Property-Tree Data Binding for Scalable Industrial Control GUIs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for industrial processes is time-consuming and infeasible when developers need to hard-code and update information for multiple machines, especially for managers overseeing large-scale industrial operations, as existing methods require manual configuration and understanding of software development.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to design and implement GUIs through web browsers, enabling the selection of preprogrammed components, generating new components, and associating data values with component properties using property tree structures, with data bindings between subtrees representing components and data sources, allowing for dynamic updates and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If developers manually configure and hard-code information for each machine component in GUIs, then the interface can display specific industrial process data, but the time and effort required to design and update interfaces increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses data binding to create virtual copies of industrial process data structures that automatically map to GUI components. Instead of manually configuring each interface element, the system copies the hierarchical data structure from the industrial process control system and automatically generates corresponding GUI components, eliminating repetitive manual configuration work while maintaining accurate data representation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal data binding mechanism that can automatically map various types of industrial process data (temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) to appropriate GUI components based on data properties. This multi-functional binding system handles different data types, update frequencies, and display requirements through a single unified approach, reducing the need for separate configuration procedures for each data type
2Adaptability or versatility
If designers need to understand software development to create user interfaces, then custom interfaces can be built, but the complexity barrier prevents non-technical users from configuring interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service interface generation where the system automatically configures GUI components based on the inherent structure of the industrial process data. The data binding mechanism enables the interface to configure itself by reading data properties and automatically creating appropriate visual representations, eliminating the need for users to manually program interface elements or understand software development concepts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data binding layer as an intermediary between the industrial process control system and the user interface. This binding layer translates complex data structures into intuitive visual representations automatically, serving as a mediator that converts technical data formats into user-friendly interface elements without requiring users to understand the underlying software complexity
3Reliability
If interfaces are designed from scratch for each industrial process, then specific requirements can be met, but scalability to multiple factories and machines becomes infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface configuration into reusable data binding templates that can be independently defined and then applied across multiple industrial processes. By dividing the configuration into modular data structure definitions and visual component mappings, the system enables scalable deployment where a single template can serve multiple factories and machines, dramatically improving deployment speed while maintaining process-specific accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of data binding templates that capture common industrial process patterns. These pre-configured templates establish the foundation for rapid interface deployment across multiple facilities. By performing the complex configuration work upfront in a standardized format, the system enables quick replication and scaling to numerous factories and machines without repeating the configuration process
Data Source
AI summary
A system provides a design interface for designing and implementing graphical user interfaces that users can access through web browsers. Depending on the configuration of the graphical user interfaces, the users may be able to monitor and control industrial processes by interacting with components that correspond to the industrial processes as displayed in user interfaces at client devices. The design interface includes functionality for selecting preprogrammed components, or for generating new components for display. The design interface further allows designers to associate data values received from a variety of sources with properties of the components in the user interfaces. In particular, properties associated with a component of an interface are stored in property tree structures, making dynamic changes to the components possible. Data bindings between subtrees representing components and sets of data from industrial and other sources allows for designs that scale with the availability of the data.