Controller Section Analysis for Faster Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Comparing data collected within a predetermined period with determination indexes in factory automation systems is time-consuming, leading to delays in analyzing and feeding back results.

Innovation Solution

A controller that divides the analysis period into sections, analyzes section data sequentially, and eliminates further analysis for subsequent sections once a predefined result is detected, allowing for prioritization of control operations and data generation over analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all data items within a predetermined period are evaluated to determine abnormalities, then measurement precision is improved, but analysis time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis period is divided into multiple sections, and data is analyzed section by section rather than evaluating all data items at once. This segmentation allows the system to detect abnormalities in earlier sections and eliminate the need to analyze subsequent sections, thereby reducing total analysis time while maintaining detection accuracy through systematic evaluation of divided segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

When a predefined result (abnormality detection) is obtained in an earlier section, the analysis of subsequent sections is eliminated or extracted from the processing queue. This selective elimination removes unnecessary computation steps while preserving the precision of abnormality detection through thorough analysis of relevant sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If data analysis is performed thoroughly within a predetermined period, then reliability of control feedback is improved, but productivity of control operations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol feedback reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis process dynamically adjusts its scope based on findings from earlier sections. When abnormalities are detected in preliminary sections, the system dynamically eliminates the need to analyze subsequent sections, making the analysis process adaptive and efficient while maintaining reliable feedback through thorough evaluation of critical sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis on early sections of data first, allowing abnormality detection to occur before completing full data collection. This preliminary action approach enables early termination of analysis when abnormalities are found, improving control operation speed while maintaining feedback reliability through systematic preliminary evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3382485B1Controller, control program, control system, and control method
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 OMRON CORP
  • EP3382485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3382485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3382485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller includes a control operation unit that cyclically performs a control operation for controlling a control target, a data generator that generates data showing a chronological change in a value associated with a control target, and an analyzer that analyzes data generated by the data generator and outputs an analysis result in a predetermined analysis target period. The analysis target period includes a plurality of sections. The data generator sequentially outputs section data showing a chronological change in a value for each of the plurality of sections included in the analysis target period. The analyzer analyzes the sequentially output section data for each section. When an analysis of section data for a section included in the analysis target period shows a predefined result, the analyzer eliminates an analysis of section data for one or more sections in the analysis target period that are subsequent to the section for which the analysis shows the predefined result.