Human Interface Module Edge Connectivity for Secure Cloud Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human-interface modules (HIMs) in industrial automation systems lack the capability to integrate with cloud and container technologies, face connectivity issues, and suffer from security vulnerabilities when connected to other devices, necessitating enhanced connectivity, transfer speeds, and security measures.
Innovation Solution
A HIM equipped with processing circuitry and memory to execute containerized applications, manage firmware updates, and provide secure edge computing, using cryptographic keys and digital certificates for device attestation, and enabling connectivity via Ethernet, Bluetooth, and NFC to facilitate real-time monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If HIM integrates with cloud-based computing systems and container technologies, then adaptability and computing capabilities are improved, but device complexity and security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge computing device as an intermediary between the HIM and cloud-based computing systems. This edge device handles container execution and cloud communication, allowing the HIM to maintain its simplicity while still accessing cloud capabilities through the intermediary layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the HIM for local interface operations, the edge computing device for container execution and cloud connectivity, and the cloud-based systems for remote computing resources. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system adaptability.
2Speed
If HIM connects to multiple industrial automation devices via Ethernet, then data transfer speed is improved, but security vulnerabilities and connectivity issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The edge computing device serves as an intermediary that manages all Ethernet connections to industrial automation devices. It implements security protocols and connection management, allowing high-speed data transfer while maintaining connectivity reliability through centralized control and authentication mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If HIM executes containerized applications locally, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The edge computing device acts as an intermediary that hosts and manages containerized applications. It provides the computational resources and container execution environment, allowing the HIM to access flexible, container-based applications without bearing the complexity of container management itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
A human-interface module (HIM) for an industrial automation system includes processing circuitry, and a memory, accessible by the processing circuitry, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including receiving instructions to control one or more industrial automation devices of the industrial automation system via a cloud-based computing system or a mobile computing device communicatively coupled to the HIM. The operations may also include generating one or more control signals based on the instructions, transmitting the one or more control signals to the one or more industrial automation devices via an Ethernet connection, receiving process data associated with the one or more industrial automation devices, and transmitting the process data to the mobile computing device.