Field Device Data Transformation for Semantic Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coexistence of varying information models and communication protocols in industrial systems leads to semantic incompatibility, hindering seamless communication and data exchange, and introduces security risks, with existing gateway-based solutions incurring additional costs and delays.
Innovation Solution
An automated transformation method where field devices receive data, request and execute transformation functions remotely provided by edge or cloud devices, enabling in-situ transformation to a compatible format for seamless data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gateway devices are used to translate and forward information between field devices, then semantic incompatibility between different information models is resolved, but additional communication costs and delays are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transformation logic from centralized gateway devices and embeds it directly into field devices through downloadable transformation functions. This allows field devices to perform semantic translation independently, eliminating the need for constant gateway mediation and reducing communication delays while maintaining adaptability to different information models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transformation function as a software intermediary that can be deployed to field devices. This intermediary contains the translation logic needed to handle semantic incompatibility, allowing field devices to translate messages locally without requiring physical gateway hardware, thus reducing communication overhead and delays
2Adaptability or versatility
If gateway devices are used to translate and forward information between field devices, then semantic incompatibility between different information models is resolved, but additional communication costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transformation logic from centralized gateway devices and embeds it directly into field devices through downloadable transformation functions. This allows field devices to perform semantic translation independently, eliminating the need for constant gateway mediation and reducing communication costs while maintaining adaptability to different information models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables field devices to serve themselves by downloading and executing transformation functions locally. This self-service capability allows field devices to handle their own translation needs without relying on external gateways, reducing communication costs and energy consumption while maintaining semantic compatibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual effort is used to integrate information resources, then system integration is achieved, but integration process complexity and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-packaging transformation logic into downloadable transformation functions that can be deployed to field devices in advance. This allows integration capabilities to be prepared beforehand, reducing the complexity and time required for manual integration efforts while maintaining system adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by distributing transformation functions as software copies to multiple field devices. Instead of manually configuring each device, the transformation logic is copied and deployed across the network, significantly reducing integration complexity and time while maintaining consistent integration capabilities across all devices
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for an automated transformation of data information for a field device includes receiving by the field device the data information sent by an entity device; sending a transformation request containing at least the received data information to a transformation device; determining by the transformation device a corresponding transformation function that transforms the received data information from a first information format into a target and second information format; providing by the transformation device the determined transformation function to the field device; and executing by the field device the received transformation function to transform the received data information into the second information format that can be processed by the field device.