Hierarchical Option Inheritance for Control Program Compilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rendering of graphical models into program code is problematic when values for options influencing compilation to executable control programs differ between nested submodels, leading to ambiguous or conflicting presets.
Innovation Solution
A method where values for options are preset granularly across nested submodels, with options not provided at lower hierarchical levels assuming values from higher hierarchical levels, ensuring uniform handling and avoiding conflicts, and including features like precedence settings, default values, and consistency checks to ensure valid program code generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If values for options are preset granularly for nested submodels at different hierarchical levels, then adaptability and precision of control are improved, but complexity of managing and coordinating options across hierarchical levels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by organizing option presets within a hierarchical structure where parent submodels contain option values that are automatically inherited by child submodels. This nested arrangement allows granular control at each level while automatically resolving conflicts through the hierarchical inheritance mechanism, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of an automatic value propagation system that mediates between option presets at different hierarchical levels. This intermediary automatically transfers and coordinates option values from parent to child submodels, eliminating the need for manual coordination and reducing the complexity of managing granular option presets across the hierarchy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If option values are inherited from higher hierarchical levels, then consistency and avoidance of conflicts are improved, but flexibility to override specific values at lower levels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the option inheritance mechanism flexible rather than rigid. Child submodels can dynamically choose to either inherit option values from parent submodels or override them with locally defined values. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain consistency through automatic inheritance while preserving flexibility when local customization is needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
3Productivity
If automatic value assumption from higher hierarchical levels is implemented, then productivity of code generation is improved, but risk of propagating incorrect or conflicting values increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically detect and report conflicts or inconsistencies in option values during the code generation process. When a child submodel inherits a value that conflicts with its own requirements or with values from other parent submodels, the system generates feedback signals that highlight these conflicts, allowing developers to review and correct them. This feedback loop maintains high productivity through automatic inheritance while ensuring reliability by catching errors before code generation completes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the computer-aided generation of at least one part of an executable control program, particularly a measuring, control, regulating, and/or calibration program, for controlling a control system having at least one electronic processor unit is provided. The functionality of the control program is described at least partially in at least one graphical model and the graphical model is divided in hierarchical levels into submodels. A submodel can be divided nested into submodels of a lower hierarchical level, whereby values for options for the compiling of the graphical model to program code are preset and program code is generated from the model co-compiled to the executable control program. Values for options for the compiling of the graphical model to program code and to the executable control program can be preset thereby granularly with the automatic avoidance of conflicting presettings of values for these options.