Object-oriented programmable controller
First Claim
1. A programmable apparatus for performing a plurality of user-selectable control functions, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a database for storing a plurality of items associated with each of the control functions, the items including, for each function;
i. at least one procedure for performing a plurality of actions associated with the control function;
ii. a specification of at least one state associated with each procedure;
b. means facilitating selection of a procedure in the database;
c. means responsive to the selection for accessing the database and causing performance of the selected procedure to achieve the states specified therein; and
d. means for monitoring at least one resource associated with the actions of the procedure and, based thereon, determining whether the specified states have been achieved.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for one or more pieces of industrial equipment is configured to perform a series of control functions each organized into one or more procedures for performing particular machine actions. The progress of an action, or some parameter of the action-taking machine (which may or may not be associated with an action), is represented by one or more "states." A database associates entries corresponding to the items of an object (including the action(s) and the state(s)), and contains storage locations where the associated procedural instructions and/or data are to be found. The action can be independent of state information, or can instead be executed in a manner responsive to a sensed state. The controller may also include diagnostic capability, as well as accumulation and processing of performance data for subsequent analysis.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A programmable apparatus for performing a plurality of user-selectable control functions, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a database for storing a plurality of items associated with each of the control functions, the items including, for each function; i. at least one procedure for performing a plurality of actions associated with the control function; ii. a specification of at least one state associated with each procedure; b. means facilitating selection of a procedure in the database; c. means responsive to the selection for accessing the database and causing performance of the selected procedure to achieve the states specified therein; and d. means for monitoring at least one resource associated with the actions of the procedure and, based thereon, determining whether the specified states have been achieved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A programmable apparatus for performing a plurality of user-selectable control functions the apparatus comprising:
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a. a database for storing a plurality of items associated with each of the control functions, the items including, for each function; i. at least one procedure for performing an action associated with the control function; ii. a specification of at least one state associated with the control function; and iii. a template specifying at least one performance characteristic, the monitoring means evaluating the resource against the at least one performance characteristic during performance of the action; b. means facilitating selection of an action in the database; c. means responsive to the selection for accessing the database and causing performance of the selected action; and d. means for monitoring a resource associated with the action and, based thereon, determining the state specified in the database. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification