Dynamic Device Profile Views for Unified Industrial IDE Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems require a unified development environment to integrate configuration and programming of various aspects, such as control, visualization, and device configuration, which is currently achieved through separate and disparate development platforms, leading to inefficiencies in design, testing, and debugging.
Innovation Solution
An integrated development environment (IDE) that supports a common design environment and data model for industrial automation systems, enabling integrated multi-discipline programming, device profile creation, and dynamic device profile views based on data models, facilitating consistent development and reuse across the enterprise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate and disparate development platforms are used for control, visualization, and device configuration, then each platform can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system integration becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate development platforms (control programming, visualization, device configuration) into a single integrated development environment (IDE). This unified IDE allows engineers to work with all aspects of industrial automation system configuration in one interface, eliminating the need to switch between disparate platforms and reducing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated IDE provides universal functionality by supporting multiple disciplines (control, visualization, device configuration) within a single platform. The system can import various file types (XML, CSV, JSON, Excel) and generate different outputs (HMI screens, control code, device configurations) through one unified interface, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces several specialized platforms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate development platforms are used, then each platform can handle its specific tasks independently, but duplication of effort and inconsistency across system aspects increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple development functions into one integrated IDE, the system ensures that control programming, visualization design, and device configuration are developed concurrently within the same environment. This unified approach maintains consistency across all system aspects and eliminates duplication of effort that occurs when using separate platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated IDE implements feedback mechanisms where changes in one module (e.g., device configuration) automatically update related modules (e.g., visualization screens or control code). This real-time feedback ensures consistency across the entire system and allows engineers to verify integrations as they develop, rather than discovering inconsistencies after deployment.
3Manufacturing precision
If device profiles are customized for each individual device, then each device can be configured precisely, but the development time and effort multiply across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated IDE enables engineers to create a single device profile that can be universally applied to multiple devices of the same type. The system provides templates and reusable configuration elements that can be instantiated across numerous devices, maintaining precise configuration while dramatically reducing the time and effort required compared to manually configuring each device individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows device profiles to be copied and reused across multiple devices. Once a device profile is created and validated, it can be replicated for other devices of the same type, ensuring consistency and precision while eliminating redundant configuration work. The IDE manages these copies and allows for centralized updates that propagate to all instances.
4Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive device profiles include all possible features, then the profiles are complete and reusable, but the profile size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated IDE segments device profiles into modular, hierarchical components organized by function and importance. Rather than presenting a single monolithic profile containing all possible features, the system divides profiles into logical sections (e.g., communication parameters, I/O configurations, diagnostic settings) that can be selectively applied. This segmentation makes comprehensive profiles manageable and easier to navigate while maintaining full reusability.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) can dynamically generate user interfaces for device profiles using predefined reusable profile templates together with data models of the devices for which the device profile interfaces are to be created. The device profile template defines features or components of profile interface views that are reusable across multiple different devices. The industrial IDE determines which interface features defined by the device profile template are required to support the device's data and supported features defined by the data model, and dynamically adapts the device profile template to yield a suitable device profile interface that can be used to view and edit the device's data and configuration parameter values.