Sales device and sales method for an information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a sales device for an information processing device for facilitating connection between incidental facilities to be purchased and existing main facilities.SOLUTION: A sales device 1 for selling an information processing device that collects data from at least any of one or more sensors and one or more incidental facilities to provide it to a controller of main facilities. The sales device receives user operation for specifying at least any type of the sensors and the incidental facilities and receives user operation for specifying a memory area for recording data collected from at least any of the specified sensor and the incidental facilities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sales apparatus and a sales method for an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] It is common practice to use the Internet for order placement and order receipt of goods between companies. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that automatically manages, from the usage status information of facilities already connected to a network, when to replenish, replace, maintain, or upgrade the facilities next.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs replenishment, replacement, maintenance, upgrade, etc. of existing facilities, and does not purchase new peripheral facilities, etc. and connect them to existing main facilities. Generally, when a company purchases new peripheral facilities such as sensors or additional equipment from another company and connects the peripheral facilities to existing main facilities, the connection work is the responsibility of the company that purchased the new peripheral facilities or a system integrator. However, if the communication design specifications of the new peripheral facilities are different from those of the existing main facilities, a separate connection device or specialized technology is required for connection, which is not easy for general companies. Therefore, it is convenient for a company purchasing new peripheral facilities to be able to purchase, together with the new peripheral facilities, an information processing apparatus configured to connect the new peripheral facilities to existing main facilities. For this purpose, when purchasing an information processing apparatus, it is necessary for the purchaser to specify the new peripheral facilities and the existing main facilities to which they are to be connected.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a sales device and a sales method for an information processing device that facilitates the connection between purchased accessories and the like and an existing main device in view of the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a sales device according to one aspect of the present invention is a sales device that sells an information processing device that collects data from at least one of one or more sensors and one or more accessories and provides it to a controller of a main device, and includes at least one processor that executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one of the types of the sensors and the accessories, and a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area in the controller's memory area that records data collected from at least one of the sensors and the accessories specified in the first process.

[0007] Further, a sales method according to one aspect of the present invention is a sales method that sells an information processing device that collects data from at least one of one or more sensors and one or more accessories and provides it to a controller of a main device, and at least one processor executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one of the types of the sensors and the accessories, and a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area in the controller's memory area that records data collected from at least one of the sensors and the accessories specified in the first process.

[0008] The sales device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for the sales device that realizes the sales device by operating the computer as each part (software element) included in the sales device, and a computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a sales device and a sales method of an information processing device for facilitating connection between accessory equipment to be purchased and the like and existing main equipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a sales device 1 according to this embodiment. This embodiment will be described by taking as an example a sales device 1 for selling an information processing device (relay device) using the Internet.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the sales device 1 includes at least one processor 11, a memory 12, a communication unit 13, and an input / output interface (I / O interface) 14. The processor 11 controls the entire sales device 1. The memory 12 includes a primary memory and a secondary memory. The primary memory can be, for example, a semiconductor RAM (Random Access Memory). Also, the secondary memory can be, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an ODD (Optical Disk Drive), an FDD (Floppy Disk Drive), or a combination thereof.

[0013] In this embodiment, the storage in the vending device 1 is realized by two memories (primary memory and secondary memory), but it is not limited thereto. That is, the storage in the vending device 1 may be realized by one memory. In this case, for example, a certain storage area of the memory may be used as the primary memory, and another storage area of the memory may be used as the secondary memory.

[0014] The processor 11 expands the sales program P1 stored in the secondary memory onto the primary memory and executes each step included in the sales method M1 according to the instructions included in the expanded sales program P1. Note that the fact that the sales program P1 is stored in the secondary memory means that the source code or the execution format file obtained by compiling the source code is stored in the secondary memory.

[0015] Also, the processor 11 expands the setting program P2 stored in the secondary memory onto the primary memory and executes each step included in the setting method M2 according to the instructions included in the expanded setting program P2.

[0016] Examples of devices that can be used as the processor 11 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPU (Floating point number Processing Unit), a PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a combination thereof.

[0017] The sales device 1 has a communication unit 13 that is wired or wirelessly connected to user terminals (computers) T1, … Tn (hereinafter referred to as “user terminal T”) via the network N. Examples of the communication unit 13 include communication interfaces such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Examples of available networks include PAN (Personal Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), CAN (Campus Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), GAN (Global Area Network), or an internetwork including these networks. The internetwork may be an intranet, an extranet, or the internet N shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] Examples of the input / output interface 14 include interfaces such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), and PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect). Examples of input devices connected to the input / output interface 14 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a microphone, or a combination thereof. Examples of output devices connected to the input / output interface 14 include a display, a projector, a printer, a speaker, headphones, or a combination thereof.

[0019] In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the sales method M1 is executed using a single processor 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which the sales method M1 is executed using a plurality of processors. In this case, the plurality of processors that execute the sales method M1 in cooperation may be provided in a single computer and configured to be communicable with each other via a bus, or may be provided distributed in a plurality of computers and configured to be communicable with each other via a network. As an example, a mode in which a processor incorporated in a computer constituting a cloud server and a processor incorporated in a computer owned by a user of the cloud server execute the sales method M1 in cooperation can be considered.

[0020] The sales device 1 is a sales device that sells an information processing device (relay device) 3 that collects data from at least any one of one or more sensors and one or more accessory facilities and provides the data to the controller of the main equipment. Hereinafter, "at least any one of one or more sensors and one or more accessory facilities" is also referred to as "at least any one of sensors and / or accessory facilities" or "sensors and / or accessory facilities". The information processing device 3 has a "connect" function, a "collect" function, and a "notify" function. Hereinafter, the information processing device 3 is also described as a relay device 3. Note that the relay device 3 is a form of the information processing device described in the claims.

[0021] A person in charge of a company who is a user (purchaser) can purchase accessory facilities and / or sensors that can be attached to existing main equipment via the Internet N together with the relay device 3. That is, by the user inputting predetermined items on a display screen (also referred to as an "operation screen") displayed on the web screen of the user terminal T on the Internet N by the sales device 1, the relay device and the sensors and / or accessory facilities can be purchased. Alternatively, the user can purchase a new main equipment and sensors and / or accessory facilities that can be attached to the main equipment via the Internet N.

[0022] Specifically, the processor 11 of the vending device 1 executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one type among sensors and accessories. Further, the processor 11 executes a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area in the controller that records data collected from at least one of the sensors and accessories specified in the first process. The first process and the second process are executed via a web screen on the user terminal T, but the display mode of the screen for the first process or the second process is not limited. In other words, the processor 11 of the vending device 1 executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one type among sensors and accessories at the user terminal T. Further, the processor 11 executes a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area in the controller that records data collected from at least one of the sensors and accessories specified in the first process at the user terminal T. The processor 11 of the vending device 1 may be on the cloud. Note that a specific example of the display screen displayed on the user terminal T for the processor 11 to receive a user operation will be described later.

[0023] With the configuration of the vending device 1 as described above, it is possible to provide a vending device for a relay device that facilitates the connection between the accessories to be purchased and the existing main equipment.

[0024] Here, the function of the relay device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the relay device 3 according to Embodiment 1 and at least one of the main equipment 2, one or more sensors 4, and one or more accessories 5.

[0025] The main equipment 2 is the equipment that the user company is already using or will newly purchase. The sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 are newly purchased by the user company together with the relay device 3 for use together with the main equipment 2. That is, the main equipment 2, the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 are basically equipment that function and operate independently of each other. The relay device 3 relays the information communication between the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 and the main equipment 2. Specifically, the relay device 3 has a function of collecting (acquiring) data from such a sensor 4 and / or accessory equipment 5 and writing the collected data into the memory 22 of the controller 21 of the main equipment 2. The monitor screen 6 displays the data collected by the relay device 3 in real time. The monitor screen 6 may be a dashboard (display panel) etc. provided in the relay device 3, or may be a display device connected to the relay device 3.

[0026] For example, the main equipment 2 is a manufacturing device and is controlled by the controller 21. The sensor 4 includes a first sensor (for example, a temperature sensor) 4A, a second sensor (for example, an open / close sensor) 4B, and so on. The accessory equipment 5 includes a first accessory equipment (for example, a conveyor) 5A, a second accessory equipment (for example, a dust collector) 5B, and so on. Note that when referring to the whole regardless of the type of the sensor, it is called "sensor 4", and when referring to the whole regardless of the type of the accessory equipment, it is called "accessory equipment 5". The relay device 3 receives sensor data from the sensor 4 and writes it into the memory 22 of the controller 21. Also, the relay device 3 receives operation data from the accessory equipment 5 and writes it into the memory 22 of the controller 21. The operation data is, for example, the operation start time, the operation stop time, various output values of the equipment, abnormality detection information, etc. Hereinafter, the sensor data and the operation data are also collectively referred to as data.

[0027] The relay device 3 writes the data collected from the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 into a predetermined memory area (memory address) of the memory 22 of the controller 21. Which data is written into which memory area can be specified by the user who purchases it. The controller 21 controls the main equipment 2 as necessary based on the data written in the memory 22. Also, the controller 21 may control the accessory equipment 5 based on the data written in the memory 22, not only the main equipment 2.

[0028] When the relay device 3 collects data from the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5, it may collect it by wire, or at least partially collect it using wireless. As wireless, for example, WiFi (registered trademark) or Ethernet (registered trademark) etc. can be used. Furthermore, the relay device 3 can be configured to transmit and receive data using a network such as the Internet. Similarly, when the relay device 3 writes data into the memory 22, it can be by wire or wireless.

[0029] The relay device 3 converts the data collected from sensors 4 and / or accessory equipment of different manufacturers into a unified data format that can be read by the controller 21. Furthermore, the relay device 3 arranges and structures the data with the converted data format in time series for each sensor and / or accessory equipment. Then, the structured data is written into a specified memory area of the memory 22. Just by the user specifying in which memory area of the memory 22 the relay device 3 records the data, the controller 21 can perform necessary control using the data recorded in the specified memory area.

[0030] For example, when attempting to retrofit a new sensor and / or accessory equipment to existing main equipment, due to differences in data formats and data communication methods between the main equipment and the sensor and / or accessory equipment, a great deal of labor and cost are incurred in the connection work between the two. Even when a user purchases a new set of the main equipment and the sensor and / or accessory equipment that the user desires, since there are no off-the-shelf products of such a set, the user has to assemble it themselves, and the connection work also requires a great deal of labor and cost. However, by also purchasing the relay device 3 as described above, the user can easily connect the sensor 4 and / or accessory equipment 5 to be retrofitted to the main equipment 2. Then, the user can centrally manage the data from the sensor and / or accessory equipment and use it for process management, safety management, etc. Furthermore, it is also possible to control the accessory equipment 5 of the main equipment 2 using the data of the sensor and / or accessory equipment. In that case, the main equipment 2 may control the accessory equipment 5 via the relay device 3, or may directly communicate with the accessory equipment 5 to control it. Even when the main equipment 2, the sensor 4, and / or the accessory equipment 5 are newly purchased together, there are similar advantages by also purchasing the relay device 3.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, the functions of the processor 11 will be described. The processor 11 may execute a third process of setting the relay device 3 so as to write the data collected from the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 whose type has been specified in the first process into the memory area of the memory 22 of the controller 21 specified in the second process. The third process is, for example, a process in which the processor 11 displays an operation screen for allowing the user to input the start address of the memory area into which the data is to be written, acquires the input information, and sets the relay device 3 based on the information. By the third process, the vending device 1 can acquire the information on the memory area for recording the data collected from the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5. Also, the user can specify the memory area of the memory 22 for recording the data at the time of purchase. Thereby, it is set so that the data transmitted from the newly purchased sensor 4 and / or accessory equipment 5 is recorded in a predetermined area of the memory 22 by the relay device 3, and there is no need for the user to perform an operation of setting so that the data is recorded in the memory 22. Note that the display mode of the operation screen used in the third process is arbitrary, and specific examples thereof, including the display modes of each process described below, will be described later.

[0032] Note that, as the third process of setting the relay device 3, the processor 11 may perform a process of transmitting the information for the setting to the relay device 3 via a network, or may perform a process of storing the information in the memory 12. In the latter case, the information for the setting is input to the relay device 3 via a portable storage medium or the like. Thereby, the relay device 3 is set.

[0033] Further, the processor 11 may execute at least one of a fourth process of receiving a user operation for specifying the manufacturer of the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5, and a fifth process of receiving a user operation for specifying the manufacturer of the controller 21. The fourth process is, for example, a process of displaying an operation screen for inputting or selecting the manufacturer name of the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 and acquiring the information input by the user. The fifth process is, for example, a process of displaying an operation screen for inputting or selecting the manufacturer name of the controller 21 and acquiring the information input or selected by the user. By the fourth process, the vending device 1 can acquire the information of the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 that the user purchases. By the fifth process, the vending device 1 can acquire the information of the controller 21 of the main equipment 2 owned by the user. Also, the user can easily input predetermined information.

[0034] Further, the processor 11 may execute a sixth process of generating a memory map describing the memory area of the memory 22 of the controller 21 and the data recorded in the memory area. By the sixth process, the user can confirm which memory area records the data from which sensor 4 and / or accessory equipment 5.

[0035] Further, the processor 11 may execute a seventh process of receiving a user operation for selecting a plurality of candidate products of a type. The seventh process is, for example, a process of displaying, on an operation screen in a drop-down menu, the types of products manufactured by the manufacturer when the manufacturer name is specified, and acquiring the information selected by the user. By the seventh process, the user can easily specify the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 on the input screen.

[0036] Further, the processor 11 may execute an eighth process of receiving a user operation for setting the monitor screen 6 of the relay device 3 so as to display the data collected by the relay device 3 in a predetermined layout. The processor 11 may also receive, in conjunction with the eighth process, a user operation in which the user designates how the data collected by the relay device 3 is to be displayed.

[0037] The eighth process is, for example, a process of displaying on the operation screen the display position on the monitor screen 6 where the data is to be displayed, allowing the user to make a selection, and acquiring the information specified by the user. At this time, the processor 11 may display a plurality of data display modes on the operation screen for each type of data and allow the user to make a selection. As described above, the monitor screen 6 may be a display panel incorporated in the relay device 3 or a display device separate from the relay device 3. By the eighth process, the user can customize so that the desired data is displayed at the desired position on the monitor screen, and in some cases, in the desired form.

[0038] The eighth process may be a process of receiving a user operation for specifying the area of the monitor screen 6 on which the data is to be displayed, which is displayed on the operation screen. Also, the user may be made to specify a display pattern indicating the display mode of the data. Specifically, a display pattern indicating the display mode of the data and the area of the monitor screen 6 on which the data is to be displayed are displayed on the operation screen, and the user is made to specify the display pattern by drag and drop, and the specified information is acquired.

[0039] According to the sales device 1 having the above configuration, the processor 11 of the sales device 1 executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one of the types of the sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5. Further, the processor 11 executes a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area in the memory 22 of the controller 21 that records the data collected from at least one of the sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5 specified in the first process. Thereby, the relay device 3 can be set to record the data of the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 in the memory 22 of the controller 21 based on the information obtained by the first process and the second process. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sales device of an information processing device (relay device) for facilitating the connection between the accessory equipment to be purchased and the existing main equipment.

[0040] (Sales method) Next, a sales method performed using the vending device 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sales method M1. The sales method M1 includes the following steps. As shown in step S11, the processor 11 executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one type of the sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5. Next, as shown in step S12, the processor 11 executes a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area in the memory area of the controller 21 that records data collected from at least one of the sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5 specified in the first process. As described above, the display mode of the screen for each process is not limited.

[0041] Also, as shown in step S13, the processor 11 may execute a third process of setting the relay device 3 so as to write the data collected from at least one of the specified sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5 into the specified memory area of the memory 22.

[0042] Furthermore, in the sales method executed by the processor 11, the processor 11 may execute any one of the above-described fourth process to ninth process.

[0043] According to the sales method M1 having the above configuration, the processor 11 of the vending device 1 executes a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one type of the sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5, and a memory area in the memory 22 of the controller 21 that records data collected from at least one of the sensor 4 and the accessory equipment 5 specified in the first process. And a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying the memory area. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sales method of an information processing device (relay device) for facilitating the connection between the accessory equipment to be purchased and the existing main equipment.

[0044] (Order reception process) Next, with reference to the drawings, the order reception process performed by the processor 11 of the sales device 1 from the user will be described. FIG. 4 is an example of an operation screen (Graphical User Interface, GUI) displayed on the user terminal T when the user accesses the sales website of the relay device 3. The sales website of the relay device 3 is a website opened on the network by the company that manages the sales device 1. The company that manages the sales device 1 may be the company that manufactures the relay device 3, or may be a sales company commissioned by the company that manufactures the relay device 3 to sell the relay device 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the display screen 400 is an operation screen that receives an operation for the user to input customer information. Specifically, on the display screen 400, a text box 401 for inputting the name of the person in charge, a text box 402 for inputting the email address, a text box 403 for re-entering the email address for confirmation, a text box 404 for inputting the phone number, and a text box 405 for inputting the company name are displayed. After the user inputs into these text boxes respectively and clicks the button 406, the input information is sent to the sales device 1 and transitions to the display screen 500 shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] The display screen 500 is an example of an operation screen that receives an operation for the user to select and input whether the user prepares the sensor 4 independently or purchases the sensor in a lump sum from the company that manufactures the relay device 3 (displayed as ZZ Corporation in FIG. 5). When the user prepares the sensor 4 by himself / herself, the user clicks the button 501, and when the user purchases the sensor 4 in a lump sum from the company that manufactures the relay device 3, the user clicks the button 502. Conditions for lump sum purchase (for example, additional fees may occur, etc.) may be displayed on the screen. The button 501 and the button 502 are radio buttons for selecting only one of them. When the input is completed and the user clicks the button 503, the input information is sent to the sales device 1 and transitions to the display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] The display screen 600 is an example of an operation screen that accepts an operation for the user to input information about the controller 21 of the main equipment 2 currently in use. The controller information is, for example, the manufacturer, type, and model of the controller 21. The type is, for example, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), NC (Numerical Control), PC (Personal Computer), etc. The model is the model of the controller 21.

[0048] The controller information can be selected from the drop-down menus 601, 602, and 603 respectively. For example, when the user clicks the drop-down button (downward triangle button) of the drop-down menu 601, the manufacturer names are listed, and the user can select one of them. When the user selects a manufacturer in the drop-down menu 601, the drop-down menu 602 is configured to list the types of controllers manufactured by that manufacturer. When the user selects a type, the drop-down menu 603 is configured to list the models of that type. The process in which the processor 11 accepts the user operation to specify the manufacturer of the controller 21 using the drop-down menu 601 is an example of the fifth process described above. When the user clicks the button 604 after making all selections, the input information is transmitted to the vending machine 1, and the display screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 is transitioned to.

[0049] The display screen 700 is an example of an operation screen that accepts an operation for the user to specify a sensor for connecting to the network. On this display screen 700, the user specifies the sensor slave unit to be connected (the sensor to be newly added) and the starting address of the memory 22 when recording the information transmitted from each sensor in the memory 22 of the controller 21. The specification of the sensor slave unit can be performed by selecting from the manufacturer displayed in the drop-down menu 701, the type displayed in the drop-down menu 702, and the model displayed in the drop-down menu 703. When there are multiple sensor slave units, the add button 704 can be clicked to make the same selection. The process of the processor 11 accepting a user operation to specify the type of the sensor slave unit using the drop-down menu 702 is an example of the aforementioned first process and seventh process. Also, the process of the processor 11 accepting a user operation to specify the manufacturer of the sensor slave unit using the drop-down menu 701 is an example of the aforementioned fourth process.

[0050] When the user specifies a manufacturer in the drop-down menu 701, the types manufactured by that manufacturer are listed in the drop-down menu 702. When the user specifies the type of the sensor, the models of that type are listed in the drop-down menu 703. The type of the sensor is not limited, for example, CO 2 sensor, temperature sensor, open / close sensor, etc. The model is the model of each sensor. Depending on the number of specified sensors, in the display area 705, the number of specified sensors is displayed as "The number of devices used for sensor information is ○○ units".

[0051] Next, when the controller 21 has a memory address number, the user specifies the start address for sensor information. The start address for sensor information is information indicating from which area of the memory 22 the sensor information is to be recorded when recording the sensor information in the memory 22 of the controller 21. This is information necessary when creating a memory map described later. For example, when the controller 21 is a PLC, the memory area is defined by one alphabetic character and numbers. Therefore, the user is made to select the first alphabetic character in the drop-down menu 706 and enter a number in the text box 707. FIG. 7 illustrates the case where the start address for sensor information in the memory 22 is D8000. That is, the user clicks the drop-down button (downward triangle button) of the drop-down menu 706 to select the alphabetic character D. Next, the user enters the number 8000 of the address of the memory 22 in the text box 707. The process of accepting a user operation to specify the memory area of the memory 22 in which the processor 11 records the data collected from the sensor slave unit using the display screen 700 is an example of the second process described above. When the input is completed and the user clicks the button 708, the input information is transmitted to the vending machine 1, and the process transitions to the display screen 800 shown in FIG. 8. Note that when the controller 21 does not have a memory address number, this input process is unnecessary.

[0052] The display screen 800 is an example of an operation screen that receives the presence or absence of peripheral equipment used by the user and, if there is peripheral equipment, an operation for the user to input its information. First, the user selects the presence or absence of peripheral equipment. If there is peripheral equipment, the user clicks button 801, and if there is no peripheral equipment, the user clicks button 802. When button 801 is clicked, the items of peripheral equipment information are displayed so that they can be selected. That is, in FIG. 8, the dropdown menu buttons 803, 804, 805 and the add button 806, which are displayed in a light color and cannot be selected, are displayed in a selectable state (dark color). The user can select the manufacturer, type, and model of the peripheral equipment. Further, when selecting a plurality of peripheral equipment, the user clicks the add button 806 and repeats the selection operation. According to the number of units selected, the number of units is displayed in the display area 807 as "The number of devices used in the peripheral equipment information is ○○ units". The process of the processor 11 receiving the user operation to specify the type of peripheral equipment using the dropdown menu 804 is an example of the aforementioned first process and seventh process. Also, the process of the processor 11 receiving the user operation to specify the manufacturer of the peripheral equipment using the dropdown menu 803 is an example of the aforementioned fourth process.

[0053] Next, when the controller 21 has a memory address number, the user specifies the starting address for the accessory equipment information. The starting address for the accessory equipment information is information indicating from which area of the memory 22 the information acquired from the accessory equipment is to be recorded when recording it in the memory 22 of the controller 21. This is information necessary when creating a memory map described later. As described above, when the controller 21 is a PLC, the memory area is defined by one alphabetic character and numbers. FIG. 8 illustrates the case where the starting address for the accessory equipment information of the memory 22 is D9000. That is, the user clicks the drop-down button (downward triangle button) of the drop-down menu 808 and selects the alphabet D. Next, the user inputs the number 9000 of the address of the memory 22 into the text box 809. The process of accepting a user operation to specify the memory area of the memory 22 in which the processor 11 records the data collected from the accessory equipment using the display screen 800 is an example of the second process described above. When the input is completed and the user clicks the button 810, the input information is transmitted to the vending device 1, and the process transitions to the display screen 900 shown in FIG. 9. Note that when the controller 21 does not have a memory address number, this input process is not necessary.

[0054] The display screen 900 is an example of a screen that displays a list of the content input by the user and the information necessary for setting the relay device 3 so that the purchased equipment can be connected to the Internet. Among the display screen 900, the number of used devices, the number of required IP addresses, the number of required ports, the amount, and the delivery date are a summary of the information input by the user, the estimated cost based on it, and the scheduled delivery date. Also, among the display screen 900, the information presented after the display of "Information to be submitted in the future: Please input the following information on the design information input screen" is the information that the user needs to input for setting the relay device 3. The necessary information differs depending on whether the user purchases the sensor himself / herself or the company (ZZ Corporation) that manufactures the relay device 3 purchases the sensors in a lump. Also, it is displayed that the memory map is generated based on the order input items up to the display screen 800.

[0055] Figure 10 is an example of the memory map 1000 generated and output by the vending device 1 (processor 11). A memory map is a list showing in which memory area (memory address) of the memory 22 of the controller 21 the data collected from the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 is recorded. The processor 11 uses the information on the start address for sensor information specified by the user on the display screen 700 and the information on the start address for accessory equipment information input on the display screen 800 to write the data collected from at least one of the sensor and the accessory equipment to the specified memory area by setting the relay device 3. This process is an example of the aforementioned third process. Also, the process in which the processor 11 generates the memory map 1000 describing the memory area of the controller 21 and the data recorded in the memory area is an example of the aforementioned sixth process. Further, the processor 11 may output the generated memory map 1000 to a display, a printer, etc. The memory map 1000 may be described in the manual of the relay device 3.

[0056] For example, when the start address for sensor information is input as D8000 on the display screen 700 and the start address for accessory equipment information is input as D9000 on the display screen 800, the vending device 1 sets the relay device 3 to record predetermined data from the memory address. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the relay device 3 is set to record the "sensor configuration information data" from the memory address D8000 to D8059, the "sensor communication status data" from D8060 to D8132, the "sensor status data" from D8133 to D8252, and the "sensor small unit monitoring data" from D8253 to D8552, respectively. Also, the vending device 1 sets the relay device 3 to record the "accessory equipment configuration information data" from the memory address D9000 to D9019, the "accessory equipment communication status data" from D9020 to D9033, the "accessory equipment IF (operation information signal)" from D9034 to D9233, the "accessory equipment IF (command signal)" from D9234 to D9433, and the "accessory equipment monitoring data" from D9434 to D9633, respectively.

[0057] As described above, the vending device 1 executes the reception process of user operations for acquiring order details and the output process based on the acquired information. The exemplified screen display is merely an example, and the display mode (matters to be displayed, content, method of entry or selection, display position, display order, hierarchical configuration of display, etc.) is not limited. Note that the above operation screen example describes an operation screen example on the premise that the main equipment 2 is owned by the user and no new main equipment is purchased. However, an operation screen for inputting whether to purchase the main equipment together with the accessory equipment may be displayed.

[0058] Next, an example of the reception process of user operations for the vending device 1 to acquire the design information of the relay device 3 from the user and the output process based on the acquired information will be described with reference to the drawings. The design information is information for connecting the sensor 4 and / or the accessory equipment 5 to the Internet and the display layout information of the monitor screen 6 desired by the user.

[0059] The display screen 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is an example of an operation screen for setting the network-related information of the sensor master unit, the controller 21, and the relay device 3 that the user is already using. The items input by the user on the display screen 1100 are the manufacturer name and model of the sensor master unit. Specifically, the user inputs into the manufacturer name input area 1101 and the model input area 1102 of the item "Settings of the sensor master unit". In the figure, up to three sensor master units can be input. Note that an additional button for the sensor master unit may be provided. The IP address of the sensor master unit is pre-assigned and is displayed by default in the area 1103. However, the address displayed by default may be changed as necessary. Also, the subnet of the IP address is displayed by default in the area 1104. Since it is assumed that the subnet is commonly used for the IP addresses of the sensor master unit, the controller, and the C-BOX, there is one.

[0060] The user enters the port number in the port number input area 1106 of "Set the IP address and port number of the controller". In the figure, the number of input areas 1106 is four, but this number increases or decreases according to the number of master devices. In the IP address area 1105, the pre-assigned IP address is displayed by default. In the IP address areas 1107 and 1108 of the "C-BOX settings" item, the pre-assigned IP addresses of the C-BOX are displayed by default. The C-BOX is an example of the product name of the relay device 3. In the example shown in the figure, two areas for the IP addresses of the C-BOX are displayed. This is an example when both the sensor and the accessory equipment are purchased. When only one of the sensor or the accessory equipment is purchased, the number of IP addresses of the C-BOX is one.

[0061] When the input is completed and the user clicks the button 1109, the input information is sent to the vending device 1, and the screen transitions to the next display screen. The next display screen changes depending on whether the user prepares the sensor or purchases it in a batch from the manufacturer of the relay device 3. FIG. 12 is an example of the display screen 1200 that transitions when the user prepares the sensor. FIG. 13 is an example of the display screen 1300 that transitions when the sensor is purchased in a batch from the manufacturer of the relay device 3.

[0062] On the display screen 1200 that transitions when the user prepares the sensor, the user enters the manufacturer, type, and model of the sensor (sensor slave unit) to be prepared in the input areas 1201, 1202, and 1203 respectively. Since the communication format of the sensor is determined from the entered model, one of the input areas 1204 to 1205 for entering the ID number for communication is displayed. When there are multiple sensor slave units, the additional button 1207 can be clicked to display the next input area. When the user finishes all the inputs and clicks the button 1208, the input information is sent to the vending device 1, and the screen transitions to the display screen 1300 shown in FIG. 13.

[0063] The display screen 1300 shown in FIG. 13 is a display screen that receives a user operation for the user to set the display layout of the monitor screen 6 of the relay device 3. In the center of the display screen 1300, there is a sectional view 1303 simulating the monitor screen 6, on the left side, there are types of data to be displayed and their display examples 1301, and on the right side, there are display examples 1302 of the operating states from sensors or attached equipment, respectively arranged.

[0064] The sectional view 1303 is a sectional view obtained by dividing the monitor screen 6 such that square unit sections are arranged in 24 columns × 11 rows. The following display patterns can be arranged at any position in this divided area.

[0065] In the data display example 1301, 17 display patterns with a size of 4 columns × 4 rows are arranged. In the top row, three patterns for displaying temperature are arranged. The left pattern is in the form of a meter, the center is in the form of a graph, and the right pattern is in the form of a digital value. In the second row, three patterns for displaying humidity are arranged. The left pattern is in the form of a meter, the center is in the form of a graph, and the right pattern is in the form of a digital value. Similarly, in the third row, there is a pattern for illuminance, in the fourth row, there is a pattern for air pressure, in the fifth row, there is a pattern for noise, and in the sixth row, there is a pattern for vibration.

[0066] In the display example 1302 of the operating state, 4 display patterns with a size of 4 columns × 10 rows are arranged. These display patterns include a pattern for monitoring and displaying information on the communication state with sensors or attached equipment, the power supply voltage of sensors or attached equipment, and the reception strength of radio waves, and an indicator pattern for displaying the state of sensors or attached equipment in colors. The indicator pattern is set such that, for example, a green lamp lights up if there is no abnormality, a yellow lamp lights up if the communication state is poor, and a red lamp lights up if there is an abnormality in the power supply voltage or the measured data.

[0067] The user selects a display pattern of the data to be displayed on the monitor screen 6 from the data display example 1301 and drags and drops it to the position where it is desired to be displayed in the sectional view 1303. Since the display pattern is 4 columns × 4 rows, it can be dropped and arranged at any position within an area of that size. Also, the user designates the data for which it is desired to monitor the communication status or the presence or absence of data abnormalities, selects a display pattern from the operation status display example 1302, and drags and drops it to the position where it is desired to be displayed in the sectional view 1303. Since any display pattern can be arranged at the empty positions in the sectional view 1303, the user can freely determine which data to display and in what arrangement. Note that the above data display example 1301, operation status display example 1302, and sectional view 1303 are examples and are not limited to these examples. The process of accepting the above user operations is an example of the aforementioned eighth process.

[0068] When the user finishes the layout design of the monitor screen 6, the processor 11 displays the output screen 1400 shown in FIG. 14. The output screen 1400 is an example of a list screen that summarizes the design information of the relay device 3. Specifically, it is a screen that summarizes and displays or outputs to the user the types and numbers of sensors and / or auxiliary equipment connected to the network, connection information such as IP addresses, the layout of the monitor screen, the amount, the delivery date, etc.

[0069] (Further effects of the information processing apparatus and its selling method) In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 15, consider the case where the auxiliary equipment (for example, conveyor, dust collector, electric cylinder) is manufactured by Company A and the sensors, etc. are manufactured by Company B. In this case, an information processing apparatus (relay device) set up to construct a production system together with both the auxiliary equipment manufactured by Company A and the sensors, etc. manufactured by Company B is provided to the system integrator (Sler). Thereby, the co-creation engineering service of the system integrator, Company A, and Company B is realized.

[0070] Note that in this embodiment, the processor 11 of the vending device 1 has been described as receiving a user operation on the user terminal T as the first process or the second process, but it is not limited to this. For example, the processor 11 may receive a user operation as the first process or the second process via an input device connected to the input / output interface 14. In this case, the processor 11 displays a screen for the first process or the second process on a display connected to the input / output interface 14.

[0071] 〔Supplementary Notes〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1... vending device, 2... main equipment, 3... information processing device (relay device), 4... sensor, 5... auxiliary equipment, 6... monitor screen, 11... processor, 12... memory, 13... communication unit, 14... input / output interface

Claims

1. A sales device that sells an information processing device that collects data from at least one of one or more sensors and one or more accessories and provides the data to a controller of a main device, a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one of the types of the sensor and the accessory, a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area that is a memory area of the controller and that records data collected from at least one of the sensor and the accessory specified in the first process, a third process of setting the information processing device so as to write data collected from at least one of the sensor and the accessory whose type has been specified in the first process into the memory area specified in the second process, comprising at least one processor that executes the above, A sales device, characterized by the above.

2. The processor executes a sixth process of generating a memory map that describes the memory area of the controller and the data recorded in the memory area. The sales device according to Claim 1.

3. The processor executes at least one of a fourth process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one of the manufacturers of the sensor and the accessory and a fifth process of receiving a user operation for specifying the manufacturer of the controller. The sales device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The processor executes a seventh process of receiving a user operation for selecting a product of the type from among a plurality of candidates. The sales device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The processor executes an eighth process of receiving a user operation for setting a monitor screen of the information processing device so as to display the data collected by the information processing device in a predetermined layout. The sales device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A sales method for selling an information processing device that collects data from at least one of one or more sensors and one or more accessories and provides the data to a controller of a main device, wherein at least one processor receives a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying at least one of the types of the sensor and the accessory, A second process that receives a user operation for specifying a memory area in the memory area of the controller, the memory area for recording data collected from at least any one of the sensors specified in the first process and the attached equipment; A third process of setting the information processing apparatus so as to write data collected from at least any one of the sensors and the attached equipment whose types have been specified in the first process into the memory area specified in the second process, and executing the process; A sales method characterized by the above.

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