Process Monitoring via Debug Points for Remote Anomaly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users lack the knowledge to optimally select sensors for monitoring physical processes, leading to sub-optimal results when trying to detect deviations in behavior across multiple physical processes, as they need to study these processes jointly, and existing systems lack an intuitive interface for joint monitoring of physically remote processes.

Innovation Solution

A computer program product that allows users to place debug points on actions to monitor subsets of physical sub-processes, enabling joint monitoring of remote processes through an interface that communicates with external software to control hardware, and implements anomaly detection algorithms like incremental local outlier factor and rule-based detection, providing a graphical environment for assembling actions and visualizing anomalies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users manually select sensors for monitoring physical processes, then the monitoring setup is simple and direct, but the monitoring results become sub-optimal due to lack of domain knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic sensor selection and configuration without requiring user expertise. The monitoring system autonomously analyzes process data, identifies relevant sensors, and configures monitoring parameters based on the selected action, eliminating the need for users to possess domain knowledge while achieving optimal monitoring results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the complex sensor selection process. This intermediary automatically maps selected actions to relevant sensors and monitoring parameters, translating high-level user intentions into detailed technical configurations without requiring users to understand the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple physical processes are monitored jointly to detect deviations, then detection capability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeviation detection capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring system by associating each action with a specific subset of sensors and processes. This segmentation allows the system to monitor multiple physical processes jointly while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization, where each action's monitoring can be independently configured and analyzed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If an interface is provided for users to select sensors, then user control is enhanced, but the interface becomes complex requiring detailed process knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal interface where a single action selection automatically triggers the configuration of multiple related sensors and monitoring parameters. This multi-functional approach allows users to control diverse monitoring aspects through a unified, simple interface rather than dealing with complex individual sensor selections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3855265B1Ml for process monitoring
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 HEXAGON TECH CENT GMBH
  • EP3855265B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer program product providing an environment in which control software controlling at least one physical process is executed, wherein the control software is comprised of modular blocks termed actions, wherein the control software is defined through graph connections between the actions, wherein the computer program product provides for a monitoring functionality, wherein physical sub-processes of the at least one physical process influenced by an action may be monitored. The invention relates to a method for choosing which physical sub-processes are to be monitored, wherein a user places a debug point on an action.