Industrial HMI Visualization Using Generative AI and Natural Language

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional graphical and menu-driven development workflow for industrial human-machine interfaces (HMIs) is cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring manual selection and binding of graphical elements to data tags, which limits efficiency and flexibility in designing HMI projects.

Innovation Solution

A generative artificial intelligence (AI) system is employed to assist in HMI development using natural language design inputs, leveraging custom models trained with domain-specific data to generate HMI project elements such as display screens, layouts, and data links, thereby automating the design process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional graphical and menu-driven development workflow is used, then HMI projects can be developed with manual control over each element, but the development process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of HMI developmentVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical workflow of dragging and dropping graphical elements with an AI-driven automated system. The generative AI model interprets natural language descriptions and automatically generates HMI projects, eliminating the need for manual element-by-element configuration while maintaining full control over the development process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service HMI development by allowing users to describe their requirements in natural language, and the AI automatically generates the complete HMI project including graphical elements, layouts, and data bindings without requiring manual intervention for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual selection and binding of graphical elements to data tags is performed, then precise control over HMI elements is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of element bindingVSAvoiddevelopment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the manual mechanical process of selecting and binding graphical elements with data tags with an AI-driven automated binding system. The generative AI model automatically establishes correct data bindings based on natural language descriptions, maintaining precision while dramatically improving development efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional HMI development platforms are used, then comprehensive control over display screens and navigation structure is possible, but the workflow becomes complex and less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in HMI designVSAvoidcomplexity of development workflow
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical workflow of traditional HMI development platforms with an AI-driven natural language processing system. Users can flexibly describe their HMI requirements in natural language, and the AI automatically translates these descriptions into complete HMI projects, simplifying the workflow while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260064379A1Generative ai for industrial automation visualization environment
Publication Date: 2026.03.05 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • US20260064379A1 patent drawing
  • US20260064379A1 patent drawing
  • US20260064379A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A human-machine interface (HMI) development system leverages a generative AI model to assist in development of HMI projects in accordance with specified functional requirements, which can be provided to the development system as intuitive natural language spoken or written text. The system can formulate and implement HMI project edits during design time based on analysis of this natural language design input. After the HMI project is deployed as a runtime application, the system can also receive and process natural language requests to modify the runtime HMI in accordance with described modification criteria.