Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide apparatuses, systems, and computer readable media for supporting redundant network management. When the primary device (101, 103) fails, its Ethernet IP address is transferred or controlled by a backup Ethernet device. System information is provided to a network adapter so that programmable logic controllers are in agreement about the mode of operation. A central processing unit (201, 203) determines a calculated mode of operation from the operational statuses of the programmable logic controller and the mated programmable logic controller. The central processing unit provides an address indication (503) based on the calculated mode of operation and a selection indication (501) that is indicative of a selected address criterion. The corresponding network adapter determines the assigned network address from the selection indication and the address indication.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide apparatuses, systems, and methods for supporting cable redundancy in a network connecting a network controller (101) and an I/O device (109) (an adapter). An adapter includes a first port (407) and a second port (409) for receiving the same messages from a scanner (301) over a first and second transmission media (353, 355), respectively. A connection manager module (423) instructs a switching module (419) to direct the output data contained in the first message to a data structure (421) when the first transmission medium is operational and to direct the output data contained in the second message to the data structure when the first transmission medium is non-operational. Also, the adapter formats a message from input data.

Abstract: A modular distributed I/O system that allows one or more modules of an island to be omitted without requiring reconfiguration of the system and a method for auto-addressing the system. The island includes a network interface module that is operably connected to a user interface. The user interface allows a user to indicate for each of the nodes of the island whether the node has an I/O module physically present or not physically present. This allows a constant process image in a system where the process image is dependent upon node ID's of modules, and modules are assigned addresses (i.e., ID's) automatically without using unique markers or signatures.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a system and method for fault isolation and auto-recovery in chained loop or ring networking systems (103). According to aspects of the method and the associated path-selection algorithms described, fault isolation and auto-recovery operations can be handled locally on each node on a loop and the overall fault recovery time under a link failure condition can be minimized. In addition, the method allows for auto-recovery operations that are transparent to the rest of network and to remote hosts.

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: A gateway having an input/output scanner is disclosed. The gateway includes a local area network interface, a serial interface, and a processor configured to provide protocol conversion between the local area network interface and the serial interface. Further, an input/output scanner module is operatively connected to the serial interface and configured to poll the slave device.

Abstract: A communications adapter is provided for interfacing between a master device and an I/O device (body) having an output and/or an input. In the case of the I/O body having an output, the adapter has a TCP port for coupling to the master device via a transmission path for receiving a request message. The adapter also has a connector for operable coupling to the I/O device for receiving the output of the I/O device. The adapter further has an interface circuit operably connected to the TCP port and the connector for transmitting a response message over the transmission path in response to the request message, the response message correlating to the output received from the I/O device. The request message and the response message is limited to a length that is less than a TCP transaction length and/or a maximum transmission unit limit, or both, depending on the embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a system and method for fault isolation and auto-recovery in chained loop or ring networking systems (103). According to aspects of the method and the associated path-selection algorithms described, fault isolation and auto-recovery operations can be handled locally on each node on a loop and the overall fault recovery time under a link failure condition can be minimized. In addition, the method allows for auto-recovery operations that are transparent to the rest of network and to remote hosts.

Abstract: Each device in an industrial automation system network or other network may have its own associated one or more performance characteristics, such as response time and/or reset time of the network device. Data may be stored representing a plurality of performance characteristics each associated with a different one of a plurality of devices in the network including a first device and a second device. The stored data may be retrieved, representing the performance characteristic of the second device. The first device may communicate over the network with the second device in accordance with the performance characteristic of the second device.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a system and method for distributing and applying a configuration file from a master device (102) to a slave device (104) in a distributed control system (100). According to aspects of the invention, a configuration file is saved at a master device (102) and distributed to the slave device (104) via the data payload of a fieldbus protocol, such as the CANopen protocol. Aspects of the present invention may be used to further configure an I/O island or sub-network (108) that is attached to the slave device (104). Further aspects of the present invention may be used to repair or replace failed devices in a distributed control system (100).

Abstract: A system and method of for obtaining a pseudorandom number generator are disclosed. A set of state modules, each with a limit value, may be provided. In an embodiment, each of the limit values may be relatively prime to the other limit values. In response to one or more events, the values of the state modules are incremented. At some frequency that may be statistically independent from the occurrence of the one or more events, the values of the state modules are obtained and combined to form a random number. The values may be combined as desired and, if desired, may be combined modulo 2w, where 2w represents the number of possible random values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an active standby control system includes the steps of providing a first and second programmable logic controller (PLC), each controller having an operating state. Each controller includes 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. PLC. This method and apparatus can be used within a control system for monitoring input devices and for controlling output devices which reside on the standard communications network such as an Ethernet network, and the standard communications protocol used therein can be TCP using Modbus.

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 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 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.