Method and apparatus for developing application software for automation systems

A method for developing a graphical control program and associated software for use in an automation apparatus utilizing a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing a first control program representing a first set of flow sequences for use in operating an automation apparatus, the flow sequence including at least one transition and at least one step;
• storing a plurality of controls as objects for use in the automation apparatus;
• setting characteristics of the objects in the selected flow sequence as having one of a plurality of selectable methods, one of a plurality of selectable properties, and one of a plurality of selectable stored events for each selected object;
• redefining each step in each flow sequence as one of a mathematical expression and a scripting language set;
• displaying graphical representations of the object;
• receiving commands from a user to select one flow sequence from the first control program and to select one object;
• linking the first control program with the object;
• and
• displaying a graphical flow structure wherein the graphical flow structure includes the selected control mapped into the selected object mapped into the selected flow sequence and having at least one transition and at least one event, each transition adapted to be linked with at least one of an event and a property of an object.

A computer apparatus for interactively developing a graphical control application software program for use in controlling an automation apparatus, the computer apparatus comprising:

• means for storing an application development program including a first program representing a first set of flow sequences;
• means for storing a plurality of controls for use in the automation apparatus, the plurality of controls each being an object obeying a standard which defines characteristics of the objects as one of a plurality of methods, one of plurality of properties, and one of a plurality of events;
• a display;
• means for receiving user commands to select from the first program one of the first set of flow sequences, and for selecting one of the objects, the receiving means controlling the display to display a structure wherein the graphical representation of the selected one of the first set of flow sequences is a step in the structure and the selected object is mapped into the structure at the step, the displayed structure also having at least one transition and at least one event, each transition adapted to be linked with an object from an external source;
• and
• means for linking the first program with the possible controls to directly form an automation program in response to user commands.