Abstract: Sensor switch includes a compromisable mechanical restrainer and a biased member. Before compromise, the restrainer can hold the biased member in a first position. When contacted with a target chemical and/or composition, the restrainer is physically compromised by being softened or dissolved such that the biased member can assume a second position different from the first position. Monitoring a sample for a target chemical and/or composition can be carried out with the sensor switch.

Abstract: An industrial controller module (13a) is provided with a routine of program instructions (29a) for storing a log of I/O table state changes (31) in a defined portion of memory (23). Upon the occurrence of a trigger event, a file of the state changes (37) is saved in the memory (23). Each entry (32) in the log of I/O table state changes (31) includes a timestamp (33) and values of each word of I/O state data (36) that changed at a time of the timestamp. Logs of state change data (16a), including timestamp data, can also be saved for intelligent sensors and actuators (16) and uploaded with the log of controller processor state data (31) to a computer (20) with a diagnostic program (21a) for playing back the state changes and synchronizing changes of the intelligent sensors and actuators (16) with changes of the controller processor module (13a).

Abstract: A requesting entity can submit a query to an industrial control configuration to determine a location for a module. A distributed directory can be employed to discover an absolute location of the module, which can be provided to the requesting entity. This discovery can occur in real-time such that an answer can be given with a relatively high degree of certainty. In addition to providing the absolute address in the answer, a path on how to reach the module can be provided. The path can be optimized in order to allow quicker response time and to manage system resources.

Abstract: An organizational model of a hierarchical system can be distributed across various elements of an enterprise. Such elements include representations of the system that are maintained on higher-level business servers and other representations that serve control elements of the system such as programmable logic controllers and/or other industrial control components. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one controller to instantiate a portion of an organizational hierarchy. A communications component in the controller interacts with at least one other portion of the organizational hierarchy to facilitate data exchange and control between various components of an enterprise.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a method of allocating and persisting memory in an industrial controller without requiring a battery backup or a large capacitive storage system. Each data object is identified as static or dynamic. Static objects are further classified by whether frequent access of that data object is required. Each of the data objects is stored in non-volatile memory. The dynamic data objects and static data objects requiring frequent access are stored in volatile memory. A record of static data objects is maintained in non-volatile memory and a record of dynamic data objects is maintained in volatile memory. Upon power loss, the present value of each dynamic data object is copied to non-volatile memory. When power is restored, the values of both the dynamic data objects and the static data objects that require frequent access at run-time are copied from non-volatile memory to volatile memory.

Abstract: A hardware-based security module is used to protect an electronic device, especially a portable electronic device. The security module may determine either via timeout of a watchdog timer or via an explicit message to encrypt selected data on the electronic device. In addition, the electronic device may enter a limited function mode that only allows display of simplistic messages and supports network traffic with a recovery service. The recovery service may be able to use the network traffic to locate the electronic device. The security module may include a secure memory, a cryptographic function, a timer, and support for direct display of data on a monitor.

Abstract: An organizational model of a hierarchical system can be distributed across various elements of an enterprise. Such elements include representations of the system that are maintained on higher-level business servers and other representations that serve control elements of the system such as programmable logic controllers and/or other industrial control components. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one controller to instantiate a portion of an organizational hierarchy. A communications component in the controller interacts with at least one other portion of the organizational hierarchy to facilitate data exchange and control between various components of an enterprise.

Abstract: An improved industrial automation system and communication system for implementation therein, and related methods of operation, are described herein. In at least some embodiments, the improved communication system allows communication in the form of messages between modules in different control or enterprise domains. Further, in at least some embodiments, such communications are achieved by providing a communication system including a manufacturing service bus having two internal service busses with a bridge between the internal busses. Also, in at least some embodiments, a methodology of synchronous messaging is employed.

Abstract: A computer is adapted for pay-for-use operation by adding a isolated computing environment to a standard computer. The isolated computing environment may include a trusted non-volatile memory, a digital signature verification capability, a clock or timer and a logic circuit for triggering execution of a validation program responsive to the clock or timer. The isolated computing environment may be protected from tampering by physical or cryptographic mechanisms, or both. The validation program measures or monitors for non-compliant states of the computer and may enforce sanctions when non-compliant states of the computer are detected.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates utilizing metadata appended to data related to an industrial automation environment with a controller that is associated with a hierarchically structured data model. An interface component can facilitate receipt of data associated with at least one of an instruction set, a configuration, and a collection. An append component can affix metadata to at least one of the instruction set, the configuration, and the collection, wherein the metadata conforms to a hierarchically structured data model.

Abstract: A process controller a procedure module that includes instructions for executing a procedure, and a plurality of supplemental procedure modules, each of which includes instructions for executing one of a plurality of supplemental procedures. The process controller also includes a process monitor processor configured to receive an input electronic signal indicative of a status of a process feature, apply logic based on the input electronic signal, and generate an output electronic signal in response to the input electronic signal. The process controller also includes a sequence engine processor configured to execute the procedure, receive the output electronic signal, apply logic based on the output electronic signal, select one or more of the plurality of supplemental procedures based on the received output electronic signal, and execute the selected one or more of the plurality of supplemental procedures.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth. Light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least one light source disposed beneath the container base. A plurality of images of the container mouth is obtained from the light transmitted through the container mouth. Minimum bore diameters of the container mouth are calculated from the plurality of images, and an overall lowest minimum bore diameter (OLMBD) of the minimum bore diameters is identified. A value other than the OLMBD is determined to be an effective minimum bore diameter of the container mouth.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that distribute electronic data, such as Electronic Product Code (EPC) data, obtained from RFID tags by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and/or servers to agents within an agent-based control system. The systems and methods employ a component that collects, filters, processes, and stores electronic product data. The component collects electronic product data through corresponding reader and/or server interfaces. This data can be filtered to accept particular electronic product data, processed to a format suitable to the agents, and stored. Such storage can include delineating the electronic product data across rows of a table by electronic product code and across columns of the table by various types of data. Upon receiving a subscription and/or request from an agent for electronic product data, the component can obtain and convey the information to the agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth, wherein light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least first and second light sources operatively disposed adjacent to each other beneath the container base and having differing operating characteristics. Light transmitted through the container mouth is sensed, and a composite image of the container mouth may be produced from two or more images of portions of the container mouth.

Abstract: A system for troubleshooting control programs employs an event log that captures the values of inputs to outputs from the control program only at event times determined by changes in input or output data. The program allows the event log to be reviewed in jumps to only events which cause a change in output value of an instruction or particular change in output value of a particular instruction, greatly simplifying the troubleshooting process. The event log records a particular instruction instance associated with the event permitting the operation of the program to be studied in reverse order. The event log may also record a timestamp of the event allowing time stamped data from different devices to be synchronized with the review of the events.

Abstract: An industrial controller module (13a) is provided with a routine of program instructions (29a) for storing a log of I/O table state changes (31) in a defined portion of memory (23). Upon the occurrence of a trigger event, a file of the state changes (37) is saved in the memory (23). Each entry (32) in the log of I/O table state changes (31) includes a timestamp (33) and values of each word of I/O state data (36) that changed at a time of the timestamp. Logs of state change data (16a), including timestamp data, can also be saved for intelligent sensors and actuators (16) and uploaded with the log of controller processor state data (31) to a computer (20) with a diagnostic program (21a) for playing back the state changes and synchronizing changes of the intelligent sensors and actuators (16) with changes of the controller processor module (13a).

Abstract: An industrial control configuration can be a dynamic entity where different controllers are added, are subtracted, fail, etc. When dynamic functions occur, bindings of the configuration can benefit from a modification. Therefore, automatic adjustment of bindings can occur to facilitate improved operation. Automatic adjustment can be practiced when the industrial control configuration is a distributed control configuration without reliance upon a central database.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a communication subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The communication subsystem communicates with a remote navigation database via a gateway using variable-size data payloads. Each variable-size data payload is accompanied by a content-identifier and a size-identifier. The navigation subsystem determines a current position of the navigation device and encodes the current position of the navigation device as one or more position payloads that are sent from the communication subsystem to the remote navigation database via the gateway. Each position payload is sent with an accompanying content-identifier and size-identifier.

Abstract: A serial optical data transmission system is provided. The serial optical data transmission system includes a displaceable optical pathway disposed adjacent to a slot configured to receive a first monitoring and/or control module. The optical pathway is biased towards a serial optical data bus position for transmission of optical data to or from at least one second monitoring and/or control module when the first monitoring and/or control module is removed from the slot. Further, the optical pathway is displaced from the serial optical data bus position when the first monitoring and/or control module is in the slot.

Abstract: An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data.