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:
 receiving, at a workstation, a shell program from one or more of a plurality of automation devices;   broadcasting, by the shell program once instantiated on the workstation, a message to automation devices on a control network and awaiting a response;   detecting, by the shell program instantiated on the workstation, automation devices connected to the control network based on the broadcast and responses; and   receiving, at the shell program, an icon from a capable automation device among the detected automation devices for display in a visualization of the workstation, wherein each icon has its own unique configuration, and wherein the icon is configured by the corresponding capable automation device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling operational access to the automation device by receiving, 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 2 , further comprising performing, with the automation device, 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 from the automation device. 
     
     
         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, 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises communicating documentation associated with the automation device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing the one of the automation device functions comprises launching an executable program from the automation device, and 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 confirmation from the automation device in response to the broadcasting from the shell program. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further 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. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shell program is received from an initially contacted automation device. 
     
     
         14 . An automation system comprising a workstation and a plurality of automation devices, the workstation is configured to:
 receive a shell program from one or more of a plurality of automation devices;   broadcast, by the shell program once instantiated on the workstation, a message to automation devices on a control network and awaiting a response;   detect, by the shell program instantiated on the workstation, automation devices connected to the control network based on the broadcast and responses; and   receive, at the shell program, an icon from a capable automation device among the detected automation devices for display in a visualization of the workstation, wherein each icon has its own unique configuration, and wherein the icon is configured by the corresponding capable automation device.   
     
     
         15 . The automation system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of automation devices is configured to:
 respond to the shell program on the workstation to indicate that the automation device is discovered; and   provide and control the icon for the respective automation device within the shell program such that the icon for the respective automation device is displayed via a user interface of the workstation.   
     
     
         16 . The automation system of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of automation devices is further configured to provide icon menu configuration data from the respective 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. 
     
     
         17 . The automation system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of automation devices comprises a motor drive and wherein the icon menu includes a list of functions that are capable of being performed by the motor drive. 
     
     
         18 . The automation system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of automation devices is further configured to initiate an application on the user interface to facilitate an operational change of the motor drive. 
     
     
         19 . The automation system of  claim 17 , wherein the list of functions comprises presenting instructional documentation for viewing on the workstation. 
     
     
         20 . The automation system of  claim 17 , wherein the list of functions comprises launching an application capable of adjusting operation of the automation device.