Single-Page Web Client for Multi-Control-Unit Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face complexity and high computing load due to the need for multiple web pages and frequent data updates in existing web applications, resulting in poor response times and increased development and testing efforts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a single-page web application with a standardized data model and generic data interface, allowing for strict separation of static resources and data, enabling a single web client to handle multiple control units and facilitating independent updates and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple web pages are provided for different control unit types, then comprehensive function coverage is achieved, but web application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single web client application is designed to work with multiple control unit types through a standardized data model and generic data interface. The application dynamically adapts to different control units by querying their capabilities and presenting only the relevant functions, eliminating the need for separate web applications for each control unit type while maintaining comprehensive function coverage.
2Reliability
If web page data is updated at fixed intervals or on access, then data freshness is maintained, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic data updating where the web client requests data only when necessary based on user interaction and control unit state changes. The standardized data model enables efficient data retrieval and the generic data interface allows selective querying, reducing unnecessary processing loads while maintaining data freshness through event-driven updates rather than fixed intervals.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single web client handles multiple control unit types, then development effort is reduced, but data model complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized data model uses parameter-based abstraction to represent different control unit types. Instead of creating complex hierarchical structures for each control unit, the system defines a generic data interface with standardized parameters that can be instantiated for different control unit types. This approach reduces development effort by allowing a single web client to handle multiple control units while managing data model complexity through consistent parameterization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing functions within an industrial automation system. In this method, functions of the automation system are made available to at least one control unit (10) via a web application (11). These functions are provided client-side during control program execution via a single-page web application (21) as a web client at a client-side user interface (22). The functions are provided by a standardized data model (13) of the web application (11), which represents the at least one control unit (10) and the data it can provide. The standardized data model (13) is accessed via a generic data interface (12) of the web application (11).