PLC Version Control for Multi-User Development
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing programmable logic controllers lack individual version control capabilities when multiple users are involved in development, necessitating pre-established operation rules that can lead to work errors.
Innovation Solution
A programmable device with storage means for a master area and user areas, user authentication, and version controlling means to manage datasets created by individual users, allowing separate control and association of datasets across these areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users perform development work on a programmable logic controller, then development productivity is improved, but version control reliability deteriorates due to lack of individual version control capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The storage area is segmented into multiple user areas (first user area, second user area, etc.) corresponding to different users, with each user area independently storing datasets created by the respective user. This segmentation enables individual version control for each user while supporting multi-user development, thereby maintaining both productivity and version control reliability.
2Reliability
If pre-established operation rules are implemented among users, then version control reliability is improved, but operation complexity increases due to need for coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable logic controller automatically performs version control operations by storing datasets in the appropriate user areas based on user authentication. Each user's datasets are automatically managed in their designated user area without requiring manual coordination or pre-established operation rules, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If individual user areas are created for each user, then version control reliability is improved, but storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the master area and multiple user areas into a unified storage structure managed by the programmable logic controller. The master area stores datasets to be executed, while user areas store datasets created by respective users. This merged structure enables individual version control for each user while maintaining simple, unified management through automatic user authentication and area assignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A PLC includes a storage configured to include a master area and a plurality of user areas corresponding to a plurality of users, a user authenticator that authenticates each user of the plurality of users, and a version controller that causes a first dataset created by the user authenticated by the user authenticator to be stored in the storage and implements version control of the first dataset. The version controller causes the first dataset to be stored in the master area or a user area of the plurality of user areas that corresponds to the user authenticated by the user authenticator, in association with a second dataset that is already stored in the storage and that serves as an immediate parent of the first dataset.