Accessory Data Relay for PLC Setup-Free Equipment Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems require significant user effort and burden during setup when introducing new accessory equipment, necessitating program conversion and installation in the PLC of main equipment.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device that associates accessory equipment with regions on the main equipment's memory, relays communication between sensors and main equipment, and converts data formats for seamless integration, reducing the need for manual program conversion and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new accessory equipment is introduced, then system functionality is improved, but program conversion and installation burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device automatically performs data format conversion and integration without requiring manual program preparation. The device self-configures by receiving equipment data from accessory equipment, automatically converting it to the standard format, and integrating it with main equipment data, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually create and install conversion programs for each new accessory equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device serves as an intermediary between accessory equipment and main equipment. It receives various formats of equipment data from accessory equipment, converts them to a unified format, and relays them to the main equipment. This intermediary function eliminates the need for direct program conversion at the main equipment level, reducing the burden on users when introducing new accessory equipment
2Reliability
If manual program conversion is performed for each accessory equipment, then data compatibility is ensured, but setup time and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device performs data format conversion in advance, before the data reaches the main equipment. By pre-converting equipment data from various accessory equipment into a unified format, the system ensures data compatibility is established beforehand, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual conversion during setup and operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data formats from different accessory equipment are supported, then system versatility is improved, but data integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device segments the data integration process into distinct functional modules: data reception from accessory equipment, format identification, format conversion, and data relay to main equipment. This segmentation allows the device to handle multiple data formats through standardized processing steps, reducing the perceived complexity of integrating diverse accessory equipment
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing device including at least one processor is provided, the at least one processor being configured to execute a first obtaining process for obtaining accessory equipment data transmitted from each of pieces of accessory equipment included in an accessory equipment group, a first converting process for converting the accessory equipment data, which has been obtained in the first obtaining process, into a particular format, and a first providing process for providing, to main equipment, the accessory equipment data whose format has been converted in the first converting process. Further, an information processing method is provided.