JP2007264972A - Field information collection system and field information collection method - Google Patents

Abstract

An on-site information collection system and an on-site information collection method are provided that can reduce engineering burden and can collect on-site information in real time.
A programmable logic controller (1, 1,...) Acquires field information of a plurality of fields. The terminal device 2 is used for referring to the field information acquired via the programmable logic controllers 1, 1,. The e-mail server 3 receives e-mails transmitted from the programmable logic controllers 1, 1,. The programmable logic controllers 1, 1,..., The terminal device 2 and the electronic mail server 3 are connected to each other via the Internet 4.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a field information collection system and a field information collection method for collecting field information detected by a programmable logic controller via a network.

  As a system for remotely monitoring facilities and equipment such as a plant and a generator, a monitoring system as shown in FIG. 3 is used. As shown in FIG. 3, in this monitoring system, a programmable logic controller 101 for acquiring field information is arranged at the field, and the field information is transferred to the data collection computer 103 via the network 104. The user can refer to the field information stored in the data collection computer 103 from a remote location by connecting the terminal device 102 such as a general-purpose computer to the data collection computer 103 via the network 104.

  The programmable logic controller 101 periodically reads input signals obtained at the site and executes processing such as abnormality detection, and temporarily stores event data (on-site information) before and after abnormality detection as a data file at the time of abnormality detection. Function.

  Further, the data collection computer 103 periodically connects to the programmable logic controller 101 and communicates and links with the programmable logic controller 101 to acquire a temporarily stored data file.

  Thereafter, the user can refer to the data file by connecting the terminal device 102 such as a general-purpose computer to the data collection computer 103 via the network 104.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic mail-linked diagnostic processing system that transmits a diagnostic program using electronic mail and can diagnose a device from the central monitoring apparatus side.

JP-A-11-102303

  However, in the monitoring system shown in FIG. 3, whenever the programmable logic controller 101 is added, the data collection program of the data collection computer 103 needs to be modified. Further, since the protocol used for data collection is a dedicated protocol, when there is a firewall or a router on the network path, it is necessary to manage network settings such as port number filtering, and complicated work is required. Furthermore, since the collection of data files by the data collection computer 103 is executed as a regular process, the terminal device 102 cannot perform on-site monitoring in real time.

  In addition, since it is necessary to store and save the data file on the programmable logic controller 101 side until the data file is transferred to the data collection computer 103, a memory capacity corresponding to the size of the data file is required. The programmable logic controller 101 must be prepared.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an on-site information collection system and an on-site information collection method capable of reducing the engineering burden and collecting on-site information in real time.

The field information collection system of the present invention is a field information collection system for collecting field information detected by a programmable logic controller via a network, and temporarily stores the field information acquired by the programmable logic controller. Means, transmitting means for transmitting the field information stored in the storing means by e-mail via a network, and acquiring the field information transmitted by the transmitting means from an e-mail server via the network And an acquisition means.
According to this site information collection system, stored site information is transmitted by e-mail via a network, so that engineering burden can be reduced and site information can be collected in real time.

  The programmable logic controller may include detection means for detecting an abnormality in the field, and the storage means may temporarily store the field information when the abnormality is detected by the detection means.

  The storage unit and the transmission unit may be configured as functions of the programmable logic controller.

The field information collection method of the present invention is a field information collection method for collecting field information detected by a programmable logic controller via a network, wherein the field information detected by the programmable logic controller is temporarily stored. And transmitting the site information stored in the temporarily storing step by e-mail via a network, and acquiring the site information transmitted by e-mail from the e-mail server via the network. And a step.
According to this on-site information collection method, stored on-site information is transmitted by e-mail via a network, so that engineering burden can be reduced and on-site information can be collected in real time.

  A step of detecting an abnormality on site by the programmable logic controller may be provided, and in the step of temporarily storing, the site information may be temporarily stored when the abnormality is detected.

  The step of temporarily storing and the step of transmitting may be performed by the programmable logic controller.

  According to the on-site information collection system of the present invention, stored on-site information is transmitted by electronic mail via a network, so that engineering burden can be reduced and on-site information can be collected in real time.

  According to the on-site information collection method of the present invention, stored on-site information is transmitted by electronic mail via a network, so that engineering burden can be reduced and on-site information can be collected in real time.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an on-site information collection system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the on-site information collection system of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the field information collection system of this embodiment includes a plurality of programmable logic controllers 1, 1,... ,..., A terminal device 2 for referring to the site information from a remote location, and an e-mail for receiving an e-mail transmitted from the programmable logic controller 1, 1,. And a server 3. The programmable logic controllers 1, 1,..., The terminal device 2 and the electronic mail server 3 are connected to each other via the Internet 4.

  Between the programmable logic controllers 1, 1,... And the Internet 4, a connection device 5 such as a firewall or a router is provided. Between the electronic mail server 3 and the Internet 4, a connection device 6 such as a firewall or a router is provided. Can be provided respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the programmable logic controller 1 includes a detection unit 11 for detecting a site abnormality based on a field input signal, and field information when the detection unit 11 detects the abnormality. A storage unit 12 for temporary storage and a transmission unit 13 for transmitting the field information stored in the storage unit 12 by electronic mail via the Internet 4 are configured.

  Next, the operation of the field information collection system of this embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the detection means 11 of the programmable logic controller 1 reads an on-site input signal at a fixed period, and executes an abnormality detection process based on the read input signal. When an abnormality is detected, the detection means 11 outputs an alarm message.

  The storage means 12 of the programmable logic controller 1 normally sequentially stores the latest SOE (Sequence of Event) data (event data arranged in time series and analog instantaneous data such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate) obtained from the field. Record updates. The storage unit 12 always records a certain amount of the latest data in time series. Old SOE data is erased sequentially as it is updated.

  Steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 2 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure in the storage unit 12 when an abnormality is detected.

  In step S1 of FIG. 2, the storage unit 12 determines whether an alarm message is output from the detection unit 11, waits for the determination to be affirmed, and then proceeds to step S2. While the determination in step S1 is negative, the storage unit 12 constantly updates and records the latest SOE data as described above.

  In step S2, the storage unit 12 creates a data file using the updated SOE data, and temporarily stores the data file in an internal memory, a built-in disk, an expansion disk, or the like. Here, the data stored in the data file is SOE data before and after the abnormality detection including the time of abnormality detection. By analyzing this SOE data, it is possible to grasp the state of the site when an abnormality occurs.

  Next, in step S3, the process waits for the end of the transmission of the e-mail by the transmission means 13, and proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the data file temporarily stored in step S2 is deleted, and the process returns to step S1. As a result, a storage area for the next new data file can be secured.

  Steps S <b> 11 to S <b> 12 of FIG.

  In step S11 of FIG. 2, the transmission unit 13 determines whether the data file has been temporarily stored by the storage unit 12, waits for the determination to be affirmed, and then proceeds to step S12. Temporary storage of the data file by the storage unit 12 corresponds to the processing in step S2.

  In step S12, the transmission means 13 sends an e-mail attached with the data file created and temporarily saved in step S2 and the alarm message output from the detection means 11 to the Internet 4 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). And return to step S11. The processing of the transmission unit 13 in step S12 is a determination target by the storage unit 12 in step S3.

  The electronic mail transmitted by the transmission means 13 is stored in the electronic mail server 3 (FIG. 1).

  Electronic mail software is installed in the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 can receive electronic mail stored in the electronic mail server 3 at any time by connecting to the electronic mail server 3. As a result, the user can refer to the alarm message informing the abnormality occurring at the site and the SOE data as the site information relating to the alarm message, and can analyze the abnormality. By making the data file attached to the electronic data into CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, it becomes easy to refer to and process data with various general-purpose software, and data analysis and trend analysis can be performed easily.

  As described above, according to the on-site information collection system of the present embodiment, since the data file is transferred by e-mail, the program modification for transferring the data file is possible even when the programmable logic controller 1 is added. The work burden such as is not generated. Further, by using the general-purpose protocol SMTP, complicated work for network setting such as a firewall and a router becomes unnecessary.

  Furthermore, a dedicated computer for data collection becomes unnecessary by using the provider's e-mail service, which is a general-purpose infrastructure. In addition, each time an abnormality is detected, the data file is sent by e-mail, so the data file can be referenced in real time, and the burden of saving the data file on the programmable logic controller side Can be reduced. Furthermore, since the provider promises continuous operation of the e-mail server, the data file can be referred to in real time for 24 hours.

  In addition, by using the provider's e-mail service, it is possible to refer to the data file from anywhere.

  As described above, according to the on-site information collection system of the present invention, stored on-site information is transmitted by electronic mail via a network, so that engineering burden can be reduced and on-site information can be collected in real time. Moreover, the burden on the programmable logic controller side can be reduced.

  The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be widely applied to scenes where field information detected by a programmable logic controller is collected via a network.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the field information collection system of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the field information collection system of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional monitoring system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Programmable logic controller 2 Terminal device 3 E-mail server 11 Detection means 12 Storage means 13 Transmission means

Claims (6)

In a field information collection system that collects field information detected by a programmable logic controller via a network,
A storage means for temporarily storing the field information acquired by the programmable logic controller;
Transmitting means for transmitting the field information stored in the storing means by e-mail via a network;
Obtaining means for obtaining the field information transmitted by the transmitting means from an e-mail server via the network;
An on-site information collection system characterized by comprising: The programmable logic controller includes detection means for detecting an abnormality in the field,
The site information collection system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit temporarily stores site information when an abnormality is detected by the detection unit. The field information collection system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit and the transmission unit are configured as functions of the programmable logic controller. In a field information collection method for collecting field information detected by a programmable logic controller via a network,
Temporarily storing field information detected by the programmable logic controller;
Transmitting the site information stored in the temporarily storing step by e-mail via a network;
Obtaining the field information transmitted by e-mail from an e-mail server via the network;
An on-site information collection method characterized by comprising: Detecting a field abnormality by the programmable logic controller;
5. The site information collecting method according to claim 4, wherein in the step of temporarily storing, the site information is temporarily stored when the abnormality is detected. The field information collecting method according to claim 4, wherein the step of temporarily storing and the step of transmitting are executed by the programmable logic controller.

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