Message-Broker Orchestration for Factory Engineering Software

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engineering systems for industrial automation in factory automation environments are inflexible and limited in their ability to seamlessly integrate and communicate between multiple engineering software and AI modules, leading to complexity and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed engineering system uses a message-broker to facilitate seamless communication and orchestration between multiple AI modules and a distributed knowledge base, enabling flexible and scalable integration of new engineering software and AI modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple engineering software are used for multi-disciplinary engineering, then the engineering capability is improved, but the system complexity and integration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengineering capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (integration platform or common data environment) that mediates between multiple engineering software applications. This intermediary enables seamless data exchange and coordination without requiring direct integration between each software pair, thus maintaining engineering versatility while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal interface or common protocol that allows different engineering software to communicate through standardized methods. This multi-functional approach enables the system to handle diverse engineering tasks across multiple disciplines while using a single integration mechanism, reducing complexity.

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

2Measurement precision

If expert engineering systems are used for multi-disciplinary data, then data processing capability is improved, but flexibility and domain coverage are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic architecture where the engineering system can adapt its processing capabilities based on the domain and type of data being handled. The system can dynamically load specialized processing modules or adjust its behavior to match the specific engineering discipline, maintaining high processing capability while gaining flexibility across multiple domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If AI techniques and databases are integrated for AI-based engineering, then engineering intelligence is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengineering intelligenceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the AI-based engineering system into modular components, where different AI techniques (machine learning, neural networks, expert systems) and databases can be independently developed, deployed, and managed. This segmentation allows the system to incorporate advanced AI capabilities while reducing overall complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4140103B1An engineering system and method of orchestrating engineering software for a factory automation environment
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4140103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140103B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140103B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An engineering system and method of orchestrating engineering software for a factory automation environment are disclosed. The engineering system (100, 260) for a factory automation environment (270) comprises a message-broker (140, 210) configured to access and update a knowledge base (125, 230) based on operation of at least one of a plurality of engineering software (112, 262, 266, 268), wherein the plurality of engineering software (112, 262, 266, 268) is configured to generate and/or operate using engineering-data associated with at least one of design, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the factory automation environment (270), wherein the message-broker (140, 210) is configured to convert the engineering-data into messages recognizable by the plurality of engineering software (112, 262, 266, 268) and the knowledge base (125, 230); and at least one Graphical User Interface (GUI) communicatively coupled to the message-broker (140, 210) configured to enable access to the engineering-data via the message-broker (140, 210), whereby at least one engineering software (112, 262, 266, 268) is configured to initiate actions in the factory automation environment (270) based on the messages.