Method for encoding ontology reasoning on a programmable logic controller

摘要

A method is disclosed for operating a programmable logic controller which executes program(s) based on cycles having a predetermined cycle time in a predefined memory. An automated reasoning method based on an ontology and a description logic is implemented in the programmable logic controller. To enable this, at least the concepts and roles of the ontology are encoded using index numbers and the axioms of the ontology are encoded using tuples of integral index numbers. The automated reasoning method is interrupted before the end of a cycle and subsequently resumed at the current status of program execution. This allows for the cyclic programming paradigm of a programmable logic controller. The method can be used for any types of programmable logic controller, e.g., controllers of devices belonging to an automation system or energy generation devices. In such scenarios the automated reasoning method may be used for diagnosing the corresponding devices.