Abstract: A middleware schema for describing message transactions is provided, including a structured framework of commands and attributes to be employed by technical personnel in order to develop messages that comply with a target API. The invention applies the middleware schema to interpret the functionality of a source document, and generates high level program source code that formats data messages to comply with a target API.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing graphical objects in an industrial automation environment. According to one aspect of the invention, data is received across a network and is associated with an automated process. A property of a graphical object is updated with the data. Graphical objects are operatively connected to one another such that movement of a representation of one of the graphical objects based on changes of the property being updated correspondingly affects the movement of a representation of another graphical object. According to another aspect of the invention, the graphical objects are associated with industrial automation components connected to the network.

Abstract: An object-oriented computer environment having a pair of graphical objects displayed on a graphical window of a display screen. The graphical objects are positioned relative to one another in a desired orientation through the use of a user interface. The graphical objects are operatively joined at an anchor point so that movement of one of the graphical objects will correspondingly move the other graphical object joined therewith.

Abstract: A middleware schema for describing message transactions is provided, including a structured framework of commands and attributes to be employed by technical personnel in order to develop messages that comply with a target API. The invention applies the middleware schema to interpret the functionality of a source document, and generates high level program source code that formats data messages to comply with a target API.

Abstract: A graphical object in an object-oriented environment is comprised of a plurality of child graphical objects. The parent graphical object and each of the child graphical objects have a property corresponding to the orientation of a representation of the respective object. A connection tree is formed from the parent graphical object which has the initial values of each property of the child graphical objects. During operation, the value of the property of the graphical object may be altered corresponding to a change in the position of the object's graphical representation. The altered value is broadcast through the connection tree to allow recalculation of each child object's property based upon its initial value so that the parent object and its child objects can be graphically displayed based on the changed position.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for monitoring or controlling a process having a plurality of components. Graphical objects are operatively connected to one another such that movement of a representation of one of the graphical objects correspondingly affects the movement of a representation of the other graphical object. The graphical objects are associated with the plurality of components through data linking. Data received from the process relates to position or state changes of the components. Properties of the graphical objects are updated with the received data causing the representations of the graphical objects to move accordingly.