Unified Field Device Management for DD and DTM Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current field device management apparatuses require users to separately operate and manage device information using different specifications (DD and DTM), leading to complexity, confusion, and increased development burdens for manufacturers due to distinct display formats and the need for separate applications.

Innovation Solution

A unified field device management apparatus that integrates device information acquisition using both DD and DTM specifications through a device information acquisition control unit, which communicates with the field device and activates the device information processing algorithm using a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID), allowing for a single application to handle both specifications and display data in a unified format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate applications are used for DD and DTM specifications, then each specification can be managed independently, but user complexity and development burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecification management capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines DD application processing unit and DTM application processing unit into a single integrated field device management apparatus. The control unit can selectively execute either DD acquisition processing or DTM acquisition processing based on the selected specification type, merging previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated management apparatus is designed to handle multiple specification types (DD and DTM) through a single universal interface. The control unit can acquire device information using either DD specifications or DTM specifications, and the display unit presents unified display data for both types, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different specification requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate applications are used for DD and DTM specifications, then each specification can be processed independently, but development cost and burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecification processing capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges DD and DTM application processing into a single integrated apparatus with one control unit that can execute both types of acquisition processing. This consolidation eliminates the need for manufacturers to develop and maintain separate applications, reducing development cost and burden while preserving the capability to process both specification types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If different display formats are used for DD and DTM specifications, then each specification can be displayed according to its native format, but user confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay accuracyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is designed as a universal display interface that can present display data for both DD and DTM specifications in a unified format. Rather than using separate display formats for each specification type, the system provides consistent presentation across both specification types, reducing user confusion while maintaining accurate representation of device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2148259B1Field device management apparatus and field device management system
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2148259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2148259B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2148259B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a field device management apparatus for acquiring and managing device information about a field device. The apparatus includes: a device information description unit having: an activation processing algorithm that activates a device information processing algorithm for acquiring the device information from the field device; and a description information that describes the device information; and a device information acquisition control unit that activates the device information processing algorithm using the activation processing algorithm so as to acquire the device information through the device information description unit.