Inventors:
Gregory Schmidt - Aurora OH, US
Rahul P. Patel - Mayfield Heights OH, US
Kevin W. Peters - Aurora OH, US
Tomasz R. Ryback - Mentor OH, US
Gregory G. Steinbeck - Macedonia OH, US
Assignee:
Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH
International Classification:
G06F 9/44
US Classification:
717120, 717121, 717106, 717107, 717114
Abstract:
The subject invention relates to systems and methods that generate modules profiles for industrial control modules (e. g. , I/O, scanners, adapters. . . ). A module profile generally includes a set of components, interfaces and/or plug-ins that determine possible configurations for a module. Such entities are packaged in an XML based format to provide a dynamic module profile, wherein a definition type can be dynamically changed. Development and/or configuration of a module can be achieved through an industrial software development environment via a graphical hierarchical representation of configuration options defined in the module profile. In addition, the module profile provides for separately installable/release independent utilization via XML and COM based interfaces, wherein an end-user does not have to wait for a new software release in order to add a new module.