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Interface for connected software applications in an automation environment

An automation and environmental technology, applied in the direction of software deployment, general control system, program loading/starting, etc., can solve problems such as limitations, small companies cannot afford, time-consuming and laborious standardization work, etc.

Active Publication Date: 2021-03-12
SIEMENS AG
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A standardization-heavy approach to defining the type and structure of interfaces between apps can severely limit these benefits
Especially small companies cannot afford the time-consuming and laborious standardization work, and most likely will not choose to participate in standardization-based app development

Method used

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  • Interface for connected software applications in an automation environment
  • Interface for connected software applications in an automation environment
  • Interface for connected software applications in an automation environment

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0018] The systems, methods, and devices described herein relate primarily to the use of apps in environments where automated devices are used. The described technology includes three features that can be present in different combinations in different embodiments. First, each app is associated with an interface definition, which allows the interface definition to communicate with the app and other external resources. This interface definition is uploaded to the app store together with the app. This interface definition can then be used to analyze dependency information in a schedule in which multiple apps work together. Second, interfaces can be used to connect apps to create granular workflows. Connected apps can be used to form a layered system that offers a greater choice of apps due to the offerings in the market, thus providing optimal customer solutions (e.g. different HMIs and optimized controls). Additionally, the modular aspect of the app allows for dynamic modific...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method of executing an app on a production device in an automated environment includes storing a plurality of apps in a runtime environment of the production device. A metadata file is stored for each corresponding app included in the plurality of apps. The metadata file includes an indication of network interfaces available for communication by other apps with the respective app, and an indication of one or more interface dependencies for other network interfaces corresponding to the other apps. Before executing a particular app on a production device, operations are performed to verify that each interface dependency associated with a particular app can be satisfied by multiple apps.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and devices for connecting software applications ("apps") operating in an automated environment. The disclosed technology can be applied, for example, to enable and / or enhance the functionality of software apps on production devices such as programmable logic controllers and field devices. Background technique [0002] An "app" is a modular, ready-to-use software component designed to run on a specific type of platform. For example, many smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices are configured to run mobile apps in operating systems such as Google's Android and Apple's iOS. [0003] With the introduction of powerful programmable logic controllers and other computing devices, there exists the potential to extend the concept of electronics to industrial applications such as factory or manufacturing plant automation. However, the implementation of apps in these domains faces various proble...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(China)
IPC IPC(8): G06F9/445
CPCG06F9/44505G06F9/44521G06F8/61G05B19/056G05B2219/13004G05B2219/13109
Inventor 米娜·阿兹布托马斯·格吕内瓦尔德安德烈亚斯·肖尔茨
Owner SIEMENS AG