Interface Component and Network

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The patent describes an interface component designed for distributed components in a network, particularly in industrial process chains. Each interface component includes a processor that determines the state of a local process model (digital twin) using both internal component parameters and external data from connected components. These components exchange information with each other—such as gradients and cost functions—enabling decentralized monitoring, data fusion, optimization, and machine learning across the entire network without requiring centralized data sharing or exposing proprietary information. This approach allows for decentralized optimization of process chains, such as manufacturing or sorting systems, potentially spanning different companies or industries.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Optimizing production lines in factories with distributed equipment from multiple vendors.
• Improving efficiency and lowering emissions in supply chains that span several companies or industrial sectors.
• Enabling predictive maintenance in industrial plants by detecting deviations from digital twin models.
• Implementing decentralized machine learning in industrial automation.
• Material sorting plants where each machine can adapt its behavior based on the state of upstream and downstream equipment.
• Integrating legacy industrial systems into modern, data-driven optimization processes.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables cross-company and cross-sector process optimization while keeping sensitive business data private.
• Supports decentralized machine learning and optimization without a central authority.
• Digital twins for each component improve monitoring, simulation, and predictive maintenance.
• Reduces overall costs and emissions (e.g., energy, CO2) by optimizing process chains globally and locally.
• Modular and scalable—can be added to existing industrial plants and processes.
• Facilitates continuous adaptation to changing operational conditions and system wear.
• Improves robustness and resilience of industrial networks by decentralizing decision-making and data storage.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an interface component (10) of a distributed component (20a, 20b, 20c) of a network, wherein the network has a plurality of distributed components (20a, 20b, 20c) each with an interface component (10), wherein the interface component (10) has the following features: a processor (16) which is designed to determine a state (16z) of a decentral process model (16p) belonging to the respective distributed component (20a, 20b, 20c); a communication interface (12) which is designed to exchange external data (12d) for the process model (16p) belonging to a further distributed component (20a, 20b, 20c) of the plurality of distributed components (20a, 20b, 20c); an internal interface (14) which is designed to receive component parameters for the process model (16p) belonging to the distributed component (20a, 20b, 20c); wherein the state (16z) is determined based on the component parameters and/or the incoming external data (12d).