Method and control system for controlling and/or monitoring devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12045027-B2
Application number	US-201816755900-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2018
Priority date	Oct 23, 2017
Publication date	Jul 23, 2024
Grant date	Jul 23, 2024

Abstract

Provided are complex control instruction chains to be performed in an (automation) network, in which nodes and/or device nodes and/or blockchain-external devices are networked to one another, in a simple manner even if different operators of the individual nodes and devices do not trust one another.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A first distributed database system for at least one of storing and providing transactions, having:
a multiplicity of nodes connected to one another via a communication network;
a first assigning module communicatively connected to the first determining module and configured for assigning respective execution requirements to respective control instructions;
a first memory module communicatively connected to the first determining module and configured for storing the respective control instructions with applicable execution requirements in control transactions, wherein
the control transactions are stored by the distributed database system;
the control transactions are conveyed to the devices by means of the distributed database system;

wherein the distributed database system conveys a first control instruction of a first control transaction to a first node and/or a first device and writes a confirmation transaction of performance of the first control instruction, wherein performance of the first control instruction is a respective presupposed control instruction of a second node and/or a second device, and
wherein, in response to the confirmation transaction of performance of the first control instruction, the distributed database system conveys a second control transaction with a second control instruction to the second node and/or the second device;
a third memory module for storing transactions in the distributed database system;
a fourth memory module for storing a task data record of a specific task, wherein
the task data record is assigned to the first distributed database system;

a second assigning module for assigning a validity data record for the distributed database system;

wherein
all transactions comprise data for performing the specific task,
the validity data record indicates a period and/or a time up to which at least one function can be carried out, wherein
the period is a life of a device or field device,
the period is a performance time for at least one of an instruction sequence, a maintenance action and a control action of a device or field device, and/or
a device or field device is replaced at the time; and

wherein the third memory module, the fourth memory module, and/or the second assigning module comprises hardware.

2. The first distributed database system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the validity data record is stipulated by the task data record of the specific task.

3. The first distributed database system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first distributed database system comprises a checking module that checks the validity for prescribed functions.

4. The first distributed database system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first distributed database system is sealed after the period and/or the time expires.

5. A method for at least one of the computer-aided storage and provision of transactions, having the following method steps:
storing data in transactions, wherein the transactions are stored in a first distributed database system, wherein the distributed database system conveys a first control instruction of a first control transaction to a first node and/or a first device and writes a confirmation transaction of performance of the first control instruction, wherein performance of the first control instruction is a respective presupposed control instruction of a second node and/or a second device, and wherein, in response to the confirmation transaction of performance of the first control instruction, the distributed database system conveys a second control transaction with a second control instruction to the second node and/or the second device;
storing a task data record of a specific task including the first control instruction and the second control instruction, wherein
the task data record is assigned to the distributed database system;

assigning a validity data record for the distributed database system;

wherein
all transactions comprise data for performing the specific task,
the validity data record indicates a period and/or a time up to which at least one function can be carried out, wherein
the period is a life of a device or field device,
the period is a performance time for at least one of an instruction sequence, a maintenance action and a control action of a device or field device, and/or
a device or field device is replaced at the time.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first distributed database system is sealed after the period and/or the time expires.

Assignees

• Siemens Ag

Inventors

• Jetzfellner Thomas

Classifications

• H04L9/3239

  involving non-keyed hash functions, e.g. modification detection codes [MDCs], MD5, SHA or RIPEMD · CPC title

• G06F21/64

  Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures · CPC title

• G05B2219/25057

  Configuration stored in distributed database for real time use · CPC title

• G06F16/27 Primary

  Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor · CPC title

• G06F21/62

  Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules · CPC title