Collection device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a collection device capable of grasping in which apparatus information an error has occurred about the error occurred at the time of collecting the apparatus information from industrial machinery.SOLUTION: A collection device includes: a determination unit 14 for determining whether or not predetermined timing for collecting apparatus information of a machine has come; a storage unit 12 for storing an apparatus information definition file that defines an apparatus information item and its value for collecting the apparatus information; and a collection unit 11 for collecting apparatus information from the machine based on the apparatus information definition file. Further, the collection unit 11 notifies the storage unit 12 of a value of the collected apparatus information when the apparatus information can be collected based on the notification of the determination unit, and notifies the storage unit 12 of error information when the apparatus information cannot be collected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Data acquired from industrial machines such as machine tools is transmitted using various communication standards. For example, one such communication standard is the MTConnect standard (see Non-Patent Document 1). By using these communication standards, users can obtain values ​​for each device information item, which is various information related to the industrial machine (for example, information related to the operation, status, or control), and thereby understand the operation, status, or control of the industrial machine. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] MTConnect Association, "MTConnect Standard," [online], [searched September 1, 2022], Internet<URL:https: / / www.mtconnect.org / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, the MTConnect standard 、It is specified that if an error (for example, a communication failure or a malfunction of the industrial machine) occurs when a user (client terminal) is trying to collect device information about the industrial machine that the user wants to acquire, and the device information cannot be collected, only a specific value (for example, UNAVAILABLE) is returned for all device information. Thus, in communications compliant with the MTConnect standard, when a user collects device information about industrial machines, even though there is device information that can be collected, if a value cannot be collected for some of the device information (an error occurred during collection), only a specific value is returned for all device information. This makes it difficult for the user to identify which device information the error occurred in, resulting in a problem of reduced convenience.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve some of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a collection device, control method, and program therefor that can determine which device information an error occurred in when an error occurs when collecting equipment information in a communication system in which a user collects equipment information from industrial machinery using communication compliant with the MTConnect standard. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a collection device according to one aspect of the present invention is a device for collecting information related to a machine from at least one machine. Various information A collection device that collects device information and provides it to a communication terminal, Equipment information a storage unit that stores a device information definition file that defines device information items and their values ​​in order to collect device information; and a collection unit that collects device information from a machine based on the device information definition file, wherein the collection unit: When the determination unit determines that a predetermined timing has arrived (1) If device information is collected to teeth 、 (2) If the device information cannot be collected, the storage unit is notified of the value of the device information, and error information is notified of the value of the device information.

[0007] This allows the user (communication terminal) to know in which device information an error has occurred when an error occurs when collecting device information from a machine.

[0008] The collection device further includes a communication unit that receives, from the communication terminal, a device information request indicating device information items for collecting device information of the machine, and transmits, to the communication terminal, a device information response that is a response to the device information request; Device information request a control unit that acquires the value of the device information stored in the storage unit based on the value of the device information stored in the storage unit and stores the value in the device information response, and the determination unit 、 The control unit determines whether the device information item requested by the device information request is defined in the device information definition file. 、 The device information item requested by the device information request is not defined in the device information definition file. When the judgment department determines that The device information response may contain non-applicability notification information indicating that the device information item requested in the device information request is not subject to collection.

[0009] This allows the user (communication terminal) to understand that if a device information item requested by a device information request is not defined in the device information definition file, the device information item requested by the device information request is not subject to collection.

[0010] Furthermore, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes: Various information A control method for a collection device that collects and provides device information to a communication terminal, comprising: a determining step of determining whether a predetermined timing for collecting device information of a machine has arrived; a storage step of storing a device information definition file that defines device information items and their values ​​for collecting the device information; and a collection step of collecting device information from the machine based on the device information definition file, wherein the collection step 、 Decision Step When it is determined that the specified timing has arrived, (1) If device information is collected to is the value of the collected device information. Store To the memory step transfer (2) If the device information cannot be collected, the error information is set as the value of the device information. Store To the memory step transfer This may include:

[0011] According to this, the control method has the same effect as the above-mentioned collection device.

[0012] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the above control method.

[0013] According to this, the program has the same effect as the collecting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, when an error occurs when collecting device information from an industrial machine, the collection device or the like allows the user to easily grasp in which device information the error occurs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the collection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations performed by the collection device according to the embodiment to collect device information from machines. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operations performed by the collection device according to the embodiment, from receiving a device information request from a communication terminal to transmitting a device information response to the communication terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example in which the collection device according to the embodiment collects device information from a machine and transmits it to the communication terminal. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example in which the collection device according to the embodiment collects device information from machines and transmits it to the communication terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional components that constitute a more preferred embodiment. Note that identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0017] (Embodiment) In this embodiment, a collection device is described that allows a user to easily determine which piece of equipment information has an error that occurs when collecting equipment information in a communication system for acquiring equipment information from industrial equipment.

[0018] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a communication system 100 according to this embodiment. The communication system 100 is a system that collects data output by a machine 2a or the like, manages the data collected by a collection device, and presents the data to a user.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes machines 2a and 2b (hereinafter also collectively referred to as machines 2), a collection device 1, a communication terminal 3, a communication link 4, and a communication link 5.

[0020] The machine 2a is an industrial machine such as a machine tool. The machine 2a is a machine from which data is acquired by a communication terminal 3 used by a user. The machine 2a is connected to the collection device 1 via a communication link 4, and outputs data related to the machine 2a to the collection device 1 via the communication link 4.

[0021] The data output by the machine 2a is written in a format determined according to the type of the machine 2a. The data output by the machine 2a is, for example, data (values) related to the operation, status, or control of the machine 2a. Hereinafter, the data output by the machine 2a will also be referred to as device information values.

[0022] In the following, we will explain an example in which the machine 2a outputs the value of the equipment information in response to a request received from the collection device 1, but the machine 2a may also output the equipment information voluntarily, in other words, without receiving a request from the collection device 1, or these may be used in combination.

[0023] The type of machine 2a is a concept that includes, for example, machine tools, laser processing machines, welding machines, etc., among machine tools, lathes, drill presses, milling machines, etc., and even among lathes, models or versions.

[0024] In the following, an example will be described in which the machine 2a is a machine tool. The device information output by the machine 2a includes, for example, information indicating the movement amount of a tool (not shown) equipped on the machine 2a, which is a machine tool, and the operation mode and operation status of a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) that numerically controls the movement speed. More specifically, the value of the device information indicating the operation status of the CNC is indicated as "ACTIVE" if the CNC is operating (operating state). The device information output by the machine 2a is not limited to the above example, and may also include the load in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions of the spindle (not shown) of the machine 2a, which is a machine tool, and the status of consumables such as the degree of wear on a cutting tool.

[0025] Machine 2b is an industrial machine similar to machine 2a, and operates independently of machine 2a. Like machine 2a, machine 2b is a machine from which data is acquired by communication terminal 3. Machine 2b is connected to collection device 1 via communication link 4, and outputs device information of machine 2b to collection device 1 via communication link 4. A detailed explanation of the device information of machine 2b is omitted here, as it is the same as that of machine 2a.

[0026] In the communication system 100 according to this embodiment, it is assumed that machines 2a and 2b are provided, but the number of machines 2 etc. is not limited to two, and may be one or more, or may be three or more (for example, ten).

[0027] The collection device 1 is a device that collects equipment information from the machine 2 and provides the collected equipment information to the communication terminal 3. The collection device 1 is connected to the machine 2 via a communication link 4, and is also connected to the communication terminal 3 via a communication link 5.

[0028] The collection device 1 collects equipment information about the machine 2 via a communication link 4. As described below The information is collected at a predetermined timing based on the device information definition file and provided to the communication terminal 3 via the communication link 5. The collection device 1 and the communication terminal 3 can communicate with each other using a predetermined communication method via the communication link 5. The operation of the collection device 1 will be described in detail later.

[0029] Although the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described assuming one collection device 1, the present invention is not limited to this and may be implemented with one or more collection devices, or may be implemented with a plurality of devices (for example, three devices).

[0030] The communication terminal 3 is a device that acquires the device information collected by the collection device 1 from the machine 2. The communication terminal 3 receives the device information output by the machine 2 via the collection device 1 and provides it to the user. The communication terminal 3 may perform appropriate processing when providing the equipment information to the user. For example, the communication terminal 3 may perform processing (GUI) on a screen (not shown) of the communication terminal 3 to display the equipment information of the machine 2 acquired from the collection device 1 so that the user can visually and intuitively operate the equipment information. The communication terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer or a smartphone. The communication terminal 3 is capable of communicating with the collection device 1 using a predetermined communication method via the communication link 5. For example, the communication may be performed using a standard for communicating data about industrial machinery, more specifically, the MTConnect standard. In the description of this embodiment, "collection" means that the collection device 1 acquires values ​​from the equipment information related to the machine 2 from the machine 2. Furthermore, "acquisition" means that the collection device 1 acquires values ​​from the equipment information stored in the storage unit 12 for equipment information items of each device included in the equipment information request received from the communication terminal 3. Here, the equipment information request is a request sent to the collection device 1 to acquire equipment information related to the machine 2 desired by the user using the communication terminal 3. The equipment information request indicates, for example, equipment information items of the machine 2a (e.g., "CNC operation status"), etc.

[0031] The communication link 4 is a communication network capable of communication using a communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark) using a wired LAN, a serial communication protocol such as RS-232C using a serial cable, or a proprietary communication protocol. The communication link 4 may also be a communication network capable of communication using a wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.

[0032] The communication link 5 is a communication network that can communicate using a communication protocol such as Ethernet using a wired LAN or using a wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol. The communication link 5 may also be a communication network that can communicate between the communication terminal 3 and the collection device 1 via an external network (for example, the Internet).

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the collection device according to the embodiment.

[0034] 2, the collection device 1 includes a collection unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a determination unit 14, and a control unit 15. Each functional unit will be described in detail below. The collection device 1 is a type of computer, and can realize each functional unit by having its own CPU, in cooperation with each piece of hardware, load a program stored in the storage unit 12 (e.g., ROM) into an arithmetic memory (e.g., RAM) and execute the program.

[0035] The collection unit 11 collects device information related to the machine 2 from the machine 2 and stores it in the storage unit 12. The device information collected from the machine 2 includes, for example, the machine model number, the machine system number, basic information related to the machine 2, and data that can be acquired by sensors built into the machine. The collection unit 11 also collects device information from the machine 2 based on a file (hereinafter also referred to as a device information definition file) that is stored in the storage unit 12 and defines device information items to be collected from the machine 2 and their values. The device information definition file defines a minimum number of device information items and their values ​​at the time of factory shipment, but the device information items and their values ​​can be updated at any time by a user or a communication system administrator using an application on the collection device 1, for example.

[0036] The collection unit 11, based on the notification from the determination unit 14, 2 If the collection unit 11 was able to collect the device information, it notifies the storage unit 12 of the value of the collected device information. On the other hand, if the collection unit 11 was unable to collect the device information, it notifies the storage unit 12 of error information linked to the item of the device information.

[0037] The storage unit 12 stores the values ​​of the equipment information relating to the machine 2 collected based on the notification from the collection unit 11 that the equipment information has been collected from the machine.

[0038] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 counts notifications from the collection unit 11 that device information could not be collected, and notifies the control unit 15 of this when such notifications have been received a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times).

[0039] The storage unit 12 stores error information instead of the value of the device information based on the notification from the collection unit 11 (notification that device information could not be collected from the machine). Here, the error information is, for example, UNAVAILABLE as defined in the MTCONNECT standard. Note that the error information is not limited to this, and may be determined in advance in the collection device 1 at the time of factory settings (i.e., when the collection device 1 is designed), or may be arbitrarily determined by the user using an application provided in the collection device 1. In this case, it is preferable that the error information allows the user to intuitively understand that specific device information could not be acquired.

[0040] The storage unit 12 also stores a device information definition file, various control information related to the collection device 1 (for example, information for initial settings, information related to wired and wireless communication), and the like.

[0041] The communication unit 13 determines whether or not a request for device information of the machine 2 has been received from the communication terminal 3. When the communication unit 13 receives a device information request, it notifies the determination unit 14 to that effect.

[0042] Furthermore, in response to an instruction from the control unit 15, the communication unit 13 transmits to the communication terminal 3 a device information response that is a response to the device information request.

[0043] The determination unit 14 determines whether a predetermined timing for collecting machine device information has arrived. When the predetermined timing has arrived, the determination unit 14 notifies the collection unit 11 of the arrival of the predetermined timing. Here, the predetermined timing may be set at the time of factory shipment or may be set by the user using an application provided in the collection device 1. The predetermined timing may also be different for each device information item. Specifically, the predetermined timing may be set to collect device information for "CNC operation mode" every second, and to collect device information for "CNC operation status" every several hundred milliseconds. It is preferable that the timing for collecting device information that the user preferentially wants to know (desired), such as "emergency stop status," arrives at a shorter interval (e.g., every several tens of milliseconds).

[0044] The determination unit 14 determines whether the device information item requested in the device information request is defined in the device information definition file based on the notification from the communication unit 13. If the determination unit 14 determines that the requested device information item is defined in the device information definition file, it notifies the control unit 15 of that fact. On the other hand, if the determination unit 14 determines that the requested device information item is not defined in the device information definition file, it notifies the control unit 15 of that fact.

[0045] The determination unit 14 also determines whether or not the device information for all machines 2 requested by the device information request (i.e., desired by the user) has been acquired. When the determination unit 14 has acquired the device information for all requested machines 2, it notifies the control unit 15 to that effect. Here, the device information for all requested machines 2 is the device information for all machines 2 included in the device information request. Multiple machine 2 Means all device information For example, the device information items of machine 2 included in the device information request include the device information items of machine 2a and machine 2b.

[0046] Based on the notification from the judgment unit 14, the control unit 15 acquires the values ​​of each item of the device information stored in the memory unit 12, stores the values ​​in a device information response, which is a response to the device information request, and instructs the communication unit 13 to transmit the device information response to the communication terminal 3.

[0047] When the control unit 15 receives a notification from the determination unit 14 that the device information item requested by the device information request is not subject to collection, the control unit 15 stores information indicating this (hereinafter also referred to as non-applicable notification information) in the device information response and instructs the communication unit 13 to transmit the non-applicable notification information to the communication terminal 3. Here, the non-applicable notification information is, for example, a specific error code or a specific character string such as OFF.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 15 instructs the communication unit 13 to include error information in all values ​​of the device information stored in the device information response based on the notification from the storage unit 12 and to transmit the response to the communication terminal 3.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations performed by the collection device according to the embodiment to collect device information from machines.

[0050] Figure 3 provides a detailed explanation of the operation of the collection device 1, which, after the collection device 1 is turned on, sequentially stores the values ​​of equipment information collected from the machine 2 at predetermined times based on the equipment information definition file in the memory unit 12.

[0051] In step S301, the judgment unit 14 judges whether or not a predetermined timing has arrived to collect device information of the machine 2. If the predetermined timing has arrived, the judgment unit 14 notifies the collection unit 11 of this fact and proceeds to step S302 (Yes in step S301). On the other hand, if the timing has not yet arrived, step S301 is repeated (No in step S301).

[0052] In step S302, upon receiving the notification from the determination unit 14 (Yes in step S301), the collection unit 11 collects device information from the machine based on the device information definition file.

[0053] In step S303, the collection unit 11 determines whether or not the device information was collected from the machine in step S302. If the device information was collected, the collection unit 11 notifies the storage unit 12 of the value of the device information (Yes in step S303). On the other hand, if the device information was not collected, the collection unit 11 notifies the storage unit 12 of error information (No in step S303).

[0054] In step S304, the storage unit 12 receives the notification in step S303 (Yes in step S301) and stores the values ​​of the collected device information.

[0055] In step S305, the storage unit 12 receives the notification in step S303 (No in step S301) and stores error information (for example, UNAVAILABLE) as the value of the device information that could not be collected.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operations performed by the collection device according to the embodiment, from receiving a device information request from a communication terminal to transmitting a device information response to the communication terminal 3.

[0057] Figure 4 provides a detailed explanation of the operations from when the collection device 1 receives a device information request from the communication terminal 3 to when it acquires the device information values ​​of each machine included in the device information request from the device information stored in the memory unit 12 and transmits a device information response, which is a response to the device information request, to the communication terminal 3.

[0058] In step S401, the communication unit 13 determines whether or not a device information request for the machine 2 has been received from the communication terminal 3. If the communication unit 13 receives a device information request, it notifies the determination unit 14 of this fact and proceeds to step S402 (Yes in step S401). On the other hand, if the communication unit 13 does not receive a device information request, it repeats step S401 and enters a reception waiting state (No in step S401).

[0059] In step S402, the determination unit 14 determines whether or not the device information item requested in the device information request is defined in the device information definition file based on the notification from the communication unit 13 (Yes in step S401). If the determination unit 14 determines that the requested device information item is defined in the device information definition file, it notifies the control unit 15 of this fact and proceeds to step S403 (Yes in step S402). On the other hand, if it determines that the requested device information item is not defined in the device information definition file, it notifies the control unit 15 of this fact and proceeds to step S406 (No in step S402).

[0060] In step S403, the control unit 15 acquires the value of the device information stored in the storage unit 12 based on the notification from the determination unit 14 (Yes in step S402), and stores the value in the device information response.

[0061] In step S404, the judgment unit 14 judges whether or not the device information for all machines 2 requested by the device information request (i.e., desired by the user) has been acquired. If the judgment unit 14 has acquired the device information for all requested machines 2, it notifies the control unit 15 to that effect and proceeds to step S405 (Yes in step S404). On the other hand, if the acquisition has not been completed, the process returns to step S402 and repeats the series of processes (steps S402 to S404) (No in step S404).

[0062] In step S405, upon receiving the notification from the determination unit 14, the control unit 15 notifies the communication unit 13 of a device information response in which the device information desired by the user is stored, and instructs the communication unit 13 to transmit the device information response to the communication terminal 3. Then, the communication unit 13 transmits the device information response to the communication terminal 3.

[0063] In step S406, based on the notification from the determination unit 14 (No in step S402), the control unit 15 stores non-applicability notification information (for example, a specific error code or a specific character string such as OFF) which is information indicating that the device information item requested by the device information request is not subject to collection in the device information response, and notifies the communication unit 13 of the device information response and instructs it to transmit it to the communication terminal 3. Then, the communication unit 13 transmits the device information response to the communication terminal 3.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example in which the collection device according to the embodiment collects device information from a machine and transmits it to the communication terminal.

[0065] Figure 5 illustrates an example in which the collection device of the embodiment collects equipment information from machine 2 based on the equipment information definition file of machine 2 stored in memory unit 12, and some of the equipment information could not be collected from machine 2 (an error occurred during collection).

[0066] In step S501, the collection device 1 requests the machine 2 to collect device information of the machine 2 in an "emergency stop state."

[0067] In step S502, the collection device 1 stores (holds) in the storage unit 12 the value of the device information of the “emergency stop state” (for example, ARMED) collected from the machine 2.

[0068] In step S503, the collection device 1 requests the machine 2 to collect the device information of the "CNC operation mode" of the machine 2.

[0069] In step S504, the collection device 1 was unable to collect the equipment information for "CNC operation mode" from the machine 2 (an error occurred during collection), so it stores (retains) error information (e.g., UNAVAILABLE) as the value of the equipment information for "CNC operation mode" in the memory unit 12.

[0070] In step S505, the collection device 1 requests the machine 2 to collect the device information of the "CNC operating status" of the machine 2.

[0071] In step S506, the collection device 1 stores (holds) in the storage unit 12 the value (for example, ACTIVE) of the device information of the “emergency stop state” collected from the machine 2.

[0072] In step S507, the user transmits a device information request to the collection device 1 through the communication terminal 3. The device information request includes "emergency stop state," "CNC operation mode," and "CNC operation state."

[0073] In step S508, in response to the device information request in step S507, the collection device 1 transmits a device information response to the communication terminal 3 to return the device information of the machine 2 desired by the user. The device information response stores the device information value for "emergency stop state" as ARMED, the device information value for "CNC operation mode" as UNAVAILABLE, and the device information value for "CNC operation status" as ACTIVE.

[0074] In this way, based on a device information request from a user (communication terminal 3), the collection device 1 transmits to the communication terminal 3 a device information response that stores the value of device information corresponding to the device information (device information request) desired by the user from the device information stored in the storage unit 12. The device information response includes the value of the device information if the value of the device information was successfully collected, and includes error information if the value of the device information was not successfully collected, thereby enabling the user to easily identify the device information of the desired machine 2 for which the value of the device information could not be collected ("CNC operation mode" in the example of FIG. 5).

[0075] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example in which the collection device according to the embodiment collects device information from machines and transmits it to the communication terminal.

[0076] In Figure 6, assuming that the collection device of the embodiment collects equipment information from machine 2 based on the equipment information definition file of machine 2 stored in memory unit 12, an example is explained in which some of the equipment information desired by the user (equipment information request) includes a request for equipment information that indicates that the information is not subject to collection.

[0077] In step S601, the collection device 1 requests the machine 2 to collect device information of the machine 2 in an "emergency stop state."

[0078] In step S602, the collection device 1 stores (holds) in the storage unit 12 the value of the device information of the “emergency stop state” (for example, ARMED) collected from the machine 2.

[0079] In step S603, the collection device 1 requests the machine 2 to collect the equipment information of the "CNC operating status" of the machine 2.

[0080] In step S604, the collection device 1 stores (holds) in the storage unit 12 the value (for example, ACTIVE) of the device information of the “emergency stop state” collected from the machine 2.

[0081] In step S605, the user transmits a device information request to the collection device 1 through the communication terminal 3. The device information request is for "CNC operation mode."

[0082] In step S606, the collection device 1 includes non-applicable notification information (e.g., an error code) indicating that the equipment information "CNC operation mode" of the machine 2 desired by the user is not subject to collection in the equipment information response and sends it to the communication terminal 3.

[0083] In this way, by the collection device 1 sending the device information response to the communication terminal 3, the user (communication terminal 3) can understand that it is unable to obtain the device information included in the device information request, and that the device information requested by the user in the device information request is not defined in the device information definition file stored in the memory unit 12 of the collection device 1.

[0084] (Modification of the embodiment) As described above, in the communication system 100 of the embodiment, when the collection device 1 collects the device information of the machine 2, the value of the device information for which no error has occurred is not treated as error information (for example, UNAVAILABLE), but the collected value is returned, thereby distinguishing between device information that has been successfully collected and device information that has failed to be collected, and the user can easily grasp which device information of the desired device has been successfully acquired and which device information has not been successfully acquired.

[0085] Here, for example, if the equipment information of the machine 2 desired by the user (communication terminal) can be obtained normally from the collection device 1, but errors frequently occur when collecting other equipment information, the user may not notice that there is an item of equipment information that the collection device is unable to collect from the machine (collection error).

[0086] Therefore, in the communication system according to the modified example of the embodiment, if an error occurs multiple times (e.g., 10 times) in a device information item when the collection device 1 collects the device information from the machine 2, it is desirable to include error information (e.g., UNAVAILABLE) in the values ​​of all device information to be stored in the device information response. Specifically, the control unit 15 includes the error information in the values ​​of all device information to be stored in the device information response based on the notification from the storage unit 12 (notification that an error occurred multiple times during collection). Then, the communication unit 13 transmits the device information response to the communication terminal 3. In this way, the user (communication terminal) can easily understand that some abnormality (error) has occurred in any of the device information items when the collection device 1 collects the device information from the machine 2.

[0087] (summary) In a conventional communication system using the MTConnect standard, if a user (communication terminal) attempts to acquire device information for a desired machine via a collection device and fails to collect even one piece of device information, error information (e.g., UNAVAILABLE) is transmitted to the communication terminal for all device information, making it difficult for the collection device to identify the device information for which an error occurred when collecting the machine's device information. In this regard, the collection device of the communication system according to the present embodiment transmits to the communication terminal a device information response that stores the value of the device information desired by the user (communication terminal) in response to the device information request. The device information response includes the value of the device information if the value was acquired, and includes error information if the value was not acquired. This allows the user to easily identify the device information for the desired machine 2 for which the value could not be acquired. As a result, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the user can easily determine which device information caused the error when acquiring device information from the machine. [Industrial Applicability]

[0088] The present invention can be applied to a communication system for acquiring device information from industrial equipment. Specifically, the present invention can be applied to a collection device (relay device) that can easily determine which device information has an error when an error occurs when a user acquires device information from the industrial equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100 Communication Systems 1. Collection device (relay device) 2a, 2b Machinery (industrial machinery) 3. Communication terminals 4, 5 Communication Links 11 Collection Department 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 14 Judgment Department 15 Control Unit

Claims

1. A collection device that collects device information, which is various information related to at least one machine, from the machine and provides the information to a communication terminal, a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined timing for collecting the device information has arrived; a storage unit for storing a device information definition file that defines device information items and their values ​​in order to collect the device information; a collection unit that collects the device information from the machine based on the device information definition file; Equipped with When the determination unit determines that a predetermined timing has arrived, the collection unit (1) if the device information is collected, notify the storage unit of the value of the collected device information; (2) if the device information cannot be collected, notify the storage unit of error information as a value of the device information; a communication unit that receives, from the communication terminal, a device information request indicating device information items for collecting device information of the machine, and transmits, to the communication terminal, a device information response that is a response to the device information request; a control unit that acquires the value of the device information stored in the storage unit based on the device information request and stores the value in the device information response; Equipped with the determination unit determines whether the device information item requested by the device information request is defined in the device information definition file; When the determination unit determines that the device information item requested by the device information request is not defined in the device information definition file, the control unit stores exemption notification information indicating that the device information item requested by the device information request is not subject to collection in the device information response. Collection device.

2. A control method for a collection device that collects device information, which is various information related to at least one machine, from the machine and provides the information to a communication terminal, comprising: a determination step of determining whether a predetermined timing for collecting device information of the machine has arrived; a storage step for storing a device information definition file that defines device information items and their values ​​in order to collect the device information; a collection step of collecting the device information from the machine based on the device information definition file; Including, The collecting step includes: (1) if the device information is collected, the process proceeds to the storage step of storing the collected device information; (2) if the device information cannot be collected, the step proceeds to the storing step of storing error information as the value of the device information; a communication step of receiving, from the communication terminal, a device information request indicating device information items for collecting device information of the machine, and transmitting, to the communication terminal, a device information response that is a response to the device information request; a control step of acquiring the value of the device information stored in the storage step based on the device information request and storing the value in the device information response; Equipped with The determining step determines whether or not the device information item requested by the device information request is defined in the device information definition file; When the determining step determines that the device information item requested by the device information request is not defined in the device information definition file, the control step stores non-applicability notification information in the device information response, the non-applicability notification information indicating that the device information item requested by the device information request is not subject to collection. A control method comprising:

3. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 2.

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