Gateway-Mediated Remote Access for Adaptive Automation Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in providing flexible and secure remote access across diverse devices and software versions, requiring compatibility with various web browsers and configurations, which complicates user interface adaptation and data access security.
Innovation Solution
A gateway unit is configured to establish a client instance for remote user devices, enabling communication between web browsers and automation services, receiving feature information to adapt the user interface, thus simplifying compatibility and enhancing security by acting as an intermediary for remote access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the automation system supports multiple web browsers and software versions directly, then compatibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and system configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway unit as an intermediary component between remote user devices and the automation system. The gateway unit establishes a client instance that performs a second web browser accessible by the first web browser, acting as a mediator that handles browser compatibility and feature information translation. This intermediary approach allows the system to support multiple browsers without directly integrating with each one, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the automation system into distinct functional components: the gateway unit, the client instance, the web application, and the automation service. By dividing the system into these modular segments, each component can be independently configured and maintained. The gateway unit specifically handles browser compatibility issues, allowing the core automation service to remain simple while still supporting various devices and software versions.
2Ease of operation
If remote access is enabled across heterogeneous environments, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks from malicious access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway unit serves as a security intermediary between remote devices and the automation system. It establishes a controlled client instance that mediates all communications, allowing remote access while filtering and validating requests. This intermediary layer enables ease of operation by allowing remote access while mitigating security risks through centralized control and monitoring of all incoming connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The client instance performs self-configuration by receiving feature information from the web application and automatically adapting the user interface to the automation service. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual security configurations and ensures consistent security policies are applied across different devices and browsers, maintaining both ease of operation and security.
3Ease of operation
If the system adapts user interface for each device individually, then usability is improved, but manufacturing precision and development effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts the user interface by changing parameters based on device characteristics. The client instance receives feature information from the web application and generates adapted feature information to modify UI parameters such as layout, controls, and display elements. This parameter-based adaptation approach improves usability across devices without requiring complete redesign for each device type, thus reducing development effort while maintaining interface optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: performing a second web browser accessible by a first web browser in a remote user device, communicating with a first web application in the first web browser of the user device, performing a second web application in the second web browser configured to communicate with an automation service of an automation system and provide a user interface to the automation service, receiving first feature information from the first web application, and providing, on the basis of the received first feature information, second feature information for adapting the user interface to the automation service for the user device.