KR20180001650A - Apparatus for managing factories in internet of things - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device which allows a factory integrated management device to collect and integrated manage data standardized from a field area part, to connect smart factories having different bases through one platform and to provide an integrated web service. The factory integrated management device comprises: a platform area part including a hub for transmitting/receiving the data standardized from the field area part, a device management module for managing a connection with at least one device in the field area part, a data management module for managing the data collected from the field area part and a service interface module for transmitting/receiving the data to/from an enterprise area part; and the enterprise area part including a web application for providing information which visualizes the data stored in the platform area part through a web portal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an IoT-

The present invention relates to an IoT-based factory integrated management apparatus, and more particularly, to an IoT-based factory integrated management apparatus for integrating smart factories having different bases through a single platform, .

The contents described in this section merely provide background information on the present embodiment and do not constitute the prior art.

Since Germany advocated industry 4.0 (4.0), countries around the world are pursuing advanced manufacturing under the name smart factory or smart manufacturing.

The Smart Factory is a concept that optimizes the system by applying ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) to the manufacturing process.

Among them, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is attracting attention as a technology that will play a central role in improvement of process operation. Through the application of the Internet technology, existing machines and equipment can be connected to the hyperconnected network, and an optimized manufacturing production system can be established.

More specifically, it is possible to collect and interpret enormous amounts of data throughout the process in real time through the Internet of things. In addition, each process can be improved based on the interpreted data. Through this process, it is possible to efficiently perform cost management and material management, to facilitate the production of customized products, and to improve predictability of market changes through analysis of big data.

However, in order to construct a superconnection network, it is necessary to achieve vertical and horizontal integration between factories constituted by different infrastructures.

For such integration, it is necessary to improve the connectivity of different equipment, machines, sensors, and systems sold in various companies, and to unify and communicate operational information.

However, it is a reality that each manufacturer has difficulty in ensuring interoperability of each device by using different interfaces, platforms, and systems. In addition, interfaces, platforms, and the like are constantly being improved and changed, so log data that can be extracted from these devices is also constantly changing.

Accordingly, there is a need for a way to provide an integrated service model for securing interoperability of each factory.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1080434, November 07, 2011 Notice (OPC UA server for device integration based on FDT / DTM and EDDL)

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for integrating and managing data by connecting smart factories of different infrastructure environments on a standardized industrial IOT basis.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, unless further departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be possible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a factory integrated management system including a hub for transmitting and receiving standardized data from a field area, a device management unit for managing connection with at least one device in a field area, A data management module for managing data collected from the module, a field area, and a service area module including an enterprise area and a service interface module for transmitting and receiving data; And

An enterprise area including a web application for providing information visualized through a web portal, the data stored in the platform area; . ≪ / RTI >

In addition, in the factory integrated management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the platform area unit may further include an external interface module for communicating with an external service server in the platform area unit.

In addition, the enterprise area unit may further include an intelligent management module for a production process and a resource management for a field area.

The factory integrated management apparatus by the service apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can communicate according to the field area unit and the OPC UA standard.

The platform area unit of the factory integrated management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention collects setting information from a first instance existing in the field area unit, When two instances request configuration information, applicable configuration information among the collected configuration information may be extracted and transmitted to the second instance.

According to the advertisement providing method of the present invention, it is possible to increase the productivity by integrating and managing data between a plurality of factories, to share setting information of each factory, to reduce the time and cost required for initial installation, The security can be improved.

The effects obtained in the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description .

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the technical features of the invention.
1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an overall system for performing an integrated IoT-based factory management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are block diagrams illustrating an instance of a field area for performing an IoT-based factory integrated management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a platform area for performing an IoT-based factory integrated management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram illustrating an enterprise domain for performing an IoT-based factory integrated management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a factory integrated management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a message flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of an application service that can be provided using the IoT-based factory integrated management system of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

In the following description and the accompanying drawings, detailed description of well-known functions or constructions that may obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted. It should be noted that the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as possible throughout the drawings.

The terms and words used in the following description and drawings are not to be construed in an ordinary sense or a dictionary, and the inventor can properly define his or her invention as a concept of a term to be described in the best way It should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the technical ideas of the present invention are described. Therefore, It is to be understood that equivalents and modifications are possible.

Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, and are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another, Not used. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as a second component.

In addition, when referring to an element as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it means that it can be connected or connected logically or physically.

In other words, it is to be understood that although an element may be directly connected or connected to another element, there may be other elements in between, or indirectly connected or connected.

It is also to be understood that the terms such as " comprising "or" having ", as used herein, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, It should be understood that the foregoing does not preclude the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

Also, the terms " part, "" module," and " module ", etc. in the specification mean a unit for processing at least one function or operation and may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software have.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that in the context of describing the invention (particularly in the context of the following claims), the terms " a or an, ""Quot; or " include ", unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

First, each device connected to the service apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and the entire system will be described.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an overall system for performing an integrated IoT-based factory management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, an IoT-based factory integrated management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a field area unit 100, a platform area unit 200, an enterprise area unit 300, and a communication network 500 Lt; / RTI >

The field area unit 100 collects data from sensors, smart devices, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), and various other servers installed in respective factories and transmits them to a gateway (SFW Gateway, Smart Factory Web Gateway To the platform area unit 200 via the interface unit 200. [

The field area unit 100 may include a plurality of instances each located on a factory basis. Here, the " instance " means a system installed in one factory to manage the one plant. Also, the field area unit 100 can create a new instance or remove an existing instance without restriction.

The specific configuration of each instance located in the field area unit 100 will be described later.

The platform area unit 200 is connected to the field area unit 100 to store and manage data related to each instance included in the field area unit 100. [ The platform area unit 200 may serve as a middleware that transmits and receives data to and from each instance through a gateway located in the field area unit 100.

At this time, the field area unit 100 and the platform area unit 200 can communicate with one M2M (One Machine to Machine) or OPC UA (OPC (Unified Object Linking and Embedding) have.

One M2M standard is to implement the common standard technology of object Internet devices. It includes a device domain area where sensors, actuators, and other smart devices are located, an access network through a gateway, and a network A domain domain, and an application domain domain for actual service realization.

The OPC UA standard is a new OPC standard that combines the existing OPC standards (OPC DA, HDA, A & E), data encryption into the RSA standard, and authentication based on the x509 Certificate standard.

The OPC UA allows the OPC information model to represent all of the information models defined by other standards, data defined by each device supplier, as well as data based on the existing OPC standards.

This OPC UA standard may include a client-server architecture. Here, the OPC UA client connects to the OPC UA server to collect data, and the OPC UA server connects to each device and collects data and provides the collected data to the OPC client.

The platform area unit 200 may serve as an OPC client according to the OPC UA standard.

A more specific configuration of the platform area unit 200 will be described later.

The enterprise domain unit 300 is configured to provide a web-based service to a user through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the platform in connection with the platform domain unit 200.

The enterprise domain unit 300 may provide an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) service in addition to the web-based service. The MES or ERP service can be provided in each instance of the field area unit 100. However, it is possible to manage only the devices located in one instance with the management system in one instance located in the field area unit 100 . On the other hand, the MES or the ERP in the enterprise domain unit 300 can provide the service for the entire field area 100 based on the data collected from the platform data.

In addition, the enterprise domain unit 300 can provide various services through an application provided by an external provider.

The web-based service may include an analysis or visualization service based on data provided in the platform area unit 200. [

That is, the platform area unit 200 serves as a middleware layer for connection with the field area unit 100, and the enterprise area unit 300 includes an application layer 300 based on data collected in the platform area unit 200 It plays a role. Accordingly, the platform area unit 200 and the enterprise area unit 300 can be in the form of middleware and application layer included in one factory integrated management device 400. [

A more specific configuration of the enterprise domain unit 300 will be described later.

In addition, the field area 100 of the present invention may be connected to the platform area 200 through the communication network 500. The communication network 500 is a network capable of transmitting and receiving data using an Internet protocol using various wired and wireless communication technologies such as an Internet network, an intranet network, a mobile communication network, and a satellite communication network.

In addition, the communication network 500 is combined with the platform area unit 200 and the field area unit 100 to store computing resources such as hardware and software. The communication network 500 may be a closed network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network), an open network such as the Internet, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Packet Core (EPC), and next generation networks and computing networks to be implemented in the future.

In addition, the communication network 500 of the present invention includes, for example, a plurality of access networks (not shown) and a core network (not shown), and may include an external network such as an Internet network (not shown).

As described above, the overall configuration of the entire system for performing the IoT-based factory integrated management method according to the embodiment of the present invention has been schematically described.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each configuration for IoT-based factory integrated management of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram more specifically showing one instance of the field region 100 in the entire system for performing the IoT-based factory integrated management method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

2, the field area 100 includes a plurality of instances, and each instance includes a PLC 111, a DCS 112, a smart device 113, A sensor 114, and an actuator 115 may be included. An OPC UA server module (not shown) is installed in at least one of the PLC 111, the DCS 112, the smart device 113, the sensor 114, and the actuator 115, Data may be collected from the devices 110 and transferred to the field operating server 120 or the model server 130 where the OPC UA client module (not shown) is installed.

Alternatively, an OPC UA interface module (not shown) for OPC UA-based communication is installed in each of the devices 110, and data of each device 110 is collected in one OPC UA server module Data may be transmitted to the OPC UA client module (not shown).

More specifically, in the case of the PLC 111 or the DCS 112, log data generated in the process of controlling the lower smart device 113 or the in-plant production equipment 150 is collected and stored in the field operating server 120 or the gateway (140).

The sensor 114 may collect sensing information such as temperature collected from each production equipment 150 and transmit it to the field operating server 120 or the gateway 140. The smart device 113 or the actuator 115 may transmit information And may transmit the collected contents to the field operation server 120 or the gateway 140 according to the characteristics of the individual. For example, if the smart device 113 is a camera, a photograph taken of the production equipment 150 may be transmitted to the field operating server 120 or the gateway 140.

The field operating server 120 is provided with an OPC UA client module (not shown), and can receive data collected from the OPC UA server module installed in each of the devices 110. The received data is managed through the OPC UA Aggregating Server.

The field operating server 120 may also include an API for providing MES or ERP services. The MES or ERP service provided through the field operation server 120 may provide only one instance of the field operation server 120, that is, a management service for one factory.

The model server 130 is a configuration for storing and managing information (equipment connection interfaces, connection structures, setting values, and the like) of devices and facilities constituting the factory in a script form. The script form can follow AutomationML (Automation Markup Language) format. The OPC UA server module may be installed in the model server 130 and may transmit the script type data to the field operating server 120 or the gateway 140.

The gateway 140 receives data from the various devices 110 including the OPC UA interface, the field operation server 120, and the model server 130, and transmits the data to the platform. The gateway 140 may perform data processing such as filtering and security level setting before sending the data of the field area 100 to the platform area 110.

The gateway 140 may include an OPC UA client module (not shown) and an OPC UA server module (not shown) since it can collect and transmit data by the OPC UA standard.

Each instance in the field region section 100 is configured in this manner, and the field region section 100 includes a plurality of instances.

3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the field area unit 100 from the viewpoint of IIRA (Industrial Internet Reference Architecture) which is a reference model created by IIC (Industrial Internet Consortium).

Referring to FIG. 3, each configuration of the field region 100 may be divided into an edge tier, a platform tier, and an enterprise tier.

The edge tier is a step that includes a terminating node for collecting data from the devices 110 via a proximity network and forwarding them to the platform tier. The configuration of the edge tiers may vary depending on the connection type of the devices 110. [

The platform tier receives data from the edge tier, receives control instructions from the enterprise tier, processes them, and transmits them to the edge tier. The platform tier is a step that includes components that collectively process, analyze, and manage devices of each tier.

The enterprise tier runs an application that manages the instance (domain-specific application), receives data from the edge tier and the platform tier, sends control commands to the edge tier and platform tier, and provides an interface for user actions do.

The configuration of the field area unit 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the platform area unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the platform area 200 of the entire system for performing the integrated plant management method based on IoT according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4, the platform area unit 200 includes a hub (smart factory web hub) 210, a Factory-Thing Device Management Module 220, a Factory-Thing Data Management and Analysis Module, a service interface module 240, and an external interface module 250.

The hub 210 has a structure for connecting the field area unit 100 and the platform area unit 200 and transmits data of a plurality of instances included in the field area unit 100 through the hub 210 to a platform area unit I can do it.

This hub 210 may communicate with the gateway 140 of the field area 100 in accordance with the OPC UA standard. Since the hub 210 receives data from the gateway 140, the hub 210 includes an OPC UA client module.

The device management module 220 is a structure for managing connection with each device 110 existing in the field area 100. The device management module 220 provides basic device management functions such as creation, deletion, and inquiry of each device 110.

The data management module 230 stores the data received through the OPC UA server module and transmits the data to the enterprise area unit 300. That is, it performs overall management of the data collected through the OPC UA standard.

The service interface module 240 is an API for being connected to an arbitrary service application installed in the enterprise area unit 300 based on the data of the platform area unit 200. The service interface module 240 may provide an open API. Service applications such as a web portal, MES, and ERP located in the enterprise domain unit 300 are created based on an open API provided in the service interface 300.

The external interface module 250 is an API for interworking with an external service other than the enterprise domain unit 300. The external interface module 250 may be connected to the cloud server and may be connected to the mashup content servers generated through the API provided by the external interface module 250.

The configuration of the platform area unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the enterprise domain unit 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an enterprise area 300 of an overall system for performing an IoT-based factory integrated management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the enterprise domain unit 300 may include a web application 310, an intelligent management module 320, and an external provider application 330.

The web application 310 is a configuration for providing various services to a user through a smart factory web portal. The web application 310 provides visualized information based on the data of the platform area 200 at the time of the user's access.

For example, it may show the operational status of the production equipment 150 operating in each instance of the field area 100, such as the rotational speed of the conveyor belt, A notification of an abnormal occurrence of the production equipment 150 can be provided through a web portal.

The intelligent management module 320 includes an MES / ERP program and enables the existing MES / ERP service to be provided at an integrated level for a plurality of instances located in a plurality of factories.

The external provider application 330 means an application created by an external provider using the open API and data source provided in the platform area unit 200 and installed in the enterprise domain unit 300. The external provider application 330 may be in the form of an application service that is combined with the web application 310 or the intelligent management module 320 to further refine the web application 310 or the intelligent management module 320.

The configuration of the enterprise domain unit 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the field area unit 100, the platform area unit 200 and the enterprise area unit 300 from the viewpoint of the Industrial Internet Reference Architecture (IIRA), which is a reference model created by the IIC (Industrial Internet Consortium) Fig.

Referring to FIG. 6, it can be understood that each tier applied in one instance of the field region 100 is extended and applied to the entire system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the field area unit 100 is an object for collecting data with an edge tier, and the platform area unit 200 is a processing unit for processing data and controlling the data between the field area unit 100 and the enterprise area unit 300 And the enterprise domain unit 300 can be understood as an enterprise tier providing an application program and a user interface.

The structure of the factory integrated management system based on IoT according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

FIG. 7 is a message flow diagram illustrating an example of an application service that can be provided using the IoT-based factory integrated management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, a plurality of instances (hereinafter referred to as first instances) in the field area unit 100 connected to the factory integrated management apparatus 400 or the platform area unit 200, (S700).

In step S702, the factory integrated management apparatus 400 maps the collected configuration information to the first instance and the instance of the internal configuration apparatus and the configuration information of the device, and stores the mapped configuration information.

Thereafter, when there is an instance (hereinafter referred to as a second instance) connected to the factory integrated management apparatus 400 for the first time (S704), the factory integrated management apparatus 400 can inquire the second instance If it is determined that there is applicable setting information from the second instance (S706), it is checked whether the applicable setting information exists or not (S708). If there is applicable setting information, And may be transmitted to the second instance (S710).

Thus, the IoT-based factory integrated management system according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described.

Although the present specification and drawings illustrate exemplary device configurations, implementations of the functional operations and the subject matter described herein may be embodied in other types of digital electronic circuitry or include structures and their structural equivalents disclosed herein Firmware, or hardware, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing.

Thus, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes, and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the described embodiments but should be defined by the claims.

The present invention relates to a factory integrated management apparatus based on IoT for providing integrated web services by connecting smart factories having different bases through a single platform and provides a data integration model for cooperation between factories, It is possible to contribute to industrial development by saving time and cost required for factory setting by making it possible to exchange information between factories. In addition, since the present invention has a possibility of being commercially available or operating, There is a possibility of award.

100:
200: Platform area
300: enterprise domain section
400: Factory integrated management device
500: Network

Claims (8)

A hub for transmitting / receiving standardized data from the field area, a device management module for managing connection with one or more devices in the field area, a data management module for managing data collected from the field area, And a service interface module for transmitting and receiving the service interface module; And
An enterprise area including a web application for providing information visualized through a web portal, the data stored in the platform area;
The factory integrated management device comprising: The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the platform area unit further comprises an external interface module for communication with an external service server. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the enterprise area further comprises an intelligent management module for production process and resource management for the field area. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the platform area unit communicates with the field area unit according to an OPC UA standard. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the platform area unit collects configuration information from a first instance existing in the field area unit and, when a second instance firstly connected to the field area unit requests configuration information, Extracts the setting information, and transmits the extracted setting information to the second instance. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the platform area unit collects the setting information from a model server of the field area unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the platform area unit further receives security level information on data collected from the field area unit. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the security level information is generated at a gateway included in each instance of the field area.

Images