Control Module Interface Parameter Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In process control systems, the lack of a well-defined interface for control modules leads to 'spaghetti code' and makes it difficult to troubleshoot or modify internal parameters without breaking communication links, resulting in cluttered logic diagrams and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control module software interface that defines interface parameters and strategy types, linking each interface parameter to internal parameters, provides a clear communication interface, and allows for intuitive configuration, encapsulation, and improved maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control modules use internal parameters directly for communication, then configuration flexibility is achieved, but system complexity increases and reliability decreases due to spaghetti code

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the parameter interface by introducing a distinct layer of interface parameters that separate internal control module parameters from external communication parameters. This segmentation allows the control module to maintain its internal structure while providing a standardized interface for external communication, thereby reducing system complexity without sacrificing configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces interface parameters as an intermediary layer between internal control module parameters and external communication requirements. This intermediary layer standardizes the communication interface, preventing direct access to internal parameters and thus eliminating spaghetti code while maintaining configuration flexibility through the standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If control modules expose all internal parameters for access, then ease of configuration is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to cluttered logic diagrams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of configurationVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary parameters for external communication and exposes them as interface parameters, while keeping internal parameters hidden. This extraction process simplifies logic diagrams by removing unnecessary internal parameter exposures, making maintenance easier while preserving ease of configuration through the standardized interface parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If control modules allow direct access to internal parameters, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases due to broken communication links

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication link reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces interface parameters as a protective intermediary layer that mediates between external access requirements and internal parameter integrity. This intermediary ensures that external modules can adaptively configure control modules through standardized interfaces while preventing direct access that could break communication links, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If control modules use standardized interface parameters, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional interface layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidinterface structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal interface parameters that serve multiple functions: they provide standardized communication interfaces, simplify maintenance through consistency, and maintain configuration flexibility. Although an additional interface layer is introduced, its multi-functionality justifies the complexity by simultaneously improving maintenance ease, enabling standardized configurations, and preserving adaptability across different control modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240028003A1Module Interface

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 FISHER ROSEMOUNT SYST INC

AI summary

A process control system includes one or more field devices positioned in a process control plant and a control module configured to generate control signals for controlling the one or more field devices. The control module may be configured to operate on one or more internal parameters to execute a control strategy. A control module software interface may be configured to define a set of interface parameters based on a strategy type associated with the control strategy of the control module. Each interface parameter of the set of interface parameters may be linked to one of the one or more internal parameters of the control module. Additionally, each interface parameter may be accessible by other control modules and/or other external applications.