Method for configuring a programmable logic controller using a schema to validate extensible markup language file

• US 7,966,413 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America Incorporated
• Inventors: Ascoli, Judy Dixon, O'Dea, Paul Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): BHATIA, AJAY M
• Application Number:
  US11/762,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 709/218, 709/230, 715/234, 715/239
• US Class Current: 709/230
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15012 Configuration software for networks

Abstract

A method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a protocol is provided. The method includes providing an extensible markup language (XML) schema for the protocol of the PLC. In another aspect, a method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a protocol includes utilizing the schema to validate at least one XML file parsed from a comma separated variable (CSV) file created by a configuration tool for a protocol different than the protocol of the PLC. In another aspect, a method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a protocol includes utilizing the schema to validate at least one XML file parsed from a comma separated variable (CSV) file created by a configuration tool.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a first protocol, said method comprising:

creating a comma separated variable (CSV) file at a computer using a configuration tool having a second protocol different from the first protocol;

parsing the CSV file at the computer to create at least one extensible markup language (XML) file;

utilizing a schema to validate the at least one XML file at the computer, the schema including an Exchange element including at least one of;

an Exchange ID element configured to reference an identifier of the exchange;

a Signature element configured to reference a configuration signature value for the exchange;

a Timeout element configured to reference a frequency a refresh error is to be declared; and

a Build Information element including at least one of;

a Name element configured to identify the configuration tool;

a Description element configured to provide a description of the configuration tool;

a Tool Version element configured to specify a version of the configuration tool;

a Validation Code element configured to identify a field used by the configuration tool to determine whether the CSV file has been modified;

a Last Build Date element configured to a last date the CSV file was created by the configuration tool; and

a Last Build time element configured to specify a last time the CSV file was created configuration tool; and

configuring the PLC using the XML file.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprise using grammar at least partially according to the schema.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising transforming the at least one XML file using extensible style sheet language and then parsing the at least one XML file.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises facilitating configuring multiple devices by providing a standard format for defining a protocol for a device.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using an XML schema including at least one of a plurality of elements to determine at least one configuration parameter within the at least one XML file.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using a schema including a Device element including at least one of:

a Device Configuration element configured to specify at least one of a name of a device, a description of the device, and a scan rate for the device by the programmable logic controller; and

a Device Validation element configured to reference date relating to a memory.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using a schema including the Exchange element including at least one of:

a Name element configured to reference a name of an exchange;

a Description element configured to reference a description of the exchange;

a Producer Identifier element configured to reference an exchange producer identifier;

a Source element configured to reference a source for the exchange;

a Destination element configured to reference a destination address for the exchange; and

a Period element configured to reference one of a production period and a consumption period for the exchange based on an exchange mode.

8. A method for configuring a programmable logic controller having a protocol, said method comprising:

creating a comma separated variable (CSV) file at a computer using a configuration tool;

parsing the CSV file to create at least one extensible markup language (XML) file at the computer;

utilizing a schema to validate the at least one XML file at the computer the schema including an Exchange element including at least one of;

an Exchange ID element configured to reference an identifier of the exchange;

a Signature element configured to reference a configuration signature value for the exchange;

a Timeout element configured to reference a frequency a error is to be declared; and

a Build Information element including at least one of;

a Name element configured to identify the configuration tool;

a Description element configured to provide a description of the configuration tool;

a Tool Version element configured to specify a version of the configuration tool;

a Validation Code element configured to identify a field used by the configuration tool to determine whether the CSV file has been modified;

a Last Build Date element configured to specify a last date the CSV file was created by the configuration tool; and

a Last Build time element configured to specify a last time the CSV file was created by the configuration tool; and

configuring the PLC using the XML file.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using grammar at least partially according to the schema.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising transforming the at least one XML, file using extensible style sheet language.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using a schema including at least one of a plurality of elements to determine at least one configuration parameter within the at least one XML file.

12. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML, file further comprises using a schema including a Device element including at least one of:

a Device Configuration element configured to specify at least one of a name of a device, a description of the device, and a scan rate for the device by the programmable logic controller; and

a Device Validation element configured to reference date relating to a memory.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using a schema including the Device element and the Exchange element, the Exchange element including at least one of:

a Name element configured to reference a name of an exchange;

a Description element configured to reference a description of the exchange;

a Producer Identifier element configured to reference an exchange producer identifier;

a Source element configured to reference a source for the exchange;

a Destination element configured to reference a destination address for the exchange; and

a Period element configured to reference one of a production period and a consumption period for the exchange based on an exchange mode.

14. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein utilizing a schema to validate at least one XML file further comprises using a schema including the Exchange element including at least one of:

a Name element configured to reference a name of an exchange;

a Description clement configured to reference a description of the exchange;

a Producer Identifier element configured to reference an exchange producer identifier;

a Source element configured to reference a source for the exchange;

a Destination element configured to reference a destination address for the exchange; and

a Period element configured to reference one of a production period and a consumption period for the exchange based on an exchange mode.

15. A method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a first protocol, said method comprising:

creating a comma separated variable (CSV) file at the computer using a configuration tool having a second protocol different from the first protocol;

parsing the CSV file to create at least one extensible markup language (XML) file at the computer;

utilizing a schema to validate the at least one XML file at the computer using grammar at least partially according to the schema, the schema including an Exchange element including at least one of;

an Exchange ID element configured to reference an identifier of the exchange;

a Signature element configured to reference a configuration signature value for the exchange

a Timeout element configured to reference a frequency a refresh error is to be declared; and

a Build Information element including at least one of;

a Name element configured to identify the configuration tool;

a Description element configured to provide a description of the configuration tool;

a Tool Version element configured to specify a version of the configuration tool;

a Validation Code element configured to identify a field used by the configuration tool to determine whether the CSV file has been modified;

a Last Build Date element configured to specify a last date the CSV file was created by the configuration tool; and

a Last Build time element configured to specify a last time the CSV file was created by the configuration tool; and

configuring the PLC using the XML file.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising transforming the at least one XML file using extensible style sheet language and then parsing the at least one XML file.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein utilizing a schema further comprises using an XML schema including at least one of a plurality of elements to determine at least one configuration parameter within the at least one XML file.