Industrial Automation IoT Configuration for Remote Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial automation systems are complex and require extensive PLC programming, which is prone to human errors, leading to delays, operational issues, and potential safety hazards. Additionally, these systems lack convenient access for remote monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A method and computer program for configuring an industrial automation system to provide internet-of-things (IoT) accessibility, allowing devices and users outside the physical premises to interact with the system. This is achieved by receiving user inputs to create functional, cloud, and user terminal objects, enabling communication between user terminals and industrial automation devices through a cloud service provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If extensive PLC programming is used to control industrial automation systems, then the system functionality and control precision are improved, but the complexity of the system increases and human errors occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration system that acts as an intermediary between the control system and higher-level automation devices. This configuration system generates control logic automatically based on process descriptions, eliminating the need for complex manual PLC programming while maintaining precise control. The intermediary translates high-level process requirements into low-level control instructions, reducing both complexity and error rates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual PLC programming is used for complex industrial automation systems, then the system can be customized to specific needs, but the time required for programming and debugging increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically generating control logic before the system is deployed. The configuration system creates optimized control sequences based on process descriptions, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual programming and subsequent debugging. This preliminary generation of control logic maintains system adaptability while dramatically reducing development time.
3Ease of operation
If industrial automation systems operate without remote access capabilities, then the system security and stability are maintained, but the ability to monitor and control systems remotely is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration system and cloud service provider as intermediaries that enable secure remote access. These intermediaries act as controlled gateways, allowing monitoring and control operations to be performed remotely while maintaining system stability through structured communication protocols and authentication mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the industrial automation system is configured for IoT accessibility with cloud connectivity, then remote access and monitoring are enabled, but the system complexity and potential security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the configuration system to automatically generate the necessary IoT connectivity settings and cloud service configurations. The system autonomously establishes communication channels and manages connectivity parameters, reducing the complexity of manual configuration while maintaining adaptability for remote access and monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring an industrial automation system for internet-of-things accessibility involves a computing device which a) receives a first user input indicative of a functional object representing one or more low-level devices and/or automation devices and/or supervising and production control devices. The computing device also b) receives) a second user input indicative of a cloud object representing a cloud service provider being external to the industrial automation system. The computing device further c) receives a third user input indicative of a user terminal object representing a user terminal device being external to the industrial automation system. The computing device then d) causes the cloud service provider to enable communication between the user terminal device and at least one of the devices in the industrial automation system as represented by the functional object via the cloud service provider.