Remote Drive Component Administration Using Service Operating States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering drive components in automated machines are inefficient and risky, requiring on-site specialist personnel and manual monitoring, which leads to machine downtimes and security concerns due to unknown machine contexts and cyber security risks.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a drive computing unit with communication interfaces for wireless communication, a distributed computing system for remote administration, and a method to select a service operating state allowing for automated or partially automated execution of maintenance and updates without disrupting machine operations, using a cloud-based infrastructure to manage drive components globally without the need for on-site specialists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cloud-based services are used to administer drive components, then administrative efficiency is improved and on-site personnel requirements are reduced, but cyber security risks and machine context availability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based service as an intermediary between administrators and drive components. This intermediary enables remote administration while implementing security measures such as authentication, authorization, and encrypted communication protocols to mitigate cyber security risks. The cloud service acts as a controlled interface that allows efficient remote access without exposing the machine to direct unauthorized access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables drive components to provide self-service capabilities by exposing their state and functionality through standardized communication interfaces. The drive components can autonomously participate in remote administration processes, allowing cloud-based services to perform diagnostics, updates, and configuration changes without requiring physical presence, thereby improving administrative efficiency while maintaining security through controlled self-service protocols.
2Loss of information
If manual on-site monitoring is performed, then machine context information is accurately obtained, but time consumption and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where drive components continuously report their operational state, diagnostics data, and context information to cloud-based services through communication interfaces. This automated feedback loop provides accurate machine context information without requiring manual collection, significantly reducing time consumption and labor intensity while maintaining information accuracy through real-time data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical monitoring processes with automated electronic communication and data transmission. Instead of physically inspecting machines and manually recording data, the patent uses digital communication interfaces and networked systems to automatically gather and transmit machine context information, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes while preserving complete information accuracy.
3Productivity
If drive components are administered during operation, then machine downtime is reduced, but safety risks and operational disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing state-specific administration capabilities. Different administrative operations are permitted only in specific operational states of the drive component, with appropriate safety measures activated for each state. This allows maintenance and updates to be performed during safe operational phases without disrupting productive operations, optimizing machine usage time while maintaining safety through localized safety protocols for each operational context.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for administration of drive components. The system comprises at least one drive component having a drive computing unit. Drive software for the drive component is stored on and executable by the drive computing unit. The system has a computing unit in communication with the drive computing unit. The computing unit detects an actual operating state of the drive component and the machine and system context to select at least one service operating state for the drive components according to the detected actual operating state. The system comprises a distributed computing system in communication with the drive computing unit which is configured to trigger administration of the drive components according to the selected service operating state of the drive components. A process to be maintained can be defined which ensures that the operation cannot be negatively influenced and people or machinery cannot be endangered during the administration.