Control System Topology for Heterogeneous Data Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems face challenges in unified access and interpretation of heterogeneous data from multiple databases, leading to inefficiencies in monitoring, problem detection, and predictive modeling due to differing data formats and frequencies, resulting in inaccuracies and obscured data patterns.

Innovation Solution

The method involves retrieving control system engineering information to identify function blocks and their interconnections, generating a control system topology, and displaying event notifications based on detected events, using classification identifiers and plant configuration information to optimize system operations and problem analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is stored in multiple heterogeneous databases with different formats and frequencies, then data can be collected from various field devices, but unified access and interpretation of the data becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidunified data access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a data historian as an intermediary component that receives data from multiple heterogeneous field devices and databases, standardizes the data formats, and provides a unified interface for data access. This mediator layer resolves the contradiction by enabling versatile data collection while maintaining ease of unified access through standardized data storage and retrieval mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If data is stored in heterogeneous databases, then data from various field devices can be archived, but data patterns and relationships remain obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata volumeVSAvoiddata pattern recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple heterogeneous databases into a unified data structure within the data historian. By combining data from different sources into a standardized format with consistent time stamps and metadata, the system preserves data patterns and relationships that would otherwise be obscured in separate databases, enabling effective predictive modeling and root cause analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If preparatory work flows are performed to extract and rationalize data from multiple databases, then data access is enabled, but the process is time consuming and may introduce inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access capabilityVSAvoidpreparatory workflow time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs data extraction, standardization, and rationalization in advance during the data ingestion phase rather than on-demand during query execution. The data historian pre-processes and stores data in a standardized format with consistent metadata and time stamps, eliminating the need for time-consuming preparatory workflows when data is actually needed and avoiding inaccuracies from repeated data transformations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If data is retrieved from multiple databases, then comprehensive data analysis is possible, but useful data may be inadvertently discarded as irrelevant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata comprehensivenessVSAvoiduseful data retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal data storage structure in the data historian that accommodates data from all field devices and databases with a standardized schema designed to capture all potentially useful information. The flexible data model includes metadata and attributes that can represent various data types and relationships, ensuring that useful data is retained even when its relevance is not immediately apparent, while still enabling comprehensive data analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10496046B2Systems and methods for optimizing control systems for a process environment

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 YOKOGAWA ENG ASIA PTE

AI summary

The invention enables methods, systems and computer program products for control system optimization. The invention comprises retrieving from an engineering information repository, control system engineering information corresponding to an implemented control system. Based on the retrieved control system engineering information, a plurality of function blocks and function block interconnections corresponding to the implemented control system are identified. At least one group of function blocks is identified from among the plurality of function blocks corresponding to the implemented control system. Identification of the group of function blocks is based on identification of one or more attributes shared by each function block within the identified group of function blocks. The invention thereafter generates a control system topology based on the identified function blocks, identified function block interconnections, and identified group of function blocks.