Patent EP0090302A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0090302A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Programmable control apparatus and method
Assignee: Milacron Inc
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Filing: 1983-03-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a system are provided. The overall system operation is described by a plurality of mechanism cycles of operation each defined by a sequence of instructions relating sensed conditions of input devices, selectable conditions of output devices and variable values. Instruction signals representing the instructions of the sequences are stored together with mechanism cycle status signals each representing the executability of the associated mechanism cycle. Only instructions associated with cycles for which the status signal represent an executable condition are executed. Instructions for cycles for which the status signals represent a non-executable condition are modifiable during execution of the other instructions sequence. The instruction signals include variable name signals associated with unique interface circuits connected to the input and output devices. The assignment of interface circuits to variable names is accomplished independently of the basic programme generation and re-assignment is accommodated during cycle execution irrespective of the condition represented by the status signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Charles Taylor, Jr.
- 👤 Christopher Leandro Vaniglia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:54
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/05; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/10; G05B2219/13; G05B2219/13067; G05B2219/13153; G05B2219/13198; G05B2219/15; G05B2219/15011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of a system in response to a programme of operation including a plurality of instruction sequences defining mechanism cycles of operation, the instructions relating sense conditions of input device, selectable conditions of output devices, and variable values, and the input and output device conditions being represented by unique interface signals, the apparatus comprising; (a) means for storing a plurality of instruction signals representing the mechanism cycles of operation; (b) means for storing mechanism cycle status signals each status signal representing the executability of the sequence of instructions defining a mechanism cycle of operation; (c) processing means responsive to the instruction signals, and the status signals for executing the instructions of a mechanism cycle for which the status signal represents an executable condition; (d) means responsive to the unique interface signals and the processing means for altering the condition of a selected unique interface signal associated with an output device, thereby controlling the output device in accordance with the current condition of selected input devices and the stored programme; and (e) means responsive to the status signals and the instruction signals for selectively modifying the instruction signals associated with the mechanism cycle for which the status signal represents a non-executable condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of a system in response to a programme of operation including a plurality of instruction sequences defining mechanism cycles of operation, the instructions relating sense conditions of input device, selectable conditions of output devices, and variable values, and the input and output device conditions being represented by unique interface signals, the apparatus comprising; (a) means for storing a plurality of instruction signals representing the mechanism cycles of operation; (b) means for storing mechanism cycle status signals each status signal representing the executability of the sequence of instructions defining a mechanism cycle of operation; (c) processing means responsive to the instruction signals, and the status signals for executing the instructions of a mechanism cycle for which the status signal represents an executable condition; (d) means responsive to the unique interface signals and the processing means for altering the condition of a selected unique interface signal associated with an output device, thereby controlling the output device in accordance with the current condition of selected input devices and the stored programme; and (e) means responsive to the status signals and the instruction signals for selectively modifying the instruction signals associated with the mechanism cycle for which the status signal represents a non-executable condition.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of Claim further comprising means for modifying the status signal of a selected mechanism cycle of operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of Claim 2 further comprising a name table store for storing variable name signals representing conditions of input and output devices and variable values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the instruction signals further comprise variable name index signals representing locations of variable name signals within the name table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the variable name signals occupy unchanging locations within the name table and the name table store further comprises means for storing name table link signals representing relative locations of name signals within the name table.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 further comprising: (a) means for detecting the presence of a selected variable name signal in the name table store; (b) means for deleting a selected stored variable name signal from the name table; and (c) means for placing a new variable name signal in the name table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the variable name signals and link signals define a binary tree data structure and the apparatus further comprises;- (a) means responsive to the delete means and the link signals for restoring the balance of the data structure following the deletion of a variable name signal; and (b) means responsive to the placing means and the link signals for restoring the balance of the data structure following the addition of a new variable name signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of Claim I wherein the means for altering the interface signals further comprises: (a) means for storing current condition signals representing the current state of the unique interface signals; (b) means responsive to the unique interface signals for changing the state of the stored current condition signals associated with input devices to conform to the current condition of input devices; and (c) means responsive to the stored current condition signals for changing the state of the unique interface signals associated with output devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein at least one mechanism cycle of operation includes at least one conditional instruction requiring the expiration of a predetermined interval and the processing means further comprises:- (a) timing means for marking the expiration of the predetermined interval; (b) means for selecting the next instruction to be executed of an executable mechanism cycle; and (c) means responsive to the timing means and the selecting means for setting the status signal to a state representing an unexecutable condition when the selected instruction is a conditional instruction for which the predetermined interval has not expired and for resetting the status signal when the interval has expired.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of a machine in response to a programme of operation including a sequence of instructions defining a mechanism cycle of operation, the instruction relating sensed conditions of input devices, selectable conditions of output devices and variable values, and the input and output device condition being represented by unique interface signals representing conditions of unique interface circuits associated with the input and output devices the apparatus comprising:- (a) means for storing the sequence of instruction signals representing the instructions of a mechanism cycle of operation, the instruction signals including variable name identifier signals associated with the unique interface signals; (b) means for storing a cycle status signal representing the executability of the sequence of instructions; (c) processing means responsive to the instruction signals and the status signal for executing the instructions so long as the status signal represents an executable condition; (d) means responsive to the unique interface signals, the variable none signals and the processing means for altering the condition of a selected unique interface signal associated with an output device, thereby controlling the output device; and (e) means for selectively re-assigning a unique interface signal to a variable name signal irrespective of the condition of the status signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of a machine in response to a programme of operation including a sequence of instructions defining a mechanism cycle of operation, the instruction relating sensed conditions of input devices, selectable conditions of output devices and variable values, and the input and output device condition being represented by unique interface signals representing conditions of unique interface circuits associated with the input and output devices the apparatus comprising:- (a) means for storing the sequence of instruction signals representing the instructions of a mechanism cycle of operation, the instruction signals including variable name identifier signals associated with the unique interface signals; (b) means for storing a cycle status signal representing the executability of the sequence of instructions; (c) processing means responsive to the instruction signals and the status signal for executing the instructions so long as the status signal represents an executable condition; (d) means responsive to the unique interface signals, the variable none signals and the processing means for altering the condition of a selected unique interface signal associated with an output device, thereby controlling the output device; and (e) means for selectively re-assigning a unique interface signal to a variable name signal irrespective of the condition of the status signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
The appgratus of Claim 10 wherein the mechanism cycle of operation includes at least one conditional instruction requiring the satisfaction of a predefined condition and the processing means further comprises:- (a) means for selecting the next instruction to be executed; and (b) means reponsive to the selecting means for setting the status signal to a state representing an unexecutable condition when the selected instruction is the conditional instruction and the predefined condition is not satisfied and for resetting the status signal when the predefined condition is satisfied.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of Claim 10 further comprising a name table store for storing variable name signals representing conditions of input and output devices and variable values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of Claim 12 whererin the variable name identifier signals represent locations of variable name signals within the name table.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising:- (a) means for storing current condition signals representing the current state of the unique interface signals; (b) means responsive to the unique interface signals for changing the state of the stored current condition signals associated with input devices to conform to the current condition of input devices; and (c) means responsive to the stored current condition signal for changing the state of the unique interface signals associated with the output devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein the name table store further comprises means for storing current condition store address signals representing the locations of current condition signals representing unique interface signals within the current condition store.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein the means for selectively re-assigning the unique interface signal further comprises means for modifying the current condition store address signal within the name table.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of Claim 10 further comprising means for modifying the status signal of the mechanism cycle to reflect a non-executable condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 17 further comprising means responsive to the instruction signals and the status signal for modifying the instruction signals when the status signal represents a non-executable condition.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for controlling the operation of a system defined by a plurality of mechanism cycles of operation, each cycle being defined by a plurality of instruction sequences relating sensed conditions of input devices, selectable conditions of output devices, and variable values, the input and output device conditions being represented by unique interface signals, and the method comprising the steps of:- (a) storing a plurality of insturction signals representing the mechanism cycles of operation; (b) storing a plurality of mechanism cycle status signals, such status signals representing the executability of the sequence of instruction signals associated with a mechanism cycle of operation; (c) executing instruction signals to produce new values for unique interface signals associated with output devices when the status signal indicates that the instruction sequence is in an executable condition; and (d) storing modified instruction signals associated with an instruction sequence for which the status signal represents a non-executable condition.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for controlling the operation of a system defined by a plurality of mechanism cycles of operation, each cycle being defined by a plurality of instruction sequences relating sensed conditions of input devices, selectable conditions of output devices, and variable values, the input and output device conditions being represented by unique interface signals, and the method comprising the steps of:- (a) storing a plurality of insturction signals representing the mechanism cycles of operation; (b) storing a plurality of mechanism cycle status signals, such status signals representing the executability of the sequence of instruction signals associated with a mechanism cycle of operation; (c) executing instruction signals to produce new values for unique interface signals associated with output devices when the status signal indicates that the instruction sequence is in an executable condition; and (d) storing modified instruction signals associated with an instruction sequence for which the status signal represents a non-executable condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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