JP2003108488A - Data processing system using e-mail - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Because the interval between incoming call confirmations to confirm that an e-mail addressed to the user has arrived is long, the timing of receiving the e-mail is delayed when the e-mail arrives frequently. To solve the problem of slow response. When an electronic mail addressed to the user arrives, the time interval for checking the incoming call is automatically shortened for a certain period. Further, if a new e-mail arrives while checking the arrival at the short time interval, the period is extended. The response can be made quicker, and an excessive load on the mail server or the like is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing system using electronic mail, and more particularly to a data processing system using electronic mail suitable for remote maintenance and monitoring systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 shows a PLC (Pro
A system configuration for remote maintenance of controllers such as grammable logic controllers) from a remote location is shown. In FIG. 3, the controller 1 can communicate with the mail server 2.

The mail server 2 is a LAN (Local Area).
Network 3 and this LAN 3 is connected to the Internet 5 via the firewall 4. The firewall 4 is a device for preventing unauthorized access from the Internet 5.

Mail servers 61 and 62 are connected to the Internet 5. The mail server 61 relays e-mail from a mobile phone or PHS (Personal Handyphone System) 7 to the Internet 5, and the mail server 62
Relays the e-mail from the personal computer 8.

In such a system, a mobile phone / PH
The controller 1 can be remotely maintained by reading and writing the internal data of the controller 1 from S7 or the personal computer 8 via e-mail.

Next, a sequence in which the controller 1 reads an electronic mail will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG.
The same elements as those in FIG. The controller 1 periodically confirms an incoming call in order to confirm whether or not an electronic mail addressed to itself has arrived at the mail server 2.

The shorter the interval for confirming the incoming call, the faster the remote maintenance response can be made. However, if the interval is too short, the load on the mail server 2 and the LAN 3 increases, so that the load on these devices is reduced. It is done at regular intervals. For example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 4, confirmation of incoming e-mail is performed at intervals of 15 minutes.

[0008]

However, such a remote maintenance system using electronic mail has the following problems.

Such a remote maintenance system using electronic mail is often used when trouble handling is urgent. When troubleshooting, a command is often sent to the controller 1 using electronic mail. However, there is a problem that the controller 1 can receive the e-mail only at the interval at which the mail server 2 confirms the arrival of the e-mail, and the response is delayed.

Therefore, if the interval for confirming the incoming call is shortened,
There is also a problem that an excessive load is applied to the mail server 2 and the LAN 3 and the operation of other controllers and other devices connected to the mail server 2 and the LAN 3 is disturbed.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is
To provide a data processing system using e-mail that improves efficiency and does not burden the mail server, etc., by automatically changing the cycle of confirmation of whether the mail addressed to itself is received by the mail server. Especially.

[0012]

In order to solve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a data processing unit 1 and a mail server 2 connected to the data processing unit 1. The data processing unit 1 is configured to receive an e-mail addressed to itself by performing an incoming call confirmation at a predetermined cycle to confirm whether or not an e-mail addressed to itself is received by the mail server 2. In a data processing system using mail, when the data processing unit 1 confirms that an electronic mail addressed to itself has arrived, the data processing unit 1 confirms an incoming call to the mail server 2 by a predetermined period from the predetermined period. The first cycle is changed to a shorter first cycle.
The efficiency can be improved without burdening the mail server 2.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the data processing unit 1 receives an e-mail addressed to itself while confirming the arrival at the mail server 2 in the first cycle. If it is detected that the incoming call is confirmed, the period for confirming the incoming call in the first cycle is extended for a predetermined period. Frequent incoming e-mail does not slow down response.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the data processing section 1 is a controller for controlling processes and the like. Remote maintenance can be done easily.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the controller uses electronic mail to read and write data, read and write and change programs, read logging information, and perform various settings and operations. It is characterized in that at least one of the modes can be switched. You can use e-mail to maintain the controller.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the data processing section 1 is a monitoring system. Even if the number of inquiries increases during an abnormality, the response will not drop.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claims 1 to 5, the mail server 2 is connected to the Internet 5. It can be accessed from a remote location.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, characterized in that a firewall 4 is installed between the mail server 2 and the Internet 5. Unauthorized access can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that an electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server 2 from a mobile phone or PHS 7 connected to the Internet. It was done. The data processing unit 1 can be accessed from anywhere.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1A shows the relationship between the controller 1 and the mail server 2.

The controller 1 periodically confirms to the mail server 2 whether or not an electronic mail addressed to itself has arrived,
Also, the electronic mail to be transmitted to the mail server 2 is output. LAN3, firewall 4, Internet 5, mail servers 61 and 62, mobile phone / PHS7
The configuration of the personal computer 8 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, but it is omitted in this figure.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the timing at which the controller 1 confirms the arrival of an electronic mail in the mail server 2. As in the conventional example, the controller 1 confirms whether or not an e-mail addressed to itself has arrived, for example, at intervals of 15 minutes. Since no e-mail has arrived at time t ₀ , the next incoming call confirmation is performed at time t ₁ 15 minutes later.

When an electronic mail arrives at time t ₁ , the mode is shifted to the maintenance mode, and the next incoming call confirmation is automatically changed to time t ₁₁ . The time difference between the times t ₁₁ and t ₁ is set to a time interval that is sufficiently shorter than the predetermined 15-minute time interval, for example, 3 minutes. After that, the incoming call is confirmed at this time interval.

Time t ₁ to 15 at which the first incoming call confirmation is made
The incoming call is confirmed in a short cycle until time t ₂ after the minute. After that, the incoming call confirmation interval is returned to a predetermined value of 15 minutes, and thereafter, incoming call confirmation is performed at this time interval.

That is, when an electronic mail arrives, the interval of incoming confirmation is shortened, and when a predetermined time has passed, the interval of incoming confirmation is returned to the original time interval. By doing so, it is possible to receive the transmitted electronic mail with a short delay time without imposing an excessive load on the mail server 2 and the LAN 3.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
The same elements as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
In this embodiment, when an electronic mail is further received while confirming the incoming call at a short time interval, the time for confirming the incoming call at the short time interval is automatically extended. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the relationship between the controller 1 and the mail server 2. Since this figure is the same as FIG. 1 (A), its explanation is omitted.

[0027] In FIG. 2 (B), have done an incoming call confirmation at the time _{t 4.} At this stage, the interval of incoming call confirmation is set to 15 minutes, which is the longer one, so that time t ₅ when 15 minutes elapse
The incoming call is not confirmed until.

When the arrival of the e-mail was confirmed at time t ₅ , it was found that the e-mail addressed to itself was received. Therefore, after that, the setting is automatically changed so as to confirm the incoming call at a short time interval (for example, 3 minutes). As a result, a new e-mail at the time t ₆ before that elapses from the time t ₅ 15 minutes it was found that had arrived.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the time for confirming an incoming call at a short time interval elapses a long incoming call confirmation time interval (15 minutes), the setting is automatically changed to the long incoming call confirmation interval. I chose However, in this embodiment, if a new email arrives while confirming the incoming call at a short time interval, the return to the mode for confirming the incoming call at a long time interval is reset, and the incoming call confirmation is performed at a short time interval. Try to extend the time you spend.

Since the arrival of a new e-mail is confirmed at time t ₆ , the time for confirming the arrival of a new e-mail is extended by 15 minutes, and the arrival is confirmed at a short time interval until time t ₇ . Since the arrival of new e-mail from time t ₆ to time t ₇ was not, automatically changes the setting of the interval of the incoming confirmation in the longer at the time t _7. Therefore, the next incoming call is confirmed at time t ₈ after 15 minutes have passed.

In this way, the time for confirming the arrival at a short time interval is extended while new e-mails are successively received, and when new e-mails are no longer received, the time interval is automatically set to a long time interval. Be changed. Therefore, even if new e-mail arrives for a long time, it can be received with a short delay time, and the LAN 3 and the mail server 2 are not overloaded.

In this embodiment, the reading and writing of data inside the controller 1, the reading and writing or modification of programs inside the controller 1, the reading of logging information inside the controller 1, and other various settings and operating modes inside the controller 1 are performed. Can be switched.

Further, in these embodiments, the controller is maintained by using electronic mail.
Not only the controller but also DCS (D
It can also be used for distributed control systems), measuring instruments, control devices, or OA (Office Automation) devices.

In addition, it can also be used for a monitoring system using electronic mail. The monitoring system is highly effective because it is considered that the number of accesses by e-mail will increase when an abnormality is detected.

[0035]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the data processing unit 1 and the mail server 2 connected to the data processing unit 1 are provided, and the data processing unit 1 sends an electronic mail addressed to itself to the mail server 2. Is a data processing system that uses an electronic mail to receive an electronic mail addressed to itself by performing an incoming call confirmation at a predetermined cycle to confirm whether or not the data processing unit 1 is addressed to itself. When it is confirmed that the e-mail has arrived, the cycle for confirming the arrival at the mail server 2 is changed to a predetermined period, that is, a first period shorter than the predetermined period.

Even if e-mails are frequently received during maintenance or the like, the e-mails can be surely received with a short time delay, so that there is an effect that the response can be made faster and the data can be efficiently processed. In addition, in normal times, incoming calls are confirmed at long intervals, so mail servers and L
There is also an effect that an excessive burden is not imposed on the AN.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, while the data processing unit 1 confirms the incoming call to the mail server 2 in the first cycle, an electronic mail addressed to itself is received. Is detected, the period for confirming the incoming call in the first cycle is extended for a predetermined period.

Even if the period of frequent incoming e-mail is long, the e-mail can be reliably received with a short time delay. In addition, since the incoming call is normally confirmed at long intervals, there is an effect that the mail server and the LAN are not overloaded.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the data processing section 1 is a controller for controlling a process and the like. Since remote maintenance can be easily achieved,
This has the effect of improving reliability.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 3, the controller 1 uses electronic mail to read and write data, read and write programs and change programs, read logging information, and various types. At least one of setting and operation mode switching
The feature is that it is possible.

Since the program and data can be viewed and changed and various settings can be changed using electronic mail, there is an effect that maintenance can be performed quickly.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the data processing unit 1 is a monitoring system. The monitoring system often has a large number of inquiries when an abnormality is detected, but even in such a case, there is an effect that processing can be efficiently performed.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in claims 1 to 5, the mail server 2 is connected to the Internet 5. Since it can be accessed from anywhere in the world via the Internet, there is an effect that maintenance can be easily performed from anywhere.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 6, the mail server 2 and the Internet 5
It is characterized in that a fire wall 4 is installed between and. This has the effect of preventing unauthorized access.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the invention described in claim 6 or 7, the mail server 2 is a mobile phone or P connected to the Internet.
The feature was that an email was sent from HS7.
The data processing unit can be accessed from anywhere.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional remote maintenance system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional incoming call confirmation frequency.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 controller 2,61,62 mail server 3 LAN 4 fire wall 5 Internet 7 Mobile phones / PHS 8 PC

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An incoming call comprising a data processing unit and a mail server connected to the data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit confirms whether or not an electronic mail addressed to itself is received by the mail server. In a data processing system using e-mail that performs confirmation at a predetermined cycle,
When the data processing unit confirms that an e-mail addressed to itself is received, the data processing unit changes the period for confirming the incoming call to the mail server to a predetermined period, which is a first period shorter than the predetermined period. A data processing system using electronic mail characterized by the above. 2. When the data processing unit detects that an electronic mail addressed to itself has arrived while confirming the arrival at the mail server in the first cycle, the data processing section performs the operation in the first cycle. 2. The data processing system using electronic mail according to claim 1, wherein the period for confirming the incoming call is extended for a predetermined period. 3. The data processing system using electronic mail according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit is a controller. 4. The controller is capable of performing at least one of reading and writing of data, reading and writing and changing of a program, reading of logging information, and various settings and operation mode switching by using electronic mail. A data processing system using electronic mail according to claim 3. 5. The data processing system using electronic mail according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit is a monitoring system. 6. The data processing system using electronic mail according to claim 1, wherein the mail server is connected to the Internet. 7. A data processing system using electronic mail according to claim 6, wherein a firewall is installed between the mail server and the Internet. 8. A data processing system using an electronic mail according to claim 6 or 7, wherein an electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server from a mobile phone or PHS connected to the Internet. .