Transfer device and transfer method

Abstract

This transmission device receives data from a transmission source device, executes processing, and transmits the processed data to a reception destination device. The transmission device comprises a processor which executes a program group, and a storage device which stores initial configuration information and the program group, wherein each of the program groups is a program that is suitable for any one of a reception protocol, a processing protocol, and a transmission protocol, and the initial configuration information defines designation information for designating a program that is suitable for the protocol for each of the protocols. The processor: receives a selection between the reception protocol and the transmission protocol, and an input of a first configuration parameter to a first program suitable for the reception protocol and the transmission protocol; acquires first designation information for designating the first program with reference to the initial configuration information; and activates the first program by using the first designation information and the first configuration parameter.

Description

Incorporation by Reference

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-48121, filed on March 24, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present invention relates to a transfer device and a transfer method for transferring data. [Background technology]

[0003] In order to improve productivity and quality, factory DX (Digital Transformation) is being promoted, in which all data from the factory floor is collected by the management department, analyzed, and then fed back. In factories, equipment is introduced and installed separately for each production line and department (manufacturing, quality assurance, etc.), and data is scattered across this equipment. To achieve factory DX, it is necessary to collect data scattered across equipment on the factory floor.

[0004] On the other hand, because the network and connection requirements differ between the factory floor and the management department, it is difficult to seamlessly collect data scattered throughout the factory and have the management department collect it.Factories also operate legacy devices and systems whose support period has expired, making it difficult to change the configuration of the factory floor without disrupting daily operations.

[0005] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a communication control device installed between a home network and an external network capable of QoS control in a streaming content distribution service using RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol). This communication control device has a message acquisition unit that acquires RTSP messages transmitted and received between an RTSP client device and an RTSP server device, a QoS control information generation unit that acquires information necessary for QoS control from the RTSP messages acquired by the message acquisition unit, and a QoS control unit that establishes a QoS session for video transmission with the RTSP server device based on the information necessary for QoS control acquired by the QoS control information generation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-118361 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology is specialized for RTSP and does not consider any protocol. Therefore, if a network in which a data source device is located is a network with a different protocol from that of a destination device that stores data from the source device, the destination device cannot obtain data from the source device.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to realize data transfer that is compatible with any of a plurality of protocols. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A transfer device which is one aspect of the invention disclosed in the present application is a transfer device which receives data from a source device, performs processing on the data, and transmits the processed data to a destination device, and has a processor which executes a group of programs, and a storage device which stores the group of programs and initial setting information, each of the group of programs being a program which conforms to any one of a receiving protocol for receiving the data from the source device, a processing protocol for the processing, and a transmission protocol for transmitting the data to the destination device, and the initial setting information specifies designation information which designates the program which conforms to the protocol for each protocol, and the processor executes a reception process which accepts selection of the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol, and input of a first setting parameter into a first program which conforms to the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol, an acquisition process which refers to the initial setting information to acquire first designation information which designates the first program, and an activation process which activates the first program using the first designation information and the first setting parameter. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to realize data transfer compatible with any of a plurality of protocols. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a protocol. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a protocol. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a protocol. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a protocol. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data transmission. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a transfer system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second operation example of the transfer system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user setting screen displayed on a terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the initial table. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the user setting table. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of creating a setting table. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for creating a setting table. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting process procedure for an industrial control device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the industrial control device according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram of an example of a user setting table according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram of an example of the initial table according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an example of creating a setting table according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart 1 illustrating an example of a procedure for creating a setting table according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart 2 illustrating an example of a procedure for creating a setting table according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart 1 illustrating an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a flowchart 2 illustrating an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram of an example of setting information according to the third embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram of an example of a user setting table according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of an example of creating a setting table according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an example of a procedure for creating a setting table according to the third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram of an example of setting information according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram of an example of updating the setting table according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a flowchart 1 illustrating an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device according to the fifth embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a flowchart 2 illustrating an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device according to the fifth embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the error table. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of a support process when an unsteady state (incident) occurs in a system that is a target for on-site data collection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <Protocol> A "protocol" generally refers to a procedure or standard for communicating between computers, but in this specification, it refers to a procedure or standard for outputting input data through the procedures of reception, processing, and transmission. Specifically, for example, the protocols in this specification are divided into a protocol for receiving data (reception protocol), a protocol for executing some kind of processing based on the received data (processing protocol), and a protocol for transmitting the received or processed data (transmission protocol). A specific explanation will be given below with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

[0013] 1 to 4 are explanatory diagrams 1 to 4 showing examples of protocols. Each row in the tables shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 indicates a protocol. Protocol classification 101 indicates whether each protocol corresponds to the above-mentioned receiving protocol, processing protocol, or transmitting protocol, and "◯" indicates the classification that corresponds to that protocol.

[0014] Classification 102 indicates what type of protocol each protocol is. Detailed items 103 indicate detailed items of each protocol. One or more detailed items 103 exist for each protocol. User setting examples 104 indicate examples of values ​​that are set when the user inputs information for each protocol.

[0015] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data transmission. Fig. 5 shows an example of data transmission from a source device 501 to a destination device 503, specifically, for example, a transfer device 502 between the source device 501 and the destination device 503 sets data input in the protocol of the source device 501 to a protocol required by the destination device 503 and transmits the data.

[0016] Note that "data" includes both streaming data such as measured values ​​and setting values ​​measured in the transmission source device 501, and file-format data such as test result files. In addition, there are two types of data transmission: (A) and (B) below.

[0017] (A) When source device 501 transmits data to destination device 503, transfer device 502 receives the data from source device 501 (step S511) and returns a data receipt notification to source device 501 (step S512) prior to transferring the data to destination device 503. Thereafter, transfer device 502 transmits the data to destination device 503 (step S513) and receives a data receipt notification from destination device 503 (step S514).

[0018] (B) When source device 501 transmits data to destination device 503, transfer device 502 receives the data from source device 501 (step S521) and transfers the data to destination device 503 (step S522). Destination device 503 returns a receipt notification to transfer device 502 (step S523), and after receiving the receipt notification, transfer device 502 returns a data receipt notification to source device 501 (step S524).

[0019] Next, the transfer system will be described with reference to Figure 6 onwards. In the following description, a "program" specifies the processing to be executed by the processor 801, but for convenience of explanation, the processing of the "program" to be executed by the processor 801 may be described with the "program" as the subject. EXAMPLES

[0020] <System configuration example> 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a transfer system. A transfer system 600 has, for example, data collection target systems 610-1, 610-2 arranged at sites F1, F2, industrial control devices 620-1, 620-2, alarm devices 630-1, 630-2, and a data storage device 640. The subnumbers indicate the numbers of the sites F1, F2. The same applies to the subnumbers of the following symbols. When there is no distinction between the sites F1, F2, they are referred to as site F.

[0021] 6, there are two data collection target systems 610-1, 610-2, but there may be one or three or more. When the data collection target systems 610-1, 610-2 are not distinguished from each other, the sub-numbers are omitted and the data collection target system is simply called the data collection target system 610. The data collection target system 610 is the transmission source device 501 shown in FIG.

[0022] The data collection target systems 610-1 and 610-2 are disposed at the respective sites F1 and F2. The data collection target systems 610-1 and 610-2 each include, for example, test devices 611-1 and 611-2, assembly devices 612-1 and 612-2, and instruction devices 613-1 and 613-2.

[0023] The test devices 611-1 and 611-2 are computers that execute tests at the respective sites F1 and F2. The assembly devices 612-1 and 612-2 are machine tools that execute assembly work at the respective sites F1 and F2. The instruction devices 613-1 and 613-2 are computers that send instructions to the assembly devices 612-1 and 612-2 at the respective sites F1 and F2 and control the assembly devices 612-1 and 612-2. When the test devices 611-1 and 611-2, the assembly devices 612-1 and 612-2, and the instruction devices 613-1 and 613-2 are not to be distinguished from one another, the suffix numbers are omitted and they are simply referred to as the test device 611, the assembly device 612, and the instruction device 613.

[0024] The industrial control devices 620-1 and 620-2 acquire data from the data collection target systems 610-1 and 610-2, respectively, and transfer the data to the data storage device 640. When the industrial control devices 620-1 and 620-2 are not to be distinguished from each other, the sub-numbers are omitted and they are simply referred to as the industrial control devices 620. The industrial control device 620 is the transfer device 502 shown in FIG. 5. The industrial control device 620 is placed inside or outside the site F. The industrial control device 620 is also connected to a terminal 650 used by a user 651 via a network (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0025] The internal configuration of the industrial control device 620 will be described using the industrial control device 620-1 as an example. The industrial control device 620-1 has a setting program 621-1, a management program 622-1, a receiving port 623-1, and a sending port 624-1. When the sites F1 and F2 are not distinguished, the sub-numbers are omitted and the devices are simply referred to as the setting program 621, the management program 622, the receiving port 623, and the sending port 624.

[0026] The setting program 621-1 and the management program 622-1 are implemented in the container C1-1. The container C1-1 is implemented with the programs PR1 to PR5. The number of programs is five, but this is an example, and the number may be four or less, or six or more. When the programs PR1 to PR5 are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the programs PR. The setting program 621-1 is a program for setting whether or not the programs PR1 to PR5 can be executed. The management program 622-1 is a program for detecting an error and controlling the operation of the alarm issuing device 630-1. The programs PR1 to PR5 are targets for setting by the setting program 621-1, and data received by the receiving port 623-1 is processed by the activated program PR, and the processed data is transmitted from the transmitting port 624-1. Activation means setting the program PR to an executable state, specifically, for example, enabling the function of the program PR.

[0027] The industrial control device 620-1 and the data collection target system 610-1 are communicatively connected via a field network FNW1, and the industrial control device 620-2 and the data collection target system 610-2 are communicatively connected via a field network FNW2. When there is no need to distinguish between the field networks FNW1 and FNW2, they are simply referred to as the field networks FNW. As an example, the field network FNW is a network capable of communication using FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

[0028] The alarm issuing devices 630-1 and 630-2 are connected to the industrial control devices 620-1 and 620-2, respectively, and issue an error when an error is detected in the industrial control devices 620-1 and 620-2. When there is no need to distinguish between the alarm issuing devices 630-1 and 630-2, the subnumbers are omitted and they are simply referred to as the alarm issuing devices 630.

[0029] The data storage device 640 is communicatively connected to the industrial control device 620, and stores data from the industrial control device 620. The data storage device 640 is the destination device 503 shown in Fig. 5. The data storage device 640 and the industrial control device 620 are communicatively connected via a management network MNW. As an example, the management network MNW is a network capable of communication using SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).

[0030] <Example of operation of the transfer system 600> Next, an operation example 1 of the transfer system 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 6, taking the site F1 as an example. The industrial control device 620-1 holds setting items and programs PR that can be specified as protocols of the management network MNW in a container C1-1.

[0031] [S601] The user 651 refers to the user configurable information 625-1, selects a setting item required by the protocol of the management network MNW to which the data storage device 640 is connected, and activates the program PR. The user 651 also inputs a setting parameter for the setting item. For example, if the setting item is "input data type", the setting parameter is a port number, and if the setting item is "restriction on connected device", the setting parameter is the MAC address, IP address, or port number of the data storage device 640. Also, a row with a check mark entered in the status is the activated setting item. The user configurable information 625-1 is the classification 102 that the user 651 can set.

[0032] [S602] When the user 651 presses the apply button 626-1, the industrial control device 620-1 reads the user configurable information 625-1, activates a program PR capable of setting the setting item for which a check mark has been input, and includes the setting parameters input by the user 651 for the setting item in the program PR. In Fig. 6, it is assumed that the programs PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 are activated.

[0033] [S603] The industrial control device 620-1 receives data from the test device 611-1 at a receiving port 623-1, and outputs the data to the container C1-1.

[0034] [S604] The industrial control device 620-1 executes the programs PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 for the received data. If the protocol category 101 of the program PR is "receive" or "transmit", the program PR is executed before the data is received, and if the protocol category 101 of the program PR is "process", the program PR is executed when the data is received.

[0035] For example, if program PR1 is a program that executes a "data type" with protocol category 101 being "reception", program PR1 sets reception port 623-1 corresponding to setting parameter port number 21 to be receivable. Also, for example, if program PR2 is a program that executes a "log acquisition" with protocol category 101 being "processing", program PR2 acquires logs such as the reception date and time and 5-tuple of data received at reception port 623-1.

[0036] [S605] The industrial control device 620-1 transmits output data processed by the programs PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 from a transmission port 624-1 to the data storage device 640, which is the destination device 503. The industrial control device 620-1 can include the processing results of the programs PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 in the output data.

[0037] In this way, the industrial control device 620 intercepts the data transmitted from the data collection target system 610 to the data storage device 640, executes the processes in programs PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 to match the protocol according to the setting items specified by the user 651 using the check boxes, and transmits the processed output data to the data storage device 640. The setting items are character strings (protocol names) indicating the type of protocol, and correspond to the classification 102 described above.

[0038] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example 2 of the transfer system 600. In Fig. 7, the data storage device 640 is communicably connected to the analysis device 700. For example, assume that the activated program PR1 is a program related to the setting item "input data type", the activated program PR2 is a program related to the setting item "virus check", the activated program PR3 is a program related to the setting item "time stamp", the activated program PR4 is a program related to the setting item "processing evidence stamp", and the activated program PR5 is a program related to the setting item "output data type".

[0039] In this case, the industrial control device 620 sets the port number of the receiving port 623-1 that receives data from the test device 611-1 to the port number "21" that can receive data by FTP by using the program PR1, and sets the port number of the transmitting port 624-1 that transmits output data to the port number "22" that can transmit data by SFTP by using the program PR5. This makes it possible to receive data 710-1 from the test device 611-1 via the field network FNW1, and to transmit output data 720-1 to the data storage device 640 via the management network MNW.

[0040] After setting the port numbers "21" and "22", when the industrial control device 620 receives data 710-1 from the test device 611-1 via the field network FNW1 at the receiving port 623-1 of port number "21", the industrial control device 620 performs a virus check on the received data 710-1 using program PR2, and adds the processing time when the virus check was performed to the data 710-1 as information originating from the industrial control device 620-1 using program PR3, and adds the version of the virus check program PR3 as information originating from the industrial control device 620-1 using program PR4, resulting in output data 720-1.

[0041] Then, the industrial control device 620 transmits the output data 720-1 from the transmission port 624-1 with the port number "22" via the management network MNW to the data storage device 640. The data storage device 640 that receives the output data 720-1 transmits the output data 720-1 to the analysis device 700. As a result, the output data 720-1 is effectively used for analysis in the analysis device 700.

[0042] <Example of computer hardware configuration> Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the computers (the test device 611, the instruction device 613, the industrial control device 620, the data storage device 640, the terminal 650, and the analysis device 700) will be described.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. The computer 800 has a processor 801, a storage device 802, an input device 803, an output device 804, and a communication interface (communication IF) 805. The processor 801, the storage device 802, the input device 803, the output device 804, and the communication IF 805 are connected by a bus 806. The processor 801 controls the computer 800. The storage device 802 serves as a working area for the processor 801. The storage device 802 is a non-transient or temporary recording medium that stores various programs and data. Examples of the storage device 802 include a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a flash memory. The input device 803 inputs data. Examples of the input device 803 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a scanner, a microphone, and a sensor. The output device 804 outputs data. The output device 804 may be, for example, a display, a printer, or a speaker. The communication IF 805 connects to a network and transmits and receives data.

[0044] <User settings screen example> 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user setting screen displayed on the terminal 650. The user setting screen 900 is displayed on a display, which is an example of the output device 804 of the terminal 650. The user setting screen 900 has tabs 901-1 and 901-2. When there is no need to distinguish between the tabs 901-1 and 901-2, the sub-numbers are omitted and the tabs are simply referred to as tab 901.

[0045] A tab 901 is set for each site F. In this example, since sites F1 and F2 exist, a tab 901-1 corresponding to site F1 and a tab 901-2 corresponding to site F2 are set. Tab 901-1 is a tab related to the industrial control device 620-1 belonging to site F1 (indicated as "industrial control device 1" in FIG. 9), and tab 901-2 is a tab related to the industrial control device 620-2 belonging to site F2 (indicated as "industrial control device 2" in FIG. 9).

[0046] 9, an example will be described in which tab 901-1 is selected. In tab 901-1, settable information 625-1, an apply button 626-1, a summary 902-1, and a program log 903-1 are displayed.

[0047] As described above, in the configurable information 625-1, the user 651 can input a check mark to the status, and can input setting parameters for the setting items.

[0048] The summary 902-1 displays the contents processed by the industrial control device 620-1 up until the time when the tab 901-1 is selected. The program log 903-1 displays the log of the program PR executed up until the time when the tab 901-1 is selected.

[0049] <Initial table> 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the initial table. The initial table 1000 is a list of protocols applicable to the management network MNW, and exists for each industrial control device 620. The initial table 1000 is stored in the terminal 650 or the industrial control device 620. The contents of the initial table 1000 may be different for each industrial control device 620. An example of the initial table 1000 is shown below.

[0050] The initial table 1000 has, as fields, a setting item 1001, a setting parameter item 1002, a program name 1003, a program path 1004, and an item ID 1005. A combination of values ​​of each field in the same row indicates an entry related to one protocol.

[0051] The setting item 1001 indicates the protocol name selectable by the user 651, and corresponds to the classification 102. The setting parameter item 1002 indicates the detailed content of the setting item 1001, and corresponds to the details item 103. The program name 1003 is the name of the program PR. The program path 1004 is information indicating the storage location of the program PR in the industrial control device 620. The item ID 1005 is identification information that uniquely identifies the entry. The item ID 1005 is information in which a number that uniquely identifies the setting item 1001 is added to a sub-number that uniquely identifies one or more setting parameter items 1002 within the same setting item 1001.

[0052] <User setting table> 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user setting table. The user setting table 1100 is a list of configurable protocols applicable to the management network MNW, and exists for each industrial control device 620. The user setting table 1100 is stored in the industrial control device 620. The content of the user setting table 1100 may be different for each industrial control device 620. An example of the user setting table 1100 is shown below.

[0053] The user setting table 1100 has, as fields, a status 1101, a setting item 1001, a setting parameter item 1102, and an item ID 1005. The status 1101 is an area indicating whether or not a protocol has been selected by the user 651.

[0054] The setting parameter item 1102 is an area in which setting parameters related to the setting parameter item 1002 can be input. For example, in the entry with the item ID 1005 of "2-2", "192.168.10.11" is input as the IP address of the data storage device 640, and in the entry with the item ID 1005 of "3-2", "192.168.1.1" is input as the IP address of the data collection target system 610-1.

[0055] The user setting table 1100 is displayed on the user setting screen 900 of the terminal 650 as user configurable information 625. When the apply button 626 is pressed, the item ID 1005 of an entry with a check mark added thereto in the configurable information 625 is transmitted as selection information to the industrial control device 620. The industrial control device 620 sets a check mark in the status 1101 of the received item ID 1005.

[0056] <Create a setting table> 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of creating a setting table. The industrial control device 620 creates a setting table 1200 based on the initial table 1000 and the user setting table 1100. Specifically, for example, in an entry in the initial table 1000 that is the same as the item ID 1005 of an entry in which a check mark is set in the status 1101 of the user setting table 1100, the setting parameter item 1002 is overwritten with the setting parameter of the setting parameter item 1102, thereby creating the setting table 1200.

[0057] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process procedure for creating the setting table 1200. The setting program 621 identifies the entry of the item ID 1005 of the user setting table 1100 which is the selection information from the terminal 650, and sets a check mark in the status 1101 of the identified entry (step S1301).

[0058] The setting program 621 reads the user setting table 1100 (step S1302). The setting program 621 reads the initial table 1000 (step S1303). If a check mark exists in the status 1101 of the user setting table 1100, the setting program 621 acquires the item ID 1005 of that entry (step S1304).

[0059] If a setting parameter has been entered in the setting parameter item 1102 of the user setting table 1100, the setting program 621 acquires the setting parameter (step S1305). The setting program 621 refers to the initial table 1000, and searches the item ID 1005 of the initial table 1000 for a value identical to the item ID 1005 acquired in step S1304 (step S1306).

[0060] If the setting program 621 finds a value in the item ID 1005 of the initial table 1000 that is the same as the item ID 1005 acquired in step S1304, it extracts that entry from the initial table 1000 (step S1307).

[0061] In step S1305, if the setting parameters are acquired from the setting parameter item 1102 of the user setting table 1100, the setting program 621 adds them to the setting parameter item 1002 to set it as the setting parameter item 1102 (step S1308). As a result, the setting table 1200 is created as shown in FIG.

[0062] <Industrial Control Device 620 Settings> Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device 620. The setting process of the industrial control device 620 is the process of step S602 shown in Fig. 6. The setting program 621 detects the completion of creation of the setting table 1200 (step S1401). The setting program 621 reads the setting table 1200 (step S1402). The setting program 621 refers to the program name 1003 and the program path 1004 in the setting table 1200, and identifies the program PR to be activated (step S1403).

[0063] If the setting parameter exists in the setting parameter item 1102, the setting program 621 includes the setting parameter in the identified activation target program PR (step S1404). The setting program 621 activates the identified activation target program PR (step S1405). This completes the setting of the industrial control device 620.

[0064] Once the configuration of the industrial control device 620 is complete, as shown in steps S603 to S605 of FIG. 6 and in FIG. 7, data from the field network FNW is configured to conform to the protocol of the management network MNW and collected in the data storage device 640.

[0065] In this way, according to the first embodiment, the industrial control device 620 sets data to be compatible with any protocol. Therefore, even if the field network FNW in which the data source device 501 is located is a different management network MNW having a different protocol from that of the data destination device 503, the destination device 503 can obtain the data from the data source device 501. EXAMPLES

[0066] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example in which one container C1-1 is mounted on the industrial control device 620-1 is described. In the second embodiment, an example in which a plurality of containers are mounted on the industrial control device 620 is described. Note that in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described, and therefore descriptions of common parts with the first embodiment are omitted.

[0067] <Configuration example of industrial control device 620> Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an industrial control device 620 according to a second embodiment. The industrial control device 620 has a host setting program 1501 and a host management program 1502 as a host. The industrial control device 620 also has containers C1 and C2 as guests started by the host. The number of containers may be three or more, but Fig. 15 will be described as an example in which the number of containers is two.

[0068] The container C1 has a container 1 setting program 1511C1, a container 1 management program 1512C1, and programs PR1 to PR5. The container C2 has a container 2 setting program 1511C2, a container 1 management program 1512C2, and programs PR10 to PR14.

[0069] The container C1 executes, for example, programs PR1 to PR5 specialized for virus checks. The container C2 then executes programs PR10 to PR14 to process safe data that has passed the virus check in the container C1. This allows the container C2 to set the data that has passed the virus check so that it complies with the protocol of the management network MNW.

[0070] <User setting table> 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user setting table according to Example 2. The user setting table 1600 is provided with a host status 1601H, a container 1 status 1601C1, and a container C2 status 1601C2 instead of the status 1101.

[0071] The host status 1601H is an area indicating whether or not a host protocol has been selected by the user 651. The container 1 status 1601C1 is an area indicating whether or not a container 1 protocol has been selected by the user 651. The container 2 status 1601C2 is an area indicating whether or not a container 2 protocol has been selected by the user 651. In the container 1 status 1601C1 and the container C2 status 1601C2, "-" indicates that the protocol is not selectable, i.e., that the protocol is for the host.

[0072] The contents of the user setting table 1600 are displayed on the user setting screen 900 of the terminal 650, similarly to the case shown in FIG.

[0073] <Initial table> 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an initial table 1700 according to the embodiment 2. The fields of the initial table 1700 are the same as those of the initial table 1000, but the difference is that host protocols are added to the item ID 1005, such as "0-1", "6-3", "10-2", "11-3", "12-1", and "12-2".

[0074] <Create a setting table> 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of creating setting tables according to Example 2. The industrial control device 620 creates a host setting table 1800H, a container 1 setting table 1800C1, and a container 2 setting table 1800C2 based on the initial table 1000 and the user setting table 1100.

[0075] Specifically, for example, in an entry in the initial table 1700 that has the same item ID 1005 as an entry that has a check mark set in the status 1601H of the user setting table 1600, the setting parameter item 1002 is overwritten with the setting parameter of the setting parameter item 1102, thereby creating the host setting table 1800H.

[0076] Furthermore, in the initial table 1700, in an entry having the same item ID 1005 as an entry having a check mark set in the status 1601C1 of the user setting table 1600, the setting parameter item 1002 is overwritten with the setting parameter of the setting parameter item 1102, thereby creating a container 1 setting table 1800C1.

[0077] Furthermore, in the initial table 1700, in an entry having the same item ID 1005 as an entry having a check mark set in the status 1601C2 of the user setting table 1600, the setting parameter item 1002 is overwritten with the setting parameter of the setting parameter item 1102, thereby creating a container 2 setting table 1800C2.

[0078] When there is no need to distinguish between the host setting table 1800H, the container 1 setting table 1800C1, and the container 2 setting table 1800C2, they are referred to as the setting table 1800. When there is no need to distinguish between the host setting table 1800H, the container 1 setting table 1800C1, and the container 2 setting table 1800C2, they are referred to as the setting table group 1800. When there is no need to distinguish between the container 1 setting table 1800C1 and the container 2 setting table 1800C2, they are referred to as the container setting table 1800C.

[0079] Fig. 19 is a flowchart 1 showing an example of a process procedure for creating a setting table 1800 according to the embodiment 2. The host setting program 1501 executes steps S1301 to S1308, similar to Fig. 13. As a result, the host setting table 1800H is created, and the process proceeds to step S2001 in Fig. 20.

[0080] 20 is a flowchart 2 showing an example of a process procedure for creating a setting table 1800 according to the second embodiment. If a check mark is entered in the status (container 1) column 1601C1, the container 1 setting program 1511C1 acquires the item ID 1005 of the entry (step S2001). The container 1 setting program 1511C1 executes steps S1305 to S1308 for each of the item IDs 1005 acquired in step S2001, similarly to FIG. 13. As a result, the container 1 setting table 1800C1 is created, and the process proceeds to step S2002.

[0081] If a check mark is entered in the status (container 2) column 1601C2, the container 2 setting program 1511C2 acquires the item ID 1005 of that entry (step S2002). The container 2 setting program 1511C2 executes steps S1305 to S1308 for each of the item IDs 1005 acquired in step S2001, similarly to Fig. 13. As a result, the container 2 setting table 1800C2 is created, and the setting program 621 ends the series of processes.

[0082] If there is a container C# other than containers C1 and C2, and a check mark is entered in the status (container #) column 1601C# for that container C#, the container # setting program 1511C# acquires the item ID 1005 of that entry, and executes steps S1305 to S1308 as in Fig. 13. As a result, a container # setting table 1800C# is created.

[0083] <Industrial Control Device 620 Settings> Fig. 21 is a flowchart 1 showing an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device 620 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 22 is a flowchart 2 showing an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device 620 according to the second embodiment. When the host setting program 1501 detects the completion of creation of the setting table group 1800 shown in Figs. 19 and 20 (step S2101), it reads the host setting table 1800H (step S2102). The host setting program 1501 refers to the program name 1003 and the program path 1004 of the host setting table 1800H to identify the program PR to be activated in the host (step S2103).

[0084] If the setting parameter exists in the setting parameter item 1102 of the host setting table 1800H, the host setting program 1501 includes the setting parameter in the activation target program PR in the identified host (step S2104), and activates the activation target program PR in the identified host (step S2105).Then, the host setting program 1501 transmits all entries of the container 1 setting table 1800C1 to the container C1 (step S2106), and proceeds to step S2201 in FIG.

[0085] When the container 1 setting program 1511C1 receives all the entries of the container 1 setting table 1800C1, it references the program name 1003 and the program path 1004, and identifies the program PR to be activated in the container C1 (step S2201).

[0086] If the setting parameter exists in the setting parameter item 1102 of the container 1 setting table 1800C1, the container 1 setting program 1511C1 includes the setting parameter in the activation target program PR in the identified container C1 (step S2202), and activates the activation target program PR in the identified container C1 (step S2203).Then, the host setting program 1501 transmits all entries of the container 2 setting table 1800C2 to the container C2 (step S2204).

[0087] When the container 2 setting program 1511C2 receives all the entries of the container 2 setting table 1800C2, it references the program name 1003 and the program path 1004, and identifies the program PR to be activated in the container C2 (step S2205).

[0088] If the setting parameter exists in the setting parameter item 1102 of the container 2 setting table 1800C2, the container 2 setting program 1511C2 includes the setting parameter in the activation target program PR in the identified container C2 (step S2206), and activates the activation target program PR in the identified container C2 (step S2207). This completes the series of processes.

[0089] 22, a processing example in which two containers C1 and C2 exist has been described, but if a container C# other than the containers C1 and C2 exists, steps S2204 to S2207 are executed for the other container C#, thereby activating the activation target program PR in the other container C#.

[0090] In this way, according to the second embodiment, the industrial control device 620 sets data for each of the host and the multiple containers to be compatible with any protocol. Therefore, even if the field network FNW in which the data source device 501 is located is a management network MNW different from the protocol of the destination device 503 of the data, the destination device 503 can obtain the data from the source device 501.

[0091] In addition, by setting up multiple containers, one container will perform a virus check on the received data, while another container will process the program PR on the data that is determined to be safe by the virus check. This allows the other containers to process the program PR that is compatible with the protocol in a safe environment that is not infected by viruses. EXAMPLES

[0092] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, examples in which check marks are set in the statuses 1101, 1601H, 1601C1, and 1601C2 have been described. In the third embodiment, an example in which an execution order is set instead of check marks will be described. Note that in the third embodiment, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and therefore descriptions of common parts with the first and second embodiments will be omitted. In the following description, the description will be made in comparison with the first embodiment, but the same applies to the second embodiment.

[0093] Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an example of setting information according to the third embodiment. The difference from the user configurable information 625-1 in Fig. 6 is that the status 2301 in the setting information 2300 is set to a number indicating the execution order. The smaller the number, the earlier it is executed.

[0094] Fig. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a user setting table 2400 according to the embodiment 3. The user setting table 2400 differs from the user setting table 1100 in Fig. 11 in that the status 1101 is changed to a status 2301 in the user setting table 2400.

[0095] <Create a setting table> 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of creating a setting table 2500 according to the third embodiment. The industrial control device 620 creates the setting table 2500 based on the initial table 1000 and the user setting table 2400. Specifically, for example, in the initial table 1000, in an entry having the same item ID 1005 as an entry in which a number indicating an execution order is set in the status 2301 of the user setting table 2400, the setting parameter item 1002 is overwritten with the setting parameter of the setting parameter item 1102, and the setting table 2500 is created by sorting in ascending order of the number indicating the execution order of the status 2301.

[0096] 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a process procedure for creating the setting table 2500 according to the embodiment 3. The setting program 621 identifies an entry of the item ID 1005 of the user setting table 2400, which is the selection information (number indicating the execution order) from the terminal 650, and sets the number indicating the execution order to the status 2301 of the identified entry (step S2601).

[0097] The setting program 621 reads the user setting table 2400 (step S2602). The setting program 621 reads the initial table 1000 (step S2603). The setting program 621 acquires the number of rows n of the initial table 1000 (step S2604), and sets a variable i related to a number indicating the execution order to i=1 (step S2605).

[0098] If the number i indicating the execution order exists in the status 2301, the setting program 621 acquires the item ID 1005 of that entry (step S2606). Next, if a setting parameter is input in the setting parameter item 1102 in the entry of the user setting table 2400 from which the item ID 1005 was acquired in step S2606, the setting program 621 acquires the setting parameter (step S2607).

[0099] Next, the setting program 621 refers to the initial table 1000, and searches the item ID 1005 of the initial table 1000 for a value that is the same as the item ID 1005 acquired in step S2606 (step S2608).

[0100] Next, if the setting program 621 finds the same value as the item ID 1005 acquired in step S2606 in the item ID 1005 of the initial table 1000, it extracts that entry from the initial table 1000 (step S2609).

[0101] Next, in step S2607, if a setting parameter is acquired from the setting parameter item 1102 of the user setting table 2400, the setting program 621 adds it to the setting parameter item 1002, making it the setting parameter item 1102 (step S2610).

[0102] Next, the setting program 621 increments the variable i (step S2611) and determines whether the variable i is greater than n (step S2612). If the variable i is not greater than n (step S2612: No), the process returns to step S2606. If the variable i is greater than n (step S2612: Yes), the setting program 621 ends the series of processes. As a result, the setting table 2500 is created as shown in FIG. 25.

[0103] Thus, according to the third embodiment, the industrial control device 620 sets data to be compatible with any protocol by the user 651 designating the execution order of the programs PR. Therefore, by the transfer device 502, which is the industrial control device 620, executing the activated programs PR in the execution order, even if the field network FNW in which the data transmission source device 501 is located is a different management network MNW having a different protocol from that of the destination device 503 of the data, the destination device 503 can obtain data from the transmission source device 501. EXAMPLES

[0104] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the first and third embodiments, an example in which one container C1-1 is implemented in the industrial control device 620-1 is described. In the fourth embodiment, an example in which a host is implemented in the industrial control device 620 and no container is implemented is described. Note that in the fourth embodiment, differences from the first and third embodiments are mainly described, and therefore descriptions of common parts with the first and third embodiments are omitted.

[0105] 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting information according to Example 4. The difference from Example 1 and Example 3 is that, while a container C1 is implemented in the industrial control device 620 in Example 1 and Example 3, no container is implemented in Example 4, and a setting program 621, a management program 622, and a program PR are implemented in the industrial control device 620 that is the host.

[0106] In this way, according to the fourth embodiment, the industrial control device 620 sets data to be compatible with any protocol. Therefore, even if the field network FNW in which the data source device 501 is located is a different management network MNW having a different protocol from that of the data destination device 503, the destination device 503 can obtain the data from the data source device 501. EXAMPLES

[0107] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is an example in which the setting tables 1200, 1800, and 2500 of the first to fourth embodiments are made updatable. Note that the fifth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first to fourth embodiments, and therefore descriptions of common parts with the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted. In the following description, the fifth embodiment will be described in comparison with the first embodiment, but the same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0108] <Update the setting table> Fig. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of updating the setting table 1200 according to the fifth embodiment. In updating the setting table 1200, a new setting table 1200 is created in the process procedure shown in Fig. 13, and the industrial control device 620 updates the original setting table 1200 with the new setting table 1200. The new setting table 1200 is referred to as an updated setting table 2800. The updated setting table 2800 is also updated when a new setting table 1200 is created. As a result, the item ID 1005 of the original setting table 1200 remains unchanged, but the contents of the setting parameter item 1002 are rewritten, entries in the original setting table 1200 are deleted, and entries not present in the original setting table 1200 are added.

[0109] <Industrial Control Device 620 Settings> Fig. 29 is a flowchart 1 illustrating an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device 620 according to the fifth embodiment, and Fig. 30 is a flowchart 2 illustrating an example of a setting process procedure of the industrial control device 620 according to the fifth embodiment. Note that the original setting table 1200 remains without being overwritten by the updated setting table 2800 until the processes of Figs. 29 and 30 are completed.

[0110] When the setting program 621 detects the completion of creation of the update setting table 2800 (step S2901), it reads the original setting table 1200 (step S2902). The setting program 621 reads the update setting table 2800 (step S2903). The setting program 621 acquires the item ID 1005 from each of the original setting table 1200 and the update setting table 2800 (step S2904). Then, in step S2904, the setting program 621 creates combinations of the item ID 1005 of the original setting table 1200 and the item ID 1005 of the update setting table 2800 in a brute force search.

[0111] The setting program 621 selects one unselected set of item IDs 1005 from the created combination group, and determines whether the item IDs 1005 of the selected set match (step S2905). If they do not match (step S2905: No), the program proceeds to step S3001 in FIG.

[0112] On the other hand, if there is a match (step S2905: Yes), the setting program 621 obtains setting parameters from the setting parameter item 1002 of the entry in which the item ID 1005 of the selected pair exists for each of the original setting table 1200 and the updated setting table 2800 (step S2906).

[0113] The setting program 621 judges whether or not the two acquired setting parameters match (step S2906). If they match (step S2906: Yes), the process proceeds to step S3007 in FIG.

[0114] On the other hand, if there is no match (step S2907: No), the setting program 621 refers to the program name 1003 and the program path 1004 in the update setting table 2800, and identifies the program PR to be activated (step S2908).

[0115] If the setting parameter exists in the setting parameter item 1102, the setting program 621 includes the setting parameter in the identified activation target program PR (step S2908). The setting program 621 activates the identified activation target program PR (step S2910). Then, the process proceeds to step S3007 in FIG. 30.

[0116] In FIG. 30, if there is no matching item ID 1005 in step S2905 (step S2905: No), the setting program 621 determines whether the item ID 1005 in the updated setting table 2800 for the selected set of item IDs 1005 exists in the original setting table 1200 (step S3001).

[0117] If not (step S3002: No), the setting program 621 refers to the program name 1003 and the program path 1004 from the entry in the update setting table 2800 in which the selected item ID 1005 exists, and identifies the activation target program PR (step S3002).

[0118] If the setting parameter exists in the setting parameter item 1102, the setting program 621 includes the setting parameter in the identified activation target program PR (step S3003). The setting program 621 activates the identified activation target program PR (step S3004). Then, the process proceeds to step S3007.

[0119] On the other hand, if it does exist (step S3002: Yes), the setting program 621 refers to the program name 1003 and the program path 1004 from the entry in the original setting table 1200 in which the selected item ID 1005 exists, and identifies the program PR to be deactivated (step S3005). The setting program 621 deactivates the identified program PR to be deactivated (step S3006). Then, the process proceeds to step S3007.

[0120] Thereafter, the setting program 621 judges whether or not all item IDs 1005 in the update setting table 2800 have been checked (step S3007). That is, the setting program 621 judges whether or not the match check in step S2905 has been executed for all combinations created in step S2904. If all item IDs 1005 in the update setting table 2800 have not been checked (step S3007: No), the program returns to step S2905 and selects one unselected pair of item IDs 1005.

[0121] On the other hand, if the confirmation has been made (step S3007: Yes), the setting program 621 overwrites the original setting table 1200 with the updated setting table 2800 (step S3008), whereby the setting program 621 ends the series of processes.

[0122] In this manner, in the fifth embodiment, the setting tables 1200, 1800, and 2500 can be updated with the updated setting table 2800. Therefore, the program in the industrial control device 620 can be set to conform to a protocol corresponding to a change in the data collection target system 610 at the site F. EXAMPLES

[0123] Example 6 will be described. Example 6 shows an example of support when the management program 622 and the host management program 1502 in Examples 1 to 5 provide support when an unsteady state (incident) occurs in the data collection target system 610 at site F. Note that, in Example 6, differences from Examples 1 to 5 will be mainly described, and therefore descriptions of common parts with Examples 1 to 5 will be omitted. Also, in the following description, the description will be made in comparison with Example 1, but the same applies to Examples 2 to 5.

[0124] 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an error table. The error table 3100 can be referenced by the management program 622. The error table 3100 has fields, an error code 3101, and contents 3102. A combination of the fields in the same row becomes an entry that specifies one error.

[0125] The error code 3101 is identification information that uniquely identifies an error. The content 3102 is text data that specifies the details of the error.

[0126] 32 is a flowchart showing an example of a support process when an unsteady state (incident) occurs in the data collection target system 610 at the site F. When the activated program PR receives data from an unauthorized device or detects a virus infection in the received data, it outputs a corresponding error code 3101 (step S3201).

[0127] The program PR that output the error code 3101 transmits the error code 3101 and log data relating to the received data to the management program 622 (step S3202).

[0128] The management program 622 transmits a start command to the alarm issuing device 630 (step S3203). As a result, the alarm issuing device 630 starts up and outputs an alarm.

[0129] The management program 622 obtains the content 3102 corresponding to the error code 3101 from the error table 3100 (step S3204).

[0130] The management program 622 outputs the content 3102 corresponding to the error code 3101 and the log data acquired in step S3204 to the terminal 650 (step S3205). As a result, the content 3102 and the log data are displayed on the screen of the terminal 650.

[0131] The management program 622 outputs the user settable information 625 to the terminal 650 (step S3206). As a result, the user settable information 625 and the Apply button 626 are displayed on the screen of the terminal 650. Thereafter, when the user 651 presses the Apply button 626, the processing shown in Figures 13, 29, and 30 is executed.

[0132] In this way, according to the sixth embodiment, when an unsteady state (incident) is detected in the data collection target system 610 at the site F, it is possible to notify the user 651 of the terminal 650.

[0133] Moreover, the transfer device 502 according to the above-mentioned first to sixth embodiments can also be configured as follows (1) to (10).

[0134] (1) A transfer device 502 that receives data from a source device 501, processes the data, and transmits the processed data to a destination device 503, A processor 801 that executes a group of programs (a set of programs PR) and a storage device 802 that stores the group of programs and initial setting information (initial table 1000), Each of the group of programs is a program conforming to any one of protocols (setting item 1001, item ID 1005) of a receiving protocol for receiving the data from the source device 501 (e.g., input data type of setting item 1001), a processing protocol for the processing (e.g., connection destination device restriction of setting item 1001), and a transmitting protocol for transmitting the data to the destination device 503 (e.g., output data type of setting item 1001), The initial setting information specifies, for each protocol, designation information (program name 1003, program path 1004) that designates the program that is compatible with the protocol; The processor 801 is a reception process for receiving an input of a first setting parameter (e.g., a port number) for a first program that is compatible with the reception protocol and the transmission protocol; an acquisition process for acquiring first designation information that designates the first program by referring to the initial setting information; an activation process for activating the first program using the first designation information and the first setting parameters; Execute.

[0135] (2) In the transfer device 502 in (1) above, The storage device 802 stores reference setting information (user setting table 1100), The reference configuration information specifies, for each protocol, a status 1101 in which the presence or absence of selection of the protocol can be set, and a setting parameter item 1102 in which setting parameters for the program conforming to the protocol can be set; In the reception process, the processor 801 transmits the reference setting information (an entry in the user setting table 1100) to the terminal 650, receives the selection of the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol and the input of the first setting parameters to the first program from the terminal 650, and updates the status 1101 and the setting parameter item 1102 of the reference setting information, The processor 801 is execute a creation process for creating combined setting information (setting table 1200) that associates the selected receiving protocol and transmitting protocol, the updated status 1101, and the first specification information; In the activation process, the processor 801 may activate the first program by using the first designation information and the first setting parameters, with reference to the combined setting information.

[0136] (3) In the transfer device 502 of (1) above, In the reception process, the processor 801 receives the selection of the processing protocol, In the acquisition process, the processor 801 refers to the initial setting information to acquire second designation information that designates a second program that conforms to the processing protocol; In the activation process, the processor 801 may activate the second program using the second designation information.

[0137] (4) In the transfer device 502 of (3) above, In the reception process, the processor 801 receives an input of a second setting parameter (for example, an IP address) to the second program, In the activation process, the processor 801 may activate the second program using the second designation information and the second setting parameters.

[0138] (5) In the transfer device 502 of (1) above, It has one or more containers, The container may include the group of programs and a setting program that causes the processor to execute the reception process, the acquisition process, and the activation process.

[0139] (6) In the transfer device 502 of (1) above, Multiple containers and a host capable of starting the plurality of containers; each of the plurality of containers includes the group of programs related to the container and a setting program that executes the reception process, the acquisition process, and the activation process for the group of programs related to the container; The host may include the group of programs related to the host, and a setting program that causes the processor to execute the reception process, the acquisition process, and the activation process for the group of programs related to the host.

[0140] (7) In the transfer device 502 of (4) above, In the reception process, the processor 801 receives an execution order of the first program and the second program, The processor 801 is an execution control process for controlling the execution of the first program and the second program in accordance with the execution order; may be executed.

[0141] (8) In the transfer device 502 of (2) above, The processor 801 is an update process for updating the composite setting information based on a change in the reference setting information; may be executed.

[0142] (9) In the transfer device 502 of (8) above, In the activation process, the processor 801 may deactivate a program that exists in the combination setting information before the update but does not exist in the combination setting information after the update.

[0143] (10) In the transfer device 502 of (1) above, The storage device 802 has error information indicating an unsteady state of the source device 501, The processor 801 is a warning process for outputting a warning when the first program detects that the transmission source device 501 falls into an unsteady state defined in the error information; may be executed.

[0144] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modified examples and equivalent configurations within the spirit of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. Also, a part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with a configuration of another embodiment. Also, a configuration of another embodiment may be added to a configuration of one embodiment. Also, a part of the configuration of each embodiment may be added, deleted, or replaced with another configuration.

[0145] In addition, each of the configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. described above may be realized in hardware, for example by designing some or all of them as an integrated circuit, or may be realized in software by processor 801 interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function.

[0146] Information such as programs, tables, files, etc. that realize each function can be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or in a recording medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, an SD card, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

[0147] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those considered necessary for the explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines necessary for implementation. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other.

Claims

1. A transfer device that receives data from a source device, processes the data, and transmits the processed data to a destination device, A processor that executes a group of programs and a storage device that stores the group of programs and initial setting information, each of the group of programs is a program conforming to any one of a receiving protocol for receiving the data from the source device, a processing protocol for the processing, and a transmitting protocol for transmitting the data to the destination device; The initial setting information defines, for each protocol, designation information for designating the program compatible with the protocol; The processor, a receiving process for receiving an input of a first setting parameter to a first program that is compatible with the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol; an acquisition process for acquiring first designation information that designates the first program by referring to the initial setting information; an activation process for activating the first program by using the first designation information and the first setting parameters; A transfer device that executes the above.

2. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, The storage device stores reference setting information; The reference setting information specifies, for each protocol, a status that can be set as to whether or not the protocol is selected, and a setting parameter item that can be set as a setting parameter for the program that is compatible with the protocol; In the reception process, the processor transmits the reference setting information to a terminal, receives the selection of the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol and the input of the first setting parameters to the first program from the terminal, and updates the status and the setting parameter items of the reference setting information; The processor, executing a creation process for creating combined setting information that associates the selected receiving protocol and transmitting protocol, the updated status, and the first specification information; In the activation process, the processor refers to the combined setting information and activates the first program by using the first designation information and the first setting parameters. A transfer device comprising:

3. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, In the reception process, the processor receives a selection of the processing protocol; In the acquisition process, the processor refers to the initial setting information to acquire second designation information that designates a second program that conforms to the processing protocol; In the activation process, the processor activates the second program using the second designation information. A transfer device comprising:

4. 4. The transfer device according to claim 3, In the reception process, the processor receives an input of a second setting parameter to the second program; In the activation process, the processor activates the second program by using the second designation information and the second setting parameters. A transfer device comprising:

5. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, One or more containers; the container includes the group of programs and a setting program that causes the processor to execute the reception process, the acquisition process, and the activation process; A transfer device comprising:

6. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, Multiple containers and a host capable of starting the plurality of containers; each of the plurality of containers includes the group of programs related to the container and a setting program that executes the reception process, the acquisition process, and the activation process for the group of programs related to the container; the host includes the group of programs related to the host, and a setting program that causes the processor to execute the reception process, the acquisition process, and the activation process for the group of programs related to the host; A transfer device comprising:

7. 5. The transfer device according to claim 4, In the reception process, the processor receives an execution order of the first program and the second program; The processor, an execution control process for controlling the execution of the first program and the second program in accordance with the execution order; A transfer device that executes the above.

8. 3. The transfer device according to claim 2, The processor, an update process for updating the composite setting information based on a change in the reference setting information; A transfer device that executes the above.

9. 9. The transfer device according to claim 8, In the activation process, the processor deactivates a program that exists in the combination setting information before the update and does not exist in the combination setting information after the update. A transfer device comprising:

10. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, the storage device has error information indicating an unsteady state of the transmission source device; The processor, a warning process for outputting a warning when the first program detects that the transmission source device is in an unsteady state defined in the error information; A transfer device that executes the above.

11. A transfer method by a transfer device that receives data from a source device, processes the data, and transmits the processed data to a destination device, comprising: A processor that executes a group of programs and a storage device that stores the group of programs and initial setting information, each of the group of programs is a program conforming to any one of a receiving protocol for receiving the data from the source device, a processing protocol for the processing, and a transmitting protocol for transmitting the data to the destination device; The initial setting information defines, for each protocol, designation information for designating the program compatible with the protocol; The processor, a reception process for receiving a selection of the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol and an input of a first setting parameter to a first program compatible with the receiving protocol and the transmitting protocol; an acquisition process for acquiring first designation information that designates the first program by referring to the initial setting information; an activation process for activating the first program by using the first designation information and the first setting parameters; A transfer method comprising the steps of:

Images