DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ITERATIVE AND INTERACTIVE PROJECTION OF AN I / O STATION FOR AN AUTOMATION CONTROL SYSTEM

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to systems for the construction of an I / O station.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a device and a method for the iterative and interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system. Technical background

[0003] Well-known software systems for building modular I / O systems, such as the TIA Selection Tool or the bus configurator in PLCnext Engineer, are limited to compliance with rules and dependencies in order to check a complete, error-free setup of the I / O station with regard to the components required for the station's construction.

[0004] However, in these software tools, the selection of the components to be used for the construction of the I / O station is always made by the user of the software, e.g. by selecting the component to be used from a correspondingly displayed product catalog, preferably in a tree-oriented view.

[0005] To facilitate mass input, the number of components to be inserted or the number of channels required to connect the peripherals can be specified here, if necessary.

[0006] US 2017 / 0364045 A1 describes a procedure for configuring a programmable IO controller and searching for connectable IO modules. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device and an improved method for designing an I / O station for an automation control system.

[0008] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments and embodiments can be found in the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures in the drawings.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for iterative and interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system, wherein the device comprises a selection device, a database device, a configuration device and a display device.

[0010] The selection device is designed to determine a selection of signals for the I / O station in the form of signal data and planning data for the I / O station based on user input.

[0011] The database setup is designed to provide property data for a wide variety of I / O devices.

[0012] The configuration device is designed to determine a system configuration for the I / O station based on the signal data, the planning data and the property data, which includes at least one I / O device from the multitude of I / O devices, wherein the configuration device is further designed to perform a technical check of specific setup rules of the respective I / O station of the system configuration and, in the event of failure of the technical check, to change the system configuration.

[0013] The display unit is designed to show the system configuration for the I / O station.

[0014] The present invention enables a user to be interactively and thus particularly productively supported in an iterative process during the design of a modular I / O station – the design includes, for example, the assembly and configuration. This involves generating a possible implementation of the overall system of the modular I / O station from a multitude of I / O modules solely by selecting and describing the I / O signals to be connected to the I / O station, without the user needing any prior knowledge of the I / O devices and their characteristics.

[0015] The planned I / O station is used, for example, in the environment of industrial controls, such as automation controls or programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which serve to automate machine or process engineering operations.

[0016] The interactive support of the tool is designed in such a way that the tool can determine a working solution with just a few simple pieces of information from the user and visualize it directly, for example immediately after the data entry.

[0017] For example, the tool assumes typical values ​​for those parameters that the user has not yet specified, thus supplementing the user's information.

[0018] In the visualized solution, the tool displays all previously entered and, if applicable, added parameters of the I / O station, thereby prompting the user to further specify their information by changing and adjusting the values ​​of the added parameters according to their requirements.

[0019] For example, the tool directly acknowledges any additional information provided by the user by revising and / or recalculating the I / O station, thus supporting the user in iteratively and interactively adapting the I / O station more specifically to their application.

[0020] In other words, the present invention makes it possible to guide the user iteratively and interactively to an I / O station better adapted to the application - the adapted I / O station represents the customer-specific solution for his specific plant requirements.

[0021] The present invention advantageously enables direct processing and renewed display of the modified station setup in response to user input.

[0022] The present invention therefore comprises the input-accompanying structural checks of the setup rules of the I / O system, e.g. current calculations or infrastructure components are continuously checked during the creation of the station setup.

[0023] The present invention further comprises output-supported and user-interaction-based structural testing of the I / O system's configuration rules.

[0024] The present invention advantageously enables direct feedback to the user regarding the projected I / O signals during data input and / or data output.

[0025] The present invention advantageously makes it possible to define the specific connection scenario of the connected peripherals - sensors, actuators or processing units - by means of different types of I / O signals.

[0026] In other words, the present invention makes it possible to generate and complete the specific station setup already during the initial data input in order to accelerate the planning of the system, so that a device selection made directly influences the selection of I / O signals.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0028] The selection system is designed to process user input as an interactive data entry.

[0029] The configuration device is designed to repeatedly determine a working solution for the I / O station during user input – for example, via a programming loop, triggered by user input, or continuously. This advantageously enables an iterative interaction process with the user.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the selection device is further configured to supplement parameters not specified by the data input with additional parameters – also referred to as default parameters. These additional parameters are default values ​​with values ​​typical for the respective application. This enables a functional solution to be found immediately for every user interaction.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the display device is further configured to display the default parameters added for user selection.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the user input in the form of interactive data input supports a multitude of individual data changes.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the configuration device is designed to perform a revision of the system configuration for the I / O station after each individual data change.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the database device is further configured to provide property data for a variety of sensor devices, actuator devices, switching devices, amplifier devices, control devices, interface devices, or bus coupling devices.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the configuration device is further configured to determine the I / O station which comprises at least one I / O device or switching device or amplifier device or control device or interface device or bus coupling device from the plurality of I / O devices, switching devices, amplifier devices, control devices, interface devices or bus coupling devices.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the property data of an I / O device matches at least one connection scenario of a signal type from the plurality of I / O devices.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the signal data of a connection scenario to at least one signal type from the multitude of signal types offered match the property data of an I / O device.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the configuration device is designed to determine the system configuration for the I / O station based on a comparison of the property data of the connection scenarios selected by the user for an I / O station with the property data of the I / O devices.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the selection device is further configured to define basic setting data and / or framework data of the I / O station for the specific system configuration of the I / O station.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the basic setting data of the I / O station is defined by the selection device as a control type, a performance class, a programming system.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the following are defined as framework data for the I / O station: the temperature range for the operation of the I / O station, a dimensional range for the construction of the I / O station, a humidity range for the operation of the I / O station, a mass range for the construction of the I / O station, a voltage range or a current range for the connection of the I / O station, and the required approvals for the selection of the devices by the selection body.

[0042] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for the iterative and interactive design of an I / O station for the automation control of an article is provided, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: As a first step of the method, a selection of signals for the I / O station is determined in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I / O station based on user input by means of a selection device.

[0043] As a second step in the process, property data for a large number of I / O devices is provided via a database system. As a third step, a system configuration for the I / O station is determined based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data using a configuration system. This system configuration includes at least one I / O device from the large number of I / O devices. Furthermore, the configuration system performs a technical check of the specific setup rules of the respective I / O station within the system configuration. If the technical check fails, the system configuration is modified.

[0044] As a fourth step in the procedure, the system configuration for the I / O station is displayed using a display device.

[0045] The method of the present invention advantageously enables the interactively guided simulation of I / O stations in the planning process of the automation equipment of a plant, machine or process engineering facility.

[0046] When user input is performed as an interactive data entry by the selection device, and during user input a working solution for the I / O station is determined by the configuration device.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that unspecified parameters are added by the user's data input and assigned default values ​​by the selection device, and the values ​​of all parameters are displayed by the display device.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the user input in the form of interactive data input comprises a multitude of individual data changes and that after each individual data change, a revision of the system configuration for the I / O station is carried out by the configuration device.

[0049] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the property data for a plurality of sensor devices, actuator devices, switching devices, amplifier devices, control devices, interface devices, or bus coupling devices are provided by the database device.

[0050] In a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program or computer program product is provided, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to perform the steps of the method for iterative and interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0051] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable (storage) medium is provided, comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to perform the steps of the method for iterative and interactive projecting of an I / O station for an automation control system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0052] The described configurations and training programs can be combined in any way desired.

[0053] Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the present invention also include combinations of features of the present invention described previously or subsequently with regard to the embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned.

[0054] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments and serve, in connection with the description, to explain concepts of the present invention.

[0056] Other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages become apparent with regard to the figures in the drawings. The elements depicted in the figures in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Brief description of the characters

[0057] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a device for the iterative and / or interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a flowchart of a method for the iterative and / or interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a process visualization of a method for the iterative and / or interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the exemplary implementations

[0058] In the figures of the drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical or functionally equivalent elements, components, parts or process steps, unless otherwise stated.

[0059] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for iterative and / or interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The device 100 comprises a selection device 110, a database device 120, a configuration device 130, and a display device 140.

[0061] The device 100 is designed to provide interactive and therefore particularly productive support to a user in the design of a modular I / O station using an iterative approach.

[0062] Device 100 is designed to continuously recalculate and display the project design, i.e., the compilation and layout, simultaneously with data input. This is achieved through a constant update of the calculated and displayed modular structure of the I / O station; the respective system configuration can also be described as a solution to the system requirements specified by the user.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided, for example, that the I / O station is used in the environment of industrial control systems (programmable logic controllers, abbreviated PLC) which serve to automate machine or process engineering operations.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interactive support of the device 100 is designed such that the user interface determines a working solution even with minimal input from the user and visualizes it directly, in a timely manner, i.e. immediately after the input, on a graphical user interface.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 is further configured to assume typical parameter values ​​for the I / O station's configuration for additional parameters that the user has not yet specified. The assumed parameter values ​​can be adapted to other parameters that have already been entered.

[0066] The device 100 comprises a display unit 140, which is designed to display the parameters and, if necessary, to prompt the user to specify further parameters by means of hints and to specify them further by means of a further user input in response to the hint.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 is configured to respond directly to any additional information provided by the user by revising or recalculating the I / O station in the form of an updated solution. This helps the user to adapt the I / O station more and more specifically to their application.

[0068] Furthermore, the device 100 is designed, for example, to guide the user iteratively to an I / O station or solution that is better adapted to the application step by step.

[0069] The selection device 110 is designed to specify a selection of signals for the I / O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I / O station based on user input.

[0070] The Database Facility 120 is designed to provide property data for a wide variety of I / O devices and I / O systems.

[0071] The configuration unit 130 is designed to determine a system configuration for the I / O station based on the signal data, the planning data and the property data, which includes at least one I / O device from the multitude of I / O devices.

[0072] The configuration unit 130 is designed to perform a technical check of the specific setup rules of the respective I / O system of the system configuration and, in the event of failure of the technical check, to change the system configuration.

[0073] The technical review of the specific setup rules of the respective I / O system includes, for example, resetting the values ​​of the planning and property data if a technically correct implementation of the entered planning and property data is not possible.

[0074] The display unit 140 is designed to display the system configuration for the I / O station.

[0075] The device 100 makes it possible to provide product selection as a functionality, which enables every user, even without special prior knowledge, to use the respective product portfolio in order to build a functional system configuration in accordance with the respective systemic project planning rules.

[0076] The device 100 enables the integrated use of selection via types of I / O signals and the user's own manual selection of devices.

[0077] The device 100 enables the inputs and displays relevant to a user when creating an I / O station to be integrated into a user interface, even if these take place in separate processing steps.

[0078] The device 100 enables, via an integrated user interface, that every reaction of the system to a user interaction is immediately visible to the user.

[0079] The Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a flowchart of a method for the iterative and / or interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] As a first procedural step, a selection of signals for the I / O station is determined S1 in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I / O station based on user input via a selection device.

[0081] As a second process step, S2 property data is provided for a large number of I / O devices and I / O systems by means of a database setup.

[0082] As a third procedural step, a system configuration S3 for the I / O station is determined based on the signal data, the planning data and the property data by means of a configuration device, wherein the system configuration includes at least one I / O device from the multitude of I / O devices, wherein a technical check of the specific setup rules of the respective I / O system of the system configuration is carried out by the configuration device and in the event of failure of the technical check the system configuration is changed.

[0083] As a fourth procedural step, the system configuration S4 for the I / O station is displayed using a display device.

[0084] The Fig. 3shows the interacting processes between the selection unit 110, the database unit 120 and the display unit 140, with the configuration unit also contributing to changing the system configuration.

[0085] The method for iterative and / or interactive design of an I / O station for an automation control system is a software tool whose core function is to support the design of I / O stations as part of the automation of a plant, machine or property.

[0086] Users of the tool are therefore individuals with in-depth knowledge of automation technology on the one hand, and of the functions or processes to be automated on the other. However, these users predominantly have only limited knowledge of the automation components, particularly their specific configuration, individual functions, and the systemic design rules for building a concrete I / O station from its individual components.

[0087] The primary function of an I / O station is to connect the sensors and actuators of a plant, machine, or property to the respective automation system. Therefore, the starting point for designing an I / O station using this method is the signals from the sensors to be monitored and the actuators to be controlled, which are to be connected via the I / O station.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, it can also be specified here which network or fieldbus system the station is connected to, or whether the station itself is to be designed as a controller.

[0089] A signal type is defined by a set of attributes; an example is the signal "binary input signal - 24 V DC, + switching".

[0090] Based on this planning information, the process independently determines the products that are functionally and price-wise the best fit for the task described above and then uses these components to create a technically correct station setup.

[0091] The resulting station setup is thus a representation or translation of the described tasks from the customer application to be designed. The procedure visualizes this for the user by comparing the designed signals of the sensors and actuators, as well as the resulting selection of components, in a station setup designed according to the project rules.

[0092] If the user selects devices based on their knowledge and inserts them into the station setup in order to rework, supplement, or completely customize a generated station, the process generates corresponding signals on the side of the sensors / actuators to be connected, which in turn represent the project information for these manually selected devices.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal serves as the central reference object for calculating the station setup. An example of this is a temperature sensor that is connected to an automation system via the signal type "analog input" - this relationship between the temperature sensor on the one hand and the analog input on the other is referred to as the connection scenario.

[0094] The connection scenario describes the context of the specific task, e.g., measuring the temperature of a liquid in a tank. The attributes of a signal type define a set of characteristic properties for identifying a connection scenario.

[0095] The connection scenario is therefore very specific and can only be meaningfully named with knowledge of the respective application. The signal identifier can be used for this purpose, i.e., specifically overwritten. Example element for the attributes of a signal type: Attribute

[0096] I / O function read-only Connection Technology read-only Logic read-only signal read-only InputCharacteristic - Surge Resistant read-only SensorCurrent -

[0097] The read-only properties are used to determine a specific connection scenario via its characteristic values. The one in the Fig. 3 The displayed area visualizes the determined structure of the connection scenario for the user in a schematic representation.

[0098] For each selected connection scenario, a characteristic sensor / actuator symbol is displayed in the screen area for user visualization. A connection scenario describes the entire path from the sensor / actuator in the machine, system, or facility to the connections and terminals of the I / O module and its associated I / O function. This relationship is represented by the sensor / actuator symbol.

[0099] The procedure offers the user all available connection scenarios for configuring signals. All displayed connection scenarios are technically feasible.

[0100] A connection scenario defines a specific implementation of a signal. The possible connection scenarios for a signal are the variants that the user can utilize when designing an I / O station.

[0101] The connection scenario describes specifically how the signal from a sensor or actuator is connected to a device in the I / O station from the perspective of electrical design.

[0102] The procedure offers the user, for example, various options, including variants, for how the connection of a signal can be implemented.

[0103] The core function is the design of an I / O station. This is done by defining the signals required at this point in a machine, system, or property to connect the sensors and actuators to the I / O station.

[0104] After selecting the option to create a new project on the start screen, the process switches directly to the station view. The station view is the workspace for planning and editing an I / O station; that is, it provides an input and output interface for basic settings and framework data of the I / O station. A single project can contain multiple stations.

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present invention, tool-guided planning of an I / O station is performed. The definition of the connection scenarios usable for the project planning is stored in a common database of the database system, encompassing all I / O stations. This database contains a multitude of connection scenarios as templates with which the user can describe the signals to be connected to an I / O station.

[0106] The user is only offered connection scenarios as templates for which devices are available based on the current settings for this station. Each connection scenario stands alone with its own attributes; there is no hierarchy or other form of dependency between the connection scenarios.

[0107] It should also be noted that "comprehensive" and "include" do not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude.

Claims

1. Device (100) for iterative and interactive project planning of an I / O station for an automation control system, wherein the device (100) comprises: - a selection device (110) configured to determine a selection of signals for the I / O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I / O station based on a user input; - a database device (120) configured to provide property data for a plurality of I / O devices; - a configuration device (130) configured to determine a system configuration for the I / O station based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data, which configuration comprises at least one I / O device from the plurality of I / O devices, wherein the configuration device (130) is further configured to perform a technical check of specific setup rules of the respective I / O stations of the system configuration and, in the event of a failure of the technical check, to change the system configuration; and - a display device (140) configured to display the system configuration for the I / O station; wherein the selection device (110) is configured to perform interactive data input as the user input, and wherein the configuration device (130) is configured to determine a functioning solution for the I / O station during the user input; wherein the property data further comprises at least one I / O function of one I / O device from the plurality of I / O devices; and wherein the signal data further comprises at least one I / O function of the signals.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the selection device (110) is further configured to supplement parameters not specified by the data input with default parameters, and wherein the display device (140) is further configured to display the values of all parameters.

3. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the user input in the form of interactive data input comprises a plurality of individual data changes and wherein the configuration device (130) is configured to perform a revision of the system configuration for the I / O station after each individual data change.

4. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the database device (120) is further configured to provide property data for a plurality of sensor devices, actuator devices, switching devices, amplifier devices, control devices, interface devices, or bus coupling devices.

5. Device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the configuration device (130) is further configured to determine the I / O station, which comprises at least one I / O device or a switching device or an amplifier device or a control device or an interface device or a bus coupling device from the plurality of I / O devices, switching devices, amplifier devices, control devices, interface devices, or bus coupling devices.

6. Device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the configuration device (130) is configured to determine the system configuration for the I / O station based on a comparison of the property data of connection scenarios selected by the user for an I / O station with the property data of the I / O devices.

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the selection device (110) is further configured to define basic setting data for the I / O station for the determined system configuration of the I / O station.

8. Device (100) according to claim 7, wherein a control type, a performance class, and a programming system are specified by the selection device (110) as basic setting data for the I / O station.

9. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the selection device (110) is further configured to define boundary condition data for the I / O station for the specific system configuration of the I / O station.

10. Device (100) according to claim 9, wherein as boundary condition data of the I / O stateion a temperature range for the operation of the I / O station, a dimensional range for the construction of the I / O station, a humidity range for the operation of the I / O station, a mass range for the construction of the I / O station, a voltage range or a current range for connecting the I / O station, and required approvals for the selection of devices by the selection device (110) are specified.

11. Method for the iterative and interactive project planning of an I / O station for an automation control system, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: - defining (S1) a selection of signals for the I / O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I / O station based on user input by means of a selection device; - providing (S2) property data for a plurality of I / O devices by means of a database device; - determining (S3) a system configuration for the I / O station based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data by means of a configuration device, wherein the system configuration comprises at least one I / O device from the plurality of I / O devices, wherein a further technical check of specific setup rules of the respective I / O stations of the system configuration is performed by the configuration device and, in the event of a failure of the technical check, the system configuration is changed; and - displaying (S4) the system configuration for the I / O station by means of a display device; wherein the user input is guided in the form of interactive data input by the selection device, and wherein during the user input a functioning solution for the I / O station is determined by the configuration device; wherein the property data further comprises at least one I / O function of one I / O device from the plurality of I / O devices; and / or wherein the signal data further comprise at least one I / O function of the signals.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein parameters not specified by the data input are supplemented by the selection device and assigned default values, and all parameters are displayed by the display device.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 12, wherein the user input in the form of interactive data input comprises a plurality of individual data changes and, after each individual data change, a revision of the system configuration for the I / O station is performed by the configuration device.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 13, wherein the property data for a plurality of sensor devices, actuator devices, switching devices, amplifier devices, control devices, interface devices, and bus coupling devices are provided by the database device.