Context-Aware Industrial HMI Using XML Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human machine interfaces (HMIs) for industrial systems are costly to maintain, non-portable, and incompatible across versions, leading to user dissatisfaction due to their proprietary software requirements and limited flexibility in data presentation.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically generates screens based on a stored model, incorporating display information from industrial machines, context information from sensors and user input, and user navigation, allowing for context-based views and customizable visualizations on various devices without the need for version-specific configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary software is used to generate HMI screens, then the screens can be displayed on systems with the software installed, but the screens become non-portable and incompatible across versions, increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses XML files to store screen configuration data as portable, version-independent copies of the HMI screen definitions. These XML files can be transferred between different systems and versions without requiring proprietary software, enabling screens to be displayed across multiple platforms while maintaining consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines screen configuration data, visual elements, and behavior definitions into a single XML file format that integrates all screen-related information. This unified approach allows the screen definitions to be independently stored, transported, and rendered across different systems without relying on proprietary software bindings.
2Ease of manufacture
If version-specific configurations are used for HMI screens, then screens can be maintained on legacy systems, but maintenance costs increase and user dissatisfaction grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal XML-based configuration format that can be used across multiple HMI software versions and different programming languages (C#, VB.NET, etc.). This single format serves all systems uniformly, eliminating the need for version-specific configuration files and reducing maintenance overhead while improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If dynamic, context-aware displays are implemented, then user interaction is improved and data presentation flexibility increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic screen rendering by allowing XML configuration files to contain conditional logic and context-aware elements that automatically adjust the displayed information based on user role, system state, and operational context. This enables flexible data presentation without requiring complex proprietary software, as the dynamics are built into the XML structure itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A model that is stored in a memory is accessed. The model describes a visualization of information related to the operation of one or more industrial control machines or systems. Display information is received from the one or more industrial machines or systems. Context information is received from one or more sensors, or from user input. A display screen is graphically rendered at a graphical display unit to the one or more users. The content of the display screen is based upon the model, the display information, and the context.