US 3,944,984 A · Computer controller system with a reprogrammable read only memory

Abstract

A miniaturized computer controller system utilizes reprogrammable "read only" ultraviolet memory chips instead of conventional core memories to store a control program comprising variable information regarding all electrical elements in all electrical circuit lines of the controller. The memory chips are reprogrammable within the controller and thus delicate removal of the chips for reprogramming is eliminated. The controller utilizes a central processor removably interfitting with a reprogramming module that also communicates with a programming panel. When in a "monitor" mode, the programming panel, in conjunction with the reprogramming module, allows the operator to view any particular electrical circuit line while the controller is operating. A scroll switch on the programming panel further allows the operator to view sequentially higher or lower numbered electrical circuit lines while a trace switch provides for examining any electrical circuit line to which a currently viewed element is referenced. When in a " program" mode, the programming panel, in combination with the reprogramming module, replaces the variable memory "read only" chips and allows the controller to continue operation while the operator is programming, adjusting, or de-bugging the electrical circuit lines. Following the programming of the electrical circuit lines with the desired electrical elements, the information regarding these lines is transferred to the reprogrammable "read only" memory chips when the programming panel is in a "write" mode. In this mode all the information previously stored in the memory chips is first erased by ultraviolet light, followed by the insertion of the new information regarding the electrical circuit lines. Following the transferral of information to the memory chips, the reprogramming module is disconnected from the central processor and replaced by a removably interfitting power supply module, whereby the system operates with electrical circuit line information stored in the reprogrammable memory chips.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An industrial computer controller for monitoring and controlling external devices by solving an electrical ladder-type control circuit having a plurality of circuit lines, a plurality of spaces in each line, each space providing for the inclusion of one type of a plurality of types of electrical elements comprising elements the condition of which is a function of a referenced condition, said industrial computer controller comprising in combination:

A. a central processor for solving the electrical circuit lines including the generation of circuit line condition specifying information;
B. an input/output assembly communicating with the central processor for receiving, transforming, and transferring at least a portion of said circuit line condition specifying information to intercommunicating external devices and for receiving, transforming, and transferring at least a portion of the information generated by said external devices to said central processor;
C. a variable memory for the storing of said electrical ladder-type control circuit;
D. a housing incorporating said central processor and said variable memory;
and
E. a reprogramming assembly removably interconnected with said housing and communicating with said central processor and said variable memory for generating, monitoring and varying said electrical ladder-type control circuit and for storing said varied control circuit into said variable memory.

3 more elements

An improved programming panel for programming a computer controller to perform control functions, the computer controller having stored therein a central processor for communicating with the programming panel and for simulating an electrical ladder-type control circuit having a plurality of circuit lines, a plurality of spaces in each circuit line, each space providing for the inclusion of one type of a plurality of types of electrical elements comprising elements the condition of which is a function of a referenced condition, and each of said circuit lines further providing circuit line condition specifying means controlled in accordance with the electrical condition of its respective circuit line or an external input controlling a line, at least some of said condition specifying means controlling outputs, the executive program simulating specified ones of the plurality of electrical elements in specified spaces to complete a simulated control circuit, the programming panel having:

A. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of a plurality of circuit lines of said electrical ladder-type control circuit;
B. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements;
C. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller a reference to the circuit line condition specifying means in the electrical ladder-type control circuit which is to control the condition of said specified type of electrical elements;
D. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of the spaces in the specified circuit line of the electrical ladder-type control circuit to which the specified type of electrical element is to be entered;
wherein the improvement comprises:
E. means for viewing an electrical circuit line to which a currently viewed electrical circuit line is referenced.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer controller system with a reprogrammable read only memory

Life of this patent

Computer controller system with a reprogrammable read only memory

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23