Abstract: A communication protocol comprising a data packet, a control byte, and a check sum byte. The data packet having a plurality of data words wherein each data word comprises a first byte and a second byte. The control byte having a first address bit, a second address bit, and a third address bit for identifying an address of a slave controller, a type bit following the first address bit, the second address bit, and the third address bit for identifying a data type within said data packet, a direction bit following the type bit for identifying a source of the data frame, a content bit following the direction bit for identifying whether said data packet comprises data, a state bit following the content bit for identifying a state of a master controller, and a run/stop bit following the state bit for identifying a run/stop state of the master controller. The protocol comprises a check sum byte to ensure correct transmission of the data packet and control byte.

Abstract: A modular distributed I/O system for an industrial automation network that allows one or more modules of an island to be omitted without requiring reconfiguration of the system by maintaining a consistent I/O image representation of the distributed I/O network for various physical distributed I/O configurations, and managing reconfiguration changes using Virtual Placeholder objects.

Abstract: A method and interface module for communicating messages with a remote location and to provide access to an at least one intelligent electronic device (IED) operably connected to a communication network. The interface module is comprised of a central processing unit and an operating system operating the central processing unit. A network interface is operably connected with the communication network. A protocol task processes communication on the network according to first and second protocol stacks, wherein messages are assigned to either the first or second protocol stack. Messages assigned to the first protocol stack have a higher priority than messages assigned to the second protocol stack. A set of application tasks communicates with the protocol task for responding to an incoming message from the communication network and initiating an outgoing message to the communication network. An interconnection bus with an interface driver is operably connected with the at least one IED.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed. An apparatus and method are also provided for detecting arc events when the current spikes above a threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a control system of an automation network. The control system comprises an automation device operably connected to the network. Also operably connected to the control system is a network device for storing an application program for controlling the automation device. A message request for the application program is transmitted from the automation device to the network device. A customized application program is selected in response to the message request and transmitted to the automation device. The application program is installed in the automation device and executed.

Abstract: A CANOpen network including a bus master and an I/O module is disclosed. Each is communicatively coupled to a common bus. The I/O module is subject to a state change. The bus master collects state information from the I/O module by determining if the bus master is prepared to receive further data from the bus and sending a trigger signal from the bus master to the I/O module if the bus master is prepared to receive further data from the bus. The I/O modules sends a state signal to the bus master in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: An automation device includes a modular assembly with a primary group configured for use with a hardware element. The primary group includes a controller providing signals. A feeder unit provides power to automated units. A primary first link connects the input/output modules, the primary first link carrying the signals and carrying power to the input/output modules. A primary second link connects the input/output modules and carries power to the automated units. A terminating module connects to the primary first and second links. A secondary module group is associated with a secondary zone of the hardware element. The secondary group includes a lead module connected to a secondary first link and a secondary second link, the secondary first link connected to the primary first link. A cable connects the terminating module with the lead module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a notification system for an automation network. The notification system comprises a sensor for monitoring a network device operably connected to the automation network. An intelligent automation device having an object is responsive to the sensor, wherein the intelligent automation device transmits the object to a receiving device for displaying the object to an operator for requesting human intervention with the automation network.

Abstract: A communication system is provided for communication within a control system. The communication system has a plurality of simple devices connected to an intra-level communications network, each simple device being adapted to directly exchange data with the other simple devices. The communications system also has at least one intelligent device connected to the intra-level communications network, each intelligent device being adapted to directly exchange data with each simple device on the intra-level communications networks. The communication system can have a plurality of intra-level communications networks. The intra-level communications networks can be directly be connected by an intra-level core connector or by an inter-level core connector through an inter-level network of the intelligent devices.

Abstract: An integrated control system comprises one or more controllers each equipped to perform a control function and to gather data (ordinarily from sensors) relevant to the control function. The data is combined with instructions, associated with the data, for causing a remote computer to generate a visual display incorporating the data in a predetermined format. A communication module establishes contact and facilitates data interchange with the remote computer over the World Wide Web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning a permanent identifier to a client node initially having a default identifier and being operably connected to a network. A server determines a location of the client node and assigns the permanent identifier to the client node in response to the location of the client node on the network.

Abstract: A system for providing technical support for remote automation or remote control devices, the system including: a device identifier (35), for determining components of pre-determined automation or control devices, such as for example programmable logic controllers, indicated in a device database (33), by periodically querying the devices for component hardware, software, and firmware, and for providing thereby the device database (33) with component identifications for the predetermined devices; and a device configuration manager (36), responsive to the component identifications and further responsive to available device components in a database (34) of available device components, for comparing the installed and available device components and for providing an offer to upgrade installed device components; and also typically including a system diagnostics manager (32), responsive to the component identifications, and further responsive to diagnostics information in a diagnostics database (31), for providing d

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for accessing, controlling and monitoring a programable logic controller with a network client having a conventional web browser. The apparatus includes an archive, an interface, and a library. The archive provides for compiling an application written in code supported by the web browser. The interface is responsive to the application for establishing a connection between the controller and the network client. Further, the library is responsive to the application for supporting communication between the controller and the network client upon establishing a connection therebetween.

Abstract: A method and a system is provided for facilitating communication throughout a master/slave network. The network topology includes a transmission cable being operably connected between the network modules. A master module includes a master terminating resistor operably connected to the transmission cable. A slave module includes a slave terminating resistor and a slave switch. The slave terminating resistor is operably connected to the slave switch. A load resistor is operably connected to the transmission cable. The slave switch is operably responsive to the load resistor to generate a terminate enable. The slave switch inserts the slave terminating resistor onto the transmission cable in response to the terminate enable.

Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back-plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Residing in the PLC is a programming package accessible to a user through this interface which will allow the user to edit programs controlling the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to facilitating communication within an automation system having a plurality of networks and network protocols. Specifically, a Modbus network is operably connected to a network. A fieldbus coupler operably connected to both networks having a program facilitates communication within the automation system wherein devices connected to the network can be accessed for monitoring and/or controlling via Modbus commands. The fieldbus coupler (FBC) program accepts a Modbus function code containing one or more embedded message of varying types. The FBC program using additional information contained in the Modbus function code and the message type reads or writes only the required information to and from the field devices. This specific read or write request of the information and the embedding of more than one message type reduces overhead and bandwidth usage, thus improving bus response time and efficiency.

Abstract: System and method for training a user how to use software for programming a programmable logic controller (PLC). When the user encounters difficulties with programming the PLC, a training hyperlink option is provided to the user. Then, if the user selects the training hyperlink option, information is communicated automatically over a communications network, including information pertaining to the difficulties encountered by the user. The user is then linked to customized training resources which address the difficulties based upon the information that was automatically communicated when the user selected the training hyperlink option.

Abstract: A control system for programming an application program controlling a factory automation device on a communication network having a programming device operably connected to the communication network. A program package is embedded in the programming device and is used for creating and editing the application program. At least one web page is resident on the programming device and operably connected to the program package. The web page is accessible to a user using a web browser to edit the application program controlling the factory automation device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an active standby control system comprising the steps of providing a first and second programmable logic controller (PLC), each controller having an operating state. Each controller further including a network module board operably connected to a network; a control unit, a remote I/O head; and, a hot standby module, each hot standby module is operably connected together. Operably connecting each programmable logic controller to a network. Assigning a network address identifier, i.e., Internet Protocol or Media Access Control address, to each programmable logic controller and sensing the operating state of each programmable logic controller. The network address identifier of each programmable logic controller is determined by the operating state of each respective programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring a plurality of messages in an Ethernet industrial control environment. The messages are tagged with identifiers of varying levels of priority. The system has a serial network bus. Clock synchronization messages generated by a master device are tagged with a higher priority identifier, while other message types are tagged with a lesser priority identifier. Data having the highest priority identifier is placed onto the bus before placing data with a lesser priority identifier onto the bus.