Automation system to access functionality of hardware components with each hardware component having system connection unit with function objects representing real functionality of components

• US 6,625,664 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Gehring, Hubert, Koerzdoerfer, Horst, Talanis, Thomas, Zebisch, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Perveen, Rehana
• Application Number:
  US09/846,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20010052041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 710/2, 710/9, 710/36, 709/311, 709/315, 709/316
• US Class Current: 710/2
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An automation system 1, and a method for accessing the functionality of hardware components H1 . . . Hn of the automation system. Hardware components are connected by at least one bus system B1 . . . B3, and at least one hardware component contains a system connection unit 5. The system connection unit eliminates the need for special transmission objects, which until now were required between an administrative system and the hardware components of an automation system. The system connection unit contains function objects D1 . . . DB as images of the real functionality of the hardware components, whereby the function objects are provided for accessing the functionality of the hardware components via the bus system. The function objects are designed, for example, as DCOM objects.

Claims

1. An automation system comprising:

at least one bus system;

hardware components connected to said at least one bus system;

a system connection unit provided for at least one of said hardware components, said system connection unit comprising;

a common interface containing a pre-defined identification for each of said hardware components for communication with an external communication partner, and for receiving and transmitting information; and

at least one function object based on a software object as an image of a real functionality of said one hardware component, whereby said at least one function object is provided for accessing the real functionality of said one hardware component via said bus system.

2. An automation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hardware components comprise motors, sensors, and actuators.

3. An automation system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an administrative system and an operating and monitoring system for accessing said at least one function object.

4. An automation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one function object is designed as DCOM objects.

5. An automation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one function object comprises at least one of a first function object for producing a minimal functionality of one of said hardware components, a second function object for connecting to other function objects, and a third function object for gathering other function objects located in at least one of said system processing unit, remote system connection unit, and remote computers.

6. An automation system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said second function object is provided for influencing connections between said other function objects located on at least one of said remote system processing units and said remote computers.

7. An automation system in accordance with claim 5, wherein a dynamic retrieval object is generated by said third function object when said system connection unit is accessed.

8. An automation system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a loadable table with encoding rules.

9. An automation system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an administrative system and an operating and monitoring system for accessing functionalities of the hardware components.

10. A method for accessing the functionality of hardware components of an automation system, comprising:

connecting said hardware components via at least one bus system, at least one of said hardware components containing a system connection unit;

pre-defining an identification for said hardware components, and storing said identification in said at least one system connection unit;

communicating using said at least one system connection unit with an external communication partner; and

accessing said functionality of said hardware components via said bus system using at least one function object as an image of real hardware function, wherein said at least one function object is based on a software object and contained in said system connection unit.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said functionality of said hardware components comprises functions of at least one of motors, sensors, and actuators.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein an administrative system and an operating and monitoring system access said at least one function object.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said at least one function object is designed as DCOM objects.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said at least one function object comprises at least one of a first function object for producing a minimal functionality of one of said hardware components, a second function object for connecting to other function objects, and a third function object for gathering other function objects located in the at least one of said system processing unit, remote system connection unit, and remote computers.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said second function object is provided for influencing connections between said other function objects located on at least one of said remote system processing units and said remote computers.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein a dynamic retrieval object is generated by said third function object when the system connection unit is accessed.

17. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising accessing functionalities of the hardware components using an administrative system and an operating and monitoring system.