Per-Slave Error Reporting for Networked ID Setting Changeovers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In factory automation, machine changeovers frequently require resetting or changing slave identification information, which can lead to troubleshooting challenges due to the complexity of identifying and correcting failed identification settings across network-connected slaves.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a master apparatus that includes an identification information set means to specify and set identification information for slaves, outputting error information to facilitate troubleshooting, and a display device to visually present failed settings, allowing for easier identification and analysis of issues without requiring a support apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If identification information is simultaneously set to multiple slaves, then the setting operation is efficient, but it becomes difficult to identify which slave failed when an error occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of setting identification informationVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying failed slave
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the error information for each slave into individual, identifiable units. Each slave's setting result is tracked separately with unique error codes, allowing the system to process multiple slaves simultaneously while maintaining the ability to identify and diagnose failures at the individual slave level through segmented error reporting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control apparatus monitors and reports back the setting status of each slave individually. Error information is fed back to the operator or system, including specific error codes that identify which slave failed and the nature of the failure, enabling efficient troubleshooting while maintaining batch processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of repair

If detailed error information is provided for each slave, then troubleshooting is facilitated, but the complexity of error information handling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of troubleshootingVSAvoidcomplexity of error information handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation of error information by assigning specific error codes to different failure conditions. Instead of providing raw, complex diagnostic data, the system translates error states into standardized parameters (error codes) that are easier to interpret and handle, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining detailed diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments error information into distinct, organized components for each slave, including individual error codes and status flags. This segmentation allows detailed error information to be provided without overwhelming the operator, as each slave's error state is separated and structured in a manageable format that simplifies handling and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12019419B2Control system and control apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.06.25 OMRON CORP
  • US12019419B2 patent drawing
  • US12019419B2 patent drawing
  • US12019419B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control system includes a control apparatus functioning as a master, and plural slaves which are network-connected to the control apparatus. The slaves each have identification information. The control apparatus includes executes a first instruction to set specified identification information to each of one or more specified slaves. The control apparatus outputs first error information indicating which slave that the setting of the identification information to which is failed, among the one or more specified slaves.