Patent ID: 8266352

Claim:
A memory-programmable control (SPS) for coupling to a data interface ( 8 ) of a personal computer (PC), the personal computer (PC) including a user interface ( 13 ), a memory and a control unit for function assignment ( 3 ), the SPS comprising: means for operating the inputs and outputs ( 9 , 10 ) of the SPS, the means including keys (T 1 through Tn) for tripping machine functions, wherein the keys (T 1 through Tn) are embodied as pushbuttons (T 1 through Tn), provided in addition to the user interface ( 13 ) of the PC, are each electrically connected directly to one each of the SPS inputs ( 9 ) at the same time that the personal computer (PC) is coupled to the SPS and are each electrically connected, parallel to the SPS inputs ( 9 ), to an internal bus ( 14 ) of the PC; wherein one of a plurality of key levels, each with selected meanings, stored in memory in the PC, for the pushbuttons (T 1 through Tn) is selectable from the user interface ( 13 ) of the PC; and a control unit for flag assignment ( 4 ) connected directly to the SPS inputs ( 9 ) and thus to the external pushbuttons (T 1 through Tn) and to the PC via the data interface ( 8 ); wherein the control unit for flag assignment ( 4 ) receives information about a key allocation of the pushbuttons (T 1 through Tn) in a particular key level upon selection and links this information with a pushbutton signal applied to an SPS input ( 9 ), and wherein upon selection of any of the keys (T 1 through Tn), a respective surface function ( 5 ) of the PC, stored in the memory and simultaneously assigned to both the machine function and to the key's respective key allocation is tripped.