Slave Communication Interface With Shared Data Format for Device Swaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing master-slave control systems do not facilitate easy replacement of devices connected to slave devices without altering reception processing in the master device, leading to complexities in data transmission and processing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a device communication managing unit that allows devices connected to the slave device to operate in either a first mode for 1-bit data transmission or a second mode for multi-bit data transmission, using a shared data format to simplify data processing and enable easy device replacement without changing the reception processing in the master device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices connected to the slave device are replaced with different communication protocols or data formats, then device versatility and adaptability are improved, but the reception processing in the master device becomes complex and requires modification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice replacement flexibilityVSAvoidreception processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slave device functions as an intermediary that translates between different communication protocols and data formats. It receives data from devices with various protocols, converts it to a standardized format, and transmits it to the master device. This mediator approach enables device replacement flexibility while keeping the master device's reception processing simple and unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The slave device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols and data formats simultaneously. It can adapt to connect with different types of devices (sensors, actuators, smart devices) using various protocols while maintaining a unified interface toward the master device, thus enabling versatile device replacement without increasing master device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the slave device supports multiple communication modes and data formats for different devices, then device compatibility is improved, but the data transmission and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddata transmission and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slave device acts as a protocol translation intermediary that handles multiple communication modes internally but presents a unified data format to the master device. This approach improves device compatibility while preventing complexity from propagating to the master device's data transmission and processing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The slave device segments the communication functionality into separate modules that handle different protocols and data formats independently. Each module processes specific protocol types, and their outputs are standardized before being transmitted to the master device, thereby managing complexity through modular organization while maintaining broad device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3220582B1Slave device, control method of slave device, information processing program and recording medium
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 OMRON CORP
  • EP3220582B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3220582B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3220582B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention aims to reduce an operation burden related to the change of reception processing in a master device when a device connected to a slave device is changed. A device communication managing unit (10) transmits the data received by a device (20) communicating with a device communication port (110) in a first mode to a field network (50) by using a data format used for transmitting the data received by the device (20) communicating in a second mode.