NFC Configuration Templates for Industrial Device Fleet Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring industrial devices in industrial applications is a time-consuming, burdensome, and often unsafe process due to the need for physical connection and the potential hazards of accessing numerous devices in various locations.
Innovation Solution
The use of near-field communication (NFC) enables the configuration of industrial devices without physical connection, allowing for the deployment of configurations to a fleet or group of devices through a graphical user interface, with configurations transmitted via NFC and applied even when devices are in a powered-off state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual configuration of each industrial device is performed by physical connection, then configuration accuracy is ensured, but configuration time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates configuration templates in advance that contain pre-defined parameters and settings. These templates are prepared before the actual configuration process, allowing multiple devices to be configured by simply applying the pre-prepared templates rather than configuring each device individually from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configuration templates as reusable copies that can be applied to multiple industrial devices. Instead of creating unique configurations for each device, the same template can be copied and applied across numerous devices, dramatically reducing configuration time while maintaining consistency and accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If worker physically accesses industrial devices for configuration, then direct device control is achieved, but safety risks increase in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces configuration templates as an intermediary between the worker and the industrial devices. The worker interacts with the template system remotely or at a safe distance, and the templates serve as the medium that transfers configuration data to the devices without requiring the worker to physically access hazardous locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically connecting to devices with a digital/template-based system. Instead of manually navigating to each device and establishing physical connections in hazardous areas, the configuration is performed through template application, eliminating the need for physical presence in dangerous environments.
3Reliability
If configuration is performed after device installation, then proper operational context is ensured, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows configuration templates to be created and prepared in advance, before devices are installed. This preliminary configuration work can be done in a controlled environment with full access to system documentation and expertise, reducing the complexity of on-site configuration while ensuring devices are properly configured once installed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces configuration time, enhances safety by eliminating the need for physical access to potentially hazardous locations, and allows for efficient bulk deployment of configurations, improving overall operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a near-field communication (NFC) chip housed within an industrial device, an updated configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for modifying a configuration of an industrial device using near-field communication (NFC) are provided herein. For example, the method includes receiving, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of a software application, a configuration schema for a group of industrial devices. The configuration schema includes a parameter and a range of available values for the parameter for each industrial device of industrial devices. The method also includes determining, by the software application installed on a client device, a configuration for a respective industrial device within the group of industrial devices based on the configuration schema, where the configuration includes a value selected from the range of available values for the parameter and the value is selected based on an order of transmission of the configuration to the respective industrial device. The method also includes transmitting, via NFC from the client device to the respective industrial device, the configuration.