MULTIPLE INTERFACE SUPPORT

• US 20110022827A1
• Filed: 09/29/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Bliss, Ronald, Reichard, Douglas J., Govindaraj, Subbian, Brandes, Russell, Plache, Kenneth, Kalan, Michael, Jasper, Taryl, Kretschmann, Robert J., Staron, Raymond, Jarrett, James Harry, Seger, Daniel B. III, Hall, Kenwood
• Granted Patent: US 8,776,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13063 Synchronization between modules
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23389 Modular program, each process has corresponding program module
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23467 Code and program on two objects to be assembled, compared for compatibility
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31124 Interface between communication network and process control, store, exchange data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Aspects describe multiple interface support that provides dynamic switching between new and old interface revisions. A first interface application is selected from a set of alternative interface applications for an industrial automation system. Support for each interface application included in the set of alternative interface applications is provided. A second interface application is downloaded and associated with the first interface application. The second interface application is enabled during runtime. If needed, the second interface application can be selectively disabled and an operation resumed with the first interface application.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an interface component that obtains a set of alternative interface applications for an industrial automation system; and

a deployment component that enables a first interface application from the set of alternative interface applications.

2. The device of claim 1, the interface component maintains support for each interface application included in the set of alternative interface applications, wherein each interface application is a different interface version.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a validation component that compares each interface application in the set of alternative interface applications.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a toggle module that dynamically switches from the first interface application to a second interface application included in the set of alternative interface applications.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mapping component that translates information between each interface application in the set of alternative interface applications, wherein each interface application is a different revision level.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a validation component that performs a compatibility check of each interface application; and

a download component that obtains at least one of the interface applications as an update if the compatibility check is approved by the validation component.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the deployment component enables a second interface application while maintaining support for the first interface application.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the deployment component enables a second interface application from the set of alternative interface applications for testing during runtime.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface component provides multiple views through the device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the multiple views are logic views or host views.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface component provides metadata related to accessibility of the first interface application or a second interface application.

12. A method, comprising:

receiving a first interface application;

deploying the first interface application;

obtaining a second interface application;

mapping the second interface application to the first interface application;

enabling the second interface application; and

selectively resuming operation with the first interface application.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the enabling comprises retaining support for the first interface application.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the enabling comprises performing a test of the second interface application during runtime.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the mapping comprises storing information related to a first revision level of the first interface application and a second revision level of the second interface application.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the obtaining comprises downloading an update that comprises the second interface application.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing multiple views, wherein the multiple views are logic views or host views.

18. A system, comprising:

an interface component that retains information related to a first interface application and a second interface application;

a mapping component that associates the first interface application with the second interface application;

a validation component that accesses data related to a third interface application;

a download component that selectively obtains the third interface application, wherein the mapping component associates the third interface application with the second interface application; and

a deployment component that enables the third interface application and maintains support for the first interface application and the second interface application.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a toggle component that selectively disables the third interface application and resumes operation with the first interface application or the second interface application.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the download component obtains the third interface application if the validation component indicates that the third interface application is compatible with the first interface application or the second interface application.