System-Interface

System-Interface

Aside from the first tab (Variable mapping Variable mapping ), the Automation Connect tool provides specific system tabs for each interface. Those tabs are all based on the same template and provide all the same basic elements. These include two lists for all connected input- and output-variables, a specific logging textbox and a different amount of control buttons for loading and connecting to the relevant system:

Figure 14: Overview system-interface

The basic interaction is carried out using the control buttons. The minimum amount is a single button for connecting and disconnecting the interface. Each interface has the three basic connection states Unloaded, Loaded and Connected as well as the temporary states Loading, Connecting, Disconnecting and Unloading. If not other defined, the main button will always trigger all internal commands to reach the Connected state or on the other way the Unloaded state. According to the current connection state the displayed button text will change e.g. to Load and connect or Disconnect and unload. Note that both the executed action as well as the displayed text can be different for specific interfaces.

In addition to this basic button each interface can provide additional control elements if necessary. When successfully connected the Automation Connect tool will display all connected variables in the two list boxes in the middle. The variables are separated according to their direction from the point of view of the connected system. Input variables are for example inputs to the connected system and therefore can be written, while output variables are feedback provided by the connected system and therefore can only be read. In addition to connecting those variables to other systems, you can manually write single values to input variables by editing the cell-value of the Value column of the desired variable and confirming with ENTER. Note that the displayed checkboxes of the Online column will only change to checked if a new value is read or written.

An overview about the background processes, state changes, warnings or errors can be extracted using the logger at the top right. The textbox can be maximized or minimized using double click.