Shared-Area Control Platform for Real-Time and Information Programs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed monitoring control systems and motion controllers are limited by the use of dedicated appliances, which are expensive and lack scalability, and they do not allow for flexible programming, particularly in enabling ladder language applications to call C language applications as functions, restricting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a storage unit for shared areas and a processor unit that executes multiple programs, including control and information programs, allowing flexible program changes without affecting the control program's operation, by using shared information and separate execution management for control and information processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated appliances are used for control and monitoring, then real-time control stability is maintained, but scalability and compatibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into two independent parts: a real-time control program that maintains stable I/O operations, and an information program that provides flexible scalability. This segmentation allows each part to operate independently with its own requirements, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shared area as an intermediary mechanism between the control program and information program. This shared area allows controlled data exchange while maintaining isolation, enabling the information program to access necessary data without compromising real-time control stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If general-purpose personal computers are used instead of dedicated appliances, then cost is reduced and scalability is improved, but real-time control capability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computer system's functionality into a real-time control program that handles time-critical operations and an information program that handles non-real-time tasks. This allows general-purpose computers to be used while maintaining real-time control capability through proper program separation and execution management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the execution parameters by allowing the information program to be loaded and unloaded dynamically, and by controlling the execution timing and resource allocation of different programs. This enables general-purpose computers to efficiently handle both real-time and information processing requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control programs perform complicated information processing, then functionality is improved, but control delay occurs and stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates information processing tasks from control tasks into distinct programs. The control program focuses solely on real-time control operations, while the information program handles complicated information processing, data analysis, and communication tasks. This segmentation prevents control delays while maintaining full information processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts information processing functions from the control program and places them in a separate information program. This extraction removes the burden of complicated processing from the real-time control path, ensuring control stability while preserving information processing functionality in the separate program.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple programs are executed on the same platform, then scalability and flexibility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control apparatus platform that can execute multiple types of programs (control programs and information programs) with different requirements. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified program loading and execution management system that handles both program types appropriately, reducing the need for separate hardware systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a program loading unit and execution management mechanism as intermediaries that coordinate between multiple programs. These intermediaries manage program loading, execution timing, and resource allocation, simplifying the management of multiple programs on the same platform while maintaining system stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus where control programs and information programs coexist is allowed to change programs flexibly. The control programs and information programs are installed in the control apparatus, which is provided with a shared area. The shared area is an area that at least one control program and at least one information program can access. Shared information is stored in the shared area. The shared information includes at least one of information related to an I/O port accessed by the control programs, and information related to the control program. Each control program is a program that performs scan operation of outputting control information on the relevant control object apparatus coupled to the I/O port accessed for controlling a control object apparatus with respect to the control program, to this I/O port. Each information program is a program that performs information processing that does not include the scan operation.