METHOD FOR PRODUCING PLC AND HMI TAG DATABASE AND SYSTEM

• US 20140316540A1
• Filed: 03/07/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 2362738 Ontario Inc.
• Original Assignee: 2362738 Ontario Inc.
• Inventors: Loncar, Bosko, Leskovec, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,727,033 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/79
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/21 Design, administration or maintenance of databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H

Abstract

A method and system for producing a plc tag database is provided. The method is for use with a set of fragment types, a set of tag values for each fragment type and a collection of PLC programming logic. The collection contains a PLC programming code for each of a plurality of classes of equipment. A PLC tag database is produced for a project. The classes of equipment required for the project are selected together with a quantity required for each class of equipment selected. A PLC logic associated with the PLC programming code for said each class, and tags defined by the PLC logic, are replicated a number of times equal to the quantity of each class selected. A specific PLC card type, rack and slot is assigned to selected tags in accordance with the requirements of the project.

Claims

1. A method:

for use with a set of fragment types and with a set of tag values for each fragment type;

for use with a collection of PLC programming, the collection containing a PLC programming code for each of a plurality of classes of equipment; and

for producing a PLC tag database for a project, the method comprising the steps of;

in respect of the project;

selecting the classes of equipment required for the project; and

selecting, in respect of each class of equipment selected, the quantity required;

in respect of each class of equipment selected, and through the use of the set of fragment types, the sets of tag values and the collection of PLC programming, replicating, a number of times equal to the quantity of said each class selected,

a PLC logic associated with the PLC programming code for said each class; and

tags defined by the PLC logic and in accordance with a tag naming convention; and

assigning a specific PLC card type, rack and slot to selected tags in accordance with the requirements of the project.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the set of fragment types is a user-defined subset of the tag naming convention, the set of tag fragment values is a user-defined subset of the tag naming convention and the PLC programming code for each selected class is a user-defined subset of a standard PLC tag and logic file.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the replication step involves the creation of:

a plurality of user-defined equipment classes from which the classes required for the project are selected;

a plurality of user-defined linkages between each user-defined class of equipment and a portion of a standard PLC tag and logic file, each linkage being associated with the definition of a member of said each class;

in respect of each member, a user-defined data type, a user defined field I/O type and definitions of associated fragment properties.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the replication step further involves the creation of one or more of:

a user-defined static variable substitution relationship associating a portion of one of the PLC logics with a user-defined variable such that, as the replication step is carried out, each time that one of the PLC logics is replicated, the user defined variable is substituted for that portion;

a user-defined dynamic variable substitution relationship associating a portion of one of the PLC logics with a system variable such that, as the replication is carried out, each time that portion of the one of the PLC logics is replicated, a programming code is substituted therefor, the substituted programming code being context-dependent; and

a user-defined code snippet, associated substitution rule and associated trigger, the trigger being defined by one or more of equipment class, member and I/O type, such that, as the replication is carried out, the code snippet is replicated in accordance with the associated substitution rule for each instance of the associated trigger.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein each dynamic variable can be associated with a discrete portion of a tag structure such that, as the tags and PLC logic for a piece of equipment are replicated, in the tag for said piece of equipment, that discrete portion is populated in accordance with the properties of that piece of equipment.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the replication step involves the creation of a template including:

the subsets of the tag naming convention and the user-defined equipment classes;

the plurality of linkages between class of equipment and the portion of a standard PLC tag and logic file;

in respect of each member, the defined data type and field I/O and associated fragment property definitions;

the static variable substitution relationships;

the dynamic substitution relationships; and

the code snippets, associated substitution rules and associated triggers.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein, in the template, the associated fragment property definitions include indications if the fragment is defined within the template.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein:

the template includes, in respect of fragments in respect of which the template provides an indication of inclusion, definitions; and

fragments for the project, other than those in respect of which the template provides an indication of inclusion, are defined as part of a project definition step wherein the selection of equipment and quantities thereof also takes place.

9. A method according to claim 5, wherein:

the replication step further involves the creation of, in respect of each member, HMI tag properties; and

the method results in the production of an HMI tag database.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein each dynamic variable can be associated with an I/O hardware point such that the associated I/O address for said I/O point is auto-populated throughout the PLC tag database when the PLC card type, rack and slots are assigned.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the replication step involves the creation of a template including:

the subsets of the tag naming convention and the user-defined equipment classes;

the plurality of linkages between class of equipment and the portion of a standard PLC tag and logic file;

in respect of each member, the defined data type and field I/O and associated fragment property definitions;

the static and dynamic variable substitution relationships, the code snippets, associated substitution rules and associated triggers; and

in respect of each member, the HMI tag properties.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein, in the template, the associated fragment property definitions include indications if the fragment is defined within the template.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein

the template includes, in respect of fragments in respect of which the template provides an indication of inclusion, definitions;

and

fragments for the project, other than those in respect of which the template provides an indication of inclusion, are defined as part of a project definition step wherein the selection of equipment and quantities thereof also takes place.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the substitution rules associated with the code snippets provide for one of:

the addition of a new routine to a program;

the addition of a new rung to a routine; and

the addition of a new tag.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the triggers comprise:

the assignment of an analog input to an equipment class member;

the assignment analog output to an equipment class member;

the assignment digital alarm to an equipment class member;

the assignment digital input to an equipment class member;

the assignment digital output to an equipment class member; and

the creation of an instance of an equipment class.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the code snippets form part of the PLC logic in respect of which portions may be associated with the dynamic and static substitution variables.

17. A computer specially designed for producing the template of claim 6.

18. A computer according to claim 17, further specially designed for producing the template of claim 16.

19. A computer specially designed for carrying out a method for a project with the template of claim 6, the method comprising the steps of:

in respect of the project;

selecting the classes of equipment required for the project; and

selecting, in respect of each class of equipment selected, the quantity required;

in respect of each class of equipment selected, and through the use of the template, replicating, a number of times equal to the quantity of said each class selected,

a PLC logic associated with the PLC programming code for said each class; and

tags defined by the PLC logic and in accordance with a tag naming convention; and

assigning a specific PLC card type, rack and slot to selected tags in accordance with the requirements of the project.