FA Program Transfer Management for Synchronized PLC and HMI Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transfer methods for HMI and control programs in factory automation environments are inefficient, requiring significant time and effort to update both programs on different devices, such as PLCs and HMI devices, and often fail to ensure simultaneous transfer.
Innovation Solution
A support device and program that edits and simultaneously transfers both HMI and control programs to their respective target devices, including a transfer management part that compares edited programs with those executed on the devices and allows user-selective transfer based on change determination, with automatic activation instructions post-transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate transfer processes are used for HMI program and control program, then each program can be transferred independently, but the transfer process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transfer processes for HMI programs and control programs into a single integrated transfer operation. When a program is edited in the integrated development environment, the transfer management part automatically determines whether both HMI and control programs need updating and transfers them simultaneously to their respective target devices, eliminating the need for separate transfer operations and reducing overall transfer time.
2Reliability
If automatic transfer is implemented for both HMI and control programs, then transfer omission is prevented, but user control over transfer timing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer management part implements a feedback mechanism where it monitors program edit events and automatically determines whether transfer is needed by comparing program versions. It provides users with notifications and options to approve or modify the transfer operation, ensuring that transfers occur reliably when needed while still allowing user control and flexibility in the transfer process.
3Productivity
If integrated development environment is used for HMI and control programs, then development efficiency is improved, but transfer complexity increases due to different target devices
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer management part is designed with multi-functionality to handle both HMI program transfers and control program transfers through a single unified interface. It automatically identifies the appropriate target devices (HMI device or PLC), manages the transfer processes, and handles activation instructions, thereby simplifying the transfer complexity despite the integrated development environment serving multiple program types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The objective of the present invention is to simplify the transfer of a program that has been edited. A support device (200), which assists in the development of a program executed by a subject device provided in factory automation (FA), carries out a transfer process for transferring the program to the subject device. The program includes a control program (111) for controlling a machine and a HMI program (112) for processing variable used by the control program. When the control program or the HMI program has been edited, the support device simultaneously transfers the control program and the HMI program respectively to a control device (100) and a HMI device (4).