Programmable logic controller programming system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a process with a programmable logic controller, said programmable logic controller including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing said process through signals at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs, comprising the steps of:
- accessing with said programmable logic controller an input control data element for a sequential step from said process and an output data element for said sequential step from an input control data table and an output data table, respectively, said input control data table including input control data elements for a plurality of sequential steps from said process and said output data table including a plurality of output data elements for said plurality of sequential steps;
providing output signals at outputs of said programmable logic controller identified by said output data element to be activated for said sequential step;
monitoring inputs identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step; and
performing a next one of said plurality of sequential steps if an input signal is detected for at least one of said monitored inputs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programming system includes a graphical data entry user interface for a plurality of sequential steps displayed to a user on a monitor. The user selects outputs to be activated for each of the sequential steps and any inputs to be monitored or timer to be enabled for the sequential steps. The inputs, outputs, and timer enable commands, and timer values identified by the user are converted into data tables each having a plurality of data elements. Each data element corresponds to one of the sequential steps. A programmable logic controller directs a process by reading the data elements corresponding to a sequential step and, for that sequential step, activating the outputs identified by the output data element, monitoring any inputs identified by the input control data element, and enabling a timer for a selected time period if identified in the input control data element.
30 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a process with a programmable logic controller, said programmable logic controller including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing said process through signals at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs, comprising the steps of:
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accessing with said programmable logic controller an input control data element for a sequential step from said process and an output data element for said sequential step from an input control data table and an output data table, respectively, said input control data table including input control data elements for a plurality of sequential steps from said process and said output data table including a plurality of output data elements for said plurality of sequential steps; providing output signals at outputs of said programmable logic controller identified by said output data element to be activated for said sequential step; monitoring inputs identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step; and performing a next one of said plurality of sequential steps if an input signal is detected for at least one of said monitored inputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A programmable logic controller system for controlling a process, said programmable logic controller comprising:
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a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing said process via signals provided at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs; means for accessing with said programmable logic controller an input control data element for a sequential step from said process and an output data element for said sequential step from an input control data table and an output data table, respectively, said input control data table including input control data elements for a plurality of sequential steps from said process and said output data table including a plurality of output data elements for said plurality of sequential steps; means for providing output signals at outputs of said programmable logic controller identified by said output data element to be activated for said sequential step; means for monitoring inputs identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step; and means for performing a next one of said plurality of sequential steps if an input signal is detected for at least one of said monitored inputs. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling a process with a programmable logic controller, said programmable logic controller including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing said process through signals at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs, said process comprising a plurality of sequential steps, comprising the steps of:
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(a) accessing with said programmable logic controller an input control data element for a sequential step from said process from an input control data table and an output data element for said sequential step from an output data table, said input control data table including respective input control data elements corresponding to said plurality of sequential steps from said process and said output data table including respective output control data elements corresponding to said plurality of sequential steps, said input control data elements identifying inputs to be monitored during respective sequential steps and said output data elements identifying outputs to be triggered during respective sequential steps; (b) providing output signals at outputs of said programmable logic controller identified by said output data element to be activated for said sequential step; (c) monitoring inputs identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step; and (d) if an input condition identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step is detected, repeating steps (a) to (c) for a next sequential step from said process.
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Specification