Machine Controller Switching Between Real and Virtual Collaboration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing controller systems lack the ability to efficiently collaborate between real and virtual machines in a mixed environment, leading to inefficiencies in processing and simulation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed controller system includes circuitry that determines whether to operate in collaboration with a real machine or a virtual machine, modifying processing accordingly to ensure seamless operation in both real and virtual spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the controller executes real processing to operate a first machine in collaboration with a second machine in real space, then the system achieves accurate real-world operation control, but the system cannot perform simulation or virtual testing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-world operation control accuracyVSAvoidsimulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically switches between real processing mode and virtual processing mode based on operational requirements. The processing execution unit can execute real processing for actual machine control or virtual processing for simulation, making the system adaptable to different operational contexts while maintaining reliability in real-world operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual copy of the second machine that simulates its operations in virtual space. This virtual machine serves as a replica that can be controlled independently for testing and simulation purposes, while the real machine continues to operate with full control accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the second controller controls a virtual second machine that simulates operations in virtual space, then the system enables simulation and testing capabilities, but the ability to control real machines is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation capabilityVSAvoidreal machine control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements dynamic mode switching that allows transition between virtual processing and real processing. When simulation is required, the system executes virtual processing; when real machine control is needed, it switches to real processing, ensuring both simulation capability and real machine control capability are available as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both virtual machine control and real machine control through a unified architecture. The processing execution unit can interpret and execute both virtual processing instructions and real processing commands, making the controller universal enough to manage either type of operation without sacrificing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the controller modifies processing to accommodate both real and virtual machine operations, then system flexibility is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixed environment operationVSAvoidprocessing modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller segments processing into distinct real processing and virtual processing pathways. The processing execution unit can selectively execute one type of processing based on operational mode, avoiding the need to manage both simultaneously and reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining flexibility for mixed environment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If the system executes virtual processing that is at least partially different from real processing, then simulation accuracy is improved, but real-time control efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidreal-time control efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts processing execution based on operational requirements. When simulation accuracy is prioritized, virtual processing with higher precision is executed. When real-time control efficiency is critical, the system switches to streamlined real processing, optimizing performance for the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12346101B2Control of real machine and virtual machine

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 YASKAWA DENKI KK

AI summary

The controller communicable with a second controller include circuitry configured to: execute a processing to operate a first machine in collaboration with a second machine controlled by the second controller in a real space; modify the processing in response to determining that, instead of controlling the second machine, the second controller controls a virtual second machine that simulates operations of the second machine in a virtual space; and execute the modified processing to operate the first machine in the real space in collaboration with the virtual second machine that operates in the virtual space.