Control device, control method and control program

Abstract

To provide a control device and a control method thereof, and a control program that can be simplified in configuration.SOLUTION: A control device C1 for controlling a controlled apparatus includes: an input unit IN1 to which an input signal containing input information is input and which sends the input information to a communication network NW; and a CPU_1 that receives the input information from the input unit IN1 via the communication network NW and performs control based on the input information. The CPU_1 transmits the received input information via the communication network NW to a CPU_2 that controls the controlled apparatus, in another device C2 provided independently of the control device C1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In the control device, input signals input from sensors and the like are transmitted from an input module to a CPU and the like, and control is executed.

[0003] As an example of information transmission, Patent Document 1 discloses a broadcast communication method in which the receiving station of data transmitted from one parent station is not specified, and information is transmitted by all other stations simultaneously. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-18740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In information transmission, the reliability of transmission can be improved by transmitting information from one input module to one CPU, rather than using a broadcast communication method. However, with this method, if an input signal is to be used by multiple control devices, the input signal must be branched and input to the input modules of each control device. In such cases, it is necessary to provide input modules for each control device, an interface panel to store them, and to lay wiring cables, which increases costs.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a control device, a control method, and a control program for the same that can simplify the configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for controlling a controlled device, the control device including: an input unit that receives an input signal including input information and transmits the input information to a digital communication network; and a control unit that receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information, the control unit controls the controlled device in another device provided independently of the control device, based on the received input information via the digital communication network. other Send to control unit When transmitting the input information to the other control unit, the control unit sets source identification information corresponding to a virtual input unit that is a virtual input unit corresponding to the input unit. It is a control device.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a control device that controls a controlled device, the method comprising: a step of receiving an input signal including input information in an input unit and sending the input information to a digital communication network; a step of receiving the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network in a control unit and performing control based on the input information; and a step of controlling the controlled device in another device provided independently of the control device using the received input information via the digital communication network. other and transmitting the information to a control unit. In the step of transmitting to the other control unit, the control unit sets source identification information corresponding to a virtual input unit that is a virtual input unit corresponding to the input unit. do 、 It is a control method.

[0009] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a control program for a control device that controls a controlled device, the control program including: a process in which an input signal including input information is input to an input unit, and the input information is sent to a digital communication network; a process in which a control unit receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information; and a process in which the received input information is transmitted via the digital communication network to another device provided independently of the control device to control the controlled device. other A process of transmitting the information to the control unit. To Run In the process of transmitting to the other control unit, the control unit sets source identification information corresponding to a virtual input unit that is a virtual input unit corresponding to the input unit. It is a control program. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, an effect of simplifying the configuration is achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an engineering tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of packet conversion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system according to a reference example. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a control device according to a reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device, a control method, and a control program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, a control device C1 and a control device C2 are connected by a digital communication network (hereinafter referred to as "communication network") NW.

[0014] The control device C1 is a control device for controlling (controlling or measuring) the control target device. The control device C2 is a device provided independently of the control device C1, and controls (controls or measures) the control target device. The control devices C1 and C2 control different control target devices.

[0015] The control device C1 is provided with an IOA (I / O adapter), an IOM (I / O module), and a CPU (control unit). In this embodiment, the control device C1 is provided with IOA_1, IOA_2, and IOA_3 as IOAs, and CPU_1 as a CPU. The control device C2 is also provided with an IOA and a CPU. That is, the control device C2 is provided with IOA_4 as an IOA, and CPU_2 as a CPU. In each control device, each device is connected to each other by a communication network NW, and information can be sent and received. The direction of information transmission is not limited. The communication network NW is an I / O communication network, and high-speed communication is performed in the digital domain. For example, the communication network NW is Ethernet. In this embodiment, packet communication is performed in the communication network NW, but other communication methods may be applied. In the following description, when the IOAs are to be individually distinguished from one another, they are individually indicated as IOA_1, etc., and when they are not individually distinguished from one another (when describing them as I / O adapters), they are indicated as IOAs. The CPU and IOM will also be shown and explained in the same manner.

[0016] The IOA is arranged for the control device C1 and the control device C2, and is a device for inputting information from outside the device to the device. For example, the IOA packetizes the input information and transmits the information to the communication network NW. The IOA may also have a function of outputting information.

[0017] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, IOA_1 (IOM_1) is connected to devices (instrument PT) such as an oscillator OSC and a switch (S / W) S, and various input signals are input. For example, the signal from the oscillator OSC is an analog signal, and the signal from the switch S is a digital signal. The digital signal is analog-to-digital converted by an IOM (I / O module, IOM_1 in FIG. 1) implemented under IOA_1, and input to IOA_1. The input signal is, for example, an input signal from an instrument or sensor, but is not limited to the above as long as it is used for control.

[0018] That is, the IOA and IOM (optional) form an input unit of the control device. In Fig. 1, the IOA_1 and IOM_1 are shown as an input unit IN1 in the control device C1. In other words, the input unit IN1 is a unit to which an input signal including input information is input and which transmits the input information to the communication network NW.

[0019] The CPU controls the target device based on the input information sent by the IOA. The control has a preset control rule according to the target device.

[0020] Furthermore, the CPU transfers input information to different control devices. That is, input signals from the oscillator OSC, etc. are input to the IOA_1 of the control device C1, and are then sent to the CPU_1 in the control device C1. The CPU_1 receives the input information from the input unit IN1 via the communication network NW. Then, the CPU_1 of the control device C1 controls the controlled device, and transmits the input information to the CPU_2 of the control device C2 via the communication network NW. That is, the CPU_1 transmits the received input information to the CPU_2 of the control device C2, which is another device provided independently of the control device C1, via the communication network NW. This makes it unnecessary for the control device C2 to input signals from the oscillator OSC, etc., and therefore does not require devices such as a control panel (interface panel) for this purpose. Details of the specific method of information transmission will be described later.

[0021] In this way, even if control is required to be performed by each of the control devices C1 and C2, it is possible to share the input unit IN1 (IOA_1 of the control device C1 in FIG. 1) by using a single input from the oscillator OSC or the like.

[0022] The CPU_1 of the control device C1 and the CPU_2 of the control device C2 may be configured to allow various settings to be made via the computer PC1. Specifically, an engineering tool for configuring the control system is provided in the computer PC1, and settings for the control devices C1 and C2 can be made via this engineering tool. Also, the CPU_1 of the control device C1 and the CPU_2 of the control device C2 may be configured to be operated or monitored via the computer PC1. Specifically, an operator station (operation tool) is provided in the computer PC1, and the control devices C1 and C2 can be operated or monitored via this tool.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control device C1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device is a computer system, and includes, for example, a CPU 110, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 120 for storing programs and the like executed by the CPU 110, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 130 that functions as a work area when each program is executed, a hard disk drive (HDD) 140 as a large-capacity storage device, and a communication unit 150 for connecting to a network or the like. Note that a solid-state drive (SSD) may be used as the large-capacity storage device. The programs and the like executed by the CPU 110 are stored in the large-capacity storage device, and may be executed while being expanded on the RAM. These units are connected via a bus 180.

[0024] The control device may also include an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying data.

[0025] It should be noted that the storage medium for storing the programs executed by the CPU 11 is not limited to the ROM 120. For example, it may be other auxiliary storage devices such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0026] A series of processing steps for realizing various functions described below are recorded in the form of a program on the hard disk drive 140, etc., and the CPU 110 reads this program into the RAM 130, etc., and executes information processing and arithmetic processing to realize various functions described below. The program may be installed in the ROM 120 or other storage medium in advance, may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

[0027] The control device C2 has the same hardware configuration as the control device C1.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the control device C1. In Fig. 3, the oscillator OSC is shown as an instrument PT. The control device C1 is provided with IOM_1 and IOA_1, IOM_2 and IOA_2, IOM_3 and IOA_3, and CPU_1, which are connected to each other via a communication network NW. The control device C2 is provided with IOM_4 and IOA_4, and CPU2, which are connected to each other via a communication network NW. Furthermore, each part of the control device C1 and each part of the control device C2 are connected to each other via a communication network NW.

[0029] A signal from the meter PT enters the IOM_1 of the control device C1, and the input information is transmitted to the CPU_1 via the IOA_1. That is, the input unit IN1 performs one-to-one communication with the CPU_1. In other words, the input unit IN1 is an input unit dedicated to the CPU_1. This enables highly reliable information transmission from the input unit IN1 to the CPU_1. On the other hand, when transmitting information to the CPU_1, the input unit IN1 cannot transmit information to another CPU_2.

[0030] For this reason, the CPU_1 processes the packet received from the input unit IN1 and transfers the information to the CPU_2 of the control device C2. For example, the CPU_1 processes destination information of the received packet and transfers the packet including the input information from the meter PT to the CPU_2 via the communication network NW.

[0031] Here, CPU_1 transfers data in the data format from input unit IN1. That is, CPU_1 transfers data while maintaining that it is information from input unit IN1, and CPU_2 performs processing assuming that information transmission has been performed directly from input unit IN1. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, from the viewpoint of CPU_2, it appears that data has been sent from a virtual input unit IN1 (IOM_1 surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 3). That is, input unit IN1 is shared between CPU_1 and CPU_2, and input unit IN1 is virtualized from the viewpoint of CPU_2. Details of the packet conversion method will be described later.

[0032] This makes it possible to share the input section while transmitting information with high reliability.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a display example of the engineering tool of the computer PC1. FIG. 4 shows a display example for the control device C1 and a display example for the control device C2. The engineering tool allows the input section to be configured. In the control device C1, since information is transmitted to the CPU_1 by the input section IN1, the name of the input section IN1 (for example, IOM_1) is displayed. In addition to the name of the input section, the engineering tool also displays the properties. The properties are, for example, specification information of the input section (for example, range information of the input current, etc.). In FIG. 4, the properties of the modules and the signals assigned to the modules are displayed as ○○○, △△△, and XXX. As with the control device C1, the object of the input section IN1 is displayed for the control device C2. The object may be displayed as a representation of the input section IN1 itself, or may be displayed as a virtualized input section. In this way, the engineering tool displays the object of the input section IN1 for both the control device C1 and the control device C2. FIG. 5 shows a display example of the operation tool of the computer. Fig. 5 shows a display example for the control device C1 and a display example for the control device C2. In both display examples, the display shows that input is being made from the input unit IN1. In the input information (input value) in Fig. 5, for example, a numerical value that is specific data measured by the meter PT is displayed.

[0034] Next, an example of conversion of packets for information transmission will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of packet conversion according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 shows data A sent from IOM_1 to IOA_1, packet B sent from IOA_1 to CPU_1, and packet C sent from CPU_1 to CPU_2. In summary, the input unit IN1 sends a packet to the communication network NW as a packet including destination information (destination identification information) with CPU_1 as the destination, source information (source identification information) with the input unit as the source, and input information. Then, CPU_1 receives the packet, converts the destination information into information with another control unit (CPU_2) as the destination, and transmits it to the other control unit (CPU_2).

[0035] First, data A is formed by IOM_1 and sent to IOA. Specifically, data A includes destination identification information, source identification information, and input information. The destination identification information is unique information that indicates the device to which data A is sent. Since IOA_1 sends data to CPU_1, the destination identification information is set corresponding to CPU_1. The source identification information is unique information that indicates the device from which data A is sent. In other words, the source identification information is information that indicates that the input is from an input unit. Since data A is sent from IOM_1, the source identification information is set corresponding to IOM_1. Note that the source identification information only needs to be able to identify the input unit. The input information is input data. In other words, the input information is information input from a sensor such as an oscillator OSC or a switch S.

[0036] In this embodiment, one input unit transmits information to one CPU, so there is one each of destination identification information and source identification information.

[0037] Then, IOA_1 converts data A into the structure of packet B. Specifically, destination address information is set based on destination identification information, and source address information is set based on source identification information. The destination address information and source address information become a communication header. In IOA_1, destination address information corresponding to the destination identification information and source address information corresponding to the source identification information are each set in advance. The communication header may include other information. For example, in the case of Ethernet communication, the communication header may include type information, etc.

[0038] In this manner, by adding the communication header of the destination address information and the source address information, the input information is sent to the CPU_1 on the communication network NW.

[0039] Then, CPU_1 receives packet B and controls the target device based on the input information. Specifically, the input information is expanded in the memory of CPU_1 and a control operation is executed.

[0040] In addition, CPU_1 converts packet B into a structure of packet C. Specifically, the destination identification information is set (replaced) to correspond to CPU_2. Also, the source identification information is set to correspond to virtual IOM_1. Virtual IOM_1 is a virtual IO module corresponding to IOM_1. Since direct transmission from IOM_1 to CPU_2 is not actually performed, virtual IOM_1 is set as the source identification information for virtual IOM_1. By setting it as virtual IOM_1, CPU_2 can recognize that it is a virtual module of IOM_1, but in the conversion to packet C, the source identification information corresponding to IOM_1 may be maintained without modifying the source identification information.

[0041] Then, CPU_1 sets destination address information corresponding to the replaced destination identification information, and sets source address information corresponding to the replaced source identification information. The destination address information and source address information become a communication header. In this way, CPU_1 sets another device, CPU_2, as a destination.

[0042] In this manner, by adding the communication header of the destination address information and the source address information, the input information is sent from CPU_1 to CPU_2 on the communication network NW.

[0043] In addition, since CPU_1 converts destination address information and transfers it to CPU_2, input information input to the input unit corresponding to CPU_1 can also be received by CPU_2 at the same sampling period. Since CPU_2 sees input information as having been received from virtual IOM_1, the IOM is virtualized. Then, CPU_2 controls the target device based on the received input information.

[0044] Note that the packet structure shown in FIG. 6 is an example and is not limited thereto. If the communication network NW is configured with Ethernet, the communication header may include a protocol header such as a type code or an IP layer. If the input information is correctly transmitted from the input unit to CPU_1 and from CPU_1 to CPU_2, the destination identification information and the source identification information may be converted or deleted.

[0045] Next, an example of the process by the above-mentioned control device will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the process by the control device C1 according to this embodiment. The flow shown in Fig. 7 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined control period, for example, when the control device C1 is operating.

[0046] First, an input signal is input to the input unit IN1 (S101). That is, input information is input to IOM_1 as an input signal.

[0047] Next, in IOM_1, destination identification information and source identification information are added to the input information (S102).

[0048] Next, data is transmitted from IOM_1 to IOA_1 (S103).

[0049] Next, in IOA_1, a communication header (destination address information and source address information) is added (S104).

[0050] Next, data is transmitted from IOA_1 to CPU_1 (S105).

[0051] Then, the CPU_1 executes control of the controlled device based on the sent data (particularly the input information) (S106).

[0052] Further, the CPU_1 converts the communication header (destination address information and source address information) of the transmitted data in order to transmit the data to the CPU_2 (S107).

[0053] Then, data is transmitted from CPU_1 to CPU_2 (S108). In this embodiment, the case where S106, S107, and S108 are processed in parallel has been described, but the order of execution of both processes is not limited to parallel processing. For example, S101 to S103 are processed by IOM_1, S103 to S105 are processed by IOA_1, S105 to S108 are processed by CPU_1, and S108 is processed by CPU_2.

[0054] When the CPU_2 receives the data, it executes control of the controlled device based on the input information. By processing the data in this manner, it becomes possible for not only the CPU_1 but also the CPU_2 to receive the input information and execute the control.

[0055] For example, when input information is directly transmitted from the input unit to both CPU_1 and CPU_2, the communication load may increase due to an increase in the amount of information or an increase in the communication cycle. In contrast, when the input unit transmits input information to one CPU_1 and then transmits information from CPU_1 to CPU_2 as in this embodiment, the processing load is reduced and the reliability of communication is improved.

[0056] Next, the effects of the control device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Figs. 8 and 9 show the configuration of a control device according to a reference example. The reference example is a configuration in which an input signal is branched and input to a plurality of control devices. In the reference example, each of the control devices C3 and C4 performs control using input signals from instruments PT such as an oscillator OSC and a switch S.

[0057] Fig. 8 shows a reference example configuration corresponding to the configuration of Fig. 3 in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, each of the control devices C3 and C4 controls each controlled device. In each of the control devices C3 and C4, an input signal from an oscillator OSC and an input signal from a switch S are branched and input to each IOA. For this reason, each of the control devices C3 and C4 needs to be provided with an IOA that inputs the input signal.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the control device C3 and the control device C4 shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 12, the oscillator OSC is shown as a meter PT. In the control device C3, IOM_1 and IOA_1, IOM_2 and IOA_2, IOM_3 and IOA_3, and CPU_3 are provided, and each is connected by a communication network NW. In the control device C4, IOM5 and IOA_5, IOM_4 and IOA_5, and CPU_4 are provided, and each is connected by a communication network NW. A signal from the meter PT is branched by a distributor (power supply device) DS. Then, it enters IOM_1 of the control device C3, and input information is transmitted to CPU_3 via IOA_1. On the other hand, the input signal branched by the distributor DS enters IOM_5 via an isolator (signal isolator) ISO, and is sent to CPU_4 via IOA_5.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9, when branching the input signal from the meter PT and inputting it to each control device, it is necessary to lay not only the distributor DS and isolator ISO, but also the interface board and wiring cable that stores IOM_5 and IOA_5. However, as shown in Figure 3, by transmitting the input information from CPU_1 to CPU_2, the necessary equipment in the reference example can be eliminated. Therefore, by using the configuration in Figure 3, it is possible to simplify the configuration and effectively reduce costs. Furthermore, because the configuration is simplified, it is expected that the construction period will be shortened.

[0060] As described above, according to the control device, the control method, and the control program of the present embodiment, CPU_1 controls the controlled device based on the input signal inputted to the input unit IN1, and transmits input information to CPU_2, which is another control unit. Therefore, CPU_2 can also perform control based on the input information. This allows the input unit IN1 to be shared, so that the configuration of the input unit IN1 can be omitted. That is, the input unit IN1 can be virtualized. By suppressing the required number of input units IN1, it is expected that costs can be reduced.

[0061] CPU_1 transmits input information to CPU_2 together with information (source information) indicating that the input is from input unit IN1, whereby CPU_2 can recognize that the input is from an input unit. In other words, input unit IN1 can be virtualized.

[0062] By CPU_1 setting CPU_2 as a destination and transmitting input information to CPU_2, the input information can be transmitted from CPU_1 to CPU_2 more reliably.

[0063] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0064] For example, the control device in this embodiment is provided in a power plant. The controlled devices are, for example, turbines, boilers, auxiliary equipment, etc. The control device is not limited to being used in a power plant, and can be widely applied.

[0065] The control device, the control method, and the control program described in each of the above-described embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows. The control device (C1) of the present disclosure is a control device that controls a controlled device, and is equipped with an input unit (IN1) that receives an input signal including input information and sends the input information to a digital communication network (NW), and a control unit (CPU_1) that receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information, and the control unit transmits the received input information via the digital communication network to a control unit (CPU_2) that controls the controlled device in another device (C2) provided independently of the control device.

[0066] According to the control device of the present disclosure, the control unit controls the controlled device based on the input information inputted in the input unit, and transmits the input information to other control units. Therefore, the other control units can also perform control based on the input information. As a result, compared to the case where an input unit is provided for each control unit, for example, the input unit can be shared, so that the configuration of the input unit can be omitted. In other words, the input unit can be virtualized. By reducing the required number of input units, a reduction in costs can be expected.

[0067] In the control device according to the present disclosure, the control unit may transmit the input information to the other control unit together with information indicating that the input is from the input unit.

[0068] According to the control device of the present disclosure, a control unit transmits input information including information indicating that the input is from an input unit to another control unit, whereby the other control unit can recognize that the input is from the input unit. In other words, the input unit can be virtualized.

[0069] In the control device according to the present disclosure, the control unit may set the other control unit as a destination and transmit the input information to the other control unit.

[0070] According to the control device of the present disclosure, a control unit can set another control unit as a destination and transmit input information to the other control unit, thereby making it possible to transmit input information from a control unit to another control unit more reliably. In other words, it is possible to virtualize the input unit.

[0071] In the control device of the present disclosure, the input unit sends a packet to the digital communications network as a packet including destination information addressed to the control unit, source information addressed to the input unit, and the input information, and the control unit receives the packet, converts the destination information into information addressed to the other control unit, and transmits it to the other control unit.

[0072] According to the control device of the present disclosure, the input unit sends a packet to the digital communication network as a packet including destination information with the control unit as the destination, source information with the input unit as the source, and input information, and the control unit receives the packet. Therefore, one-to-one communication is possible between the input unit and the control unit, and the reliability of information transmission can be improved. Then, the control unit converts the destination information into information with another control unit as the destination, and transmits it to the other control unit. Therefore, it is possible to control the other control unit based on the input information. In other words, the input unit can be virtually shared between the control unit and the other control unit.

[0073] The control method of the present disclosure is a control method for a control device that controls a controlled device, and includes the steps of: an input signal including input information is input to an input unit, and the input information is sent to a digital communication network; a control unit receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information; and a control unit transmits the received input information via the digital communication network to a control unit that controls the controlled device in another device provided independently of the control device.

[0074] The control program of the present disclosure is a control program for a control device that controls a controlled device, and causes a computer to execute the following processes: an input signal including input information is input to an input unit, and the input information is sent to a digital communication network; a control unit receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information; and the received input information is transmitted via the digital communication network to a control unit that controls the controlled device in another device provided independently of the control device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 110: CPU 120:ROM 130:RAM 140: Hard disk drive 150: Communications Department 180: Bus A: Data B: Packet C:Packet C1-C4: Control device CPU_1-CPU_4: CPU (control unit) DS: Distributor IN1: Input section IOA_1-IOA_5: IOA (I / O adapter) IOM_1-IOM_5: IOM (I / O module) ISO: Isolator NW: Communication network OSC: Oscillator PT: Instrument S: Switch

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a control target device, an input section for receiving an input signal containing input information and transmitting the input information to a digital communication network; a control unit that receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information; Equipped with The control unit transmits the received input information to another control unit that controls a control target device in another device provided independently of the control device, via the digital communication network; The control unit sets source identification information corresponding to a virtual input unit that is a virtual input unit corresponding to the input unit when transmitting the input information to the other control unit.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit transmits the input information to the other control unit together with information indicating that the input is from the input unit.

3. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets the other control unit as a destination and transmits the input information to the other control unit.

4. the input unit transmits the packet to the digital communication network as a packet including destination information having the control unit as a destination, source information having the input unit as a source, and the input information; The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit receives the packet, converts the destination information into information addressed to the other control unit, and transmits the converted information to the other control unit.

5. A control method for a control device that controls a control target device, receiving an input signal including input information at an input section and transmitting the input information to a digital communication network; A step of a control unit receiving the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performing control based on the input information; transmitting the received input information to another control unit that controls a control target device in another device provided independently of the control device, via the digital communication network; having A control method, wherein in the step of transmitting to the other control unit, the control unit sets source identification information corresponding to a virtual input unit that is a virtual input unit corresponding to the input unit.

6. A control program for a control device that controls a control target device, a process of receiving an input signal including input information at an input unit and transmitting the input information to a digital communication network; A process in which a control unit receives the input information from the input unit via the digital communication network and performs control based on the input information; A process of transmitting the received input information to another control unit that controls a control target device in another device provided independently of the control device, via the digital communication network; Run the following on your computer: A control program in which the control unit sets source identification information corresponding to a virtual input unit that is a virtual input unit corresponding to the input unit in a process of transmitting to the other control unit.

Images