Industrial Control Software Activation to Reduce Upgrade Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems face productivity and cost issues due to the need for machine shutdowns during software upgrades, leading to prolonged downtimes and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for enabling and disabling software modules in industrial control applications remotely, allowing seamless integration and activation of software modules using activation codes, reducing the need for on-site installations and upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software upgrades are installed by qualified technicians following the traditional cycle, then installation reliability is ensured, but machine downtime increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service software module activation through automated verification protocols. The computing device automatically communicates with the remote server, provides device identifiers, receives verification, and activates software modules without requiring qualified technicians to perform manual installation, thereby eliminating machine downtime while maintaining reliability through automated security checks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical software media installation and manual technician operations with an electronic/digital system. Software modules are transmitted electronically via network communication, and activation is performed through automated digital verification protocols between the computing device and remote server, eliminating the need for physical media handling and manual installation procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software modules are installed separately, then installation flexibility is maintained, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-downloading multiple software modules to the computing device before they are needed. The device can store multiple software modules in advance, and when activation is required, it simply communicates the module identifiers to the remote server for verification and activation, eliminating the need for time-consuming downloads during critical activation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the software distribution process into distinct components: software modules are divided into individually identifiable units with unique identifiers, allowing selective activation of specific modules rather than requiring installation of entire software suites. This segmentation enables flexible, on-demand activation of only the needed modules
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for industrial control software execution management. For example, there is provided a method for enabling a software module included in a plurality of software modules of an application package installed on a computing device configured to control a turbomachine of an industrial plant. The method can include receiving, by a processor of the computing device, a request for executing the software module. The method can include generating and sending an activation request to a remote server. The method can include generating, by the remote server, an activation code if a verification protocol is successfully completed. The method can include forwarding the activation code to the computing device. The method can include activating the software module when the activation code is received by the processor.