Object Configuration Utilities for SCADA Template Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring and using object templates in industrial software design for complex industrial processes is complex due to the need to account for various variations in sensors and control elements, leading to overwhelming data management and unmanageable template hierarchies.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of object configuration utilities, such as wizards, that allow users to select domain-specific options and choices based on the equipment being modeled, automatically configuring application object instances and simplifying the development of process control system applications like SCADA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical template structure is used to model diverse industrial equipment, then the system can accommodate various sensor types and control elements, but the template hierarchy becomes unmanageable and difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the template configuration into multiple independent dimensions (sensor types, control elements, communication protocols, etc.), where each dimension can be configured separately. This avoids creating a deeply nested hierarchical structure while still accommodating diverse equipment variations through orthogonal parameter combinations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all variations of sensors and control elements are accounted for in the template hierarchy, then the templates can match any equipment, but configuring and using the templates becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration layer that sits between the base template and the specific equipment instance. This intermediary layer provides a standardized interface for selecting and combining different sensor types, control elements, and other variations, making the configuration process simpler while maintaining comprehensive equipment matching capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a detailed hierarchical template structure is implemented to cover all equipment variations, then comprehensive equipment modeling is achieved, but the development time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration by establishing a base template with common properties and pre-defining configurable parameters for various equipment variations. This preliminary structure allows for faster instantiation of specific equipment types without requiring extensive template development for each variation, reducing overall development time while maintaining comprehensive equipment coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Configuration utilities, such as object wizards, enable automatic configuration of domain-specific assets from object templates based on domain specific options. In an aspect, an application object template library stores a set of previously defined application object templates. The templates each include a superset of options common to a set of related domain objects. A configuration utility is configured for specifying at least one domain-specific option of the superset and creating an application object instance to be included in an application. The application object instance comprising at least one of the application object templates having the specified domain-specific option.