Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated audit recording and tracking of PLC-based interactions. A recording component is provided that interacts with an application that can change or alter one or more characteristics of PLC operations. The recording component can be client-based on the same or associated platform as the application or can be embedded within a control system component. When interactions have been recorded, a tracking component aggregates such interactions in a file or record stored in a local or remote database, wherein audit reports that document control interactions or changes can automatically be generated from such files. Recorded interactions can be stored in a substantially real time manner and include records of all interactions with a control system as opposed to merely saving a final program or resultant image of such interactions, thus facilitating a more controlled and secure auditing environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods to port controller state and context via non-volatile portable memory to controllers employing an open operating system. The present invention provides for saving a controller's state and context, for example after the controller has been suitably configured. The saved image can then be employed for subsequent controller startups to resume a particular state and context, utilized during maintenance to return a controller to a previously saved state and context, and employed to efficiently configure similar controllers via porting and/or loading the saved image to the similar controllers, which mitigates manual controller configuration. The present invention can be employed in connection with various industrial controller designs, memory configurations, and data transfer techniques. In addition, the present invention provides for serial and/or concurrent state and context transfers between controllers and memory devices.

Abstract: A device for calculating the steady state behavior of a controller includes an amount generating unit for generating the amount of deviation of the regulator, a first threshold value calculation unit that detects whether the amount of deviation of the regulator has fallen below a first threshold value and then starts a lag time delay unit, and a second threshold value calculation unit that detects whether the amount of deviation of the regulator has fallen below a second threshold value. A signal transmission unit transmits a ready message signal when the lag time delay unit has reached a predetermined lag time and the second threshold value calculation unit has detected that the amount of deviation of the regulator has fallen below the second threshold value.

Abstract: Predictions may be made regarding heat removal requirements depending on certain operational characteristics of an information processing system which have been monitored over time. A fan may be controlled based on the observed operational characteristics and based on the predictions made regarding the heat removal requirements for the system. For example, system utilization by applications may be monitored, possibly along with system performance parameters such as power level and frequency. These and other operational characteristics may be used to predict heat generation so that a fan may be controlled to anticipate temperature changes and thereby flatten temperature curves over time. This may be done in addition to monitoring the ambient temperature of the system and reacting to temperature spikes that may have already occurred.

Abstract: A method and configuration system are used for producing an application-specific functional module from a predefined functional module for a programmable controller. In this context, a marking device is useable to mask out subfunctions of the predefined functional module, so that just the software code for those subfunctions which is required in order to satisfy the functionality of the application-specific functional module are readable into the programmable controller. In this case, it is simultaneously necessary to ensure that only that software code which is not imperatively required for calculating a result for at least one of the unmarked subfunctions is masked out and is therefore not read in.

Abstract: The engineering of automation systems is configured more simply where the functionality of a control system is implemented via an object model. The object model permits the functional interconnection of technological objects. For this purpose, a project browser ensures the display of the interplay of all the components involved in an application in their mutual relationships.

Abstract: A system (830) and method (800) for diagnosing a malfunctioning machine. A fault event is selected (806) together with sequential operating parameter data (808) from a selectively focused time interval about the fault event for evaluation of a machine (810). The selectively focused time interval may include data occurring just before, just after, or spanning the fault event. Characterizing information such as slope, rate of change, and absolute sign of the data may be derived (809) from the operating parameter data over the selectively focused time interval and used in the diagnosis. The fault event and operating parameter data may be compared to existing cases in a case database (834). A set of rules (817) or candidate anomalies (841) may be executed over the operating parameter data to further improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the precompensated pattern of exposure doses of an electron beam required per pattern position to obtain a desired pattern in a coating on a substrate, comprising the steps of: determining a smearing function of the electron beam; determining a precompensated pattern with the smearing function and the desired pattern, wherein the determination is performed such that exposure doses contain almost exclusively positive values and the exposure doses are smooth relative to each other.

Abstract: A control system includes a nonvolatile memory chip and a controller. The controller transfers a group of data from exterior to the nonvolatile memory chip based on the capacity of the nonvolatile memory, and enables the programming of the transferred data in the nonvolatile memory chip while transferring a new group of data. When transferring the group of data to the memory chip, the controller determines whether all the data are transferred from the exterior to the controller, and, if the all the data are transferred to the controller, transfers the group of data to the memory chip. Also, the controller controls the period of the data programming according to the capacity of the nonvolatile memory. Thus, data transfer and program operations are performed at the same time regardless of the memory capacity.

Abstract: A programmable limit switch includes output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an incremental advance of a workpiece through a production field, and for producing actuation signals. The channels are connectable to respective output devices responsive to the respective actuation signals and located in the field. Each output channel has an output controller, which is individually programmable to change the state of respective actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values. Preferably, the PLS includes input connectors coupled to a respective channel and connectable to respective input devices located within the production field. Each channel operates its own inputs and outputs according to a variety of programmed functions depending upon system conditions seen by the output controller.

Abstract: A clock controller and clock generating method are provided for AC self-test timing analysis of a logic system. The controller includes latch circuitry which receives a DC input signal at a data input, and a pair of continuous out-of-phase clock signals at capture and launch clock inputs thereof. The latch circuitry outputs two overlapping pulses responsive to the DC input signal going high. The two overlapping pulses are provided to waveform shaper circuitry which produces therefrom two non-overlapping pulses at clock speed of the logic system to be tested. The two non-overlapping pulses are a single pair of clock pulses which facilitate AC self-test timing analysis of the logic system.

Abstract: A system and method for the rapid configuration and connection of a backup controller in a distributed data network such as an automated fuel distribution network. Each service-station site in the network has a site controller that supervises operations of the site components, such as the fuel dispenser and credit-card reader, communicating with them through an on-site router, or hub. The fuel-distribution site also communicates with the central network controller through the same hub. In the event of a site-controller outage, one of several spare controllers, usually co-located with the network controller, is loaded and configured to function as the site controller. It is then placed in communication with the site components via a data-network connection, such as through the Internet. The hub switches communications protocols from serial data to packets suitable for Internet communications.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for limiting the ramp rate of a variable under control in order to control stress in a process or plant under control. The present invention takes a limit curve provided by the user and combines that limit curve with a scale factor curve obtained from a model of the system to produce an allowable limit curve. A ramp rate limiter then uses the allowable limit curve to control the ramp rate of the variable under control such that the ramp rate of the variable under control is able to achieve the maximum allowable limit but no more.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for variable base load demand-side energy management. The system of the present invention includes a power reduction device receiving electrical power from an electrical power source and outputting electrical power to a load. The system of the present invention can control the power delivered to one or more devices in a single facility or to multiple facilities. The system of the present invention can control the power delivered to one or more devices located in one or more facilities by sending control signals over various kinds of networks using various communication methods simultaneously, such as a modem, a LAN, or a WAN such as the Internet.