REAL TIME PARALLEL INTERFACE CONFIGURATION AND DEVICE REPRESENTATION METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20070033538A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Mann, Krista, Lloyd, Robert, Mann, Joseph, Britt, Clinton, Cisler, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/537,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20070033538A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2206 Microprocessor for display and parameter input, link to control microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24084 Remote and local monitoring, local result to remote, remote takes action
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32142 Define device, module description using xml format file
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36138 Configuration of operator panel, using os-2 modular programs, masks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A machine can be accessed and controlled with the help of an interface device. The customizable interface device contains device elements that define features relating to the external representation and internal functionality of the interface device, as linked to one or more machines. An operator can use a configuration station to implement single or reoccurring queries that interact with the interface device and corresponding machines. In particular, the queries target the configuration of device elements in the interface device. The process can include temporarily unloading unused features from active memory and mirroring property changes initialized by a source. An emulator can assist in the configuration process by providing a preliminary software representation of the interface device hardware. A user can develop, test, and reconfigure functions on the emulator before loading the finalized platform to the interface device.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates industrial control, comprising:

a first device element that changes at least one interface property; and

a second device element that mirrors the at least one property change of the first device element.

2. The system of claim 1, the first device element receives instructions that specify the changes to the at least one interface property.

3. The system of claim 1, the first device element detects an event that triggers the change to the at least one interface property.

4. The system of claim 1, the second device element automatically duplicates the changes to the at least one property of the first device element.

5. The system of claim 1, the first device element initiates mirroring of at least one property change by the second device element.

6. The system of claim 1, the second device element performs a change to another type of property in response to a property change in the first device element.

7. The system of claim 1, the first device element is mirrored by multiple device elements.

8. The system of claim 1, the second device element is further mirrored by at least one other device element.

9. The system of claim 1, the second device element can be configured with a customized routine to perform mirroring property changes as a function of the property changes in the first device element.

10. A method that facilitates industrial control, comprising the following acts:

detecting a property change in a device element; and

implementing a corresponding property change in at least one other device element in reaction to the detected property change.

11. The method of claim 10, the corresponding property change is identical to the detected property change.

12. The method of claim 10, the corresponding property change is of a different type than the detected property change.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising propagating the corresponding property change through a chain of device elements.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving instructions that specify which corresponding property changes to implement.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising setting automated standards that immediately implement property changes upon detection of specified property changes.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising implementing an additional corresponding property change in the at least one other device element in reaction to the detected property change.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising waiting a period of time after detecting the property change in the device element before implementing the corresponding property change in the at least one other device element.

18. The method of claim 17, the period of time is at least one of set by a user or random.

19. A system that facilitates industrial control, comprising:

means for acquiring an indication of a property change in at least one device element; and

means for implementing a mirrored property change in at least one other device element based on the indication.

20. The system of claim 19, the mirrored property change is different and complementary to the acquired indication of the property change.