Industrial IDE Conflict Resolution for Shared Control Code

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial automation systems face challenges in managing edit record conflicts efficiently, which can lead to inconsistencies and difficulties in collaborative development environments.

Innovation Solution

An integrated development environment (IDE) system is introduced that supports features like collaborative tools, version control, and conflict resolution techniques to manage edit records effectively, ensuring project consistency and optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple developers work on the same control code simultaneously, then collaborative development efficiency is improved, but edit record conflicts and inconsistencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative development efficiencyVSAvoidcode consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by checking for edit record conflicts before applying changes to the control code. The IDE intercepts edit records, compares them against existing code, and resolves conflicts before the code is compiled or deployed, preventing inconsistencies from occurring in the first place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by notifying developers of edit record conflicts and providing information about the nature of conflicts. This allows developers to review and resolve conflicts manually, ensuring code consistency while maintaining collaborative development workflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If edit record conflicts are detected and resolved manually, then code consistency is improved, but development time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode consistencyVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary conflict detection and resolution before code compilation or deployment. By checking for conflicts in advance and resolving them automatically where possible, the system prevents time-consuming manual interventions while maintaining code consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically resolving certain types of edit record conflicts without requiring manual developer intervention. The IDE autonomously handles conflict resolution for straightforward cases, freeing developers to focus on more complex issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If strict conflict resolution rules are enforced, then code consistency is improved, but ease of operation and developer flexibility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode consistencyVSAvoiddeveloper flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic conflict resolution by adapting its behavior based on the specific conflict scenario. For simple conflicts, automatic resolution is applied; for complex conflicts requiring developer judgment, manual resolution is enabled. This dynamic approach maintains code consistency while preserving developer flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The IDE acts as an intermediary between developers and the control code, mediating conflict resolution. It provides tools and information to help developers resolve conflicts while enforcing consistency rules, balancing automation with developer control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4047427B1Industrial automation multi-developer control code synchronization
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • EP4047427B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4047427B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4047427B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) supports collaborative tools that allow multiple designers and programmers to remotely submit design input to the same automation system project in parallel while maintaining project consistency. The industrial IDE also permits localized development of system projects, and provides an infrastructure for intelligently brokering between conflicting edits submitted to common portions of the system project.