Context-Aware HMI Modules for Faster Industrial Automation Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing human-machine interfaces for industrial automation environments is a complex and time-consuming process, requiring detailed knowledge of the automation environment and involving the creation of programming logic for individual machines before constructing the interface.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that includes a machine interface, user interface, and processor configured to receive component configurations, determine context information, select industrial components for configuration, and display interface modules based on user input, allowing for the creation of a human-machine interface that can control industrial components through a virtual environment, facilitating the design and commissioning of industrial automation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If engineers create programming logic and construct human-machine interface manually for each industrial automation environment, then the interface can be customized to specific requirements, but the design process becomes very difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating programming logic and interface configurations before the actual interface construction phase. The processor analyzes the industrial automation environment configuration and pre-generates the necessary programming logic, which is then used to automatically construct the human-machine interface, eliminating the time-consuming manual creation process while maintaining customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the industrial automation environment that can be used for interface design and testing. By working with virtual models and configurations rather than physical systems, engineers can rapidly prototype and iterate on interface designs without affecting actual operations, significantly reducing design time while preserving adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If engineers with detailed knowledge create programming logic for the system, then the interface can be precisely tailored to the industrial automation environment, but the task becomes very difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating programming logic based on the configured industrial automation environment. The processor analyzes the environment configuration and autonomously creates the appropriate programming logic without requiring manual intervention from engineers, thereby maintaining precision while eliminating design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of logic creation with an automated computational process. The processor uses algorithms to generate programming logic automatically, substituting the engineer's manual work with machine-based automation that maintains precision while removing complexity from the design process.
3Ease of operation
If a virtual environment is used to create and test industrial automation models, then remote control and monitoring is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual environment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables interface design, allows testing and validation, and provides remote control and monitoring capabilities. By creating a universal virtual representation of the industrial automation environment, the system achieves ease of operation for remote access while the automated generation processes keep complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system for controlling an industrial automation environment comprising a plurality of industrial components is provided. The computer system includes a machine interface, a user interface, a hardware memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to select an industrial component for configuration based on a user input. The processor is also configured to determine a context of the selected industrial component and display a plurality of interface modules to the user for the selected industrial component based on the context of the selected industrial component. The processor is further configured to receive a selection of an interface module by the user through the user interface, and add the selected interface module to a human-machine interface.