Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for interfacing to a network. The system includes a network interface comprising an embedded network traffic analyzer (NTA) capable of network traffic analyzer filter and capture capabilities. The NTA also includes an artificial intelligence component that facilitates diagnosing and/or prognosing state and/or health of the network (and/or components thereof).

Abstract: A data control system having a host microprocessor, a data receiving device and a DMA controller. The DMA controller being used to control the fragmentation and recombination of a buffer memory area. The data being processed in data packets and using DMA buffer chaining.

Abstract: A processor-based control system including a host processor, a data receiver device, a system memory, and an intelligent DMA controller. The DMA controller includes a pre-parsing section. The pre-parsing section interrogating a received data packet to determine whether the received data packet contains an error, is valid, is a null packet or whether the host processor must be contacted.

Abstract: A programmable controller suitable for operating a machine to carry out programmed functions includes a plurality of program processors. Each of the program processors being operable to execute simultaneously a different user control program that directs the operation of the machine to perform specific functions. Each of the processor means is contained within a separate module which also includes a memory for storing the user control programs that are to be executed by that processor means. A mechanism is also provided to control the sequence in which the user control programs are executed and which of the processor means executes a given control program. At least one input/output interface circuit controls the gathering of data from various external sensors and in response to output data received from the processor means, controls the operation of actuator devices on the machine. The input/output data regarding state of the sensors and actuator devices are stored in a memory within the interface circuit.

Abstract: An interchangeable keyboard application module is connected to a video monitor module in a computer terminal to provide sequences of processor instructions and a keyboard for performing a plurality of selectable applications. The video monitor module includes a CRT display, a serial I/O interface and a processor that processes characters received through the serial I/O interface for display on the CRT screen whether or not the application module is attached. The processor in the video monitor module detects the connection of the application module, and then selects its instructions from a memory in the application module first, to prompt the selection of a mode of operation for the terminal, and second to execute the selected mode of operation. The application module uses a plurality of keyboard overlays, each corresponding to a respective mode of operation. In a specific embodiment two of the modes of operation are programming applications related to programmable controllers.

Abstract: An active programmable controller services I/O racks which contain circuits that interface with sensing devices and operating devices on a machine being controlled. A back-up programmable controller monitors this I/O data to maintain a current I/O image table in its memory. Other status data is coupled to the back-up controller from the active controller through a peer-to-peer communications link. If a malfunction occurs in the active controller, the back-up controller is signaled to switch to the active mode in which it assumes control of the operating devices on the machine being controlled.

Abstract: A CRT terminal includes a main unit which houses circuitry and the CRT display. An application module which includes a keyboard plugs into the front of the main unit and electrically connects to its circuitry. A flexible membrane keyboard is employed which includes a keyboard overlay that is easily changed to provide keyboard symbols appropriate to a wide variety of different applications. Resilient bumpers extend completely around the main unit to facilitate its use in industrial applications where physical abuse is common.

Abstract: A programmable controller is formed by connecting separate functional modules to a common backplane bus. A bus arbitration scheme and a message handling technique are disclosed to tightly couple the functional modules together to form an efficient programmable controller. A number of improvements to the CPU module and I/O scanner module are disclosed to further improve the performance of the resulting system.

Abstract: A CRT terminal includes a main unit which houses circuitry and the CRT display. An application module which includes a keyboard plugs into the front of the main unit and electrically connects to its circuitry. A flexible membrane keyboard is employed which includes a keyboard overlay that is easily changed to provide keyboard symbols appropriate to a wide variety of different applications. Resilient bumpers extend completely around the main unit to facilitate its use in industrial applications where physical abuse is common.

Abstract: A rack adapter for a programmable controller is included in each of four remotely located I/O interface racks that are connected in series to a central processor. The rack adapter includes a rack interface processor under program control which converts serial data received from the central processor to parallel data that is written into I/O modules in its rack. The rack interface processor also converts parallel data from I/O modules to serial data, which is sent back to the central processor through a select data out circuit in proper sequence with data from the other racks. The rack interface processor initiates the decontrol of machines connected to the four racks if a major transmission fault occurs, but the rack interface processor is tolerant to transmission errors caused by electrical noise.