TWI731592B - Cross-protocols control apparatus with apparatus-restoring function and method of restoring apparatus for cross-protocols thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A cross-protocols control apparatus with apparatus-restoring function and method of restoring apparatus for cross-protocols thereof are provided. The apparatus is connected to a management apparatus and the electronic apparatuses by the communication interfaces based on the different communication protocols. When reception of restoring comment for any electronic apparatus from the management apparatus, the apparatus executes a restoring procedure. During execution of restoring procedure, the apparatus recognizes the corresponding communication interface, retrieves backup data of the corresponding electronic apparatus, transforms the backup data into restoring data being compatible with the communication protocol supported by the communication interface, and transfer the restoring data to the electronic apparatus.

Description

Cross-protocol control device with device restoration function and its cross-protocol device restoration method

The present invention relates to equipment restoration, in particular to a cross-contract control device with equipment restoration function and a cross-contract equipment restoration method.

At present, many communication protocols have been proposed. Electronic devices with different purposes usually use different communication protocols according to different needs. This makes it necessary for users to be prepared to support all communication protocols when they want to manage multiple electronic devices in the same environment. Management equipment (such as personal computers, tablets, notebooks or servers, etc.).

The above situation will greatly increase the cost of management equipment and greatly limit the types of computers that can be used as management equipment.

In addition, when a problem occurs in the electronic device or the setting is changed, the administrator can only manually modify the setting of the electronic device to try to solve the problem or restore the change.

The above situation causes troubles for administrators and wastes manpower and time.

In view of this, there is an urgent need for a solution to solve the above-mentioned problems to be proposed.

The present invention provides a cross-protocol device restoration method with device restoration function and a cross-protocol control device with device restoration function, which can be used for management equipment to connect multiple electronic devices with different communication interfaces using the same communication protocol, and can automatically restore electronic devices. Device settings.

In one embodiment, a cross-protocol device restoration method is used for cross-protocol control devices. The cross-protocol device restoration method includes the following steps: the controllers of the cross-protocol control devices are respectively connected via multiple communication interfaces of the cross-protocol control devices The management device and multiple electronic devices, wherein multiple communication interfaces respectively use different communication protocols; when a restoration command for at least one of the multiple electronic devices is received from the management device, the restoration process is executed; in the restoration process, identification Connect to the communication interface of the electronic device and obtain the backup data of the electronic device; in the restoration process, perform a transfer format conversion process on the backup data to convert the backup data into a restoration data that conforms to the communication protocol used by the identified communication interface; and In the restoration process, the restoration data is sent to the electronic device so that the electronic device performs restoration settings based on the restoration data.

In one embodiment, a cross-protocol control device with a device restoration function includes multiple communication interfaces, storage, and controllers. The multiple communication interfaces are used to respectively connect the management device and multiple electronic devices, and respectively use different communication protocols. The storage is used to store the backup data of each electronic device. The controller is electrically connected to a plurality of communication interfaces and storages, and is set to execute a restoration process when a restoration command for at least one of the plurality of electronic devices is received from the management device. In the restoration process, the communication interface connected to the electronic device is identified, the backup data of the electronic device is read, and the transfer format conversion process is performed on the backup data to convert the backup data into a restoration that conforms to the communication protocol used by the identified communication interface Data, and send the restored data to the electronic device so that the electronic device performs restoration settings based on the restored data.

The present invention can be used for management equipment to restore electronic equipment with different communication protocols by using existing communication protocols.

1-3: Environment

100, 210, 40: management equipment

110-112, 211-212, 41-44: electronic equipment

20: Cross-protocol control equipment

200, 300: Controller

201: The first communication interface

202: The second communication interface

203: Third Communication Interface

204, 305: Storage

301-304: Communication interface

306: Human-Machine Interface

307: Verification Module

5: Transfer format

50-53: field

S10-S15: Restoration steps

S20-24: Backup procedure

S30-S34: Transfer steps

S400-S414: Backup and restore steps

S50-S52: Format conversion steps

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the connection architecture between the existing management device and the electronic device; FIG. 2 is a diagram of the architecture of a cross-protocol control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram of the architecture of a cross-protocol control device according to another embodiment of the present invention Figure; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the transfer format of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a flow chart of the cross-agreement device restoration method of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is the cross-agreement of the second embodiment of the present invention The flow chart of the backup processing of the device restoration method; FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the transfer processing of the cross-contract device restoration method of the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is the flow chart of the cross-contract device restoration method of the fourth embodiment of the present invention Flow chart; and Figure 9 is a flow chart of the format conversion process of the cross-protocol device restoration method of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments to further understand the purpose, solutions and effects of the present invention, but not as a limitation of the scope of the attached patent application of the present invention.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a diagram of the connection architecture between the existing management device and the electronic device. In this example, the multiple electronic devices 110-112 installed in the same environment 1 (such as the same factory or floor) use different communication protocols (such as MODBUS, CANopen, and EtherCAT respectively).

When the administrator wants to set the electronic devices 110-112, the management device 100 that can support the communication protocol used by all the electronic devices 110-112 must be provided, so that the management device 100 can be used to control all the electronic devices 110-112. However, the more communication protocols that can be supported, the higher the cost of managing the device 100.

In addition, in order to be able to connect multiple electronic devices 110-112 at the same time, the management device 100 must also be equipped with multiple communication interfaces (such as multiple network cards with RJ-45 jacks). The above situation further increases the management device 100 Cost, and increase the size of the management device 100.

In addition, since the environment 1 may be jointly managed by multiple administrators, when the settings of the electronic device 110-112 are changed by one of the administrators, the other administrators are not sure whether the changed settings will cause errors or abnormalities. Usually, the settings of all the electronic devices 110-112 are manually restored to preset values one by one, and then the electronic devices 110-112 are managed and controlled. The aforementioned restoration operation will waste a lot of manpower and time.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention mainly provides a cross-protocol control device with a device restoration function and a cross-protocol device restoration method, which can be used for management devices to use a single communication interface and a single communication protocol for multiple electronic devices with different communication protocols. Manage and control. In addition, the cross-protocol control device can automatically restore the settings of multiple electronic devices, so as to save the user's restoration operation.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a structural diagram of a cross-protocol control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cross-protocol control device 20 of this embodiment is installed in the environment 2 and serves as a relay transfer device between the management device 210 and the plurality of electronic devices 211-212.

Specifically, the cross-protocol control device 20 mainly includes a plurality of communication interfaces (three communication interfaces are taken as an example in FIG. 2, which are a first communication interface 201, a second communication interface 202, and a third communication interface 203), a storage 204 And the controller 200 electrically connected to the above-mentioned device.

The multiple communication interfaces are used to connect multiple external devices (such as the management device 210 and the electronic devices 211-212) based on multiple different communication protocols.

In one embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple communication interfaces may be the same communication interface but use different communication protocols. For example, multiple communication interfaces can be serial communication interfaces, CAN (controller area network) or wired Ethernet interfaces, and support MODBUS, MODBUS TCP, CANopen, EthernetCAT, EtherNet/IP or other industrial networks respectively agreement.

In one embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple communication interfaces may be different communication interfaces, and use different communication protocols respectively. For example, multiple communication interfaces can include serial communication interface (used in MODBUS protocol), CAN (used in CANopen), wired Ethernet interface (using any Ethernet protocol), Wi-Fi interface (using Wi-Fi Fi protocol), Bluetooth interface (using Bluetooth protocol), Zigbee interface (using Zigbee protocol) or other wired/wireless communication interfaces.

In one embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple communication interfaces may be partly the same and partly different, and may use the same communication protocol for some communication interfaces, and some communication interfaces may use different communication protocols, without limitation.

The storage 204 is used to store data. The storage 204 can be a built-in storage device (such as a hard disk, flash memory) or an external storage interface (such as a memory card interface or a USB interface). When the storage 204 is an external storage interface, it is used to connect an external storage device (such as Memory card, flash drive or external hard drive) to provide external storage.

The controller 200 is used to control the cross-protocol control device 20, and is responsible for processing the format conversion between the data to be transferred and different communication protocols (detailed later).

In the example of FIG. 2, the first communication interface 201 is used to connect to the management device 210, and the second communication interface 202 and the third communication interface 203 are used to connect to the electronic devices 211-212, respectively. The first communication interface 201 and the management device use the same first communication protocol, the second communication interface 202 and the electronic device 211 use the same second communication protocol, and the third communication interface 203 and the electronic device 212 use the same third communication protocol. At least one of the second communication protocol and the third communication protocol is different from the first communication protocol. Therefore, by setting the cross-protocol control device 20 of the present invention, the management device 210 only needs to configure a single communication interface and a single communication protocol to communicate with multiple electronic devices 211-212 with different communication protocols, which can effectively reduce management. The cost and volume of the device 210.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a structural diagram of a cross-protocol control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, multiple electronic devices 41-44 are provided in the environment 3, and the cross-protocol control device 30 is used to connect these electronic devices 41-44 and the management device 40, so that the management device 40 can control the electronic devices 41-44. 44 for management control.

The cross-protocol control device 30 of this embodiment includes a plurality of communication interfaces 301 to 304, a storage 305, a human-machine interface 306, a verification module 307, and a controller 300 electrically connected to the aforementioned devices.

The multiple communication interfaces 301-304 are respectively used to connect the management device 40 and the electronic devices 41-44. The communication interfaces 301 to 304, the storage 305 and the controller 300 are the same as or similar to the three communication interfaces, the storage 204 and the controller 200 shown in FIG. 2, and will not be repeated here.

In one embodiment, the communication interface 302 can be connected to multiple electronic devices 41-42 at the same time, for example, there are two connection ports on the communication interface 302. In this way, the communication interfaces using the same port can be integrated into the same communication interface 302, which can facilitate management and reduce the size of the cross-protocol control device 30.

In one embodiment, the same electronic device 43 can be connected to multiple communication interfaces 303-304 at the same time. For example, the communication interface 303 is a wired Ethernet interface, the communication interface 304 is a Wi-Fi interface, and the electronic device 43 can be connected via an Ethernet cable The communication interface 303 is connected, and the communication interface 304 is connected via a Wi-Fi network. In this way, the electronic device 43 can communicate with the cross-protocol control device 30 via multiple connections, and the communication quality can be improved (for example, one of the connections is used as a backup, or two connections are used at the same time to share the transmission load).

The man-machine interface 306 is used to accept user input and output information. The man-machine interface 306 may include any combination of various input devices and output devices, such as a touch screen, a button set, a mouse, a display, an indicator light, a speaker, etc., without limitation.

The verification module 307 is used for verification, such as verifying user identity, verifying the authority of the management device 40, or verifying the authority of the electronic devices 41-44.

In one embodiment, the verification module 307 may be verification software, stored in the storage 305, and implemented by the controller 300 to realize the verification function.

In one embodiment, the verification module 307 can be a verification chip (such as a Google Titan M chip or a biometric verification chip) or a verification device (such as a security token, fingerprint recognition device, RFID) independent of the controller 300 Verification device, etc.).

In one embodiment, the storage 204 in FIG. 2 and the storage 305 in FIG. 3 may store a computer program, and the computer program records a computer executable program code. Taking FIG. 3 as an example, when the controller 300 executes the above-mentioned computer program, the cross-protocol control device 30 can be used as a relay transfer device between the management device 40 and the electronic devices 41-44 to communicate with the management device 40 and the electronic devices 41-44. 44 interact to implement the method of each embodiment of the present invention.

Please also refer to FIG. 5 as a flowchart of a cross-protocol device restoration method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a cross-protocol device restoration method, which can automatically restore the settings of electronic devices 41-44 based on different communication protocols. The method of each embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the cross-protocol control device 20 of FIG. 2 or the cross-protocol control device 30 of FIG. 3, without limitation (the cross-protocol control device 30 of FIG. 3 is used as an example for description in the following). The cross-contract device restoration method of this implementation includes the following steps.

Step S10: The user can first connect the multiple communication interfaces of the cross-protocol control device 30 to the management device and multiple electronic devices, respectively. Then, the controller 300 communicates with each other via multiple communication interfaces 301-304 A connection is established between the management device 40 and the multiple electronic devices 41-44. Furthermore, the controller 300 uses different communication protocols (that is, the communication protocols used by the communication interfaces 301-304) to communicate with the management device 40 and the multiple electronic devices 41-44.

Step S11: The controller 300 enters the restoration mode. In the restoration mode, the controller 300 can determine whether a restoration command is received from the management device 40. The above-mentioned restoration command is a request to restore the settings of at least one of the plurality of electronic devices 41-44 (such as the electronic device 41).

If the controller 300 receives the restoration command, steps S12-S15 are executed to execute the restoration process on the electronic device 41. Otherwise, the controller 300 executes step S11 again to keep monitoring.

Step S12: In the restoration process, the controller 300 identifies the communication interface 302 connected to the electronic device 41, and obtains the backup data of the electronic device 41.

In one embodiment, the storage 305 pre-stores the backup data of each electronic device 41-44, and the controller 300 reads the backup data of the electronic device 41 (that is, the electronic device specified by the restore command) from the storage 305.

In one embodiment, the backup data of each electronic device 41-44 is stored externally (such as the management device 40 or cloud storage space), and the controller 300 requests the backup data of the electronic device 41 from the outside according to the restore command.

Furthermore, the management device 40 can send the restore command and the corresponding backup data to the cross-protocol control device 30 together, without limitation.

In one embodiment, the restoration command includes identification data of the electronic device 41 (such as hardware address, network address, or device name, etc.), and the controller 300 can identify the communication interface 302 connected to the electronic device 41 according to the identification data.

Step S13: In the restoration process, the controller 300 performs a transfer format conversion process on the backup data to convert the obtained backup data into restoration data. The format of the restored data is a transmission format that conforms to the communication protocol used by the identified communication interface 302.

Step S14: In the restoration process, the controller 300 uses the corresponding communication protocol to transmit the restoration data to the electronic device 41 via the communication interface 302.

Step S15: After receiving the restoration data, the electronic device 41 performs restoration settings according to the restoration data.

In one embodiment, the restoration data includes preset values of a plurality of operating parameters (equipment data). The electronic device 41 is controlled to cover the current setting values of a plurality of operating parameters with these preset values, so as to complete the restoration process.

In this way, the present invention can be used for the management device to restore electronic devices with different communication protocols using the existing communication protocol.

Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 together. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the backup process of the cross-protocol device restoration method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the cross-protocol device restoration method of FIG. 5, the cross-protocol device restoration method of FIG. 6 further provides a backup function that can automatically back up the device data of electronic devices 41-44 that are functioning normally for future device restoration processing. operation. Specifically, the cross-protocol device restoration method of this embodiment may include the following steps before performing the restoration process.

Step S20: The controller 300 of the cross-contract control device 30 enters the backup mode. In the backup mode, the controller 300 can determine whether a backup command is received. The aforementioned backup command is to request the backup of the settings of at least one of the multiple electronic devices 41-44 (such as the electronic device 41).

In one embodiment, the aforementioned backup command is issued by the management device 40.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned backup command is issued by the user operating the human-machine interface 306 of the cross-protocol control device 30, and is not limited.

If the controller 300 receives the backup command, steps S21-S24 are executed to perform the backup process on the electronic device 41. Otherwise, the controller 300 executes step S20 again to keep monitoring.

Step S21: In the backup process, the controller 300 identifies the communication interface 302 connected to the electronic device 41 (that is, the electronic device designated by the restore command to restore), generates a backup request, and sends the backup request to the specified via the communication interface 302 using the corresponding communication protocol的电子设备41。 The electronic device 41.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned backup request causes the electronic device 41 to provide the current setting values of a plurality of operating parameters.

Step S22: The controller 300 receives the returned device data from the electronic device 41 via the communication interface 302.

Specifically, after receiving the backup request, the electronic device 41 collects the operating parameter setting values (ie, device data) of the specified electronic device 41 according to the backup request, generates current device data based on these setting values, and returns the device data to the global Agreement control equipment 30.

Step S23: The controller 300 performs a saving format conversion process on the received device data to convert the device data into backup data that conforms to the saving format. The aforementioned storage format is a special design format proposed by the present invention, and the storage format can be respectively converted with different formats of different communication protocols without loss, so as to achieve cross-protocol backup.

Step S24: The controller 300 stores the backup data. The controller 300 can store the backup data in the storage 305, or store the backup data externally (such as the management device 40 or cloud storage space), without limitation.

Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 together. FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the transfer processing of the cross-protocol device restoration method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the cross-protocol device restoration method of FIG. 5, the cross-protocol device restoration method of FIG. 7 further provides a forwarding function, which can automatically transfer the data sent by the management device 40 (in the format of the communication protocol used by the communication interface 301) It is converted into data that can be understood by the electronic devices 41-44 (in the format of the communication protocol used by the communication interfaces 302-304) to realize cross-protocol communication. Specifically, the cross-agreement device restoration method of this embodiment may further include the following steps.

Step S30: The controller 300 enters the transfer mode. In the transfer mode, the controller 300 can monitor whether the original data is received from the management device 40 and one of the multiple electronic devices 41-44 via any communication interface 301-304 (Such as restore data, backup data and device data transmission data, or control commands such as restore commands and backup commands). The aforementioned original data conforms to the format of the communication interface 301-304 used when receiving the data (hereinafter referred to as the original format).

If the controller 300 receives the original data (for example, the original data designated by the management device 40 to be sent to the electronic device 43, that is, the electronic device 43 is the destination), it executes steps S31-S34 to execute the forwarding process. Otherwise, the controller 300 executes step S30 again to keep monitoring.

Step S31: During the transfer process, the controller 300 converts the original data conforming to the original format into the stored data conforming to the storage format.

Step S32: The controller 300 identifies the communication interfaces 303 and 304 used to connect to the electronic device 43 designated by the saved data (that is, the destination of the original data).

It is worth mentioning that when there are multiple communication interfaces 303 and 304 connected to the designated electronic device 43 at the same time, the controller 300 can select a better communication interface (such as the communication interface 303) for transmission, or in the original data The communication interface to be used can be specified (for example, the hardware address or network address of the communication interface 303 is recorded) without limitation.

Step S33: The controller 300 performs a transfer format conversion process on the saved data to convert the saved data in the save format into the transfer data in the transfer format of the communication protocol used by the communication interface 303.

Step S34: The controller 300 uses the corresponding communication protocol to transmit the converted data to the electronic device 43 via the identified communication interface 303.

In this way, the cross-protocol control device 30 of the present invention can effectively provide cross-protocol communication.

It is worth mentioning that, in another example, the electronic devices 41-44 can also send data to other electronic devices 41-44 or the management device 40 in the above-mentioned manner, which is not limited.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 8, which is a flowchart of a cross-protocol device restoration method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The cross-contract device restoration method of this embodiment includes the following steps.

Step S400: The controller 300 determines whether the preset backup trigger condition is satisfied.

In one embodiment, the backup trigger condition may be the arrival of a specified time (such as 12 o'clock every day), every time the electronic device is connected, the self-management device 40 receives a backup command, and/or receives a restore operation via the human-machine interface 306, without limitation .

If the controller 300 determines that the backup trigger condition is satisfied, step S401 is executed to start the backup process. Otherwise, the controller 300 executes step S400 again to continue monitoring.

Step S401: During the backup process, the controller 300 issues a backup request according to the backup trigger condition.

In one embodiment, the backup trigger condition includes the designated electronic device 41-44 and the backup range (such as all or part of the operating parameters). The following description takes the backup of all the operating parameters of the electronic devices 42, 43 as an example.

The controller 300 recognizes the corresponding communication interfaces 302-303 according to the backup trigger condition, and sends a backup request requesting all operating parameters to the electronic devices 42, 43.

The present invention further provides a verification function, which can verify the requesting device and the target device before performing the backup, so as to improve the security.

Specifically, step S402: in the backup process, the verification module 307 obtains verification information, and uses the verification information to determine whether the verification is passed.

In one embodiment, the verification module 307 verifies the electronic devices 42, 43 to be backed up to avoid backing up the wrong device. For example, the verification module 307 can send verification information (such as the identification information and/or password of the electronic device in the backup request) to the electronic devices 42, 43 via the communication interfaces 302, 303, so that the electronic devices 42, 43 can verify Information is verified (such as judging whether the identification information and/or password are correct).

In another example, the verification module 307 can receive the device data sent by the electronic device 42, 43 after determining that the verification is passed through the communication interface 302, 303, and the electronic device 42, 43 receives identification information and/or password, and The verification information is compared to determine whether the electronic devices 42, 43 are suitable backup targets.

In one embodiment, the verification module 307 verifies the management device 40 or the administrator requesting the backup, such as verifying whether the management device 40 or the administrator has the backup authority, or verifying the password or credential provided by the management device 40 or the administrator is it right or not.

If the verification module 307 determines that the verification is passed, step 403 is executed. If the verification module 307 determines that the verification is not passed, it can issue a warning and end the backup process.

The present invention further provides a status confirmation function, which can confirm whether the backup can be performed, so as to avoid invalid backup or backup failure.

Step S403: The controller 300 confirms the status of the electronic devices 42, 43 to be backed up.

In one embodiment, the controller 300 confirms through the communication interfaces 302 and 303 whether the electronic devices 42, 43 are in a backupable state, such as being idle, or whether the device data is in the editing state (in this state, it may be backed up to the old version). Equipment information).

In one embodiment, the controller 300 determines whether the device data of the electronic devices 42, 43 has changed, such as comparing the current device data with the backup device data corresponding to the previously stored backup data to determine whether the settings of the electronic devices 42, 43 are Whether any changes occurred during this period.

If the controller 300 determines that the electronic devices 42, 43 need to be backed up (for example, in a backable state or settings have been changed), step S404 is executed. Otherwise, end this backup process.

Step S404: During the backup process, the controller 300 obtains the latest (current) device data of the electronic devices 42, 43, such as sending a request to make the electronic devices 42, 43 return the device data.

Step S405: During the backup process, the controller 300 performs a saving format conversion process on the received device data to convert the device data into backup data that conforms to the saving format.

Step S406: During the backup process, the controller 300 stores the backup data to complete this backup, and sends a notification.

Step S407: The controller 300 determines whether the preset restoration trigger condition is satisfied.

In one embodiment, the restoration trigger condition may be the arrival of a specified time, every time the electronic device is connected, the restoration command is received from the management device 40, and/or the restoration operation is received via the human-machine interface 306, without limitation.

In one embodiment, the restoration trigger condition includes the designated electronic device 41-44 and the backup range (such as all or part of the operating parameters). The following description takes the restoration of all the operating parameters of the electronic devices 42, 43 as an example.

If the controller 300 determines that the restoration trigger condition is satisfied, step S408 is executed to start the restoration process. Otherwise, the controller 300 executes step S407 again to continue monitoring.

The verification function of the present invention can also verify the requesting device and the target device before performing restoration, so as to improve security.

Step S408: In the restoration process, the verification module 307 obtains verification information, and uses the verification information to determine whether the verification is passed.

The above verification judgment method is the same as or similar to the verification method in step S402, and will not be repeated here.

If the verification module 307 determines that the verification is passed (for example, a verification notification is received from the electronic devices 42, 43), step 409 is executed. If the verification module 307 determines that the verification is not passed, it can issue a warning and end the restoration process.

It is worth mentioning that the verification processing of step S402 and step S408 is not a necessary step of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can omit these steps as required if it is safe.

The present invention further provides a status confirmation function, which can confirm whether the restoration is possible, so as to avoid invalid restoration (such as performing useless restoration when the settings are not changed) or restoration failure (such as the device in an unrecoverable state).

Step S409: The controller 300 confirms the state of the electronic devices 42, 43 to be restored, such as confirming whether the electronic devices 42, 43 are in a restoreable state via the communication interfaces 302, 303, respectively.

If the controller 300 determines that the electronic devices 42, 43 are in a restoreable state, step S410 is executed. Otherwise, end this restoration process.

Step S410: The controller 300 obtains the current device data of the electronic devices 42, 43, and compares the current device data with the backup device data corresponding to the backup data to determine whether the settings of the electronic devices 42, 43 have been changed.

If the controller 300 determines that the settings (ie, device data) of the electronic devices 42, 43 have been changed, step S411 is executed. Otherwise, end this restoration process.

Step S411: During the restoration process, the controller 300 obtains the backup data of the electronic devices 42, 43

Step S412: In the restoration process, the controller 300 performs a transfer format conversion process on the backup data to convert the obtained backup data into restored data in a transfer format that conforms to the communication protocol used by the communication interfaces 302 and 303.

Step S413: During the restoration process, the controller 300 uses the corresponding communication protocol to transmit the corresponding restoration data to the electronic devices 42 and 43 via the communication interface 302.

Step S414: In the restoration process, the electronic devices 42, 43 respectively execute restoration settings according to the received restoration data.

In this way, the present invention can effectively implement device backup and device restoration across protocols.

Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 9 together. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a transfer format of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the format conversion process of the cross-protocol device restoration method of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention provides a storage format that is compatible with formats of multiple communication protocols. As shown in FIG. 4, the saving format 5 mainly includes four fields: the transfer timeout time 50, the transfer address type 51, the transfer address 52, and the transfer content 53.

The forwarding address type is used to describe the communication protocol used by the communication interface connected to the forwarding destination. The transfer timeout time is used to set the upper limit of the waiting time allowed when the transfer is performed. The forwarding address is used to describe the address of the forwarding destination on the communication interface. The transfer content is used to record the content of the data to be transferred.

The format conversion processing of the cross-contract device restoration method of this embodiment includes the following steps.

Step S50: The controller 300 converts the format of the received original data (such as the data received from the management device 40 or the electronic devices 41-44) into a saving format, such as converting the original data in the original format into a saving format for saving data.

Step S51: The controller 300 determines the transfer timeout time according to the transfer address type of the original data.

Specifically, different communication protocols (transfer address types) allow different transfer timeout times. The present invention also sets a suitable transfer timeout time when converting the format, which can effectively reduce the probability of transmission failure. .

Step S52: The controller 300 converts the saved data from the save format into the transfer format corresponding to the transfer address type, that is, converts the save data in the save format into the transfer data in the transfer format.

In this way, the present invention can realize format conversion between different communication protocols.

Next, the format conversion of the present invention will be exemplified. Table 1 and Table 2 are examples of converting the save format to MODBUS format. Table 1 is the request data in the save format, and Table 2 is the response data in the MODBUS format.

It can be seen from Table 1 and Table 2 that since the save format includes all the fields of the MODBUS format, the save format can be converted to the MODBUS format. In addition, the MODBUS format can also be converted to a save format (only the corresponding timeout time needs to be set). Specifically, the combination of transfer content 0 to 5 in Table 1 corresponds to the combination of return content 0 to 3 in Table 2. The field length of each transfer content 0 to 4 can be the same as that of each return content 0 to 7. The field lengths are the same or different.

In the above example, the station number (1) is used for addressing. Also, because serial communication is slow, a larger timeout time (3000 milliseconds) is used.

Table 3 and Table 4 are examples of converting the save format to MODBUS TCP format. Table 3 shows the request data in the save format, and Table 4 shows the response data in the MODBUS TCP format.

It can be seen from Table 3 and Table 4 that since the save format includes all the fields of the MODBUS TCP format, the save format can be converted to the MODBUS TCP format. In addition, the MODBUS TCP format can also be converted to a save format (only the corresponding timeout time needs to be set). Specifically, the combination of forwarded content 0 to 4 in Table 3 corresponds to the combination of returned content 0 to 3 in Table 4. The field length of each forwarded content 0 to 4 can be the same as that of each returned content 0 to 7. The field lengths are the same or different.

In the above example, the network address (IP, 192.168.1.5) and station number (1) are used for addressing. In addition, due to the faster Ethernet speed, a smaller timeout time (500 milliseconds) is used.

Table 5 and Table 6 are examples of converting the save format to CANopen format. Table 5 shows the request data in the save format, and Table 6 shows the response data in the CANopen format.

It can be seen from Table 5 and Table 6 that since the save format includes all the fields of the CANopen format, the save format can be converted to the CANopen format. And, CANopen format can also be converted to save format (only need to set the corresponding timeout time). Specifically, the combination of forwarded content 0 to 4 in Table 5 corresponds to the combination of returned content 0 to 7 in Table 6, and the field length of each forwarded content 0 to 4 can be the same as that of each returned content 0 to 7. The field lengths are the same or different.

In the above example, the node ID (1) is used for addressing. In addition, due to the faster CANopen communication speed, a smaller timeout time (500 milliseconds) is adopted.

In this way, the present invention can realize cross-protocol communication and backup through format conversion processing.

Of course, the present invention can also have various other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications according to the invention. There are corresponding changes and deformations, but these corresponding changes and deformations should belong to the scope of the patent application attached to the present invention.

S10-S15: Restoration steps

Claims (10)

A cross-protocol device restoration method is used for a cross-protocol control device. The cross-protocol device restoration method includes the following steps: a) A controller of the cross-protocol control device respectively uses multiple communication interfaces of the cross-protocol control device Connect a management device and a plurality of electronic devices, wherein the plurality of communication interfaces respectively use different communication protocols; b) when a restore command for at least one of the plurality of electronic devices is received from the management device, execute a Restore processing; c) In the restore processing, identify the communication interface connected to the electronic device, and obtain the backup data of the electronic device; d) In the restore processing, perform a transfer format conversion processing on the backup data to convert The backup data is a restoration data that conforms to the communication protocol used by the identified communication interface; and e) in the restoration process, the restoration data is transmitted to the electronic device so that the electronic device can restore according to the restoration data Setting; wherein, the transfer format conversion process includes the following steps: f1) converting an original data into a saved data conforming to a save format; f2) determining a transfer timeout according to the transmission speed of a transfer address type of the original data Time, where the forwarding address type is used to describe the communication protocol used by the communication interface connected to the forwarding destination, and the forwarding timeout time is used to set the upper limit of the waiting time allowed when performing the forwarding; and f3) save it The saved data in the format is converted into a transfer data in a transfer format of the communication protocol described by the transfer address type; wherein, in the restoration process, if the waiting time when executing the transfer exceeds the corresponding transfer timeout Time, then stop transmission. The cross-protocol device restoration method as described in claim 1, further comprising the following steps: g1) when receiving an original data conforming to an original format from the management device and one of the plurality of electronic devices, converting The original data is a saved data that conforms to the saving format, wherein the original data specifies the management device and another device among the plurality of electronic devices as a destination; g2) identifying the communication interface connected to the other device; g3) Perform the transfer format conversion process on the saved data to convert the saved data in the save format into a transfer data in the transfer format of the communication protocol used by the communication interface; and g4) through the identified communication interface Use the corresponding communication protocol to transmit the forwarding data to the other device. The cross-protocol device restoration method described in claim 1, wherein the storage format includes the following fields: the type of the forwarding address, the forwarding timeout time, a forwarding address, and a forwarding content; the forwarding address is used In order to describe the address of the forwarding destination on the communication interface, the forwarding content is used to record the content of the data to be forwarded. The cross-protocol device restoration method of claim 1, which further includes a step h) when a restoration trigger condition is met, execute the restoration process, wherein the restoration trigger condition is that the specified time comes and each time the electronic device is connected Or receive a restore operation via a human-machine interface of the cross-protocol control device. The cross-protocol device restoration method according to claim 1, wherein before step c), it further includes the following steps: h1) in the restoration process, obtain a piece of verification information; and h2) send the verification information through the communication interface To the electronic device, so that the electronic device verifies the verification information; the step c) is executed after receiving a verification notification from the electronic device. The cross-protocol device restoration method of claim 1, wherein before step c), it further includes the following steps: i1) confirm whether the electronic device is in a restoreable state via the communication interface; i2) when the electronic device is in a restoreable state In the recoverable state, obtain a current device data of the electronic device; and i3) compare the current device data with a backup device data corresponding to the backup data to determine whether the setting of the electronic device is changed; the step c) is yes It will be executed only after judging that the setting of the electronic device has been changed. The method for restoring devices across protocols according to claim 1, wherein before step b), it further includes the following steps: j1) when the controller receives a backup command for one of the plurality of electronic devices, Perform a backup process; j2) in the backup process, identify the communication interface connected to the electronic device, and send a backup request to the electronic device via the communication interface; j3) in the backup process, receive a message from the electronic device Equipment data; j4) in the backup process, perform the storage format conversion process on the equipment data to convert the equipment data into the backup data conforming to the storage format; and j5) store the backup data in the cross-protocol control equipment One storage. The cross-protocol device restoration method of claim 7, which further includes the following steps before step j3): k1) obtaining verification information during the backup process; and k2) transmitting the verification information via the communication interface To the electronic device, so that the electronic device verifies the verification information; the step j3) is to receive the device data sent by the electronic device after it is judged to pass the verification. The cross-protocol device restoration method of claim 7, wherein after step j2), before step j3), it further includes the following steps: l1) confirm whether the electronic device is in a backupable state via the communication interface; l2 ) When the electronic device is in the backupable state, obtain a current device data of the electronic device; and l3) compare the current device data with a backup device data corresponding to the backup data to determine whether the setting of the electronic device occurs Change; the step j2) is to return the current device data after the electronic device determines that the settings have been changed. A cross-protocol control device with a device restoration function, comprising: a plurality of communication interfaces for connecting a management device and a plurality of electronic devices respectively, and the plurality of communication interfaces respectively use different communication protocols; and a memory for storing each The backup data of the electronic device; and a controller electrically connected to the plurality of communication interfaces and the storage, the controller is set to receive from the management device for at least one of the plurality of electronic devices When a restore command is executed, a restore process is performed; wherein, in the restore process, the communication interface connected to the electronic device is identified, the backup data of the electronic device is read, and a transfer format conversion process is performed on the backup data to convert The backup data is a restoration data conforming to the communication protocol used by the identified communication interface, and the restoration data is sent to the electronic device so that the electronic device performs restoration settings based on the restoration data; wherein, the controller is The setting is to convert an original data into a saved data conforming to a save format in the transfer format conversion process, determine a transfer timeout time according to the transfer speed of a transfer address type of the original data, and change the save format The saved data is converted into a transfer data in a transfer format of the communication protocol described by the transfer address type, and the transfer address type is used to describe the connection transfer The communication protocol used by the communication interface of the destination, and the forwarding timeout time is used to set the upper limit of the waiting time allowed when performing the forwarding; wherein, the controller is set to wait during the restoring process and performing the forwarding When the time exceeds the corresponding transfer timeout time, the transmission is stopped.

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