Industrial Asset Control Code Generation Through Validation Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual creation and validation of control code for industrial assets in the engineering phase of automation systems is labor-intensive and requires substantial knowledge, making the process inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for generating control code using an automatic code generator, followed by code validation and execution in a simulation environment to determine and refine the control code, reducing manual effort and accelerating the engineering phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If control code is created manually by control engineers, then the code can be customized and adapted to specific requirements, but the process requires significant time and manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of control code creation with an automated computer-based system. The automatic code generator uses software algorithms to generate control code without manual programming, substituting the mechanical typing and manual debugging process with automated computational methods. This resolves the contradiction by dramatically reducing both the time required and the manual effort involved while maintaining code quality through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service code generation where the automatic code generator autonomously creates, validates, and refines control code without requiring continuous human intervention. The automated validation process and iterative refinement mechanism allow the system to service itself, generating functional control code independently. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for substantial manual effort while maintaining adaptability to specific requirements.
2Reliability
If control code is created manually with thorough validation and testing, then the code reliability is high, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automated validation and iterative refinement processes that continuously generate and validate control code without interruption. The system maintains a continuous loop of code generation, validation, and refinement, eliminating the discontinuous manual processes of writing, testing, and debugging. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high reliability through continuous validation while dramatically improving productivity through automated continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms where validation results are immediately fed back into the code generation process. The automatic code generator receives feedback from the validation process and iteratively refines the control code based on validation outcomes. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring high reliability through comprehensive feedback-driven validation while improving productivity by eliminating manual review cycles and enabling automated iterative improvement.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive code validation and simulation are performed, then the code quality and functionality are ensured, but the engineering process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate processes (code generation, validation, simulation, and refinement) into a single integrated automated system. The automatic code generator combines these functions in one unified process, eliminating the need for separate manual stages. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high code quality through comprehensive validation and simulation while reducing process complexity by integrating all functions into one automated workflow that requires minimal manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for generating control code for actuating an asset in an industrial plant to perform a given task includes obtaining candidate control code from an automatic code generator based at least in part on the given task; performing code validation on the candidate control code to determine whether it is capable of being executed, and/or capable of being compiled for execution; after successful code validation, determining whether execution of the candidate control code is capable of actuating the asset to perform the given task by executing the candidate control code in a simulation environment; and when this determination is positive, determining the candidate control code as the sought control code.