System for portable PLC configurations

• US 7,308,550 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Cornett, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elmore; Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US11/143,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20050270062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 711/170, 711/115, 711/154, 711/165
• US Class Current: 711/170
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13156 IC-memory card
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13158 Non volatile memory, no battery

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: recognizing, by a PLC, that a memory device has been connected to the PLC; and configuring the PLC via a PLC executable software program resident on the memory device. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: via a PLC network interface: presenting a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of a non-PLC information device; and rendering, to a user of the non-PLC information device, the PLC network as a node of a network. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: via a PLC network interface: presenting a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of a non-PLC information device; and searching the PLC network for at least one item corresponding to one or more search parameters.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a memory device recognition module adapted to automatically recognize, for a programmable logic controller (PLC), that a memory device has been connected to the PLC, the memory device having a Profibus or Point to Point Interface (PPI) PLC network address, the recognition module adapted to automatically identify a plurality of folder items stored on the memory device, the PLC adapted to provide a hierarchical file structure of the folder items to a non-PLC information device via a browser; and

a PLC configuration module adapted to automatically configure the PLC via a PLC executable software program resident on the memory device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory device recognition module is adapted to receive the memory device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory device recognition module is adapted to automatically read the memory device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC configuration module is adapted to automatically select the PLC executable software program from a plurality of software programs resident on the memory device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC configuration module is adapted to automatically select the PLC executable software program from a plurality of PLC executable software programs resident on the memory device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC configuration module is adapted to automatically execute the PLC executable software program.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC configuration module is adapted to automatically determine parameters associated with the PLC.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC configuration module is adapted to automatically identify values for one or more parameters associated with the PLC.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC configuration module is adapted to automatically set values for one or more parameters associated with the PLC.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory device comprises a plurality of electronic files.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory device is adapted to be connected to any one of a plurality of PLC'"'"'s.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory device comprises a plurality of electronic files, the plurality of electronic files comprising at least one of a;

program block, data block, system block, recipe, data log, and user log.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the PLC executable software program is a PLC configuration program.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory device comprises at least one electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

15. A system, comprising:

a programmable logic controller (PLC);

a memory device recognition module adapted to automatically recognize, for the PLC, that a memory device has been connected to the PLC, the memory device having a Profibus or Point to Point Interface (PPI) PLC network address, the recognition module adapted to automatically identify a plurality of folder items stored on the memory device, the PLC adapted to provide a hierarchical file structure of the folder items to a non-PLC information device via a browser; and

a PLC configuration module adapted to automatically configure the PLC via a PLC executable software program resident on the memory device.