Created Date: May 17,2004

Created by: sdsmith

Hello,

I know this may sound underhanded, but I have a customer that is, let's say, a little slow in paying me....he has asked for another system from us with a controller and the use of an EZ-SP. Normally I connect to the customers controllers with a modem, but not in this case... what I need to know is, has anyone written any code that would allow me to deactivate a system after say a certain date and display a message such as "System Stop.Due to none payment...call blah,blah at Blah, blah " (if it scrolled that would be great).

The final feature needed would be to deactivate the "stop " through the EZ-SP (via some numerical code) and remain deactivated (once the code was placed in) even if the system was powered cycled or whatever.

In 15 years of doing this, we have only had to have such features once in our systems...which was taken care of through a modem...with the EZ-SP I could use some help..

Thanks...I'm sure "you all " haven't ever had this problem...Sean

Created Date: May 17,2004

Created by: RHanrahan

The EZ-TP is not hard.

In the properties window of the EZ Panel software, set the PLC to TP variable to some value (say v2000).

After the proper amount of time elapses, set a retentative bit in the PLC (like c1000 and up in the 250-1). If this bit goes high, put the machine in the off state and change screens by writing the constant that matches your "Default on Payment " screen to variable V2000. This will cause the EZTP to change screens. On this screen have a Numeric Entry button to give him something to enter. I would make it 8 digits long (a double word).

In your PLC, just monitor this value and if it equals the double word you set up, restore operations.

If the power is removed and the proper password has not been entered yet, as soon as the program goes back into the run mode, it will sense that the time is still elapsed and go right to your "Default on Payment. "

The simplest way to monitor time would be to set the clock in the PLC and monitor when the day and month equal the date you want it to shut down. I think that these values are v7767-7764 on the 250 but I am going off of memory. You should double check that. Once the proper password is entered I would also disable this rung so that it would not go active again.

Be sure to Password protect the PLC so that someone cannot come along and snoop your program to find out how to get around it.

I did have to do something like this in the past, but luckily, he paid in time and I made a "Service Call " to disable the crippler code. I did not have access to a touch panel on that system.

Good luck to you. It is unfortunate that we as manufacturers have to go to these lengths to get paid...

Bob

Created Date: May 18,2004

Created by: marksji

I have also had to do this in the past, but it actually led to a new marketing sceme.

We now rent our machines in addition to selling them. Customers purchase hours from us by calling and giving us a credit card number (100, 250, or 500 hours at a time). We give them an auth number that is valid on that day only. Entering the auth number adds X hours to the allowed run time and disables that auth number to keep them from adding 100 hours 17 times in a row. When the run time exceeds the allowed time the machine will not start again until more hours are purchased. Also each machine has a uniquie serial number programmed in the ladder that allows the auth number to be truely unique for that machine and that day only.

This has opened up all sorts of new markets for us and is generally well received by the customers. Usually our customers decide to stop renting and just buy after about a year, at which point we make a deal for them to buy the used machine that is already installed in their plant.

Created Date: May 19,2004

Created by: marksji

I use the PLC clock's year, month, and day value along with the unique serial number of that PLC, the number of hours purchased, and a couple of constants thrown in to muddy the waters. My auth codes come out to be 5-8 digits. To mesh all that together I just do some multiplication, addition, and division in a unique order. The real trick is making sure you don't overflow in the PLC and that the auth codes are truely unique or at least not repeated in a predictable manner.

Created Date: May 19,2004

Created by: elevmike

A suggestion to sdsmith:

What CPU are you using? You may risk a re-trip of your "paid bit " down the road even if you use a retenative mem. I would reccomend using a Flash Ram mem location for the bit in question. You must use the MOV instruction to change Flash Ram memory.

The point is if you set V2000 as retenative and use a K1+ for the "paid " value, and the battery dies, and the power is off for a few days, you will loose your setting causing an "unpaid " shutdown on a "paid " unit. Using a CPU with non-volatle memory will avoid this possability.

In an effort to avoid legal conflicts, you may want to inform your customer that the "trial run " period is limited to 90 days or so. That is that the machine will automatically shut down so that "faults " can be "checked " and that the machine will need to be "reset " with a code that you will provide at that time, for resetting the unit.

BTW, I 've never done this before.....

Created Date: May 20,2004

Created by: RHanrahan

{as Eric's elevator comes to a screeching stop}

Hello? Hello??

GET ME OUT OF HERE!!

Mike,

It is unfortunate that the 240 is the only PLC in that family with the non-volatile RAM. I really prefer the instruction set for the 250-1.

Bob

Created Date: May 20,2004

Created by: elevmike

Eric,

Not to worry, If your on one of my elevators when it automatically shuts down for a "maintenance test " youll find yourself at the main egress floor with the doors stuck in the open position.

Bob,

Did you try that Flash memory card yet? I was going to try it, but I havnt had the time yet. Besides I'm now working on migrating to the DL06 now that they have AC input option modules. (the DL06 has Flash Ram also, and all thoes fancy instructions).

Created Date: May 20,2004

Created by: RHanrahan

Mike,

I am going to be using a combination of 06s and 250-1s for my future machines. The 06 just does not have enough analog output modules yet. At times I need 18 analog outputs per machine and so far the most that I could get is eight. It is nice though.

I have not had a chance to check out the flash RAM card yet. My boss is a little gunshy about using proprietary boards. He likes everything "off the shelf "