Synchronizing Display Elements via Bus Message Counter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control systems for technical installations face challenges in synchronizing display elements, such as LEDs, which can be irritating and difficult to diagnose due to non-synchronous blinking or flashing, especially when modules are spatially close, leading to user discomfort and complex diagnostic processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and control system that utilize a bus message counter to synchronize display elements by evaluating the bus message counter in a predefined manner, generating control signals to ensure alternation between on and off states in a synchronized manner, without requiring complex procedures or additional implementation effort, using existing structures like fieldbus systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If display elements are synchronized using complex time synchronization protocols (e.g., PTP, PCS), then synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential synchronization function from complex time synchronization protocols. Instead of implementing full PTP or PCS protocols, the invention uses a simplified approach where the master controller generates synchronization signals by evaluating a bus message counter, and slave devices simply respond to these signals. This extracts the core synchronization capability while eliminating the complexity of full protocol implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective synchronization approach using existing fieldbus infrastructure rather than expensive dedicated synchronization hardware. The synchronization is achieved through software-based evaluation of bus message counters and simple control signals over the existing fieldbus, replacing the need for costly precision timing hardware and complex protocol stacks.
2Device complexity
If simple synchronization methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system is self-organizing and self-regulating. The master controller automatically generates synchronization signals based on the bus message counter evaluation, and slave devices automatically respond to these signals. The system self-adjusts to maintain synchronization without requiring complex external control or calibration, achieving both simplicity and precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing fieldbus structures are utilized for synchronization, then ease of manufacture is improved, but synchronization reliability may worsen due to bus load and message timing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of the bus message counter to determine synchronization signal generation in advance. The master controller proactively generates synchronization signals based on predicted bus message timing, rather than reactively responding to messages. This preliminary action compensates for bus load variations and timing jitter, maintaining synchronization reliability while using existing fieldbus structures.
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing display elements in a control system (10) having subscribers connected by means of a bus (25), which subscribers comprise at least one message sender (12) and a number of message recipients (18a, 18b). Each message recipient (18a, 18b) comprises a respective display element (15a, 15b), which can be set alternately into a switched-on state and a switched-off state, and a control unit (20a, 20b) for generating a control signal, which switches the display element (15a, 15b) between the states. The message sender (12) sends a current bus message via the bus (25) at a defined recurring bus message time interval (TBus). Each bus message comprises a respective bus message counter, which has a value (Z) in a defined value range (W), wherein the value (Z) is changed in a predefined manner when a current bus message is sent, and wherein the value (Z) is reset once the end of the value range (W) has been reached. Each message recipient (18a, 18b) receives the bus messages via the bus (25). Each control unit (20a, 20b) evaluates the bus message counter in the current bus message in the same manner and generates the control signal in dependence thereon, such that the display elements (15a, 15b) are set alternately into the switched-on state and the switched-off state synchronously with each other and with a certain on/off period (Tea).