Cloud Server Data Synchronization for Industrial Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing data between industrial devices like PLCs and HMIs face challenges such as inconsistent data access, version management issues, and physical overlapping operating spaces, particularly in cloud computing environments.
Innovation Solution
A cloud computing-based data sharing system where industrial device management units periodically communicate with a cloud server to synchronize shared data, using a data relay module to update and notify changes, eliminating the need for separate software installations and file-based data sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is shared using file format between operating software, then data sharing is enabled, but access control is impossible and data consistency cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary between multiple industrial device management units. The cloud server receives shared data from one management unit, stores it centrally, and distributes it to other management units. This mediator enables data sharing while maintaining access control and ensuring data consistency through centralized management, resolving the contradiction between sharing capability and data consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate software is installed for shared data management, then data sharing is achieved, but version management becomes difficult and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data management functionality into the existing operating software modules rather than installing separate management software. The shared data management function is integrated into the operating software that already exists in each industrial device management unit, eliminating the need for additional separate software installations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining data sharing capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If all operating software is integrated into one system, then data sharing is simplified, but costs increase and physical overlapping of operating spaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data management architecture by separating the cloud server (centralized data storage and coordination) from the distributed industrial device management units (local operation and execution). Each management unit retains its independence and operating space, avoiding physical overlap, while the cloud server provides centralized coordination for simplified data sharing. This segmentation resolves both the ease of operation and system complexity contradictions.
4Ease of manufacture
If file-based data sharing is used, then implementation is simple, but access control is impossible and it is inconvenient to reflect amendments through files at one time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cloud server continuously monitors for changes in shared data, automatically notifies relevant management units of amendments, and coordinates updates across the system. This feedback loop enables real-time reflection of data amendments without manual file synchronization, maintaining implementation simplicity while dramatically improving the convenience of reflecting amendments across all systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to cloud computing-based data sharing system and method, the system including a plurality of industrial device management units configured to transmit a recent shared data to a cloud server by periodically communicating with the cloud server, to receive a recent shared data of other industrial device management units received from the cloud server and to synchronize the shared data by updating the recent shared data to its own shared data, and a cloud server configured to compare a received shared data with a pre-stored shared data, in a case a shared data is received form an industrial device management unit among the plurality of industrial device management units through a communication network, to update its shared data as a result of the comparison, and to transmit a notification message including the updated shared data to other industrial device management unit through the communication network.