AI Document Extraction for Autonomous Control System Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The configuration of automation systems in process plants is time-consuming, error-prone, and requires human intervention, making it difficult to achieve autonomous reconfiguration.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using a pretrained AI model to extract configuration data from various document types, such as P&ID diagrams and HMI diagrams, to generate structured configuration information for control agents, enabling autonomous control system configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual information collection and extraction from multiple documents is performed, then configuration accuracy can be maintained through human review, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of information collection and extraction with an automated information processing system that uses natural language processing and machine learning models to extract configuration data from process documentation, thereby eliminating manual labor while maintaining extraction accuracy through validated information processing algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service configuration by automatically gathering information from multiple document sources, extracting relevant parameters, and generating control system configurations without requiring human intervention, allowing the system to configure itself autonomously while maintaining accuracy through built-in validation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated information extraction is implemented, then configuration speed and productivity are improved, but error-proneness increases due to lack of human review

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidconfiguration error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated extraction system continuously validates extracted information against multiple document sources and cross-references data consistency, allowing the system to detect and correct extraction errors automatically while maintaining high configuration speed through efficient feedback loops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation and cross-checking of extracted information before final configuration generation, pre-identifying potential errors or inconsistencies in the extracted data to prevent configuration mistakes before they occur, thereby maintaining reliability without sacrificing automation speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If human intervention is required for configuration, then system safety can be ensured through expert review, but the system cannot achieve autonomous reconfiguration during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidautonomous reconfiguration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the control system to perform self-service reconfiguration by automatically detecting changes in process requirements, extracting updated configuration parameters from documentation, and autonomously generating new control configurations without human intervention, thereby achieving both safety through validated algorithms and adaptability for runtime reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic reconfiguration capabilities that allow the control system to adapt to changing process conditions in real-time by automatically updating configurations based on current operational data and documentation, enabling the system to be both safe through controlled changes and highly adaptable to runtime requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If comprehensive information is collected from multiple documents, then configuration completeness is improved, but the complexity of information management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the information extraction process into distinct modules that handle different document types and extract specific parameter categories separately, allowing the system to manage comprehensive information from multiple documents through organized, modular processing that reduces overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal information extraction framework that can process multiple document formats and types through a single integrated platform, enabling the system to collect comprehensive information from diverse sources while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized processing protocols and unified data structures

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

Data Source

PatentEP4641323A1Computer-implemented method for an automated configuration of a control system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4641323A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641323A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4641323A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method (100) for for an automated configuration of a control system (200), comprising: - Collecting (102), by a document-type identifier module (50), first information (10) from at least a document database (60), wherein the collecting involves the step of detecting (103) a document type information (61) of at least one document (62) found in the at least one document database (60) and if, the identified document type information (61) of the at least one document (62) fulfils a certain quality parameter (63), suggesting the first information (10) to be extracted from the at least one document (62) with that identified document type information (61); - Extracting (104), by an extraction module (52), the suggested first information (10) from the at least one document (62) with the identified document type information (61) to obtain second information (12); - Generating (106), by a plant section module (54), at least one plant section (310) of a plant system (300) on basis of the second information (12); - Generating (108) a configuration information (14), by a configuration module (55), for at least one control agent (220) of the control system (200) for the automated control of the at least one plant section (310) of the plant system (300).