Information processing device, data processing method and recording medium

Abstract

An information processing device (10) is connected to a facility where an instrument is controlled via a network (20). The information processing device (10) comprises: an infrastructure unit (11) which receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network (20) and provides the data; a plurality of individual application units (12) which output results obtained by performing different processes on the data provided by the infrastructure unit (11) to the network (20); and an integrated application unit (13) which selects two or more individual application units (12) from the plurality of individual application units (12) according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the results of the processes respectively implemented by the selected individual application units (12) to the network (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a data processing method and a recording medium. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, cloud infrastructure represented by IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and PaaS (Platform as a Service) has been provided by many cloud vendors. Enterprise users can provide independent cloud services to customers by building independent systems on such cloud infrastructure provided by cloud vendors. The use of such cloud services is also attracting attention in the field of FA (Factory Automation).

[0003] When constructing a system for providing the above-mentioned cloud services, various applications may be installed on the cloud infrastructure in response to various needs from customers (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technology for applying a new update to an application environment when a new update is released by accessing a central server regarding an application stack in a cloud environment.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-534587 Summary of the invention

[0005] In FA sites, various processes, such as production lines, are generally implemented by controlling equipment. By executing applications that utilize information related to the control of such equipment on a cloud infrastructure, it is possible to provide various useful cloud services to customers at the site.

[0006] However, applications on the cloud infrastructure are developed by user companies that are different from the cloud vendors that provide the cloud infrastructure. Therefore, most of them need to comply with the API (Application Programming Interface) of the cloud infrastructure, which increases the number of development steps. In addition, as a result of developing various applications in response to customer needs, their processing content is sometimes repeated. In this case, the application development work becomes redundant. In addition, it is also conceivable to aggregate multiple applications with repeated processing content and develop a single application that saves cloud resources, but the development work of such applications is complicated. Therefore, there is room for reducing the burden of application development work executed in the cloud environment for on-site use of FA.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the burden of development work of an application program executed in a cloud environment for use on-site in FA.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information processing device of the present invention is connected to a facility where an instrument is controlled via a network, and the information processing device comprises: a providing unit that receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network and provides the data; a plurality of individual processing units that output results obtained by performing different processing on the data provided by the providing unit to the network; and

[0009] The integration processing unit selects two or more individual processing units from a plurality of individual processing units according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the processing results respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to a network.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the integrated processing unit outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the results of processing respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network. Here, it is assumed that both the application for implementing the integrated processing unit and the application for implementing the individual processing unit are developed by enterprise users, so the development of the integrated processing unit can be promoted regardless of the API of the cloud infrastructure. In addition, the integrated processing unit reuses the results of processing performed by the individual processing units, so as a result, it is possible to save resources for developing the individual processing units and the integrated processing units. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of the development work of the application executed in the cloud environment for on-site use of the FA. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the information processing device and facilities involved in the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the information processing device involved in Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining condition information and determination information according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of management information according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the data processing involved in Implementation Example 1.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the connection processing involved in Implementation Example 1.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining condition information and determination information involved in Implementation Example 2.

[0020] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the first connection process involved in Implementation Example 2.

[0021] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the second connection processing involved in Implementation Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Below, while referring to the attached Figure 1 The information processing device involved in the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail. The information processing device is a server device provided by a cloud vendor in a state that can use the basic service infrastructure. Users develop applications that run on the service infrastructure and execute the applications on the information processing device, thereby providing various cloud services to customers. In addition, a host application is executed in the information processing device, and the host application selects applications that meet specific conditions from multiple applications and integrates the processing results obtained by the selected applications.

[0023] Implementation Method 1

[0024] The information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment is a server device that processes data obtained from the outside and provides the result obtained by processing the data to the server device on the external network. Figure 1 As shown, a facility 300 controlled by an instrument 31 is connected via a network 20. The network 20 may be a wide area communication network represented by the Internet, or a virtual network such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a dedicated network.

[0025] The facility 300 is a factory or a workshop. However, the facility 300 is not limited thereto, and the facility 300 may be any building in which the device 31 is controlled inside the facility 300. For example, the facility 300 may be a farm in which the device 31 is controlled as an agricultural robot.

[0026] In the facility 300, a plurality of instruments 31 are controlled by a control device 32 via an industrial network 33. The instruments 31 are, for example, sensors for detecting workpieces transported by a conveyor, machine tools for processing the workpieces, inspectors for determining whether workpieces are good or bad, robots for removing bad products from a production line, and other FA instruments.

[0027] The control device 32 is a device represented by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and controls the instruments 31 to coordinate the actions of the instruments 31, thereby operating the production line, processing line, inspection line, and other processing lines. Figure 1 Although one control device 32 is shown as a representative example, a plurality of control devices 32 may control the instrument 31 in the facility 300. For example, the first control device 32 may obtain a sensing result from the instrument 31 as a sensor, and the second control device 32 that shares the sensing result with the first control device 32 may send a control command to the instrument 31 as a robot.

[0028] A communication device 34 is arranged as a gateway between the industrial network 33 and the network 20. The information processing device 10 obtains data related to the control of the instrument 31 from at least one of the instrument 31 and the control device 32 via the communication device 34. The data related to the control of the instrument 31 may be, for example, a sensing result obtained by the instrument 31 as a sensor, a control command from the control device 32 to the instrument 31, an execution status of a control program in the control device 32, or a device value stored in a memory of the control device 32 as a PLC, or other information. In the following, the data related to the control of the instrument 31 may be described as control data.

[0029] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 provides the result of processing the control data to the terminal 35 in response to a request from the terminal 35 connected to the network 20. The information provided from the information processing device 10 to the terminal 35 may be, for example, the operating conditions of the plurality of devices 31 or the operating rate of the production line, or other information. The terminal 35 is equivalent to a UI (User Interface) device for a customer who uses an application prepared by the user.

[0030] Figure 2 The hardware structure of the information processing device 10 is schematically shown. Figure 2 As shown, the information processing device 10 is a computer including a processor 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, an input unit 104, an output unit 105, and a communication unit 106. The main storage unit 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, the input unit 104, the output unit 105, and the communication unit 106 are connected to the processor 101 via an internal bus 107.

[0031] The processor 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processing circuit. The processor 101 implements various functions by executing programs P1, P2, and P3 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103, and performs the processing described below.

[0032] The main storage unit 102 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory). The programs P1, P2, and P3 are loaded from the auxiliary storage unit 103 to the main storage unit 102. The main storage unit 102 is used as a work area for the processor 101.

[0033] The auxiliary storage unit 103 includes a non-volatile memory represented by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores the program P1 prepared by the cloud vendor and the programs P2 and P3 prepared by the user. In addition, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores various data used for processing by the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 supplies the data used by the processor 101 to the processor 101 according to the instructions of the processor 101. In addition, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores the data supplied from the processor 101.

[0034] The input unit 104 includes input devices represented by hardware switches, input keys, a keyboard, and a pointing device. The input unit 104 acquires information input by an administrator of the information processing device 10 and notifies the processor 101 of the acquired information.

[0035] The output unit 105 includes display devices represented by LED (Light Emitting Diode) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and audio devices represented by buzzer and speaker. The output unit 105 presents various information to users or customers according to the instructions of the processor 101.

[0036] The communication unit 106 includes an interface circuit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 106 receives a signal from the network 20 and outputs data represented by the signal to the processor 101. In addition, the communication unit 106 sends a signal representing data output from the processor 101 to the network 20.

[0037] Through the coordinated operation of the above hardware structure, the information processing device 10 performs various functions. Figure 3 As shown, as a functional structure, there are an infrastructure unit 11 equivalent to middleware that performs basic functions represented by communication functions, independent application units 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d that process control data using the infrastructure unit 11, and an integrated application unit 13 that integrates the processing results of two or more of the independent application units 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. In the following, the independent application units 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d may not be distinguished and are sometimes described as the independent application unit 12.

[0038] The infrastructure unit 11 is mainly realized by the cooperative action of the processor 101 and the communication unit 106 that execute the program P1. The infrastructure unit 11 includes a web server and a database server, and provides the function of communicating via the network 20 to the independent application unit 12 through the API function of the infrastructure unit 11. In detail, the infrastructure unit 11 obtains control data from the opposite device specified by the independent application unit 12, and provides the obtained control data to the independent application unit 12 as the request source. The infrastructure unit 11 is equivalent to an example of a providing unit that receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network and provides the data.

[0039] The individual application units 12 are respectively implemented mainly by a processor 101 that executes application software, namely, a program P2. The program P2 is created by a user and installed separately by the user or the customer in the information processing device 10. The individual application units 12 each perform the function of performing predetermined data processing separately and provide functions that can be used by the customer. The main functions of the individual application units 12 are implemented based on the control data obtained from the infrastructure unit 11. For example, the individual application units 12 are engineering applications, digital twin applications, dedicated applications for instruments 31 or control devices 32 of specific models, general applications, or other applications that process control data.

[0040] The independent application unit 12 includes determination information 121 for determining whether a condition for cooperating with the integrated application unit 13 is satisfied, a processing unit 122 for processing control data, and an output unit 123 for outputting a processing result of the control data to the terminal 35 via the network 20 .

[0041] The determination information 121 is information indicated by the program P2. In addition, the program P2 including the determination information 121 may be installed in advance in the information processing device 10, or the determination information 121 may be added to the separate application unit 12 by reading from a predetermined address or an address specified by a user or a customer after the execution of the program P2. The address may be an address on a network or an address indicating an area of ​​a storage device. The details of the determination information 121 will be described later.

[0042] The processing unit 122 performs predetermined processing on the control data and outputs the result of the processing to the output unit 123. The control data that is the object of the processing performed by the processing unit 122 and the content of the processing are different for each individual application unit 12. For example, the individual application unit 12a obtains data representing the sensing result of the sensor, i.e., the instrument 31, as the device value of the control device 32 via the infrastructure unit 11, and performs abnormal value detection processing of the sensing result or generates a history of the number of detections per unit time, wherein the number of detections per unit time is obtained based on the detection of the workpiece represented by the sensing result. In addition, the individual application unit 12b obtains the result of the qualified product judgment of the workpiece directly from the instrument 31 using the infrastructure unit 11 without going through the inspector of the control device 32, i.e., the control device 32, and calculates the yield rate.

[0043] The output unit 123 outputs information indicating the result of the processing performed by the processing unit 122 to the network 20 via the infrastructure unit 11 with the terminal 35 as a response to the request from the terminal 35. The individual application unit 12 is an example of an individual processing unit, a first individual processing unit, and a second individual processing unit that output the result of performing different processing on the data provided by the providing unit to the network.

[0044] The integrated application unit 13 is mainly implemented by the processor 101 that executes the application software, namely the program P3. The program P3 is created by the user and installed in the information processing device 10 by the user or the customer. The integrated application unit 13 performs the function of executing predetermined data processing and provides functions that can be used by the customer. The substantial functions of the integrated application unit 13 are implemented based on the processing results obtained by the individual application units 12. Therefore, the integrated application unit 13 can also be said to be a higher-level application that is higher than the multiple individual application units 12.

[0045] The integrated application unit 13 includes: condition information 131, which indicates the conditions for collaboration with the separate application unit 12; a data management unit 132, which selects the separate application unit 12 as the collaboration target and obtains the processing result; a processing unit 133, which performs integration processing of integrating the processing results of the separate application unit 12; and an output unit 134, which outputs the results of the processing performed by the processing unit 133 to the terminal 35 via the network 20.

[0046] The condition information 131 is information indicated by the program P3. In addition, similarly to the determination information 121, the program P3 including the condition information 131 may be installed in advance in the information processing device 10, or the condition information 131 may be added to the integrated application unit 13 by reading it from a predetermined address or an address specified by a user or a customer after the execution of the program P3.

[0047] Here, the details of the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 are described. The condition information 131 and the determination information 121 are respectively as follows: Figure 4 Specifically, the condition information 131 indicates the type of data that the integrated application unit 13 should obtain in order to execute the integrated process, and the determination information 121 indicates the type of data provided by the individual application unit 12 as a result of the process.

[0048] exist Figure 4 In the example of , the condition information 131 indicates "AA data" and "BB data". In addition, the determination information 121 of the independent application unit 12a indicates "CC data", the determination information 121 of the independent application unit 12b indicates "DD data" and "AA data", the determination information 121 of the independent application unit 12c indicates "BB data" and "EE data", and the determination information 121 of the independent application unit 12d indicates "FF data", "AA data" and "CC data". In this example, the determination information 121 of the independent application units 12b, 12c, and 12d indicates a data type that matches the data type indicated by the condition information 131, and therefore, the condition for transmitting data to the integrated application unit 13 is satisfied for the independent application units 12b, 12c, and 12d.

[0049] Furthermore, since the determination information 121 of the independent application unit 12a does not indicate a data type that matches the data type indicated by the condition information 131, the condition for transferring data to the integrated application unit 13 is not satisfied for the independent application unit 12a.

[0050] The form of the data category is arbitrary. For example, the processing result of the control data obtained by the instrument 31 or the control device 32 of a specific model can be set as one data category, the specific device value of the control device 32 as a PLC can be set as one data category, and the result obtained by performing a specific process regardless of the control data can be set as one data category.

[0051] return Figure 3 The data management unit 132 determines whether the condition is satisfied by asking each of the individual application units 12 whether the data type indicated by the condition information 131 can be provided, and selects the individual application unit 12 corresponding to the determination information 121 indicating that the condition is satisfied. That is, the individual application unit 12 corresponding to the determination information 121 indicating the same data type as the data type indicated by the condition information 131 is selected. Then, the data management unit 132 outputs the data obtained from the selected individual application unit 12 to the processing unit 133.

[0052] In addition, the data management unit 132 monitors and controls from which individual application unit 12 data is obtained and from which device in the facility 300 control data is obtained. In other words, the data management unit 132 manages the path of information including the first transmission of control data from the device corresponding to the transmission source in the facility 300 to the individual application unit 12 and the second transmission of data from the individual application unit 12 to the integrated application unit 13. Here, the device in the facility 300 may be the instrument 31 or the control device 32, or other devices. The data management unit 132 is equivalent to an example of a management unit that manages the path of information transmission including the first transmission of data related to the control of the instrument from the device corresponding to the transmission source in the facility to the individual processing unit and the second transmission of the processing result from the individual processing unit to the integrated processing unit.

[0053] Specifically, the data management unit 132 has Figure 5 This example shows management information indicating the transmission path of data acquired by the integrated application unit 13 from the facility 300. For example, Figure 5 The earliest record shows that control data is transmitted from the device [D1] in the facility to the individual application unit [12b], and "AA data" is transmitted from the individual application unit [12b] to the integrated application unit

[13] . Figure 5 In the management information of the integrated application unit 13, the independent application unit 12 and the identifier of the device are shown in brackets, and the identifiers of the integrated application unit 13 and the independent application unit 12 are the same as Figure 3 The reference numerals shown are common.

[0054] The data management unit 132 creates management information by inquiring from the individual application unit 12 selected as described above about the device in the facility 300 that corresponds to the source of the control data and the device to be passed through. Then, the data management unit 132 repeatedly obtains system configuration information representing the configuration of the control system in the facility 300 and updates the management information. Here, the control system includes instruments 31, control devices 32, and devices that correspond to the above-mentioned source of the control data. The data management unit 132 can obtain the system configuration information by any one or any combination of inquiring to the individual application unit 12, inquiring to the devices in the facility 300 through the infrastructure unit 11 instead of the individual application unit 12, and inquiring through a connector not shown in the figure instead of the infrastructure unit 11. For example, when the acquisition target of the control data performed by the individual application unit 12b is changed from device [D1] to device [D99], the data management unit 132 Figure 5The data management unit 132 is an example of a management unit that repeatedly acquires system configuration information indicating the configuration of a system including equipment and devices in a facility and manages the transmission path based on the acquired system configuration information.

[0055] In addition, the data management unit 132 monitors the independent application unit 12 installed in the information processing device 10, and when a new independent application unit 12 is added, it determines whether the condition is satisfied for the new independent application unit 12, and when the condition is satisfied, it determines it as a target for obtaining the processing result in the same way as the independent application unit 12 that has been selected, and adds the new independent application unit 12 to the management information. The data management unit 132 is an example of a management unit that monitors the presence of a new independent processing unit included in the information processing device 10 and determines whether to obtain the processing result from the new independent processing unit.

[0056] Furthermore, the data management unit 132 may also change the management information according to the instructions of the user or customer, and control the information transmission path in accordance with the changed management information. Figure 5 As shown, when the same type of "AA data" is provided from a plurality of independent application units 12, it may be determined to obtain only certain "AA data" and not obtain or discard the rest. In addition, the device corresponding to the transmission source of the control data may be changed according to the change of the management information.

[0057] return Figure 3 The processing unit 133 performs a predetermined integration process on the processing results obtained from the individual application unit 12, and outputs the results of the integration process to the output unit 134. The integration process may be, for example, a process of calculating the operation rate of the entire production line including a plurality of instruments 31 based on the results of the processing related to each instrument 31 executed in the individual application unit 12, a process of detecting a sign of a production line stop by integrating the status of each instrument 31, or other processes.

[0058] The output unit 134 outputs the integrated information indicating the result of the integrated processing performed by the processing unit 133 to the network 20 via the infrastructure unit 11 with the terminal 35 as a response to the request from the terminal 35. The integrated application unit 13 is equivalent to an example of an integrated processing unit that selects two or more individual processing units from a plurality of individual processing units according to a preset condition and outputs the integrated information obtained by integrating the results of the processing respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network.

[0059] Next, use Figures 6-7An example of data processing executed by the information processing device 10 will be described. Figure 6 The data processing shown is equivalent to an example of a data processing method including a series of processes for the independent application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 to operate in cooperation. Figure 6 The data processing flow shown is just an example, and the flow may be changed arbitrarily.

[0060] In data processing, the user or customer selects the individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 to be implemented in the information processing device 10 (step S1). Specifically, the selected individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 are implemented by installing the program selected by the user or customer from the programs P2 and P3 pre-registered in the information processing device 10. Then, a connection process is performed to connect the individual application unit 12 that meets a predetermined condition among the plurality of individual application units 12 with the integrated application unit 13 (step S2). As a result, the integrated application unit 13 is ready, and the information processing device 10 is in a state that can be used by the customer. The details of the connection process will be described later.

[0061] Next, the integrated application unit 13 obtains the processing result from the individual application unit 12 connected in step S2 (step S3), performs integration processing on the obtained processing result (step S4), and outputs the result of the integration processing in step S4 to the terminal 35 in accordance with the request of the customer (step S5). Then, the information processing device 10 repeatedly performs the processing in step S3 and thereafter. In addition, the processing result in step S3 is provided to the terminal 35 by the individual application unit 12 in accordance with the request from the customer.

[0062] Figure 7 The details of the connection process of step S2 are shown. In the connection process, all the individual application units 12 provide the determination information 121 to the integrated application unit 13 (step S21). The provision of the determination information 121 may be a response to a request from the integrated application unit 13, or may be a spontaneous provision from the individual application unit 12 regardless of whether there is a request or not.

[0063] Next, the integrated application unit 13 temporarily selects only one individual application unit 12 that was not selected in the connection process (step S22). For example, the data management unit 132 of the integrated application unit 13 selects Figure 3The order of selecting the independent application unit 12a is arbitrary, and may be, for example, the ascending or descending order of the identifier that distinguishes the independent application unit 12 from other independent application units 12, or the order in which the determination information 121 is provided. The identifier may be, for example, a process ID assigned by the OS (Operating System), the name of the independent application unit 12, or the program P2 itself that implements the independent application unit 12, or its hash value.

[0064] Next, the integrated application unit 13 determines whether the condition indicated by the condition information 131 is satisfied based on the determination information 121 of the individual application unit 12 selected in step S22 (step S23). Figure 4 As shown, when the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 indicate the data type, the data management unit 132 of the integrated application unit 13 compares the determination information 121 with the condition information 131 to determine whether the data type indicated by both the determination information 121 and the condition information 131 exists. Figure 4 It can be seen that there is no data type indicated by both the determination information 121 and the condition information 131 , and therefore the determination in step S23 is NO.

[0065] If it is determined that the condition is not satisfied (step S23; No), the integrated application unit 13 determines whether all the individual application units 12 have been selected (step S25). If it is determined that all the individual application units 12 have not been selected (step S25; No), the integrated application unit 13 repeatedly executes the processing in step S22 and thereafter. Figure 3 The individual application unit 12b shown repeatedly executes steps S22 to S25.

[0066] When the independent application unit 12b is selected, Figure 4 It can be seen that both the determination information 121 and the condition information 131 show "AA data", so it is determined that the condition is met. When it is determined that the condition is met (step S23; Yes), the integrated application unit 13 determines the connection with the separate application unit 12 selected in step S22 (step S24). As a result, the processing result of the separate application unit 12 determined to be connected is transmitted to the integrated application unit 13, and the integrated processing using the processing result is performed. Then, the integrated application unit 13 transfers the processing to step S25. In addition, regarding Figure 4 Data types that can be provided from the individual application unit 12 but do not meet the conditions, such as the “DD data” of the individual application unit 12 b shown, are not provided to the integrated application unit 13 .

[0067] In step S25, when it is determined that all the individual application units 12 have been selected (step S25; Yes), the processing performed by the information processing device 10 is changed from Figure 7 The connection process shown returns to Figure 6 The data processing shown.

[0068] As described above, the integrated application unit 13 according to the present embodiment integrates the results of the processing respectively implemented by the selected individual application units 12 and outputs the integrated information to the network 20. Here, it is assumed that both the application for implementing the integrated application unit 13 and the application for implementing the individual application unit 12 are developed by the user, so the development of the integrated application unit 13 can be promoted regardless of the API of the cloud infrastructure. In addition, the integrated application unit 13 reuses the results of the processing performed by the individual application unit 12, so as a result, the resources used for the development of the individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 can be saved. Therefore, the burden of the development work of the application executed in the cloud environment for use at the site of the FA can be reduced.

[0069] In addition, by providing the integrated application part 13 that is not dependent on the infrastructure part 11 as a higher-level application of the individual application part 12 , an application hierarchy including the integrated application part 13 , the individual application part 12 , and the infrastructure part 11 in sequence can be constructed.

[0070] In addition, each of the individual application units 12 is implemented by application software that shows determination information 121 for determining whether a condition for selecting the individual application unit 12 is satisfied. The integrated application unit 13 is implemented by application software that shows condition information 131, and selects the individual application unit 12 corresponding to the determination information 121 that satisfies the condition. Thus, by simply installing the integrated application unit 13, the desired individual application unit 12 can be selected hierarchically to build an optimal application system in the cloud environment. In this regard, the integrated application unit 13 functions as an application package in which the individual application units 12 are packaged.

[0071] In addition, the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 indicate the data category, and the integrated application unit 13 selects the individual application unit 12 corresponding to the determination information 121 indicating the same data category as that indicated by the condition information 131. As a result, there is no need to develop the individual application unit 12 in consideration of the integration process performed by the integrated application unit 13 and the integrated application unit 13 in consideration of the process performed by the individual application unit 12. As long as the data category is made common, the individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 can be independently developed. Furthermore, the burden of the application development work can be further reduced.

[0072] The integrated application unit 13 also includes a data management unit 132 that manages information transmission paths. This allows, for example, any individual application unit 12 providing the same type of processing results to be selected as a connection destination, thereby reducing the processing load when executing the integrated processing.

[0073] Furthermore, the data management unit 132 repeatedly acquires system configuration information indicating the configuration of the control system and manages the transmission path based on the acquired system configuration information. Thus, even if the configuration of the control system is changed during operation of the information processing device 10, integration processing can be performed based on the latest control system configuration.

[0074] In addition, the data management unit 132 monitors the presence or absence of the new independent application unit 12 included in the information processing device 10, and determines whether to obtain the processing result from the new independent application unit 12. Thus, the integrated application unit 13 can perform the integrated processing using the new independent application unit 12 simply by the user or customer installing the new independent application unit 12.

[0075] Implementation Method 2

[0076] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with a focus on the differences from Embodiment 1. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent structures as those in Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the condition information 131 of the integrated application unit 13 shows the identifier of the individual application unit 12 that is allowed to be the connection target, and the determination information 121 of the individual application unit 12 shows the identifier of the integrated application unit 13 that is allowed to be the connection target. In addition, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the information processing device 10 has a plurality of integrated application units 13.

[0077] Figure 8An example of the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 according to the present embodiment is schematically shown. The condition information 131 includes a list of identifiers of the individual application units 12 that are allowed to connect for each classification group of applications. Figure 8 In the example of , a list including identifiers such as [12a] and [120a] is associated with the classification group "engineering application". On the other hand, the determination information 121 includes a list of identifiers of the integrated application unit 13 that is allowed to connect.

[0078] For the combination of the integrated application unit 13 and the individual application unit 12, when the condition information 131 of the integrated application unit 13 shows the identifier of the individual application unit 12 and the determination information 121 of the individual application unit 12 shows the identifier of the integrated application unit 13, the connection between the two is allowed in the combination, and the result of the processing performed by the individual application unit 12 is transmitted to the integrated application unit 13. In other cases, the connection is not allowed, and the processing result is not transmitted. However, the data management unit 132 of the integrated application unit 13 may inquire the user or customer whether the connection is allowed, and the connection is performed when the user or customer allows it.

[0079] Next, use Figures 9-10 The connection processing involved in the present embodiment is described. The connection processing involved in the present embodiment includes a first connection processing included in the initialization sequence of the integrated application unit 13 added to the information processing device 10 and a second connection processing included in the initialization sequence of the separate application unit 12 added to the information processing device 10.

[0080] Fig. 9 The first connection process shown is performed for each combination of the added integrated application part 13 and the existing independent application part 12. In the first connection process, the added integrated application part 13 notifies the independent application part 12 of the identifier of the added integrated application part 13 (step S31).

[0081] Next, the independent application unit 12 determines whether the determination information 121 includes the identifier notified in step S31 (step S32). If it is determined that the identifier is not included (step S32; No), the first connection process ends and the process performed by the information processing device 10 returns to the data process.

[0082] On the other hand, when it is determined that the identifier is included (step S32 ; Yes), the independent application unit 12 notifies the added integrated application unit 13 of the independent application unit 12's own identifier (step S33 ).

[0083] Next, the integrated application unit 13 determines whether the condition information 131 includes the identifier notified in step S33 (step S34). If it is determined that the condition information 131 includes the identifier (step S34; Yes), the integrated application unit 13 shifts the process to step S36.

[0084] On the other hand, when it is determined that the condition information 131 does not include an identifier (step S34; No), the integrated application unit 13 determines whether the user or customer permits the connection with the separate application unit 12 (step S35). Specifically, the integrated application unit 13 prompts the user or customer to determine whether to connect, and obtains the input of the user or customer.

[0085] If it is determined that the user or customer does not allow the connection (step S35; No), the first connection process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user or customer allows the connection (step S35; Yes), the integrated application unit 13 determines to connect with the independent application unit 12 (step S36). That is, the integrated application unit 13 determines to receive the processing result from the independent application unit 12 in order to perform the integrated process. Then, the first connection process ends.

[0086] The second connection process started by the addition of the independent application unit 12 is as follows. Fig.10 As shown, this is equivalent to the process in which the integrated application unit 13 and the individual application unit 12 are replaced in the first connection process and the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 are replaced. Specifically, the second connection process is performed for each combination of the added individual application unit 12 and the existing integrated application unit 13. In the second connection process, the added individual application unit 12 notifies the integrated application unit 13 of the identifier of the added individual application unit 12 (step S41).

[0087] Next, the integrated application unit 13 determines whether the condition information 131 includes the identifier notified in step S41 (step S42). If it is determined that the identifier is not included (step S42; No), the second connection process ends and the process performed by the information processing device 10 returns to the data process.

[0088] On the other hand, when it is determined that the identifier is included (step S42 ; Yes), the integrated application unit 13 notifies the added individual application unit 12 of the identifier of the integrated application unit 13 itself (step S43 ).

[0089] Next, the independent application unit 12 determines whether the determination information 121 includes the identifier notified in step S43 (step S44). If it is determined that the determination information 121 includes the identifier (step S44; Yes), the independent application unit 12 shifts the process to step S46.

[0090] On the other hand, when it is determined that the determination information 121 does not include an identifier (step S44 ; No), the independent application unit 12 determines whether the user or customer permits connection with the integrated application unit 13 (step S45 ).

[0091] If it is determined that the user or customer does not allow the connection (step S45; No), the second connection process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user or customer allows the connection (step S45; Yes), the independent application unit 12 determines the connection with the integrated application unit 13 (step S46). That is, it is determined that the processing result is transmitted between the independent application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 in order to perform the integrated process. Then, the second connection process ends.

[0092] As described above, also in the case where the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 indicate the identifier of the application, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0093] In addition, each of the first connection process and the second connection process is not limited to being executed when the information processing device 10 is activated, and is also executed when the integrated application unit 13 or the independent application unit 12 is newly added during the operation of the information processing device 10 .

[0094] In addition, the example in which the connection is permitted by the user or the customer has been described. Here, the user is the developer of the application, and the customer means the object to which the function of the application is provided by the user.

[0095] As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

[0096] For example, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the description is mainly based on the example in which there is one integrated application unit 13 , but the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be a plurality of integrated application units 13 .

[0097] In addition, the condition information 131 and the determination information 121 are not limited to the information in the list format illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2, and any information may be used as long as it determines the presence or absence of the connection between each of the integrated application parts 13 and each of the individual application parts 12. For example, the condition information 131 may indicate the application certificate of the integrated application part 13, and the individual application part 12 may allow the processing result to be provided when the validity of the certificate is confirmed. In addition, the determination information 121 may indicate the application certificate of the individual application part 12, and the integrated application part 13 may obtain the processing result when the validity of the certificate is confirmed. In this example, the condition is satisfied when the certificates of both parties are valid.

[0098] In addition, although the example in which the integrated application unit 13 and the individual application unit 12 are all implemented by application software has been described, a part of the integrated application unit 13 and the individual application unit 12 may be implemented by dedicated hardware. For example, the processing performed by the individual application unit 12 may be performed by computing processing using a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit).

[0099] Furthermore, although an example in which the information processing device 10 is a single computer device has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the information processing device 10 may be constituted by a plurality of computer devices.

[0100] The integration process performed by the integration application unit 13 may or may not involve data processing. The integration process without data processing may be, for example, a process of displaying the processing results obtained by the plurality of individual application units 12 in a list for easy viewing by customers.

[0101] In addition, the description is centered on an example in which the information processing device 10 is equivalent to a so-called cloud server, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the information processing device 10 can be any server device for providing cloud services or network services. For example, in a method of providing cloud services from a central server via a local server, the function of the information processing device 10 can be performed by the central server, or the function of the information processing device 10 can be performed by the local server.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the programs P2 and P3 are pre-registered in the information processing device 10, and the individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 can be used by the user or customer's choice. It is also possible to prepare for the cooperation between the individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 in advance by pre-registering them in the information processing device 10. For example, it is also possible to complete the cooperation with any combination of the individual application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 of the information processing device 10. Figure 6In the state of connection processing in , the customer selects the independent application unit 12 and the integrated application unit 13 to be used. In addition, as described in the above embodiment, the customer can also install the programs P2 and P3 in the information processing device 10. The customer can also prepare an existing company operation system in advance and transfer such an existing system to the cloud environment to realize the information processing device 10.

[0103] The functions of the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by dedicated hardware, or can be realized by a general computer system.

[0104] For example, by storing programs P1, P2, and P3 in a computer-readable recording medium represented by a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disk) and distributing them, and installing the program P1 in a computer, a device that executes the above-mentioned processing can be constructed.

[0105] Alternatively, the programs P1, P2, and P3 may be stored in advance in a storage disk device of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be superimposed on a carrier wave and downloaded to a computer, for example.

[0106] Furthermore, the above-described processing can also be realized by executing and activating the programs P1, P2, and P3 while transferring them via a network represented by the Internet.

[0107] Furthermore, the above-described processing can also be realized by executing all or part of the programs P1, P2, and P3 on a server device and executing the program P1 while transmitting and receiving information related to the processing via a communication network.

[0108] Furthermore, when the above functions are realized by sharing the responsibility of the OS or by cooperation between the OS and the application program, only the portion other than the OS may be stored in a medium and distributed, or may be downloaded to a computer.

[0109] In addition, the means for realizing the functions of the information processing device 10 is not limited to software, and a part or all of the functions may be realized by dedicated hardware or a circuit.

[0110] The present invention can be set to various embodiments and variations without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is not represented by the embodiments but by the claims. Moreover, various variations implemented within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0111] Industrial Applicability

[0112] The present invention is applicable to the development of application programs executed in a cloud environment.

[0113] Description of the label

[0114] 10 information processing device, 101 processor, 102 main storage unit, 103 auxiliary storage unit, 104 input unit, 105 output unit, 106 communication unit, 107 internal bus, 11 infrastructure unit, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d separate application unit, 121 judgment information, 122 processing unit, 123 output unit, 13 integrated application unit, 131 condition information, 132 data management unit, 133 processing unit, 134 output unit, 20 network, 31 instrument, 32 control device, 33 industrial network, 34 communication device, 35 terminal, 300 facility, P1 to P3 programs.

Claims

1. An information processing device connected to a facility where an instrument is controlled via a network, The information processing device has: a providing unit that receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network and provides the data; a plurality of separate processing units that output results obtained by performing different processing on the data provided from the providing unit to the network; and an integration processing unit, which selects two or more of the individual processing units from the plurality of individual processing units according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the processing results respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network, The individual processing unit is implemented by application software that indicates determination information for determining whether the condition is satisfied. The integrated processing unit is implemented by application software indicating condition information indicating the condition, and selects the individual processing unit corresponding to the determination information that the condition is satisfied.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The condition information indicates, as the condition, the type of data that the integration processing unit should obtain. The determination information shows the category of data provided from the individual processing unit as a result of the processing, The integration processing unit selects the individual processing unit corresponding to the determination information indicating the same category of data as that indicated by the condition information.

3. An information processing device connected to a facility where an instrument is controlled via a network, The information processing device has: a providing unit that receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network and provides the data; a plurality of separate processing units that output results obtained by performing different processing on the data provided from the providing unit to the network; and an integration processing unit, which selects two or more of the individual processing units from the plurality of individual processing units according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the processing results respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network, The integrated processing unit has a management unit that manages a transmission path of information including a first transmission of data related to the control of the instrument from a device corresponding to a transmission source in the facility to the individual processing unit and a second transmission of the result of the processing from the individual processing unit to the integrated processing unit.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein: The management unit repeatedly acquires system configuration information indicating a configuration of a system including the equipment and the device in the facility, and manages the transmission path based on the acquired system configuration information.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The management unit monitors the presence or absence of the new independent processing unit included in the information processing device, and determines whether to obtain the result of the processing from the new independent processing unit.

6. A data processing method, which is performed by an information processing device connected to a facility whose equipment is controlled via a network, The data processing method comprises the following steps: A providing unit receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network and provides the data; A plurality of separate processing units respectively output results obtained by performing different processing on the data provided by the providing unit to the network; and The integration processing unit selects two or more of the individual processing units from the plurality of individual processing units according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the processing results respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network, The individual processing unit is implemented by application software that indicates determination information for determining whether the condition is satisfied. The integrated processing unit is implemented by application software indicating condition information indicating the condition, and selects the individual processing unit corresponding to the determination information that the condition is satisfied.

7. A data processing method, which is performed by an information processing device connected to a facility whose equipment is controlled via a network, The data processing method comprises the following steps: A providing unit receives data related to the control of the instrument from the network and provides the data; A plurality of separate processing units respectively output results obtained by performing different processing on the data provided by the providing unit to the network; and The integration processing unit selects two or more of the individual processing units from the plurality of individual processing units according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the processing results respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network, The integrated processing unit has a management unit that manages a transmission path of information including a first transmission of data related to the control of the instrument from a device corresponding to a transmission source in the facility to the individual processing unit and a second transmission of the result of the processing from the individual processing unit to the integrated processing unit.

8. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer connected to a facility whose equipment is controlled via a network to function as an integrated processing unit, The integrated processing unit selects two or more of the individual processing units from among the plurality of individual processing units that output results obtained by performing different processing on data related to the control of the instrument to the network according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the results of the processing respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network, The individual processing unit is implemented by application software that indicates determination information for determining whether the condition is satisfied. The integrated processing unit is implemented by application software indicating condition information indicating the condition, and selects the individual processing unit corresponding to the determination information that the condition is satisfied.

9. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer connected to a facility whose equipment is controlled via a network to function as an integrated processing unit, The integrated processing unit selects two or more of the individual processing units from among the plurality of individual processing units that output results obtained by performing different processing on data related to the control of the instrument to the network according to a preset condition, and outputs integrated information obtained by integrating the results of the processing respectively implemented by the selected individual processing units to the network, The integrated processing unit has a management unit that manages a transmission path of information including a first transmission of data related to the control of the instrument from a device corresponding to a transmission source in the facility to the individual processing unit and a second transmission of the result of the processing from the individual processing unit to the integrated processing unit.

10. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer connected to a facility whose equipment is controlled via a network to function as a first independent processing unit, The first individual processing unit outputs to the network a result of processing the data related to the control of the device received from the network by the providing unit, The first individual processing unit indicates determination information for determining whether a condition is satisfied, and when the determination information determines that the condition is satisfied, the result of the processing is provided to the integrated processing unit, and the condition is used by the integrated processing unit to select greater than or equal to 2 individual processing units from a plurality of individual processing units including the first individual processing unit and a second individual processing unit different from the first individual processing unit.

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