AU651800B2

AU651800B2 - Monitoring device for control system

Info

Publication number: AU651800B2
Application number: AU68595/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dieter Huack; Robert Muller; Anton Rodi
Original assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Current assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Priority date: 1990-01-08
Filing date: 1991-01-04
Publication date: 1994-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-04
Also published as: AU6859591A; EP0436818A3; DE4000295A1; ATE105780T1; EP0436818B1; SG147394G; JPH04211944A; DE59005744D1; CN1053210A; CN1021420C; DE4000295C2; HK21395A; JP2614674B2; EP0436818A2

Abstract

In a diagnostic system for a digital control device of a printer, at least one processor is provided with a program for testing modules of the control device and for monitoring parameters during the operation of the printer. The results of the tests and of the monitoring of the parameters are displayed and/or stored. <IMAGE>

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority 0 H f0%5-0 0 V Related Art: Applicant(s): Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Kurfursten-Anlage 52-60, D-6900 Heidelberg, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF

GERMANY

Address for Service is: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Comp.ete Specification for the invention entitled: S* IMONITORING DEVICE FOR CONTROL SYSTEM'waPPfAiffUB- Our Ref 200175 POF Code: 1386/1386 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): I I 2 The present invention relates to a device for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press having subassemblies connected to one another via a bus system, at least one memory, at least one input/output unit, at least one display unit and a main drive unit.

Control of printing presses by means of digital control systems frequently includes functions in which faults may lead to considerable physical damage and even to endangering of persons. Particularly in the case of complex structures in control systems very high demands are placed on the reliability of individual components in the system.

In EP 243 661 there is disclosed a printing press having a :number of measuring devices, sensors for generating electronic signals, electronically controllable actuating eelements, aggregates, as well as at least one control and 20 monitoring desk for monitoring, controlling and regulating the entire printing process. EP 243661 discloses a centrally organized electronic control circuit which e o controls and monitors processing of all sensor signals as well as the entire coordination of all corrective signals 25 by means of a data processing and control unit.

o o .Nevertheless, faults may occur within the control system, among the sensors and actuators that connect the control system to the printing press or in the printing press itself. Furthermore, it is important in the case of printing presses to rectify faults as quickly as possible whilst using the personnel present at the site of the printing press.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press having subassemblies connected to one i another via a bus system, at least one memory, at least Ir one input/output unit, at least one display unit and a s n ,VMJP

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main drive unit, said device including: at least first and second subassemblies, said first subassembly serving to provide central control to said printing press and said second subassembly serving to provide control to said main drive unit; each said first and second subassembly having at least one processor for testing and monitoring said control system and for generating test results and/or fault mesages and a non-volatile memory for storing said test results and/or fault messages; said first and second subassemblies having at least one separate interface connected to said at least one display unit; and S0% each said first and second subassembly having a S separate power-supply unit.

The device of the present invention may allow for reliable detection and displaying of faults. Furthermore, faults may be detectable even in the event of failure of one of the processors performing actual monitoring. A subsequent diagnosis may be necessary in the case of faults that occur S sporadically or in the case of faults that lead to failure of the control system.

:*In order to further improve safety two processors may be provided for testing and monitoring respective subassemblies assigned to them, said processors being further adapted for testing and monitoring each other and means for oeoo• communication between the processors, in addition to the subassemblies assigned to them.

Each processor may be disposed on its own subassembly or system board and the processors may be connected independently of one another to at least one display unit.

Since, in the case of printing presses, control tasks are frequently distributed between two processors anyway, economical and safe monitoring is possible in that two processors may be provided in the control system for various control tasks, said processors each also testing each other and means for communication between the processors as well as monitoring subassemblies assigned to H -3o 9*

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The present invention also provides a method for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press by means of a device as described above wherein after switch on, a self-test of the processors is first performed, thereafter a read/write memory serving to provide communication between the processors is tested by each one of said processors in succession, and after said testing of said read/write memory a test of said processors is performed by one another.

The device of the present invention may evaluate data that exists anyway during operation of a printing press, for i example output signals from sensors, such as rotational-speed sensors or paper sensors. Such data are hereinafter referred to as operating parameters. The device may also evaluate data generated in test programs, such as in known programs for testing of memories or processors. It is also possible for operating parameters to be included in such tests, for example in the form of comparisons of setpoint and actual values or in the form of so-called validity checks. The results of such tests hereinafter referred to as test results are designated below as fault messages in the case of faults.

Other embodiments of the invention relate to the storing of information that is of importance with regard to repair and maintenance operations. In this connection there is essentially provided a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may facilitate evaluation of important data after the printing press or the control system has been switched off. Moreover, depending on the embodiment of the invention, it is possible to store fault messages, test results or operating parameters. Preferably, the data can be stored in such a manner that the latest data are in non-volatile memory.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a digital control system for a printing press with a monitoring device according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of a program used in the preferred embodiment.

Provided in the control system shown in Fig. 1 are two processors (computers) i, 2, each of which is disposed on a system board. The computer 1 serves a central control unit of the printing press, while the computer 2 serves essentially a main drive control unit. In a known manner, each computer i, 2 has a microprocessor 3, 4 and further subassemblies, such as working memory, program memory and S. internal buE system, an explanation of which, however, is not necessary for an understanding of the present 20 inventicn.

In addition to these subassemblies, there are provided on the computer boards non-volatile memories 5, 6, which •store test results, operating data and fault messages 25 necessary for subsequent evaluation beyond switching-off or a defect in the control system. In the case of fault 4e** messages that do not lead to failure of the control system 6 or of the computer concerned, it is possible for a plurality of fault messages to be stored, if necessary, with other valid test results and operating parameters.

Owing to the fact that a non-volatile memory 5, 6 is provided in each of the computers 1, 2, it is possible for fault messages to be evaluated even if the corresponding board has been removed from the control system and has, for example, been sent to the manufacturer or to a maintenance company for repair.

34, The computers i, 2 are connected to a system bus 7, which

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6 also is connected to an input/output unit 8 and to a communication memory 9. The communication memory 9 is used for the exchange of data between the computers 1, 2 such that the receiving computer calls from the communication memory 9 that data which the sending computer has previously written there. Furthermore, it is also possible to store test results and fault messages in the communication memory 9, which, in this case, is in the form of a non-volatile memory. Such test results and fault messages can then be read out by both computers 1, 2.

Sensors and actuators are connected to the input/output unit 8 via inputs and outputs 10, as is described, for example, in patent application P 36 42 500.1 of the Applicant.

In order to display data occurring during the operation of •the printing press, a central display unit 11 is connected to the computer 1 via a serial interface 12. In the 20 monitoring device according to the invention, the •go• interface 12 and the display unit 11 are used additionally to display fault messages. Further display units 13, 14 Sare connected via serial interfaces 15, 16 to the o input/output unit 8 and serve likewise, in addition to the 25 displaying of operating data, for the displaying of fault a messages.

0 a The computer 2 for controlling the main drive is connected to a control board 17 for the main drive, and the motor 19 of the main drive is connected to the control board 17 via a power stage 18. Furthermore, the control board 17 comprises a connection to the system bus 7 so that, for example, the computer 1 is able to check the status of the power control board 17. For the supply of power to the digital control system there are provided a plurality of power-supply units, of which merely two power-supply units are represented by way of example in Fig. i. For reasons of safety, it is provided that the computer 1 and the S central display unit 11 are connected to a first 7 power-supply unit 20 and that the computer 2, the input/output unit 8 and the further display units 13, 14 are connected to a second power-supply unit 21.

By use of a connection independent of the system bus 7 between the computer 1 and the central display unit 11, together with the use of a separate power-supply unit for these subassemblies, it is possible also to display those faults which prevent streams of data to one of the display units or on the system bus. For the microprocessors 3, 4 there are provided programs which permit extensive testing and monitoring. Among other things, each microprocessor monitors the other microprocessor as well as the communication memory 9. In this connection, the test and monitoring programs can be designed with such flexibility that more or fewer tests are performed, depending on the respective test results.

Thus, for example, it may be provided in normal operation that each of the microprocessors 3, 4 tests the other microprocessor in addition to some of the subassemblies of the control apparatus. If, however, the other microprocessor fails, the microprocessor that is not stricken with failure and still capable of operation also tests those subassemblies which were previously tested by the other microprocessor.

Advantageously, after the control system has been switched on or as long as the printing press itself is not yet in operation, thorough tests of the individual components are performed within the framework of an initialization. In addition, the operating parameters are then monitored while the printing press is in operation. This makes it possible also to detect faults that are ascertainable only when the printing press is in operation.

The continuous testing of plug-in connections is possible by means of suitable line loops or by the monitoring of signals that are constantly present on the respective boards (for example clock signals).

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-8- The flow diagram in the Fig. 2 shows essential parts of a test program, which is executed in the microprocessors 3, 4 after the control system has been switched on. After a start at 31, there is first of all a self-test 32, which is performed by the respective microprocessor and relates to the respective computer 1, 2. In the case of a fault, a corresponding fault message is stored at 33 and is supplied at 34 via the serial interface 12 to the central display unit 11 (Fig. 1).

If, however, the self-test did not yield any faults, the communication memory 9 is tested in the program part The latter is conducted in known manner by the writing-in 15 and reading-out-again of information. If there is a fault, the information is stored again and there is a S display, whereas, if the communication memory 9 is "fault-free, there is a test of the other microprocessor in the program part 36.

eeoo In the preferred embodiment shown, it is assumed that it is generally sufficient to test the other microprocessor and not the entirety of the other computer, since the •.latter has already been tested before by the other 25 microprocessor.

After a successful test of the other microprocessor, the tests of the other subassemblies are performed at 37. If these, too, are fault-free, the test program is terminated at 38, whereafter programs for the control of the printing press are activated. This may also be done after the program parts Store 33 and Display 34, if no faults were previously detected that prevent the correct operation of the printing press.

Claims

1. Device for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press having subassemblies connected to one another via a bus system, at least one memory, at least one input/output unit, at least one display unit and a main drive unit, said device including: at least first and second subassemblies, said first subassembly serving to provide central control to said printing press and said second subassembly serving to provide control to said main drive unit; each said first and second subassembly having at least one processor for testing and monitoring said control system and for generating test results and/or fault messages and a non-volatile memory for storing said test results and/or fault :x5 messages; said first and second subassemblies having at least one separate interface connected to said at least one display unit; and :each said first and second subassembly having a separate power-supply unit.

2. Device according to claim i, wherein each processor is disposed on its own subassembly and said processors are respectively connected independently of one another to said at least one display unit.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subassemblies and associated display units are connected to respective power-supply units having different voltages.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display units which are used to display a normal state of operation are also used to display a state of malfunction.

Method for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press by means of a device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein after switch on, a self-test of the processors is first performed, thereafter a read/write memory serving to provide communication between the processors is tested by each one of said processors in succession, and after said testing of said read/write memory a test of said processors is performed by one another.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein dynamic test 1P -9- 01 runs are performed during operation of the printing press.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein in the event of failure of one processor, the tests, evaluations and display functions normally performed by the failed processor are instead performed by the other processor that has not failed.

8. Method according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein test results are stored in said non-volatile memories which are disposed on the respective subassemblies with which said test results are associated.

9. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein fault messages and/or test results are stored in at least one of said non-volatile memories, said at least one non-volatile memory also serving for communication between said processors.

10. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein fault messages are stored in at least one of said non-volatile memories, and in the event that a further fault message occurs, a oresently stored fault message(s) in the at least one non-volatile memory is/are advanced by one position.

11. Method according to any one of claims 5 to wherein the oldest fault message in said non-volatile memory is transferred to an additional memory and stored 25 therein, together with still older fault messages.

12. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein operating parameters are stored in at least one of r said non-volatile memories before and during occurrence of faults.

13. Method according to any one of claims 5 .o 12, wherein operating parameters that are present during machine operation are continuously written to at least one of said non-volatile memories, operating parameters that are older than a given time are lost, and the state of the at least one non-volatile memory is maintained on occurrence of a fault.

14. A device for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press substantially as herein described with 39 reference to the accompanying drawings. MJP A method for monitoring an electronic control system of a printing press substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 2 June, 1994 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT 4315u *e o** *a e 3 *9 2 9 c