Patent Application
20050015161
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a memory device for assisting automation equipment and, in particular, to an auxiliary memory device connecting to an automation controller such as a programmable logic controller or human-machine interface so that the automation controller can be expanded to add memory programs.
2. Related Art
Advance in technologies have helped conventional industries evolve into the automation industry era. During the automation process, many automation controller components are required to facilitate production and to save manpower. When talking about automation controllers, it is necessary to mention the programmable logic controller (PLC). It is a very useful tool that is used by modern factories in procedure automation controls. The PLC is a microcomputer particularly designed for procedure control systems. The production factory downloads an execution procedure using editors to an internal memory unit of the PLC. Afterwards, a logic processing unit follows the control logic defined in the execution procedure to monitor and process input signal entered from buttons, sensors, and/or limit switches. After logical operations, output signals are sent to an external load, such as a relay, indicator, or electric machine. The output signal can also be fed back as the input signal to control other devices if the production line requires.
From the above description, one knows that the PLC contains a logic processing unit and an internal memory unit. The internal memory unit is recorded with instruction program codes. The logic processing unit uses the instruction program codes in the internal memory unit to perform various actions for controlling the production devices. However, the automation production procedure may need to be modified very often. Nevertheless, the instruction program codes are burned into the internal memory unit. Therefore, the user has to rely on an editor to directly modify the codes or has to send the whole PLC back to its manufacturer for updating the instruction program codes once the automation production procedure needs to be changed. This is extremely inconvenient for the production company.
On the other hand, the human-machine interface in the automation controller is the interface between the automation controller and the user. The display information in the human-machine interface is designed according to various kinds of situations. The user's input is received via the keyboard on the screen. Therefore, the interface can have different applications, ranging from machine tool control panels to factory monitoring. However, it has the same data backup and update problem as the PLC. The application would be more convenient if an auxiliary memory device can be provided to these two automation controllers.
In view of the foregoing, the invention provides a convenient auxiliary memory device, which uses an external auxiliary memory device to facilitate the applications.
The disclosed auxiliary memory device contains a body and an auxiliary memory device. The automation controller is connected to the auxiliary memory device via a connecting interface. The automation controller is installed with a logic processing unit and an internal memory unit. Once both of them are connected, internal data in the auxiliary memory device can be sent to the internal memory unit of the automation controller according to the user's request. This allows the user to update the internal instructions of the automation controller. Besides, the internal data of the controller is also backed up to the memory device. Therefore, the expansion of the controller is improved.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
Please refer to
In the following paragraphs, we describe the internal structure of the auxiliary memory device in further detail.
With reference to
The switching unit 22 is connected to the switching end SW for allowing the user to select the transmission direction of the specific data (for example, from the automation controller to the auxiliary memory device, or vice versa). The load unit is connected to the work power supply and contains a first load component, a second load component, and a third load component. The three load components can all be variable resistors. The first load component is installed between the work voltage and the switching unit 22 and produces a load. The second load is installed between the work voltage and the pulse wave pin to produce a load and to make the pulse wave pin in a pull high voltage. The third load is installed between the work voltage and the data pin and generates a load so that the data pin is in a pull high state.
In addition to the above-mentioned auxiliary memory device, the invention is further designed with another auxiliary memory device to store more of the specific data. With reference to
Finally, we explain in detail the specific data update or backup steps. With reference to
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92119740 | Jul 2003 | TW | national |
