Interactive Anomaly Factor Estimation for Industrial Control Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex networked systems, identifying the cause of communication errors in industrial controllers becomes increasingly difficult as networks grow in complexity, despite advancements in FA technology and ICT.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a controller and an information processing apparatus that maintains event logs and network statistical information, providing an interactive user interface to identify anomaly factors through association with anomaly phenomena, allowing for rapid and accurate identification of error causes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large-scale networked system is adopted to improve controller performance and functionality, then system capability increases, but the difficulty of identifying communication error causes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex network troubleshooting process into distinct components: event log analysis, network statistical information collection, and factor estimation. By dividing the monitoring system into these modular parts, each handling specific aspects of network health, the system maintains high functionality while simplifying error identification through structured data organization and analysis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network complexity increases to achieve large-scale system integration, then system capability improves, but error identification time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously collecting and storing network statistical information and event logs before errors occur. The system proactively monitors network parameters, device statuses, and communication patterns, so when an error occurs, the pre-collected data is immediately available for rapid analysis, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-error data gathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary information processing apparatus that acts as a mediator between the complex network and the user. This intermediary automatically analyzes event logs and network statistics, estimates error factors, and presents simplified results, thereby reducing the time required for error identification without limiting network integration scale.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive network monitoring is implemented to identify error causes, then measurement capability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex analysis functions from the overall monitoring system by delegating specific tasks to specialized components: event log analysis, network statistical information processing, and factor estimation. This extraction allows comprehensive monitoring with high measurement precision while managing system complexity through functional decomposition and modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system which controls a control target includes a controller connected to one or more devices through a network, and an information processing apparatus connected to the controller. The controller includes an event log containing an event having occurred during a control operation, and network statistical information containing statistical information associated with data transmission on the network. The information processing apparatus includes a factor estimation unit that provides an interactive user interface in accordance with selection of an anomaly phenomenon registered in the event log.