Process Object Creation via Multiple Inheritance in Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for creating objects in process control systems become complex and costly due to the large number of possible combinations of process devices and control functions, leading to numerous aspect object types that differ only in minor details, making libraries difficult to develop and maintain.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple inheritance to create separate aspect object types for process devices and control functions, allowing objects to inherit characteristics from multiple parent types, thereby reducing complexity and ambiguity, and enabling efficient creation of objects in process control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate aspect object types are created for each combination of process devices and control functions, then completeness and specificity of object representation is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the object representation into separate aspect object types (device aspects and control function aspects) that can be independently defined and combined. This allows the system to maintain high representation accuracy through specific aspect combinations while managing complexity by treating each aspect as a separate, reusable component rather than creating monolithic object types for every possible combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal aspect object types that can serve multiple purposes across different process devices and control functions. Each aspect object type is designed to be reusable in multiple contexts, reducing the total number of object types needed while maintaining comprehensive representation. This multi-functionality approach allows the same aspect type to be instantiated multiple times with different parameters, avoiding the need to create unique object types for each combination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive object types covering all device-function combinations are created, then system completeness is improved, but ease of manufacture and development time increase due to the large number of object types
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the comprehensive object model into discrete, independent aspect object types, the patent enables the system to achieve completeness through combination rather than through creating numerous monolithic object types. This segmentation makes the library easier to develop and maintain while preserving system completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple aspect object types to form complete process object representations. Instead of creating separate object types for each device-function combination, the system combines relevant aspects from different object types dynamically, achieving comprehensive coverage with a smaller, more manageable set of base object types.
3Manufacturing precision
If numerous specific aspect object types are created to cover all scenarios, then object representation precision is improved, but time to create and maintain libraries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal aspect object types that can be reused across multiple scenarios, reducing the time required to create and maintain libraries. These universal types maintain precision by allowing specific parameter configurations for different use cases while sharing a common structure and definition, eliminating the need to recreate similar object types for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables copying and instantiation of aspect object types with different parameters. Once an aspect object type is defined, it can be copied and instantiated multiple times with specific parameter values, maintaining representation precision for each instance while requiring only a single definition in the library, thereby significantly reducing maintenance time.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for creating software objects in a process control system. The method is performed by a processing tool. The method includes creating a process object in the process control system, the process object having at least two aspects. The method includes instantiating at least one instance of the process object in the process control system. The process object is defined by a control device object type having at least two aspects. The control device object type inherits at least one aspect of the at least two aspects from a control object type and inherits at least one other aspect of the at least two aspects from a device object type. There is also provided a processing tool, a computer program, and a computer program product.