Register Configurator for Field Device Data Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for configuring data correspondence between field devices and registers in field control systems are complex, prone to errors, and difficult to manage due to the need for manual text-based operations in definition files, especially when dealing with multiple process data items.
Innovation Solution
A register configurator with a graphical user interface that allows users to visually allocate data to register spaces through drag-and-drop operations, distinguishing allocated and unallocated areas, and automatically generating a text file for register mapping information, thereby simplifying the process and reducing error likelihood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual text-based configuration is used to establish data-register correspondence, then the configuration can be performed with simple tools, but the operation becomes very complicated and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual text-based configuration operations with a graphical user interface that uses visual drag-and-drop operations. Instead of manually editing text files to establish correspondences between field device data and register addresses, users can visually allocate data to register spaces by dragging data items to register locations on the screen. This graphical approach substitutes complex text manipulation with intuitive visual operations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining configuration capability.
2Productivity
If manual text-based configuration is used, then the configuration process can be performed, but errors easily occur and are difficult to find
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a graphical user interface that provides visual feedback during the configuration process. When users allocate data to register spaces through drag-and-drop operations, the system immediately displays the allocation results and generates a definition file that reflects the current configuration state. This visual feedback mechanism allows users to verify allocations in real-time, easily identify errors, and correct them before finalizing the configuration, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing productivity.
3Loss of information
If text-based definition files are used to list data correspondence, then the register mapping information can be stored, but the operation of configuration becomes very complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary between the user and the text-based definition file system. The GUI provides visual displays of data items and register spaces, allowing users to perform drag-and-drop allocations without directly manipulating text files. The system automatically translates these visual operations into the corresponding register mapping information and updates the definition file accordingly. This intermediary layer maintains the information storage capability while dramatically reducing the complexity of the configuration process.
Data Source
AI summary
A register configurator may include a display screen, a data display unit that displays data related to field devices on the display screen, a register space display unit that graphically displays a register space of a register on the display screen, a manipulation reception unit that receives a manipulation for allocating each of the data, which has been displayed by the data display unit, to an area in the register space, which has been displayed by the register space display unit, the manipulation being performed on the display screen by a user, and a correspondence establishing unit that establishes a correspondence between the data and the area, based on the manipulation that has been received by the manipulation reception unit.