Field Broadcast Communication for Pairing-Free Process Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process automation systems, such as level gauges, face complexity in simplifying the exchange of information between field devices and mobile communication devices, particularly in establishing secure and efficient wireless communication connections.
Innovation Solution
A field device equipped with a communication circuit for wireless short-range communication, allowing data to be transmitted in a publicly available broadcast mode without the need for pairing, with a control circuit that selects and modifies data transmission based on configuration data received from a mobile communication device, enabling secure and selective data sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pairing is required for data exchange between field device and mobile communication device, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into two distinct modes: broadcast mode for public, unsecured data exchange that does not require pairing, and dedicated mode for secure data exchange that does require pairing. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate mode based on security requirements, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing broadcast mode that provides basic data exchange functionality without the full security overhead of pairing. This partial implementation allows quick, simple data sharing for non-sensitive information, improving ease of operation, while the option for full pairing remains available when complete security is required.
2Ease of operation
If broadcast mode is used for data transmission, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into two distinct modes: broadcast mode for public, unsecured data exchange that does not require pairing, and dedicated mode for secure data exchange that does require pairing. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate mode based on security requirements, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the user and the transmission modes. This intermediary (control circuit) allows users to select between broadcast mode and dedicated mode based on their security needs, mediating between the desire for ease of operation and the requirement for security.
3Reliability
If pairing is required for communication, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functionality into two separate modes with different complexity levels: broadcast mode with simple transmission without pairing, and dedicated mode with full pairing functionality. This segmentation allows the device to provide secure communication when needed while avoiding the complexity of pairing in simple broadcast scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing broadcast mode that provides basic data exchange functionality without the full security overhead of pairing. This partial implementation reduces device complexity for simple use cases while maintaining the option for full pairing when complete security is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A field device for process automation, comprising a short-range wireless communication circuit having a mobile communication device and a control circuit for controlling the communication circuit. The control circuit selects data stored in the field device, instructs the communication circuit to transmit the selected data in a publicly available broadcast mode, establishes a short-range communication connection with the mobile communication device, and uses configuration data that the mobile communication device has sent to the field device after establishing the short-range communication connection in order to change the selection of data sent out in the publicly available broadcast mode or to stop the broadcast mode.