Cross-Domain Test Objects for Industrial Automation Routine Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The industrial automation industry lacks software that bridges the gap between design engineers with little or no computer science background and those with a computer science background, making it difficult to design and test automation routines effectively.
Innovation Solution
A test framework is provided that allows software automation objects to be selected from a library and integrated into a test application using a drag and drop mechanism, with each object having a test layer containing test scripts that can be applied at a system level, reducing the need for custom script creation and enabling reuse across multiple routines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test scripts are created custom for each automation routine, then testing accuracy is improved, but development time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements reusable test script templates that can be copied and applied across multiple automation routines. Instead of creating custom test scripts from scratch for each routine, the system provides pre-defined test script templates that can be instantiated and reused, significantly reducing development time while maintaining testing quality through consistent, proven test patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal test script templates that can serve multiple automation routines and object types. These templates are designed to be adaptable and reusable across different contexts, allowing a single test script template to function universally rather than requiring specialized scripts for each specific routine, thereby reducing overall development effort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If engineers with computer science background are integrated into design teams, then system functionality is improved, but software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software layer that acts as an intermediary between engineers with computer science backgrounds and the automation hardware. This software provides standardized interfaces, object models, and testing frameworks that bridge the gap between complex system capabilities and user-friendly implementation, allowing diverse engineering expertise to be integrated without proportionally increasing software complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameterized object models and configurable software components that allow the system to adapt to different functionality requirements through parameter changes rather than structural complexity changes. This enables the system to handle diverse automation routines and testing scenarios by modifying parameters and configurations rather than adding complex software architecture.
3Reliability
If more test scripts are created for comprehensive testing, then testing coverage is improved, but storage requirements and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reusable test script templates that can be copied and instantiated multiple times across different automation routines. Instead of storing separate full test scripts for each routine, the system stores template definitions that can be efficiently replicated and applied, reducing storage requirements while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage through repeated use of proven test patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal test script templates that can serve multiple testing scenarios and automation routines. A single template can be applied universally across different object types and routines through parameterization, eliminating the need to store separate test scripts for each specific case and thereby reducing overall storage requirements while maintaining broad testing coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present technology comprise systems and methods for testing automated industrial process routines. In some examples, a software object that corresponds to a physical device in an automated industrial environment is integrated into a test routine comprising other software objects that correspond to other physical devices in the automated industrial environment. A test script of the software object is executed to test the compatibility between the software object and the other software objects in the test routine and the performance of the software object in the test routine. Test results are generated that comprise virtual measurements for the software object.