Method, system, computer program and computer readable storage medium for generating a graphical user interface for operating at least one industrial device

Abstract

A method for generating a graphical user interface (1) for operating at least one industrial device is specified, comprising - providing a database (2) comprising at least two tables, wherein each table is characteristic for at least one information of the at least one industrial device, - generating the graphical user interface (1) dynamically dependent on the database (2), wherein the generated graphical user interface (1) comprises at least one page with controls, characteristic for the information, with which the at least one industrial device is operated. Further, a system, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are provided.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] METHOD, SYSTEM, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR GENERATING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR OPERATING AT LEAST ONE INDUSTRIAL DEVICE

[0003] A method for generating a graphical user interface for operating at least one industrial device is provided . In addition, a system, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are provided .

[0004] Generally, typical architectures of graphical user interfaces have separate components for each device to be operated even when these devices have a maj ority of same user control . Typically, whenever there is a change request or a bug in a feature which is common to more than one component , all the related components are required to be modi fied which massively multiplies development ef forts . Along with development , a change in common features requires all components to be re-validated which results in increased quality assurance , QA, ef forts .

[0005] An obj ect to be solved is to provide a method for an ef ficient generation of a graphical user interface with which at least one industrial device is operated particular ef fectively . Furthermore , a system and a computer program, which are able to perform such a method, are provided . In addition, a computer readable storage medium with such a computer program is provided .

[0006] The obj ect is solved by the subj ect-matter of the independent claims . Advantageous embodiments , implementations and further developments are the subj ect-matter of the respective dependent claims .

[0007] A method for generating a graphical user interface for operating at least one industrial device is speci fied . For example , the graphical user interface is an interface that allows a user to interact with the industrial device . With the graphical user interface , at least one function of the industrial device can be adj usted and / or monitored, in particular via at least one element comprising at least one of an icon, a button, an input window and / or a menu . In particular, the graphical user interface is visuali zed on a display device of a computer device .

[0008] The industrial device is , for example , a motor control device , in particular a variable frequency device . The variable frequency device is , for example , configured to control a speed and a torque of an electric motor .

[0009] According to at least one embodiment of the method, a database is provided comprising at least two tables , wherein each table is characteristic for at least one information of the at least one industrial device . The at least one information is , for example , characteristic for the operation of the industrial device .

[0010] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the graphical user interface is dynamically generated dependent on the database , wherein the generated graphical user interface comprises at least one page with controls characteristic for the information with which the at least one industrial device is operated . That the graphical user interface is dynamically generated means here and in the following that the graphical user interface is generated automatically in response to a user action or to a data- driven condition, in particular, dependent on the database , rather than being pre-defined or static . In particular, i f the graphical user interface for the industrial device is requested, the graphical user interface is dynamically generated dependent on the information of the at least two tables of the database .

[0011] The at least one page of the generated graphical user interface comprises , in particular, controls , wherein each of the controls are characteristic for one information being represented by at least one of the elements , e . g . the input window . The at least one page of the generated graphical user interface can further comprise at least one information notice of the industrial device , dependent on the database . The information notice indicates , for example , an identi fication of the industrial device such as a type , a name displayed information a location .

[0012] The generated graphical user interface can further comprise a plurality of pages , wherein each page can comprise di f ferent information of the database . This is , exemplarily, that in the dynamically generated graphical user interface , the controls are generated and displayed in real-time based on data retrieved from the database , in particular based on the information of the tables .

[0013] The method described herein above is , exemplarily, performed in the order indicated . The method described herein above is , exemplarily, a computer implemented method . It is conceivable that at least some of the method stages can be performed simultaneously . An idea of the method described herein is , inter alia, to dynamically generate the graphical user interface dependent on the database .

[0014] Advantageously, the graphical user interface adapts dynamically to database values , i . e . the information of the tables , based on a field type (numeric and / or decimal ) rather than a voltage and / or a frequency of the industrial device . This advantageously eliminates a graphical user interface creation dependency on a device type , and thus enabling versatile development for di f ferent industrial devices . Furthermore , issues can be resolved advantageously at the controls , and thus reducing development and validation time for all industrial devices .

[0015] In particular, users are advantageously able to extend support for a new product , in particular a new industrial device , seamlessly . Communication and product speci fic parameters are advantageously configurable with minimal ef forts . Further, the provided method is designed speci fically for applications to configure industrial devices of any type . In particular, the provided method is lightweight , which advantageously requires solely minimum testing .

[0016] Exemplarily, the dynamically generated graphical user interface can comprise a speci fic control mechanism of the corresponding industrial device , being described in detail also below, which advantageously directly enhance the functioning and / or safety of the industrial device via the controls . For instance , the dynamically generated graphical user interface can advantageously simpli fy complex control sequences , reduce a human error, and / or optimi ze the ef ficiency of operating the industrial device . In particular, the controls in the dynamically generated graphical user interface can actively adj ust the operation of the industrial device , such as by altering real-time settings .

[0017] According to at least one embodiment of the method, at least one of the information is validated dependent on the database . In particular, the information can comprise at least one parameter for operating the industrial device and / or a range of the at least one parameter, where the industrial device can be operated . Exemplarily, one of the controls can comprise the information characteristic for the at least one parameter, which corresponds to a default value . I f the information, in particular, the default value in one of the controls is changed the range can be validated .

[0018] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the database is synchroni zed for dynamically adding and / or removing controls , in particular at least one of them, in the at least one page during the dynamic generation of the graphical user interface .

[0019] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the at least two tables comprise a device table characteristic for information of the industrial device and a page table characteristic for information of the graphical user interface .

[0020] Exemplarily, the device table comprises at least one of the following information for the industrial device : a device ID characteristic for a unique identi fication, ID; a name ; an image ; a vendor ; an input voltage ; a frequency; a software version; a firmware version; a slotltype characteristic for a type of a first optional board that can be connected; a slot2type characteristic for a type of a second optional board that can be connected; a supported protocol characteristic for comma separated values of supported connection protocols ; a supported feature characteristic for comma separated values of features like of fline configuration and / or online configuration, comparing data between connected devices , motor control , monitoring features such as a data analyzer and / or an event analyzer .

[0021] Exemplarily, when generating the graphical user interface , dependent on the device table , in particular dependent on the supported protocol , a connection to the industrial device is established . For example , when generating the graphical user interface , dependent on the device table , in particular dependent on the supported features , the respective features are enabled in the industrial device .

[0022] Exemplarily, the page table comprises at least one of the following information for the industrial device : a page ID characteristic for a unique ID to be provided for each page ; a name ; a software version; a firmware version characteristic for comma separated values for supported firmware versions ; an application type characteristic for comma separated values for supported application types ; an optional board type characteristic for comma separated values for at least one supported optional board type .

[0023] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the at least two tables further comprise at least one of a parameter table , a device-page mapping table and a page-parameter mapping table . Exemplarily, the parameter table comprises at least one of the following information for the industrial device: a parameter ID characteristic for a unique ID to be provided for each of the controls; a name; a description; a field type characteristic for a numeric box; a decimal box; a string box and / or a combo box; a minimal value; a maximal value; a unit; a default value; at least one validation rule; a read only information .

[0024] In particular, information stored in the parameter table are used to add controls in the page when generating the graphical user interface, e.g. based on the field type.

[0025] Exemplarily, the device-page mapping table comprises at least one of the following information for the industrial device: a device ID characteristic for a foreign key from the device table; a page ID characteristic for a foreign key from the page table; an order characteristic for an order of a placement of the pages.

[0026] Exemplarily, the page-parameter mapping table comprises at least one of the following information for the industrial device: a device ID characteristic for a foreign key from the device table; a page ID characteristic for a foreign key from the page table; an order characteristic for an order of a placement of the controls and / or the parameters.

[0027] In particular, dependent on the device-page mapping table at least one or at least two pages, i.e. several pages, are generated when generating the graphical user interface. In particular, each page is generated with different information dependent on the page-parameter mapping table. According to at least one embodiment of the method, when generating the graphical user interface dynamically, at least one template page is adj usted dependent on the database . In particular, during generation of the graphical user interface , controls are added and / or removed from the template page dependent on the database .

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of the method, when providing the database , a development database is provided to a cloud, the development database is veri fied, and the database located on a local device is synchroni zed with the development database . The database is in particular located on the computer device .

[0029] Advantageously, the user can get in particular latest updates present in the development database in the cloud through synchroni zation capability . Thus , also a new industrial device and / or information such as parameters can be added to the local database used for generating the graphical user interface . In particular, end users can synchroni ze their local database from the cloud and a new industrial device and / or information such as parameters will be added without any new installation, in particular without changing any source code .

[0030] This is , advantageously, information, e . g . parameters , entered into the database are reflected in the generated graphical user interface without the need to update the source code .

[0031] Furthermore , a system for generating a graphical user interface for operating at least one industrial device is speci fied . The system is configured to perform the method described herein . Therefore , all features and embodiments disclosed in connection with the method are also disclosed in connection with the system and vice versa .

[0032] In addition a computer program is speci fied comprising instruction which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, causes the computer program to execute the method described herein .

[0033] Further, a computer readable storage medium is speci fied on which the computer program described herein is stored .

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the method are explained in more detail below with reference to the Figures .

[0035] Figures 1 and 2 , each shows a flowchart of the method according to an exemplary embodiment .

[0036] Figure 3 shows databases of the method according to an exemplary embodiment .

[0037] Figure 4 shows a graphical user interface generated with the method according to an exemplary embodiment .

[0038] Elements of the same structure or function are marked with the same reference signs across all Figures .

[0039] Method stage S I according to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 comprises the provision of a database 2 comprising at least two tables , wherein each table is characteristic for at least one information of the at least one industrial device . The provision of the database 2 , in particular, a method step S3 for synchroni zing the database 2 with a development database 3 is described in connection with Figure 2 .

[0040] In method stage S2 a graphical user interface 1 is generated dynamically dependent on the database 2 , wherein the generated graphical user interface 1 comprises at least one page with controls , characteristic for the information, with which the at least one industrial device is operated . The generated graphical user interface 1 is described, exemplarily, in connection to Figure 4 .

[0041] In particular, on a software front end, i . e . on a computer device , template pages are generated, each of which has the capability to generate the pages of the graphical user interface 1 based on information loaded from database 2 . Exemplarily, a user of the computer device first selects an industrial device to be operated .

[0042] Subsequently, a generated device home page is generated which can have information loaded from a device table . Based on the supported protocols , a connection can be established by using any of the protocols mentioned in the device table . Based on the supported features , respective features will get enabled for the selected industrial device . Based on a device-page mapping table , di f ferent pages are created . In particular, one industrial device can have one or more Pageld in the device-page mapping table . Each page is loaded with di f ferent parameters based on a page- field mapping table . In particular, one page can have one or more Parameterld in the page- field mapping table . In particular, information characteristic for parameters of the industrial device stored in a parameter table shall can be used to: add controls based on a field type. Further, default values of these parameters can be applied based on the information of the database 2, in particular a database entry. A range of entered values, e.g. being entered in one of the controls, can be validated based on minimal and maximal values stored in the database 2.

[0043] Exemplarily, the entered values can be validated based on, firstly, a regex for any advanced validation like valid email id or, secondly, at least one custom rule for any cross-field validation which can be handed in a logic part.

[0044] Method stage S4 according to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 starts a sub-method for the database 2 in Figure 1.

[0045] In method stage S5, database entries, in particular information of at least one table, are crated for a new industrial device support. In method stage S6 the entries are forwarded to a cloud in development database 3, in particular in a development environment. Developers can synchronize a first local application database from the development environment in step S7. In step S8, the development database 3 is tested if it works in the development environment.

[0046] If no, step S9 is performed and if yes, step S10 is performed. In step S9, development database 3 entries are modified to fix the issue as well as feeding the development database 3 back to step S6. In step S10, the development database 3 entries are forwarded to a cloud in a QA environment database, i.e. in QA environment. In step Sil, a QA team can synchronize a second local application database from the QA environment. In step S12, the development database 3 is tested if it works in the QA environment. If no, step S9 is performed again and if yes, step S13 is performed. In step S13, the entries are forwarded to a cloud in a production environment database. In step S14, end users can synchronize the second local application database to get the new industrial device support. I.e. in step S15, the database comprising the at least two tables, characteristic for the information corresponding to the entries, is provided by the synchronization.

[0047] In Figure 3, on the right hand side, the second local application database i.e. based on the development database 3 is shown, located in a cloud, and on the left hand side, the synchronized database 2 is shown, located on the computer device. In particular, the user can get latest updates present in the cloud through synchronization capability which can be implemented in PXIC application.

[0048] In Figure 4, a first page Pl is generated, i.e. being dynamically created from industrial device basic information.

[0049] The second page P2 characteristic for a menu structure has in particular dynamic menu build capabilities. A tree view is created based on information from a menu structure table.

[0050] The third page P3 characteristic for a parameters section is created dynamically based on the offline parameters table. In the third page P3 based on a field type, different controls, i.e. input windows are loaded. In particular, default values of the parameters of the loaded controls are loaded from the database 2 . In particular, the controls are shown in sub-page P4 .

[0051] This patent application claims the priorities of Indian provisional application 202311071942 , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference .

[0052] Reference signs list

[0053] 1 graphical user interface

[0054] 2 database 3 development database

[0055] Pl . . P4 page

[0056] S 1...S 15 step

Claims

Claims1. Method for generating a graphical user interface (1) for operating at least one industrial device, comprising- providing a database (2) comprising at least two tables, wherein each table is characteristic for at least one information of the at least one industrial device,- generating the graphical user interface (1) dynamically dependent on the database (2) , wherein the generated graphical user interface (1) comprises at least one page with controls, characteristic for the information, with which the at least one industrial device is operated.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein- at least one of the information is validated dependent on the database ( 2 ) .

3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein- the database (2) is synchronized for dynamically adding and / or removing controls in the at least one page during the generation of the graphical user interface (1) .

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein- the at least two tables comprises a device table characteristic for information of the industrial device and a page table characteristic for information of the graphical user interface (1) .

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein- the at least two tables further comprise at least one of a parameter table, a device-page mapping table and a page- parameter mapping table.

6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein- when generating the graphical user interface (1) dynamically, at least one template page is adjusted dependent on the database (2) .

7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, when providing the database- a development database (3) is provided to a cloud,- the development database (3) is verified, and- the database (2) located on a local device is synchronized with the development database (3) .

8. System (1) , which is configured to perform the method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

9. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer program to execute the method according to one of the claims 1 to 7.

10. Computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 9 is stored.

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