Communication system, control method, control apparatus, and program

Abstract

To establish communication between a control apparatus and equipment with a consideration of a protocol used by the equipment connected to a control apparatus.SOLUTION: A communication system comprises: equipment; and a control apparatus. The equipment comprises an equipment communication part that transmits identification information in the case where the equipment is connected to the control apparatus, and transmits setting information to the control apparatus. The control apparatus comprises: an identification part that acquires the identification information of the equipment; an update part that updates network construction information by adding the identification information of the equipment to the network construction information as information expressing a construction of a network containing the control apparatus; a protocol determination part that determines a protocol corresponding to the equipment on the basis of a signal acquired from the equipment; a request part that transmits a signal for requesting the transmission of the setting information on the basis of the network construction information and the protocol; a connection control part that acquires the setting information from the equipment communication part; and an equipment control part that transmits to the equipment a notification signal expressing establishment of the communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a control method, a control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In a communication system, a communication between a device and a control device may be established using a predetermined protocol. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional communication system. The conventional communication system 10 shown in Fig. 14 includes a device 11, a switch 12, a control device 13, and a support device 14.

[0003] The device 11 is, for example, a sensor or a motor. The device 11 is connected to a switch 12. The switch 12 is a device (I / O device) that switches the path of data transmitted between the device 11 and the control device 13. The control device 13 is a device that controls the operation of the device 11. The support device 14 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer or a human machine interface (HMI). The support device 14 is a terminal device operated by a user. When the predetermined protocol is, for example, PROFINET (see Non-Patent Document 1), a GSD file 15 (General Station Description File) is a setting file of the communication specifications of the device 11. The GSD file 15 is, for example, prepared in advance by the manufacturer of the device 11.

[0004] Hereinafter, information representing setting values ​​related to communication or control of a device will be referred to as "setting information." The setting values ​​are determined according to the communication specifications or control specifications of the device. The support device 14 is connected to the control device 13. A user manually operates an engineering tool running on the support device 14 to load setting information such as a control period into the control device 13. The engineering tool is an application for loading a setting file including the setting information into the control device. This enables data exchange between the device 11 and the control device 13.

[0005] In this way, in order to establish communication between the control device and the device, the user needs to manually operate the engineering tool to make the control device recognize the communication specifications of the communication system (e.g., network topology, control cycle of the device).In response to this, a communication system has been studied that can establish communication between the control device and the device without the need for the user to operate the engineering tool (e.g., see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 059086 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] “PROFINET System Description (Japanese version) 2.6 System Engineering”, [online], Japan PROFIBUS Association, [Retrieved June 23, 2023], Internet<URL:http: / / www.profibus.jp / download / document.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Incidentally, in the future, in a communication system such as industrial automation, as the functions of industrial equipment are implemented as software, it is conceivable that multiple equipment using different protocols will be connected to the same control device. However, the communication system described in Patent Document 1 does not assume such a case. Therefore, in the communication system described in Patent Document 1, when a new equipment is connected to the control device, the user needs to select a setting file corresponding to the protocol used by the connected equipment from multiple setting files prepared in advance for each protocol. Then, the user needs to manually operate an engineering tool to load the selected setting file into the control device. Thus, in the communication system described in Patent Document 1, when multiple equipment using different protocols is connected to the same control device, there is a problem that the user needs to operate the engineering tool.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a communication system, a control method, a control device, and a program that can establish communication between a control device and an equipment by plug-and-play, without the need to operate an engineering tool, and taking into account the protocol used by the equipment connected to the control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising an appliance and a control device, wherein the appliance comprises an appliance communication unit that transmits identification information of the appliance to the control device when the appliance is connected to the control device, and transmits the setting information to the control device when a request is made to transmit setting information related to communication or control of the appliance, and the control device comprises an identification unit that acquires the identification information of the appliance from the appliance communication unit, an update unit that updates the network configuration information by adding the identification information of the appliance to network configuration information that represents the configuration of a network including the control device, a protocol discrimination unit that determines a protocol corresponding to the appliance based on a signal acquired from the appliance, a request unit that transmits a signal to the appliance requesting the transmission of the setting information based on the network configuration information and the protocol, a connection control unit that acquires the setting information from the appliance communication unit, and an appliance control unit that transmits a notification signal to the appliance indicating that communication has been established.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a control method executed by a communication system having an appliance and a control device, in which when the appliance is connected to the control device, the appliance transmits identification information of the appliance to the control device, and when requested to transmit setting information related to communication or control of the appliance, transmits the setting information to the control device, the control device acquires the identification information of the appliance from the appliance, updates the network configuration information by adding the identification information of the appliance to network configuration information which is information representing the configuration of a network including the control device, determines a protocol corresponding to the appliance based on a signal acquired from the appliance, transmits a signal requesting the transmission of the setting information to the appliance based on the network configuration information and the protocol, acquires the setting information from the appliance, and transmits a notification signal indicating that communication has been established to the appliance.

[0012] Also, one aspect of the present invention is a control device comprising an identification unit that acquires identification information of a device requesting the establishment of communication from the device, an update unit that updates network configuration information, which is information representing the configuration of a network including the control device, by adding the identification information of the device to the network configuration information, a protocol discrimination unit that determines a protocol corresponding to the device based on a signal acquired from the device, a request unit that transmits a signal to the device requesting the transmission of setting information regarding communication or control of the device based on the network configuration information and the protocol, a connection control unit that acquires the setting information from the device, and a device control unit that transmits a notification signal to the device indicating that communication has been established.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned control device. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The present invention makes it possible to eliminate the need to operate an engineering tool and to establish communication between a control device and a device by plug-and-play, taking into account the protocol used by the device connected to the control device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of the configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a communication system in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a communication system in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the configuration of a communication system in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the configuration of the communication system in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device in each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a conventional communication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 1a in a first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1a is a system in which devices and control devices communicate with each other using a predetermined protocol. The predetermined protocol is, for example, an industrial Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol. The protocol is, for example, "PROFINET" or "EtherNet / IP" (registered trademark). In the communication system 1a, it is possible to connect multiple devices using different protocols to the same control device.

[0018] 1, the communication system 1a includes a device 2 and a control device 3. The device 2 includes a storage unit 20 and a device communication unit 21. The control device 3 includes a control communication unit 30, an identification unit 31, a storage unit 32, an update unit 33, a request unit 34, a connection control unit 35, a device control unit 36, a protocol discrimination unit 37, a protocol operation control unit 38, and a protocol driver storage unit 39.

[0019] The device 2 is an industrial device, such as a sensor, a motor, an inverter, or a robot. When the device 2 is connected to the control device 3, the device 2 transmits a packet including a signal requesting the establishment of communication (hereinafter referred to as an "establishment request signal") as a communication request to the control device 3. The establishment request signal includes, for example, identification information of the device requesting the establishment of communication.

[0020] Furthermore, the device 2 acquires a packet including a signal requesting transmission of setting information (hereinafter referred to as a "setting request signal") from the control device 3. Furthermore, the device 2 acquires a packet including a notification signal indicating that communication between the control device 3 and the device 2 has been established (hereinafter referred to as an "establishment notification signal") from the control device 3. After communication between the control device 3 and the device 2 has been established, the device 2 outputs, for example, a sensor value to the control device 3.

[0021] The control device 3 is a device that controls the operation of the device 2. The control device 3 acquires an establishment request signal (packet) including identification information of the device 2 connected to the control device 3 from the device 2. The control device 3 determines the protocol used by the device 2 based on the acquired establishment request signal. The control device 3 also updates information indicating the configuration of the network (hereinafter referred to as "network configuration information") based on the acquired establishment request signal. The network configuration information includes identification information of the device 2 and network topology information. As a result, the control device 3 recognizes the network topology in the communication system 1a.

[0022] The control device 3 may be configured to recognize the network topology of the communication system 1a by using LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol).

[0023] The control device 3 reads out a driver for the identified protocol. The driver for each protocol is pre-stored in the control device 3, for example. The control device 3 passes the identification information of the device 2 and the network topology information to the read driver. The control device 3 also transmits the above-mentioned setting request signal to the device 2. The control device 3 acquires setting information output from the device 2 in response to the setting request signal. The control device 3 generates a packet (hereinafter referred to as a "control signal") including a signal for controlling the operation of the device 2 based on the acquired setting information. The control device 3 also transmits the above-mentioned establishment notification signal to the device 2.

[0024] After communication between the control device 3 and the device 2 is established, the control device 3 controls the operation of the device 2 by transmitting a control signal to the device 2. The control device 3 acquires, for example, a sensor value transmitted from the device 2. The control device 3 may generate a new control command based on the acquired sensor value.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the device 2 will be described in detail. The storage unit 20 stores the setting information of the device 2. The device communication unit 21 acquires the setting information of the device 2 (for example, information on the control period) from the storage unit 20.

[0026] When connected to the control device 3, the device communication unit 21 transmits an establishment request signal to the control device 3. When receiving a setting request signal from the control device 3, the device communication unit 21 replies with setting information of the device 2 to the control device 3. Note that the device communication unit 21 may be configured to replies with identification information and setting information of the device 2 to the control device 3 when receiving a Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) frame from the control device 3.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the control device 3 will be described in detail. The control communication unit 30 executes communication between the control device 3 and the device 2. The identification unit 31 identifies the device 2 that has transmitted the signal acquired by the control communication unit 30. For example, the identification unit 31 identifies the device 2 that has transmitted the establishment request signal based on identification information included in the establishment request signal acquired by the control communication unit 30. For example, in the case of PROFINET, the identification unit 31 identifies the device 2 by reading the value of "DeviceVendorValue", which is a variable stored in the packet, and determining the device name.

[0028] The storage unit 32 stores network configuration information of the communication system 1a. The storage unit 32 also stores setting information for each device 2.

[0029] The update unit 33 refers to the network configuration information stored in the storage unit 32. The update unit 33 adds the setting information of the device 2 connected to the control device 3 to the network configuration information as information of a device newly connected to the network. In this way, the update unit 33 updates the network configuration information.

[0030] Based on the network configuration information, the request unit 34 transmits a setting request signal to the device 2 using the control communication unit 30. Based on the setting information acquired by the control communication unit 30, the connection control unit 35 updates the setting information related to the device 2 that transmitted the setting information.

[0031] The device control unit 36 ​​takes over the control of the operation of the device 2 from the connection control unit 35. That is, based on the acquired setting information, the device control unit 36 ​​transmits an establishment notification signal using the control communication unit 30 to the device 2 that transmitted the setting information.

[0032] The device control unit 36 ​​generates a control signal based on the acquired setting information. The device control unit 36 ​​controls the operation of the device 2 by transmitting the control signal to the device 2 with which communication has been established. The device control unit 36 ​​acquires, for example, a sensor value as a response to the control signal from the device 2 from which the control signal has been acquired.

[0033] The protocol discrimination unit 37 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 that transmitted the signal acquired by the control communication unit 30. For example, the protocol discrimination unit 37 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on the Ethertype or port number of a packet including the establishment request signal acquired by the control communication unit 30. For example, in the case of a unique implementation protocol such as PROFINET RT / IRT or EtherCAT, the protocol discrimination unit 37 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on the Ethertype. Furthermore, in the case of using a mechanism of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) such as PROFINET NRT or EtherNet / IP, the protocol discrimination unit 37 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on the port number.

[0034] The protocol operation control unit 38 reads out the driver of the protocol identified by the protocol discrimination unit 37 from the protocol driver storage unit 39. The protocol operation control unit 38 acquires setting information of the device 2 identified by the identification unit 31. The protocol operation control unit 38 also acquires network configuration information updated by the update unit 33. The protocol operation control unit 38 passes the acquired setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 to the read driver. As a result, device setting using an appropriate protocol is performed for the device 2 identified by the identification unit 31. The protocol driver storage unit 39 stores a driver for each protocol in advance.

[0035] Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 1a will be described. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of the communication system 1a in the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the communication system 1a shown in FIG. 2 is executed when the device 2 is connected to the control device 3 (when the device 2 is connected to the network).

[0036] When the device 2 is connected to the control device 3, the device 2 transmits an establishment request signal (packet) to the control device 3 (step S101).

[0037] The control device 3 acquires an establishment request signal from the device 2 (step S102). Based on the acquired establishment request signal, the control device 3 determines the protocol used by the device 2 that transmitted the establishment request signal (step S103). For example, the control device 3 determines the protocol used by the device 2 based on the Ethertype or port number of a packet including the acquired establishment request signal. The control device 3 reads out a driver for the identified protocol from pre-stored drivers for each protocol (step S104).

[0038] The control device 3 identifies the device 2 that sent the establishment request signal based on the identification information included in the acquired establishment request signal (step S105). The control device 3 also updates the network configuration information based on the establishment request signal (step S106). The control device 3 passes the setting information of the identified device 2 and the updated network configuration information to the read driver (step S107). The control device 3 transmits the setting request signal to the device 2 (step S108).

[0039] The device 2 acquires the setting request signal transmitted from the control device 3 (step S109). The device 2 transmits setting information to the control device 3 in response to the acquired setting request signal (step S110).

[0040] The control device 3 acquires the setting information transmitted from the device 2 (step S111). The control device 3 transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2 (step S112).

[0041] The device 2 receives the establishment notification signal transmitted from the control device 3 (step S113).

[0042] As described above, the device communication unit 21 of the device 2 transmits the identification information of the device 2 to the control device 3 when the device 2 is directly or indirectly connected to the control device 3. Furthermore, when the device communication unit 21 is requested by the control device 3 to transmit setting information related to communication or control of the device 2, the device communication unit 21 transmits the setting information of the device 2 to the control device 3. The identification unit 31 of the control device 3 acquires the identification information of the device 2 from the device communication unit 21. The update unit 33 updates the network configuration information by adding the identification information of the device 2 to the network configuration information, which is information representing the configuration of the network including the control device 3 (its own control device). The request unit 34 transmits a setting request signal to the device 2 based on the network configuration information. The connection control unit 35 acquires the setting information of the device 2 from the device communication unit 21. When the setting information is acquired, the connection control unit 35 or the device control unit 36 ​​transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2 based on the network configuration information.

[0043] With such a configuration, the communication system 1a in the first embodiment can establish communication between the control device 3 and the device 2 by plug-and-play without the need for a user to operate an engineering tool. This is not limited to a specific protocol.

[0044] Furthermore, the user simply connects the device 2 to the control device 3 of the existing network, and communication between the control device 3 and the device 2 is established. In other words, plug-and-play is realized. This reduces the user's workload.

[0045] Furthermore, the protocol discrimination unit 37 of the control device 3 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on an establishment request signal (packet) transmitted from the device 2. The protocol operation control unit 38 reads out a driver of the protocol discriminated by the protocol discrimination unit 37 from the protocol driver storage unit 39. The protocol operation control unit 38 passes setting information and network configuration information of the connected device 2 to the read out driver.

[0046] With such a configuration, the communication system 1a in the first embodiment can establish communication between the control device 3 and the device 2, taking into consideration the protocol used by the connected device 2, even if multiple devices 2 using different protocols are connected to the same control device 3. As a result, the communication system 1a in the first embodiment can eliminate the need for a user to operate an engineering tool, and can realize plug-and-play, even if multiple devices 2 using different protocols are connected to the same control device 3.

[0047] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. 3 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the configuration of the communication system 1a in the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1b includes a device 2, a control device 3, and a switch 4. The communication system 1b may include a plurality of devices 2 under the control of the switch 4. The communication system 1b may further include a switch 4.

[0048] 4 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the configuration of the communication system 1a in the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1c includes a device 2, a control device 3, a switch 4-1, and a switch 4-2. The communication system 1c may include a plurality of devices 2 under the control of the switch 4-2. The communication system 1c may further include a switch 4.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the configuration of the communication system 1a in the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1d includes a device 2, a control device 3, a switch 4, and a communication line 5. The communication line 5 may be, for example, an electrical line such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or an optical line such as PON (Passive Optical Network). The control device 3 communicates with the device 2 via the communication line 5 and the switch 4. The control device 3 is provided at a first base. The device 2 and the switch 4 are provided at a second base. The communication system 1d may further include the switch 4.

[0050] 6 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of the configuration of the communication system 1a in the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1e includes N devices 2 (N is an integer equal to or greater than 3), a control device 3, "N+1" switches 4, and a communication line 5. The control device 3 communicates with a device 2-n (n is any integer from 1 to N) via a switch 4-1, the communication line 5, and a switch 4-(n+1).

[0051] The control device 3 is provided at a first location. The device 2-1 and the switch 4-2 are provided at a second location. The device 2-N and the switch 4-(N+1) are provided at an Nth location. The communication system 1e may further include a switch 4.

[0052] Second embodiment In a communication system 1f according to a second embodiment described below, the driver for each protocol also executes initial settings, etc. In this respect, the communication system 1f differs in configuration from the communication system 1a according to the first embodiment described above.

[0053] 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system 1f in the second embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1f is a system in which devices and control devices communicate with each other using a predetermined protocol. In the communication system 1f, multiple devices using different protocols can be connected to the same control device.

[0054] 7, the communication system 1f includes a device 2 and a control device 3f. The configuration of the device 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The control device 3f includes a control communication unit 30, an identification unit 31, a request unit 34, a device control unit 36, a protocol discrimination unit 37, a protocol operation control unit 38f, and a protocol driver storage unit 39.

[0055] The control device 3f is a device that controls the operation of the device 2. The control device 3f acquires an establishment request signal (packet) including identification information of the device 2 connected to the control device 3f from the device 2. The control device 3f also determines the protocol used by the device 2 based on the acquired establishment request signal. The control device 3f also updates network configuration information based on the acquired establishment request signal. The network configuration information includes setting information of the device 2 and network topology information. As a result, the control device 3f recognizes the network topology in the communication system 1f.

[0056] The control device 3f may be configured to recognize the network topology of the communication system 1f by using LLDP.

[0057] The control device 3f reads out a driver for the identified protocol. The control device 3f passes the setting information of the device 2 and the network topology information to the read driver. The control device 3f transmits a setting request signal to the device 2. The control device 3f acquires the setting information from the device 2. The control device 3f generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the device 2 based on the setting information. The control device 3f transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2.

[0058] After the communication between the control device 3f and the device 2 is established, the control device 3f controls the operation of the device 2 by transmitting a control signal to the device 2. The control device 3f acquires, for example, a sensor value transmitted from the device 2. The control device 3f may generate a new control command based on the acquired sensor value.

[0059] Next, the configuration of the control device 3f will be described in detail. The control communication unit 30 executes communication between the control device 3f and the device 2. The identification unit 31 identifies the device 2 that transmitted the signal acquired by the control communication unit 30. For example, the identification unit 31 identifies the device 2 that transmitted the establishment request signal based on identification information included in the establishment request signal acquired by the control communication unit 30.

[0060] Based on the network configuration information, the request unit 34 transmits a setting request signal to the device 2 using the control communication unit 30. Based on the setting information acquired by the control communication unit 30, the connection control unit 35 updates the setting information related to the device 2 that transmitted the setting information.

[0061] Based on the acquired setting information, the device control unit 36 ​​transmits an establishment notification signal using the device communication unit 21 to the device 2 that transmitted the setting information.

[0062] The device control unit 36 ​​generates a control signal based on the setting information. The device control unit 36 ​​controls the operation of the device 2 by transmitting the control signal to the device 2 with which communication has been established. The device control unit 36 ​​acquires, for example, a sensor value as a response to the control signal from the device 2 from which the control signal has been acquired.

[0063] The protocol discrimination unit 37 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 that transmitted the signal acquired by the control communication unit 30. For example, the protocol discrimination unit 37 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on the Ethertype or port number of the packet of the establishment request signal acquired by the control communication unit 30.

[0064] The protocol operation control unit 38f reads out a driver of the protocol identified by the protocol discrimination unit 37 from the protocol driver storage unit 39. The protocol operation control unit 38f acquires setting information of the device 2 identified by the identification unit 31. The protocol operation control unit 38f passes the setting information of the connected device 2 to the read driver. As a result, device setting using an appropriate protocol is performed for the device 2 identified by the identification unit 31. The protocol driver storage unit 39 stores a driver for each protocol in advance.

[0065] Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 1f will be described. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system 1f in the second embodiment of the present invention. The operation shown in Fig. 8 is executed when the device 2 is connected to the control device 3f (when the device 2 is connected to the network). The device 2 transmits an establishment request signal (packet) to the control device 3f (step S201).

[0066] The control device 3f acquires an establishment request signal from the device 2 (step S202). Based on the acquired establishment request signal, the control device 3f determines the protocol used by the device 2 that transmitted the establishment request signal (step S203). For example, the control device 3f determines the protocol used by the device 2 based on the EtherType or port number of the acquired packet of the establishment request signal. The control device 3f reads out the driver of the identified protocol from the drivers for each protocol stored in advance (step S204).

[0067] The control device 3f identifies the device 2 that has sent the establishment request signal based on the identification information included in the acquired establishment request signal (step S205). The control device 3f transfers the setting information of the identified device 2 to the read driver (step S206). The control device 3f transmits the setting request signal to the device 2 (step S207).

[0068] The device 2 receives a setting request signal from the control device 3f (step S208), and transmits setting information to the control device 3f (step S209).

[0069] The control device 3f acquires setting information from the device 2 (step S210). The control device 3f transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2 (step S211). The device 2 acquires the establishment notification signal from the control device 3f (step S212).

[0070] As described above, the device communication unit 21 of the device 2 transmits identification information of the device 2 to the control device 3f when the device 2 is directly or indirectly connected to the control device 3f. Furthermore, when the device communication unit 21 is requested by the control device 3 to transmit setting information related to communication or control of the device 2, the device communication unit 21 transmits the setting information of the device 2 to the control device 3f. The identification unit 31 acquires the identification information of the device 2 from the device communication unit 21. The request unit 34 transmits a setting request signal to the device 2 based on the network configuration information. The device control unit 36 ​​acquires the setting information of the device 2 from the device communication unit 21. When the setting information is acquired, the device control unit 36 ​​transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2 based on the network configuration information.

[0071] With such a configuration, the communication system 1f in the second embodiment can establish communication between the control device 3f and the device 2 without the need for a user to operate an engineering tool. This is not limited to a specific protocol.

[0072] Furthermore, the user simply connects the device 2 to the control device 3 of the existing network, and communication between the control device 3f and the device 2 is established. In other words, plug-and-play is realized. This reduces the amount of work required by the user.

[0073] Furthermore, the protocol discrimination unit 37 of the control device 3f discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on an establishment request signal (packet) transmitted from the device 2. The protocol operation control unit 38f reads out a driver of the protocol discriminated by the protocol discrimination unit 37 from the protocol driver storage unit 39. The protocol operation control unit 38f passes the setting information of the connected device 2 to the read driver.

[0074] With such a configuration, even if multiple devices 2 using different protocols are connected to the same control device 3f, the communication system 1f in the second embodiment can establish communication between the control device 3f and the device 2, taking into consideration the protocol used by the connected device 2. As a result, even if multiple devices 2 using different protocols are connected to the same control device 3f, the communication system 1f in the second embodiment can eliminate the need for a user to operate an engineering tool and can realize plug-and-play.

[0075] Like the communication system 1a in the first embodiment described above, the communication system 1f in the second embodiment can also be configured as in the first to fourth modified examples described with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0076] Third embodiment A communication system 1g in a third embodiment described below includes an assistance device. In this respect, the communication system 1g has a different configuration from the communication system 1a in the first embodiment and the communication system 1f in the second embodiment. The following mainly describes the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment.

[0077] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication system 1g in a third embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1g includes a device 2, a switch 4, a support device 6 (first control device), and a control device 7 (second control device). The support device 6 includes a first control communication unit 60, an identification unit 61, a storage unit 62, an update unit 63, a request unit 64, a connection control unit 65, a protocol discrimination unit 67, and a target controller discrimination unit 68. The control device 7 includes a second control communication unit 70 and a device control unit 71.

[0078] The support device 6 is connected to the control device 7-1 and the control device 7-2 via the switch 4. The communication system 1g may further include a control device 7.

[0079] Next, the configurations of the support device 6 and the control device 7 will be described in detail. The first control communication unit 60, the identification unit 61, the storage unit 62, the update unit 63, the request unit 64, the connection control unit 65, and the protocol discrimination unit 67 of the support device 6 correspond to the control communication unit 30, the identification unit 31, the storage unit 32, the update unit 33, the request unit 34, the connection control unit 35, and the protocol discrimination unit 37 of the control device 3 in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Also, the device control unit 71 of the control device 7 corresponds to the device control unit 36 ​​of the control device 3 in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

[0080] The first control communication unit 60 executes communication between the support device 6 and the device 2, and communication between the support device 6 and the control device 7, via the switch 4. The identification unit 61 identifies the device 2 that transmitted the signal acquired by the first control communication unit 60. For example, the identification unit 61 identifies the device 2 that transmitted the establishment request signal based on identification information included in the establishment request signal acquired by the first control communication unit 60.

[0081] The storage unit 62 stores network configuration information of the communication system 1g. The storage unit 62 also stores setting information for each device 2.

[0082] The update unit 63 refers to the network configuration information stored in the storage unit 62. The update unit 63 adds the setting information of the device 2 connected to the support device 6 to the network configuration information as information of a device newly connected to the network. In this way, the update unit 63 updates the network configuration information.

[0083] Based on the network configuration information, the request unit 64 transmits a setting request signal to the device 2 using the first control communication unit 60. Based on the setting information acquired by the first control communication unit 60, the connection control unit 65 updates the setting information related to the device 2 that transmitted the setting information.

[0084] The protocol discrimination unit 67 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 that transmitted the signal acquired by the first control communication unit 60. For example, the protocol discrimination unit 67 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on the Ethertype or port number of the packet including the establishment request signal acquired by the first control communication unit 60.

[0085] The target controller determination unit 68 acquires information indicating the protocol identified by the protocol determination unit 67. The target controller determination unit 68 also identifies the control device 7 corresponding to the connected device 2 based on the protocol identified by the protocol determination unit 67. The target controller determination unit 68 also acquires setting information of the device 2 identified by the identification unit 61. The target controller determination unit 68 also acquires network configuration information updated by the update unit 63. The target controller determination unit 68 transmits the acquired setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 to the identified control device 7 using the first control communication unit 60.

[0086] The second control communication unit 70 of the control device 7 receives the setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 sent from the support device 6 and transmitted via the switch 4. The device control unit 71 performs device settings using an appropriate protocol for the connected device 2 based on the setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 acquired by the second control communication unit 70. Based on the setting information acquired from the device 2, the device control unit 71 transmits an establishment notification signal using the second control communication unit 70 to the device 2 that transmitted the setting information.

[0087] The device control unit 71 generates a control signal based on the acquired setting information. The device control unit 71 controls the operation of the device 2 by transmitting the control signal to the device 2 with which communication has been established. The device control unit 71 acquires, for example, a sensor value as a response to the control signal from the device 2 from which the control signal has been acquired.

[0088] Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 1g will be described. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system 1g in the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation shown in Fig. 10 is executed when the device 2 is connected to the support device 6 or the control device 7 (when the device 2 is connected to the network). The device 2 transmits an establishment request signal (packet) including identification information of the device 2 to the support device 6 (step S301).

[0089] The support device 6 acquires an establishment request signal from the device 2 (step S302). Based on the acquired establishment request signal, the support device 6 determines the protocol used by the device 2 that transmitted the establishment request signal (step S303). For example, the support device 6 determines the protocol used by the device 2 based on the Ethertype or port number of the packet of the acquired establishment request signal.

[0090] The support device 6 identifies the device 2 that transmitted the establishment request signal based on the identification information included in the acquired establishment request signal (step S304). The support device 6 also updates the network configuration information based on the establishment request signal (step S305). The support device 6 identifies the control device 7 corresponding to the connected device 2 based on the determined protocol. The support device 6 also transmits the setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 to the identified control device 7 (step S306).

[0091] The control device 7 acquires the setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 transmitted from the support device 6 (step S307). The control device 7 transmits a setting request signal to the connected device 2 based on the acquired setting information and network configuration information of the device 2 (step S308).

[0092] The device 2 receives a setting request signal from the control device 7 (step S309). The device 2 transmits setting information to the control device 7 (step S310). The control device 7 receives the setting information from the device 2 (step S311). The control device 7 transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2 (step S312). The device 2 receives the establishment notification signal from the control device 7 (step S313).

[0093] As described above, the device communication unit 21 of the device 2 transmits the identification information of the device 2 to the support device 6 when the device 2 is directly or indirectly connected to the support device 6 (first control device) or the control device 7 (second control device). In addition, when the device communication unit 21 is requested by the control device 7 to transmit the setting information related to the communication or control of the device 2, the device communication unit 21 transmits the setting information of the device 2 to the control device 7. The identification unit 61 of the support device 6 acquires the identification information of the device 2 from the device communication unit 21. The update unit 63 updates the network configuration information by adding the identification information of the device 2 to the network configuration information, which is information representing the configuration of the network including the support device 6 (own support device). The protocol discrimination unit 67 discriminates the protocol used by the device 2 based on the establishment request signal (packet) transmitted from the device 2. The target controller discrimination unit 68 discriminates the control device 7 corresponding to the connected device 2 based on the discriminated protocol. The target controller discrimination unit 68 transmits the setting information of the connected device 2 and the network configuration information to the discriminated control device 7. The device control unit 71 of the control device 7 transmits a setting request signal to the device 2 based on the acquired network configuration information. When the setting information is acquired, the device control unit 71 transmits an establishment notification signal to the device 2 based on the network configuration information.

[0094] With such a configuration, the communication system 1g in the third embodiment can establish communication between the control device 7 and the device 2 by plug-and-play without the need for a user to operate an engineering tool. This is not limited to a specific protocol.

[0095] Furthermore, the user simply connects the device 2 to the support device 6 or the control device 7 of the existing network, and communication between the control device 7 and the device 2 is established. In other words, plug-and-play is realized. This reduces the user's workload.

[0096] With such a configuration, even if a plurality of devices 2 using different protocols are connected to the same support device 6, the communication system 1g in the third embodiment can identify the corresponding control device 7 based on the protocol used by the connected device 2 and establish communication between the identified control device 7 and the device 2. As a result, even if a plurality of devices 2 using different protocols are connected to the same support device 6, the communication system 1g in the third embodiment can eliminate the need for a user to operate an engineering tool and can realize plug-and-play.

[0097] Next, a modified example will be described. 11 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the configuration of the communication system 1g in the third embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1h includes a device 2, a switch 4b, control devices 7-1 and 7-2, a switch 4a, a support device 6, and a communication line 5. The control devices 7-1 and 7-2 communicate with the device 2 via the switch 4a, the communication line 5, and the switch 4a. The support device 6 communicates with the device 2 via the switch 4a, the communication line 5, and the switch 4a. The control devices 7-1 and 7-2, the support device 6, and the switch 4a are provided at a first base. The device 2 and the switch 4b are provided at a second base. The communication system 1i may further include a switch 4.

[0098] 12 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the configuration of the communication system 1g in the third embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1i includes N devices 2, N switches 4b, control devices 7-1 and 7-2, a switch 4a, a support device 6, and a communication line 5. The control devices 7-1 and 7-2 communicate with the device 2-n via the switch 4a, the communication line 5, and the switch 4b-(n+1). The support device 6 communicates with the device 2-n via the switch 4a, the communication line 5, and the switch 4b-(n+1).

[0099] The control device 7-1, the control device 7-2, the support device 6, and the switch 4a are provided at a first location. The device 2-1 and the switch 4b-2 are provided at a second location. The device 2-N and the switch 4b-(N+1) are provided at an Nth location. The communication system 1i may further include a switch 4.

[0100] Each device in each embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program. In each embodiment, the program may be provided through a network.

[0101] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the control device will be described. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control device in each embodiment of the present invention. A part or all of the functional units of the control device 3 are realized as software by a processor 100 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a storage device 200 having a non-volatile recording medium (non-transient recording medium) and a memory 300. The program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or a non-transient recording medium such as a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system.

[0102] Some or all of the functional units of the control device 3 may be realized using hardware including electronic circuits (electronic circuits or circuitry) using, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. The same applies to the control device 7.

[0103] According to the above-described embodiment, the communication system includes the device and the control device. For example, the communication system is the communication systems 1a to 1i in the embodiment, the device is the device 2 in the embodiment, and the control device is the control devices 3 and 3f, the support device 6, and the control device 7 in the embodiment.

[0104] The device includes a device communication unit. For example, the device communication unit is the device communication unit 21 in the embodiment. When the device is connected to the control device, the device communication unit transmits identification information of the device to the control device, and when requested to transmit setting information related to communication or control of the device, transmits the setting information to the control device.

[0105] The control device includes an identification unit, a protocol discrimination unit, a request unit, a connection control unit, and a device control unit. For example, the identification unit is the identification unit 31, 61 in the embodiment, the protocol discrimination unit is the protocol discrimination unit 37, 67 in the embodiment, the request unit is the request unit 34, 64 in the embodiment, the connection control unit is the connection control unit 35, 65, and the protocol operation control unit 38f in the embodiment, and the device control unit is the device control unit 36, 71 in the embodiment.

[0106] The identification unit acquires identification information of the device from the device communication unit. The update unit updates the network configuration information by adding the identification information of the device to network configuration information, which is information representing the configuration of a network including the control device. The protocol discrimination unit determines a protocol corresponding to the device based on a signal acquired from the device. For example, the signal acquired from the device is an establishment request signal (packet) in the embodiment. The request unit transmits a signal requesting transmission of setting information to the device based on the network configuration information and the protocol. For example, the signal requesting transmission of setting information is a setting request signal in the embodiment. The connection control unit acquires the setting information from the device communication unit. The device control unit transmits a notification signal indicating that communication has been established to the device. For example, the notification signal indicating that communication has been established is an establishment notification signal in the embodiment.

[0107] In the above communication system, the device control unit may generate a control signal based on the setting information and transmit the control signal to the device.

[0108] In the above communication system, the control device may further include a protocol operation control unit. For example, the protocol operation control unit is the protocol operation control unit 38, 38f, and the device control unit 71 in the embodiment. The protocol operation control unit passes network configuration information and device setting information to a driver of the protocol. The request unit transmits a signal to the device using the driver. For example, the signal is a control signal in the embodiment.

[0109] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a communication system that utilizes SDN (Software Defined Network) technology in an industrial Ethernet (registered trademark) communication system and is equipped with a control device that controls devices such as sensors according to setting information, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i...communication system, 2...equipment, 3, 3f...control device, 4, 4a, 4b...switch, 5...communication line, 6...support device, 7...control device, 10...communication system, 11...equipment, 12...switch, 13...control device, 14...support device, 15...GSD file, 20...storage unit, 21...equipment communication unit, 30...control communication unit, 31...identification unit, 32...storage unit, 33...update unit, 34...request unit , 35...connection control unit, 36...device control unit, 37...protocol discrimination unit, 38, 38f...protocol operation control unit, 39...protocol driver storage unit, 60...first control communication unit, 61...identification unit, 62...storage unit, 63...update unit, 64...request unit, 65...connection control unit, 67...protocol discrimination unit, 68...target controller discrimination unit, 70...second control communication unit, 71...device control unit, 100...processor, 200...storage device, 300...memory

Claims

1. A communication system including a device and a control device, The device comprises: a device communication unit that transmits identification information of the device to the control device when the device is connected to the control device, and transmits setting information related to communication or control of the device to the control device when the device is requested to transmit the setting information; Equipped with The control device includes: an identification unit that acquires identification information of the device from the device communication unit; an update unit that updates network configuration information, which is information that represents a configuration of a network including the control device, by adding identification information of the device to the network configuration information; a protocol discrimination unit that discriminates a protocol corresponding to the device based on a signal acquired from the device; a request unit that transmits a signal requesting transmission of the setting information to the device based on the network configuration information and the protocol; a connection control unit that acquires the setting information from the device communication unit; a device control unit that transmits a notification signal indicating that communication has been established to the device; Equipped Communication systems.

2. The device control unit generates a control signal based on the setting information and transmits the control signal to the device. The communication system according to claim 1 .

3. The control device includes: A protocol operation control unit that delivers the network configuration information and the setting information of the device to a driver of the protocol. Further equipped with The request unit transmits the signal to the device using the driver.

3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A control method executed by a communication system including a device and a control device, The device comprises: When the device is connected to the control device, the control device transmits identification information of the device to the control device, and when the control device receives a request to transmit setting information related to communication or control of the device, the setting information is transmitted to the control device; The control device includes: obtaining identification information of the device from the device; updating the network configuration information by adding the identification information of the device to the network configuration information, the network configuration information being information representing the configuration of a network including the control device; determining a protocol corresponding to the device based on a signal acquired from the device; Transmitting a signal requesting transmission of the setting information to the device based on the network configuration information and the protocol; Acquiring the setting information from the device; Sending a notification signal to the device indicating that communication has been established Control methods.

5. The control device generates a control signal based on the setting information and transmits the control signal to the device. The control method according to claim 4.

6. an identification unit that acquires, from a device that requests establishment of communication, identification information of the device; an update unit that updates network configuration information, which is information that represents a configuration of a network including the control device, by adding identification information of the device to the network configuration information; a protocol discrimination unit that discriminates a protocol corresponding to the device based on a signal acquired from the device; a request unit that transmits to the device a signal requesting transmission of setting information related to communication or control of the device based on the network configuration information and the protocol; a connection control unit that acquires the setting information from the device; a device control unit that transmits a notification signal indicating that communication has been established to the device; A control device comprising:

7. The device control unit generates a control signal based on the setting information and transmits the control signal to the device. The control device according to claim 6.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as the control device according to claim 6 or 7.

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