JP7562051B1 - Data collection program, data collection device, data collection system and data collection method - Google Patents

Abstract

The data collection device (100) is connected to a plurality of control devices (20) that have a function of generating a control period using a clock generator and control controlled devices in different processes that are sequentially executed on a line that processes objects, via a network. The program makes the data collection device (100) function as a time acquisition unit (12) that acquires a shared time, a sharing unit (13) that shares the shared time with the plurality of control devices (20), a collection unit (14) that collects from each of the control devices (20) associated data in which the control data relating to the control of the controlled device is associated with the shared time and a correction time obtained from the control period, and a matching unit (17) that matches the control data received from different control devices (20) based on the correction time associated with the control data in the associated data, thereby supporting the matching of the control data.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a data collection program, a data collection device, a data collection system, and a data collection method.

There is known a technology for analyzing data collected at FA (Factory Automation) sites and using the analysis results in subsequent operations (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technology for logging data with high timing accuracy in order to analyze the data for the purpose of anomaly prediction or optimization control.

International Publication No. 2020/044909

When multiple processes are performed sequentially on each object on a line that processes a large number of objects in sequence, there is a demand to analyze the relationship between these multiple processes. For example, after a process of polishing, cutting, or otherwise processing a workpiece, there is a process of measuring the dimensions of the processed workpiece, and if the relationship between the parameters during processing, such as torque, rotation speed, or voltage, and the measured dimensions is clarified, it becomes easy to set appropriate parameters to obtain a specific dimension. Also, after a process of applying a drug onto a film, there is a process of measuring the thickness of the drug, and if the relationship between a parameter such as the injection pressure of the drug and the measured thickness is clarified, it becomes easy to set appropriate parameters to obtain a specific thickness.

To perform this analysis, it is necessary to match data obtained in a previous process with data obtained in a later process for the same object, such as the same workpiece or the same film portion. Here, if both previous and subsequent processes are performed by a single control device controlling the equipment, it is possible to log the data using the technology of Patent Document 1. However, if the previous and subsequent processes are performed using different control devices, it becomes difficult to match data for the same object, since the different control devices do not necessarily log data at the same time.

Specifically, for control devices used in FA sites, priority is generally given to ensuring functions such as sequence control, with a low priority given to functions that keep track of time. Furthermore, even if a control device has a function that keeps track of time, the time is corrected infrequently, and sufficient precision cannot be obtained to match data from previous and subsequent processes related to the same object. As a result, data cannot be obtained based on a common time between different control devices responsible for previous and subsequent processes, and there is a risk that data from previous and subsequent processes cannot be properly matched.

This disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to obtain data based on a common time among different control devices responsible for previous and subsequent processes, and to appropriately match the data for the previous and subsequent processes.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the data collection program of the present disclosure causes a computer connected via a network to a plurality of control devices which have the function of generating a control period using a clock generator and control controlled devices in different processes which are executed sequentially on a line processing an object to function as: a time acquisition means for acquiring a shared time, a sharing means for sharing the shared time with the plurality of control devices, a collection means for collecting from each of the control devices associated data in which the control data relating to the control of the controlled device is associated with a correction time which is more accurate than the shared time obtained from the shared time and the control period, and a matching means for matching control data received from different control devices based on the correction time associated with the control data in the associated data, and the matching means obtains the time difference between processes from the cross-correlation function of time series data which is a series of control data, and matches the control data associated with the correction times having a time difference .

According to the present disclosure, data can be obtained based on a common time among different control devices responsible for previous and subsequent processes, and the data for the previous and subsequent processes can be appropriately associated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data collection system according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining collection of related data according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an FA apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a data collection device and a control device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a storage unit according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of control data associated by an association unit according to an embodiment; 1 is a flowchart showing a data collection process according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining logging of control data according to a comparative example; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing powder as a target object according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing data compression in a storage unit according to a modified example. 11 is a flowchart showing a compression process according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the association of control data according to a modified example.

Below, the data collection system relating to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment
The data collection system 1000 according to the present embodiment is constructed in a facility such as a factory or a plant. As shown in Fig. 1, the data collection system 1000 corresponds to a control system that controls a plurality of controlled devices to cooperate with each other and operate a line that performs various processes such as a production line, a machining line, and an inspection line.

In the example of FIG. 1, when the film 40 shown by the thick line is unwound from the unwinding drum 321, the controlled device 31 sprays a chemical onto the film 40 in a coating process to adhere it to the surface. This coating process forms a film of the chemical on the surface of the film 40. The chemical is then dried in a transport process, and the thickness of the chemical is inspected by the controlled device 33 in an inspection process, after which the film 40 is wound up by the winding drum 322. The unwinding drum 321 and the winding drum 322 are rotated by the controlled device 32. In this way, the control devices 21 to 23 control the controlled devices 31 to 33 in different processes that are executed sequentially on the line that processes the film 40 as the object. The controlled device 31 is controlled by the control device 21, the controlled device 32 is controlled by the control device 22, and the controlled device 33 is controlled by the control device 23.

The data collection system 1000 includes a data collection device 100 that collects data from control devices 21-23, control devices 21-23 that are connected to the data collection device 100 via a network NW, and controlled devices 31-33 that are the objects of control of the control devices 21-23, respectively.

The network NW is an industrial network such as a field network. However, it is not limited to this, and the network NW may be an information network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The control devices 21-23 and the controlled devices 31-33 may be connected by signal lines that transmit current signals or voltage signals, may be connected by communication lines that transmit serial data, or may be connected via the same or different network as the network NW.

The data collection device 100 is a computer such as an industrial PC (Personal Computer). The data collection device 100 may be a UI (User Interface) terminal that executes application software such as an engineering tool and allows a user to create or edit a control program that describes the processing to be executed by the control devices 21-23 and write the control program to the control devices 21-23.

Furthermore, the data collection device 100 shares time with the control devices 21-23, and collects data logged by the control devices 21-23 using this shared time and an internal clock generator. Note that time sharing and time synchronization by multiple devices means synchronizing the clocks that each of the multiple devices possesses. If the clocks that each of the multiple devices keep the same time, and this time is shared among the multiple devices, then the multiple devices will have their times synchronized. Hereinafter, the time shared between the devices will be referred to as the shared time.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, control device 21 has a clock generator 211, control device 22 has a clock generator 221, and control device 23 has a clock generator 231. Clock generators 211, 221, 231 are devices that include, for example, a quartz crystal oscillator, a ceramic oscillator, or an oscillation circuit, and generate clock pulses. Control devices 21 to 23 use these clock generators 211, 221, 231 to generate a control period. The length of the control period is, for example, 1 μsec, 10 μsec, or 100 μsec.

Programmable controllers as the control devices 21-23 usually have a function to generate a control period as described above to enable high-speed and accurate control such as the motion control of a servo motor. In the example of Figure 1, the control device 22 rotates the unwinding drum 321 and the winding drum 322 based on the control period. Note that while the control devices 21 and 23 have a function to generate a control period, they may control the controlled devices 31 and 33 based on the generated control period, or may control the controlled devices 31 and 33 by sequence control independent of the control period.

The control devices 21-23 obtain a correction time with higher accuracy than the shared time from the shared time and the control period shared by the data collection device 100. For example, the shared time is distributed from the data collection device 100 to the control devices 21-23 according to NTP (Network Time Protocol). The accuracy of the shared time shared by NTP is usually at least in milliseconds, and may be in units of one second. The control devices 21-23 each obtain a correction time with higher accuracy than the shared time by measuring the time in the control period from the time indicated as the shared time. For example, the control devices 21-23 start measuring the time every 1 μsec, which is the control period, from when the shared time indicates 1:23:45, and treat 1:23:45.000001 and 1:23:45.000002 as different times. The time at which measuring the time every control period starts may be the time every second indicated by the shared time, or may be another time.

The control devices 21-23 then use the correction time to log control data relating to the control of the controlled devices 31-33. In particular, the control devices 21-23 associate the correction time, which indicates the time point at which the control data was recorded, with the value of the control data and store them as associated data. The control data recorded by the control device 21 indicates, for example, the injection pressure set by the control device 21 for the controlled device 31 that applies the drug, or the actual injection pressure detected by a built-in sensor of the controlled device 31. The control data recorded by the control device 22 indicates, for example, the length of the film 40 unwound by the unwinding drum 321, which is calculated from the amount of operation of the servo motor of the controlled device 32. The control data recorded by the control device 23 indicates, for example, the thickness of the drug measured by the controlled device 33.

The related data recorded by the control devices 21-23 is collected by the data collection device 100. The data collection device 100 collects log data recorded with high accuracy using the control period from the multiple control devices 21-23 via the network NW.

Next, the hardware configuration of the data collection device 100 and the control devices 21-23 as computers will be described with reference to Figure 3. The FA device 400, which corresponds to each of the data collection device 100 and the control devices 21-23, has a processor 41, a main memory unit 42, an auxiliary memory unit 43, a clock unit 44, an input unit 45, an output unit 46, and a communication unit 47, as shown in Figure 3. The main memory unit 42, the auxiliary memory unit 43, the clock unit 44, the input unit 45, the output unit 46, and the communication unit 47 are all connected to the processor 41 via an internal bus 48.

The processor 41 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) as a processing circuit. The processor 41 executes a program P1 stored in the auxiliary memory unit 43 to realize various functions and execute the processes described below. The program P1 of the data collection device 100 corresponds to an example of a data collection program. The programs P1 of the control devices 21-23 correspond to control programs written in ladder language or C language that describe the contents of control for the controlled devices 31-33.

The main memory unit 42 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory). The program P1 is loaded into the main memory unit 42 from the auxiliary memory unit 43. The main memory unit 42 is used as a working area for the processor 41.

The auxiliary memory unit 43 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In addition to the program P1, the auxiliary memory unit 43 stores various data used in the processing of the processor 41. The auxiliary memory unit 43 supplies the processor 41 with data used by the processor 41 in accordance with instructions from the processor 41. The auxiliary memory unit 43 also stores data supplied from the processor 41.

The clock unit 44 includes a clock generation circuit having, for example, a quartz oscillator, a silicon oscillator, or other oscillator circuit. The clock unit 44 generates and outputs a clock signal based on the clock generated by the clock generation circuit. The clock signal includes a clock pulse, and is used by the processor 41 to measure time by counting the number of rising edges of the clock pulse through built-in hardware elements or software processing executed. The clock units 44 of the control devices 21-23 correspond to the clock generators 211, 221, 231.

The input unit 45 includes input devices such as hardware switches, input keys, a keyboard, and a pointing device. The input unit 45 acquires information input by a user of the FA device 400 and notifies the processor 41 of the acquired information.

The output unit 46 includes output devices such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a speaker. The output unit 46 presents various information to the user according to instructions from the processor 41.

The communication unit 47 includes a communication interface circuit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 47 receives a signal from the outside and outputs data indicated by this signal to the processor 41. The communication unit 47 also transmits a signal indicating the data output from the processor 41 to the external device. Note that while one communication unit 47 is representatively shown in FIG. 3, the FA device 400 may have multiple communication units 47. For example, the control device 21 may have a communication unit 47 for communicating with the data collection device 100 and a communication unit 47 for communicating with the controlled device 31 separately.

The above-mentioned hardware configurations work together to allow the data collection device 100 and the control devices 21-23 to perform various functions. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the data collection device 100 has, as its functions, a clock unit 11 that clocks the shared time, a time acquisition unit 12 that acquires the shared time from the clock unit 11, a sharing unit 13 that shares the shared time with the control devices 21-23, a collection unit 14 that collects related data from the control devices 21-23, a storage unit 15 that stores the collected related data, an information acquisition unit 16 that acquires movement information regarding the movement of the object between processes, an association unit 17 that associates the control data collected from different control devices 21-23 based on the correction time and movement information indicated by the associated data, and a learning unit 18 that learns a model from the associated control data.

The timing unit 11 is mainly realized by the clock unit 44 of the data collection device 100. The timing unit 11 keeps track of a reference time shared among devices connected to the network NW.

The time acquisition unit 12 is mainly realized by the processor 41. The time acquisition unit 12 acquires the reference time clocked by the clock unit 11, and notifies the sharing unit 13 of the acquired reference time as the shared time. The time acquisition unit 12 corresponds to an example of a time acquisition means for acquiring the shared time.

The sharing unit 13 is mainly realized by the processor 41 and the communication unit 47. The sharing unit 13 shares the shared time with the control devices 21 to 23, for example, according to NTP or SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol). The sharing unit 13 corresponds to an example of a sharing means for sharing the shared time with the multiple control devices 21 to 23.

The collection unit 14 is mainly realized by the communication unit 47. The collection unit 14 collects related data from the control devices 21-23 and stores the collected related data in the storage unit 15. The collection unit 14 may collect related data by requesting unsent related data from the control devices 21-23, or by receiving related data that the control devices 21-23 spontaneously transmit. The timing of collecting related data is arbitrary and may be periodic or when a predetermined condition is met. The collection unit 14 may collect related data from multiple control devices 21-23 simultaneously, or may receive related data at different times for each device. The collection unit 14 corresponds to an example of a collection means for collecting related data from each of the control devices 21-23, in which each of the control devices 21-23 associates a correction time with control data.

The memory unit 15 is mainly realized by at least one of the main memory unit 42 and the auxiliary memory unit 43. FIG. 5 shows an example of data stored in the memory unit 15. In the example of FIG. 5, the memory unit 15 stores related data 151 collected from the control device 21, related data 152 collected from the control device 22, and related data 153 collected from the control device 23. The related data 151 is data showing the injection pressure value of the controlled device 31 per minute in a time series. The related data 152 is data showing the length of the film 40 unwound and wound by the controlled device 32 in a time series every μsecond. The related data 153 is data showing the thickness of the drug measured by the controlled device 33 in a time series per minute.

The information acquisition unit 16 is mainly realized by the input unit 45. The information acquisition unit 16 acquires information necessary for the association of control data by the association unit 17, and information different from related data. In detail, the information acquisition unit 16 acquires movement information regarding the movement of the object to be processed by the controlled devices 31 to 33 from the user of the data collection device 100. The movement information is, for example, the distance between processes when different processes are performed in sequence on the object, and more specifically, the distance between the part of the film 40 to which the drug is applied by the controlled device 31 and the part of the film 40 to which the thickness of the drug is inspected by the controlled device 33. If this distance is known, it can be compared with the amount of movement of the film acquired from the control device 22 to obtain the time difference between the time when the drug is applied and the time when the thickness is inspected for the same part of the film 40. The information acquisition unit 16 corresponds to an example of an information acquisition means for acquiring movement information regarding the movement of the object.

The matching unit 17 is mainly realized by the processor 41. The matching unit 17 matches control data related to the same object with each other based on the related data stored in the memory unit 15 and the movement information acquired by the information acquisition unit 16. In detail, the matching unit 17 calculates the time difference between processes that occurs when the same object is processed. For example, when the sum of the accumulated movement amounts indicated by the related data 152 shown in FIG. 5 becomes equal to the distance between the processes indicated by the movement information, the matching unit 17 calculates the difference between the correction times associated with the first and last movement amounts of the accumulated movement amounts as the time difference between the processes. Then, the matching unit 17 matches the control data associated with the correction times of the related data 151 and 153 having the calculated time difference.

In the example of Figure 5, if there is movement information of 24,000 mm, when the movement amount is accumulated in the related data 152 from, for example, exactly 12:00:00 to exactly 12:04:00, the accumulated value is equal to 24,000 mm. In other words, for the portion of the film 40 to which the drug was applied at exactly 12:00:00, the thickness of the drug was inspected at exactly 12:04:00, and it is found that the time difference between the processes is four minutes. Therefore, the control data 1510 associated with the corrected time of 12:00:00 in the related data 151 is associated with the control data 1530 associated with the corrected time of 12:04:00 in the related data 153.

FIG. 6 shows an example of control data associated by the association unit 17. In FIG. 6, the control data associated by the association unit 17 are arranged in the same row. The partial data 51 on the left side of the table shown in FIG. 6 is data extracted from the related data 151 shown in FIG. 5. The column data 52 shown in FIG. 6 is the distance indicated by the movement information. The partial data 53 is data calculated by the association unit 17 from the related data 152. In detail, the transport time length of the partial data 53 is the time length from the correction time indicated in the partial data 51 to the time when the integrated value of the movement amount of the related data 152 becomes equal to the distance indicated in the column data 52, and corresponds to the time difference between the above-mentioned processes. The motor speed is obtained as a value obtained by dividing the distance by the transport time length. The partial data 54 shown in FIG. 6 is data extracted from the related data 153 as being associated with the partial data 51.

With reference to FIG. 6, for example, for the part of the film 40 on which the drug was applied at exactly 12:00:00 with an injection pressure of 7 MPa, the drug thickness was inspected at exactly 12:04:00 after a 4-minute transport time, and the inspection result was 5 μm. Similarly, for the part on which the drug was applied at an injection pressure of 5 MPa, the drug thickness was 4 μm, and for the part on which the drug was applied at an injection pressure of 6 MPa, the drug thickness was 7 μm. The matching unit 17 may store the table on which the matching has been completed as shown in FIG. 6 in the storage unit 15 separately from the related data, or may provide a link to the other corresponding control data for the control data in the related data. The matching unit 17 corresponds to an example of a matching means that uses the movement information to calculate the time difference between processes and matches the control data associated with the correction time having the calculated time difference.

Returning to FIG. 4, the learning unit 18 is mainly realized by the processor 41. The learning unit 18 learns a model that estimates one control data from the other control data based on the control data associated by the association unit 17. In the example of FIG. 6, the learning unit 18 learns and outputs an estimation model that estimates thickness from injection pressure by machine learning with the injection pressure as an explanatory variable and the thickness as a target variable. The model learned by the learning unit 18 may be utilized by a user who uses the data collection device 100. For example, when an inspection result with a thickness that is significantly different from the estimation result by the model is obtained, it may be determined to be abnormal. The learning unit 18 corresponds to an example of a learning means that learns a model that estimates the value of control data of one control device from the value of control data of another control device based on the control data associated by the association means.

Returning to FIG. 4, the control devices 21-23 each have equivalent functions to one another. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 corresponding to each of the control devices 21-23 has a time sharing unit 201 that shares a shared time with the data collection device 100 and other control devices 20, a logging unit 202 that records control data in association with the shared time and a correction time obtained from the control period, and a transmission unit 203 that transmits associated data including the correction time and the control data to the data collection device 100. The time sharing unit 201 is mainly realized by the processor 41 and the communication unit 47. The logging unit 202 is mainly realized by the processor 41 and the main memory unit 42. The transmission unit 203 is mainly realized by the communication unit 47.

Next, the data collection process executed by the data collection device 100 having the above-mentioned functions will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The data collection process corresponds to an example of a data collection method.

In the data collection process, the time acquisition unit 12 acquires the shared time (step S1), and the sharing unit 13 shares the shared time with the control devices 21-23 (step S2). The collection unit 14 then collects associated data from the control devices 21-23, in which the control devices 21-23 associate the correction time with the control data (step S3). The information acquisition unit 16 also acquires movement information (step S4).

Next, the association unit 17 calculates the time difference between processes based on the related data and the movement information, and associates the control data having the calculated time difference with each other (step S5). Then, the learning unit 18 uses the associated control data to learn a model showing the relationship between the value of the control data of one process and the value of the control data of another process (step S6). After that, the data collection process ends.

As explained above, the collection unit 14 collects from each of the control devices 21-23 associated data in which the control devices 21-23 associate a corrected time that is more accurate than the shared time obtained from the shared time and the control cycle with the control data, and the matching unit 17 matches the control data received from different control devices. This makes it possible to obtain data based on a time that is common to different control devices responsible for previous and subsequent processes, and to appropriately match the data for the previous and subsequent processes. Furthermore, the data and time collected at the FA site can be managed and recorded in a centralized manner.

Figure 8 shows, as a comparative example, a case in which neither the control device 21a in charge of the coating process nor the control device 23a in charge of the inspection process shares a common time. In such a case, a discrepancy occurs between the clocks of the control devices 21a and 23a, and as a result, it becomes difficult to match the control data 61 and 62 that should be matched.

In contrast, according to the data collection system 1000 of this embodiment, the control devices 21-23 can avoid time skew in the log data by sharing the shared time. Furthermore, by recording at a corrected time measured according to a control period based on the shared time, the control data can be recorded in synchronization with the control of the controlled devices 31-33. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of time skew caused by recording the control data at a timing different from the actual control, and the accumulation of such time skew.

In addition, the information acquisition unit 16 acquires movement information, and the matching unit 17 calculates the time difference between processes using the movement information and matches the control data associated with the correction time having the calculated time difference. This enables accurate matching of the control data.

Furthermore, the identity of an object has traditionally been determined by attaching an ID (Identifier) tag, such as a barcode, to the object. In discrete production, this type of ID tag is given to each individual product, which is the object. Discrete production is assembly production in which the object is a single workpiece, such as an automobile part or electronic device. In discrete production, attaching ID tags is relatively easy, but separate, dedicated equipment is required to attach, manage and read the ID tags.

In addition, in continuous or batch production of films or liquids, ID tags may be assigned to sections of, for example, 1 m each, but it is often difficult to attach ID tags to the objects in the first place.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, even when the object is a powder or granular material 70, or a fluid including gas and liquid, it is possible to associate control data for the same object obtained in different processes. In other words, even when it is difficult to attach an ID tag, it is possible to determine the identity of the object. Furthermore, regardless of the shape and type of the object, it is possible to omit the equipment required for attaching, managing, and reading ID tags.

The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the control data is recorded every μ seconds, the data size will become large. Therefore, the storage unit 15 may compress and store the time-series control data as shown in FIG. 10. In detail, if the initial value of the control data, the correction time when the value of the control data changes, and the change amount of the value are stored, data to be stored during a period when the value does not change can be omitted. FIG. 11 shows the flow of the compression process of the control data by the storage unit 15. As shown in FIG. 11, in the compression process, the storage unit 15 detects the change point of the value of the control data (step S21), records the correction time when the change occurred and the change amount of the value of the control data (step S22), and accumulates the change time and the change amount while retaining the initial value (step S23). In the examples of FIGS. 10 and 11, the storage unit 15 corresponds to an example of a storage means for storing the correction time associated with the control data when the value of the time-series control data collected by the collection means changes, and the change amount of the value.

Although the embodiment in which the matching unit 17 matches control data with each other using movement information has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the control data of one process has a sufficient correlation with the control data of the other process, the time difference between the processes can be obtained from the cross-correlation function of these time series data, and the control data can be matched. The matching unit 17 corresponds to an example of a matching means for matching control data received from different control devices with each other based on the correction time associated with the control data in the related data.

Although the control data to be logged indicates the injection pressure of controlled device 31, the amount of movement of film 40 conveyed by controlled device 32, or the thickness of the drug measured by controlled device 33, the control data is not limited to this example. The control data may be production process data generated in a machining process, quality data indicating a measurement result other than thickness, operation data indicating the operating state of the controlled device, or abnormality data indicating an abnormality in the controlled device. For example, if control data indicating the parameters of a certain process are associated with control data indicating the presence or absence of a subsequent abnormality and a model is learned, it becomes possible to predict which parameters will cause an abnormality and detect signs of an abnormality.

Although an example has been described in which the data collection device 100 generates the shared time using the timing unit 11, this is not limited to the above, and the data collection device 100 may obtain the shared time from outside. For example, if the shared time is Universal Time, the time acquisition unit 12 of the data collection device 100 may obtain the shared time from an external time server. In this case, the time acquisition unit 12 is realized by the communication unit 47.

Although an example has been described in which the data collection device 100 shares the shared time with the control devices 21 to 23 by synchronizing clocks with relatively low accuracy, this is not limited to this. The sharing of the shared time may also be a periodic notification of the current time from the data collection device 100.

The functions of the data collection device 100 in the above-described embodiment can be realized by dedicated hardware or by a conventional computer system.

For example, program P1 can be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), and by installing program P1 on a computer, an apparatus can be constructed that executes the above-mentioned processing.

In addition, program P1 may be stored in a disk device owned by a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and then, for example, superimposed on a carrier wave and downloaded to a computer.

The above-mentioned processing can also be achieved by launching and executing program P1 while transferring it via a network such as the Internet.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned processing can also be achieved by executing all or part of program P1 on a server device and executing program P1 while the computer sends and receives information regarding the processing via a communications network.

In addition, when the above-mentioned functions are shared and realized by the OS (Operating System) or by the cooperation of the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or may be downloaded to a computer.

Furthermore, the means for realizing the functions of the data collection device 100 are not limited to software, and some or all of the functions may be realized by dedicated hardware or circuitry.

Various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is suitable for accurate logging of data in control systems over a network.

11 Timekeeping unit, 12 Time acquisition unit, 13 Sharing unit, 14 Collection unit, 15 Memory unit, 16 Information acquisition unit, 17 Correlation unit, 18 Learning unit, 20-23, 21a, 23a Control unit, 31-33 Controlled device, 40 Film, 41 Processor, 42 Main memory unit, 43 Auxiliary memory unit, 44 Clock unit, 45 Input unit, 46 Output unit, 47 Communication unit, 48 Internal bus, 51, 53, 54 Partial data, 52 Column data, 61, 62 Control data, 70 Powder, 100 Data collection device, 151-153 Related data, 211, 221, 231 Clock generator, 201 Time sharing unit, 202 Logging unit, 203 Transmission unit, 321 Unwinding drum, 322 Winding drum, 400 FA device, 1000 data collection system, 1510, 1530 control data, NW network, P1 program.

Claims (7)

A computer connected via a network to a plurality of control devices each having a function of generating a control period using a clock generator and controlling a controlled device in different processes sequentially executed on a line for processing an object,
A time acquisition means for acquiring a shared time;
a sharing means for sharing the shared time with the plurality of control devices;
a collection means for collecting, from each of the control devices, associated data in which control data relating to control of the controlled device is associated with the shared time and a corrected time obtained from the control period and which is more accurate than the shared time;
an association means for associating the control data received from different control devices with each other based on the correction time associated with the control data in the association data;
Function as a
the association means obtains a time difference between processes from a cross-correlation function of time-series data that is a sequence of the control data, and associates the control data associated with the correction time having the time difference with each other.
Data collection program. The computer,
a storage unit that stores the correction time associated with the control data when a time-series value of the control data collected by the collection unit changes, and an amount of change in the value;
The data collection program according to claim 1 . The computer,
a learning means for learning a model for estimating a value of the control data of one of the control devices from a value of the control data of another of the control devices based on the control data associated by the association means;
3. The data collection program according to claim 1 or 2 . The object is a powder or a fluid.
The data collection program according to claim 1 or 2 . A data collection device connected via a network to a plurality of control devices each having a function of generating a control period using a clock generator and controlling a controlled device in different processes sequentially executed on a line for processing an object,
A time acquisition means for acquiring a shared time;
a sharing means for sharing the shared time with the plurality of control devices;
A collection means for collecting, from each of the control devices, associated data in which control data relating to the control of the controlled device is associated with the shared time and a correction time obtained from the control period and which is more accurate than the shared time;
a correlation unit that correlates the control data received from different control devices with each other based on the correction time associated with the control data in the association data;
Equipped with
the association means obtains a time difference between processes from a cross-correlation function of time-series data that is a sequence of the control data, and associates the control data associated with the correction time having the time difference with each other.
Data collection equipment. A plurality of control devices each having a function of generating a control period using a clock generator and controlling a controlled device in different processes sequentially executed on a line for processing an object;
6. The data collection device according to claim 5, wherein a shared time is shared with the plurality of control devices, and each of the control devices collects associated data from each of the control devices, the associated data being obtained by associating the shared time and a corrected time obtained from the control period and having higher accuracy than the shared time with control data relating to control of the controlled device.
A data acquisition system including: A data collection method performed by a data collection device connected via a network to a plurality of control devices each having a function of generating a control period using a clock generator and controlling a controlled device in different processes sequentially performed on a line for processing an object, the data collection method comprising:
The time acquisition means acquires the shared time,
a sharing unit that shares the shared time with the plurality of control devices;
A collection means collects, from each of the control devices, associated data in which the control data relating to the control of the controlled device is associated with the shared time and a correction time obtained from the control period and which is more accurate than the shared time;
the association means associates the control data received from different control devices with each other based on the correction time associated with the control data in the association data;
Including,
the association means obtains a time difference between processes from a cross-correlation function of time-series data that is a sequence of the control data, and associates the control data associated with the correction time having the time difference with each other.
Data collection methods.

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