US3686639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital computer-industrial controller system and apparatus
Assignee: Modicon Corp
•
Filing: 1969-12-11
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1989-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A small general purpose digital computer is utilized as the basic element of an industrial controller. The digital computer is provided with an executive program comprising function simulating modules. Relay logic, timer and counter simulating modules are disclosed. The modules provide an iterative format for a control circuit to be simulated the format comprising a large number of identical parallel circuit lines each controlling a numbered relay. Each circuit may have a specified number of basic electrical elements connected in series with its relay. The types of electrical elements disclosed are a normally open switch, a normally closed switch, a branch function, and a wire connection or no function. The condition of any particular one of the first three types of electrical elements is controlled by a specified one of the number of relays. A control program comprises a particular choice of electrical elements entered in the circuit lines of the ladder diagram to correspond to an actual circuit diagram of a desired control circuit. The system is provided with a simple detachable programming panel or console with which an ordinary industrial engineer having no computer programming experience can program his control program by positioning each required basic electrical element in the format provided and specifying the relay of another circuit line controlling the condition of the elements. He enters the set time for each relay which is to be timer controlled. An internal clock is provided for the timing function. He also enters the total count and the simulated relay whose cycles are to be counted for each relay which is to be counter controlled. A plurality of the numbered relays may each be conditioned only by an external device connected to an identically numbered input terminal. Another plurality of the numbered relays each control the signal supplied to an identically numbered output terminal which may be connected to external devices. In use, the executive program continuously and repeatedly runs through the ladder diagram control circuit line by line, updating the condition of each electrical element in accordance with the referenced numbered relay; updating the condition of each numbered relay in accordance with the condition of the electrical elements or input terminal in circuit therewith; and updating the condition of each output terminal in accordance with its associated numbered relay. Provision is made for communicating with the computer controller via ordinary telephone lines from a central station. The original computer controller is delivered to a customer with the executive program in memory. The control program is added by the customer through the detachable programming console. Both the executive and customer chosen control program can then be read out to the central station and printed or recorded on punched tape for full documentAtion thereof. Further units can be supplied to the customer preprogrammed through use of the punched paper tape. The central station also can communicate with a remote computer controller by means of a central programming console and has the ability to diagnose breakdowns of the computer controller and readin to or readout from any memory location in the remote computer controller.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Fletcher
- 👤 Leon B Rosseau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:47
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/05; G05B19/056; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/10; G05B2219/13; G05B2219/13004; G05B2219/13039; G05B2219/13128; G05B2219/13171; G05B2219/13186; G05B2219/14; G05B2219/14084; G05B2219/15; G05B2219/15018; G05B2219/15049; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/80; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A programming panel for programming a computer controller to perform control functions, the computer controller having stored therein an executive program for communicating with the programming panel and for simulating an electrical ladder-type control circuit having a plurality of circuit lines, a plurality of spaces in each circuit line, each space providing for the inclusion of one type of a plurality of types of electrical elements comprising elements the condition of which is a function of a referenced condition, and each of said circuit lines further providing circuit line condition specifying means controlled in accordance with the electrical condition of its respective circuit line or an external input controlling a line, at least some of said condition specifying means controlling outputs, the executive program simulating specified ones of the plurality of electrical elements in specified spaces to complete a simulated control circuit, said programming panel comprising in combination: A. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of a plurality of circuit lines of the simulated ladder-type control circuit; B. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements; C. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller a reference to the circuit line condition specifying means in the simulated ladder-type control circuit which is to control the condition of the said specified type of electrical element; and D. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of the spaces in the specified circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit into which the specified type of electrical element is to be entered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A programming panel for programming a computer controller to perform control functions, the computer controller having stored therein an executive program for communicating with the programming panel and for simulating an electrical ladder-type control circuit having a plurality of circuit lines, a plurality of spaces in each circuit line, each space providing for the inclusion of one type of a plurality of types of electrical elements comprising elements the condition of which is a function of a referenced condition, and each of said circuit lines further providing circuit line condition specifying means controlled in accordance with the electrical condition of its respective circuit line or an external input controlling a line, at least some of said condition specifying means controlling outputs, the executive program simulating specified ones of the plurality of electrical elements in specified spaces to complete a simulated control circuit, said programming panel comprising in combination: A. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of a plurality of circuit lines of the simulated ladder-type control circuit; B. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements; C. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller a reference to the circuit line condition specifying means in the simulated ladder-type control circuit which is to control the condition of the said specified type of electrical element; and D. manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of the spaces in the specified circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit into which the specified type of electrical element is to be entered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1, further comprising: A. readout means for indicating which type of electrical element has been entered in a specified space in a circuit line; B. readout means for indicating in which space in the specified circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit the specified type of electrical element has been entered; and, C. readout means for indicating to what condition the electrical element entered in the specified space in the specified line is referenced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
a second switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying a normally closed switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
a second switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying a normally closed switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
a second switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying an electrical continuity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
a second switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying an electrical continuity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying an electrical continuity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying an electrical continuity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying an electrical branch function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying an electrical branch function.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements specifiable by said manually operable means comprise normally open and normally closed switches, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements comprises:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying counters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying counters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying timers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
a third switch mounted on the programming panel for specifying timers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 3, wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements further comprise an electrical branch function, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements further comprises:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 3, wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements comprise timers, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of plurality of types of electrical elements further comprises:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 3, wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements comprise counters, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of plurality of types of electrical elements further comprises:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 3 wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements comprise electrical continuity, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of a plurality of types of electrical elements further comprises:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1, wherein there is provided the same predetermined fixed number of spaces in each circuit line of the simulated ladder type control circuit, each space providing for the inclusion one electrical element, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one of the spaces in a specified circuit line comprises a plurality of switches mounted on the programming panel, each of said switches corresponding to one of the predetermined fixed number of spaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements specifiable by said manually operable means comprise an electrical branch function, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements comprises:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 9 wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements specifiable by said manually operable means comprise electrical continuity, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements further comprises:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements specifiable by said manually operable means comprise timers, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller one type of plurality of types of electrical elements comprises:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 11 wherein said reference specifying means comprises a numeric input means and said programming panel comprises further means for specifying the timer interval as the numeric value of said reference specifying means when a timer is specified in a first space in a circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 12, wherein said programming panel comprises further means For specifying a timer multiplier for said timer interval as the numeric value of said reference specifying means when a second space, in the same circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit is specified.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of types of electrical elements specifiable by said manually operable means comprise counters, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements further comprises:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
59 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 14, wherein said reference specifying means comprises a numeric input means and said programming panel comprises further means for specifying the total count as the numeric value of said reference specifying means when a counter is specified in a first specified space in a circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 15, wherein said programming panel comprises further means for specifying the condition whose changes are to be counted as the numeric value of said reference specifying means when a counter is specified in a second specified space in a circuit line of the simulated ladder-type control circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1, wherein each circuit line condition specifying means in the simulated ladder-type control circuit is numbered and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer controller a reference to one of the plurality of circuit line condition specifying means comprises a manually settable numeric input.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 17 wherein said circuit lines are numbered identically with said circuit line condition specifying means, and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer one of a plurality of circuit lines of the simulated ladder-type control circuit comprises a manually settable numeric input.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
A programming panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit lines are numbered and wherein said manually operable means for specifying to the computer one of a plurality of circuit lines comprises a manually settable numeric input.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
211 words
A computer controller system for controlling machines of the type controllable by sequenced opening and closing of electrical switches forming a portion of a machine control circuit, the system comprising: A. a computer programmed to simulate a conventional ladder diagram electrical circuit format of the type having a plurality of circuit lines, each circuit line terminating in a relay conditioned by the conducting status of the circuit line, each circuit line providing spaces therein wherein the computer is programmed to simulate specified ones of a plurality of types of electrical elements completing a machine control circuit comprising switches the condition of which may be specified to be controlled by a specified one of said relays; B. a programming panel for programming a particular machine control circuit into the computer, the programming panel comprising: a. means for specifying to the computer one of the plurality of circuit lines of the conventional ladder diagram, b. means for specifying to the computer one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements, c. means for specifying to the computer the relay which is to control a specified electrical element, d. means for specifying to the computer one of the spaces in the specified circuit line wherein the specified electrical element is to be simulated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
211 words
A computer controller system for controlling machines of the type controllable by sequenced opening and closing of electrical switches forming a portion of a machine control circuit, the system comprising: A. a computer programmed to simulate a conventional ladder diagram electrical circuit format of the type having a plurality of circuit lines, each circuit line terminating in a relay conditioned by the conducting status of the circuit line, each circuit line providing spaces therein wherein the computer is programmed to simulate specified ones of a plurality of types of electrical elements completing a machine control circuit comprising switches the condition of which may be specified to be controlled by a specified one of said relays; B. a programming panel for programming a particular machine control circuit into the computer, the programming panel comprising: a. means for specifying to the computer one of the plurality of circuit lines of the conventional ladder diagram, b. means for specifying to the computer one type of the plurality of types of electrical elements, c. means for specifying to the computer the relay which is to control a specified electrical element, d. means for specifying to the computer one of the spaces in the specified circuit line wherein the specified electrical element is to be simulated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
A computer controller system as defined in claim 20 wherein the conventional ladder diagram electrical circuit format has a fixed plurality of numbered circuit lines, and wherein the means for specifying to the computer one of the plurality of circuit lines comprises a manually settable numeric input.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer controller system as defined in claim 20, wheRein each circuit line of the conventional ladder diagram electrical circuit format has an equal number of fixed spaces therein, and the means for specifying to the computer one of the spaces in a specified circuit line comprises an equal number of switches, each switch corresponding to one of the fixed number of spaces.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer controller system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for specifying to the computer the type of electrical element comprises a single key for each type of electrical element.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer controller system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for specifying to the computer the relay which is to control a specified switch comprises a manually settable numeric input.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer controller system as defined in claim 20 wherein said computer is programmed to also simulate as one of said types of electrical elements an electrical branch function the energization of which may be controlled by a specified one of said relays and said programming panel comprises a switch for selecting said branch function.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
143 words
A control method comprising: A. simulating a portion of a control system in a computer, the control system comprising control elements the condition of which is governed by the condition of other control elements or conditions; B. repetitively updating the condition of selected control elements or conditions in accordance with specified input conditions to the computer, C. repetitively updating all elements of the simulate control system in accordance with their respective governing conditions; D. repetitively updating the condition of specified output conditions of the computer in accordance with the conditions of specified control elements and conditions; and, E. while performing the above steps, altering the simulated control system by specifying to the computer a position in the simulated control system, the type of control element to be substituted therein, and the condition which is to govern the condition of the substituted control element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
143 words
A control method comprising: A. simulating a portion of a control system in a computer, the control system comprising control elements the condition of which is governed by the condition of other control elements or conditions; B. repetitively updating the condition of selected control elements or conditions in accordance with specified input conditions to the computer, C. repetitively updating all elements of the simulate control system in accordance with their respective governing conditions; D. repetitively updating the condition of specified output conditions of the computer in accordance with the conditions of specified control elements and conditions; and, E. while performing the above steps, altering the simulated control system by specifying to the computer a position in the simulated control system, the type of control element to be substituted therein, and the condition which is to govern the condition of the substituted control element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 26 wherein the last named step is accomplished by:
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
100 words
Control method as defined in claim 26 and further comprising: A. transmitting data comprising at least a portion of the simulated control system from the digital computer to a second computer, said portion comprising at least the type of control elements of the simulated control system, the positions of the elements in the simulated control system, and the condition which governs the condition of each of the control elements; and B. printing out from the second computer a diagram of a simulated control circuit in accordance with said portion of the program transmitted to the second computer by the computer.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of performing Boolean logic comprising the steps of: A. providing in a computer a plurality of Boolean logical statements of fixed format the truth or falsity of the terms of which may be specified to be dependent in accordance with a logical function on the truth or falsity of a specified one of the logical statements; B. controlling the truth or falsity of certain of said logical statements each in accordance with the truth or falsity of a selected input bit to the computer; C. controlling the status of each of a plurality of output bits of the computer in accordance with the truth or falsity of a selected one of said logical Statements; D. iteratively solving said logical statements; and E. changing the Boolean logical statements by a. specifying to the computer the logical statement which is to be controlled, b. specifying to the computer the logical statement which is to control, and c. specifying to the computer the term of the specified controlled logical statement which is to be controlled.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of performing Boolean logic comprising the steps of: A. providing in a computer a plurality of Boolean logical statements of fixed format the truth or falsity of the terms of which may be specified to be dependent in accordance with a logical function on the truth or falsity of a specified one of the logical statements; B. controlling the truth or falsity of certain of said logical statements each in accordance with the truth or falsity of a selected input bit to the computer; C. controlling the status of each of a plurality of output bits of the computer in accordance with the truth or falsity of a selected one of said logical Statements; D. iteratively solving said logical statements; and E. changing the Boolean logical statements by a. specifying to the computer the logical statement which is to be controlled, b. specifying to the computer the logical statement which is to control, and c. specifying to the computer the term of the specified controlled logical statement which is to be controlled.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of performing Boolean logic as defined in claim 29 wherein the last named step is performed simultaneously with the previous steps.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of performing Boolean logic as defined in claim 29 and further defined in that a plurality of said logical statements; comprise the same number of terms and further comprising: A. dedicating a number of inputs of the computer each for specifying one of the terms of a logical statement, the number of inputs so dedicated being equal to the fixed number of terms in a logical statement.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of performing Boolean logic as defined in claim 29 and wherein the last named step comprises the additional step of: a. specifying the logical function governing the specified term which is to be controlled.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of performing Boolean logic as defined in claim 32 and further comprising: A. dedicating a number of inputs to the computer each for specifying one of the logical functions, the number of inputs so dedicated being equal to the selected number of logical functions.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of performing Boolean logic as defined in claim 32 wherein the last named step is performed simultaneously with previous steps.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
138 words
A programming panel for a digital computer, the computer having stored therein an internal image of a control circuit in ladder diagram format, the ladder diagram format comprising a plurality of circuit lines having spaces, each space for the inclusion of one type of a plurality of types of logical functions, the programming panel comprising: A. a keyboard comprising individual keys, each key selecting one type of the plurality of types of a plurality of logical functions; B. means for selecting a circuit line of the ladder diagram format of the control circuit into which a logical function is to be placed; C. means for displaying the logical function type selected and the space in the selected circuit line into which it is to be placed; and, D. means for transmitting the selected information to the computer controller.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
138 words
A programming panel for a digital computer, the computer having stored therein an internal image of a control circuit in ladder diagram format, the ladder diagram format comprising a plurality of circuit lines having spaces, each space for the inclusion of one type of a plurality of types of logical functions, the programming panel comprising: A. a keyboard comprising individual keys, each key selecting one type of the plurality of types of a plurality of logical functions; B. means for selecting a circuit line of the ladder diagram format of the control circuit into which a logical function is to be placed; C. means for displaying the logical function type selected and the space in the selected circuit line into which it is to be placed; and, D. means for transmitting the selected information to the computer controller.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
A programming panel for a digital computer controller as defined in claim 35 and further comprising: E. means for selecting a circuit line of the ladder diagram format of the control circuit, the condition of which is to control the selected logical function.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |