Method and apparatus for configuring interfaces for automated systems
First Claim
1. A method for configuring an interface for use with an automated system including at least a first controller that runs a first system program to control and monitor automated system components, a first project file associated with the first system program and describing at least a subset of the system components and system operation, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an interface template that specifies interface components and arrangement of the interface components relative to each other for presentation on a display screen;
gleaning information from the first project file regarding input and output parameters to be supported by an interface; and
instantiating an instance of an interface using the interface template and the information gleaned from the first project file.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for configuring an interface for use with an automated system including at least a first controller that runs a first system program to control and monitor automated system components, a first project file associated with the first system program and describing at least a subset of the system components and system operation, the method comprising the steps of providing an interface template that specifies interface components and arrangement of the interface components relative to each other for presentation on a display screen, gleaning information from the first project file regarding input and output parameters to be supported by an interface and instantiating an instance of an interface using the interface template and the information gleaned from the first project file.
15 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for configuring an interface for use with an automated system including at least a first controller that runs a first system program to control and monitor automated system components, a first project file associated with the first system program and describing at least a subset of the system components and system operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an interface template that specifies interface components and arrangement of the interface components relative to each other for presentation on a display screen;
gleaning information from the first project file regarding input and output parameters to be supported by an interface; and
instantiating an instance of an interface using the interface template and the information gleaned from the first project file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for configuring interfaces for use with an automated system including at least a first controller that runs system programs to control and monitor automated system components, a plurality of project files associated with the system programs and describing at least a subset of the system components and system operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an interface template that specifies interface components and arrangement of the interface components relative to each other for presentation on a display screen;
for each of the project files;
gleaning information from the project file regarding input and output parameters to be supported by an interface; and
instantiating an instance of an interface using the interface template and the information gleaned from the project file such that a plurality of similar yet project file specific interface instances are instantiated.
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17. A method for configuring an interface template for use in specifying at least one interface for use with an automated system including a controller that runs a system program to control and monitor automated system components, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a library of possible interface components;
providing a template specifying interface;
using the template specifying interface to select interface components from the library and to spatially arrange the selected components with respect to each other to form an interface template; and
storing the interface template for subsequent use in configuring interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for configuring an interface for use with an automated system including at least a first controller that runs a first system program to control and monitor automated system components, a first project file associated with the first system program and describing at least a subset of the system components and system operation, the apparatus comprising:
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a database including at least a first interface template that specifies interface components and arrangement of the interface components relative to each other for presentation on a display screen;
a processor linked to the database and programmed to perform the steps of;
gleaning information from the first project file regarding input and output parameters to be supported by an interface; and
instantiating an instance of an interface using the interface template and the information gleaned from the first project file.
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25. An apparatus for configuring an interface template for use in specifying at least one interface for use with an automated system including a controller that runs a system program to control and monitor automated system components, the apparatus comprising:
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a database including a library of possible interface components;
an interface for selecting interface components from the library and spatially arranging the selected components with respect to each other to specify interface template information;
a processor programmed to perform the steps of;
receiving the interface template specifying information;
instantiating an instance of the interface template; and
storing the interface template specifying information for subsequent use in configuring interfaces.
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26. A method for providing an interface screen including reusable software components that require information from a project file to be instantiated, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying information required b the reusable software components for instantiation;
storing the required information in a database;
when a screen is accessed that includes the reusable software component, accessing the database to obtain the information needed for instantiation; and
instantiating the reusable software component. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method for programming an HMI display device that includes HMI objects, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an HMI scripting language that includes event based constructs that are associable with HMI objects;
using the HMI scripting language to script at least a portion of an HMI program that associates at least a subset of HMI objects with event based constructs; and
using the HMI program to drive an HMI. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification