Hardware Configuration Modification System for Smart Factory Using QR Code

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for changing hardware settings of a smart factory using a QR code, and may include: a QR code storing hardware setting information; a scanner that scans the QR code to read the setting information; and an edge server that receives the setting information from the scanner and transmits a command to change the hardware according to the setting information.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for changing hardware settings of a smart factory using a QR code. Background Technology

[0002] A smart factory is an intelligent production plant that improves productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction by applying Information and Communication Technology (ICT) combined with digital automation solutions to production processes such as design, development, manufacturing, and distribution. It is a factory of the future that installs the Internet of Things (IoT) on equipment and machinery to collect process data in real time, analyze it, and enable autonomous control.

[0003] Entering the 21st century, the number of skilled workers gradually decreased due to population aging, and product life cycles shortened drastically as trends changed rapidly. Furthermore, as consumer needs became more diverse and demanded personalized production, and as the economic structure shifted from manufacturing to a service-oriented model including information technology (IT), traditional manufacturing suffered a major blow, necessitating innovation. This led to the emergence of 'smart factories'.

[0004] Until now, process automation technology was limited to automating individual processes, making it difficult to manage the entire process organically. However, thanks to ICT technology, smart factories connect all equipment and devices via wireless communication, enabling the free linkage of data between upstream and downstream processes and thereby making it possible to achieve a more organic and integrated optimal production environment.

[0005] Beyond management, the implementation of smart factories offers high cost efficiency; it eliminates the need to rely on expensive labor and frees companies from the inventory uncertainty associated with mass production. Furthermore, automation adds flexibility to production lines, enabling the immediate production of personalized goods at reasonable prices.

[0006] These smart factories install the Internet of Things (IoT) on equipment and machinery within the factory to collect process data in real time and analyze it to efficiently operate the entire factory.

[0007] IoT (Internet of Things) is a system that is connected to the Internet and can share data with other objects such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), sensors, IoT applications or network-connected devices inside a factory, or industrial equipment.

[0008] Internet-connected devices use built-in sensors to collect data and, in some cases, respond accordingly, and IoT-connected devices and machines are being utilized effectively to improve work and lifestyles.

[0009] It is being applied in various fields of smart factories to automatically resolve problems and prevent breakdowns by identifying the cause and solution to problems through monitoring of IoT devices, including various sensors, actuators, and control and motion devices.

[0010] IoT devices can communicate with a server or between sensors using pre-configured communication methods. However, there is the inconvenience of having to individually modify IoT devices and sensors when ports or other components change. The problem to be solved

[0011] The present invention was devised to improve upon the aforementioned problems, and provides a hardware setting change system for a smart factory using a QR code that allows for easy change of communication settings between devices.

[0012] The scope of the present invention is not limited by this. means of solving the problem

[0013] One aspect of the present invention may include: a QR code storing hardware configuration information; a scanner that scans the QR code to read the configuration information; and an edge server that receives the configuration information from the scanner and transmits a command to change the hardware according to the configuration information.

[0014] The above QR code can store configuration information regarding the communication settings of the above hardware.

[0015] The above QR code may include the ID of the edge server, the communication port ID of the hardware, and communication settings.

[0016] The above QR code may further include data related to the operation of the above hardware.

[0017] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the following specific details, claims, and drawings for implementing the invention. Effects of the invention

[0018] A hardware setting change system for a smart factory using a QR code according to one embodiment of the present invention allows for easy hardware setting changes at the work site by scanning a QR code. As a result, work efficiency can be increased and the possibility of errors can be reduced.

[0019] Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these effects. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a system for changing hardware settings of a smart factory using a QR code. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As various embodiments of the present disclosure may be subject to various modifications and may have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present disclosure to specific forms, and it should be understood that they include all modifications and / or equivalents and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In relation to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals have been used for similar components.

[0022] Expressions such as “comprising” or “may compose,” which may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure, indicate the presence of the disclosed corresponding function, operation, or component, and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, expressions such as “or” include any and all combinations of the words listed together. For example, “A or B” may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0024] Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure may modify various components of the various embodiments, but do not limit such components. For example, such expressions do not limit the order and / or importance of such components. Such expressions may be used to distinguish one component from another. For example, the first user device and the second user device are both user devices and represent different user devices. For example, without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0025] When it is stated that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but that a new component may exist between the component and the other component. On the other hand, when it is stated that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that no new component exists between the component and the other component.

[0026] The terms used in the various embodiments of this disclosure are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the various embodiments of this disclosure. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the various embodiments of this disclosure pertain.

[0028] Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a system for changing hardware settings of a smart factory using a QR code according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system according to the present embodiment is applied to a smart factory. In addition, the system according to the present embodiment may refer to a set of components.

[0031] The hardware may include measuring instruments, sensors, actuators, and machine tools. In particular, the hardware can communicate with the edge server described below and can change communication settings, work settings, etc. by receiving the setting information described below. For example, the hardware may include a P / C, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), DCS (Distributed Control System), node, sensor, etc. that integrates or controls data collected by measuring instruments, sensors, actuators, etc.

[0032] This hardware includes communication ports for communication with edge servers, and each communication port has an ID for identification.

[0033] The hardware configuration change system includes a QR code, a scanner, and an edge server, and may include additional hardware as described above. Unless otherwise noted, each component of such a system is connected to a network via wireless or wired communication.

[0034] Wireless communication may include cellular communication using at least one of, for example, LTE, LTE-A (LTE Advance), CDMA (code division multiple access), WCDMA (wideband CDMA), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), or GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications).

[0035] According to one embodiment, wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, WiFi (wireless fidelity), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, NFC (near field communication), Magnetic Secure Transmission, Radio Frequency (RF), or Body Area Network (BAN).

[0036] According to one embodiment, wireless communication may include GNSS. The GNSS may be, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System), Beidou Navigation Satellite System (hereinafter "Beidou") or Galileo, the European global satellite-based navigation system.

[0037] Hereinafter, in this document, "GPS" may be used interchangeably with "GNSS". Wired communication may include at least one of, for example, USB (universal serial bus), HDMI (high definition multimedia interface), RS-232 (recommended standard 232), power line communication, or POTS (plain old telephone service). Network may include at least one of a telecommunication network, for example, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN), the Internet, or a telephone network.

[0038] QR codes can store hardware configuration information. A QR (Quick Response) code is a pattern containing information, a square two-dimensional barcode that represents information as a black and white grid pattern. It can store various types of information such as photos, videos, maps, and business cards, and features three location recognition symbols, enabling high-speed recognition.

[0039] Such QR codes store configuration information of the hardware. Here, the configuration information may be communication configuration information. More specifically, the QR code includes the ID of the edge server, the ID of the hardware's communication port, and communication settings. For example, the QR code includes communication settings of type {} * JSON, and the communication settings may include at least one of RS-232 / 232C, RS-422 / 485, TCP / IP: ip, port.

[0040] Additionally, QR codes can include further data settings. QR codes contain communication settings of the {} * JSON type and can include data names and data values. Here, the data may be related to the operation of the hardware. For example, if the hardware is a pump, it may be the pump's ON / OFF times, operating conditions, etc. Or, if the hardware is a machine tool, it may be the operating time, operating conditions, or work details.

[0041] These QR codes can be attached to hardware. Alternatively, the QR codes may be provided to the user's terminal (e.g., smartphone, personal computer for work).

[0042] The scanner can read configuration information by scanning a QR code. More specifically, the scanner uses a camera module to capture the QR code and decodes it to obtain configuration information. Then, the scanner transmits the obtained configuration information to an edge server.

[0043] These scanners can be selected from a variety of scanners, such as PDAs, wired / wireless scanners, and scanners connected to personal computers.

[0044] An edge server receives configuration information from a scanner and can transmit commands to change the hardware according to the configuration information. Such edge servers are deployed in a location physically close to the user or the hardware. Since edge servers are a known technology, a detailed description is omitted.

[0045] The edge server includes an identification code (hereinafter, ID) for identification and determines whether the ID of the edge server included in the received configuration information matches the ID it possesses. That is, the edge server determines whether the IDs match, and if they match, it generates and transmits a command to the hardware according to the configuration information. If they do not match, it ignores the configuration information.

[0046] And the edge server transmits configuration information to the hardware when the network load (traffic) is 10% or less. Of course, this is not limited to this, and it can also be transmitted in real time.

[0047] The hardware receives commands containing configuration information from the edge server and can change the settings according to the commands. In other words, the hardware can be updated. In particular, the hardware can change communication settings according to the commands. Of course, the hardware can also change operation settings according to the commands. In this case, the hardware may reboot before, after, or before and after the update as needed.

[0048] Through this, the hardware setting change system of a smart factory using a QR code according to the present embodiment can conveniently change hardware settings.

[0049] As such, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A smart factory hardware setting change system using a QR code, comprising: a QR code storing hardware setting information; a scanner that scans the QR code to read the setting information; and an edge server that receives the setting information from the scanner and transmits a command to change the hardware according to the setting information. Claim 2 In claim 1, the smart factory hardware setting change system using a QR code, wherein the QR code stores setting information for the communication settings of the hardware. Claim 3 In claim 2, the smart factory hardware setting change system using a QR code, wherein the QR code includes the ID of the edge server, the communication port ID of the hardware, and communication settings. Claim 4 A smart factory hardware setting change system using a QR code, wherein the QR code further includes data related to the operation of the hardware in claim 2.

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