JP4582399B2 - PLC configuration module save means - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a means for saving from a configuration module of a programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as PLC) and a means for loading to the configuration module.

  The PLC has a function that plays a central role in factory automation (FA) by electrically connecting to various input devices and output devices in a control target system such as a manufacturing plant and operating as a sequence controller.

  That is, various control signals for the output device are output at a predetermined timing based on parameter information obtained from the input device via various interface modules (hereinafter referred to as IO modules). Such a control function is realized by repeatedly calculating and executing a user program loaded in the CPU module of the PLC.

  In general, various modules such as a power supply module, IO module, and high-function IO module are mounted according to the current status of the system to be controlled as a component module mounted in the slot of the PLC. The modules are electrically connected to each other via an internal interface bus of the provided PLC.

  By the way, a PLC having a side as a general-purpose sequencer widely used in the field of industry has performance and functions to be exerted depending on the contents of a loaded user program even when it is composed of a group of modules having the same configuration. The result is completely different.

  In particular, the CPU module has both loading and saving functions of the user program. The user program loaded on the CPU module controls the configuration module group of the entire PLC and determines the function and performance as a sequence controller. Information is included. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  There is a risk of leaking know-how in reverse engineering such as disassembly for the implementation method of various functions such as various parameter processing processes, timing specification details, and sequence algorithms for motion control.

Furthermore, the PLC has special distribution circumstances and operational forms different from normal industrial equipment.
For example, PLC manufacturers including modules deliver PLCs in many cases to intermediate users (hereinafter referred to as set manufacturers), and are delivered to end users who own the controlled system by direct sales routes. It is rare.

  In such a set manufacturer, various industrial equipment and automatic machines that constitute the control target system such as a manufacturing plant, and appropriate user programs adapted to their operating environments are created, and more specifically, dedicated dedicated products customized by individual specifications. A control program is created and delivered to each end user.

  A PLC that is supplied with an appropriate user program and delivered to an end user is operated in an integrated state by being integrated with individual operating environments such as various industrial facilities and automatic machines constituting the system to be controlled. In general, at a site where a PLC is operated, a management computer is provided and connected to each PLC via a wired or wireless communication interface.

  When operating a PLC, according to the prior art, a predetermined user program is loaded into a component module in the PLC from either a management computer via a communication interface or a storage medium such as a memory card. be able to.

  In a module that uses a memory card as a storage medium, a user program loaded in the module can be saved to the memory card via a memory card slot provided in the module.

  Such a save function can be used when the loaded storage area is damaged in some way, such as accidental external noise generated in the PLC module or a defective part that occurs later in the storage device inside the module. Is provided as a backup means.

  The save operation A for a memory card or the like can generate an unlimited number of copies by inserting it into a memory card slot provided on the panel surface of the module and executing a predetermined write command.

  However, for both the user program loaded in the module in the PLC and the user program saved in the recording medium such as a memory card, it is necessary to input a predetermined password to save to the computer side. The password input procedure at this time fulfills the function of protecting the security of the user program.

  In other words, an execution type user program loaded in a module or saved to a storage medium is converted into machine-readable data such as a ladder language by disassembling once it is taken into the computer by a save operation. The user program know-how created by the set maker can be easily analyzed. The password required for the save operation has a function to prevent such a situation.

  On the other hand, a user program once saved in a storage medium such as a memory card can be loaded into other PLC modules without any limitation.

  FIG. 8 shows a problem of the conventional technology regarding user program management involving loading / saving between a storage medium storing such a user program and another PLC.

That is, in FIG. 8, the memory card M, which is a storage medium created by the save operation A performed by the PLC configuration module PLC1, is replaced with the PLC1 and other PLC configuration modules PMC2, PMC3,... PMCn (n is a natural number). However, the load operation B can be performed without limitation.

  This means that the user program cannot be prevented from spreading due to the load operation via the recording medium in the end user environment.

  In the end user, once saved in the storage medium for storing the user program, specifically, the memory card M, the PLC is purchased directly from the PLC manufacturer without going through the set maker, and sequentially loaded. A set equivalent to the PLC introduced by the regular route can be reproduced.

  In the saving means and loading means according to the prior art, a password precaution is taken against connecting a computer such as a notebook personal computer brought in from the outside to the PLC configuration module and uploading and loading the user program.

  However, no countermeasure is taken for the dead copy creation operation in the end user environment as shown in FIG. 8 in which the program is ported from module to module at the execution format level via the storage medium.

  For this reason, there is a risk that illegal copies of the user program, which is a product of the set manufacturer, will proliferate in the market as a pirated PLC component module.

  For example, the following documents disclose a protection function by a read prohibition means for all or a predetermined part of a user program as a conventional technique related to the confidentiality of a user program of such a PLC configuration module or protection of copyright. .

Patent No. 35488929 The invention of Patent Document 1 is a first storage means for storing a user program in a unit constituting the PLC (referred to as a module in the present application), and a second forbidden access to an external device to be uploaded. Reading is protected by providing storage means and individually providing user program execution means corresponding to each recording area.

  However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, no countermeasure is taken for the dead copy creation operation that exploits the backup function in a so-called end-user environment, in which a program is ported from module to module at the execution format level via a storage medium. Absent. (See Figure 8)

  On the other hand, from the standpoint of a set manufacturer, it is necessary to improve the efficiency and convenience of production work when mass-producing genuine PLCs for end-user delivery. There is a demand for batch or continuous loading to a plurality of PLC configuration modules.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is a PLC that maintains the backup function in the end user environment, and coexists and achieves both the illegal copy prevention function via the storage medium and the mass production function of the genuine product by the set manufacturer. It is to provide means for loading and saving the configuration module.

In order to achieve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
The PLC configuration module is identified in a PLC configuration module saving means for saving the user program in the recording medium by inserting a recording medium in which the user program is recorded or by a predetermined operation from a management computer via a communication interface. An identification means for reading an identification key addition mode for embedding unique information for each device or an identification key non-addition mode for omitting the embedding; and when the identification value is in the additional mode, the unique information is stored in the user program. And a means for saving the PLC configuration module.

  Since the save means includes such an identification means and an implementation means, it is possible to save after embedding unique information only in the component module in the user program in the identification key addition mode. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the effect of uniquely specifying the PLC component module in which the saving is performed is obtained from the contents of the user program saved in the storage medium.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the saving means of the PLC configuration module according to claim 1, wherein the identification means switches between the identification key addition mode and the identification key non-addition mode provided in the PLC configuration module. It is characterized by reading the default value of the setting switch.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, under an operating environment by the end user, illegal copying through the storage medium can be prevented by shipping after switching the setting switch to the identification key addition mode. From the standpoint of a set maker, when the identification key non-addition mode is set in a large number of PLC configuration modules, direct loading of the user program via only the storage medium can be efficiently carried out, improving the work environment and convenience.

  Furthermore, by providing the setting switch in the PLC configuration module, the switching operation between the identification key addition mode and the non-addition mode can be performed by the PLC configuration module alone.

The invention according to claim 3 is a saving means of the PLC configuration module according to claim 1,
It is a MAC address value or serial number assigned to the PLC configuration module.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, by using such unique information, it is possible to guarantee the individual identification for each individual PLC component module.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the PLC configuration module saving means according to the first to third aspects, wherein the protection key is embedded in a source list of the user program.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the embedding of the protection key in the user program does not cause any deterioration in functional performance even when the user program is executed, and does not affect the capacity of the executable file after assembly.

  The invention of claim 5 is the PLC configuration module saving means according to claim 1, further comprising machine language conversion means for converting the user program in which the unique information is embedded into a machine language. And

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by embedding the unique information as the protection key and then converting it to the executable binary file format, the effect of further concealing the existence of the protection key can be obtained.

In addition , in the loading procedure of the PLC configuration module, the user program is loaded by inserting a recording medium in which the user program is recorded or by a predetermined operation from a management computer via a communication interface. Detecting means for checking presence / absence of a protection key for preventing, and verification means for comparing with the unique information for each device for identifying the PLC module when the presence of the protection key is detected, and the protection key and the When the unique information matches, loading from the recording medium may be permitted, and the PLC configuration module loading means may be used .

Since the load means includes such detection means and collation means, it is possible to detect and collate the protection key saved in the storage medium after embedding the unique information of the PLC configuration module in the user program. For this reason , the effect of uniquely specifying the PLC configuration module in which the saving is performed is obtained from the contents of the user program saved in the storage medium.

In the loading means , the detection means may detect the presence or absence of the protection key based on the user program saved in the storage medium.

According to such a configuration , the presence of the protection key can be detected only by the user program saved in the storage medium.

Further, in the loading means, said detecting means may further include a machine language inverse conversion means for converting the user program that is saved in the storage medium in a program language.

In the loading means , the collating means may detect the match by comparing the protection key and the unique information.

According to such a configuration , the existence of the protection key can be converted from the binary format of the execution format to the readable programming language, and the unique information that is the protection key can be effectively detected.

Further, in the loading means, wherein the specific information may be the MAC address values or serial number assigned to PLC configuration module.

According to such a configuration , an effect of reliably identifying a single PLC component module as unique information having the function of a protection key can be obtained.

Moreover , you may further provide the mounting means which embed | buries the said specific information according to apparatus which identifies the said PLC component module in the said user program.

According to such a configuration , even when the user program is loaded on the PLC configuration module side, by providing the setting means and the mounting means, the unique information possessed only by the configuration module is specified when the identification key is added. Load it after embedding it inside.

  For this reason, the protection key can be embedded in advance in the storage device in the PLC component module, specifically, the built-in flash memory and ROM device from the shipment stage when the user program is first loaded.

Also, in the load means, the mounting means, the specific information may also do embed in the source list of the user program.

According to such a configuration , the embedding of the protection key in the user program loaded in the PLC configuration module does not cause any reduction in functional performance when the user program is executed, and also affects the capacity of the executable file after assembly. do not do.

The present invention has the following effects.
According to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention, the selection switch is used to select the identification key addition mode and the no identification key addition mode for the recording medium to be saved by the PLC configuration module. Provides a configuration module.

  Further, since the protection key added in the identification key addition mode is incorporated into the source list based on the individual information provided in the PLC configuration module, even when the user program with the key added is loaded, the file capacity is of course increased or decreased. In terms of function, there is no problem in the operation of the controlled system.

Further , with respect to a load operation via a recording medium performed by the PLC configuration module, a load unit configured by the protection key detection unit, the unique information collating unit, and the load execution unit can be provided.

  By combining the PLC configuration module having such a saving function and the loading means, the backup service function to the recording medium such as a memory card in which the user program is saved is preserved in the end user environment. Unauthorized dead copy for other PLC component modules can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in the set maker, by setting the setting switch of the PLC configuration module to be loaded to the identification key non-addition mode, loading work via a recording medium such as a memory card can be efficiently performed on many PLC configuration modules. Can be treated. Thereby, there is an effect that mass production of the PLC component module delivered to the end user can be performed in a short time.

  In other words, when a set maker delivers PLC configuration modules to end users in a batch, the convenience of loading a large amount of the same user program is improved, and the individual backup function is preserved in the end user environment while preventing dead copy. Can be provided.

Also , when loading a user program, it is possible to load after embedding unique information for each device in the source list that only the PLC component module itself has.

  Therefore, the protection key embedding function and the unauthorized copy prevention function using the protection key can be integrated and operated only by the loading means alone.

  That is, in the PLC configuration module in which the protection key is embedded by the loading means, simply copying to the medium at the time of the save operation results in the protection key being naturally and necessarily embedded in the medium.

  As described above, since the protection key is embedded in the user program loaded in the PLC configuration module from the beginning, there is an effect that the dead copy is surely prevented in the end user environment.

The present invention will be described below with reference to examples.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of saving means and loading means of a PLC component module according to the present invention, wherein A corresponds to saving means and B corresponds to loading means.

  The saving means in FIG. 1A includes an identification means 1, an implementation means 2, a machine language conversion means 3, and a writing means 103A.

  On the other hand, the loading means in FIG. 1B comprises reading means 103B, inverse machine language conversion means 7, detection means 8, collation means 9, and processing means 10.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram including a PLC configuration module corresponding to FIG. 1A. FIG. 6 shows correspondence between various hardware resources including a CPU in a PLC configuration module constituting the saving means of the present invention and a software program described for execution of the CPU.

  In FIG. 2, firmware 100 </ b> A that is preinstalled management software is loaded into first storage means 101 that is a storage device such as a flash memory in the PLC configuration module, and is executed by CPU 102.

  In the firmware 100A, an identification unit 1, a mounting unit 2, and an assembler corresponding to the machine language conversion unit 3 constituting the saving unit in FIG. 1A are mounted as utilities or individual software programs.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the setting switch 4 is a DIP switch provided on the printed circuit board of the PLC component module or on the front panel. Specifically, the identification means 1 is a software program for reading the peripheral I / O access port of the CPU 102 and its value and determining the result. The CPU 102 determines whether the default value of the setting switch 4 is on or off. Yes.

  The PLC configuration module illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a card reader / writer 103 because the memory card M is used as a recording medium. FIG. 2 shows that the card reader / writer 103 is controlled by the CPU 102.

  The second storage unit 104 is a storage device different from the first storage unit 101 loaded with the firmware 100A. The user program 5 relating to the control procedure of the management target system is loaded and used for management work such as editing accompanied with screen display and creation of a library.

  The second storage unit 104 is configured to be accessible and read from the identification unit 1, specifically, the CPU 102. That is, the user program 5 stored in the second storage unit 104 is referred to by the mounting unit 1 that is one of the software programs of the firmware 100.

  The individual information 6 stores identification information unique to this PLC configuration module. When the MAC address value is used as the identification information, the unique information 6 belongs to the firmware 100.

  On the other hand, when a manufacturing serial number value or the like is used as the identification information, it can be read from the mounting means 2, specifically the CPU 102, as a peripheral I / O access port in the hardware resource belonging to this PLC component module. May be provided.

  The input / output unit 105 is an input / output device attached to the PLC configuration module. Various input units such as a keyboard and a touch panel and various output units such as an LED and a display panel are shown.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram corresponding to FIG. 1B. FIG. 5 shows the correspondence between various hardware resources including a CPU in a PLC component module embodying the present invention as loading means and a software program written for executing the CPU.

  In FIG. 3, firmware 100 </ b> B that is preinstalled management software is loaded into the first storage unit 101 that is a storage device such as a flash memory in the PLC configuration module, and is executed by the CPU 102.

  In the firmware 100B, the disassembler corresponding to the inverse machine language conversion means 7, the detection means 8, the collation means 9, and the processing means 10 constituting the load means of FIG. 1B are mounted as individual software module units or programs. .

  Here, in FIG. 3, the constituent elements having the same symbols as those in FIG.

  Next, the save means and the load means and the relationship between them according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 will be described in detail.

  In the saving means, when backing up the user program 5 in the second storage means 104 of the PLC component module to a storage medium, the saving means starts by inserting the memory card M into the card reader / writer. In addition, a predetermined save execution command may be given from the input / output unit 105 to the CPU 102.

  At this time, the identification means 1 reads the default value of the setting switch 4 and executes the mounting means 2 when the setting switch 4 is on.

  The execution unit 2 reads the file of the user program 5 in the second storage unit 104 and the value of the individual information 6.

  In the source list of the user program 5, the value of the individual information 6 is embedded in a predetermined position such as a register, an operand portion corresponding to an immediate value, or a label location. At the time of embedding, secondary processing such as scrambling or encryption based on the value of the individual information 6 may be appropriately performed for safety.

  The specific information 6 or the secondary processing data is embedded in the source list of the user program 5 regardless of the control algorithm, execution contents, and response speed of the system to be controlled, which is irrelevant and harmless without affecting the operation. The opcode position and its operand are carefully selected.

  Subsequently, in the machine language conversion unit 3, the mounting unit 2 converts the user program in which the unique information 6 or the secondary processed data thereof is embedded into a machine language in the binary file format which is an execution format. In this embodiment, an assembler that is utility software provided in firmware is used as the machine language conversion means 3.

  The user program converted into the machine language is saved in the memory card M as a storage medium via the writing means 103A. In this embodiment, a card reader / writer 103 is used as the writing means 103A.

  If the specified value of the setting switch that has been read in the identification means 1 is OFF, the individual information 6 is not embedded, and the current user program 5 is converted into a machine language and then stored in the storage medium via the writing means 103A. Save to a memory card M.

  In one loading means, the memory card M storing the user program is inserted into the card reader / writer 103 of the PLC component module in which the present invention is implemented. To start the loading procedure, a predetermined load execution command may be input from the input / output unit 105 to the CPU 104.

  The machine language data read from the reading means 103B in FIG. 1B, which is the card reader / writer 103, is processed by the disassembler, which is the inverse machine language conversion means 7, and converted into a readable format source program.

  The detecting means 8 detects the presence or absence of the unique information 6 or its secondary processed data embedded by the mounting means 2 as the saving means from the user program converted into the source program format.

  When the detection means 8 detects the existence of the unique information or its secondary machining data in the source list, the matching means 9 compares the unique information 6 included in the PLC configuration module itself or its secondary machining data. I do.

  If the values match as a result of the comparison, the memory card M, which is the storage medium inserted at this time, is a recording medium that was once saved and created by the PLC configuration module when the setting switch 4 is in the ON state. Is shown.

  On the contrary, if they do not match as a result of the comparison, it is indicated that the user program of the memory card M which is the storage medium inserted at this time is saved by the PLC configuration module of another individual.

  If they match as a result of the comparison, the processing means 10 permits the user program stored in the memory card M to be loaded into the built-in storage device. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the disassembled user program is transferred to the memory area of the second storage means.

  Since the user program has been converted into a readable source list format, the second storage means is provided as an offline work area via the CPU 102 for re-editing and screen display. Of course, the loaded user program may be loaded in a predetermined execution start address other than the firmware 100 area in the first storage means in the binary file format of the execution format on the assumption that the CPU 102 executes immediately.

  In addition, in the processing procedure 10, the operator is notified that the loading operation designated via the input / output unit 105 has been completed normally.

  On the other hand, if the result of the comparison / collation does not match, loading of the user program recorded in the memory card M into the module is not permitted. The verification unit 9 notifies the operator via the input / output unit 105 that the designated loading operation is not permitted.

  That is, when the save switch illustrated in FIG. 2 is used to save the storage medium after the setting switch 4 is turned on, the storage medium cannot be loaded by an individual other than the PLC component module that performed the save operation.

  This is to save after embedding the individual information 6 for identifying the individual in the user program 5 by the mounting means 2, and acts as a protection key for detecting an unauthorized copy for the load operation.

  In the loading means illustrated in FIG. 3, the detection means 8 always checks the presence or absence of the individual information 6 as the protection key or the secondary processing information based on the information, and if the protection key is embedded, it collates with the specific information. Is performed to verify the origin of the recording medium.

  FIG. 4 shows that when the setting switch 4 is turned off by the save means illustrated in FIG. 2, that is, when the save operation A is performed to the memory card M as the storage medium after the protection key is removed, the load operation B is applied to other PLC configuration modules. It shows the action.

  In FIG. 4, the memory card M0 saved by the PLC configuration module PLC1 is permitted to load all of the other PLC configuration modules PLC2, 3, 4,... N (n is a natural number).

  On the other hand, in FIG. 5, when the save means illustrated in FIG. 2 is turned on, the setting switch 4 is turned on, that is, the protection key is provided, and then the save operation A is performed on the memory card M as a storage medium. The illegal load protection action of the load B operation to other PLC configuration modules is shown.

  Here, the illegal load refers to an act of performing a load operation on a device other than the individual PLC component module that has performed a save operation on the storage medium using the storage medium.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the memory card M1 saved in the PLC configuration module PLC1 is illegally loaded and is not permitted in any PLC configuration module other than the PLC1. With respect to PLCn (n is a natural number) which is another PLC component module, the load operation B other than PLCn (n is a natural number) which is the same individual is not permitted.

  By implementing the save means and load means of the present invention together in the same PLC component module, the identifier of the individual module that performed the save operation can be obtained without affecting the program operation and file capacity recorded in the storage medium. Some unique information 6 is embedded and used as a protection key for an illegal load attempt.

  In this way, in the PLC configuration module, by appropriately switching between the setting switch ON state corresponding to FIG. 4 and the setting switch OFF state corresponding to FIG. It is possible to achieve both the diffusion of user programs to other PLC component modules in the environment, that is, the effect of preventing unauthorized loading.

  The setting switch 4 replaces mechanical switching such as a DIP switch or a slide switch or a rotary switch according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and, for example, an I / O composed of a simple register of 1 bit or more that can be read from the CPU 102. A port may be used.

  For example, it is defined that the setting switch 4 is off when 1 is written to this register, and the on state when 0, which is the default value, is written.

  In the case of mass production of a regular product by a set maker, the protection key release operation can be easily performed only with software. That is, it can be implemented by adding one line for writing 1 to the I / O access port of the setting switch 4 in the first step of the loading procedure.

  Further, when the power of the PLC configuration module is turned off, the I / O access port of the setting switch 4 automatically returns to the initial value 0, that is, the additional setting state of the protection key. Unless the register address is known, the protection key cannot be released in the end user environment.

  FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the loading means of the PLC configuration module is collectively performed by remote operation accompanied by software download via the management computer H.

  That is, at the time of loading the user program, an identification key is added and specific information for each device that only the PLC component module itself has is embedded in the source list in advance to execute the loading operation.

  For this reason, the load means alone can unify the protection key embedding function and the unauthorized copy prevention function using the protection key. Hereinafter, a load operation performed by embedding such a protection key is referred to as a load operation BP, in distinction from the load operation B shown in FIGS. 1B, 3, 4, and 5.

  That is, in the PLC configuration module in which the protection key is embedded by the load operation BP, simply copying to the medium during the save operation results in the protection key being embedded in the medium naturally.

  As described above, since the protection key is embedded in the user program itself loaded in the PLC configuration module in advance, there is an effect that the dead copy is surely prevented in the end user environment. This is because the embodiment of FIG. 6 does not provide means for avoiding embedding the protection key in the save operation A.

  FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the protection key is embedded from the beginning in the user program itself loaded into the PLC configuration module.

  The management computer H executes the load operation BP by downloading the user programs to the PLC configuration modules PMC1, PMC2, PMC3,... PMCn (n is a natural number) simultaneously or sequentially.

  In each PLC configuration module, even if it is the same user program through the load operation BP executed in each PLC, only the PLC configuration module itself has a process of being recorded in the internal storage area. The load operation is executed with the unique information embedded in the source list in advance.

  Therefore, when the save operation A is performed in each PLC component module that has received these load operations BP, the memory cards M1, M2, M3,... Mn (n is a natural number) of each generated storage medium are inevitably generated. A protection key is embedded.

  As a result, when these memory cards Mn (n is a natural number) are used, a load operation B other than the same individual PLCn (n is a natural number) is not permitted. In other words, in the recording medium generated by the save operation A, only the backup function to the same individual PLCn (n is a natural number) is effective, and any unauthorized copying is prevented.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a PLC configuration module that executes the load operation BP corresponding to FIG. In FIG. 7, the components having the same symbols have the same functions as those in FIG.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 7, during the load operation BP via the management computer H, the loading to the second storage unit 104 is executed by the mounting unit 2 and the machine language conversion unit 3 which is an assembler. Of course, the machine language conversion means 3 may be skipped when loading into the storage means 104. At the same time, it is loaded into another storage device, specifically, a built-in flash memory and ROM device.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the load operation BP can be executed via a memory card inserted into the card reader / writer 103 instead of being executed via the management computer H. In that case, the read data output from the card reader / writer 103 is connected to the mounting means 2.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the end user environment, a PLC configuration module capable of achieving both an illegal dead copy prevention function via a storage medium such as a memory card and a backup function required by the end user. Load means and save means can be provided. Furthermore, in a set maker environment, it is possible to load a large amount of user programs and improve work convenience during mass production.

It is a flowchart of both the examples of the save means and load means of this invention. It is a structural example of the functional block diagram of the saving means corresponding to FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a structural example of the functional block diagram of the load means corresponding to FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows a response | compatibility with save operation A and load operation B when a setting switch is turned off by the save means and load means corresponding to FIG.1, FIG.2, FIG.3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows a response | compatibility with save operation A and load operation B when a setting switch is turned ON by the save means and load means corresponding to FIG.1, FIG.2, FIG.3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows each response | compatibility of load operation BP, save operation A, and load operation B of this invention. It is a structural example at the time of implementing load operation BP corresponding to FIG. 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the response | compatibility of the save operation A and the load operation B at the time of using the conventional save means and load means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Identification means 2 Mounting means 3 Machine language conversion means 4 Setting switch 5 User program 6 Individual information 7 Machine language reverse conversion means 8 Detection means 9 Verification means 10 Processing means 100 Firmware 101 First storage means 102 CPU
103 Card Reader / Writer 104 Second Storage Unit 105 Input / Output Unit

Claims (5)

In a PLC configuration module saving means for saving the user program in the recording medium by inserting a recording medium in which the user program is recorded or by a predetermined operation from a management computer via a communication interface,
An identification unit that reads an identification value indicating an identification key addition mode in which unique information for each device for identifying the PLC configuration module is embedded or an identification key non-addition mode in which the embedding is omitted;
Mounting means for embedding the unique information in the user program when the identification value is the additional mode;
A means for saving a PLC configuration module.   2. The PLC configuration module save according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit reads a default value of a setting switch for switching between the identification key addition mode and the identification key non-addition mode provided in the PLC configuration module. means.   2. The PLC configuration module saving means according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is a MAC address value or a serial number assigned to the PLC configuration module.   4. The PLC configuration module saving means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means embeds the specific information in a source list of the user program. 5.   The PLC configuration module saving means according to claim 1, further comprising machine language conversion means for converting the user program in which the unique information is embedded into a machine language.

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