Protocol conversion device, method, program, and system

Abstract

To provide a protocol conversion device, method, program and system which efficiently convert data and accurately specify the correspondence of parameters even when a new communication apparatus is added.SOLUTION: In a system 10 which includes at least one first communication apparatus, a protocol conversion device and a second communication apparatus, the protocol conversion device 30 includes: a first communication unit which receives a first parameter from the first communication apparatus that communicates using the first communication protocol; a storage unit which stores a second communication protocol dictionary including multiple second parameters of the second communication protocol; a specification unit which specifies the corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter on the basis of a table that associates the first parameter with the second parameter in the multiple second parameters; and a second communication unit which transmits the second data corresponding to the first data of the first parameter associated with the corresponding second parameter to the second communication apparatus using the second communication protocol.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protocol conversion device, method, program, and system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a system for collecting data from an automation plant having field devices (abstract). Patent Document 2 describes a conversion device for converting event-based data communication into cyclic data communication (abstract, claim 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 271228 Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2020 / 078716 Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protocol conversion device comprising: a first communication unit that receives first data for a first parameter from a first communication device that communicates using a first communication protocol; a memory unit that stores a second communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of second parameters of a second communication protocol; an identification unit that identifies a corresponding second parameter that corresponds to the first parameter among the plurality of second parameters based on a table that associates the first parameters with the second parameters; and a second communication unit that transmits second data corresponding to the first data for the first parameter associated with the corresponding second parameter to the second communication device using the second communication protocol.

[0004] In the above protocol conversion device, the storage unit stores a plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries for a first communication protocol dictionary associated with a type of first communication device, and the protocol conversion device further includes a dictionary selection unit that selects, from the plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries, a second communication protocol dictionary that corresponds to the first communication protocol dictionary of the first communication device that communicates via the first communication unit, and the identification unit may identify the corresponding second parameter based on a table that associates second parameters and first parameters included in the selected second communication protocol dictionary.

[0005] In any of the above protocol conversion devices, when the identification unit cannot identify the second parameter based on the table, the identification unit may identify a corresponding second parameter or a corresponding first parameter from among the multiple second parameters or multiple first parameters using a model that identifies the other of the first parameter in the first communication protocol or the second parameter in the second communication protocol that corresponds to the specified parameter in response to input of a specification of either the first parameter in the first communication protocol or the second parameter in the second communication protocol.

[0006] The above protocol conversion device may further comprise a learning processing unit that updates the model in response to a user specification for the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit.

[0007] The above protocol conversion device may further include a registration unit that registers a flag in association with the second data of the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit using the model.

[0008] In the above protocol conversion device, the registration unit may register the second data corresponding to the first data in association with a corresponding second parameter in the second communication protocol dictionary.

[0009] Any of the above protocol conversion devices may further include a conversion unit that converts the value of the first data into the second data by at least one of multiplying the value of the first data by a coefficient according to the relationship between the first parameter and the corresponding second parameter, or calculating the value using a function according to the relationship.

[0010] In any of the above protocol conversion devices, the second communication protocol may be a protocol for performing communication at a higher speed than the first communication protocol.

[0011] In any of the above protocol conversion devices, the second communication protocol dictionary may include, as at least one of the plurality of second parameters, a parameter for at least one of an order code, a manufacturer's order conditions, traceability information, or operating status information related to the first communication device.

[0012] In any of the above protocol conversion devices, the memory unit may store a first communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of first parameters of the first communication protocol, the second communication unit may receive second data about the second parameters included in the second communication protocol dictionary from the second communication device, the identification unit may identify corresponding first parameters corresponding to the second parameters based on the table, and the first communication unit may transmit first data corresponding to the second data about the second parameters associated with the corresponding first parameters to the first communication device.

[0013] The above protocol conversion device may further include an update unit that updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary.

[0014] The update unit may update at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the memory unit, together with at least one parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary stored in the first communication device.

[0015] Any of the above protocol conversion devices may further include a counting unit that counts at least one of the specific number of times identified by the identification unit or the number of updates updated by the update unit for parameters in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit, and the update unit may update at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit by deleting from the corresponding first or second communication protocol dictionary any parameter for which at least one of the counted specific number of times or the counted number of updates is less than a threshold value.

[0016] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided comprising the steps of receiving first data for a first parameter from a first communication device communicating using a first communication protocol, storing a second communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of second parameters of a second communication protocol, identifying a corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter from among the plurality of second parameters based on a table associating first parameters with second parameters, and transmitting second data corresponding to the first data for the first parameter associated with the corresponding second parameter to the second communication device using the second communication protocol.

[0017] In a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to function as a first communication unit that receives first data about a first parameter from a first communication device that communicates using a first communication protocol, a memory unit that stores a second communication protocol dictionary that includes a plurality of second parameters of a second communication protocol, an identification unit that identifies a corresponding second parameter that corresponds to the first parameter among the plurality of second parameters based on a table that associates the first parameters with the second parameters, and a second communication unit that transmits second data corresponding to the first data about the first parameter that corresponds to the corresponding second parameter to the second communication device using the second communication protocol.

[0018] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a first communication device, any one of the above protocol conversion devices that communicates with the first communication device using a first communication protocol, and a second communication device that communicates with the protocol conversion device using a second communication protocol.

[0019] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also constitute inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of a first communication protocol dictionary. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the protocol conversion operation in the protocol conversion device 30. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a parameter specifying operation in the protocol conversion device 30. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a parameter identification model. [Figure 6] 22 illustrates an example computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram showing a system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that these blocks are functionally separated functional blocks and may not necessarily correspond to the actual device configuration. In other words, just because one block is shown in this diagram does not necessarily mean that it is composed of one device. Also, just because separate blocks are shown in this diagram does not necessarily mean that they are composed of separate devices. The same applies to the subsequent block diagrams.

[0023] The system 10 collects data from devices such as sensors installed in facilities such as plants. Examples of plants include industrial plants such as chemical and bio plants, plants that manage and control wellheads and surrounding areas of gas and oil fields, plants that manage and control power generation such as hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power, plants that manage and control environmental power generation such as solar and wind power, and plants that manage and control water supply and sewage systems, dams, etc.

[0024] The system 10 comprises at least one first communication device 20, a protocol conversion device 30, and a second communication device 40.

[0025] At least one first communication device 20-1 to N (N is 2 or more) is communicatively connected to the protocol conversion device 30. Note that hereinafter, the first communication devices 20-1 to N may be collectively referred to as first communication devices 20. The first communication devices 20 may be field devices. Here, the field devices are, for example, sensor devices such as pressure gauges, flow meters, and temperature sensors; valve devices such as flow control valves and on-off valves; actuator devices such as fans and motors; imaging devices such as cameras and videos that capture images of conditions and objects within the plant; audio devices such as microphones and speakers that collect abnormal sounds and emit alarms within the plant; position detection devices that output position information of each device; and other devices.

[0026] The first communication device 20 uses a first communication protocol to transmit and receive data such as measurement values ​​or control values ​​to and from the protocol conversion device 30. The first communication protocol may be a communication protocol defined by HART (registered trademark), BRAIN, PROFINET, Profibus PA, EtherNet / IP (registered trademark), OPC UA (registered trademark), Foundation Fieldbus (registered trademark), ISA100.11a, or the like. The first communication protocol may be a relatively low-speed communication protocol (several kbps to several tens of kbps).

[0027] The second communication device 40 is communicatively connected to the protocol conversion device 30. The second communication device 40 may be a computer such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a smartphone, a workstation, a server computer, or a general-purpose computer, or may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected, such as a distributed control system (DCS), a programmable logic controller (PLC) that automatically controls machines, or a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system that collects, monitors, and controls information using a network. Such computer systems are also considered to be computers in a broad sense. The second communication device 40 may also be implemented as one or more virtual computer environments executable within a computer.

[0028] The second communication device 40 communicates with the protocol conversion device 30 using a second communication protocol, collects data such as measured values ​​or set values ​​of the first communication device 20 via the protocol conversion device 30, and sets data such as control values ​​in the first communication device 20. The second communication protocol may be a communication protocol defined by HART (registered trademark), BRAIN, PROFINET, Profibus PA, EtherNet (registered trademark) / IP, OPC UA Foundation Fieldbus (registered trademark), ISA100.11a, or the like. The second communication protocol may be a communication protocol different from the first communication protocol and for performing communication at a higher speed than the first communication protocol.

[0029] The protocol conversion device 30 may be a computer such as a PC, tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, measuring instrument or recorder with a built-in computer system, edge computing, or general-purpose computer. The protocol conversion device 30 converts different communication protocols between the first communication device 20 and the second communication device 40, and transmits and receives data. The protocol conversion device 30 includes a first communication unit 100, a storage unit 105, a dictionary selection unit 107, an identification unit 110, a conversion unit 115, a registration unit 117, a learning processing unit 120, a counting unit 125, an update unit 130, and a second communication unit 135.

[0030] The first communication unit 100 is connected to the storage unit 105 and receives first data about a first parameter from a first communication device 20 that communicates using a first communication protocol. The first communication unit 100 stores the received first data in the storage unit 105. Here, the first parameter may include at least one of the name, definition, type (e.g., measured value, control value, set value, upper limit value, or lower limit value), attribute, meaning, or unit of the first data, which are specified in the first communication protocol.

[0031] The storage unit 105 is connected to each component of the protocol conversion device 30, and stores a first communication protocol dictionary and a second communication protocol dictionary. The storage unit 105 may store a plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries for each first communication protocol dictionary associated with the type of the first communication device 20.

[0032] Here, the first communication protocol dictionary is a data dictionary that associates each of a plurality of first parameters of the first communication protocol with data for each first parameter (such as the value of the first parameter). The second communication protocol dictionary is a data dictionary that associates each of a plurality of second parameters of the second communication protocol with second data for each second parameter (such as the value of the second parameter), which are defined by at least one of the IEC 61987 CDD (Common Data Dictionary) standard format and ecl@ss. Here, the second parameter may include at least one of the name, definition, type (e.g., measured value, control value, set value, upper limit value, or lower limit value), attribute, meaning, or unit of the second data, which are defined by the second communication protocol. The first communication protocol dictionary and the second communication protocol dictionary may further include at least one manufacturer-specific parameter that does not need to be defined in the IEC 61987 CDD (Common Data Dictionary) standard format or ecl@ss. The second communication protocol dictionary may further include, as at least one of the plurality of second parameters, a parameter for at least one of an order code, a manufacturer's order conditions, traceability information, hazardous substance information, or operating status information related to the first communication device 20. The plurality of second parameters of the second communication protocol may have a different definition from the plurality of first parameters of the first communication protocol.

[0033] The dictionary selection unit 107 is connected to the storage unit 105 and the identification unit 110, and selects a second communication protocol dictionary corresponding to the type of the first communication device 20 from among a plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries stored in the storage unit 105. The dictionary selection unit 107 may select a second communication protocol dictionary corresponding to the first communication device 20 or corresponding to an instruction from the second communication device 40.

[0034] The identification unit 110 is connected to the learning processing unit 120, the counting unit 125, and the conversion unit 115. The identification unit 110 identifies a corresponding second parameter corresponding to a first parameter from among a plurality of second parameters in a second communication protocol dictionary, based on a table associating first parameters with second parameters (hereinafter also referred to as a parameter table). The identification unit 110 may identify the corresponding second parameter from among the plurality of second parameters, based on a parameter table associating second parameters with first parameters included in the second communication protocol dictionary selected by the dictionary selection unit 107. If the identification unit 110 cannot identify the second parameter from the parameter table, the identification unit 110 may identify the corresponding second parameter from among the plurality of second parameters using a model (hereinafter also referred to as a parameter identification model) that identifies the other of the first parameter in the first communication protocol or the second parameter in the second communication protocol that corresponds to the specified parameter, in response to input of a specification of either the first parameter in the first communication protocol or the second parameter in the second communication protocol.

[0035] The conversion unit 115 is connected to the registration unit 117. The conversion unit 115 converts the value of the first data into a value according to the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit 110, thereby converting the first data into second data. For example, the conversion unit 115 performs the conversion according to the relationship between the first parameter and the second parameter.

[0036] The registration unit 117 is connected to the storage unit 105. The registration unit 117 registers second data corresponding to the first data in association with a corresponding second parameter in the second communication protocol dictionary. The registration unit 117 may store the second data in the storage unit 105 in association with the corresponding second parameter in the second communication protocol dictionary.

[0037] The learning processing unit 120 is connected to the identification unit 110. The learning processing unit 120 updates the parameter identification model in accordance with a user specification for the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit 110. The learning processing unit 120 may update the parameter identification model used by the identification unit 110 by performing a learning process. The learning processing unit 120 may update the parameter identification model by, for example, supervised learning.

[0038] The counting unit 125 is connected to the updating unit 130. The counting unit 125 counts at least one of the number of times specified by the specifying unit 110 or the number of times updated by the updating unit 130 for parameters in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. Note that the counting unit 125 may record not only the simple number of times specified or the number of times updated, but also at least one of the date / time of the specification or update history or the content of the specification or update.

[0039] The update unit 130 is connected to the storage unit 105. The update unit 130 updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. The update unit 130 may update at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary in accordance with the count by the counting unit 125. The update unit 130 may update at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary in accordance with update data received from the first communication device 20 or the second communication device 40. The update unit 130 may update at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the first communication device 20 or the second communication device 40 so as to synchronize at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105 with at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the first communication device 20 or the second communication device 40.

[0040] The second communication unit 135 is connected to the storage unit 105 and the second communication device 40. The second communication unit 135 transmits second data corresponding to the first data for the first parameter associated with the corresponding second parameter to the second communication device 40 using the second communication protocol. The second communication unit 135 may read out the second data stored in the storage unit 105 and transmit it.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an example of a first communication protocol dictionary. The first communication protocol dictionary is defined for each first communication device 20 and may be a table that associates codes indicating first parameters with each first parameter. The first communication protocol dictionary in FIG. 2 is defined for a first communication device 20 including an electromagnetic flowmeter and defines that code A10 indicates the setting value Damping (unit: sec) of the electromagnetic flowmeter, code A20 indicates the unit of the measured value of the electromagnetic flowmeter, code A30 indicates the upper limit value of the measured value of the electromagnetic flowmeter, and code A40 indicates the lower limit value of the measured value of the electromagnetic flowmeter. Here, the code A in FIG. 2 may be an identifier for each type of first communication device 20 or an identifier for each first communication device 20, and the codes 10, 20, etc. may be identifiers assigned to the first parameters. The first communication protocol dictionary may further include first data of the first parameters associated with each code. Note that the second communication protocol dictionary in this embodiment may also have a configuration similar to that of the first communication protocol dictionary.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a protocol conversion operation in the protocol conversion device 30. In step S300, the first communication unit 100 of the protocol conversion device 30 receives first data regarding a first parameter from the first communication device 20. The first communication unit 100 may receive the first data together with a code indicating the first communication device 20 and the first parameter. The first communication unit 100 may receive the first data from the first communication device 20 using the BRAIN communication protocol, for example. The protocol conversion device 30 may receive the first data regarding the first parameter from the first communication device 20 periodically or in response to a change in the first data of the first parameter in the first communication device 20. Furthermore, the protocol conversion device 30 may transmit a command to the first communication device 20 requesting that the first parameter be read, and receive the first data associated with an identifier of the command from the first communication device 20. The protocol conversion device 30 may store the received first data in the corresponding first communication protocol dictionary in the storage unit 105, or may store the received first data in the storage unit 105 in association with the first parameter.

[0043] In step S305, the dictionary selection unit 107 identifies and selects one dictionary from a plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries stored in the storage unit 105 and corresponding to the identifier of the first communication device 20 that transmitted the first data. The dictionary selection unit 107 may select a second communication protocol dictionary that corresponds to an identifier for each type of first communication device 20 that transmitted the first data or an identifier for each first communication device 20. The dictionary selection unit 107 may have a dictionary table that indicates the correspondence between the identifier for each type of first communication device 20 or the identifier for each first communication device 20 and the second communication protocol dictionary, and may identify the second communication protocol dictionary that corresponds to the first communication device 20 from the dictionary table. If the dictionary selection unit 107 selects the second communication protocol dictionary that corresponds to the first communication device 20 (if Yes), the protocol conversion device 30 proceeds to the process of step S310. If the dictionary selection unit 107 cannot identify a second communication protocol dictionary corresponding to the first communication device 20 in the storage unit 105 (No), the protocol conversion device 30 proceeds to step S315. For example, if a second communication protocol dictionary corresponding to the identifier of the first communication device 20 is not defined in the dictionary table, the dictionary selection unit 107 cannot identify a corresponding second communication protocol dictionary. Note that the dictionary table may be input by the user, or may be created in advance by the identification unit 110 by adding a correspondence between the first communication device identified by the parameter identification model and the second communication protocol dictionary.

[0044] In step S310, the identification unit 110 identifies a corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter from among the multiple second parameters in the second communication protocol dictionary selected by the dictionary selection unit 107. The identification unit 110 may have a parameter table indicating the correspondence between first parameters and second parameters, and may identify the corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter in the parameter table. If the identification unit 110 identifies the corresponding second parameter (if Yes), the protocol conversion device 30 proceeds to step S320. If the identification unit 110 cannot identify the corresponding second parameter in the selected second communication protocol dictionary (if No), the protocol conversion device 30 proceeds to step S315. For example, if the corresponding second parameter is not defined in the parameter table, the identification unit 110 cannot identify the corresponding second parameter. Note that the parameter table may be input by a user, or may be created in advance by the identification unit 110 by adding the correspondence between the first parameter and the second parameter identified by the parameter identification model.

[0045] In step S315, the identification unit 110 uses the parameter identification model to identify a corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter. The identification unit 110 may input the designation of the first parameter to the model and identify a parameter that is the output of the parameter identification model as the corresponding second parameter. In this case, the identification unit 110 may update the dictionary table and the parameter table to indicate the correspondence between the first parameter and the corresponding second parameter identified by the parameter identification model, and store them in the identification unit 110.

[0046] In step S320, the conversion unit 115 converts the value of the first data according to the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit 110. The conversion unit 115 may convert the value of the first data into the second data by at least one of multiplying the value of the first data by a coefficient according to the relationship between the first parameter and the corresponding second parameter, or performing an operation using a function according to the corresponding second parameter.

[0047] For example, when the units of the measurement value as the first parameter are different, such as cm (centimeters) and m (meters), the conversion unit 115 can adapt the first data to the corresponding second parameter by multiplying the value of the first data by a coefficient (1 / 100). Also, when the setting value as the first parameter (Damping, for example) indicates a value (100 seconds, for example) and the corresponding second parameter indicates a ratio (a ratio % between the upper limit of the setting value, 200, and the lower limit of the setting value, 0, for example), the conversion unit 115 can adapt the first data to the corresponding second parameter by converting the first data into a ratio using a function (100 x 100 seconds / (200 seconds - 0 seconds) = 50%, for example).

[0048] The coefficients and functions used in the conversion unit 115 may be input by the user and stored in the parameter table in association with the correspondence between the first parameters and the corresponding second parameters.

[0049] In step S325, the registration unit 117 registers the second data in association with the corresponding second parameter. The registration unit 117 may store the second data in association with the corresponding second parameter in the second communication protocol dictionary, or may store the location (address, etc.) of the second data in the storage unit 105 in the second communication protocol dictionary. When the registration unit 117 receives a measurement value as the first data from the first communication device 20, the registration unit 117 may register a timestamp indicating the measurement time or reception time of the first data in association with the second data.

[0050] The registration unit 117 may register a flag in association with the second data of the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit 110 using the parameter identification model. For example, the registration unit 117 may register a flag value of 1 in association with the second data of the corresponding second parameter identified using the parameter identification model in step S315, and may register a flag value of 0 in association with the second data of the corresponding second parameter identified using the parameter table in S310. For the data in which the flag is registered, the user can determine whether the parameter corresponds using either the parameter identification model or the parameter table, and can create data (e.g., training data) for learning the meter identification model.

[0051] In step S330, the second communication unit 135 transmits second data on the corresponding second parameter using the second communication protocol. For example, the second communication unit 135 may transmit the second data to the second communication device 40 using the HART (registered trademark) protocol. The second communication unit 135 may transmit the second data stored in the storage unit 105 to the second communication device 40 in response to receiving a command requesting the corresponding second parameter from the second communication device 40, or periodically. For example, when the second communication unit 135 receives a code indicating the corresponding second parameter together with the command, the second communication unit 135 may identify the second parameter corresponding to the code in the second communication protocol dictionary and read and transmit the second data associated with the second parameter from the storage unit 105. When the second communication unit 135 receives an identifier of the first communication device 20 together with the read command instead of the corresponding second parameter, the second communication unit 135 may transmit second data on the corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first data received from the first communication device 20 to the second communication device 40.

[0052] The second communication unit 135 may transmit a flag indicating whether or not a parameter identification model was used for parameter identification to the second communication device 40 together with the second data. The second communication unit 135 may transmit a corresponding timestamp together with the second data to the second communication device 40. Furthermore, the second communication unit 135 can speed up communication and distribute the load by transmitting the difference between the second data and the previously transmitted data of the corresponding second parameter.

[0053] The second communication unit 135 may transmit the second data to the second communication device 40 using a data check function such as a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The second communication unit 135 transmits check data calculated from the second data to be transmitted using a predetermined formula together with the second data. The second communication device 40 can detect data errors and the like by comparing a value calculated from the received second data using the same predetermined formula with the received check data. This can increase the reliability of the data. The predetermined formula may be specified by the user.

[0054] In step S335, the update unit 130 updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary in accordance with the update data from the second communication device 40 or the count of the count unit 125. When the second communication unit 135 receives update data indicating that the corresponding parameter is to be changed or deleted, along with the code of the first parameter or the second parameter, from the second communication device 40, the update unit 130 may update the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary by changing or deleting the corresponding parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. Furthermore, when the second communication unit 135 receives update data indicating that a new parameter is to be added to at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary, the update unit 130 may update the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105 by adding the new parameter.

[0055] The counting unit 125 may count the specific number of times specified by the identifying unit 110 for each parameter (or the number of times data is registered by the registering unit 117) for the multiple first communication protocol dictionaries and multiple second communication protocol dictionaries stored in the storage unit 105. Furthermore, the counting unit 125 may count the number of updates of at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary using update data received from the second communication device 40. The updating unit 130 may update at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105 by deleting, from the corresponding dictionary, parameters for which at least one of the counted specific number of times or the number of updates is less than a threshold (e.g., 0) within a predetermined period. The threshold may be set by a user. The updating unit 130 deletes unnecessary parameters to reduce the frequency of information transmission, thereby enabling a reduction in database size (memory size) and information size (communication power), thereby making parameter identification more efficient.

[0056] When the first communication device 20 has a first communication protocol dictionary and the second communication device 40 has at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary, the update unit 130 may update at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105, together with at least one parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary stored in at least one of the first communication device 20 or the second communication device 40. The update unit 130 may transmit update data to at least one of the first communication device 20 or the second communication device 40 for performing the same update as at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. For example, the second communication unit 135 receives update data for at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary from the second communication device 40, and updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. The first communication unit 100 transmits update data for at least one parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary to the first communication device 20. The first communication device 20 stores the received update data for at least one parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary. In this way, the update unit 130 may synchronize all dictionaries in the system 10. This makes it possible for the entire system to keep up with new management items that are updated during the product lifecycle of the first communication device 20. At this time, the protocol conversion device 30 may transmit the update data using a data check function such as a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), as in step S330.

[0057] The protocol conversion device 30 may transmit the second data to the second communication device 40 in response to receiving a command to read or write the first parameter using the second communication protocol from the second communication device 40. In this case, the second communication device 40 may have the same components as the protocol conversion device 30: a first communication protocol dictionary, a second communication protocol dictionary, a dictionary table, an identification unit, a registration unit, a dictionary selection unit, and a parameter table.

[0058] For example, when the second communication device 40 reads a first parameter from the first communication device 20, it may identify a second parameter corresponding to the first parameter, similar to the protocol conversion device 30. The second communication device 40 transmits a command to the protocol conversion device 30, requesting first data corresponding to the second data for the corresponding first parameter, along with a code indicating the second parameter. Here, the second parameter may be a measurement value read from the first communication device 20.

[0059] The dictionary selection unit 107 may select a first communication protocol dictionary corresponding to the second communication protocol dictionary of the requested second parameter from the dictionary table. The identification unit 110 may identify a corresponding first parameter corresponding to the second parameter from among multiple first parameters in the selected first communication protocol dictionary, using the parameter table. If a corresponding first communication protocol dictionary is not defined in the dictionary table or if a corresponding first parameter is not defined in the parameter table, the identification unit 110 may identify a corresponding first parameter corresponding to the second parameter using a parameter identification model that identifies a corresponding first parameter corresponding to the specified second parameter in response to input of a specification of a second parameter in the second communication protocol.

[0060] The first communication unit 100 may transmit a read request for the corresponding first parameter to the first communication device 20. In response to the read request, the first communication device 20 can transmit the measured value (first data on the corresponding first parameter) to the protocol conversion device 30.

[0061] The first communication unit 100 receives first data for the requested corresponding first parameter, and the registration unit 117 registers the received first data in the corresponding first communication protocol dictionary. The conversion unit 115 may convert the first data for the corresponding first parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary into second data corresponding to the first data using a conversion function or the like, thereby adapting the first data to the second parameter. The registration unit 117 may register the second data in association with the second parameter requested by the command in the second communication protocol dictionary. The second communication unit 135 may transmit the converted second data to the second communication device 40. At this time, the second communication unit 135 may transmit the second data together with an identifier (such as a transaction identifier) ​​corresponding to the command that read and requested the second parameter.

[0062] Furthermore, when writing a first parameter such as a control value for controlling the first communication device 20 into the first communication protocol dictionary of the first communication device 20, the second communication device 40 may transmit a command for writing the first parameter. Similar to the protocol conversion device 30, the second communication device 40 may identify a second parameter corresponding to the first parameter, and transmit to the protocol conversion device 30 a code indicating the second parameter, as well as second data for the second parameter and a command requesting writing. This allows the first communication device 20 to control the control target according to the written control value.

[0063] In the protocol conversion device 30, the identification unit 110 may identify a corresponding first parameter corresponding to the second parameter using at least one of a dictionary table, a parameter table, or a parameter identification model, and the conversion unit 114 may convert the second data into the corresponding first data to adapt it to the corresponding first parameter. The first communication unit 100 may transmit the first data together with the code of the identified corresponding first parameter to the first communication device 20, and register the first data in a first communication protocol dictionary in the first communication device 20. In this case, the protocol conversion device 30 may register the first data and the second data in the corresponding first communication protocol dictionary and second communication protocol dictionary in the storage unit 105, and synchronize them with the first communication protocol dictionary in the first communication device 20.

[0064] The first communication device 20 may transmit the registered first data together with the code of the first parameter to the protocol conversion device 30. As in the case of a read request, the protocol conversion device 30 may identify a corresponding second parameter for the first parameter and convert the first data into second data. The protocol conversion device 30 may transmit a code indicating the corresponding second parameter and the second data to the second communication device 40. This allows the second communication device 40 to confirm that the second data requested to be written has been registered in the first communication protocol dictionary of the first communication device 20.

[0065] Furthermore, the protocol conversion device 30 may communicate with the second communication device 40 in response to receiving, from the second communication device 40, a command requesting information (second parameters) in the storage unit 105. When the protocol conversion device 30 receives a read command from the second communication device 40 together with at least one code of the order code, the manufacturer's order conditions, the traceability information, the hazardous substance information, or the operating status information related to the first communication device 20, the protocol conversion device 30 may transmit corresponding information in the second communication protocol dictionary in the storage unit 105 together with the code to the second communication device 40.

[0066] Here, the order code for the first communication device 20 is a code associated with a purchasing system when purchasing the first communication device 20. The manufacturer's order conditions for the first communication device 20 are at least one of the lead time, price, or part number for purchasing the first communication device 20. The traceability information for the first communication device 20 is information related to the measurement accuracy of the first communication device 20. The hazardous substance information for the first communication device 20 is information related to the risks of chemical substances that are the subject of measurement by the first communication device 20. The operating status information for the first communication device 20 is at least one of CO2 emissions, maintenance information, operating time, or power consumption related to the operation of the first communication device 20.

[0067] The protocol conversion device 30 may acquire at least one of the order code, the manufacturer's order conditions, traceability information, hazardous substance information, and operating status information from the first communication device 20 or the second communication device 40. The protocol conversion device 30 may also calculate the operating status information from the information acquired from the first communication device 20. For example, the protocol conversion device 30 may acquire the operating time of the first communication device 20 (for example, 24 hours x 300 days) from the first communication device 20, and calculate a value corresponding to the operating time from information stored in the second communication protocol dictionary (for example, the power consumption per unit time of the first communication device 20, 4 mW) (for example, total power consumption = 24 x 300 x 4).

[0068] By storing such information, the protocol conversion device 30 can easily select parts for the first communication device 20 when a malfunction occurs or when purchasing a new one, and can also easily plan for maintenance periods.

[0069] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the parameter identification operation in the protocol conversion device 30. In Fig. 4, the protocol conversion device 30 receives data about one parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary and identifies the corresponding parameters in the two second communication protocol dictionaries 2a and 2b.

[0070] When the first communication unit 100 receives data indicating the value of Damping together with the code A10 from the first communication device 20, the dictionary selection unit 107 refers to the dictionary table to identify the device AXF corresponding to the identifier A of the first communication device 20 (AXF), and selects the second communication protocol dictionary 2a to be used for the identified device. The identification unit 110 refers to the parameter table (AXF-AXF) to identify the corresponding second parameter B10 corresponding to the code A10 in the second communication protocol dictionary 2a. The conversion unit 115 converts the received value using a conversion function stored in the parameter table (AXF-AXF). The registration unit 117 registers the value converted by the conversion unit 115 in association with the second parameter B10.

[0071] Furthermore, when the first communication unit 100 receives data indicating the value of Damping together with the code A10 from the first communication device 20, the dictionary selection unit 107 refers to the dictionary table to identify the device AXG corresponding to the identifier A of the first communication device 20 (AXF), and selects the second communication protocol dictionary 2b to be used for the identified device. The identification unit 110 refers to the parameter table (AXF-AXG) to identify the corresponding second parameter C10 corresponding to the code A10 in the second communication protocol dictionary 2b. Because the parameter table (AXF-AXG) does not store a conversion function, the registration unit 117 registers the unconverted value (the value of the data received by the first communication unit 100) in association with the second parameter C10.

[0072] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a parameter identification model. The parameter identification model may be a machine learning model such as a neural network or a decision tree. When a designation of a first parameter is input, the parameter identification model outputs a corresponding second parameter. As the designation of the first parameter, the parameter identification model may receive text data including at least one of the first data received from the first communication device 20, the contents of the first communication protocol dictionary corresponding to the first parameter (such as a definition of the first parameter), or a document of an instruction manual for the first communication device 20. The parameter identification model may output, as the corresponding second parameter, the second parameter with the highest probability among multiple second parameters in multiple second communication protocol dictionaries.

[0073] The parameter identification model in the example of Figure 5 outputs the second parameter "Damping" of the second communication protocol dictionary regardless of whether "Damping (parameter name: Company A)," "Damp (parameter name in the instruction manual: Company B)," "Ftime (parameter name: Company C)," "PV damping (parameter name: Company D)," or "Flow damping (parameter name in the instruction manual: Company E)" is input. For example, even if the second communication protocol dictionary has other parameters related to Damping, such as "No Damp filter" and "Damping enable," the corresponding second parameter can be correctly identified by collecting information in the input layer. Here, “Damping (parameter name: Company A)” indicates that the parameter name Damping and the manufacturer name of the first communication device 20 have been input, “Damp (parameter name in the instruction manual: Company B)” indicates that the parameter name Damp listed in the instruction manual and the manufacturer name of the first communication device 20 have been input, “Ftime (parameter name: Company C)” indicates that the parameter name Ftime and the manufacturer name of the first communication device 20 have been input, “PV damping (parameter name: Company D)” indicates that the parameter name PV damping and the manufacturer name of the first communication device 20 have been input, and “Flow damping (parameter name in the instruction manual: Company E)” indicates that the parameter name Flow damping and the manufacturer name of the first communication device 20 have been input.

[0074] The learning processing unit 120 may generate and update a parameter identification model. The learning processing unit 120 may acquire, as learning data, the contents (manufacturer names, titles, definitions, etc.) of a plurality of first communication protocol dictionaries and a plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries stored in the storage unit 105. The learning processing unit 120 may further acquire, as learning data, instruction manual data (document text data, etc.) for the first communication device 20 corresponding to the first communication protocol dictionary from the user, the first communication device 20, or the second communication device 40. The learning processing unit 120 may acquire, as training data, a set of first parameters and second parameters whose correspondence is known in advance as specified by the user, etc.

[0075] The learning processing unit 120 may perform character string analysis on learning data (text data such as parameter names or descriptions) including the first communication protocol dictionary, the second communication protocol dictionary, and the instruction manual for the corresponding first communication device 20, to convert the data into feature vectors, and learn a parameter identification model to output the correspondence between the feature vectors.

[0076] For example, the learning processing unit 120 may extract multiple predetermined keywords from the text data serving as learning data for each parameter to obtain a feature vector. The learning processing unit 120 may train the parameter identification model so as to calculate a higher degree of match between the feature vector of a first parameter and the feature vector of a corresponding second parameter with a known correspondence, and to calculate a lower degree of match between the feature vector of the first parameter and the feature vector of a second parameter with a known non-correspondence. The identification unit 110 may identify, as the corresponding second parameter, a second parameter whose degree of match between the feature vector calculated using the parameter identification model from the input first parameter specification is equal to or greater than a threshold, or whose feature vector has the highest degree of match. Here, the learning processing unit 120 may input the multiple predetermined keywords and threshold values ​​from a user, or may determine them through learning.

[0077] The learning processing unit 120 may update the parameter identification model in response to a user instruction that the corresponding second parameter output by the identification unit 110 using the parameter identification model is incorrect. When an operator or equipment vendor inputs to the learning processing unit 120 a user instruction indicating a corrected corresponding second parameter for second data in which a flag indicating that the data was identified using the parameter identification model is registered, the learning processing unit 120 may perform a learning process using training data in which the corrected corresponding second parameter is labeled for the input first parameter, and update the parameter identification model. Note that when a specification of the second parameter is input, the learning processing unit 120 may also similarly learn a parameter identification model that outputs the corresponding first parameter.

[0078] The protocol conversion device 30 of this embodiment can efficiently convert data between a first communication device 20 that uses a communication protocol with device-specific parameters and a second communication device 40 that uses the latest communication protocol, using multiple dictionary data with different specifications. Furthermore, even when a new first communication device 20 or second communication device 40 is added, the correspondence between parameters can be accurately identified using the learning model using dictionary data, an instruction manual, etc.

[0079] The protocol conversion device 30 of this embodiment may be disposed in a second communication device 40 such as a server. In this case, the protocol conversion device 30 may convert the first data from the first communication device 20 into second data and register it, similar to steps S300-S325 of FIG. 3 . However, the protocol conversion device 30 may not include the second communication unit 135, and may not perform the operation of transmitting the second data in step S330. The protocol conversion device 30 of this embodiment may also be disposed in a sensor module including the first communication device 20.

[0080] Furthermore, although the protocol conversion device 30 of this embodiment performs identification using a parameter identification model when a corresponding parameter is not defined in the dictionary table or parameter table, it may instead transmit an error message indicating that a corresponding parameter is not defined in the dictionary table or parameter table to the second communication device 40. Furthermore, although the embodiment has been described in which the protocol conversion device 30 performs conversion between two communication protocols, the protocol conversion device 30 of this embodiment may similarly perform conversion between three or more communication protocols.

[0081] Various embodiments of the present invention may also be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where the blocks may represent (1) stages of a process in which operations are performed or (2) sections of an apparatus responsible for performing the operations. Particular stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuitry, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry, including logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like.

[0082] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, and semiconductor storage media. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, and the like.

[0083] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0084] The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable processing device locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., which executes the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0085] 6 illustrates an example of a computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 2200 may cause the computer 2200 to function as or perform operations associated with an apparatus or one or more sections of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, and / or to perform a process or steps of a process according to embodiments of the present invention. Such programs may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0086] A computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0087] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or into the graphics controller 2216 itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0088] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0089] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, and / or programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0090] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 2212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by realizing information manipulation or processing in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0091] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0092] The CPU 2212 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0093] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 2212 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0094] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable medium on or near the computer 2200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can also be used as a computer-readable medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 2200 via the network.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0096] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Systems 20 1st communication equipment 30 Protocol conversion device 40 Second communication equipment 100 First Communications Department 105 Storage section 107 Dictionary Selection Section 110 Specific section 115 Conversion Unit 117 Registration Department 120 Learning processing unit 125 Counting Unit 130 Update Department 135 Second Communications Department 2200 Computer 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 host controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics Controller 2218 Display Device 2220 Input / Output Controller 2222 communication interface 2224 hard disk drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 I / O chip 2242 keyboard

Claims

1. a first communication unit that receives first data indicating a value corresponding to a first parameter from a first communication device that communicates using a first communication protocol; a storage unit that stores a second communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of second parameters of the second communication protocol; an identification unit that identifies a corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter from among the plurality of second parameters based on a table that associates the first parameters with the second parameters; a second communication unit that transmits second data indicating a value converted from the value of the first data in accordance with the relationship between the corresponding second parameter and the first parameter to a second communication device using the second communication protocol; A protocol conversion device comprising:

2. the storage unit stores a plurality of the second communication protocol dictionaries for a first communication protocol dictionary associated with a type of the first communication device; the protocol conversion device further includes a dictionary selection unit that selects, from the plurality of second communication protocol dictionaries, the second communication protocol dictionary that corresponds to the first communication protocol dictionary of the first communication device that communicates via the first communication unit; the identifying unit identifies the corresponding second parameter based on the table that associates the second parameters and the first parameters included in the selected second communication protocol dictionary; 2. The protocol conversion device according to claim 1.

3. When the second parameter cannot be identified based on the table, the identification unit, in response to input of a designation of one of a first parameter in the first communication protocol or a second parameter in the second communication protocol, identifies the corresponding second parameter or the corresponding first parameter from among the plurality of second parameters or the plurality of first parameters using a model that identifies the other of the first parameter in the first communication protocol or the second parameter in the second communication protocol that corresponds to the designated parameter.

2. The protocol conversion device according to claim 1.

4. a learning processing unit that updates the model in response to a user specification for the corresponding second parameter identified by the identifying unit; 4. The protocol conversion device according to claim 3.

5. a registration unit that registers a flag in association with the second data of the corresponding second parameter identified by the identification unit using the model, 5. The protocol conversion device according to claim 4.

6. The registration unit registers second data corresponding to the first data in association with the corresponding second parameter in the second communication protocol dictionary.

6. The protocol conversion device according to claim 5.

7. a conversion unit that converts the value of the first data into the second data by at least one of multiplying the value of the first data by a coefficient according to the relationship between the first parameter and the corresponding second parameter, or performing a calculation using a function according to the relationship.

2. The protocol conversion device according to claim 1.

8. The second communication protocol is a protocol for performing communication at a higher speed than the first communication protocol.

2. The protocol conversion device according to claim 1.

9. The second communication protocol dictionary includes, as at least one of the plurality of second parameters, a parameter for at least one of an order code, a manufacturer's order conditions, traceability information, and operating status information related to the first communication device.

2. The protocol conversion device according to claim 1.

10. the storage unit stores a first communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of first parameters of the first communication protocol; the second communication unit receives second data on a second parameter included in the second communication protocol dictionary from the second communication device; the identifying unit identifies a corresponding first parameter corresponding to the second parameter based on the table; the first communication unit transmits, to the first communication device, first data corresponding to second data for the second parameter associated with the corresponding first parameter; 2. The protocol conversion device according to claim 1.

11. an update unit that updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary and the second communication protocol dictionary; The protocol conversion device according to claim 10.

12. The update unit updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit with at least one parameter in the first communication protocol dictionary stored in the first communication device. The protocol conversion device according to claim 11.

13. a counting unit that counts at least one of a specific number of times specified by the specifying unit and a number of times updated by the updating unit for a parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit, The update unit updates at least one parameter in at least one of the first communication protocol dictionary or the second communication protocol dictionary stored in the storage unit by deleting the parameter for which at least one of the counted specific number of times or the counted number of updates is less than a threshold value from the corresponding first or second communication protocol dictionary. The protocol conversion device according to claim 11.

14. storing a second communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of second parameters of the second communication protocol; receiving first data from a first communication device communicating using a first communication protocol, the first data indicating a value corresponding to a first parameter; identifying a corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter from among the plurality of second parameters based on a table associating the first parameters with the second parameters; transmitting second data indicating a value converted from the value of the first data according to the relationship between the corresponding second parameter and the first parameter to a second communication device using the second communication protocol; A method for providing the above.

15. Computer, a first communication unit that receives first data indicating a value corresponding to a first parameter from a first communication device that communicates using a first communication protocol; a storage unit that stores a second communication protocol dictionary including a plurality of second parameters of the second communication protocol; an identification unit that identifies a corresponding second parameter corresponding to the first parameter from among the plurality of second parameters based on a table that associates the first parameters with the second parameters; a second communication unit that transmits second data indicating a value converted from the value of the first data in accordance with the relationship between the corresponding second parameter and the first parameter to a second communication device using the second communication protocol; A program to function as a

16. a first communication device; a protocol conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which communicates with the first communication device using a first communication protocol; a second communication device that communicates with the protocol conversion device using a second communication protocol; A system comprising:

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