Communication Module Metadata Access for Industrial Parameter Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial electrical equipment with low computing power and memory capacity face challenges in providing a convenient and powerful user interface for accessing and configuring operating parameters, as existing solutions require increased hardware resources, leading to higher costs and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a metadata record stored in the control electronics' memory, containing access and display information, allows the communication module to access and query operating parameters, providing a user interface without increasing the equipment's computing power or memory, using a metadata record with a predefined syntax and semantics to enable remote monitoring, control, and configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electrical equipment is equipped with more powerful hardware (higher computing power and larger memory), then a convenient and powerful user interface can be provided for accessing and configuring operating parameters, but production costs and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface accessibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary component that handles the complex tasks of parameter access, configuration, and user interface management. This external module provides the powerful user interface functionality without requiring the electrical equipment itself to have enhanced hardware resources, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into two functional segments: the electrical equipment (which maintains low power consumption with minimal hardware) and the communication module (which provides the powerful user interface and parameter management capabilities). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the communication module bearing the computational burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface accessibilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module serves as an intermediary that externalizes the expensive user interface and parameter management functionality. By moving these features to a separate module, the base electrical equipment can be manufactured with simpler, lower-cost hardware while still providing advanced user interaction capabilities through the add-on communication module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication module is designed as a universal component that can interface with multiple different electrical equipment types. This multi-functionality allows the expensive user interface and parameter management capabilities to be shared across various devices, reducing the overall production cost burden on any single device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive access to operating parameters is provided, then remote monitoring, diagnosis, and configuration are enabled, but the complexity of the electrical equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidelectrical equipment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module acts as an intermediary that handles all complex operations related to remote access, parameter querying, and configuration. This externalization of complexity allows the electrical equipment to maintain a simple structure while still providing comprehensive remote access capabilities through the communication module's intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex parameter management and user interface functionality from the electrical equipment and places it in the separate communication module. This extraction removes the source of complexity from the main device, allowing comprehensive remote access capabilities to be provided without increasing the electrical equipment's structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11809169B2Electronic device for an industrial electrical installation, and a communication module, method, and computer program therefor

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 WAGO VERW GMBH

AI summary

An electronic device for an industrial electrical installation, having at least one electrical equipment and a communication module. The electrical equipment has control electronics with a memory and the memory of the control electronics comprises a parameter memory in which operating parameters of the electrical equipment are stored, and the communication module has a memory and is set up for data communication with the control electronics of the electrical equipment via a first communication link and for data communication with an external computer device via a second communication link. the memory of the control electronics of the electrical equipment stores a metadata record which contains access information and display information. The access information enables the communication module to access the individual operating parameters stored in the parameter memory and the display information describes the intended display of the individual operating parameters stored in the parameter memory within a user interface.