JP7406259B2 - Relay device, relay method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a relay device, a relay method, and a program.

There is a relay device that converts the format of data provided by an industrial machine (also simply referred to as a machine) such as a machine tool and transmits it to a communication terminal (also simply referred to as a terminal) via communication. OPC-UA is an example of a communication standard for such communication (see Non-Patent Document 1).

"What is OPC UA?", [online], [searched on April 1, 2021], Internet <URL: https://www.ryoyo.co.jp/product/iot/machine/empress_ryoyo_opcua/>

When the configuration of a machine is changed, the format of data provided by the machine is changed, and the relay device may not be able to properly convert the data format, causing the problem that it may not be possible to provide optimal data to the terminal.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay device and the like that can appropriately convert data formats even when the configuration of a machine is changed.

In order to solve the above problems, a relay device according to one aspect of the present invention is a relay device that provides data provided by a machine to a terminal in a format compliant with industrial communication standards, an acquisition unit that acquires one data, and a conversion unit that has format information indicating a format of the data that conforms to the industrial communication standard, the first data acquired by the acquisition unit is converted into the format a converting unit that generates second data converted into the format indicated in the information; and a providing unit that provides the second data generated by the converting unit to the terminal using a communication protocol that conforms to the industrial communication standard. , when the configuration information indicating the configuration of the machine and the format information do not match, create new format information that matches the configuration information and have the conversion unit hold it, and the created new format information and a creation section that causes the provision section to provide the terminal with the information provided.

According to this, the relay device detects that the configuration of the machine has been changed based on a mismatch between the configuration information and the format information. When the above-mentioned inconsistency is detected, the above-mentioned inconsistency can be resolved by creating format information that matches the configuration information. In this way, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Further, when the converting unit has the new format information, the converting unit converts the new first data acquired by the acquiring unit into a format indicated by the new format information, and converts the new second data into a format indicated by the new format information. and the providing unit may provide the new second data generated by the converting unit to the terminal.

According to this, when the relay device creates new format information, the relay device uses the created new format information to convert data provided by the machine and provides it to the terminal. In this way, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Further, the creation unit acquires the configuration information from the machine, determines whether or not the acquired configuration information matches the format information, and determines whether the acquired configuration information and the format information match. If it is determined that they do not match, the new format information may be created.

According to this, the relay device creates new format information based on the result of determining whether the configuration information acquired from the machine and the format information held by the device itself are consistent, In other words, new format information is created without the intervention of other devices. Therefore, when the configuration information and format information do not match, new format information can be created more easily. Therefore, even when the configuration of the machine is changed, the relay device can more easily and appropriately convert the data format.

Further, the creation unit acquires the configuration information from the machine, determines whether or not the acquired configuration information matches the format information, and determines whether the acquired configuration information and the format information match. If it is determined that the information does not match, the providing unit provides the terminal with a notification that the information does not match, and when the providing unit receives an instruction sent by the terminal in response to the notification, the new format information is sent to the terminal. may be created.

According to this, the relay device sends a notification to the terminal based on the result of determining whether the configuration information acquired from the machine and the format information held by the device itself are consistent, and Create new format information according to the instructions from the corresponding terminal. Therefore, when creating new format information, the relay device creates the format information according to the administrator's intention. In other words, when creating new format information, the relay device may create new format information against the administrator's intention, for example, when creating new format information is unnecessary or inappropriate. This can be avoided. Further, the relay device notifies the terminal, so that the administrator can know that there has been a change in the configuration of the machine, and can create new format information at any timing. Therefore, even when the configuration of the machine is changed, the relay device can more easily and appropriately convert the data format.

Further, when the creation unit creates the new format information, the creation unit causes the provision unit to disconnect from the terminal and connect to the terminal, and then transmits the new format information to the It may also be sent to the terminal.

According to this, when the relay device creates new format information, it disconnects from the terminal, and after reconnecting from the terminal, transmits the new format information to the terminal. Therefore, the relay device converts the data provided by the machine using the created new format information and provides the data to the terminal. Therefore, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Further, the providing unit may provide a notification by communication according to the industrial communication standard as the notification, and receive an instruction by communication according to the industrial communication standard as the instruction.

According to this, the relay device uses industrial communication standards for notifications to terminals and instructions from the terminals, so more terminals can be used. Therefore, there is an advantage that a system for creating new format information using a relay device can be more easily constructed. Therefore, the relay device can use a system that can be more easily constructed to appropriately convert data formats even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Further, the industrial communication standard may be an OPC-UA (OPC Unified Architecture) standard.

According to this, when providing data provided by a machine to a terminal according to the OPC-UA standard, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even if the configuration of the machine is changed.

In order to solve the above problems, a relay method according to one aspect of the present invention is a relay method that provides data provided by a machine to a terminal in a format compliant with industrial communication standards, the acquired first data, and converted the acquired first data into the format indicated by the format information by a conversion unit that has format information indicating a format of the data that complies with the industrial communication standard; generating second data and providing the generated second data to the terminal using a communication protocol that complies with the industrial communication standard, and when configuration information indicating the configuration of the machine and the format information do not match; , a relay method in which new format information that matches the configuration information is created and stored in the converter, and the created new format information is provided to the terminal.

According to this, the same effect as the above-mentioned relay device is achieved.

Further, a program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the above relay method.

According to this, the same effect as the communication relay described above is achieved.

The present invention can be realized not only as a device, but also as a method in which the processing means constituting the device is a step, or as a program that causes a computer to execute the steps, or as a computer readable computer recording the program. It can also be realized as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as information, data, or a signal indicating the program. These programs, information, data, and signals may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

According to the present invention, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

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 relay device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of configuration information according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of format information according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing relay processing of the relay device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing processing of the communication system during relay processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the process of creating a relay device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing processing of the communication system during creation processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating a relay device according to a modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing processing of the communication system during creation processing according to a modification of the embodiment.

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

The embodiments described below each represent a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims representing the most significant concept of the present invention will be explained as arbitrary constituent elements constituting a more preferable embodiment. Note that the same components may be given the same reference numerals and their descriptions may be omitted.

(Embodiment)
In this embodiment, a relay device that appropriately converts data formats even when the configuration of a machine is changed will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a relay device 10, a machine 20, and a terminal 30.

The relay device 10 and the machine 20 are connected by a communication line L. The communication line L is a communication line that can communicate using a communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark), IP (Internet Protocol), or RS-232C (serial communication), or a proprietary communication protocol.

Further, the relay device 10 and the terminal 30 are connected via a network N. The relay device 10 and the terminal 30 may communicate according to, for example, an industrial communication standard, in other words, a standard for communicating data of industrial machines. Here, a case where the industrial communication standard is the OPC-UA standard will be explained as an example. Note that the communication line L or the network N may or may not be included in the communication system 1. Further, the communication realized by the communication line L or the network N may be wired communication or wireless communication.

The relay device 10 is a relay device that acquires data provided by the machine 20, processes the acquired data, and provides the data to the terminal 30, thereby relaying the data.

Machine 20 is a machine such as a machine tool. The machine 20 is a machine from which the terminal 30 acquires data. A plurality of machines 20 may exist. In that case, the plurality of machines 20 are each connected to the relay device 10 via the communication line L, and can operate independently of each other.

The machine 20 provides data about the machine 20. Data provided by machine 20 includes, for example, data regarding the operation, status, or control of machine 20. The machine 20 includes a communication interface that can be communicatively connected to the relay device 10 via the communication line L.

The machine 20 may transmit data spontaneously (in other words, without receiving request information) using a method (also referred to as a push method), or may transmit data in response to request information received from the relay device 10. Data may also be transmitted using a method (also called a polling method) in which data is transmitted using a polling method. Furthermore, the machine 20 may transmit data using both a push method and a polling method.

Hereinafter, a case where the machine 20 is a machine tool will be described as an example. For example, the machine 20, which is a machine tool, provides data indicating the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the main axis of a tool included in the machine 20.

The terminal 30 is a communication device that acquires data provided by the machine 20 via the relay device 10. The terminal 30 includes a communication interface that can be communicatively connected to the network N.

The terminal 30 acquires data provided by the machine 20, generates an image based on the acquired data and presents it to an administrator, or generates control information for controlling the machine 20 based on the received data and controls the machine. Send it to 20. The image can be presented, for example, by displaying it on a display screen included in the terminal 30 using a data collection tool.

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the relay device 10 includes an acquisition section 11, a conversion section 12, a provision section 13, and a creation section 14. Each functional unit included in the relay device 10 can be implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) included in the relay device 10 executing a predetermined program using a memory (not shown).

The acquisition unit 11 is a functional unit that acquires data provided by the machine 20. The acquisition unit 11 includes a communication interface that can be communicatively connected to the communication line L.

The acquisition unit 11 acquires data provided by the machine 20 through the communication line L. When the machine 20 transmits data using a polling method, the acquisition unit 11 transmits a data acquisition request to the machine 20, and acquires the data transmitted by the machine 20 in response to the transmitted acquisition request. When the machine 20 transmits data using a push method, the acquisition unit 11 waits for the data transmitted by the machine 20 and acquires the data transmitted by the machine 20. The data transmitted by the machine 20 and acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is also referred to as first data.

Further, the acquisition unit 11 acquires configuration information from the machine 20 and provides the acquired configuration information to the creation unit 14.

The conversion unit 12 is a functional unit that converts the first data acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The converting unit 12 holds format information indicating a format of data provided by the machine 20 and conforming to industrial communication standards. As will be described later, the format information is managed, created, and provided by the creation unit 14. The conversion unit 12 generates second data by converting the first data acquired by the acquisition unit 11 into the format shown in the format information. In other words, the first data acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is converted into second data having the format indicated by the format information.

The providing unit 13 is a functional unit that provides data to the terminal 30. The providing unit 13 includes a communication interface that is communicably connected to the network N, and is connected to the terminal 30 via the communication interface. The providing unit 13 provides the second data generated by the converting unit 12 to the terminal 30 via the network N. The providing unit 13 may provide the second data to the terminal 30 when receiving a request from the terminal 30 to obtain the data of the machine 20 . That is, the providing unit 13 may wait for an acquisition request for data of the machine 20 from the terminal 30, and provide the second data to the terminal 30 when receiving the acquisition request.

The creation unit 14 is a functional unit that manages and creates format information. The creation unit 14 acquires configuration information indicating the configuration of the machine 20 via the acquisition unit 11, and generates format information that matches the acquired configuration information. More specifically, the configuration information is information indicating, for example, the type of tool included in the machine 20, the position or state of the tool, and the like.

The creation unit 14 also determines whether or not the configuration information indicating the configuration of the machine 20 matches the format information, and if it is determined that the configuration information and the format information do not match, the creation unit 14 creates a new Controls the creation of format information. When creating new format information, the creation section 14 causes the conversion section 12 to hold the created new format information, and causes the provision section 13 to provide the created new format information to the terminal 30. Having the converting unit 12 retain the new format information created by the creating unit 14 can also be expressed as updating the format information held by the converting unit 12 to new format information.

When the creation unit 14 causes the conversion unit 12 to hold new format information, the conversion unit 12 converts the new first data acquired by the acquisition unit 11 into a new first data that is converted into the format indicated by the new format information. The providing unit 13 provides the new second data generated by the converting unit 12 to the terminal 30.

The control for creating new format information that matches the configuration information includes, for example, creating new format information when it is determined that the acquired configuration information and format information do not match.

Further, the control for creating new format information that matches the configuration information can be performed by, for example, notifying the terminal 30 from the providing unit 13 when it is determined that the acquired configuration information and format information do not match. This includes creating new format information when the providing unit 13 receives an instruction transmitted by the terminal 30 in response to the instruction.

Further, when creating new format information that matches the configuration information, the creation unit 14 causes the provision unit 13 to disconnect from the terminal 30 and connect to the terminal 30, and then creates the new format information. The information is transmitted to the terminal 30. Specifically, the creating unit 14 notifies the providing unit 13 that the connection with the terminal 30 that is currently connected (the communication session is continuing) will be disconnected.

Here, the notification to the terminal 30 may be made in accordance with industrial communication standards. Further, as an instruction from the terminal 30, an instruction that conforms to an industrial communication standard may be received.

Next, configuration information and format information will be explained.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of configuration information according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the configuration information 40 includes at least information such as the name of the device, the type name of the tool, the status information of each tool, the name of data 1, and the name of data 2.

Here, the status information is information indicating the operating status of the tool included in the machine 20, that is, whether the tool included in the machine 20 is operating or not, and data 1 and data 2 are each , the X and Y coordinates of the main axis of a tool included in the machine 20 will be described below as an example.

The device name is the name of the device whose configuration is shown by the configuration information 40. The name of the device includes, for example, the name of the machine 20 that is the device (specifically, the model of the machine tool, etc.).

The tool type name is, for example, the name of a tool that the machine 20 is equipped with, such as a spindle or a drill.

The status information is status information indicating the status of a tool included in the machine 20. A specific example of the state information is "operating state" or "stopping state".

The name of data 1 is the name of data that the machine 20 has. A specific example of the data name is "X coordinate of principal axis."

The name of data 2 is the name of data that the machine 20 has. A specific example of the data name is "Y coordinate of principal axis."

The configuration information 40 is predetermined by the configuration of the machine 20 and can be changed when the configuration of the machine 20 is changed. For example, when the tool provided in the machine 20 is changed to a new tool, the type of tool included in the configuration information 40 and data 1 or 2 related thereto correspond to the new tool. data may be changed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing format information 50 as an example of format information according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the format information 50 has a hierarchical structure. Note that although FIG. 4 shows, as an example, the format information 50 expressed as nodes having a hierarchical structure (or tree structure), other expression formats are also possible.

As shown in FIG. 4, format information 50 is information expressing the structure of data provided by machine 20. In the format information 50, the structure of data is expressed as one or more nodes (here, nodes 51, 52, 53, and 54). One or more nodes correspond to data included in the configuration information 40.

Node 51 is a device node. The node 51, which is a device node, is a node corresponding to the machine 20, which is a device. Node 51, which is a device node, has nodes 52, 53, and 54 as child nodes.

Node 52 is a device status node. Node 52, which is an equipment state node, is a node corresponding to the operating state of machine 20.

Nodes 53 and 54 are each data nodes. Nodes 53 and 54, which are data nodes, correspond to data 1 and data 2, respectively, which the machine 20 has.

The conversion unit 12 converts the data acquired from the machine 20 (corresponding to the first data) into data having the format shown in the format information 50 (corresponding to the second data) by referring to the format information 50 created by the creation unit 14. ). The converted data is, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) data having a format shown in the format information 50.

The creation unit 14 acquires configuration information 40 (see FIG. 3) indicating the configuration of the machine 20 from the machine 20, and determines whether the acquired configuration information 40 matches the format information 50 held by the conversion unit 12. Determine whether or not. For example, if the information or data included in the acquired configuration information 40 is included in the format information 50 in just the right amount, the creation unit 14 determines that the configuration information 40 and the format information 50 are consistent. If not, it is determined that the configuration information 40 and format information 50 do not match. When the creation unit 14 determines that the configuration information 40 and the format information 50 do not match, it creates new format information 50 that matches the acquired configuration information 40.

When creating new format information 50, the creation unit 14 creates new format information 50 that includes exactly the information or data included in the configuration information 40 acquired from the machine 20.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the relay processing of relay device 10 according to the present embodiment. The relay process is a process in which data provided by the machine 20 is acquired, the acquired data is converted by the conversion unit 12 using the format information 50, and the converted data is provided to the terminal 30. Note that, unlike the flow of FIG. 7 which will be described later, FIG. 5 shows a process flow on the premise that the configuration information and format information match.

In step S101, the acquisition unit 11 determines whether the data provided by the machine 20 has been acquired. If it is determined that data has been acquired (Yes in step S101), the process advances to step S102, and if not (No in step S101), step S101 is executed again. That is, the acquisition unit 11 takes a standby state in step S101 until it acquires the data provided by the machine 20.

In step S102, the conversion unit 12 converts the first data acquired from the machine 20 in step S103 into second data using format information.

In step S103, the terminal is notified of the determination result as to whether or not the data has been acquired in step S101, and in accordance with the instruction from the terminal in response to the notification, the providing unit 13, after the conversion by the converting unit 12 in step S102, data is provided to the terminal 30. When providing the above data to the terminal 30, it may be provided to the terminal 30 as a response to the acquisition request obtained in step S101.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the communication system 1 during relay processing according to the present embodiment. Note that among the processes shown in FIG. 6, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the machine 20 repeatedly provides data to the relay device 10. Each time the relay device 10 acquires data provided by the machine 20 (step S101), it performs a conversion process (step S102), and provides the converted data to the terminal 30 according to instructions from the terminal (step S103). .

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the creation process of the relay device 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the process shown in FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval can be, for example, on the order of several minutes to several hours, and may vary.

In step S201, the acquisition unit 11 acquires configuration information from the machine 20. The acquisition unit 11 provides the acquired configuration information to the creation unit 14.

In step S202, the creation unit 14 determines whether the configuration information acquired in step S201 matches the format information held by the conversion unit 12. If it is determined that the configuration information and format information match (Yes in step S202), the series of processes shown in FIG. 5 is ended, and if not (No in step S202), the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, the creation unit 14 refers to the configuration information acquired in step S201 and creates format information that matches the configuration information.

In step S204, the creation unit 14 provides the format information created in step S203 from the provision unit 13 to the terminal 30.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the communication system 1 during the creation processing according to the present embodiment. Note that in FIG. 8, a case will be described in which the determination result in step S202 (see FIG. 7) is No. Note that among the processes shown in FIG. 8, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the machine 20 repeatedly provides configuration information to the relay device 10. Each time the relay device 10 acquires configuration information provided by the machine 20 (step S201), it determines whether the configuration information and format information match (step S202), and if they do not match, the relay device 10 determines whether or not the configuration information and format information match. Information is generated (step S203) and provided to the terminal 30 (step S204).

Through the series of processes shown in FIG. 7 or 8, the communication system 1 and the relay device 10 can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

(Modified example of embodiment)
In this modification, a relay device that can appropriately convert data formats even when the configuration of a machine is changed will be described. The relay device according to this modification controls the creation of new format information in accordance with an instruction from the terminal regarding whether to create new format information when the configuration information and format information do not match.

Here, assuming that the relay device 10 and the terminal 30 communicate using a communication protocol that complies with the industrial communication standard (more specifically, the OPC-UA standard), we will explain the communication packets specified by the communication protocol. A technique for transmitting an instruction to create new format information from the terminal 30 to the relay device 10 using the following will be described. Specifically, a technique will be described in which the relay device 10 and the terminal 30 transmit the above-mentioned instructions using information exchange in the Acknowledgable Condition Model of OPC-UA.

The Acknowledgable Condition Model transmits machine alarms to the terminal through four states: "alarm generation," "alarm acknowledgment," "alarm cancellation," and "alarm cancellation confirmation." This is a mechanism to make the administrator aware and take action. An alarm is one type of warning-related information defined by OPC-UA.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing the creation process of the relay device 10 according to this modification. The process shown in FIG. 9 shows in detail the process included in frame IX in FIG.

In step S211, the providing unit 13 sets the alarm to an unacknowledged state. Note that the state in which the alarm is set to an unacknowledged state corresponds to the fact that the occurrence of the alarm has not yet been acknowledged by the administrator.

In step S212, the providing unit 13 notifies the terminal 30 of an alarm. More specifically, the providing unit 13 notifies the terminal 30 as an alarm that the configuration information acquired from the machine 20 and the format information held by the converting unit 12 do not match. Note that in the modification of the embodiment described here, the above-mentioned alarm notification is based on the premise that the terminal 30 periodically inquires of the relay device 10 about the presence or absence of an alarm, and in response to that inquiry. A case will be described in which the relay device 10 notifies that there is an alarm. Alternatively, the relay device 10 may notify the terminal 30 of an alarm as necessary (such as when an alarm occurs).

The notification that there is an alarm has the role of notifying the terminal 30 that the configuration information and format information do not match. In other words, the relay device 10 notifies that the configuration information and format information do not match through communication according to the industrial communication standard.

In step S213, the providing unit 13 determines whether a signal for approving an alarm (also referred to as an alarm acknowledge signal) has been received from the terminal 30. If the alarm acknowledgment signal is received (Yes in step S213), the process advances to step S214, and if not (No in step S213), step S213 is executed again. That is, the providing unit 13 takes a standby state in step S213 until it receives the alarm acknowledgment signal.

In step S214, the providing unit 13 sets the alarm to an approved state. Note that setting the alarm to the approved state corresponds to the fact that the occurrence of the alarm has been acknowledged by the administrator.

In step S215, the providing unit 13 sets the alarm cancellation to an unconfirmed state. Note that the state in which the cancellation of the alarm is set to an unconfirmed state corresponds to the fact that the administrator has not yet confirmed that the alarm will be canceled.

In step S216, the providing unit 13 determines whether a signal for canceling an alarm (also referred to as an alarm cancel signal) has been received from the terminal 30. If the alarm cancellation signal has been received (Yes in step S216), the process proceeds to step S217, and if not (No in step S216), step S216 is executed again. That is, the providing unit 13 takes a standby state in step S216 until it receives the alarm release signal. The alarm release signal has the role of instructing the relay device 10 to update the format information. In other words, the relay device 10 receives an instruction to update the format information through communication that conforms to the industrial communication standard.

In step S217, the creation unit 14 refers to the configuration information acquired in step S201 and creates format information that matches the configuration information.

Here, between step S216 and step S217, the creation unit 14 notifies the providing unit 13 that the connection with the currently connected terminal 30 will be disconnected, and based on the notification, the providing unit 13 30 may be disconnected.

In step S218, the creation unit 14 provides the format information created in step S217 from the provision unit 13 to the terminal 30.

In step S219, the providing unit 13 determines whether an alarm cancellation confirmation signal has been received. If it is determined that the alarm cancellation confirmation signal has been received, the process advances to step S220, and if not, step S219 is executed again. That is, the providing unit 13 takes a standby state in step S219 until it receives the alarm release confirmation signal.

In step S220, the providing unit 13 sets the cancellation of the alarm to a confirmed state. Note that setting the alarm cancellation to the confirmed state corresponds to the fact that the alarm cancellation has been approved by the administrator, that is, the alarm has been canceled.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the communication system 1 during the creation processing according to this modification. The process shown in FIG. 10 shows in detail the process included in frame X in FIG. Note that in FIG. 10, a case will be described in which the signals of steps S213, S216, and S219 (see FIG. 9) are received at appropriate timings. Note that among the processes shown in FIG. 10, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 9 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, after setting the alarm to an unacknowledged state (step S211), the relay device 10 notifies that there is an alarm in response to an alarm acquisition request periodically made from the terminal 30. (Step S212).

Thereafter, upon receiving the alarm acknowledgment signal from the terminal 30 (step S213), the relay device 10 sets the alarm to an acknowledged state and sets the alarm release to an unconfirmed state (steps S214, S215).

Next, upon receiving the alarm cancellation signal from the terminal 30 (step S216), the relay device 10 creates format information and transmits it to the terminal 30 (steps S217, S218). Thereafter, the relay device 10 transmits new format information in response to a periodic request to obtain new format information from the terminal 30.

Next, upon receiving the alarm cancellation signal transmitted by the terminal 30, the relay device 10 sets the alarm cancellation to a confirmed state (steps S219 and S220).

Through the series of processes shown in FIG. 9 or 10, the communication system 1 and the relay device 10 receive an instruction from the terminal as to whether or not to create new format information when the configuration information and format information do not match. By controlling the creation of new format information according to the following, data format conversion can be performed appropriately even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

As described above, the relay device according to the present embodiment detects that the configuration of the machine has been changed based on the mismatch between the configuration information and the format information. When the above-mentioned inconsistency is detected, the above-mentioned inconsistency can be resolved by creating format information that matches the configuration information. In this way, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Further, when the relay device creates new format information, the relay device uses the created new format information to convert data provided by the machine and provides the data to the terminal. In this way, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

In addition, the relay device creates new format information based on the result of determining whether the configuration information acquired from the machine and the format information held by the device itself are consistent. Create new format information without intervening other devices. Therefore, when the configuration information and format information do not match, new format information can be created more easily. Therefore, even when the configuration of the machine is changed, the relay device can more easily and appropriately convert the data format.

In addition, the relay device transmits new format information in accordance with instructions from the terminal, based on the result of determining whether the configuration information acquired from the machine and the format information held by the device itself are consistent. create. Therefore, when creating new format information, the relay device creates the format information according to the administrator's intention. In other words, when creating new format information, the relay device may create new format information against the administrator's intention, for example, when creating new format information is unnecessary or inappropriate. This can be avoided. Therefore, even when the configuration of the machine is changed, the relay device can more easily and appropriately convert the data format.

Furthermore, when the relay device creates new format information, it disconnects from the terminal, reconnects from the terminal, and then transmits the new format information to the terminal. Therefore, the relay device converts the data provided by the machine using the created new format information and provides the data to the terminal. Therefore, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Furthermore, since the relay device uses industrial communication standards for notifications to terminals and instructions from the terminals, more terminals can be used. Therefore, there is an advantage that a system for creating new format information using a relay device can be more easily constructed. Therefore, the relay device can use a system that can be more easily constructed to appropriately convert data formats even when the configuration of the machine is changed.

Further, when providing data provided by a machine to a terminal according to the OPC-UA standard, the relay device can appropriately convert the data format even if the configuration of the machine is changed.

The present invention can be realized not only as a device, but also as a method in which the processing means constituting the device is a step, or as a program that causes a computer to execute the steps, or as a computer readable computer recording the program. It can also be realized as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as information, data, or a signal indicating the program. These programs, information, data, and signals may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

Although the relay device and the like of the present invention have been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless departing from the spirit of the present invention, various modifications that can be thought of by those skilled in the art to this embodiment, and forms constructed by combining components of different embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention. .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be applied to the relay device connected to an industrial machine and a terminal. Specifically, it can be applied to a relay device that is interposed between an industrial machine and a terminal and relays communication.

1 Communication system 10 Relay device 11 Acquisition unit 12 Conversion unit 13 Providing unit 14 Creation unit 20 Machine 30 Terminal 40 Configuration information 50 Format information 51, 52, 53, 54 Node L Communication line N Network

Claims (9)

A relay device that provides data provided by a machine to a terminal in a format that conforms to industrial communication standards,
an acquisition unit that acquires first data provided by the machine;
a conversion unit that has format information indicating a format of the data that is compatible with the industrial communication standard, and that converts the first data acquired by the acquisition unit into the format indicated by the format information; a conversion unit that generates second data;
a providing unit that provides the second data generated by the converting unit to the terminal using a communication protocol that complies with the industrial communication standard;
If the configuration information indicating the configuration of the machine and the format information do not match, create new format information that matches the configuration information and have the converter hold it, and store the created new format information. A relay device comprising: a creation unit that causes the provision unit to provide the terminal. The conversion unit is
If the new format information is held, generating new second data by converting the new first data acquired by the acquisition unit into a format indicated by the new format information;
The provision department is
The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the new second data generated by the conversion unit is provided to the terminal. The creation department is
obtaining the configuration information from the machine;
determining whether the acquired configuration information and the format information match;
The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the new format information is created when it is determined that the acquired configuration information and the format information do not match. The creation department is
obtaining the configuration information from the machine;
determining whether the acquired configuration information and the format information match;
If it is determined that the acquired configuration information and the format information do not match, cause the providing unit to provide a notification to the terminal that the information does not match;
The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the providing unit creates the new format information when the providing unit receives an instruction transmitted by the terminal in response to the notification. When the creation unit creates the new format information,
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising causing the providing unit to transmit the new format information to the terminal after disconnecting the terminal and establishing a connection with the terminal. Relay device. The provision department is
As the notification, the notification is made by communication according to the industrial communication standard,
The relay device according to claim 4, wherein the instruction is received through communication that conforms to the industrial communication standard. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the industrial communication standard is an OPC-UA (OPC Unified Architecture) standard. A relay method for providing data provided by a machine to a terminal in a format compliant with industrial communication standards, the method comprising:
obtaining first data provided by the machine;
generating second data by converting the acquired first data into the format indicated by the format information by a conversion unit that has format information indicating a format of the data that is compatible with the industrial communication standard; ,
providing the generated second data to the terminal using a communication protocol that complies with the industrial communication standard;
If the configuration information indicating the configuration of the machine and the format information do not match, create new format information that matches the configuration information and have the converter hold it, and store the created new format information. A relay method provided to the terminal. A program that causes a computer to execute the relay method according to claim 8.

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