 executes an object copy command. This command gets the address for the new device from the user and configures all of the parameters automatically from the selected first device object as can be seen in FIG. 7.
The present invention also uses an object oriented model to automatically discover the target control platforms based Windows NT/2000 or WindowsCE systems and Input/Output devices. Further, in the case of Input/Output Devices, the object model once discovered, specifies and configures the devices. This model will be used to automatically clone the Input/Output devices and set their attributes and properties.
The present invention uses the Microsoft, Novell, and Vendor Specific protocols to automatically discover the target systems and devices. Once the target system is identified, the object model is used to set the attributes and properties of the control application running in the target system.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a screen capture of a GUI that identifies the Windows NT/2000 target systems is shown. In FIG. 9, a screen capture of a GUI for identifying the Windows CE based target systems is shown. Once the target systems are discovered, they can be selected and their attributes and properties can be changed. Some of the attributes are control application name, modified date, build date, and other similar or otherwise known attributes. This auto discovery is also useful for supporting remote operator/monitor screens.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a screen capture shows a GUI for auto discovery for I/O devices. Once the I/O devices have been auto-discovered, the object model enables to clone the devices. The present invention provides a very powerful mechanism to discover the target systems, I/O devices, and clone the devices where industrial automation systems, networks, and devices are configured off-line.
The present invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.