Automation interface

A method for controlling automation, the method comprising:

• collecting, via a machine configured to perform a sequence of operations (SOP), data generated by performance of at least one operation by the machine;
• transmitting, via the machine, the data to a network in communication with the machine;
• wherein the at least one operation is one operation of the sequence of operations (SOP) performed by the machine;
• wherein the machine can be selectively operated in an automated mode to perform the at least one operation;
• wherein the data includes at least one of a baseline cycle time for the at least one operation and an actual cycle time for performance of the at least one operation;
• receiving, via a user device in communication with the network, a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine;
• wherein the user device includes a touch interface;
• displaying the MCI on the touch interface;
• wherein the MCI displays:
• the sequence of operations including the at least one operation;
• the data generated by performance of the at least one operation by the machine;
• a first touch activated user interface element (UIE) defined by the data displayed by the MCI;
• and
• at least one of:
• a baseline cycle indicator displaying the baseline cycle time of the at least one operation;
• and
• an actual cycle indicator displaying the actual cycle time of the at least one operation;
• wherein the user device is enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling the at least one operation such that a first touch action applied to the first UIE controls performance of the at least one operation by the machine;
• and
• wherein:
• the first UIE comprises a path defined by the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator;
• the first touch action applied to the first UIE as a sliding pressure in a first direction along the path actuates performance of an operation cycle of the at least one operation to a conclusion of the operation cycle;
• the first touch action applied to the first UIE as a sliding pressure in a second direction along the path and opposing the first direction actuates performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation to return to a start condition of the operation cycle;
• and
• a selective interruption of the first touch action along the path interrupts performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation at a selected point in the operation cycle;
• and
• wherein the selected point in the operation cycle is between the start condition and the conclusion of the operation cycle.

A method for controlling automation, the method comprising:

• providing a machine including at least one element;
• wherein the at least one element is controllable to perform at least one operation;
• wherein the machine is in communication with a network;
• providing a user device including a connector port;
• wherein the user device is in communication with the network;
• providing an enabling switch comprising:
• a trigger configured to switch the enabling switch to an enabled state only when the trigger is manually activated by a user;
• wherein the trigger is manually activated only when a continuous manual input is applied to the trigger by the user;
• and
• a connector for selectively connecting the enabling switch to the connector port of the user device;
• retrieving, via the user device via the network, a machine control interface (MCI) defining at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE);
• displaying the MCI on a touch screen of the user device;
• wherein connection of the enabling switch to the user device via the connector is a prerequisite condition to the user device retrieving the MCI via the network;
• and
• wherein the at least one UIE can be activated by a touch input to the touch screen to control performance of the at least one operation;
• wherein the user device is selectively enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling the at least one operation only when:
• the enabling switch is connected to the user device via the connector;
• the MCI is displayed on the touch screen;
• and
• the trigger is manually activated by the user such that the enabling switch is in the enabled state.