A system and method for processing input data from a food handling line to determine trigger data for sampling.
The use of combined trigger blocks in food handling systems addresses the challenge of reliable sampling by providing flexible and efficient determination of trigger data, reducing errors and ensuring accurate quality control.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
- Filing Date
- 2021-03-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing food handling systems face challenges in reliably determining trigger data for sampling due to hardware from different manufacturers, leading to potential errors and improper quality control inspections.
A system and method utilizing combined trigger blocks to process input data, allowing for flexible and reliable determination of trigger data through low-complexity configurations, enabling easy adaptation to various systems and interfaces.
Ensures accurate and efficient sampling by generating trigger data in multiple ways, minimizing errors and ensuring proper quality control actions are performed.
Smart Images
Figure 0007860900000001 
Figure 0007860900000002 
Figure 0007860900000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to food processing and food packaging technologies, and more particularly, to a system for processing input data received from a food handling line to determine trigger data for sampling, and a method thereof.
Background Art
[0002] Currently, food handling lines (e.g., food processing lines and food packaging lines) are controlled by complex systems in which hardware devices from different manufacturers are continuously coordinated. In addition to being flexible from the manufacturer's perspective, the system is further configured in such a way that the system can be upgraded or adapted as needed.
[0003] Currently, a common approach to providing flexibility, compatibility, and further reliability is to use modules, pure software modules, or combined hardware and software modules. With this approach, a new system can be configured in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, different modules can be inspected independently, reducing the risk of errors.
[0004] A particular problem in configuring a system is sampling, that is, a method of receiving input data from devices (e.g., sensors) provided in a food handling line. When the hardware devices come from different manufacturers, it can be seen that this hardware is troublesome and time-consuming for changing or adapting operators.
[0005] Sampling data is often used to trigger different actions, and if sampling is not performed properly, the actions that follow the sampling will also be performed incorrectly. For example, if sampling data is associated with many manufacturing packages, incorrect sampling data will result in identifying the wrong number of manufacturing packages, and as a result, quality control inspections will not be performed at the prescribed intervals. Therefore, it is important to perform sampling properly and to minimize the risk of errors as much as possible.
[0006] Therefore, because we often do not currently have a comprehensive understanding of the system that ensures sampling changes are performed appropriately, there is a risk that sampling changes may cause undesirable effects that could jeopardize the overall performance of the system.
[0007] As mentioned above, while modular approaches to constructing systems for controlling food handling lines are generally known, they have not yet specifically addressed the particular challenges related to sampling. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0008] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least partially one or more of the limitations of the prior art described above. In particular, the object is to provide a system and method for handling input data received from a device provided in a food handling device so that trigger data, which is determined based on input data, can be determined in a reliable manner. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] It has been found that by combining two or more so-called trigger blocks, systems and methods can be configured to reliably determine trigger data based on input data. The ability to combine two or more trigger blocks in various ways provides flexibility. Simultaneously, the flexibility provided by combining trigger blocks in different ways allows trigger blocks to be designed individually in a simple manner; that is, each trigger block can have low complexity, i.e., lower complexity than when sampling should be handled by modules not based on trigger blocks. This low complexity allows trigger blocks to be reliably and easily adapted to handle different instruments.
[0010] According to a first embodiment, a system is provided for processing input data received from a food handling line and determining trigger data for sampling. The system may include a transceiver, a processor, and memory. The transceiver may be configured to receive input data and transmit trigger data. The processor may be configured to perform a first trigger block function configured to receive first input parameter data and transmit first output parameter data, and a second trigger block function configured to receive second input parameter data and transmit second output parameter data. The input data may include first input parameter data and second input parameter data, and the trigger data may include first output parameter data and second output parameter data.
[0011] The advantage of having first and second trigger block functions and combining the outputs from these trigger block functions is that trigger data can be generated in various ways using low-complexity configuration blocks, i.e., trigger blocks implemented by the first and second trigger block functions. Having these low-complexity configuration blocks makes it easy to adapt and update them for various different underlying systems and interfaces.
[0012] The second input parameter data may include at least a portion of the first output parameter data.
[0013] Having a first trigger block function that supplies data to a second trigger block function, an additional method is initiated to trigger sampling.
[0014] The first and second blocking functions may have state machines including off, start, active, completed, and waiting.
[0015] The processor may be further configured to perform a third trigger block function configured to receive third input parameter data and transmit third output parameter data. The input data may include first input parameter data, second input parameter data, and third input parameter data, and the trigger data may include first output parameter data, second output parameter data, and third output parameter data.
[0016] The advantage of having a third trigger block function is that sampling can be triggered in a wider variety of ways.
[0017] The first and second input parameter data are: If set to true, the state can be switched from off to started (Boolean operator). If set to true, an abnormal termination (Boolean operator) is triggered, switching the state to off. If set to true, force complete (Boolean operator) to switch from activity to completed. If set to true, the state switches from completed to waiting (Boolean operator). A delay time (integer) that sets the delay from the start to the activity. The activity time (integer) that sets the delay from activity to completion, and A delay (integer) to set the time delay from completion to off. It may include.
[0018] Trigger data can be sent to a device (e.g., a sensor).
[0019] The device may be configured to measure mechanical vibrations.
[0020] The trigger data may be configured to give a notification to an operator.
[0021] The food handling line may include a food processing line and / or a food packaging line.
[0022] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of processing input data received from a food handling line and determining trigger data for sampling. The method may include receiving input data, the input data including first input parameter data and second input parameter data; supplying the first input parameter data to a first trigger block function; executing the first trigger block function to generate first output parameter data; supplying the second input parameter data to a second trigger block function; executing the second trigger block function to generate second output parameter data; and combining the first output parameter data and the second output parameter data into trigger data.
[0023] The same advantages and features presented with respect to the first aspect also apply to this second aspect.
[0024] The second input parameter data may include at least a portion of the first output parameter data.
[0025] The first and second input parameter data are A usable (Boolean operator) that switches the state from off to start when set to true An abnormal end (Boolean operator) that switches the state to off when set to true If set to true, a forced completion (boolean operator) that switches from active to completed, If set to true, an end (boolean operator) that switches the state from completed to waiting, A delay time (integer) that sets the delay from start to active, An active time (integer) that sets the delay from active to completed, and A waiting time (integer) that sets the delay from completed to off may be included.
[0026] Trigger data can be sent to a device (e.g., a sensor).
[0027] The trigger data may be configured to give a notification to an operator.
[0028] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program including instructions for implementing the method according to the second aspect, the computer program being stored on a computer-readable medium.
[0029] The advantages and features described with respect to the first or second aspect also apply to this third aspect.
[0030] Further objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.
[0031] Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example with reference to the schematic accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0032] [Figure 1] An example of a method of using a modular data logger in a food handling line is schematically shown. [Figure 2] The trigger block is illustrated. [Figure 3] A table showing examples of input parameter data. [Figure 4] The state machine is illustrated. [Figure 5A-C] A first example illustrates how a trigger block can be used to generate trigger data. [Figure 6A-B] Let's look at the second case as an example. [Figure 7A-B] Let's look at a third case as an example. [Figure 8A-B] Let's look at a fourth case as an example. [Figure 9] A schematic example of a system for handling samples on a food handling line is provided. [Figure 10] This flowchart illustrates the steps involved in processing input data received from a food handling line and determining the trigger data 938 for sampling. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0033] Figure 1 provides a general overview of a food handling line 100, which is exemplified here as a food packaging line, from a data processing perspective.
[0034] In this particular example, a central module 102, a first filling machine module 104, a second filling machine module 106, a line controller module 108, a first downstream equipment module 110, a second downstream equipment module 112, and a third downstream equipment module 114 are provided. As illustrated, in this particular example, the central module 102 can be communicatively connected to the first filling machine module 104, the second filling machine module 106, and the second downstream equipment module 112. As illustrated, communication between these modules can be achieved by a central modular data logger (MDL) 116 configured to communicate with the first filling machine MDL 118, the second filling machine MDL 120, and the second downstream equipment MDL 122. These MDLs 116, 118, 120, and 122 may include trigger blocks, as described below.
[0035] MDL116, 118, 120, and 122 may be connected to the real-time system in a communication manner. More specifically, the central MDL116 may be connected to the central real-time system 124, the first filling machine MDL118 may be connected to the first filling machine real-time system 126, the second filling machine MDL120 may be connected to the second filling machine real-time system 128, and the second downstream device MDL122 may be connected to the second downstream device real-time system 130.
[0036] As illustrated, not all modules in this distributed system necessarily need to include an MDL. For example, according to the second method, a different type of element (here, a line controller core element 132) that does not include a trigger block, unlike an MDL, may be provided in the line controller module 108. There may be different reasons for selecting this different type of element. For example, in the case of the line controller module 108, it may be beneficial to select a different configuration so that the food handling line 100 can be controlled according to pre-configured requirements. Along with the MDL, the line controller core element 132 can be communicatively connected to the line controller real-time system 134.
[0037] In a third method, the first downstream equipment module 110 and the third downstream equipment module 114 may be connected to the central module 102 in a communicative manner. In this third method, the central module MDL 116 may be connected to the first downstream equipment real-time system 136 and the third downstream equipment real-time system 138 in a direct communicative manner, respectively. There may be different reasons for having direct communication between the central module MDL 116 and the real-time systems in this way. One reason may be that there is no need to process input data from this part of the food handling line 100. Another reason may be that the first downstream equipment real-time system 136 and the third downstream equipment real-time system 138 are different from the real-time systems used in other modules of the food handling line 100, and that the real-time systems of the first downstream equipment module 110 and the third downstream equipment module 114 are found to be unsuitable or unbecoming when combined with the MDL.
[0038] A remote service unit (RSU) 140 and an analysis tool 142 may be provided so that input data collected from different parts of the food handling line 100 can be presented and / or analyzed by the food producer and / or the food handling line supplier.
[0039] As illustrated, the first filling module 104 and the second filling module 106 may be connected to the filling machine 144, the line controller module 108 may be connected to the line controller 146, the first downstream equipment module 110 may be connected to the accumulator, the second downstream equipment module 112 may be connected to the lid-applying machine 150, and the third downstream equipment module 114 may be connected to the cardboard packaging machine 152.
[0040] As described above, an MDL can include two or more trigger blocks. Examples of trigger blocks are shown in Figures 2 and 3. Input and output parameters may be provided, as illustrated.
[0041] In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the input parameters can be one or more of the following: The available time (Boolean operator) can be latched to the "available" expression if it is optional, exists, and there is a transition from "false" to "true". If set to true, it enables switching the state from off to started (Boolean operator). If set to true, this is an abnormal termination (Boolean operator) that switches the state to off. If set to true, force complete (Boolean operator) to switch from activity to completed. If set to true, the state switches from completed to waiting (Boolean operator). A delay time (integer) that sets the delay between the start and the activity. The activity time (integer) that sets the delay from activity to completion, and / or A delay (integer) to set the time delay from completion to off.
[0042] Figure 4 illustrates the states described above and an example of how these states can be related to each other. While the state machine illustrated in Figure 4 is useful, different environments may have different requirements, and therefore, different state machines may be more useful in other environments. However, the concept of combining trigger blocks is not limited to the state machine illustrated in Figure 4, and this concept can be used for various state machines. Furthermore, states can be omitted by using Boolean parameters, as illustrated. In other words, some states can be considered optional.
[0043] To further illustrate the advantages of using trigger block combinations as illustrated in Figure 2, three cases are presented as examples. In the first case illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the requirements are set as follows: - Acquire three vibrations in series over a 20-second sampling period. - Wait 10 seconds between each vibration -Obtained after 2 minutes of continuous production - If production is discontinued, restart the sequence. - Repeat the sequence three times a day (8 hours each time).
[0044] As mentioned above, in this first case, vibration data should be collected. This vibration data, i.e., data representing the mechanical vibrations occurring in the food handling line, can be advantageously used, for example, for preventive maintenance.
[0045] Figure 5A illustrates an example of a method for collecting vibration data by illustrating the production signal "plc1 / prod" and the vibration data acquisition signal "vib". The production signal "plc1 / prod" is 1 when production is ongoing and 0 when production is stopped. The vibration data acquisition signal "vib" is 1 when vibration data is to be collected and 0 when vibration data is not to be collected.
[0046] As illustrated in Figure 5A, if production is stopped, the sequence should be restarted. For illustrative purposes, only the first of three daily restarts is shown.
[0047] To satisfy the above requirements, three trigger blocks can be combined, as illustrated in Figure 5B. The optional input parameter "Available Time," as mentioned above, is omitted by setting it to "Empty." Figure 5C illustrates in detail how the three trigger blocks interact to satisfy the above requirements.
[0048] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate the second case, where the requirements are as follows. - Acquire three vibrations in series over a 20-second sampling period. - Wait 10 seconds between each vibration -Obtained after 2 minutes of continuous production - If production is discontinued, continue the sequence. - Repeat the sequence three times a day (8 hours each time).
[0049] Therefore, unlike the first case illustrated in Figures 5A to 5C, in this second case, the sequence, i.e., the collection of vibration data, should continue instead of resuming when production is stopped, i.e., when "plc1 / prod" changes from 1 to 0.
[0050] The requirements can be met by using the same trigger block (but configured differently). As illustrated in Figure 6B, the input parameters "Available", "End", "Delay Time", and "Wait Time" are configured differently in this second case compared to the first case.
[0051] As illustrated, the “wait time” for trigger blocks 2 and 3 is set to 999 seconds in this example. This is to set the state machine to a held state, or in other words, a frozen state. In this particular example, this is achieved for any number greater than 30 seconds, which is the sum of a 10-second “delay time” and a 20-second “trigger time”.
[0052] Set the "wait time" for trigger block 1 to 28800 seconds, which corresponds to 8 hours (8 * 60 * 60 seconds).
[0053] In the third case illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the requirements are as follows: - Acquire two vibrations at 20 seconds and one vibration at 30 seconds in parallel. -Obtained after 2 minutes of continuous production - If production is discontinued, restart the sequence. - Collection is considered properly completed only when all sampling is complete. - Repeat the sequence three times a day (8 hours each time).
[0054] As illustrated, these requirements can be met by using four trigger blocks. The first and third trigger blocks are identical, and for this reason, only one trigger block is shown. The second trigger block is used for 30 seconds of sampling. The fourth trigger block is used for handling logic, i.e., to finish the collection (consider the collection complete) when all three samples have been taken.
[0055] In the fourth case illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B, the requirements are as follows: - Acquire three vibrations in series over a 20-second sampling period. - Wait 10 seconds between each vibration -After 2 minutes of continuous production, the symbols "plc1 / prod" and "plc1 / discharge" should not be active. - If production is discontinued, or if "plc1 / discharge" becomes active, continue the sequence. - Repeat the sequence three times a day (8 hours each time).
[0056] As illustrated in Figure 8B, three trigger blocks can be used to satisfy these requirements. Set the "Available" input parameter according to the requirements so that plc1 / prod should be active and plc1 / discharge should not be active.
[0057] As an example, trigger blocks can be combined in different ways to meet various different requirements regarding how sampling should be performed, as illustrated in Figures 5A-5C, 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B. The fact that trigger blocks are relatively simple components allows them to be easily adapted according to different interfaces and programming languages.
[0058] Although not illustrated, trigger signals may be used to notify an operator that a specific task should be performed, for example, to collect a sample of a package and perform several predetermined checks.
[0059] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a system 900 that handles sampling in a food handling line 902. As shown as an example, the food handling line 902 may include three units, for example, a filling machine 904, an accumulator 906, and downstream equipment 908 (for example, a cardboard packaging machine). The food handling line 902 may be communicatively connected to a line controller 910 so that data from the food handling line 902 can be collected. At least a portion of the collected data can be transmitted to the system 900 as input data 912.
[0060] Input data 912 can be received by a transceiver 914. The system 900 may also include a processor 916 and memory 918. The processor 916 may include a first trigger block function 920 and a second trigger block function 922, i.e., an implementation of the trigger block illustrated in Figure 2, for example. The first trigger block function 920 can be configured to receive first input parameter data 924 which can form part of the input data 912 and to output first output parameter data 926. Similarly, the second trigger block function 922 can be configured to receive second input parameter data 928 which can form part of the input data 912 and to output second output parameter data 930. As described above, in some cases, the second input parameter data 928 may include the first output parameter data 926. Furthermore, a third trigger block function 932 can be used. This third trigger block function may be configured to receive third input parameter data 934 which can form part of the input data 912 and to output third output parameter data 936.
[0061] For example, the first and second output parameter data 926 and 930 can be combined with the trigger data 938 that can be sent to the device 940 so that vibration data as described above can be collected. When using the third trigger block function 932, the third output parameter data 936 can also form part of the trigger data 938. Alternatively, the trigger data 938 can be used to give an instruction 942 to the operator. The instruction 942 may include, for example, an instruction to collect a sample of the package and perform a series of inspections.
[0062] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method 1000 for processing input data 912 received from a food handling line 902 and determining trigger data 938 for sampling. The method may include a first step 1002 of receiving input data 912, which may include first input parameter data 924 and second input parameter data 928. A second step 1004 of supplying the first input parameter data 924 to a first trigger block function (920). A third step 1006 of executing the first trigger block function 920 to generate first output parameter data 926. A fourth step 1008 of supplying the second input parameter data 928 to a second trigger block function 922. A fifth step 1010 of executing the second trigger block function 922 to generate second output parameter data 930. A sixth step 1012 of combining the first output parameter data 926 and the second output parameter data 930 into trigger data 938. Although they are described in a specific order, it is equally possible that some steps may be performed in a different order or in parallel.
[0063] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and may be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims.
[0064] Accordingly, one or more embodiments described above may also relate to a food handling line or plant, for example, a food processing line or plant for pasteurization or homogenization, and / or a food packaging line or plant for filling injectable food products into composite packages, the filling plant being configured to form the composite packages from multilayer composite packaging material and to fill the composite packages with injectable food products. The food handling plant includes a system 900 that processes input data 912 received from the food handling line 902 and determines trigger data 938 that coordinates the operation of one or more devices (e.g., device 940) included in the food handling line 902. The input data may include one or more predetermined values and / or data received from one or more devices (e.g., sensors) included in the food handling line.
[0065] The food handling line 902 may include a control device configured to control the operation of one or more devices 940 in response to trigger data. For example, the control device may be configured to drive one or more sensors and / or actuators and / or display alarms to the user on the user interface in response to trigger data. For example, a sensor may be configured to measure mechanical vibrations, and sensor sampling may be triggered by trigger data 938.
[0066] The system includes a transceiver (914), a processor (916), and memory (918), the transceiver (914) being configured to receive input data (912) (for example, indicating the operation of one or more devices in a food handling line) and to transmit trigger data (938) (for example, commanding the operation of one or more devices in a food handling line).
[0067] The processor is, - A first trigger block function (920) configured to receive first input parameter data (924) and transmit first output parameter data (926), - A second trigger block function (922) configured to receive a second input parameter data (928) and transmit a second output parameter data (930). It is configured to perform the following actions: The input data (912) includes first input parameter data (924) and second input parameter data (928), and the trigger data (940) includes first output parameter data (926) and second output parameter data (930).
[0068] The second input parameter data 928 may include at least a portion of the first output parameter data 926. In this way, the trigger block function may be cascaded.
[0069] The (first, second, and / or third) trigger block functions 920, 922, and 932 may include, i.e., implement, one or more finite state machines containing multiple states. The transitions between states are, for example, simply functions of the input data. Optionally, the trigger data are the result of the transitions between states and / or the current state of the finite state machine.
[0070] The operation of the (first, second, and / or third) trigger block functions can be modified, for example, simply in response to input data. Advantageously, this allows the trigger block functions to be easily adapted to different applications without the need to modify the constituent blocks and implementation finite state machine of the trigger block functions.
[0071] In one or more embodiments, the processor of the food handling line is A third trigger block function 932 is configured to receive a third input parameter data 934 and transmit a third output parameter data 936. It is further configured to perform the following: The input data 912 includes a first input parameter data 924, a second input parameter data 928, and a third input parameter data 934, and the trigger data 938 includes a first output parameter data 926, a second output parameter data 930, and a third output parameter data 936.
[0072] The third trigger block function may include, i.e., implement, a finite state machine that includes the multiple states described above with respect to the first and second trigger block functions.
[0073] The first, second, and third input parameter data 924, 928, and 934 are: If set to true, the state can be switched from off to started (Boolean operator). If set to true, an abnormal termination (Boolean operator) is triggered, switching the state to off. If set to true, force complete (Boolean operator) to switch from activity to completed. If set to true, the state switches from completed to waiting (Boolean operator). A delay time (integer) that sets the delay from the start to the activity. The activity time (integer) that sets the delay from activity to completion, and A delay (integer) to set the time delay from completion to off. Includes.
[0074] In one or more embodiments, the first and second input parameter data 924, 928 include at least a portion of the third output parameter data 936. The third output parameter data 936 may force the first and second trigger block functions 920, 922 to state completion, which indicates the end of a cycle of operation of a finite state machine.
[0075] One or more devices 940 may include a sensor 940, and the trigger data 938 triggers sampling of the sensor 940. The sensor 940 may be configured to measure mechanical vibrations. One or more devices may include a user interface configured to display a notification 942, and the trigger data 938 includes the notification 942.
[0076] One or more embodiments may also relate to a method 1000 for processing input data 912 received from a food handling line 902 according to one or more embodiments described above, and for determining trigger data 938 to adjust the operation of one or more devices 940 of the food handling line 902. The method is: Step 1002, which receives input data 912, wherein the input data 912 includes first input parameter data 924 and second input parameter data 928, Step 1004 involves supplying the first input parameter data 924 to the first trigger block function 920, Step 1006 involves executing the first trigger block function 920 to generate the first output parameter data 926, Step 1008 involves supplying the second input parameter data 928 to the second trigger block function 922, Step 1010 involves executing a second trigger block function 922 to generate a second output parameter data 930, Step 1012 combines the first output parameter data 926 and the second output parameter data 930 with the trigger data 938. Includes.
[0077] The first and second input parameter data (924, 928) are: If set to true, the state can be switched from off to started (Boolean operator). If set to true, an abnormal termination (Boolean operator) is triggered, switching the state to off. If set to true, force complete (Boolean operator) to switch from activity to completed. If set to true, the state switches from completed to waiting (Boolean operator). A delay time (integer) that sets the delay from the start to the activity. The activity time (integer) that sets the delay from activity to completion, and A delay (integer) to set the time delay from completion to off. It may include.
[0078] The method may further include the step of performing a third trigger block function 932 configured to receive a third input parameter data (934) and transmit a third output parameter data (936), The input data (912) includes a first input parameter data (924), a second input parameter data (928), and a third input parameter data (934), and the trigger data (938) includes a first output parameter data (926), a second output parameter data (930), and a third output parameter data (936).
[0079] The first, second, and / or third trigger block functions 920, 922, 932 may include a finite state machine with a plurality of states (preferably off, start, active, completed, and waiting states), for example, an implementation. - For example, a step of simply transitioning between states of a finite state machine in accordance with input data 912, and / or - A step of generating trigger data as a result of state transitions and / or the current state of a finite state machine. Includes.
[0080] The first and second input parameter data 924, 928 include at least a portion of the third output parameter data 936.
[0081] The method may further include the step of forcing the first and second trigger block functions 920, 922 to state completion in accordance with third output parameter data, where state completion indicates the end of a cycle of operation of a finite state machine.
[0082] One or more embodiments may further relate to a computer program product that includes instructions for carrying out the method according to one or more embodiments, and the computer program is stored on a computer-readable medium.
[0083] In other words, one or more embodiments may also relate to a computer program product that is loadable into the memory of at least one electronic control unit and includes a software code portion that performs a step of the method according to one or more embodiments.
Claims
1. A food handling line (902) includes a system (900) that processes input data (912) received from the food handling line (902) and determines trigger data (938) to adjust the operation of one or more devices (940) of the food handling line, wherein the system includes a transceiver (914), a processor (916), and a memory (918). The aforementioned transceiver (914) is Upon receiving the aforementioned input data (912), The trigger data (938) is transmitted. It is configured in such a way, The aforementioned processor (916) A first trigger block function (920) is configured to receive first input parameter data (924) and transmit first output parameter data (926). A second trigger block function (922) is configured to receive second input parameter data (928) which includes at least a portion of the first output parameter data (926), and to transmit second output parameter data (930). It is configured to perform the following actions: The input data (912) includes the first input parameter data (924) and the second input parameter data (928), The trigger data (938) includes the first output parameter data (926) and the second output parameter data (930), The first trigger block function and the second trigger block function include a finite state machine with a plurality of states, The transitions between states are a function of the input data (912) and / or The trigger data is the result of the transition between states and / or the current state of the finite state machine. Food handling line (902).
2. The food handling line (902) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of states include the states of off, start, active, completed, and waiting.
3. The aforementioned processor (916) A third trigger block function (932) is configured to receive a third input parameter data (934) and transmit a third output parameter data (936). It is further configured to perform the following: The food handling line (902) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input data (912) includes the first input parameter data (924), the second input parameter data (928), and the third input parameter data (934), and the trigger data (938) includes the first output parameter data (926), the second output parameter data (930), and the third output parameter data (936).
4. The food handling line (902) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second input parameter data (924, 928) include at least a portion of the third output parameter data (936).
5. The first and second input parameter data (924, 928) are, If set to true, the state can be switched from off to started (Boolean operator). If set to true, an abnormal termination (Boolean operator) that switches the state to off. If set to true, force complete (Boolean operator) to switch from activity to completed. If set to true, the state switches from completed to waiting (Boolean operator). A delay time (integer) that sets the delay from the start to the activity. The activity time (integer) that sets the delay from activity to completion, and A delay (integer) to set the time delay from completion to off. A food handling line according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including the food handling line according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The food handling line (902) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the one or more devices (940) include a sensor (940), and the trigger data (938) activates sampling of the sensor (940).
7. The food handling line (902) according to claim 6, wherein the sensor (940) is configured to measure mechanical vibrations.
8. A food handling line (902) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one or more devices include a user interface configured to display a notification (942), and the trigger data (938) includes the notification (942).
9. A food handling line (902) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including a food processing line and / or a food packaging line.
10. A method (1000) for processing input data (912) received from a food handling line (902) and determining trigger data (938) to adjust the operation of one or more devices (940) of the food handling line (902), Step (1002) of receiving the input data (912), wherein the input data (912) includes first input parameter data (924) and second input parameter data (928), and the second input parameter data (928) includes at least a portion of the first output parameter data (926). Step (1004) of supplying the first input parameter data (924) to the first trigger block function (920), Step (1006) of performing the first trigger block function (920) to generate the first output parameter data (926), Step (1008) of supplying the second input parameter data (928) to the second trigger block function (922), Step (1010) of performing the second trigger block function (922) to generate second output parameter data (930), Step (1012) combines the first output parameter data (926) and the second output parameter data (930) with the trigger data (938) Includes, The first trigger block function and the second trigger block function include a finite state machine with a plurality of states, The transitions between states are a function of the input data (912) and / or The trigger data is the result of the transition between states and / or the current state of the finite state machine. Method (1000).
11. - The one or more devices include a sensor (940), and the method includes the step of initiating sampling of the sensor (940) in response to the trigger data (938), and / or - The method according to claim 10, wherein the one or more devices include a user interface, the method includes the step of displaying a notification on the user interface, and the trigger data includes the notification.
12. A computer program product loadable into the memory of at least one electronic control unit, comprising a software code portion that performs a step according to claim 10 or 11.