to the data included in the information acquired from the industrial machine through the interface; to the management device.

According to this, the collection device adds the item information acquired from the management device to the data acquired from the industrial machine, and then provides the data to the management device. Since the collecting device has previously acquired the item information to be added to the data from the management device, the acquired item information can be added to the data. This causes the collection device to send a message containing the content of the data along with the item of data. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides the data output by the industrial machine to the management device.

The acquisition unit transmits request information for acquiring the item information to the management device, and acquires the transmitted item information in response to the management device receiving the transmitted request information. good too.

According to this, the collecting device performs communication for acquiring the item information only when the collecting device needs the item information, so it is possible to reduce the amount of communication in the network. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides data output from the industrial machine to the management device from the collection device while suppressing communication traffic in the network.

The acquisition unit may acquire the item information voluntarily transmitted by the management device without transmitting request information for acquiring the item information to the management device.

According to this, the collection device acquires the item information voluntarily transmitted by the management device without transmitting information such as request information. Therefore, the collection device does not need to perform processing or communication for acquiring item information, so processing load or communication load is reduced. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides the data output from the industrial machine to the management device from the collection device while suppressing the processing load or communication load.

Further, when the obtaining unit receives from the management device a notification that the data provided by the providing unit includes data whose items are not indicated in the item information, the obtaining unit receives the Items may be deleted.

According to this, the collection device can know from the notification from the management device that the provided data includes data whose items are not shown in the item information held by the management device. In this way, the item information does not include data that does not indicate the item, when the item is deleted from the item information held by the management device after the collection device acquires the item information from the management device. can occur at In this case, the collection device changes the item information in the same manner as the item information held by the management device by deleting the notified item. By doing so, the collection device can hold the same item information as the item information held by the management device. Therefore, even when the item information held by the management device is changed, the collection device appropriately provides the management device with the data output by the industrial machine.

Further, the acquisition unit may acquire the item information transmitted by the management device when the collection device is activated.

According to this, the collection device becomes ready to use the acquired item information as soon as possible after the activation process. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides the management device with the data output by the industrial machine from as early as possible after the start-up process.

Also, the collection device and the management device may be adapters and agents in the MTConnect standard, respectively.

According to this, the collection device appropriately provides the data output from the industrial machine to the management device from the collection device when the data acquired from the industrial machine is provided to the management device by a method conforming to the MTConnect standard.

In order to solve the above problems, a management device according to an aspect of the present invention is a management device that acquires and manages data acquired by a collection device from an industrial machine, wherein items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine a providing unit for providing the collecting device with item information indicating the item information provided by the providing unit; and after the collecting device obtains the item information provided by the providing unit, the collecting device obtains from the industrial machine and adds the item information. and an acquisition unit that acquires the data from the collection device.

According to this, the management device acquires the data obtained by adding the item information provided by the management device to the data acquired from the industrial machine by the collection device. Since the management device provides the collecting device with the item information to be added to the data in advance, the item information can be added to the data by the collecting device. The management device thereby receives a message containing the content of the data together with the item of data. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires data output by the industrial machine from the collection device.

Further, the provision unit may provide the item information in response to obtaining request information from the collection device.

According to this, the management device performs communication for acquiring the item information only when the collection device needs the item information, so it is possible to reduce the amount of communication in the network. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device while suppressing the amount of communication in the network.

Further, the provision unit may provide the item information without acquiring request information from the collection device.

According to this, the management device spontaneously transmits item information without receiving information such as request information. Therefore, the management device does not need to perform processing or communication for acquiring item information, so processing load or communication load is reduced. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device while suppressing the processing load or communication load.

Further, when the acquired data includes data for which items are not indicated in the item information, the acquisition unit may notify the collection device to that effect.

According to this, the management device can notify the collection device that the acquired data includes data for which items are not indicated in the item information held by the management device. In this way, the item information does not contain data that does not indicate the item, when the item is deleted from the item information held by the management device after the management device provides the item information to the collection device. can occur at In this case, the management device causes the notified item to be deleted in the collection device as well. By doing so, the management device can cause the collection device to retain the same item information as the item information held by the management device. Therefore, even when the item information held by the management device is changed, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device.

Further, the providing unit may provide the item information during activation processing of the management apparatus.

According to this, the management device can make the item information available to the collection device as early as possible after the start-up process, thereby acquiring the data to which the item information is added from the collection device. be able to. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device as early as possible after the start-up process.

Moreover, the management device may further include a transmission unit that transmits the data to which the item information is added to a terminal connected to the management device.

According to this, the management device can present the item information and data to the user through the terminal. More specifically, for example, item information and data can be visually recognized by the user by displaying them on the display screen of the terminal. Therefore, the management device can appropriately acquire the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device and present it to the user.

Also, the collection device and the management device may be adapters and agents in the MTConnect standard, respectively.

According to this, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device when the management device acquires the data acquired by the collection device from the industrial machine by a method conforming to the MTConnect standard.

To solve the above problem, a communication device according to an aspect of the present invention provides the item information to the collection device and an acquisition unit of the collection device, and acquires the data from the collection device. , and the management device described above.

According to this, the communication device has the same effects as the collection device and the management device.

In order to solve the above problems, a control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for a collection device that provides data acquired from an industrial machine to a management device, wherein items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine are and an interface for acquiring from the industrial machine the item information acquired in the acquisition step and the data related to the item indicated by the item information from the management device. a generation step of generating associated correspondence information; and after adding the item information associated with the data in the correspondence information to the data included in the information acquired from the industrial machine through the interface. and a providing step of providing said data to said management device.

According to this, there exists an effect similar to the said collection apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, a control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for a management device that acquires and manages data acquired by a collection device from an industrial machine. a provision step of providing item information indicating an item of data to the collection device; and after the collection device obtains the item information provided in the provision step, the collection device obtains the item information from the industrial machine. from the collection device.

According to this, there exists an effect similar to the said management apparatus.

The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus, but also as a method in which processing means constituting the apparatus are used as steps, as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps, or as a computer-readable program in which the program is recorded. It can also be implemented as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as information, data, or signals indicating the program. These programs, information, data and signals may then be distributed over a communication network such as the Internet.

According to the present invention, the collection device can appropriately provide data output from the industrial machine to the management device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the collection device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of item information according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of correspondence information according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information output by the machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a first example of data provision processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a second example of data provision processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing update processing of correspondence information according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

All of the embodiments described below represent preferred specific examples of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in independent claims representing the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as arbitrary constituent elements constituting more preferred embodiments. In addition, the same code|symbol may be attached|subjected to the same component and description may be abbreviate|omitted.

(Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a collection device that appropriately provides data output by an industrial machine from a collection device to a management device, and a management device that appropriately acquires data output by an industrial machine from the collection device will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. The communication system 1 is a system that collects data output by the machines 5A and the like, manages the collected data, and presents it to the user.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 1 includes machines 5A, 5B, and 5C (also referred to as machine 5A, etc.), collection devices 10A, 10B, and 10C (also referred to as collection device 10A, etc.), a management device 20, a terminal 30; Note that each of the collection devices 10A and the like is also referred to as a collection device 10. FIG.

Machine 5A is an industrial machine such as a machine tool. Machine 5A is a machine from which data is acquired by management device 20 . The machine 5A is connected to the collection device 10A by a communication line L, and outputs data regarding the machine 5A through the communication line L to the collection device 10A. The communication line L is a communication line that can communicate with a communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or IP (Internet Protocol), or a proprietary communication protocol.

The data output by the machine 5A is described according to a format determined according to the type of the machine 5A. The data output by the machine 5A is, for example, data relating to the operation, state, or control of the machine 5A. Machine 5A transmits data multiple times. A plurality of pieces of data to be transmitted are data relating to the operation at the timing related to the transmission.

Machine 5A may output data spontaneously, in other words, without receiving request information, may output data in response to request information received from collection device 10A, or may use these together. You may

The type of the machine 5A includes machine tools, laser processing machines, welding machines, etc., machine tools such as lathes, drilling machines, and milling machines, and lathes by model or version. It is a concept.

Hereinafter, a case where the machine 5A is a machine tool will be described as an example. The data output by the machine 5A is position information indicating the position of the spindle (not shown) of the machine 5A, which is a machine tool. For example, the data are the X, Y and Z coordinates of the principal axes. In addition to the above data, the data includes the load in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction of the main shaft (not shown) of the machine 5A, etc., which is a machine tool, and the degree of wear of the cutting tool. as well as the open/closed state of one or more doors or each of the doors provided by the machine 5A or the like.

Machines 5B and 5C are each industrial machines similar to machine 5A and operate independently of machine 5A. Machines 5B and 5C are machines from which data is acquired by the management device 20, similar to the machine 5A. Machines 5B and 5C are connected to collection devices 10B and 10C by communication lines L, respectively, and output data relating to machines 5B and 5C through communication lines L to collection devices 10B and 10C.

Here, the description will be made assuming that there are three machines 5A, 5B, and 5C, but the number of machines 5A and the like is not limited to three, and may be one or more, for example, ten or fifty. It may be to some extent.

The collection device 10A is a device that collects data by obtaining it from the machine 5A and provides the collected data to the management device 20 . The collection device 10A is connected to the machine 5A through the communication line L, and is also connected to the management device 20 through the network N. As shown in FIG.

The collection device 10A acquires data about the machine 5A through the communication line L, adds item information to the acquired data, and provides the data to the management device 20 through the network N. The collection device 10A and the management device 20 can communicate by a predetermined communication method via the network N, for example, by sending a text message by TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). The operation of the collection device 10A will be described later in detail.

The collectors 10B and 10C are collectors similar to the collector 10A and operate independently of the collector 10A. The collection devices 10B and 10C are connected to the machines 5B and 5C, respectively, add item information to the data acquired from the machines 5B and 5C, and provide the data to the management device 20 through the network N.

The management device 20 is a device that acquires and manages data that the collection device 10A or the like has acquired from the machine 5A or the like. The management device 20 receives and manages data output from the machines 5A and the like via the collection device 10A and the like. In addition, the management device 20 provides the terminal 30 with the data it manages. Note that the management device 20 may perform appropriate processing when providing data.

The terminal 30 is a communication device that receives data output from the machines 5A and the like via the collection device 10A and the management device 20, respectively. The terminal 30 receives the data, generates an image based on the received data, and presents it to an administrator or the like. The image can be presented, for example, by displaying it on the display screen of the terminal 30 .

The management device 20 and the terminal 30 are connected by a network M, and can communicate according to, for example, a standard for communication of industrial machine data, more specifically, the MTConnect standard or the OPC UA standard.

Communication line L or network N or M may or may not be included in communication system 1 . Also, the communication realized by the communication line L or the network N or M may be wired communication or wireless communication.

Note that the collection device 10A and the like and the management device 20 may be adapters and agents in the MTConnect standard, respectively.

Note that the collection device 10A and the like and the management device 20 may be realized as one communication device. In that case, it can be said that the communication device includes the collection device 10A and the like, and the management device 20 that provides item information to an acquisition unit 11 (described later) of the collection device 10A and the like, and acquires data from the collection device 10A. At this time, the functions of the collection device 10A and the like and the functions of the management device 20 may be realized by one CPU (Central Processing Unit).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the collection device 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the collection device 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, a generation unit 12, an interface 13, and a provision unit . Each of the functional units described above can be realized by the CPU of the collection device 10 executing a program using a memory.

The acquisition unit 11 is a processing unit that acquires item information indicating data to be acquired from the machine 5A or the like from the management device 20 . The acquisition unit 11 acquires the item information 25 held by the management device 20 by receiving it through the network N. FIG. The item information 25 received by the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 is also referred to as item information 16 . The item information 16 is, for example, a text file described in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format.

For example, the acquisition unit 11 may transmit request information for acquiring the item information 16 to the management device 20 and acquire the item information 16 transmitted by the management device 20 in response to receiving the request information. In this way, communication including the item information 16 is performed on the network N only when the acquisition unit 11, that is, the collection device 10 needs the item information 16, so that the amount of communication in the network can be reduced. be.

Alternatively, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the item information 16 transmitted by the management device 20 without transmitting any information to the management device 20 . In other words, the item information 25 voluntarily transmitted by the management device 20 may be acquired without transmitting the request information as described above to the management device 20 . In this way, the item information 16 can be received without the acquisition unit 11, that is, the collection device 10 performing processing or communication for acquiring the item information 16, and the processing load on the acquisition unit 11 can be reduced. There is an effect that can be done.

The acquisition unit 11 may acquire the item information 16 at any time, but may also acquire the item information 16 when the collection device 10 is activated. This is because the collection device 10 can use the acquired item information 16 as soon as possible after the activation process.

The generation unit 12 generates correspondence information that associates the item information 16 acquired by the acquisition unit 11 with the interface 13 for acquiring the data indicated by the item information 16 from the machine 5A or the like.

The interface 13 is an interface for acquiring data from the machine 5A. The interface 13 is a logical interface implemented by the CPU using a program, such as an API (Application Programming Interface). An identifier is associated with the interface 13 . A plurality of interfaces 13 may be provided, in which case each interface 13 has a different identifier.

The providing unit 14 is a processing unit that acquires data output by the machine 5</b>A or the like and provides the data to the management device 20 . Specifically, the provision unit 14 adds item information associated with the data in the correspondence information to the data included in the information acquired from the machine 5A or the like through the interface 13 . Then, the providing unit 14 provides the data to the management device 20 by transmitting the data to which the item information is added to the management device 20 via the network N. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 20 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the management device 20 includes a provider 21 , an acquirer 22 and a transmitter 23 . Each of the functional units described above can be realized by the CPU of the management device 20 executing a program using a memory.

The providing unit 21 is a processing unit that provides the collection device 10 with item information 25 indicating data to be acquired from the machine 5A. The providing unit 21 holds the item information 25 in advance, and provides the held item information 25 by transmitting it to the acquiring unit 11 of the collecting device 10 via the network N. FIG. The item information 25 is, for example, a text file described in XML format.

The providing unit 21 may provide the item information 25 in response to obtaining request information from the collection device 10, for example. In this way, communication including the item information 25 is performed in the network N only when the acquisition unit 11, that is, the collection device 10 needs the item information 25, so that the effect of reducing the amount of communication in the network is achieved. be.

Alternatively, the providing unit 21 may provide the item information 25 without obtaining the request information from the collection device 10 . In other words, the management device 20 may voluntarily provide the item information 25 . In this way, the item information 25 can be provided without waiting for reception of request information from the acquisition unit 11, that is, the collection device 10, and the processing load on the provision unit 21 can be reduced. There is an effect that can be done.

The provision unit 21 may acquire the item information 25 at any time, but may acquire the item information 25 when the management device 20 is activated. In this way, the item information 25 (or the item information 16) can be made available to the collection device 10 as soon as possible after the activation process of the management device 20. FIG.

The acquisition unit 22 is a processing unit that acquires data output from the machine 5A or the like via the collection device 10 . The acquisition unit 22 acquires the data output by the machine 5A or the like acquired by the collection device 10 by receiving the data through the network N. FIG. Also, the acquisition unit 22 manages the acquired data.

The acquisition unit 22 acquires from the collection device 10 the data acquired by the collection device 10 from the machine 5A after the collection device 10 acquires the item information 25 provided by the provision unit 21 and to which the item information 16 is added. .

The transmission unit 23 is a processing unit that transmits the data to which the item information 16 is added and which is acquired by the acquisition unit 22 to the terminal 30 through the network M. FIG. For example, the transmission unit 23 displays the data to which the item information 16 is added, in other words, the data acquired from the collection device 10 by the acquisition unit 22 and managed, so as to be displayed in a manner easily visible to the user. A process of changing the display mode of data may be performed. This processing includes, for example, arranging the data in chronological order and changing the data to be displayed in the form of a graph. It may also include a process of rendering data in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) format so that it can be displayed on various terminals 30 .

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the item information 25 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the item information 25 is information indicating items of information that the machine 5A can output. FIG. 4 shows item information described in XML format as an example. Note that the format of the item information 25 is not limited to the XML format, and may be any format. For example, if the communication standard for communication between the management device 20 and the terminal 30 is the MTConnect standard or the OPC UA standard, the item information 25 is expressed in XML format according to that standard.

As shown in FIG. 4, the item information 25 includes information about the main axis as an Axes tag element 50 . Specifically, as elements 50 of the Axes tag, the positions of the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the main axis are indicated.

Three DataItem tags are included inside the Axes tag. The element 51 of the DataItem tag whose id is "X1_Pos" indicates the X coordinate of the principal axis. Element 52 of the DataItem tag whose id is "Z1_Pos" indicates the Z coordinate of the principal axis. Element 53 of the DataItem tag whose id is "Y1_Pos" indicates the Y coordinate of the main axis.

In this way, the item information 25 indicates items of data output by the machine 5A according to the type of the machine 5A.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of correspondence information according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the correspondence information is information that associates data items, interfaces, and ids. In the correspondence information, one item of data output by the machine 5A corresponds to one entry.

A data item is information indicating an item of data output by the machine 5A.

The interface is an identifier of the interface 13 for acquiring data related to the entry.

id is an identifier of data related to the entry. The id is added when the providing unit 14 provides the management device 20 with data related to the entry.

For example, in the correspondence information shown in FIG. 5, API1 as an interface 13 for acquiring the value of the X coordinate, which is a data item, is associated with id "X1_Pos". API2 as an interface 13 for acquiring the value of the Y coordinate, which is a data item, is associated with id "Y1_Pos".

The correspondence information is generated by the generation unit 12 based on the item information 16 that the acquisition unit 11 has acquired from the management device 20 . That is, the correspondence information is generated by the generation unit 12 acquiring the id of the DataItem tag included in the item information 16 for each data item, and combining the acquired id with the predetermined interface 13 for acquiring the data of the data item. is generated by associating The predetermined interface 13 for acquiring data may be defined by information provided by the management device 20, or may be determined by information held by the generation unit 12 (or the collection device 10). It may be defined.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing information 60, which is an example of information output by the machine 5A or the like, according to the present embodiment. Information 60 shown in FIG. 6 is information transmitted from the collection device 10 to the management device 20 and includes data 61 .

The data 61 is obtained by arranging the id of the data and the data acquired from the interface 13 corresponding to the id, separated by a delimiting character or symbol. Specifically, the data 61 is data whose id is "X1_Pos" and whose value is "1.5". Note that the delimiting character or symbol is a vertical bar (|) here, but may be another character or symbol, or may be a blank (space).

Processing of the communication system 1 will be described below. Specifically, two methods of providing data from the collection device 10 to the management device 20, a method using request information and a method not using request information, will be described. Furthermore, update processing when the item information 25 is updated by a user or the like will be described.

(1) Method Using Request Information FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first example of data provision processing according to the present embodiment. The data providing process shown in FIG. 7 is executed, for example, when the collecting device 10 is activated or when the collecting device 10 receives an instruction to collect data from the machine 5A or the like. The instruction can be given by the management device 20 or the like.

In step S101, the generation unit 12 of the collection device 10 determines whether or not correspondence information is held. If it is determined that the correspondence information is stored (Yes in step S101), the process proceeds to step S105, and if it is determined that the correspondence information is not stored (No in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S<b>102 , the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 transmits request information for acquiring the item information 16 to the management device 20 .

In step S201, the providing unit 21 of the management device 20 receives the request information transmitted in step S102.

In step S202, the provision unit 21 of the management device 20 transmits the item information 25 to the collection device 10 in response to receiving the request information in step S201.

In step S<b>103 , the providing unit 21 of the management device 20 receives the item information 25 transmitted by the management device 20 in step S<b>202 as the item information 16 .

In step S104, the generation unit 12 of the collection device 10 generates correspondence information associated with the interface based on the item information 16 received in step S103.

In step S<b>105 , the provision unit 14 of the collection device 10 acquires data from the machine 5A through the interface 13 .

In step S106, the provision unit 14 of the collection device 10 adds the item information 16 associated with the data in the correspondence information to the data acquired in step S105.

In step S<b>107 , the provision unit 14 of the collection device 10 transmits the data to which the item information 16 is added in step S<b>106 to the management device 20 .

In step S203, the acquisition unit 22 of the management device 20 receives the data to which the item information 16 is added, which is transmitted in step S107. The acquisition unit 22 manages the received data. Further, the transmission unit 23 may transmit data managed by the acquisition unit 22 to the terminal 30 .

As a result, the collection device 10 can appropriately provide the management device 20 with the data output by the machine 5A or the like using the request information. Also, the management device 20 can appropriately acquire the data output by the machine 5A or the like from the collection device 10 using the request information.

(2) Method without using request information FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second example of data provision processing according to this embodiment. The data providing process shown in FIG. 8 is executed, for example, when the management device 20 is activated.

In step S<b>211 , the provision unit 21 determines whether or not the item information 25 has been transmitted to the collection device 10 . For example, the provision unit 21 determines whether or not the item information 25 has been transmitted to the collection device 10 within a predetermined period of time (for example, several hours to several days) in the past. If it is determined that the item information 25 has been transmitted (Yes in step S211), the process proceeds to step S203, otherwise (No in step S211), the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S<b>212 , the provision unit 21 transmits the item information 25 to the collection device 10 .

Thereafter, as in the case of (1) above, the collection device 10 uses the item information 25 transmitted by the provision unit 21 in step S212 to add the item information 16 to the data acquired from the machine 5A, It is transmitted to the management device 20 (steps S103 to S107).

In step S203, the acquisition unit 22 receives the data to which the item information 16 is added, which is transmitted in step S107. The acquisition unit 22 manages the received data. For example, the transmission unit 23 may transmit data managed by the acquisition unit 22 to the terminal 30 .

As a result, the collection device 10 can appropriately provide the management device 20 with the data output by the machine 5A or the like without using the request information. Also, the management device 20 can appropriately acquire the data output by the machine 5A or the like from the collection device 10 without using the request information.

(3) Update Processing The item information 25 held by the provision unit 21 of the management device 20 can be updated based on user operations or the like. For example, when the user deletes an item included in the item information 25, the item information 25 held by the providing unit 21 of the management device 20 is updated. In such a case, if nothing is done, the collection device 10 will provide data related to items that are not included in the item information 25 held by the management device 20, which is not appropriate. Therefore, when the item information 25 is updated, it is necessary to update the item information 16 as well as the item information 25 .

For example, the acquisition unit 22 of the management device 20 notifies the collection device 10 when the acquired data includes data whose items are not indicated in the item information 25 . Then, when the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 receives a notification from the management device 20 that data not indicated in the item information 25 is included, the acquisition unit 11 deletes the data in the correspondence information. In this manner, the item information 16 held by the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 can be updated. Note that the item information 25 held by the provision unit 21 of the management device 20 is held by the provision unit 21 of the management device 20 even when the user adds an item included in the item information 25. Item information 25 is updated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing update processing of correspondence information according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 9 is executed after the series of processing shown in FIG. 7 or 8 is finished.

In step S221, the acquisition unit 22 of the management device 20 determines whether the data acquired from the collection device 10 in step S203 includes data whose items are not indicated in the item information 25 held by the provision unit 21. determine whether If the above data is included (Yes in step S221), proceed to step S222; otherwise (No in step S221), terminate the series of processes shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. .

In step S<b>222 , the acquisition unit 22 of the management device 20 sends a notification to the collection device 10 that data not indicated in the item information 25 is included in the received data.

At step S121, the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 receives the notification sent at step S222.

In step S122, the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 deletes the item related to the notification received in step S121 from the held correspondence information. In this way, the items deleted from the item information 25 held by the management device 20 are also deleted from the item information 16 held by the acquisition unit 11 of the collection device 10 .

After step S122, when the collection device 10 receives information from the machine 5A or the like, the providing unit 14 uses the corresponding information from which the above items have been deleted, adds the item information 16, and transmits the data to the management device 20. (steps S105 to S107). Then, the management device 20 receives the data to which the item information 16 is added using the corresponding information from which the item has been deleted. Therefore, the management device 20 can receive data that does not include items deleted by the user.

Through the series of processes described above, the collection device can appropriately provide the data output by the industrial machine to the management device. Also, the management device can appropriately acquire the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device.

As described above, the collection device of the present embodiment adds the item information acquired from the management device to the data acquired from the industrial machine, and then provides the data to the management device. Since the collecting device has previously acquired the item information to be added to the data from the management device, the acquired item information can be added to the data. This causes the collection device to send a message containing the content of the data along with the item of data. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides the data output by the industrial machine to the management device.

In addition, since the collecting device communicates to acquire the item information only when the collecting device needs the item information, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication in the network. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides data output from the industrial machine to the management device from the collection device while suppressing communication traffic in the network.

Also, the collection device acquires the item information spontaneously transmitted by the management device without transmitting information such as request information. Therefore, the collection device does not need to perform processing or communication for acquiring item information, so processing load or communication load is reduced. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides the data output from the industrial machine to the management device from the collection device while suppressing the processing load or communication load.

In addition, the collection device can know from the notification from the management device that the provided data includes data for which items are not indicated in the item information held by the management device. In this way, the item information does not include data that does not indicate the item, when the item is deleted from the item information held by the management device after the collection device acquires the item information from the management device. can occur at In this case, the collection device changes the item information in the same manner as the item information held by the management device by deleting the notified item. By doing so, the collection device can hold the same item information as the item information held by the management device. Therefore, even when the item information held by the management device is changed, the collection device appropriately provides the management device with the data output by the industrial machine.

Also, the collection device becomes ready to use the acquired item information as soon as possible after the activation process. Therefore, the collection device appropriately provides the management device with the data output by the industrial machine from as early as possible after the start-up process.

In addition, when the collection device provides the management device with the data acquired from the industrial machine by a method conforming to the MTConnect standard, the collection device appropriately provides the management device with the data output by the industrial machine.

Also, the management device acquires data obtained by adding the item information provided by the management device to the data acquired from the industrial machine by the collection device. Since the management device provides the collecting device with the item information to be added to the data in advance, the item information can be added to the data by the collecting device. The management device thereby receives a message containing the content of the data together with the item of data. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires data output by the industrial machine from the collection device.

Also, the management device communicates to acquire the item information only when the collection device needs the item information, so it is possible to reduce the amount of communication in the network. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device while suppressing the amount of communication in the network.

Also, the management device spontaneously transmits item information without receiving information such as request information. Therefore, the management device does not need to perform processing or communication for acquiring item information, so processing load or communication load is reduced. Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device while suppressing the processing load or communication load.

In addition, the management device can notify the collection device that the acquired data includes data for which items are not indicated in the item information held by the management device. In this way, the item information does not contain data that does not indicate the item, when the item is deleted from the item information held by the management device after the management device provides the item information to the collection device. can occur at In this case, the management device causes the notified item to be deleted in the collection device as well. By doing so, the management device can cause the collection device to retain the same item information as the item information held by the management device. Therefore, even when the item information held by the management device is changed, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device.

In addition, the management device can make the item information available to the collection device as early as possible after the start-up process, and thereby can acquire the data to which the item information is added from the collection device. . Therefore, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device as early as possible after the start-up process.

Also, the management device can present the item information and data to the user through the terminal. More specifically, for example, item information and data can be visually recognized by the user by displaying them on the display screen of the terminal. Therefore, the management device can appropriately acquire the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device and present it to the user.

In addition, when the management device acquires the data acquired by the collection device from the industrial machine, the management device appropriately acquires the data output by the industrial machine from the collection device by a method conforming to the MTConnect standard.

Further, the communication device has the same effects as the collection device and the management device.

The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus, but also as a method in which processing means constituting the apparatus are used as steps, as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps, or as a computer-readable program in which the program is recorded. It can also be implemented as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as information, data, or signals indicating the program. These programs, information, data and signals may then be distributed over a communication network such as the Internet.

Although the collection device and the like of the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, the present embodiment includes various modifications that a person skilled in the art can think of, and the form constructed by combining the components of different embodiments is also included in the scope of the present invention. .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a collection device and a management device that acquire data output by industrial machines.

1 communication system 5A, 5B, 5C machine 10, 10A, 10B, 10C collection device 11, 22 acquisition unit 12 generation unit 13 interface 14, 21 provision unit 16, 25 item information 20 management device 23 transmission unit 30 terminal 50, 51, 52, 53 element 60 information 61 data L communication line M, N network

Claims (16)

A collection device for providing data acquired from an industrial machine to a management device,
an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the management device, item information indicating items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine;
a generation unit that generates correspondence information that associates the item information acquired by the acquisition unit with an interface for acquiring the data related to the item indicated by the item information from the industrial machine;
A providing unit that adds the item information associated with the data in the correspondence information to the data included in the information acquired from the industrial machine through the interface, and then provides the data to the management device. and a collection device. 2. The acquiring unit transmits request information for acquiring the item information to the management device, and acquires the transmitted item information in response to the management device receiving the transmitted request information. The collection device described in . The collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the item information voluntarily transmitted by the management device without transmitting request information for acquiring the item information to the management device. When the acquisition unit receives from the management device a notification that the data provided by the provision unit includes data for which items are not indicated in the item information, the acquisition unit adds the items in the correspondence information. The collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is deleted. The collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the item information transmitted by the management device when starting up the collection device. The collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the collection device and the management device are adapters and agents in the MTConnect standard, respectively. A management device that acquires and manages data acquired by the collection device from the industrial machine,
a providing unit that provides the collecting device with item information indicating items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine;
an acquisition unit for acquiring, from the collection device, the data to which the collection device has acquired the item information provided by the provision unit and to which the item information has been added by the collection device from the industrial machine after the collection device acquires the item information provided by the provision unit; management device. The management device according to claim 7, wherein the provision unit provides the item information in response to obtaining request information from the collection device. The management device according to claim 7, wherein the providing unit provides the item information without acquiring request information from the collecting device. 10. The acquiring unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein when the acquired data includes data for which items are not indicated in the item information, the acquiring unit notifies the collecting device to that effect. management device. The management device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the providing unit provides the item information during startup processing of the management device. The management device further
The management device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the data to which the item information is added to a terminal connected to the management device. The management device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein said collection device and said management device are respectively an adapter and an agent in the MTConnect standard. a collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
A communication device, comprising: the management device according to any one of claims 7 to 13, which provides the item information to an acquisition unit of the collection device and acquires the data from the collection device. A control method for a collection device for providing data acquired from an industrial machine to a management device, comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring from the management apparatus item information indicating items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine;
a generation step of generating correspondence information that associates the item information acquired in the acquisition step with an interface for acquiring the data related to the item indicated by the item information from the industrial machine;
A providing step of adding the item information associated with the data in the correspondence information to the data included in the information acquired from the industrial machine through the interface, and then providing the data to the management device. and control methods. A control method for a management device that acquires and manages data acquired from an industrial machine by a collection device,
a providing step of providing item information indicating items of data to be acquired from the industrial machine to the collecting device;
and an obtaining step of obtaining, from the collecting device, the data obtained by the collecting device from the industrial machine and to which the item information is added, after the collecting device obtains the item information provided in the providing step. control method.

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