EP0352683A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Programmable controller module identification system
Assignee: Allen Bradley Co LLC
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Filing: 1989-07-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A programmable controller includes a processor module and a number of input/output modules (60) housed in a rack. Each input/output module contains a circuit that identifies characteristics of the module to the processor module. The circuit has a parallel input port (91 to 95; ID IN 0 to ID IN 4) and a parallel output port (81, 82; ID OUT 0, ID OUT 1). The outputs and inputs of the two ports are interconnected (86, 87) in a predefined manner according to the module characteristics. In addition, inputs of the input port are coupled to either a positive or negative voltage (V+; ground) source to identify other module characteristics. By sequentially sending data to the output port and then reading data from the input port of each input/output module, the processor can identify the characteristics of the modules in the programmable controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Gerard Gibart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/05; G05B19/054; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/10; G05B2219/11; G05B2219/1185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A programmable controller having a processor for executing a control program which defines the operation of a machine to perform a specific function, and a functional module coupled to the processor for interfacing the processor to the machine, the functional module comprising: an output port addressable by said processor; an input port addressable by said processor; means for coupling said input port to said output port in a manner that encodes data regarding the characteristics of the functional module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A programmable controller having a processor for executing a control program which defines the operation of a machine to perform a specific function, and a functional module coupled to the processor for interfacing the processor to the machine, the functional module comprising: an output port addressable by said processor; an input port addressable by said processor; means for coupling said input port to said output port in a manner that encodes data regarding the characteristics of the functional module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The programmable controller as recited in claim 1 wherein said output port includes a data latch for storing binary data from said processor; and said means for coupling connects as output of said data latch to said input port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The programmable controller as recited in claim 2 wherein said input port includes a plurality of parallel inputs, and said means for coupling connects the output of said data latch to one of said inputs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The programmable controller as recited in claim 1 wherein: said output port includes a plurality of parallel data bit outputs; said input port includes a plurality of parallel data bit inputs; and said means for coupling connects ones of the data bit outputs to selected ones of the data bit inputs whereby a pattern of connection encodes data regarding the functional module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A programmable controller having a processor for executing a control program, and having an I/O module coupled to said processor by an address bus and dat bus; the I/O module comprising: a parallel data output port having a plurality of outputs, and being addressable by said processor to send data from said output port; a parallel data input port having a plurality of inputs, and being addressable by said processor to receive data from said input port; and means for coupling selected outputs of said output port to selected inputs of said input port in a predefined manner which identifies the I/O module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A programmable controller having a processor for executing a control program, and having an I/O module coupled to said processor by an address bus and dat bus; the I/O module comprising: a parallel data output port having a plurality of outputs, and being addressable by said processor to send data from said output port; a parallel data input port having a plurality of inputs, and being addressable by said processor to receive data from said input port; and means for coupling selected outputs of said output port to selected inputs of said input port in a predefined manner which identifies the I/O module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The programmable controller as recited in claim 5 wherein said output port includes a data latch for storing data from said processor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The programmable controller as recited in claim 5 wherein said input port further includes means for coupling each of said data inputs to a positive or a negative voltage source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A module for a programmable controller which has a processor controlling the operation of the programmable controller; said module comprising: an output port addressable by said processor; an input port addressable by said processor; and means for coupling said input port to said output port in a manner that encodes data regarding the module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A module for a programmable controller which has a processor controlling the operation of the programmable controller; said module comprising: an output port addressable by said processor; an input port addressable by said processor; and means for coupling said input port to said output port in a manner that encodes data regarding the module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The module as recited in claim 8 wherein said output port includes a means for storing data from said processor, which means for storing has an output connected by said means for coupling to said input port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The module as recited in claim 9 wherein said input port includes a plurality of parallel inputs, and said means for coupling connects the output of said data latch to one of said inputs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The module as recited in claim 8 wherein: said output port includes a plurality of parallel data outputs; said input port includes a plurality of parallel data inputs; and said means for coupling connects said outputs to selected inputs whereby said pattern of connection provides data regarding the I/O module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The module as recited in claim 11 wherein said input port further includes means for coupling each of said data inputs to a positive or a negative voltage source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
The module as recited in claim 8 wherein: said output port includes a plurality of parallel data outputs; said input port includes a plurality of parallel data inputs; and said means for coupling connects said outputs to selected inputs whereby said pattern of connection provides a first data code; and means for coupling each of said data inputs to a positive or a negative voltage source.whereby said pattern of connection to the voltage sources provides a second data code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The module as recited in claim 13 wherein said first and second data codes provide information regarding the characteristics of the I/O module.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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