Automation Control Software Updates via Bus-Based Instruction Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems require complex programming and specialized personnel to modify control software, leading to time-consuming and costly processes, especially when system downtime is involved.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a software subscriber with a memory unit storing modification instructions, allowing the controller to query, verify, and apply these instructions to modify the control software automatically, without the need for extensive programming or system shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional programming methods are used to modify control software, then the automation system can be customized, but the system must be switched off and trained personnel are required, leading to downtime and high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The automation system performs self-modification of control software through automatic program download and installation from field bus subscribers, eliminating the need for trained personnel to manually program changes. The system autonomously verifies compatibility and applies modifications without human intervention in the programming process.
Solution Approach 2:
Modification instructions are stored in advance in the memory units of field bus subscribers. Before actual modification occurs, the instructions are prepared and stored, allowing the controller to download and install them without requiring on-site programming expertise or system shutdown for programming activities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional programming methods are used to modify control software, then customization is achieved, but trained specialist personnel are required, increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates dependency on trained specialist personnel by enabling automatic modification instruction download and installation. Any user can initiate software modifications without requiring programming expertise, as the system handles verification and installation automatically through the field bus communication.
Solution Approach 2:
Field bus subscribers act as intermediaries by storing modification instructions in their memory units and automatically transmitting them to the controller when requested. This intermediary mechanism replaces the need for human programmers to directly modify control software, simplifying the process and reducing costs.
3Ease of operation
If field-bus systems are used for data transmission, then wiring is simplified and communication is interference-free, but control software becomes highly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the software modification functionality from the complex control software and places it in separate field bus subscribers. Modification instructions are stored independently in subscriber memory units, allowing the control software to remain complex for full functionality while enabling simple, modular modification capabilities through the field bus interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for modifying control software of an automation system having a controller and a plurality of subscribers, where the subscribers are connected to the controller via a data bus and communicate via a data exchange, at least one subscriber is a software subscriber for modifying control software of the controller, and the software subscriber comprises a memory unit on which at least one modification instruction for modifying the control software is stored. The controller sends an individual query message to the software subscriber for querying the modification instruction, the software subscriber sends a response to the controller providing the modification instruction, and the controller verifies whether the modification instruction is compatible with the control software, modifying the control software according if the modification instruction is compatible with the control software, and discarding the modification instruction if not compatible with the control software.