Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
  • G06F8/30—Creation or generation of source code
  • G06F8/36—Software reuse
• • 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
  • G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
  • G05B19/0426—Programming the control 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
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/23—Pc programming
  • G05B2219/23169—Operation field together with control parameters
• • 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
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/23—Pc programming
  • G05B2219/23174—Display of parameter and several suggested values for that parameter
• • 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
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/23—Pc programming
  • G05B2219/23183—Display effects of high level commands

Definitions

• the invention relates to a programming tool and method for creating programs, in particular automation technology.
• function blocks In automation technology, technical processes and functions are provided in the form of program modules, so-called function blocks. In order to be able to use these function blocks as universally as possible, they are provided with interfaces which enable them to be integrated as easily as possible and to be called up unproblematically in the selected program environment.
• the input and output parameters required for the operation of such a function block are stored on an I / O bus in order to be able to deliver, monitor or change the corresponding parameters, if necessary.
• the parameters exchanged in the program environment usually do not correspond to the process parameters of the process to be controlled and / or regulated or the technical function.
• the operation of these parameters and their understanding therefore requires the engineer or technician entrusted with the solution of the technical task a perspective adapted to the function block or, in other words, a deeper understanding of the programming of the respective control device.
• the invention is therefore based on the object of providing a programming tool and a method for programming and creating programs, in particular automation technology, which additionally or alternatively opens up a technological view of the process to be controlled and / or regulated to the user.
• This view should be usable for programming as well as for parameterization or for checking the running process.
• An interface is arranged between the user and a programmable control unit and / or a program module representing this control unit, which provides the respective user with an input mask for inputting technological parameters. This is achieved by assigning an appropriate input mask to at least some of the function blocks. This input mask provides the respective user with a technological view of the function block or the respective process. The technological parameters can then be entered, changed and / or checked for the input mask.
• the interface used here is preferably designed as a dynamic link library, ie using DLL technology.
• the interface is used to implement the software-technical parameter set assigned to a function block by creating corresponding binary interfaces in an input mask assigned to this function block, i.e. a technological view or a technological parameter set.
• the conversion of the parameter set assigned to the function block into binary interfaces makes the programming tool independent of the respective application-specific language application.
• the solution according to the invention can be used with any user language customary in automation technology.
• the interface is thus upwards compatible. Specifically, reference is made to the respective input mask in the function modules concerned, so that when the function module is called or programmed, the input mask is called up or offered at the same time.
• the input mask can be assigned an intermediate logic for implementing additional functions such as context menus and / or further control tools.
• the input mask as such is implemented in an advantageous embodiment as an OLE object.
• OLE objects mixed documents can be created, in which the mixed data can be processed with their original application program. This feature is used to implement the programming tool independently of a specific application-specific language.
• the input mask assigned to this function module is activated by the interface and offered to the user as an additional technological view.
• the solution according to the invention can also be understood as a programming method, in particular of automation technology.
• a programmable logic controller and / or a program module representing this control unit for regulating a process which is essentially in the form of function blocks, is programmed or instantiated in such a way that at least some of the function blocks are assigned the input masks mentioned, the further call of these Function blocks means that an interface arranged between the respective user and the control device activates the respectively assigned input mask and this is offered to the user of the control device for parameterization, programming and / or control.
• a dialog is set up in order to be able to implement real-time processes, or a conversion of the entered parameter values into the system-specific or program requirements.
• FIG. 2 is a flowchart for programming with this programming tool.
• an interface 3 is connected between a user 1 and a programmable logic controller 2.
• the interface 3 interacts with an application-specific language application 4 for programming and sequence control of the control device 2.
• an application-specific language application 4 for programming and sequence control of the control device 2.
• the control device 2 only one program module is present, particularly in the phase of program creation, which emulates the functionality of the control device 2.
• this program module or the control unit 2 is present as such. If necessary, the user 1 does not communicate directly with the interface 3, but rather via an input mask 5 provided by the interface 3.
• the function of the programming tool selected as an example is explained in more detail below:
• the sequence of the control and / or regulation is stored in a program, which is stored in the form of the application-specific language application 4. It will preferably be graphical language applications in automation technology, such as a contact diagram (LAD) or function diagram (FBD).
• LAD contact diagram
• BFD function diagram
• function blocks are called during the program run using unique identifiers. These are modules that can represent certain processes or control of certain technical components of a technical process, such as the control of a motion or position controller.
• the call of the function block is transmitted to the actual programmable logic controller 2 and, at the same time, an identifier of the function block and the respective parameters are transferred to the interface 3 in conjunction with an identifier of the corresponding input mask 5. Based on this identifier, a technological view of this function block is now provided via the input mask 5. Specifically, this means translating the parameters transmitted in connection with the functional parameter to the programmable logic controller 2 into a technological view.
• the input mask 5 is a so-called OCX application, that is to say an OLE control element. Such elements can be created with Visual Basic or Visual-C ++.
• the parameters displayed in the input mask 5 do not have to be in absolute value or in their
• Number correspond to the values transferred to the programmable logic controller 2.
• the display of the parameters can be accompanied by a so-called intermediate logic. This includes additional tools that are assigned to individual parameters. These are context menus that can be used to offer help functions, value ranges or plausibility checks.
• the interface 3 loads the parameter set supplied via the input mask 5 or creates a suitable dialog between the input mask and the interfaces of the function block. Unless the dialog is terminated or the transmitted parameters are rejected, for example if invalid values are entered, the interface 3 transmits the changed parameter set to the voice application. Subsequently, feedback is given via the input mask 5 as to whether the values in question are permissible or not. If the user then releases the values, the dialog asks whether the relevant values should be saved.
• interface 3 prompts you to save the values.
• the input mask 5 then delivers the values separately with a so-called set-value command, which are fed via the interface 3 either directly to the control unit 2 or initially into the voice application 4.
• the release function can be blocked. This can prevent incorrect values being transferred.
• the method explained above is shown in a method diagram according to FIG. 2.
• the left column shows the sequence that takes place within the programmable control unit 2, and the right column shows the functions offered to the user.
• the displays or actions of the interface 3 are shown in between and the displays or actions of the input mask 5 to the right of them.
• the interface 3 loads the corresponding input mask 5 and fetches the corresponding parameter values and displays them by means of the input mask 5.
• all the values relating to the called function block are gradually picked up and displayed in detail. These values can then be edited by the user become.
• the values are then transferred in a new loop with the "Check-Value" command and transmitted to interface 3. They are then checked for plausibility or admissibility. In particular, the entered parameters are checked for syntax.
• the interface 3 then outputs to the input mask 5 whether the values are correct or incorrect. If user 1 then releases the values by pressing a release button, interface 3 asks whether the relevant values should be saved. This is done with the "Can-Store” command. If this is the case, the corresponding values are saved and a corresponding message is sent to the user.
• the values are then fetched in a new loop and transferred to the speech application 4 or control device 2, as explained above.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Software Systems (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Programmable Controllers (AREA)
• Stored Programmes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=7687833

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2001
  • 2001-06-11 DE DE10128158A patent/DE10128158A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2002
  • 2002-06-11 EP EP02740393A patent/EP1412849A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-06-11 WO PCT/DE2002/002133 patent/WO2002101543A2/de not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2003
  • 2003-12-11 US US10/732,537 patent/US7444617B2/en active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events