Real-Time Data Bus Registration for Flexible Automation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing real-time automation devices have a rigid modular structure, limiting the flexibility of component configuration and making it difficult to adapt to varying real-time requirements.

Innovation Solution

A real-time automation device with a flexible real-time data bus and memory device, featuring a bus database that allows for dynamic assignment of bus variables and flexible communication mechanisms, enabling cyclic, time-bound, or event-driven data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a modular design with fixed communication protocols is used, then device reliability is improved, but configuration flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where the data bus architecture allows runtime modification of communication parameters, data formats, and protocol selections. The control device can adaptively change communication behaviors without physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between fixed reliable architecture and flexible adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables parameter changes in communication protocols, data transmission rates, and bus configuration settings without altering the physical hardware structure. This allows the system to maintain reliable fixed architecture while dynamically adjusting parameters to achieve configuration flexibility for different application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a rigid modular structure is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to varying real-time requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular structure precisionVSAvoidadaptability to real-time requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities within the modular structure, allowing the control device to adapt its behavior and communication patterns in real-time based on varying requirements, while maintaining the precision and reliability of the underlying modular hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal control device that can perform multiple functions and adapt to different real-time requirements through software-based configuration rather than requiring different hardware modules for each function, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If fixed communication protocols are used, then communication reliability is improved, but ease of integration with different software applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidease of integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic parameter changes in communication protocols and data formats, allowing the control device to integrate with different software applications by adjusting communication parameters rather than requiring fixed protocol implementations, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a configurable communication layer that acts as an intermediary between the reliable fixed architecture and diverse software applications, enabling protocol translation and adaptation without compromising the underlying communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3814856B1Real time automation device with a real-time data bus
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3814856B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3814856B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3814856B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a real-time automation device (100, 200) having a real-time databus (110, 210), and a memory device (102, 202), - wherein the real-time databus (110, 210) is designed and configured to transmit values which are associated with predefined or predefinable bus variables (310, 320, 330, 340), wherein a bus database (112, 212) is associated with the real-time databus (110, 210), in which bus database a bus variable source and/or a bus variable receiver is associated or can be associated with a bus variable (310, 320, 330, 340), - wherein the real-time databus (110, 210) is designed and configured for communication of a value associated with the bus variable (310, 320, 330, 340) from a bus variable source associated with the bus variable (310, 320, 330, 340) according to the bus database (112, 212) via the real-time databus (110, 210) to a bus variable receiver associated with the bus variable according to the bus database (112, 212) in such a way that, following a transfer of the value from the bus variable source to the real-time databus (110, 210), the value is transferrable or is transferred within a predefined or predefinable time or time period to the bus variable receiver, - and wherein the memory device (102, 202) also comprises a software application (150, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164) which is designed and configured to receive values associated with the bus variable (310, 320, 330, 340) from the real-time databus (110, 210) or to send values associated with the bus variable to the real-time databus (110, 210), - wherein the real-time automation device (100, 200) is designed and configured to register the software application (150, 154, 156, 58, 160, 162, 164) as a bus variable receiver or as a bus variable source for the bus variables (310, 320, 330, 340) in the bus database (112, 212).