Multiple deployment of applications with multiple configurations in an industrial automation environment
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRonald Eric Bliss, Terrie E. Sauvain, Kenneth Scott Plache, Christopher E. Stanek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to implement a design apparatus for applications in an industrial automation environment. The design apparatus is configured to maintain multiple configuration settings in connection with an application project. At deployment-time, a particular configuration can be selected and utilized when building an application for installation on a target device. The same application project can be utilized to deploy the application to multiple systems through selection of different configurations.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a computer-readable storage medium configured to store an application project associated with an application, and a plurality of sets of configuration information corresponding to the application project;
- and
- a processor, coupled to the computer-readable storage medium, configured to execute computer-executable modules stored on the computer-readable storage medium, the computer-executable modules comprising:
- a designer module configured to expose and activate a plurality of development tools employable to generate content, contained within the application project, that specifies the application;
- and
- a deployment module configured to install the application to a target based on the application project and a set of configuration information, of the plurality of sets of configuration information, respectively associated with the target.
A method, comprising:
- identifying a first entity to which to install an application specified by an application project file;
- extracting first configuration information of a plurality of configuration information, wherein the first configuration information corresponds to the first entity;
- and
- deploying the application to the first entity based on the application project file and the first configuration information,
- wherein the first entity is at least one of a controller or a human-machine interface (HMI) terminal within an industrial automation environment.
A system, comprising:
- a controller, communicatively coupled to an industrial apparatus, and configured to, at least one of, monitor operation of the industrial apparatus or direct the operation of the industrial apparatus;
- a terminal, communicatively coupled to the controller, and configured to execute a visualization application which is configured to visually display a state of the industrial machine, wherein the state is received from the controller;
- and
- a design apparatus, comprising:
- a configuration module configured to manage a plurality of configuration information, wherein respective configuration information, from the plurality of configuration information, is respectively associated with respective controllers from a set of controllers which includes the controller and respective terminals from a set of terminals which includes the terminal;
- and
- a deployment module configured to install the visualization application to the terminal based on first configuration information, of the plurality of configuration information,
- wherein the first configuration information specifies parameters to enable the terminal to communicate with the controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.