Data Transmission Workflow Models for Context-Rich Industrial Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial automation systems face challenges in efficiently communicating data context between automation control and monitoring systems and networked devices, often transmitting raw data values without appropriate context.

Innovation Solution

A computing device acts as an information gateway, collecting and preserving data context using data models that define relationships between datasets, enabling the transmission of data along with its context when requested.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If data is transmitted from industrial automation components without using data models, then the transmission process is simple and fast, but the data context and relationships are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata contextVSAvoiddata transmission structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining data models that describe the structure, context, and relationships of data before transmission occurs. These data models are created and stored in advance, allowing the system to automatically attach appropriate context information to data packets during transmission without real-time processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces data models as an intermediary layer between the data source and the transmission channel. This intermediary structure mediates the transmission process by organizing raw data into context-rich data packets that include relationships, units, and metadata, thereby preserving information without requiring complex real-time processing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If data models are used to organize and transmit data with context, then information structure and relationships are preserved, but the complexity of data transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata structureVSAvoiddata transmission system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data transmission system into distinct components: data sources, data models, context information, and transmission channels. Each component has a specific function, and the data model acts as a separate structured layer that organizes data without complicating the underlying transmission mechanism. This modular approach maintains stability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If raw data values are transmitted without context, then transmission efficiency is high, but data analysis and interpretation become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata meaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data values with their contextual information into unified data packets during the transmission process. Rather than separating efficient raw data transmission from context-rich data analysis, the system combines both elements into a single transmission unit, allowing efficient transfer that preserves complete information for subsequent analysis and interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12282798B2Data models for defining data transmission workflow and facilitating data communication
Publication Date: 2025.04.22 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • US12282798B2 patent drawing
  • US12282798B2 patent drawing
  • US12282798B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computing device for collecting and preserving data acquired from various devices in a data model with the respective context of acquired data. The computing device may provide a user interface to receive the context or information model associated with a dataset. By providing data with its context, different software platforms may synthesize or analyze the retrieved data more efficiently. Moreover, the computing device may include transaction conditions to define a workflow for transferring the datasets using data model associated with one or more datasets for transmission of data to a destination. The transaction conditions may detail a custom workflow for data communication through an industrial automation system using the data model.