Variable Publication Control for Function Block and Instance Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require significant time and effort for setting publication of numerous variables in user programs to external devices, especially in factory automation systems, due to the large number of variables generated during execution.
Innovation Solution
A support device provides a user interface for setting publication of variables to external devices, allowing users to specify identification information for instances and function blocks, generating publication setting information based on user input, and managing variable publication accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If publication settings are configured for each variable individually, then precise control over variable publication is achieved, but the time and effort required for configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments variables into groups based on their usage context (function block level vs instance level). Instead of configuring each variable individually, users can configure publication settings at the function block level to apply to all variables within that block, or at the instance level for more granular control. This segmentation reduces the number of configuration operations from thousands of individual variable settings to manageable group-level settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the publication setting configuration. Settings can be applied at multiple levels: function block level (affecting all variables in the block) and instance level (affecting specific instances). This multi-dimensional approach allows users to efficiently configure settings by selecting the appropriate level of granularity, dramatically reducing configuration time while maintaining precise control when needed.
2Productivity
If publication settings are applied to all variables uniformly, then configuration time is reduced, but flexibility and precision of control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic publication settings that can adapt to different contexts. Users can switch between function block-level settings (for broad efficiency) and instance-level settings (for specific precision) based on their needs. The system dynamically adjusts the scope of application, allowing the same configuration mechanism to serve both rapid bulk configuration and detailed individual control requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by allowing different publication settings to be applied to different instances of the same function block. While function block-level settings provide uniform configuration across all variables in a block, users can override these settings at the instance level for specific variables that require different publication behavior. This ensures that local-specific requirements can be met without sacrificing overall configuration efficiency.
3Productivity
If publication settings are configured at function block level, then configuration efficiency is improved, but ability to control specific instance variables is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control where users can switch between function block-level configuration (for efficiency) and instance-level configuration (for specific control) as needed. The configuration interface allows users to drill down from function block settings to individual instance settings, enabling efficient bulk configuration when uniform settings are appropriate, and detailed individual control when specific variables require different publication behavior.
Data Source
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AI summary
A support device (100) provides a user interface for allowing a user to set whether or not to publish a variable to an external device (300), the variable being stored in an instance generated during execution of a user program (230), and generates publication setting information (260) based on a setting conducted by the user using the user interface. A control device (200) manages whether or not to publish the variable to the external device (300) based on the publication setting information (260), the variable being stored in the instance generated during execution of the user program (230). The user interface is configured to allow the user to specify at least one of first identification information for identifying the instance generated during execution of a function block and second identification information unique to the function block, to set whether or not to publish the variable to the external device (300).