WO2009022049A1 - Distributed backup of data - Google Patents

Distributed backup of data Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009022049A1
WO2009022049A1 PCT/FI2008/000093 FI2008000093W WO2009022049A1 WO 2009022049 A1 WO2009022049 A1 WO 2009022049A1 FI 2008000093 W FI2008000093 W FI 2008000093W WO 2009022049 A1 WO2009022049 A1 WO 2009022049A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
transport system
backup
backed
objects
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2008/000093
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tuukka Kauppinen
Original Assignee
Kone Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kone Corporation filed Critical Kone Corporation
Publication of WO2009022049A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009022049A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B1/00—Control systems of elevators in general
    • B66B1/34—Details, e.g. call counting devices, data transmission from car to control system, devices giving information to the control system
    • B66B1/3415—Control system configuration and the data transmission or communication within the control system
    • B66B1/3446—Data transmission or communication within the control system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B5/00—Applications of checking, fault-correcting, or safety devices in elevators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
    • G06F11/07—Responding to the occurrence of a fault, e.g. fault tolerance
    • G06F11/14—Error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in operation
    • G06F11/1402—Saving, restoring, recovering or retrying
    • G06F11/1446—Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
    • G06F11/1448—Management of the data involved in backup or backup restore
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
    • G06F11/07—Responding to the occurrence of a fault, e.g. fault tolerance
    • G06F11/14—Error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in operation
    • G06F11/1402—Saving, restoring, recovering or retrying
    • G06F11/1446—Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
    • G06F11/1458—Management of the backup or restore process
    • G06F11/1464—Management of the backup or restore process for networked environments
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
    • G06F11/07—Responding to the occurrence of a fault, e.g. fault tolerance
    • G06F11/14—Error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in operation
    • G06F11/1402—Saving, restoring, recovering or retrying
    • G06F11/1446—Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
    • G06F11/1458—Management of the backup or restore process
    • G06F11/1469—Backup restoration techniques

Definitions

  • the object of the invention is an arrangement for backing up data as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and a transport system as defined in the preamble of claim 11 , which comprises an arrangement for backing up data.
  • a separate appliance which comprises a memory for backups as well as a control of the backing up, is generally added to a system for the backing up of data.
  • Publication US 2007/0136200 discloses an arrangement in which backups are transmitted in a computer network.
  • a separate backup controller monitors the transmission of data.
  • the purpose of the invention is to disclose an arrangement for backing up data that is simpler, more operationally reliable and cheaper than prior art.
  • Another purpose of the invention is to disclose a transport system in which the arrangement can be utilized.
  • the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1.
  • the transport system according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 11.
  • Other features of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims.
  • Some inventive embodiments are also discussed in the descriptive section of the present application.
  • the inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below.
  • the inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts.
  • the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data comprises a plurality of objects that communicate between themselves via a communications channel. At least one of the aforementioned objects comprises the backed up data from at least one of the other aforementioned objects.
  • the backed up data has an address for linking the backed up data to that object from where the data was backed up.
  • At least the first of the aforementioned objects comprises the backup containing the data of at least one other object, and the data of the aforementioned first object is backed up to at least one other object.
  • At least the first object comprises an identifier
  • at least a second object comprises the backup of the data of at least the first object, to which backup the proportional address to the identifier of the aforementioned first object is connected.
  • the object is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup via the communications channel and the first object is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel on the basis of the address connected to the backup.
  • One arrangement according to the invention comprises objects that are serially connected into a communications channel for transmitting backups and for receiving transmitted backups, and of the consecutive objects the latter comprises the backup of the preceding object.
  • One arrangement according to the invention comprises objects that are serially connected into a communications channel for transmitting backups and for receiving transmitted backups.
  • at least one other object is fitted between the first object and second object comprising the backup of this first object.
  • each object comprises an identifier as well as a backup of other objects.
  • the objects are fitted to switch to an initialization state after an electricity power cut, and in the initialization state the objects are fitted to transmit a backup of data and to receive a backup of transmitted data.
  • At least a first object comprises means for changing data to be backed up
  • at least a second object comprises nonvolatile memory for the backup of the data of at least the first object.
  • At least a first object is fitted to send to at least a second object a request for restoring backed up data.
  • the transport system comprises a plurality of objects of the transport system that communicate between themselves via a communications channel.
  • the transport system comprises an arrangement for backing up data.
  • at least one of the aforementioned objects comprises the backed up data from at least one of the other aforementioned objects, which backed up data has an address for connecting the backed up data to that object from which the data was backed up.
  • At least the first of the aforementioned objects of the transport system comprises the backup containing the data of at least one other object of the transport system, and the data of the aforementioned first object of the transport system is backed up to at least one other object of the transport system.
  • At least a first object of the transport system comprises an identifier
  • at least a second object of the transport system comprises the backup of the data of at least the first object of the transport system, to which backup the proportional address to the identifier of the aforementioned first object of the transport system is connected.
  • a second object of the transport system is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup via the communications channel and the first object of the transport system is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel on the basis of the address connected to the backup.
  • the data to be backed up contains at least one of the following: the calibration data of the transport system, the compensation data of the transport system, the regulation parameters of the transport system, the diagnostics data of the transport system, the parameters of the equipment assembly of the mechanics of the transport system, position data about the stopping points of the transport system, configuration data of the object.
  • the aforementioned objects of the transport system comprise at least one of the following: the frequency converter of the elevator system, the movement controller of the elevator system, the traffic controller of the elevator system, the controller of the landing calls of the elevator system, the controller of the door of the elevator car, the power controller of the elevator car, the controller of the calls of an elevator car.
  • the first and the second object of the transport system are fitted as a part of the control of the transport system.
  • the first object comprises a memory, in which is stored the control data of the transport system used by the first object.
  • the second object comprises the backup of the control data of the transport system used by the aforementioned first object.
  • the aforementioned backed up data comprises an address, for connecting the data to that part of the transport system in which the data is used for controlling the transport system.
  • the communications channel according to the invention can be, for instance, a serial bus. If the aim is to improve the reliability of the communications channel, the serial bus can also be redundantly duplicated.
  • the communications channel can also be a parallel bus, or a wireless radiocommunication channel between the objects. Data in the communications channel between the objects can also be transferred e.g. with analog signals.
  • the communications channel can also be a combination of different bus types.
  • the object comprises a backup of data, the data stored in which originates from some other object incorporated in the arrangement.
  • an identifier can be connected to the aforementioned object and an address can be connected to the aforementioned backup of data, by means of which both the backed up data and the source of the data can be identified.
  • the identifier or the address can be any individualizing analog signal or digital signal whatsoever or a combination of different signals. Since the task of the identifier and of the address is to identify objects and their backups, both the identifiers and the addresses must be distinguishable from each other.
  • the identifier or the address can be, for instance, a series of running numbers.
  • the identifier or the address can also be e.g. an individualizing time delay.
  • the identifier can be connected to an object e.g. in connection with the manufacture of the object.
  • the identifier can also be entered manually, e.g. via the communications channel, or an object can also comprise e.g. a coding switch, by means of which the individualization of the object occurs.
  • the object can also be taught the identifier automatically e.g. such that the objects connected in series in the communications channel read the identifier of the preceding object, index from this in their own identifier and transmit the identifier to the next object in the serial connection. In this case, of course, the first of the serially-connected objects is indexed beforehand.
  • both the identifier of the object and the address of the backup contained in an object can also be indexed.
  • the address of the backup contained in an object is to some extent comparable to the identifier of its object, which is the source of the backed up data.
  • the address of backed up data can be the same as the identifier of the object that is the source of this data, or it can be derived from the identifier of the object that is the source of the aforementioned data.
  • the address of a backup can be connected e.g. to the non-volatile memory reserved for the backup of the object in conjunction with the manufacture of the object, the address can be entered manually, by means of a coding switch or automatically, in the same way as the actual identifier of the object.
  • Indexing of the address of the backup can also occur e.g. such that the address of the backup is derived from the identifier of the object contained in the backup, e.g. by increasing or decreasing the constant value in the index of the identifier of the object.
  • the address of the backup can be the identifier of the object contained in the backup reduced by an integer number.
  • the defined address of the backup refers to the source object of the data to be backed up, the identifier of which is thus the same as the address of the backup.
  • the source object of the backed up data can also connect its own identifier to the data to be backed up before transmitting the data for backing up.
  • the identifier of the source object of data becomes the address of the backup. Indexing of the addresses of backups also occurs in this embodiment of the invention such that the objects connected in series in the communications channel read the data to be backed up transmitted by the preceding object as well as the address connected to this, index from this their own address of their backup and transmit their own data to be backed up with its address to the next object in the serial connection. In this case, of course, the address of the first serially-connected object is indexed beforehand.
  • the object can comprise non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM memory, for storing a backup. Additionally, the object can comprise a transmitter and a receiver connected to the communications channel. When transmitting a backup to the communications channel, the object can transmit to begin with the address connected to the backup and immediately after this the backed-up data. In this case the object receiving the backup can accept and receive the data on the basis of the address. Before the transfer of the data, other verifiers, such as a checksum, with which the object receiving the data can verify that the data has not changed during the transfer, can also be connected to the data to be backed up.
  • a checksum with which the object receiving the data can verify that the data has not changed during the transfer
  • the latter can comprise the backup of the preceding object.
  • the object and the backup of it are disposed consecutively in the communications channel.
  • Other objects can also be fitted between the first object and the second object comprising the backup of it in the communications channel, in which case the object and the backup of it are disposed farther from each other in the communications channel.
  • a first object is fitted to change the data intended for backup. After changing the data the object can transmit the changed data to another object, which comprises a backup of the aforementioned changed data.
  • the address of the object that is to transmit the data to be backed up can be attached in connection with the data to be backed up. The address must in this case be compatible with the address that is connected to the backup of the object that is to receive the data.
  • the communication protocol between objects can also comprise command strings, such as requests, commands and defect notifications.
  • a first object can transmit to a second object a request for restoring backed up data. After the restoring of the data the first object can perform a calculation of the checksum of the received data. If the checksum does not tally with the received data, the first object can repeat the restore data request to the second object. If the checksum is correct, the first object can also transmit information about this to a second object. The second object can, of course, also perform a similar data check on the data intended for backing up that is sent by the first object.
  • the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data can also be applied in connection with a transport system. This kind of transport system can be e.g. an elevator system, an escalator system, a travelator system, a conveyor system, a vehicle system or a crane system.
  • the data to be backed up in a transport system can comprise, for instance, calibration data, compensation data, regulation parameters and other parameters, diagnostics data, parameters of the mechanical equipment cpmposition, position data e.g. about stopping points, or the configuration data of an object.
  • the aforementioned objects can comprise, in addition to data to be backed up, also other data, such as program code or algorithms of the processor, which data cannot be backed up.
  • the initialization data of the object can be restored from the backup, in which case the new object does not need to be initialized again.
  • the data can be restored from the backup.
  • the objects disposed in the communications channel and the objects comprising the backup of these can be disposed such that there are always other objects in the communications channel between the object and the backup of it. Since failure of an object, e.g. as a result of overvoltage, often also causes failure of the adjacent objects, disposing an object and the object containing the backup of it farther from each other in the communications channel can ensure that the malfunction does not cause failure of both the object and the object containing the backup of it.
  • a number of backups can be made of the data of these objects, and the data can be stored in a number of objects via the communications channel.
  • Fig. 1 presents an arrangement according to the invention for backing up data
  • Fig. 2 presents a backup of data
  • Fig. 3 presents an elevator system, into which is fitted the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data
  • Fig. 1 presents an arrangement for backing up data.
  • the arrangement comprises objects 1 , 2, 3, 4 that communicate between themselves via a serial bus 5.
  • the objects comprise an object-specific identifier 6 for individualizing the objects.
  • the objects comprise the backup 7 of the data of another object. Addresses 8 are connected to the backups 7 of the data.
  • identification of the data transmitted and received occurs by comparing the identifier 6 of the object and the address 8 connected to the backup to each other.
  • the objects contain coding connectors, with which an identifier 6 that differs from each other, which is a series of running numbers, is defined for each object 1 , 2, 3, 4.
  • the objects also comprise backups 7 with their addresses 8, which are derived from the identifiers 6 such that the address 8 of the backup 7 stored in the non-volatile memory of the object is two smaller than the identifier 6 of the same object.
  • the aforementioned address 8 of the backup is also stored in the non-volatile memory.
  • the first object 1 When transmitting data to the serial bus 5 the first object 1 transmits first the address 8 of the data to be backed up and immediately after this the data to be backed up.
  • the object 3 that is to receive the data reads the address 8 of the data to be backed up and compares it the address 8 of the backup it has stored in non-volatile memory. If the addresses are compatible, the receiving object 3 accepts the data, after which it is backed up in the non-volatile memory of the receiving object 3.
  • the first object 1 fails, it is replaced with a new one.
  • the identifier 6 of the new object is selected to be compatible with the identifier of the original object with a coding connector. Electricity supplies are disconnected during replacement of the object, and when the supply voltages of the objects are switched on after replacement of the object, the objects switch to an initialization state. In this case the objects restore the backed up data from their non-volatile memories.
  • the second object 3 transmits the backup 7 from its non-volatile memory to the serial bus 5.
  • First the address 8 of the backup is transmitted and after this the backed up data.
  • the first object 1 receives from the serial bus the address 8 of the backup and compares it to its identifier 6. If the address 8 of the received backup is compatible with the identifier 6 of the object, the first object accepts the backup.
  • Fig. 2 presents one pulse-shaped graph of a backup 7 transmitted to the serial bus.
  • the address 8 of the backup is first transmitted to the serial bus, followed immediately by the backed up data.
  • Fig. 3 presents an elevator system into which the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data is fitted.
  • the elevator car 17 is moved in the elevator shaft from one floor level to another with the elevator motor 18 via rope transmission.
  • the power supply of the elevator motor 18 occurs with a frequency converter 10.
  • the power supply and thus also the movement of the elevator car 17 is regulated with the movement controller 11.
  • the traffic controller 12 of the elevator system takes care of regulating the traffic of the elevator system.
  • the controller 13 of landing calls transmits landing calls to the traffic controller 12.
  • the controller 14 of the door of the elevator car, the power controller 15 of the elevator car that manages the lighting and the battery backup as well as the controller 16 of the car calls of the elevator car are here integrated into the same module on the roof of the elevator car.
  • Each of the aforementioned controllers 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 comprises a microprocessor as well as a non-volatile program memory.
  • a serial communication bus 5 is fitted between the controllers.
  • the controllers 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 comprise the data to be backed up.
  • the frequency converter 10 comprises at least the calibration parameters of current measurement, as well as the regulation parameters of the current regulator.
  • the movement controller 11 comprises at least the calibration parameters of speed measurement as well as the regulation parameters of the speed regulator.
  • the movement controller comprises the parameters of the equipment assembly of the mechanics of the elevator system, e.g. the mass and inertia of the elevator system.
  • the traffic controller 12 comprises the parameters of the speed reference of the elevator, and e.g.
  • the controller 13 of the landing calls of the elevator car comprises at least a floor number.
  • the controller 14 of the door of the elevator car, the power controller 15 of the elevator car as well as the controller of the calls of the elevator car comprise the configuration data of the objects, such as data about the power consumption related to the system configuration, as well as any parameters of the door operator of the elevator car.
  • Each of the aforementioned controllers 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 transmits its data to be backed up for storing in the non-volatile memory of a second controller 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. In this case if e.g.
  • the calibration data and regulation data of the current regulator can be restored from the non-volatile memory of the movement controller 11.
  • the data of the movement controller 11 can if necessary be restored from the non-volatile memory of the traffic controller 12, as also can the data of the controllers 13 of the landing calls of the elevator system, as well as the data of the door controller 14 of the elevator car, of the power controller 15 of the elevator car and of the controller 16 of the calls of the elevator car.
  • the data of the traffic controller 12 can again if necessary be restored from the movement controller 11 to which it was backed up.

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for backing up data as well as to a transport system (9) in which the aforementioned arrangement is used. The arrangement comprises objects (1, 2, 3, 4) that communicate between themselves via a communications channel (5). At least the first object (1) comprises an identifier (6), and at least a second object (2, 3, 4) comprises the backup (7) of the data of first object (1). At least the second object is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup via the communications channel (5) and the first object is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel.

Description

DISTRIBUTED BACKUP OF DATA Field of the invention
The object of the invention is an arrangement for backing up data as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and a transport system as defined in the preamble of claim 11 , which comprises an arrangement for backing up data.
Prior art
A separate appliance, which comprises a memory for backups as well as a control of the backing up, is generally added to a system for the backing up of data.
Publication US 2007/0136200 discloses an arrangement in which backups are transmitted in a computer network. A separate backup controller monitors the transmission of data.
Purpose of the invention
The purpose of the invention is to disclose an arrangement for backing up data that is simpler, more operationally reliable and cheaper than prior art. Another purpose of the invention is to disclose a transport system in which the arrangement can be utilized.
Characteristic features of the invention
The arrangement according to the invention for backing up data is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. The transport system according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 11. Other features of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Some inventive embodiments are also discussed in the descriptive section of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts.
The arrangement according to the invention for backing up data comprises a plurality of objects that communicate between themselves via a communications channel. At least one of the aforementioned objects comprises the backed up data from at least one of the other aforementioned objects. The backed up data has an address for linking the backed up data to that object from where the data was backed up.
In one embodiment of the invention at least the first of the aforementioned objects comprises the backup containing the data of at least one other object, and the data of the aforementioned first object is backed up to at least one other object.
In one embodiment of the invention at least the first object comprises an identifier, and at least a second object comprises the backup of the data of at least the first object, to which backup the proportional address to the identifier of the aforementioned first object is connected.
In one embodiment of the invention the object is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup via the communications channel and the first object is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel on the basis of the address connected to the backup. One arrangement according to the invention comprises objects that are serially connected into a communications channel for transmitting backups and for receiving transmitted backups, and of the consecutive objects the latter comprises the backup of the preceding object.
One arrangement according to the invention comprises objects that are serially connected into a communications channel for transmitting backups and for receiving transmitted backups. In this embodiment of the invention at least one other object is fitted between the first object and second object comprising the backup of this first object.
In one embodiment of the invention each object comprises an identifier as well as a backup of other objects.
In one embodiment of the invention the objects are fitted to switch to an initialization state after an electricity power cut, and in the initialization state the objects are fitted to transmit a backup of data and to receive a backup of transmitted data.
In one embodiment of the invention at least a first object comprises means for changing data to be backed up, and at least a second object comprises nonvolatile memory for the backup of the data of at least the first object. When the data to be backed up has changed, at least the first object is fitted to transmit this changed data to at least a second object.
In one embodiment of the invention at least a first object is fitted to send to at least a second object a request for restoring backed up data.
The transport system according to the invention comprises a plurality of objects of the transport system that communicate between themselves via a communications channel. The transport system comprises an arrangement for backing up data. In this case at least one of the aforementioned objects comprises the backed up data from at least one of the other aforementioned objects, which backed up data has an address for connecting the backed up data to that object from which the data was backed up.
In one embodiment of the invention at least the first of the aforementioned objects of the transport system comprises the backup containing the data of at least one other object of the transport system, and the data of the aforementioned first object of the transport system is backed up to at least one other object of the transport system.
In one embodiment of the invention at least a first object of the transport system comprises an identifier, and at least a second object of the transport system comprises the backup of the data of at least the first object of the transport system, to which backup the proportional address to the identifier of the aforementioned first object of the transport system is connected.
In one embodiment of the invention a second object of the transport system is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup via the communications channel and the first object of the transport system is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel on the basis of the address connected to the backup.
In one embodiment of the invention the data to be backed up contains at least one of the following: the calibration data of the transport system, the compensation data of the transport system, the regulation parameters of the transport system, the diagnostics data of the transport system, the parameters of the equipment assembly of the mechanics of the transport system, position data about the stopping points of the transport system, configuration data of the object. In one embodiment of the invention the aforementioned objects of the transport system comprise at least one of the following: the frequency converter of the elevator system, the movement controller of the elevator system, the traffic controller of the elevator system, the controller of the landing calls of the elevator system, the controller of the door of the elevator car, the power controller of the elevator car, the controller of the calls of an elevator car. These kinds of objects are, in terms of control, embedded systems. By means of the objects the operation of the transport system is managed, and the data to be backed up that is contained in an object is also connected usually to that part or property of the transport system that is managed with the object in question.
In one embodiment of the invention the first and the second object of the transport system are fitted as a part of the control of the transport system. The first object comprises a memory, in which is stored the control data of the transport system used by the first object. The second object comprises the backup of the control data of the transport system used by the aforementioned first object. The aforementioned backed up data comprises an address, for connecting the data to that part of the transport system in which the data is used for controlling the transport system.
The communications channel according to the invention can be, for instance, a serial bus. If the aim is to improve the reliability of the communications channel, the serial bus can also be redundantly duplicated. On the other hand, the communications channel can also be a parallel bus, or a wireless radiocommunication channel between the objects. Data in the communications channel between the objects can also be transferred e.g. with analog signals. The communications channel can also be a combination of different bus types.
In the arrangement according to the invention the object comprises a backup of data, the data stored in which originates from some other object incorporated in the arrangement. In this case if there are more than two objects, an identifier can be connected to the aforementioned object and an address can be connected to the aforementioned backup of data, by means of which both the backed up data and the source of the data can be identified.
According to the invention the identifier or the address can be any individualizing analog signal or digital signal whatsoever or a combination of different signals. Since the task of the identifier and of the address is to identify objects and their backups, both the identifiers and the addresses must be distinguishable from each other. The identifier or the address can be, for instance, a series of running numbers. On the other hand if the objects are fitted to communicate between each other with a time-division protocol, the identifier or the address can also be e.g. an individualizing time delay.
The identifier can be connected to an object e.g. in connection with the manufacture of the object. The identifier can also be entered manually, e.g. via the communications channel, or an object can also comprise e.g. a coding switch, by means of which the individualization of the object occurs. The object can also be taught the identifier automatically e.g. such that the objects connected in series in the communications channel read the identifier of the preceding object, index from this in their own identifier and transmit the identifier to the next object in the serial connection. In this case, of course, the first of the serially-connected objects is indexed beforehand.
In conjunction with the indexing, both the identifier of the object and the address of the backup contained in an object can also be indexed. The address of the backup contained in an object is to some extent comparable to the identifier of its object, which is the source of the backed up data. The address of backed up data can be the same as the identifier of the object that is the source of this data, or it can be derived from the identifier of the object that is the source of the aforementioned data. Also the address of a backup can be connected e.g. to the non-volatile memory reserved for the backup of the object in conjunction with the manufacture of the object, the address can be entered manually, by means of a coding switch or automatically, in the same way as the actual identifier of the object. Indexing of the address of the backup can also occur e.g. such that the address of the backup is derived from the identifier of the object contained in the backup, e.g. by increasing or decreasing the constant value in the index of the identifier of the object. If, for instance, the identifier of an object contained in a backup is a series of running numbers, the address of the backup can be the identifier of the object contained in the backup reduced by an integer number. In this case the defined address of the backup refers to the source object of the data to be backed up, the identifier of which is thus the same as the address of the backup. On the other hand the source object of the backed up data can also connect its own identifier to the data to be backed up before transmitting the data for backing up. In this case the identifier of the source object of data becomes the address of the backup. Indexing of the addresses of backups also occurs in this embodiment of the invention such that the objects connected in series in the communications channel read the data to be backed up transmitted by the preceding object as well as the address connected to this, index from this their own address of their backup and transmit their own data to be backed up with its address to the next object in the serial connection. In this case, of course, the address of the first serially-connected object is indexed beforehand.
The object can comprise non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM memory, for storing a backup. Additionally, the object can comprise a transmitter and a receiver connected to the communications channel. When transmitting a backup to the communications channel, the object can transmit to begin with the address connected to the backup and immediately after this the backed-up data. In this case the object receiving the backup can accept and receive the data on the basis of the address. Before the transfer of the data, other verifiers, such as a checksum, with which the object receiving the data can verify that the data has not changed during the transfer, can also be connected to the data to be backed up.
Of the consecutive objects connected in series in the communications channel, the latter can comprise the backup of the preceding object. In this case the object and the backup of it are disposed consecutively in the communications channel. Other objects can also be fitted between the first object and the second object comprising the backup of it in the communications channel, in which case the object and the backup of it are disposed farther from each other in the communications channel.
In one embodiment of the invention a first object is fitted to change the data intended for backup. After changing the data the object can transmit the changed data to another object, which comprises a backup of the aforementioned changed data. In order for the object that is to receive the data in this case to identify the data, the address of the object that is to transmit the data to be backed up can be attached in connection with the data to be backed up. The address must in this case be compatible with the address that is connected to the backup of the object that is to receive the data.
The communication protocol between objects can also comprise command strings, such as requests, commands and defect notifications. For example, a first object can transmit to a second object a request for restoring backed up data. After the restoring of the data the first object can perform a calculation of the checksum of the received data. If the checksum does not tally with the received data, the first object can repeat the restore data request to the second object. If the checksum is correct, the first object can also transmit information about this to a second object. The second object can, of course, also perform a similar data check on the data intended for backing up that is sent by the first object. The arrangement according to the invention for backing up data can also be applied in connection with a transport system. This kind of transport system can be e.g. an elevator system, an escalator system, a travelator system, a conveyor system, a vehicle system or a crane system.
The data to be backed up in a transport system can comprise, for instance, calibration data, compensation data, regulation parameters and other parameters, diagnostics data, parameters of the mechanical equipment cpmposition, position data e.g. about stopping points, or the configuration data of an object. The aforementioned objects can comprise, in addition to data to be backed up, also other data, such as program code or algorithms of the processor, which data cannot be backed up.
Advantages of the invention
With the invention at least one of the following advantages is achieved:
- When an object is replaced e.g. as a result of a failure, the initialization data of the object can be restored from the backup, in which case the new object does not need to be initialized again. Likewise, if e.g. data stored in the volatile memory, such as in the RAM memory, of an object is lost in an electricity power cut, the data can be restored from the backup.
- When the data to be backed up is divided between objects via the communications channel, there is no need for separate equipment or for data warehouses for backing up the objects.
- Nowadays numerous different objects that can be fitted into the arrangement according to the invention in principle comprise some non- volatile memory, such as the program memory of the processor. If the memory in the object is also used for storing a backup, no separate memory is needed, which simplifies the arrangement and reduces costs.
- The objects disposed in the communications channel and the objects comprising the backup of these can be disposed such that there are always other objects in the communications channel between the object and the backup of it. Since failure of an object, e.g. as a result of overvoltage, often also causes failure of the adjacent objects, disposing an object and the object containing the backup of it farther from each other in the communications channel can ensure that the malfunction does not cause failure of both the object and the object containing the backup of it.
- If from the standpoint of the operation of the transport system the data of certain objects that is to be backed up is more important than other data, a number of backups can be made of the data of these objects, and the data can be stored in a number of objects via the communications channel.
Presentation of drawings
Fig. 1 presents an arrangement according to the invention for backing up data
Fig. 2 presents a backup of data
Fig. 3 presents an elevator system, into which is fitted the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data Embodiments
Fig. 1 presents an arrangement for backing up data. The arrangement comprises objects 1 , 2, 3, 4 that communicate between themselves via a serial bus 5. The objects comprise an object-specific identifier 6 for individualizing the objects. In addition, the objects comprise the backup 7 of the data of another object. Addresses 8 are connected to the backups 7 of the data. When data is transmitted from one object for backing up to another or backed up data is restored to objects, identification of the data transmitted and received occurs by comparing the identifier 6 of the object and the address 8 connected to the backup to each other.
The objects contain coding connectors, with which an identifier 6 that differs from each other, which is a series of running numbers, is defined for each object 1 , 2, 3, 4. The objects also comprise backups 7 with their addresses 8, which are derived from the identifiers 6 such that the address 8 of the backup 7 stored in the non-volatile memory of the object is two smaller than the identifier 6 of the same object. The aforementioned address 8 of the backup is also stored in the non-volatile memory. Before the first object 1 transmits data for backing up, the address 8 of the data to be backed up, which is the same as the identifier of the first object, is added to the data. When transmitting data to the serial bus 5 the first object 1 transmits first the address 8 of the data to be backed up and immediately after this the data to be backed up. The object 3 that is to receive the data reads the address 8 of the data to be backed up and compares it the address 8 of the backup it has stored in non-volatile memory. If the addresses are compatible, the receiving object 3 accepts the data, after which it is backed up in the non-volatile memory of the receiving object 3.
If the first object 1 fails, it is replaced with a new one. In this case the identifier 6 of the new object is selected to be compatible with the identifier of the original object with a coding connector. Electricity supplies are disconnected during replacement of the object, and when the supply voltages of the objects are switched on after replacement of the object, the objects switch to an initialization state. In this case the objects restore the backed up data from their non-volatile memories. The second object 3 transmits the backup 7 from its non-volatile memory to the serial bus 5. First the address 8 of the backup is transmitted and after this the backed up data. The first object 1 receives from the serial bus the address 8 of the backup and compares it to its identifier 6. If the address 8 of the received backup is compatible with the identifier 6 of the object, the first object accepts the backup.
Fig. 2 presents one pulse-shaped graph of a backup 7 transmitted to the serial bus. The address 8 of the backup is first transmitted to the serial bus, followed immediately by the backed up data.
Fig. 3 presents an elevator system into which the arrangement according to the invention for backing up data is fitted. The elevator car 17 is moved in the elevator shaft from one floor level to another with the elevator motor 18 via rope transmission. The power supply of the elevator motor 18 occurs with a frequency converter 10. The power supply and thus also the movement of the elevator car 17 is regulated with the movement controller 11. The traffic controller 12 of the elevator system takes care of regulating the traffic of the elevator system. The controller 13 of landing calls transmits landing calls to the traffic controller 12. The controller 14 of the door of the elevator car, the power controller 15 of the elevator car that manages the lighting and the battery backup as well as the controller 16 of the car calls of the elevator car are here integrated into the same module on the roof of the elevator car. Each of the aforementioned controllers 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 comprises a microprocessor as well as a non-volatile program memory. A serial communication bus 5 is fitted between the controllers. The controllers 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 comprise the data to be backed up. The frequency converter 10 comprises at least the calibration parameters of current measurement, as well as the regulation parameters of the current regulator. The movement controller 11 comprises at least the calibration parameters of speed measurement as well as the regulation parameters of the speed regulator. In addition, the movement controller comprises the parameters of the equipment assembly of the mechanics of the elevator system, e.g. the mass and inertia of the elevator system. The traffic controller 12 comprises the parameters of the speed reference of the elevator, and e.g. the position data of the sensors of the landing door of the elevator. The controller 13 of the landing calls of the elevator car comprises at least a floor number. The controller 14 of the door of the elevator car, the power controller 15 of the elevator car as well as the controller of the calls of the elevator car comprise the configuration data of the objects, such as data about the power consumption related to the system configuration, as well as any parameters of the door operator of the elevator car. Each of the aforementioned controllers 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 transmits its data to be backed up for storing in the non-volatile memory of a second controller 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. In this case if e.g. the frequency converter 10 is replaced for a new one, the calibration data and regulation data of the current regulator can be restored from the non-volatile memory of the movement controller 11. Likewise the data of the movement controller 11 can if necessary be restored from the non-volatile memory of the traffic controller 12, as also can the data of the controllers 13 of the landing calls of the elevator system, as well as the data of the door controller 14 of the elevator car, of the power controller 15 of the elevator car and of the controller 16 of the calls of the elevator car. The data of the traffic controller 12 can again if necessary be restored from the movement controller 11 to which it was backed up. The invention is described above by the aid of a few examples of its embodiment. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but that many other applications are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims presented below.

Claims

1. Arrangement for backing up data, which arrangement comprises a plurality of objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) that communicate between themselves via a communications channel (5) characterized in that at least one of the aforementioned objects comprises the backed up data (7) from at least one of the other objects, which backed up data has an address (8) for connecting the backed up data to that object from which the data was backed up.
2. Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least the first of the aforementioned objects comprises the backup containing the data of at least one other object, and in that the data of the aforementioned first object is backed up to at least one other object.
3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least first object (1) comprises an identifier (6), and at least a second object (2, 3, 4) comprises the backup (7) of the data of at least the first object (1), to which backup the proportional address (8) to the identifier (6) of the aforementioned first object is connected.
4. Arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second object (2, 3, 4) is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup (7) via the communications channel (5) and the first object (1) is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel (5) on the basis of the address (8) connected to the backup.
5. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) that are serially connected to a communications channel (5) for transmitting backups (7) and for receiving transmitted backups, and in that of the consecutive objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) the latter comprises the backup (7) of the preceding object.
6. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the arrangement comprises objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) that are serially connected to a communications channel (5) for transmitting backups (7) and for receiving transmitted backups, and in that at least one other object (2, 3) is fitted between the first object (1) and the second object (3, 4) comprising the backup of this first object.
7. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each object comprises an identifier (6) as well as the backup (7) of other objects.
8. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) are fitted to switch to an initialization state after an electricity power cut, and in that in the initialization state the objects are fitted to transmit a backup (7) of data and to receive a transmitted backup of data.
9. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first object (1 ) comprises means for changing data to be backed up, at least a second object (2, 3, 4) comprises non-volatile memory for the backup (7) of the data of at least the first object and in that after the data to be backed up has been changed at least the first object is fitted to transmit this changed information to at least a second object (2, 3, 4).
10. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first object (1) is fitted to send to at least a second object
(2, 3, 4) a request for restoring backed up data.
11.Transport system (9), which comprises a plurality of objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) of the transport system that communicate between themselves via a communications channel (5), and which transport system comprises an arrangement for backing up data, characterized in that at least one of the aforementioned objects comprises the backed up data (7) from at least one of the other aforementioned objects, which backed up data has an address (8) for connecting the backed up data to that object from which the data was backed up.
12. Transport system according to claim 11 , characterized in that at least the first of the aforementioned objects (1 , 2, 3, 4) of the transport system comprises the backup containing the data of at least one other object of the transport system, and in that the data of the aforementioned first object of the transport system is backed up to at least one other object of the transport system.
13. Transport system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least a first object (1 ) of the transport system comprises an identifier (6), at least a second object (2, 3, 4) of the transport system comprises the backup (7) of the data of at least the first object (1 ) of the transport system, to which backup the proportional address (8) to the identifier (6) of the aforementioned first object of the transport system is connected.
14.Transport system according to any of claims 11 - 13, characterized in that a second object of the transport system (2, 3, 4) is fitted to transmit the aforementioned backup (7) via the communications channel (5) and the first object (1 ) of the transport system is fitted to identify and to receive the transmitted backup from the communications channel (5) on the basis of the address (8) connected to the backup.
15. Transport system according to any of claims 11 - 14, characterized in that the data to be backed up contains at least one of the following:
- calibration data of the transport system
- compensation data of the transport system
- regulation parameters of the transport system
- diagnostics data of the transport system
- parameters of the equipment assembly of the mechanics of the transport system
- position data about the stopping points of the transport system
- object configuration data
16. Transport system (9) according to any of claims 11 - 15, characterized in that the aforementioned transport system is an elevator system.
17. Transport system according to any of claims 11 - 16, characterized in that the aforementioned objects of the transport system comprise at least one of the following:
- the frequency converter (10) of the elevator system
- the motion controller (11 ) of the elevator system
- the traffic controller (12) of the elevator system
- the controller (13) of landing calls of the elevator system
- the controller (14) of the door of the elevator car the power controller (15) of the elevator car
the controller (16) of the calls of the elevator car
PCT/FI2008/000093 2007-08-16 2008-08-14 Distributed backup of data WO2009022049A1 (en)

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