Abstract: A method and system for selecting an output value source for an industrial control device are disclosed. The invention avoids the problems associated with conventional output devices by allowing a user to define one or more attributes associated with the output device, as well as defining a binding to local logic. The user may thereby determine or select the output value source which will be used by the output device under a variety of system conditions, depending on configuration of the output device or module, the current state of the module, and the state of a network. The method provides associating the output device with a logic function, providing the output value according to the logic function, ignoring explicit messages from the network, ignoring value messages from the network, selectively ignoring fault messages according to an override attribute, and selectively ignoring idle messages according to the override attribute.

Abstract: A method and control system are provided for controlling a modular conveyor system, which may be networked together with other such systems in order to implement a control strategy for a modular conveyor system. The control system comprises a communications port for interconnection of the control system with a network for sending outgoing addressed data to other devices on the address-based network and for receiving incoming addressed data from other devices. The control system further comprises a logic system, which may receive a signal from an object sensor and provide a control signal or output adapted to control activation of a motorized roller assembly, based on an input signal from the object sensor or the communications port. The logic system may provide for single step operation whereby system troubleshooting may be facilitated, and in addition may provide situation aware and output value source selection functionality.

Abstract: A method and control system are provided for controlling a modular conveyor system, which may be networked together with other such systems in order to implement a control strategy for a modular conveyor system. The control system comprises a communications port for interconnection of the control system with a network for sending outgoing addressed data to other devices on the address-based network and for receiving incoming addressed data from other devices. The control system further comprises a logic system, which may receive a signal from an object sensor and provide a control signal or output adapted to control activation of a motorized roller assembly, based on an input signal from the object sensor or the communications port. The logic system may provide for single step operation whereby system troubleshooting may be facilitated, and in addition may provide situation aware and output value source selection functionality.