DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CREATING A WEB-BASED SIDE FOR AN OPERATOR DEVICE AS A HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE

Abstract

Device (40) for creating a web-based page (32) for an operating device (30) as a human-machine interface, with an arrangement device (44) for arranging at least one graphic element (61) on the web-based page (32) in response to an input by means of a graphic processing unit (50), and a connection device (45) for generating a communication connection (33) of the at least one graphic element (61) to the control unit (10) of the machine (1) in response to an input by means of the graphic processing unit (50), further comprising an export device (46) for exporting the web-based page (32) to the control unit (10) and storing the web-based page (32) in the control unit (10) such that the web-based page (32) can be accessed by the control unit (10) by means of an operating device (30) and can be displayed for controlling the control unit (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for creating a web-based page for an operating device as a human-machine interface.

[0002] Today, machines are usually controlled by a control unit for controlling machine components such as drives, valves, etc., and / or an operator panel. An operator panel can be used to control the machine or a part of the machine. Such an operator panel is also called a human-machine interface (HMI). Human-machine interfaces are sometimes designed as control panels with switches and / or buttons and / or displays, or as stationary screens.

[0003] DE 10 2006 025 747 A1 shows an automated system for controlling textile machines, in which one or more HMI units are used.

[0004] US 2008 / 0162671 A1 describes human-machine interface devices that are connected to a controllable device, whereby the interfaces can be adapted and changed by a connected configuration station.

[0005] Currently, the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, as human-machine interfaces (HMIs) is being considered. However, machine manufacturers generally do not yet support these mobile devices as HMIs. This means that stationary HMI applications cannot run on these mobile devices. WinStudio or IndraLogic Webvisu, based on Java applets, are not suitable for the mobile browsers currently used by mobile devices. To date, existing solutions are tied to a specific operating system and usually require installation on the target platform.

[0006] One solution to this problem is to program a custom solution for a mobile device. However, such a custom solution is very expensive.

[0007] Another problem is that the available graphical editing tools, also called graphical editors, are only partially suitable in this context. This prevents the human-machine interface from being configured as desired or necessary.

[0008] Another disadvantage is that a currently available solution, for example a web-based diagnostic tool, cannot be extended by a DEM. This reduces the DEM's acceptance of the machine, which initially makes selling and / or operating the machine significantly more difficult.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for creating a web-based page for an operator device as a human-machine interface, with which the aforementioned problems can be solved. In particular, a device and a method for creating a web-based page for an operator device as a human-machine interface is to be provided, with which the creation of a target-platform-independent development environment for stationary and mobile visualization devices based on modern web technologies, including communication connectivity to the machine's control hardware, is to be made possible.

[0010] This problem is solved by a device for creating a web-based page for an operating device as a human-machine interface according to claim 1. The device comprises an arrangement device for arranging at least one graphic element on the web-based page in response to input via a graphic processing unit, and a connection device for generating a communication link between the at least one graphic element and the control unit of the machine in response to input via the graphic processing unit.

[0011] The device described above provides a target-platform-independent development environment for stationary and / or mobile visualization devices, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, laptops, personal computers (PCs), etc., based on modern web technologies, including communication links to the control system, particularly to the control hardware of the machine. The graphical processing unit is designed so that the human-machine interface can be configured as desired or required.

[0012] The device forms a modular human-machine interface (HMI) system with which web-based human-machine interface pages (HMI pages) can be created via a graphical editing unit, which can also be called a graphical editor. In particular, the device creates a browser-based human-machine interface (HMI).

[0013] The device can be implemented as software in the form of a computer program. In this case, no software installation is required at the human-machine interface. The software can be installed on the machine's control unit or on an external server, etc.

[0014] The applications created with the previously described device will remain functional in the future because platform-independent human-machine interface (HMI) development based on open web standards is employed. Specifically, the page is written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), with a communication link to the machine's control unit to display machine processes on the page. This eliminates the need for a Java applet, which is unsuitable for browsers on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

[0015] The development, which can also be called engineering, and the application take place within a domain, such as browser, web or internet, intranet or local network, or similar.

[0016] The device is a development tool, which can also be called an engineering tool, for creating HTML pages for use in the environment of a machine.

[0017] Advantageous further embodiments of the device are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0018] The arrangement device can be designed to arrange at least one graphic element on the web-based page in response to a drag-and-drop input using the graphical editing unit.

[0019] The device may also include a creation device for generating a graphic element for the web-based page.

[0020] The device may also include an access device for accessing a storage device in which at least one graphic element for the web-based page is stored.

[0021] Furthermore, the device may also include a processing unit for editing a graphic element created by the creation unit or provided by the access unit for the web-based page.

[0022] It is possible for the graphical processing unit to be operated via an input unit in the form of a touch-sensitive screen. The arrangement device and the connection device can be designed to respond to input via the touch-sensitive screen.

[0023] The graphic processing unit can be part of the machine's control unit.

[0024] Preferably, the web-based page, which serves as the human-machine interface for the operating device, is platform-independent.

[0025] The problem is further solved by a method for creating a web-based page for an operating device as a human-machine interface according to claim 9. The method comprises the steps of: arranging, with an arrangement device, at least one graphic element on the web-based page in response to input via a graphic processing unit, and generating, with a connection device, a communication connection of the at least one graphic element to the control unit of the machine in response to input via the graphic processing unit.

[0026] The method achieves the same advantages as previously mentioned in relation to the device.

[0027] Advantageous further embodiments of the method are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0028] The process may also include the following steps: creating, with a creation device, a graphic element for the web-based page, and / or accessing a storage device in which at least one pre-made graphic element for the web-based page is stored, and / or editing, with an editing device, a graphic element for the web-based page created in the creation step or provided in the access step.

[0029] Other possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0030] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing and by means of exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a simplified block diagram of a machine with a device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a more detailed block diagram of the device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 a view of a web-based page created with the device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 4 a flowchart of a procedure for creating a web-based page of a human-machine interface according to the first embodiment; and Fig. 5 a flowchart of a procedure for creating a web-based page of a human-machine interface according to a second embodiment.

[0031] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise specified.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a machine 1 in which a communication line 5 connects a control unit 10, a machine element 20 (such as a drive unit, a mixing container, etc.), an operator panel 30 (designed here as a mobile operator panel), a fixture 40, and a graphic processing unit 50. The control unit 10 has a storage unit 11. The operator panel 30 has a display 31 in the form of a touchscreen and is connected via a wireless connection 35 to the communication line 5 and thus to the control unit 10, the machine element 20, the fixture 40, and the graphic processing unit 50. A web-based page 32 with a communication link 33 to the control unit 10 of the machine 1 is displayed on the display 31.The web-based page 32 with the communication connection 33 was previously created with the device 40 using the graphic processing unit 50 and its input device 51, as described in more detail below.

[0033] The communication line 5 can be a local data network, an intranet, the internet, etc. The communication line 5 can be wired or wireless. The operating device 30 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, etc., i.e., a mobile visualization device. The machine element 20 is a part of the machine 1 that executes a process based on a control signal from the control unit 10.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows in more detail the structure of the device 40, which is connected to the graphic processing unit 50 and a storage device 60.

[0035] In Fig. 2 The device 40 comprises an access device 41, a creation device 42, a processing device 43, an arrangement device 44, a connection device 45 and an export device 46.

[0036] In Fig. 2. Access device 41 can access storage device 60, in which several highly schematic graphic elements 61 for a web-based page of machine 1 are stored. "Access" in this case includes storing a graphic element 61 in storage device 60 or retrieving a graphic element 61 from storage device 60. The graphic elements 61 are created, for example, using HTML (HyperText Markup Language).

[0037] The creation device 42 in Fig. 2 can create a graphic element 61 for the web-based page 32 of the operating device 30, so that it can be used as a human-machine interface for operating the machine 1 by a person, who can also be referred to as an operator or user. After its creation, the graphic element 61 can be stored in the storage device 60 using the access device 41. The graphic element 61 can also be called a human-machine interface element.

[0038] The processing facility 43 in Fig. 2 can process a graphic element 61. Here, the graphic element 61 is a graphic element that is already stored in the memory device 60 and, after processing by the processing device 43, can be stored in the memory device 60 as a further or new graphic element 61. The processing device 43 performs the processing in response to user input using the graphic processing unit 50. Its input device 51 can, in particular, be a touch-sensitive screen, which can also be called a touch panel. However, the input device 51 can also be a mouse and / or a keyboard and / or include these in addition to the touch-sensitive screen. The graphic processing unit 50 is specifically designed to dynamically modify the graphic elements 61 during the runtime of the machine 1 with regard to, for example, shape, color, size, etc.for websites. Here, the dynamic changes of the graphic elements 61 are parameterized and not programmed, as in relation to . Fig. 4 explained in more detail.

[0039] The ordering facility 44 in Fig. 2 serves to arrange the graphic elements 61 on the web-based page 32 to be created with the device 40. The arrangement device 44 performs the arrangement in response to input via the input device 51 of the graphic processing unit 50. The input can be made, in particular, by touching, for example pressing, etc., a touch-sensitive screen as the input device 51.

[0040] The connecting facility 45 in Fig. 2 creates a communication link 33 of the graphic elements 61 to the control unit 10 of the machine 1, if this is required for the web-based page 32.

[0041] With the export facility 46 in Fig. 2. The web-based page 32 created by the creation device 42 or edited by the processing device 43 can be exported from the device 40 to the control unit 10 and stored in its storage device 11. This allows the operator panel 30 to access the web-based page 32 as needed and display it on its display device 31.

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a web-based page 32 created with the device 40, containing five graphic elements 61. Four of the graphic elements 61 on the web-based page 32 have a communication connection 33 to the control unit 10. Only the graphic element 61 in the upper left corner of the web-based page 32 does not have a communication connection 33. The web-based page 32 can be accessed with the operator panel 32 and displayed on its display unit 31, as shown in Fig. 1 shown. However, the code for the web-based page 32 is still stored, for example, in the storage device 11 of the control unit 10, a hard drive, or another suitable location.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows the operation of the device 40 by means of the method it performs to create a web-based page 32 of a human-machine interface, which can be formed by the operating device 30. The device 40 can, for example, be a development personal computer, which can also be called an engineering PC.

[0044] After the process begins, step S1 accesses the internet address of control unit 10 in the browser. For example, url: / / 192.168.1.2 / WebEngineering / index.html is accessed. The process then continues to step S2.

[0045] Step S2 checks whether an existing graphic element 61, stored in memory location 60, should be edited, or whether a new graphic element 61 should be created. If the answer at step S2 is YES, the flow continues to step S3. However, if the answer at step S2 is NO, the flow continues to step S5.

[0046] In step S3, the access device 41 accesses the storage device 60 and provides the processing device 43 with a graphical element 61 for processing. The flow then continues to step S4.

[0047] In step S4, the processing unit 43 processes the graphical element 61 provided by the access unit 41 based on user input at the input unit 51 of the graphical processing unit 50. The flow then proceeds to step S6.

[0048] In step S5, the creation unit 42 creates a new graphic element 61 based on inputs at the operator panel 30 using the graphic processing unit 31. The flow then continues to step S6.

[0049] In step S6, the arrangement unit 44 positions the edited or newly created graphic element 61 on the web-based page 32. This can be done, in particular, by dragging and dropping, also known as drag and drop, using the graphic editing unit 50 or via a corresponding input at its input unit 51. The flow then continues to step S7.

[0050] In step S7, the connection device 45 links the arranged graphic elements 61 to the control unit 10 of machine 1. For this purpose, the connection device 45 establishes a communication link 33 between the graphic element(s) 61 and the control unit 10 of machine 1 in response to an input via the input device 51 of the graphic processing unit 50. Here, for example, a parameter name and / or a PLC variable (PLC = Programmable Logic Controller) can be specified in the properties dialog of the selected control unit 10. This allows a subsequent process sequence at machine 1, such as a movement or temperature change of the machine element 20, etc., to be displayed on the web-based page 32 and thus on the display device 31 of the operator panel 30.The connection device 45 establishes the communication link 33 between the graphic element(s) 61 and the control unit 10 of the machine 1 such that the parameter name and / or the PLC variable, which are integrated into the platform-independent web-based page 32 at a predetermined graphic element 61, is readable by the control unit 10 when the web-based page 32 is displayed on the operator panel 30. JavaScript can be used for this purpose. The control unit 10 can then, for example, write the changed value to the graphic element 61 at the designated location when the value of the associated parameter and / or PLC variable changes during the operation of the machine 1. Alternatively, the control unit 10 can also change the parameter and / or PLC variable cyclically. The cycle duration for this change can be selected depending on the application. In particular, a cycle duration in the range of seconds or microseconds, etc., is possible.possible. The communication interface 33 is also designed in such a way that, depending on the value for the parameter and / or the PLC variable, the shape, color, size, etc. of the graphic element 61 can change. The flow then continues to step S8.

[0051] In step S8, the export unit 46 exports the created web-based page 32 for storage. This storage can take place in the storage unit 11 of the control unit 10. The procedure then ends.

[0052] Fig. Figure 5 shows a method for creating a web-based page 32 of a human-machine interface according to a second embodiment, which can be executed by the device 40. Otherwise, the machine 1 is constructed in the same way as described in the first embodiment.

[0053] After the process begins, in step S10 a program executable by the device 40 is downloaded from the website, which is accessible, for example, at url: / / 192.168.1.2 / WebEngineering / index.html. The program may, for example, be provided as a ZIP file. The process then proceeds to step S11.

[0054] In step S11, the program is prepared for execution at device 40. If the program was provided as a ZIP file, it is extracted. Otherwise, the program can be saved to the designated location at device 40, and so on. The process then continues to step S12.

[0055] In step S12, the device 40 opens the program in the browser. The flow then continues to the routine from step S1 to step S5 of the first embodiment, in which the graphical elements 61 are processed and / or created, as previously described in the first embodiment. The flow then continues to step S13.

[0056] In step S13, the graphic elements 61 are uploaded to the control unit 10, for example via FTP, etc., and stored in the storage device 11. Step S13 corresponds to steps S6 and S7 of the first embodiment, since here too the graphic elements 61 are arranged on the web-based page 32 and a communication connection 33 is established between the graphic elements 61 and the control unit 10 of the machine 1. The process then ends.

[0057] All previously described configurations of machine 1, device 40, graphic processing unit 50, and method can be used individually or in any possible combination. In particular, all features and / or functions of the previously described embodiments can be combined as desired. Additionally, the following modifications are particularly conceivable.

[0058] The parts shown in the figures are schematic and may differ in their exact design from the forms shown in the figures, as long as their previously described functions are guaranteed.

[0059] The development of the graphic elements 61 is entirely possible via the touch-sensitive screen of the input unit 51. This means that no mouse or keyboard is required. However, it is also possible to use a mouse and / or keyboard in addition.

[0060] The processing unit 43 can process graphic elements 61 that do not yet have an element for a communication connection 33 to the control unit 10. However, the processing unit 43 can also process graphic elements 61 that already have at least one element for a communication connection 33 to the control unit 10, which was created by the connection unit 45. Accordingly, the graphic elements 61 stored in the storage unit 60 can be configured accordingly.

[0061] The web-based page 32 with communication connection 33 can be integrated into an application or app for the operating device 30.

[0062] The number of operator panels (30), and thus human-machine interfaces, as well as the number of machine elements (20) and control units (10), is freely selectable. The operator panel (30) can be mobile or stationary.

[0063] The device 40 and / or the graphic processing unit 50 can also be arranged externally from the machine 1. The device 40 and / or the graphic processing unit 50 can also be part of the control unit 10 of the machine 1.

[0064] The storage device 50 can also be part of the device 40.

[0065] The storage device 11 of the control unit 10 can also be arranged externally from the control unit 10. The storage device 11 can, for example, be a CompactFlash card (CF card).

Claims

[1] Device (40) for creating a web-based page (32) for an operating device (30) as a human-machine interface, with an arrangement device (44) for arranging at least one graphic element (61) on the web-based page (32) in response to an input by means of a graphic processing unit (50), and a connection device (45) for generating a communication connection (33) of the at least one graphic element (61) to the control unit (10) of the machine (1) in response to an input by means of the graphic processing unit (50), further comprising an export device (46) for exporting the web-based page (32) to the control unit (10) and storing the web-based page (32) in the control unit (10) such that the web-based page (32) can be accessed by the control unit (10) by means of an operating device (30) and can be displayed for controlling the control unit (10). [2] Device (40) according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement device (44) for arranging the at least one graphic element (61) on the web-based page (32) in response to a drag-and-drop input using the graphic editing unit (50) is designed. [3] Device (40) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a creation device (42) for creating a graphic element (61) for the web-based page (32). [4] Device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising an access device (41) for accessing a storage device (60) in which at least one graphic element (61) for the web-based page (32) is stored. [5] Device (40) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a processing device (43) for processing a graphic element (61) created by the creation device (42) or provided by the access device (41) for the web-based page (32). [6] Device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic processing unit (50) can be operated by means of an input unit (51) as a touch-sensitive screen, and wherein the arrangement device (44) and the connection device (45) are designed to respond to an input via the touch-sensitive screen. [7] Device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic processing unit (50) is part of the control unit (10) of the machine (1). [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the web-based page (32) is platform-independent. [9] Method for creating a web-based page (32) for an operating device (30) as a human-machine interface, comprising the steps Arranging (S6; S13), with an arrangement device (S44), of at least one graphic element (61) on the web-based page (32) in response to an input by means of a graphic processing unit (50); generating (S7; S13), with a connection device (S45), a communication connection (33) of the at least one graphic element (61) to the control unit (10) of the machine (1) in response to an input by means of the graphic processing unit (50); and exporting the web-based page (32) to the control unit (10) and storing the web-based page (32) in the control unit (10) such that the web-based page (32) can be accessed by the control unit (10) by means of an operator device (30) and can be displayed for controlling the control unit (10). [10] Method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps Create (S5), using a creation device (42), a graphic element (61) for the web-based page (32), and / or access (S3) a storage device (60) in which at least one pre-made graphic element (61) for the web-based page (32) is stored, and / or edit (S4), using an editing device (43), a graphic element (61) for the web-based page (32) created in the creation step (S5) or provided in the access (S3) step.

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