Programmable Display Interface for User-Led Process Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing programmable display devices require significant time and cost for configuring and changing settings, necessitating external manufacturer intervention, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A programmable display device with a control section that includes a display control section, an obtaining section, a setting accepting section, and a process executing section, allowing end users to configure process settings directly through a user-friendly setting screen without needing to know variable names or device addresses, thereby reducing the need for external assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the programmable display device uses a conventional configuration method requiring external manufacturer intervention, then the device can be delivered with basic functionality, but the time and cost for configuring and changing settings increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDevice delivery readinessVSAvoidTime for configuring and changing settings
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a setting screen that allows end users to independently configure and change device settings without requiring external manufacturer intervention. The control section provides a user interface through which users can directly modify process settings, logging configurations, and other device parameters, enabling the device to serve itself through user-operated settings rather than requiring external configuration services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the programmable display device requires external manufacturer intervention for setting configuration, then setting accuracy can be ensured, but the cost and time for configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSetting configuration accuracyVSAvoidConfiguration cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control section includes a setting accepting section that receives setting information directly from the display section, enabling end users to configure device parameters independently. This self-service approach allows users to make precise configuration changes without external intervention, reducing both cost and time while maintaining configuration accuracy through direct user control over device parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the programmable display device provides a setting screen for user configuration, then user independence is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUser independence in configurationVSAvoidDevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the setting screen functionality directly into the display section and integrates the setting accepting section within the control section. By combining the display and setting input functions in one interface, and integrating setting reception with the existing control architecture, the patent enables user-independent configuration without significantly increasing overall device structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display section serves multiple functions: it displays device status information, presents setting screens for configuration, and receives user input for setting changes. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware components to handle both operational display and configuration tasks, improving user independence without requiring separate dedicated hardware for settings, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4002109B1Programmable display device
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC JAPAN HLDG LTD
  • EP4002109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4002109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4002109B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A programmable display device includes: an obtaining section for obtaining data; a setting accepting section for accepting, via a setting screen displayed in response to predetermined operation, a process setting for a content of a process to be executed for the data and information for executing the process; and a process executing section for executing the process in accordance with the process setting, the setting accepting section accepting the process setting in a state where the obtaining section is executing the obtaining of the data.