JP3423626B2 - Control host computer and recording medium on which the program is recorded - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control system including a control device that communicates with a communication protocol unique to a model, a display device that exchanges data with the control device, and a control host computer, and more particularly, The present invention relates to a control host computer capable of reducing the labor of the control host computer without increasing the labor of the entire control system when joining the control device to the control system, and a recording medium having the program recorded therein. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, programmable logic
The controller (hereinafter, abbreviated as PLC) is, for example,
It is widely used as a control device for controlling various target systems such as a belt conveyor type automatic assembly machine. Further, in recent years, as the target system has become more complicated, a plurality of PLCs have been used in cooperation with each other. Further, the display of the data from each PLC or the control instruction to the PLC is not only performed by the display device arranged in the vicinity of the PLC, but is also installed, for example, in a place apart from these display devices. A control system may be constructed so that the host computer for control can also display or operate.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the conventional control system 501, the PLC 503 is positioned as the center of control, and each PLC 503 has
Control target device 521a and sensor 521b of target system 502, and display device 5 for displaying and instructing control
05 and 05 are connected. Further, the PLC 503 includes other PLCs 503 and a control host computer 50.
7 is directly connected through a predetermined interface circuit or indirectly connected through a dedicated adapter,
Transfer of control data between the PLC 503 and the control host computer 507 and between each PLC 503 is
This is performed using the communication function of the PLC 503.

[0004]

However, in the control system 501 having the above-described configuration, communication is performed between the PLCs 503 and the control host computer 507 and between the PLC 503 and the display device 505 using a communication protocol unique to the PLC 503. Because many types of PL
This causes a problem that it is difficult to mix C503.

Further, since most of the communication of the control system 501 is processed, the load on the PLC 503 becomes heavy. Furthermore, since it is necessary to prepare a communication protocol for communicating with the PLC 503 in both the control host computer 507 and the display device 505, it is troublesome to manufacture and maintain the control host computer 507 and the display device 505. It takes.

Specifically, the PLC 503 has a history of being developed as a sequencer using a relay, and is good at processing related to I / O control such as on / off control of switches and data acquisition from sensors. Therefore, in order to process most of the communication of the control system 501 as the center of data communication, the ability is often insufficient, and even if it is possible, the load is heavy. For example, in order to control only the target system 502, the PLC 503 is usually sufficient with a storage capacity of several tens of kilobytes and a processing capacity corresponding to the storage capacity. However, with this storage capacity and processing capacity, It is difficult to handle most of the communication fast enough.

Further, the PLC 503 often uses a different communication protocol for data communication depending on the model of the PLC 503, such as manufacturing companies, or even products of the same company even if the PLCs have been developed. .
Therefore, conventionally, the PLC 503 of the same model is often used in the control system 501.

Here, when the difference in communication protocol is slight, specifically, the communication protocol necessary for establishing communication, such as a start character, a stop character, a method of designating a transmission / reception address, is the same, and , If only the less important commands differ,
Of the functions of the PLC 503, it is not impossible to mix PLCs 503 of different models in the control system 501 unless the actually used functions are restricted and different commands are used. However, if there are differences in important commands, such as commands for communicating with multiple models, the control host computer 507 and the P
Even if communication is established with the LC 503, the control host computer 507 cannot instruct the PLC 503 to perform a desired operation.

Further, when the communication protocols themselves required for establishing the communication are different, not only communication between the PLC 503a and the control host computer 507 having different communication protocols is not established, but also the communication protocols are common. Communication between the PLC 503 and the control host computer 507 is hindered. Therefore, the P
When the LC 503a is connected, the converter 510 is inserted to control the host computer 507 for control or another PLC 5
From 03, it is necessary to mutually convert the communication protocol so that the PLC 503a looks like the same model. Here, in the control system 501, the place where the converter 510 can be installed is often limited, and when the converter 510 is newly provided, the cost of the entire control system 501 increases. Furthermore, since there are a large number of communication protocols of PLC 503, for example, 100 types or more, the desired converter 510 does not always exist.

As a result, when the PLC 503 is arranged at the center of communication, the control system 501 has many types of PL.
It is difficult to mix C503, and options for selecting PLC503 are limited.

In addition, in the conventional control system 501, the control host computer 507 and the display device 505 are used.
Since both of them are communicating with the PLC 503, both need to communicate with each other by the communication protocol of each PLC 503.
Therefore, when manufacturing the control host computer 507 and the display device 505, PLCs that may be connected may be connected.
It is necessary to prepare a program for communicating with all the communication protocols of 503 in both the control host computer 507 and the display device 505. As a result, when manufacturing the control host computer 507 and the display device 505, an extremely large number of software steps are required to support many PLCs 503. Further, when the PLC 503 that communicates using a new communication protocol is developed, it is necessary to newly prepare a program that communicates using the communication protocol in both the control host computer 507 and the display device 505, which is more troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to increase the time and effort of the entire control system, particularly when a control device such as a PLC is added to the control system. It is intended to realize a control host computer capable of reducing the trouble in the control host computer and a recording medium having the program recorded therein.

[0013]

A control host computer according to the invention of claim 1 communicates with a control device for controlling an object to be controlled and a control device via a dedicated network to display a control state of the control device. Or a display control device for controlling and converting the communication protocol from one to the other when the communication protocol between the common network different from the dedicated network and the dedicated network is different,
A control host computer used in a control system including a control host computer connected to the display control device via the common network, wherein the communication protocol of the common network is , A communication protocol that is common to the communication protocols that can be transmitted by the dedicated network, and the control host computer is a data string in a format defined by the common communication protocol, and further, an instruction to the control device. A data string including contents is provided with an interface unit for sending to the display control device to which the control device is connected via the common network, and the data string includes a common code indicating the contents of the command,
The common code uses different dedicated protocols
Among the commands that can be understood by the respective control devices, the commands having the same contents are unified regardless of the command code in the dedicated network.

In the above configuration, for example, when the control host computer gives an instruction to the control device, the interface section connects the data string including the instruction content to the control device to the control device via the common network. Send to the display controller. On the other hand, when the display control device receives the data string via the common network, the display control device notifies the control device connected via the dedicated network of the instruction content. At this time, if the communication protocol of the dedicated network is different from the communication protocol of the common network, the display control device converts the protocol.

On the contrary, the data from the controller is
Is transmitted to the display controller via a dedicated network,
After the communication protocol is converted by the display control device as necessary, it is transmitted to the interface unit via the common network.

According to the above configuration, the interface section of the control host computer notifies the display control device of the instruction content to the control device via the common network, and the display control which is an essential component of the control system. The device converts the communication protocol and transfers it to the control device. Therefore, the interface unit of the control system always communicates with the common network using the same communication protocol regardless of the communication protocol of the control device. As a result, control devices having different communication protocols can be easily mixed in the control system, and the time and effort required for joining the control devices to the control system can be reduced.

Further, even if the communication protocol of the interface section is the same regardless of the communication protocol of the control apparatus and a new control apparatus is developed, the interface section of the control host computer and the transmission control means are No need to change. Therefore, as in the conventional case, when supporting a new control device, as compared with the case where a program for a communication protocol of the control device is created in both the display control device and the control host computer, the control host computer Only the amount of time required for
It is possible to reduce the time and labor required for joining the control device to the control system, and to reduce the time and effort for managing and maintaining the entire control system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control host computer according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The interface unit is interposed between the interface unit and a host-side display control unit that controls or displays the state of the controlled object by the control host computer, and the interface unit is based on a request from the host-side display control unit. And a transmission control means for transmitting and receiving data for controlling or displaying the state of the controlled object.

In the above structure, the transmission control means may be capable of controlling the interface section in response to a request from the host side display control means. Therefore, unlike the case where the interface unit and the host-side control unit transmit data in a procedure defined by the operating system, such as DDE, document creation, spreadsheet calculation, etc.
The data transmission procedure can be defined without considering the cooperation with other applications operating on the operating system, and the processing of the transmission control means can be optimized according to the control system.

As a result, data can be transmitted at a higher speed between the host side display control means and the interface section,
The response time in the display control means on the host side can be shortened.
In addition, the transmission control means can realize processing that cannot be realized by the procedure defined by the above operating system, and therefore can respond to the request even if a higher level request is received from the host side display control means. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the control host computer according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the interface section includes a display control device to which the data string and the control device are connected. The header unit to be specified is transmitted to the display control device to which the control device is connected via the common network.
Therefore, it can be preferably used when the network configuration of the common network requires flexibility.

A control wheel according to the invention of claim 4 is also provided.
The storage computer is the invention according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
In the above configuration, the above data string is attached to the common code.
Data related to the
The order of transmission and the method of expression when transmitting are determined by a dedicated network.
It is standardized regardless of the communication protocol of
The interface part is
Display that transmits the converted data string to the control device
In this configuration, the data string is transmitted to the control device. this
Allows a common protocol to connect to the display controller
Unique instruction to be executed, regardless of the control device
Specific.

By the way, a recording medium according to a fifth aspect of the present invention displays or controls the control status of the control device which is connected to a control device for controlling a controlled object through a dedicated network, and the dedicated network. When the communication protocol between the common network different from the above and the dedicated network is different, the display is performed via the common network as a control host computer of a control system including a display control device that converts the communication protocol from one to the other. A recording medium in which a program for operating a computer connectable to a control device is recorded,
In order to solve the above problems, the communication protocol of the common network is a communication protocol that is common to the communication protocols that can be transmitted by the dedicated network, and is a data string in a format defined by the common communication protocol, and A program for operating the computer is recorded as an interface unit for transmitting a data string including instruction contents to the control device to the display control device to which the control device is connected via the common network. The data string contains a common code indicating the content of the command, and the common code is a dedicated protocol different from each other.
Among the commands that can be understood by the respective control devices adopting the above-mentioned protocol, the commands having the same contents are unified regardless of the command code in the dedicated network.

When the program is executed by the computer, an interface unit is realized, and the computer can operate as a control host computer similar to the control host computer according to claim 1. Therefore, the time and labor for preparing the host side display control means can be greatly reduced, and further, when the control device is added to the control system, the time and effort for the control host computer can be increased without increasing the time and labor for the entire control system. A controllable host computer that can be reduced can be provided.

In addition, the transmission control means can respond to the request from the host-side display control means with a higher function and at a higher speed than in the case of data transmission according to the procedure defined by the operating system, so that the response time is shorter. Thus, it is possible to realize a more sophisticated host-side display control means.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The following is a description with reference to FIG. That is, in the control system according to the present embodiment, for example, when the target system is a belt conveyor type automatic assembly machine, a plurality of programmable logic controllers (hereinafter, abbreviated as PLC) cooperate with each other to control. When controlling a target system like
A system that is particularly preferably used, for example, as shown in FIG.
PL connected to the target system 2 as shown in
Through the dedicated network 4 that communicates with the C (control device) 3 using a communication protocol unique to each PLC 3,
A graphic operation panel (display control device) 5 that is connected to C3 and is operated by a worker of the target system 2 in the vicinity of the target system 2 in many cases, and the graphic operation panels 5 are connected by a common communication protocol. A common network 6 and a control host computer 7 that is connected to the common network 6 and that performs monitoring control or setting of the entire control system 1 from a location distant from the graphic operation panel 5 in many cases are provided.

Unlike the conventional system, the control system 1 has a graphic operation panel 5 arranged at the center of communication, and the graphic operation panel 5 is connected to both the dedicated network 4 and the common network 6. . Further, when the communication protocols of the both networks 4 and 6 are different, the graphic operation panel 5 converts the two communication protocols to each other and connects the PLC 3 connected to itself.
Communication between the control host computer 7 and another graphic operation panel 5. As a result, the PLC 3 connected to each graphic operation panel 5
Even when the communication protocols adopted by the above are different from each other, the graphic operation panel 5 and the control host computer 7 can communicate with each other by a common communication protocol.

More specifically, the target system 2 includes, for example, a control target device 21a, such as a valve and a motor, which operates according to an instruction, and a control target device 21a and a target, such as a flow rate sensor and a temperature sensor. A sensor 21b for detecting the state of each part of the system 2 is provided, and the controlled device 21a and the sensor 21b (hereinafter collectively referred to as the device 21) are controlled by the PLC 3. Further, the PLC 3 has a history of development from a sequencer, and in many cases, for example, each PLC 3 model has its own communication protocol, such as each manufacturing company or each product type. Therefore, the PLC 3 is connected to the graphic operation panel 5 via the dedicated network 4, and communicates with the graphic operation panel 5 using a communication protocol with which the PLC 3 can communicate.

As a result, the PLC 3 transmits the data acquired by the sensor 21b to the graphic operation panel 5 itself or via the graphic operation panel 5 to another graphic operation panel 5 or the control host computer 7. The control target device 21a can be controlled by receiving a control instruction transmitted from the graphic operation panel 5 itself or via the graphic operation panel 5.

The broadly defined communication protocol includes, for example, a code indicating a start character and an end character, a transmission / reception timing of each character, a transmission source and a transmission destination such as a transmission destination and a transmission source identifying method. A communication protocol in which data cannot be normally transmitted unless they are unified in the network, and an operation desired by one if the transmission source and the transmission destination are not unified, for example, a command system that each PLC 3 can understand. There is a communication protocol that cannot be controlled normally because the operation performed by the other does not match, but in the following, the combination of the two is referred to as the communication protocol, and when the two need to be distinguished, the former is the transmission protocol, The latter is distinguished as a command system.

On the other hand, the graphic operation panel 5 has a dedicated network interface section 51 for communicating with the PLC 3 via the dedicated network 4, a display section 52 for displaying information to the worker, and an input section for receiving instructions from the worker. 53 and a data processing unit 54 for controlling the entire graphic operation panel 5 and processing data handled by the graphic operation panel 5. In the present embodiment, for example, a liquid crystal display device or the like is used as the display unit 52, and a touch panel integrally formed on the display screen of the display unit 52 is used as the input unit 53. In the following, various interface units such as the dedicated network interface unit 51 and a common network interface unit 55 described later will be abbreviated as IF units.

Further, the graphic operation panel 5 has a common network / IF unit 55 for connecting to the common network 6, and information for mutually converting the communication protocol of the common network 6 and the communication protocol of the dedicated network 4. Storage unit 5 for protocol conversion storing
6 is provided, the data processing unit 54 converts from one communication protocol to the other while referring to the protocol conversion storage unit 56 when the communication protocols in the both networks 4 and 6 are different from each other.

In the present embodiment, each of the above parts 51 to 5 is
6 or each of the units 71 to 78 described later is a functional block realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program, but can also be realized by hardware performing the same operation. However, in the case of being realized by software as in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily distribute each of the above parts 51 to 56 or 71 to 71 by distributing a recording medium recording a program and causing the computer to execute the program.
78 can be realized.

Here, in the communication protocol defined by the manufacturer of each PLC 3, when instructing the reading of data, as shown in FIG. 2, a control code indicating that the code to be transmitted next is a command in general. (ESC) and P
A command code (RD) for instructing LC3 to read data, a read start address (X0001),
A data string 41 including a read size (5) and a control code (RET) indicating the end of transmission is transmitted. However, between PLCs 3, the command system including the command code, of course, the arrangement order of addresses and sizes,
The control code itself or the expression method for expressing the address or size (the bit width for indicating a numerical value, the code type for indicating a character, etc.) is often different from each other.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the graphic operation panel 5 performs data communication via the common network 6, the unified operation protocol can be used regardless of the communication protocol transmitted through the dedicated network 4. A common communication protocol (common protocol) is defined as a communication protocol that can be transmitted by the dedicated network 4.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the common network 6 is Ethernet (trademark: Xerox Co.).
A local area network (LAN) is used, and TCP / IP is adopted as a transmission protocol in the common network 6. Therefore,
A unique IP address is assigned to each of the graphic operation panel 5 and the control host computer 7 connected to the common network 6, and when communicating via the common network 6, a format defined by TCP / IP, That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a data string 61 having a format including a header portion 62 including IP addresses of a transmission source and a transmission destination and a data body 63 indicating communication contents is transmitted and received. As a result, for example, even when the control host computer 7a used by the developer of the control system 1 is connected via a telephone line from a place different from the operating company of the control system 1, TCP / IP is used. Any communication device that can communicate can freely participate in the common network 6 without hindering data transmission between other communication devices.

Further, in the common protocol, a common code 64 indicating the content of the command is added to the data body 63r when transmitting the command instructing the data reading to the PLC 3.
And the related information 65 associated with the common code 64 includes the read start address 65a and the read size 65b. Further, the data main body 63w when instructing the data writing includes the write start address 65c and the write data 65d as the related information 65.

Among the commands that each PLC 3 can understand, the common code 64 is a command code (each PLC) between commands having the same contents.
It is unified regardless of (command code in 3).
Also, for example, the order of transmitting the data in the related information 65, such as the read start address 65a and the read size 65b, and the expression method at the time of transmitting the data are unified regardless of the communication protocol in the dedicated network 4. Thereby, in the common protocol, the command to be executed can be uniquely specified regardless of the PLC 3 connected to the graphic operation panel 5.

The information stored in the protocol conversion storage unit 56 shown in FIG. 1 may be in any format as long as the communication protocols of the dedicated network 4 and the common network 6 can be mutually converted. The storage unit 56 for protocol conversion according to the embodiment includes a data transfer format FMT indicating a format of data transmitted on the dedicated network 4 and a command conversion table TBL indicating a correspondence relationship between command codes transmitted on both networks 4 and 6. I remember and.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the data transfer format FMT, for example, in the data string 41 transmitted through the dedicated network 4, the data content itself to be read / written, the data size, or , A skeleton-shaped data string in which a portion that changes depending on the data content to be actually transmitted, such as a read / write address, is undefined, and the undefined portion has only a defined use. If the command area is undefined and the data transfer format FMT extracted from the actually transmitted data string is common to a plurality of commands, the command area is also undefined and these commands are not defined. A common data transfer format FMT may be used between the two.

Further, in the command conversion table TBL,
As shown in FIG. 4, the correspondence between the common code transmitted by the common network 6 and the command code transmitted by the dedicated network 4 is stored, and the data processing unit 54 changes one code to the other code. Can be converted to code.

According to the above configuration, when the data stream 61 of the common protocol is received via the common network 6, the data processing unit 54 sends the PLC data from the data body 63 to the PLC.
The common code 64 indicating the command to be transmitted to the No. 3 and the related information 65 are extracted. Furthermore, the data processing unit 54 refers to the command conversion table TBL and selects a command code that can be transmitted through the dedicated network 4 and that corresponds to the common code 64. Note that the expression method of the related information 65 is converted to the expression method transmitted by the dedicated network 4, if necessary. As a result, when the command to be transmitted to the PLC 3, the data content itself, the size and address of the data, etc. are determined, the data processing unit 54 can refer to the data transfer format FMT and generate a data string to be sent to the PLC 3. On the other hand, when the data string 41 is received from the PLC 3, the data processing unit 54 applies the data transfer format FMT to extract the command, the data content itself, the data size and the address, etc. indicated by the data string, and Is converted into the common protocol data string 61 in the reverse procedure.

The combination (protocol information) of the data transfer format FMT and the command conversion table TBL is set according to the communication protocol of the PLC 3 before the graphic operation panel 5 and the PLC 3 communicate data relating to control, and different communication protocols are set. When the PLC 3 adopting is connected, the protocol information is switched. For example, in FIG. 4, the PL of model A is
When changing from C3 to PLC3 of model B, the command conversion table TBLa to the command conversion table TBLb
Is switched to.

The method of selecting the communication protocol may be selected by the user by operating the control host computer 7 or the graphic operation panel 5, for example. further,
While the graphic operation panel 5 sequentially selects the communication protocol that can be sent by itself, the command that can specify the communication protocol of the PLC 3 is sent to the PLC 3, and the PLC 3
The communication protocol may be automatically determined by the response code from Also, the graphic operation panel 5
The above protocol information may be stored for all communication protocols adopted by the PLC 3 that can be connected to itself, or only the communication protocol of the PLC 3 currently connected may be stored, and if necessary. , May be downloaded by various methods, such as from the control host computer 7 or via a recording medium.

As described above, by generating the data string 41 to be transferred with the PLC 3 in real time during the operation of the control system 1, the graphic operation panel 5 can
P regardless of where the input data came from
The data can be transferred to the LC3, and even if the PLC3 is changed, it is possible to immediately respond without stopping the control system 1.

Here, the graphic operation panel 5 is an essential component of the control system 1, but in recent years, in order to display a high-resolution image, it has a storage capacity of, for example, several megabytes and is displayed. It has a sufficient calculation speed.
Therefore, the graphic operation panel 5 can perform the protocol conversion with a sufficient margin. Further, since the PLC 3 is not interposed between the graphic operation panel 5 and the control host computer 7, the PLC 3 can concentrate on controlling the target system 2. Therefore, the storage capacity and the processing capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where most of the communication is processed as in the conventional control system 501 shown in FIG. 7. An example of a process with a large communication amount is a process of downloading screen data from the control host computer 7 to the graphic operation panel 5 when converting a product manufactured by the target system 2.
However, in the control system 1 according to the present embodiment, since the screen data does not pass through the PLC 3, the PLC 3 has a small load and can continue to operate normally even when downloading the screen data.

Further, regardless of the model of the PLC 3, the graphic operation panel 5 and the control host computer 7 communicate with each other by a common protocol. Therefore, PLCs 3 of a plurality of models can be mixed in the same control system 1, and the range of model selection can be widened. Further, like the conventional control system 501 shown in FIG. 7, in order to mix PLCs 503a having different communication protocols, the control system 501 is divided into sub-networks having different communication protocols, and a converter 510 is provided between the sub-networks. Unlike the case of distribution, control system 1
The common network 6 has a common communication protocol. Therefore, for example, devices such as hubs, bridges, and routers connected to the common network 6 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 the converter 510 is unnecessary, the manufacturing cost of the entire control system 1 can be reduced.

On the other hand, the control host computer 7 connected to the graphic operation panel 5 via the common network 6 has a common network / IF unit 71 for communicating with the common network 6, as shown in FIG. User processing units 72a to 72c for displaying or controlling the state of the target system 2 on the control host computer 7.
And a setting unit 72d for setting the entire control system 1,
The common network / IF unit 71 is interposed between the various processing units 72 such as the user processing units 72a to 72c and the setting unit 72d and the common network / IF unit 71, and controls the common network / IF unit 71 in response to requests from the various processing units 72. And a server section 73. Further, in the server unit 73, in addition to the data processing unit 75 that controls the common network / IF unit 71 and periodically stores the data from each PLC 3 in the storage unit 74, the data processing unit 75 and the various types The DDE server unit 7 is provided so that the processing unit 72 can communicate with a plurality of types of procedures.
6, a function processing unit 77 and a function simple processing unit 78 are provided. The common network / IF unit 71 corresponds to the interface unit described in the claims,
The user processing sections 72b and 72c and the setting section 72d correspond to the host side display control means, and both function processing sections 77 and 78 correspond to the transmission control means.

The DDE server unit 76 has a dynamic data exchange (DDE: defined by the operating system).
Dynamic Data Exchange) server.
Therefore, if the various processing units 72 are user processing units 72a that can operate as DDE clients, the user processing units 72a and the DDE server unit 76 can exchange data without any trouble. Specifically, the user processing unit 72a
Is a PLC connected to a graphic operation panel 5.
When reading the data of the device 21 controlled by the device 3, the user processing unit 7 is operated in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1) shown in FIG. 5 before reading the data.
A DDE link is set between the 2a and the DDE server unit 76. In this case, the user processing unit 72a uses the graphic operation panel 5 and the device 21 according to the node name that specifies the graphic operation panel 5 and the symbol name that specifies the device 21, such as "node name! Symbol name". May be designated, or for example, the IP address assigned to the graphic operation panel 5 and the device address indicating the device 21 may be designated directly.
The correspondence between the IP address and the node name of each graphic operation panel 5 and the relationship between the symbol name of the device 21 and the device address are, for example, in advance when the PLC 3 or the graphic operation panel 5 is introduced into the control system 1. Since the settings have been made, the DDE server unit 76 refers to these settings when the link is set by the node name and the symbol name and refers to the I of the graphic operation panel 5 by referring to these settings.
The P address and the device address of the device 21 can be specified.

On the other hand, the data processing section 75 of the server section 73
When the link is constructed in S1 above, in S2,
Data of the device 21 is polled at predetermined time intervals and stored in the storage unit 74. Specifically, in the data processing unit 75, the data body 63 in the format defined by the above-mentioned common protocol, that is, the common code 64 shown in FIG. 3 is the command code indicating the data read, and the read start address 65a is the device. Data body 6 showing address
3 is generated, and the common network / IF unit 71 is instructed to send the data body 63 to the IP address of the graphic operation panel 5 designated in S1. Accordingly, the common network / IF unit 71
The header portion 62 is added to the received data body 63 to create the data string 61, and the data string 61 is sent to the common network 6.
On the other hand, each graphic operation panel 5 compares the transmission destination address of the header portion 62 with its own IP address and receives only the data string 61 addressed to its own device. Further, as described above, the graphic operation panel 5 converts the data string 61 into the data string 41 by the protocol conversion, and P
Communicate with LC3. As a result, the data of the device 21 is
It is acquired by the graphic operation panel 5 and transmitted to the control host computer 7 in the reverse order of the above. As a result, the data of the device 21 stored in the storage unit 74 is periodically updated. As described above, the protocol of the common network 6 is always constant regardless of the model of the PLC 3 connected to the graphic operation panel 5.
Therefore, the server unit 73 and the common network I
The F unit 71 can acquire the data of the device 21 by the same operation even if the model of the PLC 3 changes.

When the data processing unit 75 detects that the data of the device 21 has been changed (YES in S3), the DDE server unit 76 notifies the user processing unit 72a, which is a DDE client, of the change. Yes (S4). On the other hand, the user processing unit 72a responds to the change notification with the DD
A read request is sent to the E server unit 76 (S5). Further, when the user processing unit 72a issues a read request, the DDE server unit 76 returns the polled data of the device 21 from the storage unit 74 to the user processing unit 72a (S6). As a result, the user processing unit 72a
It is possible to acquire and display the current data of the device 21 to which the link is set, and to perform the processing based on the data.

When the DDE server unit 76 receives a write request from the user processing unit 72a which is a DDE client (YES in S7), the data processing unit 75 in S8 is substantially the same as S2. The write data received with the write request in the procedure of
Common network / IF unit 71, common network 6,
Writing to the PLC 3 via the graphic operation panel 5 and the dedicated network 4. Since the data is written, unlike the above S2, the common code 64 is
A command indicating writing is designated, and write data is designated as the related information 65. However, since the communication is performed by the common protocol, even if the model of the PLC 3 changes, the server unit 73 and the common network / IF unit 71 perform the same operation as in S2, and the data to the PLC 3 and the device 21 are transmitted. Can write.

As described above, the server unit 7 according to the present embodiment
Since 3 includes the DDE server unit 76, if the various processing units 72 can operate as a DDE client, the various processing units 72 conventionally used can be diverted without any trouble. When the control system 1 has been used for a long time, the various processing units 72 are often specialized for each control system 1, and it may take time and effort to create new various processing units 72. Many. Further, these various processing units 72 are formed so as to transmit data in a procedure defined by the operating system, such as DDE, in order to cooperate with other applications operating on the operating system of the control host computer 1. Often. Therefore, in many cases, the conventional various processing units 72 can be diverted without any trouble.

Since the DDE is defined by the operating system, a relatively large number of commercially available applications can operate as a DDE client. Therefore, even if the conventional processing units 72 are not used, the user processing unit 72a can be prepared relatively easily by using these applications.

Furthermore, as described above, the graphic operation panel 5 and the control host computer 7 communicate with each other by the common protocol regardless of the model of the PLC 3 connected to the graphic operation panel 5. Therefore, the PL connected to the graphic operation panel 5
Even when C3 is changed or a newly developed PLC3 is connected, the DDE server unit 76 does not need to change its operation. As a result, PL
Compared with the case where a different DDE server unit 76 is prepared for each C3, the labor for developing the program of the control host computer 7 can be greatly reduced, and a new PL for the control system 1
It is possible to reduce the trouble when joining C3.

By the way, the DDE is a procedure defined by the operating system in order to dynamically exchange data between various applications, and is not necessarily optimized for controlling the device 21. As a result, if the data exchange with the various processing units 72 is limited to DDE only, the processing speed may decrease or some processing may not be realized. Therefore, the server unit 73 according to the present embodiment
Is provided with a function processing unit 77 and a function simple processing unit 78 in order to exchange data with the various processing units 72 by a procedure other than DDE.

Of the various processing units 72, the function processing units 77 and 78 set the user processing units 72b and 72c, which perform higher-level processing than the user processing unit 72a, and the entire control system 1, for example. DDE such as the setting unit 72d
Is an interface between various processing units 72, which require processing that cannot be executed when data is exchanged with each other or processing that is insufficient in processing speed, and the data processing unit 75,
For example, in the case of Windows, which is an operating system of Microsoft Corporation, it can be realized as a DLL (dynamic link library). Of the two function processing units 77 and 78, the function processing unit 77 is the setting unit 72d.
All the functions that the data processing unit 75 may request from the various processing units 72, such as all settings performed by the device 21, data display and control from the device 21, the PLC 3, and the graphic operation panel 5, are called as callable functions. I have it. The above-mentioned settings are, for example, the settings for joining the graphic operation panel 5 to the common network 6 and the PL connected to the graphic operation panel 5.
The setting of C3 or the setting of the relationship between the device 21 and the device address is included. Accordingly, the various processing units 72 can control all the functions of the data processing unit 75 by calling each function of the function processing unit 77.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the user processing unit 72c or the setting unit 72d, in S11,
When a writing function or a reading function prepared in the function processing unit 77 is called, the function processing unit 77
In S12, the data processing unit 75 is controlled based on the argument given at the time of calling the function to process the function. Further, when the processing of the function is completed, the function processing unit 7
In S13, the 7 returns a predetermined return value such as the success or failure of the process or the read data to the caller of the function. The argument and the return value are set according to the processing contents of the function.

As an example, as in the case of the DDE, in the case of a function for reading data from the device 21, the IP address of the graphic operation panel 5, the device name of the device 21, etc. are given as arguments, and the success or failure of the read is determined. , Read data, etc. are returned as a return value. Unlike the case of DDE, this function is optimized for reading data from the device 21, so when reading data, the amount of data to be transmitted or processed between the various processing units 72 to the data processing unit 75 is determined. Can be reduced. Also, no link setting is required. Therefore, even when the same processing is performed, the processing speed can be improved as compared with the case of DDE.
Further, even if similar processings have different optimum processing procedures, a function corresponding to each processing is prepared so that the optimum processing procedure can be performed. Therefore, by selecting and using the most suitable function for each processing, the processing speed can be improved as compared with the case of using the function simple processing unit 78 described later. In addition, it is possible to realize processing that cannot be defined by DDE, such as various settings and transmission of data with designated timing.

On the other hand, of the functions prepared by the function processing unit 77, the function simple processing unit 78 can be used relatively easily.
Moreover, in the DDE, only functions that perform processing that cannot be processed at a sufficient speed are prepared. As a function satisfying this condition, the PLC 3 via the graphic operation panel 5 is used.
There are a function for reading out data and a function for writing out. Also, these functions do not return a return value until the write operation and the read operation are completed, and the various processing units 7
No control is returned to 2.

In this embodiment, the function simple processing unit 7
8 implements these functions by calling the functions of the function processing unit 77, but the function simple processing unit 78 may directly control the data processing unit 75. In any case, as in FIG. 6, the function simple processing unit 78 responds to the request from the user processing unit 72b shown in S11, controls the data processing unit 75 (S12), and outputs the result. A reply is sent to the user processing unit 72b (S13).

As described above, in the function simple processing unit 78, the number of prepared functions, the types of arguments, and the timing of returning control to the various processing units 72 that are calling sources are more restricted than those of the function processing unit 77. Has been done. Therefore, when only the function of the function simple processing unit 78 is used when manufacturing the user processing unit 72b, it is troublesome to select the optimum function from similar functions, and the setting of the argument for using the optimum function. It is possible to reduce the time and effort for initial setting or the time and effort for controlling the control timing. As a result, although the processing speed is faster than that of DDE, the user processing unit 72b can be relatively easily created.

Here, the control host computer 7 is
Since the communication is performed by the common protocol, even when the PLC 3 connected to the graphic operation panel 5 is changed or the newly developed PLC 3 is connected, the function processing unit 77 and the function simple processing unit 78 are connected. Does not need to change its behavior. As a result, as compared with the conventional case where the function processing unit 77 and the function simple processing unit 78 which are different for each PLC 3 are prepared, the labor for developing the program of the control host computer 7 can be greatly reduced, and the control system 1 It is possible to reduce the trouble when joining a new PLC 3 to the.

In addition, the server section 73 according to the present embodiment.
Is two function processing units 77 with different calling difficulty levels.
Equipped with 78. Therefore, the developer of the server unit 73 depends on the skill level of the developer of the various processing units 72 and the various processing units 7.
It is possible to recommend the use of the function processing unit 77 or the use of the function simple processing unit 78 in accordance with the function required for the second. As a result, although the complicated or high-speed processing can be performed as compared with the case where only the function simple processing unit 78 is provided, the error of the developer of the various processing units 72 is less than that when only the function processing unit 77 is provided. The malfunction of the control system 1 resulting from it can be prevented. In the present embodiment, the case where the function processing units have two difficulty levels has been described, but the same effect can be obtained even if a plurality of function processing units having different difficulty levels are provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the DDE server unit 76 which can be called by a procedure simpler than those of the both function processing units 77 and 78 is provided, and even if the various processing units 72 are not developed, it is possible to some extent. You can exchange data. Therefore, mistakes when developing the various processing units 72 can be further reduced, and malfunction of the control system 1 can be prevented.

In this embodiment, TCP / IP on Ethernet is adopted as the common network 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, IEEE13
Other networks, such as 94, may be used. The same effect can be obtained if the control host computer 7 is a network having a communication capacity sufficient for communicating with each PLC 3 via the graphic operation panel 5.

Further, in the present embodiment, the data string 61 transmitted through the common network 6 includes the data body 63 including the instruction content to the PLC 3 and the header portion 62 to which the PLC 3 is connected. It is not limited to this. For example, when only one graphic operation panel 5 is connected to the control host computer 7, or even when there are a plurality of graphic operation panels 5, the control host computer 7 communicates with each graphic operation panel 5. When the communication partner can be specified without including the header portion 62, such as when each port is provided individually, the same effect can be obtained even if the data string 61 does not include the header portion 62. In this case, as the common network 6, a transmission protocol such as RS-232C that does not need to include a header part is adopted.

However, in this case, the graphic operation panel 5 connectable to the control host computer 7 is limited by the number of ports of the control host computer 7 and the like. Therefore, when the network configuration of the common network 6 needs a degree of freedom, as in the present embodiment,
It is preferable to identify the communication partner by the header portion 62 included in the data string 61.

[0069]

As described above, the control host computer according to the first aspect of the present invention uses the common network to store the data string including the instruction content to the control device connected to the display control device via the dedicated network. Via an interface unit for sending to the display control device to which the control device is connected, and the communication protocol of the common network is
It is a communication protocol common to the communication protocols that can be transmitted by the dedicated network, the data string includes a common code indicating the content of the command, and the common code is a mutual code.
Of the commands that can be understood by the respective control devices adopting different dedicated protocols, commands having the same contents are unified regardless of the command code in the dedicated network.

According to the above configuration, the interface unit of the control host computer notifies the display control device of the instruction content to the control device via the common network, and the display control which is an essential component of the control system. The device converts the communication protocol and transfers it to the control device. Therefore, the interface unit of the control system can always communicate with the common network using the same communication protocol regardless of the communication protocol of the control device. Therefore,
It is possible to easily mix control devices with different communication protocols in the control system, and reduce the time and effort required when the control devices are added to the control system. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the time and effort required to maintain and manage the entire control system.

As described above, the control host computer according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, changes the state of the control target in the interface section and the control host computer. Data for controlling or displaying the state of the controlled object, which is interposed between the host side display control means for controlling or displaying and controls the interface section based on the request from the host side display control means. This is a configuration including a transmission control means for transmitting and receiving.

According to the above construction, the transmission control means can control the interface section in response to the request from the host side display control means, so that the processing of the transmission control means can be optimized according to the control system. As a result, it is possible to realize a faster and more sophisticated control host computer.

As described above, in the control host computer according to the invention of claim 3, in the configuration of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the interface section is connected to the data string and the control device. The header section for specifying the display control device is sent to the display control device to which the control device is connected via the common network. Therefore, there is an effect that it can be preferably used when the network configuration of the common network requires flexibility.

A control host controller according to the invention of claim 4
As described above, the computer is described in claim 1, 2 or 3.
In the configuration of the invention described above, the common code is
Data within the relevant information, including relevant information accompanying the
The transmission order and expression method when transmitting are
It is standardized regardless of the communication protocol in the work.
The above interface part is
Therefore, send the converted data string to the control device.
It is configured to send the data string to the display control device that receives the data.
is there. This allows the common protocol, display controller
Should be run regardless of the controller connected to the
The effect is that the instruction can be uniquely specified.

As described above, the recording medium according to the fifth aspect of the present invention stores the program for operating the computer as the interface section of the first aspect. Therefore, when the program is executed by the computer, the computer can operate as a control host computer similar to the control host computer according to claim 1. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a control host computer capable of significantly reducing the time and effort for management and maintenance of the entire control system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of an entire control system in which a graphic operation panel is arranged at the center of communication.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication protocol of a dedicated network and a data transfer format referred to when the graphic operation panel 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 graphic operation panel converts a communication protocol.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when various processing units exchange data via a DDE server in the control host computer of the control system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when various processing units exchange data via a function processing unit in the control host computer of the control system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional example and showing a main part configuration of an entire control system in which a programmable logic controller is arranged at the center of communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Control System 3 Programmable Logic Controller (Control Device) 4 Dedicated Network 5 Graphic Operation Panel (Display Control Device) 6 Common Network 7 Control Host Computer 61 Data Sequence 71 Common Network Interface (Interface) 72b / 72c User Processing unit (host side display control unit) 72d Setting unit (host side display control unit) 77/78 Function processing unit (transmission control unit)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-265952 (JP, A) JP-A-10-254513 (JP, A) JP-A-7-297878 (JP, A) JP-A-3- 22159 (JP, A) JP 62-186634 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 29/06 H04L 12/28 G06F 13/00 G06F 15/00 G05B 15/02 G05B 19/05 G05B 23/02 301

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A control device for controlling an object to be controlled, the control device communicating with the control device through a dedicated network to display or control the control status of the control device, and a common network different from the dedicated network and the dedicated network. Used in a control system including a display control device for converting the communication protocol from one to the other when the communication protocol with the network is different, and a control host computer connected to the display control device via the common network. In the control host computer, the communication protocol of the common network is a communication protocol common to the communication protocols that can be transmitted by the dedicated network, and the control host computer is defined by the common communication protocol. Data string of different format, and to the above control device The data string including the instruction content of is sent to the display control device to which the control device is connected via the common network, and the data string includes a common code indicating the content of the command. The common code includes different dedicated protocols.
Of the commands that can be understood by each of the above control devices,
A control host computer characterized in that commands having the same content are unified regardless of the command code in the dedicated network. 2. An interface between the interface section and a host side display control means for controlling or displaying the state of the controlled object by the control host computer, and based on a request from the host side display control means. 2. The control host computer according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission control unit that controls the interface unit to transmit and receive data for controlling or displaying the state of the control target. 3. The interface unit, via the common network, the data string and a header unit for specifying a display control device to which the control device is connected,
3. The control host computer according to claim 1, wherein the control host computer sends the data to a display control device to which the control device is connected. 4. The data string is attached to a common code.
The order in which the related information is transmitted and the data in the related information is transmitted
No., how to express when transmitting
Regardless of the signal protocol are unified, the interface unit, depending on the conversion above protocol
Send the converted data string to the controller.
The data sequence is transmitted to a display control device that
The control host computer according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
Computer. 5. A control device for controlling a controlled object and a dedicated network.
The control status of the control device connected via the network
In addition to displaying or controlling, what is the dedicated network?
Communication between another common network and the dedicated network
If the protocols are different, communication protocol from one to the other
Of a control system including a display controller for converting
As a host computer for
A computer that can be connected to the above display control device via
It is a recording medium on which a program for
Te, the communication protocol of the common network, the dedicated Ne
Common communication protocols that can be transmitted by network
It is a protocol and is defined by the above common communication protocol.
Data string of different format, and within the instruction to the above control device
The data string containing the content is sent via the common network.
In which data is sent to the display control device to which the control device is connected.
Operates the computer as a interface
Program is recorded, and the data string contains a common code indicating the content of the command.
However, the common code uses different dedicated protocols.
Of the commands that can be understood by each of the above control devices,
Between the commands with the same contents, the dedicated network
That they are unified regardless of the command code
Characteristic recording medium.