Method of and apparatus for controlling automated devices

• US 4,730,258 A
• Filed: 10/31/1985
• Issued: 03/08/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Suzuki, Kenji, Takeda, Kenji, Hata, Seiji, Matsuzaki, Kichie, Mohri, Shunji
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang, Steve Long
• Application Number:
  US06/793,229
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 364/513, 364/130, 364/474, 364/191, 414/730, 901/6-8, 318/568
• US Class Current: 700/86
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/40936 Defining geometry with a high level language
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13019 Translate program in order to be used on different plc
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13022 Convert source program to intermediate program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36016 Unified language for machines and translation to each
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system for carrying out a cooperative control operation for a plurality of automated devices connected together in which the individual operations of the automated device can be controlled individually in accordance with a program. In the control method in this system, the controlling of various automated devices is practiced by inputting a program described in a language which has a unified system, and translating this program in accordance with the combination of the automated devices.

Claims

1. A method of controlling automated devices connected in an automated system in which a plurality of automated program-controlled devices are connected to one another and have operations cooperatively controlled, comprising the steps:

inputting a program written in a unified language which has a unified format for all connected automated devices;

translating said inputted program into a corresponding program for each of the connected automated devices in accordance with a combination of said connected automated devices; and

practicing the controlling of said automated devices on the basis of said corresponding program for each of the connected automated devices.

2. A method of controlling automated devices in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further includes the steps:

dividing said inputted program written in a unified language in accordance with a function of each of the respective automated devices by a processing system which converts said inputted program written in said unified language, into input controlling programs for the respective automated devices;

converting said input controlling programs into an intermediate language which said connected automated devices can receive as inputs; and

thereafter inputting said input controlling programs of an intermediate language into said automated devices for control thereof.

3. A method of controlling automated devices in accordance with claim 2, wherein said method further includes the steps:

interpreting control procedures, which are described in the intermediate language, in order by a means for interpreting said intermediate language and transmitting control information to an operation control system of each automated device, to and a means for communicating with other connected automated devices; and

carrying out a cooperative control operation while said automated devices are in communication with one another.

4. A system for controlling connected automated devices comprising:

means for designating a level of a desired language to be used;

means for registering level designating information;

means for checking the designated level on the basis of content of said means for registering, and for storing a command corresponding to said level;

means for defining a combination of said automated devices, and for setting a device-construction table in accordance with the defined combination of said automated devices;

means for storing a source program;

means for interpreting a sentence structure of said source program with reference to content of said means for checking and storing to produce a program of a common intermediate language; and

means for converting said program of a common intermediate language for various combinations of said connected automated devices in accordance with content of said means for defining and for setting.

5. A system for controlling in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

a level designated by the user is used to define the combination of said connected automated devices.

6. A system for controlling in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

a means for detecting the condition of the combination of the connected automated devices by signals derived therefrom is used to define the combination of said connected automated devices.

7. A system for controlling in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

said connected automated devices are designated by ascertaining the connected automated devices for practicing production of programs of a common intermediate language, and produce programs of an intermediate language for the respective connected automated devices.

8. A method of controlling connected automated devices each of which is program-controlled comprising the steps:

inputting a source program written in a unified language;

translating said inputted program into a program of a common intermediate language;

converting said program of a common intermediate language into a program, classified in accordance with a combination of said automated devices, in an intermediate language;

distributing said classified program to said combination of connected automated devices of corresponding functions; and

interpreting said classified program in each automated device receiving said distributed classified program to carry out a control operation in accordance with the program.

9. A system for controlling connected automated devices, comprising:

inputting means for inputting source programs;

means for translating said inputted source programs into programs of a common intermediate language;

designating means for designating a combination of connected automated devices;

converting means for converting said programs of common intermediate language into programs of an intermediate language connected in accordance with said designated combination of automated devices;

distributing means for distributing the corresponding programs of said intermediate language for each connected automated device to said automated devices in accordance with their respective functions; and

wherein

said connected automated devices each have means for interpreting said distributed programs and for executing a control operation in accordance with the distributed programs.

10. A system for controlling in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:

a means, coupled to the connected automated devices, for transmitting communications between the connected automated devices and for carrying out a cooperative control operation in accordance with communication between the connected automated devices.