Automated Test-Item Table Generation for Plant Facilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual creation of test-item table files for GUI control programs in power station monitoring operation screens is time-consuming and prone to human errors during design changes and additions, requiring frequent updates and risking omission or mistake in changes and additions.

Innovation Solution

A plant facilities testing apparatus that automatically creates a new test-item table file by comparing unupdated and updated screen information, extracting changes and additions, and combining them into a single updated table file, reducing human intervention and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual creation and updating of test-item table files is performed, then flexibility in handling design changes is maintained, but time consumption and human errors increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest-item table file creation speedVSAvoidaccuracy of test-item table file

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically copies and extracts test items from updated screen information to generate updated test-item table files, eliminating manual copying and reducing human errors while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of creating and updating test-item table files with an automated computer-based system that uses screen information extraction and automatic table generation, significantly improving both speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual visual ascertainment is performed repeatedly during design changes, then quality control is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of monitoring operation screenVSAvoidtime for design change implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically compares updated screen information with previous versions, extracting changes and reflecting them in the test-item table file, providing continuous feedback loops that ensure quality without repeated manual checks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary extraction of screen information and automatic generation of test-item table files before final implementation, allowing changes to be prepared in advance and reducing the time needed for final quality control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent updates of test-item table files are performed to match design changes, then up-to-date testing is ensured, but work load and error probability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to design changesVSAvoidcomplexity of update process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting design changes in screen information and generating updated test-item table files without requiring manual intervention, making the update process simple and responsive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides universal functionality by handling both screen information extraction and test-item table file generation through a single automated process, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability to various design changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10090705B2Plant facilities testing apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A control unit of a plant facilities testing apparatus implements a first step of obtaining unupdated screen information and updated screen information, a second step of obtaining an unupdated test-item table file, a third step of comparing the unupdated screen information with the updated screen information and extracting a change item and an addition item while categorizing a difference thereinto, a fourth step of creating a test-item table file for an addition portion based on the addition item, a fifth step of creating a test-item table file for a change portion based on the change item and the unupdated test-item table file, and a sixth step of creating an updated test-item table file by combining the test-item table file for an addition portion with the test-item table file for a change portion.