PLC Process Data Grouping for Automatic Communication Settings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems do not provide an efficient method for automatically generating communication settings that enable the transmission of necessary process data from a control device, such as a PLC, to an information processing device, such as an HMI, for application execution.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a support device with grouping and generation means to automatically generate communication settings based on the applications executed by the information processing device, reducing processing load and facilitating data transmission between the control and information processing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication setting is manually configured for each application, then the control device can transmit necessary process data to the information processing device, but the complexity and time required for communication setting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication setting accuracyVSAvoidcommunication setting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically generates communication settings by itself based on application information, eliminating the need for manual configuration. The device extracts necessary process data from the application, determines optimal data sets, and configures communication parameters automatically, allowing the system to serve itself without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device performs preliminary analysis of application information before actual communication occurs. It pre-determines which process data are necessary, groups them into appropriate data sets, and pre-configures communication settings, so that when communication begins, everything is already prepared and optimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If all process data are transmitted to the information processing device, then complete data availability is achieved, but the data transmission volume and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control device extracts only the necessary process data from the total available data based on application requirements. It analyzes what data are actually needed for the specific application and separates them from unnecessary data, transmitting only the extracted essential data to reduce transmission volume while maintaining complete availability of needed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device segments process data into multiple data sets based on application needs, data types, and communication requirements. Instead of transmitting all data as one large block, it divides data into manageable segments that can be transmitted efficiently, with each segment containing only relevant information for specific application functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If data sets are generated with complex storage rules, then data organization flexibility increases, but the processing load for generating data sets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata organization flexibilityVSAvoiddata set generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device changes parameters such as data set grouping criteria, storage formats, and transmission timing based on application requirements and communication conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, it achieves flexible data organization adapted to different scenarios while maintaining efficient generation processes through automated parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3940471B1Control system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 OMRON CORP
  • EP3940471B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3940471B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3940471B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One object of the present invention is to easily perform communication setting such that process data necessary for execution of an application is transmitted from a control device toward an information processing device. A control system (1a) including a control device (100) and an information processing device (200) that executes an application (220) using process data (52) managed by the control device (100) includes grouping means (20a) and generation means (40a). The grouping means (20a) allocates the process data (52) used in the application (220) to a plurality of groups. The generation means (40a) generates a communication setting (400) such that the process data (52) included in one group is stored in one data set (50) and transmitted according to an allocation result of the grouping means (20a).