IEC 61499 Control Application Automation Using Retrieved Libraries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control application development methods are tedious, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies, especially when dealing with advanced architectures like IEC 61499, and lack efficient tools for automated generation of application code.

Innovation Solution

An automated control application development system that leverages machine learning models, such as LLMs with LoRA, to automatically retrieve relevant information, create assets, generate control sequences, human-machine interfaces, and documentation based on user input, adhering to IEC 61499 standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated control application development is implemented using IEC 61499 architecture, then productivity and accuracy are improved, but device complexity and learning curve increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol application development speedVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated code generation system that acts as an intermediary between high-level process descriptions and IEC 61499 control applications. The system automatically translates process descriptions into control applications using event-driven architecture, eliminating the need for developers to manually navigate the complexity of IEC 61499 while maintaining adherence to the standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automated control application development by automatically generating control applications from process descriptions without requiring deep expertise in IEC 61499 architecture. The automated generation process handles the complexity internally, allowing users to benefit from the advanced architecture without bearing its learning curve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If comprehensive understanding of automation systems is pursued through traditional methods, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and human effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol application accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated analysis and generation of control applications based on process descriptions before manual implementation. By automatically generating the control application structure, data models, and control logic in advance, the system ensures accuracy while significantly reducing the time required for development and validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of understanding requirements, creating assets, and writing control sequences with an automated system that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning. This substitution maintains reliability through systematic automated validation while eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual development processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If manual control application development is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication development throughputVSAvoiddevelopment process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated generation system serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of IEC 61499 implementation, allowing users to maintain simplicity in their operations by providing only high-level process descriptions while the system manages the detailed control application creation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates automated copies and templates of control application structures based on process descriptions, enabling rapid replication and standardization of control logic across different applications while maintaining ease of operation through template-based generation rather than manual coding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250328316A1Automated control application development with IEC 61499 architecture

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS

AI summary

Relatively simple user input is used to develop an automated control application. For automated control application development with IEC 61499 architecture, a method includes receiving a system prompt, automatically retrieving relevant information from a large corpus, wherein the large corpus includes a plurality of libraries, automatically creating an asset based on the relevant information, automatically generating a control sequence based on the relevant information, automatically generating a human-machine interface based on the relevant information, automatically generating a test case based on the relevant information, and automatically generating documentation based on the relevant information.