Object Design System for Industrial Automation Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in interoperability and consistency due to limited communication and functional cooperation between devices from different vendors, requiring complex programs for integration, and existing object design tools employ a static top-down approach.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that facilitate the design of objects by selecting and filtering objects based on workflow data, masking filtered functionalities for customization, and analyzing metadata to suggest optimizations, employing a bottom-up approach for object design and integration in industrial automation applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex program is used for integration of different devices from different vendors, then interoperability and functional cooperation between devices can be achieved, but device complexity and programming effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (object model, abstraction layer, or gateway) that mediates between diverse devices and the control system. This intermediary handles device-specific protocols and transformations, allowing devices from different vendors to communicate through a standardized interface without requiring complex integration programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal object models or abstraction layers that can represent multiple device types and protocols through a common framework. This multi-functional approach allows a single integration mechanism to handle diverse devices, reducing the need for device-specific complex programming while maintaining interoperability.
2Ease of manufacture
If object design tools use a static top-down approach, then object design can be standardized, but adaptability to specific application workflows is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static object design tools into dynamic systems that can adapt to different workflows. The tool modifies the object selection and configuration process based on detected workflow characteristics, automatically adjusting which objects are presented and how they are configured to match the specific application context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the design tool analyzes workflow data and uses this information to guide object selection and configuration. The system continuously adapts its recommendations based on workflow analysis results, creating a closed-loop design process that balances standardization with workflow-specific adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, methods and apparatuses that can provide an approach to facilitate the design of objects (e.g., modular objects that can facilitate industrial automation applications). The design approach includes: facilitate a display of configuration data representing a configuration of objects selected for an application; analysis of metadata associated with an object of the configuration of objects; and generation of suggestion data representing a suggestion regarding an optimization of the configuration of the objects for the application based on the analysis of the metadata.