KR20040048326A - Site controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A site controller is provided to transmit/receive data with each gas station through a serial interface network and transmit/receive the data with a POS(Point-Of-Sale) system through an Ethernet network. CONSTITUTION: A serial module(105) receives a serial device ID from a serial device, sets the connection with the serial device, and receives the serial device data matched with the serial device from the serial device. A data interpreter(103) interprets the received serial device data. An Ethernet module(107) transmits the interpreted serial device data to the POS system(111). A controller(101) generates a serial device control signal matched with the serial device.

Description

Site Controller {Site Controller}

The present invention relates to a method and a site controller for managing and controlling a serial device.

In general, technologies for monitoring, controlling and monitoring various electronic and mechanical devices are applied to various fields such as factory automation (FA) and home automation (HA). In particular, the technology is being used to monitor, control and monitor gas stations with POS systems.

However, conventionally, a site controller for transmitting and receiving data to and from a gas station via a serial interface network for each gas station is not found.

The present invention provides a site controller that transmits and receives data to and from a gas station through a serial interface network for each gas station and to a POS system through an Ethernet network.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a site controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a site controller according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the lubricator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating packet flow between a site controller through a serial interface network, a packet flow in a fueling period and a site controller through an Ethernet network, and a POS system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating packet flow of a site controller and a fueling period through a serial interface network according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a site controller according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a module configuration diagram of a site controller according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100... Site controller 101... Control

103... Data analysis section 105... Serial module

107... Ethernet module 109... Backup memory

111... POS system

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the method for managing the serial device in a site controller connected to a plurality of serial devices via a serial interface network, and connected to the POS system through an Ethernet network, Receiving a serial device identifier from the serial device, establishing a connection with the serial device, receiving serial device data corresponding to the serial device from the serial device, and interpreting the received serial device data And providing the interpreted serial device data to the point of sale system.

In a preferred embodiment, the serial device management method comprises the steps of: generating a serial device control signal corresponding to the serial device, transmitting the generated serial device control signal to the serial device, and in response to the serial device control signal; The method may further include receiving the generated serial device data from the serial device.

In another preferred embodiment, the serial device is an lubricator.

In another preferred embodiment, the serial device management method may further comprise the step of backing up the interpreted serial device data. The serial device data may be backed up in nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a site controller connected to a plurality of serial devices via a serial interface network, and connected to the POS system through an Ethernet network, receiving a serial device identifier from the serial device, and connecting with the serial device A serial module configured to receive serial device data corresponding to the serial device from the serial device, a data analyzer to interpret the received serial device data, and an Ethernet to transmit the interpreted serial device data to the POS system You can provide a site controller that contains modules.

In a preferred embodiment, the site controller further comprises a controller for generating a serial device control signal corresponding to the serial device, wherein the serial module transmits the generated serial device control signal to the serial device, the serial device And receiving the serial device data generated in response to a control signal from the serial device.

In another preferred embodiment, the site controller may further include a backup memory for storing and backing up the interpreted serial device data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the site controller connected to a plurality of serial devices via a serial interface network, and connected to the POS system via an Ethernet network, a memory in which a program is stored, coupled to the memory to the program A processor executing, the processor receiving, by the program, a serial device identifier from the serial device, establishing a connection with the serial device, and receiving serial device data corresponding to the serial device from the serial device. And analyzing the received serial device data and transmitting the analyzed serial device data to the POS system.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a site controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the site controller 100 according to the present invention includes a controller 101, a data analyzer 103, a serial module 105, an Ethernet module 107, and a backup memory 109.

The serial module 105 reads data of RS422, RS485, or RS232 protocol type (particularly, lubricator data) from a serial device (particularly, a plurality of lubricators), or connects a lubricator control signal generated by the controller 101. Each part is sent to the lubricator. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the serial module 105 has 12 channels, and can be connected to up to 16 lubricators for each channel. The protocol is briefly described as follows.

RS232, in particular the third variant of RS232, is a standard for physical connections and protocols for serial data communication at relatively slow speeds (20 kbps data rate) between computers and related devices. The RS232C standard was defined by the Electronics Industries Association (EIA), an industry conglomerate for teletype devices. RS232c is the interface your computer uses to send and receive data from other serial devices, such as modems. The RS422 or RS423 is a standard interface for serial device connection approved by the EIA. These standards are designed to replace the previous standard, RS232, because they provide higher speeds and are more resistant to electrical interference. While RS423 only supports point-to-point connections, RS422 supports multipoint connections. RS485 is a TIA / EIA standard for multipoint communication lines. The RS485 supports connectors such as DB-9 or DB-7. RS485 is similar to RS422, but by using a low impedance driver and receiver, it allows more nodes per line than RS422.

Since the data analysis unit 103 has different protocols and speeds according to the type of the serial device (particularly, the lubricator), the data analysis unit 103 adjusts them to the plurality of serial devices (particularly, the lubricator) received through the serial module 105. This is a part for interpreting a plurality of corresponding data (particularly, lubricator data) according to the format. The lubricator data will be described later. In addition, the data analysis unit 103 also stores the analyzed lubricator data in the backup memory 109 in preparation for an emergency state such as power failure or communication interruption.

The backup memory 109 stores the lubricator data by the data analyzer 103. The lubricator data is stored in the backup memory 109 so that the lubricator data is transferred before the lubricator data is transmitted to the POS system through an Ethernet network in preparation for an emergency situation such as a power failure or a loss of communication with the POS system. I can save it (backup). By backing up the lubricator data to the backup memory 109 as described above, the frequency of accessing the flash memory (especially FLASH ROM) can be reduced. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backup memory 109 is preferably Nonvolatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM). The NVRAM is RAM that retains its contents even when external power is turned off or lost. The NVRAM may be implemented by providing an SRAM with a backup battery or storing the contents in an EEPROM and restoring the contents.

The controller 101 generates an oil feeder control signal such as an oil supply permit, an oil stop, a fixed amount, or a quantitative command according to each of the plurality of oil feeders, and then controls each oil feeder using the serial module 105. In addition, the data analyzer 103, the serial module 105, the Ethernet module 107, and the backup memory 109 are generally controlled.

The Ethernet module 107 is in response to a request of the POS system 111, or periodically or in accordance with a predetermined condition, the oil dispenser data stored in the backup memory 109 and / or the current serial module 105 After receiving through), the lubricator data analyzed by the data analysis unit 103 is a part for transmitting to the POS system 111. The lubricator data (s) are transmitted by the Ethernet module 107 to the POS system 111 via an Ethernet network based on TCP / IP. The POS system 111 is a basic computer system that comprehensively manages a plurality of gas tankers using a plurality of gas pump data transmitted from a plurality of site controllers through the Ethernet network, which is the same as a conventional gas station POS system. The description will be omitted.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a site controller according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the site controller 100 is connected to the POS system 111 through an Ethernet or xDSL wired network 215, and is connected to a plurality of lubricators 217 through a serial interface wired network 213. The site controller 100 may include an operation program 201, a serial interface module 203, an Ethernet module 205, or a digital subscriber network (xDSL) module 207, an input / output (I / O) module 209, and storage means. 211 is mounted. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the site controller 100 is not shown in the drawings, but the USB port, the print port, the keyboard port, the mouse port, the VGA connector, a flash disk socket, a disk on chip socket May include a Disk On Chip Socket, a RAM slot, a PCI slot, and the like.

The operating program 201 includes not only an operating system (OS) but also a protocol and application software. The operating system is a basic system for operating the site controller 100. The protocol supports TCP / IP (or TCP / IP and UDP / IP), which are Internet standard protocols, and supports network communication. The application supports a network address translation (NAT) program, a web service program, a database program, a utility program which is a basic command of the system, and the like. The utility program supports an input / output program and the like.

The serial interface module 203 transmits / receives data (especially, gasoline data and oiler control signals) by connecting the multi-point between the site controller 100 and the plurality of oilers 217 through the serial interface network 213. Do this.

The Ethernet module 205 and the digital subscriber network module 207 are connected to the Ethernet network (or xDSL network) 215 between the site controller 100 and the POS system 111 to transmit and receive data (particularly, gasoline data). It plays a role.

The input / output (I / O) module 209 connects the plurality of oil pumps 217 to collect data (oil pump data), and transmits a current state to the serial controller 100. .

The storage means 211 stores the various software, the lubricator data, and the like.

Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the lubricator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lubricator 217 may connect to the serial interface network via the AD / DA converter 301 to transmit and receive data with the above-described site controller. The lubricator 217 includes a microcomputer 303, a fuel flow rate sensing unit 311, a fuel pump driving unit 307, a fuel pump 309, a price memory 313, and an input unit 305.

The fuel flow sensor 311 detects an amount of fuel to be fueled according to the fuel pump control signal transmitted from the site controller, and transmits the detected value to the microcomputer 303.

The lubrication pump driver 307 is a device for driving the lubrication pump 309 so that the lubrication port is lubricated according to the lubricator control signal burned down from the site controller.

The price memory 313 stores the price data extracted from the lubricator control signal transmitted from the site controller. In addition, the amount memory 313 serves to store data on the amount of oil for the unit oil amount. When the fuel tank control signal transmitted from the site controller is to fill a designated amount (for example, 40,000 won), the price data (40,000 won) is stored in the price memory 313. Thereafter, the microcomputer 303 calculates the fueling amount using data on the fueling amount for the unit fueling amount stored in the price memory 313 based on the fueling amount input through the fueling flow detector 311. This is compared with the stored amount data (40,000 won) and the refueling pump drive unit 307 is disabled when it matches.

The input unit 305 is a device that can input the amount of oil, the amount of oil, etc. This is a general matter and will not be described in detail.

The microcomputer 303 controls the fuel flow rate sensing unit 311, the fuel pump driving unit 307, the fuel pump 309, the amount memory 313 and the input unit 305, and the amount of fuel flow, the amount of fuel, etc. It generates the lubricator data corresponding to the lubricator including and transmits the lubricator data to the site controller through the serial interface network. In addition, the microcomputer 303 receives the lubricator control signal generated by the site controller transmitted through the serial interface network and controls the lubrication pump driver 307 and the like in response to the lubricator control signal. The lubricator control signal relates to a lubrication permit, lubrication stop, straight line lubrication, quantitative lubrication command, etc., depending on the type of the lubricator (or the type of the nozzle).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a packet flow between a site controller through a serial interface network, a packet flow in an oiling period, and a site controller through an Ethernet network and a POS system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4, the lubricator transmits its lubricator identifier to the site controller (step 401). The site controller may identify the corresponding oiler using the received gasifier identifier. The site controller then sends a response confirmation to the lubricator for the result (step 403). Upon receiving the response confirmation, the lubricator establishes a connection with the site controller (step 405).

The lubricator then transmits the generated lubricator data to the site controller (step 407). After receiving the lubricator data, the site controller sends a response acknowledgment to the lubricator (step 409).

The site controller reads and interprets the data format of the lubricator data according to a protocol and a speed corresponding to the lubricator identifier through a data analyzing unit provided therein (step 411). Thereafter, the data analysis unit provided inside the site controller backs up the analyzed lubricator data to the backup memory (step 413). Thereafter, the site controller transmits the fueling data stored in the backup memory and / or the fueling data currently transmitted and interpreted to the POS system through the Ethernet network by using an Ethernet transmitter provided therein (step 415). ).

5 is a flowchart illustrating packet flow of a site controller and an oiling period through a serial interface network according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, between step 405 and step 407 of FIG. 4, the site controller transmits an oil pump control signal generated by a controller provided therein to the oil pump (step 503). The lubricator receives the lubricator control signal and then controls the lubricator according to the lubricator control signal (step 505). The lubricator then generates lubricator data generated according to the lubricator control signal (step 507).

6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a site controller according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the site controller 100 may include a memory system 650, at least one central processing unit (CPU) 660, an input device 670, and communication connected to the memory system 650 to perform high-speed operation. Device 680 may be included.

The central processing unit 660 includes an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) 662 for performing calculations, a controller 666 for controlling the operation of the register 664 and the site controller 100 for the temporary storage of data and instructions. It includes. The central processing unit 660 includes Digital, Alpha, MIPS Technology, MIPS, such as NEC, IDT, Siemens, Intel and Cyrix, AMD, and Nexgen. It could be a processor with a variety of architectures, such as the company's x86 and IBM's and Powerola's PowerPC. The memory system 650 generally includes a high speed main memory 652 in the form of a storage medium such as random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, tape, CD-ROM, flash memory, and the like. Auxiliary memory 654 in the form of a long-term storage medium and a device for storing data using electrical, magnetic, optical or other storage media. In addition, the main memory 652 may include a video display memory for displaying an image through the display device. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the memory system 650 may include the above-described backup memory.

In addition, the input device 670 may include a keyboard, a mouse, for example, a physical transducer such as a touch screen or a microphone. The communication device 680 may be a device such as a network interface for performing communication through a plurality of gas tankers and a serial interface network, and communication through a POS system and an Ethernet network.

7 shows a module configuration diagram of a site controller according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the site controller transmits / receives a processing module 762 for processing communication with a plurality of gas tankers through a serial interface network and a communication with a POS system through an Ethernet network, and a gas pump for controlling the gas pumps. A lubricator control module 764 for generating a control signal and a data analysis module 766 for interpreting lubricator data transmitted from a plurality of lubricators and storing the lubricator data in a backup memory.

The overall configuration of the site controller through these application modules is as follows.

The site controller can use various operating systems (OS) as the OS of the system. The OS provides a high level command to an application program interface (702) to control the operation of each application module 760.

The site controller includes a high level instruction processor 704 that identifies each corresponding application module 760 according to the high level instructions provided from the API 702, decodes the high level instructions, and provides them to the corresponding places. The application module controller 750 controls the operation of the application module 760 according to the instructions provided from the high level command processor 704. That is, the high level instruction processing unit 704 identifies whether there is an application module 760 corresponding thereto according to the high level instruction provided through the API 702, and corresponds to the case where the corresponding application module 760 exists. The decoded command is recognized by the application module 760 and transmitted to the corresponding mapping unit or the message transmission is controlled. Accordingly, the application module control unit 750 is the mapping unit 751, 753, 755 and the interface unit 752, 754, 756 for the transmission and reception processing module 762, the lubricator control module 764, and the data interpretation module 766. Each includes.

The transmit / receive processing module mapping unit 751 receives a high level command from the high level command processing unit 674 to perform communication with a plurality of gas pumps through a serial interface network and communication with a POS system through an Ethernet network. It maps to a device level that can be processed by the transmission / reception processing module 762 and provides the transmission / reception processing module 762 through the transmission / reception processing module interface unit 752.

The lubricator control module mapping unit 753 and the lubricator control module interface unit 754 are parts for generating a lubricator control signal for controlling each of a plurality of lubricators. That is, the lubricator control module mapping unit 753 receives a high level command for using the lubricator control module 764 from the high level command processor 704 and maps it to a device level command, and the lubricator control module interface unit ( 754 to the lubricator control module 764.

The data analysis module 766 is a part for interpreting lubricator data for each of a plurality of lubricators transmitted through a serial interface network with reference to a protocol and a speed, and backing them up in a backup memory. The data analysis module mapping unit 755 receives the high level command applied through the high level command processing unit 704 and maps the device level command to a device level command that can be recognized by the data analysis module 766. Device level instructions are provided to the data interpretation module 766 via the data interpretation module interface 756.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a site controller for transmitting and receiving data to and from a gas station through a serial interface network for each gas station, and transmitting and receiving data to and from a POS system through an Ethernet network.

Claims (9)

A method for managing the serial device in a site controller connected to a plurality of serial devices through a serial interface network and connected to a POS system via an Ethernet network, Receiving a serial device identifier from the serial device; Establishing a connection with the serial device; Receiving serial device data corresponding to the serial device from the serial device; Interpreting the received serial device data; Transmitting the interpreted serial device data to the POS system Serial device management method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Generating a serial device control signal corresponding to the serial device; Transmitting the generated serial device control signal to the serial device; And Receiving the serial device data generated in response to the serial device control signal from the serial device; Serial device management method further comprising. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The serial device Being oiler Serial device management method characterized in that. The method of claim 1, Backing up the interpreted serial device data Serial device management method further comprising. The method of claim 4, wherein The serial device data is backed up in nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) Serial device management method characterized in that. In the site controller connected to a plurality of serial devices through a serial interface network, and connected to the POS system through an Ethernet network, A serial module for receiving a serial device identifier from the serial device, establishing a connection with the serial device, and receiving serial device data corresponding to the serial device from the serial device; A data analyzer for analyzing the received serial device data; Ethernet module for transmitting the analyzed serial device data to the POS system Site controller, including. The method of claim 6, Further comprising a control unit for generating a serial device control signal corresponding to the serial device, And the serial module transmits the generated serial device control signal to the serial device, and receives the serial device data generated in response to the serial device control signal from the serial device. The method of claim 6, Backup memory for storing and backing up the analyzed serial device data Site controller characterized in that it further comprises. In the site controller connected to a plurality of serial devices through a serial interface network, and connected to the POS system through an Ethernet network, A memory in which a program is stored; A processor coupled to the memory to execute the program Including, The processor by the program, Receiving a serial device identifier from the serial device, establishing a connection with the serial device, receiving serial device data corresponding to the serial device from the serial device, interpreting the received serial device data, To transmit serial device data to the POS system Site controller, characterized in that.