Group object in a control system, and a control system using the same

• US 6,470,223 B1
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Naganuma, Takefumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Von Buhr, Maria N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US09/394,403
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 700/2, 700/9, 700/10, 700/11, 700/169, 700/200, 700/82, 700/17, 700/83, 700/80, 700/79, 700/23
• US Class Current: 700/9
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/052 Linking several PLC's
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/1204 Multiprocessing, several plc's, distributed logic control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13148 Object oriented programming
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2203 Grid, array of controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2228 Master detects and configures slaves
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23255 Object oriented programming, OOP
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/465 Distributed object oriented systems remote method invocation [RMI] G06F9/548

Abstract

The object of this invention is to provide a cooperation control system to make the system maintenance easier, and allow easier modification of the system. To achieve such object, a plurality of control devices according to this invention are divided into a plurality of sub-groups each of which cooperates with each other. The group object controls the sub-group. The plurality of control devices within the sub-group communicate with the group object and they are controlled by the group object.

Claims

1. A group object to synchronously control a plurality of control devices connected to a control network, comprising:

a message transmission means to transmit and receive a message to and from a first plurality of synchronized control devices coupled to a control network, said network coupled to one or more other pluralities of control devices controlled independently of said group object;

an event list storage means to store an event list, said event list including each of said first plurality of synchronized control devices that requested execution of an event;

an event flag to store a specific event to be executed at said first plurality of synchronized control devices; and

an event permission issuing means to issue an event permission to allow each of said first plurality of synchronized devices listed in said event list to execute said specific event when said each of said first plurality of synchronized devices request said specific event to be executed.

2. A group object to exclusively control a plurality of control devices connected to a control network, comprising:

a memory means to store a maximum number of control devices to be activated exclusively;

a message issuing means to issue a permission or rejection to each of said control devices that sent an event request, said permission or rejection being determined based on said maximum number stored in said memory means; and

a data renewal means to renew said maximum number in said memory means.

3. A group object to sequentially control a plurality of control devices connected to a control network, comprising:

a message transmission means to transmit and receive a message to and from a first plurality of sequential control devices coupled to a control network, said network coupled to one or more other pluralities of control devices controlled independently of said group object;

a sequential list storage means to store a sequential list that defines a sequential order of an event execution executed by said first plurality of sequential control devices; and

a determining means to determine a next sequential control device based on said sequential list, and provide permission for execution to said next sequential control device.

4. A control unit provided with a group object to synchronously control a plurality of control devices connected to a control network, comprising:

a message transmission means to transmit and receive a message to and from a first plurality of synchronized control devices coupled to a control network, said network coupled to one or more other pluralities of control devices controlled independently of said group object;

an event list storage means to store an event list, said event list including each of said first plurality of synchronized control devices that requested execution of an event;

an event flag to store a specific event to be executed at said first plurality of synchronized control devices; and

an event permission issuing means to issue an event permission to allow each of said first plurality of synchronized devices listed in said event list to execute said specific event when said each of said first plurality of synchronized devices request said specific event to be executed.

5. A control unit provided with a group object to exclusively control a plurality of control devices connected to a control network, comprising:

a memory means to store a maximum number of control devices to be activated exclusively;

a message issuing means to issue a permission or rejection to said each of said control devices that sent an event request, said permission or rejection being determined based on said maximum number stored in said memory means; and

a data renewal means to renew said maximum number in said memory means.

6. A control unit provided with a group object to sequentially control a plurality of control devices connected to a control network, comprising:

a message transmission means to transmit and receive a message to and from a first plurality of sequential control devices coupled to a control network, said network coupled to one or more pluralities of control devices controlled independently of said group object;

a sequential list storage means to store a sequential list that defines a sequential order of an event execution executed by said first plurality of sequential control devices; and

a determining means to determine a next sequential control device based on said sequential list, and provide permission for execution to said next sequential control device.

7. A group object comprising:

a first and second plurality of control devices connected to a control network;

a data structure to store a maximum number of control devices in the first plurality of control devices to be activated exclusively;

a message issuing processing sequence to issue a permission or rejection to each of said control devices in the first plurality of control devices that sent an event request, said permission or rejection being determined based on said maximum number stored in said data structure; and

a data update processing sequence to update said maximum number in said data structure.