Relay Communication Settings via Pre-Stored Control Instructions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of settings for relay devices in factory networks complicates the process of building and operating networks, requiring specialized knowledge and education for both designers and operators.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a storage unit and communication setting unit that performs settings based on predefined instructions, capable of adapting to different relay device protocols and types, allowing users to easily configure communication without detailed knowledge of the relay device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay device settings are made complex and require specialized knowledge, then communication reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

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

Solution Approach 1:

The control device serves as an intermediary that automatically performs relay device settings based on pre-stored instructions. The storage unit contains communication settings instructions, and the communication setting unit executes these instructions to automatically configure the relay device, eliminating the need for operators to manually perform complex settings while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Communication settings instructions are pre-stored in the storage unit before actual operation. These instructions contain all necessary configuration data for different relay devices, allowing the control device to automatically retrieve and execute the appropriate settings without requiring operator knowledge or manual configuration during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If relay device settings require specialized education and knowledge, then communication precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication precisionVSAvoidsettings complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs self-service by automatically configuring the relay device using pre-stored instructions. The communication setting unit retrieves instructions from the storage unit and automatically executes the configuration, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for specialized operator knowledge while maintaining precise communication settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The complex settings knowledge is extracted from the operator and embedded into the control device's storage unit as structured instructions. This extraction transfers the complexity from the human operator to the machine, allowing precise communication settings to be executed automatically without requiring specialized human expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual relay device configuration is required, then adaptability to different protocols is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol adaptabilityVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Communication settings instructions for multiple different relay device protocols and types are pre-stored in the storage unit during system setup. When operation begins, the control device automatically retrieves and executes the appropriate pre-configured instructions, eliminating the need for manual configuration and significantly reducing setup time while maintaining adaptability to various protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple relay device types and communication protocols. The storage unit contains diverse communication settings instructions that can adapt to different protocols, and the communication setting unit can execute any of these pre-configured instructions, providing multi-functional adaptability without requiring manual reconfiguration for each protocol type.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3890247B1Control device, support device, and communication system
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 OMRON CORP
  • EP3890247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3890247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3890247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An objective of the present invention is to facilitate settings to be performed for a relay device. A control device, configured to be able to communicate with other devices via a relay device, is provided with: a storage unit that stores a user program including at least one of instructions for performing communication settings that are settings related to communication with the other devices; and a communication setting unit that performs the communication settings. The communication setting unit performs transmission and reception of commands together with the relay device on the basis of fulfillment of conditions of executing the instruction and performs the communication settings indicated by the instruction.