WO2007068049A1

WO2007068049A1 - Automated programmable controller system designer

Info

Publication number: WO2007068049A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001893
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yun Peng Choo; Miroslav Kostecki
Original assignee: Yun Peng Choo; Miroslav Kostecki
Priority date: 2005-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2007-06-21

Abstract

The disclosed device is for automating the generation of technical data and software for electronic programmable controller systems. Graphical object elements are manipulated to produce a programmable controller system. A set of sub-circuits are selected and attached to a graphical representation of a programmable controller. Technical information for the construction and testing of the programmable controller system are generated. The signal information in the sub-circuits as well as the connection selections by the user are used to automatically generate many elements of the program software for the programmable controller.

Description

AUTOMATED PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER SYSTEM DESIGNER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to devices for automating the generation of technical data and software for electronic programmable controller systems. ^•

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This invention may be applied in conjunction with the invention described in PCT application number PCT/ AU02/ 00871. The entire content of this specification is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Electronic Circuits need to be connected to programmable controllers for three main reasons: 1) To supply the correct level of power 2) To process input signals so they are within controller specific limits and 3) To process output signals from the controller to useful control actions. These inputs are typically read by the programmed software, arc processed as required and then signals are placed on the outputs to perform the desired control task.

Currently a person with sufficient technical knowledge of electronic circuits will take specifications and draw the needed circuits for a new programmable control system. This person will also produce a table of connections to the programmable controller, specifying the type of signals connected and clearly stating their purpose.

Typically another person with sufficient technical knowledge of programmable controllers will take the circuit drawings and table of connections to produce the software needed to run the programmable controller for the specified control application.

Some of the difficulties with this programmable controller project include: 1) transferring sufficient and correct information from the specification to the person with electronic circuit knowledge 2) the possible limited knowledge of the circuit designer 3) testing the electronic circuit for correct operation 4) transferring sufficient and correct information from the circuit design to the person who produces the software 5) producing software in such a way that it is clear and readable to any other person who may need to change it 6) working within the time and budget allocated to the project.

The existing devices for managing the above difficulties are typically systems of required paperwork and checking by a project management person. Although the project may run smoothly when these systems are properly implemented, the systems themselves usually add time and extra work to the overall project.

Some existing devices do allow for sub-tasks and objects to be grouped and manipulated by computer. For example a Computer Aided Design ( CAD ) circuit schematic program can combine circuits and generate parts lists. Such devices have the limitation of being constrained to the electronics or components of the circuit and do not help with software or broader project management.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce at least one of these difficulties.

SUMMARY . j.

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is a computer software mechanism to automate the development and management of a programmable controller system. The software mechanism typically consists of graphical object elements that can be manipulated by a person wishing to produce a programmable controller system.

Using graphical software representations, there is provided a set of sub-circuits that can be selected and attached to a graphical representation of a programmable controller. Each sub-circuit contains data for the user so the user can make an informed selection and add this element to the new system. Each sub-circuit also contains signal data as to what type of signal is coming into or out of the sub-circuit. Typically all the pins of a programmable controller will not accept all types of input and output signals. Hence only the pins that can connect to the signal type in the selected sub-circuit will be available for connection to that sub-circuit.

After the user connects all the sub-circuits that are needed, then technical information for the construction and testing of the programmable controller system are generated automatically by the software mechanism.

Specifically, since each subπ:ircuit contains a sub-circuit schematic, then the full circuit schematic can be generated as well as a list of the electronic components needed in the system. Also, since the signal type and function of the sub-circuit are also defined, then a complete test procedure for testing the electronics can be generated by listing the signals to be injected into each programmable controller pin and checking that the specified circuit function does operate. Similarly, expected signals on pins can be tested when other sections of the circuit are activated according to their required function.

The signal information in the sub-circuits as well as the connection selections by the user are used to automatically generate many elements of the program software for the programmable controller. These are: 1) Automatic generation of pin assignment software to configure the programmable controller to input or output the required signals 2) Automatic generation of software for setting required controller chip peripheral hardware to process the signals connected to the pins 3) Automatic assignment of variables and variable names for the signals and pins to be accessed 4) Information about operating system requirements to be implemented in the software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following figures and tables in which:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of one possible connection diagram, as it would appear to the user of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The selectable sub-circuits according to one aspect of the invention are shown Ln Table 1. Each sub circuit has descriptive parameters attached to it. Some parameters may be descriptive and aid the user in understanding and using this device.

TABLE 1: Selectable Sub-Circuits

Sub-Circuit 1: Name: Power

Description: Power Supply Regulator

Input/ Output: Input not accessible

Type: Support

Circuit Diagram: Power Regulatorl Components: 7805 Regulator, 2x lOOn Capacitors

Sub-Circuit 2:

Name: Switchl

Description: Push Switch

Input/ Output: Input Type: Digital

Circuit Diagram: Switch Diagram!

Components: Switch, 10k resistor Sub-Circuit 3:

Name: LEDl Description: LED indicator

Input/ Output: Output

Type: Digital ^■*

Circuit Diagram: LED Diagram!

Components: LED, 390R resistor Sub-Circuit 4:

Name: Motorl

Description: Differential Drive DC Motor

Input/ Output: Output

Type: Digital Circuit Diagram: Motor Diagram!

Components: DC Motor, L293 Driver Sub-Circuit 5:

Name: RS232 Interface

Description: Communications Input/ Output: 1 Input, 1 Output

Type: Digital

Circuit Diagram: RS232 Driverl

Components: MAX232 Chip, 5 x lOOn Capacitors Sub-Circuit 6: User definable The user selects a sub-circuit and attaches it to a programmable controller pin. The user then selects another sub-circuit and attaches it to another pin of the controller. In this way the user attaches all the sub-circuits that are determined to be necessary by the user. An attachment diagram is thus created as in Figure 1.

It is apparent that a complete circuit diagram picture can thus be generated as in Table 2 since each sub-circuit contains its own circuit picture.

TABLE 2: Automatic Generation of Circuit Schematic

Complete Circuit Diagram picture consists of: a) Controller Circuit picture b) Power Regulatorl picture c) Switch Diagram! picture d) LED Diagraml picture e) Motor Diagraml picture f) RS232 Driverl picture

A complete parts list can similarly be generated as in Table 3. These axe useful engineering details for the hardware assembly of the complete circuit.

TABLE 3: Automatic Generation of Parts List

..* Complete Circuit Parts List consists of: a) Specified Controller b) 7805 Regulator, 2x lOOn Capacitors c) Switch, 10k resistor d) LED, 390R resistor e) DC Motor, L293 Driver f) MAX232 Chip, 5 x lOOn Capacitors

The mechanism of the current invention also allows for automatic generation of a hardware test procedure as shown in Table 4. Since known input states must exist on each sub-circuit connection pin, therefore it can be tested on the pin socket of the programmable controller to determine if the sub-circuit is operating correctly.

Similarly known output states will activate sub-circuits with documented outcomes. Hence a signal can be injected onto the pin socket and the sub-circuit outcome compared to the sub-circuit description to check if it has passed the test. TABLE 4: Automatic Generation of Hardware Test Procedure

Figure 1 Complete Circuit Test procedure is as follows: All testing to occur on top of Programmable Controller socket a) Check pins 1 and 8 have: Input Power as specified in Sub-Circuit 1 Outputs tested first b) Connect + Power pin to Digital Output pin 7. Check that Sub-Circuit 3 activates c) Connect +Power pin to Digital Output pin 6. Check that Sub-Circuit 5 activates d) Connect +Power pin to pin 3 and -Power pin to pin 4. Check that Sub-Circuit 4 activates in the correct direction. e) Connect +Power pin to pin 4 and -Power pin to pin 3. Check that Sub-Circuit 4 activates in the opposite direction. inputs tested next f) Connect Digital Output pin 7 to Digital Input pin 2. Check that Sub-Circuit 3 activates g) Connect Digital Output pin 7 to Digital Input pin 5. Check that Sub-Circuit 3 activates

The mechanism of the current invention also allows for programmable controller settings to be assigned to the controller software for the setting of controller pins as in Table 5 and the setting of peripherals as in Table 6.

TABLE 5: Automatic Software Assignment of Controller PIN Settings

Pin 2: Digital Input Pin 3: Digital Output Pin 4: Digital Output Pin 5: Digital Input Pin 6: Digital Output Pin 7: Digital Output TABLE 6: Automatic Software Configuration of Controller Peripherals

Pin 6: RS232 Serial Output Pin 5: RS232 Serial Input

Further, the mechanism of the current invention also allows some programmable controller software variables to be automatically generated. Table 7 shows bit variable names used in the software to access the functions on the pins of the programmable controller. TABLE 7: Automatic Software Set up of Bit Variables for Pin access

Pin 2: Switchl • .

Pin 3: Motor_Forward Pin 4: Motor_Backward Pin 5: RS232_In Pin 6: RS232_Out Pin 7: LED

Finally, the mechanism of the current invention allows some programmable controller software structure to be generated automatically. Table 8 shows that necessary set up software can be inserted directly after the controller starts. Necessary software subroutines can also be automatically inserted for processing the input signals from the pins as well as for processing output signals to the pins.

TABLE 8: Automatic Software Set up of Operating System Requirements

START

Turn off LED Turn off Motor

Setup RS232 Main_Ioop

Check Switchl and de-bounce Check for RS232 input ( Insert user software process here: Process inputs and set needed outputs ) Output RS232 as needed Set Motor Outputs as needed Turn On or Off LED as needed Go to Main_Ioop

A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described in the form of a programming tool designed to program a microcontroller using the graphic symbol feature of the present invention. The specific implementation of software is called "ezCircuit Designer". Basic Actions

Basic Actions Include:

• Adding a Circuit to a Micro-controller • Viewing Circuit Diagram

• Viewing Circuit Information

• Moving a Circuit Connection

• Editing a Pin Name

Add a circuit to a micro-controller 1. To start adding a circuit, select a circuit group button. See FIGURE 2 of the attached Drawings.

2. Next, select α circuit from the list. See FIGURE 3 of the attached Drawings.

3. After α circuit has been selected, the circuit's connections are displayed in a list and some of the pins on the chip will change their colour. The highlighted connection in the list is the next one to be added to the cirguit

All of the green pins are compatible with the selected connection. Different pins on the micro-controller support different modes. Compatible pins are those pins that satisfy the modes required by the current circuit connection. Please see the micro-controller's datasheet for more information on what modes are supported by each pin.

The highlighted green pins are the 'suggested' pins. These pins support all the modes required by the selected connection, but also have the least number of other modes that will not be used by that connection. Using the 'suggested' pins leaves the pins with more modes available for other connections.

An error message is displayed if there are not enough compatible pins available for a selected circuit.

See FIGURE 4 of the attached drawings. 3. Select an available pin for each connection required by the circuit. As pins are selected, their colour changes from green back to blue and the connection is added to the diagram, having been removed from the list.

See FIGURE 5 of the attached drawings.

4. On completion of pin selection, the circuit is added to the micro-controller and the default pin names are assigned.

See FIGURE 6 of the attached drawings

Remove α Circuit from the Micro-controller

1. Click on the unwanted circuit in the main window. After selection, the colour of the circuit block will change to orange.

See FIGURE 7 of the attached drawings

2. Click on the Edit menu and then click Delete to remove the unwanted circuit.

See FIGURE 8 of the attached drawings

Shortcut: You can also press the Delete key on the keyboard to. remove the selected circuit from the micro-controller.

To View Circuit Diagram

1. Click on a circuit block in the main window of ezCircuit Designer. When the circuit block is selected, its colour will change to orange.

See FIGURE 9 of the attached drawings

2. Double click on the selected circuit block to view the diagram for that circuit.

See FIGURE 10 of the attached drawings

3. To return to the main window, click on the Main button. Alternatively select Main from the Go To bar. To View Circuit Information

1. After selecting to view a circuit diagram, you will be at the circuit window for the selected circuit.

2. Click on the information icon to view the circuit information. See FIGURE 11 of the attached drawings

3. The information document will open after the information icon has been clicked. See FIGURE 12 of the attached drawings

Move A Circuit Connection

1. Click and hold the left mouse button over the connection block to be moved. See FIGURE 13 of the attached drawings

2. While still holding the left mouse button down, drag the mouse cursor to the pin that the connection is to be moved to. When starting to drag, the pins compatible to the selected connection will change colour to green. See FIGURE 14 of the attached drawings

The mouse cursor will change to indicate if it is or is not over a compatible pin.

See FIGURE 15 of the attached drawings

3. When the mouse is over the desired compatible pin, release the left mouse button and the connection will be moved.

See FIGURE 16 of the attached drawings Edit Pin Name

1. In the main window, bring up a context menu by right-clicking on the pin name to be edited and select Rename.

See FIGURE 17 of the attached drawings

Alternatively, if in the circuit window, simply left-click on the pin name to be edited.

Note that the pin names for some circuits cannot be edited. Power Supply, Oscillator and Reset Button circuits are not attached to pins that can be accessed in the assembly code and therefore have no pin names.

2. A text box will be displayed, allowing the name to be edited. See FIGURE 18 of the attached drawings

Note that because pin names are used in the generated assembly code, not all characters are accepted. Acceptable assembly code names start with a letter and only contain letters, digits and underscores.

3. Press the Enter key or click outside of the text box to finish editing the pin name. If an acceptable assembly code name has been given, the text box will be removed and the pin's name will be set. j.

See FIGURE 19 of the attached drawings

Note: Descriptive pin names can help identify what circuit connection is connected to what chip pin. The main purpose of pin names though, is to be used in the generated assembly code, as names that identify the addresses of pins. This means that the pin can be accessed in the assembly program with the pin name rather than the numerical address.

Advanced Functions

The following is a list of advanced functions supported by ezGrcuit Designer. Chip Selection Generate Assembly Code Add/Edit Circuit Group Wizard Add/Edft Circuit Wizard

Chip Selection (Change the Micro -controller) 1. In the Options menu of ezCircuit Designer click on Chip Selection. See FIGURE 20 of the attached drawings

2. Select α micro-controller model from the pop up Chip Selection dialog box and then click OK. See FIGURE 21 of the attached drawings

Note that the Suggestion button highlights the model of the smallest microcontroller that can have all of the circuits in the current project attached to it.

3. The micro-controller is changed and the program tries to move the circuits from the previous micro-controller to the new one.

See FIGURE 22 of the attached drawings

.•>

Sborfcuf : You can also double-click on the chip diagram or click on the chip icon from the program to change the micro-controller.

Generate an Assembly Test Program File

1. Click on the Options menu, then click Generate ASM File. See FIGURE 23 of the attached drawings

2. A message box pops up informing the user that the Assembly file has been saved to the project folder.

See FIGURE 24 of the attached drawings

Add/Edit Circuit Group Wizard This help page explains how to add a new Circuit Group or edit an existing one.

1. To staff, click on the Add button.

See FIGURE 25 of the attached drawings

2. The Start Panel for the Wizard will be displayed. Click one of the buttons to select whether to 'Add New Circuit Group', 'Add a New Circuit Group Based on an Existing Circuit Group' or 'Edit an Existing Circuit Group'.

See FIGURE 26 of the attached drawings

If 'Add New Circuit Group' is selected, go to step A.

3. If 'Add α New Circuit Group Based on an Existing Circuit Group' or 'Edit an Existing Circuit Group' was selected, the panel to select an existing Circuit Group will be displayed. Note that ft is not possible to edit a circuit group that came installed wifh ezCircuit Designer, but you can base new circuit groups on them. Select a circuit group and click the Next Button.

See FIGURE 27 of the attached drawings

If editing α circuit group, go to step 5. 4. If adding a new circuit group, the Circuit Group Name panel will be displayed. A generated unique name will initially be shown in the text box. Enter an appropriate name and click Next. If the name given is not unique, an error message will be given. See FIGURE 28 of the attached drawings

5. The icon panel will be displayed next. The icon currently set to represent this circuit group is shown in the centre of the panel. This is the icon that will be displayed in the main ezCircuit Designer window along with the icons for all other circuit groups. Clicking the Browse button will bring up an Open File Dialog Box, allowing a different image file to be selected and used as the icon. When an appropriate icon has been set, click the Next button.

See FIGURE 29 of the attached drawings

6. The tool tip panel is displayed last. The tool tip is the text that appears When a user's mouse cursor hovers of the circuit group's icon in the main ezCircuit Designer window. Enter an appropriate too! tip and click the Finish button to end the Add Circuit Group Wizard.

See FIGURE 30 of the attached drawings

When the Finish button is clicked, the circuit group will be saved and added to ezCircuit Designer.

Add/Edit Circuit Wizard This help page explains how to add a new Circuit or edit an existing one.

1. To start, click on the Add button. See FIGURE 31 of the attached drawings

2. The Start Panel for the Wizard will be displayed. Click one of the buttons to select whether to 'Add New Circuit¹, 'Add a New Circuit Based on an

Existing Circuit' or 'Edit an Existing Circuit'.

See FIGURE 32 of the attached drawings

If .'Add New Circuit' is selected, go to step 4. 3. If "Add New Circuit Based on an Existing Circuit' or 'Edit an Existing Circuit' was selected, the panel to select an existing Circuit will be displayed. Select a circuit and click the Next Button.

See FIGURE 33 of the attached drawings

It editing α circuit, go to step 6.

4. If adding a new circuit, the 'Select a Circuit Group' panel is displayed. Seiect the group that this circuit will belong to and click the Next button. See FIGURE 34 of the attached drawings

5. If adding a new circuit the 'Circuit Name¹ panel is displayed. A generated unique name will initially be shown in the text box. Enter an appropriate name and click Next. If the name given is not unique, an error message will be given.

See FIGURE 35 of the attached drawings

6. The 'Circuit Description' Panel is displayed. The description is displayed in the ezCircuit Designer circuit window when the circuit diagram is being viewed. Give a description of the circuit and click the Next button.

See FIGURE 36 of the attached drawings

7. The 'Further Information Document' pane! is displayed. The further information document is displayed when the information button is clicked in the ezCircuit Designer circuit window. Click the Browse button to bring up a Open File Dialog Box to locate a document.

See FIGURE 37 of the attached drawings

8. The 'Electronic Components' panel is displayed. To add a new component, enter the value and type of the component and the number of them required, then click the Add button. The drop down lists give suggested value units and types, but any text can be entered into them. To remove a component, seiect it in the list of All Components and click the Remove Selected button. See FIGURE 38 of the attached drawings 9. The 'Circuit Test Procedure¹ Panel is displayed. If desired, enter a description of how to test if the circuit is working correctly.

See FIGURE 39 of the attached drawings

10. The 'Circuit Special Cases' panel is displayed. If any special cases are appropriate for this circuit, select them from the list.

See FIGURE 40 of the attached drawings

11. The 'Circuit Diagram File' panel is displayed. Click the Browse button to bring up an Open File Dialog Box to locate a circuit diagram picture file for this circuit. Click the Set Up Connections button to bring up the separate 'Circuit Diagram Form¹. Note that a circuit requires at least one connection before if can be used in ezCircuit Designer.

See FIGURE 41 of the attached drawings

12. If the Set Up Connections button in the 'Circuit Diagram File' panel is clicked, then the 'Circuit Diagram Form" is displayed. This form allows connections to be added and removed from the circuit and the Pin Names to be positioned on the circuit diagram. See FIGURE 42 of the attached drawings

Clicking the Add button brings up the "Add New Connection' form to αlfbw connection properties to be set up. Clicking the Remove button removes the selected connection. Double clicking on α connection will bring up the 'Edit Connection' form. The pin name for a connection can be moved about the circuit diagram by clicking and dragging it into position.

The 'Add New Connection" or 'Edit Connection' form allows the modes and default pin name of a connection to be set. Note that each circuit connection requires at least one mode before it can be used in ezCircuit Designer.

See FIGURE 43 of the attached drawings

13. When the Next button is clicked in the 'Circuit Diagram File' panel the 'Computer Aided Design Files' panel is displayed. If there is a Proteus Schematic Section file for the circuit, clicking the Browse button will bring up an Open File Dialog Box to located it. This file is used when a project using the circuit is exported to Proteus. See FIGURE 44 of the attached drawings

The 'Computer Aided Design Files' panel is the last panel in the Add Circuit Wizard. Click the Finish button and the circuit will be saved and added to ezCircuit Designer.

View Part List

1. Click on Options menu in ezCircuit Designer, then click View Part List.

See FIGURE 45 of the attached drawings

2. The Part list dialog box will pop up. See FIGURE 46 of the attached drawings

3. Click Export to Excel to save the part list to an Excel spread sheet, otherwise click Close.

4. If Export to Excel is clicked, then the Part List file is saved to the projeci folder and the file is opened in Excel, if Excel is installed.

Shortcut : You can also click on the part list icon to export the part list.

View Test Procedures

1. Click on the Options menu of the program, then click View Test Procedures.

See FIGURE 47 of the attached drawings

2. A Test Procedure dialogue box will pop up. See FIGURE 48 of the attached drawings

Shortcut : You can also click on the test procedure icon to view the test procedure. View Pin Settings

1. Click on Options menu of ezCϊrcuϊt Designer, then click View Pin Settings. See FIGURE 49 of the attached drawings

2. A Pin Settings dialogue box will pop up. See FIGURE 50 of the attached drawings

3. When finished viewing, click Close to close the dialogue box.

Note : When you save the project the contents of Pin Settings will be saved as a text file in the Project Folder.

Export to Proteus

1 . Select the Export to Proteus menu item from the Options menu. See FIGURE 51 of the attached drawings

2. A message box will be displayed explaining that, after clicking OK₁ you will need to wait until Proteus has finished loading before using the mouse or keyboard again. Using the mouse or keyboard may disrupt the export process and cause problems.

See FIGURE 52 of the attached drawings j

3. After clicking OK, Proteus will launch and the export process will load the schematic for the project's micro-controller ...

See FIGURE 53 of the attached drawings

... and open Proteus' Import Section dialog box for you to import the other circuits in the project.

See FIGURE 54 of the attached drawings Send α Test Program To CoreChart

1. Click on the Options menu, then click Send to CoreChart.

See FIGURE 55 of the attached drawings

2. If CoreChart is installed, the generated ASM file will be exported to CoreChart.

See FIGURE 56 of the attached drawings

3. Once CoreChart is loaded, the screen above will be displayed. Click on import and the program will be ready to download to the micro-controller.

APPLICATION PROJECT EXAMPLE

The following is one project example. This example is a two player Reaction Game.

Step 1: Start a new ezCircuit Designer project

Start ezCircuit Designer and choose "Create New Project". If a project is already open then choose "New" from the File menu.

A "Create a New Project" window will appear, In the "Name" box type "Reaction Game" as the name of the new project folder. Select a location for the new project folder on the computer. Press "OK"

Document the project

Before starting any project it is important to clearly define the project. This helps to clarify what the project will do. It communicates all aspects of the project to other people.

To create a document, select "Create Document" under the "Doctimentation" menu. Next select "Specification".

See FIGURE 57 of the attached drawings Click on "Introduction" to highlight it and then click the "Edit Contents" button.

See FIGURE 58 of the attached drawings

See FIGURE 59 of the attached drawings

Write a brief summary of this project ( as above ) and click "Save".

We will also fill in the details for the rest of the documents as follows: (1) Functional Requirement:

A central LED on this game will turn on after a random time. Two players will press their own push button as soon as they see a central LED turn on. A LED next to the fastest player will flash. A buzzer will generate sounds for the game.

(2) Non functional Requirement

Build a Reaction Game using an eLablόm controller board. Make it fun and exciting for the user

(3) Requirement Specification Rationale

..^•?

The reason is to design a fun electronic game that is an easy example of using ezCircuit Designer, the elablθm controller and CoreChart programming.

(4) Appendix l.Websites http:/ / www.elabtronics.com http:/ / www.microchip.com.

2. Reference Books

3. Other Resource Step 2: Chip selection

Since this is a New Project the PIC12F629 chip is always the default chip. For this project we will use the PIC16F819 chip.

Double click on the central chip and select "PIC16F819" from the list. Click OK.

See FIGURE 60 of the attached drawings

Step 3: Add LEDs

Choose the LED icon in the "Groups of Circuits".

See FIGURE 61 of the attached drawings

Select "active HIGH" in the "Circuits" menu and click on pin 13 of the chip. Add the same UED circuit to pins 17 and 18 on the chip.

See FIGURE 62 of the attached drawings

Rename each of the LED circuits. Right click on the LED label and choose Rename. Change the LED names as follows:

• LED13 to CentralLEDYel

• LED17 to PlayerlGreen

• LED18 toPlayer2Red

See FIGURE 63 of the attached drawings

Step 4: Add Buttons From the "Groups of Circuits" menu click the "Button" icon . Select the "Pull up" circuit in the "Circuits" menu.

See FIGURE 64 of the attached drawings Add the "Button" circuit to pin 4.

Select tiie "Button" icon again and this time select the "Pull Down" circuit in the

"Circuits" menu. Add the second "Button" circuit to pin 6 as shown below.

See FIGURE 65 of the attached drawings

Rename "Button4" to "PlayerlButton" and "PllDwnButtonό" to "Player2Button".

See FIGURE 66 of the attached drawings

Step 5: Add a buzzer

Select the Buzzer icon in the "Circuit Groups" menu,

See FIGURE 67 of the attached drawings

Add the "Piezo Buzzer" to pin 15 of the chip by clicking on pin 15.

See FIGURE 68 of the attached drawings

Rename "BuzzerlS" to "Speaker".

See FIGURE 69 of the attached drawings

Step 6: Change the Power Supply

The eLablβm board already has a power supply pre-built into the circuit. In fact, the type of the power supply is the "One_Diode_PS". In ezCircuit, the default power supply is always the 5V Voltage Regulator. Therefore, change the power supply to the "One_Diode_PS".

Delete the "power supply circuit" by selecting one of its connections and pressing the "Delete" key on the keyboard.

See FIGURE 70 of the attached drawings Click Ok when you see this message.

See FIGURE 71 of the attached drawings

The Power Supply Circuit is next removed from the design.

Click on the Power Supply icon and select the "One_Dϊode_PS".

See FIGURE 72 of the attached drawings

Click on pin 14 and pin 5 to connect the power supply to the chip.

See FIGURE 73 of the attached drawings

Rename the pins to "PowerSupplyl" and "PowerSupply"

See FIGURE 74 of the attached drawings

Step 7: Adding in Programmer Circuit Select the Programmer Circuit icon under the Circuit Group menu and click on "Add" y

See FIGURE 75 of the attached drawings

The Programmer Circuit is inserted in the project. The Programmer Circuit is found connected to Pin 4, 5 and Pin 12, 13 and 14.

See FIGURE 76 of the attached drawings

Click on the Programmer Circuit to bring the circuit forward.

See FIGURE 77 of the attached drawings Step 8: Printing the documents and circuitry

Before we continue make sure the project is saved by clicking on "Save" under the "File" menu.

It is easier to build the circuit if the circuit diagrams are pinted out. To do this click on "Print" under the "File" menu.

See FIGURE 78 of the attached drawings

"Print Project Documents" sub-menu will appear. Select the documents to print by clicking on the tick box next to the selected item. In this case select all the documents to print.

See FIGURE 79 of the attached drawings

Step 9: Part List

The "Part List" shows all the parts required to build the Reaction Game circuit from scratch. Nore that most of the parts for the circuit are available on the elablβm controller board.

Part List Microcontroller

1 x PIC16F819 i x 18 Pin IC Socket

10 Pin Connector

1 x 10 Pin Connector

Capacitor

1 x 100 μF Capacitor

Diode

1 x Diode

Piβzo Buzzer

1 x Piezo Buzzer power supply

1 x 4.5 V power supply

Push Button

1 x Push Button.

LED .#

2 x Green LED 1 x Yellow LED

Resistor

3 x 390 Resistor 1 x 10 k Resistor 5 x 390 Resistor

3 x 10 k Resistor 1 x 33 k Resistor

Switch

1 x Switch Step 10: Export to CoreChart

After the hardware circuit is built it can be tested by running the test software on the chip. ezCircuit Designer generates the test software from the circuits designed.

Note: At this point, please ensure that CoreChart version 2.4.25 or higher is installed on your PC.

Click on "Send to CoreChart" under "Options" in the main menu.

See FIGURE 80 of the attached drawings

CoreChart starts up automatically and the window below will appear. Click "Import".

See FIGURE 81 of the attached drawings

After importing the file Le. ezCircuit sends an ASM file to CoreChart, the test program will be displayed.

See FIGURE 82 of the attached drawings

The pin names have been translated to Bit Variables in CoreChart. This saves time in matching the Port pins to the circuit. To view the User Variable List click -* "Variables..," under "Edit" in the main menu bar.

See FIGURE 83 and FIGURE 84 of the attached drawings

Step 12: Download the Program into Chip

Once you have imported the Test Program from ezCircuit, save the file using a new name "TestProgram".

Plug the USB programmer into the "CONl" connector of the elablόm module. Plug the battery pack into the eLablόm and turn on the power switch. On the CoreChart main menu bar select "Tools" and click on "Send to Chip". •

See FIGURE 85 of the attached drawings Once the program has been successfully downloaded into the chip, a GREEN status bar on the USB programmer software will appear. If the status bar is RED check that all the cables are connected correctly and the power on the eLablόm is turned on.

See FIGURE 86 of the attached drawings

Step 13: Run Test Program

After verifying that the USB programmer system is running properly, the circuits can be tested by activating the outputs on the chip. The test program will do this.

See FIGURE 87 of the attached drawings

There are 6 things that the microcontroller will do on this software:

1. Icons 3 to 6: Set the frequency of the chip to 8Mhz.

2. Icon 8: Turn all Porte on the chip to Digital.

3. Icons 9 and 10: A delay is inserted before starting the main program. 4. Icon 11: Turn on "HayerlGreen" LED and then Turn it off.

5. Icon 12: Turn on "Player2Red" LED and Turn it off.

6. Icon 13: Turn on "CentralLedYel" LED and then Turn it off.

7. Icon 14: Turn on Speaker Buzzer and then Turn it off. Run the Test Program by pressing the "PlayerlButton" once. The "PlayerlButton" is the push button on the elablόm. The program will run the sequence as shown above.

Check that all three LEDs and the Buzzer turn on and off once. If one of them αoes not respond, check that the wires are connected correctly and tightly.

It is noted that although the implementation example' and project example shown here generate software in assembler or CoreChart graphical assembler, this invention is also applicable to any other software languages such as: C, Bask, Java, Ladder Logic, Assembler for other microcontroller families, etc.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method of developing a software structure for a programmable controller system, the method comprising attaching one or more sub-circuit symbols to a central controller symbol.

2. A method according to claim 1, "wherein the sub-circuit is a graphical icon.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the central controller symbol is a block with attachment pins.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein each sub-circuit contains predetermined parameters that can selectively be displayed to help the user make an informed and reasonable selection.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the central controller symbol may change during a sub-circuit selection to help guide the user, by matching the pins that can connect to the selected sub-circuit.

6. A method according to claim \, wherein technical information is generated for the construction and testing of the programmable controller system.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sub-circuit symbol contains a sub- circuit schematic that can be viewed by the user. . . .

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the software structure may include pin assignment software to configure the programmable controller to input or output the required signals.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the software structure may include software for setting required controller chip peripheral hardware that can process the signals connected to the pins.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the software structure may include assignment of variables and variable names for the signals and pins on the programmable controller.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the software structure may include information about operating system requirements,

12. A tool kit for generating technical data and software for electronic programmable controller systems as herein before described with reference to tables 1 - 8 and figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.