Spreadsheet-Based Engineering Tool for FA Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Web-based systems for factory automation (FA) devices require users to be proficient in multiple programming languages and protocols, making it difficult for few individuals to develop and operate these systems effectively.
Innovation Solution
An engineering tool that includes a spreadsheet editor, flowchart editor, and module file generator, allowing users to create and execute module files without needing to know programming languages, enabling data processing and device control through a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple programming languages and protocols are used to develop Web-based systems for FA devices, then the system functionality and communication capability are improved, but the complexity of system development and operation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spreadsheet-based configuration interface as an intermediary between the user and the complex multi-language programming system. This intermediary allows users to configure data processing and communication parameters through familiar spreadsheet operations without needing to understand the underlying programming languages (C, Java, HTML, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, Lua) or communication protocols, thus resolving the contradiction between system versatility and development complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical programming approach (writing and integrating multiple types of code) with a spreadsheet-based configuration approach. Instead of manually coding data processing logic in multiple languages, users can define processing rules using spreadsheet formulas and functions, which are then automatically translated into the appropriate programming constructs, eliminating the need for users to master multiple programming languages
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized knowledge of FA systems and multiple protocols is required, then the system can handle complex industrial automation tasks, but the ease of operation decreases making it accessible to fewer people
Solution Approach 1:
The spreadsheet configuration tool serves as a mediator that translates simple spreadsheet operations into complex industrial automation configurations. Users interact with familiar spreadsheet interfaces to configure FA device communication and data processing, while the system handles the translation to appropriate protocols and programming constructs, making advanced industrial automation accessible to users without specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spreadsheet templates and predefined configurations that can be copied and reused across different FA device scenarios. Instead of requiring users to understand and configure each protocol from scratch, they can replicate proven configurations through spreadsheet copying, significantly reducing the learning curve and making the system accessible to non-specialists while maintaining full industrial automation capability
Data Source
AI summary
An engineering tool includes a spreadsheet editor configured to display a definition in cells of a spreadsheet, and to edit the definition by setting allocation data of a device to a cell among the cells of the spreadsheet or by setting a calculation defined in some cells among the cells of the spreadsheet in reference to other cells among the cells of the spreadsheet; and an executable module file generator configured to generate, based on the edited definition, an executable module file configured to be executed in an execution environment of a controller in order for the controller to control the device.