Automation Engineering Data Linking Across Multi-Hierarchical Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual data synchronization between engineering disciplines in large system design, such as baggage handling systems, is time-consuming and error-prone, leading to potential design discrepancies between automation and electrical engineers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically connect and update multi-hierarchical representations of engineering systems by defining navigation schemes and using intelligent extraction ports to dynamically link and extract properties between engineering objects, reducing manual intervention and enhancing data consistency across disciplines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data transfer methods (email, scripting, Excel) are used between disciplines, then engineers can exchange information, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidsynchronization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data transfer processes (copy-paste, email, scripting) with an automated navigation scheme system that uses predefined relations and automatic property extraction to transfer data between disciplines, eliminating manual intervention and reducing errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service data synchronization where the navigation scheme automatically searches for, connects to, and extracts properties from engineering objects without human intervention, allowing the system to update itself when changes occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual property linking is performed between engineering objects, then data can be connected between disciplines, but the repetitive process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata extraction efficiencyVSAvoidproperty linking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining navigation schemes and property extraction rules before data transfer is needed. The system预先 configures the relations and properties to be extracted, so when engineering objects are connected, the data transfer occurs automatically without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation scheme acts as an intermediary that automatically connects source and target engineering objects based on predefined relations, extracting and transferring properties without requiring manual selection or linking by engineers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automation engineers introduce new PLCs to the design, then system automation capability is improved, but communication to electrical engineers must be manual and may be distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem automation capabilityVSAvoiddata distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where changes to engineering objects automatically trigger navigation schemes to search for, connect to, and extract updated properties, ensuring that information flows bidirectionally and remains consistent across disciplines without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11327471B2Building and tracking of an automation engineering environment

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 ROKIOT USA LLC

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a system and method for automatically updating a multi-hierarchal representation of the system when building and tracking an automation engineering environment, wherein navigation schemes that automatically search for and connect to engineering objects based on predefined relations in multi-dimensional hierarchies are defined within an engineering object of the automation project in order to react to changes within a multi-disciplinary automation project, where the engineering object also includes an intelligent extraction port that automatically extracts predefined property data from a source engineering object when the source engineering object is connected to the engineering object.