Multiple axis modular controller and method of operating same
First Claim
1. A multiple axis modular controller for use in a system comprising input devices receiving indications of system conditions and output devices performing tasks affecting the system conditions, the output devices including at least a first motor and a second motor, the first motor and the second motor operable to cause movement of a first axis and a second axis, respectively, the controller comprising:
- a plurality of input connectors, each of the plurality of input connectors connectable to a respective one of the input devices;
a plurality of output connectors, each of the plurality of output connectors connectable to a respective one of the output devices;
a processor operable to execute a series of sequential commands of an application program; and
means, separate from the processor, for executing a command in response to one of completion of one sequential command of the series of sequential commands regardless of a next sequential command in the series of sequential commands, a specified input received at one of the plurality of input connectors, and a specified output sent to one of the plurality of output connectors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple axis modular controller and a method of operating the controller in a system comprising input devices receiving indications of system conditions and output devices performing tasks affecting the system conditions. The controller includes input connectors connectable to the input devices and output connectors connectable to the output devices. A processor executes a series of sequential commands of an application program. A command can be executed in response to completion of one sequential command of the series of sequential commands regardless of a next sequential command in the series of sequential commands or in response to a specified input received at one of the input connectors or in response to a specified output sent to one of the output connectors. The processor does not execute the command, minimizing processor delays.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multiple axis modular controller for use in a system comprising input devices receiving indications of system conditions and output devices performing tasks affecting the system conditions, the output devices including at least a first motor and a second motor, the first motor and the second motor operable to cause movement of a first axis and a second axis, respectively, the controller comprising:
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a plurality of input connectors, each of the plurality of input connectors connectable to a respective one of the input devices;
a plurality of output connectors, each of the plurality of output connectors connectable to a respective one of the output devices;
a processor operable to execute a series of sequential commands of an application program; and
means, separate from the processor, for executing a command in response to one of completion of one sequential command of the series of sequential commands regardless of a next sequential command in the series of sequential commands, a specified input received at one of the plurality of input connectors, and a specified output sent to one of the plurality of output connectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a multiple axis modular controller in a system comprising input devices receiving indications of system conditions and output devices performing tasks affecting the system conditions, the output devices including at least a first motor and a second motor, the first motor and the second motor operable to cause movement of a first axis and a second axis, respectively, the method comprising:
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connecting each of a plurality of input connectors to a respective one of the input devices;
connecting each of a plurality of output connectors to a respective one of the output devices;
executing a series of sequential commands of an application program using a processor; and
executing, using means separate from the processor, a command in response to one of completion of one sequential command of the series of sequential commands regardless of a next sequential command in the series of sequential commands, a specified input received at one of the plurality of input connectors, and a specified output sent to one of the plurality of output connectors. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification