Programming device for programmable sequence controllers

A programming device connectable to a plurality of programmable sequence controllers for preparing a sequence control program to be executed by one of any one of said programmable sequence controllers, said programming device comprising:

• first program memory means for storing the sequence control program for said one of any one of said sequence controllers, said sequence control program including I/O elements of said one of any one of said programmable sequence controllers, said sequence control program also including I/O elements of others of said programmable sequence controllers, the states of whose elements are input via a link line connecting all of said programmable sequence controllers;
• display means for visibly displaying the control program in the form of a ladder diagram;
• program read-out means for reading out the sequence control program from the first program memory means so as to display the sequence control program on the display means;
• designation means for enabling an operator to designate an I/O element of said others of said programmable sequence controllers being displayed and to fix the state of the designated I/O element to either ON or OFF state so as to prepare a modified sequence control program;
• and
• second program memory means for storing the modified sequence control program.