Control Data Format Conversion for Backward Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The exchange of control data between operating devices with different software versions is complex, leading to performance issues, longer start-up times, and increased resource consumption, especially when newer software versions require different data formats, and existing solutions either complicate the older software or require costly verification in safety-related systems.

Innovation Solution

A method where control data is stored in a first format for direct processing by the first operating device and converted into a second format for direct processing by the second operating device at runtime, allowing seamless exchange and use across different software versions without intermediate steps, ensuring backward compatibility and efficient logistics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control data is stored in an old format for compatibility with older operating devices, then backward compatibility is maintained, but newer operating devices experience performance degradation, longer start-up times, and higher resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidperformance and start-up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control data into two distinct formats: first format data stored in the original old format, and second format data converted to a new optimized format. This segmentation allows each format to serve its specific purpose - the first format ensures backward compatibility with older operating devices, while the second format enables high-performance operation with newer devices, thus resolving the contradiction between compatibility and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by converting control data from one format specification to another. The conversion process transforms the data structure, encoding, or organization parameters to create an optimized format that newer operating devices can process more efficiently, while the original format parameters are preserved for legacy device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If control data is converted to a new format for optimized performance, then newer operating devices operate efficiently, but older operating devices can no longer process the data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance efficiencyVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores control data in segmented format groups where one group maintains the original format for legacy compatibility while another group contains converted format data for optimized performance. This dual-format storage strategy ensures that both older and newer operating devices can find and use appropriate data formats, eliminating the trade-off between performance optimization and compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the software of newer operating devices is made more complex to retain old data formats, then backward compatibility is maintained, but device complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the format conversion in advance during a preprocessing step, rather than requiring the operating device software to handle multiple format conversions during runtime. The control data is pre-converted into the optimized new format and stored alongside the original format, allowing newer devices to directly use the optimized data without complex conversion logic, thus reducing software complexity while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2711793B1Method for operating an operating device for controlling a technical installation
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2711793B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2711793B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2711793B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The method involves converting first control data (SV1) into a second format during operation of a second control device (20) i.e. mobile device, such that the converted first control data is processed directly by the second control device for one of read and write access. One of second control data (DV1) for each access at run time is converted from a first format into a format which is processed by the second control device and the first control data for each access at run time is converted from the second format into a format which is processed by a first control device (10). The first control data comprises read access data. The second control data comprises dynamically-changeable data.