Programming automation in a 3d graphical editor with tightly coupled logic and physical simulation

Abstract

A system for designing automation applications based on input from a user includes a library interface, a three-dimensional workspace, a simulation engine, and controller code generation unit. The library interface is configured to receive a user selection of a plurality of components from a library of components. The three-dimensional workspace is configured to display the components and create a system design in the three-dimensional workspace using the components based on one or more instructions provided by the user. The simulation engine is configured to generate simulation code based on the system design in the three-dimensional workspace and execute the simulation code in response to a command from the user. One or more of the components in the three-dimensional workspace may be animated during execution of the simulation code. The controller code generation unit is configured to identify one or more physical controllers corresponding to the components in the three-dimensional workspace and generate controller-executable code for those physical controllers based on the system design.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.