Bus Function Setting Interface for Dual-Sided Control Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assistance devices for control systems do not adequately address configurations where units are connected to both sides of a CPU unit, particularly when buses on each side have different standards, leading to unclear functionality and potential errors in function setting.

Innovation Solution

An assistance device that includes a display part capable of separately displaying screens for setting functions of buses connected to opposite sides of a control device, allowing clear distinction and setting of functions specific to each bus, with the option to reflect actual connection states and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If units are connected to both left and right sides of the CPU unit with different bus standards, then the control system can support multiple bus standards and existing devices, but it becomes difficult to clarify and set the functions executable by each bus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for multiple bus standardsVSAvoidfunction setting clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance device divides the function setting interface into separate screens for the left bus and right bus. When the system detects a dual-sided bus configuration, it automatically segments the display to show bus-specific setting screens, allowing users to configure functions for each bus standard independently without confusion. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability for multiple bus standards while improving ease of operation through clear, separated function setting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single screen is used to display all bus functions, then the interface is simple, but the functions executable by each specific bus become unclear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidbus-specific function clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance device implements a dynamic display control that automatically adjusts the interface based on the detected bus configuration. When a dual-sided configuration is detected, the system dynamically transitions from a single unified screen to separate bus-specific screens. This dynamic adaptation maintains interface simplicity for single-bus configurations while preventing information loss about bus-specific functions in dual-bus configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between interface simplicity and function clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the assistance device automatically detects bus configuration, then user convenience is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance device implements automatic bus configuration detection that operates autonomously without requiring manual user input. The system self-services by detecting the bus configuration, identifying which bus standards are present on each side of the CPU unit, and automatically generating the appropriate separate setting screens. This self-service approach improves ease of operation by eliminating manual configuration steps while keeping device complexity manageable through automated detection algorithms that leverage existing bus identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4700504A1Assistance device, assistance method, and assistance program
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 OMRON CORP
  • EP4700504A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4700504A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4700504A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention separately displays: a first setting screen (240) for setting the function of a first bus connected to one side of a control device; and a second setting screen (250) for setting the function of a second bus connected to the opposite side of the control device.