Abstract: A system and corresponding method for communicating non-I/O data between components of an industrial control system (ICS) including control or automation devices and a programmable logic controller. The method includes the steps of: having one of the components, such as a control or automation device, transmit the non-I/O data formatted as a message frame in the same way as a I/O data is formatted as a message frame, including having a message type identifier to identify that the message frame bears non-I/O data; and having another of the components, such as the programmable logic controller, receive the encapsulated non-I/O data as a message frame, wherein the receiving component identifies the non-I/O data based on the message type identifier conveyed with the message frame and extracts the non-I/O data from the message frame. The transmitting component transmits the non-I/O data over a field bus such as a PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, DEVICENET, CAN, or CAN OPEN types of field bus.

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. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: Analog input module for a programmable logic controller, the analog input module having an input circuit with terminals for accepting either a single voltage range or a single current range from process control sensors. The analog input module includes an analog-to-digital converter and an input circuit with an output terminal connected to the input of the analog-to-digital converter, a voltage input terminal, a current input terminal, and a common terminal. The input circuit is configured to accept a voltage input between the voltage input terminal and the common terminal, to accept a current input between the current input terminal and the common terminal, and to provide an output voltage at the output terminal dependent upon either the voltage input or the current input, without switching or configuring between them.

Abstract: This invention is a system for remotely loading and remotely maintaining an electronic card (5) belonging to automation equipment and comprising a minimum of a processing unit (31), an internal bus (30) and a resources controller (10) which has one or more JTAG interface registers (42, 43) accessible for reading/writing by a JTAG server (50) that is external to the automation equipment. The resources controller (10) contains a status engine (11) capable of interpreting and carrying out instructions stored in one or more of the JTAG interface registers (43) and able to use the resources (21a, 21b, 21i) managed by the resources controller (10) and shared with the processing unit (31), without the intervention of the processing unit (31).

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 distributed automation system comprising a programmable logic controller connected to programmable logic controllers equipped with a host unit and couplers communicating with the host unit through the back panel bus. One of the couplers is connected through a bus to associated equipment, wherein the coupler can communicate with the associated equipment through a server function using the TCP/IP protocol. The server coupler is provided with a mass memory containing (1) “PLC variables” type software objects that manage access to PLC variables, and (2) “manufacturer” type software objects that transform information from PLC variable objects to manufacturer-type information that can be used by the associated equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving communication throughout a network is disclosed. The network includes a module capable of transmitting messages in response to a change of state. Bit errors transmitted within network are detected and a detected bit error rate is calculated. A residual, i.e., undetected, error probability is determined in response to the detected bit error rate. Corrective action towards reducing the effects of the residual errors is taken, e.g., retransmission of messages, in response to the residual error probability exceeding a predetermined threshold.

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: A CANOpen network including a bus master and an I/O module are disclosed. Each are 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 sending a state signal from the I/O module to the bus master in response to a state change of the I/O module, sending a trigger signal from the bus master to the I/O module, and sending a state signal from the I/O module to the bus master in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A mobile testing apparatus, method, and computer product that performs high speed testing of mobile pressure devices using high speed totalization, where testing of multiple devices may be done concurrently. Test results are communicated to a central console using a variety of communication methods, including wireless, and the testing apparatus and method is robust and reliable despite the occurrence of transient communication failures, because the test apparatus and method may operate independently of central control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of automation equipment executing a real-time program (70) for carrying out the monitoring/control of an automation application. It includes a USB type connector (81) connected via a USB bus driver circuit (8) to an internal bus (9) of the automation equipment and a software task (1,31,32,60,61,62,67) in charge of controlling the flow of communications exchanged via the USB connector (81) with remote equipments, with the characteristics of the application program (70) executed in the automation equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to automation equipment comprising a system unit (1) that has a real time operating system (10) and an application program (20) for monitoring/control of an automation application. The automation equipment comprises a driver (40) for the TCP/IP network (4) that is directly included in the system unit (1) without going through a back panel bus. The operating system (10) of the system unit (1) comprises a management module (30) for communications on the TCP/IP network (4) and a control task (12) responsible for controlling execution of the communications management module (30) to the characteristics of the automation application to avoid disturbing operation of the application program (20).

Abstract: A method and system for automated temperature measurement is described. The system includes a programmable logic controller, a temperature measurement diode, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the diode and the programmable logic controller, a current source coupled to the diode and configured to generate a first current and a second current different from said first current, and a processor coupled to the current source and to the analog-to-digital converter. The processor controls the current source such that the current source sequentially applies the first current to the diode at a first point in time and applies the second current to the diode at a second point in time. The processor also receives a first voltage across the diode measured when the first current is applied to the diode and a second voltage across the diode measured when the second current is applied to the diode. Based on the first and second voltages, the processor determines the temperature proximate the diode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for packing an order of parts. An operator is prompted to select an indicated part. The part is read by the system to verify the selection of the part. An array of indicators directs the operator to where the part should be placed in a shipping tote. An array of sensors confirms the packing of the part.

Abstract: A method and system for forwarding a message from a communication device on the ground to a passenger traveling in an airplane, is disclosed. The method and system include creating the message using a first communication device, transmitting the message to a messaging router, transmitting from the message router to the passenger through a second communication device a notification that the message is available for receipt by the passenger, requesting receipt of the message by the passenger through the second communication device, transmitting the message from the message router to the second communication device on the airplane, and receiving the message through the second communication device on the airplane.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process for use of automation equipment. The automation equipment comprises an application memory in which an application program is stored that is used for the monitoring/control of an automation application. The process comprises a step for the storage of at least one address in the application memory in the form of a hyperlink associated with a document related to the automation application and memorised outside the automation equipment. This address is inserted in a comments field in the application program. The invention also discloses a programming station capable of inserting and displaying such a document.

Abstract: This invention relates to a digital communication bus between electronic modules (S1, Sn), composed of at least one pair of data transmission lines (2A, 2B) and terminating by line terminators (TA, TB), and characterized by the fact that it comprises, for example in the two line terminators (TA, TB), components (R6, R7, R3, R4) imposing transmission with polarization and inverting the polarization whenever one or both line terminators are missing, or are not connected to the bus, or the bus is open.

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: Communication system on an IP network (50) between automation equipment (10) capable of executing at least one program (20) to provide automation functions and one or more remote items of equipment (30, 40) executing one or several computer applications. The communication system is conform with the WSDL (Web Services Description Language) language and provides monitoring, display, control, configuration or programming functions of the automation equipment (10) to remote equipment.