EP-4738106-A2 - CONTAINER REGISTRY AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS

EP4738106A2EP 4738106 A2EP4738106 A2EP 4738106A2EP-4738106-A2

Abstract

A method may involve receiving, via at least one processor, a request from an industrial component operating in an industrial automation system, such that the request may include an indication of a software function. The method may then involve querying a container registry having a plurality of container images based on the software function, identifying at least one container image of the plurality of container images that corresponds to the software function, sending an indication of the at least one container image to the industrial component, and receiving a selection of the at least one container image from the industrial component. The method may also involve retrieving the at least one container image from the container registry and sending the at least one container image to the industrial component.

Inventors

MAZUR, DAVID C.
ENTZMINGER, ROB A.
COON, Ryan
MCCLEAVE, Bruce T.
TEAL, JAMES M.

Assignees

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20230707

Claims (15)

A system, comprising: a container registry (82) configured to store one or more container images; and a computing device configured to: receive a request from an industrial component (67, 71) operating in an industrial automation system (10), wherein the request comprises an indication of a requested software function; query the container registry (82) based on the requested software function; in response to determining that the container registry (82) lacks a container image for performing the requested software function, determine a set of software functions that is associated with the requested software function; send the determined set of software functions to the industrial automation system; receive a selection of one or more software functions from the set of software functions; identify at least one container image of the one or more container images that corresponds to the selection of one or more software functions; retrieve the at least one container image from the container registry (26; 82); and send the at least one container image to the industrial component (67, 71).
The system of claim 1, wherein the requested software function is associated with a processing operation to be performed on operational technology, OT, data associated with one or more industrial automation devices (67, 71) of the industrial automation system (10).
The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the computing device is configured to: determine that the industrial component is compatible with the container image; and retrieve the container image from the container registry in response to determining that the industrial component is compatible with the container image.
The system of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the computing device is configured to: receive subscription payment information and subscription time period information from the industrial automation system; and receive periodic status updates associated with the industrial component during a time period corresponding to the subscription time period information.
The system of claim 4, wherein the computing device is configured to send an updated container image to the industrial component during the time period, wherein the updated container image comprises an adjusted container image relative to the container image.
The system of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the computing device is configured to stop sending updates to the industrial component after an end to the time period.
The system of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the industrial component comprises a master container node (62) configured to coordinate operations of one or more worker container nodes (68).
The system of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the computing device comprises a container storefront device (80).
A method, comprising: receiving (102), via at least one processor, a request from an industrial component operating in an industrial automation system (10), wherein the request comprises an indication of a requested software function; querying (104), via the at least one processor, a container registry (82) comprising a plurality of container images based on the requested software function; in response to determining (106) that the container registry (82) lacks a container image for performing the requested software function, determining (108), via the at least one processor, a set of software functions that is associated with the requested software function; sending (110), via the at least one processor the determined set of software functions to the industrial automation system (10); receiving (112), via the at least one processor, a selection of one or more software functions from the set of software functions; identifying (114), via the at least one processor, at least one container image of the one or more container images that corresponds to the selection of one or more software functions. retrieving (126), via the at least one processor, the at least one container image from the container registry (82); and sending (126), via the at least one processor, the at least one container image to the industrial component.
The method of claim 9, comprising: receiving (120) an indication that the at least one container image is incompatible with the industrial component; identifying (124) an additional industrial component configured to execute the at least one container image; and sending (126) the at least one container image to the additional industrial component.
The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the software function is associated with a processing operation to be performed on operational technology, OT, data associated with one or more industrial automation devices of the industrial automation system.
The method of one of claims 9 to 11, comprising: determining that the industrial component is compatible with the at least one container image; and retrieving the at least one container image from the container registry (82) in response to determining that the industrial component is compatible with the at least one container image.
The method of one of claims 9 to 12, comprising: receiving subscription time period information associated with the at least one container image; and receiving periodic status updates associated with the at least one container during a time period corresponding to the subscription time period information; and/or comprising sending at least one updated container image to the industrial component during the time period.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause at least one processor to perform operations comprising: receiving (102) a request from an industrial component operating in an industrial automation system, wherein the request comprises an indication of a requested software function; querying (104) a container registry comprising a plurality of container images based on the requested software function; in response to determining (106) that the container registry (82) lacks a container image for performing the requested software function, determining (108) a set of software functions that is associated with the requested software function; sending (110) the determined set of software functions to the industrial automation system (10); receiving (112) a selection of one or more software functions from the set of software functions; identifying (114) at least one container image of the one or more container images that corresponds to the selection of one or more software functions; retrieving (126) the at least one container image from the container registry; and sending (126) the at least one container image to the industrial component.
The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the operations comprising: receiving (128) subscription time period information associated with the at least one container image; and receiving (132) periodic status updates associated with the at least one container during a time period corresponding to the subscription time period information; and/or wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the operations comprising sending at least one updated container image to the industrial component during the time period.

Description

BACKGROUND This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for implementing a container orchestration system in an operational technology (OT) or an industrial platform. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for leveraging container orchestration systems to coordinate operations of OT devices. Industrial automation systems are managed and operated using automation control and monitoring systems (e.g., industrial control system), particularly in industrial automation environments. Such applications may include controlling a wide range of components, such as valves, electric motors, and so forth, and the collection of data via sensors. Typical industrial control systems may include one or more components, such as programming terminals, automation controllers, input/output (I/O) modules, communication networks, human-machine interface (HMI) terminals, and the like. Generally, industrial control systems operate in the OT environment are used to control industrial devices accessible via an OT network. Although the industrial control systems may be used to manage the operations of the devices within the OT network, improved systems and methods for operating devices within the OT network are desirable. For example, certain technologies available in the information technology (IT) environment may provide certain industrial control system users additional management tools that they employ for operating their IT assets. This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art. SUMMARY A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this present disclosure. Indeed, this present disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. In one embodiment, a system may include a first container registry that stores one or more container images and a first computing device. The first computing device may receive a request from an industrial component operating in an industrial automation system, wherein the request includes an indication of a requested software function. The first computing device may query the first container registry based on the requested software function and, during the query, may identify a first container image of the one or more container images that corresponds to the requested software function. The first computing device may retrieve the first container image from the first container registry and may send the first container image to the industrial component. In another embodiment, a method may involve receiving, via at least one processor, a request from an industrial component operating in an industrial automation system, where the request may include an indication of a software function. The method may then involve querying a container registry based on the software function, where the container registry includes container images. The method may include identifying at least one container image of the container images that corresponds to the software function, sending an indication of the at least one container image to the industrial component, and receiving a selection of the at least one container image from the industrial component. The method may also involve retrieving the at least one container image from the container registry and sending the at least one container image to the industrial component. In yet another embodiment, a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium may include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a device to perform operations including receiving a request from an industrial component operating in an industrial automation system, where the request may include an indication of a software function. The operations may then involve querying a container registry based on the software function, where the container registry includes container images. The operations may include identifying at least one container image of the container images that corresponds to the software function, sending an indication of the at least one container image to the industrial component, and receiving a selection of the at least one container image from the industrial component. The operations may also involve retrieving the at least one container image from the container registry and sending the at least one container image