Patent US 3,975,622

A logic programmer panel has been provided for programming a digital controller with instructions directly from a process representation of a process control system for directing the operation of the same. The digital controller has inputs and outputs for respectively sensing and controlling various stages of the process. The programming panel includes selectable means and defining indicia associated therewith for programming the computer with instructions in a human language format from the flow chart when the individual portions of the means are selected. The selectable switch means, each having a digital code associated therewith for converting the human language format of the associated instructions into a code instructions each code when read by the controller being effective to store the instructions within a memory portion of the controller so as to affect the instruction defined by the selection of the word indicia of the selectable means. The indicia are a set of vocabulary words derived from the process representation which define the portions of the process. The words include the following: Out; sets the status of devices in accordance with an IF or a Test instruction. If; defines the instruction for detecting the status of parameters of the process. Jump; causes the controller to cease execution of a program sequence at one address and continue same at another. Go to and GO BACK are paired words causing the computer to cease execution of a program sequence at one address and continue at some designated different address and continue through the secondary sequence until the GO BACK instruction is reached wherein the controller continues the initial sequence. Set to zero, load, increment and DECREMENT are words associated with counters for respectively setting counters to zero, loading same with a selected count and increasing or decreasing the stored count within the counters by one. Test; compares the actual count stored in the controller with a selected count.