JP3155258B1 - Data collection system, data collection method, and recording medium on which data collection program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily collect, record and save data of a different kind of PLC stored in a programmable display. SOLUTION: A communication protocol between a PLC 3 and a programmable display (display) 2 on a dedicated network 5 is determined by a data processing unit 2a using a protocol conversion data of a conversion data storage unit 2f. The communication protocol is converted to a communication protocol on the common network 4 with the personal computer 1. As a result, the personal computer 1 stores a plurality of different types of PLCs 3 stored in the collected data storage unit 2h of the display 2.
Can easily be collected.
When a preset distribution condition is satisfied, the data stored in the display 2 is distributed to the personal computer 1 by the data distribution unit 2g. In the personal computer 1, the data is written by the data communication processing unit 1a to a worksheet or the like of spreadsheet software as the application unit 1f in a format corresponding to the format stored in the display 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for collecting, recording and storing data of an industrial control device such as a programmable logic controller and a recording medium on which a program for the data is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An industrial control device called a programmable logic controller (hereinafter, referred to as a PLC) or the like is used to implement various controls such as a sequence control, in order to realize various controls such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembling machine. It is widely used as a control device for controlling a target system. Further, in recent years, with the complexity of the target system, the introduction of a network control system in which a plurality of PLCs are connected to each other via a network line has been spreading.

In such a network control system, the display of the operation status of each PLC and the control instruction to the PLC are performed by a display device having a control function such as a programmable display disposed near the PLC.
Further, in the above control system, even in a place away from the PLC or the display device, the operation status of the PLC can be monitored and the PLC can be monitored.
In order to control C, a host computer installed in such a place can also be made to participate.

In the above control system, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, PLCs 101... Are positioned at the center of control, and each PLC 101 has input / output devices such as sensors and actuators arranged at various points in the target system. A device 102 is connected to a display device 103 such as a programmable display device for performing display and control instructions.
Further, another PLC 101 or host computer 104 is directly connected to the PLC 101 via a predetermined interface circuit or indirectly via a dedicated adapter. Data transfer between the PLC 101 and the host computer 104 and between the PLCs 101 is performed using the communication function of the PLC 101.

The screen displayed on the display device 103 can be created by the user using screen creation software (hereinafter, referred to as drawing software). When creating the screen, the drawing software is installed in advance on a computer device such as a personal computer, and the user can use the switches, numeric keys, lamps, meter display, graph display, parts such as the graphic display provided by the drawing software, etc. Is used to compose a desired screen. Then, at what timing and how the created screen is operated is set by the drawing software. Further, the screen data obtained as a result is downloaded to the user memory of the display device 3 via the communication port.

In such a control system, it is important for the operation of the system to collect output data (temperature, flow rate, etc.) of the PLC 101. Such data collection can be performed using, for example, data collection software. If this software is installed in the host computer 104, output data is collected by communication with the PLC 101 at a specified time or period, and these data are collected using commercially available application software (such as spreadsheet software). Can be saved.

[0007] As a programmable display device used as the display device 103, there is a model in which data logging capability is enhanced by using various storage media such as a semiconductor memory. In such a model, PLC
Output data from the PC 101 and control data to be given to the PLC 101 can be easily stored. Therefore, PL
In addition to collecting data by direct communication with C101, data can be collected from the display device 103. Conventionally, to collect data from the display device 103, for example, the data setting function of the drawing software has been used as follows.

[0008] The drawing software as described above has a screen for data setting as well as a screen data creation function (see FIG. 5).
There are things that are available. In such a screen, an area in which data to be set or collected is written in the PLC 101
Is provided for each device connected to the device. Then, the created setting screen (file) is downloaded to the display device 103 together with the screen data. When the target system is operating, the display device 103
Rewrite the set value for control on the setting screen,
Data obtained from the LC 101 can be stored.

As described above, the data stored in the display device 103 is collected by the host computer 101, and the data common to the display device 103 and the host computer 101 is collected, thereby achieving data duplication. As a result, even if one of the display device 103 and the host computer 101 goes down, the data collected by the other can be used.

[0010]

Generally, the PLC 101 often uses different communication protocols for data communication for each model (for each manufacturer or even for the same manufacturer even for each product). Therefore, in the above control system,
P is used both between each PLC 101 and the host computer 104 and between the PLC 101 and the display device 103.
It is necessary to communicate using a communication protocol specific to the LC 101. As a result, a problem arises in that it is not easy to use different types of PLCs 101.

More specifically, since it is necessary to prepare a communication protocol for communicating with the PLC 101 in both the host computer 104 and the display device 103, the manufacturing and maintenance of the host computer 104 and the display device 103 are required. It takes time and effort.

When the degree of the difference between the communication protocols is small, the communication protocols necessary for establishing the communication, such as a start character, a stop character, and a method of designating a transmission / reception address, are the same and are not so important. If only the command is different, the PLC 10
If a different command is not used by limiting the function actually used among the functions of the PLC 1, the PLC 1 of a different model is used.
It is not impossible to use 01 in combination. However, when an important command such as a command for communicating with a plurality of models is different, the host computer 104 and the PLC
Even if communication is established with the host 101, the host computer 104 cannot instruct the PLC 101 to perform a desired operation.

Further, when the communication protocol itself required for establishing the communication is different, not only communication between the PLC 101 having different communication protocols and the host computer 104 is not established, but also the PLC 101 having the common communication protocol is not established. Communication with the host computer 104 is hindered. Therefore, the PLC 101
Is required, a converter must be inserted into the network, and the communication protocol must be mutually converted so that the PLC 101 can be seen by the host computer 104 and other PLCs 101 as the same model. However, in the control system as described above, in general, not only the place where the converter can be installed is often limited, but also the cost of the entire control system increases with the addition of the converter. Further, since there are a large number of communication protocols of the PLC 101, for example, 100 types or more, a desired converter corresponding to those communication protocols does not always exist.

Therefore, in a control system in which the PLC 101 is arranged at the center of communication, it is difficult to use different types of PLC 101 together, and options for selecting the PLC 101 are limited. For this reason, conventionally, in a control system, the PLC 101 of the same model is often used.

Further, since the PLCs 101, which are positioned as the control centers, process most of the communication in the control system, the burden on the PLCs 101 increases. More specifically, the PLC 101 has been developed from a sequencer using a relay, and has been used for I / O control such as on / off control of a switch and data acquisition from a sensor.
Since it is good at processing related to O-control, the ability to process communication of the control system as described above is often insufficient, and even if the ability is not insufficient, the burden is large. For example, if only the target system is to be controlled, the PLC 101 usually requires a storage capacity of about several tens of kilobytes and a processing capacity according to the storage capacity. It is difficult to process this communication at a sufficient speed.

As described above, in the conventional control system, due to the restriction by the communication protocol, different types of PLC 101
... cannot easily be collected. In addition, in the above control system, in order to collect output data of the PLCs 101, dedicated data collection software which is commercially available or created by a user is required. Moreover, when using such software, it is necessary to request the PLC 101 to transmit data at a set time or cycle from the host computer 104 on which the software is installed,
Data communication efficiency was not very good.

In order to load the data on the setting screen of the display device 103 into the host computer 104, the display device 103 needs to upload a file of the setting screen.
In addition to the direct connection between the host computer 104 and the host computer 104, the host computer 104 needs to activate drawing software and monitor and rewrite data via the drawing software. In addition, the operation of starting the drawing software or uploading the file is performed by the user's host computer 104 (mouse or keyboard).
, There is a disadvantage that the operability is not good.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to efficiently and easily collect data stored in a display device without requiring dedicated data collection software. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data collection system, a data collection method, and a recording medium on which a program for the data collection is recorded.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data collection system, comprising: a control device to which an input device and an output device are connected ;
Connected device, and a display-type control device control state Display and gives a control instruction to the control unit of the control device, double
Mokerara is the top number in Table示型controller, communication Pro
From the above controllers with different protocols via the display type controller
Te, the host competent for collecting data from the top Symbol controller
And the display-type control device and the
The control device has the above-mentioned communication protocol specific to each control device.
Connected individually via a dedicated network that communicates with
On the other hand, the host computer and the display control
The device is a common network that communicates using a common communication protocol.
The display-type control device is connected to each other through a work, and the display-type control device includes storage means for storing the data, and the control device
Relays communication between the device and the host computer
When the communication protocol used above SL both networks
It includes a protocol conversion means for converting each other physicians, and a distribution unit for the data stored in the storage means when the distribution condition set in advance is satisfied to deliver to the host computer, the host computer Writing means for writing data stored in the storage means in a format corresponding to the storage format and in a form which can be stored in a recording sheet provided by application software.

In the above configuration, the output data from the control device is sent to the display control device via the dedicated network. In the display control device, the communication protocol of the dedicated network is converted to the communication protocol of the common network by the protocol conversion means. Thereafter, the output data is transferred from the display control device to the host computer connected via the common network by the distribution means.

Thus, the display control device can always communicate with the host computer via the common network using the same communication protocol regardless of the communication protocol of the control device. As a result, even if a control device having a different communication protocol is mixed in a control system including the control device, the display control device, and the host computer, the host computer can easily receive the control device from the control device via the display control device. Data can be collected.

Further, when the distribution means satisfies predetermined distribution conditions (designated time, designated cycle, etc.), data stored in the storage means of the display-type control device (such as output data from the control device). ) Is delivered to the host computer, so that the host computer does not need to request data to the control device as needed, and data can be collected automatically. The data collected in the host computer from the display control device in this manner can be stored in the recording sheet provided by the application software in a format corresponding to the storage format in the storage device by the writing device. Written in form. Therefore, if the present invention is applied to the above-described conventional technique in which the host computer uses the drawing software to create the data storage format, the compatibility between the data stored in the recording sheet and the data in the storage format is improved. You can have.

In the above data collection system,
Is the protocol conversion means.
Communication between the control device and the other display-type control device.
When relaying communications, the communications used in both networks
Protocols may be mutually converted.

Further, as described in claim 3, the program
Protocols required for protocol conversion processing by the protocol conversion means.
The protocol information is transmitted to the above-mentioned display-type control device by a different communication protocol.
Switching when the above-mentioned control device that employs the protocol is connected
You may be.

[0025] In the above data acquisition system, the upper Kishokomi means, specifies a storage medium provided on the display-type control device as the memory means the data to be written on said recording sheet preferable. Thus, data read from a desired storage medium can be written according to the type of storage medium provided in the display control device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data collection method comprising:
In order to solve the above problems, a controller input device and the output device is connected, it is connected to the control device, to display the control status of the system <br/> control device, and control to the control device a display type control device for providing an indication, et provided on top of the plurality of table示型controller is different the control of communication protocol
Via the display type control device from the device, and a host computer for collecting <br/> data from above Symbol controller controls
A data collection method for the system,
Control device and the control device, the above-described control device-specific
Via a dedicated network that communicates with the communication protocol
Connected individually, the above host computer and the above display
Type controller that communicates with a common communication protocol
Together are connected to each other via a network, in the display-type control apparatus, and storing the data, the control instrumentation
Relays communication between the device and the host computer
When the communication protocol used above SL both networks
Converts into each other physician delivers the data stored at the time the distribution condition set in advance is satisfied in the host computer, in said host computer, a distributed the data was in the display type control device It is characterized by writing in a format corresponding to the storage format and in a form that can be stored on a recording sheet provided by application software.

Also in this data collection method, the communication protocol between the control device and the display control device is converted into a communication protocol between the display control device and the host computer. Therefore, the display-type control device can always communicate with the host computer via the common network using the same communication protocol, and as a result, the host computer can communicate from the control device with a different communication protocol via the display-type control device. Data can be collected easily.

Further, since data from the display control device is distributed to the host computer when a preset distribution condition is satisfied, data can be automatically collected. The data collected by the host computer by such distribution is written in a format corresponding to the storage format of the display control device in a form that can be stored in the recording sheet. Therefore, similarly to the data collection system of the first aspect, the data stored in the recording sheet and the data in the storage format can be made compatible.

[0029] In the data collection method described above,
As described in 5, the display-type control device performs the control
Relays communication between the device and the other display-type control device
Communication protocol used in both networks
They may be converted to each other.

[0030] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the display
The type control device requires the
The protocol information is transmitted to the above-mentioned display-type control device by a different communication protocol.
When the above-mentioned control device that uses
It may be.

In the above data collection method ,
It is preferable to specify a storage medium to which the display-type control device is provided for storing the upper Symbol data writes the data to the recording sheet. Thus, similarly to the data collection system described above, data read from a desired storage medium can be written according to the type of the storage medium.

[0032] recording medium having a program recorded thereon for data collection according to the invention of claim 7, in order to solve the above problems, a controller input device and the output device is connected, to the control device connected, to display the control state of the control device, and a display-type control device for providing a control instruction to the control unit, it provided on top of the plurality of upper Symbol display type control device
Display type control from the above controller with different communication protocol.
Via the control device and a host <br/> strike computer for collecting data from the control device, the display type control device and
The control device is a communication protocol specific to each control device.
Connected individually via a dedicated network that communicates
On the other hand, the host computer and the display type
The control device communicates using a common communication protocol.
Control systems connected to each other via
A program recorded computer-readable recording medium for collecting data from the host computer over the SL controller, in the display-type control apparatus, and storing the data, the control device and the phosphite
When relaying the communication between the bets computer converts the communication protocol used above SL both networks to each other physician, the host computer the data stored when delivered preset condition is satisfied And a program for writing the delivered data in a format corresponding to the storage format of the display-type control device and in a form that can be stored in a recording sheet provided by application software in the host computer. It is characterized by being.

According to the program recorded on the recording medium, the communication protocol between the control device and the display control device is converted into the communication protocol between the display control device and the host computer in the display control device. Is done. Therefore, communication between the display control device and the host computer is always performed using the same communication protocol. As a result, the host computer easily collects data from the control device having a different communication protocol via the display control device. be able to.

Further, since data from the display control device is delivered to the host computer when a preset delivery condition is satisfied, data can be automatically collected. Since the data collected by the host computer is written in the same manner as in the data collection system of the first aspect, the data stored on the recording sheet and the data in the storage format can be made compatible.

Moreover, since the above-mentioned program is provided in combination with a process for protocol conversion and distribution, there is no need for a dedicated software (program) conventionally used for data collection. .

[0036] In the above recording medium, it is preferable that the recording medium be described.
As described above, in the display-type control device,
When relaying communication with other display-type controllers,
The communication protocols used in the two networks
A program for conversion may be recorded.

[0037] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the display device as described above.
The type control device requires the
Protocol information to the above-mentioned display control device.
It switches when the above-mentioned control device that uses a col is connected
May be recorded.

[0038] In the above recording medium, a program for specifying a storage medium to which the display-type control device is provided for storing the upper Symbol data writes the data to the recording sheet is recorded Is preferred. Thus, similarly to the data collection system described above, data read from a desired storage medium can be written according to the type of the storage medium.

[0039]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The control system according to this embodiment is similar to the control system shown in FIG.
, A personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) 1, a plurality of programmable displays (hereinafter, referred to as a display) 2, and a plurality of PLCs 3.

The personal computer 1 and the display units 2 are connected to each other via a common network 4 capable of communicating with a common communication protocol. On the other hand, the display 2 and the PLC 3 are individually connected via a dedicated network 5 capable of performing communication using a unique communication protocol for each PLC 3.

In a broadly defined communication protocol, codes indicating start characters and end characters, transmission / reception timing of each character, a method of specifying a transmission destination and a transmission source, and the like are unified in a network including a transmission source and a transmission destination. If the communication protocol cannot transmit data normally if it is not, the operation desired by one and the operation performed by the other, if the transmission source and the destination are not unified, such as a command system that each PLC 3 can understand, will match. There is a communication protocol that cannot be controlled normally without the communication protocol. Therefore, in the following description, a combination of the two is referred to as a communication protocol, and when the two need to be distinguished, the former is distinguished as a transmission protocol and the latter is distinguished as a command system.

Here, according to the communication protocol defined by the manufacturer of each PLC 3, when data reading is instructed,
Generally, as shown in FIG. 2, a control code (ESC) indicating that the code to be transmitted next is a command, and a PLC
Command code (R
D), a read start address (X0001), a read size (5), and a control code (R
Data train DT ₁ comprising ET) and is transmitted. However,
Between the PLCs 3, not only the command system including the command code but also the arrangement order of the address and the size, the control code itself, or the expression method when expressing the address and the size (the bit width and the character when indicating the numerical value are indicated. Code types) are often different from each other.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the display 2
When performing data communication via the common network 4, regardless of the communication protocol transmitted over the dedicated network 5, the communication protocol ( Common protocol). Specifically, in the present embodiment, as the common network 4,
A local area network (LAN) such as Ethernet (trademark: Xerox Corporation) is used, and TCP / IP is used as a communication protocol in the common network 4.
Has been adopted.

Therefore, a unique IP address is assigned to each display 2 and personal computer 1 connected to the common network 4, and when communicating via the common network 4, as shown in FIG. In addition, TCP / I
Receive defined format data sequence DT ₂ in P. This data string DT ₂ includes a header section 11 including the IP addresses of the transmission source and the transmission destination, and a data body 12 indicating the communication contents.
And Thus, for example, even when a computer or the like used by a control system developer is connected via a telephone line from a location different from the control system operating company, a communication device capable of communicating by TCP / IP is used. If it exists, it is possible to freely participate in the common network 4 without obstructing data transmission between other communication devices.

Further, in the common protocol, a common code 13 indicating the content of the command is included in the data body 12r when transmitting a command instructing data reading to the PLC 3.
And the related information 14 accompanying the common code 13 includes a read start address 14a and a read size 14b. Further, the data body 12 w when instructing the data write includes the write start address 14 c and the write data 14 d as the related information 14.

The common code 13 is a command code (each PL) in the dedicated network 5 between commands which can be understood by each PLC 3 and which have the same contents.
Irrespective of the command code in C3). In addition, for example, the order in which the data in the related information 14 is transmitted, such as the read start address 14a and the read size 14b, and the expression method at the time of transmission are unified regardless of the communication protocol in the dedicated network 5. Accordingly, in the common protocol, the command to be executed can be uniquely specified regardless of the type of the PLC 3 connected to the display 2.

The PLC 3 as a control device includes a CPU / power supply module, an input unit, and an output unit. The CPU / power supply module includes a CPU unit including a CPU and a memory, and a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit of the PLC 3. In accordance with the control program, the CPU unit receives input devices (in the figure, I
/ D) 6 based on a signal input from the input device, and performs an arithmetic process of control data given to an output device (O / D in the figure) 7.
The input unit and the output unit are portions having an interface function connected to the input device 6 and the output device 7, respectively. The input unit and the output unit transmit digital signals or analog signals input / output between these devices to / from the CPU unit. It is designed to interact.

As the input device 6, devices such as a sensor (temperature sensor, optical sensor, etc.) and a switch (push button switch, limit switch, pressure switch, etc.) are used. As the output device 7, an actuator, a relay, a solenoid valve, a display, or the like is used. These input devices 6 and output devices 7 are arranged in required parts of various target systems such as a production line.

The display 2 as a display control device includes a DRAM for arithmetic processing, a VRAM for display control, and a FEPROM for storing screen data and a display control system program.
The operation of each unit of the display 2 is controlled by a memory unit including (Flash Erasable and Programmable ROM) and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU. The display 2 includes a data processing unit 2a, an interface unit (I / F in the figure) 2b.
2c, input unit 2d, display unit 2e, conversion data storage unit 2
f, a data distribution unit 2g and a collected data storage unit 2h.

The data processing section 2a performs various data processings for performing display control of a control screen, protocol conversion, and data distribution. This data processing unit 2a
Software that can be provided in the form of program media as package software,
Is downloaded to the display unit 2 from. Further, this software may be installed in the display 2 in advance at the time of shipment of the display 2 as necessary.

For display control of the control screen, the data processing unit 2a draws the control screen on the display unit 2e using a VRAM or the like based on the screen data created by the personal computer 1. In the control screen, for example, an image in which the input device 6 and the output device 7 are designed is synthesized as a component on a background screen imitating the target system. In the control screen configured as described above, the components move in accordance with the operations of the input / output devices 6 and 7, and the operation states of the input device 6 and the output device 7 are visualized.

Here, the program medium is a recording medium which is configured to be separable from the personal computer 1 and the display 2, and is a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk system such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, Optical disc system of optical disc such as CD-ROM, MO, MD, DVD, etc., card system such as IC card (including memory card), optical card, or mask RO
A medium that fixedly holds a program, including a semiconductor memory such as an M, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash ROM, may be used.

Further, since the control system of the present embodiment has a system configuration that can be connected to a communication network including the Internet, it is a medium that carries the program in a fluid manner so as to download the program from the communication network. Is also good. However, when the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, the download program may be stored in the personal computer 1 in advance, or may be installed from another recording medium.

The protocol conversion process is performed on both networks 4
If the communication protocols in 5 are different from each other, this is a process of converting one communication protocol to the other communication protocol with reference to the data stored in the conversion data storage unit 2f. The data distribution process is a process of distributing output data taken from the input device 6 into the memory of the PCL 3 and output from the PLC 3 to the personal computer 1 or another display 2 when a preset distribution condition is satisfied. is there.

The interface unit 2b is connected to a common network 4 for performing communication between the personal computer 1 and another display device 2. The output data of the PLC 3 is transferred from the display 2 to the personal computer 1 by the communication via the common network 4 as described later. On the other hand, the interface unit 2c is connected to the dedicated network 5 for performing communication with the PLC 3. Output data from the PLC 3 is transferred to the display 2 by communication via the dedicated network 5 as described later.

The input section 2d is constituted by an input device such as a touch panel for inputting on the display screen of the display section 2e. For this reason, the display unit 2e is configured by a flat display element such as a liquid crystal panel or an EL panel.

The conversion data storage section 2f stores data necessary for protocol conversion processing. This data may be in any format as long as the communication protocol can be converted between the dedicated network 5 and the common network 4. The converted data storage unit 2 f according to the present embodiment is transmitted through the dedicated network 5. A data transfer format FMT indicating the format of the data;
• Stores a command conversion table TBL indicating the correspondence between command codes transmitted in 5.

[0059] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the data transfer format FMT is in data string DT ₁ transmitted in the dedicated network 5, e.g., data content itself to read or write, the size of the data, read and write Is a skeleton-like data string in which a portion that changes according to the data content to be actually transmitted, such as an address, is undefined, and only the purpose is defined for the undefined portion. If the command area is undefined, the data transfer format FM extracted from the data string actually transmitted is used.
If T is common to a plurality of commands, the command area may be undefined, and a common data transfer format FMT may be used between these commands.

The command conversion table TBL includes:
As shown in FIG. 4, the correspondence between the common code transmitted on the common network 4 and the command code transmitted on the dedicated network 5 is stored. Data processing unit 2a
Converts one code to the other code based on the command conversion table TBL (for example, TBLa and TBL).
Between BLb).

The data distribution unit 2g distributes the output data of the PLC 3 to a designated distribution destination when a preset distribution condition is satisfied. Therefore, the data distribution unit 2
In g, the node information on the distribution destination node and the setting information on the distribution are previously downloaded from the personal computer 1 and stored. The setting of the distribution condition will be described later in detail.

The collected data storage unit 2h has a function of storing data collected from the PLC 3 and the like and setting data (control data) given to the PLC 3 as filing data described later. The collected data storage unit 2h includes an SRAM 21, a flash ROM,
(FEPROM) 22, CF (Compact Flash) card 2
3 is included as a storage medium for storing data obtained from the PLC 3 and a file format (filing data) set in advance. The collected data storage unit 2
The storage medium provided in h is not limited to such a memory, and may be a medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, or another medium.

The SRAM 21 is a memory for storing the latest data, and the data can be rewritten by the user. The flash ROM 22 is a flash memory that logs a large amount of data to some extent, and requires a special operation to rewrite data, so that data cannot be rewritten by a user. The CF card 23 is a removable medium connected to the display 2 via a dedicated interface unit. The CF card 23 has a larger storage capacity than the flash ROM 22 and can log a large amount of data. However, similar to the flash ROM 22, data cannot be rewritten by a user. Therefore, the user can use the flash ROM 22 or the CF card 2
To rewrite the data stored in No. 3, it is necessary to copy the data to the SRAM 21.

The collected data storage unit 2h configured as described above stores filing data (see FIG. 5) created by the drawing unit 1g described later.

Personal computer 1 as host computer
CPU, memory (R)
It has an external storage device (hard disk drive, MO drive, etc.), a display device, and an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 1 includes a data communication processing unit 1a,
Interface unit (I / F in the figure) 1b, distribution setting unit 1c, network file 1d, data file 1
e, an application unit 1f and a drawing unit 1g.

The interface unit 1 b is connected to the common network 4 for performing communication with the display 2.

In the drawing section 1g, the display 2 is composed of the input devices 6.
And a screen to be displayed on the display 14 so as to have a function as a terminal for inputting setting values for various monitors and management values such as operation status of the output device 7 (device) and work instructions. Screen creation software. Generally, the drawing unit 1g includes a switch, a lamp, a numeric keypad,
Components such as various displays (for example, a numerical display, a meter display, and a graph display), a drawing function, a text input function, and the like are provided. The screen created by the drawing unit 1g
If necessary, the display unit 2 is provided via the interface unit 1b.
And downloaded to the FEPROM as screen data.

The drawing unit 1g assigns input / output numbers (addresses) to the input / output devices 6, 7 such as components arranged on the created screen. In addition, the drawing unit 1g
Provides an input screen for creating falling data, which is data in a file format.

As shown in FIG. 5, the input screen includes “comment”, “storage start address”, “block number”,
A data input area is provided along with the “number of data”, the “data format”, and the “display format”.

“Comment” is a column for entering a comment to be added to the falling data. The “storage start address” is a column for setting a start address in the memory area of the PLC 3 for downloading the falling data to the PLC 3 and uploading the falling data from the PLC 3. The “number of blocks” is a column for designating the number of blocks representing the same type of data division (for example, for the same device) provided in the data input area, and the “number of data” is the number of data to be written in one block. Is a field for specifying. The “data format” is a column for setting the expression format (16 bits, 32 bits, etc.) of each data, and the “display format” is the expression format (DEC, BCD, HEX, OCT, floating) when displaying data. Field for setting a decimal point, etc.).

In the data input area, three blocks (block 0, block 1, block 2) are provided, and an item name is set for each block. Item name is P
Devices connected to LC3 (thermometer, flow meter, I / O
Etc.). Each block is provided with an area in which the number of data set in the above “number of data” can be input. FIG. 5 shows an example in which five set values for controlling three flow meters connected to the PLC 3 are set, and the item names “flow rate 1”,
“Flow rate 2” and “flow rate 3” are set. Also,
In the figure, "11", "12", etc. represent data.

The data communication processing section 1a is a section for performing data communication processing with the display devices 2 via the common network 4 and for exchanging data with the application section 1f. This data communication processing unit 1a
Performs processing of transferring screen data created by the drawing unit 1g to the display unit 2 and writing storage data of the display unit 2 distributed from the display unit 2 to the application unit 1f (writing means). The data communication processing unit 1a is software that can be provided in the form of a program medium as package software, and is installed in the personal computer 1 in advance. This program medium also has a personal computer 1 and a display 2 similar to the aforementioned program medium.
The recording medium is configured to be separable from the recording medium.

The data communication processing section 1a writes the storage data (filing data) of the display 2 distributed from the display 2 to the application section 1f in a format corresponding to the format of the input screen shown in FIG. Here, an example in which commercially available application software is installed in the application unit 1f will be described, but a user application may be installed.

Here, a case where general-purpose spreadsheet software is installed as the application unit 1f will be described. As spreadsheet software, for example, Excel
(Registered trademark: Microsoft Corporation) is preferred because of its high penetration into the public and ease of external control.
Other software may be used as long as it can provide a book including a plurality of worksheets including a large number of cells. Also,
The application unit 1f is not limited to spreadsheet software, but may be any other application software as long as it can provide a form in which output data can be individually written.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data communication processing section 1a
Under the worksheet 31 (recording sheet) formed by the above, the cells (block 0, block 1, block 1) in the data input area of the input screen of FIG. The data of 2) is arranged. Also, on the upper side of the worksheet 31, FIG.
"Comment", "storage start address", "number of blocks", "number of data", "data format", "display format", and the like set in the input screen are arranged in cells.

As described above, the data is written into the worksheet 31 by the data communication processing unit 1a in the form of the input screen as shown in FIG. 5, that is, the form corresponding to the storage form of the filing data in the display unit 2. The data communication processing unit 1a transfers (imports) the filing data recorded in the worksheet 31 to the drawing unit 1g as necessary (by a user's instruction). This allows
The above-mentioned filing data can be taken into a file for filing data opened by the drawing unit 1g.

Further, the data communication processing section 1a provides a storage medium for reading filing data and a setting screen for designating a storage destination of the read filing data. In the setting screen shown in FIG.
“Specify read data save destination” and “specify save file name” are provided. “Reading source” is a column for specifying from which of the storage media of the memory unit 2 the filing data is to be read. “Specify read data storage destination” is a column for specifying a drive name of a drive for storing filing data read from a specified storage medium and a folder name of a folder. “Specify storage file name” is a column for specifying a file name of a file for storing filing data in the folder.

The information set on the above setting screen is downloaded to the display 2. As a result, the display 2
The filing data is read from the storage medium designated when the filing data is distributed.

In the case where spreadsheet software such as Excel is used, the above setting screen may further include an entry field for a book name for storing filing data.

The setting screen is configured so that either an Excel file or a binary file can be selected as the storage file format. Since the filing data is stored in the storage medium as binary data (machine language data), the user cannot view the filing data as it is. Therefore, as the save file format Ex
If you select the cel file, you can visualize the contents of the filing data on the Excel file described later.

The distribution setting section 1c sets node information and distribution information. The node information includes a node in the common network 4 and a type of the display 2 connected to the node. The distribution information includes a symbol name of a device (input device 6 and output device 7) connected to each PLC 3, a data distribution timing for each display 2, a store address of data to be distributed, a store address of received data, and the like. Contains. These node information and distribution information are stored in the network file 1d and downloaded to the data distribution unit 2g of each display 2 as needed. The distribution setting unit 1c is software that can be provided in the form of program media as package software, and is installed in the personal computer 1 in advance. This program medium is also a recording medium that is configured to be separable from the personal computer 1 and the display 2, similarly to the above-described program medium.

The distribution information is set on a setting screen as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, and the setting screen is provided with “distribution conditions” and “distribution stations / reception stations”.

The “distribution conditions” shown in FIG. 8A include, as conditions for determining the distribution timing, power-on, time designation, cycle designation, rewrite trigger, ON period, OFF period, rising trigger and falling trigger. Is provided.

“Power on” is a condition for performing distribution when the power of the display 2 is turned on, and “Time designation” is a condition for performing distribution at a designated time. The “cycle specification” is a condition for performing distribution at each desired cycle, and the “rewrite trigger” is
This is a condition for performing distribution when output data is rewritten, that is, when output data changes. "ON period"
And the "OFF period" are conditions for continuously performing distribution in each of the ON period and the OFF period of the device, and the "rising trigger" and the "falling trigger" are output data (designated device output). This is a condition for performing distribution when each of the rising edge and the falling edge is detected.

In the lower area of the distribution condition setting screen, there is provided a column for inputting a symbol name of a device to be designated with respect to a condition based on a device output among the above-described conditions. Further below, there are provided a cycle (in units of ms) for checking distribution conditions, a setting column for a distribution period, and a setting column for a process of returning a device output to OFF or ON after distribution. . However,
The check cycle is valid only for the distribution conditions of “power on”, “time setting”, and “cycle specification”, and the period limitation is valid only for the distribution condition of “cycle specification”. Also,
For the setting to return the device output to OFF after distribution,
This is valid only for the “trigger trigger” distribution condition. If this box is not checked, the device output will remain
N remains. On the other hand, device output is turned on after distribution
Is valid only for the distribution condition of “falling trigger”. If this column is not checked, the device output remains OFF after distribution.

On the other hand, the “distribution station / reception station” shown in FIG. 8B is provided with an information entry section for the distribution station and the reception station. The information of the distribution station is the node information (NOD of the display 2 of the node that is the distribution source of filing data.
EA, etc.), the symbol name of the device that is the output source of the output data distributed from the display device 2, and the number of data to be distributed in the designated period. The information of the receiving station is stored in the PLC 3 corresponding to the display 2 serving as the receiving station.
Contains the symbolic name of the device connected to. However, when the personal computer 1 is the receiving station, the name given to the file created by the application unit 1f is used as the symbol name.

In the data file 1e, the above-mentioned protocol conversion data to be stored in the conversion data storage unit 2f is registered in advance. The converted data is downloaded to the required display 2 via the data communication processing unit 1a at the time of initial setting or at the time of maintenance such as when the PLC 3 connected to the control system is changed.

In the control system configured as described above, when the data sequence DT ₂ of the common protocol is received via the common network 4, the data processing unit 2 a
Extracts a common code 13 indicating a command to be transmitted to the PLC 3 and related information 14 from the data body 12.
Further, the data processing unit 2a outputs the command conversion table T
With reference to the BL, a command code that can be transmitted in the dedicated network 5 and corresponds to the common code 13 is selected. If necessary, the expression method of the related information 14 is converted to an expression method transmitted on the dedicated network 5. As a result, commands to be transmitted to the PLC 3
When the data content itself, the data size, the address, and the like are determined, the data processing unit 2a can generate a data sequence to be sent to the PLC 3 with reference to the data transfer format FMT.

On the other hand, when the data sequence DT ₁ is received from the PLC 3, the data processing unit 2 a applies the command indicated by the data sequence, the data content itself, the data size and the address to the data transfer format FMT. extracted, converted into the data string DT ₂ common protocol in the reverse order to the above.

The combination (protocol information) of the data transfer format FMT and the command conversion table TBL is set in accordance with the communication protocol of the PLC 3 before the display 2 and the PLC 3 communicate data related to control. PLC adopting
When 3 is connected, its protocol information is switched. For example, in FIG. 4, when the PLC 3 of the model A is changed to the PLC 3 of the model B, the command conversion table TBL
Switching from a to the command conversion table TBLb.

Note that the communication protocol may be selected, for example, by the user operating the personal computer 1 or the display 2. Further, the display 2 sends a command capable of specifying the communication protocol of the PLC 3 to the PLC 3 while sequentially selecting communication protocols that the display 2 itself can send, and the PLC 3
The communication protocol may be automatically determined based on the response code from. The display 2 may store the above protocol information for all communication protocols adopted by the PLC 3 that can be connected to itself.
Only the communication protocol of the currently connected PLC 3 may be stored, and the communication protocol may be downloaded from the personal computer 1 or via a recording medium by various methods as necessary.

As described above, by generating the data sequence DT ₁ to be transferred to and from the PLC 3 in real time during the operation of the control system, the display 2 can display the input data without asking where it came from. , PLC3, and can respond immediately without stopping the control system even if the PLC3 is changed.

As described above, in the present control system, unlike the conventional control system, the indicators 2 are arranged at the center of communication, and the indicators 2 are connected to the common network 4 and the dedicated network 5. Connected to both sides. Further, when the communication protocols in the two networks 4 and 5 are different, the display 2 converts the respective communication protocols to each other, and connects between the PLC 3 connected to itself and the personal computer 1 or another display 2. Relay communications. Thereby, even if the communication protocols adopted by the PLCs 3 connected to the respective display units 2 are different from each other, communication can be performed between each display unit 2 and the personal computer 1 by using a common communication protocol.

More specifically, the target system includes an input device 6 such as a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or a sensor for detecting the state of each part of the target system, and an output device such as a valve or a motor that operates according to an instruction. The input / output devices 6 and 7 are controlled by the PLC 3. In addition, PLC3 has a unique communication protocol for each model of PLC3, for example, for each manufacturer or each product type, due to the history of development from a sequencer. Therefore, the PLC 3 is connected to the display 2 via the dedicated network 5, and its P
The LC 3 communicates with the display 2 using a communication protocol that allows communication.

Thus, the PLC 3 is connected to the display 2 or through the display 2 to another display 2 or the personal computer 1.
To transmit the data acquired by the input device 6 as output data of the PLC 3 while controlling the output device 7 by receiving a control instruction transmitted from the display 2 or from another station via the display 2. Can be.

The display 2 is an indispensable device for the control system. In recent years, the display 2 has a storage capacity of, for example, about several megabytes and is sufficient for displaying high-resolution images. Performs arithmetic processing at speed. Therefore, the display 2 can perform the above-described protocol conversion with a sufficient margin. In addition, P is placed between the display 2 and the personal computer 1.
Since the LC 3 is not interposed, the PLC 3 can concentrate on the control of the target system 2. Therefore, the storage capacity and the processing capacity can be reduced as compared with the above-described conventional control system in which the PLC processes most of the communication.

As an example of the processing with a large communication amount, when converting a product manufactured by the target system,
A process of downloading screen data from the personal computer 1 to the display 2 is exemplified. However, in the control system according to the present embodiment, since the screen data does not pass through the PLC 3, even when downloading the screen data, the PLC 3 can continue to operate normally with a small load.

Further, irrespective of the type of the PLC 3, communication is performed between each display 2 and the personal computer 1 by using a common protocol. Therefore, a plurality of types of PLCs 3 can be mixed in the same control system, and the range of model selection can be widened. Further, unlike the above-mentioned conventional control system, the common network 4 of the present control system has a common communication protocol. Therefore, devices connected to the common network 4 such as hubs, bridges, and routers can be freely diverted, and the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of these devices and the PLC 3 can be improved. In addition, since a converter for mutually converting communication protocols is not required, the manufacturing cost of the entire control system can be reduced.

In the control system in which the communication protocol is shared by the common network 4 as described above,
The data of the PLC 3 can be easily distributed between each display 2 and the personal computer 1. Next, the distribution will be described in detail.

Here, each node A of the common network 4
To C, each display 2 is connected, and the PLCs 3 individually connected to the display 2 each have 100 input / output terminals. In such a configuration, control data (recipe data) from the personal computer 1 is stored in the corresponding storage area of the memory in the PLC 3 for the output terminal of each PLC 3, and the output device 7 responds to the stored contents. Is controlled. For input terminals of each PLC 3, input data from the input device 6 is written to the corresponding storage area of the memory.

In the example shown in Table 1, the store areas corresponding to the 100 input / output terminals of each PLC 3 corresponding to the nodes A to C respectively have 100 to 199 and 200 to 29.
9, and 300 to 399 store addresses are assigned. Data distribution unit 2g in display 2 of node A
Is a preset time OO: Address 100 to address OO
The data in the store area 199, that is, all input / output data, is distributed, and the data is stored in the personal computer 1 and the display 2 of the node B. Similarly, from the display unit 2 of the node A, data of the storage area of the addresses 100 to 149 is distributed every 10 seconds, and data of the storage areas of the addresses 150 to 199 are distributed every 20 seconds. When the power of the device 2 is turned on, the data in the store area at the addresses 140 to 159 is distributed.

[0102]

[Table 1]

The personal computer 1 stores all data distributed from each display 2. On the other hand, the indicator 2 corresponding to the PLC 3 provided on the most upstream side of the production line for the node A is the node B on the downstream side.
Do not fetch distribution data from the display 2 corresponding to each PLC 3 for C. However, the display 2 (B / C) takes in all the distribution data from the display 2 (A / B) on the upstream side of the manufacturing line, and the display 2 (C) takes the display 2 (C). Part of the data from (A) is also captured. Each display 2 has a storage area required for storing distribution data in the data distribution unit 2g.

The data may be captured by the personal computer 1 and each display 2 by storing the address of the destination in the distribution data from the distribution source, for example, in the IP address. Also, when there are many receiving destinations, the above data capturing is performed by using the above IP address as a broadcast, and determining whether or not to capture the data in response to the distribution source IP address of the distribution data on the receiving side. May be determined.

Further, like the personal computer 1, all the display devices 2 have store areas corresponding to all the distribution data, and may naturally hold all the distribution data. Further, in the example shown in Table 1, for simplicity of description, the store address of the transmission data and the store address of the reception data match each other, but they do not always need to match, and are different from each other. You may.

As described above, when data can be distributed between each display 2 and the personal computer 1, the filing data stored in the display 2 can be easily taken into the personal computer 1. By providing the filing data to the application unit 1f, filing data can be recorded as follows.

The filing data of the display 2 delivered from the display 2 to the personal computer 1 is transferred to the personal computer 1 via the common network 4 and taken into the data communication processing unit 1a from the interface unit 1b. The data communication processing unit 1a writes the filing data into the worksheet 31 shown in FIG. 6 of the spreadsheet software activated in the application unit 1f. When the writing of the filing data to the worksheet 31 is completed, the filing data is saved in the file specified on the screen of FIG.

As described above, in the control system according to the present embodiment, the display 2 absorbs the difference in the communication protocol for each model of the PLC 3 to facilitate the data communication between each display 2 and the personal computer 1. ing. Therefore, the filing data including the output data from the heterogeneous PLC 3 and the recipe data to the heterogeneous PLC 3 stored in the display 2 can be easily collected in the personal computer 1. In addition, by using the data distribution function of the data distribution unit 2g, the display unit 2 is updated every time the set distribution conditions are satisfied.
Since the filing data is distributed to the personal computer 1, it is possible to automatically and efficiently collect data without issuing a data transmission request from the personal computer while communicating with the PLC as in conventional data collection software. Can be.

Since the filing data is automatically collected, it is not necessary to connect the personal computer 1 directly to the display 2 when collecting data from the display 2 as in the related art. The user's operation of transferring the file from the display 2 to the personal computer 1 and opening the file becomes unnecessary. In addition, since the source of filing data is set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 7, filing data can be collected from a desired storage medium according to the type of storage medium provided in the display 2.

In the present control system, since the data communication processing section 1a has a function of writing data to the application section 1f, dedicated data collection software is not required unlike the related art. And worksheet 31
Is written in the form of the input screen as shown in FIG. 5, that is, the form corresponding to the storage form of the filing data in the display 2. Thus, when the data stored in the worksheet 31 is passed to the drawing unit 1g via the data communication processing unit 1a, the data is directly used for filing data creation in the drawing unit 1g. That is, since the file format of the stored data is shared (has compatibility) between the application unit 1f and the drawing unit 1g, data can be easily exchanged between them. Therefore, the data can be more effectively used as compared with the case where the data is stored only by the display 2.

Further, in this control system, the personal computer 1
By collecting the filing data of the display 2 at the same time, the same data is held in both the personal computer 1 and the display 2. As a result, data duplication is achieved, and when various application programs are operated on the personal computer 1, when a certain application program stops, the personal computer 1 hangs up and the system shuts down, or data cannot be collected due to a cable accident or the like. , Data is secured on the display 2. Therefore, the reliability of the present control system can be improved.

In the present embodiment, TCP / IP over Ethernet is adopted as the common network 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, IEEE1
Other networks such as 394 may be used. Similar effects can be obtained if the network has a sufficient communication capacity for the personal computer 1 to communicate with each PLC 3 via the display 2.

In the present embodiment, the data sequence DT ₂ transmitted to the common network 4 includes, as shown in FIG.
It includes a header section 11 to which the PLC 3 is connected, but is not limited to this. For example, one PC
A configuration in which one display 2 is connected, and even when there are a plurality of displays 2, the personal computer 1 does not include the header unit 11 in a case where the personal computer 1 is individually provided with a port for communicating with each display 2. If the communication partner can also be specified, the data string D
Even T ₂ is not include the header portion 11, the same effect can be obtained.

In this case, a common network 4 such as RS-232C which does not need to include a header portion in the transmission protocol is adopted. However, in this case, the number of the display units 2 that can be connected to the personal computer 1 is limited by the number of ports of the personal computer 1 and the like. Therefore, if necessary the degree of freedom in the network configuration common network 4, as in the present embodiment, the header portion 11 included in the data string DT _2, who identifies the communication partner is desired.

[0115]

As described above, the data collection system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a display-type control device and a control device.
Is dedicated to communication using a communication protocol unique to each control device.
Connected individually via a network for
The above display type control device and the above
From the control device via the display control device,
And the host computer that collects the same data
Communication via a common network that communicates with
The display-type control device is connected to the storage device for storing the data, the control device and the host control device.
When relaying the communication between the computer, and protocol conversion means for converting a communication protocol used above SL both networks to each other physician, stored in the storage means when the distribution condition set in advance is satisfied Distribution means for distributing the data to the host computer, wherein the host computer stores the data stored in the storage means in a format corresponding to the storage format, and in a recording sheet provided by application software. This is a configuration having writing means for writing in a storable form.

Thus, the communication protocol used in the common network between the display control device and the host computer and the communication protocol used in the dedicated network between the display control device and the control device are mutually reciprocal. Is converted. Therefore, the display control device always uses the same communication protocol regardless of the communication protocol of the control device.
It can communicate with a host computer via a common network. As a result, the host computer can easily collect output data from control devices having different communication protocols.

Further, since the data stored in the display-type control device is distributed to the host computer when a preset distribution condition is satisfied, the output data is transmitted from the host computer to the control device as required. There is no need to make requests and data can be collected automatically. The output data collected in this way is written in a format corresponding to the storage format of the data in a form that can be stored on a recording sheet provided by application software. Therefore, when creating a data storage format using the above-described drawing software in the host computer,
The data stored in the recording sheet and the data in the storage format can be made compatible.

Therefore, data stored in the display-type control device, for example, output data from a control device having a different communication protocol for each model can be easily recorded and saved, and the efficiency of data collection and the efficient use of data can be improved. Is achieved.

In the above data collection system,
In the case where the writing means is configured to write the data on the recording sheet by designating a storage medium provided in the display-type control device as the storage means, a desired storage medium is selected according to the type of the storage medium. The read data can be written. Therefore, there is an effect that data can be collected according to the system configuration.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data collection method comprising:
Display-type control devices and control devices are unique to each control device.
Via a dedicated network that communicates with the communication protocol
Individually connected, multiple display-type controllers and communication
From the above controllers with different protocols via the display type controller
Host computer that collects data from the control unit.
With a common computer that communicates with a common communication protocol.
Together are connected to each other via a Ttowaku, in the display-type control apparatus, and storing the data, the control device
When relaying communication between the host computer
Converts the communication protocol used above SL both networks each other are in <br/>, the data stored at the time the distribution condition set in advance is satisfied delivered to the host computer, in said host computer A method of writing the distributed data in a format corresponding to the storage format of the display control device and in a form that can be stored in a recording sheet provided by application software.

[0121] The recording medium having a program recorded thereon for data collection according to the invention of claim 7 includes a control unit which input device and the output device is connected, against the control device
It is continued to display the control state of the control device, and a display-type control device for providing a control instruction to the control unit, a plurality of the
Et provided on top of the display-type control device is, different communication protocols
Control from the control device through a display-type control device
Bei and the host computer to collect the data from the device
The display-type control device and the control device include a control device.
Dedicated network that communicates with the above-mentioned communication protocol specific to each device.
Connected individually via a network, while the host
The computer and the display-type control device share a common communication
Over a common network that communicates over
In the connected control system, the host computer
Is a program for collecting data from the controller.
A recording medium which beam is recorded, in the display-type control apparatus, and storing the data, the control device and the host
When relaying the communication between the strike computer converts the communication protocol used above SL both networks to each other physician, the host computer the data stored when delivered preset condition is satisfied And a program for writing the delivered data in a format corresponding to the storage format of the display-type control device and in a form that can be stored in a recording sheet provided by application software in the host computer. Have been.

Thus, the communication protocol used for data communication between the host computer and the control device is:
The display type control device converts the data into the communication protocol of the transmission destination network. As a result, the communication between the display control device and the host computer is always performed by the same communication protocol. Therefore, the host computer determines the data stored in the display control device, for example, different communication protocols. Output data from the control device can be easily collected.

Further, when the distribution conditions are satisfied, the data stored in the display control device is distributed to the host computer, so that the data can be automatically collected. The data collected in this manner is written on the recording sheet in a format corresponding to the data storage format, so that the data stored on the recording sheet and the data in the storage format can be made compatible. .

Therefore, similarly to the above-described data collection system, the data stored in the display-type control device can be easily recorded and stored, and the efficiency and efficiency of data collection can be improved. Play.

Moreover, since the above-described program is provided in combination with a process for protocol conversion and distribution, there is no need for a conventionally used dedicated software (program) for data collection.

[0126] Further, in the data collection method of claim 4, when specifying the storage medium to which the display-type control device is provided to store the data written to the data on the recording sheet, or of claim 7 when the recording medium, a program for writing the data to the recording sheet by specifying a storage medium to which the display-type control device is provided for storing the data is being recorded,
As in the above-data collection system, data read from the desired storage medium in accordance with the type of the storage medium can be written. Therefore, there is an effect that data can be collected according to the system configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication protocol of a dedicated network and a data transfer format referred to when a programmable display in the control system converts the communication protocol.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication protocol of a common network.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a command conversion table referred to when the programmable display device converts a communication protocol.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a filing data input screen created by a drawing unit of the personal computer.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a worksheet of spreadsheet software installed in an application of a personal computer for writing filing data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for specifying a storage medium of a display from which filing data is to be read and a storage destination of the read filing data.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams respectively showing a distribution condition setting screen and a distribution station / reception station setting screen set by a distribution setting section of the personal computer.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer (host computer) 1a Data communication processing part (writing means) 1c Data distribution setting part (distribution means) 1f Application part (application software) 1g Drawing part 2 Programmable display (display control device) 2a Data processing part 2f Conversion data storage unit 2g Data distribution unit 2h Collected data storage unit 3 PLC (control device) 4 Common network 5 Dedicated network 6 Input device 7 Output device 21 SRAM (storage medium) 22 FROM (storage medium) 23 CF card (storage medium) ) 31 Worksheet (recording sheet)

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 19/04-19/05

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A input device and the output device is connected the controller, connected to the control device, a display-type control apparatus to display the control state of the control device, and providing a control instruction to the control unit, et provided on top of the plurality of table示型controller is a communication pro
From the above controllers with different protocols via the display type controller
Te, the host competent for collecting data from the top Symbol controller
And the display-type control device and the control device are provided for each control device.
Dedicated network that communicates with the above communication protocol specific to
Connected individually via the network, while the host
And the display-type control device, a common communication protocol
Connected to each other via a common network
It is, passing between the display type control device, a storage means for storing the data, and the control device and the host computer
When relaying the signal, and protocol conversion means for converting a communication protocol used above SL both networks to each other physician, the data stored in the storage means when the distribution condition set in advance is satisfied the Distribution means for distributing the data to a host computer, wherein the host computer stores the data stored in the storage means in a format corresponding to the storage format and in a form capable of storing the data in a recording sheet provided by application software A data collection system comprising writing means for writing. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said protocol conversion means includes:
When relaying the communication between and the other display type control device,
The communication protocols used in both networks are
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Data collection system. 3. A protocol by said protocol conversion means.
The protocol information required for the conversion process
The above control device, which uses a different communication protocol for the
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
Or the data collection system according to 2. 4. A control in which an input device and an output device are connected.
A device and a control state of the control device connected to the control device
Display type for displaying a control instruction to the control device
A control device and a plurality of display-type control devices
Display type control from the above controller with different communication protocol.
Collect data from the above control device via the control device
Data in a control system with a host computer
A data collection method, wherein the display-type control device and the control device are
Dedicated network that communicates with the above communication protocol specific to
Connected individually via a network, the host computer and the display control device,
A common network that communicates with a common communication protocol
Connected to each other via the display-type control device,
Communication between the controller and the host computer.
Communication protocol used in both networks.
Are converted to each other, and a preset distribution is set.
The above data stored when the communication conditions
And distributes the data to the host computer.
Data in a format corresponding to the storage format in the display control device,
And provided by application software
Write in a form that can be stored on a recording sheet.
Data collection method. 5. The display-type control device according to claim 1 , wherein
When relaying communication with other display-type controllers,
The communication protocols used in the two networks
5. The data collection method according to claim 4, wherein the data is converted.
Law. 6. The display type control device according to claim 6 , wherein
The protocol information required for the conversion process
The above control device, which uses a different communication protocol for the
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:
Or the data collection method according to 5. 7. A control to which an input device and an output device are connected.
A device and a control state of the control device connected to the control device
Display type for displaying a control instruction to the control device
A control device and a plurality of display-type control devices
Display type control from the above controller with different communication protocol.
A device that collects data from the control device via a control device.
A display computer, and the display-type control device and
The control device is a communication protocol specific to each control device.
Connected individually via a dedicated network that communicates
On the other hand, the host computer and the display type
The control device communicates using a common communication protocol.
Control systems connected to each other via
The host computer receives data from the control device.
The recording medium on which the program for collecting
In the display control device, the data is stored.
Communication between the controller and the host computer.
Communication protocol used in both networks.
Are converted to each other, and a preset distribution is set.
The above data stored when the communication conditions
And distributes the data to the host computer.
Data in a format corresponding to the storage format in the display control device,
And provided by application software
Program for writing in a storable form on a recording sheet
A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. 8. The display-type control device, wherein the control device is
When relaying communication with other display-type controllers,
The communication protocols used in the two networks
The program according to claim 7, wherein a program for conversion is recorded.
recoding media. 9. The display type control device according to claim 9 , wherein
The protocol information required for the conversion process is
The above control device, which uses a different communication protocol for the
When the connection is continued, the contract
9. The recording medium according to claim 7 or 8.