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Graphically constructed control and scheduling system
| Details |
Inventors: Dunsmuir, Martin R. M.; Alabiso, Bruno;
Assignee: Jocatek, Inc. (Issaquah, WA)
Primary Examiner: Powell; Mark R.
Assistant Examiner: Huynh; Ba
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Anderson; Ronald M.
A system and method for controlling a model train system and for defining a finite state machine for implementing control of the system. A computer (32) that is running a graphic user operating system is coupled through its serial port to a master control unit (MCU) (48). The MCU is coupled to slave control units (SCUs) (50, 52) and to a hand control unit (HCU) (152) through a token ring network (69) over which the computer transmits commands to energize selected track sections and to control the speed of locomotives (88, 90) running thereon. The MCU and SCUs are coupled to the sections of tracks and to electromagnetic switches (42, 44, 46) that determine the route of the trains over the sections of track. Furthermore, detector circuits (126) monitor a detector pulse to sense the presence of a locomotive or train on a particular section of track, producing an indicative output signal that is provided to the computer. The user graphically defines events, conditions, and control actions that are to be carried out on a visually displayed schedule manager grid. In addition, the user can graphically define a control panel that includes graphic controls, which can be manipulated by the user to establish the speed of a locomotive and to control the status of the electromagnetic switches. The control system can also be applied to control other systems that include electrically energized components. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, a method for defining a finite state machine to control a system includes the initial step of providing a graphic environment running on a computer, under which a control application is run.
While running the control application on the computer, a schedule manager grid that comprises the finite state machine is graphically developed or defined by the user.
The user selects symbols from among a plurality of different symbols representing corresponding different possible events and associates the selected symbols with other symbols selected from among a plurality of different symbols representing possible control actions for the system.
At least some of the different symbols represent events that can occur external to the computer.
Such external events are indicated by signals that are input to the computer from the system being controlled.
The selected symbols used to graphically define the schedule manager grid identify a desired control action that should occur when an event associated with the desired control action occurs.
Accordingly, a control signal that effects the desired control action on the system when the event associated with said desired control action occurs is produced by the computer.
The plurality of different symbols from which symbols are selected also includes symbols representing different conditions that can be satisfied on the system.
Preferably, when developing the schedule manager grid, the user also graphically selects a symbol that represents a desired condition and associates that selected symbol with the selected symbols representing the event and the desired control action.
The step of producing the control signal then only occurs if the desired condition is also met.
At least some of the plurality of different symbols preferably represent events that occur internally within the computer.
The method further comprises the step of including a variable with at least one of the selected symbols representing the event, the desired condition, and the desired control action in developing the schedule manager grid
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