Semantic Data Processing in Automation Field Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation devices with limited resources struggle to process semantic data efficiently due to restricted memory, bandwidth, and computing power, limiting their ability to utilize widespread ontologies for semantic descriptions.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to produce grammar for devices with few resources from a description language scheme, integrating semantic representations from ontologies, using the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and Efficient XML Interchange (EXI) to create a compact and efficient semantic repository, enabling faster data processing and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If semantic data processing based on ontologies is implemented in automation devices, then semantic data processing capability is improved, but device resource consumption (memory, bandwidth, computing power) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the semantic processing system into two parts: a comprehensive ontology stored in the engineering tool with ample resources, and a condensed grammar representation integrated into the field device with limited resources. This segmentation allows the device to process semantic data efficiently using only the essential grammar rules needed for its specific function, rather than storing and processing the entire ontology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary semantic processing components (grammar rules) from the complete ontology and transfers them to the field device. The engineering tool retains the full ontology and uses it to generate optimized grammar representations tailored to specific device requirements. This extraction approach minimizes the resource burden on field devices while preserving essential semantic processing capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If text-based XML format is used for data interchange, then human readability is improved, but data transmission bandwidth and processing speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data representation from text-based XML to binary EXI format. This parameter change fundamentally alters the efficiency characteristics: EXI provides compact binary encoding that reduces transmission bandwidth requirements and accelerates processing speed, while the engineering tool maintains the ability to generate and interpret this binary format according to grammars derived from the ontology.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive ontologies are used for semantic descriptions, then semantic representation completeness is improved, but integration complexity in resource-constrained devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the engineering tool as an intermediary between the comprehensive ontology and the resource-constrained field device. The engineering tool loads the complete ontology, understands the full semantic context, and generates optimized grammar representations that are tailored to specific device requirements. This intermediary approach allows comprehensive semantic representation to be maintained in the ontology while the device receives only the essential, simplified grammar rules it needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for integration of semantic data processing in a device, in particular in a field device of automation technology. In this case, a generic description language scheme is used to define a semantic repository as a starting basis. According to the invention, said description language scheme is enriched with content from an ontology for semantic representation of a mode of operation of the device. Classes and/or subclasses of the ontology, together with at least one characteristic assigned to the classes and/or subclasses and taken from the ontology, are converted into a corresponding scheme declaration and said scheme declaration is inserted into the description language scheme. One or more grammars arc then generated from the description language scheme, preferably grammars according to the standardised data format “Efficient XML Interchange”, abbreviated to EXI, which arc integrated in the device. A particular advantage of the invention is substantially compact semantic data processing and data transmission.