Diagnostic software for facilitating flowchart programming
AssigneeSteeplechase Software, Inc.
InventorsMichael T. Klein, Don C. Stokes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A digital computer implemented software system is provided that translates a graphical flow chart into a control program and displays the same upon a visual display attached to the digital computer during execution of a control program. The graphic flow chart includes a diagnostic decision block for automatically generating a diagnostic program based on user-entered error condition parameters. The diagnostic decision block replaces manual programming of each parameter and each block in the diagnostic program, reducing maintenance time when the parameters need to be updated. Specific problem solving steps can also be programmed as parameters to aid a machine operator in locating and fixing errors in the manufacturing process.
Claims18
A computer implemented software system for programming and implementing an error diagnostic and recovery system in a software logic controller using a graphical flow chart language, the system comprising:
- a first interface for parameters defining normal operation of at least a portion of a manufacturing step;
- a second interface for parameters defining at least one error condition;
- a third interface for parameters defining instructions for fixing said at least one error condition;
- and
- a program generator that automatically generates a diagnostic and recovery program in the graphical flow chart language incorporating the parameters entered through the first, second and third interfaces.
A method for generating an error diagnostic and recovery program in a software logic controller using a graphical flow chart language, comprising:
- selecting parameters defining at least one error condition, the parameters including an error message to be displayed automatically upon detection of the error condition and a diagnostic message to assist in error recovery;
- selecting parameters defining normal operation of at least a portion of a manufacturing step;
- selecting parameters defining instructions for fixing said at least one error condition;
- and
- automatically generating a diagnostic and recovery program based on the parameters in the graphical flow chart language without additional manual programming in the graphical flow chart language by the user.
A computer implemented software system for programming and implementing an error diagnostic and recovery system in a software logic controller using a graphical flow chart language, the system comprising the steps of:
- selecting parameters defining at least one error condition, the parameters including an error message to be displayed automatically upon detection of the error condition and a diagnostic message to assist in error recovery;
- selecting parameters defining normal operation of at least a portion of a manufacturing step;
- selecting parameters defining instructions for fixing said at least one error condition;
- and
- automatically generating a diagnostic and recovery program based on the parameters in the graphical flow chart language without additional manual programming in the graphical flow chart language by the user.
A computer readable storage device used to control a flowchart programmed software logic controller, comprising the steps of:
- selecting parameters defining at least one error condition, the parameters including an automatically generated error message to be displayed automatically upon detection of the error condition and a diagnostic message to assist in error recovery;
- selecting parameters defining normal operation of at least a portion of a manufacturing step;
- selecting parameters defining instructions for fixing said at least one error condition;
- and
- automatically generating a diagnostic and recovery program based on the parameters in the graphical flow chart language without additional manual programming in the graphical flow chart language by the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.