Intelligent device-configurable icons

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an icon for display by a user interface from an automation device that the icon depicts. Specifically, present embodiments are directed to methods and systems capable of detecting, with processing circuitry of an automation device, a shell program on a workstation via an automation control network. Further, embodiments are capable of providing icon configuration data to the shell program from the automation device, wherein the configuration data controls characteristics of an icon representative of the automation device for display in a visualization of the workstation.

1 . A method, comprising:
 detecting, with processing circuitry of an automation device, a shell program on a workstation via an automation control network; and   providing icon configuration data to the shell program from the automation device, wherein the configuration data controls characteristics of an icon representative of the automation device for display in a visualization of the workstation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising supplying, from the automation device, a list of automation device functions for display within an icon menu by the workstation in response to selection of the icon representative of the automation device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising performing, with the automation device, a one of the automation device functions when the one of the automation device functions is selected from the icon menu. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises launching an application from the automation device that facilitates changing a performance aspect of the automation device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises opening a sub menu of the icon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises communicating a web page from the automation device to the workstation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises launching a file browser configured to provide access to a file structure of the automation device or communicating documentation associated with the automation device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises launching an executable program from the automation device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising establishing a communication channel back to the automation device with the executable program. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises receiving a broadcast from the shell program and responding with a confirmation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shell program is detected as being instantiated on the workstation. 
     
     
         12 . An automation device, comprising:
 a tangible, computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising iconic representation instructions configured to provide icon configuration data from the automation device to a workstation such that an icon for the automation device based on the configuration data can be displayed via a user interface of the workstation.   
     
     
         13 . The automation device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions comprise menu instructions configured to provide icon menu configuration data from the automation device to the workstation such that an icon menu based on the icon menu configuration data can be presented via the user interface based on selection of the icon. 
     
     
         14 . The automation device of  claim 13 , wherein the automation device comprises a motor drive and wherein the icon menu includes a list of functions that are capable of being performed by the motor drive. 
     
     
         15 . The automation device of  claim 14 , wherein the instructions comprise activation instructions configured to initiate an application on the user interface to facilitate an operational change of the motor drive. 
     
     
         16 . The automation device of  claim 13 , wherein the one of the functions comprises presenting instructional documentation for viewing on the workstation or launching an application capable of adjusting operation of the automation device. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 broadcasting, from a workstation, a request for response from capable automation devices on an automation control network;   receiving a confirmation and icon configuration data at the workstation from an automation device via the automation control network; and   displaying an icon representative of the automation device via a user interface of the workstation such that the icon is in accordance with the icon configuration data received from the automation device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising receiving icon menu configuration data from the automation device in response to selection of the icon representative of the automation device, and displaying an icon menu based on the icon menu configuration data. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein receiving the icon menu configuration data comprises receiving a list of automation device functions that are capable of being performed by the automation device upon selection from the menu. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising receiving a shell program from an initially contacted automation device, wherein the shell program initiates the broadcasting.