DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2006

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A method and system for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine.

APPLICANT
Hindalco Industries Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 whose address is Birla Centurion, 7th floor, Pandurang Budhkar road, Worli, Mumbai 400030, Maharashtra, India.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a method and system for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Currently in industrial set ups, the machines are automated by using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and PLC systems. It is a system of software and hardware elements that allow industrial organizations to monitor, gather, and process real-time data, control industrial processes locally or at remote locations, directly interact with devices, etc.
[003] Scada with PLC system are responsible for controlled machine automation. However, a PLC containing SCADA requires bulky and high-end computer system to run a heavy software. Moreover, it has a limited capacity with no options for intelligence. Also the current system has built in features for Ethernet only, not on wi-fi without adding extra costs. Even for small automation tasks, the system requires huge investment.
[004] Moreover, when data is to be gathered from machines that operate in harsh environments, use of PLCs with SCADA can be difficult and they may require to be cooled down by coolers and enclosed in special cabinets / enclosures, thereby increasing the cost of the system.
[005] Therefore, there is a need of a simple system and method for machine automation that solves some of the problems of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[006] Fig. 1 depicts the system for machine automation, according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
[007] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart showing the method for machine automation using the system of Figure 1, according to the embodiments of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] The present invention provides a system for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine, the system comprising:
the machine configured to perform one or more functions in a predefined manner;
a single board computer (SBC) communicatively coupled to the machine, wherein the SBC is configured to receive one or more commands and perform one or more functions pertaining to automation of the machine based on the one or more commands; and
a data server communicatively coupled to the SBC for data gathering, data analysis, data validation, and report generation corresponding to automation of the machine.
[009] The present invention also provides a method for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine, the method comprising:
receiving one or more commands;
performing one or more functions pertaining to automation of the machine based on the one or more commands; and
gathering, analysing, validating and generating data corresponding to automation of the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[010] The present invention provides a method and system for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine. The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a system that uses a single board computer which runs on a simple software that does not require any bulky hardware or cooling when operated along with machinery with harsh environment. The present system can also operate on Wi-Fi and acquires data faster.
[011] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the system for data acquisition, processing and control automation comprises of a machine configured to perform one or more functions in a predefined manner, a single board computer (SBC) communicatively coupled to the machine, wherein the SBC is configured to receive one or more commands and perform one or more functions pertaining to automation of the machine based on the one or more commands; and a data server communicatively coupled to the SBC for data gathering, data analysis, data validation, and report generation corresponding to automation of the machine.
[012] According to an embodiment, the system comprises of a user interface so as to enable a user to provide data and commands to the SBC. The SBC is configured to receive a schedule of work of the machine from the user interface, acquire data related to the machine based on specific command given by the user, transfer data to the server, and print one or more results simultaneously. Further, there is an operator to manually provide one or more commands to the SBC.
[013] Furthermore, there is a printer for generating a report for storing on the data server, wherein the report is generated when the one or more functions are performed. The machine is connected to the SBC through one of: Ethernet and WiFi.
[014] In an embodiment, when the machine is an overload crane, the SBC is configured to monitor a crane position, and provide one or more instructions to crane to perform one or more tasks based on the crane position.
[015] As more clearly shown in Figure 1, the system comprises of a single board computer connected to a machine through Ethernet or wifi, optionally a user interface, a data server and optionally a printer to generate reports. The present system performs data gathering, data analysis, data validation and report generation. Through the user interface, data can be gathered or commands can be given to the single board computer to automate the machine. In an embodiment, the user interface is not present in the system. In such a case, through software programming, the commands are already fed in the single board computer and the data that is gathered can be directly stored on the data server.
[016] In an embodiment, Raspberry Pi is used as a single board computer. In an embodiment, the single board computer may be programmed such that it is able to perform functions based on intelligence.
[017] The present invention also provides a method for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine, the method comprising receiving one or more commands, performing one or more functions pertaining to automation of the machine based on the one or more commands; and gathering, analysing, validating and generating data corresponding to automation of the machine. One or more commands are received automatically from a user interface and manually from an operator. Moreover, the method further comprising receiving a schedule of work of the machine from the user interface, acquiring data related to the machine based on specific command given by the user, transferring data to the server, and printing one or more results simultaneously.
[018] As shown in Figure 2, wherein a command is received either from a machine or an operator. Based on the software programming and the command, it performs a function and the same can be displayed on the user interface. Once the function is completed, a report is generated that is stored on a data server. In an embodiment, a print can be taken of the generated report.
[019] In an embodiment, based on the software programming on the single board computer, it is able to perform functions based on its own intelligence.
[020] Advantages and benefits of the system and method for machine automation according to the embodiments of the present invention would become more apparent from the below experimental details to a person skilled in the art.
Example 1:
[021] Without User Interface: In industrial process automation, on a schedule basis the system checks for an input trigger and location of overhead crane in plant. With the trigger enable and location detected, it checks with third system whether the crane can perform a certain task, if yes, then permission bit will be given to the crane. The crane can then start required operation. This shows the system is able to acquire data, process information and can control the machine, industrial process. In this example, there was no user interface and system can take action and generate reports after every action.
[022] Observations:
(a) The system acquired input trigger and location of the overhead crane;
(b) Based on the input trigger and location it received, it will call out to another system regarding fulfilment of conditions;
(c) Based on the status received from the third system, it will process information and will send control signal to crane;
(d) The Crane on receiving signal will do as directed.
Example 2:
[023] With User Interface: The machine was an overhead crane. In this example, as there was a user interface, for instance, a screen from which the user could give commands, based on each command fed, the observations were noted.
[024] Observations:
(a) A schedule of work of the machine could be acquired by the system;
(b) Data related to the machine could be acquired by the system based on the specific command given by the user;
(c) The data was transferred to the server; and
(d) The results were printed simultaneously.
[025] The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of the description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present intention to the precise forms disclosed, and obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
[026] It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated without departing from the scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A system for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine, the system comprising:
the machine configured to perform one or more functions in a predefined manner;
a single board computer (SBC) communicatively coupled to the machine, wherein the SBC is configured to receive one or more commands and perform one or more functions pertaining to automation of the machine based on the one or more commands; and
a data server communicatively coupled to the SBC for data gathering, data analysis, data validation, and report generation corresponding to automation of the machine.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface so as to enable a user to provide data and commands to the SBC.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the SBC is configured to receive a schedule of work of the machine from the user interface, acquire data related to the machine based on specific command given by the user, transfer data to the server, and print one or more results simultaneously.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an operator to manually provide one or more commands to the SBC.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a printer for generating a report for storing on the data server, wherein the report is generated when the one or more functions are performed.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine is connected to the SBC through one of: Ethernet and WiFi.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the machine is an overload crane, the SBC is configured to monitor a crane position, and provide one or more instructions to crane to perform one or more tasks based on the crane position.
8. A method for data acquisition, processing and control automation of a machine, the method comprising:
receiving one or more commands;
performing one or more functions pertaining to automation of the machine based on the one or more commands; and
gathering, analysing, validating and generating data corresponding to automation of the machine.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more commands are received automatically from a user interface and manually from an operator.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising receiving a schedule of work of the machine from the user interface, acquiring data related to the machine based on specific command given by the user, transferring data to the server, and printing one or more results simultaneously.
Dated this 30th day of March 2019