Data collection device and method, data processing system and program

Abstract

To continue data collection without instantaneous interruption even when the settings on the data collection is modified.SOLUTION: A data collection apparatus includes: a setting management unit which manages settings on collection of data; a collection unit which includes a first collection unit for collecting data in accordance with first settings and a second collection unit that operates independently of the first collection unit; and a switching unit which switches, in response to an instruction to update the settings from the first settings to second settings, from the data collection by the first collection unit to the data collection using the second settings by the second collection unit, without instantaneous interruption, while distinguishing a common portion common to the first and second settings from a non-common portion which is a portion other than the common portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a data collection device and method, a data processing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] With the miniaturization of computers, the diversification and sophistication of sensors, and advances in communication technology, it has become common to install sensors and inspection cameras in factories and other locations, and collect and process data via networks in data processing systems installed within the factory. The collected data is not limited to sensor data, but also includes data generated by sequencers, actuators, electronic devices, and other devices that drive various pieces of equipment. Data processing systems installed close to the sites where data is generated are sometimes called edge servers.

[0003] The data processed by the edge server is sent via the Internet to the company's production management department, etc., and is used for production management.

[0004] On the other hand, in factories and other places, it is sometimes necessary to change the data collection settings. However, it is difficult to change the data collection settings while the factory line is in operation. This problem is not limited to factories, but also occurs in any system that requires continuous observation of an object.

[0005] One proposal that seems to address these issues is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 relates to a remote monitoring system for remotely monitoring facility devices in the so-called IoT field, and includes a data collection device that collects device data indicating the operating status, etc. of one or more facility devices from the facility devices, and a data aggregation device that aggregates the device data from the multiple data collection devices, analyzes the device data, and monitors the facility devices. In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the data collection device stores collection-side definition information for extracting device data to be collected, and collects device data from each facility device according to this information. When updating (changing) the device data to be collected, the aggregation device prepares updated collection-side definition information, and when a predetermined condition is met, the data collection device receives the updated collection-side definition information from the aggregation device. The data collection device immediately, or when a certain condition is met, switches from the pre-update collection-side definition information to the updated collection-side definition information and continues data collection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 245888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that data continuity may not be ensured before and after updating the collection-side definition information. This is not limited to the problem of data collection in factories described above, but in general, in systems that require continuous observation of targets, desired processing cannot be performed correctly unless data continuity is ensured. Therefore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be used to change the settings of collection targets in systems that require continuous observation of targets.

[0008] One way to solve this problem is to run different collection processes in parallel for each device and update only the collection processes that need to be updated. However, this method has the problem of requiring design changes to existing data collection applications.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a data collection device and method, a data processing system, and a program that are capable of continuing data collection without interruption even when data collection settings are changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A data collection device according to a first aspect of this disclosure includes a collection unit including a setting management unit that manages settings related to data collection, a first collection unit that collects data according to the first setting, and a second collection unit that collects data according to the second setting, and a switching unit that, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, distinguishes between common parts of the first setting and the second setting and non-common parts that are parts other than the common parts, and switches without interruption from data collection by the first collection unit to data collection by the second collection unit according to the second setting.

[0011] A data processing system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a data collecting device and a data processing unit that performs predetermined data processing on an output of the data collecting device.

[0012] A data collection method according to a third aspect of this disclosure includes a first collection step in which a computer collects data according to a first setting; a second collection step in which the computer collects data according to a second setting; and a switching step in which, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, the computer distinguishes between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part that is a part other than the common part, and switches from collecting data according to the first collection step to collecting data according to the second setting in the second collection step without interruption.

[0013] A program relating to a fourth aspect of this disclosure causes a computer to execute a first collection step of collecting data according to a first setting, a second collection step of collecting data according to a second setting, and a switching step of, in response to an instruction to update a setting from the first setting to the second setting, distinguishing between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part that is a part other than the common part, and switching from collecting data according to the first collection step to collecting data according to the second setting by the second collection step without interruption.

[0014] The above objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, this disclosure provides a data collection device and method, a data processing system, and a program that are capable of continuing data collection without interruption even when the data collection settings are changed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a data management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the data collecting device illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a collection setting file for data from a device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the common collection setting. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the switching unit illustrated in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program implementing the first receive buffer shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program implementing the second receive buffer shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program implementing the synchronization control unit shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program for implementing the synchronous control steps of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program implementing the selection unit in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program for implementing the first read process shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program for implementing the second read process shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) for realizing the data collection device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] In the following description and drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Note that one or more of the following embodiments may be combined in any manner.

[0018] (1) A data collection device according to a first aspect of this disclosure includes a collection unit including a setting management unit that manages settings related to data collection, a first collection unit that collects data according to the first setting, and a second collection unit that collects data according to the second setting, and a switching unit that, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, distinguishes between common parts of the first setting and the second setting and non-common parts that are parts other than the common parts, and switches without interruption from data collection by the first collection unit to data collection by the second collection unit according to the second setting.

[0019] This data collection device synchronizes only the common parts of the collected data between the first and second settings. This makes it easy to switch data collection settings. If there are no common parts between the first and second settings, there is no need to synchronize them. As a result, settings can be switched without interruption.

[0020] (2) In (1) above, the setting management unit may include a setting memory unit that stores settings related to data collection, a setting receiving unit that receives at least a second setting and stores it in the setting memory unit, and a setting analysis unit that analyzes the first setting and the second setting, extracts common parts of the first setting and the second setting, creates a common collection setting, and stores it in the setting memory unit.

[0021] By storing the settings in the setting storage unit, the degree of freedom in timing for performing the analysis process by the setting analysis unit and the timing for actually switching the settings can be increased.

[0022] (3) In the above (2), the setting analysis unit may be activated in response to the setting storage unit storing the second setting.

[0023] When the second setting is stored in the setting storage unit, analysis of the first setting and the second setting begins, allowing sufficient time before the actual setting switching begins.

[0024] (4) In the above (2), the setting analysis unit may be activated in response to an instruction to update the settings.

[0025] When a setting update is instructed, analysis of the first setting and the second setting begins. Since the analysis process is not performed unless an actual setting change is instructed, unnecessary processing is not required when the setting change is not to be performed.

[0026] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, a collection processing management unit may be included that starts the second collection unit in response to an instruction to update the settings.

[0027] The second collection unit does not operate until an instruction to update the settings is given, and is started only after an instruction to update the settings is given. There is no need to operate the second collection unit when it is not required.

[0028] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) above, the switching unit may include a separation unit that separates data collected by the first collection unit and the second collection unit into data specified by a common portion and data specified by a non-common portion; a non-common portion switching control unit that switches collection of the data separated by the separation unit into data specified by the non-common portion from the first collection unit to the second collection unit in response to an update instruction; and a synchronization control unit that switches collection of the data separated by the separation unit into data specified by the common portion from collection by the first collection unit to collection by the second collection unit in response to the update instruction, while synchronizing the collection of the data separated by the separation unit into data specified by the common portion between the first collection unit and the second collection unit.

[0029] The classification unit classifies the collected data into common parts that are common between the first setting and the second setting and non-common parts. When an update instruction is received, the non-common part control unit switches between the first collection unit and the second collection unit for the non-common parts. The common part control unit switches the first collection unit and the second collection unit in synchronization only when there is a common part. If there is no common part between the first setting and the second setting, there is no need to synchronize. The number of parts that need to be synchronized can also be reduced. Therefore, switching the data collection settings is easy and the settings can be switched without any interruption.

[0030] (7) In any one of (1) to (5) above, the first collection unit and the second collection unit may each include a first identification information assigning unit and a second identification information assigning unit that assigns identification information to the collected data so that the order of output can be identified, and the switching unit may include a separation unit that separates the data collected by the first collection unit and the data collected by the second collection unit into data specified by a common part and data specified by a non-common part after the second collection unit is started, a synchronization control unit that uses the identification information assigned to each piece of data specified by the common part by the separation unit to synchronize the data collected by the first collection unit and the data collected by the second collection unit and switches from the data collected by the first collection unit to the data collected by the second collection unit without interruption, and an immediate switching unit that selects the data collected by the first collection unit before the second collection unit is started and switches to the data collected by the second collection unit after the second collection unit is started, with respect to the data specified by the non-common part by the separation unit.

[0031] The data collected by the first and second collection units are each assigned identification information that allows the order of output to be identified. A classification unit classifies the collected data into common parts that are common to the first and second settings and non-common parts. When an update instruction is issued and the second collection unit is started, the non-common part control unit switches output for the non-common parts from data collected by the first collection unit to data collected by the second collection unit. Only when there is a common part between the first and second settings, the common part control unit synchronizes the first and second collection units using the identification information for data belonging to the common part, and once synchronization is complete, switches output from data collected by the first collection unit to data collected by the second collection unit. If there is no common part between the first and second settings, synchronization is not necessary. The number of parts that need to be synchronized is small, and synchronization can be easily achieved by using the identification information. Therefore, switching data collection settings is easy and can be done without interruption.

[0032] (8) In the above (7), the identification information may include time information indicating the time when the first collection unit or the second collection unit collected the data.

[0033] When synchronizing data, the time at which the data was collected can be used as the reference point. As a result, the data collected by the first acquisition unit and the data collected by the second acquisition unit can be easily synchronized, and switching from the first acquisition unit to the second acquisition unit can be performed without interruption.

[0034] (9) A data processing system according to a second aspect of this disclosure includes the data collection device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, and a data processing unit that performs predetermined data processing on the output of the data collection device.

[0035] This data processing system synchronizes only the portion of the collected data that is common between the first and second settings. This makes it easy to switch between data collection settings. If there is no common portion between the first and second settings, there is no need for synchronization. As a result, settings can be switched without interruption, and predetermined data processing can be performed on data obtained using different settings.

[0036] (10) A data collection method according to a third aspect of this disclosure includes a first collection step in which a computer collects data according to a first setting; a second collection step in which the computer collects data according to a second setting; and a switching step in which, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, the computer distinguishes between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part, which is a part other than the common part, and switches from collecting data according to the first collection step to collecting data according to the second setting in the second collection step without interruption.

[0037] According to this data collection method, only the common parts of the collected data between the first setting and the second setting are synchronized. This makes it easy to switch the data collection setting. If there is no common part between the first setting and the second setting, there is no need to synchronize them. As a result, the setting can be switched without any interruption.

[0038] (11) A program according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure causes a computer to execute a first collection step of collecting data according to a first setting, a second collection step of collecting data according to a second setting, and a switching step of, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, distinguishing between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part that is a part other than the common part, and switching from collecting data according to the first collection step to collecting data according to the second setting by the second collection step without interruption.

[0039] By running this program on a computer, only the common parts of the collected data between the first and second settings are synchronized. This makes it easy to switch between data collection settings. If there are no common parts between the first and second settings, there is no need to synchronize them. As a result, settings can be switched without interruption.

[0040] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of a data processing device and a data collection device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0041] 1. First embodiment A.Configuration A1) Overall structure Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of a data management system 50 including a data processing device according to this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, the data management system 50 is a system related to a certain company, and includes a factory department 60 and a production management department 64, with the factory department 60 and the production management department 64 being able to communicate with each other via a network 62. In this embodiment, data collected from each device in the factory department 60 is transmitted to the production management department 64 via the network 62. The production management department 64 uses this data to perform production management.

[0042] A large number of sensors are arranged in the factory department 60. The sensors include, for example, an inspection camera 84 that takes images of the articles produced on the line 82 for inspection, and a sequencer 88 that controls equipment 86 present in the factory and outputs information regarding the operating status of the equipment 86.

[0043] The factory department 60 is further provided with a data processing device 80, a so-called edge server, that collects data from various sensors such as an inspection camera 84 and a sequencer 88, performs necessary data processing depending on the data, and transmits the data to the production management department 64 via the network 62. The data processing device 80 operates in accordance with instructions from the production management department 64 and operations by a user 156, and collects data based on collection settings prepared in advance for data collection from each sensor. The data processing device 80 according to this embodiment has a function of updating the collection settings, which becomes necessary when, for example, a new sensor is installed in the factory department 60 or a sensor is replaced with a new one, without causing a momentary interruption to the production line of the factory department 60. In this specification, the terms "without momentary interruption" and "without momentary interruption" refer to data being collected so that it is continuous and without contradictions, i.e., without missing any data or changing its order.

[0044] A2) Data processing device 80 2, data processing device 80 includes a receiving-side communication I / F (Interface) 190 connected to a network within a factory, and a data collection device 180 that collects data from a number of sensors including inspection camera 84 and sequencer 88 (not shown in FIG. 2) via communication I / F 190. This embodiment is characterized in that data collection settings are updated in data collection device 180 without any interruption to the line.

[0045] The data processing device 80 further includes a first data processing unit 182 that performs predetermined data processing on data collected by the data collecting device 180 before the data collection settings are updated, and a second data processing unit 184 that performs predetermined data processing on data after the data collection settings are updated. Note that in this embodiment, two data processing units are provided because it is assumed that the content of the data processing can also be changed without interruption. In this case, the change of the collection settings by the data collecting device 180 and the change of the content of the data processing can be performed separately or simultaneously. Furthermore, if the system is based on the assumption that the content of the data processing will not be changed when the data collection settings are updated, there is no need to provide two data processing units.

[0046] The data processing device 80 further includes a branching input unit 185 that assigns a sequence number to the data output by the data collecting device 180 and selectively distributes the data to a first data processing unit 182 or a second data processing unit 184 depending on whether the data is based on the current collection setting, and a switching / transmission unit 186 that selects the output of the first data processing unit 182 or the output of the second data processing unit 184 according to the sequence number of each data and transmits the selected output to the production management department 64. If the data configuration does not change before and after the update of the data collection setting, only the first data processing unit 182 may be sufficient. However, if a new type of sensor is added and the first data processing unit 182 before the data collection setting cannot handle the change, it is necessary to provide a second data processing unit 184 and switch data processing from the first data processing unit 182 to the second data processing unit 184 in accordance with the update of the data collection setting in the data collecting device 180.

[0047] The data processing device 80 further includes an output-side communication I / F 192 for transmitting the output of the switching / transmission unit 186 to the production management department 64 via the network 62, and a data processing management unit 188 for managing the updating of data collection settings in the data collecting device 180 and the switching from the first data processing unit 182 to the second data processing unit 184. The data processing management unit 188 may be operated, for example, by an on-site user 156 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be operated remotely from the production management department 64 shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the data processing management unit 188 is configured to update both the data collection settings in the collecting unit 240 and the first data processing unit 182 and the second data processing unit 184. For this reason, the data processing management unit 188 is provided to collectively manage both updates. However, an instruction to update the data collection settings may not necessarily go through the data processing management unit 188, but may be given directly to the data collecting device 180 (more specifically, the setting management unit 244 shown in FIG. 3) from the user 156 or the production management department 64.

[0048] A3) Data collection device 180 A3-1) Overall composition 3, the data collecting device 180 shown in FIG. 2 includes a collecting unit 240 for collecting data from each sensor. In order to update the data collection setting without interruption, the collecting unit 240 includes a first collecting unit 260 that collects data according to the current data collection setting before the update, and a second collecting unit 262 that collects data according to the new data collection setting after the update. The first collecting unit 260 assigns reception time information to the received data as an identifier (order identifier) ​​for determining the output order of the data, and also has an identification information assigning unit 264 that assigns device type information as an identifier (common collection setting identifier) ​​indicating whether the received data is included in the common collection setting. Similarly, the second collecting unit 262 has an identification information assigning unit 266 that assigns reception time information as an order identifier and device type information as a common collection setting identifier to the received data.

[0049] In the following description, data collected by the first collection unit 260 based on the current collection settings will be referred to as first collected data, and data collected by the second collection unit 262 based on the new collection settings will be referred to as second collected data.

[0050] The data collection device 180 further includes a collection processing management unit 246 that manages the data collection processing by the first collection unit 260 and the second collection unit 262 when data collection settings are set, and a switching unit 242 that switches from the output of the first collection unit 260 to the output of the second collection unit 262 so that the data is continuous and without contradictions, i.e., without any interruptions, and without any loss or change in order of data, by synchronizing the output of the first collection unit 260 and the output of the second collection unit 262 when the data collection settings are updated.

[0051] The data collection device 180 further includes a collection processing management unit 246 that manages the operation of the first collection unit 260 and the second collection unit 262 when updating the data collection settings, and a setting management unit 244 that receives instructions from the production management department 64 via the data processing management unit 188, controls each unit of the data collection device 180, manages settings related to data collection, and updates the data collection settings without interruption of the line.

[0052] The setting management unit 244 includes a setting receiving unit 284 that receives data collection settings and collection setting update instructions from the production management department 64 (FIG. 1) or the user 156 (FIG. 2), a setting storage unit 282 for storing new collection settings received by the setting receiving unit 284 and existing current collection settings, and a setting analysis unit 280 that, when updating the collection settings, analyzes the existing collection settings stored in the setting storage unit 282 and the new collection settings, and, if there are any common parts between the two, generates a common collection setting for the common parts and stores it in the setting storage unit 282. If there are no common parts between the existing collection settings and the new collection settings, the common collection setting is not created.

[0053] In another embodiment, this common collection setting may be created in the production management department 64 or the like and transmitted to the data processing device 80. In this case, the setting receiving unit 284 stores this common collection setting in the setting storage unit 282.

[0054] A plurality of new collection settings may be stored in the setting storage unit 282. In this case, the update instruction specifies which collection setting to use.

[0055] When the setting receiving unit 284 receives the update instruction, it issues an instruction to start the update to the collection processing management unit 246 and the switching unit 242. In response to this instruction, the collection processing management unit 246 starts the second collection unit 262 and causes the collection unit 240 to start processing in accordance with the update of the collection settings. In response to the update instruction, the switching unit 242 starts processing to switch the output of the first collection unit 260 and the output of the second collection unit 262 in accordance with the update of the collection settings. In this way, the analysis processing of the collection settings can be executed at any time as long as it is before the update instruction is received. As a result, there is greater flexibility in the timing of execution of the analysis processing.

[0056] A3-2) Collection settings 4 shows simple examples of data collection settings. For example, collection setting file 330 shows an example of data collection settings from a camera, and collection setting file 332 shows an example of data collection settings from a sequencer.

[0057] The collection settings define communication settings for each device, collection data settings, etc. In Fig. 4, a separate file is created for each type of device, but this disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. Collection settings may be created for each device, or collection settings for multiple types of devices may be combined into a single collection settings file.

[0058] 5 shows a specific example of creating a common collection setting file 394 from a current collection setting file 390 and a new collection setting file 392. In the example shown in FIG. 5, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that collection settings for all devices are described in one file.

[0059] 5, when the new collection setting file 392 is compared with the current collection setting file 390, the communication settings for device A are the same as those in the current collection setting file 390, but the new collection setting file 392 differs from the current collection setting file 390 in the changed portion 410. Therefore, device A is not described in the common collection setting file 394.

[0060] On the other hand, the description for device B in the new collection setting file 392 is the same as the description for device B in the current collection setting file 390. Therefore, this common part 412 is written as a common part 416 in the common collection setting file 394. Furthermore, the new part 414 of the new collection setting file 392 does not exist in the current collection setting file 390. Therefore, the new part 414 is also not written in the common collection setting file 394. The common collection setting file 394 created in this way is stored in the setting storage unit 282 shown in FIG. 3.

[0061] A3-3) Switching unit 242 Referring to Figure 6, the switching unit 242 shown in Figure 3 includes a first receive buffer 470 and a second receive buffer 478, a first input buffer 472 capable of receiving data from the first receive buffer 470, a second input buffer 476 capable of receiving data from the second receive buffer 478, and a synchronization control unit 474 for synchronizing the outputs from both buffers so that they are continuous, with regard to the collected data that corresponds to the common collection setting, out of the data collected by the first receive buffer 470 and the data collected by the second receive buffer 478.

[0062] The switching unit 242 further includes a first output buffer 480 capable of receiving data from the first receive buffer 470, a second output buffer 482 capable of receiving data from the second receive buffer 478, and a selection unit 484 that selects the first output buffer 480 until synchronization by the synchronization control unit 474 is completed, and selects the second output buffer 482 to extract and output data once synchronization by the synchronization control unit 474 is completed. The operation of each unit of the switching unit 242 will be described later.

[0063] A3-4) Program structure -Receive buffer- Referring to FIG. 7, a program for controlling first receive buffer 470 shown in FIG. 6 has the following control structure.

[0064] 7, the program that controls the first receive buffer 470 must be started before the data collection device 180 updates the collection settings. This program includes step 530 that repeatedly executes step 532.

[0065] Step 532 includes step 540 of reading the first collected data from the first receive buffer 470, and step 542 of branching the control flow depending on whether a common collection setting has been created and stored in the setting storage unit 282 shown in Fig. 3. If the determination in step 542 is positive, control proceeds to step 544. In step 544, the device type information of the first collected data assigned by the identification information assignment unit 264 of the first collection unit 260 shown in Fig. 3 is referenced.

[0066] This program further includes step 548 for branching the control flow depending on whether the first collected data is data within the common collection setting based on the processing in step 544, step 550 for storing the first collected data in the first input buffer 472 shown in Figure 6 and terminating step 532 when the determination in step 548 is positive, and step 552 for storing the first collected data in the first output buffer 480 and terminating step 532 when the determination in step 548 is negative.

[0067] If the determination at step 542 is negative, steps 544 through 550 are not executed and control passes immediately to step 552.

[0068] Fig. 8 shows the control structure of a program that controls the second receive buffer 478. The program whose control structure is shown in Fig. 8 is almost the same as the program whose control structure is shown in Fig. 7. Like the program shown in Fig. 7, this program must be started before the data collection device 180 updates the collection settings. This program includes step 570 that repeatedly executes step 572.

[0069] Step 572 includes step 580 of reading the second collected data from the second receive buffer 478, and step 582 of branching the control flow depending on whether a common collection setting has been created and stored in the setting storage unit 282 shown in Fig. 3. If the determination in step 548 is positive, control proceeds to step 584. In step 584, the device type information of the first collected data assigned by the identification information assignment unit 266 of the second collection unit 262 shown in Fig. 3 is referenced.

[0070] This program further includes step 588, which branches the control flow depending on whether the second collected data is data within the common collection setting based on the processing in step 584; step 590, which stores the second collected data in the second input buffer 476 shown in FIG. 6 and terminates step 572 when the determination in step 588 is positive; and step 582, which stores the second collected data in the second output buffer 482 and terminates step 572 when the determination in step 588 is negative.

[0071] However, in the case of the second receive buffer 478, if the determination in step 582 is negative, a switching instruction is output to the selection unit 484 shown in FIG. 6 in step 586. As a result, the output target is changed from the first collected data to the second collected data. The fact that a common collection setting has not been created means that the new collection setting and the current collection setting have nothing in common, and there is no need to synchronize the two. After this, control proceeds to step 592.

[0072] -Synchronization control section 474- 9, the program for realizing the function of the synchronization control unit 474 includes step 610 for branching the control flow depending on whether or not the first collected data is present in the first input buffer 472, and step 612 for reading the first collected data from the first input buffer 472 when the determination in step 610 is affirmative, substituting collection time information into a variable RT1 based on the ordinal identifier of the first collected data, and substituting the time difference between the value of the variable RT1 and the value of the previous variable RT1 into a variable ΔRT1. The variable ΔRT1 is used to represent the reception interval of the first collected data, and the value of the variable ΔRT1 may also be a statistically representative value representing the latest estimate of the reception interval of the first collected data, such as the average value of the most recent differences of multiple variables RT1.

[0073] This program further includes step 614, which branches the control flow depending on whether or not second collected data is present in the second input buffer 476; step 618, which reads the second collected data from the second input buffer 476 and assigns collection time information of the second collected data to variable RT2 when the determination in step 614 is affirmative; and step 620, which follows step 618 and executes synchronization processing between the first collected data and the second collected data, thereby terminating execution of this program.

[0074] If the determination at step 610 is negative, and if the determination at step 614 is negative, execution of this program immediately terminates.

[0075] 10, the program for realizing the synchronization control in step 620 in FIG. 9 includes step 670, which branches the control flow depending on whether the absolute value of the difference between the value of variable RT2 and the value of variable RT1 is greater than variable ΔRT1. If the determination in step 670 is affirmative, there is a difference between the reception time of the first collected data and the reception time of the second collected data that is greater than the normal reception interval of the first collected data. On the other hand, if the determination in step 670 is negative, the difference between the two is equal to or less than the normal reception interval of the first collected data. Therefore, in this case, synchronization is considered to be complete. In this embodiment, different processing is performed depending on these two cases.

[0076] This program further includes step 672, in which, when the determination in step 670 is affirmative, the value of variable RT1 is subtracted from the value of variable RT2, and the control flow branches depending on whether the result is greater than the value of variable ΔRT1. If the determination in step 672 is affirmative, the second collected data is slower than the first collected data, and the difference is greater than the normal reception interval of the first collected data. If the determination in step 672 is negative, the relationship is reversed, and the second collected data is faster than the first collected data, and the difference is greater than the reception interval of the first collected data. In this embodiment, synchronization control is performed by further distinguishing between these two cases.

[0077] This program further includes a step 674 for storing the first collected data in the first output buffer 480 shown in FIG. 6 when the determination in step 672 is affirmative, a step 676 for reading the first collected data from the first input buffer 472 shown in FIG. 6, a step 678 for substituting the collection time information of the first collected data read in step 676 into a variable RT1, and a step 680 for substituting the time difference between the variable RT1 and the previous variable RT1 into a variable ΔRT1, and returning control to step 670.

[0078] This program further includes, when the determination in step 672 is negative, step 682 of storing the second collected data in the second output buffer 482 shown in FIG. 6, step 684 of reading the second collected data from the second input buffer 476, and step 686 of substituting the collection time information of the second collected data read in step 684 into variable RT2 and returning control to step 670.

[0079] 6 when the determination in step 670 is negative, step 690 stores the first collected data in the first output buffer 480, and step 692 stores the second collected data in the second output buffer 482 and terminates execution of this program. By outputting the switch instruction in step 688, the data to be output in the selection unit 484 is switched from the first collected data to the second collected data.

[0080] -Selection Section 484- Figures 11 to 13 show the control structure of a program that realizes the function of selection unit 484 shown in Figure 6. Referring to Figure 11, this program includes step 750 that branches the control flow depending on whether the output target is the first collected data or not, step 752 that executes a first read process and terminates execution of this program when the determination in step 750 is affirmative, and step 754 that executes a second read process and terminates execution of this program when the determination in step 750 is negative.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 12, the program for realizing the first read process executed in step 752 includes step 810 for comparing the collection times RT1 and RT2 of the first collected data stored in the first output buffer 480 and the second collected data stored in the second output buffer 482, and step 812 for branching the flow of control depending on whether the collection time RT2 is greater than the collection time RT1.

[0082] This program further includes step 814, in which, when the determination in step 812 is positive, the first collected data is read from the first output buffer 480, output from the selection unit 484, and terminates execution of this program; and step 816, in which, when the determination in step 812 is negative, the control flow branches depending on whether a switching instruction has been received from the synchronization control unit 474 or the second receiving buffer 478.

[0083] This program further includes step 818, in which if the determination in step 816 is positive, the output target is switched from the first collected data to the second collected data and execution of this program is terminated, and step 820, in which if the determination in step 816 is negative, the second collected data is read from the second output buffer 482, discarded, and execution of this program is terminated.

[0084] 13, the program for realizing the second read processing in step 754 shown in FIG. 11 includes step 870 for comparing collection time information of the first collected data stored in the first output buffer 480 shown in FIG. 6 with that of the second collected data stored in the second output buffer 482, and step 872 for branching the control flow depending on whether the collection time of the first collected data is later than the collection time of the second collected data based on the comparison in step 870.

[0085] This program further includes step 874, in which, when the determination in step 872 is positive, the second collected data is read from the second output buffer 482, output from the selection unit 484, and execution of this program is terminated; and step 876, in which, when the determination in step 872 is negative, the first collected data is read from the first output buffer 480, output from the selection unit 484, and execution of this program is terminated.

[0086] B. Operation The data processing device 80 having the above configuration operates as follows.

[0087] B1) Download new collection settings When updating the current collection settings with new collection settings, for example, the production management department 64 shown in FIG. 1 creates a file of the new collection settings and transmits the file to the data processing device 80 via the network 62. Upon receiving the file of the new collection settings, the data processing device 80 passes the file to the data collection device 180 via the data processing management unit 188. In the data collection device 180 shown in FIG. 3, the setting receiving unit 284 receives the file of the new collection settings and stores it in the setting storage unit 282.

[0088] The setting analysis unit 280 analyzes the current collection settings stored in the setting storage unit 282 and the newly saved new collection settings, creates a common collection settings file for the common parts, and saves it in the setting storage unit 282. Creation of the common collection settings file by the setting analysis unit 280 may be triggered by the saving of a new collection settings file in the setting storage unit 282, or may be triggered by the data collection device 180 receiving an instruction to update the collection settings.

[0089] B2) Initiating update of collection settings After the new collection setting file is saved in the setting storage unit 282 shown in Fig. 3, an update instruction specifying the new collection setting file to be updated is given to the data processing device 80 from the production management department 64 shown in Fig. 1 or from the user 156 shown in Fig. 2. The data processing management unit 188 of the data processing device 80 gives this instruction to the data collection device 180. The setting reception unit 284 of the data collection device 180 shown in Fig. 3 receives this update instruction and causes the collection processing management unit 246 and the switching unit 242 to start the collection setting update process. As described above, the reception of the update instruction may be triggered to start the analysis of the collection setting by the setting analysis unit 280. However, here, it is assumed that the analysis of the collection setting by the setting analysis unit 280 and the creation of a common collection setting file are performed at the time the new collection setting is saved in the setting storage unit 282.

[0090] B3) Updating collection settings When the collection processing manager 246 receives an update instruction from the setting receiver 284, it starts the second collection unit 262. The following processing is executed for each piece of received data.

[0091] In this case, the following cases can be distinguished:

[0092] (1) Common collection settings have not been created The process of FIG. 7 is performed for each of the first receive buffer 470 and the second receive buffer 478. That is, steps 540 and 542 shown in FIG. 7 are performed for the first receive buffer 470, and steps 580 and 582 shown in FIG. 8 are performed for the second input buffer 476. Because a common collection setting has not been created, the determinations of steps 542 and 582 are negative. As a result, step 552 is performed for the first receive buffer 470. That is, the first collected data is stored in the first output buffer 480. On the other hand, because there is no common collection setting for the second input buffer 476 and synchronization is not necessary, a switching instruction is output to the selector 484 in step 586. Following step 582, in step 592, the second collected data is stored in the second output buffer 482.

[0093] The synchronization control unit 474 executes the process shown in Fig. 9. Neither step 550 in Fig. 7 nor step 590 in Fig. 8 is executed. Therefore, the determination in step 610 in Fig. 9 is negative, and steps 612, 618, and 620 are not executed.

[0094] The selection unit 484 executes the processes shown in Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. If the reception time of the first collected data is earlier, the selection unit 484 outputs the first collected data stored in the first output buffer 480. In other cases, since a switching instruction has been issued, the determination in step 816 is affirmative, and the selection unit 484 switches the output target to the second collected data.

[0095] (2) The common collection setting has been created and the collected data is outside the common collection setting. 7 and 8, steps 540, 542, 544, and 548 in Fig. 7 and steps 580, 582, 584, and 588 in Fig. 8 are executed for the first collected data and the second collected data, respectively. The determinations in steps 548 and 580 are negative. As a result, steps 550 and 590 are not executed, and the first collected data and the second collected data are stored in the first output buffer 480 and the second output buffer 482, respectively, in steps 552 and 592. Note that step 586 is not executed for the second collected data.

[0096] The synchronization control unit 474 executes the processing shown in Fig. 9. In this case, neither step 550 in Fig. 7 nor step 590 in Fig. 8 is executed, so the determination in step 610 is negative. The synchronization control unit 474 does not perform any processing.

[0097] The selection unit 484 executes the process shown in Fig. 11. Referring to Fig. 11, the selection unit 484 executes step 752 because the collection setting has not yet been switched.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 12, if the determination in step 812 is affirmative, the selection unit 484 outputs the data stored in the first output buffer 480 in step 814 .

[0099] If the determination in step 812 is negative, a determination is made in step 816. The determination in step 816 is negative, so in step 820 the data stored in the second output buffer 482 is discarded.

[0100] (3) The common collection settings have been created and the collected data is in the common collection settings. 7 and 8 are performed on the first receive buffer 470 and the second receive buffer 478, respectively. In this situation, the processes of steps 540, 542, 544, 548, 550, and 552 shown in Fig. 7 are performed for the first received data, and the processes of steps 580, 582, 584, 588, 590, and 592 are performed for the second received data. As a result, the first collected data is stored in the first input buffer 472, and the second collected data is stored in the second input buffer 476, respectively.

[0101] The synchronization control unit 474 executes the process shown in Fig. 9. The determination in step 610 becomes positive, and the process in step 612 is executed. The determination in step 614 also becomes positive, and the process in step 618 is executed. As a result, the variables RT1 and RT2, and the variable ΔRT1 are assigned their respective values. Thereafter, the synchronization process shown in Fig. 10 is executed.

[0102] 10 , if the determination in step 670 is affirmative and the determination in step 672 is also affirmative, steps 674 to 680 are executed. As a result, if the reception time of the second collected data received by the second collection unit 262 is delayed from the reception time of the first collected data by more than the normal reception interval, the first collected data is stored in the first output buffer 480. If the determination in step 670 is affirmative and the determination in step 672 is negative, the second collected data is stored in the second output buffer 482.

[0103] If the determination in step 670 is negative, it means that the collection times of the first collected data and the second collected data were both received within the normal reception interval of the first collected data. Therefore, it is considered that synchronization is almost complete, and the synchronization control unit 474 outputs a switching instruction to the selection unit 484 in step 688. The synchronization control unit 474 further stores the first collected data in the first output buffer 480 and the second collected data in the second output buffer 482 in steps 690 and 692, respectively.

[0104] The selection unit 484 executes the processes of Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. Referring to Fig. 11, if switching between the first collection unit and the second collection unit has not yet been performed, step 752 is executed. Referring to Fig. 12, if the collection time of the first collected data is earlier than the collection time of the second collected data, the determination in step 812 is affirmative and step 814 is executed. If the determination in step 812 is negative, it is determined in step 816 whether a switching instruction has been received. If a switching instruction has been received, the output target is switched to the second collected data (step 818). If a switching instruction has not yet been received, the second collected data is discarded from the second output buffer 482.

[0105] In this way, if the second received data is delayed from the first received data by more than the normal reception interval, the second received data is discarded. If the reception time of the second received data becomes shorter than the normal reception interval from the reception interval of the first received data, synchronization is considered to be complete and switching is performed from the first collection unit 260 to the second collection unit 262.

[0106] B4) Switching of data processing unit In this embodiment, data processing for the first collected data is performed by the first data processing unit 182, and data processing for the second collected data is performed by the second data processing unit 184. Since it is known whether the data output from the data collection device 180 is the first collected data or the second collected data, it is possible to switch between the processing of the first data processing unit 182 and the processing of the second data processing unit 184 as follows.

[0107] The data collected by the current collection settings is processed by a first data processing unit 182. A branch input unit 185 inputs the output of the data collection device 180 to the first data processing unit 182. A switching / transmission unit 186 selects the output of the first data processing unit 182 and transmits it to the production management department 64.

[0108] When the update of the collection settings is started in the data collection device 180, the second data processing unit 184 is activated. If the output of the data collection device 180 is the first collected data, the branch input unit 185 passes the data to the first data processing unit 182, and if the output is the second collected data, it passes the data to the second data processing unit 184. At this time, the branch input unit 185 assigns a sequence number to each piece of data. When the first data processing unit 182 and the second data processing unit 184 receive data from the branch input unit 185, they each perform predetermined data processing on the data and store the results in their respective internal receive buffers. The switching / transmission unit 186 selects the output of the first data processing unit 182 and the second data processing unit 184 so that the sequence numbers assigned to the data present at the top of the output buffers of the first data processing unit 182 and the second data processing unit 184 are in the correct order, and transmits the selected output to the production management department 64.

[0109] When a switching signal indicating completion of the update is output inside the data collection device 180, the branch input unit 185 and the switching / transmission unit 186 switch the connection so that only the second data processing unit 184 operates. The first data processing unit 182 stops. Thereafter, the second data processing unit 184 performs predetermined data processing on the output of the data collection device 180.

[0110] 2. Computer implementation FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MCU 930, which is a computer that realizes the data collection device 180 in the above embodiment.

[0111] 14, the MCU 930 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 942 which is a processor, a high-speed bus 940 to which the MPU 942 is connected, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 944 connected to the high-speed bus 940, a flash memory 946 connected to the high-speed bus 940, and a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 948 connected to the high-speed bus 940. The SRAM 944 holds data necessary for executing programs, etc. The flash memory 946 stores a program 966 for implementing each function realized by the data collecting device 180. The ROM 948 stores a boot-up program for the MPU 942, a current collection setting file, a new collection setting file, a common collection setting file, etc.

[0112] The first receiving buffer 470, the first input buffer 472, the second input buffer 476, the second receiving buffer 478, the first output buffer 480, and the second output buffer 482 described above are realized by the SRAM 944.

[0113] The MCU further includes a low-speed bus 950 connected to the high-speed bus 940 via a bridge 952, a serial I / F (Interface) 954, an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) 956, a timer / counter 958, a clock generator 960, a power supply control unit 962, and a general-purpose I / F 964, all of which are connected to the low-speed bus 950.

[0114] The operation of the MCU is well known, and since what is meaningful in the embodiment is the function of the program it executes, the operation of the MCU itself will not be described below.

[0115] As described above, according to this disclosure, the collection setting is divided into a common portion and the rest, a common collection setting is created, and synchronization processing is performed on data collected from devices described in this common collection setting. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. Instead of the common collection setting, a non-common collection setting for the non-common portion may be created. In this case, synchronization processing is performed on data collected from devices other than those described in the non-common collection setting.

[0116] Furthermore, instead of creating an independent common collection setting file 394, the current collection setting file 390 and the new collection setting file 392 may be rewritten so as to distinguish between common parts and other parts.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the new collection setting file 392 is stored in the setting storage unit 282, the setting analysis unit 280 starts analyzing the current collection setting file 390 and the new collection setting file 392. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the setting analysis unit 280 may analyze the collection setting file in response to an instruction to update the collection setting. In this case, it is desirable to start the second collection unit 262 after the analysis is completed and the common collection setting file 394 is created.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the setting analysis unit 280 creates the common collection setting file 394. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the common collection setting file 394 may be created in a department that understands the old and new collection settings, such as the production management department 64, and transmitted to the data processing device 80 together with the new collection setting file 392. In this case, the setting analysis unit 280 shown in FIG. 3 is not necessary.

[0119] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is not defined by the detailed description of the disclosure, but by the claims of the appended claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 50 Data Management System 60 Factory Division 62 Network 64 Production Management Department 80 Data processing device 82 Line 84 Inspection Camera 86 Equipment 88 Sequencer 156 users 180 Data Collection Device 182 First Data Processing Section 184 Second Data Processing Section 185 Branch input section 186 Switching / Transmitting Unit 188 Data Processing Management Department 190, 192 Communication interface 240 Collection Department 242 Switching section 244 Settings Management Department 246 Collection and Processing Management Department 260 First Collection Department 262 Collection Department No. 2 264, 266 Identification information assignment unit 280 Setting analysis section 282 Setting memory unit 284 Setting receiver 330, 332 Collection configuration file 390 Current collection setting file 392 New collection settings file 394 Common collection configuration file 410 Changes 412, 416 common parts 414 New Part 470 First receive buffer 472 First Input Buffer 474 Synchronous control section 476 Second Input Buffer 478 Second Receive Buffer 480 1st Output Buffer 482 Second Output Buffer 484 Selection Section 930 MCU 940 Express Bus 942 MPU 944 SRAM 946 Flash Memory 948 ROM 950 Slow Bus 952 Bridge 954 Serial I / F 956 ADC 958 Timer Counter 960 Clock Generator 962 Power supply control unit 964 General-purpose I / F 966 Programs

Claims

1. a setting management unit that manages settings related to data collection; a collection unit including a first collection unit that collects data according to a first setting and a second collection unit that collects data according to a second setting; a switching unit that, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, distinguishes between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part that is a part other than the common part, and switches without interruption from data collection by the first collection unit to data collection by the second collection unit using the second setting.

2. The setting management unit a setting storage unit that stores the setting related to the collection of the data; a setting receiving unit that receives at least the second setting and stores it in the setting storage unit; 2. The data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a setting analysis unit that analyzes the first setting and the second setting, extracts common parts of the first setting and the second setting, creates a common collection setting, and stores the common collection setting in the setting storage unit.

3. The data collection device according to claim 2 , wherein the setting analysis unit is activated in response to the setting storage unit storing the second setting.

4. The data collection device according to claim 2 , wherein the setting analysis unit is activated in response to an instruction to update the setting.

5. 5. The data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising a collection processing management unit that starts the second collection unit in response to an instruction to update the settings.

6. The switching unit is a classification unit that classifies the data collected by the first collection unit and the second collection unit into data designated by the common portion and data designated by the non-common portion; an uncommon part switching control unit that switches collection of the data separated by the separation unit into data specified by the uncommon part from the first collection unit to the second collection unit in response to the update instruction; 5. The data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a synchronization control unit that, in response to the update instruction, switches over without interruption from collection by the first collection unit to collection by the second collection unit while synchronizing collection of data separated by the separation unit into data specified by the common part between the first collection unit and the second collection unit.

7. the first collection unit and the second collection unit include a first identification information assigning unit and a second identification information assigning unit, respectively, that assign identification information that enables an output order to be identified to the collected data; The switching unit is a classification unit that, after activation of the second collection unit, classifies the data collected by the first collection unit and the data collected by the second collection unit into data designated by the common portion and data designated by the non-common portion; a synchronization control unit that synchronizes the data collected by the first collection unit and the data collected by the second collection unit using the identification information assigned to each piece of data specified by the common part by the classification unit, and switches from the data collected by the first collection unit to the data collected by the second collection unit without interruption; 5. The data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising: an immediate switching unit that selects data collected by the first collection unit before the second collection unit is started, and switches to data collected by the second collection unit after the second collection unit is started, for data specified by the non-common part by the sorting unit.

8. The data collection device according to claim 7 , wherein the identification information includes time information indicating a time when the first collection unit or the second collection unit collected the data.

9. The data collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a data processing unit that performs predetermined data processing on the output of the data collecting device.

10. a first collection step in which the computer collects data according to a first setting; a second collection step in which the computer collects data according to the second setting; a switching step in which, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, a computer distinguishes between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part that is a part other than the common part, and switches from collecting data by the first collection step to collecting data by the second setting by the second collection step without interruption.

11. On the computer, a first collecting step of collecting data according to a first setting; a second collecting step of collecting data according to a second setting; a switching step for, in response to an instruction to update the setting from the first setting to the second setting, distinguishing between a common part of the first setting and the second setting and a non-common part that is a part other than the common part, and switching from collecting data by the first collection step to collecting data by the second setting by the second collection step without interruption.

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