Technical System Configuration Using Sequence Pattern Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The configuration of technical systems is a complex and time-consuming process, requiring extensive domain-specific knowledge, and existing methods either require manual rule definition by users or provide non-personalized recommendations, making automation inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A computerized method that automatically introduces system components into a technical system based on previous configurations, using an automation unit trained by user-specific data to personalize the configuration process, thereby automating repetitive steps and reducing user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual rule definition is used for automation, then automation capability is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidtime for rule definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically learns configuration patterns from user actions and generates automation rules without requiring manual rule definition. The automation unit trains on stored configuration sequences and autonomously identifies reusable patterns, making the system self-configuring rather than requiring manual programming of rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary learning by storing and analyzing configuration sequences in advance. The training data is accumulated from user configurations before automation is activated, allowing the system to pre-process and understand configuration patterns before they are needed for automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If personalized automation is implemented, then user-specific efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-specific efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the configuration process into distinct sequences of system components that can be independently analyzed and stored. Each configuration sequence is broken down into discrete steps that can be individually learned and reused, reducing the complexity of managing personalized automation rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of configuration sequences from stored training data and applies them to new configurations. Instead of managing complex personalized rules, the system replicates proven configuration patterns from the training database, simplifying the automation mechanism while maintaining personalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If sequence pattern mining is used, then automation accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies pattern mining locally to specific configuration sequences rather than analyzing the entire configuration space globally. By focusing on local patterns within individual configuration sequences and storing them for reuse, the system achieves high automation accuracy without the computational burden of comprehensive global analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3963415B1Computer-assisted configuration of a technical system
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3963415B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3963415B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3963415B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention specifies a computerized method for configuring a technical system comprising a sequence (Pi) of system components (Si), whereby each sequence (Pi) of system components (Si) can be assigned to a sequence pattern and whereby the sequence comprises at least one system component (Si), whereby the method comprises the following steps: - specifying a support threshold for sequence patterns (M1) by a user, - starting the configuration of the technical system (M2) by choosing a sequence of system components (Si) by the user (U), - analysing (M3) the chosen sequence (Pi) of system components (Si) and extracting sequence patterns by an automation unit (A), and - introducing (M4) at least one further system component (Si) based on the extracted sequence pattern and according to the support threshold by the automation unit (A). The invention further specifies a computer program product and a computer-readable storage medium.