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WO1987004550A1 - Methode et moyens d'introduction manuelle de programmes dans des systemes de commande programmables de procedes industriels - Google Patents

Methode et moyens d'introduction manuelle de programmes dans des systemes de commande programmables de procedes industriels Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1987004550A1
WO1987004550A1 PCT/US1986/000065 US8600065W WO8704550A1 WO 1987004550 A1 WO1987004550 A1 WO 1987004550A1 US 8600065 W US8600065 W US 8600065W WO 8704550 A1 WO8704550 A1 WO 8704550A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
program
memory
unit
memory means
site
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1986/000065
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ralph Ogden
Patrick H. Eich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to US06/532,316 priority Critical patent/US4566061A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP19860900928 priority patent/EP0252078A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1986/000065 priority patent/WO1987004550A1/fr
Publication of WO1987004550A1 publication Critical patent/WO1987004550A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
    • G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
    • G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
    • G05B19/10—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using selector switches
    • G05B19/102—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using selector switches for input of programme steps, i.e. setting up sequence
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
    • G05B2219/30—Nc systems
    • G05B2219/34—Director, elements to supervisory
    • G05B2219/34197—Search blank memory space to load program, storage, memory allocation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
    • G05B2219/30—Nc systems
    • G05B2219/36—Nc in input of data, input key till input tape
    • G05B2219/36169—Remote, host controlled, operated manual data input, keyboard

Definitions

  • This invention relates to programmable controllers, and more particularly, to appartus of this type for controlling the operation of industrial pro ⁇ cessing equipment, and methods, means and procedures for effecting manual user program input into the system mem ⁇ ory in bypassing relation to, or as an alternate to, a terminal and/or tape reading facilities that the system may have to effect entry into the system memory of pro ⁇ grams.
  • a typical programmable controller comprises one or more input modules, one or more output modules, one or more memory modules, and a processor, usually referred to as the central processing unit.
  • the input module converts the status condition of the process var ⁇ iables into electrical signals that can be acted upon by the programmable controller.
  • the output modules convert the commands as issued by the central processing unit into signals that can actuate or deactuate corresponding machine devices.
  • the output modules usually consist of solid state switches operated through the output inter- face to control power to the desired external devices.
  • the memory modules contain the instructions that repre ⁇ sent the system's control circuitry, and the action that is to be taken in response to each condition of the in ⁇ put devices.
  • the central processing unit supervises the
  • the processor is conven ⁇ tionally operated from a suitable and conveniently loca ⁇ ted control panel that is labeled or otherwise marked to identify the components controlled thereby.
  • the control processing unit typically performs logical comparisons on the inputs and outputs in response to instructions in its memory, and it energizes or deenergizes outputs as a result of these comparisons.
  • Modern control processing units typically are of LSI (large scale integration) design contained on one or more printed circuit boards along with additional sup ⁇ porting electronic devices and circuitry. LSI devices are now arranged in extremely small sizes to perform the functions of the central processing unit, and have become generally known as microprocessors which are com ⁇ monly contained in or are made up of one or more IC (integrated circuit) chips.
  • Ogden Patent 4,195,773, granted April 1, 1980 provides a programmable controller system, apparatus and method for controlling industrial processes that includes a central processing unit provided with a ran ⁇ dom access and read only memory including an instruction register, a tape reader for sensing computer data bits on a tape specifically arranged to practice the inven- tion, which tape reader is connected to the processing unit for storing the data bits in the memory register, and means for connecting I/O devices to the processing unit.
  • the invention of said patent contemplates that as a basic programming tool, a programming work sheet is employed for organizing the needed information as to I/O functions and process steps into computer word arrange ⁇ ment for ready application of such information to the tape and corresponding entry of the information into the system memory employing the tape reader.
  • the work sheet is arranged for manual marking of the program process steps in terms of I/O functions, and timing, counting, and decision functions, in sequentially consecutive
  • the tape of said system is a ribbon that is delineated to have applied to same the work sheet computer data word indi- cia in modularized group or set form, in which the groups or sets of the computer data words for the conse ⁇ cutive process steps are sequentially arranged trans ⁇ versely of the tape, with succeeding groups or sets following in sequential order on the tape, and all such step groups being computer data word indicia marked in the same binary notation system fashion in which the work sheet is marked.
  • the tape reader and tape of the system are arranged for manual pull through application of the tape through the reader and for sensing of the tape markings in consecutive computer word group or set form, with continuous manually induced movement of the tape through the reader, for storing of the computer word sets in the controller system memory for controlling the process through the controller central processing unit.
  • Ogden Patent 4,347,416 discloses a control panel arrangement of the membrane or keyboard switch type, that is preferred for the practice of the present invention, which the control panel arrangement involved includes a membrane or keyboard switch control panel system that includes, for each control panel involved, a
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET membrane or keyboard switch control panel assembly that includes a circuit board having circuitry integrating a predetermined number of control input and output switches including, for each controlling switch, a pair of contacts on one side of the board to be manually closed, membrane switch fashion, and a glow bulb or the like (such as a suitable LED) connected for illumination through an aperture of the board when the circuit board is energized, a membrane, sheet of flexible non-metallic material, such as mylar polyester, a polycarbonate, or the like, coextensive with and overlying said one side of the circuit board, with side of the membrane sheet engaging the said adjacent board side and with the mem ⁇ brane sheet being formed to define apertures aligned with each set of switch contact pairs and having secured over each of its said pairs on the other side of the ' membrane sheet a planar electrically conductive switch contact closing member of film thickness dimensions for manual (by touch) closing of the aperture exposed switch contacts.
  • a circuit board having circuitry integrating a predetermined number of control input and output switches
  • a legend sheet formed from a flexible non-metallic material such as mylar that is coextensive with and overlies the side of the membrane sheet bearing the switch contact closing member.
  • the legend sheet of the control panel bears switch number indicia imprinted on same for the respective controlling switches in alignment with the contacts of that switch that are to be closed by the touch system employee, and the indicated switch number indicia also serves as the switch location indicia.
  • This basic membrane or key ⁇ board type switch control assembly is integrated with the control panel itself which is ordinarily in the form of a rigid metal sheet that is apertured to define a window opening for viewing the indicia providing por- tions of the legend sheet.
  • TE SHEET components involved and provides for a label assembly that is especially adapted for in-field application of the switch identification indicia to the control panel legend sheet.
  • the controller apparatus involved and especially its switching control, has been assem ⁇ bled, the correlation between the separate switches and circuiting controlled thereby is then known, the corres ⁇ ponding information can be applied to the individual labels of the label assembly, after which the individual labels are separated from the assembly and applied to the legend sheet for identifying the functions of the individual switches involved, in performing the steps of the methods of the various programs that are involved in the operation of the controller apparatus.
  • the present invention is concerned with the provision, at or on the processor control panel, of a manually actuated (by the equipment user) central pro ⁇ cessing unit mode and mode phase operation, and user programming controls, that comprise a master control panel section and associated status panel sections that are of the membrane or keyboard switch type and that provide for manual push button or key operation for same for ready shifting of the processor between tape read ⁇ ing, automatic and manual operation modes, and manual operation of the keyboard or membrane switch control assemblies involved to enter user programs into the controller system memory and at specific slots or sites thereof, the checking of the accuracy of such entries, the revising of such entries, and the cancelling of part or all of same, without requiring the conventional ter ⁇ minal for program entry or use of the tape and tape reader components of the system, or even requiring their presence as part of an installed system of this type, and permitting the operation of the process controller
  • a principal object of the present invention is to provide improvements in the programmable controller system of said patents whereby a program that has been entered on the program work sheet may be entered into the controller system memory using a manual programming input procedure and apparatus or device in association with the control panel of the controller, which is in the nature of user manually actuated microprocessor mode and mode phase operation and user programming controls which are organized into a master a control panel sec ⁇ tion and one or more status control panel control sec ⁇ tions that preferably are of a keyboard or membrane switch type (such as the general arrangements disclosed in Ogden said Patent 4,347,416) whereby manual finger actuated push button control is made available to the system operator by way of control panel section push keys to shift the controller as needed between its various modes and mode phases, including tape reading program entry purposes, automatic operation through specific programs, stepping of the controller through selected program entered in memory, and manual operation of the controller, wherein the master controller panel section and the status panel sections of the controller control panel may be used in effect as a manually actu ⁇ ated terminal for entering programs into memory
  • Another principal object of the invention is to provide a master control panel section and one or more status panel sections, in the control panel arrangement for the microprocessor of programmable controller systems of the type disclosed in Ogden said patients, by which the using operator may, by finger actuating push button control procedures, sets the con ⁇ troller in its manual program mode, and enters into memory a program applied to one of the system work
  • SUBSTITUTESHEET sheets by effecting lighting of the status panel sec ⁇ tion lighting indicators for the respective steps of the program in accordance with the I/O function indicating, binary notation fashion markings, on the system work sheet for each step, or by directly entering the program into the system where the operator, by reason of his knowledge of the I/O functions involved, or otherwise, does not need to use the system work sheet to enter the program.
  • Another principal object of the invention is to provide for manual programming input entry of pro ⁇ grams outlined on the work sheet directly from and in terms of the computer word sets of the work sheet that define the program individual steps in computer word, binary notation fashion, into the controller system memory, in a way that permits erasure of existing pro ⁇ grams- (that may no longer be needed), and subsequent checking and/or revision of the program or any of its steps, without requiring application of such indicia tape (for tape reading into memory) and also accommo ⁇ dating as well, time, counting, and decision functions of any program step, that may be indicated on the work sheet for the particular program in question.
  • Yet other objects of the invention are to increase the flexibility of the programming equipment disclosed in said Ogden patents, to provide programming methods and procedures that not only are easy to use in practice, but also require no special training or exper ⁇ ience to use with facility, and that provide a program- mable controller programming system that is readily adapted for use in connection with a wide variety of industrial processing equipment, that is compatible with the basic types of microprocessors employed in equipment of this type, and that is oriented and arranged to achieve ready manual input incorporation of programs into memory, adequate checking of same, and full control of the industrial processing equipment involved in
  • the basic programmable controller system is arranged in a manner similar to the disclosures of said two above identified Ogden patents with the circuit means for operatively connecting the microprocessor mode and mode phase con ⁇ trols and the process I/O devices involved to the.micro ⁇ processor comprising a control panel that includes a master control panel section including a keyboard and associated switches for manually setting the processor to operate in, for instance, manual, automatic, and tape reading modes and mode phases, with LEDs or the like preferrably being provided for visual indication for indicating when the circuiting involved in each case is energized, and including one or more status panel sec ⁇ tions each equipped with keyboards, associated switches, and LEDs or the like for each switch for visually indi ⁇ cating when the circuit controls by the switch in ques- tion are energized, with the switch actuating keys of the latter providing means for manually actuating the individual I/O function controlling switches to set same corresponding to the I/O functions appearing on the work sheet for the particular processing program in question.
  • the memory register of the system following disclosure of said Ogden Patent 4,195,773 has a memory map for ac ⁇ cepting a predetermined number of the programs which in accordance with standard practices may be designated by individual program numbers that are made a part of the operating system software that retrieves the individual programs as needed.
  • the master control keyboard panel section includes, in addition to the manual, automatic and other mode and mode phase providing push button keys therefor, a program select key and associated switch and circuitry for locating a desired program (for alteration
  • the system also includes means for displaying the pro ⁇ gram and step identities of the programs in memory, and means for the advancing of any selected program, step- by-step in consecutive order, for reviewing visually on the LEDs of the status panel sections, the status of the program I/O functions entered into the memory register for each such program step, with provision for changing one or more I/O functions for each step.
  • the system is also arranged to permit ready entry into memory of user programs without having to use the system work sheet.
  • a predetermined program as outlined on the work sheet is entered into the controller memory regis ⁇ ter, without requiring use of either the tape or the tape reader, by using the master control keyboard panel section control keys to place the controller in its manual mode, and then adjusting the memory register for
  • the basic processing of the system also calls for procedures for erasing programs that are in the memory map site at which the program in question is to be applied, and also modifying or revis ⁇ ing the memory inserted program in question, and step ⁇ ping the controller through same to check its accuracy of application. Further the use can enter a program into memory without the program being applied to one of the system work sheets, as where the user knows the
  • the controller is readily shifted into its other modes as needed under the circumstances of oper ⁇ ation, or for further manual programming input of pro- Completes as outlined on the system work sheet or work sheets, as the needs of the sitatution require.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the basic arrangement of the programmable controller system incorporating the basic features of the present inven ⁇ tion;
  • Figure 2 diagrammatically but more specifi ⁇ cally illustrates the processor display that is indica ⁇ ted in Figure 1 , which shows in a conventional manner the program and step number that the processor is work ⁇ ing with at any particular time during its operation, including the application of particular programs and the steps thereof into memory, manual programming input fashion, in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 3 is a fragmental plan view of the controller master control panel section of the system basic control panel arrangement, with parts broken away, indicating the identity of the keyboard keys thereof and the location of the panel section light viewing windows that are respectively associated with the switch con ⁇ trolled by each key;
  • Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates the status panel sections of the controller control panel arrangement, with the panel sections shown being illus- trated as applicable to the program outlined computer word fashion on the work sheet illustrated by Figures 7, 9A and 9B and being shown in a manner similar to the
  • Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic side eleva- tional views illustrating the general arrangement of an investment casting mold forming machine, the operation of which is controlled by the practice of this inven ⁇ tion, and a program of operation of which is applied computer word fashion to the work sheet of Figures 7, 9A and 9B;
  • Figure 7 illustrates the layout of a typical work sheet arranged in accordance with the practice of the invention, that illustrated containing computer word binary system fashion marking of a specific program for a series of steps for making molds using the investment casting mold forming machine that is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 5 and 6;
  • Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the layout of a typical RAM memory bit receiving register that may be employed in the practice of the invention.
  • Figures 9A and 9B taken together are a frag- mental view on an enlarged scale of the I/O function portion of the work sheet of Figure 7 and the initial group of the program computer word format steps of same, to better show the relationship of the work sheet I/O and computer word forming zones.
  • the specific drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of the Patent Laws, and that the invention is susceptible of modifications and variations that will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
  • GENERAL ARRANGEMENT Ref rence numeral 10 of Figure 1 indicates the general.arrangement of a programmable controller in accordance with the present invention, of which the pro ⁇ grammable controller comprises (as illustrated in block diagram form) the processor or central processing unit
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEST CPU 13 operated from a suitable control panel assembly 14 that provides the CPU control and program input facilities of the system, and having operably associated therewith a memory register assembly 16 which in the illustrated embodiment is of the byte oriented type.
  • tape reader 17 that is arranged in accordance with said Patent 4,195,773, with the CPU 12 being connected by suitable means to the output and input modules shown in the form of input boards 18 and output boards 20; also associated with the CPU 12 is a display 19 for visually indicating by number the identification of the program and individ ⁇ ual steps of same as they are being practiced or tested out by the operation of the controller.
  • the CPU 12 may have, for instance, either a Zilog Z-80 microprocessor (Zilog, Inc.) or an Intel 8080 micropro ⁇ cessor, both of which are of the eight bit central processing unit type.
  • the CPU 12 may be conventionally arranged to include a suitable combination of LSI chips along with ICs and suitable supporting electronic hard ⁇ ware.
  • the CPU may comprise Zilog LSI chips that include a CPU chip for automatic program operation capability, an I/O chip for input and output control capability, and a CTC chip for timing and count ⁇ ing capability, and the indicated conventional integra ⁇ ted circuits and supporting electronic hardware in a suitable operative arrangement in accordance with prior art practices.
  • the controller memory 16 conventionally includes the operating system software and user program storage; the operating system software is ordinarly entered in LSI chips such as ROMs, PROMs, EPROMs, or EEPROMs, these being Read Only Memory chips, although some EEPROMs can be both ROM and RAM, depending on which ones and how they are used.
  • the Operating system soft ⁇ ware can also be in RAM chips, entered into RAM of the CPU from, e.g., a magnetic tape or disc memory drive. However, ordinarily, the operating system software would function only in the read mode regardless of how it was originally entered and the type of chips it was entered in.
  • the preferred arrangement for the practice of the invention involves ROM, PROM, or EPROM chips with the operating system software being entered into the chips as part of completing such arrangement. These chips are non-volatile (meaning the software is not lost with pow ⁇ er failure).
  • User program memory storage is normally RAM (Random ACCESS Memory) chips, which are Read/Write. Some EEPROM chips can be used as RAM. Sequential access type memories such as disc, magnetic tape, and bubble memory may be employed but are not preferred because generally they are much slower and more expensive. The use program storage section of memory must have extra capacity beyond that used for just program storage.
  • This extra is for storage of information used in normal operation of programs, such as a map of which i/Os are inputs, which are outputs, which inputs are involved in decision making steps, and other housekeeping chores.
  • Decision making conventionally is a function of the operating system software as created for a specific hardware system.
  • the control and program input panel assembly 14 in the practice of this invention comprises a master control panel section 11 , and one or more status control panel sections (the number of which for any particular system is determined by the number of i/Os in the sys ⁇ tem, and the number of i/Os assigned to each status panel), three such sections being indicated in the il ⁇ lustrated embodiment at 13A, 13B, and 13C.
  • the nature of the control panel sections involved will be referred to in detail as the disclosure proceeds, it being a fea ⁇ ture of the present invention that the master control
  • BSTITUTESHEET panel section 11 and the status control panel sections 13A, 13B, and 13C are all switchboard assemblies of the membrane or keyboard, touch sensitive, switch type, as will be made clear hereinafter.
  • the assembly 14 in accordance with the invention provides a control and program input for the CPU or processor 12 that affords manually actuated mode and mode phase operation, and user programming, control for the system user.
  • the CPU 12 is sometimes hereinafter referred to as the processor.
  • the processor As is conventional, automatic operation of user programs entered into RAM is controlled by the memory operating system software when the processor 12 is in its automatic mode; the operating system software and connections between the CPU and display 19 are arranged conventionally to provide the program number and step number identification that is described here ⁇ inafter.
  • RAM memory regis ⁇ ter included in memory assembly 16 is provided for entry into same and deletion therefrom of selected programs, that when the controller is in automatic operation the programs entered into RAM are controlled by the RAM memory automatically in a suitable conventional manner, and that the memory assembly involved and the connec- tions between same, its RAM section, the processor, and display 19 are arranged conventionally to provide the program number and step number identification that is described hereinafter.
  • the memory assembly 16 is of any suitable design to accept programs into memory, there being a number of ways to use memory for program storing. In the memory assembly 16, for
  • the programmable controller 10 is to con ⁇ trol the operation of a manipulating dipping machine for making investment casting molds, the general arrangement of which appears in said Ogden Patent 4,195,773, and which is also illuustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the present application, wherein the mold forming maching 21 is shown to comprise a manipulative arm 22 having a base section 23 and a projection section 24 equipped with a clamping head 26 adapted to be secured to a cluster 40 of mold forming patterns consisting of a number of nor ⁇ mally but not necessarily identical patterns 42 which are suitably secured to a sprue form 44 that includes a suitable adapter for securement of the cluster 40 to the clamping head 26.
  • the manipulative arm base section 23 is con ⁇ nected to a trolley 30 movable (by a suitable drive means) up and down a vertical post 32.
  • Post 32 is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis (that is vertically disposed) as indicated by arrow 34.
  • the manipulative arm base section 23 is connected to the trolley 30 for rotation about a horizontal axis to swing the cluster 40 in a vertical plane (see Figure 6), and
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET between the upright position shown in Figure 5, when the manipulative arm sections 23 and 24 are in coplanar relation with the post 32, and angled or inverted posi ⁇ tions illustrated by the showing of Figure 6 (360 degree rotation is provided for). Provision is also made to rotate or spin cluster 40 about the axis of sprue form 44, in any suitable manner, when the cluster 40 is sus ⁇ pended from the arm 22, as in the full line position of Figure 5.
  • the dipping machine 21 is- arranged to make investment casting molds by employing a dipping proce ⁇ dure, in accordance with which the cluster 40 of pat ⁇ terns 42 is suspended from the manipulative arm 22 utilizing the clamping head 26, as indicated in Figure 5.
  • the manipulative arm 22 is moved vertically of and circumferentially about the post 32 between a plurality of tanks 70 disposed about same so as to take the mold cluster 40 through a series of dipping operations into and out of the respective tanks 70 as part of the pre- determined procedure or method for forming the individ ⁇ ual molds about the patterns of the pattern cluster 40.
  • the apparatus 21 moves to a predetermined "start-finish" position for removal of the completed mold cluster 40 and application thereto of a fresh pattern cluster.
  • a programmable controller 80 Operably associated with the machine 21 is a programmable controller 80 that is arranged in accord ⁇ ance with the present invention and includes the com ⁇ ponents shown in diagrammatic block diagram form in Figure 1.
  • suit ⁇ able housing 82 mounted on pedestal 84 enclosed pro ⁇ grammable controller 10; the controller panel assembly 14, its master control panel section 11, and its status panel sections 13A, 13B and 13C are diagrammatically illustrated.
  • the machine 21 having been designed to go through a series of manipulative steps in processing the
  • ⁇ WJST/T ⁇ TE SHEET mold clusters to be handled by same, it follows that the operative parts of the machine 21 may be controlled by a programmable controller to follow a predetermined series of sequential operational steps to fully process the individual mold clusters.
  • the work sheet 90 is similar to those dis- closed in said Ogden Patent 4,195,773, and comprises a suitable substrate 92 that is formed or delineated on one ' side or face 93 of same to define across the top of same a con- trol zone 94 having an input and output (I/O) subzone 96, a timing or counting subzone 100, and a decision subzone 101.
  • Control zone 94 is interposed between the spaced apart vertically disposed tape locator columns or zones 102 and 104 that are adjacent either end of the work sheet (note that in the showing of Figure 7 a por- tion of the work sheet adjacent its right hand end is broken away with only the extreme right hand end of same at that end of the work sheet being illustrated to facilitate illustration).
  • Work sheet 90 is also formed to define or delineate a step zone 106 that extends across the height of the work sheet at the left hand end of the substrate 92.
  • the work sheet 90 is further delineated to define in the control zone 94 a plurality of vertical columns 108 that in the form of work sheet 90 illustra ⁇ ted serve as sight guides intended to be phantom pro ⁇ jected to the lower edge of the work sheet 90, while the step zone 106 provides a plurality of horizontal chan ⁇ nels 110 that are intended to serve as sight guides to be phantom projected across the length of the work sheet to the right hand edge of same, and in intersecting phantom sight guide relation with the columns 108 as so projected, for proper orientation and organizing of the work sheet data bits in accordance with the invention of said Ogden Patent No. 4,195,773.
  • columns 108 in I/O subzone 96 are formed by vertical or upright lines 109, while channels 110 in the step zone 106 are defined by horizontal or crosswise lines 111.
  • the sight guides provided by the columns 108 and channels 110 provide imaginary guide lines that project across the work sheet computer word zone 112, wherein the so projected intersecting portions of the sight guides provided by columns 108 and channels 110 define a plurality of data bit receiving blanks that in the specific work sheet 90 of Figures 7, 9A and 9B are represented by blank or empty squares 114, and that are adapted to be manually marked in accordance with the practice of the invention.
  • the inputs and outputs (I/Os) involved in a particular program are listed across the input and output subzone 96 in the manner suggested in Figures 7, 9A and 9B, while the con ⁇ secutive steps to be sequentially followed in operating the apparatus controlled by the program in question are listed in the consecutive channels 110 within the step zone 106.
  • each input and output is assigned a vertical column 108, while each step of the process to be controlled is assigned a channel 110. While the process steps must be listed in the sequential order
  • the time and counting subzone 100 in the form shown is concerned with providing controlling data that have to do with the duration of the program when the program is put into operation and the number of times a particular action is to happen.
  • the decision subzone 101 may provide for decision making steps, which are those that include a jump, a call, or an interrupt to another location in the program (or a different pro ⁇ gram) , depending on the occurrence or non-occurrence of programmed events. This aspect of the system will be determined in light of known technology on this subject by the nature of the machinery to be controlled by the type and nature of the process involved.
  • the work sheet tape locator zones 102 and 104 preferrably have formed in same for each channel 110 the respective indicia 103 and 105 that are to indicate the ends of the respective computer words that are to be formed by the horizontal sight guides provided by the channels 110 across the length of the work sheet, and by the manually marking of the work sheet longitudinally of same, as will now be discussed.
  • the operator can man ⁇ ually mark the work sheet 90, in the area of the blank squares 114, as indicated, using the binary notation system, when something is to happen.
  • a pencil or ink mark 113, or the like drawn between an adjacent pair of blank squares
  • SUBSTITUTESHEET 114 and bridging a column 108 sight guide area marks the I/O function of the corres ⁇ ponding column 108 (as shown in the subzone 96) to be actuated, and the corresponding portion of the work sheet for timing, counting, and decisions, is marked the same way.
  • a data bit blank 115 is disposed between each adjacent pair of squares 114 of any sight guide projected channel 110, which is either left blank or is crossed by a line drawn between the indicated adjacent pair of blank squares 114, as shown in Figures 7, 9A and 9B.
  • a pair of squares 114 on either side of a site guide projection column 108 are joined by a pencil or ink mark 113 or the like to fill in the data bit blank 115 therebetween (as already indi ⁇ cated) , which would otherwise be blank.
  • such pencil or ink marks 113 similarly mark, where needed as determined by the program involved, and specifically the steps of same, the individual spaces 115 between adjacent squares 114 so that the marking on the work sheet for both the inputs and outputs and the timing, counting and deci ⁇ sions is of the same type across the length of the work sheet.
  • Squares 114 of each computer word defining a processing step are thus equally spaced apart in the
  • the portions of the sight guide pro ⁇ jected channels 110 between the tape locator zones 102 ' and 104 define computer word areas or channels that are coextensive with the summation of the data bit blanks 115 lying in each of the respective sight guide project- ed channels 110.
  • the sight guide projected chan ⁇ nels 110 marked as indicated for a particular program the data bit information of the respective sight guide projected channels 110 as represented by the blank or marked data bit spaces 115, in summation thus comprise the computer word data for each step of the process being controlled. It is an important aspect of the general arrangement involved that as the data bits involved for each process step have been oriented in computer word form, the computer words for. each step may be transferred from a work sheet into the processor memory without requiring ladder diagram technology or the like.
  • the computer words defined by the work sheet 90 may be manually formed on a tape (not shown but fully disclosed in several forms in said Ogden Patent 4,195,773) for passing through a suitably equipped tape reader that will sense the computer words the processor memory in preparation for operation of the controller.
  • a suitably equipped tape reader that will sense the computer words the processor memory in preparation for operation of the controller.
  • the basic idea involved in each type of tape and tape reader is that each tape is formed to define a
  • H ET plurality of longitudinally extending channels that are proportioned laterally of the tape to be aligned or cen ⁇ tered with each sight guide projected channels 110 of the work sheet 90.
  • the number of such channels employed in a particular tape may be as desired, depending on the particular type of processor equipment employed. Since eight bit equipment has been suggested, the tapes as arranged for use with such equipment should have at least eight of such channels and be sufficiently wide to provide for application thereto of synchronization mark ⁇ ings or their equivalent for proper timing relation with the tape reader employed.
  • the computer words of the work sheet 90 are transferred to a tape arranged in accord ⁇ ance with the invention by manually marking the tape to reflect the data markings and the computer word end indicia, on the tape, for each computer word involved. This is done in practice by taking one end of the tape (which is to be the leading end of the tape) and marking it manually to show the location of the computer word indicia for the first eight channels 110 of the work sheet 90, and the manual markings of the areas 115 con ⁇ tained therein. This being completed, the computer words of the first eight steps of the process have been applied to the tape leading end. Then the next adjacent portion of the tape is marked in like manner with the next set of eight steps of the work sheet in like man ⁇ ner, and so on, until the computer words of all the process steps of the program have been applied to the tape.
  • the tape is passed through the reader to effect inser- tion of the program now outlined on the tape into the controller memory to form the controller data base, with the individual computer words of the respective process
  • the work sheet 90 that is illustrated in Fig- ures 7, 9A and 9B is simlar to the improved work sheet in Figure 22 of said Ogden Patent 4,195,773 to assist in applying the tapes to the work sheet, with the computer word zone 112 having its sight guide projected channels 110 subdivided in channel groups 117 of eight such chan- nels (since eight bit equipment is illustrated) with the eighth channel 110 of each group 117 having added below same, and above the channel group 117 following it, a supplemental channel 119 that has synchronization lines or markings 121 applied thereto that correspond to the location of the tape synchronization markings (not shown).
  • Work sheet 90 between each channel group 117 includes a single channel 123 providing consecutive number indicia for number identification of the inputs and outputs for each group 117, which are numbered corresponding to the numbers of the inputs and outputs of the sight guide projected columns 108 (indicated at 125) and the corresponding portions of the subzones 100 and 101.
  • the number identification of the timing, counting, and decisions controls is in between the respective synchronization markings 121, and is all applied as at 127 at the base of the subzones 100 and 101.
  • Figure 8 is provided to diagrammatically illustrate the relation between the location of the com- puter word oriented data bits as defined by the spaces 115 on the work sheet 94 and the corresponding location of the same data involved in the RAM memory register, to facilitate an understanding of the method aspects of the present invention that are concerned with the push but- ton entry of programs directly into the memory using the master control panel section 11 and the status control panel sections 13A, 13B, etc. in junction with the display 1 9 .
  • a full sized sheet involved may be delineated to define eighty data bits receiving spaces 115 across the sight guide projected columns 108 and the corres ⁇ ponding portions of subzone 100 and 101, to provide a computer word length of 80 equal subdivisions which are represented by five groups of numbers 1 - 16 along the bases of the subzones 96, 10 and 101; subzones 100 and 101 have one group of the resulting computer word sub ⁇ divisions of 16 bits and subzone 96 has the remainder of the indicated groups of the resulting computer word sub ⁇ divisions (of 16 bits each).
  • the length of the sheet will depend upon the number of I/Os involved in a parti ⁇ cular program, and at present it is contemplated that program systems in accordance with the invention may involve as many as 128 I/Os, requiring 144 data bits and eight status panels of the type illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the numerically numbered steps in the step column of work sheet step zone 106 are shown consecu ⁇ tively lettered to designate, for instance, step chan ⁇ nels 1 - 8 of work sheet 90 and step channels A - H.
  • the alphabetical letters involved represent the corresponding computer words of the re ⁇ spective steps 1 - 8, while the numbered locations of the control zone 94, indicated by the five groups of numbers 1 - 16 at the base of zone 94, indicate the corresponding locations of the inputs and outputs and other categories of the zone 94 of the work sheet 90.
  • Similar remarks apply to the next set 117 of the process steps 9 - 16 which are represented by the alphabetical letters I - B starting the said next computer work section of work sheet 90.
  • letters Q - X designate the next group of 117 of computer words, etc.
  • each group 117 of computer words formed on the work sheet 90 may be considered to be subdivided into subdivisions corresponding to the location of the data bit areas 115 of the work sheet 90 and appropriately identified by the markings indicated in Figure 7.
  • the program step 1 which is designated as step A in the showing of Figure 7, the first four subdi ⁇ visions of the work sheet in its sight guide projected channel 100 for step A may be considered subdivided as A1 , A2, A3, A4, etc.
  • the -other sight guide projected channels 110 of the work sheet 90 may be considered similarly subdivided as B1 , B2, B3, B4; C1 , C2, C3, C4, etc., for the full eighty spaces of each computer word length involved (of course, the length of the computer word in any practical application of the invention may be greater or less than that illustrated, as will be clear to those skilled in the art, depending on the industrial process to be oper ⁇ ated and the methods prescribed for same, as will be clear to those skilled in the art).
  • the inputs and outputs of each computer word formed on the work sheet are organized by further subdi ⁇ vision into subdivisions corresponding to the locations of the control zone 94 indicated by the five groups of control zone numbers 1 - 16 at the base of same.
  • the first group is formed by subzones 10 and 101, and since these zones are for timing, counting, and deci ⁇ sions, the data bits corresponding to the locations of the spaces 115 involved may be designated TCD-1 , TCD-2, TCD-3, etc.
  • I TESHEE corresponding to locations 115 at locations A1 , A2, A3, up to A16, with the data bits 115 of group B being similarly identifiable (see Figures 9A and 9B).
  • the status panel sections 13A, 13B, 13C of the control panel arrangement are provided to permit and provide for, as accommodated by operator action on the master control panel section 11 , manual entry into memory of the computer words for each program step, and manual entry of entire process programs, by push button operator action on the status panel sections, as will be described.
  • the "operator” or “program user” referred to, in this connection is the individual operating the controller 10, who may be the operator of the processing machine controlled thereby or other technician who need not be trained in ladder diagram programming, but who will be generally familiar with the functions the processing machine involved is to perform.
  • any data bit marking at an area 115 of the work sheet 90 may be appropriately correlated with the corresponding location of same in and on the tape employed (as disclosed in said Ogden Patent 4,195,773) as well as in the user program memory register (RAM or its equivalent), which in part is dia ⁇ grammatically illustrated at 240 in Figure 8 for pur ⁇ poses of better understanding the present invention.
  • the register 230 is shown diagrammatically in grid form to facilitate an understanding of the memory map of the register, indicating byte address, bit number (0 - 7), and word location (process step 1, process step 2, pro ⁇ cess step 3), as well as indicating the location of the particular data bits in the particular memory map.
  • the next section 234 of the grid 230 between points 235 and 237 represents the computer word location and subdivisions therefor for the second step or step B of the process and work sheet 90, etc.
  • the date bit sites 115 of work sheet 90 are identified by number in their corresponding locations in the diagrammatic illustration of the memory register that is provided, as indicated by the partial numbering and letter designations employed in Figure 8.
  • the bit 115 locations of the data bits TCD-1 , TCD-2, and TCD-03 of sheet 90 are shown (in Figure 8) , as are the data bit 115 locations of data bit locations A-1 , A-2, and A-3, at byte address two, etc.
  • the memory register 230 may be arranged to provide any desired number of data bit loca ⁇ tions for the computer words involved, which ordinarily will depend on the number of inputs and outputs and other control items employed and designated in the zone 94 of the works sheet 90.
  • Other state of the art memory storage or manage methods consistent with the practice of the invention may also be employed, such as Opcode or assembled code with I/O data, and the like as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the individual sections 11, 13A, 13B and 13C comprise a separate control panel arrangement of the membrane or keyboard switch type which comprises the structure shown in said Patent 4,347,416, as, for instance, that shown in Figure 1 of said patent including its circuit board 12, membrane sheet 14, legend sheet 16, cover sheet 18, and mounting plate 20, to which the assembled components - of the control panel- arrangement involved in each case are secured, as by employing suitable screw and nut assemblies 250.
  • the indicated mounting plate for the master control panel section 11 is indicated by reference numeral 252, and serves as the mounting for status panel sections 13A, 13B, and 13C, with the common mounting plate 252 being formed with the respective viewing apertures 253, 253A, 253B and 253C for the respective sections 11, 13A, 13B and 13C.
  • the mounting plate 252 is assumed to be suitable applied to or be a part of the basic housing structure of the controller processor, and be located in a position to be readily observed by the controller operator, as in controller 80 of Figure 5.
  • circuit board employed for each panel section illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 may be arranged as disclosed in said Ogden Patent 4,347,416, it being entirely conventional in nature and is arranged for membrane or keyboard touch sensitive, switch use.
  • Such board of each panel section thus comprises a suitable substrate formed, for instance, from molded thermoset phenolic base or epoxy fiberglas base type materials, or the like, on which is formed the usual electrically conductive leads or traces that are connected, using conventional practices, with the electrically operated equipment that is to be controlled by the panel section involved.
  • the circuit board type referred to as disclosed in said Patent 4,347,416 has its electrical circuiting arrangement to define a number of switch sets, each comprising contact components of the type disclosed in said Patent 4,347,416 that are to be closed, membrane switch fashion, to energize an electric closed circuit that the switch set in question closes.
  • Boards of this type commonly have electrical circuiting formed on both sides of same with leads extending to the ends of the boards for connection to other leads of the circuiting that the circuit board is associated with in any conventional fashion.
  • the back side of the board for each switch is equipped with a suitable light emit ⁇ ting device, which is commonly a light emitting diode (LED) for each of the indicated switch sets, that is electrically connected to glow or emit light so as to be visible through circuit board windows or the like when the circuit the switch set is to control is electrically energized, unless some other suitable circuit energizing communicating arrangement is provided for, or is not needed or desired.
  • a suitable light emit ⁇ ting device which is commonly a light emitting diode (LED) for each of the indicated switch sets, that is electrically connected to glow or emit light so as to be visible through circuit board windows or the like when the circuit the switch set is to control is electrically energized, unless some other suitable circuit energizing communicating arrangement is provided for, or is not needed or desired.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the membrane sheet as disclosed in said Patent " 4,347,416, may be formed from Mylar polyester or the like of suitable thickness, and for each such switch set, the membrane is formed with an aperture to be aligned with the switch contact components of the switch involved, and a second aperture in the nature of a win ⁇ dow to be aligned with the LED with which such switch set is associated.
  • Membrane sheets of the type indica ⁇ ted are also equipped with an electrically conductive switch closing member that is to span the individual membrane apertures that are aligned with the switch contact components involved for closing such contacts and thereby complete the individual switches involved.
  • Such switch member is conveniently made from a strip of stainless steel of film proportions, with such strip being bonded to the membrane sheet to overlie the respective switch exposing apertures, as suggested by the disclosure of said Patent No. 4,347,416.
  • the legend sheet is what is viewed from the exterior of the control panel housing and is formed from transparent Mylar polyester or the like, and for each switch set involved, it bears a suitable switch identi ⁇ fication indicia in the form of a quadrilateral or circular marginal line within which is centered suitable word, letter, or number indicia indentifying the switch, or what it controls.
  • the switch identification idicia involved customarily forms the "key" that is pressed to close the switch involved. For each such switch there is commonly located adjacent same a viewing window through which the LED or other suitable glow bulb of the switch may be observed when the switch is energized.
  • a protective transparent cover sheet that may also be formed from transparent Mylar polyester or the like.
  • the circuit board is fragmentally indicated at 256, the membrane sheet is fragmentally indicated at 258, the legend sheet that underlies the transparent cover sheet 260 is indicated at 262; the switch identi ⁇ fication indicia for each switch is indicated by refer ⁇ ence numerals 264, 266, 268, 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 with each such "key” having an associated LED viewing window having the same reference numeral with the suffix "A", where the f nction performed by the mechanism controlled by the key involved is consistent with a need for the operator to have a lighted LED to show that a particular function is "on".
  • the window is defined by a ring 284 that encircles a light transmitting area 285 which may be uncoated; where an LED is employed as the light emitting source, the window for same may be colored appropriately to pass the light emitted thereby.
  • the legend sheet is a matt surface polycarbonate, the cover sheet 260 may be omitted.
  • the fragmentally illustrated circuit board is indicated by reference numeral 290
  • the membrane sheet is indicated by reference numeral 292
  • the legend sheet is indicated by reference numeral 294, and this of course underlines the transparent cover sheet 296 in the status panel sections that are illus- trated;
  • the switch identification indicia 298 of each switch comprises a quadrilateral marginal line 300 within which is centered an -identifying numeral
  • each status panel section has 16 such switches associated therewith, and the switch identification indicia involved with each forms a separate "key" for activating the switch involved.
  • the associated viewing window 302 defined by a ring 304 that encircles a light transmitting area 305, which window is of the same character as suggested in connection with the master control panel 11.
  • the cover sheet 296 may be omitted.
  • the switch keys and their viewing windows are all formed on the legend sheet 16 by suitable opaque material such as a suitable ink that may be applied thereto by prac ⁇ ticing a suitable silk screening procedure satisfactory • for this purpose.
  • the status panel sections of Figure 4 are arranged to organize the location of the respective switch sets, their LEDs, the viewing apertures and windows (as the case may be) in modular form, in which the individual modules 310 are columnarily arranged in spaced apart relation across the length of the control panel section involved. As illustrated, each module 310 is of bipartite form, and includes two of the switches involved and their associated windows 302, in a row 312 across the width of the control panel section involved, though obviously each module 310 could include addition ⁇ al such sets, depending on the specific design of the control panel section involved.
  • the individual module rows 312 are spaced apart along the length of the control panel section involved to provide a blank space 314 there between to receive the individual labels that are dis ⁇ closed in said Patent 4,347,716.
  • the switches represented by the various keys of the master control panel section 11 and the separate status control panels 13A and 13B are electrically connected with the processor 12 to serve as individual operator input sensors for operator manual communication with the processor 12, in accordance with suitable practices and procedures employed in this field by those skilled in these arts, in light of the desired functions, purposes, and controls to be effected, and as outlined herein ⁇ after.
  • the switches of same represented by the respective keys illustrated are individually connected in accordance with standard practices to provide the herinafter described mode and mode phase functions involved in controlling the processor 12.
  • the output power key 264 is to shut “off” and “on” the output power that is to be made available to the output boards 20 via the processor 12 when the outputs are enabled;
  • the key 266 is to place the processor 12 in its manual operation mode;
  • the key 268 is to place the pro ⁇ cessor 12 in its automatic operation mode;
  • the key 270 is to place the processor 12 in its tape reading mode for inserting into the RAM section of memory assem ⁇ bly 16 the program of the work sheet 90 by way of using the tape that is disclosed in said Patent 4,195,733 and for placing the processor in its program deleting phase of its tape reading mode that deletes from memory (RAM) the entire program that has previously put into memory using said tape;
  • actuation of key 270 also turns off output power (by way of software, conventional wiring, connections, etc.).
  • the special function key 274 and the switch it controls which is state of the art electrically con ⁇ nected to the processor 12 for these purposes, switches the processor off its manual operating mode and condi ⁇ tions it for placing it in its manual programming mode.
  • the connections, wiring, etc. to the processor 12 are also made such that the program select-manual program key 276 and the program step key 280, and the switches they control, have special dual functions when the processor 12 is in its indicated special function mode.
  • the program step key 280 and the switch it controls when actuated in the manual operating mode of the processor 12 advances the program one step (or one-half step, where time, counting and decisions are involved in a program step, as made clear hereinafter), and when actuated when the processor 12 is in its manal programming mode, causes entry of program data for a particular step or half step to be entered into memory (in terms of data bits 115 employing the status panel sections 13A - 13C, as hereinafter describ ⁇ ed) , and also advances the program in memory one step or half step (as the case may be) for setting the processor to receive in memory the data defining the program next step or half step, that is entered in the same manner. This procedure is repeated successively to enter the program step by step into RAM. Actuation of manual key 266 returns the processor 12 to its manual operating mode.
  • the TCD key 272 and the switch it controls (which is state of the art electrically connected for these purposes) when actuated is actuated in the pro ⁇ cessor manual programming mode for entering into memory program data dealing with time, counting, and decisions, and thus the arrangement is here concerned with such data as shown under subzones 100 and 101 of work sheet 90 in terms of data bits 115 for each program step, and employing the status panel section 13A for this purpose, as described hereinafter.
  • TCD data for any pro ⁇ gram step is indicated by a data bit 115 this is entered via actuating the keys of status panel section 13A in accordance with the data bits 115 under subzones 100 and 101 , and then actuating program step key 280 to enter such data into memory.
  • the memory operating software is written to effect such entry by a program half step, and the remainder of the program step that deals with I/O functions being entered as the next half program step via operation of program step key 280 in the manner indicated.
  • key 276 when the processor 12 is in its manual operating mode, key 276 actuation effects presentation of program numbers at zero step at display 19, and key 280 actuation will advance the program one step without effect on data in memory.
  • key 276 when the processor 12 is in its manual programming mode (achieved by conse- cutive actuation of keys 274 special function) and 276 after the processor 12 is in its manual operating mode, key 276 in providing the manual programming mode con ⁇ ditions the processor for manual entry into memory of programs, or alteration of programs already in memory.
  • Key 280 actuation enters the data transmitted to the processor in step or half step form into memory and also advances the program one step or one-half step (where time, counting, and decision data are involved) , with TCD key 272 actuation in the manual programming mode conditioning the processor 12 for manual entry into memory of such data, and subsequent key 280 actuation entering such data that has been transmitted to the processor 12 into memory with the half step program advance that has been referred to.
  • the program reset key 278 controls a switch that is conventionally electrically connected to the processor 12, so that when all steps of a program have been entered into RAM memory, actuation of key 278 takes the program back to step zero of same on display 19, whereby with repeated actuation of program step key 280, the program at the memory site in question may be step ⁇ ped through, consecutively step by step, so that the entries into RAM memory for each step may be displayed on the LEDs of the status panel sections, to check same against the program as laid out on work sheet 90 (the windows 305 of the status panel sections becoming illu ⁇ minated for each mark 113 location on the work sheet, for each step).
  • the action provided by the the actua ⁇ tion of key 278 is built into the memory operating system software.
  • step zero means access has been provided to the program designated, as it appears on the display 19, and provides a "rest" in front of memory space that has or is to have a program in which nothing happens. If the program in question is at step zero and the auto key 268 is actuated the controller goes to step one. If the controller is in its manual mode with step zero showing at display 19, actuation of program step key 280 advances the program to step one.
  • control panel section 11 for these keys.
  • the connections and wiring to provide these functions may be of any appropriate state of the art type.
  • the status panel sections 13A, 13B, and 13C are each arranged to have sixteen separate I/O switching functions, and the wiring connections of the switches of the individual status panel sections 13A and 13B (13C also if the method steps include I/O functions in excess of the thirty-two illustrated for the program of Figures 7, 9A and 9B) are arranged in a conventional manner to provide memory entering latching functions corresponding to the data bits 115 of work sheet 90, for each program step, with the numbering of the status panel section switches corresponding to the respective groups indica ⁇ ted by the I/O numbers at the base of I/O subzone 96, that is A-1 to A-16 for the first group (the corres ⁇ ponding switches being at status panel section 13A), B-1 to B-16 for the second group (with the corresponding switches being at status panel 13B), etc.
  • the memory entry latching functions involved are what effect the operator induced sensing of the processor 12 "in accordance with the invention.
  • the number of status panel sections employed for any parti ⁇ cular controller system will depend on the number of I/Os involved, and the number of I/O switch functions the individual status panel sections are to have.
  • the software and wiring connec ⁇ tions of the switches for the status panel section 13A are arranged in a conventional manner to have the switches of this data panel serve the dual RAM memory entering latching functions of not only permitting the insertion into memory of the TCD functions of the pro ⁇ gram of sheet 90, but also the input and output func ⁇ tions for the first 16 data bits of the work sheet subzone 96, with the numbering of the switches of the status panel section 13A that is indicated in Figure 4 corresponding to the number 1 - 16 i/Os of such first group (A-1 to A-16).
  • the switches of status panel section 13B con ⁇ trolled by the keys thereof are electrically connected to the processor to provide for manual entry and change of the second I/O function group of sheet 90 (B-1 to B-16) with regard to the RAM memory, as hereinafter described, when the processor is in its manual program ⁇ ming mode phase.
  • the status panel section 13C is not required and is not electrically connected in this embodiment since the program of work sheet 90 has its input and output requirements limited to the input and output and other function data bits represented by the first two groups of 16 of same. However, other programs may require one or more additional status panel sec- tions, depending on the number of I/O functions involved in the machine or process to be controlled by the con ⁇ troller.
  • the memory entry latching functions involved in the manual use and operation of the status panels employed, in this instance status panels 13A and 13B are what effect transmittal of the data bits 115 involved to the processor for entry into memory.
  • the programmable controller arrangement is installed in association with the industrial proces ⁇ sing equipment it controls, such as that indicated in Figure 5 and 6, the function of the individual switches involved in the status panel sections 13A and 13B (and
  • the program work sheet 90 may be applied to the controller memory either by employing the tape and tape reader arangement that are disclosed in said Patent 4,195,773, or in accordance with present inven ⁇ tion, whereby the program involved is manuaully pro ⁇ grammed into memory using the panel sections 11, 13A and 13B as a terminal.
  • the controller display 19 is preferrably in the form of a conventional display device providing a seven segment LED display within the four viewing frames 315, shown at Figure 2, which device is suitably elec ⁇ trically connected to the processor 12 to give the pro- gram number on the left hand side of the display and the step numbers of the program in the display frames to the right of the program number, as identified in Figure 2.
  • the controller may be returned to the appropri ⁇ ate program operating mode for effecting the type of control the operator wants over the industrial process- ing apparatus.
  • the arrangement of the present invention pro ⁇ vides for manual programming input into RAM memory of a program using the master control panel section 11 and the status panel sections 13A and 13B, independently of and without the need for the indicated tape and tape reader, and in some cases, without the need of a work sheet 90.
  • the invention also contemplates that the same type of procedure can be used to make changes in pro ⁇ grams already in memory.
  • switches and actuating keys therefor of the master control panel section 11 and the separate status control panels 13A and 13B act as indi- vidual operator input sensors for operator manual communication with the processor 12, whereby the oper ⁇ ator or user of the controller 10 has manually actuated, processor or CPU mode and mode phase operation, and operator or user programming entry and change control, over the controller 10.
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET of panel section 11 and the separate status control pan ⁇ els 13A and 13B make processor control easy, reliable and inexpensive for anyone who is familiar with the functions or steps that a particular processor or mach- ine is to perform.
  • controller 10 is oper ⁇ ated to receive and make operative the program of Figure 7 that is suggested as a way of operating the apparatus of Figures 5 and 6.
  • the program of sheet 90 ( Figures 7, 9A and 9B), as previously described, is drawn up to operate the apparatus of Figures 5 and 6, in accordance with a desired program, and in the example program illustrated, two of the tanks 70 are employed to apply the dip coat ⁇ ing desired. It is assumed for purposes of description that the indicated program is to be applied to the con- troller memory 16 at the RAM memory as program No. 3. It is also assumed that a program with that number is already in the RAM memory.
  • the controller In order to insert into the controller RAM memory the indicated program following the Applicant's manual programming procedures whereby the control panel sections 11, 13A and 13B are used as manual programming terminals, the controller must first be in its manual operating mode, which will be indicated by the lighting of the LED at window 266A; if the LED 266A is not light ⁇ ed, the controller is placed in its manual operating mode by the operator pressing the manual key 266, which will then effect the lighting of the LED at its viewing window 266A. With the controller in its manual oper ⁇ ating mode, the remainder of the switches of the panel section 11 will be off (except that controlling output power) as indicated by the unlighted condition of their viewing windows (LED 264A remains on) , due to the state of the art wiring and electrical connection arrangement involved that has been referred to.
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET will show the RAM memory map slot or site at which the memory map is disposed at, and for purposes of explana ⁇ tion it is assumed that the display is 4 - - 3, meaning the that the controller is at step 3 of program 4.
  • the program select key 276 is repeatedly pressed as needed, it sequentially presenting the individual programs by consecutive number on the display 19, as by program number and zero step indication, in effecting the program selecting phase of the processor manual mode.
  • the state of the art wiring, software, and connections involved result in the first actuation of key 276 setting the display showing at 5 - - 0, indicating program No. 5, step 0.
  • the program se- lect key is repeatedly pressed until the program numbers have started to repeat, and the number 3 program number and the step zero appears on the display as 3 - - 0. Where the LED at the viewing window 276A is dark at this stage, it is indicated that there is a program at the memory slot or site represented by program number 3.
  • the program in question is entirely “erased", in accordance with the invention, by then pressing the read tape key 270, with the wiring involved being such that the viewing window 266A for the manual key 266 will remain lighted, and thereafter the read tape key 270 is pressed again to "erase” the program at the indicated slot, with the system being such that at this stage the viewing window 266A will now be dark and the LED at win ⁇ dow 276A will be on (showing that there is now no pro- gram at the memory slot or site in question) .
  • LED 270A will be lighted, indicating that the controller is in its tape reading mode.
  • step 1 He goes to step 1 as it appears on sheet 90 and noting that there are no program entries in the first sixteen (the TCD) positions (that form a half-step for program manual entry purposes) , but there are several in the second group of sixteen positions, the keys for switches A-1 and A-11 (that form the other half-step) , the keys of status panel section 13A for switches 1 and 11 of that panel section are actuated to turn such switches on, as indicated by the showing of their associated LEDs through the viewing windows 302 for these switches (A-1 and A-11 ) .
  • the PS key 280 is then pressed to actuate the switch controlled thereby, the connections of which are state of the art and software arranged to transfer the data bits represented by the condition of the switches at status panels 13A and 13B into memory binary notation fashion, with the display changing to 3 - - 2, and with the LED of the switches A-1 and A-11 being turned off to join the rest of the turned off LEDs,
  • the process step computer word involved has zero notation for the location of all the status panel section switches except the switches designated
  • step 2 of the program which as indicated by Figures 7, 9A and 9B, includes program entries in the timing, counting and decision (TCD) half-step.
  • TCD timing, counting and decision
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET program step switch which enters into memory the data bit information represented by the TCD portion or half- step of the second program step, and also turns off the LEDs of the respective switches involved.
  • the display will remain at 3 - - 2 due to the processor software state of the art arrangement involved, which, as indi ⁇ cated hereinbefore, results in the processor on this mode and phase acting separately for both I/O program ⁇ ming and TCD function memory entry (where TCD functions are called for).
  • the remainder of the second program step is then applied to memory, and this involves actu ⁇ ating the keys of switches Nos. 7 and 10 of status panel section 13B to close same (the program of sheet 90 [see Figures 9A and 9B] showing no switch actuations for status panel section 13A).
  • the manual key 266 is actuated to close its switch and terminate the manual programming mode of the processor, and return the processor to solely its manual operating mode, and thus to energize the manual LED and deenergize as well all LEDs on the status panel sections 13A and 13B.
  • the display 19 will now read 3 - 32, which is the number of steps in the program that is laid out on work sheet 90.
  • the program as entered into memory can be checked while the controller remains in its manual operating mode by sequentially pressing the program reset key 278 to return the program just entered into memory back to zero step, after which the program step key 280 is pressed to advance the program a step at a time to check it against the program steps as laid out on the work sheet 90.
  • the LEDs of the switches of the status panels 13A and 13B will light up in accordance with their previous settings that were made to get the data bit information involved in each computer word as represented by manual markings of work sheet 90, into the controller memory.
  • the special function key 274 is actuated to terminate the manual operating mode of the processor and condition it for placing in its manual programing mode, which turns on the LED involved for viewing at its window 274A (the LED viewed at window 266A will now be off).
  • the manual programming key 276 is then actuated to set the processor in its manual programming mode and the setting of the status panel switches (as indicated by their LEDs) for the step involved can then be made or redone correctly in accordance with the work sheet;
  • actuating of the program step key 280 effects placing the corrected step data bits into memory at the memory location for such program step (or half-step, as the case may be) after which the manual key 266 is pressed to set the controller for further step by check of the program in the manner just described. After entry into memory and checking of the programs in the manner
  • the controller may be operated in the usual manner to practice the programs so entered into memory as and when needed for production purposes.
  • the invention pro- vides for use by the controller operator at the master control panel section 11 a push button control that places the controller in a manual programming input mode that permits entry into the controller RAM memory of the steps of a program of a work .sheet 90 by way of key actuation, as by finger pressing, the switches of the status panel sections (that will give the LED lighting indicated for the corresponding switch numbers involved in the work sheet program for each step involved in the program).
  • the panel sections 11 and 13A, 13B, etc. provide for manually effected terminal entry of desired programs into memory, as an alternate to using the tape and tape reader implements and procedures of Patent 4,195,773.
  • the program is automatically advanced to the next step for entry of the next step of half-step into memory in the manner described.
  • the work sheet 90 is also not necessary where the program is simple and the operator is sufficiently familiar with the program step needs to be able to operate the panel sections 11 and 13A - 13C without the guidance of a work sheet 90.
  • a program that is already in memory may be changed by stepping the controller to the step to be changed and manually entering the revision in the controller manual programming input.
  • switches employed in the control panel assembly 14 are preferrably of the disclosed merrt- brane or keyboard switch type, toggle or any other kind of normally open switch having momentarily closing action effecting characteristics may also be employed, though the disclosed membrane or keyboard switch type is considered the best mode for the practice of the invention.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Programmable Controllers (AREA)

Abstract

L'agencement de commande et d'introduction de programmes ci-décrit est destiné à des unités de commande programmables pour procédés industriels, et d'une manière spécifique, pour le microprocesseur (10) de l'unité de commande qui permet un mode de fonctionnement commandé manuellement et comprend des commandes de programmation (14) pour l'utilisateur qui évitent que l'utilisateur ait un terminal codé pour rentrer ou modifier un programme désiré. Cet agencement comprend une unité de tableau de commande comprenant une section de tableau de commande maîtresse (11) et des sections de tableau de commande d'état associées (13) auquelles sont associés des claviers à fonctionnement manuel (314). Grâce à cet agencement le processeur permet de commuter manuellement entre des modes de fonctionnement automatique, manuel, de lecture de bandes, ainsi que d'introduire manuellement des programmes dans la mémoire (16) du système de commande programmable en des sites ou fentes spécifiques de la topographie mémoire, de vérifier la précision de telles entrées, de vérifier ces entrées ou des entrées effectuées antérieurement, d'annuler de telles entrées, sans utiliser la bande magnétique et le lecteur de bande (17) ainsi que des organes associés du système.
PCT/US1986/000065 1983-09-15 1986-01-16 Methode et moyens d'introduction manuelle de programmes dans des systemes de commande programmables de procedes industriels Ceased WO1987004550A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/532,316 US4566061A (en) 1983-09-15 1983-09-15 Method and means of manual input of programs into industrial process programmable controller systems
EP19860900928 EP0252078A1 (fr) 1986-01-16 1986-01-16 Methode et moyens d'introduction manuelle de programmes dans des systemes de commande programmables de procedes industriels
PCT/US1986/000065 WO1987004550A1 (fr) 1986-01-16 1986-01-16 Methode et moyens d'introduction manuelle de programmes dans des systemes de commande programmables de procedes industriels

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1986/000065 WO1987004550A1 (fr) 1986-01-16 1986-01-16 Methode et moyens d'introduction manuelle de programmes dans des systemes de commande programmables de procedes industriels

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1987004550A1 true WO1987004550A1 (fr) 1987-07-30

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EP (1) EP0252078A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1987004550A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4195773A (en) * 1977-03-21 1980-04-01 Ralph Ogden Programmable controller system for industrial process apparatus
US4281379A (en) * 1978-12-18 1981-07-28 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Computer driven control system for a numerically controlled machine tool
US4293915A (en) * 1979-04-16 1981-10-06 Pacific Technology, Inc. Programmable electronic real-time load controller
US4347416A (en) * 1980-05-12 1982-08-31 Ralph Ogden Membrane switch control panel arrangement and label assembly for labeling same
US4371922A (en) * 1979-08-21 1983-02-01 Izumi Denki Corporation Process stepping sequential controller
US4404625A (en) * 1980-03-26 1983-09-13 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Programmable logic controller

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4195773A (en) * 1977-03-21 1980-04-01 Ralph Ogden Programmable controller system for industrial process apparatus
US4281379A (en) * 1978-12-18 1981-07-28 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Computer driven control system for a numerically controlled machine tool
US4293915A (en) * 1979-04-16 1981-10-06 Pacific Technology, Inc. Programmable electronic real-time load controller
US4371922A (en) * 1979-08-21 1983-02-01 Izumi Denki Corporation Process stepping sequential controller
US4404625A (en) * 1980-03-26 1983-09-13 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Programmable logic controller
US4347416A (en) * 1980-05-12 1982-08-31 Ralph Ogden Membrane switch control panel arrangement and label assembly for labeling same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0252078A1 (fr) 1988-01-13

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