Engineering Data Revision Comparison for Process Control Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing revision comparison solutions in process control systems are inefficient and error-prone, requiring manual review of historical records and lacking support for graphic files, making it difficult for configuration engineers to identify and report modifications across multiple revisions of engineering data files.
Innovation Solution
An automated method and system for comparing engineering data revisions, which retrieves and parses change-sets, identifies deviations, and generates a deviation report, including support for graphic files by comparing XML representations of graphic drawings, enabling efficient identification and reporting of modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual review of historical records is used for revision comparison, then configuration engineers can identify modifications, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical review process with an automated computer-based system that retrieves historical engineering data, parses change-sets, and generates deviation reports automatically. This substitution eliminates human error and significantly reduces the time required for revision comparison while maintaining accurate identification of modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the computer automatically performs the entire revision comparison workflow including data retrieval, parsing, deviation detection, and report generation without requiring manual intervention from configuration engineers, thus resolving the time consumption issue while ensuring consistent accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing revision comparison solutions are used, then some modifications can be identified, but support for graphic files is lacking and the process remains inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal revision comparison system that can handle multiple file types including graphic files (PDF, DWG, DXF) in addition to traditional engineering data files. The system uses a unified approach with OCR technology for graphic files and parsing for structured files, enabling consistent deviation detection across diverse file formats and significantly improving engineering productivity.
3Reliability
If manual deviation reporting is performed, then modifications can be documented, but human error increases and thoroughness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual deviation documentation with automated computer-based analysis that systematically compares revisions, detects all deviations without human error, and generates comprehensive reports automatically. This ensures complete and reliable deviation reporting while eliminating the time required for manual report preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention enables automated revision comparison of engineering data within a process control system. In various embodiments, the invention achieves this by (i) receiving user input defining a set of data retrieval parameters that identify change-set data for an engineering data file, (ii) retrieving from among change-sets retrieved based on the data retrieval parameters, a first change-set and a second change-set, (iii) retrieving from an engineering database, first and second revisions of the engineering data file corresponding to the first change-set and the second change-set (iv) comparing the retrieved first and second revisions, and (v) displaying a deviation report that is generated based on the identified deviations between the first and second revisions.