Abstract: A method and apparatus for parameterizing a device with parameters from a parameter list, wherein in an event of a match occurring between an external parameter token calculated externally based on the parameter list, and an internal parameter token calculated internally by the device to be parameterized based on the parameter list, an external device token input into the device is compared with an internal device token, which is calculated internally by the device to be parameterized based on a device ID for the device and the internal parameter token to validate the parameter list such that fast and reliable parameterization of a device, particularly a safety critical device, which is provided in an industrial installation or a vehicle, is achieved.

Abstract: A component of a material flow system for transporting goods has a mechatronics arrangement with transport elements, sensors and actuators for transporting the goods, a control device for controlling the mechatronics arrangement, interfaces to adjacent components and the surroundings, and an internal simulator for determining the future state of the component. The internal simulator co-operates with internal simulators of other components of the material flow system, for determining a prognosis of the future state of the installation of the material flow system. The decentralized internal simulators can be synchronously or asynchronously activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parameterizing a device with parameters from a parameter list, wherein in an event of a match occurring between an external parameter token calculated externally based on the parameter list, and an internal parameter token calculated internally by the device to be parameterized based on the parameter list, an external device token input into the device is compared with an internal device token, which is calculated internally by the device to be parameterized based on a device ID for the device and the internal parameter token to validate the parameter list such that fast and reliable parameterization of a device, particularly a safety critical device, which is provided in an industrial installation or a vehicle, is achieved.

Abstract: In a method for determining the route of transport units, especially in material flow systems (e.g. luggage conveyor systems in airports), a prognosis is established as to how many transport units arrive at each module (e.g. points, conveyor track) within a window of time, an evaluation function is defined based on the prognosis for each module, an edge weight is allocated to each module according to its load predicted in the window of time, and a route is determined for each transported unit (e.g. piece of luggage) in a temporally successive manner. The method enables an automation of the fine adjustment (tuning) of an installation according to the current and expected load situation.

Abstract: A component of a material flow system for transporting goods has a mechatronics arrangement with transport elements, sensors and actuators for transporting the goods, a control device for controlling the mechatronics arrangement, interfaces to adjacent components and the surroundings, and an internal simulator for determining the future state of the component. The internal simulator co-operates with internal simulators of other components of the material flow system, for determining a prognosis of the future state of the installation of the material flow system. The decentralised internal simulators can be synchronously or asynchronously activated.

Abstract: A method for discovering neighboring network nodes by a network node connected to a configuration server, wherein said configuration servers compares geographical coordinates of the network node with geographical coordinates of other network nodes stored in a data base and transmits a set of identifiers of matching neighboring network nodes to said network node.