US-12625843-B2 - Tower light dynamic register population engine parsing unique field-generated performance string

US12625843B2US 12625843 B2US12625843 B2US 12625843B2US-12625843-B2

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to configure a reconfigurable device. In an illustrative example, a device programming module (DPM) of the reconfigurable device may receive a user input indicating a model number of a legacy device. The DPM, for example, may identify the user-selected functions based on a first set of rules to determine predetermined functions of the legacy device. The DPM, for example, may generate a binary machine instruction code to configure the reconfigurable device to perform the identified predetermined device functions. The DPM may then transmit the binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate as the legacy device identified. Various embodiments may advantageously eliminate a need for studying the complete functionalities of the legacy device before programming the reconfigurable device, and a need for assigning unique part numbers to replacements of the legacy devices.

Inventors

Abdi Amaro
Robb Weidemann
Arthur Padget

Assignees

BANNER ENGINEERING CORP.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220805

Claims (20)

1 . A computer-implemented method performed by at least one processor to cause configuration operations to be performed to configure a reconfigurable device according to a user-presented identification string formed according to one of a plurality of configuration schemes, the operations comprising: receive a character string from a user device representing user-selected configuration schema of a reconfigurable device, wherein the user-selected configuration schema comprises a mapping of device behaviors to the reconfigurable device; determine, based on a first set of rules, whether that the character string corresponds to a legacy device identification code of one of a plurality of predetermined legacy devices; in response to determining that the character string corresponds to a legacy device identification code of a legacy device of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices, then perform legacy device configuration operations, the legacy device configuration operations comprising: retrieve, from a data store, as a function of the legacy device identification code, a data structure defining predetermined device functions corresponding to the legacy device identification code; generate, based on the predetermined device functions retrieved, a first binary machine instruction code to configure the reconfigurable device to perform the predetermined device functions; and, transmit the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate as the legacy device identified by the legacy device identification code; and, receive another character string from another user device representing user-selected configuration schema of the reconfigurable device, wherein the user-selected configuration schema comprises a mapping of device behaviors to the reconfigurable device; determine, based on the first set of rules, that the another character string does not correspond to a legacy device identification code of any of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices; in response to determining that the another character string does not correspond to a legacy device identification code of any of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices, then perform standard device configuration operations, the standard device configuration operations comprising: parse the another character string into a second binary machine instruction code based on a second set of rules corresponding to predetermined device functions defined by the another character string, wherein the predetermined device functions comprise device behaviors of another legacy device of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices; and, transmit the second binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: generate the character string from at least one user input signal, the at least one user input signal comprising a legacy device identifier.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: generate the character string from at least one user input signal, the at least one user input signal comprising a set of parameters corresponding to a set of programmable functionalities of the reconfigurable device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: in response to determining predetermined device functions as a function of the character string, generate a signal configured to automatically populate a functionality configuration table of a user display, the functionality configuration table comprising visual indicia mapping available settings of the reconfigurable device to the predetermined device functions.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transmit the second binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device transmission of a configuration mapping to available functions of the reconfigurable device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transmit the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate as the legacy device identified by the legacy device identification code comprises: transmit a signal to the reconfigurable device as a function of the first binary machine instruction code, wherein the signal is configured to cause the reconfigurable device to store, in an onboard data register of the reconfigurable device, a plurality of configuration parameters corresponding to predetermined available functions of the reconfigurable device.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising: generate a configuration table from the first binary machine instruction code according to a predetermined schema for the reconfigurable device corresponding to the predetermined device functions, wherein transmit the signal to the reconfigurable device comprises flashing the configuration table into the onboard data register.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein: transmit the signal to the reconfigurable device comprises transmitting the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device generates the plurality of configuration parameters according to a predetermined set of configuration rules stored onboard the reconfigurable device.
9 . A system comprising: a data store comprising a program of instructions; and, a processor operably coupled to the data store such that, when the processor executes the program of instructions, the processor causes operations to be performed to configure a reconfigurable device according to a user-presented identification string formed according to one of a plurality of configuration schemes, the operations comprising: receive a character string from a user device representing user-selected configuration schema of a reconfigurable device, wherein the user-selected configuration schema comprises a mapping of device behaviors to the reconfigurable device; determine, based on a first set of rules, whether the character string corresponds to a legacy device identification code of one of a plurality of predetermined legacy devices; and, in response to determining that the character string corresponds to a legacy device identification code of a legacy device of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices, wherein the legacy device comprises a device being replaced by the reconfigurable device, then perform legacy device configuration operations, the legacy device configuration operations comprising: identify predetermined device functions corresponding to the legacy device identification code, wherein the predetermined device functions comprise device behaviors of the legacy device; generate, based on the predetermined device functions identified, a first binary machine instruction code to configure the reconfigurable device to perform the predetermined device functions; and, transmit the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate with the same device behaviors of the legacy device identified by the legacy device identification code; in response to determining that the character string does not correspond to a legacy device identification code of any of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices, then perform standard device configuration operations, the standard device configuration operations comprising: parse the character string into a second binary machine instruction code based on a second set of rules corresponding to predetermined device functions defined by the character string; and, transmit the second binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device.
10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising: generate the character string from at least one user input signal, the at least one user input signal comprising a legacy device identifier.
11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising: generate the character string from at least one user input signal, the at least one user input signal comprising a set of parameters corresponding to a set of programmable functionalities of the reconfigurable device.
12 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising: in response to determining predetermined device functions as a function of the character string, generate a signal configured to automatically populate a functionality configuration table of a user display, the functionality configuration table comprising visual indicia mapping available settings of the reconfigurable device to the predetermined device functions.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein identify predetermined device functions corresponding to the legacy device identification code comprises: retrieving, from a data store, as a function of the legacy device identification code, a data structure defining the predetermined device functions according to a predetermined configuration schema.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein transmit the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device is configured such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate as the legacy device identified by the legacy device identification code comprises: transmit a signal to the reconfigurable device comprising the first binary machine instruction code, wherein the signal is configured to cause the reconfigurable device to store, in an onboard data register of the reconfigurable device, a plurality of configuration parameters corresponding to predetermined available functions of the reconfigurable device.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising: generate a configuration table from the first binary machine instruction code according to a predetermined schema for the reconfigurable device corresponding to the predetermined device functions, wherein transmit the signal to the reconfigurable device comprises flashing the configuration table into the onboard data register.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein: transmit the signal to the reconfigurable device comprises transmitting the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device generates the plurality of configuration parameters according to a predetermined set of configuration rules stored onboard the reconfigurable device.
17 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the device behaviors comprise color.
18 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the device behaviors comprise animation.
19 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the device behaviors comprise brightness.
20 . A system comprising: a data store comprising a program of instructions; and, a processor operably coupled to the data store such that, when the processor executes the program of instructions, the processor causes operations to be performed to configure a reconfigurable device according to a user-presented identification string formed according to one of a plurality of configuration schemes, the operations comprising: receive a character string from a user device representing user-selected functions of a reconfigurable device; determine, based on a first set of rules, whether the character string corresponds to a legacy device identification code of one of a plurality of predetermined legacy devices; in response to determining that the character string corresponds to a legacy device identification code of a legacy device of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices, then perform legacy device configuration operations, the legacy device configuration operations comprising: retrieve, from a data store, as a function of the legacy device identification code, a data structure defining predetermined device functions according to a predetermined configuration schema corresponding to the legacy device identification code, wherein the predetermined device functions comprise device behaviors of the legacy device; generate, based on the predetermined device functions retrieved, a first binary machine instruction code to configure the reconfigurable device to perform the predetermined device functions; and, transmit the first binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate as the legacy device identified by the legacy device identification code; and, in response to determining that the character string does not correspond to a legacy device identification code of any of the plurality of predetermined legacy devices, then perform standard device configuration operations, the standard device configuration operations comprising: parse the character string into a second binary machine instruction code based on a second set of rules corresponding to predetermined device functions defined by the character string; and, transmit the second binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of and claims the benefit of PCT/US2022/074629, titled “Tower Light Dynamic Register Population Engine Parsing Unique Field-Generated Performance String,” filed by Abdi Amaro, Robb Weidemann, and Arthur Padget, on Aug. 5, 2002. TECHNICAL FIELD Various embodiments relate generally to methods and apparatus to emulate legacy products. BACKGROUND In an industrial environment (e.g., a factory floor), tower lights (sometimes also called stacked lights, indicator lights, industrial signal lights) may be used to provide visual and/or sometimes audible indicators of a status of a machine or a process. For example, based on visual indicia of the tower lights, a production manager may dispatch technicians, workers, and/or additional operators to regions of a production floor that requires maintenance. In some examples, a tower light may include illumination indicators such as one or more light emitting diode circuits. In some examples, a tower light may include one or more xenon lights. For example, the tower light may include a stacked structure having a variety of shapes and color of indicator segments on top of each other. Based on a control signal (e.g., a signal representing a status of a machine), the tower light may illuminate one or more indication segments corresponding to a predetermined code known to personnel on the factory floor. In some examples, the predetermined code may include a static illumination of one or more indication segments, or an animation (e.g., flashing) of one or more indication segments. SUMMARY Apparatus and associated methods relate to configure a reconfigurable device. In an illustrative example, a device programming module (DPM) of the reconfigurable device may receive a user input indicating a model number of a legacy device. The DPM, for example, may identify the user-selected functions based on a first set of rules to determine predetermined functions of predetermined legacy devices. The DPM, for example, may generate a binary machine instruction code to configure the reconfigurable device to perform the identified predetermined device functions. The DPM may then transmit the binary machine instruction code to the reconfigurable device such that the reconfigurable device is configured to operate as the legacy device identified. Various embodiments may advantageously eliminate a need for studying the complete functionalities of the legacy device before programming the reconfigurable device, and/or a need for assigning unique part numbers to replacements of the legacy devices. Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example, some embodiments may advantageously parse the user input into a binary machine instruction code based on a second set of rules corresponding to predetermined device functions defined by the character string when the user input does not correspond to the predetermined legacy devices. Some embodiments may generate the binary instruction code based on a set of parameters corresponding to a set of programmable functionalities of the reconfigurable device. Some embodiments may, in response to determining predetermined device functions, automatically populate a functionality configuration table of a user display. Some embodiments may generate a data structure defining the predetermined device functions according to a predetermined configuration schema. The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary Tower Light Programming Module (TLPM) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario. FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary system for programming a reconfigurable tower light. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary user input method. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary configuration method. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary Tower Light Programming Module (TLPM) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario 100. In an exemplary reconfigurable tower light scenario 100, a factory 105 includes multiple legacy tower lights (LTLs 110). For example, the LTLs 110 may be attached to machines 115 in the factory 105. For example, workers in the factory 105 may read signals transmitted by the LTLs 110 and interpret a status of the machines 115 (e.g., machines working in good condition, machines requiring maintenance, machines having safety issues). In some examples, the LTLs 110 may be configured in a specific configuration that is used in the factory 105. For example, the LTLs 110 may be configured to include a flashing red at a top portion. For example, the LTLs 110 may be configured to include