JP3224068B2 - Programmable controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a programmable controller (hereinafter, referred to as "PLC") for executing a process step language (hereinafter, referred to as "SFC") program by sequentially changing an active state between steps.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the IEC has proposed SFC as one of the standard languages of PLC. The activated state of the step of the SFC has various meanings depending on the composition of the program and the application.

For example, when a step is defined as a certain station on a line, and an active state transitioning between steps is defined as a work existing on the station, works to be replaced one after another are individually different, and the work is classified according to the difference. The method and processing method must be changed.

[0004] This tendency to simultaneously handle other products on the same line is particularly apparent in a transport / distribution system in which control by a programmable controller is frequently used, such as the recent introduction of a barcode or ID system.

[0005]

However, in the conventional programmable controller (SFC), the processing program (action) on the chart is fixed, and the active state flowing on the chart is binary in the active / inactive state. Because there is only a classification, there was no way to classify objects that were meant to be active.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Steps ST0 and ST1 of the C program are in the active state at the same time, and the active state has transitioned to steps ST1 and ST2 due to state transition.
The two active states passing through step ST1 could not be distinguished from the viewpoint of 2 etc.

For this reason, when an operation on the same line in which a plurality of steps are activated simultaneously is expressed by a program, appropriate measures must be taken on the application in order to distinguish the plurality of activated states. There was a problem.

[0008] Further, as the system to be realized by the user becomes larger and more complicated, realizing the active target division in the application program requires considerably higher program skills and man-hours. However, there is also a problem that the cost of a system to be realized as it is is increased.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and by adding a function of managing the flow of active state and information to an SFC program, the efficiency of user program development can be improved and simplified. It is an object of the present invention to provide a programmable controller capable of realizing.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of steps are simultaneously activated in a programmable controller which executes an SFC program by sequentially changing an active state between steps.
In the case of state, transition between each step sequentially
Assign an identification number to distinguish between multiple active states for each active state
Is provided with an identification number adding means for respectively adding the identification numbers.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller which executes the SFC program by sequentially changing the active state between the steps, the plurality of steps are the same.
Sometimes, when it becomes active state, between each step
An identification number for distinguishing between multiple active states
An identification number adding means for respectively adding to the active state, an identification number storing means for storing the identification number, and an access to the identification number storing means at the step of the active state;
Identification number reading means for reading the identification number added by the identification number adding means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the second aspect, the identification number reading means accesses the identification number storage means at the step which has become active, and identifies the identification number of the active state of the step . Is read out.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the second aspect, the identification number reading means accesses the identification number storage means at the step of the active state, and sets the active state to a state other than the step.
Read the identification number of the active state by specifying the
It is characterized by the following.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller which executes the SFC program by sequentially transitioning the active state between the steps, the plurality of steps are the same.
Sometimes, when it becomes active state, between each step
An identification number for distinguishing between multiple active states
An identification number adding means for adding each active, activity for each identification number added by the identification number assigning means
Additional information storage means for storing information transmitted between state steps as additional information, and additional information reading and writing for reading and writing the additional information by accessing the additional information storage means in an activated state Means. In the invention described in claim 6,
Item 5. The programmable controller according to Item 5, wherein
Information transmitted between active state steps includes post-steps.
Including information transmitted to

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the fifth aspect, the additional information read / write means accesses the additional information storage means at the step of the activation state, and stores the identification number of the activation state. The reading and writing of the corresponding additional information is performed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the fifth aspect, the additional information read / write means accesses the additional information storage means in the step in which the additional information has been activated, and activates other than the active state. And reads and writes the additional information corresponding to the identification number.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth aspect , the identification number is The adding means adds an identification number of the active state before the parallel branch to each active state when the active state transits to each step after the parallel branch.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth aspect , an identification number is provided. The adding means adds the smallest identification number of the identification numbers of the active states before the parallel merging to the active state when the active state transitions to the step after the parallel merging.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an identification number for distinguishing from another active state is added to an active state that sequentially transitions between steps.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an identification number for distinguishing from the other active states is added to the active state which sequentially transitions between the steps, and the identification number storage means is accessed at the step where the active state is reached. Then, the added identification number is read.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the second aspect, the identification number storage means is accessed at the step of the activation state, and the identification number in the activation state is read.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the second aspect, the identification number storage means is accessed at the step of the active state, and an active state other than the active state is designated to specify the identification number. Is read.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an identification number for distinguishing from another active state is added to an active state that sequentially transitions between steps, and additional information is added to each of the added identification numbers. It is stored in the storage means, and the additional information storage means is accessed at the step in which the state becomes active,
Read and write additional information. Claim 6
According to the present invention, a programmable controller according to claim 5 is provided.
Information transmitted between the active state steps
Contains information that is communicated to subsequent steps.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the fifth aspect, the additional information storage means is accessed at the step of the activation state to read out the additional information corresponding to the identification number of the activation state. Write.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the fifth aspect, the additional information storage means is accessed at the step of the active state, and an active state other than the active state is designated to identify the identification number. And writing of additional information corresponding to.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to the first to seventh aspects, when the active state transitions to each step after the parallel branch, the active state of the active state before the parallel branch is changed to each active state. Add an identification number.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the programmable controller according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the active state transitions to a step after the parallel confluence, identification of each active state before the parallel confluence is made to the active state. The smallest identification number among the numbers is added.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the PLC according to the present invention will be described below.

First, the configuration of the PLC according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a PLC according to the present invention.

The PLC 1 comprises a CPU 11 and an SFC
(Process stepping type language) user program (hereinafter "SFC
Program. ), An input / output (I / O) memory 16,
System program memory 17 and work memory 18
, A process management scheduler 19, and an interface (I / F) 20.

The CPU 11 executes the system program to execute an identification number adding unit, as will be described later.
It is configured to function as identification number reading means and additional information reading / writing means.

The user program memory 12 is a memory that stores a process information table for the number of processes and a head address of each process.

The user program memory 13 is a memory that stores transition condition information tables for the number of transition conditions and the respective top addresses.

The user program memory 14 is a memory in which a processing program representing a process in a process and a head address of each are stored.

The user program memory 15 is a memory that stores a transition condition program representing a transition condition and the respective start addresses.

The I / O memory 16 has an interface 2
0 or an input / output circuit (I /
O) A memory for storing the state of 2.

The system program memory 17 includes a CPU
11 is a memory in which a system program for controlling the CPU 11 is stored.

The work memory 18 is a memory used as a work area for controlling the entire PLC 1.
As will be described later, an identification number management table for storing identification numbers as identification number storage means, an additional information storage area for storing additional information as additional information storage means, and a link for storing and managing linked identification numbers It is a memory for storing an information management table, an additional information storage destination management table for storing a head address of a storage destination of additional information, and the like.

The process management scheduler 19 is a memory or a unit in which a table or the like for determining an execution order for sequentially processing each step of the SFC program is stored.

The user program memory 12
15 and the contents of the tables and the like stored in the process management scheduler 19 are not directly related to the present invention, so that further description will be omitted. Applied Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-1
See U.S. Pat. No. 49706.

Next, a general SFC user program will be briefly described.

FIG. 2 shows an overall chart of the process step type program by SFC, and FIG. 3 shows a partial detailed chart of FIG.

The SFC is a graphical language that divides an entire program into a number of steps (processes) A and programs one step into one or more actions (processes) B. Is based on a step-increment type control in which programming is performed by combining a transition condition C inserted into the step A and an action B accompanying the step A.

Step A has two logic states, an active state and an inactive state. When the active state is active, the action B related to the step A is sequentially executed. Does not execute the action in step A.

The action B is set according to the active state or the inactive state of step A to which the action B belongs.
N, turned off.

The action B is related to each step A by zero or more, and the step A to which no action B is related is used as a “dummy” in which no operation is performed even when the state becomes active. You. That is, if no action B is related to step A, the process waits until the transition condition C for step A is satisfied.

The transition condition C is always 1 during step A.
And connection conditions between steps A. Then, when the condition of the transition condition C under the step A in the active state is satisfied, the step A in the currently active state becomes the active state, and the next step A becomes the active state. As described above, the transition condition C plays a role of controlling the flow of control from step A to step A.

Next, each table provided in the work memory 18 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an identification number management table T1 provided in the work memory 18.

The identification number management table T1 has the SFC
A table for managing which step is in an active state of which identification number for each of the steps ST0 to STn of the program. As shown in FIG.
Current (current) identification number (ID) for each of T0 to STn
No. ) Is provided. If the corresponding step is inactive or has no identification number, “0000” is stored instead of the identification number. The identification number is stored in HEX, is valid when D15 is ON, and "n" in step STn is variable by system setting.

FIG. 5A shows a link information management table T2 provided in the work memory 18, and FIG.
Shows a specific example.

The link information management table T2 has the SF
This is a table for managing linked identification numbers after parallel merging in the C program, and such a table is provided for each link to manage the link.

In the figure, “X0 to Xn” indicate linked identification numbers, and a link No. is assigned to each linked identification number. A and B are stored.

Link No. “A” is an identification number having the largest identification number among other identification numbers having a smaller number than its own number among other identification numbers linked (valid when D15 ON).
Is stored. If the own number is the smallest or the own number does not exist as an identification number, “000”
0 "is stored.

Link No. In B, an identification number having the smallest number (valid when D15 is ON) among the other identification numbers linked with a higher number than the own number is stored. If the own number is the largest or the own number does not exist as an identification number, "0000"
Is stored.

The link No. HEX for both A and B
And “n” of Xn is variable by system setting.

FIG. 11B shows identification numbers X10, X15,
9 shows a link information management table T2 when X18 is linked.

In the table T2, the link No. is located at the identification number X10. A “0000” indicating that there is no identification number smaller than the self is stored as the link No. A, and the link No. A is stored. As “B”, “800F” indicating the identification number X15 which is one number larger than the self is stored. Similarly, in the place of the identification number X15, the link N
o. “800A” indicating the identification number X10 is stored as A, and “8012” indicating the identification number X18 is stored as the link No. B, and the identification number X15 is displayed as the link No. A at the identification number X18. “80
0F "is stored, and" 0000 "indicating that there is no identification number higher than the self is stored as the link No. B.

FIG. 6 shows an additional information storage destination management table T3 provided in the work memory 18.

The additional information storage destination management table T3 is a table indicating at which address the additional information of each identification number Xn is stored. For each identification number Xn, the additional information storage of each identification number in the work memory 18 is performed. A memory address indicating the head address of the area is stored. If the corresponding identification number has no additional information, “0000” is stored as the memory address.

FIG. 7 shows an additional information storage area provided in the work memory 18.

The additional information storage area E is an area for storing additional information associated with each identification number. The area having the structure shown in the figure is the number of initial steps, that is, the setting of the active state at the time of the initial processing of the user program operation. A number is equally divided and assigned.

It should be noted that “MAX capacity” indicates the set data area capacity, “used capacity” indicates the used capacity of the data area, and “data area” indicates the MAX capacity by the initial processing. Indicates the area to be secured, and "MAX
“Capacity + 2 Word (storage of header or the like)” indicates the capacity of the entire area E.

Next, the processing of the PLC 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

First, the entire processing procedure of the PLC 1 will be briefly described. The PLC 1 performs a power-on initial process and a common process at the start of a program, and then, if the user program can be operated, the PLC 1 Only the user program operation initial processing is performed, the user program operation processing is performed, and then the input / output circuit (I / O)
The processing of performing the refresh of step 2 and returning to the common processing is repeated.

Next, assigning an identification number to the active state,
Processing such as writing of additional information will be described in detail.

First, the assignment of the identification number to the active state will be described.

The assignment of the identification number to the active state transitioning between the steps is performed at the time of the initial step at the time of the initial processing of the user program operation, that is, at the time of activation of the step which is first activated and executed in each step. CPU
11 performs.

That is, in the user program operation initial processing, the CPU 11 first clears the work area of the work memory 18 to zero, divides the additional information storage area E (see FIG. 7) equally by the number of initial steps, Is set to the MAX capacity.

Thereafter, when each predetermined initial step is set to the active state based on the process management scheduler 19, the following processing is performed for each active state to discriminate it from other active states. Identification numbers are sequentially added, and an additional information storage area is provided for each identification number.

[0072] In the identification number management table T1 (see FIG. 4), an identification number (ID No.) is stored in the step number storage area of each activated initial step.
Is set.

[0073] An empty area is extracted from the additional information storage area E of the work memory 18 for each identification number, and the start address of each empty area corresponds to each identification number X1 to n of the additional information storage destination management table T3 (see FIG. 6). Set as the memory address in the area to be used.

The CPU 11 refers to the process management scheduler 19 to execute the action program of each step while changing the active state between the steps in the SFC program being executed. , The identification number added to the active state also transitions between steps.

Next, the transition of the identification number will be described.

The transition of the identification number is performed according to the transition of the active state between the steps. When the active state transitions between the steps, the CPU 11 rewrites the identification number management table T1.

That is, the identification number management table T1 (FIG. 4)
), The identification number stored in the identification number storage area of the step that transitions from the active state to the inactive state is copied to the identification number storage area of the step that changes from the inactive state to the active state. The contents of the identification number storage area of the step that is in the inactive state are cleared to zero, and the identification number also changes based on the transition of the active state.

Here, the transition of the identification numbers will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the transition states of the identification numbers according to the present embodiment.

(A) shows steps ST0 to S before the state transition.
Since T2 is shown and steps ST0 and ST1 are in the active states, identification numbers X0 and X1 are added to the active states to distinguish the active states.

In such an SFC program, the active state continues twice at the same step even if there is a state transition, that is, two preceding and succeeding steps are simultaneously activated. ST1 is provided with an identification number X1 indicating the previous (first) active state,
In step ST0, it can be recognized that the identification number X0 indicating the later (second) active state is assigned.

FIG. 9B shows a case where there is a state transition from the state shown in FIG.
With the transition from 0, ST1 to steps ST1, ST2, the identification numbers X0, X1 are also changed to steps ST1, ST2.
In step ST1, the identification number X0 allows recognition of the later active state, and step ST2 recognizes the identification number X1 of the earlier active state.

Accordingly, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 15, from the viewpoint of step ST2, ST1 could simply be recognized as being in the active state, and the active state could not be distinguished. Since the identification numbers are added to the active states, even if there are a plurality of active states, such as whether ST1 is in the first active state or the last active state, as seen from step ST2, the identification added to each active state. The number makes it possible to distinguish and recognize the state or type of each active state.

If the state transition is a parallel branch point, a plurality of steps transition from the inactive state to the active state. Copy the identification number of Therefore, the same identification number is added to the active state of each step after the parallel branch.

If the state transition is a parallel merging point, there are a plurality of steps for transitioning from the active state to the inactive state. Therefore, before copying the identification number, the link information management table shown in FIG. T2 is created and the identification numbers are linked, the one with the smallest number among the linked identification numbers is selected, and the identification number is copied to the next step to transition to the active state.

When the identification number with the smallest number is selected from the linked identification numbers, after the link of the identification number is determined, each link No. of each identification number is determined in the link information management table T2. It becomes possible by sequentially following A.

Here, the transition of the identification number Xn in the case of parallel merging will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show transition states of identification numbers in the case of parallel merging according to this embodiment.

(A) shows a parallel merge before a state transition. Steps ST1 to ST3 are in an active state, step ST1 is an active state of the identification number x1, and step ST2.
Indicates that the identification number x2 is active, and step ST3 indicates that the identification number x3 is active.
Reference numeral 4 indicates an inactive state. Since the steps ST1 to ST3 are the active states of the steps before the parallel merging, the identification numbers of the active states are indicated by xn.

(B) shows a case where there is a state transition from the state shown in (a).
T1 to ST3 show the case where the state becomes inactive and step ST4 newly becomes active. The newly activated state of step ST4 is linked with the identification numbers x1 to x3 of the activated states of steps ST1 to ST3, and the smallest identification number X1
(= X1 + x2 + x3) is automatically added.

The state of the linked identification number can be read from the ladder program (during the action program) by a dedicated command as described later.

Next, reading of the identification number will be described.

In the present embodiment, the identification number is read from the ladder program (during the action program) by a dedicated command. Therefore, an instruction for reading the identification number will be described here.

In this embodiment, reading of the identification number is realized by preparing the following two instructions as dedicated commands for reading the identification number.

[0095] An instruction to read the active (current) identification number in the own step. Command IRDI Parameter 1 Output destination CH number

In the command processing of this instruction, the step number for linking the action program including the command in the identification number management table T1, that is, the identification number stored in the identification number storage area of the own step is designated by parameter 1. This is the content to be copied to the channel of the output destination CH number.

When the identification number is linked, the link No. is set in the link information management table T2 (see FIG. 5) of the link. Following B, the linked identification number is copied to the address following the channel specified by the parameter 1 and thereafter.

[0098] An instruction for designating a step number and reading an identification number of an active state existing in the step including a linked state. Command IRD2 Parameter 1 Step number Parameter 2 Output destination CH number

The command processing of this instruction is performed by replacing the identification number stored in the identification number storage area of the step with the step number specified by parameter 1 in the identification number management table T1 with the output destination CH number specified by parameter 2. This is the content to be copied to the channel.

If the identification number of the specified step is linked, the link No. is set in the link information management table T2 of the link as in the above case. By following B, the linked identification number is copied to the address following the CH specified by the parameter 1.

In the case of this instruction, it is set so that an error status is returned if the designated step is inactive.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to read out the identification number of the active state of the own step or an arbitrary step by executing the above-mentioned instruction. Will be able to recognize the type of active state.

Next, reading or writing of additional information will be described.

In the present embodiment, similar to the case of reading the identification numbers, the additional information added to each identification number is stored in the ladder program (during the action program) by a dedicated command.
Therefore, an instruction for reading additional information will be described here.

In this embodiment, reading and writing of additional information is realized by preparing the following four instructions as dedicated commands for reading additional information.

. An instruction for reading additional information of the active identification number present in the own step. Command IFR1 Parameter 1 Read data storage CH number

In the command processing of this instruction, the step number for linking the action program including the command in the identification number management table T1, that is, the identification number stored in the area corresponding to the own step number is internally read.

Then, the additional information storage destination management table T3
, The memory address stored in the area corresponding to the identification number, that is, the next address (used amount) at the head position of the additional information storage area of the identification number is internally read.

Then, data of the usage amount + 1 minute from the head-1 of the data area is copied to the channel specified by the parameter 1 and thereafter.

[0110] An instruction for writing to the additional information of the active identification number present in the own step. Command IFW1 Parameter 1 Write data storage start CH number Parameter 2 Number of write data CH

In the command processing of this instruction, the step number for linking the action program including the command in the identification number management table T1, that is, the identification number stored in the area corresponding to the own step number is internally read.

Then, the additional information storage destination management table T3
Then, the number of CHs specified by the parameter 2 is written to the memory address stored in the area corresponding to the identification number, that is, the next address (used amount) of the head position of the additional information storage area of the identification number.

Then, from the CH number specified by the parameter 1, data for the number of CHs specified by the parameter 2 is copied to the data area of the additional information storage area and thereafter.

[0114] An instruction for designating an identification number and reading additional information of the identification number. Command IFR2 Parameter 1 Designation identification number Parameter 2 Read data storage CH number

In the command processing of this instruction, the identification number stored in the area corresponding to the step number specified by the parameter 1 in the identification number management table T1 is internally read.

Then, the additional information storage destination management table T3
, The memory address stored in the area corresponding to the identification number, that is, the next address (used amount) of the head of the additional information storage area of the identification number is internally read.

Finally, the data corresponding to the used amount from the beginning of the data area is copied to the channel specified by parameter 2 and thereafter.

[0118] An instruction for specifying an identification number and writing additional information for that identification number. Command IFW2 Parameter 1 Designation identification number Parameter 2 Write data storage CH number Parameter 3 Write data CH number

The command processing of this command internally reads the identification number stored in the area corresponding to the step number specified by parameter 1 in the identification number management table T1.

Then, the additional information storage destination management table T3
Then, the number of CHs specified by the parameter 3 is written to the memory address stored in the area corresponding to the identification number, that is, the next address (used amount) of the head position of the additional information storage area of the identification number.

Finally, from the CH number specified by the parameter 2, data for the number of CHs specified by the parameter 3 is copied to the data area of the additional information storage area and thereafter.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the instruction for reading and writing the additional information to the identification number of the own step described above and the instruction for reading and writing the additional information to the identification number of another step are provided. By executing the additional information, the additional information can be read and written between the active state steps as shown in an example of using the additional information described below. Information can be transmitted.

Next, an example of utilizing the additional information will be specifically described.

First, transmission of information to a subsequent process will be described.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example of a method of transmitting information to a subsequent process.

First, (a) shows that in the step ST1 in the active state of the identification number X1, the additional information storage area E
FIG. 7 shows a state in which the additional information of the identification number X1 is written.

(B) shows the identification number written in the additional information storage area E in step ST1 in step ST2 in which the active state changes from the state shown in (a) to the active state of the identification number X1. This shows a state in which the additional information of X1 is read.

FIG. 11 shows an action program for transmitting this information.

(A) shows the action program in step ST1. The "MOV" command and the above-mentioned "IFW1" command are used as additional information of a certain identification number in 0001CH of the additional information storage area E. The processing of writing “constant 1234” is shown.

(B) shows the action program in step ST2, and the identification number of the step in the active state is stored in the memory by the above-mentioned "IRD1" command, "IFR1" command and "ADD" command. Stored at address 000 and a constant 200 at that address
The instruction indicates that 0 is added to offset, and the content of the additional information is read from the offset address.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by executing such an action program, it is possible to transmit information from the preceding process to the succeeding process using the additional information stored for each identification number. Become.

Next, transmission of information with another process will be described.

FIG. 12 shows steps ST4 to S4.
An example of a method of transmitting and receiving information to another process from T1 is shown.

In this case, two methods are conceivable.

First, in the first method, the additional information storage area E is accessed in step ST4 in the active state of the identification number X2, the additional information is written in the additional information storage area of the identification number X1, and the additional information of the identification number X1 is written. Step ST1 in the active state accesses the additional information storage area of the identification number X1, reads the additional information from step ST4, and transmits the additional information from step ST4 to step ST1.

In the second method, the additional information storage area E is accessed in step ST4 in the active state of the identification number X2, the additional information is written into the additional information storage area of the identification number X2, and the active state of the identification number X1 is written. Step ST1 in
Is a method of accessing the additional information storage area of the identification number X2, reading the additional information from step ST4, and transmitting the additional information from step ST4 to step ST1.

FIG. 13 shows an action program in steps ST4 and ST1 for executing the first transmission method.

(A) shows the action program in step ST4 in the case of the first transmission method, and stores the additional information of the identification number X1 by the "MOV" command and the above-mentioned "IFW2" command. An instruction to write “constant 9090” in the area is shown. Thus, in step ST4, the additional information can be transmitted to step ST1 using the additional information storage area of the identification number X1.

(B) shows the action program in step ST1 in the case of the first transmission method, and the identification number X is obtained by the above-mentioned "IFR1" command.
Step ST1 in the active state of No. 1 indicates a command to read additional information from the additional information storage area of the identification number X1 itself. Thereby, step ST1 is performed with the identification number X1.
Step ST4 using own additional information storage area E
Will be able to receive information from

FIG. 14 shows an action program in steps ST4 and ST1 for executing the second transmission method.

(A) shows the action program in step 4 in the case of the second transmission method. The "MOV" command and the above-mentioned "IFW1" command cause the additional information of the identification number X2 to be added. The instruction to write “constant 9090” in the storage area is shown. As a result, in step ST4, the additional information can be transmitted to step ST1 using the additional information storage area of the identification number X2 itself.

(B) shows the action program in step 1 in the case of the second method. By the above-mentioned "IFR2" command, ST1 in the active state of the identification number X1 is replaced with ST1 of the identification number X2. The instruction to read the additional information from the additional information storage area is shown. Thus, in step ST1, the information from step ST4 can be received using the additional information storage area E of the identification number X2.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by executing such an action program, it becomes possible to transmit information to another process using the additional information stored for each identification number.

[0144]

As described above, according to the present invention, an active state transitioning between steps is added with an identification number unique to the active state for distinguishing the active state from other active states. It is possible to recognize the type of the active state such as the active state of the state.

In the present invention, since the identification number of the active state of the own step or an arbitrary step can be read, the type of the active state of the own step or an arbitrary step can be recognized by the identification number.

Further, according to the present invention, additional information can be stored for each identification number added to each active state, and the additional information of the identification number of the active state of the own step or an arbitrary step can be freely read and written. Therefore, data can be transmitted and received between active steps in a subsequent process or another process, and the flow and information in the active state can be managed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the following specific effects can be obtained.

(1) In a high-mix low-volume production system or the like, an application program for managing and controlling a work flow and associated information can be easily constructed. Efficiency can be improved.

(2) Since the application program of the programmable controller can be designed with a concept similar to that of a general operation system, it is possible for the information technology processor or the like to design without a sense of incongruity.

(3) Since the expression does not exist in the existing programmable controller, the range of applications that can be realized by the programmable controller is widened. To reduce the hardware cost of the system.

(4) At the time of designing an SFC program, as the meaning of the active state, the flow of the work itself, the transition of the movable state, and the like were considered as meanings of the active state, but information is added to the active state. This enables designing as a flow of information confidence, and expands the range of application description. For example, it is possible to develop from a structured analysis model or the like, which is a method of analyzing and optimizing a system focusing on the flow of information and its change, which is currently being used, to an actual user program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a programmable controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall chart of a process step type program by SFC.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a partial detailed chart of a process step type program by SFC.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an identification number table.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a link information management table.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an additional information storage destination management table.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an additional information storage area.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a transition state of an identification number.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing transition states of identification numbers in the case of parallel merging.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of transmitting information to a post-process.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an action program in the case shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for transmitting and receiving information to another process.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the action program in the case shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the action program in the case shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a transition state of an identification number according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 Programmable controller (PLC) 11 CPU (identification number adding means, identification number reading means, additional information reading / writing means) 12-15 user program memory 16 I / O memory 17 system program memory 18 work memory (identification number storage means, addition Information storage means) 19 Process management scheduler 20 Interface (I / F)

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] In a programmable controller that executes an SFC program by sequentially transitioning an active state between steps, when a plurality of steps are simultaneously activated,
Differentiate between multiple active states that transition sequentially between steps
A programmable controller comprising an identification number adding means for adding an identification number to each active state . 2. In a programmable controller that executes an SFC program by sequentially changing an active state between steps, when a plurality of steps are simultaneously activated,
Differentiate between multiple active states that transition sequentially between steps
Identification number adding means for adding an identification number for each active state to each active state ; identification number storing means for storing the identification number; and A programmable controller comprising: an identification number reading unit that reads the identification number added by the adding unit. 3. The identification number reading means accesses the identification number storage means at the step in which the identification number is activated, and
3. The programmable controller according to claim 2, wherein an identification number of an active state of the step is read. 4. The identification number reading means accesses the identification number storage means at the step in which the identification number is activated, and
Specify an active step other than TEP and specify its active state
3. The programmable controller according to claim 2, wherein an identification number of the state is read. 5. In a programmable controller that executes an SFC program by sequentially changing an active state between steps, when a plurality of steps are simultaneously activated,
Differentiate between multiple active states that transition sequentially between steps
Identification number adding means for adding an identification number for each active state to each active state, and for each identification number added by the identification number adding means,
Additional information storage means for storing information transmitted between active state steps as additional information, and reading and writing of the additional information by accessing the additional information storage means in the active state step. And a means for reading and writing additional information. 6. The information transmitted between the active state steps.
The distribution, characterized in that it comprises the information to be transmitted to the rear step
The programmable controller according to claim 5, wherein 7. The additional information read / write means accesses the additional information storage means at the step of being activated to read and write additional information corresponding to the identification number of the activated state. The programmable controller according to claim 5, wherein 8. The additional information read / write means accesses the additional information storage means at the step of the active state, designates an active state other than the active state, reads out the additional information corresponding to the identification number, and The programmable controller according to claim 5, wherein writing is performed. 9. An identification number adding means, when the active state transits to each step after the parallel branch, adds an identification number of the active state before the parallel branch to each active state. 9. The programmable controller according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, or 8 . 10. The identification number adding means, when the active state transits to the step after the parallel merging, adds the smallest identification number among the identification numbers of the active states before the parallel merging to the active state. Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5, Claim 6, Claim 7, or Claim 7 or Claim
8. The programmable controller according to 8 .