HMI Symbol Wizard Creator for Industrial Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-machine interface (HMI) systems for industrial control and automation face challenges in efficiently managing and migrating large numbers of configured elements, such as displays, tags, I/O binding, PLC connections, animations, scripts, alarms, and events, especially when transitioning to newer technological platforms, leading to complexity and potential errors in configuration and data visualization.
Innovation Solution
A system that centrally manages HMI applications using a processor-executable method, allowing for the definition of designer-defined graphical element style standards and a customized symbol wizard, enabling the propagation of changes to symbol templates across all HMI application objects, and providing a configuration database for data quality and status behavior, facilitating seamless migration and data distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If HMI systems manually manage and migrate configured elements (displays, tags, I/O binding, PLC connections, animations, scripts, alarms, and events), then configuration flexibility and customization are improved, but system complexity and potential errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs template-based copying where standardized configurations are created as reusable templates. These templates can be instantiated multiple times across different HMI applications, allowing rapid deployment of consistent configurations without manual recreation. The template system enables copying of complex element sets (displays, tags, I/O bindings, PLC connections, animations, scripts, alarms, and events) as unified packages, reducing both complexity and error potential while maintaining adaptability through parameter customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal configuration templates that can serve multiple HMI applications and platforms simultaneously. A single template definition can be propagated across numerous instances, allowing the same configuration pattern to be universally applied throughout the system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate manual configurations for each application, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to adapt to different specific requirements through template parameters and overrides.
2Reliability
If HMI systems manually migrate configured elements to newer technological platforms, then migration accuracy can be maintained, but migration time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining configuration templates with all necessary elements (displays, tags, I/O bindings, PLC connections, animations, scripts, alarms, and events) properly structured and validated before migration. These templates are prepared in advance with correct platform-specific configurations, so when migration is needed, the pre-validated templates can be rapidly instantiated on the new platform, ensuring accuracy while dramatically reducing migration time compared to manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses automated copying mechanisms to replicate configured elements from source to target platforms. The template system enables faithful copying of configuration structures, data bindings, and behavioral logic across platform migrations. This automated copying process maintains migration accuracy by preserving the original configuration intent while reducing migration time through bulk operation and elimination of manual transcription errors.
3Stability of the object's composition
If HMI systems use standardized graphical element templates, then consistency across applications is improved, but customization capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration templates into hierarchical levels: core standardized elements that ensure consistency, and customizable parameters that enable adaptation. Each template is divided into fixed structural components (maintaining consistency) and configurable instance parameters (enabling customization). This segmentation allows the same template to produce consistent foundational structures while accommodating specific application requirements through parameter variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different degrees of customization at different levels of the configuration hierarchy. Core template structures maintain standardized quality across all instances, while specific instance parameters can be locally customized to meet particular application needs. This enables consistency in overall configuration architecture while permitting localized adaptations for specific displays, tags, or behavioral parameters.
4Measurement precision
If HMI systems require user intervention for configuration changes, then configuration accuracy can be verified, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses automated copying of configuration templates to propagate changes across multiple HMI applications simultaneously. When a template is updated, the changes are automatically copied to all instantiated applications, ensuring configuration accuracy through centralized control while dramatically improving operational efficiency by eliminating the need for manual updates to each individual application. This automated propagation maintains precision through template validation while boosting productivity through bulk operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically verify configuration changes after template propagation. The system monitors and validates that copied configurations maintain intended behavior and data integrity, providing automated verification feedback without requiring manual user checking of each instance. This feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy while maintaining operational efficiency through automated validation rather than manual verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system manages human machine interface (HMI) applications for industrial control and automation. Software instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory media and executable by a processor receive data indicative of a manufacturing/process control system being monitored and display a user interface indicative of a status of the manufacturing/process control system being monitored wherein the status is based on the received data.