Safety Controller Toolchain With Fingerprint-Based Code Consistency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety-related engineering systems with closed architectures and proprietary data formats face challenges in data management, flexibility, and integration of non-safety related software tools, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity in validation and validation measures.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a safety controller that allows program files to be stored in open text formats like XML, JSON, or TXT, with fingerprint objects ensuring data integrity and consistency checks, enabling the use of external tools and flexible management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary data formats are used in closed architectures, then safety and reliability are improved, but flexibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism that translates between proprietary binary formats and open text formats. This mediator allows the system to maintain its secure proprietary format internally while enabling external tools and version management systems to access and manipulate the data in open formats, thus resolving the contradiction between safety (maintained through proprietary format) and flexibility (enabled through open format access).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data management process into two distinct parts: internal storage using proprietary binary formats for safety-critical data, and external access using open text formats for flexibility. This segmentation allows each part to optimize for its specific purpose without compromising the other, enabling both safety and flexibility to coexist.
2Reliability
If closed architectures with proprietary formats are used, then system security is improved, but integration with external tools deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion mechanism acts as a secure intermediary that enables external tools to work with the system without compromising security. External tools can access and modify data in open text formats, but the proprietary binary format remains the source of truth, maintaining system security while enabling tool integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the system multi-functional by supporting both proprietary binary format (for security) and open text format (for integration). This universality allows the same system to serve both security requirements and integration needs, enabling various external tools to be incorporated without sacrificing system security.
3Reliability
If manual validation measures are implemented, then safety requirements are met, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms through version management systems that automatically track, validate, and verify code changes. This automated feedback loop continuously ensures safety compliance without requiring manual validation at each step, significantly reducing validation time while maintaining safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-validation through automated processes that verify safety compliance independently. The version management system automatically checks for errors, validates changes, and ensures safety requirements are met without human intervention, eliminating time-consuming manual validation while maintaining safety standards.
4Manufacturing precision
If special IT expertise and infrastructure are required, then validation quality is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a standardized interface between the proprietary system and external version management tools. This intermediary translates complex proprietary operations into standard, widely-supported commands, allowing validation to be performed by general IT personnel using common tools rather than requiring specialized expertise in the proprietary system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data accessibility by providing both binary and text formats. This parameter change enables the use of standard text-processing tools and version control systems that are universally understood, reducing the need for specialized IT infrastructure and expertise while maintaining high validation quality through automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a safety-related engineering system that allows for the integration of non-safety-related software tools. A program file and a fingerprint object associated with the program file are also provided at an update time point. A consistency check between the program file and the fingerprint object is performed at a checking time point after the update time point. At a transfer time point after the checking time point, in case the consistency check confirmed a consistency between the program file and the fingerprint object, said program file is compiled and linked to obtain an executable program code, which executable program code is transferred to a memory of a safety controller and executed by means of at least one processor of said safety controller.