ABSTRACTED DISPLAY BUILDING METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20070055386A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• 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:
  US11/537,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20070055386A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/00 Systems controlled by a computer G05B13/00, G05B19/00 take precedence; automatic controllers with particular characteristics G05B11/00
• 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 2219/1205 Memory access for different processors, memory arbitration, mailbox
• 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 2219/25305 MMA, memory management, set ram and eprom part for flash memory, store state also
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31406 Data management, shop management, memory management
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32142 Define device, module description using xml format file
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34192 Memory management
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36138 Configuration of operator panel, using os-2 modular programs, masks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44594 Unloading
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 15/00 Apparatus or local circuits for transmitting or receiving dot-and-dash codes, e.g. Morse code teaching apparatus therefor G09B; telegraph tapping keys H01H21/86
• 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:

an interface screen that includes all device elements related to operation of an interface device; and

an unloaded interface screen that retains a subset of all the device elements related to the operation of the interface device.

2. The system of claim 1, the subset of all the device elements represents aspects necessary to maintain operation of the interface device.

3. The system of claim 1, all the device elements represent display properties and functional properties of the interface device.

4. The system of claim 3, the display properties comprise features in font, size, color, position, and text and the functional properties comprise features in measurement and observation.

5. The system of claim 1, the subset of all the device elements represents functional properties of the interface device.

6. The system of claim 5, the functional properties comprise features in measurement and observation.

7. The system of claim 1, the unloaded interface screen unloads device elements that are not required for continuous operation of the interface device and maintains device elements that are required for continuous operation of the interface device.

8. The system of claim 1, the unloaded interface screen suppresses device elements that are not required for seamless operation of the interface device.

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

maintaining device elements of a main interface screen; and

unloading a subset of the device elements of an unloaded interface screen for a temporary period of time.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising reinstating the unloaded subset of the device elements after the temporary period of time lapses.

11. The method of claim 9, the device elements of the main interface screen comprise visual and operational aspects of an interface device.

12. The method of claim 9, the unloaded subset of the device elements comprises visual aspects of an interface device.

13. The method of claim 9, each device element is loaded when necessary for operation of the interface device and unloaded when not necessary for operation of the interface device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising suppressing at least one device element during the temporary period of time.

15. The method of claim 14, the at least one suppressed device element is not required for continual operation of the interface device.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising adding new device elements to the unloaded interface screen.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising checking status of the device elements at regular time intervals, the device elements that are idle are marked for unloading.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising checking status of the device elements at random time intervals, the device elements that are idle are automatically unloaded.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising checking status of the device elements upon an event predetermined by the user or triggered by the interface device, the device elements that are idle are immediately unloaded.

20. A system that facilitates industrial control, comprising:

means for temporarily unloading device elements unnecessary for continuous operation of the interface device; and

means for reinstating the temporarily unloaded device elements when necessary for continuous operation of the interface device.