CONTROL DEVICE, SYSTEM, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

To materialize a controller capable of reducing the quantity of abnormality occurrence information.SOLUTION: A controller (1) includes a detection unit (11) that detects an abnormality, and a recording control unit (12) that records abnormality occurrence information concerning the abnormality detected by the detection unit in a first recorder (21) as an occurring abnormality, and records the abnormality occurrence information in a second recorder (22) as a history. On receipt of an update instruction from outside, only when an elapsed time from a final update time of the abnormality occurrence information on the occurring abnormality is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the recording control unit performs recording processing of recording the abnormality occurrence information indicating that the abnormality is continuing out of the abnormality occurrence information on the occurring abnormality in the second recorder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device communicably connected to a plurality of devices, an information terminal communicably connected to the control device, a control program for the control device, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, small embedded devices equipped with a small amount of non-volatile memory can only store a limited amount of information such as abnormality information. Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring control device capable of reducing the amount of log information to be stored. The monitoring control device monitors a plant and includes an alarm sounding means, an operation detection means, a log extraction means, and a log information storage means. The alarm sounding means sounds an alarm when an abnormality related to the plant is detected. The operation detection means detects an operation to stop the alarm sound. When the operation detection means detects an operation to stop the alarm sound, the log extraction means extracts log information acquired by the log acquisition means within a preset time range based on the detection time point. The log information storage means stores the log information extracted by the log extraction means. As a result, the log information stored in the log information storage means is limited to that acquired by the log acquisition means within the preset time range. Therefore, the amount of log information to be stored can be reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2016 / 135859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a FA (Factory Automation) system, information indicating an occurring abnormality may be recorded so that a user can check the abnormality on a display device or the like. The information indicating the occurring abnormality is recorded when a control device detects the abnormality. In addition, when the control device performs a process to update information, the information indicating the occurring abnormality is deleted if the abnormality is resolved.

[0005] In such a system, when an abnormality occurs and the control device performs a process to update information in order to record the continuing information of the abnormality, it is possible to re-register the history of information indicating the continuing abnormality. In this case, if the control device performs the process to update information multiple times in succession, the history will be recorded multiple times. As a result, problems such as the capacity of the recording device being strained or old logs being overwritten may occur.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a control device or the like that is capable of reducing the amount of abnormality occurrence information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a detection unit that detects at least one of an abnormality that has occurred in the control device itself, an abnormality that has occurred in any of a plurality of devices that are communicatively connected to the control device itself, and an abnormality that has occurred in communication with any of the plurality of devices, and a recording control unit that records abnormality occurrence information related to the abnormality detected by the detection unit as an occurring abnormality in a first recording unit and records the abnormality occurrence information as history in a second recording unit, and when the recording control unit receives an update instruction from the outside, it performs an update process that updates the occurring abnormality recorded in the first recording unit, and in the update process, it performs a recording process that records in the second recording unit, among the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality, an abnormality indicated by the abnormality occurrence information, that is continuing, only if a predetermined time has elapsed since the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality was last updated.

[0008] According to the above configuration, in the control device, the recording control unit records the abnormality occurrence information indicating the abnormality detected by the detection unit in the first recording unit as an occurring abnormality and records it in the second recording unit as history. When an update instruction is received from the outside, the recording control unit executes the recording process only when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality was last updated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in abnormality occurrence information as history in the recording device and reduce the amount of abnormality occurrence information.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a time setting unit that sets the predetermined time, and that the time setting unit is capable of setting the predetermined time to infinity.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection unit has already been recorded in the recording device, the time setting unit can set the predetermined time until the abnormality occurrence information is newly recorded in the recording device to infinity. In this case, the recording control unit can set not to newly record abnormality occurrence information regarding the same abnormality in the recording device regardless of the elapsed time after recording the abnormality occurrence information in the recording device.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a time setting unit that sets the predetermined time, and that the time setting unit is capable of setting the predetermined time for each type of abnormality.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the time setting unit can set the predetermined time until the recording control unit newly records abnormality occurrence information about the same abnormality in the recording device according to the type of abnormality. Therefore, the control device can suppress an increase in abnormality occurrence information in a type of abnormality recording device that does not need to repeatedly record abnormality occurrence information about the same abnormality.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a time setting unit that sets the specified time, and that the time setting unit is capable of setting the specified time based on an instruction input from outside.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the time setting unit can set the specified time until the recording control unit newly records abnormality occurrence information about the same abnormality in the recording device based on an external instruction input, for example an instruction from a user.

[0015] Moreover, an information terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information terminal communicatively connected to the above-mentioned control device, and includes an information acquisition unit that acquires abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit as the occurring abnormality, and a display control unit that causes a display device to display the abnormality occurrence information acquired by the information acquisition unit and information indicating whether the elapsed time from the last update time has exceeded the specified time.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the user of the information terminal can be made aware of whether or not the recording control section is to newly record abnormality occurrence information in the second recording section through the display on the display device.

[0017] Moreover, an information terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information terminal communicatively connected to the above-mentioned control device, and is provided with an input receiving unit that receives instruction input from a user regarding the specified time, and an instruction output unit that outputs the instruction input to the control device.

[0018] According to the above configuration, a user instruction input regarding the time until new abnormality occurrence information is recorded in the recording device can be obtained and output to the control device.

[0019] Furthermore, a control method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a detection step of detecting at least one of an abnormality that has occurred in the device itself, an abnormality that has occurred in any of a plurality of devices connected to the device so as to be able to communicate with the device itself, and an abnormality that has occurred in communication with any of the plurality of devices; a recording control step of recording abnormality occurrence information relating to the abnormality detected by the detection step as an occurring abnormality in a first recording unit and recording the abnormality occurrence information as history in a second recording unit; and an update step of performing an update process to update the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality recorded in the first recording unit when an update instruction is received from the outside, in which case the update step performs a recording process to record in the second recording unit, among the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality, an abnormality indicated by the abnormality occurrence information, that is continuing, only if a predetermined time has elapsed since the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality was last updated.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of the above control device are achieved.

[0021] The control device or information terminal according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program of the control device or information terminal that realizes the control device or information terminal on a computer by causing the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the control device or information terminal, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a control device or the like that is capable of reducing the amount of abnormality occurrence information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a control system including a control device and an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a control device and an information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of an anomaly, a data structure of an occurring anomaly corresponding to the anomaly, and a data structure of anomaly occurrence information corresponding to the anomaly. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of recording of abnormality occurrence information in a conventional control device. [Diagram 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of recording of abnormality occurrence information in the control device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display by a display device. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the control device. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart showing an abnormality registration process in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a flowchart showing an update process in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0025] §1 Examples of application 1 is a diagram showing a control system including a control device 1 according to this embodiment and an information terminal 2. The control system shown in FIG.

[0026] A plurality of devices 60 are communicatively connected to each of the PLC 1A and the coupler unit 1B. The devices 60 are slave devices controlled by the PLC 1A, such as an IO unit or a servo driver. The coupler unit 1B controls the communication of the devices 60 connected to itself. The coupler unit 1B is communicatively connected to the PLC 1A via a network.

[0027] PLC 1A comprehensively controls the operation of the device 60 connected to itself and the device 60 connected to the coupler unit 1B. In Fig. 1, only one coupler unit 1B is connected to PLC 1A. However, the number of coupler units connected to PLC 1A is not limited to one, and multiple coupler units may be connected.

[0028] The information terminal 2 is a setting device that is connected to the PLC 1A or the coupler unit 1B as necessary so that a user can input and output information to and from the PLC 1A or the coupler unit 1B. In the following description, the PLC 1A and the coupler unit 1B are collectively referred to as the control device 1.

[0029] §2 Configuration example (Configuration of control device 1) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the control device 1 and the information terminal 2 according to this embodiment. The control device 1 controls a plurality of devices 60 connected to it so as to be able to communicate with it. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 1 includes a control unit 10, a first recording device 21 (first recording unit), and a second recording device 22 (second recording unit).

[0030] The control unit 10 controls the operation of the control device 1. The control unit 10 includes a detection unit 11, a recording control unit 12, and a time setting unit 13.

[0031] The detection unit 11 detects at least one of an abnormality that occurs in the control device 1 itself, an abnormality that occurs in any of the multiple devices 60, and an abnormality that occurs in communication with any of the multiple devices 60. In the following description, an abnormality detected by the detection unit 11 will simply be referred to as an abnormality.

[0032] The recording control unit 12 records abnormality occurrence information regarding an abnormality as an occurring abnormality in the first recording device 21. The first recording device 21 is a recording device that records the abnormality occurrence information as an occurring abnormality. The first recording device 21 may be either a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The recording control unit 12 also records the abnormality occurrence information as history in the second recording device 22. The second recording device 22 is a recording device that records the abnormality occurrence information as history. The second recording device 22 is a non-volatile memory.

[0033] Furthermore, when receiving an update instruction from the outside, the recording control unit 12 executes an update process for updating the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality recorded in the first recording device 21. In the update process, the recording control unit 12 executes a record process for recording, in the second recording unit, the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality, which indicates that the abnormality indicated by the abnormality occurrence information is continuing, only if the elapsed time from the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information of the occurring abnormality was last updated, is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. In other words, the recording control unit 12 does not execute the record process when the elapsed time from the last update time is less than a predetermined time. The last update time here includes the time when the recording control unit 12 executed the update process, as well as the time when the recording control unit 12 newly recorded the abnormality occurrence information as an occurring abnormality in the first recording device 21. Details of the update process will be described later.

[0034] The time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time in the recording control unit 12. That is, the time setting unit 13 sets the time until the recording control unit 12 starts to execute the recording process when the recording control unit 12 receives an update instruction from outside.

[0035] It is preferable that the time setting unit 13 is capable of setting the predetermined time to infinity. When the predetermined time is set to infinity, the recording control unit 12 does not execute the recording process regardless of the time elapsed since the last update time. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in abnormality occurrence information as history in the second recording device 22, and reduce the amount of abnormality occurrence information.

[0036] It is preferable that the time setting unit 13 can set the predetermined time for each type of abnormality. Examples of types of abnormality include a disconnection between the device 60 and the control device 1, a hardware abnormality of the device 60, an abnormality in non-volatile memory data of the device 60, and an over threshold value of sensor data. The time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time for each type of abnormality. Therefore, the control device 1 can suppress an increase in abnormality occurrence information as history in the second recording device 22 for types of abnormalities for which it is unlikely that abnormality occurrence information about the same abnormality needs to be repeatedly recorded, and reduce the amount of abnormality occurrence information.

[0037] Among the above-mentioned abnormalities, the sensor disconnection requires rewiring, so the abnormality continues for a while after it occurs. For this reason, the time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time for the sensor disconnection to, for example, 5 minutes. Furthermore, since the hardware abnormality is an abnormality that cannot be recovered from, it is determined that the abnormality will continue. For this reason, the time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time for the hardware abnormality to, for example, infinity. Furthermore, the non-volatile memory data abnormality is an abnormality that is detected only when the device 60 is started, and if it is detected when the device 60 is started, it is determined that the abnormality will continue. For this reason, the time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time for the non-volatile memory data abnormality to, for example, infinity. Furthermore, when the sensor data threshold is exceeded, the device is adjusted by an operator to eliminate the abnormality. It is preferable to keep a record of the adjustment of the device at a high frequency. For this reason, the time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time for the sensor data threshold exceeded to, for example, 0.

[0038] The time setting unit 13 can set the predetermined time based on an instruction input from outside. For example, the time setting unit 13 sets the predetermined time based on an instruction input by a user via an information terminal 2 described later. This allows the user to arbitrarily set the predetermined time in the recording control unit 12.

[0039] (Anomaly and anomaly occurrence information) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an abnormality and a structure of abnormality occurrence information corresponding to the abnormality. Reference numeral 301 in Fig. 3 shows an example of an abnormality. In the example shown by reference numeral 301 in Fig. 3, the control device 1 has channels CH1 to CH4 to which devices 61 to 64 are respectively connected. In this example, an abnormality of a disconnection has occurred between the control device 1 and the device 63 connected to CH3 of the control device 1.

[0040] Reference numeral 302 in Fig. 3 illustrates the structure of abnormality occurrence information. As illustrated by reference numeral 302 in Fig. 3, the abnormality occurrence information includes an importance level 91, an abnormality type 92, and a CH number 93. The importance level 91 is data indicating the importance of the abnormality. The abnormality type 92 is data indicating the type of the abnormality. The CH number 93 is data indicating the channel to which the device 60 in which the abnormality has occurred is connected. However, the data structure of the abnormality occurrence information is not limited to that illustrated by reference numeral 302 in Fig. 3.

[0041] As described above, the recording control unit 12 records abnormality occurrence information regarding an abnormality as an ongoing abnormality in the first recording device 21. Specifically, the recording control unit 12 adds status information indicating that the abnormality is continuing to the abnormality occurrence information and records the information in the first recording device 21. Furthermore, when the abnormality is resolved, the recording control unit 12 sets the status information added to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21 to "resolved."

[0042] Reference numeral 303 in Fig. 3 illustrates abnormality occurrence information recorded as history. As described above, the recording control unit 12 records abnormality occurrence information related to an abnormality as history in the second recording device 22. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 303 in Fig. 3, the recording control unit 12 records the abnormality occurrence information, i.e., the importance 91, the abnormality type 92, and the CH number 93, together with a record number 94 and a detection time 95 in the second recording device 22. The record number 94 is a number for identifying each piece of abnormality occurrence information recorded in the second recording device 22. The detection time 95 is the time when the detection unit 11 detects the abnormality.

[0043] In the update process, the recording control unit 12 deletes the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21, which has status information added to the abnormality occurrence information that indicates that the abnormality has been resolved. The recording control unit 12 also executes the above-mentioned recording process. In the update process, the recording control unit 12 also updates the last update time. The last update time is recorded in the first recording device 21, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0044] (Record of abnormality history) Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of an update process in a conventional control device. First, as shown by reference numeral 401 in Fig. 4, it is assumed that at a certain point in time, abnormality occurrence information on three abnormalities, E1, E2, and E3, is recorded as occurring abnormalities and history.

[0045] Next, consider a state in which, among the occurring anomalies, the status information added to the anomaly occurrence information for anomaly E1 has been resolved, and the status information added to the anomaly occurrence information for anomalies E2 and E3 is ongoing. In this state, when the conventional control device performs an update process, as shown by reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4, only the anomaly occurrence information for anomalies E2 and E3 is recorded as the occurring anomaly. Furthermore, in the update process, the conventional control device performs a recording process regardless of the time elapsed since the last update time. That is, as shown by the shading in reference numeral 402, the anomaly occurrence information for anomalies E2 and E3 is newly recorded as history in the recording control unit 12. As a result, the amount of anomaly occurrence information as history increases.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of recording of abnormality occurrence information in the control device 1 of this embodiment. Reference numeral 501 in FIG. 5 is the same as reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4. Next, in 502 in FIG. 5, the state of an occurring abnormality is the same as reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4. Here, the recording control unit 12 performs an update process for the abnormalities E2 and E3 before the predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, even if the status information added to the abnormality occurrence information for the abnormalities E2 and E3 is ongoing, the recording control unit 12 does not perform a recording process for the abnormalities E2 and E3. As a result, the amount of abnormality occurrence information can be reduced.

[0047] (Configuration of Information Terminal 2) Returning to FIG. 2, the configuration of the information terminal 2 will be described. The information terminal 2 is communicatively connected to the control device 1, and is configured, for example, by a notebook computer. The information terminal 2 includes a control unit 30, a display device 40, and an input device 50. The display device 40 presents information to the user by means of images. The display device 40 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device 50 accepts instructions input by the user. The input device 50 is, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device. However, the display device 40 and the input device 50 are not limited to these examples. The information terminal 2 may not include one or both of the display device 40 and the input device 50, and may be communicatively connected to an external device having equivalent functions.

[0048] The control unit 30 controls the operation of the information terminal 2. The control unit 30 includes an information acquisition unit 31, a display control unit 32, an input reception unit 33, and an instruction output unit .

[0049] The information acquisition unit 31 acquires abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21 as an occurring abnormality. The display control unit 32 causes the display device 40 to display the abnormality occurrence information acquired by the information acquisition unit 31 and information indicating whether or not the elapsed time from the last update time exceeds a predetermined time. Therefore, the user of the information terminal 2 can recognize from the display on the display device 40 whether or not the recording control unit 12 will record new abnormality occurrence information in the second recording device 22 when an update instruction is issued.

[0050] The input receiving unit 33 receives an instruction input by the user regarding the predetermined time in the recording control unit 12. The instruction input by the user is performed via the input device 50. The instruction output unit 34 outputs the instruction input received by the input receiving unit 33 to the control device 1. This allows the user of the information terminal 2 to input an instruction regarding the time until new abnormality occurrence information is recorded in the second recording device 22 via the information terminal 2. The input receiving unit 33 may also receive an instruction input instructing the recording control unit 12 to execute an update process.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display by the display device 40. As shown in Fig. 6, the display device 40 displays a current time display 610, a list of currently occurring abnormalities 620, a list of abnormality history 630, an update button 640, and a last update time display 650.

[0052] Current time display 610 indicates the current time. For example, if information terminal 2 includes a timer that outputs a signal indicating the current time, current time display 610 may indicate the current time based on the output from the timer. Also, if information terminal 2 is configured to be able to receive a signal indicating the current time from the outside, current time display 610 may indicate the current time based on the signal received from the outside. Last updated time display 650 indicates the last updated time.

[0053] The occurring abnormality list 620 is a list of abnormalities recorded in the first recording device 21 as occurring abnormalities. The occurring abnormality list 620 includes, in addition to abnormality occurrence information, a display of status information indicating whether the abnormality is continuing or has already been resolved. However, the occurring abnormality list 620 does not necessarily need to include a display of status information. The occurring abnormality list 620 also includes a display of the above-mentioned predetermined time for each type of abnormality. Furthermore, the occurring abnormality list 620 includes additional update history information for each type of abnormality. The additional update history information is information indicating whether the elapsed time from the last update time exceeds a predetermined time. The abnormality history list 630 is a list of abnormality occurrence information recorded in the second recording device 22. The abnormality history list 630 includes a display of each item shown by reference numeral 303 in FIG. 3.

[0054] The update button 640 is a button that accepts an operation to cause the recording control unit 12 to record (update) the abnormality occurrence information. When the input device 50 is a pointing device, the input accepting unit 33 outputs an instruction to the recording control unit 12 to execute an update process when the input accepting unit 33 accepts an operation on the update button 640.

[0055] §3 Example of operation 7 is a flowchart showing the processing (control method) in the control device 1. In the control device 1, the control unit 10 executes three processes in parallel: a process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality, a process for detecting the resolution of the abnormality, and a process for updating abnormality occurrence information.

[0056] The process of detecting the occurrence of an abnormality is as follows: First, when an abnormality occurs in any of the devices 60, the detection unit 11 detects the abnormality (S1, detection step). Then, the recording control unit 12 executes an abnormality registration process (S2, recording control step) which will be described later.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the abnormality registration process of step S2 in FIG. 7. In the abnormality registration process, the recording control unit 12 determines whether abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection unit 11 in step S1 is recorded in the first recording device 21 as an occurring abnormality (S21). If abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection unit 11 is recorded in the first recording device 21 (YES in S21), the recording control unit 12 does not perform subsequent processes and ends the abnormality registration process. On the other hand, if abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection unit 11 is not recorded in the first recording device 21 (NO in S21), the recording control unit 12 records the abnormality occurrence information in the first recording device 21 as an occurring abnormality (S22). In addition, the recording control unit 12 records the abnormality occurrence information in the second recording device 22 as a history (S23). Furthermore, the recording control unit 12 updates the last update time (S24).

[0058] After the abnormality registration process, the recording control unit 12 adds status information indicating that the abnormality is continuing to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21 as an ongoing abnormality in step S2 (S3). After that, the detection unit 11 repeats the process from step S1.

[0059] The process of detecting the elimination of an abnormality is as follows. First, the detection unit 11 detects that the abnormality has been eliminated (S4). Next, the recording control unit 12 sets the status information added to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21, which corresponds to the abnormality whose elimination has been detected, to "solved" (S5). After that, the detection unit 11 repeats the process from step S4.

[0060] The process of updating the abnormality occurrence information is as follows. First, the recording control unit 12 determines whether or not an update instruction has been received from the outside (S6). If an update instruction has not been received (NO in S6), the recording control unit 12 repeats step S6. If an update instruction has been received (YES in S6), the recording control unit 12 executes the update process (S7, update step).

[0061] 9 is a flow chart showing the update process of step S7 in FIG. 7. In the update process, the recording control unit 12 executes the following process for each abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21 as an ongoing abnormality. First, the recording control unit 12 judges whether or not the status information added to the abnormality occurrence information is continuing (S71). If the status information is not continuing (NO in S71), that is, if the abnormality has been resolved, the recording control unit 12 deletes the abnormality occurrence information from the first recording device 21 (S74). If the status information is continuing (YES in S71), the recording control unit 12 judges whether or not the elapsed time from the last update time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time corresponding to the type of abnormality (S72).

[0062] If the time that has elapsed since the last update time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time (YES in S72), the recording control unit 12 executes a recording process to record the abnormality occurrence information together with the time that the abnormality was detected in the second recording device 22 (S73). If the time that has elapsed since the last update time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined time (NO in S72), the recording control unit 12 does not execute the recording process. In the update process, the processes of steps S71 to S74 are executed for each piece of abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21. After the processes of steps S71 to S74 have been completed for all occurring abnormalities, the recording control unit 12 updates the last update time (S75) and then terminates the process.

[0063] § 4 Variations In the above-described example, the control unit 10 includes the time setting unit 13. However, the control unit 10 does not have to include the time setting unit 13. When the control unit 10 does not include the time setting unit 13, the predetermined time in the recording control unit 12 may be determined in advance when the control device 1 is manufactured.

[0064] In the above example, the first recording device 21 and the second recording device 22 are separate recording devices. However, the control device 1 may include a single recording device instead of the first recording device 21 and the second recording device 22. In this case, the single recording device may be divided into a recording area in which the recording control unit 12 records the abnormality occurrence information as an occurring abnormality and a recording area in which the recording control unit 12 records the abnormality occurrence information as a history.

[0065] Furthermore, the first recording device 21 may be provided in each device 60. In this case, the recording control unit 12 records abnormality occurrence information indicating an abnormality in the device 60 in the first recording device 21 provided in the device 60. In this case, the recording control unit 12 acquires the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording device 21 provided in each device 60 in the update step and executes the update process.

[0066] In addition to the first recording device 21, the detection unit 11, the recording control unit 12, the time setting unit 13, and the second recording device 22 may be provided in each device 60. In this case, the recording control unit 12 provided in each device 60 receives an update instruction from the outside via the control device 1 and executes the above-mentioned update process.

[0067] [Software implementation example] The control block of the control device 1 (particularly the detection unit 11, the recording control unit 12 and the time setting unit 13) and the control block of the information terminal 2 (particularly the information acquisition unit 31, the display control unit 32, the input receiving unit 33 and the instruction output unit 34) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

[0068] In the latter case, the control device 1 and the information terminal 2 are provided with a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. This computer is provided with, for example, one or more processors, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The object of the present invention is achieved by the processor reading the program from the recording medium and executing it in the computer. The processor can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The recording medium can be a "non-transient tangible medium", such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like. The computer may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program. The program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Control device 11 Detection section 12 Recording control section 13 Time setting section 21 First recording device (first recording unit) 22 Second recording device (second recording unit) 2. Information terminal 31 Information Acquisition Department 32 Display control unit 33 Input reception section 34 Instruction output section

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects at least one of an abnormality occurring in the device itself, an abnormality occurring in any of a plurality of devices communicably connected to the device itself, and an abnormality occurring in communication with any of the plurality of devices; a recording control unit that, when abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection unit is not recorded in the first recording unit, executes an abnormality registration process of recording abnormality occurrence information relating to the abnormality as an occurring abnormality in the first recording unit and recording the abnormality occurrence information as a history in the second recording unit, and adds status information of the abnormality to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit, a control device that accepts acquisition of the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit and a status added to the abnormality occurrence information by an information acquisition unit of the external information terminal in order to display the abnormality occurrence information on a display device of the external information terminal, the recording control unit executes an update process to update the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit when an update instruction based on an instruction input by a user accepted by an input accepting unit of the information terminal is received; A control device that executes a recording process to record the abnormality occurrence information in the second recording unit only if, during the update process, the status attached to the abnormality occurrence information indicates that the abnormality continues and further if the elapsed time from the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information was last updated, is greater than or equal to a predetermined time.

2. The detection unit further detects that the abnormality has been resolved, the recording control unit sets a status added to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit, the status corresponding to the abnormality detected as having been resolved by the detection unit, to "abnormality resolved", The control device according to claim 1 , wherein, in the update process, when a status added to the abnormality occurrence information indicates that the abnormality has been resolved, the recording control unit deletes the abnormality occurrence information from the first recording unit.

3. A time setting unit that sets the predetermined time, The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the time setting unit is capable of setting the predetermined time for each type of abnormality.

4. A system comprising a control device and an information terminal communicatively connected to the control device, The control device includes: a detection unit that detects at least one of an abnormality occurring in the device itself, an abnormality occurring in any of a plurality of devices communicably connected to the device itself, and an abnormality occurring in communication with any of the plurality of devices; a recording control unit that, when abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection unit is not recorded in the first recording unit, executes an abnormality registration process to record abnormality occurrence information relating to the abnormality as an occurring abnormality in the first recording unit and record the abnormality occurrence information as a history in the second recording unit, and adds status information of the abnormality to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit, The information terminal includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit and a status added to the abnormality occurrence information; a display control unit that displays, on a display device, the abnormality occurrence information acquired by the information acquisition unit and a status added to the abnormality occurrence information; an input receiving unit that receives an instruction input by a user and outputs an update instruction to the recording control unit of the control device, when receiving the update instruction, the recording control unit executes an update process to update the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit; The system executes a recording process in which, during the update process, the abnormality occurrence information is recorded in the second recording unit only if the status attached to the abnormality occurrence information indicates that the abnormality continues and if the elapsed time from the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information was last updated, is greater than or equal to a predetermined time.

5. In the control device, The detection unit further detects that the abnormality has been resolved, the recording control unit sets a status added to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit, the status corresponding to the abnormality detected as having been resolved by the detection unit, to "abnormality resolved", The system according to claim 4 , wherein, in the update process, if a status added to the abnormality occurrence information indicates that the abnormality has been resolved, the recording control unit deletes the abnormality occurrence information from the first recording unit.

6. The control device further includes a time setting unit that sets the predetermined time, The system according to claim 4 , wherein the time setting unit is capable of setting the predetermined time for each type of abnormality.

7. A control program for causing a computer to function as the control device according to claim 1 , the control program causing a computer to function as the detection section and the recording control section.

8. a detection step of detecting at least one of an abnormality occurring in the device itself, an abnormality occurring in any of a plurality of devices communicably connected to the device itself, and an abnormality occurring in communication with any of the plurality of devices; a recording control step of, when abnormality occurrence information indicating the same abnormality as the abnormality detected by the detection step is not recorded in the first recording section, recording abnormality occurrence information regarding the abnormality as an occurring abnormality in the first recording section and recording the abnormality occurrence information as history in the second recording section; adding the abnormality status information to the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit; accepting, by an external information terminal, acquisition of the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit and a status added to the abnormality occurrence information, the abnormality occurrence information being displayed on a display device of the external information terminal; receiving an update instruction based on an instruction input by a user; an updating step of updating the abnormality occurrence information recorded in the first recording unit when the update instruction is received, A control method in which, in the update step, a recording process is executed to record the abnormality occurrence information in the second recording unit only if the status attached to the abnormality occurrence information indicates that the abnormality continues and further if the elapsed time from the last update time, which is the time when the abnormality occurrence information was last updated, is greater than or equal to a predetermined time.

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