Patent US4387442A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4387442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled machine inhibition when control module is absent
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1980-10-01
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Granted: 1983-06-07
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Expires: 2000-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Modularized control system arranged to inhibit operation of a controlled machine if an essential module is not installed. A control signal to a necessary operation, such as starting a controlled machine, is routed to a circuit on an essential module which supplies the control signal to its destination only if the essential module is installed and powered.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Stuehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/05; G05B19/058; G05B19/042; G05B19/0428; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/10; G05B2219/11; G05B2219/1188; G05B2219/13; G05B2219/13195; G05B2219/15; G05B2219/15048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a programmable control system having an expandable memory system for adding memory modules containing control programs to operate given features of a controlled machine, at least one of said given features being essential for proper machine operation, said control system including output means for supplying control signals to said machine, and add-on memory module means for storing a program to control an essential feature, the improvement comprising: means for coupling a given control signal from said output means to said add-on memory module means, said given control signal being used to start machine operation; and means in said add-on memory module means for supplying a control signal to start machine operation if said given control signal is supplied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a programmable control system having an expandable memory system for adding memory modules containing control programs to operate given features of a controlled machine, at least one of said given features being essential for proper machine operation, said control system including output means for supplying control signals to said machine, and add-on memory module means for storing a program to control an essential feature, the improvement comprising: means for coupling a given control signal from said output means to said add-on memory module means, said given control signal being used to start machine operation; and means in said add-on memory module means for supplying a control signal to start machine operation if said given control signal is supplied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supplying means comprises jumper circuit means for conducting said given control signal to supply the control signal to start machine operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 including means in said add-on memory module means for sensing said given control signal and wherein said supplying means supplies a control signal to start machine operation in response to said given control signal being sensed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as claimed in claim 3 including power supply means for supplying operating power to said add-on memory module means and said sensing means is operated by said power supply means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for starting operation of a controlled machine, where the control signals supplied by a controller to the controlled machine include a starting signal to start said machine to insure that an essential module of said controller is installed and powered, comprising the steps of: coupling the starting signal to said essential module; and conducting said starting signal to its destination through said essential module only if said essential module is powered.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for starting operation of a controlled machine, where the control signals supplied by a controller to the controlled machine include a starting signal to start said machine to insure that an essential module of said controller is installed and powered, comprising the steps of: coupling the starting signal to said essential module; and conducting said starting signal to its destination through said essential module only if said essential module is powered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5 including the steps of: sensing the starting signal by means mounted on and powered by said essential module; and said conducting step is performed in response to said sensing step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a programmable control system having a main control program and provision for adding memory modules containing additional control programs to operate a controlled machine, said control system including a plurality of output means for supplying control signals to said controlled machine, a plurality of input means for receiving signals, activation means for enabling said controlled machine to be operated, said activation means being coupled to a particular one of said plurality of output means, and add-on memory module means for storing an additional control program, the improvement comprising: means for supplying a signal in response to said main control program to a certain one of said plurality of output means, said signal being indicative of activating said activation means; means for coupling said certain one of said plurality of output means to a certain one of said plurality of input means; means responsive to said additional control program for sensing said certain one of said plurality of input means; and means responsive to said additional control program and the value of said sensed certain one of said plurality of input means for supplying an activation signal to said activation means via said particular one of said output means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a programmable control system having a main control program and provision for adding memory modules containing additional control programs to operate a controlled machine, said control system including a plurality of output means for supplying control signals to said controlled machine, a plurality of input means for receiving signals, activation means for enabling said controlled machine to be operated, said activation means being coupled to a particular one of said plurality of output means, and add-on memory module means for storing an additional control program, the improvement comprising: means for supplying a signal in response to said main control program to a certain one of said plurality of output means, said signal being indicative of activating said activation means; means for coupling said certain one of said plurality of output means to a certain one of said plurality of input means; means responsive to said additional control program for sensing said certain one of said plurality of input means; and means responsive to said additional control program and the value of said sensed certain one of said plurality of input means for supplying an activation signal to said activation means via said particular one of said output means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for activating an external device by a system under the control of first and second programs, said system including a plurality of output means for supplying signals and a plurality of input means for receiving signals, comprising the steps of: supplying a first activating signal to a first one of said output means in response to said first program; coupling said first one of said output means to one of said input means; sensing said first activating signal at said one of said input means in response to said second program; supplying a second activation signal to a second one of said output means in response to sensing said first activation signal; and conducting said second activation signal to said external device.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for activating an external device by a system under the control of first and second programs, said system including a plurality of output means for supplying signals and a plurality of input means for receiving signals, comprising the steps of: supplying a first activating signal to a first one of said output means in response to said first program; coupling said first one of said output means to one of said input means; sensing said first activating signal at said one of said input means in response to said second program; supplying a second activation signal to a second one of said output means in response to sensing said first activation signal; and conducting said second activation signal to said external device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a programmed controller means for generating control signals to control a controlled device, at least one of said control signals being necessary to the operation of the controlled device, the controller means including output means for supplying said control signals from said controller means and for coupling at least some of said control signals to said controlled device, and input means for coupling input signals to said controller means, the improvement comprising: means for coupling at least one of said necessary control signals from said output means to said input means and not to said controlled device; add-on means, removably attachable to and forming part of said controller means, for supplying essential control signals to said controlled device; and means, in said add-on means, for sensing the presence of at least one of said necessary control signals at said input means and for supplying said sensed necessary control signal to said output means to be coupled to said controlled device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a programmed controller means for generating control signals to control a controlled device, at least one of said control signals being necessary to the operation of the controlled device, the controller means including output means for supplying said control signals from said controller means and for coupling at least some of said control signals to said controlled device, and input means for coupling input signals to said controller means, the improvement comprising: means for coupling at least one of said necessary control signals from said output means to said input means and not to said controlled device; add-on means, removably attachable to and forming part of said controller means, for supplying essential control signals to said controlled device; and means, in said add-on means, for sensing the presence of at least one of said necessary control signals at said input means and for supplying said sensed necessary control signal to said output means to be coupled to said controlled device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as claimed in claim 9 where said at least one necessary control signal includes starting signal means for causing said controlled device to start.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
105 words
A method, in a system for controlling a controlled device, for coupling a necessary control signal to said controlled device only if a subroutine, essential to the control of said controlled device, is available, comprising the steps of: causing a signal, representative of a necessary control signal, to be coupled to set an output latching means; coupling said output latching means to an input means; and calling an essential subroutine which includes the steps of: sensing said input means to determine whether said output latching means is set, and supplying said necessary signal to said controlled device only if said output latching means is set.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
105 words
A method, in a system for controlling a controlled device, for coupling a necessary control signal to said controlled device only if a subroutine, essential to the control of said controlled device, is available, comprising the steps of: causing a signal, representative of a necessary control signal, to be coupled to set an output latching means; coupling said output latching means to an input means; and calling an essential subroutine which includes the steps of: sensing said input means to determine whether said output latching means is set, and supplying said necessary signal to said controlled device only if said output latching means is set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention claimed in claim 11 wherein said necessary signal is a start signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-06 | 1986-12-06 | 1987-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-12-06 | 1991-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-12-06 | 1995-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |