A Web-based, collaborative, computer-aided sequential control design tool

A Web-based, collaborative, computer-aided design software tool has been developed for sequential control system design. The software includes functions for specifying a sequential control system using icons for electrical devices and circuits. With the software, users can automatically generate electrical circuit designs by inputting the required motion sequences. The software's animated simulation function helps users verify or modify their designs. The software is designed to allow multiple users to work together in a collaborative mode over the Internet. During a collaboration session, only the user who "owns" a virtual token can modify the design. Other users can only view, but not modify, the current design. The software is written in Java and thus can be used on any computer with a Java virtual machine.