Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring an interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, such as objects configured in accordance with object-oriented programming concepts. A query from a general purpose viewer is received by the interface device, such as originating from a configuration station where the general purpose viewer is operative. The query is interpreted by server-side scripting executed in the interface device to identify the device elements and to display visual representations of the device elements in a design-time environment. The design-time environment and the visual representations are then transmitted to a configuration station. The device elements, their properties and functionalities may be altered by means of the design-time environment and the server-side scripting to create interface screens, alter device elements and their properties and functions, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating editing of editable code in an interface device or similar apparatus. Properties of device elements are enumerated by a general purpose engine resident on the interface device. The general purpose engine enumerates the properties in response to a query in a design-time environment. The device element includes a specific property type and editable code consistent with the property type. A server module on the device serves the editable code and an editing environment from the interface device to a configuration station. The code can be edited on the configuration station in the editing environment and restored to the interface device. The technique alleviates the need for separate editing software or storage of the editable code in any location other than on the interface device itself.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring and interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, each having visual representation and a state engine defining a functionality. A server module in the interface device receives a query from a user viewable screen that includes the visual representations. The server module serves the user viewable screen to a general purpose viewer or browser, which may include a design-time environment. An access module, then, prompts each device to send an image defining its visual representation to a memory display context for inclusion in the user viewable screen. The access module works without reference to the respective functionality of the device elements.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring an interface device. Individual device elements are stored on the interface device and each element includes a functionality and a visual representation. A general purpose engine resident on the interface device enumerates properties of the device elements in response to a query in a design-time environment. Design-time environment may be served to a general purpose computer working as a configuration station. The general purpose engine is independent of the device elements enumerated. A user viewable screen is then generated for viewing in the design-time environment, with the potential for altering properties of the enumerated device elements. The viewable screen and design-time environment may be displayed in a general purpose viewer or browser by collecting the visual representations associated with the device elements.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring an interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, such as objects configured in accordance with object-oriented programming concepts. A query from a general purpose viewer is received by the interface device, such as originating from a configuration station where the general purpose viewer is operative. The query is interpreted by server-side scripting executed in the interface device to identify the device elements and to display visual representations of the device elements in a design-time environment. The design-time environment and the visual representations are then transmitted to a configuration station. The device elements, their properties and functionalities may be altered by means of the design-time environment and the server-side scripting to create interface screens, alter device elements and their properties and functions, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring an interface device. Individual device elements are stored on the interface device and each element includes a functionality and a visual representation. A general purpose engine resident on the interface device enumerates properties of the device elements in response to a query in a design-time environment. Design-time environment may be served to a general purpose computer working as a configuration station. The general purpose engine is independent of the device elements enumerated. A user viewable screen is then generated for viewing in the design-time environment, with the potential for altering properties of the enumerated device elements. The viewable screen and design-time environment may be displayed in a general purpose viewer or browser by collecting the visual representations associated with the device elements.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating editing of editable code in an interface device or similar apparatus. Properties of device elements are enumerated by a general purpose engine resident on the interface device. The general purpose engine enumerates the properties in response to a query in a design-time environment. The device element includes a specific property type and editable code consistent with the property type. A server module on the device serves the editable code and an editing environment from the interface device to a configuration station. The code can be edited on the configuration station in the editing environment and restored to the interface device. The technique alleviates the need for separate editing software or storage of the editable code in any location other than on the interface device itself.

Abstract: A technique is provided for enhancing the performance of an interface device. A collection of device elements having properties including a visual representation and a functionality are instantiated in a global container. The global container includes the device elements that are required for various screen views. Device elements that are not required in a currently displayed screen view are torn off in the global container so that memory and processing requirements are reduced, while increasing the speed and performance of the interface, particularly in switching between screen views.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring an interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, such as objects configured in accordance with object-oriented programming concepts. A query from a general purpose viewer is received by the interface device, such as originating from a configuration station where the general purpose viewer is operative. The query is interpreted by server-side scripting executed in the interface device to identify the device elements and to display visual representations of the device elements in a design-time environment. The design-time environment and the visual representations are then transmitted to a configuration station. The device elements, their properties and functionalities may be altered by means of the design-time environment and the server-side scripting to create interface screens, alter device elements and their properties and functions, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating editing of editable code in an interface device or similar apparatus. Properties of device elements are enumerated by a general purpose engine resident on the interface device. The general purpose engine enumerates the properties in response to a query in a design-time environment. The device element includes a specific property type and editable code consistent with the property type. A server module on the device serves the editable code and an editing environment from the interface device to a configuration station. The code can be edited on the configuration station in the editing environment and restored to the interface device. The technique alleviates the need for separate editing software or storage of the editable code in any location other than on the interface device itself.

Abstract: An operator interface system with respect to an industrial automation device comprises text/symbol translation strings persisted in a computer-readable medium for utilization with the operator interface system. An interface component relays the translation strings to a client device that includes fonts that enables the client device to graphically render text/symbols abstracted by the translation strings in a desired language. For example, the translation strings can be Unicode strings.

Abstract: An emulator is provided for an interface device. The emulator includes all functional software of the physical interface device, including configuration software, operating system, design-time environment, run-time engine, and so forth. Device elements, which may be standard COM elements objects, may be configured via the emulator, as may particular interface screens, applications, and so forth. The emulator may be used to try interface devices before their specification for a particular product. The emulator may also be used to develop software and interface screens that will be downloaded to interface device hardware prior to product introduction, thereby facilitating and improving time-market for new product introductions.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring and interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, each having visual representation and a state engine defining a functionality. A server module in the interface device receives a query from a user viewable screen that includes the visual representations. The server module serves the user viewable screen to a general purpose viewer or browser, which may include a design-time environment. An access module, then, prompts each device to send an image defining its visual representation to a memory display context for inclusion in the user viewable screen. The access module works without reference to the respective functionality of the device elements.

Abstract: A technique is provided for configuring and interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, each having visual representation and a state engine defining a functionality. A server module in the interface device receives a query from a user viewable screen that includes the visual representations. The server module serves the user viewable screen to a general purpose viewer or browser, which may include a design-time environment. An access module, then, prompts each device to send an image defining its visual representation to a memory display context for inclusion in the user viewable screen. The access module works without reference to the respective functionality of the device elements.

Abstract: A technique is provided for adapting or “relegending” interface device views. The views include static content and dynamic content. At least a part of the static content defined a look and feel of the interface screens, including screens in a design-time environment and a run-time environment. The adaptable static content may be loaded as bitmaps, JPEG files, and so forth, such as in HTML standard style sheets. The static content may be changed for various original equipment manufacturers, applications, and so forth, while allowing dynamic content to vary depending upon the software and application running on the interface device.

Abstract: An operator interface system with respect to an industrial automation device comprises text/symbol translation strings persisted in a computer-readable medium for utilization with the operator interface system. An interface component relays the translation strings to a client device that includes fonts that enables the client device to graphically render text/symbols abstracted by the translation strings in a desired language. For example, the translation strings can be Unicode strings.

Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) device comprises a power recognition component that determines at least one power source that is providing power to the HMI device, wherein the at least one power source is one of a host device providing power by way of a Universal Serial Bus connection, an AC power source, a DC power source, and a battery. A selector component can automatically select a subset of functionalities to enable with respect to the HMI from amongst several possible functionalities based at least in part upon the at least one determined power source.

Abstract: A technique is provided for exchanging data between software components in interface devices, monitoring devices, control devices, and so forth. Device elements are stored in the devices that are capable of communicating signals to one other, with each device element including a predetermined functionality. A connection is established between the device elements that facilitates event-based transfer of signals. A first of the device elements transfers data resulting from its functionality acting upon the received signals or the received signals themselves to a second device element. The transfer happens upon a receipt of the signals by the first device element. Each of the device elements made and act upon the signals in accordance with this respective functionality. The technique may used to cause interface elements to mirror one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method of reconfiguring a human-machine interface. In accordance with embodiments of the present techniques, a configuration application stored on a human-machine interface may be accessed by a remote configuration station via a browser that cooperates with a server resident on the human-machine interface. The configuration application is adapted to allow reconfiguration of the human-machine interface via the browser. Additionally, control objects may be accessible via the browser to create a display file in accordance with the present techniques. The display file may provide links to the control objects that are accessible to a user via the human-machine interface. Further, the display file may be implemented on the human-machine interface for display and execution of the links to the control objects.

Abstract: An operator interface system with respect to an industrial automation device comprises text/symbol translation strings persisted in a computer-readable medium for utilization with the operator interface system. An interface component relays the translation strings to a client device that includes fonts that enables the client device to graphically render text/symbols abstracted by the translation strings in a desired language. For example, the translation strings can be Unicode strings.