Cloud-Gateway Agent Configuration for Complex Automation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual configuration of software agents in automation systems is time-consuming and error-prone, especially as automation solutions become more complex, leading to significant resource consumption and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A method where software agents are connected to the cloud via a gateway, with agent configurations stored in the cloud, allowing the gateway to automatically configure agents by matching data from the agents with stored configurations, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of software agents is performed, then configuration accuracy can be ensured through user review, but time consumption and error probability increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automation system performs self-configuration by automatically generating configuration data from process data and device information, eliminating the need for manual user input and review while maintaining accuracy through systematic data processing
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration data is generated in advance during system setup or initial operation, preparing all necessary parameters before the system goes into production, thereby eliminating subsequent manual configuration needs
2Reliability
If manual configuration of multiple agents is performed, then configuration completeness can be verified, but resource consumption and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates and verifies configuration completeness through automated processes that extract all necessary parameters from process data and device information, eliminating manual verification resources
Solution Approach 2:
Manual configuration and verification processes are replaced with automated software-based systems that extract configuration data programmatically from device communications and process data, significantly reducing human resource consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If automation system complexity increases, then functional capabilities improve, but manual configuration effort and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration process is segmented into automated steps: device discovery, data extraction, configuration generation, and validation. Each segment handles specific aspects of the complex configuration task, making the overall process manageable and error-resistant
Solution Approach 2:
An automated configuration system acts as an intermediary between the complex automation system components and the final agent configurations, translating device data and process requirements into proper configuration parameters without manual intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for automatically creating data relating to an automation system (10, 12), wherein a plurality of software agents (30, 32) are assigned to the automation system (10), wherein the software agents (30, 32) are connected to the cloud (50) via a gateway (54), wherein the cloud (50) holds an agent configuration (60, 62) for each of the software agents (30, 32), wherein data which are captured by at least some of the software agents (30, 32) and relate to at least one device, service and/or data source of the automation system, which can be reached by the particular software agent, are received by the gateway (54), wherein at least one software agent (30, 32) assigned to the automation system (10) is configured by means of the gateway (54) during processing of one or more agent configurations (60, 62) from the cloud (50) and the captured data relating to at least one device, service and/or data source which can be reached by the particular software agent.