Abstract: A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.

Abstract: An issue tracking and resolution method includes receiving an issue to an issue tracking and resolution (ITR) system via a network. The ITR system includes a directory including a plurality of directory items. The method further includes associating the issue with a first directory item of the plurality of directory items, where the plurality of directory items includes at least one machine and at least one operation performed by the machine. The method includes subscribing a first subscriber to the ITR system via the network; and associating the first subscriber with at least one directory items of the plurality of directory items. The first directory item is compared with at least one directory item associated with the first subscriber using the ITR system, and an issue notification is sent to the first subscriber when the first directory item matches the directory item associated with the first subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling automation includes a machine performing at least one operation and including a sensor for generating data in response to a performance of the operation by the machine. Data generated by the sensor is stored for retrieval by a server in data memory storage. The server includes at least one display template for displaying the data, and the server generates a data display by populating the at least one display template with the data. The data template can be populated with data in real time, to display the data display immediate to the generation of the data. The display template includes a data feature which is differentiated for displaying the data feature in a mode determined by the data populating the data display. The data display can be displayed in real time by a user device in communication with the server.

Abstract: A decorative holder for serving/catering trays and tins includes a bottom holder/receptacle which receives a traditional foil serving tin, effectively surrounding the bottom and four sides of the serving tin. A lid is placed over the upper peripheral edges of the holder/receptacle to hold the serving tin in place and also to cover the upper edges of the serving or catering tin. An optional spacer block may be utilized between the bottom of the holder/receptacle and the serving tin so as to align the upper edges of each.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for monitoring performance of equipment located in an automation environment including identifying a sequence of tasks performed by the equipment, wherein each task in the sequence is defined by a series of signals; for each task in the sequence: (a) collecting data pertaining to the series of signals; (b) determining a completion time based on the collected data; and (c) determining a difference between the determined completion time and a predetermined reference value indicative of an expected completion time; repeating (a)-(c) for a plurality of repetitions of the sequence; summing, over the plurality of repetitions of the sequence, at least some of the determined differences to calculate an accumulated variance value for each given task; and selectively generating a predictive failure indication based on the accumulated variance values.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a digital profile defined by digital behavior expressed by a device includes receiving digital behavior data and identifying information defined by a device in communication with a content server, generating a device profile for the device, associating the device with at least one device population, and generating a population profile defined by the device population. The device profiles and population profiles may be made accessible to users of a social network. Related contents, including identifying information, device behavior analysis, comparative ratings, service and diagnostic information, messages and alerts may be associated with a device profile or population profile and published to the social network. A population profile may define normal digital behavior of the population, such that the population profile may be compared with the device profile of a device, to determine whether the device operation is abnormal with respect to the population profile.

Abstract: An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a heartbeat of a process including at least one machine configured to perform a process cycle consisting of a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence under an identified condition includes determining the duration of each of the timed events during the process cycle performed under the identified condition, ordering the durations of the plurality of timed events in the process sequence, and generating a heartbeat defined by the ordered durations of a process cycle. The identified condition may be one of a design intent, baseline, learnt, known, current or prior condition. The variance of the heartbeat between a first and at least a second identified condition may be analyzed to monitor and/or control the process or machine. The system may display the process heartbeat information and may generate a message in response to the heartbeat and/or variance thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a heartbeat of a process including at least one machine configured to perform a process cycle consisting of a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence under an identified condition includes determining the duration of each of the timed events during the process cycle performed under the identified condition, ordering the durations of the plurality of timed events in the process sequence, and generating a heartbeat defined by the ordered durations of a process cycle. The identified condition may be one of a design intent, baseline, learnt, known, current or prior condition. The variance of the heartbeat between a first and at least a second identified condition may be analyzed to monitor and/or control the process or machine. The system may display the process heartbeat information and may generate a message in response to the heartbeat and/or variance thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing automation data from an automated system uses a multi-array populated by an automation controller with automation data including timing data defined by a controller clock. The multi-array includes at least one member corresponding to a sensor sensing a state of the member and a plurality of member-defined data elements, which may correspond to a start time and end time of the member state. Automation data is captured from the controller multi-array by a computing device in communication with the controller including a first data table corresponding with the controller multi-array for efficient collection of the automation data from the controller memory, and a second data table for associating each data element with its defining member and storing the associated data in a historical database which may be used for analysis of cycle time data of a member, device or operation of the automated system.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a heartbeat of a process including at least one machine configured to perform a process cycle consisting of a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence under an identified condition includes determining the duration of each of the timed events during the process cycle performed under the identified condition, ordering the durations of the plurality of timed events in the process sequence, and generating a heartbeat defined by the ordered durations of a process cycle. The identified condition may be one of a design intent, baseline, learnt, known, current or prior condition. The variance of the heartbeat between a first and at least a second identified condition may be analyzed to monitor and/or control the process or machine. The system may display the process heartbeat information and may generate a message in response to the heartbeat and/or variance thereof.