Control device

Abstract

This control device comprises: a history retention unit that retains, in time series, a set constituted of a connection date and time when a constituent component was connected to the control device and unique identification information of the constituent component; a unique identification information acquisition unit that acquires unique identification information of a newly connected constituent component at a new connection date and time when a new constituent component is connected to the control device; a comparison unit that compares the unique identification information of the newly connected constituent component and the latest unique identification information; a retention execution unit that, when the unique identification information and the latest unique identification information are different from each other, creates a set constituted of a connection date and time when the new constituent component was connected to the control device and the unique identification information of the newly connected constituent component, and causes the history retention unit to retain said set; and a power supply unit that generates power when the new constituent component is connected to the control device.

Description

Control device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device.

[0002] A component constituting a control device, for example a numerical control device, such as a printed circuit board, holds unique identification information for distinguishing the component from other components. Then, the control device grasps the configuration of the component (such as the type of the component and the individual identification number) from the unique identification information of the component.

[0003] At the time of shipment of the control device, the configuration of the components connected to the control device is recorded in the storage unit of the control device. However, when a failure occurs in the control device, a manufacturer or a user may replace a component of the control device with another component having a different configuration.

[0004] When replacing a component, the manufacturer or the user may need the configuration of the current component connected to the control device. In addition, the manufacturer or the user may need the configuration of components connected in the past and the replacement history of the components.

[0005] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-108109) discloses that the configuration of a component is checked when the control device is energized, and when the configuration of the component has been changed, the configuration of the component is recorded.

[0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-108109

[0007] However, if the configuration of the component is changed while the control device is not energized, and then the control device is energized afterwards, the control device cannot recognize that the configuration of the component has been changed. For this reason, repair of the control device and failure investigation of the control device may take time.

[0008] Therefore, there is a demand for a control device capable of recording that the configuration of a component has been changed even when the control device is not energized.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the control device includes a history holding unit that stores in chronological order a pair of connection date and time when at least one component is connected to the control device and unique identification information held in the connected component connected to the control device at the connection date and time, and a pair of disconnection date and time when at least one component is disconnected from the control device and unique identification information held in the connected component connected to the control device at the disconnection date and time; a unique identification information acquisition unit that acquires the unique identification information of a new connected component connected to the control device at the new connection date and time when at least one new component is connected to the control device, and the new disconnection date and time when at least one new component is disconnected from the control device; and the unique identification information of the new connected component. A control device is provided, comprising: a comparison unit that compares information with the latest unique identification information held in the history holding unit; a holding execution unit that, if the unique identification information of the newly connected component differs from the latest unique identification information held in the history holding unit, causes the connection date and time when the at least one new component was connected to the control device or the disconnection date and time when the at least one new component was disconnected from the control device, and the unique identification information of the newly connected component to be held in the history holding unit as a pair; and a power supply unit that generates power and supplies the history holding unit, the unique identification information acquisition unit, the comparison unit, and the holding execution unit when the at least one new component is connected to the control device and when the at least one new component is disconnected from the control device.

[0010] The purposes, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become even clearer from the following description of embodiments related to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] This is a block diagram of a system including a control device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device shown in Figure 1. This is a time chart of the power supply, circuit board, and power. This is a diagram showing details of the history retention unit according to a first embodiment. This is a diagram showing details of the history retention unit according to a second embodiment. This is a block diagram of a system including a control device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a diagram showing the slot bottom and components. This is a first enlarged view when a component is connected to a slot. This is a second enlarged view when a component is connected to a slot. This is a first enlarged view when a component is disconnected from a slot. This is a second enlarged view when a component is disconnected from a slot.

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout all drawings, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals. This is a block diagram of a system including a control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The robot system 1a according to the first embodiment mainly includes a machine 10 and a control device 20 that controls the machine 10. Alternatively, the control device 20 may be part of the machine 10, as shown in Figure 6, a block diagram of a system 1b including a control device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Machine 10 may be an industrial robot, a machine tool (such as a machining center, lathe, grinding machine, electrical discharge machine, etc.), or other machine (such as an injection molding machine, laser processing machine, press machine, additive manufacturing device, etc.).

[0014] The control device 20 is a computer equipped with a CPU 29 (Central Processing Unit), a memory unit 39, etc., which are connected to each other via a bus. The control device 20 is, for example, an NC (numerical control) or a CNC (computerized numerical control).

[0015] The control device 20 is connected to a display unit 28, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT. Various information is displayed on the display unit 28 through user operation or based on an operating program. The control device 20 is connected to an external power supply 31, and the external power supply 31 is powered on or off by opening and closing a switch 32.

[0016] The control device 20 includes at least one slot 33 to which at least one component B1 to Bn (where "n" is a natural number) is to be connected. These slots 33 are connection points to the component B1 to Bn. Each component B1 to Bn includes a unique identification information holding unit M1 to Mn that holds unique identification information C1 to Cn specific to each component B1 to Bn. The unique identification information holding units M1 to Mn are preferably non-volatile memories.

[0017] Components B1 to Bn are, for example, a printed circuit board and an Ethernet® board. The printed circuit board (PCB) includes a main PCB and a back panel PCB mounted on the control device 20. The main PCB may have a CPU PCB, a memory PCB, a communication PCB, and a power supply PCB mounted on it. The back panel PCB has PCBs for additional functions mounted on it. The printed circuit board includes these PCBs.

[0018] Each unique identification information storage unit M1 to Mn stores the identification information of the component B1 to Bn itself as unique identification information C1 to Cn. Each unique identification information storage unit M1 to Mn may store, for example, an individual identification number and a specification number. In addition, each unique identification information storage unit M1 to Mn may store unique identification information C1 to Cn that includes information (series, version number) of the software applied to the component B1 to Bn.

[0019] For the sake of brevity, components B1 to Bn may be simply referred to as component B, unique identification information C1 to Cn as unique identification information C, and unique identification information holding units M1 to Mn as unique identification information holding unit M.

[0020] The storage unit 39 of the control device 20 is a storage medium such as a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, or a solid-state drive. The storage unit 39 also stores the operation program for operating the machine 10 and various data.

[0021] Furthermore, the storage unit 39 includes a history storage unit 26 that stores, in chronological order, a pair of connection date and time when at least one component B was connected to the control device 20 and unique identification information C held in the connected component B connected to the control device 20 at the connection date and time, and a pair of disconnection date and time when at least one component B was disconnected from the control device 20 and unique identification information C held in the connected component B connected to the control device 20 at the disconnection date and time.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the CPU 29 of the control device 20 includes a unique identification information acquisition unit 21 that acquires the unique identification information C of a newly connected component B connected to the control device at a new connection date and time when at least one new component B is connected to the control device 20, and a new disconnection date and time when at least one new component B is disconnected from the control device 20, and a comparison unit 22 that compares the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B with the latest unique identification information A1 held in the history holding unit 26.

[0023] The CPU 29 further includes a holding execution unit 23 that, if the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B is different from the latest unique identification information A1 held in the history holding unit 26, causes the history holding unit 26 to hold a pair of the connection date and time when at least one of the new component B was connected to the control device 20 or the disconnection date and time when at least one of the new component B was disconnected from the control device 20, and the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B.

[0024] Furthermore, the CPU 29 of the control device 20 also includes an output unit 25 that outputs to the outside the new connection date and time when at least one new component B was connected to the control device 20, the new disconnection date and time when at least one component B was disconnected from the control device 20, and the unique identification information C of the connected component B, which are stored in the history holding unit. The output unit 25 is responsible for outputting the aforementioned unique identification information and the like to the display unit 28.

[0025] The unique identification information acquisition unit 21, comparison unit 22, retention and execution unit 23, and output unit 25 of the CPU 29 of the control device 20 are functional modules realized by, for example, a computer program executed on the CPU. The computer program for executing the processing of the unique identification information acquisition unit 21, comparison unit 22, retention and execution unit 23, and output unit 25 of the CPU 29 of the control device 20 may be provided in the form of a program product recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium.

[0026] The CPU 29 of the control device 20 is connected to a clock 27 that displays the date and time. Even when the control device 20 is not powered by the external power supply 31, the clock 27 will function for a predetermined period, for example, several tens of days, by a built-in power retention unit (not shown) such as a capacitor or backup battery.

[0027] Referring again to Figure 1, a power supply unit 24 is provided at the bottom 33a of slot 33. The power supply unit 24 generates power and supplies power to the history holding unit 26, the unique identification information acquisition unit 21, the comparison unit 22, and the holding execution unit 23 when at least one new component B is connected to the control device 20 and when at least one new component B is disconnected from the control device 20.

[0028] A typical power supply unit 24 is a piezoelectric element. Alternatively, the power supply unit 24 may utilize vibrations generated only when component B is inserted or removed. In this way, the power supply unit 24 generates electricity using energy harvesting technology.

[0029] As will be described in detail later, when the user inserts components B1 to Bn into the slots 33 and electrically connects them, and when the user removes components B1 to Bn from the slots 33 and disconnects them, the power supply unit 24 generates power when the user applies force to the power supply unit 24 through the slots 33. For this purpose, it is preferable that the power supply unit 24 be located at the bottom of the slots 33. Furthermore, if the control device 20 has multiple slots 33, each of the multiple slots 33 is provided with a power supply unit 24. The power generated by the power supply unit 24 is to be sufficiently large to drive the unique identification information acquisition unit 21, the comparison unit 22, and the holding execution unit 23.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, Figure 3 is a time chart of the power supply, circuit board (component B), and power. The operation of the control device 20 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As can be seen by referring to Figure 3, the contents of the flowchart shown in Figure 2 are executed when the switch 32 is open, and as a result, the control device 20 is not powered by the external power supply 31.

[0031] The following explanation will mainly describe the case when component B is connected to the control device 20, but the process is generally similar when component B is disconnected from the control device 20. First, in step S1, the user connects the new component B to the control device 20 by passing it through the slot 33. At this time, the power supply unit 24 is pressed, and as a result, power is generated (step S2). In Figure 3, power is similarly generated at the new connection date and time t1 when the new component B is connected, and at the new disconnection date and time t2 when the new component B is disconnected. Note that the connection date and time and the disconnection date and time are sometimes collectively referred to as connection date and time t. For ease of understanding, Figure 3 shows that power is generated at connection date and time t1 and disconnection date and time t2, but in reality, power is generated while the power supply unit 24 is pressed.

[0032] Steps S3 to S6 are processes performed by the CPU 29 of the control device 20. In step S3, the unique identification information acquisition unit 21 electrically accesses the unique identification information holding unit M of the newly connected component B connected to the control device 20 at connection date and time t, and acquires the unique identification information C. As described above, components B1 to Bn each hold their respective unique identification information C1 to Cn in the unique identification information holding units M1 to Mn.

[0033] Next, in step S4, the comparison unit 22 acquires the latest unique identification information A1 stored in the history retention unit 26. Then, the comparison unit 22 compares the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B with the latest unique identification information A1.

[0034] If the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B is different from the latest unique identification information A1, the process proceeds to step S5. If component B is not connected to the control device 20, and as a result, the unique identification information C cannot be obtained, the comparison unit 22 compares the non-existence information of component B with the latest unique identification information A1 and determines that they are different. On the other hand, if the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B is the same as the latest unique identification information A1, the process ends.

[0035] In step S5, the holding execution unit 23 obtains the connection date and time t from the clock 27. If the connection date and time t is temporarily stored in the storage unit 39, the holding execution unit 23 may obtain the connection date and time t from the storage unit 39. Alternatively, the connection date and time t may be obtained immediately after the power supply unit 24 generates power (step S2).

[0036] Next, in step S6, the retention execution unit 23 has the history retention unit 26 retain the connection date and time t and the unique identification information C of the newly connected component B as a pair.

[0037] Here, Figure 4 shows the details of the history retention unit based on the first embodiment. The history retention unit 26 shown in Figure 4 retains pairs consisting of connection date and time (or connection disconnection date and time) t and unique identification information C in a time-series table format. In Figure 4, three pairs consisting of connection dates and times t1 to t3 and their respective unique identification information C are shown. Among the connection dates and times t1 to t3, connection dates and times with larger variable values ​​indicate earlier connection dates and times. Each time a new connection date and time and corresponding unique identification information C are retained in the history retention unit 26, the value of the connection date and time variable increases by one.

[0038] In Figure 4, the connection date and time t3 and the unique identification information C3 of component B3 are paired. In Figure 4, the control device 20 has only one slot 33, and therefore, the number of component B that can be connected to the control device 20 is one. For this reason, the connection date and time t3 is the connection date and time t3 when component B3 was connected to the control device 20.

[0039] Furthermore, in Figure 4, the unique identification information C is not associated with the connection date and time t2. In other words, at the connection date and time t2, component B is disconnected from the control device 20. Since component B3 is connected at the connection date and time t3, which is earlier than the connection date and time t2, it can be seen that the component B that was disconnected at the connection date and time t2 is component B3. Therefore, the connection date and time t2 is the disconnection date and time t2, when component B3 was disconnected from the control device 20. As mentioned above, in this case, it can be interpreted that the unique identification information acquisition unit 21 acquired non-existence information regarding component B3 as unique identification information C.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 4, before the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C1 were sent to the history retention unit 26, the non-existence information of the unique identification information C paired with the connection date and time t2 shown in Figure 4 was the latest unique identification information A1.

[0041] Then, when the set of the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C1 of the component B1 is sent to the history holding unit 26, the set of the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C1 is newly held. As a result, the set of the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C1 is updated as new latest unique identification information A1.

[0042] The processes of step S1 to step S6 are performed when the control device 20 is in a non-energized state with respect to the external power supply 31. Therefore, in the present disclosure, even when the control device 20 is not energized, a change in the configuration of the component B can be recorded in the history holding unit 26.

[0043] Thereafter, after the component B is connected to the control device 20, the switch 32 is closed to energize the control device 20 from the external power supply 31. Then, before actually using the control device 20, the user instructs the output unit 25 to output the latest unique identification information A1 using an input unit connected to the control device 20, such as a keyboard and a mouse. Thereby, the output unit 25 displays the latest unique identification information A1 and the corresponding connection date and time t on the display unit 28. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the latest unique identification information A1 is a set of the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C1. It is assumed that electric power required to drive the output unit 25 is supplied from the external power supply 31.

[0044] Therefore, by viewing the information displayed on the display unit 28, the user can recognize, for example, that the component B has been replaced from the component B3 to the component B1 when the control device 20 is in the non-energized state, and if replacement has been performed, the unique identification information C1 of the replaced component B1 can be recognized.

[0045] Prior art examples 1 and 2 are shown below. Prior art example 1: The control device was set to a non-energized state, and a component, for example, a printed circuit board, was disconnected from the numerical control device. Next, the part of the component was repaired. Next, when the repaired component was connected to the control device and the control device was energized, a failure occurred in the control device.

[0046] In the case of the first conventional technique example, it is difficult for a user or a repair technician to grasp the fact that a component part has been repaired at a stage after the control device is powered on. For this reason, the cause of a malfunction in the control device cannot be quickly identified.

[0047] In contrast, in the present disclosure, the fact that a component has been disconnected from the control device and the fact that the component has been reconnected to the control device are stored in a history storage unit 26. Then, since the repaired component is reconnected to the control device, the unique identification information C stored in the history storage unit 26 is different from the original unique identification information C. Therefore, a user or a repair technician for the control device can easily grasp the cause of a malfunction in the control device through the history of the unique identification information C stored in the history storage unit 26. Accordingly, in the present disclosure, repair of the control device and failure investigation of the control device can be performed quickly.

[0048] Conventional technique example 2: ・The control device is set to a non-energized state, and a component, for example a printed circuit board, is disconnected from the first control device. ・Next, the component is connected to the second control device and used. ・Next, the component is disconnected from the second control device, reconnected to the first control device, and the first control device is powered on, whereupon a malfunction occurs in the first control device.

[0049] In the case of the second conventional technique example, a user or a repair technician cannot grasp any of the following: that the component was disconnected from the first control device, that the component was connected to the second control device, that the component was disconnected from the second control device, and that the component was reconnected to the first control device.

[0050] In contrast, in this disclosure, the user or repairer can, through the history retention unit 26 of the first control device, determine when a component is disconnected from the control device and when a component is connected to the control device. Furthermore, the user or repairer can, through the history retention unit 26 of the second control device, determine when a component is connected to the second control device and when a component is disconnected from the second control device. As a result, the unique identification information C will include the fact that the component was connected to the second control device, and therefore the unique identification information C ultimately stored in the history retention unit 26 will be different from the original unique identification information C. For this reason, the user or repairer of the control device can easily infer the reason for the malfunction of the first control device through the history of the unique identification information C stored in the history retention unit 26. Consequently, in this disclosure, the repair of the control device and the investigation of the control device malfunction can be carried out quickly.

[0051] Thus, in this disclosure, even when the control device 20 is not powered on, the change in the configuration of component B is recorded in the history retention unit 26. Therefore, repairs and troubleshooting of the control device 20 can be carried out quickly through the change history of component B.

[0052] Figure 5 shows details of the history retention unit according to the second embodiment. In Figure 5, the control device 20 is assumed to have multiple slots, for example, three slots 33. Therefore, in step S3 of the second embodiment, the unique identification information C of all components B connected to the control device 20 at that time is acquired.

[0053] Then, in step S4 of the second embodiment, all unique identification information C is compared to the latest unique identification information A1 to determine whether they are different. Therefore, even if the number of unique identification information C is different from the number of unique identification information in the latest unique identification information A1, the process proceeds to step S5. The history holding unit 26 may also hold the connection date and time t and the multiple unique identification information C in the form of a table corresponding to the number of slots 33.

[0054] At connection time t3 shown in Figure 5, the unique identification information C1 and C2 of components B1 and B2 are stored. Then, at connection time t2 shown in Figure 5, the unique identification information C1, C2, and C4 of components B1, B2, and B4 are stored. Therefore, it can be seen that connection time t2 is the connection time when component B4 was newly connected to the control device 20.

[0055] In step S6 of the second embodiment, before the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C2 and C4 were sent to the history retention unit 26, the combination of connection information t2 and unique identification information C1, C2, and C4 was the latest unique identification information A1.

[0056] In the second embodiment, when the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C2 and C4 of components B2 and B4 are sent to the history holding unit 26, the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C2 and C4 are held. As a result, the connection date and time t1 and the unique identification information C2 and C4 are updated as the new latest unique identification information A1. In this case, it can be seen that the connection date and time t1 is the disconnection date and time when component B1 was disconnected.

[0057] In the second embodiment, the same effects as described above can be obtained even when the control device 20 has a plurality of slots 33.

[0058] By the way, Figure 7 shows the slot bottom and the components. The slot bottom 33a is provided with a connector 35 that engages with the connector 45 of component B. For example, the connector 45 of component B is a male connector, and the connector 35 on the slot bottom 33a is a female connector.

[0059] As can be seen from Figure 7, a portion of the power supply unit 24 is positioned to protrude a predetermined distance from the surface of the slot bottom 33a. It is preferable that the power supply unit 24 is provided so as not to come into contact with the connector 45 of component B. Furthermore, in order to reliably press the power supply unit 24 when connecting component B, it is preferable that component B is equipped with a pressurizing member 44 at a position corresponding to the power supply unit 24. The pressurizing member 44 is made of a hard material, such as metal or ceramic.

[0060] Figures 8A and 8B are enlarged views of the components being connected to the slots. Figure 8A shows the state in which the pressurizing member 44 of component B begins to contact the power supply unit 24, and the power generated by the pressurization is relatively small.

[0061] Figure 8B shows the state in which the pressurizing member 44 is in complete contact with the power supply unit 24 and applying pressure, resulting in the power supply unit 24 being elastically deformed. Therefore, a relatively large amount of power is generated in Figure 8B. If component B does not have a pressurizing member 44, the edge of component B will serve as the power supply unit 24.

[0062] Figures 9A and 9B are first enlarged views of the components being disconnected from the slots. Figure 9A shows the state immediately before component B is disconnected. In this case, the pressurizing member 44 is in full contact with the power supply unit 24 and pressurizing it, generating a relatively large amount of power as described above.

[0063] Figure 9B shows the state in which component B begins to separate from the control device 20. In this state, the pressurizing member 44 of component B is only slightly in contact with the power supply unit 24, and the generated power is relatively small.

[0064] Thus, the power supply unit 24 generates a relatively large amount of power both when it is pressurized and when the pressurization is released. In other words, the power supply unit 24 generates power when it is pressed, both when component B is connected to the control device 20 and when component B is disconnected from the control device 20.

[0065] The arrangement of the power supply unit 24 is not limited to the examples shown in Figure 7, etc. For example, the pressurizing member 44 may be placed inside the connector 45, and the power supply unit 24 may be placed inside the connector 35. Alternatively, multiple power supply units 24 may be provided at the bottom of the slot 33a, and multiple pressurizing members 44 corresponding to these may be provided on component B. Furthermore, current may be supplied to the unique identification information acquisition unit 21, etc., only when the force applied to the power supply unit 24 changes, that is, only when there is a change in voltage. Even in such cases, it is included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0066] One effect of the at least one embodiment described above is that it is possible to record changes in the configuration of the components even when the power is not supplied.

[0067] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail, this disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, or partially deleted in various ways, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the idea and intent of the invention derived from the claims and their equivalents. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above. Furthermore, combining some of the embodiments described above as appropriate is within the scope of this disclosure.

[0068] With respect to the above embodiments and variations, the following additional information is disclosed. (Addendum 1) A control device, a history holding unit that stores in chronological order a pair of connection date and time when at least one component is connected to the control device and unique identification information held in the connected component connected to the control device at the connection date and time, and a pair of disconnection date and time when at least one component is disconnected from the control device and unique identification information held in the connected component connected to the control device at the disconnection date and time, a unique identification information acquisition unit that acquires the unique identification information of a new connected component connected to the control device at a new connection date and time when at least one new component is connected to the control device, and a new disconnection date and time when at least one new component is disconnected from the control device, a comparison unit that compares the unique identification information of the new connected component with the latest unique identification information held in the history holding unit, A control device comprising: (Note 2) If the unique identification information of the newly connected component differs from the latest unique identification information held in the history holding unit, a holding execution unit that holds in the history holding unit a pair of the connection date and time when the at least one new component was connected to the control device or the disconnection date and time when the at least one new component was disconnected from the control device, and the unique identification information of the newly connected component; and a power supply unit that generates power and supplies the power to the history holding unit, the unique identification information acquisition unit, the comparison unit, and the holding execution unit when the at least one new component is connected to the control device and when the at least one new component is disconnected from the control device. (Note 2) The control device according to Note 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs to the outside the new connection date and time when the at least one new component was connected to the control device and the new disconnection date and time when the at least one component was disconnected from the control device and the unique identification information of the connected component, which are held in the history holding unit. (Note 3) The power supply unit is the control device described in Note 1 or 2, which utilizes energy harvesting technology.

[0069] 1a, 1b System 10 Machine 20 Control device 21 Unique identification information acquisition unit 22 Comparison unit 23 Holding and execution unit 24 Power supply unit 25 Output unit 26 History holding unit 27 Clock 28 Display unit 29 CPU 31 External power supply 32 Switch 39 Memory unit B Components C Unique identification information M Unique identification information holding unit

Claims

1. A control device comprising: a history holding unit that stores in chronological order a pair of connection date and time when at least one component is connected to the control device and unique identification information held by the connected component connected to the control device at the connection date and time, and a pair of disconnection date and time when at least one component is disconnected from the control device and unique identification information held by the connected component connected to the control device at the disconnection date and time; a unique identification information acquisition unit that acquires the unique identification information of a newly connected component connected to the control device at a new connection date and time when at least one new component is connected to the control device, and at a new disconnection date and time when at least one new component is disconnected from the control device; and a comparison unit that compares the unique identification information of the newly connected component with the latest unique identification information held in the history holding unit. A control device comprising: a holding execution unit that, if the unique identification information of the newly connected component differs from the latest unique identification information held in the history holding unit, causes the history holding unit to hold in a pair the connection date and time when at least one new component was connected to the control device or the disconnection date and time when at least one new component was disconnected from the control device, and the unique identification information of the newly connected component; and a power supply unit that generates power and supplies the history holding unit, the unique identification information acquisition unit, the comparison unit, and the holding execution unit when at least one new component is connected to the control device and when at least one new component is disconnected from the control device.

2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs to the outside the new connection date and time when the at least one new component was connected to the control device, the new disconnection date and time when the at least one component was disconnected from the control device, and the unique identification information of the connected component, which are held in the history holding unit.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply unit utilizes energy harvesting technology.

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