IO-Link Control Apparatus Concurrent Instruction Status Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional factory automation systems face issues with correctly retrieving execution status information for instructions when multiple instructions are transmitted concurrently, leading to misunderstandings and incorrect execution status interpretations.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus and relay apparatus configuration that includes an instruction part for transmitting instructions with unique identification information, an execution confirmation part for retrieving execution status, and a storage area management system to distinguish and store execution status information for each instruction, allowing correct retrieval even in concurrent execution scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple instructions are transmitted concurrently to the relay apparatus, then system productivity is improved, but execution status retrieval accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstruction transmission speedVSAvoidexecution status retrieval accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the execution status information by associating each instruction with a unique identification information. The relay apparatus stores execution status information in a segmented manner where each segment is linked to its corresponding instruction's identification information, allowing distinct retrieval of each instruction's status even when multiple instructions are processed concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces identification information as an intermediary element between the instruction and its execution status. This intermediary enables the control apparatus to accurately retrieve the execution status of a specific instruction by using its unique identification information as a key, preventing confusion among concurrently transmitted instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the relay apparatus stores execution status information for multiple instructions, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution status information completenessVSAvoidstorage area management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal storage structure in the relay apparatus that can handle multiple instructions concurrently. The storage area is designed to accommodate execution status information for any number of instructions by using a common framework based on identification information, avoiding the need for separate dedicated storage for each instruction type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter organization by using identification information as the primary indexing parameter for storing and retrieving execution status information. This parameter-based organization allows the system to dynamically manage storage for multiple instructions without increasing structural complexity, as the same storage mechanism adapts to different numbers of instructions through parameter variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3236325B1Control apparatus, relay apparatus, control method for control apparatus, control method for relay apparatus, control program and storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 OMRON CORP
  • EP3236325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3236325B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3236325B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a control apparatus that can correctly obtain the execution status information of the instruction whose sender is the control apparatus itself The controller (3) controls operations of the IO-Link device (2) via the IO-Link master (1), and includes the writing part (300) transmitting an instruction for the IO-Link device (2) and an identification of the instruction to the IO-Link master (1) and the reading part (301) retrieving an execution status information (status) indicating the execution status of the instruction by using the identification information.