Method for transferring data from a device to a data management means, switching unit, device and system

Abstract

Method for transferring data from a device to a data management means, switching unit, device and system The invention relates to a method for transferring data (16) from a device (6) to a data management means (4). In order to reduce the amount of data transferred and according to the method of the invention, using modeling data (26, 42) present in the device (6) a model (30, 44) described by the modeling data (26, 42) is determined. Using the model (30, 44), the data that is actually to be transferred to the data management means (4) is selected from a volume of data (40) provided for transfer. The device (6) transfers the selected data to the data management means (4).

Claims

1. A method for data interchange between a device in an automation plant and a data manager, the method comprising: receiving, by the device, modeling data from a number of automation devices connected to the device, wherein the device comprises a gateway, the gateway being separate from the data manager; transferring, by the gateway of the device, the modeling data to the data manager, wherein the data manager is a cloud, an Internet of Things service, or the cloud and the Internet of Things service; determining, by the data manager using the modeling data, a model that describes the modeling data; transferring, by the data manager, the model that describes the modeling data to the device; receiving, by the gateway of the device, a volume of data from the number of automation devices connected to the device, the volume of data provided for a further transfer to the data manager, wherein the volume of data is useable to control a process running in the automation plant using a controller, wherein the volume of data contains all data transmitted from the number of automation devices to the device; selecting, by the gateway of the device, a subset of data from the volume of data based on the model; and transferring, by the gateway of the device, the selected subset of the data to the data manager.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting, by the gateway of the device using an earlier model, a subset of modeling data from the modeling data; and transferring, by the gateway of the device, the selected modeling data to the data manager, wherein the model is determined based on the transferred subset of modeling data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the model is predetermined.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining, by the gateway of the device, a further subset of the modeling data not present in the subset of the modelling data transferred to the data manager based on the model when a number of items of the modeling data are not included in the subset of the modelling data transferred to the data manager, wherein the model is determined based on the further subset of the modelling data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the data manager, an updated model using the subset of the data from the volume of data transferred to the data manager, selecting, by the gateway of the device, a further subset of the data from the volume of data using the updated model; and transferring, by the device, the selected further subset of the data from the volume of data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected subset of data from the volume of data forms updated modeling data; and wherein the method further comprises: determining, by the data manager using the updated modeling data, an updated model that describes the updated modeling data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the model comprises a mathematical function and a tolerance range, wherein function values of the mathematical function lie within the tolerance range, and wherein data that lies within the tolerance range is not selected and is thus not transferred to the data manager.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the model comprises a mathematical function and a tolerance range, wherein function values of the mathematical function lie within the tolerance range, and wherein data that lies outside the tolerance range is selected and is thus transferred to the data manager.

9. A system comprising: a processor for transferring data from a device to a data manager, wherein the processor is part of a gateway; an automation plant comprising a number of automation devices connected to the device, the processor being arranged in the automation plant; and a memory stored in the automation plant and in communication with the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to: receive a volume of data from the number of automation devices connected to the device, the volume of data provided for a transfer to the data manager, wherein the volume of data is operable to control a process running in the automation plant, and wherein the volume of data contains all data transmitted from the number of automation devices to the device; select, using a model that is determined using modeling data present in the device and that describes the modeling data, a subset of data from the volume of data received from the number of automation devices; and transfer the subset of data to the data manager, wherein the processor is connected to the number of automation devices via a data connection, via which the data is provided, wherein the data manager is a cloud, an Internet of Things service, or the cloud and the Internet of Things service, and wherein the volume of data includes all data transferred from the number of automation devices to the device.

10. A switch unit for a system, the system comprising: a processor configured for transferring data from a plurality of automation devices to a data manager, wherein the processor is part of a gateway; an automation plant comprising the plurality of automation devices, the processor being arranged in the automation plant, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a volume of data from the plurality of automation devices connected to the device, the volume of data provided for a transfer to the data manager, wherein the volume of data is operable to control a process running in the automation plant, wherein the volume of data contains all data transmitted from the plurality of automation devices to the device; select, using a model that is determined using modeling data present in the plurality of automation devices and that describes the modeling data, a subset of data from the volume of data received from the plurality of automation devices; and transfer the subset of data to the data manager, wherein the processor is connected to the plurality of automation devices via a data connection, via which the data is provided, wherein the data manager is a cloud, an Internet of Things service, or the cloud and the Internet of Things service, and wherein the volume of data includes all data transferred from the plurality of automation devices to the device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a system including a data management means and a device with a switching unit;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a time-dependent sequence of data with a first function;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a function from FIG. 2 updated based on the time-dependent sequence of data; and

(4) FIG. 4 shows a function from FIG. 3 updated based on updated modeling data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a system 2 with a data management means 4 and a device 6. The device 6 includes a switching unit 8. The device 6 also includes at least one sensor 10. The at least one sensor 10 is connected to the switching unit 8 via a data connection 12.

(6) A number of items of data (cf. FIG. 2) are obtained in the device 6. For example, the data is measured in the device 6 by the sensor 10. The data is time-dependent measured values of the sensor 10, for example.

(7) In the present example, the data obtained corresponds to a volume of data provided for a transfer.

(8) The obtained data, which forms the volume of data provided for the transfer, is transferred to the data management means 4 in part in three transfer stages.

(9) The three transfer stages are shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a diagram 18. A time t is plotted on the x axis 22 of the diagram. Any given parameter y may be plotted on the y axis 24 of the diagram 18. In this example, the time-dependent measurement value of the sensor 10 is plotted on the y axis 24.

(11) Shown by way of example in FIG. 2 as crosses is modeling data 26. The modeling data 26 has been obtained in the device within a first transfer step 28, which extends from t.sub.0 to t.sub.1. The modeling data has been obtained in the device in this example within the first transfer step 28.

(12) In this example, all of the modeling data 26 is transferred to the data management means 4. It would also be possible for only a part of the modeling data 26 to be transferred to the data management means 4. The arrow 16 depicted in FIG. 1 illustrates (inter alia) the—at least partial—transfer of the modeling data 26 from the device 6 to the data management means 4.

(13) The data management means 4 determines a first model 30 based on the transferred modeling data 26. The first model 30 is shown by way of example in FIG. 3.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a diagram 32. The description given below is essentially restricted to differences from the diagram depicted in FIG. 2, which is to be referred to as regards features that remain the same. Features that essentially remain the same are basically labeled with the same reference numbers, and features not mentioned are adopted into the embodiment given below without being described once again.

(15) The first model 30, which was determined based on the modeling data 26 from FIG. 2, is entered in the diagram 32. In this example, the first model 30 has a mathematical function f(t) that is shown in the drawing as a solid line 34. The model further has a tolerance range. The tolerance range lies around the mathematical function f(t). In the drawing, the tolerance range is delimited by two dashed lines 36, so that the tolerance range is located between the two dashed lines 36 in FIG. 3.

(16) The width of the tolerance range may be dependent on the function f(t). For example, the width of the tolerance range may be a predetermined multiple of a maximum value of the function f(t).

(17) In this example, the width of the tolerance range is selected such that the shortest distance between each point on one of the dashed lines 36 to the function f(t) is equal to Δ. The tolerance range may be selected in another way, however.

(18) The first model 30 is transferred from the data management means 4 to the switching unit 8. The transfer of the first model 30 is shown in FIG. 1 by an arrow 14 from the data management means 4 to the switching unit 8.

(19) Within the second transfer step 38, which is later in time than the first transfer step 28, further data is obtained. In this example, the second transfer step 38 follows on from the first transfer step 28. The second transfer step 38 lies between the predetermined start time t.sub.1 and the predetermined end time t.sub.2.

(20) The data obtained in the second transfer step 38 represents a volume of data 40 provided for a transfer. The volume of data 40 provided for a transfer (e.g., the data obtained in the second transfer step 38) is shown as crosses in FIG. 2.

(21) Using the first model 30, the data that is actually to be transferred to the data management means 4 is selected from the volume of data 40 provided for a transfer. The device 6, (e.g., the switching unit 8) transfers the selected data to the data management means 4. The transfer of the selected data from the device 6 (e.g., from the switching unit 8) to the data management means 4 is shown in FIG. 1 by an arrow 16.

(22) The data management means 4 receives the transferred data and stores the transferred data.

(23) The data that lies within the tolerance range 2Δ (e.g., here the data that lies in FIG. 3 between the two dashed lines 36) is not selected and is thus not transferred to the data management means 4.

(24) The data that lies outside the tolerance range 2Δ is shown in in FIG. 3 as a cross surrounded by a circle. The data that lies outside the tolerance range 2Δ is selected and is thus transferred to the data management means 4.

(25) The volume of data 40 provided for a transfer in the second transfer step 38 forms updated modeling data 42. Using the data transferred in the second transfer step 38, the data management means 4 determines an updated model 44. The updated model 44 describes the updated modeling data 42. The updated model 44 is shown in FIG. 4.

(26) In this example, the updated model 44 has an updated function f.sub.a(t).

(27) For example, the updated model 44 has been determined at least based on the data transferred in the second transfer step.

(28) Only a part of the volume of data 40 provided for a transfer has been transferred to the data management means 4.

(29) The updated model 44 may (additionally) be determined using the earlier, first model 30. This provides that, to determine the updated function f.sub.a(t), the previous function f(t) is also included.

(30) To determine the updated function f.sub.a(t), a predetermined data rate may further be included. The data rate corresponds to the amount of data per unit of time. This provides that the gap between two items of data corresponds to the inverse of the data rate. For example, the data rate may be predetermined by a controller of the device 6 and/or by the sensor 10. The data rate may be transferred to the data management means 4, entered into the data management means 4, and/or determined by the data management means 4 (e.g., based on the transferred data).

(31) Required data for non-transferred data is computed from the previous function f(t) and also from the predetermined data rate. The respective time value for which the non-transferred data is obtained may be determined based on the data rate, for example. The required data may include the function value f(t) for the respective time value and the respective time value, for example.

(32) This required data for non-transferred data is likewise included for updating of the function. The updated function f.sub.a(t) is determined based on the data transferred in the second transfer step 38 and the required values for non-transferred data.

(33) FIG. 4 shows a diagram 46. The description given below is essentially restricted to the differences from the diagram depicted in FIG. 3, which is referred to as regards features that remain the same. Features that essentially remain the same are basically labeled with the same reference numbers, and features not mentioned are adopted into the exemplary embodiment given below without being described once again.

(34) Entered in the diagram 46 is the updated model 44 that was determined using the volume of data 40 provided for a transfer in the second transfer step, which corresponds to the updated modeling data 42.

(35) In this example, the updated model 44 has an updated function f.sub.a(t), that is shown in the drawing as a solid line 34. The model further has a tolerance range, updated if necessary. The tolerance range (e.g., updated if necessary) lies around the mathematical function f.sub.a(t). In the drawing, the tolerance range (e.g., updated if necessary) is delimited by two dashed lines 36, so that the tolerance range (e.g., updated if necessary) is located between the two dashed lines 36 in FIG. 4.

(36) A third transfer step 48 lies at a time after the second transfer step 38. The third transfer step 48, for example, follows on directly from the second transfer step 38 and begins at start time t.sub.2.

(37) In the third transfer step 48, further data is obtained in the device 6. The data obtained in the third transfer step 48 represents a volume of data 40 provided for a transfer. The volume of data 40 provided for a transfer (e.g., the data obtained in the second transfer step 38) is shown in FIG. 4 as crosses.

(38) In the third transfer step 48, using the updated model 44 from the volume of data 40 provided for a transfer, the data that is actually to be transferred to the data management means 4 is selected, and the device transfers the selected data to the data management means 4. The selection in the third transfer step 48 is made in a similar way to the selection in the second transfer step 38 (cf. FIG. 3).

(39) Based on the data transferred in the third transfer step 48, the updated model 44 may be updated.

(40) As a result of the method described, the entire volume of data 40 provided for a transfer does not have to be transferred to the data management means 4. By selecting the data actually to be transferred to the data management means 4, the amount of data transferred, and thus the volume of data transferred, may be reduced. For example, the amount of data transferred, and thus, for example, the volume of data transferred, may be reduced by at least 50% or by at least 80%.

(41) Although the invention has been illustrated and described in greater detail by the preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived herefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

(42) The elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independent or dependent. Such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present specification.

(43) While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.