Patent Description:
Conventionally, in a plant, a factory, or the like (hereinafter referred to as "plant"), a distributed control system (DCS) is built, and a highly automated operation is implemented. This distributed control system is a control system in which some controllers for controlling field devices (a measuring device and an operation device) are distributed to respective control loops. In a plant in which such a distributed control system is built, a field device is regularly or irregularly maintained by a worker in order to prevent an abnormal operation, retain measurement accuracy, and the like.

In many cases, a field device is maintained by using a device maintenance apparatus capable of wired communication or wireless communication with the field device. This device maintenance apparatus is, for example, a note type or tablet type computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld terminal (HHT), a smart phone, or the like on which a dedicated program for maintaining a field device is installed. Such a device maintenance apparatus is used to perform various maintenance tasks, such as a checking task of reading and checking device information set or the like in the field device to be maintained and a setting task of setting new device information for the field device to be maintained, according to the field device to be maintained.

In the case of maintaining a field device, various tests (examinations) of the field device to be maintained are also carried out. In one of such tests, a field device is caused to generate a simulation signal according to a test pattern created in advance. This test is represented by a loop test (a loop examination). In the loop test, a control system of a plant or the like causes the field device to output a simulation signal of a certain output level (a test output level) to an upper device or the like, such as a DCS, and checks operation of the field device and whether the field device and the upper device or the like are connected correctly. <CIT> discloses a device maintenance apparatus capable of performing such a loop test.

The above test in which a field device to be maintained is used may be carried out by a plurality of persons. For example, in many cases, a test represented by the loop test in which the field device is caused to generate a simulation signal is carried out by cooperation between a field worker who carries out a maintenance work and an operator who monitors a plant. Specifically, the field worker issues a simulation signal generation instruction to the field device, and the plant operator checks a simulation signal received from an upper device or the like.

Conventionally, information relating to a test in which a field device to be maintained is used (including test results) is separately managed according to work content. For example, in a test represented by the above-described loop test, work content of a field worker is recorded and managed in the aforementioned device maintenance apparatus, and work content (check results) of a plant operator is recorded and managed, for example, in a document.

As described above, conventionally, information relating to a test and including test results is not integrally managed, and there is no means for integrally managing the information. Accordingly, there is a problem in that it is difficult to ensure the reliability of a test.

<CIT> discloses a test support apparatus for a plant monitoring system, including: a list holding unit configured to hold a test list which describes at least a plurality of test items and information about a testing sequence for the test items; a screen generating unit configured to generate a display screen provided based on an output signal from a control unit which controls a plurality of connected devices; a data acquisition instructing unit configured to give instructions to acquire image data of the display screen based on the testing sequence in the test list; and a data linking unit configured to link the acquired image data to the test items on the test list.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, there is provided a test information management device as set out in independent claim <NUM>, a test information management method as set out in independent claim <NUM>, a test information management program as set out in independent claim <NUM>, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set out in independent claim <NUM>. Advantageous developments are defined in the dependent claims.

Further features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

The embodiments of the present invention will be now described herein with reference to illustrative preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternative preferred embodiments can be accomplished using the teaching of the present invention.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a test information management device, a test information management method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium capable of ensuring the reliability of a test carried out using the field device.

Hereinafter, a test information management device, a test information management method, a test information management program, and a storage medium according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of these embodiments will be described below, and then each embodiment will be described in detail.

Embodiments of the present invention make it possible to ensure the reliability of a test carried out using a field device. Specifically, in a test (an examination) represented by the above-described loop test and carried out by receiving a test signal (an examination signal) output from a first device in a second device, first information including information representing an output state of the test signal in the first device and second information including image information representing reception results of the test signal in the second device are integrally managed by automatically linking the first information and the second information together, and thereby the reliability of the test carried out using a field device is ensured. For example, the traceability of a test can be easily achieved by integrative management, and thus it is possible to ensure the reliability of the test.

An example of a sequence of the conventional loop test carried out by a plurality of workers (a worker A and a worker B) is as follows.

Since a conventional loop test partially depends on operations and judgments of individual workers, a mistake may be made. For example, the following mistakes may be made.

As described above, a conventional loop test partially depends on operations and judgments of individual workers, and therefore mistakes may be made. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the reliability of a test carried out using a field device. In these embodiments, first information including information representing an output state of a test signal in a first device and second information including image information representing reception results of a test signal in a second device are integrally managed by automatically linking the first information and the second information with at least one of identification information for identifying the first device or the second device and the times at which the first information and the second information are generated, such that the reliability of the test carried out using a field device may be ensured.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a main constitution of a test information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the test information management system according to the present embodiment is used in a process control system <NUM>. For this reason, the process control system <NUM> is described first. The process control system <NUM> includes a field device <NUM> (a first device), an input/output (I/O) device <NUM>, a controller <NUM> (a second device), and a monitoring device <NUM> (a second device) and controls an industrial process implemented in a plant (not shown in the drawing) by the controller <NUM> controlling the field device <NUM> according to an instruction or the like from the monitoring device <NUM>.

The plant in which such a process control system <NUM> is built may be a plant for managing and controlling a well site, such as a gas field or an oil field, and surroundings thereof, a plant for managing and controlling electric power generation, such as hydroelectric power, thermal power, or nuclear power, a plant for managing and controlling an environmental power generation, such as solar power or wind power, a plant for managing and controlling water supply and sewerage or a dam, or the like instead of an industrial plant such as a chemical plant. Also, these plants are only examples, and it is to be noted that the plant in which the process control system <NUM> is built is not limited to these plants.

The field device <NUM> and the I/O device <NUM> are connected by transmission lines C1, and the I/O device <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are connected by a cable C2. Also, the controller <NUM> and the monitoring device <NUM> are connected to a control network N. For example, the control network N is a network connecting a plant site and a monitoring room.

The field device <NUM> is, for example, a sensor device, such as a flowmeter and a temperature sensor, a valve device, such as a flow control valve and an on-off valve, an actuator device, such as a fan and a motor, and other devices installed in a plant site. To facilitate understanding, <FIG> shows one sensor device 11a for measuring a flow rate of a fluid and one valve device 11b for controlling (manipulating) a flow rate of a fluid among a plurality of the field devices <NUM> installed in a plant.

The I/O device <NUM> is provided between the field device <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. The I/O device <NUM> includes a plurality of I/O channels (not shown in the drawing) to which the field device <NUM> is connected and processes signals input and output between the field device <NUM> connected to the respective I/O channels and the controller <NUM>. For example, the I/O device <NUM> converts a signal that can be obtained from the field device <NUM> into a signal that can be received by the controller <NUM>. The I/O device <NUM> can also be referred to as a relay device which connects the plurality of the field devices <NUM> to the controller <NUM> and relays a signal input or output by the field device <NUM> and a signal input or output by the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls the field device <NUM> by communicating with the field device <NUM> according to an instruction or the like from the monitoring device <NUM>. Specifically, the controller <NUM> acquires a process value measured by a piece of the field device <NUM> (for example, the sensor device 11a) and calculates and transmits an operation amount of another piece of the field device <NUM> (for example, the valve device 11b), thereby controlling the other piece of the field device <NUM> (for example, the valve device 11b).

The monitoring device <NUM> is, for example, a terminal device which is operated by an operator W2 of the plant and used to monitor a process. The monitoring device <NUM> includes a display device 14a and notifies the operator W2 of actions of the field device <NUM> and the controller <NUM> constituting the process control system <NUM> by acquiring input or output signals of the field device <NUM> from the controller <NUM> and displaying the input or output signals on the display device 14a. Also, the monitoring device <NUM> controls the controller <NUM> on the basis of an instruction of the operator W2.

The monitoring device <NUM> includes a reception information acquirer 14b and acquires image information showing reception results of a signal (for example, a test signal of a loop test: a simulation signal) transmitted from the field device <NUM> and received by the controller <NUM>. Specifically, the reception information acquirer 14b acquires image information (a so-called screenshot) of all of some of content displayed by the display device 14a and stores the acquired image information in a file. This file is associated with metadata (a file name, a file creation date, and the like). In this way, information (reception information IF2: second information) including the image information showing the reception result of the signal received by the controller <NUM> is generated. The timing (the time at which the reception information IF2 is generated) at which the reception information acquirer 14b acquires the image information is, for example, the timing at which a test signal is received, the timing at which a test signal value is changed, the timing at which a preset period arrives (automatic), or an arbitrary timing (manual).

During a loop test, for example, a tag name of a piece of the field device <NUM> used in the loop test, a value (a pressure or flow rate value) received in the loop test, a graph showing a change of the received value over time, and the like are displayed in the display device 14a of the monitoring device <NUM>. To this end, image information including this information is acquired by the reception information acquirer 14b. The monitoring device <NUM> includes a reception information storage 14c and stores the reception information IF2 acquired by the reception information acquirer 14b in the reception information storage 14c. Also, when there is a request from an external device (for example, a test information management device <NUM>), the monitoring device <NUM> outputs the reception information IF2 stored in the reception information storage 14c to the outside.

In a plant in which such a process control system <NUM> is built, a device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is used to maintain the field device <NUM> and the like. Also, the test information management device <NUM> is used to manage results of a loop test carried out in the case of maintaining the field device <NUM> and the like. In order to manage the results of the loop test, a camera <NUM> may also be used. A test information management system according to the present embodiment is composed of the monitoring device <NUM> in addition to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the test information management device <NUM> (as well as the camera <NUM>). The device maintenance apparatus <NUM>, the test information management device <NUM>, and the camera <NUM> will be described below in sequence.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a main constitution of a device maintenance apparatus used in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, such a device maintenance apparatus <NUM> includes an operation device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, and an input/output device <NUM>. Such a device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is implemented by, for example, a note type or tablet type computer or the like. Functions of the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> (functions for maintaining or testing the field device <NUM>) are implemented in a software manner by, for example, installing a program for implementing the functions (including a program stored in a storage medium not shown in the drawing).

The operation device <NUM> includes an input device, such as a keyboard or a pointing device, and outputs an instruction corresponding to an operation of a worker who uses the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> (an instruction to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>) to the processor <NUM>. The display device <NUM> includes a display device, such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays various kinds of information output from the processor <NUM>. The operation device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> may be physically separated from each other or physically integrated as a touch-panel-type liquid crystal display device which has both a display function and an operational function.

The storage <NUM> includes an auxiliary memory device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various kinds of information. For example, the storage <NUM> stores output information 1F1 (first information) relating to a loop test carried out by using the field device <NUM>. The output information IF1 relating to the loop test includes information representing an output state of a test signal output from the field device <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, device information A1 (identification information), test execution information A2, output signal information A3 (information representing a level and an output start time of the level), and worker information A4 are included in the output information IF1.

The device information A1 is identification information allocated to each of the field devices <NUM> in order to identify the field devices <NUM>. As the device information A1, tag information that is easily understood, such as "F1-1002A," is used. The device information A1 is read from the field device <NUM> and stored in the storage <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>, for example, at the timing at which the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is connected to the field device <NUM>.

The test execution information A2 is information representing the date and time when the loop test is carried out (specifically, the date and time when the loop test begins and the date and time when the loop test ends). For example, "<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>" may be stored as the start date and time of the loop test, and "<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>" may be stored as the end date and time of the loop test. This information is stored in the storage <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>. Specifically, information representing the start date and time of the loop test is stored in the storage <NUM> at the timing at which the loop test begins, and information representing the end date and time of the loop test is stored in the storage <NUM> at the timing at which the loop test ends.

The output signal information A3 is information representing a level of the test signal output from the field device <NUM> and an output start time and end time of the test signal. This information is stored in the storage <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM> at the timing at which a test signal of each level is generated (the timing at which generation of a test signal ends). For example, when a loop test in which a level of a test signal is changed in sequence to <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>% is carried out (in the case of <NUM> point checking), the following information is stored in the storage <NUM>.

As shown in the above example, the output signal information A3 is information in which an output start time and end time of each level are paired. When there is no end time to be paired with, an output start time of a next level or an end time of the loop test is treated as an end time of the level.

The worker information A4 is information relating to a worker who uses the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>. For example, an account name required to log in to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is used as the worker information A4. For example, when the account name of a worker W1 who uses the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is "YOKOGAWA TAROU," the name "YOKOGAWA TAROU" is stored in the storage <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM> at the timing at which the worker W1 logs in to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>. As described above, the pieces of output information IF1 (the device information A1, the test execution information A2, the output signal information A3, and the worker information A4) are separately generated at the above-described timings (times) and stored in the storage <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> controls overall operation of the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> on the basis of an operation instruction input from the operation device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> includes a test executor 24a and a test information recorder 24b. When a loop test execution instruction is input from the operation device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> causes the test executor 24a to carry out a loop test and causes the test information recorder 24b to record results of the performed loop test (to store the results in the storage <NUM>).

The test executor 24a causes the field device <NUM> to output a test signal by transmitting a test signal output command to the field device <NUM> through the communicator <NUM>. Specifically, according to a preset test pattern, the test executor 24a causes the field device <NUM> to output a test signal at a level set in the test pattern during an interval time set in the test pattern. The test information recorder 24b stores the above-described test execution information A2 and the output signal information A3 in the storage <NUM> as the loop test carried out by the test executor 24a proceeds.

The communicator <NUM> communicates with the connected the field device <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>. When the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is connected to the field device <NUM>, communication between the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the field device <NUM> is started through the communicator <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>, and device information of the field device <NUM> is acquired by the communicator <NUM>. The acquired device information is stored in the storage <NUM> as the device information A1.

The input/output device <NUM> inputs or outputs various kinds of information under the control of the processor <NUM>. For example, the input/output device <NUM> may input or output various kinds of information by communicating with an external device (for example, the test information management device <NUM>) or may input or output various kinds of information by reading or writing various kinds of information in a detachable storage medium (for example, a non-volatile memory). Here, communication performed with the external device may be any of wired communication and wireless communication. Also, various kinds of information output from the input/output device <NUM> is, for example, the output information IF1 stored in the storage <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a main constitution of a test information management device used in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the test information management device <NUM> includes an operation device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an input/output device <NUM> (an outputter), a processor <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, and a drive device <NUM>. For example, such a test information management device <NUM> is implemented as a desktop-type or note-type personal computer, a workstation, or the like. Functions of the test information management device <NUM> (functions for managing results of a loop test) are implemented in a software manner by, for example, installing a program for implementing the functions (including a program stored in a storage medium M).

The operation device <NUM> includes an input device, such as a keyboard or a pointing device, and outputs an instruction corresponding to an operation of a worker who uses the test information management device <NUM> (an instruction to the test information management device <NUM>) to the processor <NUM>. The display device <NUM> includes a display device, such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays various kinds of information output from the processor <NUM>. The operation device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> may be physically separated from each other or physically integrated as a touch panel-type liquid crystal display device which has both a display function and an operational function.

The input/output device <NUM> inputs or outputs various kinds of information under the control of the processor <NUM>. For example, the input/output device <NUM> may input or output various kinds of information by communicating with an external device (for example, the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>, the monitoring device <NUM>, and the camera <NUM>) or may input or output various kinds of information by reading or writing various kinds of information in a detachable storage medium (for example, a non-volatile memory). Here, communication performed with the external device may be any of wired communication and wireless communication. Information input to the input/output device <NUM> is, for example, the output information IF1, the reception information IF2, and reception information IF3 shown in <FIG>, and information output from the input/output device <NUM> is, for example, link information LK stored in the storage <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> controls overall operation of the device test information management device <NUM> on the basis of an operation instruction input from the operation device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> includes a reception information analyzer 34a (an analyzer) and a linker 34b (a linking means) and links together the output information IF1 obtained from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the reception information IF2 obtained from the monitoring device <NUM> or the reception information IF3 (see <FIG>) obtained from the camera <NUM>.

The reception information analyzer 34a performs image analysis on image information included in the reception information IF2 obtained from the monitoring device <NUM> or the reception information IF3 obtained from the camera <NUM> and obtained reception results of a test signal and device information of the field device <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of image information included in reception information obtained by a monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image information shown as an example in <FIG> is divided into a first region R1 in which a tag name of the field device <NUM> is displayed, a second region R2 in which a reception value of a test signal is displayed, and a third region R3 in which a graph showing a change in the reception value over time is displayed. In the example shown in <FIG>, a symbol CT "■" and the tag name "FI-1002A" are displayed in the first region R1, the reception value "PV=<NUM><NUM>/sec" of a test signal is displayed in the second region R2, and a graph in which the reception value changes in five stages over time is displayed in the third region R3.

As described above, in an image included in the reception information IF2 obtained from the monitoring device <NUM>, an arrangement of a tag name, a reception value, and a graph is almost determined and made into rules such as that the symbol CT "■" is necessarily provided beside a tag name. The reception information analyzer 34a performs image analysis on image information included in the reception information IF2 or IF3 according to such rules and obtains the reception results (the reception value) of the test signal and device information (tag information) of the field device <NUM>.

The linker 34b links together the output information IF1 obtained from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the reception information IF2 obtained from the monitoring device <NUM> or the reception information IF3 obtained from the camera <NUM>. Specifically, the linker 34b links together the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 by using at least one of the device information (tag information) of the field device <NUM> and the times at which the respective pieces of information have been generated.

When the reception results (the reception value) of the test signal have been obtained by the reception information analyzer 34a, the linker 34b may link together the output information IF1 obtained from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the reception value obtained by the reception information analyzer 34a. Also, when the device information (the tag information) of the field device <NUM> has been obtained by the reception information analyzer 34a, the linker 34b may link together the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 by using the tag information obtained by the reception information analyzer 34a.

The storage <NUM> includes an auxiliary memory device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various kinds of information. For example, the storage <NUM> stores the link information LK linked by the linker 34b of the processor <NUM>. The drive device <NUM> reads data stored in the computer-readable storage medium M, such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc (DVD: registered trademark)-ROM. The storage medium M stores a program for executing functions of each block of the test information management device <NUM> (for example, functions of the reception information analyzer 34a and the linker 34b).

When the program stored in such a storage medium M is read by the drive device <NUM> and installed on the test information management device <NUM>, functions of each block of the test information management device <NUM> are implemented in a software manner. In other words, these functions are implemented by cooperation between software and hardware resources. Here, the program for implementing functions of each block of the test information management device <NUM> may be distributed as stored in the storage medium M or may be distributed via an external network such as the Internet.

When the test information management device <NUM> does not include the drive device <NUM>, the program is acquired via an external network such as the Internet. Specifically, the test information management device <NUM> stores the program, for example, acquired by the input/output device <NUM> via the external network in the storage <NUM>. Also, the manufacturer of the test information management device <NUM> can store the program for implementing functions of each block in the storage <NUM> in advance as a pre-installed version of the test information management device <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> includes a solid-state imaging element, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and is a camera capable of imaging a two-dimensional still image. The camera <NUM> is operated by, for example, the operator W2 of the plant and used to capture image information of all or some of content displayed by the display device 14a of the monitoring device <NUM>. In other words, the camera <NUM> can acquire information, such as a so-called screenshot, like the reception information acquirer 14b provided in the monitoring device <NUM>.

Time information (a timestamp) representing the time at which the image information has been captured by the camera <NUM> is appended to the image information, and the image information is stored in, for example, a detachable storage medium (for example, a non-volatile memory). In other words, information (the reception information IF3: second information) including the image information representing the reception results of the signal received by the controller <NUM> is generated. The information stored in the storage medium is output to an external device (for example, the test information management device <NUM>) as the reception information IF3, for example, when communication is performed between the camera <NUM> and the external device. Alternatively, when the storage medium is removed from the camera <NUM> and the removed storage medium is installed in an external device (for example, the test information management device <NUM>), the storage medium is read by the external device as the reception information IF3. Here, the reception information acquirer 14b provided in the monitoring device <NUM> can acquire a so-called screenshot, and thus the camera <NUM> is not necessarily used.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing an overview of a test information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The processing of the flowchart shown in <FIG> is started, for example, when the worker W1 who operates the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> issues a loop test start instruction by operating the operation device <NUM>. Here, it is assumed that a loop test is carried out by cooperation between the field worker W1 who operates the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the operator W2 of the plant.

When the processing of the flowchart of <FIG> begins, a test signal output command is transmitted from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> to the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) (step S11). When a loop test is started, the operator W2 is notified of the purport by the worker W1. The notification of the purport that a loop test has been started may be provided by the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> communicating with the monitoring device <NUM> or provided by the worker W1 communicating with the operator W2 through a communication device such as a transceiver.

When the output command transmitted from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is received by the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a), a test signal corresponding to the output command is transmitted from the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) (step S12). The test signal transmitted from the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) is received by the controller <NUM> via a transmission line C1, the I/O device <NUM>, and the cable C2 in sequence. When the test signal is received by the controller <NUM>, the reception results are displayed on the display device 14a of the monitoring device <NUM> (step S13).

Then, a process of storing the output information IF1 relating to the loop test is performed by the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>, and a process of acquiring and storing the reception information IF2 is performed by the monitoring device <NUM> (step S14). In order to simplify description, the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 are considered to be collectively stored in step S14, but these pieces of information are stored as the loop test proceeds. For example, the output signal information A3 included in the output information IF1 is stored in the storage <NUM> at the timing at which a test signal of each level is generated, and the reception information IF2 is stored in the reception information storage 14c at the timing at which a test signal value is changed.

Here, an example in which a process of acquiring and storing the reception information IF2 is performed by the monitoring device <NUM> has been described. Instead of this process, however, a process of acquiring and storing the reception information IF3 by the camera <NUM> may be performed. Specifically, the operator W2 takes a picture of the display device 14a of the monitoring device <NUM> by operating the camera <NUM>. In this way, the reception information IF3 is acquired by the camera <NUM>, and the acquired reception information IF3 is stored in, for example, a detachable storage medium (for example, a non-volatile memory).

When the above processing ends, the processor <NUM> of the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> determines whether the loop test has ended (step S15). When it is determined that the loop test has not ended (when the determination result is "NO"), the process returns to the processing of step S11, and the processing of steps S11 to S14 is performed again so that the loop test continues. Whether the loop test has ended is determined according to whether a test signal regarding a whole preset test pattern has been output from the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a).

With regard to this, when it is determined that the loop test has ended (when the determination result is "YES"), the test information management device <NUM> performs a process of acquiring the output information IF1 from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and acquiring the reception information IF2 from the monitoring device <NUM> (step S16). When the reception information IF3 acquired by the camera <NUM> has been stored in a detachable storage medium or the like, the test information management device <NUM> may perform a process of acquiring the reception information IF3 stored in the storage medium or the like instead of the process of acquiring the reception information IF2 from the monitoring device <NUM>.

Next, the test information management device <NUM> performs a process of analyzing the reception information IF2 acquired from the monitoring device <NUM> (or the reception information IF3 acquired from the camera <NUM>) (step S17). Specifically, the reception information analyzer 34a of the test information management device <NUM> performs a process of conducting image analysis on image information included in the reception information IF2 (or the reception information IF3) and obtaining reception results of the test signal and the device information of the field device <NUM>. Here, it is possible to omit step S17 when it is not necessary.

Subsequently, the test information management device <NUM> performs a process of linking together the output information IF1 acquired from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the reception information IF2 acquired from the monitoring device <NUM> (or the reception information IF3 acquired from the camera <NUM>) (step S18: a linking step). Specifically, the linker 34b of the test information management device <NUM> performs a process of linking together the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 by using at least one of the device information (tag information) of the field device <NUM> and the times at which the respective pieces of information have been generated.

For example, the output information IF1 acquired from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> includes the device information A1 for identifying the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) (see <FIG>). Also, in step S17, it is possible to obtain the device information of the field device <NUM> by performing image analysis on the image information included in the reception information IF2 acquired from the monitoring device <NUM> (or the reception information IF3 acquired from the camera <NUM>) (see <FIG>). When the device information A1 included in the output information IF1 coincides with device information obtained by performing image analysis on the image information included in the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3, the linker 34b of the test information management device <NUM> links together the output information IF1 including the device information A1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 from which the device information has been acquired.

For example, the output information IF1 acquired from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> includes the output signal information A3 representing a level of the test signal output from the field device <NUM> and an output start time and end time of the test signal (see <FIG>). Also, in step S17, time information (a timestamp) has been appended to the image information IF2 acquired from the monitoring device <NUM> (or the reception information IF3 acquired from the camera <NUM>). The linker 34b of the test information management device <NUM> compares the output signal information A3 included in the output information IF1 with the time information appended to the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 and links together the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 with reference to the comparison results.

For example, it is assumed that the time information appended to the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 is "<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>. " Also, content of the output signal information A3 is assumed to be as follows.

The time information "<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>" appended to the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 is obtained when the level of the test signal is <NUM>% (between <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM> on May <NUM>, <NUM>). To this end, the linker 34b of the test information management device <NUM> links together a piece of information obtained when the level of the test signal is <NUM>% among the pieces of output signal information A3 included in the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 to which the time information "<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>" has been appended.

The output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 which have been linked together by the linker 34b of the test information management device <NUM> are stored in the storage <NUM> of the test information management device <NUM> as the link information LK. In this way, the series of processing steps shown in <FIG> ends. The link information LK stored in the storage <NUM> is displayed on the display device <NUM> provided in the test information management device <NUM> in response to, for example, a request from an external device or is output to the outside of the test information management device <NUM> from the input/output device <NUM>.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the test information management device <NUM> acquires the output information IF1 relating to a loop test from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and also acquires the reception information IF2 including image information representing reception results of a test signal of the loop test from the monitoring device <NUM> (or acquires the reception information IF3 from the camera <NUM>). Then, the test information management device <NUM> automatically links together the acquired output information IF1 and the acquired reception information IF2 or reception information IF3 by using at least one of device information for identifying the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) and the times at which the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 have been generated. In this way, it is possible to integrally manage information relating to a loop test and including test results of the test, and thus the reliability of the loop test can be ensured.

Also, the test information management device <NUM> can acquire the output information IF1, the reception information IF2, and the reception information IF3 by communicating with the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>, the monitoring device <NUM>, and the camera <NUM> (or by using a detachable storage medium (for example, a non-volatile memory)). For this reason, when the test information management device <NUM> acquires the output information IF1, the reception information IF2, and the reception information IF3, the worker W1 and the operator W2 do not need to communicate with each other by using a transceiver and the like. In this way, it is possible to easily acquire the output information IF1, the reception information IF2, and the reception information IF3.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, components identical to those shown in <FIG> are given the same reference signs. As shown in <FIG>, in the present modified example, a display meter <NUM> (a second device) is provided on, for example, a transmission line C1 connected to the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) and the I/O device <NUM>, and content display by the display meter <NUM> (reception results of a test signal) is captured by the camera <NUM> such that the reception information IF3 may be obtained. The display meter <NUM> may be provided on the cable C2 which connects the I/O device <NUM> and the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams showing an example of a display meter used in the modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. The display meter shown in <FIG> is an analog display meter, and the display meter shown in <FIG> is a digital display meter. These display meters shown in <FIG> are provided on a transmission line C1 and display the magnitude of a signal (for example, a test signal) transmitted through the transmission line C1. The display meter shown in <FIG> displays the magnitude of the signal transmitted through the transmission line C1 (the test signal) with the amount of rotation of an indicating needle ND. The display meter shown in <FIG> displays the magnitude of the signal transmitted through the transmission line C1 (the test signal) with a value. Also, the display meter shown in <FIG> is a panel display meter in which a plurality of indicators ID are provided. Among the plurality of indicators ID provided in the panel display meter, an indicator connected to the transmission line C1 is used.

In the embodiment described with <FIG>, the target section of a loop test is between the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) and the controller <NUM>. In contrast to this, in the present modified example, the target section of a loop test is between the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) and the display meter <NUM>. In the present modified example, the reception information IF2 acquired from the monitoring device <NUM> is not used, and the output information IF1 acquired from the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and the reception information IF3 acquired from the camera <NUM> are linked together by the test information management device <NUM>. Even in the present modified example, it is possible to integrally manage information relating to a loop test and including test results of the test, and thus the reliability of the loop test can be ensured.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a main constitution of a test information management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, components identical to those shown in <FIG> are given the same reference signs. In the present embodiment, a device maintenance apparatus <NUM> having the functions of the test information management device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used to maintain the field device <NUM> and the like and manage results of a loop test. To this end, a test information management system according to the present embodiment is composed of a monitoring device <NUM> in addition to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> (further, a camera <NUM>).

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a main constitution of a device maintenance apparatus used in the second embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, components identical to those shown in <FIG> or <FIG> are given the same reference signs. As shown in <FIG>, the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is obtained by adding the reception information analyzer 34a and the linker 34b shown in <FIG> to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> and stores the link information LK shown in <FIG> in the storage <NUM>.

Through the linker 34b, the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> links together output information IF1 stored in the storage <NUM> and reception information IF2 obtained from the monitoring device <NUM> or reception information IF3 obtained from the camera <NUM>. Specifically, the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> links together the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 by using at least one of device information (tag information) of the field device <NUM> and times at which the respective pieces of information have been generated. The linked output information IF1 and reception information IF2 or reception information IF3 are stored in the storage <NUM> as the link information LK. The link information LK stored in the storage <NUM> is output from, for example, an input/output device <NUM> (an outputter).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the output information IF1 relating to a loop test is acquired from the storage <NUM> of the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>, and the reception information IF2 including image information representing reception results of a test signal of the loop test is also acquired from the monitoring device <NUM> (or the reception information IF3 is acquired from the camera <NUM>). Then, the acquired output information IF1 and the acquired reception information IF2 or reception information IF3 are automatically linked together by using at least one of device information for identifying the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) and the times at which the output information IF1 and the reception information IF2 or the reception information IF3 have been generated. In this way, it is possible to integrally manage information relating to a loop test and including test results of the test, and thus the reliability of the loop test can be ensured.

Since it is possible to omit the test information management device <NUM> of the first embodiment by implementing the functions of the test information management device <NUM> with the device maintenance apparatus <NUM>, the test information management system can be simply configured. Further, since the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> is carried and used by a worker W1, it is possible to easily acquire and check the output information IF1, the reception information IF2, and the reception information IF3.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a main constitution of a test information management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, components identical to those shown in <FIG> are given the same reference signs. In the above-described first and second embodiments, a test signal is transmitted from the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) to perform a loop test.

In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, a test signal is output from a controller <NUM> (a first device) under the control of a monitoring device <NUM> (a first device) to test an operation state of the field device <NUM> (a valve device <NUM>1b: a second device). For example, a stroke test of the valve device 11b is performed. To this end, the test information management system according to the present embodiment is composed of the monitoring device <NUM> in addition to the device maintenance apparatus <NUM> and a camera <NUM>. The stroke test is a test for checking whether a valve operates normally in the case of changing a flow rate of a fluid or completely closing the valve in an emergency.

As mentioned above, the monitoring device <NUM> causes the controller <NUM> to output a test signal. To this end, output information IF4 (first information) relating to a stroke test of the field device <NUM> (the valve device 11b) is generated and stored in the monitoring device <NUM>. The output information IF4 relating to the stroke test includes information representing an output state of the test signal output from the controller <NUM>. The output information IF4 is identical to the output information IF1 shown in <FIG> and includes device information A1, test execution information A2, output signal information A3, and worker information A4. However, in the device information A1, device information of the field device <NUM> (the valve device 11b) to which the test signal is transmitted is stored.

The camera <NUM> is used to take a picture of an operation state of the valve device 11b. Here, the valve device 11b includes a display device <NUM> for displaying results of operating on the basis of the test signal output from the controller <NUM>. For example, when a mechanical display device for showing the degree of opening (the degree of opening which changes according to the test signal transmitted from the controller <NUM>) is provided as the display device <NUM> to the valve device 11b, a picture of the display device is taken by the camera <NUM>. Also, when a valve positioner for controlling the degree of opening of a regulating valve is provided to the valve device 11b, a picture of an indication value (a value representing the degree of opening of the regulating valve) displayed on the display device <NUM> provided on the valve positioner is taken by the camera <NUM>. In this way, reception information IF3 including image information representing reception results of the test signal relating to the stroke test is generated.

The test information management device <NUM> links together the output information IF4 obtained from the monitoring device <NUM> and the reception information IF3 obtained from the camera <NUM>. Specifically, the test information management device <NUM> links together the output information IF4 and the reception information IF3 by using at least one of the device information (tag information) of the field device <NUM> (the valve device 11b) and times at which the respective pieces of information have been generated. The linked output information IF4 and reception information IF3 are stored in the storage <NUM> (see <FIG>) as link information LK.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the output information IF4 relating to a stroke test is acquired from the monitoring device <NUM>, and the reception information IF3 including image information representing reception results of a test signal of the stroke test is also acquired from the camera <NUM>. Then, the acquired output information IF4 and the acquired reception information IF3 are automatically linked together by using at least one of device information for identifying the field device <NUM> (the valve device 11b) and the times at which the output information IF4 and the reception information IF3 have been generated. In this way, it is possible to integrally manage information relating to a stroke test and including test results of the test, and thus the reliability of the stroke test can be ensured.

A test information management device, a test information management method, a test information management program, and a storage medium according to embodiments of the present invention have been described above. For example, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the device maintenance apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> are used to obtain the output information IF1 by causing the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) to generate a test signal of a loop test. However, the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) may be directly operated to generate a test signal of a loop test. Also, when the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a) has the function of recording the output information IF1, the output information IF1 may be acquired from the field device <NUM> (the sensor device 11a).

An embodiment of the test information management device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be implemented in an arbitrary form without limitations. For example, the test information management device <NUM> may be implemented as a server device which is connected to the control network N or may be implemented as a standalone device provided in a plant. Further, the test information management device <NUM> may be implemented by cloud computing.

Here, the cloud computing may correspond to, for example, a definition (a definition recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology) stated in the document specified by the following uniform resource locator (URL).

As used herein, the following directional terms "front, back, above, downward, right, left, vertical, horizontal, below, transverse, row and column" as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those instructions of a device equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a device equipped with the present invention.

The term "configured" is used to describe a component, unit or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function.

Moreover, terms that are expressed as "means-plus function" in the claims should include any structure that can be utilized to carry out the function of that part of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A test information management device (<NUM>, <NUM>) that communicates with a first device (11a, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 11b), the test information management device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an input/output device (<NUM>) configured so that first information (IF1) and second information (IF2, IF3) are input, the first information (IF1) including identification information for identifying the first device (11a, <NUM>, <NUM>), test execution information, worker information and information representing an output state of a test signal output from the first device (11a, <NUM>, <NUM>), the second information (IF2, IF3) being generated by the second device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 11b) and including image information representing the identification information and a value of the test signal;
an analyzer (34a) configured to perform image analysis of the second information (IF2, IF3) and obtain the identification information and the value of the test signal received from the first device (11a, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a linker (34b) configured to link together the first information (IF1) and the second information (IF2) using the identification information (A1) obtained by the analyzer (34a);
a storage (<NUM>) configured to store the first information and the second information linked together by the linker (34b); and
a display device (<NUM>) configured to display the first information and the second information stored in the storage (<NUM>),
wherein the input/output device (<NUM>) is configured to output the first information and the second information linked together by the linker (34b).