Abstract: A method for controlling a planar drive system includes transmitting a communication message with the aid of a main controller to a sub-controller via the communication system, where the communication message comprises a start command for starting the automation process to be carried out by the rotor and is configured to drive the sub-controller to control the automation process, and receiving a response message transmitted by the sub-controller to the main controller via the communication system, the response message comprising a status indication of a status of the automation process controlled by the sub-controller. The application also provides a rotor, a stator assembly and a planar drive system.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an automation system which comprises a drive system and an optical projection unit. The drive system comprises a movable rotor, where the rotor can be driven with the aid of a drive. A control system of the automation system carries out the following steps of determining a position information of a rotor, linking an object to be displayed to the rotor, rendering a projection to be displayed by the optical projection unit on the basis of the position information of the rotor and the object to be displayed, and outputting the rendered projection to the optical projection unit, so that the optical projection unit outputs the rendered projection on a surface and/or on the rotor or on a superstructure or superstructures of the rotor, and/or on transport goods of the drive system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a planar drive system comprising at least a stator assembly with a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and a rotor. The rotor comprises a plurality of magnet assemblies for generating a rotor magnetic field. In a first operating state, the rotor can be moved above the stator surface in parallel to the stator surface with the aid of an interaction of the stator magnetic field with the rotor magnetic field. In a second operating state, the rotor is at least restricted in its ability to move in parallel to and perpendicularly with regard to the stator surface by a safety system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a planar object 30 with the aid of a planar drive system 1, wherein the planar drive system 1 comprises at least a stator assembly 3 each comprising a plurality of coil groups 4 for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface 5 above the stator assembly 3, and a rotor 100.

Abstract: A method is described for operating a communication network with a plurality of subscribers. Data exchange between the subscribers takes place in the form of telegrams, which comprise data sections. The subscribers interpret an end portion of the telegrams as a check value for the absence of errors in preceding data sections. The telegrams are processed in pass-through, so that the telegrams are forwarded to a respective next subscriber while being received. If an error is detected when receiving a telegram, the subscribers send the telegram to the next subscriber with a characterizing data section at the end, so that the telegram has an end portion representing an invalid check value. The telegram is characterized by the characterizing data section, which is part of the end portion, so that the telegram is not to be considered as an initial error but as a subsequent error.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time in an Ethernet-based network having a master network subscriber, a first segment and a second segment. Each segment has at least one network subscriber. The second segment is connected to the first segment by a first network distributor, arranged in the second segment. The method comprises steps for sending out a synchronization telegram addressed to the second segment by the master network subscriber, the synchronization telegram being of the first type; receiving the synchronization telegram by the first network distributor, for conversion into a second type; forwarding the synchronization telegram to a network distributor of the second segment, by the first network distributor; reading out a synchronization value stored in the synchronization telegram by the first network distributor of the second segment; and adjusting a speed of a local system time of the network distributor of the second segment, using the synchronization value.

Abstract: A method for processing telegrams in an automation network provides a master subscriber to at least partially encrypt and output telegrams, respectively, to another subscriber. The other subscriber comprises an input port, a receiving logic connected to the input port, a decryption unit connected to the receiving logic, and a processing unit connected to the decryption unit and the receiving logic. The receiving logic is configured, when a telegram at least partially encrypted by the master subscriber is present at the input port, to forward an encrypted portion of the telegram to the decryption unit. The decryption unit is configured to decrypt the encrypted portion of the telegram with a key, and to forward the encrypted portion to the processing unit for processing. If an unencrypted telegram is present at the input port, the receiving logic is configured to forward the unencrypted telegram to the processing unit for processing.

Abstract: A planar drive system includes a stator module and a rotor. The stator module has a stator assembly with at least one coil arrangement that can be energized to generate a stator magnetic field above a stator surface, and a magnetic field sensor. The rotor has a magnet arrangement and can be moved above the stator surface via interaction between the stator magnetic field the magnet arrangement. The rotor can be used as an input device or output device, or both. A controller can compare the position of the rotor magnetic field detected with the sensor to the position expected based on energization of the coil arrangement, to determine any deviation of the expected position as an external movement, and to recognize an input thereby. The controller can control an output via a predetermined movement of the rotor, and to energize the coil arrangement so the rotor moves as defined.

Abstract: A network distributor has a plurality of input-output ports, a processor unit, and a memory unit. The ports connect network subscribers via a data line network, where the network subscribers include protocol subscribers to process telegrams as protocol telegrams. The processor unit receives telegrams via one port and outputs telegrams via another port, which is stored in a routing table in the memory unit. The processor unit further determines whether a telegram is a protocol telegram received via a port for which no port identifier is stored in the memory unit, and to discard the telegram if so. Checking and discarding of telegrams can be subject to a precondition, where fulfillment of the precondition leads to an exception from discarding the telegram.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time in an Ethernet-based network having a master network subscriber and a slave network subscriber includes sending out a first telegram via the master network subscriber, where the slave subscriber receives the first telegram at a first receipt time value of a local system time and stores the first receipt time value. The method can also include reading out the first receipt time value via the master subscriber, sending out a second telegram by the master subscriber, where the slave subscriber receives the second telegram at a second receipt time value of the local system time and stores the second receipt time value, and reading out the second receipt time value via the master network subscriber. A speed parameter of the local system time can be calculated from the receipt time values via the master network subscriber, and transmitted to the slave subscriber.

Abstract: A planar drive system has at least one stator assembly with a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and first and second rotors. The rotors each have a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field. The rotors can be moved above the stator surface in first and second directions, with the aid of an interaction of the stator magnetic field with the rotor magnetic field. A connection can be formed between the rotors with the aid of a coupling device. A controller is arranged to output control signals to the stator assembly. The stator assembly is configured to energize the coil groups on the basis of the control signals so that movements of the rotors, coordinated with one another with respect to the coupling device, are carried out with the aid of the stator magnetic field.

Abstract: A rotor for a planar drive system comprises a housing and at least one magnet arrangement. The housing comprises a basic housing body and a cover. The magnet arrangement is arranged in a recess of the basic housing body. The cover is attached to the basic housing body in such a way that the housing is configured to be fluid-tight, the cover covers the recess, and the magnet arrangement is arranged in an interior of the fluid-tight housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an object using a planar drive system having at least one stator assembly with a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and at least one rotor with a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field. A processing element is arranged above the stator surface. The planar drive system has at least one rotational position, where the rotor can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the stator surface. A spatial arrangement of the processing element is predetermined by the rotational position. The method comprises energizing the coil groups so a rotor with the object arranged on the rotor moves to the rotational position, energizing the coil groups so the rotor rotates, and processing the object with the aid of the rotor rotation, where the processing element acts upon the object.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an object with the aid of a planar drive system. The planar drive system comprises at least one stator assembly, each having a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and at least one rotor comprising a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field. The planar drive system further comprises at least one rotational position, where the rotor is rotatable about a rotational axis perpendicular to the stator surface in the rotational position. The rotational position is determined based on a point of contact of four stator assemblies. The method comprises energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor moves to the rotational position, energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor rotates, and processing of the object with the aid of the rotor rotation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a planar drive system includes identifying a preferred stator module direction with a preferred magnetic field or sensor direction, and identifying a preferred mover direction with a respective other of the preferred magnetic field or sensor direction; setting a magnetic orientation field with a magnet device; recording at least a measurement value of the magnetic orientation field with a magnetic field sensor device; determining an alignment of the preferred mover direction relative to the preferred stator module direction based on the measurement value of the component of the magnetic orientation field parallel to the preferred sensor direction; and determining a first orientation of the mover on the stator module, on the basis of the alignment of the preferred mover direction relative to the preferred stator module direction. The application also relates to a planar drive system.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time in an Ethernet-based network having a master network subscriber and a slave network subscriber includes sending out a first telegram via the master network subscriber, where the slave subscriber receives the first telegram at a first receipt time value of a local system time and stores the first receipt time value. The method can also include reading out the first receipt time value via the master subscriber, sending out a second telegram by the master subscriber, where the slave subscriber receives the second telegram at a second receipt time value of the local system time and stores the second receipt time value, and reading out the second receipt time value via the master network subscriber. A speed parameter of the local system time can be calculated from the receipt time values via the master network subscriber, and transmitted to the slave subscriber.

Abstract: A method for processing telegrams in an automation network provides a master subscriber to at least partially encrypt and output telegrams, respectively, to another subscriber. The other subscriber comprises an input port, a receiving logic connected to the input port, a decryption unit connected to the receiving logic, and a processing unit connected to the decryption unit and the receiving logic. The receiving logic is configured, when a telegram at least partially encrypted by the master subscriber is present at the input port, to forward an encrypted portion of the telegram to the decryption unit. The decryption unit is configured to decrypt the encrypted portion of the telegram with a key, and to forward the encrypted portion to the processing unit for processing. If an unencrypted telegram is present at the input port, the receiving logic is configured to forward the unencrypted telegram to the processing unit for processing.

Abstract: A method is described for operating a communication network with a plurality of subscribers. Data exchange between the subscribers takes place in the form of telegrams, which comprise data sections. The subscribers interpret an end portion of the telegrams as a check value for the absence of errors in preceding data sections. The telegrams are processed in pass-through, so that the telegrams are forwarded to a respective next subscriber while being received. If an error is detected when receiving a telegram, the subscribers send the telegram to the next subscriber with a characterizing data section at the end, so that the telegram has an end portion representing an invalid check value. The telegram is characterized by the characterizing data section, which is part of the end portion, so that the telegram is not to be considered as an initial error but as a subsequent error.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time in an Ethernet-based network having a master network subscriber, a first segment and a second segment. Each segment has at least one network subscriber. The second segment is connected to the first segment by a first network distributor, arranged in the second segment. The method comprises steps for sending out a synchronization telegram addressed to the second segment by the master network subscriber, the synchronization telegram being of the first type; receiving the synchronization telegram by the first network distributor, for conversion into a second type; forwarding the synchronization telegram to a network distributor of the second segment, by the first network distributor; reading out a synchronization value stored in the synchronization telegram by the first network distributor of the second segment; and adjusting a speed of a local system time of the network distributor of the second segment, using the synchronization value.

Abstract: A network distributor comprises a plurality of input/output ports, a processor unit, and a memory unit. The input/output ports are configured to connect network subscribers via a data line network, where the network subscribers comprise protocol subscribers configured to process telegrams configured as protocol telegrams. The processor unit is configured to receive telegrams via one input/output port and to output telegrams via another input/output port, which is stored in a routing table in the memory unit. The processor unit is further configured to determine whether a telegram is a protocol telegram received via an input/output port for which it is preset that no protocol subscriber is connected, and to discard the telegram if so. Checking and discarding of telegrams can be subject to a precondition, where fulfillment of the precondition leads to an exception from discarding the telegram.