Remote Monitoring Screen Updates With Attribute-Only Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing programmable indicators in factory automation systems face high communication loads when transmitting screen data to multiple client computers, leading to impaired performance in remote monitoring due to the need to update screens with all data, which can slow down the system and affect user interaction.

Innovation Solution

An information device connected to a control device in factory automation systems transmits only the attributes and attribute values of screen components instead of full screen data, using a communication unit to reduce the communication load and maintain efficient screen updates on terminal devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the programmable indicator transmits the image (image data) of the displayed screen to client computers using VNC server function, then the remote monitoring function is provided, but the amount of communication increases and the communication load rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote monitoring functionVSAvoidamount of communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential elements needed for screen display (screen configuration information and screen display information) from the complete screen image data. Instead of transmitting the entire image, it separates and transmits only the structural configuration data and the specific display values of components, significantly reducing communication volume while maintaining the ability to reconstruct and display the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments screen data into two distinct parts: screen configuration information (defining the structure, positions, and types of components) and screen display information (containing the actual display values). This segmentation allows the system to transmit only the necessary display values when the screen structure remains unchanged, reducing redundant communication while preserving complete screen reconstruction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the programmable indicator transmits the image (image data) of the displayed screen to client computers, then the screen can be displayed remotely, but the communication load rises and it takes time to update the screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote monitoring functionVSAvoidscreen update time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential elements needed for screen display (screen configuration information and screen display information) from the complete screen image data. Instead of transmitting the entire image, it separates and transmits only the structural configuration data and the specific display values of components, significantly reducing communication volume while maintaining the ability to reconstruct and display the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing the screen configuration information in advance, defining the structure, positions, and types of components before actual screen updates. When screen updates are needed, only the display values need to be transmitted and mapped to the pre-defined configuration, eliminating the need to retransmit the entire screen image and significantly accelerating update speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If full screen data is transmitted to maintain complete screen information, then the screen can be fully reconstructed, but the communication burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen information completenessVSAvoidcommunication burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments screen data into two distinct parts: screen configuration information (defining the structure, positions, and types of components) and screen display information (containing the actual display values). This segmentation allows the system to transmit only the necessary display values when the screen structure remains unchanged, reducing redundant communication while preserving complete screen reconstruction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing the screen configuration information in advance, defining the structure, positions, and types of components before actual screen updates. When screen updates are needed, only the display values need to be transmitted and mapped to the pre-defined configuration, eliminating the need to retransmit the entire screen image and significantly accelerating update speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11314219B2Information device, terminal device and recording medium

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 OMRON CORP

AI summary

Updating performance of a display screen in a terminal device that displays a screen for remotely monitoring an object to be controlled by a control device is appropriately maintained. An information device for factory automation connected to the control device that controls an object communicates with a terminal device having a display capable of displaying a screen for remotely monitoring the control device. The screen includes one or more components. The screen data for displaying the screen includes attributes of the respective components relating to the display, and a logic executed by the programmable indicator to determine the attribute values. When the terminal device displays a screen, the programmable indicator transmits the attributes and attribute values of the respective components in the screen data to the terminal device.