Extending a Programmable Logic Controller with Apps
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsGeorge Lo, Thomas Gruenewald, Phani Ram Kumar Kuruganty, Kurt Dirk Bettenhausen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A programmable logic controller comprises a processor, a PLC operating environment, a device memory, and an app container. The PLC operating environment is configured to execute a controller automation program providing a plurality of skill functions. The device memory comprises a plurality of apps which are configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions using the plurality of skill functions. The app container is logically separate from the PLC operating environment and configured to provide a runtime environment for the apps.
Claims22
A programmable logic controller comprising:
- a processor;
- a PLC operating environment configured to execute a controller automation program providing a plurality of skill functions;
- a device memory comprising a plurality of apps configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions using the plurality of skill functions;
- and
- an app container that is logically separate from the PLC operating environment, wherein the app container is configured to provide a runtime environment for the plurality of apps.
A programmable logic controller comprising:
- a PLC operating environment configured to execute a controller automation program providing a plurality of skill functions;
- a device memory comprising a plurality of apps configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions using the plurality of skill functions;
- a first instance of an app container that is logically separate from the PLC operating environment, wherein the first instance of the app container is configured to provide a first runtime environment for a first subset of the plurality of apps;
- a second instance of the app container that is logically separate from the PLC operating environment, wherein the second instance of the app container is configured to provide a second runtime environment for a second subset of the plurality of apps.
A programmable logic controller comprising:
- a PLC operating environment configured to execute a controller automation program;
- one or more app containers configured to provide a runtime environment for the plurality of apps;
- and
- a real-time data backbone configured to maintain state information associated with the plurality of apps and to facilitate communication between the plurality of apps and the PLC operating environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.