Control Program Maintenance Device for Automated Modification Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large-scale control systems, manual verification of control program modifications is time-consuming and prone to human error, requiring significant effort to confirm the quality and consistency of changes, additions, and deletions across multiple control devices.

Innovation Solution

A control program maintenance device that connects to multiple control devices via a network, utilizing a storage unit, comparison unit, and display processing unit to compare and display differences in control programs using a product tree, enabling efficient detection and visualization of changes, additions, and deletions, and facilitating quick sharing of modification quality among workers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual verification is used to confirm control program quality, then accuracy of modification detection is improved, but time consumption and work effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of modification detectionVSAvoidtime consumption for verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification (mechanical human operation) with automated computer-based comparison processes. The system automatically compares control programs before and after modifications using digital algorithms, eliminating the need for manual review while maintaining high accuracy in detecting changes, additions, and deletions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-verification by automatically comparing its own control program versions. The maintenance device performs self-service quality confirmation by autonomously detecting modifications without external human intervention, thereby reducing time consumption while preserving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple people perform modification work on control programs, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but human error increases and quality consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in modification workVSAvoidquality consistency of control program

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the system continuously compares control program versions and provides immediate feedback on detected modifications. This feedback loop ensures that all workers operate from the same baseline information, reducing human error and maintaining quality consistency across multiple people performing modification work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary comparison actions before modifications are finalized. By pre-comparing control programs and identifying potential issues before they propagate, the system prevents human errors from affecting quality consistency while allowing multiple workers to contribute flexibly to the modification process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If detailed comparison of control programs is performed, then measurement precision of changes is improved, but complexity of the comparison process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of change detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of comparison process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control program comparison into distinct modules: detection of modifications, identification of additions, and recognition of deletions. This segmentation allows detailed precision in each aspect while managing overall process complexity through structured, modular comparison operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different comparison strategies to different parts of the control program based on local requirements. Critical sections receive more detailed scrutiny while less critical areas use streamlined comparison methods, thereby achieving high measurement precision where needed without unnecessarily increasing overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10289106B2Control program maintenance device, control program maintenance method, and program

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a control program maintenance device includes a display processing unit that displays whether a first control program and a second control program are matched or mismatched on a display unit as a result of comparison. When a mismatch occurs, the display processing unit develops the configuration to a lower level by referring to a product tree; displays different parts in the control programs within the range to be compared on the display unit; and displays, in a developable manner and by referring to the product tree, mismatch parts in the control programs of a comparison source and a comparison destination before and after maintenance work is performed on a control program to be maintained.