Remote Feature Updating for Memory-Limited Automation Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automation devices often lack necessary features or have incorrect feature versions, leading to delays and production breaks due to limited memory size, making it difficult to install or configure features at the factory for specific tasks or locations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows for remote updating of features in automation devices using a user apparatus connected to cloud storage, enabling the retrieval and installation of required features directly at the site, without increasing memory size, by utilizing a feature updating unit that connects to both the automation device and cloud storage via wireless interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If automation devices are equipped with hardware having small memory size to minimize manufacturing costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the device cannot store all possible features and feature versions for different tasks and locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfeature availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments features into two parts: a core feature set stored in the automation device's limited memory, and additional features stored remotely in cloud storage. The device can dynamically load required features from the cloud, effectively providing unlimited feature access while maintaining small local memory size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a feature updating unit as an intermediary component that connects the automation device to cloud storage. This intermediary handles feature retrieval, installation, and updates, allowing the device to access additional features without increasing its own memory capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all possible features are installed at the factory, then feature availability is ensured, but memory size requirements increase and factory transport becomes necessary for updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature availabilityVSAvoidmemory size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the feature storage space from a single dimension (local device memory) to multiple dimensions by adding remote cloud storage. This allows features to be stored externally and accessed on-demand, effectively increasing available storage capacity without increasing physical device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-loads essential features into the device's limited memory during manufacturing, ensuring basic functionality. Additional features remain in cloud storage and can be loaded when needed, combining the benefits of having features ready (preloading) with the flexibility of on-demand access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If features are updated by transporting the device to the factory, then feature updates are achieved, but production breaks occur and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature version accuracyVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automation device is equipped with a feature updating unit that enables it to autonomously retrieve and install feature updates from cloud storage without requiring external intervention or transport to the factory. This self-service capability eliminates downtime and keeps the device continuously operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical device transport with an electronic/digital process of wireless feature download and installation. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming logistics of shipping devices to factories for updates while maintaining feature version accuracy through controlled cloud-based distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If features are pre-downloaded before site installation, then feature availability is ensured, but network resources are consumed and factory transport is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature availabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of downloading all possible features before installation (excessive action), the system downloads only the specific features required for the device's intended tasks and location (partial action). This on-demand approach conserves network resources while ensuring the necessary features are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11182146B2Updating features in an automation device

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

A user apparatus retrieves a list of current features in an industrial automation device in an industrial site, and a list of available features for the industrial automation device, and displays the lists to a user of the user apparatus. If a user input indicating that the industrial automation device is to be updated with one or more features selected amongst the available features, the one or more features are downloaded from a remote data storage to the user apparatus and therefrom to the industrial automation device to update the industrial automation device.