Software Switch Unit for Zero-Downtime Process Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing software update methods require restarting devices, making them unavailable during the update process and disrupting the transmission of process data to upper systems.

Innovation Solution

A device with a switch unit that allows switching from first software to second software without restarting, by executing a given process based on the second software while the first software is operational.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If software is switched by restarting the device, then software update is achieved, but device availability is lost during update time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice availabilityVSAvoiddowntime during software update

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two independent software execution environments (first software and second software) that can operate separately. The hardware resources are divided such that each software instance can execute independently, allowing one software to be updated while the other continues to provide service, thus eliminating downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second software is prepared and loaded into the storage unit before the first software is stopped. This preliminary preparation allows the software update to occur without interruption to service, as the replacement software is already in place and ready for immediate activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If software is switched without restarting, then device availability is maintained, but software update complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation during updateVSAvoidsoftware switching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct software modules (first software and second software) that can be independently managed. This segmentation simplifies the update process by allowing each software version to be treated as a separate, replaceable unit, reducing the overall complexity of the switching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A software switching mechanism acts as an intermediary layer between the hardware and the software instances. This mediator manages the activation and deactivation of different software versions, abstracting the complexity of direct hardware-software interaction and simplifying the update process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250036495A1Device, computer-readable recording medium, and software switch method

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A device includes hardware configured to transmit process data to an upper system; a storage unit that stores first software that runs to cause the hardware to transmit the process data to the upper system and second software that runs to cause the hardware to transmit the process data to the upper system; and a switch unit that switches software in operation from the first software to the second software, wherein the switch unit switches the software in operation from the first software to the second software after a given process based on the second software is executed while the first software is being in operation.