Error-Proof Parameter Modification in Industrial Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fail-safe industrial automation components face challenges in ensuring reliable parameter value changes without requiring new software certification, as errors in operator panels or communication paths can lead to incorrect parameter values, necessitating frequent re-certification.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the calculation and comparison of checksums or CRC values for parameter changes, where only the difference between old and new values contributes to the test values, ensuring that unchanged parameters are neutral and do not affect the calculation, thereby simplifying software updates and avoiding re-certification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete parameter sets are transmitted and verified using checksums, then reliability of parameter changes is improved, but device complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the changed parameters from the complete parameter set and transmits only these differential values for verification. This reduces the amount of data requiring checksum calculation and comparison, thereby lowering device complexity and communication overhead while maintaining reliability through targeted verification of only the modified parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software changes are made to accommodate new operating functions, then adaptability is improved, but re-certification requirements increase time loss and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software into certified core functions and non-certified extension functions. The interface for accessing parameters is designed to support new operating functions without modifying the certified safety-relevant code. This allows adaptability improvements through software additions while preserving the original certification, avoiding time loss from re-certification.
3Measurement precision
If all parameters are included in checksum calculations, then measurement precision of data integrity is improved, but loss of time for verification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the differential values of changed parameters for checksum calculation instead of including all parameters. This maintains measurement precision for the modified data while significantly reducing the time required for verification by limiting the scope of checksum calculations to only those parameters that have actually changed.
4Ease of operation
If operator panels are designed with full functionality for all parameters, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by allowing the operator panel to access and modify only the necessary subset of parameters rather than requiring full functionality for all parameters. The interface dynamically presents only relevant parameters for each operating function, improving ease of operation while reducing the apparent complexity of the operator panel by hiding unused functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The interface has a test value producing interface arranged on a parameter after an access of an operating system (OS). The values, which are contributed in the multiple parameters, are changed by the access. The values, which are not contributed in the multiple parameters, are not changed by the access. An independent claim is also included for a method for an interface for accessing multiple parameters of an error-proof industrial automation component.