Software phase sequencer editor and method of editing

• US 20070192152A1
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Frank, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/352,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192152A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.26
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23389 Modular program, each process has corresponding program module
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work

Abstract

A phase sequence system for performing a task is disclosed. The system includes a controller operationally connected to a system and operational software for operating the system. The operational software comprises a sequence of numbers to perform the task. A phase editor is operationally connected to the controller to edit the sequence of numbers. A method of editing the system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A phase sequence system for performing a task comprising:

a plurality of phases, wherein each phase is represented by a number;

means for arranging at least a subset of the numbers in a sequence of phases to perform the task; and

means for allowing an operator to individually edit a step in the sequence.

2. The phase sequence system according to claim 1, wherein the sequence comprises multiple listings of a particular number.

3. The phase sequence system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing the operator to individually edit the sequence comprises means for deleting the phase.

4. The phase sequence system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing the operator to individually edit the sequence comprises means for inserting additional phases.

5. The phase sequence system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing the operator to individually edit the sequence comprises means for exchanging a number for a different number.

6. The phase sequence system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing the operator to individually edit the sequence comprises means for allowing the operator to change numbers in the sequence.

7. The phase sequence system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing a operator to individually edit the sequence comprises means for allowing the operator to edit a time duration of the phase corresponding to the number in the sequence.

8. A method of editing steps in a process comprising the steps of:

selecting a program edit routine from an operator interface;

selecting a program to edit from the selected program edit routine;

selecting a step to edit from the selected program, wherein the step is represented by a phase number and time; and

editing the phase number.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of editing the time.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein editing the sequence comprises modifying the phase number.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein modifying the phase number comprises deleting the phase number.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein modifying the phase number comprises substituting the phase number with a different phase number.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein modifying the phase number comprises substituting the phase number with a plurality of phase numbers.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein editing the sequence comprises editing a time duration of operation of the phase.

15. A phase sequence system for performing a task comprising:

a controller operationally connected to a system;

operational software residing in the controller for operating the system, wherein the operational software comprises a sequence of numbers to perform the task, wherein the sequence is formed by a plurality of steps; and

a phase editor operationally connected to the controller to edit the sequence of numbers.

16. The phase sequence system according to claim 15, wherein the phase editor comprises a graphical interface.

17. The phase sequence system according to claim 15, wherein the system comprises a mechanical system.

18. The phase sequence system according to claim 15, wherein the phase editor provides means for editing operational parameters of the steps in the sequence.

19. A method of programming a series of phases to perform a task comprising the steps of:

a) providing a plurality of phases, wherein each phase is represented by a different phase number;

b) determining a phase required to perform the task;

c) selecting the phase number associated with the phase;

d) inputting the phase number into a particular step in a program; and

e) repeating steps a-d as necessary to include all of the phases necessary to complete the task.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of providing a recipe editor to allow the editing of the numbers in the program.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of inputting a time duration representing a time desired to operate a phase.

22. A method of performing a task comprising the steps of:

providing a system upon which the task is to be performed;

operationally connecting a controller to the system, wherein the controller includes a sequence of numbers, with each number associated with a phase; and

operating the controller, wherein the controller controls the operation of each phase according to the sequence of numbers.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of providing an editor operationally connected to the controller to edit the sequence of numbers.