Patent ID: 7966413

Claim:
A method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a first protocol, said method comprising: creating a comma separated variable (CSV) file at a computer using a configuration tool having a second protocol different from the first protocol; parsing the CSV file at the computer to create at least one extensible markup language (XML) file; utilizing a schema to validate the at least one XML file at the computer, the schema including an Exchange element including at least one of: an Exchange ID element configured to reference an identifier of the exchange; a Signature element configured to reference a configuration signature value for the exchange; a Timeout element configured to reference a frequency a refresh error is to be declared; and a Build Information element including at least one of: a Name element configured to identify the configuration tool; a Description element configured to provide a description of the configuration tool; a Tool Version element configured to specify a version of the configuration tool; a Validation Code element configured to identify a field used by the configuration tool to determine whether the CSV file has been modified; a Last Build Date element configured to a last date the CSV file was created by the configuration tool; and a Last Build time element configured to specify a last time the CSV file was created configuration tool; and configuring the PLC using the XML file.