Abstract: A control device includes first and second control modules. The first control module is configured to generate process data at t1, send the process data to the second control module via a communication channel, receive a response to the process data, and process the process data at t4. The second control module is configured to receive the process data from the first control module, process the process data at t2, generate the response at t3, and send the response to the first control module. The times t1, t2, t3, and t4 are in chronological order. In various implementations, the first and second control modules jointly guarantee a minimum duration ?1 between t1 and t2. In various implementations, the second control module guarantees a minimum duration ?2 between t2 and t3. In various implementations, the first and second control modules jointly guarantee a minimum duration ?3 between t3 and t4.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for controlling a plurality k of visual indicating elements of at least one electronic device, where k?2, wherein each of the indicating elements is configured to emit light for visual indication of an operating status of the at least one electronic device and/or individual components of the at least one electronic device. The apparatus comprises at least one evaluation and control unit connected to the indicating elements to control intensities of light emitted from the indicating elements to cause the indicating elements emit light having defined intensities during a normal operating mode and, during an operating action of the at least one electronic device, to visually accentuate one or more of the indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action by changing relative intensities of the light emitted from the indicating elements.

Abstract: A user program for a safety controller is created by means of a program editor. The user program has a first program portion and at least one additional program portion. The first program portion defines safety-related logical dependencies between selected sensor signals and actuator signals. The user program is compiled and linked, in order to obtain an executable original program code. The original program code is transferred to a first memory of the safety controller and executed by a processor of the safety controller. The first program portion may be modified and compiled in order to obtain a modified first code portion. The modified first code portion is transferred to a second memory of the safety controller while the original program code is executed. The modified first code portion is then executed in addition to the original additional code portion and instead of the original first code portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for controlling a plurality k of visual indicating elements of at least one electronic device, where k?2, wherein each of the indicating elements is configured to emit light for visual indication of an operating status of the at least one electronic device and/or individual components of the at least one electronic device. The apparatus comprises at least one evaluation and control unit connected to the indicating elements to control intensities of light emitted from the indicating elements to cause the indicating elements emit light having defined intensities during a normal operating mode and, during an operating action of the at least one electronic device, to visually accentuate one or more of the indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action by changing relative intensities of the light emitted from the indicating elements.

Abstract: A user program for a safety controller is created by means of a program editor. The user program has a first program portion and at least one additional program portion. The first program portion defines safety-related logical dependencies between selected sensor signals and actuator signals. The user program is compiled and linked, in order to obtain an executable original program code. The original program code is transferred to a first memory of the safety controller and executed by a processor of the safety controller. The first program portion may be modified and compiled in order to obtain a modified first code portion. The modified first code portion is transferred to a second memory of the safety controller while the original program code is executed. The modified first code portion is then executed in addition to the original additional code portion and instead of the original first code portion.