IIoT Communications Interface for Multi-Protocol Data Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional industrial control and safety systems face challenges in providing a common configuration and usage experience across different communication protocols and devices, struggling to integrate newer IIoT protocols like OPCUA and MOTT, and suffer from inconsistent data serving and development cycle dependencies.

Innovation Solution

A communications interface system with a first infrastructure supporting downloadable server and client protocol applications, a second infrastructure for pluggable hardware interfaces, and a common manager and data aggregation layer that connects and communicates with these applications, enabling integration of various protocols and devices while creating new interface features by plugging in components in multiple form factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional approaches are used for industrial control systems, then proprietary protocols can be maintained within product lines, but integration with newer IIoT protocols such as OPCUA and MOTT becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol integration capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protocol translation layer that acts as an intermediary between proprietary industrial protocols and newer IIoT protocols. This translation layer enables communication between different protocol families without requiring complete system redesign, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal communication interface that can handle multiple protocol types (proprietary, IIoT, open standards) through a common architecture. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware platform to support diverse protocols, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication protocols are supported across different devices, then connectivity across diverse industrial assets is improved, but a common configuration and usage experience becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidconfiguration experience consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified configuration interface that presents a consistent user experience regardless of the underlying protocol or device type. By abstracting protocol-specific details behind a common configuration paradigm, the system maintains ease of operation while supporting diverse devices and protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional industrial control systems are used, then existing devices can be controlled, but integration with newer IIoT standards and protocols becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIIoT protocol supportVSAvoiddevelopment cycle alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates pre-configured protocol stacks and translation capabilities for multiple IIoT protocols (OPCUA, MOTT, CoAP) that can be activated without extensive development. This preliminary preparation of protocol support reduces the time required to integrate new IIoT standards into existing industrial control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If proprietary protocols are maintained within product lines, then system control is simplified, but open protocol data serving becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol managementVSAvoiddata serving consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protocol handling into distinct modules: proprietary protocol handlers for product-line-specific control and open protocol interfaces for standardized data serving. This segmentation allows each protocol type to be managed independently while maintaining consistent data serving through a unified data model that bridges proprietary and open protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11067968B2IIOT (industrial internet of things) communications interface

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Communications interface systems and methods for industrial process and manufacturing control. A first infrastructure supports a group of downloadable server protocol applications and a group of downloadable client protocol applications. A second infrastructure supports a group of pluggable hardware interfaces that connect with an underlying communications network. Additionally, a common infrastructure can be configured, which includes a manager and data aggregation layer that connects to and communicates with the group of downloadable server protocol applications and the group of downloadable client protocol applications. The common infrastructure manages and aggregates data between the first infrastructure and the second infrastructure and creates new interface features by plugging in new and/or available components in multiple form factors.