Coupling Module for Cyber-Physical System Service Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyberphysical systems face challenges in controlling and observing performance attributes, determining system service levels, and managing complex monitoring and testing of field devices, due to difficulties in adapting and configuring programming languages, tools, and solutions.

Innovation Solution

A generic method and system that utilizes a coupling module to establish communication between application modules and provide services in an activatable manner, allowing for dynamic loading and control of extra-functional services during runtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cyberphysical system uses multiple application modules with application module-specific interfaces for communication, then communication access between modules is enabled, but control and observation of performance attributes becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication access between modulesVSAvoidcontrol and observation of performance attributes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coupling module as an intermediary component that mediates communication between application modules. This coupling module provides a standardized interface layer that enables communication access while centralizing the control and observation of performance attributes, thus resolving the contradiction between module-specific communication capability and system-wide controllability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling module serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables communication between different application modules, provides standardized interfaces, and centralizes performance monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both module-specific communication access and unified control observation without increasing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If application modules communicate via module-specific application interfaces, then communication access is provided, but determining and guaranteeing system service levels becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication accessVSAvoidsystem service levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling module acts as an intermediary that standardizes communication interfaces between application modules. By providing a uniform interface layer, it enables easy communication access while simultaneously establishing consistent service level protocols that can be determined and guaranteed across the entire system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system allows dynamic adaptation of functions during runtime, then system flexibility improves, but programming languages and tools become more complex and difficult to configure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic function adaptationVSAvoidprogramming and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling module provides self-service capabilities that enable dynamic function adaptation during runtime without requiring complex reconfiguration of programming languages and tools. The standardized interface allows modules to dynamically adapt functions while the coupling module automatically manages the configuration, thus maintaining ease of programming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If monitoring and testing of field devices is implemented, then system observation capability improves, but the complexity of monitoring and testing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem observation capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring and testing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges monitoring and testing functions into the coupling module, which already serves as the communication intermediary. By combining these functions in a single centralized component, the system achieves improved observation capability while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from distributed monitoring and testing mechanisms across multiple application modules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12335063B2Providing a service in a node of a cyber-physical system having at least two application modules

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for providing at least one service in a node or process of a cyber-physical system has at least two application modules, wherein a communication between the at least two application modules occurs via respective application interfaces of the at least two application modules, which application interfaces are offered specifically to the particular application module, wherein a particular application interface which is offered specifically to the particular application module represents a communication access to the particular application module. According to the invention, at least the application interfaces of the at least two application modules which are offered specifically to the application module are implemented by a coupling module which establishes the communication between the at least two application modules and which provides the at least one service in an activatable manner.