Customized Release Notes for Process Control System Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining and updating process control systems across multiple geographical locations is challenging due to the complexity and size of the systems, often resulting in inefficient software updates that can disrupt continuous operation and lead to loss of product and revenue.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for customizing documentation for software updates or upgrades in process control systems by correlating general release notes with specific system configurations, filtering out irrelevant information, and providing users with tailored notes on potential effects, using a graphical user interface wizard and machine-accessible medium to facilitate online maintenance and reduce risks associated with upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If general release notes are provided for all process control system configurations, then comprehensive information is available, but the complexity and volume of information increases significantly for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments general release notes into configuration-specific portions by using instrumentation tags that mark different sections of the release notes. The system then divides the customized release notes into multiple pages based on configuration matching results, allowing users to view only relevant information for their specific process control system configuration rather than overwhelming them with all possible information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes irrelevant information from general release notes by comparing instrumented release notes against the user's specific configuration. The system extracts only the portions of release notes that match the user's configuration parameters, eliminating unnecessary information about features or components that the user does not have, thereby reducing complexity while preserving comprehensive information for those who need it.
2Reliability
If software updates are performed on process control systems, then system functionality is improved, but system operation may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by providing customized release notes to users before software updates are executed. The system instruments general release notes with configuration-matching logic and presents relevant information about potential effects, disruptions, or required actions before the update occurs. This allows users to prepare appropriately and understand what to expect, enabling them to schedule updates during maintenance windows or take preventive measures to minimize disruption to continuous operation.
3Loss of information
If customized release notes are generated by matching configuration information, then relevance of information is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration matching logic directly into the release notes instrumentation process. By instrumenting the release notes with configuration-matching capabilities during their creation, the system combines what would otherwise be separate processes (generating release notes and matching them against configurations) into a unified approach. This reduces processing time by eliminating the need for separate analysis steps and improves information relevance through automated matching.
Data Source
AI summary
An example customized documentation generation apparatus is disclosed that generates documents relevant to a software update/upgrade of a particular process control system. A notes instrumentation module instruments general release notes for at least one of an update or an upgrade of a process control system to correlate the release notes with a general process control system configuration to produce instrumented notes. An upgrade assessment module determines configuration information for a particular process control system to provide default filter settings. An items of interest filter applies the default filter settings for the particular process control system to the instrumented notes to filter the instrumented notes and produce custom release notes for the particular process control system. The custom release notes are provided to a user to alert the user regarding potential effects of the update/upgrade on the particular process control system.