Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Testing or debugging
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-30
2004-08-17
Zhen, Wei (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Testing or debugging
Reexamination Certificate
active
06779174
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to industrial controllers, and, more particularly, to an industrial controller equipped with a runtime system, containing a running level model having a plurality of prioritized running levels of different types. The invention also relates to the creation of a runtime system of an industrial controller with synchronously clocked system and user levels.
2. Description of the Related Art
Today, it is customary, both for stored-program control (SPC) and for motion control (MC) systems, to provide different hierarchical running levels and to have different software applications for controlling the respective technical processes. The software applications used today may be user-programmed or they can have built-in system functions.
It is known from German application DE 197 40 550 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, that process control functionalities of the stored-program controllers “SPC” and motion functionalities of MC controllers can be integrated in a uniform configurable control system.
This SPC/MC integration is obtained by using interconnecting SPC and MC control modules. However, when the integration is carried out in such a way, an optimum and efficient task structure is not achieved for all control tasks. Furthermore, mostly the classic MC functionalities are supported, with this type of integration, particularly for machine tools, whereas other requirements for the controller, as they are known from the operation of production machines, are not optimally supported by this type of interconnection of SPC and MC control modules.
In German application DE 19 93 19 33.2 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, a communication system clock is used between the PC system and the peripheral devices for a change between a real-time operating program and a non-real-time operating program. Here, however, it is the task of this communication system clock to allow the smoothest possible change between real-time and non-real-time applications in an industrial process. However, in this example, the basic clock is derived only from the clock of the communication medium and is only used for changing the operating system mode of a PC system.
Accordingly, there remains a need for the integration of a plurality of automation components in a uniform running level model of a respective runtime system of an industrial controller.
An object of the present invention is to create optimum distinctive characteristics of an industrial controller for different control tasks and different boundary conditions or requirements of the underlying technical process, providing both SPC and MC functionality and consequently also being suitable for the control of production machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to meet this and other objects which will become apparent with reference to further disclosure set forth below, the present invention provides an integration system and method for automation components, in which optimum distinctive characteristics are achieved by a uniform configurable running level model for the control tasks of the industrial controller.
The runtime system of the industrial controller contains a running level model which has a plurality of running levels of different types which are associated with different priorities. The following exemplary running levels may be provided in the system:
(a) a group of levels with synchronously clocked levels derived from a basic clock, including at least one system level and at least one user level, where the levels of this group of levels can have further prioritizing with respect to one another;
(b) a user level for system exceptions;
(c) an event-controlled user level;
(d) a time-controlled user level;
(e) a sequential user level; and
(f) a cyclical user level,
user levels of the group of levels a) optionally being able to run synchronously in relation to one of the system levels of the group of levels a).
An advantage of this stratification is that the communication between the tasks of the stored-program controller (SPC) and those of the motion controller (MC) is minimized. A further advantage is that the programming of the control tasks for the SPC and the MC can take place in a uniform programming language with a uniform creation interface which allows the user to flexibly create a running level model tailor-made for his respective requirements.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the basic clock of the running level model is derived from either an internal timer, an internal clock of a communication medium, an external device or from a variable which belongs to the technological process. As a result, the basic clock for the running level model is derived in a flexible manner. The fact that the basic clock for the running level model may be derived from a variable which belongs to the technological process allows direct feedback from the technological process to the controller to be readily obtained.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an event-controlled user level, a time-controlled user level, a sequential user level, a cyclical user level and a user level for system exceptions are optional. As a result, the user can flexibly create a controller which efficiently achieves the actual requirements and which contains the running levels required at the specific time to minimize unnecessary overhead.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the synchronous levels are clocked in relation to the basic clock with a step-up and/or step-down ratio and/or in the ratio 1:1. As a result, the levels can be easily clocked to a multiple of the basic clock or else be clocked in to a reciprocal multiple. On the basis of a common starting variable, step-up ratios or step-down ratios can consequently be achieved very easily for the respective levels.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, further prioritizing stratifications are provided within the running levels. As a result, the software structure of the industrial controller can be adapted to the different control tasks or to the requirements of the underlying technical process. Consequently, for example, different causes of faults can be assigned to different levels, for example, with ascending priority.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, user tasks are optionally run through during system running-up. Furthermore, it can be ensured by user programming that during system running-up or that, by user programming, it can be ensured during system running-down that the axes present in the system assume a defined position.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, user programs are loaded into the user levels. This allows the user to adapt the functionality of the controller to the underlying requirements of the technical process in user programs and also allows the user to load the user programs into different user levels, to achieve distinctive characteristics of the controller that are effective for specific applications.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, user programs which, depending on the type of user level, are programmed in a cycle-oriented or sequential manner, are loaded into the user levels. In this arrangement, the user can load both cycle-oriented user programs (for example typical SPC functionality) and sequential or sequence-oriented user programs (for example typical motion functionality) into a uniform running level model or runtime system of an industrial controller. The user can further load programs programmed according to different paradigms (cycle-oriented for SPC functionality and sequentially or sequence-oriented for motion functionality) into the user levels of the running level model. Cycle-oriented programs are typically cycle-time-monitored.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the additional loading of technology packages into the system levels allows the technological functionality of the controller to be extended. In this case, the user can dynam
Amrhein Armin
Birzer Johannes
Kiesel Martin
Schmitt Regina
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Zhen Wei
LandOfFree
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