JPH04282B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention is applicable to systems that require changing the sequence execution order and related data due to a huge number of combination logics and products, as typified by systems such as transportation, compounding, and shipping. This invention relates to improvements in controlling large-scale and complex batch process control devices using sequence tables.

<Prior art> Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-39202 filed by the same applicant discloses the basic technology of a control device using a sequence table.
The advantages of using a sequence table as a method for easily describing complex sequences such as sequential execution of processes, interlocks, and monitoring are explained.

The structure of the sequence table will be briefly explained with reference to FIG. 1a in sequence table 1
is the rule number entry field, 1b is the step number entry field, 1c is the operation start condition (condition stub) entry field, 1d is the condition entry entry field where binary signals Y, N and blanks are entered, 1e is the operation 1f is an entry field for commands (action stubs), 1f is an operation entry entry field filled in with binary signals Y, N, and a blank space, and 1g is an operation entry signal that is generated when the condition entry is satisfied in the next step. , transition to the step specified in the next step entry field.

Batch processing, which is applied to various fields of production of other brands and small quantities, is characterized by complex sequences combined with feedback control, frequent repetition of transient and steady states, changes in process characteristics as the batch progresses, and mode changes. It is characterized by manual intervention, parameter resetting due to stock switching, etc.

Batch processes take a wide variety of forms, and there are many complex processes in which unit devices are configured in series, in parallel, or by combining these.

When automating the entire process, in addition to the above characteristics, line selection and transfer via a complex piping network is required.

Sequence processing for the entire facility (e.g. cleaning equipment and lines in food processing).

Interlock associated with multi-stage processing between devices,
Coordination, meeting management (scheduling).

As process technology advances and equipment becomes more versatile, brand management requires not only changing parameters, but also dynamically changing the sequence order.

There is a need for solutions to even more difficult themes.

The configuration of a batch control device that involves such complicated processing is generally hierarchically divided from the execution level to the management level, and the methods at each level are generalized to form a standard design method.

That is, the general structure of the hierarchy is the following four levels.

Control element level It has a one-to-one correspondence with the detection end and operation end for the process, and defines sequence elements such as valves and pumps, and feedback control elements such as temperature control loops and quantitative setting devices.

This is achieved by writing a series of sequence operations in a sequence table in combination with elements defined at the unit sequence execution level.

Unit process control level In the batch process, preparation, temperature raising, reaction...
The content of sequence control is complicated by the combination of process progress, mode switching (automatic/semi-automatic/manual), and sequence state changes based on abnormality detection, but by taking advantage of the characteristics of the sequence table, the execution level can be improved. It is possible to separate the sequence for managing process/situation changes from the sequence for managing process/situation changes, and express and manage them in a concise structure.

Comprehensive process control level Comprehensive process control of the entire process, including brand management, line selection management, and schedule management.

The control station is responsible for the levels ~, and the operator's station is responsible for the levels, and information is exchanged between the two via communication lines.

In a batch control device that performs complex brand management, a large amount of brand prescription data is stored in a file at the comprehensive process control level, and the control station retrieves the corresponding brand prescription data based on the brand specification and executes it at the control level. Distribute to the side and have them execute the sequence.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a batch control device having such a configuration. 2 is a control station that corresponds one-to-one to the detection end and the operation end of the process and shares the above levels ~, 201 is the sequence table explained in FIG. 6, 202 is a feedback control function, and 203 is a sequence table and feedback control station. A buffer function for various data given to the control function, 204 indicates a buffer function for collecting performance data.

3 is an operator's station that shares the overall process control level, and implements the following functions along with man-machine functions using a CRT and keyboard 4, brand file 5 using a magnetic disk, and printing function using a printer 6.

Stock management screen processing Create a job-specific management screen so that any stock data can be referenced at any time.

Data setting A function to set data in the data buffer of the control station according to the setting timing or operation command given from the screen between brands. A large number of brand data is distributed to the control station at once by this function.

Stock data maintenance Stock data is job-specific data, so registering new stocks, deleting seasonal stocks, changing parameters, etc. can be done via the screen display function.
Maintain the contents of the brand data file 5.

Operation commands Execute operation commands from the screen that match the timing of data distribution.

Printing Process The performance data collected from the control station is processed and the printer 6 executes the printing work.

7 to 10 are communication functions, and 7 and 8 are communication functions from the operator's station 3 to the control station 2, which handle data distribution and command notification information, respectively. Reference numerals 9 and 10 indicate reverse communication functions, which handle collection information of performance data and event message information, respectively.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> There are the following problems in brand management in a batch control device having such a configuration.

Regarding the data distributed by tamming based on event notifications from the issue management screen or the control station, the distribution data including the distribution destination is configured in machine language. Therefore, it is necessary to change the machine language each time the data is changed, and the maintenance of stock data is not user-friendly.

Brand management screens have not become commonplace and must be created in a machine-oriented language each time, which is a factor in increasing device production costs.

The purpose of the present invention is to standardize the method of data distribution in a batch control device that performs brand management, etc., and to easily establish data distribution timing and distribution data (distribution destination) on the user side, including brand management. The aim is to realize a device that can be maintained.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The structural features of the present invention include a control station that executes each step of a plurality of steps via a sequence table means in which relationships between conditions and operations are described; In a batch control device comprising an operator's station that notifies the control station of commands based on event messages and distributes data to the sequence table means, the operator's station has a sequence table similar to the sequence table means. A means is provided, and the event messages from the control station side are collectively described in the condition field, and the command notification and the distribution data are described in the operation field.

<Operation> According to the present invention, an event message from the control station and information such as distribution data, command notification, printing start, etc. corresponding to the event message are stored in the condition column and operation of the sequence table means provided on the operator's station side. The fields are standardized in user-oriented language, and the maintenance screen is also standardized with a sequence table configuration, making it possible for users to use machine-oriented language when changing brands or to design screens in machine-oriented language. Maintenance becomes possible.

<Example> FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration diagram of the present invention, and the same elements as in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted.
File function 5 is condition file 50
1. Action file 502, issue data file 503, execution reservation issue data file 50
4. The performance data file 505 is comprised of a performance data file 505, and these files can be managed through data updates, changes, etc. from the maintenance screen 4.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a sequence table means provided on the operator's station 1 side, which is the main part of the present invention, and refers to a condition file based on an event message from the control station side and an action that is established under the conditions of this condition. The data of the action file is decoded and the data buffer 2 on the control station side is decoded.
Sends command notifications such as distribution of data to 03 and start of operation.

Furthermore, it has a function of collecting performance data from the control station side, storing it in a performance data file 505, reading the data from this file, and activating the printing function 6 to print out the performance data.

FIG. 2 shows a more specific configuration of the device of the present invention, in which the sequence table means 11 includes a condition and action data decoding function 111, an event message receiving and command notification transmitting function 112,
It has a data distribution and data collection function 113.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a file accelerator function, which reads data from a file specified by a command from the condition/action data decoding function 111 and supplies it to the decoding function 111.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a man-machine processing function, which processes stock management and file maintenance work executed via the maintenance screen 4, and accesses the file 5 via the file accelerator function 12 to set, change, and update data. The process sets the brand data, execution reservation brand data, condition, and action data.

The printing function 6 includes a printing processing function 601 and a printer means 602, and executes printing processing in response to a start signal from the condition/action data decoding function 111.

Next, the composition of condition data and action data will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of a condition file, where each event message number (event notification) has items to be processed as processing specifications, and information necessary for that processing as one or more auxiliary specifications. have The auxiliary specification describes the process for executing this process, the address of the action data, and the conditions for execution.

Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of an action file.
Each action has the thing to be executed as an execution command, and the auxiliary specifications include the data destination for this execution,
Describe the data distribution destination, performance collection destination, performance storage destination, and printing start destination.

These condition and action data are displayed on the maintenance screen and can be easily set and changed.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of the present invention will be explained in chronological order.

Receives event messages from control stations at the run level.

Extract condition data corresponding to the message from the condition file.

identify processing specifications for condition data;
The establishment of the condition is confirmed based on the auxiliary specified information and conditions, and the action data corresponding to the condition is extracted from the action file.

Identify the execution command from the action data, refer to the auxiliary specification information, and execute it. Execution specifications include data distribution, command notification, performance data collection and storage, printing start, and data distribution end.

The number of actions described in one condition data (maximum, for example, 32) is executed.

Perform this procedure upon receiving an event message.

When the brand data is specified from the maintenance screen via the man-machine processing function, it is transferred from the brand data file to the execution reservation brand data file. The data destination at the time of data distribution action indicates this execution reservation issue data file.

Furthermore, the man-machine processing using the maintenance screen executes maintenance of brand data, condition data, and action data as described above.

The screen display is standardized in the form of the table explained in Figures 3 and 4, and the language written in the table uses predefined user-friendly symbols and abbreviations, making the writing process easier for machines. This enables maintenance without using any language.

In the above embodiment, a batch control device with brand management has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to brand management, and can be used to collect performance data and perform operation command notification work in response to event notification. It is possible to apply the present invention to a batch control device which executes printing start-up and which requires checking conditions before execution.

<Effects> As explained above, according to the present invention, the things to be executed based on an event message are described in a table format as conditions and actions, and the function to decipher these (written as a program) is written in the table. By separating the information from the system, there is no need to describe the execution of events in a machine-oriented language that has specialized knowledge, and it can be generalized to a standardized user-oriented language.

In addition, by using symbols written in a predefined general language, the operations to be executed based on event messages are displayed in the form of a table for maintenance purposes, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The screen configuration can also be standardized, making maintenance on the user's side extremely easy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a specific configuration diagram thereof, FIGS. 3 and 4 are configuration diagrams showing examples of condition data and action data, and FIG. 5 is a diagram of the conventional configuration. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of implementation of the batch control device, and is an explanatory diagram of a sequence table. 1... Operator's station, 2... Control station, 4... Maintenance screen, 5...
...File function, 6...Printing function, 7...Data distribution, 8...Command notification, 9...Event message,
10...Data collection, 11...Sequence table means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A control station that executes each step of a plurality of steps via a sequence table means in which relationships between conditions and operations are described, and a command notification to the control station based on an event message from this control station, and a control station that executes the above-mentioned control station. In a batch control device comprising an operator's station that executes data distribution to means, a sequence table means similar to the above sequence table means is provided on the operator's station side, and event messages from the control station side are aggregated in the condition column. A batch control device characterized in that the command notification and the distribution data are written in an operation column thereof.