Patent · US Expired

Graphical interfaces for monitoring ladder logic programs

US5321829A · kind A · utility

91Cited by
29References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 1990
Grant dateJun 14, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S715/97
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A menu-driven system for developing Man-Machine Interfaces (MMI) for use in the graphical monitoring of ladder logic programs executing in programmable logic controllers PLCs. The Man-Machine Interfaces graphically depict plant processes controlled by the PLC. Data from the PLC representing plant process events (flows, state changes, tank levels, etc.) are communicated to the Man-Machine Interfaces. A Development System provides a programmer's "tool box" for constructing the Man-Machine Interfaces. Ladder logic programs and databases associated therewith are imported and accessed by the Development System for use in the development of the Man-Machine Interfaces. A Runtime System provides an execution environment for the Man-Machine Interfaces. The Runtime System has the ability to access ladder logic programs during monitoring operations. A user can "hot-key" to the ladder logic program for trouble-shooting purposes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.