Method for replacing a storage device in a human-machine interface system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for replacing a storage device in a human machine interface system, comprising the steps of recording data to a first storage device connected to an HMI (human machine interface) device, receiving a selection signal for a second storage device during the data recording, aborting the recording of data to the first storage device based on the selection signal, and re-executing the recording of data to the second storage device. The method can also be applied to other embodiments.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of replacing a storage device in a human-machine interface system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, as the field of use of automation equipment becomes diversified and the required functions become increasingly complex, the demand for user interface devices for effectively controlling and monitoring automation equipment by an operator has also increased. A user interface device for controlling and monitoring such automation equipment is referred to as an HMI (human machine interface).

[0003] A general HMI system performs a function of visually displaying data of an industrial controller such as a PLC (programmable logic controller), an inverter, a robot, etc. to a user and a function of controlling the industrial controller according to a control command input by the user. In particular, in the case where a preset event occurs in the industrial controller, the HMI system performs a function of reading data related to the event from the industrial controller and recording it to a storage device within the HMI system. At this time, the preset event can include arrival of a time desired by the user, a case where data of the industrial controller satisfies a certain condition, a case where data of the industrial controller returns to a specified condition after exceeding the specified condition, etc.

[0004] However, as the demand for use of data recorded in the storage device has recently increased, the case where the HMI system connects at least one external storage device and stores data to the external storage device and uses the data stored in the external storage device has gradually increased. In particular, in the case of replacing the external storage device for storing data, a problem of data damage or omission of data recording during replacement of the external storage device occurs. SUMMARY

[0005] Problems to be Solved

[0006] To solve such a problem of the prior art, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method of replacing a storage device in a human-machine interface system, which can store data to a second storage device without data damage and omission of data recording even if a storage location of data is changed to the second storage device during storage of the data to a first storage device connected to an HMI device, since the second storage device is newly connected.

[0007] Technical Solution to the Problem

[0008] The storage device replacement method of the embodiment of the present application is characterized by including a step of recording data to a first storage device connected to an HMI (human machine interface) device, a step of receiving a selection signal regarding a second storage device during the recording of the data, a step of suspending the recording of the data to the first storage device based on the selection signal, and a step of re-executing the recording of the data to the second storage device.

[0009] Further, the step of receiving the selection signal includes a step of confirming the connection of the second storage device during the recording of the data to the first storage device, a step of displaying a selection window of a storage device when the connection of the second storage device is confirmed, and a step of receiving the selection signal regarding the second storage device from the selection window.

[0010] Further, the step of suspending the recording of the data is followed by a step of changing the storage device for recording the data to the second storage device.

[0011] Further, the method further includes, before the step of recording data to the first storage device, a step of generating data regarding at least one event as at least one work object.

[0012] Further, the step of recording data to the first storage device is a step of receiving the at least one work object and storing it to the first storage device.

[0013] Further, the step of changing the storage device for recording the data to the second storage device includes a step of changing the storage device for the work object regarding the event being stored to the first storage device to the second storage device, and a step of changing the storage device for the work object regarding the event occurring after the completion of the storage to the first storage device to the second storage device.

[0014] Further, the method further includes, after the step of re-executing the recording of the data, a step of confirming a point in time at which the first storage device can be removed if the storage of the work object to the first storage device is completed, and a step of sensing the removal of the first storage device.

[0015] Technical Effects

[0016] As described above, in the storage device replacement method of the human machine interface system of the present application, since the second storage device is newly connected, even if the storage location of the data is changed to the second storage device during the storage of the data to the first storage device already connected to the HMI device, the data can be stored to the second storage device without the occurrence of the damage of the data and the omission of the data recording. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the process of recording data to an external storage device connected to an existing HMI device.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a storage device replacement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an HMI device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for replacing a storage device in an HMI device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the process of recording data to an external storage device connected to an HMI device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a screen example diagram showing the selection window for selecting an external storage device connected to the HMI device when recording data in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings disclosed below are intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to suggest the only embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented. For clarity of illustration in the drawings, parts unrelated to the description may be omitted, and the same or similar structural elements may be referred to using the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, expressions such as "or" and "at least one" can refer to one of the words listed together, or a combination of two or more. For example, "A or B" or "at least one of A and B" can include only one of A or B, or it can include both A and B.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the process of recording data to an external storage device connected to an existing HMI device.

[0026] Reference Figure 1In general, the HMI (human machine interface) device 100 connected to a PLC (programmable logic controller) system (not shown) records data related to an event occurring at the time of a preset event to a corresponding file and stores the file to a storage device A. At this time, the preset event can include arrival of a time desired by a user (e.g., an alarm), a condition record on data by different times (e.g., logging), etc.

[0027] More specifically, the HMI device 100 generates a file to record data related to a corresponding event occurring at an event, or calls a generated file and records data related to the event in the corresponding file. At this time, the file for recording data itself can be stored to the storage device A connected to the HMI device 100. However, in order to generate the file and record data to the file, an operating system confirms a path of the file and data to be recorded to the file through a file write system call and controls the storage device A through a block memory device driver to store the file in which data is recorded to the storage device A. At this time, the operating system can be HMI software. Further, the HMI device 100 can record data related to a first event to a first file, record data related to a second event to a second file, and store to the storage device A.

[0028] As described above, in general, the storage device A to store a file in which data is recorded is determined before the HMI device 100 is driven. Further, if there is no extra space in the storage device A or it is desired to confirm data stored in the storage device A, the storage device is replaced from the storage device A to the storage device B, and then a problem that files stored in the storage device A are logically or physically damaged during removal of the storage device A occurs. In order to prevent damage of such files, storage of data related to an event can be aborted and re-executed after replacement to the storage device B, and in such a case, a problem that data is missed during replacement from the storage device A to the storage device B occurs.

[0029] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a storage device replacement system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Referring to Figure 2 , the replacement system 200 according to an embodiment of the present application includes an HMI device 300, a first storage device 410, and a second storage device 420.

[0031] The HMI device 300 performs functions such as visually displaying data of devices included in the PLC system (not shown) to the user, and controlling the functions of corresponding devices according to control commands input by the user. Additionally, the HMI device 300 stores data about events occurring in the PLC system in a first storage device 410, and stores data in a second storage device 420 if a signal for changing the storage device is received. (See below for reference.) Figure 3 The HMI device 300 of the present invention will be described in more detail below. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an HMI device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 The HMI device 300 of the present invention includes: a communication unit 310, an input unit 320, a display unit 330, a memory 340, a first storage device 410, a second storage device 420, and a control unit 350.

[0033] The communication unit 310 communicates with the CPU module (not shown) included in the PLC system (not shown). For this purpose, the communication unit 310 can perform serial communication such as RS-232 and RS-485. Furthermore, the communication unit 310 can not only perform serial communication but also various Ethernet communication methods. Additionally, the communication unit 310 can communicate with the first storage device 410 and the second storage device 420 connected to the HMI device 300. For this purpose, the communication unit 310 can perform USB (universal serial bus) communication.

[0034] The input unit 320 generates input data in correspondence with the user input of the HMI device 300. The input unit 320 includes at least one input device. For this purpose, the input unit 320 may include a keyboard, mouse, keypad, dome switch, touch panel, touch keys, and buttons, etc.

[0035] The display unit 330 outputs output data corresponding to the operation of the HMI device 300. More specifically, the display unit 330 displays a selection window regarding the storage device connected to the HMI device 300. For this purpose, the display unit 330 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display, and an electronic paper display. The display unit 330 can be combined with the input unit 320 to realize a touch screen.

[0036] The memory 340 stores a program of actions of the HMI device 300. In particular, the memory 340 stores HMI software for actions of the HMI device 300.

[0037] If a preset event occurs in the PLC system, the control section 350 records data related to the occurred event in the first storage device 410 which is preset to store the data. At this time, the event can include arrival of a time desired by a user (e.g., an alarm), a condition record on data by different times (e.g., a log record), etc. More specifically, the control section 350 generates a file in which the data is recorded as one work object, and provides the generated work object to the queue processing section 351. At this time, the queue processing section 351 is generated by the HMI software stored in the memory 340, and the action of the control section 350 explained in the embodiment of the present application can be an action performed by the HMI software.

[0038] The control section 350 sequentially provides the generated work object to the queue processing section 351, and the queue processing section 351 stores the work object to the first storage device 410 by a file write system call. If connection to the second storage device 420 is confirmed during storage of the work object in the first storage device 410, the control section 350 displays a selection window on the display section 330. At this time, the selection window can be a selection window for a user to select one of the first storage device 410 and the second storage device 420. If a selection signal on the second storage device 420 is received through the input section 320 after the selection window is displayed, the control section 350 stops storage of the work object to the first storage device 410, and changes a storage location of the work object from the first storage device 410 to the second storage device 420.

[0039] More specifically, the control section 350 notifies the queue processing section 351 of the selection signal received from the input section 320. If storage of the work object currently being stored in the first storage device 410 is completed, the queue processing section 351 temporarily stops storage of the work object according to the selection signal. The queue processing section 351 changes the storage device for storing the data from the first storage device 410 to the second storage device 420 by performing a file write system call. If the change of the storage device to the second storage device 420 is completed, the queue processing section 351 stores to the second storage device 420 from the work object on an event which occurs after the event related to the work object stored in the first storage device 410.

[0040] If the removal of the first storage device 410 is sensed, the control section 350 can confirm the removal of the first storage device 410 and display a corresponding message to the display section 330. Further, the queue processing section 351 can confirm the time point at which the storage of the work object stored in the first storage device 410 is completed as the time point at which the first storage device 410 can be removed.

[0041] The first storage device 410, which is a storage device connected externally to the HMI device 300, can be a USB storage. For this reason, the first storage device 410 can perform USB cable communication with the communication section 310. The first storage device 410 stores data on events that occur in the PLC system connected to the HMI device 300. For this reason, the first storage device 410 can be set as a basic storage device for data storage.

[0042] The second storage device 420, which is a storage device connected externally to the HMI device 300, can be a USB storage. For this reason, the second storage device 420 can perform USB cable communication with the communication section 310. The second storage device 420 can store data after being set by the control section 350 to store data on events that occur in the PLC system. Further, in the embodiment of the present application, an example in which the first storage device 410 and the second storage device 420 are connected to the HMI device 300 is described, but the present application is not limited thereto. That is, the storage devices connected to the HMI device 300 can be two or more.

[0043] Figure 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method of replacing a storage device in the HMI device according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4 In step 401, the control section 350 confirms whether an event occurs in the PLC system. As a result of the confirmation in step 401, if an event occurs in the PLC system, the control section 350 proceeds to step 403, and if no event occurs, the control section 350 continues to confirm whether an event occurs. At this time, the event can include the arrival of a time desired by a user (e.g., an alarm), a condition record on data by different times (e.g., a log record), etc.

[0045] In step 403, the control section 350 records data related to the occurred event in the first storage device 410, which is preset to store data. More specifically, the control section 350 generates a file to record data on the occurred event, or calls a generated file to record data related to the event to the corresponding file. For this reason, the control section 350 generates a file in which data is recorded as one work object, and provides the generated work object to the queue processing section 351.

[0046] The control section 350 sequentially provides the generated work objects to the queue processing section 351. The queue processing section 351 sequentially calls the work objects to store the work objects to the first storage device 410 through a file write system call. The details will be described below with reference to Figure 5 The details will be described below with reference to Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a process of recording data to an external storage device connected to the HMI device of the embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Referring to Figure 5 , if a predetermined log recording event occurs, the control section 350 of the HMI device 300 connected to a PLC system (not shown) records data related to the log recording event to a file, and generates the file in which the data is recorded as a first work object 351a and provides the first work object 351a to the queue processing section 351. In addition, if a predetermined alarm event occurs, the control section 350 records data related to the alarm event to a file, and generates the file in which the data is recorded as a second work object 351b and provides the second work object 351b to the queue processing section 351. The queue processing section 351 sequentially stores the work objects 351a, 351b to the first storage device 410 through a file write system call.

[0048] As shown in step 403, after the storage of the first work object 351a to the first storage device 410 is completed and during the storage of the second work object 351b, the control section 350 confirms whether the second storage device 420 is connected in step 405. As a result of the confirmation in step 405, if the second storage device 420 is connected, the control section 350 can perform step 407, and if the connection of the second storage device 420 is not confirmed, the control section 350 can return to step 403 and re-perform step 403.

[0049] In step 407, the control section 350 displays a selection window on the display section 330. At this time, the selection window can be a selection window for a user to select one of the first storage device 410 and the second storage device 420. In step 409, if a selection signal regarding the second storage device 420 is received through the input section 320 after the selection window is displayed, the control section 350 performs step 411, and if the selection signal regarding the second storage device 420 is not received, the control section 350 returns to step 403. The details will be described below with reference to Figure 6 The details will be described below with reference to Figure 6 is a screen example diagram showing a selection window for selecting an external storage device connected to the HMI device when data is recorded in the embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Referring to Figure 6If the connection to the second storage device 420 is confirmed, the control section 350 displays the selection window 610 on the display section 330. The selection window 610 includes a list screen 611 in which the directory of the storage device connected to the HMI device 300 can be confirmed, and a plurality of buttons 612 for inputting a signal. At this time, the list screen 611 includes a first area 611a in which information about the first storage device 410 is displayed, and a second area 611b in which information about the second storage device 420 is displayed, and the plurality of buttons 612 can include an UP / DOWN button for changing the order of the storage devices displayed on the list screen 611, and a Select button 612a / Cancel button for selecting and canceling the storage device.

[0051] In a state in which the selection window 610 as shown in Figure 6 is displayed on the display section 330, if a selection signal with respect to the second area 611b and a selection signal with respect to the Select button 612a are received from the input section 320, the control section 350 performs step 411. In step 411, the control section 350 suspends the storage of the work object to the first storage device 410, and in step 413, the control section 350 changes the storage location of the work object from the first storage device 410 to the second storage device 420. In step 415, the control section 350 re-executes the storage of the work object to the second storage device 420.

[0052] More specifically, the control section 350 notifies the queue processing section 351 of the selection signal received from the input section 320. For example, if the selection signal is received during the storage of the second work object 351b to the first storage device 410, the queue processing section 351 confirms that the storage of the second work object 351b to the first storage device 410 is completed. If the completion of the storage of the second work object 351b is confirmed, the queue processing section 351 temporarily suspends the storage of the work object according to the selection signal received from the control section 350. Further, the queue processing section 351 changes the storage device from the first storage device 410 to the second storage device 420 by executing a file write system call. If the change of the storage device to the second storage device 420 is completed, the queue processing section 351 stores the work object from the work object with respect to the event occurring after the event related to the second work object 351b to the second storage device 420.

[0053] Next, in step 417, if the removal of the first storage device 410 is sensed, the control section 350 can execute step 419, and if the removal of the first storage device 410 is not sensed, the control section 350 can end the corresponding process. In step 419, the control section 350 can confirm the removal of the first storage device 410 is completed and display the corresponding message to the display section 330. Further, the queue processing section 351 can confirm the time point at which the storage of the work object stored in the first storage device 410 is completed as the time point at which the first storage device 410 can be removed. For example, the time point at which the storage of the work object stored in the first storage device 410 is completed can be the time point at which the storage of the second work object 351b is completed.

[0054] As described above, the present application can solve the problems of file damage, data omission, and the like that can occur when the storage device is replaced.

[0055] The embodiments of the present application disclosed in the present specification and drawings are merely specific examples presented for facilitating the understanding of the technical contents of the present application and facilitating the understanding of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Therefore, the scope of the present application should be interpreted as including all modified or altered forms based on the technical idea of the present application in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A replacement method of a storage device, a method of replacing a data recording object from a first storage device connectable to an HMI device to a second storage device connectable to the HMI device as an HMI device, characterized by comprising: a step of generating a work object in which data corresponding to a predetermined event is recorded, respectively, in a case where the event occurs; a step of sequentially supplying the work objects to a queue processing section; a step of the queue processing section requesting to sequentially store the work objects to the first storage device; a step of recording data corresponding to the event to the first storage device; a step of receiving a selection signal with respect to the second storage device during a period of recording the data; a step of completing storage of a first work object stored in the first storage device in a case where the selection signal is received; a step of suspending recording of data to the first storage device based on the selection signal; and a step of the queue processing section requesting to store a second work object to be processed after the first work object to the second storage device.

2. The replacement method of a storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of receiving the selection signal includes: a step of confirming connection of the second storage device during recording of the data to the first storage device; a step of displaying a selection window of a storage device at the time of confirming the connection of the second storage device; and a step of receiving a selection signal with respect to the second storage device from the selection window.

3. The replacement method of a storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, after the step of suspending recording of the data, further comprising a step of changing a storage device for recording the data to the second storage device.

4. The replacement method of a storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that further comprising: a step of confirming a time point at which the first storage device can be removed if storage of the first work object to the first storage device is completed; and a step of sensing removal of the first storage device. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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