Method for configuring an input/output module coupled to a programmable logic controller

A method for configuring a module adapted for connection to a programmable logic controller, the controller including a memory and being capable of executing a control program to control a process, the controller including an initial configuration file which specifies an initial configuration for the module, a programmable unit being connected to the controller and including a keyboard for inputting manual commands to the controller and a display for displaying configuration data, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining, by the controller, if a particular module is coupled to the controller;
• transmitting, by the controller, of an initial configuration file from the controller to the particular module, said initial configuration file being stored in the particular module and being designated as the current configuration file, said transmitting step being performed only if said determining step confirms that the particular module is coupled to the controller;
• transmitting, by the particular module, of module specific information stored in memory in the particular module to said programming unit;
• displaying, by the programming unit display, of the module specific information stored in memory in the particular module;
• inputting commands from the programming unit keyboard for modifying the current configuration file in response to the module specific information displayed in said displaying step;
• providing, by the particular module, of module specific control data to the controller for enabling control of the particular module by the controller;
• and
• if the step of determining confirms that a particular module is not coupled to the controller, establishing a configuration file in the controller for the missing particular module and allowing entery of data into the configuration file from the programming unit so that the controller can execute control programs for operation testing without the missing particular module.