Automation Project Code Merge With Conflict Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing and maintaining industrial automation systems is inefficient due to the lack of design guardrails, incompatibility of objects, and the need for manual troubleshooting, which leads to resource-intensive efforts and potential human errors, often requiring specialized expertise and external contractors for modifications and troubleshooting.

Innovation Solution

Implementing AI and machine learning to enforce design rules, suggest compatible components and connections, provide historical data-based troubleshooting suggestions, and enable a light engineering client environment for operators to make minor adjustments, thereby automating the design process and reducing the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If designers manually update component names one by one to maintain naming conventions, then naming conventions are maintained, but the design process becomes time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenaming convention complianceVSAvoidtime for manual updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically updates component names by detecting insertions, removals, or relocations of objects and autonomously adjusting names of upstream and downstream components to maintain naming conventions, eliminating the need for manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of updating names one by one with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to detect changes and propagate name updates throughout the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If designers are free to use incompatible objects without warnings, then design flexibility is maintained, but the system may become inoperable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidsystem operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors design actions and provides real-time feedback by comparing component compatibility against stored compatibility data, warning designers of incompatible combinations before they render the system inoperable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary checks by comparing design actions against compatibility rules and design guardrails before allowing the design to proceed, preventing incompatible component combinations from being implemented

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Manufacturing precision

If specialized designers are required for system design and modification, then design quality is maintained, but resource costs increase and customer understanding is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign qualityVSAvoidspecialization requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables operators to independently perform design modifications and troubleshooting by providing an intuitive interface with automated guidance, eliminating the need for specialized designer expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intelligent system as an intermediary between operators and complex design tasks, providing automated suggestions, warnings, and guidance that bridge the knowledge gap without requiring specialized human expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If multiple design actions are taken without real-time validation, then design speed is maintained, but troubleshooting becomes challenging later

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign speedVSAvoidtroubleshooting difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback by validating each design action against design guardrails and compatibility rules in real-time, immediately identifying issues rather than allowing them to accumulate and become difficult to detect later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11423192B2Industrial automation control code change management and multiple edit integration

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC

AI summary

A method includes accessing a shared industrial automation project file, creating a local copy of an industrial automation project file representative of the shared industrial automation project file on a storage component accessible by the one or more processors, receiving, via a graphical user interface (GUI), an input indicative of one or more modifications to the local copy of the industrial automation project file, implementing the one or more modifications to the local copy of the industrial automation project file based on the input, identifying one or more differences between the local copy of the industrial automation project file and the shared industrial automation project file, wherein the one or more differences are associated with the one or more modifications, and presenting a notification indicative of the one or more differences between the local copy of the industrial automation project file and the shared industrial automation project file.