PLC Mail Address Backup and Restore via Segmented Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional programmable logic controllers (PLCs) cannot change the transmission destination mail address during operation without resetting, and any changes made from an external apparatus are lost when the power is turned off, requiring reinput after reoperation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a parameter storing unit, communication processing unit, internal volatile storing unit, nonvolatile storing unit, and arithmetic processing unit to acquire, backup, and restore transmission destination mail address data, allowing changes during operation and retaining them even after power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transmission destination mail address is set as a parameter in the PLC, then the address can be designated during operation, but the parameter cannot be changed during operation and requires stopping the PLC to reset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple storage areas: a parameter storage area for initial setting and a work area for runtime changes. This segmentation allows the PLC to maintain both the original parameter and modified addresses simultaneously, enabling changes during operation without requiring a stop to reset parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transmission destination mail address is input from an external apparatus during operation, then the address can be changed, but the data is erased when power is turned off and requires reinput after reoperation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a backup of the mail address data from the work area to a backup storage area before power shutdown. This preliminary action ensures that when power is restored, the backed-up data is automatically restored to the work area, preventing information loss and eliminating the need for reinput after reoperation.
3Ease of operation
If the transmission destination mail address is designated from an external apparatus, then the address can be updated, but the updated data is not retained after power shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PLC automatically detects when power is restored and restores the backed-up mail address data from the backup storage area to the work area. This feedback loop ensures data retention and maintains reliability by automatically recovering external apparatus input data after power shutdown without requiring manual reinput.
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable logic controller includes: a parameter storage ROM to store transmission destination mail address data set as a parameter; a communication processing unit to acquire the transmission destination mail address data from an external apparatus; an internal device being a storing unit for storing the transmission destination mail address data acquired by the communication processing unit; an internal memory to store the transmission destination mail address data in the internal device when the transmission destination mail address data in the internal device is added data; a Flash ROM to store backup data of the transmission destination mail address data stored in the internal memory, and an arithmetic processing unit to perform processing for backing up, in the Flash ROM, the transmission destination mail address data acquired from the external apparatus and performs, in reoperation, processing for writing, in the internal memory.