Patent Application
20060248171
The invention relates to a method for adapting hardware-dependent software which can be executed on an automation system implemented by hardware.
If software is installed on an automation device it is possible to create a binary image of this software. With the aid of this binary image, which is stored on a removable data medium for example, the software can be backed up onto the same automation device or onto a further identical automation device. In particular this is a way of making it possible to restore a software state on an automation device. If the hardware of an automation device is different from the hardware on which the software of which a binary image was created can be executed, this binary image cannot be run on the automation device with chan ged hardware if the software involved is hardware-dependent software. The result of this is that the software has to be reinstalled on the automation device with changed hardware.
The disadvantage here is that a large amount of time is required for reinstallation and that, if the software is reinstalled, data in particular which is stored after the installation of the software in this software and is present in the backup or in the binary image of this software is now no longer available because the software has been newly installed on the automation device with a changed hardware configuration. Additional data stored in the software is password settings or also configuration settings for example
The problem discussed here applies especially to PC-based automation devices. PC-based automation devices for example feature specific PC cards which require driver software. When such cards, for example a graphics card, an I/O card for inputs and outputs etc. is replaced, a new driver is necessary if the hardware of the new card used in the PC-based automation system differs from the previous card used. This problem is typical of PC-based platforms for an automation device since there are frequent technical changes in this area. Thus for example a new graphics chip on a new graphics card also requires a new driver, which is not present in the binary image of the executable software.
When replacing hardware of an automation device it has for example previously been necessary for each type of a hardware platform to maintain or to administer hardware-specific images, i.e. binary images. A further option is the at least part reinstallation or complete reinstallation of software. Both variants require considerable logistical outlay and take a great deal of time.
An object of the present invention is to specify a method or a corresponding automation device which improves the adaptation of hardware-dependent software to a new hardware configuration.
In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a method for adapting hardware-dependent software which is especially a binary image and which can be executed on an automation device implemented by hardware, with a configuration of the hardware being stored in the software and with the configuration of the hardware being detected as from the point at which the software starts up on the automation device, and being compared with the first stored configuration, whereafter, on detection of a different configuration, the software is modified by using adaptation information such that the software is able to be executed on the automation device with a different configuration.
Examples of automation devices are programmable logic controllers, PC-based open-loop or closed-loop controllers, motion controllers, open-loop and closed loop movement controllers, power converters with integrated open-loop or closed-loop controllers, devices for operation and monitoring etc.
This method enables the binary image, i.e. the image of software which is tailored to a specific configuration of the hardware of a first automation device, to be used on an automation device with hardware which differs from that of the first automation device, since it is adapted by the software to this hardware. The image copied onto the automation device with different hardware recognizes that the hardware is different. If the automation device on which the software can be executed features a specific type of hardware configuration, this configuration type is stored in the software. If execution of the software is now to be started on an automation device with a hardware configuration of a different type, the software establishes that this is a different type of hardware. The software establishes the hardware type for example on runup by detecting identifiers of the hardware, with the identifiers being able to be determined from the data of a BIOS for example.
In an advantageous embodiment the configuration of the hardware of the automation device is also stored in the software which can be executed on the hardware. The software is advantageously executed in such a way that it automatically determines or recognizes and stores the hardware configuration on which it is executing. If a binary image of this software is now created, this binary image features information ab out the hardware platform or the hardware on which the software can or could be executed, with this being especially advantageous for hardware-dependent software.
A further advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the software, especially after the comparison of the configuration of the hardware, generates a request for provision of the adaptation information. To this end the software is trained to compare the stored information about the configuration of the hardware of the automation system on which the software can or could be executed with the configuration or the hardware platform of the automation system on which the software is currently located. If the software detects by this comparison a difference in the configurations, a request for provision of adaptation information is generated. Adaptation information is typically missing drivers for hardware components, which are then installed for example For a migration of the hardware configuration from a first hardware configuration to a further hardware configuration the adaptation information especially also contains delta information relating to the different hardware components used. The adaptation information is especially provided by suppliers or manufacturers of the hardware of the automation device or by the manufacturer of the hardware-platform of the automation device.
The adaptation information especially also features information about which change is necessary to the software, which is especially a binary image, in order for the software of a first known hardware configuration of the automation device to be successfully executed on a further known possible hardware configuration of the automation device. If the hardware of an automation device features different hardware components and if predetermined requirements of the hardware components are known, adaptation information modified in this respect can also be predefined and supplied by a manufacturer of the hardware platform.
A further advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the software automatically looks for the adaptation information or automatically accesses the adaptation information. The search for or access to the information is undertaken for example on at least one removable data medium connected to the automation device. The adaptation of the software to the new hardware configuration is undertaken automatically by the software. The software is thus adapted without any explicit user intervention. The adaptation information can also be accessed via a communication device such as a bus, an Ethernet, an Intranet or an Internet for example. The software itself or the adaptation information is trained to perform the automatic adaptation of the software,
A further advantage of the present invention thus lies in the fact that a binary image is created by the software which can be executed on a first automation device, whereafter the binary image is transferred to a further automation device, after which the software runs up on this device. This means that re-installations of software to obtain executable software on an automation device are no longer absolutely necessary. With a binary image of executable software and additional adaptation information automation devices which differ in a known way with regard to their hardware can be quickly equipped with executable software.
A further advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that with the software, especially as a binary image, static data and/or dynamic data are able to be transmitted or are transmitted from a first automation device to a further automation device. This enables parameter settings in particular to be transferred, for open-loop or closed-loop control of one or more automation devices for example, without it being necessary for the entire hardware of the automation devices to be identical. Parameter settings are an example of dynamic data. Dynamic data is data which is produced especially during the run time of the system, regardless of whether it is desired or undesired. This dynamic data can often not be extracted separately and cannot be transmitted to new hardware separately from static data which is not changed during the runtime of the software. In an image however both the dynamic data and also the static data are present and then also transmi tted as an image to the other hardware. If, when a component is to be replaced, a replacement component of the automation device differs in its hardware from the component to be replaced and if this difference relates to the software, in accordance with the invention the binary image can be used in connection with the adaptation information so that neither static nor dynamic data is lost.
An automation device for executing the method in accordance with the invention features especially a data memory for storing the software. A binary image or adaptation information is for example able to be stored on a removable data medium. Removable data media are for example a hard disk, a multimedia card (MMC), a CF card, a memory stick, a USB stick, etc.
In a further advantageous embodiment the binary image or the adaptation information can be transmitted via a communication device which the automation device in particular features. The communication device is for example a wired communication device or a wireless connection. Examples are as follows: Canbus, PROFIBUS, Ethernet, Internet, Intranet, W-LAN, serial bus, etc.
The automation device can especially be provided for a machine tool or a production machine or for an automatic handling machine. These types of automatic systems or machines are typical examples for the area of application of an automation device. Furthermore, especially with such machines or automatic systems, there is the possibility that the possible changes to the hardware platform or to the hardware of the automation devices are always known to an upgrader for automation devices provided for this purpose and they can therefore easily provide adaptation information. This is especially of advantage if the automation device is a PC-based automation device. In the area of PC-based automation devices, the fact that the devices are PC-based provides a very wide variety of opportunities for replacement of hardware components such as graphics cards, main boards, I/O cards for example. The person equipping the automation device or the manufacturer can select specific configurations of the hardware or the hardware platform of the automation device, so that only a restricted range of different hardware platforms or replacement options is specified and adaptation information, that is delta information of a configuration of the hardware, can be provided for the next configuration of the hardware.
Changes to the hardware platform or the configuration of the hardware of an automation device are for example triggered by: Upgrades to the automation device, replacement of defective components of the automation device, duplication of the software on different automation devices with different hardware configuration, etc.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained below. The Figures show:
The diagram in
If the software SW is copied onto the original automation device A1, the software SW detects in a step V4 the configuration K1 of the hardware HW of the automation device A1. In a step V5 the software SW compares the original information stored in the software SW about the configuration K1 which was present in step V3 in the software with the configurations K1 of the hardware HW determined in step V4 and establishes that the configurations K1, K2 are the same, so that no further adaptations of the software SW to the configuration K1 of the hardware HW are to be undertaken.
If at least one component of the hardware HW of the automation device A1 has been replaced, with the replacement hardware component differing from the original hardware component, the automation device A1 produces a changed automation device A2 with changed hardware HW2 to which the software SW is transmitted in step V3. In a step V4 the software SW detects the new configuration K2. In a step V5 the fact that the configurations K1 or K2 are different is detected. In a step V6 the automation device A2 automatically fetches the adaptation information A1, for example from a diskette D to which the automation device A2 has access. Then in step V7 an adaptation ANP of the software SW is performed.
In step V3 the software SW can also be transmitted to an automation device A3 which features hardware HW3. In a step V4 the configuration K3 of the hardware HW3 is detected. In step V5 the difference between the stored configuration K1 and the newly recognized configuration K3 is detected and a request AF for provision of adaptation information A1 is output. After copying in of the adaptation information A1 an adaptation ANP is undertaken in step V7 so that the software SW which could be executed on the automation device A1 can now also be executed on the automation device A3.
The diagram in
The image 15 is not transmitted to an automation device A6 with changed PC-based hardware PC-HW-B of the type B or able to be executed there, since this features at least one new hardware component compared to automation device A5 which involves hardware-dependent software. The differences, especially a new hardware component, a new driver or a new Interface between the automation devices A5 and A6, mean that a new image 16 is to be created and that this is to be an image of the newly installed software SW for the automation device A6. The different images 15 and 16 of the automation devices A5, A6 with different types of hardware can be stored in an image pool IP for example.
The diagram shown in
The creation of a new image 16 in a step S3 can be executed as an option, however it is no longer absolutely necessary for securing and retaining executable software for the automation device A6.
This type of concept of adaptation of software, especially for upgrading of hardware components can also be applied to software upgrades.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 20 827.5 | May 2003 | DE | national |
This application claims priority to the German application No. 10320827.5, filed May 8, 2003 and to the International Application No. PCT/EP2004/004290, filed Apr. 22, 2004 which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP04/04290 | 4/22/2004 | WO | 11/8/2005 |
