Automation Controller Software Updates via Compatible Change Instructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern automation systems require complex control software changes, which are typically time-consuming and costly due to the need for trained specialists and system downtime, and alternative methods like controller synchronization are also inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for the efficient change of control software in automation systems by using a software participant connected via a data bus, where the controller queries and checks change instructions for compatibility, enabling automated changes without the need for complex programming or system shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If trained specialists program the control software changes, then the control software can be changed accurately, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly with system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs the control software change process by itself. The software participant provides the change instructions, and the controller executes them autonomously without requiring external programming intervention, thereby eliminating system downtime while maintaining change accuracy through automated validation
Solution Approach 2:
The software participant prepares the control software changes in advance and stores them as change instructions. These pre-prepared instructions are then automatically transferred to and executed by the controller, eliminating the need for on-site programming and reducing system downtime
2Ease of manufacture
If the automation system is switched off for programming changes, then the control software can be modified, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller autonomously executes the control software changes using change instructions from the software participant while remaining operational. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain productivity during the software modification process
Solution Approach 2:
The software participant acts as an intermediary that provides pre-prepared change instructions to the controller. This intermediary enables the controller to perform software modifications without shutting down, as the structured change instructions guide the automated update process
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional controller is integrated for software changes, then software flexibility is improved, but controller complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The software participant is designed as a universal component that can provide change instructions for multiple different control software scenarios. This single multi-functional component replaces the need for additional specialized controllers, maintaining software flexibility while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The change instruction generation capability is extracted from the controller and placed in the software participant. This separation allows the controller to remain simple while the software participant handles the complexity of preparing and managing software changes
4Manufacturing precision
If complex programming is performed by specialists, then control software changes are accurate, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs software changes autonomously without requiring specialist programming skills. The automated process validates and executes changes based on pre-prepared instructions, making the operation simple while maintaining accuracy through built-in validation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring specialists to program changes from scratch, pre-prepared change instructions are copied from the software participant to the controller. This copying process eliminates complex programming operations while ensuring accuracy through the use of validated instruction templates
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for changing control software of an automation system (300), which has a controller (301) and a plurality of subscribers (303, 305, 401), one subscriber being a software subscriber (303) for changing control software of the controller (301), and the software subscriber (303) comprising a memory unit (501), in which at least one change instruction for changing the control software is stored, the method comprising: sending an individual retrieval message to the software subscriber (303) by means of the controller (301) in order to retrieve the at least one change instruction; sending a response message to the controller (301) by means of the software subscriber (303) in order to provide the change instruction; checking the at least one change instruction by means of the controller (301) as to whether the change instruction is compatible with the control software; changing the control software in accordance with the change instruction by means of the controller (301) if the change instruction is compatible with the control software; and discarding the change instruction by means of the controller (301) in a discarding step (109) if the change instruction is incompatible with the control software.