Universal Interface Module for Process Control Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process control systems, accessing information from diverse data sources requires customized interfaces, necessitating extensive knowledge of communication interfaces and protocols, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A universal interface module is introduced that allows users to access data from various data sources using user-defined parameter names, abstracting the general data access request interface from highly customized data source interfaces, thus simplifying data access across different types of data sources without requiring detailed knowledge of specific protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If customized data source access interfaces are developed for each data source, then data access functionality is achieved, but device complexity and expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data source access interface that can access multiple different data sources (field devices, servers, databases, analyzers, etc.) through a single standardized interface. This universal interface eliminates the need to develop customized access interfaces for each data source type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to access diverse data sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the universal data source access interface) between the process control system and various data sources. This intermediary handles the complexity of different communication protocols and interfaces internally, while presenting a simplified standardized interface to users. The intermediary translates standardized requests into data-source-specific operations, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized data source access interfaces are developed for each data source, then data access capability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The universal data source access interface provides a single standardized method for accessing all types of data sources. Users interact with one uniform interface regardless of the underlying data source type, dramatically improving ease of operation. The interface handles all data source-specific complexities internally, making the system easy to operate while maintaining universal compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex data access functionality into two distinct layers: a simplified user-facing interface layer and a data-source-specific implementation layer. This segmentation allows users to interact with the simple standardized interface without needing to understand the complex protocols and formats of individual data sources, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining data source compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If standardized data access interface is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability to different data sources may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized data access interface acts as an intermediary that translates generic access requests into data-source-specific operations. The interface maintains a library of adapters or translation mechanisms for different protocols and data source types. When a standardized request is made, the intermediary automatically routes it to the appropriate data source with the correct protocol handling, thus maintaining both simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The data access interface is designed to be dynamic and configurable, able to adapt its behavior based on the target data source. The interface can dynamically load or select appropriate communication protocols and formats based on the requested data source type, allowing it to maintain a simple standardized user interface while internally adapting to handle diverse protocols and data formats.
Data Source
AI summary
Example apparatus and methods to access information associated with a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a first user-defined parameter name to reference a first datum value in a first data source. The first one of a plurality of data source interfaces is enabled to access the first datum value in the first data source. The example method also involves enabling referencing the first datum value in the first data source based on the first user-defined parameter name. In addition, data source interface software is then generated to access the first datum value in the first data source in response to receiving a first data access request including the first user-defined parameter name.