Safety Controller Diagnosis Adaptation via Access Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety controllers in automated systems are not optimal in terms of information transfer, as they do not adapt well to external conditions, leading to inefficient communication of system and process states.
Innovation Solution
A safety controller with a control unit, diagnostic evaluation unit, display unit, operating mode selection unit, detection unit, and diagnosis selection unit that generates diagnostic messages based on the determined operating state, selected special operating mode, and detected access authorization, allowing for flexible adaptation of information display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If diagnostic messages are displayed for all operating states, then complete information is provided, but information overload occurs and clarity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different diagnostic message contents to different user groups based on their access authorizations. Each user category (e.g., operators, maintenance personnel, managers) receives tailored diagnostic information relevant to their specific needs and responsibilities, rather than a uniform message set for all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the diagnostic message content based on the detected access authorization. The diagnosis selection unit automatically adjusts which diagnostic messages are displayed in real-time according to the currently authenticated user's category, making the information presentation flexible and context-dependent.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diagnostic messages are displayed for different user categories, then information relevance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnosis selection unit serves multiple functions: it detects access authorizations, determines user categories, selects appropriate diagnostic messages, and outputs them through the display unit. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single versatile component, managing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines multiple diagnostic messages in the diagnosis selection unit, each tailored to specific user categories and operating states. This preliminary preparation of categorized diagnostic content allows for rapid, automated selection during operation without requiring complex real-time analysis or manual configuration.
3Loss of information
If all diagnostic information is provided to all users, then transparency is maximized, but security and authorization requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing differentiated diagnostic information to different user groups based on their access authorizations. Each user category receives diagnostic messages appropriate to their security clearance and operational needs, ensuring that sensitive or critical information is only accessible to authorized personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnosis selection unit acts as an intermediary between the diagnostic evaluation unit and the display unit. It mediates the information flow by filtering and selecting diagnostic messages based on the detected access authorization, ensuring that only appropriately authorized users receive specific diagnostic information.
4Adaptability or versatility
If diagnostic messages are customized for different operating modes and user categories, then information relevance is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines multiple diagnostic messages in the diagnosis selection unit, each tailored to specific user categories and operating states. This preliminary preparation of categorized diagnostic content allows for rapid, automated selection during operation without requiring complex real-time analysis or manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnosis selection unit serves multiple functions: it detects access authorizations, determines user categories, selects appropriate diagnostic messages, and outputs them through the display unit. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single versatile component, managing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a safety controller for controlling an automated installation (14) which comprises a multiplicity (18) of sensors and a multiplicity (16) of actuators, having a control unit (22) which is supplied with a multiplicity (32) of control input signals from the sensors, wherein the control unit (22) is designed to produce a multiplicity (34) of control output signals in an automtic mode on the basis of the control input signals in accordance with a user program (38) which is running in it, wherein the multiplicity (34) of control output signals are used to actuate the multiplicity (16) of actuators. In addition, the safety controller has a diagnosis evaluation unit (64) which is supplied with a number (66) of diagnosis input signals, wherein the diagnosis evaluation unit (64) is designed to take the number (66) of diagnosis input signals as a basis for establishing which of a plurality of operating states (122) is present at a defined time, wherein the plurality of operating states (122) contain at least one process state of the installation (14) to be controlled and at least one system state of the safety controller (12), wherein the diagnosis evaluation unit (64) produces an operating state signal (68) which represents an operating state which has been established. The safety controller contains a plurality of interfaces: an interface (70) for a display unit (72), wherein the display unit (72) is designed to display diagnosis reports; an interface (74) for a mode selection unit (76), wherein the mode selection unit (76) is designed to select one of a plurality of different special modes, wherein the special modes are each different from the automatic mode, wherein the mode selection unit (76) provides a special mode signal (78) which represents the selected special mode, wherein said special mode signal (78) is supplied to the control unit (22) in order to operate the installation (14) in the selected special mode; an interface (80) for a sensing unit (82), wherein the sensing unit (82) is designed to sense an access authorization which is associated with a person who is interacting with the safety controller (12), particularly a person who is reading the display unit (72), wherein the sensing unit (82) provides an access authorization signal (84) which represents the sensed access authorization. Furthermore, the safety controller comprises a diagnosis selection unit (86) which is supplied with the operating state signal (68) and with the special mode signal (78) and/or with the access authorization signal (84), wherein the diagnosis selection unit (86) takes the operating state which has been established and takes the selected special mode and/or the sensed access authorization as a basis for ascertaining a diagnosis report which represents the operating state which has been established, wherein the diagnosis selection unit (86) produces a diagnosis signal (88) which represents the diagnosis report and which is supplied to the display unit (72) for the purpose of displaying the diagnosis report.