Control Device Communication Management for Data Volume Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

In factory automation systems, control devices face complexity in communicating quasi-control data with larger volumes, which exceeds the communication upper limit within a cyclic period, leading to complicated program configurations and difficulties in understanding and managing communication methods.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a cyclic communication part, a message communication part, and a communication management part that detects the communication state to selectively choose between cyclic and message communication, storing data accordingly to ensure appropriate communication methods are used, simplifying program configuration and reducing user load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quasi-control data with larger volume is communicated using cyclic communication, then communication reliability is improved, but communication upper limit is exceeded and program complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidprogram complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication management part as an intermediary between the cyclic communication part and message communication part. This mediator automatically determines whether to use cyclic or message communication based on communication state, eliminating the need for users to manually configure communication methods and reducing program complexity while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic communication method selection where the communication management part can switch between cyclic communication and message communication based on real-time communication state. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle varying data volumes and communication requirements without fixed program configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication methods are provided, then communication flexibility is improved, but program configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidprogram configuration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication management part performs self-service by automatically determining and selecting the appropriate communication method (cyclic or message communication) based on the communication state. This eliminates the need for users to manually configure communication methods, reducing program configuration complexity while maintaining communication flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the communication method selection function from the user's control program and places it in the communication management part. This separation allows users to focus on control logic while the system handles communication method selection automatically, simplifying program configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Speed

If cyclic communication is used for all control data, then real-time property is improved, but data volume limitation is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time propertyVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control data into two categories: cyclic control data with smaller volume that requires real-time communication, and quasi-control data with larger volume. This segmentation allows cyclic communication to be used for time-critical data while larger data can be handled by message communication, preventing data volume limitations from being exceeded

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10735520B2Control device, control system, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A control device includes a cyclic communication part, a message communication part, and a communication management part. The cyclic communication part performs communication according to a preset cyclic period. The message communication part performs communication that need not conform to the cyclic period. The communication management part manages a communication schedule for the cyclic communication part and the message communication part. When it is detected that control data scheduled to be communicated is data for preferentially selecting communication in the cyclic communication part, the communication management part detects a communication state of the cyclic communication part. When cyclic communication is possible, the communication management part stores the control data in the cyclic communication part, and when cyclic communication is not possible, the communication management part stores the control data in the message communication part.