# US 2008/0185426 A1 · Method and Hardware Topology Presentation for Graphically Visualizing a Hardware Topology for a Drive System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185426 A1 - Document ID: US20080185426A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/912,216 - Filed: 2006-04-19 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-22 - Inventors: Markus Fister - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185426A1 ## CPC - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - G05B 2219/23258: GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview - G05B 2219/23273: Select, associate the real hardware to be used in the program - G05B 2219/23276: Use of virtual, logical connections - G05B 2219/25071: Synoptique display of system configuration, layout, evolution - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - 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) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract The invention relates to methods and a hardware topology display for graphically visualizing a hardware topology of a drive system (10, 11, 12) of a machine tool, production machine, and/or robot. According to the invention, component symbols (3, 8, 9) representing physical components of the drive system (10, 11, 12) are visualized from a data record describing the drive system (10, 11, 12), the component symbols (3, 8, 9) being interlinked according to the connections (13, 14) of the physical components (10, 11) by means of said data record. The invention creates a method and a hardware topology display for graphically visualizing a hardware topology of a drive system (10, 11, 12) of a machine tool, production machine, and/or robot. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for graphically visualizing a hardware topology of a drive system in a machine tool, production machine or robot, comprising the steps of: providing a data record describing the drive system, visualizing, by using the data record, component symbols representing physical components of the drive system, and connecting the component symbols to one another commensurate in line with connections between the physical components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component symbols have virtual terminals, with the data record being used to connect the virtual terminals of the component symbols to one another commensurate with the connections between the terminals of the physical components. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the virtual terminals have terminal labels of the terminals of the physical components. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of visualizing a name or type, or both, of the physical components or of subcomponents integrated in the physical components. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component symbols are connected to one another by lines. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lines connecting the component symbols or the component symbols themselves can be altered, added or deleted by a user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a graphical representation of the component symbols essentially corresponds to the physical components represented by the component symbols. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visualized component symbols can be moved. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component symbols have a field showing additional information about a physical component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the additional information includes error information identifying an erroneous topology. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component symbols include a user-selectable field for performing operations selected from the group consisting of deactivation and identification of the physical component associated with the component symbol, input of user comments and polling an electronic nameplate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of comparing a graphical visualization of the hardware topology of the drive system with a physical component hardware topology of the drive system, and visualizing differences between the graphical visualization and the physical component hardware topology. ### Claim at position 13 -22. (canceled) ### Claim 23 An apparatus for hardware topology presentation of a drive system in a machine tool, production machine or robot, comprising: a computer for storing a data record describing the drive system; and a display for visualizing component symbols representing physical components of the drive system, wherein the component symbols include virtual terminals which are connected with one another, based on the data record, commensurate with physical connections between physical terminals of the physical components, the component symbols further including a user-activatable field for deactivation or identification of the physical components associated with the component symbols. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the virtual terminals have terminal labels identifying the physical terminals of the physical components. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a name or a type of the physical components or of subcomponents integrated in the physical components are visualized. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the component symbols are connected to one another by lines. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a graphical representation of the component symbols corresponds substantially to a corresponding physical component. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the component symbols can be moved on the display. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the component symbols include an additional field with additional information about a physical component. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the additional information includes error information identifying an erroneous topology.