U.S. patent application number 15/266710 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for social infrastructure control system, control method, control apparatus, and server.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. The applicant listed for this patent is Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. Invention is credited to Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki MATSUDA, Makoto Ochiai.
Application Number | 20170003669 15/266710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49581947 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170003669 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUDA; Yoshiyuki ; et
al. |
January 5, 2017 |
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, CONTROL
APPARATUS, AND SERVER
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a system includes control apparatus
and server. Control apparatus includes collector, transmitter,
receiver and main controller. Collector collects sensing data
concerning control targets in social infrastructure. Transmitter
transmits collected sensing data to server. Receiver receives
control instruction from server. Main controller controls control
targets based on control instruction. Server includes acquisition
unit, database, generator and instructor. Acquisition unit acquires
sensing data from control apparatus. Database stores sensing data.
Generator generates control instruction by processing sensing data.
Instructor transmits generated control instruction to control
apparatus.
Inventors: |
MATSUDA; Yoshiyuki;
(Chiba-shi, JP) ; Kobayashi; Yoshitaka;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Ochiai; Makoto; (Fussa-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba |
Minato-ku |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Minato-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
49581947 |
Appl. No.: |
15/266710 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13934480 |
Jul 3, 2013 |
9494924 |
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15266710 |
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PCT/JP2013/057813 |
Mar 19, 2013 |
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13934480 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 11/01 20130101;
H04L 43/0847 20130101; H04L 45/22 20130101; G05B 19/0428 20130101;
G05B 2219/24192 20130101; G05B 2219/24199 20130101; G05B 15/02
20130101; H04L 49/557 20130101; H04L 45/28 20130101; G06F 11/0793
20130101; H04L 12/2852 20130101; G05B 2219/24182 20130101; H04L
45/42 20130101; H04L 41/0663 20130101; G05B 9/03 20130101; H04L
69/40 20130101; Y04S 10/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G05B 19/042 20060101
G05B019/042; H04L 12/26 20060101 H04L012/26; H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28; G05B 11/01 20060101 G05B011/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2012 |
JP |
2012-114961 |
Claims
1: A control apparatus comprising: a collector configured to
collect sensing data concerning a target of an infrastructure; a
transmitter configured to transmit the collected sensing data to a
server; a receiver configured to receive an instruction to control
the target from the server; a memory configured to queue the
received instruction; a priority controller configured to read out
the queued instruction at a timing based on a priority on a basis
of the target; and a main controller configured to control the
target based on the read out instruction.
2. The control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a notifier
configured to notify the server of a result of control for each
control target.
3. The control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a failure
detector configured to detect a communication failure to the
server; and an autonomous controller configured to autonomously
continue control when the failure detector has detected the
communication failure.
4. The control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a failure
detector configured to detect a communication failure to the
server; and a path switcher configured to switch a communication
path to the server so as to continue cooperation with the server
when the failure detector has detected the communication
failure.
5. The control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the memory
is configured to store a control program.
6. The control apparatus of claim 1, configured to collect
information from each target via an adapter provided between the
control apparatus and each target and transmit the instruction to a
target via the adapter.
7. A server comprising: an acquirer configured to acquire sensing
data concerning a target of an infrastructure; a generator
configured to generate an instruction to control the target by
processing the acquired sensing data; a memory configured to queue
the generated instruction; a priority controller configured to read
out the queued instruction at a timing based on a priority of the
target; and an transmitter configured to transmit the read out
instruction to a control apparatus for controlling the
infrastructure.
8. The server of claim 7, further comprising: a corrector
configured to determine a state of each target from a monitor
result of the control apparatus and correct a control program
stored in a memory of the control apparatus.
9. The server of claim 7, configured to decide control contents
based on information collected by an adapter provided between the
control apparatus and each target, and transmit the instruction
according to the control contents to the target via the
adapter.
10. The server of claim 7, wherein the memory is configured to
store a control program, and a corrector configured to determine a
state of each target from a monitor result of the control apparatus
and correct the control program based on the monitor result.
11. A control method comprising: collecting sensing data concerning
a target of an infrastructure; transmitting the collected sensing
data to a server; receiving an instruction to control the target
from the server; queuing the received instruction; reading out the
queued instruction at a timing based on a priority on a basis of
the target; and controlling the target based on the read out
instruction.
12. The control method of claim 11, further comprising notifying
the server of a result of control for each control target.
13. A control method comprising: acquiring sensing data concerning
a target of an infrastructure; generating an instruction to control
the target by processing the acquired sensing data; queuing the
generated instruction; reading out the queued instruction at a
timing based on a priority of the target; and transmitting the read
out instruction to a control apparatus for controlling the
infrastructure.
14. The control method of claim 13, further comprising: causing the
control apparatus to notify a server of a result of the control for
the target.
15. An infrastructure control system comprising: a control
apparatus; and a server, wherein the control apparatus comprising:
a collector configured to collect sensing data concerning a target
of an infrastructure; a transmitter configured to transmit the
collected sensing data to the server; a receiver configured to
receive an instruction to control the target from the server; a
memory configured to queue the received instruction; a priority
controller configured to read out the queued instruction at a
timing based on a priority on a basis of the target; and a main
controller configured to control the target based on the read out
instruction, and the server comprising: an acquirer configured to
acquire the sensing data from the control apparatus; a generator
configured to generate the instruction by processing the sensing
data; and a transmitter configured to transmit the generated
instruction to the control apparatus.
16. The infrastructure control system of claim 15, wherein the
control apparatus further comprises a notifier configured to notify
the server of a result of control for each target.
17. The infrastructure control system of claim 15, further
comprising an operation support system configured to adjust
optimization of an operation associated with processing of one of
the control apparatus and the server, the operation support system
comprising: a determinator configured to determine appropriateness
of control contents from the instruction and monitor information of
the control apparatus and the server; and an operation plan
executor configured to make an optimum operation plan and cause one
of the control apparatus and the server to execute control
according to the optimum operation plan.
18. The infrastructure control system of claim 15, further
comprising an offline operation system configured to collect
information about processing of one of the control apparatus and
the server and executing an infrastructure work offline based on
the collected information.
19. The infrastructure control system of claim 18, wherein the
offline operation system increases or decreases a charging cost
based on processing information acquired from the control
apparatus.
20. The infrastructure control system of claim 15, wherein the
server is included in a cloud computing system.
21. An infrastructure control system comprising: a control
apparatus; and a server, the control apparatus comprising: a
collector configured to collect sensing data concerning a target of
an infrastructure; a transmitter configured to transmit the
collected sensing data to the server; a receiver configured to
receive an instruction to control the target from the server; and a
main controller configured to control the target based on the
received instruction, and the server comprising: an acquirer
configured to acquire the sensing data from the control apparatus;
a generator configured to generate the instruction to control the
target by processing the acquired sensing data; a memory configured
to queue the generated instruction; a priority controller
configured to read out the queued instruction at a timing based on
a priority of the target; and an transmitter configured to transmit
the read out instruction to the control apparatus.
22. The infrastructure control system of claim 21, wherein the
control apparatus further comprises a notifier configured to notify
the server of a result of control for each target.
23. The infrastructure control system of claim 21, further
comprising an operation support system configured to adjust
optimization of an operation associated with processing of one of
the control apparatus and the server, the operation support system
comprising: a determinator configured to determine appropriateness
of control contents from the instruction and monitor information of
the control apparatus and the server; and an operation plan
executor configured to make an optimum operation plan and cause one
of the control apparatus and the server to execute control
according to the optimum operation plan.
24. The infrastructure control system of claim 21, further
comprising an offline operation system configured to collect
information about processing of one of the control apparatus and
the server and executing an infrastructure work offline based on
the collected information.
25. The infrastructure control system of claim 24, wherein the
offline operation system increases or decreases a charging cost
based on processing information acquired from the control
apparatus.
26. The infrastructure control system of claim 21, wherein the
server is included in a cloud computing system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional application of U.S. Ser.
No. 13/934,480 filed Jul. 3, 2013 the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Ser. No. 13/934,480 is a
Continuation application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2013/057813,
filed Mar. 19, 2013 and based upon and claiming the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-114961, filed
May 18, 2012, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a social
infrastructure control system for controlling a social
infrastructure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A society (community) where people live is supported by a
wide variety of social infrastructures such as electricity,
waterworks, transportation, railways, communications, and
buildings. On the other hand, recently growing awareness of
ecological problems and urgent energy situations require energy
saving in every field of the society. There is much heated debate
about how to create a social system capable of saving energy
without forcing people to put up with inconveniences in life.
[0004] In the conventional social system, the social
infrastructures are basically managed and operated independently.
In, for example, an electricity infrastructure, energy optimization
control on a municipality (city, town, or village), region, or
household basis is not implemented yet, not to mention energy
saving on a country basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a system according to
an embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a social
infrastructure control system according to the embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the architecture of a
social system;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing the cooperative
configuration between a local control apparatus 31 according to the
first embodiment and a server 18 that is the upper layer apparatus
of the local control apparatus 31;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of
autonomous control of the local control system shown in FIG. 4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of
the local control system shown in FIG. 4 at the time of
communication path switching;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of
the local control apparatus 31 and the server 18 when a failure
having been occurring in the telecommunication line of the optical
communication network 17 between the server 18 and the local
control apparatus 31 is recovered;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control program correction
procedure of the local control apparatus 31 shown in FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the corrected control program
providing procedure of the server 18 shown in FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of
a social infrastructure control system according to the first
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing another
example of the social infrastructure control system according to
the first embodiment; and
[0016] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of
a local control apparatus 31 and a server 18 according to the
second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In general, according to one embodiment, a social
infrastructure control system includes a control apparatus which
controls a social infrastructure and a server capable of
communicating with the control apparatus. The control apparatus
includes a collector, a transmitter, a receiver and a main
controller. The collector collects sensing data concerning control
targets in the social infrastructure. The transmitter transmits the
collected sensing data to the server via a communication network.
The receiver receives, from the server, a control instruction to
control the control targets. The main controller controls the
control targets based on the received control instruction. The
server includes an acquisition unit, a database, a generator and an
instructor. The acquisition unit acquires the sensing data from the
control apparatus via the communication network. The database
stores the acquired sensing data. The generator generates the
control instruction by processing the sensing data stored in the
database. The instructor transmits the generated control
instruction to the control apparatus. And the controller executes
control of control targets based on the control instruction at a
timing based on a priority defined for each control target.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a system according to
an embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system known as a
so-called smart grid. In an existing grid, existing power plants
such as a nuclear power plant, a thermal power plant, and a
hydroelectric power plant are connected to various customers such
as an ordinary household, a building, and a factory via the grid.
In the next-generation power grid, distributed power supplies such
as a PV (Photovoltaic Power generation) system and a wind power
plant, battery devices, new transportation systems, charging
stations, and the like are additionally connected to the power
grid. The variety of elements can communicate via a communication
grid.
[0019] Systems for managing energy are generically called EMS's
(Energy Management Systems). The EMS's are classified into several
groups in accordance with the scale and the like. There are, for
example, an HEMS (Home Energy Management System) for an ordinary
household and a BEMS (Building Energy Management System) for a
building. There also exist an MEMS (Mansion Energy Management
System) for an apartment house, a CEMS (Community Energy Management
System) for a community, and a FEMS (Factory Energy Management
System) for a factory. Fine energy optimization control is
implemented by causing these systems to cooperate.
[0020] According to these systems, an advanced cooperative
operation can be performed between the existing power plants, the
distributed power supplies, the renewable energy sources such as
sunlight and wind force, and the customers. This allows to produce
a power supply service in a new and smart form, such as an energy
supply system mainly using a natural energy or a customer
participating-type energy supply/demand system by bidirectional
cooperation of customers and companies.
[0021] A social system offers comforts and conveniences to the
social life via social infrastructures represented by the
above-described smart grid. The social system in the future needs
to achieve a social target such as energy saving by organically
combining the diverse social infrastructures using information
processing technologies, communication technologies, and the like.
A social infrastructure control system according to an embodiment
capable of solving this problem will be described below.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a social
infrastructure control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2
illustrates, as examples of social infrastructures, an electricity
infrastructure 11, a new energy infrastructure 12, a road traffic
infrastructure 13, a railway infrastructure 14, a water treatment
infrastructure 15, and a communication infrastructure 16. The
social infrastructures are not limited to those, and there exist a
variety of social infrastructures such as a heat supply
infrastructure, a medical infrastructure, and a building
infrastructure.
[0023] The electricity infrastructure 11 can include power
stations, power plants, and transmission and distribution networks.
The new energy infrastructure 12 is an infrastructure such as a
battery SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) or a PV
(photovoltaic) system concerning a renewable energy. The road
traffic infrastructure 13 can include traffic signals, expressway
systems, and open roads.
[0024] The railway infrastructure 14 can include railway networks,
railway vehicles, and ticket reservation centers. The water
treatment infrastructure 15 can include water supply and drainage
and water purification plants. The communication infrastructure 16
can include the Internet, Web services, SMS (Short Message
Service), and twitter. The infrastructures (social infrastructures)
11 to 16 have peculiar targets to be controlled. The targets to be
controlled by the infrastructures will generically be referred to
as control targets hereinafter.
[0025] The infrastructures 11 to 16 are connected to an optical
communication network 17. A cloud computing system 1000 is
connected to the optical communication network 17 via a gateway
(GW) 100. In this embodiment, the optical communication network 17
will be described as an example of a guarantee-type network. That
is, in this embodiment, the cloud computing system 1000 and the
infrastructures 11 to 16 are connected via a network capable of
guaranteeing a communication band. For example, a VPN (Virtual
Private Network) constructed on an IP (Internet Protocol) network
as well as a dedicated line using an optical communication
technology exists as a network of this type.
[0026] The cloud computing system 1000 comprises a server 18 and a
database 19. The server 18 can be formed as a standalone computer
or an aggregate of a plurality of computers. Further, the server 18
is connectable to the communication network 300 and also physically
detachable or attachable to the communication network 300. The
database 19 can be arranged for one computer or distributed to a
plurality of computers. In this embodiment, a form including a
plurality of servers 18 and a plurality of databases 19 will be
considered. In such a form, the servers 18 are connected to each
other via a cloud communication network 300. Note that, for
example, a SCMS (Smart Community Management System) server 200 may
be connected to a certain server 18 to comprehensively control the
target social system.
[0027] In this embodiment, each of the infrastructures 11 to 16
comprises a local control apparatus 31. Each local control
apparatus 31 can locally control the corresponding one of the
infrastructures 11 to 16 as needed. That is, the local control
apparatus 31 has a peculiar control function of controlling the
control target in each infrastructure.
[0028] For example, the local control apparatus 31 in the
electricity infrastructure 11 has a function of controlling power
distribution for each consumer. The control targets in this
infrastructure are applicable to, for example, breakers in an
electric power substation and switching devices in feeder
pathways.
[0029] The local control apparatus 31 in the new energy
infrastructure 12 has a function of predicting the power generation
amount of a PV system based on meteorological information. The
control targets in this infrastructure are applicable to, for
example, power conditioning systems installed to accompanied with a
PV system.
[0030] The local control apparatus 31 in the road traffic
infrastructure 13 has a function of controlling road traffic. The
control targets in this infrastructure are applicable to, for
example, traffic signals and road traffic signs.
[0031] The local control apparatus 31 in the railway infrastructure
14 has a function of managing operations of railways or the like.
The control targets in this infrastructure are applicable to, for
example, railway signals and railway switching points.
[0032] The local control apparatus 31 in the water treatment
infrastructure 15 has a function of controlling the flow rates of
water supply and drainage or controlling the water reserve for
irrigation or in a dam. The control targets in this infrastructure
are applicable to, for example, the valves for controlling the
amount of water discharge and movable weirs.
[0033] The local control apparatus 31 in the communication
infrastructure 16 has a function of controlling the flow or routing
of an IP (Internet Protocol) network or controlling call connection
of an ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network). The control
targets in this infrastructure are applicable to, for example,
radio base stations and base station controlling devices.
[0034] The local control apparatuses 31 can be connected to a
telecommunication line of the optical communication network 17.
Further, the local control apparatus 31 is physically detachable or
attachable to the telecommunication lines of the optical
communication network 17. The local control apparatuses 31 can
communicate information to/from the servers 18 or acquire various
kinds of data from the databases 19 via the telecommunication line
of the optical communication network 17, or store various kinds of
data in the databases 19 via the servers 18. That is, the local
control apparatuses 31 and the servers 18 can be connected via the
telecommunication line of the optical communication network 17 so
as to mutually communicate information.
[0035] The server 18 has a function of giving the local control
apparatuses 31 various kinds of instructions (including commands
and control data) to control the control targets. That is, the
server 18 has the position of the upper layer relative to the local
control apparatuses 31 or the infrastructures 11 to 16.
[0036] The database 19 stores sensing data associated with the
social infrastructures. Examples of the sensing data are meter
data, sensor data, traffic, GPS (Global Positioning System) data,
and life logs from various kinds of monitor control systems such as
smart meters, various sensors, network monitoring apparatuses, MDMS
(Meter Data Management System), and fundamental systems (Billing
System). That is, sensing data are amounts measurable by some
measurement means. These data are enormous in amount and are
therefore also referred to as BigData in fields concerning cloud
computing.
[0037] When controlling the social infrastructures, it is necessary
to consider processing of data of a very large amount, real-time
processing, resistance to failures (robustness), redundancy,
currency continuation guarantee, disaster countermeasures, high
level of security, personal information protection, data guarantee,
following legal systems/regulations of individual countries, coping
with communication situations of individual countries, SLA (Service
Level Agreement) of each region, and the like. In this embodiment,
control for real-time processing will mainly be explained.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the architecture of a
social system. The architecture shown in FIG. 3 is applicable to
each of the various kinds of social infrastructures according to
the embodiment. In the architecture shown in FIG. 3, the functions
required of the social infrastructures are classified into a
plurality of categories such as monitor control,
analysis/summarization, charging/payment, and facility/equipment
management. The control functions for a control target are divided
into, for example, a local control system 310, a monitor control
system 320, an operation support system 330, and an offline work
system 340. Considering the cooperation between the processing
categories is the key point in transferring the control function
for the control target from the local side to the cloud computing
system side.
[0039] The server 18 shown in FIG. 1 has the functions of the
monitor control system 320, the operation support system 330, and
the offline work system 340. Each local control apparatus 31 shown
in FIG. 1 has the function of the local control system 310.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, a control system for the local facility
of a social infrastructure as a control target corresponds to the
local control system 310. The local control system 310 acquires the
sensing data and various kinds of continuous variables of the
control target in real time and controls the control target in real
time.
[0041] For example, physical quantities such as a flow rate and a
frequency will be exemplified. The local control system 310
acquires the measurement results of the physical quantities in real
time, and converges the acquired data to specific values by loop
control. For example, for control in case of a failure, the local
control system 310 performs processing to quickly ensure the safety
by sequence control. The situation of local control is sent to the
monitor control system 320 as monitor information.
[0042] As for charging/payment, the local control system 310
acquires a sensing result of, for example, an automatic ticket gate
or ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) in traffic and executes
fee/real-time payment. The information of fee/real-time payment is
sent to the offline work system 340.
[0043] In addition, the local control system 310 monitors
facilities concerning various kinds of social infrastructures and
performs necessary control based on the result. The local control
system 310 notifies the monitor control system 320 of information
about the facility control. Upon receiving this information, the
monitor control system 320 monitors the presence/absence of
abnormalities and sends a control instruction to the local control
system 310 as needed. The monitor control system 320 also notifies
the offline work system 340 of monitor management information.
[0044] The monitor control system 320 functions as the upper layer
system of the local control system 310. The monitor control system
320 analyzes/summarizes the monitor information transmitted from
the local control system 310 by methods such as operator monitor,
operator control, alert management, and history management. For,
for example, operation history management, the monitor control
system 320 provides information to the upper layer system in a form
of reporting. The monitor control system 320 then finds optimum
operation of the local control system from the operation history
management and instructs operation change of the local control
system.
[0045] The operation support system 330 predicts the demands of the
various kinds of social infrastructures from the reporting
information obtained by the monitor control system 320 and the
like, and adjusts optimization based on the prediction result. The
operation support system 330 makes a scheduling plan according to
the adjusted contents. The plan is sent to the monitor control
system 320 or the local control system 310 and reflected on the
operation.
[0046] The offline work system 340 manages energy demands based on
management/support information sequentially submitted by the
monitor control system 320 or the operation support system 330.
Based on the result, the energy flow between regions or social
infrastructures is adjusted. The offline work system 340 also
analyzes the management/support information and creates statistical
data to be used as the materials for review and a medium- and
long-term plan. The offline work system 340 executes charging
processing for users based on fee/real-time payment information and
steady charging/payment information from the local control system
310. The offline work system 340 receives facility management
information from the monitor control system 320 and instructs to
execute maintenance and diagnosis of equipment.
First Embodiment
[0047] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing the cooperation between
a local control apparatus 31 according to the first embodiment and
a server 18 that is the upper layer apparatus of the local control
apparatus 31. Referring to FIG. 4, the server 18 implements the
function of a monitor control system 320. The local control
apparatus 31 controls a control target in real time in accordance
with operation processing by a main control unit 311. At this time,
the local control apparatus 31 cooperates with the server 18 in
real time via a network 17.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 4, the server 18 is connectable to the
optical communication network 17 via an interface which is not
shown in this figure and also physically detachable or attachable
to the optical communication network 17. The server 18 comprises a
collection unit 18a, a calculation unit 18b, a selection unit 18c,
a download unit 18d, a setting unit 18e, and a correction unit
18f.
[0049] The collection unit 18a collects sensing data (event
information) uploaded from the local control apparatus 31 via the
network 17 and stores the sensing data in a database 19. The
calculation unit 18b analyzes the event information stored in the
database 19 and calculates the characteristic of the social
infrastructure.
[0050] The selection unit 18c selects a control program adequate to
the characteristic calculated by the calculation unit 18b from a
plurality of control programs (control programs 1 to N) stored in
the database 19 in advance in correspondence with the type, the
operation state, and the like of the control target. The download
unit 18d download-transmits the selected control program to the
local control apparatus 31 via the network 17. The setting unit 18e
adjusts the parameters of the control program based on the
calculated characteristic. The correction unit 18f determinates the
state of the control target from the monitor result of the local
control apparatus 31 and corrects the control program based on the
result.
[0051] The local control apparatus 31 comprises the main control
unit 311, a storage unit 313, an interface unit (I/F) 314, a
communication control unit 315, a monitoring unit 316, a management
unit 317, an interface unit 318, a priority control unit 319, and
an autonomous control unit 350. The main control unit 311, the
storage unit 313, the interface unit (I/F) 314, the communication
control unit 315, the monitoring unit 316, the management unit 317,
the interface unit 318, the priority control unit 319, and the
autonomous control unit 350 are connected via a bus 312.
[0052] The main control unit 311 controls processing such as
communication, monitoring, and management in accordance with a
control program stored in the storage unit 313. The storage unit
313 comprises a queuing memory 313a and a control program memory
313b. The queuing memory 313a stores queuing data used to cause the
main control unit 311 to execute control based on an instruction
from the server 18. The control program memory 313b stores the
control program used by the main control unit 311. Further, the
control program memory 313b stores the degree of priority
determined for each respective one of a plurality of control
targets which constitute each social infrastructure. For example,
the traffic signals, which are one kind of the control targets in
the road or railroad infrastructures, are assigned a high degree of
priority since they need to change the signals every several
minutes, whereas the contents of sign plates for indicating
information are assigned to a lower degree of priority as compared
to that of the traffic or railroad signals.
[0053] Further, the degree of priority determined for each of the
plurality of control targets can be written in the control program
memory 313b with a terminal which is not shown in the figure,
physically connectable and detachable to the local control device
31. In order to enable the operation in a priority control mode,
which will be described later, the degree of priority needs to be
assigned in advance to each respective one of the control targets
by the terminal not shown in the figure.
[0054] The interface unit 314 enables the local control apparatus
31 connectable to the network 17 as well as physically connectable
and detachable, and further the unit is designed to transmit and
receive data with respect to the server 18 functioning as an upper
layer control apparatus, via the network 17.
[0055] The interface unit 314 transmits/receives information
to/from the server 18 serving as the upper layer control apparatus
via the network 17. The communication control unit 315
appropriately controls communication with the server 18. The
communication control unit 315 comprises a failure detection unit
315a and a path switching unit 315b. Upon detecting a communication
failure of the network 17, the failure detection unit 315a notifies
the main control unit 311 of it. Upon receiving the notification,
the main control unit 311 autonomously executes failure avoidance
processing. The path switching unit 315b switches the communication
path when a communication failure has been detected.
[0056] The monitoring unit 316 monitors the operation state of the
control target in accordance with an instruction from the main
control unit 311. The management unit 317 manages the operation
process of the control target in accordance with an instruction
from the main control unit 311. The interface unit 318 is connected
to the control target under control and transmits/receives
information to/from the control target.
[0057] The priority control unit 319 reads out a control
instruction queued in the queuing memory 313a at a timing based on
a priority predetermined for each control target and outputs the
control instruction to the main control unit 311. Control based on
the control instruction is thus executed at a timing according to
the control of the priority control unit 319. Upon detecting a
communication failure for the server 18, the autonomous control
unit 350 autonomously continues the control.
[0058] The local control apparatus 31 stores control instructions
for the control target, which are received from the server 18, in
the queuing memory of the storage unit 313. The main control unit
311 decides the priority of each queued control instruction in
accordance with the priority of the control target stored in the
control program memory 313b. The main control unit 311 notifies the
server 18 of the decided priority. When notified of the priority,
the server 18 further gives the local control apparatus 31 an
optimum control instruction for energy saving of the whole monitor
target.
[0059] The local control apparatus 31 reads out the queued control
instruction from the queuing memory 313a in accordance with the
priority of the control target stored in the control program memory
313b. The local control apparatus 31 controls the control target
concerning each infrastructure based on the readout control
instruction.
[0060] That is, control of the control target by the server 18 is
basically executed in real time (direct real-time control mode). In
addition, control of the control target can also be executed at a
dynamically changed timing or order by priority control as the
determination of the local control apparatus 31 (priority control
mode). In the priority control mode, the control target is
controlled at a timing according to the type, characteristic, or
situation of the control target at that time.
[0061] To cause the server 18 to control the monitor target via the
local control apparatus 31 in real time, it is important to ensure
the communication path in the telecommunication line of the optical
communication network 17 between the local control apparatus 31 and
the server 18. In the first embodiment, the communication control
unit 315 is provided with the failure detection unit 315a and the
path switching unit 315b to prepare for a case of a communication
failure. Upon detecting a communication failure, the communication
control unit 315 notifies the main control unit 311 of it and
causes the main control unit 311 to execute minimum autonomous
control such as failure avoidance. Alternatively, upon detecting a
communication failure, the communication control unit 315 switches
the communication path to another communication path. As described
above, in the first embodiment, safety measures against a
communication failure are taken in advance. The control target is
also imparted a function capable of continuing autonomous operation
without a control instruction.
[0062] The key points of the above explanation are as follows.
[0063] (1) Each local control apparatus 31 queues a signal
concerning a control instruction received from the server 18 in the
queuing memory 313a for control instructions in the storage unit
313.
[0064] (2) The priority of the signal concerning the queued control
instruction in accordance with the social infrastructure managed by
each local control apparatus 31 is decided in accordance with the
control target based on the priority stored in the control program
memory 313b.
[0065] (3) The local control apparatus 31 notifies the server 18 of
the result of priority control by, for example, a notification
signal or a message. Upon receiving the notification, the server 18
performs optimization control for energy saving of the entire
monitor target including a plurality of control targets.
[0066] (4) The local control apparatus 31 sequentially extracts a
signal for a queued control instruction and controls the control
target of each infrastructure based on the control instruction.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure until
the local control apparatus 31 performs autonomous control when a
failure has occurred in the communication path of the optical
communication network 17 between the server 18 and the local
control apparatus 31. Referring to FIG. 5, the local control
apparatus 31 causes the communication control unit 31 to monitor
the communication state by the communication failure detection
function (steps S11 and S12). Upon detecting an abnormality, the
local control apparatus 31 notifies the main control unit 311 of it
and activates the autonomous control unit 350 (step S13). The local
control apparatus 31 executes minimum autonomous control such as
operation stop or power off (step S14).
[0068] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure until
the local control apparatus 31 switches the communication path when
a failure has occurred in the communication path of the
telecommunication line of the optical communication network 17
between the server 18 and the local control apparatus 31. Referring
to FIG. 6, the local control apparatus 31 causes the communication
control unit 31 to monitor the communication state by the
communication failure detection function (steps S21 and S22). Upon
detecting an abnormality, the local control apparatus 31 notifies
the main control unit 311 of it and activates the path switching
unit 315b (step S23). The local control apparatus 31 switches the
communication path to a reserve communication path and ensure the
communication path (step S24).
[0069] Note that in the above description, each of the autonomous
control unit 350 and the path switching unit 315b is used
standalone. However, the autonomous control unit 350 and the path
switching unit 315b may cooperatively operate. That is, upon
detecting a communication failure, the path switching unit 315b
first switches the communication path to the reserve communication
path. If a communication failure is still detected, the autonomous
control unit 350 may execute minimum processing.
[0070] The control program memory 313b shown in FIG. 4 stores a
control program that controls the control target in real time. The
control programs stored in the database 19 of the cloud computing
system 1000 are sequentially updated and registered in accordance
with the type, the operation state, and the like of the control
target. The local control apparatus 31 appropriately corrects the
control program to control the functions of its own by the control
program downloaded from the database 19 of the cloud computing
system 1000.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of
the local control apparatus 31 when a failure having been occurring
in a communication path in the optical communication network 17
between the server 18 and the local control apparatus 31 is
recovered.
[0072] The main control unit 311 of the local control apparatus 31
stores control operation data items created during the autonomous
control period, in the storage unit 313 along with a time stamp of
each data item which indicates when it is created (step S51). The
control operation data items are those regarding the operation
during the autonomous control period, for example, the operation
stop and power off. The control operation data created during the
autonomous control period are stored as log data in the storage
unit 313. The main control unit 311 writes sensing data acquired by
the sensor during the autonomous control period in the storage unit
313.
[0073] The communication control unit 315 of the local control
apparatus 31 monitors the communication status of telecommunication
lines of the optical communication network 17 during the autonomous
control period (step S52). When a recovery of a failure is detected
(step S53), the communication control unit 315 notifies so to the
main control unit 311 (step S54).
[0074] When the recovery of the failure is notified, the main
control unit 311 reads the control operation data and sensing data
during the autonomous control period from the storage unit 313
(step S55). Then, the control operation data and sensing data read
out are transmitted from the server 18 via the telecommunication
lines of the optical communication network 17 (step S56).
[0075] The collection unit 18a of the server 18 receives the
control operation data and sensing data during the autonomous
operation from the local control apparatus 31 via the communication
path of the optical communication network 17 (step S57), and
accumulates the data in a database 19 (step S58).
[0076] The calculation unit 18b of the server 18 acquires the
control operation data or sensing data from the database 19 (step
S59) and analyze either one of both types of data as event
information, thereby calculating out the characteristics of the
social infrastructures of the control targets (step S60). Then,
based on the results of the calculation, a selection unit 18c
selects a control program which adaptable to the social
infrastructure from the database 19 (step S61).
[0077] The database 19 stores a plurality of control programs
according to the types and operation states of the control targets.
The selection unit 18c selects a control program which adaptable to
the social infrastructure out of the plurality of the control
programs.
[0078] Next, the server 18 optimizes the acquired control operation
data or sensing data based on the selected control program and
generates a control signal (step S62). The optimization is executed
based on such a standard as saving of energy of all the targets to
be monitored, including a plurality of control targets. The control
signal is a signal regarding a control instruction to be given to
the local control apparatus 31. The server 18 transmits the
generated control data to the local control apparatus 31 via the
communication lines of the optical communication network 17 (step
S63).
[0079] The local control apparatus 31 receives control signals from
the server 18 (step S64). The local control apparatus 31 stores a
first control signal received after the failure has been recovered,
in the queuing memory 313a of the storage unit 313 (step S65). The
control signals stored in the queuing memory 313a are read out with
priority.
[0080] Next, the main control unit 311 determines the timing for
shifting to the normal control from the autonomous control based on
the control signal from the server 18 (step S66). To explain, if
the operation is shifted to the normal control instantly from the
recovery of a failure, there may rise an unexpected trouble. In
order to avoid this, the main control unit 311 determines a timing
enabling a smooth and continuous shifting of the control of the
social infrastructure in the light of the relationship between the
controlling based on the autonomous controlling program and the
control based on the instruction from the server 18. The main
control unit 311 continues the autonomous control until the timing
for shifting comes. That is, the main control unit 311 controls the
social infrastructure on the basis of the control instruction
related to the control based on the autonomous controlling
program.
[0081] The timing for shifting is determined with reference to the
characteristics of the social infrastructure of the control target,
time zone for shifting, etc., with the top priority fixed to the
safety of, for example, the users of the social infrastructure of
the control target and the residents of the area. For example, in
the case where a failure/recovery event occurs in a railroad
infrastructure, the timing is selected such that the control of the
operation is not shifted during a train is on the railroad between
stations unless the train reaches the nearest station.
[0082] In the meantime, when a time zone for shifting the control
is late at night, and the degree of use of the social
infrastructure is very low, it is possible to shift the control
relatively quickly after notifying caution to the users of the
social infrastructure. For example, in the case of the control for
infrastructure facilities of the water treatment infrastructure
shown in FIG. 10, which will be later explained, it is probable
that the control is shifted immediately after the
failure/recovery.
[0083] Even during the control period based on the autonomous
controlling program, the sensing data from the sensor are
continuously transmitted to the server 18 as mentioned before. The
server 18 continuously transmits the control signals based on the
sensing data to the local control apparatus 31.
[0084] When a shift timing determined by the main control unit 311
comes (Yes in step S66), the main control unit 311 stops the
control instructions relating to the autonomous controlling program
(step S67). Further, the main control unit 311 read out the control
signal received at the point of the past which is closest to the
timing of this stopping of the instructions from the queuing memory
313a of the storage unit 313 (step S68). Then, main control unit
311 restarts the control of the social infrastructure based on the
contents indicated in this control signal (step S69).
[0085] As described above, as the processing procedure shown in
FIG. 7 is executed between the local control apparatus 31 and the
server 18 when the failure in the communication path of the optical
communication network 17 is recovered, the switching/switching back
of the control is executed at the optimum shift timing. In this
manner, the operation can be re-optimized in the entire social
system, and thus the smooth operation control of the social
structures can be reliably carried out.
[0086] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control program correction
procedure of the local control apparatus 31. FIG. 9 is a flowchart
showing the corrected control program providing procedure of the
server 18.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, the local control apparatus 31 performs
sensing of the control target (step S31) and transmits sensing data
to the server 18 of the upper layer (step S32). As shown in FIG. 9,
the server 18 always monitors the sensing data (step S41). The
server 18 determines, based on the sensing result, whether it is
necessary to change or correct the control program in accordance
with the upgraded program of the control program or the situation
(step S42). Upon determining that the change or correction is
necessary, the server 18 selects an appropriate control program
(step S43) and distributes it to the local control apparatus 31
(step S44).
[0088] The local control apparatus 31 determines the
presence/absence of reception of a control program from the server
18 (step S33). Until the reception of the control program, the
local control apparatus 31 executes processing using an existing
control program (step S34). Upon receiving a new control program,
the local control apparatus 31 replaces the control program. That
is, the local control apparatus 31 stores the received control
program in the storage unit 313 (step S35).
[0089] The local control apparatus 31 executes subsequent
processing using the corrected control program that has replaced
(step S36). The above-described processing procedure allows the
server 18 to immediately recognize a change in the state of the
control target. Hence, repair/exchange of the program used by the
local control apparatus 31 can be executed without any necessity
for dispatching an worker.
[0090] Note that a box serving as a communication adapter may be
connected to the field apparatus that is the control target. The
box has a function of mediating communication between the field
apparatus and the local control apparatus 31. Providing the box
enables the local control apparatus 31 to collect information from
each device via a wired or wireless control line. The box may have
a communication function of sending a control instruction to a
corresponding device.
[0091] The server 18 decides the control contents based on
information collected by the box serving as a communication adapter
and transmits a control instruction corresponding to the control
contents, thereby directly controlling the device as the control
target.
[0092] The server 18 also has the function of an operation support
system 330 (FIG. 3) and adjusts optimization of operation
concerning processing of the local control apparatus 31 and a
monitor control system 320 (FIG. 3). More specifically, the server
18 determines the appropriateness of control contents from a
control instruction and monitor information from the local control
apparatus 31 and the monitor control system 320 and makes an
optimum operation plan. The server 18 causes the local control
apparatus 31 or the monitor control system 320 to execute control
according to the operation plan.
[0093] The server 18 has the function of an offline work system 340
(FIG. 3). Processes such as facility maintenance and
charging/payment included in this function have many elements
common to the infrastructures. In the first embodiment, the
processing efficiency is improved by clouding with common works
between various kinds of social infrastructures.
[0094] The function of the operation support system 330 forms a
cloud system that attempts cooperation of works except elements
peculiar to each domain. Since processing information from the
local control apparatus 31 is obtained in real time, the processing
time of the local control system can always be grasped. It is
therefore possible to integrate the processing time and
increase/decrease the charging cost in accordance with the
processing time.
[0095] With the above-described arrangement, the server 18 is
always notified of the local situation in real time. By the
functions of the monitor control system 320, the operation support
system 330, and the offline work system 340, the server 18 can
always use the information between the systems. Hence, the
efficiency of work support and operation can be improved.
[0096] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of
a social infrastructure control system according to the first
embodiment. A local control system 31A in FIG. 10, and the monitor
control system 320, the online operation support system 330, and
the offline operation system 340 of the upper layer are associated
with the server 18. The functions of the monitor control system
320, the online operation support system 330, and the offline
operation system 340 can be implemented in the server 18. A water
treatment infrastructure will be described as an example of the
local control system 31A.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 31A denotes the
local control system of the water treatment infrastructure. The
system 31A will be referred to as a water treatment local system
hereinafter. For example, when a water meter 1 of a water reservoir
detects a decrease in the water reserve, the water treatment local
system 31A activates a motor 2 to operate a pump 3 and supply water
to the water reservoir. The water reserve is measured by a flow
meter 4. The water treatment local system 31A causes an inverter 5
to adjust the rotational speed of the motor 2 such that the water
reserve measured by the flow meter 4 becomes constant. The series
of processes is controlled by a PLC/DDC (Programmable Logic
Control/Digital data controller) 6.
[0098] The PLC/DDC 6 provides a function of collecting information
of a sensor attached to the control target and a control function
for the actuator. The sensor and the actuator are examples of the
control target. The PLC/DDC 6 has a sequence control function of
sequentially operating devices in a predetermined order. The
PLC/DDC 6 also has a loop control function of controlling, for
example, the rotational speed of an inverter 415 at a time constant
of several hundred sec or less and making an analog value closer to
a target value. The PLC/DDC 6 further has a function of receiving a
failure signal as an interlock signal and properly stopping a
control target device at the time of failure occurrence.
[0099] The monitor control system 320 receives process data from
the PLC/DDC 6 in the water treatment local system 31A and provides
the monitored situation to the operator at a predetermined period
of about 1 sec. The monitor control system 320 can adjust the
operation of the water treatment local system 41 in real time by
transferring the control operation of the operator to the PLC/DDC 6
of the lower layer.
[0100] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing another
example of the social infrastructure control system according to
the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an extended example of the
cloud structure shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 illustrates the
relationship between a local control system 31B of a water
treatment system and the monitor control system 320, the online
operation support system 330, and the offline operation system 340
that are the associated functions of the server 18 of the upper
layer.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 11, reference numeral 31B corresponds to
the local control apparatus 31A shown in FIG. 10. In the example
shown in FIG. 11, the water meter 1, the motor 2, the pump 3, the
flow meter 4, and the inverter 5 are connected to the network 17
via communication adapters 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65, respectively.
This allows to obviate the PLC/DDC 6. Here, the communication
adaptors 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 are connected to the network 17 by
cable for communication, but it is alternatively possible that they
are connected wirelessly for wireless communication.
[0102] The communication adapters 61 to 65 collect the sensing data
of the control target via communication lines and directly transmit
the collected sensing data to the monitor control system 320 that
is a function of the server 18. The monitor control system 320
grasps the state of the water treatment local system 31B from the
collected sensing data, calculates appropriate control contents,
and adjusts the control amount of the inverter 5.
[0103] This enables to replace the control by the PLC/DDC in the
infrastructure facility with the direct control from the monitor
control system 320 in the water treatment local system 31B. It is
therefore possible to monitor and control at once the operations of
a number of scattered control targets and facility equipment.
[0104] In accordance with the real-time sensing data collection and
control of the local control apparatuses 31A and 31B and the
monitor control system 320, the online operation support system 330
online supports processing of monitor control in a long term,
thereby sequentially implementing optimization.
[0105] The offline operation system 340 can accept monitor
information from the monitor control system 320 at an arbitrary
timing and perform an operation such as statistical
processing/accounting data creation. It is therefore possible to
improve the operation efficiency and provide painstaking work
services. Since local information can be obtained both online and
offline at an arbitrary timing, actions can be taken in early
stages in accordance with the local situation.
[0106] According to this embodiment, in the above-described
architecture, the clouding range is widened so that the monitor
control system 320 that performs host control in the server 18
includes the function of the local control apparatus 31. That is,
the server 18 attempts clouding to implement the real-time
characteristic and resistance to failures for monitor/control in
cooperation with the local control apparatus 31 as the function of
the monitor control system 320. This makes it possible to implement
efficient operation of monitor control and largely decrease the
cost of construction of a social infrastructure control system.
[0107] In the first embodiment, the local control apparatus 31 has
the initiative to decide the priority order of control, that is,
priority control of the control target. This allows to prefer to
control in a domain closer to a site and ensure safety associated
with the operation of the social system.
[0108] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is
possible to implement cooperation between the local control system
and the upper layer management system of the control target of a
social infrastructure and consistency and real-time characteristic
of mutual information in cooperation between regions. It is
therefore possible to provide a social infrastructure control
system capable of implementing appropriate processing in overall
determination/control and a control method thereof.
Second Embodiment
[0109] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of
a local control apparatus 31 and a server 18 according to the
second embodiment. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 denote
the same parts in FIG. 12, and only different parts will be
described here.
[0110] The server 18 shown in FIG. 12 basically has the same
functions as those of the server 18 shown in FIG. 4. The local
control apparatus 31 shown in FIG. 12 basically has the same
functions as those of the local control apparatus 31 shown in FIG.
4.
[0111] The local control apparatus 31 comprises a collection unit
321 in addition to the functions shown in FIG. 4. The collection
unit 321 collects sensing data from a plurality of control targets
of social infrastructures. The collection unit 321 can be
implemented as one function of a monitoring unit 316.
[0112] The local control apparatus 31 further comprises a
transmission unit 322. The transmission unit 322 transmits the
collected sensing data to the server 18 via a telecommunication
line of an optical communication network 17. The local control
apparatus 31 also comprises a reception unit 323. The reception
unit 323 receives a control instruction to control the control
target from the server 18.
[0113] A main control unit 311 controls the control target based on
the control instruction received by the reception unit 323. That
is, the main control unit 311 executes control of a plurality of
control targets based on the control instruction at a timing based
on a priority defined for each control target.
[0114] The local control apparatus 31 also comprises a notification
unit 324. The notification unit 324 notifies the server 18 of the
result of control of the control target. The result of control
includes the time stamp of the point of time the control has been
done and OK/NG of the control in addition to a change in the
sensing data according to the control.
[0115] The server 18 comprises an acquisition unit 18j, a
generation unit 18g, an instruction unit 18h, a priority control
unit 18i, and a queuing memory 181 in addition to the functions
shown in FIG. 4. The acquisition unit 18j can be implemented as one
function of the collection unit 18a.
[0116] The acquisition unit 18j acquires sensing data transmitted
from the local control apparatus 18 via the telecommunication line
of the optical communication network 17 in real time. The acquired
sensing data is stored in a database 19.
[0117] The generation unit 18g processes the sensing data stored in
the database 19 and generates a control instruction to control the
control targets in infrastructures 11 to 16. The instruction unit
18h transmits the generated control instruction to the local
control apparatus 31. The queuing memory 181 queues the generated
control instruction.
[0118] The priority control unit 18i reads out the control
instruction queued in the queuing memory 181 at a timing based on a
priority determined for the control target and transfers it to the
instruction unit 18h. The control instruction thus reaches the
local control apparatus 31 in accordance with the
priority-controlled or sequence-controlled timing. The local
control apparatus 31 controls the control target based on the
received control instruction.
[0119] The priority control of the local control apparatus 31 can
change the control procedure for each control target under the
local control apparatus 31. That is, the control procedure is
dynamically controlled in a state closed in single social
infrastructures (electricity, road systems, and the like). In, for
example, the railway infrastructure 14, a control procedure of, for
example, raising a crossing gate after the arrival of a train at a
station is controlled for control targets belonging to the same
social infrastructure.
[0120] In the second embodiment, the control procedure of the
control target can dynamically be changed between all social
infrastructures under the server 18. For example, in case of a
blackout (electricity infrastructure), control can be performed to
move a train to a nearest station using the standby power system of
the train (railway infrastructure) and then stop the train after
completion of the movement. That is, in the second embodiment,
comprehensive optimum control for a plurality of social
infrastructures becomes possible.
[0121] In the second embodiment as well, the local control
apparatus 31 notifies the server 18 of a control result based on a
control instruction, as in the first embodiment. Hence, according
to the second embodiment as well, the same effects as in the first
embodiment can be obtained.
[0122] Note that the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described
embodiments, the architecture is divided into the local control
system, the monitor control system, the operation support system,
and the offline operation system. However, the present invention is
not limited to this. The control systems may be integrated or
subdivided, or a control system having another element may be
added.
[0123] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *