Integrated HMI and Control Planning for Automation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for automating technical installations separate the planning of control programs for programmable logic controllers from the planning of Human Machine Interface (HMI) elements, making the process complex and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A graphic planning method and system that integrates the planning of HMI elements into the overall control program planning, using a planning window with a symbol library and a directory tree to logically link graphic control and operating device objects, allowing for drag-and-drop interactions to define and assign objects for control and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If control program planning and HMI element planning are performed separately using different software tools, then each planning process can be completed independently, but the overall planning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control program planning and HMI element planning into a single integrated planning process using one unified planning software tool. The planning window displays both control objects and operating device objects together, allowing users to perform both types of planning simultaneously rather than sequentially with separate tools, thereby reducing overall planning time and simplifying the planning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The planning software tool is designed to perform multiple functions: it can plan both control programs for programmable logic controllers and HMI elements for operator panels within the same environment. The symbol library contains both control objects and operating device objects, and the planning window can display and link both types of objects, making the tool universal for automation planning tasks.
2Ease of manufacture
If HMI elements are loaded onto an already planned control program at a later stage, then control program planning can be completed first, but the overall automation planning becomes multi-stage and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary planning of HMI elements together with control program planning in a unified planning window, rather than loading HMI elements onto an already completed control program. The planning window displays both control objects and operating device objects simultaneously, allowing their relationships to be established during the initial planning phase, thereby simplifying the overall process and reducing total planning duration.
3Reliability
If separate planning software is used for control programs and HMI elements, then each software can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the integration and data exchange between them becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control program planning and HMI element planning into a single integrated software environment with a unified planning window. Both control objects and operating device objects are displayed and linked within the same window, eliminating the need for separate software tools and the complex data exchange interfaces between them, thereby improving integration reliability while reducing software complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive method interacts with a project planning window, which has a working area at least with one window for a project planning level for displaying and linking graphic objects and with a window for a symbol library containing the graphic objects available for a project planning. To this end, graphic control objects are provided, which represent technical objects of the installation and graphic control unit objects, which represent control units that can be used for a control. In a first step, the control objects of a project planning are activated in the window for the system library and transmitted into the project planning level. In a second step, the transmitted control objects are, in the window of the project planning level, subsequently linked in a logical manner according to a control task. In a third step, at least one control unit object is activated in the symbol library and transmitted into the project planning level. In a fourth step, the graphic control unit object is assigned to selected graphic control objects. The invention offers the advantage of enabling, in a closed project planning method, both the graphic control objects, which are required for controlling installation resources, as well as control unit objects, which are required for operating and monitoring the control, to be linked in a defined and logical manner.