# US 11,442,425 B2 · Method to store programs for operator interface and the management of automation machines and/or plants and corresponding software product, or project format for the execution of the method

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- Number: US 11,442,425 B2
- Document ID: US11442425B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/056,991
- Filed: 2019-05-21
- Published: 2021-06-03
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2018-05-21
- Assignees: Asem S.R.L.
- Applicants: ASEM s.r.l.
- Inventors: Alberto Riccio; Maurizio Fumagalli
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442425B2

## CPC

- G05B 19/056: {Programming the PLC}
- G06F 8/65: Updates (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57)
- G06F 8/654: using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
- G05B 2219/13004: Programming the plc
- G06F 8/71: Version control (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57); Configuration management
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

Project format, suitable to define functions and/or characteristics of an operator interface device or of a PLC of an operating machine, more generally of an industrial device. The project format comprises a base layer and a plurality of additional layers disposed in order on the base layer from the oldest to the newest.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A programmable device, comprising an operator interface stored in a memory for operating an industrial machine, wherein the programmable device is configured to:
retrieve a project program from the memory, wherein the project program corresponds to a project format, wherein the project format comprises:
a base layer configured to control a first set of functionalities of the operator interface; and
a plurality of additional layers, wherein the plurality of additional layers is disposed in a chronological order on the base layer, and wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is configured to be created dynamically at runtime during execution of the project program;
execute the project program;
complete execution of the project program; and
re-execute the project program, wherein the plurality of additional layers is configured to be dynamically modified at runtime during the re-execution of the project program.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The programmable device of claim 1, wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is associated with an operating step for developing the operator interface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The programmable device of claim 1, wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is associated with a functional subset of the first set of functionalities of the operator interface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The programmable device of claim 1, wherein a first additional layer of the plurality of additional layers comprises a plurality of operating steps for developing the operator interface disposed in parallel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The programmable device of claim 1, wherein the base layer cannot be modified by another group of developers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The programmable device of claim 1, wherein at least one additional layer of the plurality of additional layers comprises a temporary modification.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The programmable device of claim 1, wherein at least one additional layer of the plurality of additional layers comprises a permanent modification.

### Claim 8

A system for programming a control system for operating an industrial machine, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory having stored therein computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
retrieve a project program from a storage, wherein the project program corresponds to a project format, wherein the project format comprises:
a base layer configured to control a first set of functionalities of an operator interface; and
a plurality of additional layers, wherein the plurality of additional layers is disposed in a chronological order on the base layer, and wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is configured to be created dynamically at runtime during execution of the project program;
execute the project program;
complete execution of the project program; and
re-execute the project program, wherein the plurality of additional layers is configured to be dynamically modified at runtime during the re-execution of the project program.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is associated with an operating step for developing the operator interface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is associated with a functional subset of the first set of functionalities of the operator interface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein a first additional layer of the plurality of additional layers comprises a plurality of operating steps for developing the operator interface disposed in parallel.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the base layer cannot be modified by another group of developers.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein at least one additional layer of the plurality of additional layers comprises a temporary modification.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein at least one additional layer of the plurality of additional layers comprises a permanent modification.

### Claim 15

A method, comprising:
retrieving, via a processor, a project program from a storage, wherein the project program corresponds to a project format, wherein the project format comprises:
a base layer configured to control a first set of functionalities of an operator interface; and
a plurality of additional layers, wherein the plurality of additional layers is disposed in a chronological order on the base layer, and wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is configured to be created dynamically at runtime during execution of the project program; and
executing, via the processor, the project program;
completing, via the processor, execution of the project program; and
re-executing, via the processor, the project program, wherein the plurality of additional layers is configured to be dynamically modified at runtime during the re-execution of the project program.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein each additional layer of the plurality of additional layers is associated with an operating step for developing the operator interface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, comprising modifying at least one additional layer of the plurality of additional layers, wherein the modification is temporary.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, comprising modifying at least one additional layer of the plurality of additional layers, wherein the modification is permanent.