Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for representing virtual and real environment information for at least one user, whereby virtual arrangements and real arrangements are represented in such a way that masking of the virtual arrangements by real arrangements can be identified. The relative position and orientation of the device in the real environment are detected by means of an environment detection unit. In addition, a detection of the reality and the conversion thereof into a 3-dimensional surface model is continuously carried out by means of a spatial detection unit. A processing system transfers the 3-dimensional surface model of the real arrangements and the 3-dimensional model of the virtual arrangement into a common co-ordinates system and calculates possible masking surfaces of the virtual arrangement by the real arrangement.

Abstract: A method, computer program and a system for automatically generating entity templates when copying at least one software element are provided. In the method, upon receiving a request to copy a selected element, such as a group of elements in a graphics program, a common entity template is automatically created for the element if it is not currently linked to an entity template or is only linked to a non-modifiable template, such that when modifications are made to the entity template, the modifications are also made to the originally selected element and all copies thereof, simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method inside an augmented reality system for visually displaying simulation results in a mixed virtual-real environment. The system and method permit one or more users to carry out simulation processes in the context of a real environment, particularly in the field of industrial automation systems and to visually display their static and dynamic results in the contest of the real environment. Processes running in the real environment are detected and synchronized with the simulation. A control unit enables a reciprocal influencing of real processes with the simulation. In addition, the user can control the execution of the simulation via a user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the graphical recording of system requirements and specifications in electronically readable form. Elements of a plant are graphically represented by selectable components. The components are graphically rendered in a relationship to each other and a control-relevant circuitry automatically specified based on the established relationship and prepared in electronic form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for representing virtual and real environment information for at least one user, whereby virtual arrangements and real arrangements are represented in such a way that masking of the virtual arrangements by real arrangements can be identified. The relative position and orientation of the device in the real environment are detected by means of an environment detection unit. In addition, a detection of the reality and the conversion thereof into a 3-dimensional surface model is continuously carried out by means of a spatial detection unit. A processing system transfers the 3-dimensional surface model of the real arrangements and the 3-dimensional model of the virtual arrangement into a common co-ordinates system and calculates possible masking surfaces of the virtual arrangement by the real arrangement.

Abstract: A method for automatically linking resource data to graphical data includes: identifying a graphical data object in a set of data; selecting resource data for linking to the graphical data object; detecting repeated graphical data objects in the set of data; and linking the selected automation data to the detected repeated graphical data objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method inside an augmented reality system for visually displaying simulation results in a mixed virtual-real environment. The system and method permit one or more users to carry out simulation processes in the context of a real environment, particularly in the field of industrial automation systems and to visually display their static and dynamic results in the contest of the real environment. Processes running in the real environment are detected and synchronized with the simulation. A control unit enables a reciprocal influencing of real processes with the simulation. In addition, the user can control the execution of the simulation via a user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the graphical recording of system requirements and specifications in electronically readable form. Elements of a plant are graphically represented by selectable components. The components are graphically rendered in a relationship to each other and a control-relevant circuitry automatically specified based on the established relationship and prepared in electronic form.

Abstract: A system and method for augmnented reality documentation of a work process such as production, installation, or maintenance. A camera records images of objects in the work process. A tracking mechanism determines the position and orientation of the camera relative to points in space. A mobile computer at the workstation processes the camera images and the position and orientation of the camera, and relays this information to a remote computer system. A technical editor uses the remote computer system to supplement the image data with symbols and text assigned to points in space, producing support documentation for the work process. This information may be displayed on goggles on a service technician perforiming the work, making the support documentation appear as if displayed in space adjacent to the objects in a workflow sequence to guide the technician.

Abstract: A method, computer program and a system for copying at least one software element are provided having the following actions. Checking whether a connection exists between the element and an entity template able to be modified by a user. and where no connection exists: Creating an entity template able to be modified by the user based on the element and Connecting the element to the entity template.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a virtual installation model (2) as an image of a real installation (1). As a database therefor, digital picture data (4) representing pictures of a real installation (1) on the one hand and installation components (13) of a component library (6) on the other hand are used. The data of the installation components as well as the digital picture data (4) of the real installation (1) is evaluated by means of an image analysis (5). Based on this analysis, the identified installation components (13) are assigned to the virtually generated installation model (2). The virtual image of the real installation thus created serves to document the actual structure of the installation/facility, to simplify failure analysis, e.g., in areas that are difficult to access, and/or to operate and monitor the installation/facility. In addition to geometric data, functional data, etc. of the installation components are also stored.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method whereby automation code is generated based on existing descriptions of a plant structure. The components of the plant are represented by functional modules and have ports for data transmission. Signals, allocated to the functional modules are transmitted via the ports. A signal can be allocated to more than one port, for example, because it denotes the currently active port. The signals are assigned meta-information. Automation code is automatically generated based on the configuration of the signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method, which facilities the establishment of a documentation of working processes, said documentation using methods of augmented reality, particularly in the domain of production, installation, service or maintenance. The system contains at least one camera for recording image information during one or more working processes, tracking means for determining the position and orientation of the camera with regard to points in space, and contains a mobile computer for processing the image information recorded by the camera as well as the position and orientation of the camera, and for relaying the processed image information as image data as well as the position and orientation of the camera as tracking information to a remote computer system.

Abstract: A system and a method for displaying user information, which improves the simultaneous display of user information and image information regarding an environment.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating and monitoring an automation system, in which, via virtual installation models (1), processes of the automation system are, by means of a display unit (2), displayed or represented as a representation of real installation components (7). The display unit 2 includes input screen sections (4a, 4b, 4c) in order to allow a user to interactively operate displayed installation components 8. The method allows the user to navigate in the virtual installation models 8, which exactly reflect the real conditions and the current conditions of the automation system. By combining 2D and 3D displays or representations, the user can choose the most appropriate form of representation for the individual case at hand. The invention thus facilitates a reality-based representation of the automation system, which makes it possible to intuitively operate and monitor even complex processes.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating and monitoring an automation system, in which, via virtual installation models (1), processes of the automation system are, by means of a display unit (2), displayed or represented as a representation of real installation components (7). The display unit 2 includes input screen sections (4a, 4b, 4c) in order to allow a user to interactively operate displayed installation components 8. The method allows the user to navigate in the virtual installation models 8, which exactly reflect the real conditions and the current conditions of the automation system. By combining 2D and 3D displays or representations, the user can choose the most appropriate form of representation for the individual case at hand. The invention thus facilitates a reality-based representation of the automation system, which makes it possible to intuitively operate and monitor even complex processes.

Abstract: A set of viewpoints for a given scene of 3D objects is defined by a system that restricts the degrees of freedom available to a user, through use of a bounding surface (a viewpoint sphere), and provides varying degrees of automation ranging from predefined viewpoints to generated tour paths, to interactive selection using free navigation. The system calculates the scene sphere, which is the minimum bounding sphere that contains the set of objects in the scene and then finds the viewpoint sphere, which is done by calculating the viewpoint sphere radius. The user then chooses the mode of viewpoint selection as either completely automated, semi-automated, or free navigation. The output is a set of viewpoints for the given scene of objects.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating and monitoring an automation system, in which, via virtual installation models (1), processes of the automation system are, by means of a display unit (2), displayed or represented as a representation of real installation components (7). The display unit 2 includes input screen sections (4a, 4b, 4c) in order to allow a user to interactively operate displayed installation components 8. The method allows the user to navigate in the virtual installation models 8, which exactly reflect the real conditions and the current conditions of the automation system. By combining 2D and 3D displays or representations, the user can choose the most appropriate form of representation for the individual case at hand. The invention thus facilitates a reality-based representation of the automation system, which makes it possible to intuitively operate and monitor even complex processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a virtual installation model (2) as an image of a real installation (1). As a database therefor, digital picture data (4) representing pictures of a real installation (1) on the one hand and installation components (13) of a component library (6) on the other hand are used. The data of the installation components as well as the digital picture data (4) of the real installation (1) is evaluated by means of an image analysis (5). Based on this analysis, the identified installation components (13) are assigned to the virtually generated installation model (2). The virtual image of the real installation thus created serves to document the actual structure of the installation/facility, to simplify failure analysis, e.g., in areas that are difficult to access, and/or to operate and monitor the installation/facility. In addition to geometric data, functional data, etc. of the installation components are also stored.