Interactive I/O Station Configuration With Rule-Checked Auto Planning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software systems for constructing modular I/O stations in automation control systems are limited in ensuring error-free construction by only observing rules and dependencies, requiring users to manually select components without interactive support for optimal configuration.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a selection device, database device, and configuration device that determines signal and planning data for I/O stations, performs technical checks, and iteratively adjusts the configuration based on user input, enabling interactive and productive project planning by suggesting default parameters and displaying system configurations for user adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually select components from a product catalog in existing software systems, then component selection flexibility is maintained, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and complex for users without specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the I/O station configuration based on signal data and planning data, eliminating the need for users to manually select components. The configuration device autonomously selects appropriate I/O devices from the database device based on the requirements specified in the signal data, thereby reducing configuration time and complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares configuration options in advance by storing comprehensive property data for multiple I/O devices in the database device. When configuration is needed, the pre-stored data enables rapid retrieval and matching, allowing the configuration device to quickly determine the optimal I/O station setup without requiring users to search through product catalogs manually.
2Reliability
If the system provides comprehensive property data for multiple I/O devices, then configuration accuracy and rule compliance improve, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the configuration process into distinct functional modules: the database device stores property data, the selection device captures user requirements, and the configuration device performs the actual determination. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, managing complexity while maintaining comprehensive data processing capabilities for accurate configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration device acts as an intermediary between the user's signal data requirements and the comprehensive I/O device property data stored in the database. It mediates the matching process by automatically comparing requirements with available devices, ensuring rule compliance while simplifying the user interface and reducing the perceived system complexity for end users.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for iterative and interactive scheduling of an I/O station for an automation control system. The apparatus includes a selection device adapted to specify a selection of signals for the I/O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I/O station based on user input. The apparatus also includes a database device adapted to provide property data for a plurality of I/O devices and I/O systems and a configuration device adapted to determine, based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data, a system configuration for the I/O station that includes at least one I/O device among the plurality of I/O devices. The configuration device is further adapted to perform a technical check of the specific construction rules of the respective I/O system of the system configuration and to change the system configuration in case of failure of the technical check. The apparatus also includes a display device adapted to display the system configuration for the I/O station.