Removable function card for a programmable controller processor
First Claim
1. A function card for use with a programmable controller, said function card comprising:
- means for electrically connecting the function card to the programmable controller;
at least one circuit for performing a predefined function;
means for receiving a first set of data from said means for connecting, wherein the first set of data defines operational characteristics of the programmable controller and specifies a frequency of a clock signal of the programmable controller and a free cycle time interval;
a means, coupled to said means for connecting, for storing the first set of data and further for storing a second set of data specifying operational characteristics of each of said at least one circuit;
a data transfer acknowledge circuit which sends an acknowledgement signal to the programmable controller a given interval of time following a request by the programmable controller for access to the function card, in which said data transfer acknowledge circuit utilizes the first set of data specifying the frequency of a clock signal and free cycle time to determine the given interval of time;
a first control means for enabling said means for receiving data in response to a first signal carried by said means for connecting, and for enabling said means for storing to send the second set of data stored therein to said means for connecting in response to a second signal carried by said means for connecting;
a second control means for enabling each circuit to exchange data through said means for connecting with the programmable controller in response to other signals carried by said means for connecting;
a third control means for producing power supply control signals in response to address signals received from the programmable controller via said means for connecting, said third control means producing a first power supply control signal in response to a first address signal, a second power supply control signal in response to a second address signal, a third power supply control signal in response to a third address signal, and a fourth power supply control signal in response to a fourth address signal; and
an electrical power supply that responds to the first power supply control signal by applying power to energize said circuit, that responds to the second power supply control signal by disconnecting power to deenergize said circuit, that responds to the third power supply control signal by applying power to energize said means for storing information, and that responds to said fourth power supply control signal by disconnecting power to deenergize said means for storing information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable controller is customized for a specific application by a function card inserted into a socket of a processor module on the controller. The function card can perform one or more tasks and may be used with different types of programmable controllers. Before the card can be used by a given programmable controller an initialization procedure must be performed to determine if the processor module and the card are compatible. As part of this procedure information about the operation of the given programmable controller is sent to the card. The card also contains functional information for each of its tasks the card provides. The functional information is sent to the processor module during the initialization procedure to enable the module to utilize the card.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A function card for use with a programmable controller, said function card comprising:
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means for electrically connecting the function card to the programmable controller; at least one circuit for performing a predefined function; means for receiving a first set of data from said means for connecting, wherein the first set of data defines operational characteristics of the programmable controller and specifies a frequency of a clock signal of the programmable controller and a free cycle time interval; a means, coupled to said means for connecting, for storing the first set of data and further for storing a second set of data specifying operational characteristics of each of said at least one circuit; a data transfer acknowledge circuit which sends an acknowledgement signal to the programmable controller a given interval of time following a request by the programmable controller for access to the function card, in which said data transfer acknowledge circuit utilizes the first set of data specifying the frequency of a clock signal and free cycle time to determine the given interval of time; a first control means for enabling said means for receiving data in response to a first signal carried by said means for connecting, and for enabling said means for storing to send the second set of data stored therein to said means for connecting in response to a second signal carried by said means for connecting; a second control means for enabling each circuit to exchange data through said means for connecting with the programmable controller in response to other signals carried by said means for connecting; a third control means for producing power supply control signals in response to address signals received from the programmable controller via said means for connecting, said third control means producing a first power supply control signal in response to a first address signal, a second power supply control signal in response to a second address signal, a third power supply control signal in response to a third address signal, and a fourth power supply control signal in response to a fourth address signal; and an electrical power supply that responds to the first power supply control signal by applying power to energize said circuit, that responds to the second power supply control signal by disconnecting power to deenergize said circuit, that responds to the third power supply control signal by applying power to energize said means for storing information, and that responds to said fourth power supply control signal by disconnecting power to deenergize said means for storing information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A function card, for use with a programmable controller, said function card comprising:
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means for connecting the function card to the programmable controller and including a data bus, an address bus and a plurality of control lines; a functional section including; a) at least one circuit for performing a defined function, and b) a first control means for responding to a first set of signals from said means for connecting by enabling each circuit to exchange data through said means for connecting with said programmable controller; an identification section including; c) a first means, coupled to said means for connecting, for storing data which is sent to the function card by the programmable controller and which defines operational characteristics of the programmable controller, d) a second means for storing data regarding operational characteristics of each circuit for performing a defined function, and e) a second control means for responding to a second set of signals from said means for connecting by enabling said first means for storing to store data received from said means for connecting, and for responding to a third set of signals from said means for connecting by enabling said second means for storing to send stored data to said means for connecting; and a third control means for responding to a fourth set of signals from said means for connecting by controlling the application of power to energize and deenergize said functional section, and for responding to a fifth set of signals from said means for connecting by controlling the application of power to energize and deenergize said identification section. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification