Hazardous Area User Interface Synchronization via Binary Duplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication and interaction within networks of explosion-proof and intrinsically safe field devices in hazardous environments are limited by restricted energy use and bandwidth, hindering effective data exchange and user interface management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing and synchronizing user interfaces through identical single application and device binary files, allowing data content to be served via web servers over Ethernet or Internet connections, with serial connections used for data retrieval when needed, ensuring identical user experiences across different connection types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intrinsically safe devices are used in hazardous environments, then safety is improved, but communication bandwidth and interaction capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the user interface functionality by separating the presentation layer (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) from the data layer. The intrinsically safe device only needs to provide data through serial communication, while the web server handles all communication-intensive UI operations over Ethernet/Internet, eliminating bandwidth constraints on the safe device.
Solution Approach 2:
A web server acts as an intermediary between the intrinsically safe device and the user interface. The device communicates minimal data through serial connection to the web server, which then serves the complete user interface over Ethernet or Internet, bypassing the bandwidth limitations of the intrinsically safe device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user interfaces are supported across different devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universality by using a single web server that can serve multiple types of devices (intrinsically safe devices, explosion-proof devices, standard devices) through a common architecture. All devices use the same HTML/CSS/JavaScript user interface served over web protocols, eliminating the need for device-specific interface implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The same user interface codebase (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) is copied and served to multiple different device types through the web server. This allows identical UI functionality across diverse devices without increasing individual device complexity, as each device simply receives the same interface through its capable connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method to manage user interfaces within a network, such as a wireless network at least partially included within a hazardous area. The method includes creating an application user interface based upon data content included within a single application binary file, serving the application user interface, creating a device user interface based upon data content included within a single device binary file, and serving the device user interface, in which the data content of the single application binary file and the data content of the single device binary file are identical. Additionally or alternatively, the method includes sending the single device binary file to an application computer through a serial connection to create an application user interface, in which the device user interface and the application user interface are configured to be identical.