Cloud Industrial Development Hub for Faster Control Project Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in efficient development and testing due to complexity and custom nature, leading to long development cycles, cost overruns, and difficulty in managing proprietary intellectual property and cybersecurity threats.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based Industrial Development Hub (IDH) with a repository system that includes user interface, project generation, project telemetry, and project analysis components, facilitating project development, monitoring, and control of industrial automation systems, providing real-time feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If industrial automation systems are developed using traditional custom programming methods, then the systems can be tailored to specific proprietary requirements, but the development cycles become excessively long and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating virtual copies of industrial devices and control systems in a cloud-based development environment. Developers can replicate real device configurations, I/O points, and control logic in virtual form, allowing parallel development and testing without affecting physical systems. This enables proprietary customization to be achieved through virtual modeling rather than iterative physical prototyping, significantly reducing development time while maintaining customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring device models, I/O templates, and control system frameworks in the cloud-based platform before actual project development begins. Common industrial device configurations and control patterns are prepared in advance as reusable templates, allowing developers to start projects by customizing pre-built frameworks rather than creating everything from scratch. This preliminary preparation dramatically accelerates the development cycle while preserving the ability to tailor systems to proprietary requirements.
2Reliability
If traditional on-premise development platforms are used, then proprietary intellectual property can be maintained locally, but cybersecurity threats increase and resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a secure cloud-based development platform as a mediator between developers and proprietary control systems. The platform provides a controlled environment with built-in security measures, including authentication, authorization, and data protection protocols. Proprietary intellectual property can be accessed and developed in the cloud through this secure intermediary without exposing systems to direct cybersecurity threats, while maintaining IP protection through controlled access and encryption mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional on-premise mechanical development infrastructure with a cloud-based virtualized system. Instead of relying on local servers and physical development environments, the system uses virtual machines and cloud computing resources to host development tools and simulate control systems. This substitution eliminates the need for maintaining secure on-premise infrastructure while providing enhanced security through cloud provider security measures and reducing the attack surface for cybersecurity threats.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom industrial control projects are developed without standardized frameworks, then specific project requirements can be met, but development costs overrun and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down industrial control systems into modular, reusable components within the cloud-based platform. Device configurations, I/O points, control logic blocks, and system templates are segmented into discrete units that can be independently developed, tested, and reused across multiple projects. This modular segmentation allows developers to fulfill specific project requirements by assembling and customizing pre-built modules rather than developing entire systems from scratch, significantly improving development efficiency while maintaining adaptability to proprietary requirements.
4Measurement precision
If physical devices are used for testing and development, then realistic operational characteristics can be observed, but development time increases and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating accurate virtual replicas of physical industrial devices in the cloud-based development environment. These virtual copies include detailed models of device behavior, I/O characteristics, and operational parameters that closely match the physical counterparts. Developers can test and validate control logic against these virtual models, observing realistic operational characteristics without the need to physically connect to or deploy to actual devices. This virtual copying enables comprehensive testing and development to be completed in the cloud, dramatically reducing development time while maintaining measurement precision of operational characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial development hub (IDH) supports industrial development and testing capabilities that are offered as a cloud-based service. The IDH comprises an enhanced storage platform and associated design tools that serve as a repository on which customers can store control project code, device configurations, and other digital aspects of an industrial automation project. The IDH system can facilitate discovery and management of digital content associated with control systems, and can be used for system backup and restore, code conversion, and version management.