US 5,168,441 A · Methods for set up and programming of machine and process controllers

Abstract

Graphical editing methods are employed to construct programs in high-level graphical languages prior to compilation and operation in controllers for industrial or commercial equipment. The editing methods include process, hardware and program editing tasks for defining both process and hardware I/O points and connecting them to variables in a controller program. Each editing task has a tree graph window, a graph editing window, and a palette with rotating panels of graphical editing tools. The hardware editing taks uses two-layered icons to graphically simulate the hardware environment. A plurality of graph types are based on generalized node-vert-arc graphical elements which are special classes programmed in the Smalltalk programming language. Languages for the controller program include function block, sequential function chart and ladder diagram.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of operating a programming computer to construct a graphical representation of a controller program in preparation for conversion of the controller program into a form for execution by a specific controller, the method comprising:

in response to a first plurality of user inputs, constructing one or more related views for display on a screen of the programming computer, wherein the one or more related views show a graph of an industrial or commercial process to be controlled by one or more controllers, the graph including visual representations of objects associated with visual representations of input signals and output signals that are to be monitored and controlled by the specific controller;
in response to a second plurality of user inputs, constructing a second group of one or more related views for display of one or more objects representing the controller program on the screen of the programming computer, and for display of visual representations of input and output program variables associated with the objects representing the controller program;
and
in response to a third plurality of user inputs, visually associating on the screen at the same time the visual representations of the input and output program variables with the visual representations of the input signals and output signals to be monitored and controlled by the specific controller.

1 more element

activating first, second and third graphical editing tasks for display of objects on a screen of the programming computer, wherein each graphical editing task controls display of objects in an editing window that occupies a portion of the screen;
during activation of the first graphical editing task, in response to a plurality of user inputs, constructing in the editing window a graph of an industrial or commercial process to be controlled by one or more controllers, and visually representing a plurality of input signals and output signals for the industrial or commercial process;
during activation of the second graphical editing task, making one or more user inputs for visually associating the visual representations of the input signals and output signals from the first graphical editing task with a visual representation for a specific controller processor to be programmed to control the industrial or commercial process;
and
during activation of the third graphical editing task, making one or more user inputs to visually associate the visual representations of the input signals and output signals from the first graphical editing task with visual representations for input and output program variables in a program for the specific controller processor.

2 more elements

activating a graphical editing task that controls the display of objects on a screen of the programming computer, wherein the graphical editing task directs display of an editing window that occupies a portion of the screen;
and
wherein the graphical editing task directs display of a first palette panel which a plurality of selectable functions of the type for adding objects in the editing window and wherein the graphical editing task directs display of a second palette panel with a plurality of selectable functions of the type for adding inputs and outputs on the objects added with the first palette panel;
and
with a user input device, making selections on the first and second palette panels to select and direct display of objects with inputs and outputs in the editing window;
and
wherein the graphical editing task includes and displays as part of the first and second palette panels a pair of oppositely pointing scrolling arrows, and wherein the user input device is operated to select one of the scrolling arrows to display one of the first and second palette panels and hide the other one of the first and second palette panels from display.

4 more elements

A method for use with a computer system of the type having a display screen and a user input device, the method comprising:

in response to a first plurality of user inputs, directing display of a graphical image of an electronic controller chassis on the screen, wherein the graphical image has portions corresponding to respective positions for I/O modules;
and
in response to a second plurality of user inputs, directing display of a graphical image of an I/O module on the screen and superimposing said graphical image of the I/O module on said graphical image of the electronic controller chassis to simulate positioning of an I/O module in an actual electronic controller chassis.

An object-oriented method of operating a programming computer to construct a graphical representation of a controller program in preparation for conversion of the controller program into a form for execution by the controller, the method comprising:

constructing a plurality of graphs including at least one connected graph characterized by an arc linking a first vertex on a first node with a second vertex on a second node;
adding nodes to form the graphs by selecting and executing groups of object-oriented instructions for a plurality of node models for the respective graphs, wherein the groups of object-oriented instructions for the plurality of node models are related to a common group of object-oriented instructions for a node class;
adding vertices to form the graphs by selecting and executing groups of object-oriented instructions for a plurality of vertex models for the respective graphs, wherein the groups of object-oriented instructions for the plurality of vertex models are related to a common group of object-oriented instructions for a vertex class;
and
adding arcs to form the connected graph by the selecting and executing groups of object-oriented instructions for an arc class.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods for set up and programming of machine and process controllers

Life of this patent

Methods for set up and programming of machine and process controllers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19