Field Bus Coupler Image Storage for Automation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial automation systems, the existing method of displaying images of input/output systems requires frequent and costly updates of a central library on the service computer, which becomes incomplete or outdated with product expansions, leading to inadequate representation of the graphic image.
Innovation Solution
Storing image data files in the field bus coupler and transmitting them to the service computer, allowing the generation and display of images independently of a central library, with additional image data from modules transmitted only as needed, using read-only memory for efficient storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central library with graphic files is stored on the service computer to display images of input/output systems, then the image display functionality is provided, but the library requires frequent and costly updates to remain complete and up-to-date with product expansions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image data from the central library concept and stores it directly in the field bus coupler's read-only memory. This removes the need for the service computer to maintain and update a comprehensive library, as each device carries its own image data independently. The image data is taken out from the centralized storage location and placed at the distributed device level.
Solution Approach 2:
The field bus coupler serves itself by storing its own image data locally in read-only memory. When the service computer requests an image, the coupler provides it from its own stored data without requiring the service computer to have access to a central library. This self-service approach eliminates the update maintenance burden from the service computer.
2Reliability
If image data is transmitted from the field bus coupler to the service computer, then accurate and up-to-date images are ensured, but data transfer overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by transmitting only the specific image data that is requested by the service computer, rather than continuously transmitting all available image data. The field bus coupler stores multiple image files in its read-only memory and transmits only the relevant ones when needed, reducing unnecessary data transfer overhead while ensuring accuracy when images are actually required.
3Loss of information
If additional image data from modules is transmitted via the sub-bus and field bus coupler, then complete system images are generated, but the data transfer complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image data from multiple sources - the field bus coupler's own image data and the additional image data from connected modules - into a single comprehensive image displayed on the service computer. The coupler acts as a consolidation point, combining data from the sub-bus modules with its own stored image data to provide a complete system representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The field bus coupler serves as an intermediary between the modules on the sub-bus and the service computer. It receives additional image data requests from the service computer, retrieves the necessary data from connected modules via the sub-bus, combines it with its own image data, and transmits the complete set to the service computer. This intermediary role simplifies the overall data transfer architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for producing an image of an input/output arrangement for an industrial automation system, comprising storing in a field bus coupler at least one image data file containing image data, transmitting the image data from the image data file to a service computer connected with the field bus coupler, and generating and displaying in the service computer an image that is a function of the image data transmitted from the field bus coupler. Additional image data may be stored in a module for transmittal to the service computer via a sub-bus and the field bus coupler, thereby to generate and display in the service computer a resultant image that is a function of both the image data and the additional image data.