Information processing system, method, and program

Abstract

An information processing system (100) comprises: a remote unit (2) that controls a target device; and a master station (3) that manages the remote unit (2). The remote unit (2) comprises: a buffer memory (25) that includes information pertaining to the device; and a fixed-cycle transmission function unit (23) that allocates, to a fixed address, data of information pertaining to the device included in a specific address of the buffer memory (25), in cyclic data for cyclic transmission that transmits data stored in a predetermined fixed address in a fixed cycle, and transmits the data to the master station (3) in a fixed cycle.

Description

Information processing system, method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a method, and a program.

[0002] PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), which are primarily used to control equipment in factories, are often divided into a remote unit that directly controls the equipment and a master station that manages and operates the remote unit. In particular, by placing a remote unit in a remote factory and connecting it to the master station via a communication network, the master station can control the equipment in the remote factory.

[0003] Communication methods between a master station and a remote unit include cyclic transmission, which communicates periodically, and transient transmission, which communicates whenever necessary. In cyclic transmission, cyclic data for transmission is sent and received between the master station and the remote unit at regular intervals. The cyclic data, including the content, size, and format of data written to each address, is predetermined by the product specifications of the master station and the remote unit. For example, if the remote unit needs to periodically monitor a specific address in its buffer memory, which contains information such as the operating status, error history, and status information of the controlled device, it can read and write data that conforms to the cyclic data specifications to a predetermined fixed address for storing the relevant data. However, data that does not conform to the cyclic data specifications cannot be read or written because the relevant data is not included in the cyclic data. Cyclic transmission offers good accessibility because it automatically communicates periodically, but response performance deteriorates as the number of data points sent and received increases.

[0004] Therefore, when cyclic transmission is difficult, it is possible to use transient transmission to periodically monitor specific addresses in the buffer memory of the remote unit. However, transient transmission requires creating a control program that specifies the address, data size, etc. for each piece of data to be read or written. This requires a lot of work for the user to create the control program. Furthermore, as the control program becomes longer and more complicated, it becomes difficult for the user to read. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for communicating information such as data and status managed by a specific PLC without the intervention of a user program.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-301886

[0006] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, data to be transmitted is generated each time from multiple types of original data groups in accordance with a set copy method. Therefore, in order to generate data to be transmitted, a copy method must be set in advance to obtain the necessary data from multiple types of data groups. However, when the number of data points to be added to the data to be transmitted is changed, the copy method must be reset each time, which makes the user's work complicated. Furthermore, when a large number of data points are added to the data to be transmitted, setting the copy method requires a lot of work by the user.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing system, method, and program that can easily access a specific buffer memory of a remote unit.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to the present disclosure includes a remote unit that controls a target device and a master station that manages the remote unit. The remote unit includes a buffer memory that stores information about the device, and a fixed-period transmission function unit that allocates device-related data stored at a specific address in the buffer memory to a fixed address in cyclic data for cyclic transmission that transmits data stored at a predetermined fixed address at a fixed period, and transmits the data to the master station at a fixed period.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an information processing system can be provided that can easily access a specific buffer memory of a remote unit by assigning only an arbitrary address in the buffer memory to the address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a remote unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a master station according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a data transmission / reception method according to the first embodiment;

[0011] First Embodiment An information processing system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] The information processing system 100 is a system in which the master station, which is responsible for managing and operating the remote unit, can easily access a specific buffer memory of the remote unit by assigning any address of the buffer memory of the remote unit, which is directly responsible for controlling the device, to the address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an overview of an information processing system 100. The information processing system 100 includes an information processing device 1 for creating various programs and data, a remote unit 2 that controls the device, and a master station 3 that manages and operates the remote unit 2. The remote unit 2 and the master station 3 are PLCs. The remote unit 2 includes n PLCs, namely, a first remote unit 2a, a second remote unit 2b, ..., an nth remote unit 2n, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. The first remote unit 2a, the second remote unit 2b, ..., the nth remote unit 2n are collectively referred to as remote units 2.

[0014] The information processing device 1 is a device that operates an engineering tool that generates various parameters and programs used in controlling the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. The information processing device 1 uses the engineering tool to create a control program 321 used in transient transmission, which is irregular communication between the remote unit 2 and the master station 3, as described below, and setting parameters 121 for performing cyclic transmission, which is periodic communication. The information processing device 1 also includes a display unit 13, as described below, and can present the results of processing executed between the remote unit 2 and the master station 3 to the user.

[0015] The information processing device 1 is connected to a master station 3, and is connected to a remote unit 2 via the master station 3. The remote unit 2 controls a target device in response to an instruction signal from the master station 3. The master station 3 accesses a specific buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 using a control program 321 and setting parameters 121 created by the information processing device 1. The master station 3 also transmits various data received from the information processing device 1 to the remote unit 2.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 100. The information processing device 1 includes an operation input unit 11 that accepts user input, an information storage unit 12 that stores various programs and data, a display unit 13 that displays various data, a communication processing unit 14 that communicates with the master station 3, and a processing unit 15 that executes various programs.

[0017] The operation input unit 11 accepts various data and instructions input by a user. The information storage unit 12 stores a control program 321 for communication between the remote unit 2 and the master station 3 (described later), an engineering tool for creating setting parameters 121, and various data accepted by the operation input unit 11. The display unit 13 displays the control program 321, the engineering tool for creating setting parameters 121, and various data accepted by the operation input unit 11. The display unit 13 also displays the results of processing executed between the remote unit 2 and the master station 3.

[0018] The communication processing unit 14 communicates various data with the master station 3. The processing unit 15 executes various processes in response to instructions from a user received by the operation input unit 11. The processing unit 15 also executes engineering tools stored in the information storage unit 12 to create a control program 321 and setting parameters 121.

[0019] The remote unit 2 includes a remote communication unit 21 that communicates with the master station 3, a parameter setting unit 22 that sets setting parameters 121, a fixed-period transmission function unit 23 that performs cyclic transmission, an irregular transmission function unit 24 that performs transient transmission, a buffer memory 25 that contains information about the device to be controlled, and a unit information management unit 26 that manages the information about the remote unit 2 stored in the buffer memory 25. The remote communication unit 21 connects to the master station 3 and communicates various data. Note that if the remote unit 2 is the first remote unit 2a, it connects to the second remote unit 2b. The parameter setting unit 22 assigns cyclic data addresses to addresses in the buffer memory 25 that are the target of cyclic transmission in accordance with the setting parameters 121. The setting parameters 121 are obtained from the information processing device 1 via the master station 3. Details of the setting parameters 121 will be described later.

[0020] The fixed-period transmission function unit 23 performs cyclic transmission to send and receive cyclic data for transmission with the master station 3 at fixed intervals, and reads or writes data from or to each address in the buffer memory 25. The non-periodic transmission function unit 24 performs transient transmission with the master station 3 at irregular intervals, and reads or writes data from or to any address in the buffer memory 25.

[0021] The buffer memory 25 stores the operating state, error history, status information, etc. of the device to be controlled. The buffer memory 25 also stores the internal state, status information, etc. of the remote unit 2. The unit information management unit 26 manages various information such as the internal state and status information of the remote unit 2 stored in the buffer memory 25. In detail, the unit information management unit 26 receives the operating state, error history, status information, etc. of the device to be controlled as needed and stores it in the buffer memory 25. The unit information management unit 26 also receives various information such as the internal state, status information, etc. of the remote unit 2 as needed and stores it in the buffer memory 25.

[0022] The master station 3 includes a communication processing unit 31 that communicates with the information processing device 1, a CPU unit 32 that executes various processes, and a master unit 33 that communicates with the remote unit 2. The communication processing unit 31 communicates various data with the information processing device 1. The communication processing unit 31 acquires the setting parameters 121, the control program 321, various data, etc. stored in the information storage unit 12 from the information processing device 1. The communication processing unit 31 also transmits the results of processing with the remote unit 2 and various data, etc. to the information processing device 1.

[0023] The CPU unit 32 executes various processes executed in the master station 3. The CPU unit 32 also executes a control program 321 acquired by the communication processing unit 31 from the information storage unit 12 of the information processing device 1. As a result, the CPU unit 32 executes transient communication with the remote unit 2 using an aperiodic transmission function unit 332 of the master unit 33. The master unit 33 includes a fixed-period transmission function unit 331 that executes cyclic transmission, an aperiodic transmission function unit 332 that executes transient transmission, and a master communication unit 333 that communicates with the remote unit 2.

[0024] The fixed-period transmission function unit 331 performs cyclic transmission to send and receive cyclic data for transmission at fixed intervals with the remote unit 2. As a result, the fixed-period transmission function unit 331 reads or writes data from fixed addresses in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, which are predetermined by the product specifications of the master station 3 and the remote unit 2. The non-periodic transmission function unit 332 performs transient transmission at irregular intervals with the remote unit 2 in accordance with the control program 321, and reads or writes data from any address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, which is set in the control program 321. The master communication unit 333 connects to the remote unit 2 and communicates various types of data.

[0025] The functions executed by the information processing device 1, the remote unit 2, and the master station 3 described above are functions realized by software. An example of a hardware configuration for executing a software program that realizes each function is shown in Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1.

[0026] The information processing device 1 includes a storage device 401 that stores various programs and various data, a communication device 402 for communicating with the master station 3, an input device 403 that accepts input of various data, a display device 404 that displays various data, a display controller 405 that generates display data to be displayed on the display device 404, a memory 406 for expanding the various programs, and a processor 407 that executes the various programs. The storage device 401, communication device 402, input device 403, display controller 405, memory 406, and processor 407 are connected to each other via a data bus 408.

[0027] The storage device 401 stores various programs executed by the processor 407 and display data such as images and characters to be displayed on the display device 404. The storage device 401 can be configured using a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 401 also functions as the information storage unit 12 of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] The communication device 402 is a device that can transmit and receive various data and the control program 321 to and from the master station 3. The communication device 402 can be configured using various ports that can transmit and receive data between devices, such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) port, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, an IEEE 1394 port, etc. The communication device 402 functions as the communication processing unit 14 of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2.

[0029] The input device 403 is an input unit through which the user inputs various data and instructions. The input device 403 can be configured using, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input device 403 functions as the operation input unit 11 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2. The display device 404 displays various data input by the user from the operation input unit 11 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 and various screens displayed in response to instructions from the processing unit 15.

[0030] The display device 404 can be configured using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electroluminescence) monitor, or the like. The display controller 405 is a controller that outputs a video signal to the display device 404 to display display data including characters and images. The display controller 405 can be configured using, for example, a video signal output device such as a video card, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a graphics board. The display device 404 and the display controller 405 function as the display unit 13 of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2 .

[0031] The memory 406 is a device for expanding the various programs stored in the storage device 401. The memory 406 can be configured using, for example, a storage element and a storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM) or a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The processor 407 reads the various programs stored in the storage device 401, expands them in the memory 406, and executes them. The processor 407 can be configured using, for example, a processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-processing unit (MPU).

[0032] 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the remote unit 2. Here, the first remote unit 2a of the remote units 2 will be described as an example. The first remote unit 2a includes a communication device 411 that connects to the master station 3 and the second remote unit 2b, a storage device 412 that stores various programs and various data, a memory 413 for expanding the various programs, and a processor 414 that executes the various programs. The communication device 411, the storage device 412, the memory 413, and the processor 414 are interconnected via a data bus 415.

[0033] The communication device 411 is a device that can connect to the master station 3 and the second remote unit 2b and transmit and receive various data. The first remote unit 2a may be located in the same factory as the master station 3 and the second remote unit 2b, or in a factory remote from the master station 3 and the second remote unit 2b. Therefore, the communication device 411 is preferably a device that can connect not only to communications within the same factory but also to the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or the like, which allows communication with remote locations. The communication device 411 can be configured using various ports that allow data transmission and reception between devices, such as a wired or wireless LAN port, a USB port, or an IEEE 1394 port. The communication device 411 functions as the remote communication unit 21 of the remote unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 .

[0034] The storage device 412 is a device that stores various data and various programs. The storage device 412 can be configured using a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage device 412 functions as the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] The memory 413 is a device for expanding the various programs stored in the storage device 412. The memory 413 can be configured using a storage element and a storage medium, such as a RAM, a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, etc.

[0036] The processor 414 reads out various programs stored in the storage device 412, loads them into the memory 413, and executes them. The processor 414 can be configured using a processing device such as a CPU or an MPU, for example.

[0037] 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the master station 3. The master station 3 includes a communication device 421 that connects to the information processing device 1 and the remote unit 2, a storage device 422 that stores various programs and various data, a memory 423 for expanding the various programs, and a processor 424 that executes the various programs. The communication device 421, the storage device 422, the memory 423, and the processor 424 are connected to each other via a data bus 425.

[0038] The communication device 421 is a device that can connect to the information processing device 1 and the remote unit 2 and transmit and receive various data. The master station 3 may be located in the same factory as the information processing device 1 and the remote unit 2, or in a factory remote from the information processing device 1 and the remote unit 2. Therefore, the communication device 421 is preferably a device that can connect to the Internet, WAN, etc., to enable communication not only within the same factory but also with remote locations. The communication device 421 can be configured using various ports that enable data transmission and reception between devices, such as a wired or wireless LAN port, a USB port, or an IEEE 1394 port. The communication device 421 functions as the communication processing unit 31 of the master station 3 and the master communication unit 333 of the master unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 .

[0039] The storage device 422 is a device that stores various data and various programs. The storage device 422 can be configured using a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory 423 is a device for expanding the various programs stored in the storage device 412. The memory 423 can be configured using a storage element and a storage medium such as a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a flash memory.

[0040] The processor 424 reads out various programs stored in the storage device 412, loads them into the memory 423, and executes them. The processor 424 can be configured using a processing device such as a CPU or an MPU, for example.

[0041] Next, a method of transmitting and receiving data between the remote unit 2 and the master station 3 in this embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. The master station 3 shown in Fig. 6 performs cyclic transmission and transient transmission with the first remote unit 2a and the second remote unit 2b. In cyclic transmission, the master station 3 periodically reads or writes data from a predetermined fixed address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2. In transient transmission, the master station 3 irregularly reads or writes data from an address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 set in the control program 321. First, transient transmission, which is irregular transmission, will be described.

[0042] Here, addresses 3020H and 2000H in the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a are targeted for irregular transmission. In this case, the user uses an engineering tool on the information processing device 1 to create a control program 321 that sets a processing command and the address of the buffer memory 25 to be processed. A control program 321 is created for each remote unit 2 to be targeted for irregular transmission. The control program 321 shown in FIG. 6 includes, for example, a processing command (an instruction word for executing the target process) of "request," an address "3020H" in the buffer memory 25 to be processed, and write control data "xx●." When the master station 3 executes the control program 321, the master station 3 writes the write control data "xx●" to address 3020H in the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a.

[0043] Furthermore, for example, a processing command "response" and an address "2000H" of the buffer memory 25 to be processed are set in the control program 321. When the master station 3 executes the control program 321, the master station 3 reads the data "EFG" stored at address "2000H" of the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a.

[0044] Next, cyclic transmission, which is a fixed-period transmission, will be described. In cyclic transmission, data is transmitted by sending and receiving cyclic data for transmission between the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. The data to be stored at each address in the cyclic data is predetermined by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. Therefore, the master station 3 cannot, as is, periodically acquire data from any address in the buffer memory 25. Therefore, in this first embodiment, any address in the buffer memory 25 is assigned to the address of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission. This makes it possible to periodically read data from the buffer memories 25 of the first remote unit 2a and the second remote unit 2b without using the control program 321.

[0045] First, a procedure will be described in which the master station 3 reads data from an arbitrary address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2. For example, in Fig. 6, address 1000H in the buffer memory 25 of each of the first remote unit 2a and the second remote unit 2b, from which the master station 3 periodically reads data, is indicated by a dotted line frame. The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the first remote unit 2a assigns address "1000H" in the buffer memory 25 to address "RWr10" of cyclic data for cyclic transmission.

[0046] The allocation by the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 is performed based on the relationship between the address and the allocation destination set in the setting parameter 121 held by the parameter setting unit 22 of the first remote unit 2a shown in Fig. 2. The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the first remote unit 2a sets the data "ABC" at address "1000H" in the buffer memory 25 as data for the allocated address "RWr10." The master station 3 acquires the data "ABC" from the buffer memory 25 set at address "RWr10" of the cyclic data by the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33.

[0047] Similarly, the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the second remote unit 2b assigns address "1000H" in the buffer memory 25 to address "RWr20" of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission. The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the second remote unit 2b sets data "HIJ" in the buffer memory 25 as data for the assigned address "RWr20." The master station 3 acquires the data "HIJ" from the buffer memory 25 that has been set to address "RWr20" of the cyclic data by the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33.

[0048] Next, we will explain the procedure by which the master station 3 reads data from any address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2. For example, in Figure 6, among the buffer memories 25 of the first remote unit 2a and the second remote unit 2b, address 1020H, to which the master station 3 periodically writes data, is indicated by a dashed line frame.

[0049] First, when the master station 3 writes the control data "○×" to the first remote unit 2a, the master station 3 writes the control data "○×" into the transmission cyclic data using the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 and transmits it to the first remote unit 2a. At this time, the address of the transmission cyclic data into which the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 writes the control data "○×" is an address determined in advance by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. Therefore, the master station 3 is not aware of which address in the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a is assigned to the address of the transmission cyclic data into which the control data "○×" has been written.

[0050] When the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the first remote unit 2a receives cyclic data from the master station 3, it stores the data at each address of the cyclic data in the buffer memory 25. The address at which the data at each address of the cyclic data is stored in the buffer memory 25 is determined in advance by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the assigned address in the buffer memory 25 is set to "1020H." The first remote unit 2a writes the control data "○×" transmitted from the master station 3 to address "1020H" in the buffer memory 25.

[0051] Similarly, when the master station 3 writes the control data "x" to the second remote unit 2b, the master station 3 writes the control data "x" into the transmission cyclic data using the fixed-period transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 and transmits it to the first remote unit 2a. The address of the transmission cyclic data into which the fixed-period transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 writes the control data "x" is an address determined in advance by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. Therefore, the master station 3 is not aware of which address in the buffer memory 25 of the second remote unit 2b is assigned to the address of the transmission cyclic data into which the control data "x" has been written.

[0052] When the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the second remote unit 2b receives cyclic data from the master station 3, it stores the data at each address of the cyclic data in the buffer memory 25. The address at which the data at each address of the cyclic data is stored in the buffer memory 25 is determined in advance by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the assigned address in the buffer memory 25 is set to "1020H." The second remote unit 2b writes the control data "×●" transmitted from the master station 3 to address "1020H" in the buffer memory 25.

[0053] This allows the master station 3 to write data to predetermined addresses in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 and to read data from any address in the buffer memory 25 at regular intervals. The addresses of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 and the addresses of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission are assigned by executing an engineering tool in the information processing device 1. The results of the assignment by the engineering tool are stored as setting parameters 121 in the information storage unit 12 of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2. The setting parameters 121 are transmitted from the processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 to the remote unit 2 via the master station 3. The remote unit 2 stores the received setting parameters 121 in the parameter setting unit 22. The fixed-period transmission function unit 23 of the remote unit 2 assigns addresses of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 and the addresses of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission in accordance with the addresses and assignment destinations set in the setting parameters 121.

[0054] 7A shows a table of the setting parameters 121. The setting parameters 121 associate and organize the model name of the remote unit 2 from which the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 included in the master station 3 reads data, one address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, and one allocation destination which is the address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission. For example, the model name is set to "first remote unit," the address is set to "1000H," and the allocation destination is set to "RWr10."

[0055] 7B shows the configuration of the control program 321. The control program 321 is written in the form of a ladder diagram. The control program 321 includes commands that are processing instructions, addresses that are targets for executing the commands, and control data for writing. For example, the command "Request," address "3020H," and control data for writing "xx●" are set. When the CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 executes the control program 321, the master station 3 writes the control data for writing "xx●" to address 3020H in the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a using the non-periodic transmission function unit 332 of the master unit 33.

[0056] The control program 321 and the setting parameters 121 shown in FIG. 7A are set by a user executing an engineering tool on the information processing device 1. A method for setting the setting parameters 121 and the control program 321 using the engineering tool will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9 . FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of a setting parameter determination process for setting the setting parameters 121. The setting parameter determination process is included in the engineering tool as a setting parameter determination process program. For example, when a user selects an engineering tool icon arranged on the screen of the display unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 using the operation input unit 11, the information processing device 1 causes the processor 407 shown in FIG. 3 to read the setting parameter determination process program stored in the storage device 401 into the memory 406 and execute it.

[0057] The user inputs the model name of the remote unit 2 and an address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 to be assigned to the cyclic data for cyclic transmission via the operation input unit 11 (step S101). The processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 determines the address of the cyclic data to be assigned (step S102). The processing unit 15 associates the model name, the address in the buffer memory 25, and the address of the cyclic data to be assigned, and stores the associations in the information storage unit 12 of the information processing device 1 as the setting parameters 121 shown in Fig. 7A (step S103).

[0058] The processing unit 15 determines whether allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has been completed (step S104). For example, the display unit 13 of the information processing device 1 displays a message for the user to confirm whether allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has been completed, along with YES and NO confirmation buttons, and presents the message to the user. If the user presses the YES button, the processing unit 15 determines that allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has been completed (step S104; YES), and ends the setting parameter determination process. If the user presses the NO button, the processing unit 15 determines that allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has not been completed (step S104; NO), and returns to step S101, and executes the processes from step S101 onward.

[0059] Next, the setting of the control program 321 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control program setting process for setting the control program 321. The control program setting process is included in the engineering tool as a control program setting process program. For example, when a user selects an engineering tool icon arranged on the screen of the display unit 13 shown in Fig. 2 using the operation input unit 11, the information processing device 1 causes the processor 407 shown in Fig. 3 to read the control program setting process program stored in the storage device 401 into the memory 406 and execute it.

[0060] A user inputs, via the operation input unit 11, a command for processing to be executed by the remote unit 2, an address of an arbitrary buffer memory 25 in the remote unit 2 that is the target of command processing, and control data for writing (step S201). The processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 converts the command, the address of the buffer memory 25, and the control data for writing into a ladder diagram. The processing unit 15 stores the ladder diagram as a control program 321 in the information storage unit 12 (step S202).

[0061] The processing unit 15 determines whether or not setting of all data required for the control program 321 has been completed (step S203). For example, a message confirming whether setting of all data required for the control program 321 has been completed and confirmation buttons "YES" and "NO" are displayed on the display unit 13 of the information processing device 1 and presented to the user. If the user presses the "YES" button, the processing unit 15 determines that setting of all data required for the control program 321 has been completed (step S203; YES), and ends the control program setting process. If the user presses the "NO" button, the processing unit 15 determines that setting of all data required for the control program 321 has not been completed (step S203; NO), and returns to step S201, and executes the processes from step S201 onward.

[0062] Next, the transmission processing upon request will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 10. The transmission processing upon request controls the operations of the information processing device 1, the remote unit 2, and the master station 3 as a transmission processing program. For example, at the timing when the remote unit 2 and the master station 3 control the target device, the information processing device 1 causes the processor 407 shown in Fig. 3 to read the transmission processing program stored in the storage device 401 into the memory 406 and execute it. Furthermore, the remote unit 2 causes the processor 414 shown in Fig. 4 to read the transmission processing program stored in the storage device 412 into the memory 413 and execute it. The master station 3 causes the processor 424 shown in Fig. 5 to read the transmission processing program stored in the storage device 422 into the memory 423 and execute it.

[0063] The parameter setting unit 22 of the remote unit 2 shown in Fig. 2 reads the setting parameters 121 acquired from the information processing device 1 via the master station 3 (step S301). The CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 shown in Fig. 2 determines whether to start cyclic transmission (step S302). If cyclic transmission is not to be started (step S302; NO), the CPU unit 32 repeats step S302. If cyclic transmission is to be started (step S302; YES), the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 shown in Fig. 2 transmits cyclic data containing control data to the remote unit 2 via the master communication unit 333 (step S303).

[0064] 6, to an address of the cyclic data that is predetermined by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 and the master station 3. The fixed-period transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 then transmits the cyclic data to the remote unit 2 via the master communication unit 333.

[0065] The remote communication unit 21 of the remote unit 2 shown in Fig. 2 receives the cyclic data (step S304). The fixed-period transmission function unit 23 of the remote unit 2 shown in Fig. 2 extracts control data from the cyclic data received in step S304 (step S305).

[0066] The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 writes the control data to an address in the buffer memory 25 predetermined by the product specifications of the remote unit 2 (step S306). The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 notifies the master station 3 via the remote communication unit 21 that the control data has been written to the buffer memory 25 (step S307). The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 included in the master station 3 passes the processing result of the remote unit 2 to the CPU unit 32. The CPU unit 32 transmits the processing result of the remote unit 2 to the information processing device 1 via the communication processing unit 31 shown in FIG. 2 (step S308).

[0067] The processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 receives the processing result (step S309). The processing unit 15 displays the processing result on the display unit 13 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 (step S310). In detail, the processing unit 15 associates the address of the cyclic data, the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, and the control data, and displays them on the display unit 13. This allows the user to check the control data written to the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2.

[0068] The CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 shown in FIG. 2 determines whether to execute transient transmission (step S311). If transient transmission is not to be executed (step S311; NO), the CPU unit 32 proceeds to step S314. If transient transmission is to be executed (step S311; YES), the CPU unit 32 acquires the command set in the control program 321, the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, and the control data for writing. For example, the CPU unit 32 acquires the command "request," the address "3020H," and the control data for writing "xx●" from the control program 321 shown in FIG. 6. As the command "request," i.e., as a write process, the CPU unit 32 causes the non-periodic transmission function unit 332 of the master unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 to transmit the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 and the control data for writing to the remote unit 2 (step S312).

[0069] 2 receives the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 and the control data for writing from the master station 3 via the remote communication unit 21. The non-periodic transmission function unit 24 writes the control data to the received address of the buffer memory 25 (step S313).

[0070] The CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 determines whether an end instruction has been received (step S314). If an end instruction has not been received (step S314; NO), the CPU unit 32 returns to step S303 and executes step S303 and subsequent steps. If an end instruction has been received (step S314; YES), the CPU unit 32 instructs the information processing device 1 and the remote unit 2 to end (step S315). The CPU unit 32 terminates the transmission processing program.

[0071] Next, the transmission processing at the time of a response will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 11. The transmission processing at the time of a request controls the operations of the information processing device 1, the remote unit 2, and the master station 3 as a transmission processing program. For example, at the timing when the remote unit 2 and the master station 3 control the target device, the information processing device 1 causes the processor 407 shown in Fig. 3 to read the transmission processing program stored in the storage device 401 into the memory 406 and execute it. Furthermore, the remote unit 2 causes the processor 414 shown in Fig. 4 to read the transmission processing program stored in the storage device 412 into the memory 413 and execute it. The master station 3 causes the processor 424 shown in Fig. 5 to read the transmission processing program stored in the storage device 422 into the memory 423 and execute it.

[0072] The parameter setting unit 22 of the remote unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 reads the setting parameters 121 acquired from the information processing device 1 via the master station 3 (step S401). The CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 shown in FIG. 2 determines whether to start cyclic transmission (step S402). If cyclic transmission is not to be started (step S402; NO), the CPU unit 32 repeats step S402. If cyclic transmission is to be started (step S402; YES), the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 transmits the address of the cyclic data allocation destination to the remote unit 2 via the master communication unit 333 (step S403). For example, the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 transmits the address "RWr10" of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission, indicated by the dotted-line frame in FIG. 6, to the first remote unit 2a.

[0073] The remote communication unit 21 of the remote unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 receives the address of the allocation destination of the cyclic data (step S404). The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 of the remote unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 acquires the address of the buffer memory 25 (step S405). Specifically, the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 passes the address of the allocation destination of the cyclic data received in step S404 to the parameter setting unit 22. The parameter setting unit 22 acquires the address of the buffer memory 25 corresponding to the address of the allocation destination of the cyclic data from the setting parameters 121. The parameter setting unit 22 passes the acquired address of the buffer memory 25 to the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23. For example, if the address of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission is "RWr10," then, as shown in the table of setting parameters 121 in FIG. 7A, this corresponds to the address "1000H" of the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a. The parameter setting unit 22 passes the address "1000H" of the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a to the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23.

[0074] The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 acquires the data stored in the address of the buffer memory 25 acquired in step S405 (step S406). For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the data "ABC" is stored in the address "1000H" of the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a. The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 acquires the data "ABC".

[0075] The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 associates the data acquired from the buffer memory 25 in step S406 with the address of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission and transmits the data to the master station 3 (step S407). Specifically, the fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 inquires of the parameter setting unit 22 about the address of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission that is set as the address in the buffer memory 25 from which the data was acquired in step S406. The parameter setting unit 22 finds, from the setting parameters 121, the address of the cyclic data that corresponds to the address in the target buffer memory 25. The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 associates the address of the cyclic data found by the parameter setting unit 22 with the data acquired from the buffer memory 25 and transmits the data to the master station 3.

[0076] For example, if the address of the buffer memory 25 of the first remote unit 2a is "1000H," then the address "RWr10" of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission corresponds to this address, as shown in the table of setting parameters 121 in Fig. 7A. The fixed-cycle transmission function unit 23 associates the data "ABC" in the buffer memory 25 with the address "RWr10" of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission and transmits it to the master station 3.

[0077] The fixed-period transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 included in the master station 3 extracts data in the buffer memory 25 from the data received from the remote unit 2 (step S408). For example, the fixed-period transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 extracts the data "ABC" in the buffer memory 25 from the data received from the remote unit 2. The fixed-period transmission function unit 331 of the master unit 33 passes the extracted data in the buffer memory 25 to the CPU unit 32. The CPU unit 32 transmits the data in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 to the information processing device 1 via the communication processing unit 31 shown in FIG. 2 (step S409).

[0078] The processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 receives the data in the buffer memory 25 from the master station 3 (step S410). The processing unit 15 displays the data in the buffer memory 25 on the display unit 13 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 (step S411). This allows the user to check the data at any address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2.

[0079] The CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 shown in Fig. 2 determines whether to execute transient transmission (step S412). If transient transmission is to be executed (step S412; YES), the CPU unit 32 acquires the command set in the control program 321 and the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2. For example, the CPU unit 32 acquires the command "response" and address "2000H" of the control program 321 shown in Fig. 6. The CPU unit 32 transmits the command "response," i.e., the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, to the remote unit 2 as a read process (step S413).

[0080] 2 receives the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 from the master station 3 via the remote communication unit 21. The non-periodic transmission function unit 24 reads the data at the received address in the buffer memory 25 and transmits it to the master station 3 (step S414). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the data "EFG" stored at address "2000H" in the buffer memory 25 is read and transmitted to the master station 3.

[0081] The non-periodic transmission function unit 332 of the master unit 33 included in the CPU unit 32 receives the data from the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 (step S415). The CPU unit 32 of the master station 3 determines whether an end instruction has been received (step S416). If an end instruction has not been received (step S416; NO), the CPU unit 32 returns to step S403 and executes step S403 and subsequent steps. If an end instruction has been received (step S416; YES), the CPU unit 32 instructs the information processing device 1 and the remote unit 2 to end (step S417). The CPU unit 32 terminates the transmission processing program.

[0082] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by assigning only an arbitrary address in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 to the address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission, the master station 3 responsible for managing and operating the remote unit 2 can easily access a specific buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2.

[0083] (Embodiment 2) In the above-described embodiment 1, the setting parameters 121 correspond to the model name of the remote unit 2 from which the master station 3 reads data, the address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2, and the allocation destination, which is the address of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission. However, the setting parameters 121 are not limited to this. For example, a table of setting parameters 121A according to embodiment 2 is shown in FIG. 12.

[0084] The setting parameters 121A associate and organize the model name of the remote unit 2 from which the master station 3 reads data, the starting address of the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 to be read, the size of the data to be read, and the address allocation destination of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission. For example, the top line of Fig. 12 sets "First Remote Unit" as the model name, "1000H" as the starting address of the buffer memory 25 to be read, "3 words" as the size of the data to be read, and "RWr10" as the allocation destination. This means that data of a size of "3 words" starting from address "1000H" in the buffer memory 25 is allocated to the allocation destination "RWr10."

[0085] The setting parameters 121A are set by a user by executing an engineering tool on the information processing device 1. A method for setting the setting parameters 121A by the engineering tool will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0086] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a setting parameter determination process for setting the setting parameter 121A shown in FIG. 13. The setting parameter determination process is included in an engineering tool as a setting parameter determination process program. For example, when a user selects an icon of an engineering tool arranged on the screen of the display unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 using the operation input unit 11, the information processing device 1 causes the processor 407 shown in FIG. 3 to read the setting parameter determination process program stored in the storage device 401 into the memory 406 and execute it.

[0087] The user inputs, via the operation input unit 11, the model name of the remote unit 2 to be assigned to the cyclic data for cyclic transmission, the starting address of an arbitrary buffer memory 25, and the size of the data to be acquired (step S501). The processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 shown in Fig. 2 determines the address of the cyclic data to be assigned (step S502). The processing unit 15 associates the model name, the starting address of the arbitrary buffer memory 25, the data size, and the address of the cyclic data to be assigned, and stores the association results in the information storage unit 12 of the information processing device 1 as the setting parameter 121A shown in Fig. 12 (step S503).

[0088] The processing unit 15 determines whether allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has been completed (step S504). For example, the display unit 13 of the information processing device 1 displays a message for the user to confirm whether allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has been completed, along with YES and NO confirmation buttons, and presents the message to the user. If the user presses the YES button, the processing unit 15 determines that allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has been completed (step S504; YES), and ends the setting parameter determination process. If the user presses the NO button, the processing unit 15 determines that allocation of all necessary data to cyclic data has not been completed (step S504; NO), and returns to step S501, and executes the processes from step S501 onward.

[0089] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the setting parameter 121A can set the size of data to be acquired from the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2. This makes it possible to specify a continuous area of ​​the buffer memory 25 at one time.

[0090] (Variation 1) In the above-described first and second embodiments, the setting parameters 121, 121A and the control program 321 are set by the user using an engineering tool executed on the information processing device 1. However, this is not limitative, and the setting parameters 121, 121A and the control program 321 created on an external server may be used. Furthermore, a specific address and allocation destination of the buffer memory 25 included in the setting parameters 121, 121A may be set from the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2.

[0091] (Variation 2) In the above-described first and second embodiments, the information processing device 1 is provided with the display unit 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display unit 13 may be a display device separate from the information processing device 1. In this case, a terminal for transmitting display data from the information processing device 1 to the separate display device corresponds to the display unit 13.

[0092] (Variation 3) In the above-described first embodiment, any addresses in the buffer memory 25 of the remote unit 2 that are allocated to the cyclic data for transmission do not have to be consecutive addresses. Therefore, it is possible to assign non-consecutive addresses in the buffer memory 25 to the addresses of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission. Therefore, it is possible to obtain data in non-consecutive areas of the buffer memory 25.

[0093] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the information processing system 100 can be realized as a dedicated system. However, it can also be realized using a general computer system without a dedicated system. For example, a program for realizing each function of the information processing system 100 described above may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and a computer capable of realizing each of the above-described functions may be configured by installing this program on a computer. Furthermore, if each function is realized by sharing the work between an operating system (OS) and an application, or by cooperation between an OS and an application, only the application may be stored on the recording medium.

[0094] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0095] The present disclosure can be suitably used in an information processing system.

[0096] 1 Information processing device, 2 Remote unit, 2a First remote unit, 2b Second remote unit, 2n nth remote unit, 3 Master station, 11 Operation input unit, 12 Information storage unit, 13 Display unit, 14, 31 Communication processing unit, 15 Processing unit, 21 Remote communication unit, 22 Parameter setting unit, 23, 331 Fixed-period transmission function unit, 24, 332 Irregular transmission function unit, 25 Buffer memory, 26 Unit information management unit, 32 CPU unit, 33 Master unit, 100 Information processing system, 121, 121A Setting parameters, 321 Control program, 333 Master communication unit, 401, 412, 422 Storage device, 402, 411, 421 Communication device, 403 Input device, 404 Display device, 405 Display controller, 406, 413, 423 Memory, 407, 414, 424 Processor, 408, 415, 425 Data bus, 1000H, 1020H, 3020H Address.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a remote unit that controls a target device and a master station that manages the remote unit, wherein the remote unit comprises: a buffer memory that contains information about the device; and a fixed-period transmission function unit that allocates information about the device contained in a specific address in the buffer memory to a fixed address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission that transmits data stored in a predetermined fixed address at a fixed period, and transmits the information to the master station at a fixed period.

2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the remote unit further comprises a parameter setting unit that holds setting parameters that assign data at a specific address in the buffer memory to a fixed address in the cyclic data, and the fixed-period transmission function unit assigns information data relating to the device contained at the specific address in the buffer memory to the fixed address in the cyclic data based on the setting parameters.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the setting parameters are set by one of an external server, an engineering tool executed on an external device, and the buffer memory.

4. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the allocation of the cyclic data to fixed addresses involves allocating a predetermined size of data from a specific address in the buffer memory to a destination, or allocating one specific address in the buffer memory to one destination.

5. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an information processing device including a display unit that displays a specific address in the buffer memory, data at the specific address in the buffer memory, and the address of the cyclic data for allocated cyclic transmission.

6. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the master station reads data from a specific address in the buffer memory of the remote unit, the address being assigned to an address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission at a fixed interval.

7. A method executed by an information processing system, in which data stored in a predetermined fixed address is transmitted periodically, and device-related data contained in a specific address in a buffer memory is allocated to the fixed address of the cyclic data for cyclic transmission, and the data is transmitted periodically.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of assigning device-related data contained in a specific address in a buffer memory to a fixed address of cyclic data for cyclic transmission, which transmits data stored in a predetermined fixed address at a fixed interval, and transmitting the data at a fixed interval.

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