Hierarchically structured data model for utilization in industrial automation environments

• US 7,672,737 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Hood, Gavan W., Hall, Kenwood H., Kappelhoff, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): DeCady; Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland; Steven R
• Application Number:
  US11/240,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 700 1- 4, 700/17, 700/95, 700/86, 717/163, 709/246
• US Class Current: 700/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4188 characterised by CIM planning or realisation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31166 Access data by name, object, stored in list, database
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31334 Database with devices, configuration, of plant
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31449 Monitor workflow, to optimize business, industrial processes
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35391 Sort, order entered data hierarchical
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36542 Cryptography, encrypt, access, authorize with key, code, password
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An industrial automation device comprises a data storage component that retains at least a portion of a schema, the schema facilitates usage of a hierarchically structured data model by the industrial automation device. A processor is communicatively coupled to the data storage component and facilitates at least one of receipt, execution, and creation of an object that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model. In another example, the industrial automation device can be employed to execute a workflow.

Claims

1. An industrial automation device, comprising:

a data storage component that retains at least a portion of a schema, the schema transforms data from a flat data structure to a hierarchically structured data model;

a workflow engine that executes Business Process Execution Language, the workflow engine executes at least one operation based at least in part on utilization of the schema; and

a processor that facilitates at least one of receipt, execution, and creation of an object that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.

2. The industrial automation device of claim 1, the hierarchically structured data model is representative of a hierarchical organization of a factory.

3. The industrial automation device of claim 1, the hierarchically structured data model is based at least in part upon one or more common industrial protocols.

4. The industrial automation device of claim 1, the schema instantiates control modules within the industrial automation device.

5. The industrial automation device of claim 1, the schema instantiates equipment modules within the industrial automation device.

6. The industrial automation device of claim 1, the schema instantiates a unit procedure component within the industrial automation device.

7. The industrial automation device of claim 1, further comprising a proxy component that communicates between the industrial automation device and a legacy automation device.

8. The industrial automation device of claim 7, the proxy component comprises a mapping component that maps data from a flat data structure to data that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.

9. The system of claim 8, the proxy component comprises a bridging component that converts data that conforms to a first network protocol to data that conforms to a second network protocol.

10. The system of claim 9, the second network protocol is a common industrial protocol.

11. The industrial automation device of claim 1, further comprising a security component that ensures that an operator is authorized to review requested data within the industrial automation device prior to providing the operator with the requested data.

12. The industrial automation device of claim 11, the security component administers security to a plurality of industrial automation devices.

13. The industrial automation device of claim 1, further comprising a filtering component that filters data within the industrial automation device based at least in part upon user identity.

14. The industrial automation device of claim 1, further comprising an interface component that provides data within the industrial automation device to a remote entity.

15. The industrial automation device of claim 1 being one of a programmable logic controller, a numerical controller, a robotic controller, an automation controller, a process controller, a smart device, a network switch, and a router.

16. The industrial automation device of claim 1, further comprising an aggregation component that aggregates data from a plurality of industrial devices and makes such data available to higher-level systems.

17. The industrial automation device of claim 1, the workflow engine executes a workflow.

18. A computer implemented methodology for enabling utilization of structured data within an industrial automation device, comprising:

receiving data from the industrial automation device;

associating at least a portion of a schema with the industrial automation device, the schema transforms data from a flat structure to a hierarchically structured data model within an industrial automation environment;

executing Business Process Execution Language by a workflow engine, the workflow engine directs usage of the schema by the industrial automation device; and

wherein memory operatively coupled to a processor is capable of retention of at least one piece of information that pertains to the industrial automation device or the schema.

19. The methodology of claim 18, further comprising at least one of receiving, executing, and creating a data object that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.

20. The methodology of claim 18, further comprising ensuring that an entity requesting access to the industrial automation device is authorized to access such device.

21. The methodology of claim 18, the hierarchically structured data model is based at least in part upon one or more common industrial protocols.

22. The methodology of claim 18, the industrial automation device is one of a numeric controller, a robotic controller, a programmable logic controller, an automation controller, a process controller, a smart device, a switch, a router, a proxy, and a gateway.

23. The methodology of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving data that is structured in a flat manner; and

utilizing templates to convert the data so that it conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.

24. The methodology of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving data that is formatted in accordance with a first industrial protocol; and

re-packaging the data so that it can be transmitted by way of a second industrial protocol.

25. The methodology of claim 24, the second industrial protocol is a common industrial protocol.

26. The methodology of claim 18, further comprising executing a workflow within the industrial automation device.

27. An industrial automation device embodied on a computer readable storage medium, comprising:

means for implementing a schema that instantiates objects in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model by the industrial automation device;

means for executing Business Process Execution Language by a workflow engine, the workflow engine manages the implementation of the schema; and

means for processing data objects from a flat data structure to data that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.

28. The industrial automation device of claim 27, further comprising means for converting data structured in a flat manner to data that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.

29. The industrial automation device of claim 27, further comprising means for executing a workflow.

30. An industrial automation component, comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein computer-executable instructions to implement a system, including;

a schema that instantiates objects in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model;

a workflow engine that executes Business Process Execution Language to manage implementation of the schema; and

a mapping component for processing data objects from a flat data structure to data that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model.