Host Menu Pages Using Sensor Subscription Streaming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for building menu pages on hosts with field devices suffer from significant latency issues, particularly when using modern transmission technologies like Bluetooth LE, leading to prolonged waiting times for operators.
Innovation Solution
A method that creates a list of sensor-referenced parameters on the host, transmits this list to the field device, and uses a subscription streaming method to continuously update parameter values, minimizing latency and allowing for immediate display of menu pages with current values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional request-response methods are used to transfer parameter values from field device to host, then data exchange can be performed with existing device drivers, but significant latency occurs leading to prolonged waiting times for operators
Solution Approach 1:
The host sends a subscription request in advance specifying which parameter values it needs from the field device. The field device prepares to transmit these specific parameters proactively, so when the host needs them, they are already available or being transmitted, eliminating the need for sequential request-response cycles and reducing waiting time for menu page display.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of intermittent request-response exchanges, the field device continuously transmits parameter values to the host as they change or at regular intervals. This continuous data stream ensures that the host always has current parameter values available, eliminating gaps and waiting periods, thereby improving both response time and data transfer efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modern transmission technologies like Bluetooth LE are used to connect host and field device, then wireless communication capability is improved, but latency issues become more prominent affecting operator experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical request-response interaction model with an event-driven subscription model. Instead of the host repeatedly polling or sending requests over the wireless connection, the field device pushes parameter value changes to the host automatically when they occur, substituting the push-based mechanism for the pull-based approach and reducing the impact of wireless latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The host sends a subscription request that provides feedback to the field device about which parameters are needed. The field device uses this feedback to selectively transmit only the relevant parameter values, optimizing the use of the wireless connection and reducing unnecessary data traffic that would contribute to latency.
3Measurement precision
If sequential request-response communication is used to transfer multiple parameter values, then data accuracy is maintained, but total transfer time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual parameter value transmissions into a single batch transmission. Instead of the host sending separate requests for each parameter value, all required parameter values are transmitted together in one communication cycle, maintaining data accuracy while significantly reducing the total transfer time for building the menu page.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method for building a menu page on a host with a display, wherein a field device, such as a sensor, is connected to the host. The method includes steps of creating a list for the host, with the list comprising at least one sensor-referenced parameter, transmitting the list from the host to the field device (subscribe), and transmitting the value of the at least one sensor-referenced parameter from the field device to the host as soon as the list is on the field device and as soon as the value of the at least one sensor-referenced parameter changes (stream). The method also includes building and displaying the menu page on the display with the current value of the at least one sensor-referenced parameter.