Touch HMI Interface for Secure Multi-Machine Automation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems lack a centralized and intuitive interface for managing and controlling multiple machines across an enterprise, leading to inefficiencies in data collection, analysis, and operation monitoring, as well as limitations in user interaction and machine control.
Innovation Solution
An automation operating and management system that consolidates data from multiple machines, providing a user interface with graphical control elements on a touch screen for intuitive data access and control, enabling users to manipulate machine operations through a network-connected device, with features like enabling switches and location devices for secure and location-dependent control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized automation management system is implemented to consolidate data from multiple machines, then operational efficiency and data analysis capability are improved, but device complexity and network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates data collection, analysis, and control functions into a single centralized automation management system that aggregates information from multiple machines through a network, enabling unified monitoring and control while improving operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The automation management system performs multiple functions including data collection from sensors, real-time analysis, machine control, and user interface presentation, allowing a single system to handle diverse automation tasks across multiple machines
2Ease of operation
If a touch screen interface with graphical control elements is used for machine control, then ease of operation and user interaction are improved, but device complexity and interface development requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control panels with a touch screen interface that uses graphical control elements, allowing operators to interact with machines through intuitive visual displays and touch-based controls rather than physical buttons and switches
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual representations of machine states and control elements on the touch screen interface, allowing operators to see and manipulate digital copies of machine parameters and controls that mirror the actual physical system
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote machine control is enabled through network-connected devices, then operational flexibility and accessibility are improved, but system security requirements and vulnerability to unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an enabling switch as an intermediary security device that must be activated to permit control operations through the user interface, creating an additional layer of authentication and control between the user and the machine control system
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.