Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Modeling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2002-08-13
Morse, Gregory (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Modeling
C709S241000, C700S018000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06434737
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method for programming an application function by use of event-driven-type function blocks, and more particularly to a method for programming an application function by use of event-driven-type function blocks wherein a plurality of event-driven-type function blocks each composed of a data processing block and an event processing block are connected in order to generate an application function and wherein merging of signal lines is enabled for efficient programming of the application function. The present invention further relates to a program recording medium in which a program for executing the method is stored.
2. Description of the Related Art
A programming technique using a diagrammatic representation called an “event-driven-type function block” has become popular. The event-driven-type function block is composed of a function block portion for governing a data flow and a timing block portion for controlling the timing of the data flow. The timing of the data flow—control of which has been difficult for a conventional programming method in which an application function is generated through mere connection of functions blocks—is adjusted by means of timing blocks which are represented in the same manner as are function blocks and are connected properly.
In the case where an application function is generated through establishment of connections between event-driven-type function blocks, there must be developed a technique that enables efficient programming of an application function through realization of a user interface that can be used easily.
Specifications in relation to representation of an application function by use of event-driven-type function blocks are defined as IEC
1499
but have not been finalized.
An event-driven-type function block according to the IEC
1499
standard has a basic structure as shown in FIG.
19
. In response to transmission of an event, an algorithm corresponding to a present status is started. The algorithm performs predetermined processing, while using input variables of a data input. Subsequently, the algorithm sets resultant values as output variables of a data output, and outputs an event indicating completion of the processing. In some cases, internal variables are prepared separately from the input/output variables, and the algorithm performs predetermined processing while using the internal variables.
When an application function is created by use of event-driven-type function blocks as shown in
FIG. 19
, connections are established between the event sections of the event-driven-type function blocks as well as between the data sections of the event-driven-type function blocks, as shown in FIG.
20
.
The application function shown in
FIG. 20
performs the following processing in response to an event input from EIN. When a value input from IN at that time is greater than a constant value of 100, correction operation
1
is performed, and a resultant value is input to a subsequent block as data to be post-processed. When the value is less than a constant value of 0, correction operation
2
is performed, and a resultant value is input to the subsequent block as data to be post-processed. When the value is between 0 and 100, correction operation
3
is performed, and a resultant value is input to the subsequent block as data to be post-processed.
The specifications of the event-driven-type function block shown in
FIG. 19
have been under study, and a definition has been provided for presence of a group of input variables and a group of output variables. However, the manner for preparing these variable groups has not been defined. In the case where the conventional event-driven-type function blocks shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20
are used, there is presumably employed a structure as shown in
FIG. 21
, in which a variable area is prepared for each of input and output terminals of each event-driven-type function block. In an exemplary case where two event-driven-type function blocks FB
1
and FB
2
are connected via variable areas as shown in
FIG. 21
, when transfer of an event occurs in an execution stage, data in an output variable area provided for the output terminal of FB
1
is copied to an input variable area provided for the input terminal of FB
2
. Thus, an application function is realized.
However, studies performed by the present inventors revealed that the technique shown in
FIG. 21
causes the following problems. That is, although a direction connection can be established between the event-driven-type function blocks when data are supplied to two or more branches, a direction connection cannot be established between the event-driven-type function blocks when data from two or more lines are merged into a single line. In the latter case, an event-driven-type function block having a selection function must be used.
Specifically, in an exemplary case shown in
FIG. 22
where output data from an event-driven-type function block FB
1
are input to two event-driven-type function blocks FB
2
and FB
3
, data in the output variable area of the event-driven-type function block FB
1
are copied to an input variable area of the event-driven-type function block FB
2
and are also copied to an input variable area of the event-driven-type function block FB
3
. In the above case where data are supplied to branches, the event-driven-type function blocks can be connected with one another through direct connections, because a source-destination relationship can be determined univocally for the data-copying operation.
By contrast, in an exemplary case shown in
FIG. 23
where output data from two event-driven-type function blocks FB
1
and FB
2
are input to a single event-driven-type function block FB
3
, it cannot be determined whether data in the output variable area of the event-driven-type function block FB
1
or data in the output variable area of the event-driven-type function block FB
2
are to be copied to an input variable area of the event-driven-type function block FB
3
. In the above case where data are merged, the event-driven-type function blocks cannot be connected with one another through direct connections, because a source-destination relationship cannot be determined univocally for the data-copying operation.
Moreover, when the technique shown in
FIG. 21
is used, an event-driven-type function block having a selection function must be employed in order to select a data set to be transmitted to a subsequent stage. In the example shown in
FIG. 20
, an event-driven-type function block SEL having a selection function is employed for selecting one of the resultant values of the correction operations
1
-
3
for transmission to a subsequent stage.
However, when the technique shown in
FIG. 21
is used, a user who programs an application function encounters a difficulty in programming, because event-driven-type function blocks cannot be connected for data merging. In the exemplary case shown in
FIG. 23
, an event-driven-type function block having a selection function must be used even in a simple operation of inputting into the function block FB
3
the newer one of a data set output from the function block FB
1
and a data set output from the function block FB
2
. Therefore, programming becomes difficult and time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for programming an application function through connection of a plurality of event-driven-type function blocks in which merging of signal lines is enabled for efficient programming of the application function.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a program recording medium in which is stored a program for executing a method for programming an application function through connection of a plurality of event-driven-type function blocks in which merging of signal lines is enabled for efficient programming of the application function.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for programming
Mishima Takashi
Nishi Yosuke
Tsunematsu Hirotsugu
Morse Gregory
Nguyen-Ba Hoang-Vu Anthony
Yamatake Corporation
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