A method and device for configuring an intelligent electronic device, IED, hosting a logical node instance are provided. Incoming signals of the IED are bound to inputs of a function, the function being performed by the logical node instance in operation of an industrial automation control system, IACS. To bind the incoming signals to the inputs of the function, a computing device determines, based on an input data template of the logical node instance, which data is required by the logical node instance to perform the function. The computing device determines, using process related information of the IACS, source IEDs of the IACS that provide the data required by the logical node instance to perform the function.

This method for generating at least one configuration file for an automation tool in order to configure the automation tool, is implemented by an electronic generation device and comprises the following steps: receiving (100) an automation tool type, selecting (110), according to the automation tool type, a predetermined configuration file model from a group of predetermined configuration file models, each predetermined configuration file model being associated to a respective automation tool, each predetermined configuration file model comprising a plurality of input objects, —determining (120) a hierarchy of the input objects from the predetermined configuration file model, the hierarchy defining, for each input object except for a root object, another input object as a parent for said input object, generating (130) the configuration file according to the hierarchy of the input objects.

A method for establishing communication between a control node and a machine in a machine tool system includes notifying the control node of an identifier of the machine. The machine includes a numerical control (NC). The method further includes the steps of retrieving a machine configuration file including machine attributes at the control node based on the identifier; determining a data structure of a data signal transferring information in the machine tool system by interpreting the machine configuration file; and acknowledging from the control node to the machine that communication has been established.

A dynamic messaging system for factory automation devices that provides flexible data transport, presentation and scheduling. Custom message instructions are provided to robot controllers using configuration templates which are loadable without rebooting the controller or affecting ongoing operations of the robot. The configuration templates contain data definitions only and no executable code. Custom data messages are sent from the robot controller based on triggers, including periodic timers, transmission of a current message, change of device elements and programmatic requests. Custom message attributes such as transmission rate and priority can be set, and messages may include file attachments. A message template creator, external to the robot controller, creates the configuration templates, ensures message uniqueness and generates data ingestion schema. The schema are used by a cloud data parser to translate and load data into data tables, where the customer can analyze data from the messages using applications in a web portal.

This method for generating at least one configuration file for an automation tool in order to configure the automation tool, is implemented by an electronic generation device and comprises the following steps: receiving (100) an automation tool type, selecting (110), according to the automation tool type, a predetermined configuration file model from a group of predetermined configuration file models, each predetermined configuration file model being associated to a respective automation tool, each predetermined configuration file model comprising a plurality of input objects, determining (120) a hierarchy of the input objects from the predetermined configuration file model, the hierarchy defining, for each input object except for a root object, another input object as a parent for said input object, generating (130) the configuration file according to the hierarchy of the input objects.

Systems and methods for real time control are provided. One embodiment includes executing a first control cycle that includes retrieving an input message, where the input message includes an identifier of a network device with an input and an actuator and retrieving a context object that includes a serialized controller data structure from a previous control sample. The first control cycle may additionally include retrieving data related to the input for the network device and bundle the data related to the input with the serialized controller data structure into a run message, de-serializing the serialized controller data structure, and using the controller data structure in conjunction with the data related to the input to determine a new actuator position of the actuator. In some embodiments, the first control cycle includes updating and serializing the controller data structure and causing the actuator to be set to the new actuator position.

A method and device for configuring an intelligent electronic device, IED, hosting a logical node instance are provided. Incoming signals of the IED are bound to inputs of a function, the function being performed by the logical node instance in operation of an industrial automation control system, IACS. To bind the incoming signals to the inputs of the function, a computing device determines, based on an input data template of the logical node instance, which data is required by the logical node instance to perform the function. The computing device determines, using process related information of the IACS, source IEDs of the IACS that provide the data required by the logical node instance to perform the function.

Systems and methods for real time control are provided. One embodiment includes executing a first control cycle that includes retrieving an input message, where the input message includes an identifier of a network device with an input and an actuator and retrieving a context object that includes a serialized controller data structure from a previous control sample. The first control cycle may additionally include retrieving data related to the input for the network device and bundle the data related to the input with the serialized controller data structure into a run message, de-serializing the serialized controller data structure, and using the controller data structure in conjunction with the data related to the input to determine a new actuator position of the actuator. In some embodiments, the first control cycle includes updating and serializing the controller data structure and causing the actuator to be set to the new actuator position.

A dynamic messaging system for factory automation devices that provides flexible data transport, presentation and scheduling. Custom message instructions are provided to robot controllers using configuration templates which are loadable without rebooting the controller or affecting ongoing operations of the robot. The configuration templates contain data definitions only and no executable code. Custom data messages are sent from the robot controller based on triggers, including periodic timers, transmission of a current message, change of device elements and programmatic requests. Custom message attributes such as transmission rate and priority can be set, and messages may include file attachments. A message template creator, external to the robot controller, creates the configuration templates, ensures message uniqueness and generates data ingestion schema. The schema are used by a cloud data parser to translate and load data into data tables, where the customer can analyze data from the messages using applications in a web portal.

A system for providing an individually configured small control system. A list of possible individual configuration settings for configurable small control systems is kept ready in a configuration device and, from the list, by means of the individual selection and combination of individual configuration settings, an individual overall configuration setting of a small control system to be configured is predefined. An optical code is generated based on the predefinition of the individual overall configuration setting, within which code all the necessary data for provisioning the small control system to be configured individually on the basis of the individual overall configuration setting is stored. The optical code is provided to a process control apparatus, which reads and decodes said code and, on the basis of the data stored therein, controls the logistical process as far as the provision of the individually configured small control system based on the individual overall configuration setting.