Automatic HMI Creation by Aggregating Component Interface Resources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial automation systems lack the capability to generate a human-machine interface (HMI) that allows a user to monitor and control an entire system, requiring separate HMIs for individual components and necessitating the presence of an independent system integrator for setup, which increases complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically generating an HMI of a system by a first component that seeks and acquires HMI resources from second components, allowing the HMI of the entire system to be generated and displayed on an electronic device, eliminating the need for dedicated software or hardware and reducing implementation complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate HMIs are created for each component, then each component can be monitored individually, but the system cannot be monitored as a whole and requires an independent system integrator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple component HMIs into a single system-level HMI that displays and monitors all components together. The system integrator creates one unified HMI that aggregates data from all components, eliminating the need for separate HMIs and reducing integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system HMI serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors individual components, displays system-wide status, and provides centralized control. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate monitoring tools and reduces the requirement for independent system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If an independent system integrator is used to create system HMI, then system-wide monitoring is achieved, but implementation complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem monitoring capabilityVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Components are designed to self-describe their HMI resources and capabilities. When a component is added to the system, it automatically registers its HMI resources with the system manager, which then automatically incorporates them into the system HMI. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual system integration and reduces implementation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

HMI resources are prepared and configured in advance within each component before system integration. Components come pre-configured with their HMI descriptions, layouts, and control elements. This preliminary preparation allows the system HMI to be generated automatically without requiring complex integration work at the system level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If dedicated software or hardware is introduced for system HMI generation, then system-wide monitoring is enabled, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem monitoring capabilityVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing electronic devices with web browsers (smartphones, tablets, PCs) are used for system HMI display and control. These general-purpose devices serve multiple functions including component monitoring, system-wide monitoring, and control operations. No dedicated HMI hardware is required, reducing device complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional dedicated HMI hardware and specialized software with web-based interfaces accessible through standard browsers. The system HMI is delivered as web content rather than requiring dedicated display hardware, eliminating the need for specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11513508B2Method, component, and electronic device for creating human machine interface

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

A method, a component, and an electronic device relating to the field of industrial automation technology, particularly relating to the creation of a human machine interface, and are used for automatically creating an HMI of a system. The method for creating an HMI comprises: a first component of a system receives, via an HMI, a first command for creating an HMI for the system; the first component obtains, from each searched and found second component of the system an HMI resource of each of the second components; and the first component creates, on the basis of an HMI resource of the first component and the obtained HMI resource from each of the second components, the HMI for the system. One component of the system collects the HMI resource of another component of the system and creates the HMI for the whole system, providing a method for automatically creating the HMI for the system.