Task-Based IDE Workspace Filtering for Industrial Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in integrated, multi-discipline programming and configuration due to segregated development platforms and limited user interfaces, leading to cluttered workspaces and inefficient project development.
Innovation Solution
An integrated development environment (IDE) with a user interface component and project generation component that renders a customizable development interface, filters relevant tools and panels based on current tasks, and generates system project data from industrial design input, enabling integrated programming and configuration of automation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple global panels are made visible simultaneously, then more tools are available, but the workspace becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant panels and tools needed for the current development task from the complete set of available panels. The UI component determines the current development task and selectively displays only those panels pertinent to that task, removing unnecessary panels from view. This extraction principle resolves the contradiction by providing necessary tool availability while eliminating workspace clutter from irrelevant elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic panel visibility that automatically adjusts based on the current development task. As the user switches between different development tasks (e.g., from control programming to HMI design), the set of visible panels dynamically changes to show only task-relevant tools. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring tool availability matches actual needs without permanently occupying workspace area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all panels are always visible, then all functions are accessible, but the user interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the subset of panels relevant to the current development task, removing unnecessary panels from the visible interface. This extraction reduces UI complexity by eliminating irrelevant elements while maintaining access to all functions through task-based panel selection. Users encounter only the complexity necessary for their current task, not the complexity of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic UI simplification where the interface complexity adapts to the current development task. When switching tasks, the panel configuration dynamically changes to show only task-relevant controls, automatically simplifying the UI. This dynamic approach ensures function accessibility while preventing permanent UI complexity, as panels are shown only when needed.
3Reliability
If segregated development platforms are used for different automation tasks, then each platform can be specialized, but integration becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple specialized development platforms into a single integrated development environment. Different development tasks (control programming, HMI design, configuration) that previously required separate platforms are now unified in one application with task-specific workspaces. This merging maintains the reliability of task specialization through dedicated workspaces while eliminating integration time by allowing seamless transitions between tasks within the same environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal development platform that handles multiple automation development tasks through a single interface. The system provides multi-functionality by supporting control programming, HMI design, device configuration, and other automation tasks within one application. This universality maintains task-specific reliability through specialized workspaces while eliminating the time loss associated with switching between segregated platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) comprises a development interface that affords a user a great deal of control over the editing tools, workspace canvases, and project information rendered at a given time. The industrial IDE system automatically filters the tools, panels, and information available for selection based on a current project development task, such that a focused subset of editing tools relevant to a current development task or context are made available for selection while other tools are hidden. The development interface also allows the user to selectively render or hide selected tools or information from among the relevant, filtered set of tools. This can reduce or eliminate unnecessary clutter and aid in quickly and easily locating and selecting a desired editing function. The IDE's development interface can also conform to a structured organization of workspace canvases and panels that facilitates intuitive workflow.