Cross-Domain Automation Objects for Controller and HMI Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial automation, modifications to hardware components often require separate changes to controller code and HMI code, leading to syncing issues and increased processing and storage costs due to the need for multiple software objects for each hardware component.
Innovation Solution
An object library is maintained with objects that have shared properties for both industrial control and HMI applications, allowing a single object to be used for both domains, reducing the need for separate software objects and enabling automatic deployment of modifications across both environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate software objects are maintained for controller code and HMI code, then each domain can be independently developed and modified, but the system complexity increases and syncing issues arise when modifications are not properly coordinated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate controller object and HMI object into a single unified automation object. This unified object contains both controller logic properties and HMI display properties, eliminating the need for separate software objects in each domain. The merging reduces system complexity by removing duplicate object definitions while maintaining the ability to independently develop and modify controller and HMI aspects through the single object's multiple properties.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate software objects are maintained for each domain, then domain-specific modifications can be made independently, but processing and storage costs increase due to multiple objects
Solution Approach 1:
The unified automation object serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both the controller object and the HMI object. The single object contains diverse properties that serve different domains: controller logic properties for control operations and HMI display properties for graphical interface generation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate objects, reducing processing and storage requirements while maintaining domain-specific modification capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual editing and deployment of multiple objects is required, then precise control over each domain can be achieved, but end-user time and resources are increased
Solution Approach 1:
By merging controller and HMI objects into a single unified object, the patent enables automatic deployment of modifications across both domains simultaneously. When a property is modified in the unified object, the changes are automatically deployed to both controller and HMI aspects without requiring manual editing in multiple separate objects. This maintains precise control over modifications while dramatically reducing the time and resources required for deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and devices for facilitating object-based cross-domain industrial automation control. An object library comprising a plurality of objects may be maintained. One or more of the objects may represent physical counterparts for use in an industrial automation process. Each object of the plurality of objects in the object library may have at least one property that an automated control device operation can be programmed to act on. Each object of the plurality of objects may also have at least one property that a human machine interface component can utilize in generating display elements corresponding to the objects for display on the human machine interface. When modifications to objects in the object library are received, those modifications may be automatically deployed and incorporated in controller logic and HMI graphics and control.