Alert Removal in Industrial Control Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of field devices from industrial control systems often results in inconsistent alert information, leading to outdated notifications and potential human errors due to the failure of properly processing disconnection events, as alert information remains active even after the device is detached from the network.

Innovation Solution

A 'plug and play' approach is implemented to automatically remove or update alert information when a field device is detached from the industrial control system, maintaining a live list of connected devices and using a centralized alarm process to distribute notifications and ensure consistent alert information across the system, minimizing human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If field devices are removed from the industrial control system, then device replacement and maintenance become easier, but alert information becomes inconsistent and outdated notifications persist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice replacementVSAvoidalert information consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the alarm process continuously monitors the live list of field devices. When a device is removed or detached, the system detects this change and automatically updates or removes corresponding alert information, ensuring consistency without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm process automatically manages alert information by itself. When device detachment is detected through the live list monitoring, the system self-corrects by removing or updating the associated alert information, eliminating the need for manual information management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual management of alert information is used after device removal, then information accuracy can be maintained, but human involvement increases and errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealert information accuracyVSAvoidautomatic processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm process automatically detects device detachment through the live list and self-manages the corresponding alert information. This self-service approach maintains high reliability through automated consistency checks while minimizing human involvement to essential oversight only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical processes of alert information management with an automated electronic monitoring and update system. The alarm process electronically monitors the live list and automatically updates alert information, substituting human manual operations with automated computational processes.

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

3Productivity

If alert information is not updated after device detachment, then system operation continues uninterrupted, but outdated notifications cause potential human errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidoutdated alert notifications
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the live list monitoring to detect device detachment events. This feedback triggers automatic updates or removal of alert information, ensuring that outdated notifications are eliminated while maintaining continuous system operation through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of the live list to detect device detachment before outdated alert information can cause errors. By proactively detecting device removal and preemptively updating alert information, the system prevents harmful outdated notifications while maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2530542B1Systems and methods for alert device removal
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2530542B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2530542B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2530542B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The embodiments described herein include systems and methods for removal of alerts for a device. In one embodiment, an industrial process control system (10) includes a controller (26, 27) coupled to a field device (38, 40, 42, 44). The industrial process control system (10) further includes an alert server (70) coupled to the controller (26, 27). The controller (26, 27) is configured to detect, via a first protocol, removal of the field device (38, 40, 42, 44) and to communicate, in a second protocol, the removal of the field device (38, 40, 42, 44) to the alert server (70).