Ladder Circuit Retrieval by Signal Logic and Connection Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder program retrieval methods struggle to accurately identify target ladder circuits, especially as the number of matching circuits increases, leading to potential errors due to the reliance on command sequences and ladder diagram patterns, which can overlook circuits with equivalent logic but different forms.
Innovation Solution
A ladder program retrieval device that specifies multiple signals and their logical operation relationships as search conditions, using a search signal presence determination unit, search logic presence determination unit, and display unit to accurately identify matching circuits by determining the connection relationship between signals, and optionally simplifying the circuit or generating a calculation tree for precise matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional signal-based retrieval methods are used, then the retrieval process is simple, but the accuracy of identifying target ladder circuits decreases when multiple circuits match the condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retrieval process into multiple independent determination stages: signal presence determination, logical operation determination, and connection relationship determination. Each stage filters the candidate circuits progressively, transforming a single complex retrieval operation into a multi-step systematic process that maintains simplicity while improving accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds new dimensions to the retrieval criteria beyond simple signal presence. It introduces logical operation relationships (AND, OR, NOT) and connection relationships (series, parallel) as additional search dimensions, enabling more precise differentiation between matching circuits without complicating the basic retrieval interface
2Measurement precision
If detailed search conditions are added to reduce matching circuits, then target circuit identification accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex retrieval system into modular functional units: a search condition specification unit, a signal presence determination unit, a logical operation determination unit, and a connection relationship determination unit. Each unit handles a specific aspect of the retrieval process, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic retrieval system where search conditions can be flexibly configured and combined. The system adapts to different retrieval needs by allowing users to specify varying levels of detail in search conditions, from simple signal presence to complex logical and connection relationships, without requiring a complete system redesign
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a ladder program retrieval device that includes: search condition specification unit for specifying, as search conditions, a plurality of signals and a logical operation relationship between any two signals included in the plurality of signals; search signal presence determination unit for determining, for each of the plurality of ladder circuits included in the ladder program, whether the ladder circuit includes all of the plurality of signals specified in the search conditions; and search logic presence determination unit for determining, for each of the ladder circuits determined by the search signal presence determination unit to include all of the signals specified in the search conditions, whether or not the ladder circuit includes the logical operation relationship.