Programming Flowchart Group Tags for Multi-Device Line Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic production line programming tools fail to distinguish between operations performed by different operating devices, leading to complex and inefficient programming processes.

Innovation Solution

A programming marking method that displays device controls for operating devices, determines their respective groups, and configures group tags for each device, allowing intuitive identification of device groups through graphical programming flowcharts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If programming function modules are configured for different operating devices separately, then each device can be controlled independently, but the programming interface becomes complex and difficult to distinguish operations by different devices

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control capabilityVSAvoidProgramming interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the programming interface by introducing device group tags that divide and classify function blocks according to their associated operating devices. This segmentation allows the interface to maintain independent control capability for each device while organizing the programming content into distinct, identifiable groups, thereby reducing overall interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by adding device group tag information specifically to relevant function blocks without altering the entire programming interface structure. Each function block displays its associated device group tag locally, enabling operators to quickly identify which operating device controls each function while preserving the independent control capability of individual devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If device group tags are added to function blocks, then device-group correspondence becomes intuitive and easy to identify, but the programming interface requires additional information display

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDevice-group identification easeVSAvoidInterface information density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual differentiation through device group tags displayed on function blocks. By incorporating distinctive tags that visually indicate device group affiliation, the interface makes device-group correspondence intuitive and easily identifiable without requiring complex additional displays or information overlays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds device group tag information as an additional dimensional attribute to function blocks in the programming interface. This extra dimension of information organization allows operators to identify device-group relationships without cluttering the existing interface layout, maintaining ease of operation while providing comprehensive device identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4167075B1Programming marking method, processor, terminal, and computer program product
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SIEMENS (CHINA) CO LTD
  • EP4167075B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4167075B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4167075B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a programming marking method, a processor, a terminal, and a computer program product. The method includes: displaying, on a first interface, device controls for at least two operating devices associated with a target task to be executed, where the first interface is configured to configure programming logic of the device controls for the at least two operating devices; determining a respective device group to which each of the at least two operating devices belongs; configuring a group tag for the operating device, where the group tag is used for marking the device group to which the operating device belongs; and displaying, on a second interface associated with the first interface, a programming flowchart used when the at least two operating devices execute the target task, where the programming flowchart includes at least two function blocks, each of the at least two function blocks is controlled by one operating device to perform one processing action, each of the at least two function blocks is marked with a group tag matching the operating device, and the second interface is configured to configure the function blocks and the execution logic between the function blocks. Therefore, the problem of relatively high complexity of current programming operations is resolved.