Function Module Interface for External Monitoring Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Function modules in industrial process environments lack the ability to seamlessly integrate advanced functionalities such as history and information management, trending, asset, and condition monitoring, due to a lack of a standardized interface to identify and connect external functions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A connecting interface is provided that allows external functions to be integrated into function modules and instances, using standardized but extensible interfaces to identify tags, services, and connections, enabling the addition of advanced functionalities like asset monitoring and condition monitoring, and allowing external functions to be executed on separate hardware, with connectivity information accessed through OPC UA nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized interface is implemented to integrate external functions into function modules, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional interface definitions and connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connecting interface that can integrate multiple types of external functions (history and information management, trending, asset monitoring, condition monitoring) into function modules through a single standardized mechanism. This interface uses common elements such as connecting interface definitions, tag references, and service parameter mappings that work across different function types, eliminating the need for separate integration mechanisms for each external function category.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting interface is segmented into distinct, manageable components including connecting interface definitions, tag references, service parameter mappings, and external function module structures. This segmentation allows each component to be independently defined, configured, and maintained, reducing the perceived complexity while enabling flexible combination to achieve various integration scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external functions are added to function modules through a connecting interface, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for manual configuration and integration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes connecting interface definitions and tag references in advance during the module design phase. These preliminary configurations include pre-defined service parameters, data object mappings, and connection templates that are prepared before actual external function integration occurs. This preliminary action reduces the operational complexity during integration by having ready-to-use templates and predefined structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting interface mechanism enables copying of standardized interface definitions and configuration templates across multiple external function integrations. Once an interface is defined for one external function, the same template can be replicated and adapted for other external functions, significantly reducing the manual configuration effort required for each new integration while maintaining consistency across the system.
3Measurement precision
If a connecting interface with detailed definitions is implemented, then measurement precision and identification accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional interface elements and parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting interface implements local quality by providing detailed, precise definitions only where needed for specific tag and service identifications. Rather than requiring comprehensive detailed definitions across the entire interface, the patent allows granular specification of tags, data objects, and service parameters only at the locations where external functions require precise access to function module internal elements, keeping other areas simpler.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connecting interface (100) for a function module (102) and/or function module instance (104) in an industrial process environment for connecting an external function to the function module (102) and/or function module instance (104). The function module (102) and/or function module instance (104) comprises definitions according to which the industrial process is operated, and the connecting interface contains information to create an external function module containing the external function by which the external functions can be added to the function module (102) and/or function module instance (104).