Abstract: An exemplary method relates to associating diverse devices each including a unique public media access control address (Public MAC address). In this exemplary embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of devices with a shared private media access control address (Shared Private MAC address) such that the Shared Private MAC address is known to each of the devices and usable for initiating a learning interchange during which the devices exchange their unique Public MAC addresses with each other and are thereby associated with each other; and/or using a shared private media access control address (Shared Private MAC address) known to each of a plurality of devices to initiate a learning interchange that includes the devices exchanging their unique Public MAC addresses with each other and thereby associating the devices with each other.

Abstract: A wireless Proximity Stop system includes one or more Machine Safety Devices (MSDs) and one or more Personal Safety Devices (PSDs). Each MSD includes a wireless communication interface with Diagnostic Coverage (DC). Each PSD includes a wireless communication interface with Diagnostic Coverage (DC) for wireless communication with the one or more MSDs. Each PSD is configured to be operable for initiating and safely terminating a Proximity Stop signal to the one or more MSDs to trigger a Proximity Stop function of the one or more MSDs for stopping operation of a connected machine(s). Each PSD includes a transmitter and separate receiver operable for verifying that the transmitter is transmitting with the correct data and power level. Each MSD includes a receiver and a separate transmitter or local transmitting beacon usable by the receiver for verifying that the receiver is capable of receiving with the correct data and power level.

Abstract: A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems and methods for changing operator control unit (OCU) configurations (e.g., operating frequency, address, operational configuration, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes at least one or more radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with at least one or more machines. The at least one or more RFID tags are readable by an RFID reader when the RFID reader and the at least one or more RFID tags are operationally proximate. The at least one or more RFID tags include data useable for changing the configuration of the OCU such that the OCU is configured to be operable with the at least one or more machines.

Abstract: Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of coordinated safety interlocking systems and methods of coordinating safety interlocking. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for providing coordinated safety interlocking between a plurality of machines is disclosed. The system generally includes a plurality of machine control units each configured to control at least one of the plurality of machines. The system also includes at least one operator control unit configured to define a dynamic cluster including a subset of the plurality of machine control units. The at least one operator control unit is configured to control safety interlocking between each machine control unit in the dynamic cluster. The system may be used to provide coordinated safety interlocking between various elements and/or machines, such as crane bridges and crane hoists, etc.

Abstract: A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

Abstract: A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

Abstract: An exemplary method relates to associating diverse devices each including a unique public media access control address (Public MAC address). In this exemplary embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of devices with a shared private media access control address (Shared Private MAC address) such that the Shared Private MAC address is known to each of the devices and usable for initiating a learning interchange during which the devices exchange their unique Public MAC addresses with each other and are thereby associated with each other; and/or using a shared private media access control address (Shared Private MAC address) known to each of a plurality of devices to initiate a learning interchange that includes the devices exchanging their unique Public MAC addresses with each other and thereby associating the devices with each other.

Abstract: Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of coordinated safety interlocking systems and methods of coordinating safety interlocking. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for providing coordinated safety interlocking between a plurality of machines is disclosed. The system generally includes a plurality of machine control units each configured to control at least one of the plurality of machines. The system also includes at least one operator control unit configured to define a dynamic cluster including a subset of the plurality of machine control units. The at least one operator control unit is configured to control safety interlocking between each machine control unit in the dynamic cluster. The system may be used to provide coordinated safety interlocking between various elements and/or machines, such as crane bridges and crane hoists, etc.

Abstract: A crane control system for controlling a plurality of cranes is provided. The crane control system in some embodiments includes a master controller unit, at least one computer readable memory for storing a plurality of tokens, each token from the plurality of tokens associated with a respective crane from the plurality of cranes, and a processing unit responsive to commands inputtable by an operator of the master controller unit to send the commands to individual cranes from the plurality of cranes, wherein the processing unit associates the commands with respective tokens to control the cranes associated with those tokens. The crane control system in some embodiments also includes a processing unit that is responsive to a signal indicative of a synchronization loss to issue a command to bring the plurality of cranes into a safe condition, such as an emergency stop, or a corrective action.

Abstract: Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of coordinated safety interlocking systems and methods of coordinating safety interlocking. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for providing coordinated safety interlocking between a plurality of machines is disclosed. The system generally includes a plurality of machine control units each configured to control at least one of the plurality of machines. The system also includes at least one operator control unit configured to define a dynamic cluster including a subset of the plurality of machine control units. The at least one operator control unit is configured to control safety interlocking between each machine control unit in the dynamic cluster. The system may be used to provide coordinated safety interlocking between various elements and/or machines, such as crane bridges and crane hoists, etc.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems and methods for changing operator control unit (OCU) configurations (e.g., operating frequency, address, operational configuration, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes at least one or more radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with at least one or more machines. The at least one or more RFID tags are readable by an RFID reader when the RFID reader and the at least one or more RFID tags are operationally proximate. The at least one or more RFID tags include data useable for changing the configuration of the OCU such that the OCU is configured to be operable with the at least one or more machines.

Abstract: A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane digital analog switch includes an input button surface adapted to receive an input pressure from a user, and a digital switch positioned below the input button surface to generate a digital switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified digital pressure threshold. The membrane digital analog switch also includes an analog switch adapted to generate an analog switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified analog pressure threshold. The specified analog pressure threshold is greater than the specified digital pressure threshold, the digital switch activation signal is a binary digital signal, and the analog switch activation signal is variable and corresponds to an analog sensed value of the received pressure on the input button surface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane digital analog switch includes an input button surface adapted to receive an input pressure from a user, and a digital switch positioned below the input button surface to generate a digital switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified digital pressure threshold. The membrane digital analog switch also includes an analog switch adapted to generate an analog switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified analog pressure threshold. The specified analog pressure threshold is greater than the specified digital pressure threshold, the digital switch activation signal is a binary digital signal, and the analog switch activation signal is variable and corresponds to an analog sensed value of the received pressure on the input button surface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.