Support for flexible integration of an industrial process simulation system with a control system

Abstract

A computer implemented method is disclosed for facilitating communication within an industrial application environment. The method includes receiving a signal from an industrial application simulation system. The signal is converted into a different format that is recognizable by a component that is outside of the industrial application simulation system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an industrial process environment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example implementation of a hardware component included in the industrial process environment.

FIGS. 3-6 are examples of user interface components.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of facilitating communication within an industrial application environment, the method comprising: receiving a signal from an industrial application simulation system; andconverting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component that is outside of the industrial application simulation system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component comprises converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a programmable logic controller.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component comprises converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component that is independent of the industrial application simulation system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component comprises converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component that is implemented on a computing device that is different than a computing device upon which the industrial application simulation system is implemented.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal that is indicative of an event that occurs within a simulated industrial application simulated by the industrial application simulation system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component comprises converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by non-simulated industrial application.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component comprises converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a non-simulated industrial device having a mechanical functionality.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a component comprises converting the signal into a different format that is recognizable by a non-simulated industrial device having an electronic functionality.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating the converted signal to a hardware component configured to convert the converted signal into a format appropriate for transmission through an electrical interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal indicative of a command input by a user.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal indicative of a command input by a user into the industrial application simulation system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal indicative of an output associated with a non-simulated device.

11. An industrial application simulation system, comprising a hardware component configured to facilitate communication between a simulation system operating on a computing device and a non-simulated component.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the non-simulated component is a programmable logic controller.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the non-simulated component is a mechanical device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the hardware component is configured to convert a signal received from the computing device into a format appropriate for transmission to the non-simulated component by way of an electrical communication interface.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a software component configured to facilitate communication between the hardware component and the simulation system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the software component includes a translation layer configured to convert a signal received from either the hardware component or the simulation system into a different format.

17. A computer implemented method within an industrial application environment, the method comprising: receiving a signal from a non-simulated device; andbased on the signal, changing a state of an industrial application simulation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal from a programmable logic controller.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal from a non-simulated device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-simulated device is part of a non-simulated application upon which the industrial application simulation is based.