Tool compiler
View Patent ↗Automatic generation of documentation and software for an equipment or tool, together with an automatic synchronization between the corresponding documentation and software can be preformed with a tool model representation. The tool model can include a textual, graphical, symbolic, and program representation of the tool. Default components, derived components, and standard components can be added to the tool model.
1. A method comprising:
receiving data, from a tool machine, of a running machine characteristic, embodying at least a real operational state of the tool machine, and providing the received running machine characteristic to a processor of a tool modeling apparatus;
generating, with the processor of the tool modeling apparatus, a tool machine model based on the running machine characteristic so that the tool machine model comprises at least one of a text, a graphic, and a software program describing the real operational state of the tool machine; and
converting the tool machine model into a manual for the tool machine based on the real operational state of the tool machine described in the tool machine model and using one or more templates.
2. A method as in claim 1 further comprising retrieving information from the template, wherein the template comprises a file having formatting information or a database, to assist in the generation of the manual.
3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the template comprises a language template for allowing the generation of the manual having a desired language.
4. A method as in claim 1 wherein converting the tool machine model into the manual comprises
running a template engine, wherein the template engine is operable to accept the tool machine model, together with at least one of a figure template for figure generation and a document template for document generation, wherein the template engine is operable to generate at least one of a figure file comprising instructions for figure generation and a document file comprising instructions for document generation;
running a processor, wherein the processor is operable to accept the at least one of a figure file and a text file, wherein the processor is operable to generate the manual.
5. A method as in claim 1 further comprising automatically generating a software program for the tool machine corresponded to the manual.
6. A method as in claim 1 further comprising
updating the tool machine model;
automatically generating an updated manual for the updated tool machine model;
automatically generating an updated software program for the tool machine corresponded to the updated manual.
7. A method comprising
receiving data, from a tool machine, of a running machine characteristic, embodying at least a real operational state of the tool machine, and providing the received running machine characteristic to a processor of a tool modeling apparatus;
generating, with the processor of the tool modeling apparatus, a tool machine model based on the running machine characteristic so that the tool machine model comprises at least one of a text, a graphic, and a software program describing the real operational state of the tool machine model; and
converting the tool machine model into a software program for the tool machine based on the real operational state of the tool machine described in the tool machine model and using one or more templates.
8. A method as in claim 7 wherein
the tool machine comprises a plurality of modules,
wherein at least a first module is assembled,
wherein at least a second module is not assembled, and
wherein the software program is operable to test the at least a first module.
9. A method as in claim 7 further comprising
generating a software program comprises receiving a software template, wherein the software template comprises at least one of place-holder commands, command structures, graphical interface, and default functions,
mapping the tool machine model to the software template.
10. A method as in claim 7 further comprising automatically generating a manual for the tool machine corresponded to the software program.
11. A method as in claim 7 further comprising automatically generating a user manual for the tool machine for operating the software program.
12. A method as in claim 7 further comprising
updating the tool machine model;
automatically generating an updated software program for the updated tool machine model;
automatically generating an updated manual for the tool machine corresponded to the updated software program.