WO2019132822A1

WO2019132822A1 - Universal communication module for industry 4.0

Info

Publication number: WO2019132822A1
Application number: PCT/TR2018/050627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tuncay Uludağ
Original assignee: Armoya Yüksek Teknoloji̇ Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-10-25
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: TR201722958A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a universal communication module for establishing connections between electronic devices. The invention relates to a system for communicating with other systems via a communication line connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port or integrated on a system without depending on the communication protocol used on the said systems, that can transmit data to the device via the same communication module connected to the receivers or USB Ports of other electronic devices using its own original communication language and protocol and an electronic circuit and software which makes the operation of the said system possible.

Description

UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATION MODULE FOR INDUSTRY 4.0

The Subject of Invention and Technical Field

The invention relates to a universal connection path and communication system for establishing connections between electronic devices. The invention relates to a system for communicating with other systems via a communication line connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port or integrated on a system without depending on the communication protocol used on the said systems, that can transmit data to the device via the same communication module connected to the receivers or USB Ports of other electronic devices using its own original communication language and protocol and an electronic circuit and software which makes the operation of the said system possible.

Prior Art

Along with the computer and internet revolution, major technological developments have been experienced in many areas, especially in the communications sector. In many areas, new and rapid developments have occurred, such as sending and receiving messages via electronic mail and other communication channels, which are forms of communication established in the electronic environment, data transfer, remote access from a computer to a computer or machine from a machine.

The most commonly used communication channels for data transfer between devices are the input/output ports, called Bluetooth, Wifi, Infrared and USB (Universal Serial Bus), which provide communication of the circuit with the outside. In parallel with the need for fast data transfer over USB, many data transfer protocols have been developed by programmers and manufacturers. There are currently more than 160 data transfer protocols in use in the area of data transmission over USB.

The USB system consists of a four-wire plug, two of which are generally used for power supply and the other two are for data communication and a socket. Today, there are variety of USB connections known as standard, mini, micro, A-type, B-type, C-type and so on. Regardless of the form of said USB connection, all these connection types provide data transmission using one of more than 160 communication protocols, which, as mentioned above, often depends on the character of the device to which they are connected. In the prior art, many studies have been carried out related to USB and other data transmission protocols used and the inventions have been protected by patents. Most of these patents are inventions involving simple mechanisms or minor improvements. The main ones of these inventions are described below.

In the prior art, the Taiwan patent with no TW201707428, issued by Intel IP CORP, describes a method and protocol that allows the receiver unit to send a“receipt message” to the sending device after each data packet has been received and prevents the sender from wasting time by sending in vain when there is a disruption in communication.

In the prior art, the Chinese patent no CN205318378, issued by SHENZHEN ROMOSS TECH CO LTD, describes a USB-connected device which can operate independently and transmit the received video data through a C-type USB connection, having its own power supply and memory unit.

In the prior art, in the US patent no US2017091060, issued by INTEL CORP, describes technology that is applicable to a device equipped with the necessary hardware, logical software and USB data which is able to determine whether the data path to which it is connected is input or output, and adjusts its processor accordingly, or otherwise identify and detect the protocol errors in between.

In the prior art, an international patent no WO2017100941 , issued by NANOPORT TECH INC, describes a data communication device with multiple input/output data paths. In this device, not only different data paths can be connected to different devices and the connection protocols can be dynamically selected, but also all the data paths can be directed for the same purpose and used for the transmission with the highest communication speed.

In the prior art, the US Patent no US2017031861 , issued by ARKEYTYP IP LTD, describes a USB device which automatically sends a series of data to the standard protocols and/or can initiate a series of processes after connecting to the computer.

In the prior art, the Taiwan patent no TW200733678, issued by ERICSSON TELEPHONE AB L M company, describes a device and a protocol in a data communication established between a computer and a mobile communication device via USB, in which the mobile communication device establishes an Ethernet interface to the computer and identifies itself as an Ethernet device and the computer can access the data network to which the mobile communication device is connected. In addition to the above, there are patents related to the Internet of the objects, the Protocols to be used, software related to selection and data transmission. However, none of these are related to systems or devices that do not have any control or programming interfaces on them, which can be integrated into the devices in very small sizes or used as a USB module, which can provide a solution to the communication problem between the devices regardless of the differences between similar processes and the devices.

Technical Problems That the Invention Aims To Solve

Today, the world is preparing for the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0). Following the three industrial revolutions described earlier by the steam power, the use of electricity and the widespread use of the internet, nowadays, production and control machines communicate directly with each other, the foundations of production without requiring human intervention was laid. This new movement, called industry 4.0, has led to the emergence of some shortcomings and thus it has become an important issue for all systems to be brought together in a common ground. The two main problems in this regard are that electronic equipment carrying information between the units is large and expensive, and there is no common language in which the devices communicate with each other.

Today, the most practical way to reach electronic devices is the plug-socket method called“Universal Serial Bus” which is abbreviated as USB. However, even in this method, there are more than 160 communication protocols and devices that do not use the same protocol are not able to communicate with each other. Other methods such as Bluetooth, Infrared and WiFi are only able to match the devices that are compatible with their frequency and provide a limited data transmission service. The invention aims to provide solutions to the problems described above.

One of the advantages of the invention, used as a USB circuit, is that it has a memory unit and a microprocessor and can translate all communication protocols into a new and original communication protocol (meant as translating software languages to each other) with the original software installed in the memory unit.

Another advantage of the device of the invention is that the USB circuit contains a USB plug and a USB socket, and that the socket and plug can be used either as a USB input or as a USB output. Another advantage of the device of the invention is that it can transmit analog signals obtained by means of any sensors or other additional connections between the devices it is integrated into by converting them into digital data.

One of the advantages of the invention is that it converts digital data from any source into analog signals, allowing it to control devices that require analog input or control. Another advantage of the device of the invention is that it is capable of generating RF (Radio Frequency) signals at a distance of at least 5 km (7 km in the open air) and can communicate with similar devices which are integrated into the same module or circuit at these distances.

One of the advantages of the device of the invention is that the devices that universal communication module is integrated does not emit a continuous signal, such as the types of wireless communication, and it does not cause radiation and signal pollution because they emit signals only when necessary.

One of the advantages of the invention is that the devices that are integrated with the universal communication module do not continuously emit any signal, such as the other types of wireless communication, so that they minimize energy consumption and allow for maximum use of battery-powered products.

Another advantage of the device of the invention is that it allows to establish a communication network with up to 65,636 devices, in which it has integrated and had the same characteristics, and gives the ability to directly access selected devices within the network.

The device of the invention will be better understood via the figures.

Description of Figures

Figure 1 : Schematic view showing the internal structure of the device and the elements it contains.

Figure 2a: Schematic view showing the connection of the device of the invention to other devices.

Figure 2b: Schematic view showing the connection of the device of the invention to other devices.

Figure 3: Conceptual design showing the production and management system using the device of the invention operating under the Industry 4.0. Part and Reference Numbers

1- USB communication module

1a- Body

2- USB plug

3- USB socket

4- Main circuit board

5- USB Input/Output Module

6- Micro-processor

7- Memory unit

8- RF communication module

9- Universal communication module

10- Host device

11- Computer

12- Electronic pressure gauge

13- Robotic arm

14- Camera System

15- Product

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a universal communication module, which is used in the communication between machines and computers within the scope of Industry 4.0, for establishing communication between systems without human or computer intervention, it is designed for the realization of the data and command exchange with any technological device having a USB input or with every element in which the mentioned communication module is integrated, and for the management of the systems by communicating with each other without being connected to the inter machine protocol differences of unmanned systems.

The device of the invention is a compact and multifunctional universal communication module required for industry 4.0. For the industry 4.0 universal communication module of the invention, although the pictures and descriptions are mainly based on the USB communication protocol and an electronic device required to establish the USB communication protocol has been used in relation with that, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to that and that the system or design of the subject system may be incorporated into, integrated with, or subsequently assembled into a machine or a computer, without the USB communication protocol. In this regard, the device includes an electronic mechanism which is not limited with the USB communication protocol.

The universal communication module (9) of the invention is a high-tech electronic circuit system that recognizes all communication protocols and detects the differences in the protocol between the host devices (10) in which the connections between devices are made, and thereby provides the communication between them by establishing a common language. This system alone can be integrated on the host devices (10), or it can be configured as a preferably USB communication module (1 ) and installed on the desired host devices (10) using the USB ports. Or, as noted above, it can be adapted to host devices (10) or any machine within the scope of industry 4.0 without USB ports.

The USB communication module (1 ) in which the universal communication module (9) of the invention shown in Figure-1 is used, comprises a main circuit board (4) preferably placed in a body (1 a), a USB input/output module (5) located on said main process card (4) which provides the connection of the USB communication module (1 ) to the outside world preferably via a USB connector (2), located on the body (1 a), at least one microprocessor (6) and at least one memory unit (7) in which programs executed by the at least one microprocessor (6) saved, a universal communication module (9) located in said memory unit (7), preferably an RF communication module (8) for communicating the USB communication module (1 ) wirelessly between the devices via other modules, and preferably a USB socket (3) which allows the USB communication module to connect any element with the help of USB and which allows connection to the main circuit board (4) by means of a second USB input/output module (5). The universal communication module (9) contains software and hardware. As in the schematic view of the conceptual design in Figure-1 , when the universal communication module (9) of the invention is integrated into any device or is plugged into the device by means of a USB communication module (1 ), it receives electricity over the power cables, the microprocessor (6) is actuated to reach the memory unit (7) to activate the required software. This software communicates with the host device (10) via the USB input/output module (5) to inquire the VID (Company Identification Number) and PID (Product Identification Number) numbers of the host device (10). By comparing the response received with the information in the memory unit (7), it determines which communication protocol the host device (10) uses. From this point on, the USB communication module (1 ) of the invention converts this communication protocol chosen by the host device (10) via universal communication module (9) into a common protocol and connects the devices.

As can be seen in the Figure-2a and Figure-2b, the USB communication module (1 ) can be used as an external connection device or as a communication bridge between devices. In order to establish the communication, there must be at least two host devices (10) and one USB communication module (1 ) of the invention attached to each of the said devices, or universal communication modules (9) integrated into the circuit of the said host devices (10). The universal communication module (9) in the USB communication module (1 ) of the invention accommodates all communication protocols or hosts software which allows all communication protocols to be understood and converted into each other. The universal communication module (9) in the USB communication module (1 ) of the invention does not have to be an electronic device using USB communication protocols, and including standard communication/input ports, etc. Basically, it is also possible to have an electronic equipment or device comprising at least one microprocessor (6) which accommodates the universal communication module (9), and at least one memory unit (7) in which programs executed by at least one microprocessor (6) are recorded, and preferably an RF communication module (8) for device-to-device communication. In this context, it can be directly integrated into electronic devices or machines.

The USB communication module (1 ) connected to any said host device (10) establishes a wireless connection to the host device (10) with integrated USB communication module (1 ) or integrated universal communication module (9) via RF communication module (8). As a result of this connection, the communication between the systems is established and the systems become ready to work in connection with each other. The operations to be performed after this point also depend on the function and the character of the host devices (10) mentioned. The USB communication module (1 ) of the invention minimizes unnecessary energy consumption by preventing unnecessary energy consumption because it does not emit a continuous signal, only initiates signal communication if necessary, and interrupts the signal emission when in standby. In the system shown in Figure-3, all the devices carry out the work to be done synchronously with each other due to the USB communication module (1 ) on them. The functions of the universal communication module (9) in the USB communication module (1 ), and the USB communication module (1 ) on which it is integrated, are intended to be better understood with a case scenario. For example, in the system shown in Figure 3, the main device comprises a computer (1 1 ), the host device is an electronic pressure gauge (12), the second host device is a robot arm (13) and finally the third host device is a motion sensor camera (14) recording the whole operation. This system, with enabling the coordination of devices that communicate with each other within the scope of Industry 4.0, allows to take any product (15) from one place with the help of a robotic arm (13) into the package, and to control and record all the process by the computer (1 1 ) system via the USB communication module (1 ) while all of said devices are in communication with each other.

In a cycle in which the electronic pressure gauge (12), which is the first host device (10) given in the above-mentioned example, records the pressure by reading the pressure at equal intervals (for example, in every one minute) and an alarm is requested to be issued when the pressure reaches a predetermined value, the computer (1 1 ) sends the command "Send me the pressure value" at the beginning of each minute by accepting the communication request of the electronic pressure gauge (12), which is the first host device, by means of the inventive USB communication module (1 ) attached to the USB port. The robotic arm (13), which is the second host device, picks up the product (15) from a place and puts it in the package in accordance with the commands sent to it by the computer (1 ). This process is visually followed by the camera (14), which is the third host device with the sensors on it, and the data recorded by the camera (14) is sent to the computer (1 1 ) via the USB communication module (1 ). The program in the main device, computer (1 1 ), transmits the desired tasks to all the host devices (10) where the USB communication module (1 ) is installed. As a result of this transmission, the robotic arm (13), which is the second host device (10), picks up the product (15) to be transported and places it in a package at the coded distance. The pressure exerted by all weight in the package to the bottom surface is detected by the electronic pressure gauge (12), which is the first host device (10), and the analog data is saved by being converted to digital data via the ADC (Analog Digital Converter). This data is then translated into a language in which the associated devices can detect and transmitted between the machines via the RF signals with using the USB communication modules (1 ). When the data stored by the computer (1 1 ) is compared with the predetermined values, and the value exceeds the predetermined value, the program alarms and the robotic arm (13), which is the second host device (10), stops operating. The camera (14), which is the third host device (10), monitors the whole process and sends the recorded data to the computer (1 1 ). In another system, the robotic arm (13), which is the second host device (10), stops over the electronic pressure gauge (12), which is the first host device (10), and waits for 5 seconds before the next measurement until it receives the package filled up to the specified amount, if the package is received through the system, detected by electronic pressure meter (12), and if the new empty package is detected on the system by the camera (14), the system waits for a short time and then the information that the required conditions are met is notified to all the host devices (10) through the computer (1 1 ) in order to repeat the same sequence of operations from the beginning.

In the said system, all the upper and lower values recorded in the memory unit (7) in the computer (1 1 ) or in the USB communication module (1 ) and specified by the users are detected by all host devices (10). If the specified conditions are exceeded, the recorded data values play a role in determining this situation, and if the specified conditions are not met as compared to the determined values, or if a situation that is not suitable for any operation according to communication between the host devices (10) occurs, the corresponding host devices (10) detect the situation via the attached USB communication module (1 ) and stops the system operation or takes action for solving this situation. The system remains inactive until the required external intervention is implemented by the other host devices (10) and the conditions are restored.

Industrial Application of the Invention

The universal communication module of the invention provides a secure way and method for data storage, backup, sharing, and command transmission that can be easily integrated into the Industry 4.0 revolution. The mentioned device is designed to be used on all the electronic devices that have a USB input. With the main structure and function remain constant, the external form and connection method can also be changed to fit devices without USB input. By means of the device of the invention, it is not necessary to have large volume devices requiring special software to provide control and communication between devices, and a cable network to connect these devices to each other, but instead the device of the invention can directly connect to each production, measurement or control unit and communicate with them without requiring additional software and it will be able to wirelessly transfer input and output commands of this unit to the other units. Other than industrial use, the system which allows all elements that can take command in home appliances to be managed remotely by means of a wireless connection can be used in all areas such as factories, medical area, unmanned vehicles, etc. With the main structure and function remain constant, it is possible to further increase the usage areas by changing the physical design.

Claims

1. A communication module that is used within the scope of Industry 4.0 and that allows systems to communicate independently without a computer, characterized in that; it comprises a USB communication module (1 ), a main circuit board (4) preferably placed in a body (1 a) within the said communication module (1 ), a USB input/output module (5) located on said main process card (4) which provides the connection of the USB communication module (1 ) to the outside world preferably via a USB connector (2), located on the body (1 a), at least one microprocessor (6) and at least one memory unit (7) in which programs executed by the at least one microprocessor (6), a universal communication module (9) located in said memory unit (7), preferably an RF communication module (8) for communicating the USB communication module (1 ) wirelessly between the devices via other modules, and preferably a USB socket (3) which allows the USB communication module to connect any element with the help of USB and which allows connection to the main circuit board (4) by means of a second USB input/output module (5).

2. USB communication module (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises a main circuit board (4) preferably placed in a body (1 a) and a universal communication module (9) for solving different algorithms and protocols between said main circuit board (4) and other host devices (10).

3. USB communication module (1 ) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that; it comprises an input-output connector preferably located on the body (1 a), preferably a USB plug (2), and preferably a USB socket (3) for physically connecting the said module to all the host devices (10).

4. USB communication module (1 ) according to Claim 1 or Claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises preferably two USB input/output modules (5), which allow the main circuit board (4) located in the body (1 a) to access the external digital data and devices, preferably one microprocessor (6) and one memory unit (7) in which programs executed by the microprocessor (6) are saved.

5. USB communication module (1 ) according to Claim 1 or Claim 4, characterized in that; it comprises preferably an RF communication module (8) to make the USB communication module (1 ) communicate wirelessly with the other host devices (10) via other modules.

6. A communication module according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; if desired, without the USB communication module (1 ), it is an electronic equipment or device comprising at least one microprocessor (6) which accommodates the universal communication module (9), and at least one memory unit (7) in which programs executed by at least one microprocessor

(6) are recorded, and preferably an RF communication module (8) for device- to-device communication.