JP2013182390A - Instrument management device and instrument management method - Google Patents

Abstract

A device that is initially connected to a system is quickly monitored under management.
A device management apparatus 1 that manages a device to be managed, and includes a connection detection unit 11 that detects a HART communication-compatible device 3 that is initially connected, and a device 3 that is detected by the connection detection unit 11. In addition, among the setting information set in the device 3, a first setting information acquisition unit 12 that acquires first setting information including information necessary for operating the device 3 in the system from the device 3, A completion state setting unit 13 for setting the management state of the device 3 to a start-up completion state in which the start in the system is recognized when the first setting information acquisition unit 12 acquires the first setting information; A second setting information acquisition unit 14 that acquires at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information from the device 3 in which the management state of the device 3 is set to the startup completion state among the setting information; Is provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a device management apparatus and a device management method.

  At the site where production processes are managed, a large number of devices (for example, devices such as sensor devices and valve positioners) are arranged in the plant, and the signals transmitted from these devices are incorporated into the system to operate and manage the production processes. doing. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, devices equipped with a HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) communication function (hereinafter referred to as “HART communication compatible devices”) have been adopted as devices arranged in a plant. This HART communication-compatible device generates a signal generated by superimposing an AC signal obtained by assigning and converting a digital signal logic to a frequency signal of 2200 Hz and 1200 Hz on a DC signal of 4 to 20 mA indicating a measured value or a control value. (Hereinafter referred to as “HART communication signal”). The following Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose systems using HART communication-compatible devices.

JP 2003-186503 A Japanese Patent No. 4129715

  When the HART communication-compatible device is arranged in a plant, various parameters (setting information) according to the production process in the plant are set, and the device operates according to the setting contents. In general, in a system for managing HART communication-compatible devices, setting information set for each device is centrally managed by a management device, and each device is monitored based on the information. Therefore, when an HART communication-compatible device is initially connected to the system, monitoring is performed after all setting information of the HART communication-compatible device is taken into the management apparatus.

  By the way, since there are many types of parameters that can be set in the HART communication-compatible device, it takes time to capture all the setting information. In addition, HART communication performed between the HART communication compatible device and the management apparatus is generally performed at a low speed (for example, 1.2 kbps). Therefore, if a large number of HART communication compatible devices are initially connected to the system together, it takes a long time to import the setting information of all the HART communication compatible devices into the management apparatus. Will wait.

  In particular, in the systems described in the above-mentioned patent documents, HART communication signals output from a plurality of HART communication-compatible devices are selected and processed one by one by a multiplexer and then transmitted to a higher-level device. Therefore, it takes more time to complete the acquisition of the setting information of all HART communication compatible devices.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and provides a device management apparatus and a device management method capable of quickly monitoring a device initially connected to the system under management. For the purpose.

  The device management apparatus according to the present invention is a device management device that manages a device to be managed, and includes a connection detection unit that detects the device that is initially connected, and the device that is detected by the connection detection unit. First setting information acquisition unit for acquiring, from the device, first setting information including information necessary for operating the device in the system among the setting information set in the device; When the first setting information is acquired by the first setting information acquisition unit, a completion state setting unit that sets the management state of the device to a start-up completion state that is recognized to start in the system; Second setting information acquisition for acquiring at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information from the device in which the management state of the device is set to the startup completion state. And Provided.

  The device management method according to the present invention is a device management method for managing a device to be managed, wherein the device is detected in a connection detection step for detecting the device initially connected, and the connection detection step. First setting information acquisition step for acquiring, from the device, first setting information including information necessary for operating the device in the system among the setting information set in the device And a completion state setting step for setting the management state of the device to a start-up completion state in which start-up in the system is recognized when the first setting information is acquired in the first setting information acquisition step. And at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information among the setting information, the management state of the device is set to the startup completion state Including a second setting information acquisition step of acquiring from the vessel, the.

  By adopting such a configuration, when a device that is initially connected to the system is detected, setting information necessary for the device to operate in the system is acquired from the device, and after transitioning to the startup completion state Other setting information can be acquired from the device.

  The second setting information acquisition unit may sequentially acquire at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information by using communication intervals with the device.

  This makes it possible to sequentially acquire other setting information within a range that does not affect the monitoring state of the devices under management.

  The second setting information acquisition unit, when using the unacquired setting information in at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information, the setting information to be used It is good also as acquiring from the said apparatus.

  This makes it possible to acquire setting information as necessary from devices under management.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the apparatus management apparatus and apparatus management method which can monitor the apparatus initially connected to the system under management quickly can be provided.

It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the equipment management system containing the equipment management apparatus in embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the apparatus management apparatus in embodiment.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example, and does not exclude application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly described below. That is, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device management system including a device management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the device management system 100 includes a device management device 1, an input / output device (hereinafter referred to as “HART-IO unit”) 2 having a HART communication function, and a HART communication-compatible device 3. Prepare.

  The device management apparatus 1 and the HART-IO unit 2 are connected via, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) standard communication cable 4.

  The HART communication-compatible device 3 is various devices equipped in the plant. As the HART communication-compatible device 3, for example, a transmitter that transmits flow rate, pressure, temperature, etc., a valve positioner that changes and detects the opening degree of a flow rate control valve, pressure control valve, etc., and a pump, a fan, etc. Applicable actuator. The HART communication-compatible device 3 in the present embodiment can set various types of parameters.

  The HART communication compatible device 3 has a HART communication function and inputs / outputs a HART communication signal. A HART communication signal is a signal generated by superimposing a DC signal of 4 to 20 mA on an AC signal obtained by assigning and converting the logic of a digital signal to frequency signals of 2200 Hz and 1200 Hz.

  The 4 to 20 mA DC signal is a signal indicating one variable value set for each HART communication-compatible device 3. Examples of variable values include measured values such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature, and control values such as valve opening. The digital signal is a signal corresponding to various data that can be collected in the HART communication-compatible device 3, for example. Examples of the various data include process information in the HART communication compatible device 3 and hardware diagnostic information incorporated in the HART communication compatible device 3.

  The HART communication compatible device 3 generates a HART communication signal as follows, for example. First, the HART communication-compatible device 3 assigns digital signals represented by 0 and 1, for example, to a 2200 Hz frequency signal and a 1200 Hz frequency signal, respectively, and converts them into AC signals. Subsequently, the HART communication-compatible device 3 superimposes the converted AC signal on a 4 to 20 mA DC signal indicating a measurement value, a control value, or the like. Thereby, a HART communication signal is generated.

  The HART-IO unit 2 is an input / output device that transmits / receives a HART communication signal to / from the HART communication-compatible device 3 and transmits / receives a digital signal to / from the device management apparatus 1. For example, the HART-IO unit 2 generates a 4-20 mA DC signal and a digital signal from the HART communication signal as follows. First, the HART-IO unit 2 separates the received HART communication signal into an AC signal combining a frequency signal of 2200 Hz and a frequency signal of 1200 Hz and a DC signal of 4 to 20 mA. Subsequently, the HART-IO unit 2 converts the separated AC signal into a digital signal represented by 0 and 1.

  The device management apparatus 1 receives the digital signal output from the HART-IO unit 2 via the communication cable 4. Based on the received digital signal, the device management apparatus 1 performs the process execution status in the HART communication compatible device 3, the failure status of the hardware incorporated in the HART communication compatible device 3, and the maintenance of the HART communication compatible device 3. Diagnose the time required for repair. The device management apparatus 1 displays a diagnosis result or the like on a monitor (not shown). Thereby, the administrator can monitor the state of the HART communication-compatible device 3.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the functional configuration of the device management apparatus 1 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device management apparatus 1 includes, for example, a connection detection unit 11, a first setting information acquisition unit 12, a completion state setting unit 13, and a second setting information acquisition unit 14. The setting information DB 15 stores setting information of the HART communication compatible device 3 under the management of the system.

  The connection detection unit 11 detects the HART communication-compatible device 3 that is initially connected to the device management system 100. For example, the initial connection is detected as follows. The connection detection unit 11 periodically transmits an initial connection detection command to an address under management. When the connection detection unit 11 receives a response to the initial connection detection command, the connection detection unit 11 determines that the HART communication-compatible device 3 is initially connected to the address.

  The first setting information acquisition unit 12 acquires first setting information from the HART communication-compatible device 3 when the connection detection unit 11 detects the HART communication-compatible device 3 that is initially connected. The first setting information is setting information including information necessary for operating the HART communication compatible device 3 in the system among the setting information set in the HART communication compatible device 3.

  As the first setting information, for example, device identification information that uniquely identifies the HART communication-compatible device 3, a measured value (flow rate, temperature, etc.) or a control value (valve opening degree, etc.) ), Alert information (self-diagnosis information, etc.) of the HART communication-compatible device 3 is applicable. The first setting information preferably includes at least device identification information.

  The first setting information acquisition unit 12 registers the first setting information acquired from the HART communication compatible device 3 in the setting information DB 15.

  When the first setting information acquisition unit 12 acquires the first setting information, the completion state setting unit 13 sets the device management state of the target HART communication-compatible device 3 to the startup completion state. The start-up completion state is a state in which start-up in the system is recognized. The setting contents of the device management state are stored in the setting information DB 15.

  The second setting information acquisition unit 14 sets the setting information other than the first setting information among the setting information set in the HART communication-compatible device 3 to the HART in which the device management state is set to the startup completion state. Obtained from the communication-compatible device 3. The second setting information acquisition unit 14 registers setting information other than the first setting information acquired from the HART communication-compatible device 3 in the setting information DB 15.

  A method for acquiring setting information other than the first setting information will be described below. The following methods (1) and (2) can be combined.

(1) Obtaining sequentially The second setting information obtaining unit 14 sequentially obtains setting information other than the first setting information by using communication intervals with the HART communication-compatible device 3. When acquiring sequentially, it is preferable to acquire in order with high priority. For example, the priority order can be given in groups by grouping the setting information as follows.

1st priority group: Setting information necessary for HART communication 2nd priority group: Setting information with relatively high use frequency 3rd priority group: Setting information specific to equipment

(2) Acquired when Used The second setting information acquisition unit 14 acquires setting information to be used from the HART communication-compatible device 3 when using unacquired setting information in the system.

  Note that the setting information acquired by the second setting information acquisition unit 14 is not limited to all the setting information other than the first setting information, and is a part of the setting information other than the first setting information. There may be.

  Next, the operation of the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the connection detection unit 11 of the device management apparatus 1 detects the HART communication-compatible device 3 that is initially connected to the device management system 100 (step S101).

  Subsequently, the first setting information acquisition unit 12 of the device management apparatus 1 acquires the first setting information from the HART communication-compatible device 3 detected in step S101 and registers it in the setting information DB 15 (step S102). ).

  Subsequently, the completion state setting unit 13 of the device management apparatus 1 sets the device management state of the HART communication-compatible device 3 in which the first setting information is registered in step S102 to a startup completion state (step S103). Thereafter, the HART communication-compatible device 3 is managed by the device management apparatus 1 and becomes a monitoring target.

  Subsequently, the second setting information acquisition unit 14 of the device management apparatus 1 receives setting information other than the first setting information from the HART communication-compatible device 3 whose device management state is set to the start-up completion state in step S103. Obtain and register in the setting information DB 15 (step S104). As a method for acquiring the setting information in step S104, both (1) and (2) can be used.

  As described above, according to the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment, when the HART communication-compatible device 3 that is initially connected to the device management system 100 is detected, the HART communication-compatible device 3 operates in the system. Necessary first setting information can be acquired from the HART communication-compatible device 3 after acquiring the necessary setting information from the HART communication-compatible device 3 and shifting to the startup completion state. As a result, the HART communication compatible device that has been initially connected to the device management system can be quickly monitored under management.

  In addition, according to the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment, setting information other than the first setting information can be sequentially acquired by using the interval of communication with the HART communication compatible device 3. As a result, setting information other than the first setting information can be sequentially acquired within a range that does not affect the monitoring state of the HART communication-compatible device 3 under management.

  Further, according to the device management apparatus 1 in the embodiment, when unacquired setting information is used in the system, the setting information to be used can be acquired from the HART communication-compatible device 3. Thereby, it becomes possible to acquire setting information from the HART communication-compatible device 3 under management as necessary.

  In addition, although embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the case where the apparatus used as management object is a HART communication corresponding | compatible apparatus, the apparatus used as management object is not limited to this. Other devices may be used as long as they are devices that have setting target information and can be managed by the device management system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device management apparatus 2 ... HART-IO unit 3 ... HART communication corresponding | compatible apparatus 4 ... Communication cable 11 ... Connection detection part 12 ... 1st setting information acquisition part 13 ... Completion state setting part 14 ... 2nd setting information acquisition part 15 ... Setting information DB
100: Device management system

Claims (8)

A device management device for managing devices to be managed,
A connection detection unit that detects the initially connected device;
When the device is detected by the connection detection unit, first setting information including information necessary for operating the device in the system among the setting information set in the device is the device. A first setting information acquisition unit acquired from
When the first setting information is acquired by the first setting information acquisition unit, a completion state setting unit that sets the management state of the device to a start-up completion state that is recognized to start in the system;
Second setting information acquisition for acquiring at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information from the device in which the management state of the device is set to the startup completion state. And
A device management apparatus comprising:   The second setting information acquisition unit sequentially acquires at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information by using the interval of communication with the device. Item 1. The device management apparatus according to Item 1.   The said 2nd setting information acquisition part is acquired in order with a high priority, when acquiring at least one part of the said setting information other than said 1st setting information sequentially. Equipment management device.   The second setting information acquisition unit uses the setting information to be used when using the unacquired setting information in at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device management device is acquired from the device.   5. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first setting information includes at least device identification information that uniquely identifies the device.   6. The HART communication-compatible device having a HART communication function for transmitting and receiving a HART communication signal generated by superimposing a second signal on a first signal. The device management apparatus according to item.   7. The equipment management according to claim 6, wherein the first signal is a DC signal of 4 to 20 mA, and the second signal is an AC signal expressed by assigning logic of a digital signal to a different frequency signal. apparatus. A device management method for managing devices to be managed,
A connection detection step of detecting the device initially connected;
When the device is detected in the connection detection step, first setting information including information necessary for operating the device in the system is set out of setting information set in the device. A first setting information acquisition step acquired from:
When the first setting information is acquired in the first setting information acquisition step, a completion state setting step for setting the management state of the device to a start-up completion state in which start in the system is recognized;
Second setting information acquisition for acquiring at least a part of the setting information other than the first setting information from the device in which the management state of the device is set to the startup completion state. Steps,
A device management method comprising:

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