Semantic contextualization in a programmable logic controller

An intelligent programmable logic controller comprising:

• a processor configured to execute according to a scan cycle;
• a volatile computer-readable storage medium comprising a process image area;
• a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium;
• and
• a plurality of controller components executed by the processor according to the scan cycle, the plurality of controller components comprising:
• a data transfer component configured to update the process image area during each scan cycle with contents comprising automation system data;
• a contextualization component configured:
• create a structured representation of the automation system data,
• select a semantic context model from a plurality of available semantic context models based on relevance to the structured representation of the automation system data, and
• create semantically contextualized data using the semantic context model and the structured representation of the automation system data;
• and
• a historian component configured to:
• store the semantically contextualized data on the non-volatile computer-readable storage medium.

An article of manufacture for contextualizing automation system data in an intelligent programmable logic controller, the article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

• receiving automation system data from one or more automation system devices in an automation system;
• selecting a semantic context model from a plurality of available semantic context models based on relevance to the automation system data;
• creating semantically contextualized data using the semantic context model and the automation system data;
• and
• storing the semantically contextualized data on a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium operably coupled to the intelligent programmable logic controller.