Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

A collection unit (101) of an information processing device that operates a real-time OS collects first analysis data (701) relating to a result of a control process executed by the information processing device, and from a first information processing device that operates a general-purpose OS, collects second analysis data (702) relating to a control instruction for the information processing device. The storage unit (102) stores the first analysis data (701) and the second analysis data (702) as collected data (703) in the storage unit (103).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An industrial network is composed of a plurality of information processing devices, such as a general-purpose PC, a dedicated board device communicatively connected to the general-purpose PC, and an input / output device for exchanging signals with sensors and various devices. In an industrial network, there is a known technology for saving data useful for subsequent maintenance in order to deal with abnormalities in an information processing device or in the communication between information processing devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for backing up data processed by a leader information processing unit in a pre-selected follower information processing unit in order to deal with a situation in which the leader information processing unit stops for some reason in an industrial network including a leader information processing unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 235088 Summary of the invention

[0004] In the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document 1, the data processed by the stopped leader information processing unit is backed up. However, when an abnormality occurs in the industrial network, in order to analyze the abnormality, not only the data processed by the information processing device but also the data on the control instructions from other information processing devices communicating with the information processing device are required.

[0005] The present invention is proposed in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method and a program that can collect and save data related to the results of control processing performed by the information processing device and data related to control instructions from other information processing devices.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the information processing device according to the present invention is an information processing device running a real-time OS, and has:

[0007] a collecting unit that collects first analysis data related to a result of a control process executed by the information processing device, and collects second analysis data related to a control instruction for the information processing device from a first information processing device running a universal OS; and

[0008] The storage unit stores the first analysis data and the second analysis data as collected data in a storage unit.

[0009] Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can collect and store data related to the results of control processing executed by an information processing device and data related to control instructions from other information processing devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the dedicated board device according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the functional structure of the dedicated board device involved in the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of collected data stored in the data area according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of collected data stored in the data area according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing the monitoring process involved in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] (Implementation Method)

[0017] The dedicated board device 100 according to the embodiment is one of the information processing devices constituting the industrial network system 1 . Figure 1 The following is an example of the hardware configuration of a dedicated board device 100 and an information processing device constituting an industrial network system 1. The industrial network system 1 includes dedicated board devices 100 and 400, general-purpose PCs 200 and 500, an information processing device 300 capable of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) communication, and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 600. A real-time OS (Operating System) runs in the dedicated board devices 100 and 400, and a general-purpose OS runs in the general-purpose PCs 200 and 500. In addition, the dedicated board device 100 is controlled by the general-purpose PC 200.

[0018] The dedicated board device 100 includes a processor 11 for executing various processes, a memory 12 for storing various data used for the processes of the processor 11, and a first communication interface 13 and a second communication interface 14 for communicating with a general-purpose PC.

[0019] The processor 11 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various processes. The processor 11 implements various functions of the dedicated board device 100 by executing programs stored in the memory 12 .

[0020] The memory 12 includes volatile and nonvolatile memories. The memory 12 stores programs for realizing various functions of the dedicated board device 100 and various data used for processing by the processor 11. For example, the real-time OS 15 running in the dedicated board device 100 is stored in the memory 12. In addition, the memory 12 is used as a work area of ​​the processor 11.

[0021] The first communication interface 13 is a serial communication interface for communicating with the general-purpose PC 200, and includes a network interface circuit. The general-purpose PC 200 is a device that runs the general-purpose OS 22 stored in the memory 21. The first communication interface 13 receives a signal from the general-purpose PC 200 and outputs the data indicated by the signal to the processor 11. In addition, the first communication interface 13 sends a signal indicating the data output from the processor 11 to an external device.

[0022] The second communication interface 14 is a serial communication interface for communicating with external devices including the information processing device 300, the dedicated board device 400, and the PLC 600, and includes a network interface circuit. The second communication interface 14 complies with the communication standard of Ethernet, for example. The second communication interface 14 receives a signal from an external device and outputs the data indicated by the signal to the processor 11. In addition, the second communication interface 14 sends a signal indicating the data output from the processor 11 to an external device.

[0023] Next, use Figure 2 The functions of the dedicated board device 100 will be described. The dedicated board device 100 functionally includes a collecting unit 101 , a storage unit 102 , a memory unit 103 , a monitoring unit 104 , and a transmitting unit 105 .

[0024] The collection unit 101 collects first analysis data 701 related to the result of the control process executed by the dedicated board device 100. In addition, the collection unit 101 collects second analysis data 702 related to the control instruction for the dedicated board device 100 from the general-purpose PC 200 running the general-purpose OS 22. The collection unit 101 is implemented by the processor 11 and the first communication interface 13. In addition, the collection unit 101 is an example of a collection unit. In addition, the dedicated board device 100 is an example of an information processing device, and the general-purpose PC 200 is an example of a first information processing device.

[0025] The first analysis data 701 is data related to the result of the control process executed by the dedicated board device 100. The first analysis data 701 is data related to the control result, such as a device value managed by the dedicated board device 100, and is stored in the storage unit 103 of the dedicated board device 100. Here, the device is used for the information processing devices included in the industrial network system 1 to notify each other of their own states, instruction values ​​related to control, etc., and the device value means a value stored in the device.

[0026] The second analysis data 702 is data obtained from the general-purpose PC 200 running the general-purpose OS 22, and is data related to control instructions for the dedicated board device 100. The second analysis data 702 is data related to control instructions, such as a function call status obtained from the general-purpose PC 200, and is stored in the memory 21 of the general-purpose PC 200. Here, the function is related to the instruction to send and receive data to the dedicated board device 100. The function is, for example, a function that specifies data value, data size, and write address to write data collectively, or a function that specifies data size and read address to read data collectively.

[0027] For example, the collection unit 101 periodically collects the first analysis data 701 from the dedicated board device 100, and periodically collects the second analysis data 702 from the general-purpose PC 200. Here, periodically collecting means repeatedly collecting at a predetermined interval. The interval is not limited to being fixed, and is arbitrarily determined by the administrator of the industrial network system 1. The timing (timing) at which the collection unit 101 collects the first analysis data 701 and the interval of the collection timing may be the same as or different from the timing at which the collection unit 101 collects the second analysis data 702 and the interval of the collection timing.

[0028] The storage unit 102 stores the first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 as the collected data 703 in the storage unit 103. Specifically, the storage unit 102 stores the collected data 703 in a predetermined data area of ​​the storage unit 103. The storage unit 102 is implemented by the processor 11. In addition, the storage unit 103 is implemented by the memory 12. In addition, the storage unit 102 is an example of a storage unit, and the storage unit 103 is an example of a storage unit.

[0029] The predetermined data area is an area reserved in the storage unit 103, and is arbitrarily determined by the administrator of the industrial network system 1. The predetermined data area has a ring buffer structure.

[0030] The collected data 703 includes the first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 and their accompanying information. The accompanying information is, for example, the time when the first analysis data 701, the second analysis data 702, and the collected data 703 were generated.

[0031] For example, when the collecting unit 101 collects the first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 , the storage unit 102 stores the collected first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 as collected data 703 in a predetermined data area of ​​the storage unit 103 .

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing a data area of ​​the storage unit 103 in which the collected data 703 is stored. Figure 3 This shows a state where all predetermined data areas are used. Figure 3 The address indicates the address of a data area predetermined for storing the collected data 703. In the data area indicated by the address, the first analysis data 701, the second analysis data 702, and time information indicating the time when the collected data 703 was generated are stored in association with each other. Figure 3 The time information indicates the time when the collected data 703 stored in the data area indicated by the address was generated. The collected data 703 is stored in order from the data area with a smaller address number. For example, the first analysis data "a1", the second analysis data "b1", and the time information "t1" are stored in association in the data area of ​​address "1".

[0033] In addition, if the collected data 703 is stored in the entire predetermined data area, the storage unit 102 deletes the oldest collected data 703 stored in the predetermined data area and stores the newly collected collected data 703, thereby updating the collected data 703 stored in the predetermined data area.

[0034] For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , after the predetermined data area is completely used, if the first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 are collected by the collection unit 101, the storage unit 102 deletes the collected data at the old address indicated by the time information, and stores the newly collected first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 in the data area at the address where the collected data has been deleted, thereby updating the collected data 703 in the predetermined data area. For example, if the first analysis data "an+1" and the second analysis data "bn+1" are collected by the collection unit 101, the storage unit 102 deletes the first analysis data "a1", the second analysis data "b1" and the time information "t1" stored in the data area at the address "1", as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown, the first analysis data "an+1", the second analysis data "bn+1", and the time information "tn+1" indicating the generation time of the collected data 703 stored in the data area of ​​address "1" are stored in association in the data area of ​​address "1". In addition, if the first analysis data "an+2" and the second analysis data "bn+2" are collected by the collecting unit 101, the storage unit 102 deletes the first analysis data "a2", the second analysis data "b2", and the time information "t2" stored in the data area of ​​address "2", as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the first analysis data "an+2", the second analysis data "bn+2", and the time information "tn+2" indicating the generation time of the collected data 703 stored in the data area of ​​address "2" are stored in association in the data area of ​​address "2".

[0035] The monitoring unit 104 monitors whether the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is established. The monitoring unit 104 is implemented by the processor 11 and the first communication interface 13. The monitoring unit 104 is an example of monitoring means.

[0036] For example, the monitoring unit 104 monitors whether the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is established by monitoring the communication status at the first communication interface 13 which is the communication interface with the general-purpose PC 200. The process of monitoring the communication status by the monitoring unit 104 is performed in parallel with the process performed by the collection unit 101 and the process performed by the storage unit 102.

[0037] If the monitoring unit 104 determines that the communication is not established, the transmission unit 105 transmits the collected data 703 stored in the storage unit 103 to the information processing device 300. The transmission unit 105 is implemented by the processor 11 and the second communication interface 14. In addition, the transmission unit 105 is an example of a transmission unit. In addition, the information processing device 300 is an example of a second information processing device.

[0038] For example, if the monitoring unit 104 determines that the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is not established, the transmission unit 105 transmits the collected data 703 stored in the predetermined data area of ​​the storage unit 103 to the information processing device 300 via the second communication interface 14 by TCP / IP communication.

[0039] Next, use Figure 5 The monitoring process according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 The monitoring process is, for example, a process that is executed when the dedicated board device 100 is powered on.

[0040] The monitoring unit 104 obtains the communication status between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 (step S101 ).

[0041] For example, the monitoring unit 104 acquires information indicating the communication status at the first communication interface 13 which is a communication interface with the general-purpose PC 200 .

[0042] The monitoring unit 104 determines whether the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is established (step S102). If the monitoring unit 104 determines that the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is established (step S102; YES), the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the monitoring unit 104 determines that the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is not established (step S102; NO), the transmission unit 105 transmits the collected data 703 stored in the storage unit 103 to the information processing device 300.

[0043] For example, if the monitoring unit 104 determines that the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is established based on the acquired information, the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the monitoring unit 104 determines that the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 is not established, the sending unit 105 sends the collected data 703 stored in the predetermined data area of ​​the storage unit 103 to the information processing device 300.

[0044] In an industrial network system, a general-purpose PC connected to a dedicated board device may suddenly stop and become inoperable due to the instability of the general-purpose OS. Therefore, for subsequent maintenance, it is important to gather analysis data for analyzing abnormalities for the general-purpose PC and the dedicated board device connected to the general-purpose PC. According to this embodiment, the dedicated board device can collect and save data related to the results of the control processing executed by the dedicated board device, and collect and save data related to the control instructions for the dedicated board device from the general-purpose PC. In this way, data that are related to each other can be gathered.

[0045] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the collected analytical data is stored in a predetermined data area, and if the predetermined data area is fully used, the old collected data is deleted and the new collected data is stored. In this way, the collected data is updated at any time corresponding to the capacity of the predetermined data area, so that the memory capacity can be limited and data useful for subsequent maintenance can be stored.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, if it is determined that the communication between the general-purpose PC and the dedicated board device is not established, it is considered that an abnormality has occurred in the communication between the general-purpose PC 200 and the dedicated board device 100 or an abnormality has occurred in either the general-purpose PC or the dedicated board device, and the collected analysis data is sent to other information processing devices. Thus, when an abnormality has occurred in both the general-purpose PC and the dedicated board device and neither of them can be accessed, the analysis data can be obtained if the other information processing device can be accessed. In addition, by transferring the analysis data to other information processing devices, when a failure occurs in the general-purpose PC and the dedicated board device, their repair, replacement, etc. becomes easy, and the maintainability can be improved.

[0047] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the analysis data is collected periodically and stored in a predetermined data area as collected data, so that the analysis data before the moment when an abnormality occurs in the general-purpose PC and the dedicated board device and the moment when an abnormality occurs in the communication between the general-purpose PC and the dedicated board device can be retained. As a result, more useful data for subsequent maintenance can be obtained.

[0048] (Variation Example)

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible when implementing the present invention.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the sending unit 105 sends the collected data 703 to the information processing device 300 that can exchange information through TCP / IP communication, but the present invention is not limited thereto. If the information processing device that can exchange information through TCP / IP communication is included in the industrial network system 1, the sending unit 105 may also send the collected data 703 to a device other than the information processing device 300. For example, the sending unit 105 may also send the collected data 703 to the PLC 600 that can exchange information through TCP / IP communication.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the time information stored in the data area of ​​the storage unit 103 indicates the time when the collected data 703 was generated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The time information stored in the data area of ​​the storage unit 103 may also include information indicating the time when the first analysis data 701 and the second analysis data 702 were generated.

[0052] Furthermore, by applying an operation program that defines the operation of the dedicated board device 100 according to the above-described embodiment to an existing personal computer or information terminal device, the personal computer or information terminal device can also function as the dedicated board device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0053] Such a program may be distributed in any manner, for example, by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a memory card, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0054] 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 are not intended to 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 applied within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0055] Industrial Applicability

[0056] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can collect and store data related to the results of control processing executed by the information processing device and data related to control instructions from other information processing devices.

[0057] Description of the label

[0058] 1 industrial network system, 11 processor, 12, 21 memory, 13 first communication interface, 14 second communication interface, 15 real-time OS, 22 general-purpose OS, 100, 400 dedicated board device, 101 collection unit, 102 storage unit, 103 storage unit, 104 monitoring unit, 105 transmission unit, 200, 500 general-purpose PC, 300 information processing device, 600 PLC, 701 first analysis data, 702 second analysis data, 703 collection data.

Claims

1. An information processing device, which is an information processing device running a real-time OS, comprising: a collecting unit that collects first analysis data related to a result of a control process executed by the information processing device, and collects second analysis data related to a control instruction for the information processing device from a first information processing device running a universal OS; and The storage unit stores the first analysis data and the second analysis data as collected data in a storage unit.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, comprising: a monitoring unit that monitors whether communication between the first information processing device and the information processing device is established; and The transmitting unit transmits the collected data stored in the storage unit to a second information processing device different from the first information processing device, if the monitoring unit determines that the communication is not established.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The storage unit stores the collected data in a predetermined data area of ​​the storage unit. If the collected data is stored in the entire predetermined data area, the storage unit deletes the oldest collected data in the collected data stored in the predetermined data area and stores the newly collected data, thereby updating the collected data stored in the predetermined data area.

4. An information processing method, which is an information processing device running a real-time OS, The information processing device collects first analysis data related to a result of a control process executed by the information processing device, and collects second analysis data related to a control instruction for the information processing device from the first information processing device running the general-purpose OS, The information processing device stores the first analysis data and the second analysis data as collected data in a predetermined data area.

5. A program that causes a computer running a real-time OS to function as the following unit: a collecting unit that collects first analysis data related to a result of a control process executed by the computer, and collects second analysis data related to a control instruction for the computer from a first information processing device that runs a general-purpose OS; and The storage unit stores the first analysis data and the second analysis data as collected data in a predetermined data area.

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