Programmable logic controller programming system

A programmable logic controller system for controlling a process, said programmable logic controller comprising:

• a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing said process via signals provided at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs;
• means for accessing with said programmable logic controller an input control data element for a sequential step from said process and an output data element for said sequential step from an input control data table and an output data table, respectively, said input control data table including input control data elements for a plurality of sequential steps from said process and said output data table including a plurality of output data elements for said plurality of sequential steps;
• means for providing output signals at outputs of said programmable logic controller identified by said output data element to be activated for said sequential step;
• means for monitoring inputs identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step;
• and
• means for performing a next one of said plurality of sequential steps if an input signal is detected for at least one of said monitored inputs.

A method of controlling a process with a programmable logic controller, said programmable logic controller including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing said process through signals at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs, said process comprising a plurality of sequential steps, comprising the steps of:

• (a) accessing with said programmable logic controller an input control data element for a sequential step from said process from an input control data table and an output data element for said sequential step from an output data table, said input control data table including respective input control data elements corresponding to said plurality of sequential steps from said process and said output data table including respective output control data elements corresponding to said plurality of sequential steps, said input control data elements identifying inputs to be monitored during respective sequential steps and said output data elements identifying outputs to be triggered during respective sequential steps;
• (b) providing output signals at outputs of said programmable logic controller identified by said output data element to be activated for said sequential step;
• (c) monitoring inputs identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step;
• and
• (d) if an input condition identified by said input control data element to be monitored for said sequential step is detected, repeating steps (a) to (c) for a next sequential step from said process.