Modular object publication and discovery

• US 8,265,775 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Plache, Kenneth Scott, Seger, Daniel Baliey, Staron, Raymond John, Jasper, Taryl Jon, Jarrett, James Harry, Brandes, Russell William, Bliss, Ronald Eric, Kalan, Michael Dan, Govindaraj, Subbian, Hall, Kenwood Henry, Reichard, Douglas James, Kretschmann, Robert John
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/241,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20100082130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 700/9, 700/19, 700/28, 709200-203
• US Class Current: 700/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

An object can be used in an industrial control configuration in relation to performing a function or task. Matching can occur such that an object with operational requirements can bind with a host that has capabilities that meet those operational requirements—matching can occur automatically as well as through user operation. Once matched, different functionality can be presented to a user pertaining to the object. To assist the user, the object can include external references, logic, local or private data, as well as others in addition to resources. To facilitate operation, capabilities and resources can be published in a directory that can be accessed by different entities—sometimes with security constraints in order to protect configuration integrity. Likewise, a subscription system can be employed such that when a change to a related entity is made, a notice can transfer to related entities and operation can alter based upon the change.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a memory configured to store an industrial modular object and computer-executable components, the computer-executable components comprising;

a determination component that identifies a capability of a host; and

a disclosure component that publishes a portion of the capability of the host, wherein the capability is accessible to the industrial modular object; and

at least one processor configured to facilitate execution of the industrial modular object or at least one of the computer executable components,

wherein the industrial modular object comprises a first layer comprising a first logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a first host and a second layer comprising a second logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a second host, and wherein the industrial modular object further comprises an operational requirement including a set of capabilities identified for the first host and the second host that enable respective executions of the industrial modular object by the first and second hosts.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the industrial modular object comprises:

an interface component that defines an external behavior supplied to a client application engaging the industrial modular object;

a logic component that provides behavior and identifies the operational requirement to be satisfied by the first host or the second host;

a reference component that retains metadata pertaining to a dependency of the industrial modular object.

3. The system of claim 1, the computer executable components further comprising an appraisal component that evaluates the capability of the host and determines the portion of the capability of the host that is published.

4. The system of claim 1, the computer executable components further comprising:

an access management component that determines access rights associated with an industrial modular object requesting to view the published portion of the capability of the host; and

an access regulator component that enforces the access rights associated with the industrial modular object.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the access management component determines the access rights based on a security level of the capability or a security level of the industrial modular object.

6. A method, comprising:

storing, by a system including at least one processor, an industrial modular object in memory, wherein the industrial modular object comprises a first layer comprising a first logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a first host and a second layer comprising a second logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a second host, and wherein the industrial modular object further comprises an operational requirement including a set of capabilities identified for the first host and the second host that facilitate respective executions of the industrial modular object by the first and second hosts;

determining, by the system, the operational requirement of the industrial modular object; and

publishing, by the system, a portion of the operational requirement of the industrial modular object.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the publishing further comprises publishing the portion of the operational requirement of the industrial modular object to a directory accessible by an authorized entity.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the operations further comprise checking, by the system, an authorization right for an entity before granting access to the operational requirement.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the checking the authorization right further comprises checking the authorization right based on a likelihood of the publication being compromised.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

masking, by the system, the operational requirement in response to determining that publication is not to occur.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory configured to store an industrial modular object and computer-executable components, the computer-executable components comprising;

a determination component that identifies a capability of a host; and

a disclosure component that publishes a portion of the capability of the host,

wherein the capability is accessible to the industrial modular object; and

at least one processor configured to facilitate execution of the industrial modular object or at least one of the computer executable components,

wherein the industrial modular object comprises a first layer comprising a first logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a first host and a second layer comprising a second logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a second host, and wherein the industrial modular object further comprises an operational requirement including a set of capabilities identified for the first host and the second host that enable respective executions of the industrial modular object by the first and second hosts.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the determination component identifies the operational requirement for the industrial modular object.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the determination component determines the set of capabilities requested by the industrial modular object for the host.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the disclosure component facilitates a match between the industrial modular object and the host in response to the set of capabilities requested by the industrial modular object for the host matching the published portion of the capability of the host.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution, cause a system including at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

determining an operational requirement of an industrial modular object, wherein the industrial modular object comprises a first layer comprising a first logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a first host and a second layer comprising a second logic component that facilitates execution of the industrial modular object on a second host, and wherein the industrial modular object further comprises an operational requirement including a set of capabilities identified for the first host and the second host that facilitate respective executions of the industrial modular object by the first and second hosts; and

publishing a portion of the operational requirement of the industrial modular object.