System for preparing a standard framework for automation appliances

• US 20060142882A1
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Heller, Rainer, Portner, Norbert, Jachmann, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,757,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/87
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for preparing a standardised functionality which is independent form the type of appliance and is used to create a solution in the field of automation. The specific properties and functions of different automation systems are directly covered or generalised on respective appliances by a system-specific adapter, the automation runtime layer. Another component implemented on the respective appliance, the runtime framework, provides a general automation functionality and/or base functionality. The automation solution can thus be created in a standardised manner on an engineering system, and randomly ported independently from the respective target platform. Uniform object libraries can be used and already created solutions can be recycled independently from the system.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system for providing a device-independent functionality for automation devices, the system comprising:

first mechanisms for encapsulating specific functions of at least one automation device and for providing a base functionality of the automation device; and

second mechanisms, superimposed on the first mechanisms, for providing a general functionality and/or automation functionality.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the first mechanisms are designed as automation-device-specific adapters.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the second mechanisms are designed so as to be independent of a device.

24. The system according to claim 21, wherein the system is provided for use by a development system for developing control software.

25. The system according to claim 21, wherein the system is provided for providing technological objects for automation devices.

26. The system according to claim 21, further comprising:

a memory for storing automation solutions for recurring tasks.

27. The system according to claim 21, wherein the system is adapted for using the Internet and/or an intranet for transmitting data.

28. The system according to claim 21, wherein an automation-specifically designed programming language is used for developing control software for the system.

35. The method according to claim 28, wherein the Internet and/or an intranet is/are used for transmitting data.

29. A method for providing device-independent functionality for automation devices, the method comprising:

encapsulating specific functions of at least one automation device and providing a base functionality of the automation device by a first mechanism; and

providing a general functionality and/or automation functionality by a second mechanism.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein automation-device-specific adapters are used on the automation devices.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the general functionality and/or automation functionality is provided independently of the automation device.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein a development system is used for developing control software.

33. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:

providing technological objects for the automation devices.

34. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:

storing automation solutions for recurring tasks.

36. A programming language automation-specifically adapted for developing control software for a method according to claim 29.

37. The programming language according to claim 36, wherein the programming language is provided as an intermediate language for automation languages, as a target language of development systems, and for mapping on to the first mechanism on an automation device as a target platform.

38. The programming language according to claim 36, wherein compilers are provided for mapping the programming language onto the target platform.

39. An automation device comprising:

first mechanisms for encapsulating specific functions and for providing a base functionality of the automation device; and

second mechanisms using the first mechanisms for providing a general functionality and/or automation functionality.

40. The automation device according to claim 39, wherein the first mechanisms are designed as automation-device-specific adapters.

41. The automation device according to claim 39, wherein the second mechanisms are independent from automation devices.