JPH09259008A - Alarm monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit alarm information to a monitor computer even if a power cut owing to the fault of the power modules of computer units and the abnormality of a control part occur, without affecting a mounting space and the like. SOLUTION: The control part 10 of the monitor computer 1 monitors the computer units 2a-2n through a serial communication line 101 and a signal line 102 and displays the monitor state. The control parts 20a-20n of the computer units 2a-2n execute a communication processing with the monitor computer 1, detect the alarms of the power modules 21a-21n and transfer information to terminal equipments 3n-1 to 3n-4. An alarm OR box 4 OR-operates alarm information which the power modules 21a-21n output in connection parts 4a-4n and informs the control part 10 of the monitor computer 1 of the operation result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alarm monitoring system, and more particularly to a computer system including various computer units including a power supply module having an alarm detection function and a monitoring computer having a communication function with the various computer units. Regarding alarm monitoring.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as alarm monitoring of this type of computer system, as shown in FIG. 5, when the control units 80a to 80n of the computer units 8a to 8n detect an alarm of the power supply modules 81a to 81n,
There is a method of transmitting communication data including the alarm detection information as alarm information to the monitoring computer 7 through the serial communication lines 110 and 111.

Computer unit 8a is used for communication data.
.About.8n each includes a physical address and a detailed code of alarm information, and the computer unit in which the alarm is generated and the content of the alarm are monitored by the monitoring computer 7.
Will be displayed.

The monitoring computer 7 sends the communication data from each of the computer units 8a to 8n to the remote display unit 5 and the host system 6 via a communication line and displays them on the remote display unit 5. For this type of alarm monitoring, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-105944.

As the alarm monitoring, as shown in FIG. 6, when the control units 80a to 80n of the computer units 8a to 8n detect an alarm of the power supply modules 81a to 81n, communication including detection information of the alarm is performed. Signal lines 120a to 120n using data as alarm information
There is a method of directly transmitting to the monitoring computer 7 through.

In the case of this method, in the monitoring computer 7, meaning is set for each of the ports to which the control units 80a to 80n are connected, and the monitoring computer 7 outputs an alarm in association with the port to which the alarm information is input. Information is sent to the remote display unit 5 and the host system 6 via a communication line and displayed on the remote display unit 5.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional alarm monitoring system, when the control unit of each computer unit detects an alarm of the power supply module, communication data including detection information of the alarm is used as alarm information for the serial communication line. In the case of the method of transmitting the information to the monitoring computer via the computer, if the power is cut off due to a failure of the power supply module of the computer unit or an abnormality occurs in the control unit, information cannot be sent to the monitoring computer.

In that case, the monitoring computer and the remote display unit only recognize the information of the communication interruption,
Unless the supervisor confirms the faulty computer unit on site, it cannot be determined whether the control unit or the power supply module is abnormal.

Further, when the control unit of each computer unit detects an alarm of the power supply module, the communication data including the alarm detection information is directly transmitted as alarm information to the monitoring computer through the signal line. Although detection is possible, it is necessary to have a plurality of hardware logics for detection, which greatly affects the mounting space and the like. Moreover, if it is necessary to add more hardware restrictions on the monitor computer.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to prevent the monitoring computer from being affected even when the power supply is cut off or the control section is abnormal due to the failure of the power supply module of the computer unit without affecting the mounting space. It is to provide an alarm monitoring system that can send alarm information to the user.

[0011]

An alarm monitoring system according to the present invention includes a plurality of computer units each having a power supply module having an alarm detection function, and a plurality of computer units connected via a communication line to each of the plurality of computer units. An alarm monitoring system including a monitoring computer that detects an alarm of each of a plurality of computer units, wherein the monitoring computer is provided in each of the plurality of computer units and alarm information from the alarm detection function is transmitted through the communication line. And a logical operation means for logically operating alarm information from the alarm detection function of each of the plurality of computer units and notifying the monitoring computer.

In another alarm monitoring system according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the logical operation means is configured to logically OR the alarm information from the alarm detection function of each of the plurality of computer units by hardware. are doing.

Another alarm monitoring system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of computer units each having a power supply module having an alarm detection function, and a plurality of computers connected to each of the plurality of computer units via a serial communication line. An alarm monitoring system including a monitoring computer that detects an alarm of each unit, the alarm information being provided to each of the plurality of computer units and notifying the monitoring computer of alarm information from the alarm detection function via the serial communication line. Notification means, first logical operation means for performing logical operation on alarm information from the alarm detection function of a specific computer unit among the plurality of computer units, output of the first logical operation means, and the plurality of Computer uni And alarm information from the alarm detection functions of the other computer units of doo and logical operations and a second logical operation means for notifying the monitoring computer.

In still another alarm monitoring system according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the first logical operation means logically ORs alarm information from the alarm detection function of the specific computer unit by hardware. And the second logical operation means is configured to logically OR the output of the first logical operation means and the alarm information from the alarm detection function of the other computer unit by hardware. are doing.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the operation of the present invention will be described below.

As a result of notifying the monitoring computer of the alarm information of the power supply module from the control section of each of the plurality of computer units via the serial communication line and performing the logical sum operation on the alarm information of the power supply module in the alarm or box. To the monitoring computer.

This makes it possible to send the alarm information to the monitoring computer without affecting the mounting space or the like, even if the power supply is cut off due to the failure of the power supply module of the computer unit or the control unit is abnormal. That is, it becomes possible to realize the state of each computer unit having a power supply module individually by the monitoring computer with minimum hardware.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an alarm monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a monitoring computer 1, computer units 2a to 2n, and terminal devices 3n-1 to 3n-1.
3n-4 and alarm or box (OR BOX) 4
And a remote display unit 5 and a host system 6.

The control unit 10 of the monitoring computer 1 has computer units 2a ...
2n, and is connected to the alarm or box 4 through the signal line 102.

That is, the control unit 1 of the monitoring computer 1
0 monitors each of the computer units 2a to 2n through the serial communication line 101 and the signal line 102, and displays the monitoring state on a display unit (not shown). Further, the monitoring computer 1 transmits the monitoring contents to the remote display unit 5 and the host system 6 through the communication line.

Each of the computer units 2a to 2n includes a control unit 20a to 20n and a power supply module 21a to 21n.
The information transfer is performed between the terminal devices 3n-1 to 3n-4 and peripheral devices (not shown).

Further, each of the computer units 2a to 2n displays the states of the connected terminal devices 3n-1 to 3n-4 and peripheral devices and the state of its own unit on a display unit (not shown). Although only the terminal devices 3n-1 to 3n-4 connected to the computer unit 2n are shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the terminal devices and peripheral devices are also connected to the other computer units.

The control units 20a to 20n perform communication processing with the monitoring computer 1, alarm detection of the power supply modules 21a to 21n, and information transfer with the terminal devices 3n-1 to 3n-4. The power supply modules 21a to 21n have an interface for outputting the power supply status and alarm information to the outside.

Each of the terminal devices 3n-1 to 3n-4 is connected to the computer unit 2n, and is configured to transfer the state of the device itself and various data to the computer unit 2n.

The alarm or box 4 is connected to the wiring portions 4a-4.
n is connected to the corresponding computer units 2a to 2n, and the logical sum operation of the alarm information output by each computer unit 2a to 2n is performed in each of the connection portions 4a to 4n, and the operation result is controlled by the monitoring computer 1. Notify the department 10.

That is, the alarm or box 4 takes the logical sum of the alarm information from each of the computer units 2a to 2n by the connection (wired) in each of the connection parts 4a to 4n, and the electrical operation is performed to perform the logical sum operation. No parts are used.

Although alarm information from each of the computers 2a to 2n is input to the alarm or box 4 in FIG. 1, it is also possible to connect the output of another alarm or box to this alarm or box 4. is there. In this case, connecting another alarm or box makes it easy to add a computer unit for notifying the monitoring computer 1 of alarm information.

The remote display unit 5 is the monitoring computer 1.
The information transferred from is displayed on a lamp or display. The host system 6 receives various states from the monitoring computer 1 and manages the data as log information /
Output.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring computer 1 and the computer unit 2a of FIG.
In the figure, the control unit 10 of the monitoring computer 1 includes a line driver / receiver (DR / RV) 11 for communication between the remote display unit 5 and the host system 6, and a CPU.
Section 12, a receiver (RV) 13 for reading a power supply state signal from the alarm or box 4, a display section 14, and a line driver / receiver (DR / RV) for communication between the computer units 2a to 2n. It is composed of 15 and.

The CPU section 12 of the control section 10 controls all the processes performed by the monitoring computer 1, and is composed of a CPU, a memory, and various data input / output LSIs (large-scale integrated circuits). The display unit 14 displays the status of the monitoring computer 1 and various information transferred from each of the computer units 2a to 2n by a lamp or a display.

Control unit 20a of computer unit 2a
Is a line driver / receiver (DR / RV) 22a for communication with the monitoring computer 1 and a CPU unit 23a.
And a receiver (RV) 24a for reading a power supply state signal from the power supply module 21a and a display unit 25a. The power supply module 21a is a driver (DR) 26a for outputting the power supply status and alarm information to the outside. Is equipped with. Incidentally, the other computer units 2b to 2n
Also has the same configuration as the computer unit 2a.

The CPU section 23a of the control section 20a controls all the processes performed by the computer unit 2a,
It is composed of a U, a memory, and various data input / output LSIs. The display unit 25a is a lamp or an LCD (Liquid).
The status of its own unit and various information transferred from the terminal device are displayed by d Crystal Device). An open collector output IC (integrated circuit), a contact relay, or the like is used for the driver 26a of the power supply module 21a.

The alarm or box 4 is provided with connecting portions 4a to 4n corresponding to the computer units 2a to 2n, and the connecting portions 4a to 4n do not use electric parts and are connected to the computer units 2a to 2n. Wire the alarm information by connecting the signal lines.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of communication data transferred between the monitoring computer 1 of FIG. 1 and each of the computer units 2a to 2n. In the figure, the communication data A includes a physical address A1 of each of the computer units 2a to 2n, alarm information A2 of the power supply modules 21a to 21n, and text data A3.

The physical address A1 is for the monitoring computer 1 to recognize from which computer unit 2a to 2n the communication data A is sent. The alarm information A2 is composed of alarms A2-1 to A2-3, and is configured to be able to recognize all states by bit information. The text data A3 stores information from the terminal device transferred between the monitoring computer 1 and the computer unit 2a, individual data, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an alarm display example according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a lamp (LED: L)
FIG. 4B shows an alarm display example using a light emitting diode), and FIG. 4B shows an alarm display example using a character display (CRT / LCD).

In FIG. 4A, the lamps Ba to Bn are installed corresponding to the computer units 2a to 2n, respectively, and indicate that an abnormality has occurred in the computer units 2a to 2n at the time of lighting.

A lamp (POWER FAULT) C indicates that the computer units 2a to 2n are turned on / off. The lamps (POWER ALARM) Da to Dc are power source alarms 1 to 3 of the computer units 2a to 2n.
Is displayed.

In FIG. 4 (b), the alarm content E indicates a power down (POWER DOWN) or a power alarm, and the alarm occurrence point F indicates the computer unit 2
The unit names and numbers of a to 2n are displayed.

An alarm monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The monitoring computer 1 is a computer having a function of monitoring the status of the connected computer units 2a to 2n and displaying the status. The state is usually monitored only by a method in which the monitoring computer 1 regularly checks the state of the computer units 2a to 2n (so-called polling method) or when an event to be notified to the computer units 2a to 2n occurs. Either method of increasing attention (so-called attention method) is used.

The monitoring computer 1 displays various kinds of monitored information on the display unit 14 and transfers the held information from the line driver / receiver 11 to the remote display unit 5 and the host system 6.

The computer units 2a to 2n indicate the state of various terminal devices or peripheral devices constituting the system connected to the own unit and the state of the own unit as communication data A.
The line drivers / receivers 22a to 22n (the line drivers / receivers 22b to 22n are not shown) are transferred to the monitoring computer 1 via the serial communication line 101.

Therefore, the computer units 2a to 2n
When an abnormality occurs in the computer, the monitoring computer 1 can recognize the detailed information of the occurrence of the abnormality by the communication data A, that is, what abnormality is occurring in which computer unit 2a to 2n.

However, when the monitoring computer 1 and the computer units 2a to 2n cannot communicate with each other, the monitoring computer 1 uses the serial communication line 1
It is only possible to determine from 01 that the computer units 2a to 2n have lost communication.

The cause of this communication interruption is the failure of the line drivers / receivers 22a-22n (the line drivers / receivers 22b-22n are not shown) of the control units 20a-20n of the computer units 2a-2n or the CPU unit 23a. 23n (CPU parts 23b to 23n are not shown) and power failure due to a failure of the power supply modules 21a to 21n of the computer units 2a to 2n are possible. It is impossible to separate it.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the above problem is solved by adding the alarm or box 4 and the signal line 102 to the computer system.

The alarm or box 4 is provided with drivers 26a to 26n (driver 26b) for outputting alarms from the power supply modules 9a to 9n of the computer units 2a to 2n.
.About.26n are signals obtained by ORing signals output from (not shown) for each of these signals.

The inside of the alarm or box 4 is composed of connection parts [connectors (not shown) and pattern boards (not shown)] 4a to 4n for wired-ORing signals output from the power supply modules 9a to 9n. Therefore, the size is small and it is not necessary to supply power. Moreover, there is an advantage that the addition of the connection unit (including the addition of the alarm or box itself) can be realized to add the computer unit.

Further, since the receiver 13 for reading the power supply state signal of the monitoring computer 1 only needs to have one set of signals, the mounting space can be reduced as compared with mounting the interfaces for the number of connected units. It will be possible.

An alarm detection method for the power supply modules 9a to 9n using the alarm or box 4 will be described.

When the power supply modules 21a to 21n of the computer units 2a to 2n are turned off due to an abnormal state, the computer units 2a to 2n that have been turned off cannot communicate with the monitoring computer 1 and are therefore monitored. The computer 1 detects the disconnection.

At this time, in the alarm or box 4, a logical sum operation is performed on the alarm information (power supply state signal indicating disconnection) from the power supply modules 9a to 9n of the computer units 2a to 2n which are powered off, and the monitoring computer 1 is operated. Notice.

In the monitoring computer 1, since the power supply status signals of the power supply modules 9a to 9n output from the alarm or box 4 indicate disconnection, it becomes impossible to communicate with the computer units 2a to 2n due to the power supply disconnection. You can judge that

The monitoring computer 1 displays the detected alarm state as shown in FIG. 4 (a) or 4 (b). For example, when the power supply module 21a of the computer unit 2a is abnormally turned off, the monitoring computer 1 detects the communication interruption of the computer unit 2a and turns on the lamp Ba of the "unit a" on the display unit 14. Computer unit 2a (unit a) indicates that something is wrong, or "Unit a" is displayed at alarm occurrence point F on the display and "Cause down" is displayed at alarm content E. 2a (unit a) indicates that something is wrong.

At this time, in the alarm or box 4, the logical sum operation is performed on the alarm information from the power supply module 9a of the computer unit 2a which has been powered off, and the monitoring computer 1 is notified.

Therefore, in the monitoring computer 1, the power supply modules 9a-9 output from the alarm or box 4
The power status signal of n indicates disconnection.
The lamp C of the display unit 14 indicating “RFAULT” is turned on, or “POWER D
OWN "is displayed. The same display as the monitoring computer 1 is also displayed on the remote display unit 5 connected to the monitoring computer 1.

By adopting the display method as described above, the supervisor can determine which computer unit 2 from the displayed contents.
It is possible to recognize what kind of abnormality is occurring in a to 2n.

As described above, the alarm information of the power supply modules 21a to 21n is notified from the control units 20a to 20n of the plurality of computer units 2a to 2n to the monitoring computer 1 via the serial communication line 101, and the alarm or box 4 is operated. Power module 21a ~
By notifying the monitoring computer 1 of the result of performing the logical sum operation on the alarm information of 21n, the power is cut off due to the failure of the power supply modules 21a to 21n of the computer units 2a to 2n without affecting the mounting space or the like. It is possible to send alarm information to the monitoring computer 1 even if an abnormality occurs in the control units 20a to 20n.

That is, the power supply modules 21a ...
The monitoring computer 1 can monitor the state of each of the computer units 2a to 2n having 21n with minimum hardware.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of computer units each incorporating a power supply module having an alarm detection function, and a plurality of computers connected to each of the plurality of computer units via a communication line. In an alarm monitoring system including a monitoring computer that detects an alarm of each unit, the alarm information of the alarm detection function is notified from the notification means of each of the plurality of computer units to the monitoring computer via a communication line, and a plurality of logical operation means are used. By logically calculating the alarm information of the alarm detection function of each of the computer units and notifying the monitoring computer
There is an effect that the alarm information can be sent to the monitoring computer without affecting the mounting space or the like, even when the power supply is cut off due to the failure of the power supply module of the computer unit or the abnormality of the control unit occurs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring computer and a computer unit shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a format of communication data transferred between the monitoring computer of FIG. 1 and each computer unit.

4A is a diagram showing an alarm display example using a lamp in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an alarm display example using a character display in one embodiment of the present invention. is there.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 monitoring computer 2a-2n computer unit 3n-1-3n-4 terminal device 4 alarm or box 4a-4n connection part 5 remote display unit 6 host system 10 control part 13,24a receiver 14 for reading power state signal 14,25a display Part 15, 22a Line driver / receiver 20a-20b Control part 21a-21n Power supply module 26a Driver

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of computer units each incorporating a power supply module having an alarm detection function, and a monitoring computer connected to each of the plurality of computer units via a communication line and detecting an alarm of each of the plurality of computer units. An alarm monitoring system including: a notification unit provided in each of the plurality of computer units, for notifying the monitoring computer of alarm information from the alarm detection function via the communication line; and the plurality of computer units. An alarm monitoring system, comprising: a logical operation unit that logically operates alarm information from each of the alarm detection functions and notifies the monitoring computer of the alarm information. 2. The alarm monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the logic operation means is configured to perform a logical OR operation on the alarm information from the alarm detection function of each of the plurality of computer units by hardware. system. 3. A plurality of computer units each incorporating a power supply module having an alarm detection function, and a monitor connected to each of the plurality of computer units via a serial communication line and detecting an alarm of each of the plurality of computer units. An alarm monitoring system including a computer, the notification unit being provided in each of the plurality of computer units, for notifying the monitoring computer of alarm information from the alarm detection function via the serial communication line; A first logical operation means for performing a logical operation on alarm information from the alarm detection function of a specific computer unit among the computer units; an output of the first logical operation means; and another one of the plurality of computer units. In front of the computer unit An alarm monitoring system comprising: a second logical operation means for logically operating alarm information from the alarm detection function and notifying the monitoring computer. 4. The first logical operation means is configured to perform a logical OR operation on the alarm information from the alarm detection function of the specific computer unit by hardware, and the second logical operation means, 4. The alarm monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the output of the first logical operation means and the alarm information from the alarm detection function of the other computer unit are logically ORed by hardware. .