# US 2010/0049335 A1 · Data structure & associated method for automation control system management > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0049335 A1 - Document ID: US20100049335A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/443,291 - Filed: 2007-09-21 - Published: 2010-02-25 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-06 - Assignees: Tac, LLC - Inventors: Lars-Eric Assarsson; Per-Ola Olsson; Micael Carlstedt; Marcus Skälstad; Johan Larsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100049335A1 ## CPC - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - G05B 2219/23258: GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview - G05B 2219/25067: Graphic configuration control system - 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) ## Abstract A data structure comprising a link to a set of binding points enabling connection to a building control system and a model of said automation control system is disclosed. The model comprises a plurality of virtual components arranged in a structure associated with functions of said automation control system. Each virtual component is assigned a set of properties for viewing a representation of said virtual component. Each set of properties comprises a first sub-set of properties being linked to said binding points such that actual values for corresponding actual component are provided to said virtual component, and a second sub-set of properties for how said representation of said virtual component is to be viewed with respect to said actual values. Each property of said second sub-set of properties selectably comprises a locally or a globally assigned parameter. An automation system management tool utilising the data structure, and an automation control system comprising the tool are disclosed. Further, a method and a computer program implementing the method, utilising the data structure are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automation control management tool comprising a processor, a graphical user interface, and a set of binding points to enable connection to an automation control system, wherein said processor holds a model of said automation control system, said model comprising a plurality of virtual components arranged in a hierarchical structure associated with functions of corresponding actual components of said automation control system, wherein each virtual component is assigned a set of properties for viewing a representation of said virtual component by said graphical user interface, wherein said each set of properties comprises a first subset of properties being linked to said binding points such that actual values for corresponding actual components are provided to said virtual components, and a second subset of properties being assigned parameters for how said representation of said virtual component is to be viewed with respect to said actual values, wherein each property of said second subset of properties selectably comprises a locally or a globally assigned parameter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein said locally assigned properties depend on a value of at least one binding point. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein said globally assigned properties depend on a value of at least one binding point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein said globally assigned properties depend on a set of values of a set of binding points. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein two or more of said locally or globally assigned properties depend on one value of one of said binding points. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, comprising an editing mode, wherein said graphical user interface provides a field for editing said parameters. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tool according to claim 6, wherein a locally assigned parameter is editable by accessing said representation of said virtual component in said editing mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The tool according to claim 6, wherein a globally assigned parameter is editable by exposing said global parameter and performing at least one of the actions comprising: amending the parameter; and re-naming the parameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The tool according to claim 6, wherein said set of properties comprise a selectable assigned minimum value and a selectable assigned maximum value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein a representation of a virtual component in said graphical user interface is arranged to receive a user settable value, wherein said value is linked to its associated binding point for controlling said corresponding actual component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, comprising a component editor, wherein a component of said virtual components is editable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tool according to claim 11, wherein said component editor enable grouping of a plurality of components as sub-components of a complex component, wherein said complex component is handled as any virtual component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, comprising a model editor, wherein said model is editable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, comprising a snippet library comprising snippets defining properties to enable assigning said properties to a virtual component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tool according to claim 14, further comprising a snippet editor, wherein an edited snippet is added to said snippet library. ### Claim 16 An automation control system comprising a physical automation control system and a management tool comprising a processor, a graphical user interface, and a set of binding points to enable connection to said physical automation control system, wherein said processor holds a model of said physical automation control system, said model comprising a plurality of virtual components arranged in a structure associated with functions corresponding actual components of said physical automation control system, wherein each virtual component is assigned a set of properties for viewing a representation of said virtual component by said graphical user interface, wherein said each set of properties comprises a first subset of properties being linked to said binding points such that actual values for corresponding actual components are provided to said virtual components, and a second subset of properties for how said representation of said virtual component is to be viewed in said graphical user interface with respect to said actual values, wherein each property of said second subset of properties selectably comprises a locally or a globally assigned parameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein said globally assigned properties depend on a value of at least one binding point. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein said globally assigned properties depend on a set of values of a set of binding points. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein a set of globally assigned properties depend on a value of one binding point. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein two or more of said locally or globally assigned properties depend on one value of one of said binding points. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein a representation of a virtual component in said graphical user interface is arranged to receive a user settable value, wherein said value is linked to its associated binding point for controlling said corresponding actual component. ### Claim 22 A method for use in a device, comprising associating virtual components of a model of an automation control system with actual components of the automation control system; assigning a set of properties to said virtual components; viewing a representation of said virtual components according to said set of properties, wherein said each set of properties comprises a first subset of properties being linked to said binding points such that actual values for corresponding actual components are provided to said virtual components, and a second subset of properties comprising parameters for how said representation of said virtual component is to be viewed with respect to said actual values, wherein said method further comprises assigning said parameters selectably locally or globally of each property of said second subset of properties. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising editing said parameters. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising selecting a virtual component for editing; accessing said representation of said selected virtual component; and assigning said parameter locally. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising exposing a globally assigned parameter; and amending said exposed parameter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising assigning for a selected property a minimum value; and assigning a maximum value for said selected property. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising receiving a user selectable value associated with a representation of a virtual component; and assigning said user selectable value to a binding point for controlling a corresponding actual component. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising editing a virtual component, wherein said editing comprises grouping a plurality of components as sub-components of a complex component, and assigning said complex component as a virtual component. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising editing said model. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising accessing a snippet from a snippet library, wherein said snippet defines properties of a virtual component; editing said snippet; and storing said edited snippet in said snippet library. ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) A computer program stored on a computer readable medium, said computer program comprising program code adapted to perform the method according to claim 22 when the program is run on a computer. ### Claim 32 A data structure comprising a link to a set of binding points enabling connection to an automation control system; and a model of said automation control system, wherein said model comprises a plurality of virtual components arranged in a structure associated with functions of said automation control system, wherein each virtual component is assigned a set of properties for viewing a representation of said virtual component, wherein each set of properties comprises a first sub-set of properties being linked to said binding points such that actual values for corresponding actual component are provided to said virtual component, and a second sub-set of properties for how said representation of said virtual component is to be viewed with respect to said actual values, wherein each property of said second sub-set of properties selectably comprises a locally or a globally assigned parameter. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein said locally assigned properties depend on a value of at least one binding point. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein said globally assigned properties depend on a value of at least one binding point. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein said globally assigned properties depend on a set of values of a set of binding points. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein two or more of said locally or globally assigned properties depend on one value of one of said binding points. ### Claim 37 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein a globally assigned parameter is editable by exposing said global parameter and performing at least one of the actions comprising: amending the parameter; and re-naming the parameter. ### Claim 38 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein said set of properties comprise a selectable assigned minimum value and a selectable assigned maximum value. ### Claim 39 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, wherein a virtual component of said virtual components is a group of a plurality of components as sub-components of a complex component, wherein said complex component is handled as any virtual component. ### Claim 40 (depends on 32) The data structure according to claim 32, further comprising a snippet library comprising snippets defining properties to enable assigning said properties to a virtual component.