Directory Interface for Data Addressing in Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems face challenges in effectively locating and employing data throughout a control architecture, often transmitting data without regard to network performance and requiring data to pass through middleware applications for proper usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Unified Plant Model hierarchy that determines the physical location of data sources and owners, using a directory interface to provide logical addresses for data access based on the role and requirements of requestors, and employing a computer-implemented method for data exchange, selection, and attribute addition to facilitate data connectivity and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is transmitted throughout the control architecture without regard to network performance, then data availability is improved, but network overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a directory interface as an intermediary component between data sources and requesting applications. This directory interface manages data access by providing logical addresses and routing data requests appropriately, preventing uncontrolled data transmission that causes network overload while maintaining data availability through structured access paths
2Ease of operation
If data passes through middleware applications for proper usage, then data usability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data addressing and routing functionality from traditional middleware applications and consolidates it into a dedicated directory interface. This separation allows data usability to be maintained through the directory's logical address system while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating redundant middleware components
Solution Approach 2:
The directory interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides logical addressing, routes data requests, manages data source locations, and enables direct communication between applications and data sources. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple separate middleware applications, reducing system complexity while maintaining data usability
3Loss of information
If data is transmitted to various requesters without selective delivery, then data distribution is improved, but network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data delivery where the directory interface determines the appropriate data source and delivery path based on the specific requirements of each requester. This dynamic routing ensures data is distributed only where needed and in the appropriate format, improving network efficiency by eliminating unnecessary data transmissions while maintaining comprehensive data distribution coverage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention employs systems and methods to provide addressing for appropriate access to data in automation devices. Data attributes can be related to a number of various factors in a data driven architecture such as the source of the data, the data subscriber and/or the path employed to convey the data from the source to the subscriber. In addition, data attributes can refer to the format, scale, units, length, visualization and transactional capabilities of the data. The subject invention can point to the appropriate address of the requested data wherein the data can have desired attributes associated therewith. In this manner, data can be selected based on the requirements of the requestor and/or the loading demands of network communication.