System for modifying a machine's program at a remote location

• US 5,012,402 A
• Filed: 12/16/1988
• Issued: 04/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Machinery Limited (Muratec)
• Original Assignee: Murata Machinery Limited (Muratec)
• Inventors: Akiyama, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Jablon, Clark A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul
• Application Number:
  US07/285,508
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 364/138, 364/192, 364/474.11, 364/132, 364/200, 364/900, 364/300, 340/825.06, 340/825.22, 340/825.23, 340/825.29
• US Class Current: 700/87
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23051 Remote control, enter program remote, detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23328 Modification program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24069 Diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25178 Serial communication, data, also repeater

Abstract

A system for controlling a machine at a remote place is constituted such that, when repairs and a change of a mechanical part of an apparatus on the remote place side are performed and changing of a program for a programmable sequencers for driving and controlling the apparatus is performed, contents of a change of the program thus performed are sent to a computer on the main office side and checked and changed on the main office side to make a correct program, and the correct program is sent to the controlling device on the remote place side.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a machine at a remote place, characterized in that, when repairs and/or a change of a mechanical part of an apparatus having a programmable sequencer for driving and controlling the apparatus on the remote place side are performed and a change of a program for the sequencer is performed, contents of a change of the program thus performed are sent to a computer on a main office side over a public telephone circuit and checked and/or changed on the main office side to make a correct program, and the correct program is sent to said controlling device on the remote place side over the public telephone circuit and inputted to said controlling device.

2. A method for controlling a device at a first location, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable sequencer for driving and controlling the device,

performing a modification of the device at the first location,

performing a modification of the program for the programmable sequencer at the first location to thereby produce a modified program,

sending contents of the modified program to a computer at a second location,

checking and correcting contents of the modified program at the second location to thereby produce a corrected program,

sending the corrected program to the sequencer at the first location, and

inputting the corrected program to the sequencer at the first location.

3. A method for controlling a device at a first location, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable sequencer for driving and controlling the device,

performing a modification of the device at the first location,

performing a modification of the program for the programmable sequencer at the first location to thereby produce a modified program,

sending contents of the modified program via telephone to a computer at a second location,

checking and correcting contents of the modified program at the second location to thereby produce a corrected program,

sending the corrected program via telephone to the sequencer at the first location, and

inputting the corrected program to the sequencer at the first location.

4. An apparatus for controlling a device at a first location, the apparatus comprising:

a programmable sequencer for driving and controlling the device,

modification means for performing a modification ofthe program for the programmable sequencer at the first location to thereby produce a modified program,

transmission means for sending contents of the modified program to a computer at a second location,

correction means for checking and correcting contents of the modified program at the second location to thereby produce a corrected program,

transmission means for sending the corrected program to the sequencer at the first location, and

input means for inputting the corrected program to the sequencer at the first location.

5. An apparatus for controlling a device at a first location, the apparatus comprising:

a programmable sequencer for driving and controlling the device,

modification means of performing a modification of the program for the programmable sequencer at the first location at the first location to thereby produce a modified program,

transmission means for sending contents of the modified program at the second location to thereby produce a corrected program,

transmission means for sending the corrected program via telephone to the sequencer at the first location, and

input means for inputting the corrected program to the sequencer at the first location.