Accessory Equipment Configuration for Controller Memory Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies do not facilitate the easy connection of new accessory equipment to existing main equipment, as they often require different communication design specifications, necessitating additional devices or expertise for successful integration.

Innovation Solution

A sales device and method for configuring an information processing device that allows users to specify the type of accessory equipment and the memory area in the controller where data from the accessory equipment will be recorded, enabling seamless integration with existing main equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a company purchases new accessory equipment to connect to existing main equipment, then the company can expand its capabilities, but additional devices or expertise are required for integration due to different communication design specifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability expansionVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sales device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a purchasing platform and an integration configuration tool. The device enables users to purchase accessory equipment while simultaneously configuring communication settings and specifying memory areas, eliminating the need for separate integration tools or expert intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables ordinary companies to perform integration tasks themselves without requiring system integrators or additional expertise. The sales device provides automated configuration capabilities that allow end-users to specify memory areas and communication settings independently, making the integration process self-serviceable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If conventional purchasing processes are used for accessory equipment, then transactions can be completed, but the purchaser must manually handle connection configuration and data mapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurchasing efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the purchasing process with the configuration process into a single integrated workflow. Users specify both the accessory equipment to purchase and the memory area configuration in one transaction, eliminating the need for separate configuration steps and reducing overall setup time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sales device performs configuration setup in advance during the purchasing phase. By pre-configuring communication settings and memory area mappings before the equipment is physically connected, the system eliminates post-purchase configuration work and accelerates deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If an information processing device is purchased with pre-configured settings, then integration is simplified, but the device must be customized for each specific connection scenario

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration easeVSAvoidconfiguration options
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sales device provides dynamic configuration capabilities that adapt to each specific connection scenario. Rather than requiring pre-customized devices for each case, the system allows users to specify memory areas and communication settings on-demand, providing flexibility without sacrificing ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4036828B1Device and method for selling information processing device
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 SINTOKOGIO LTD
  • EP4036828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4036828B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4036828B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sales device (1) for selling an information processing device (3) that is configured to collect data from at least one of a sensor and a piece of accessory equipment and provide the data to a controller included in a piece of main equipment is provided. The sales device is including a processor (11) configured to carry out (i) a first process of receiving a user operation for specifying a type of the at least one of the sensor and the piece of accessory equipment; and (ii) a second process of receiving a user operation for specifying a memory area which is included in the controller and in which the data collected from the at least one of the sensor and the piece of accessory equipment specified in the first process is to be recorded. Further, a sales method for selling an information processing device is provided.