Method for connecting an expansion module to a programmable electric switching device
AssigneeMoeller GmbH
InventorsDieter Bauerfeind, Olaf Dung
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for connecting an expansion module to a programmable electric switching device includes initiating a recognition mode within the switching device during which an interrogation is carried out as to whether or not the connected expansion module is initializable. If the expansion module is not initializable, no data is exchanged between the switching device and the expansion module. If the expansion module is initializable, the switching device switches into an expansion communication mode in which data exchange takes place under the control of the operating system of the expansion module.
Claims9
A method for connecting an expansion module to a programmable electric switching device, the method comprising:
- interconnecting the switching device and the expansion module via a first data interface of the switching device and second data interface of the expansion module;
- initiating a recognition mode in the switching device, an interrogation as to whether or not the expansion module is initializable being performed during the recognition mode;
- when the expansion module is not initializable, exchanging no data between the switching device and the expansion module;
- and
- when the expansion module is initializable, switching the switching device into an expansion communication mode, a data exchange being performed under a control of an operating system of the expansion module during the communication mode.
A method for connecting an expansion module to a programmable electric switching device, the switching device including a first processing unit, a display screen, an operating control unit, a plurality of signal inputs, a plurality of signal outputs and a first data interface, switching functions of the switching device being programmable by a user via a menu-driven user interface on the display screen, the programmable switching device being capable of switching a current flow between the plurality of signal inputs and the plurality of signal outputs under a control of a user program and as a function of a state of the plurality of signal inputs, the expansion module including a second processing unit and a second data interface, the method comprising:
- interconnecting the switching device and the expansion module via the first and second data interfaces for exchanging data;
- initiating a recognition mode in the switching device, an interrogation as to whether or not the expansion module is initializable being performed during the recognition mode;
- when the expansion module is not initializable, exchanging no data between the switching device and the expansion module;
- and
- when the expansion module is initializable, switching the switching device into an expansion communication mode, a data exchange being performed under a control of an operating system of the expansion module during the communication mode.
A method for connecting an expansion module to a programmable electric switching device, the switching device including a first processing unit, a display screen, an operating control unit, a plurality of signal inputs, a plurality of signal outputs and a first data interface, switching functions of the switching device being programmable by a user via a menu-driven user interface on the display screen, the programmable switching device being capable of switching a current flow between the plurality of signal inputs and the plurality of signal outputs under a control of a user program and as a function of a state of the plurality of signal inputs, the expansion module including a second processing unit and a second data interface, the method comprising:
- disposing the first processing unit, the display screen, the operating control unit, the plurality of signal inputs, the plurality of signal outputs and the first data interface in a first housing;
- disposing the second processing unit and the second data interface in a second housing;
- interconnecting the switching device and the expansion module via the first and second data interfaces for exchanging data;
- initiating a recognition mode in the switching device, an interrogation as to whether or not the expansion module is initializable being performed during the recognition mode;
- when the expansion module is not initializable, exchanging no data between the switching device and the expansion module;
- and
- when the expansion module is initializable, switching the switching device into an expansion communication mode, a data exchange being performed under a control of an operating system of the expansion module during the communication mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.