Centralized Software Repository for Machine Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote maintenance systems for machine controllers face challenges due to the complexity and redundancy of virtual machine templates, leading to high data storage requirements, long startup times, and increased maintenance efforts, as well as limitations in software compatibility and updates.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a central computer with virtual machines and an application server, where the machine controller is connected to a virtual machine via a remote-desktop-protocol, allowing the application server's software to be operated through the virtual machine, reducing maintenance effort and data storage needs by limiting software installation to a single point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machine templates are used for remote maintenance, then software compatibility and adaptability improve, but device complexity and data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized software repository that serves multiple virtual machine templates simultaneously. Instead of duplicating maintenance software within each virtual machine template, the system creates a universal software storage location that all templates can access. This allows one instance of maintenance software to serve multiple templates, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining software compatibility across different machine types and operating systems.
2Ease of operation
If virtual machine templates with maintenance software are created, then maintenance functionality improves, but data storage requirements and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the software storage function from individual virtual machine templates into a centralized repository. Maintenance software is stored once in this centralized location rather than being replicated across multiple templates. The virtual machines access this shared repository during runtime, which significantly reduces data storage requirements while maintaining full maintenance functionality for all machine types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple VPN software are installed simultaneously, then adaptability to different machine operators' technologies improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized software repository as an intermediary layer between the virtual machine templates and the diverse VPN software requirements. Instead of installing multiple VPN software versions directly into the operating system or each virtual machine, the repository stores compatible VPN software that can be dynamically selected and deployed. This intermediary approach maintains technology compatibility while avoiding the complexity of simultaneous multi-version installations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and systems for machine maintenance using a service computer, particularly using different maintenance applications feature at least one machine controller configured to control an associated machine and a computing system defining at least one virtual machine and comprising at least one application server on which is installed application software for at least one of the machine controller or the associated machine. The machine controller is connectable with the virtual machine via a first communication link so as to enable remote communication between the virtual machine of the computer and the machine controller. The virtual machine is connectable with the application server via a further communication link by a remote-desktop-protocol, such that at least one of the application server and the application software installed on the application server is operable via the virtual machine.