Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating flexible resource distribution in an industrial control environment. A query component is provided to determine one or more system resources from a networked industrial controller system, wherein the resources can include listings of applications, configurations, variable settings, and performance capabilities associated with a controller. Upon receiving available resource listings from various control devices, a distribution component can update the devices based in part on the resource listings and according to various criteria. A configuration component can be utilized in the controller system to provide network updates of controller parameters and to facilitate automated protocol selections when interacting with out-of-network devices. An analysis component can interact with the query, distribution, and configuration components to support higher-level decision-making in the resource distribution and allocation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating remote namespace management in an industrial control environment. An industrial control system is provided that includes an industrial controller to communicate with a network such as the Internet. Namespace information relating to network locations of associated control devices are accumulated by the control system and/or a server interacting with the control system. The accumulated namespace data can then be employed to manage automated activities such as determining a network topology or mapping. Accumulated topology information can be utilized to determine a status of the collective entity contributing to the network and facilitating remote management of the entity. Such status can be employed to determine current device information in order to launch a plurality of other automated procedures to located devices in the topology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing adaptive user interface capabilities in an industrial control environment. A user interface is provided that can operate across various software and/or hardware platforms. The platforms can be adapted with smart devices and/or wearable devices to facilitate access to a control system and can be adapted as a remote web service and/or adapted to interact with the service. The user interface can be tuned or adjusted in accordance with device capabilities operating the interface and can be adjusted or modified according to various operator or administrative preferences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating network security and data access in an industrial control environment. An industrial control system is provided that includes an industrial controller to communicate with a network. At least one security layer can be configured in the industrial controller, wherein the security layer can be associated with one or more security components to control and/or restrict data access to the controller. An operating system manages the security layer in accordance with a processor to limit or mitigate communications from the network based upon the configured security layer or layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for distributing control information such as event notifications and status in a substantially real time manner. Such information can be provided in a parallel and concurrent manner to many locations/devices and/or users. In addition, multi-directional network communications are provided to facilitate system diagnosis, status, and troubleshooting among various parties and/or devices. In one aspect of the present invention, messaging components may be installed on local control components and remote diagnostic equipment that communicate across a network such as the Internet. If an event is detected, various parties can be contacted by the control components, wherein the parties may communicate in a concurrent manner while receiving control information from the control components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating network security and data access in an industrial control environment. An industrial control system is provided that includes an industrial controller to communicate with a network. At least one security layer can be configured in the industrial controller, wherein the security layer can be associated with one or more security components to control and/or restrict data access to the controller. An operating system manages the security layer in accordance with a processor to limit or mitigate communications from the network based upon the configured security layer or layers.

Abstract: In a first broad form, the present invention provides an apparatus for use with a shoe having a sole, the apparatus including: at least one display adapted for mounting on a surface of the shoe; and a means of adjusting the at least one display between at least a first and a second colour state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing adaptive user interface capabilities in an industrial control environment. A user interface is provided that can operate across various software and/or hardware platforms. The platforms can be adapted with smart devices and/or wearable devices to facilitate access to a control system and can be adapted as a remote web service and/or adapted to interact with the service. The user interface can be tuned or adjusted in accordance with device capabilities operating the interface and can be adjusted or modified according to various operator or administrative preferences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and processes that provide network database interactions in an industrial controller environment. A database protocol component operating in a control environment is provided to convert control or factory protocols to a native language format associated with a network database. Such databases may be accessed in a structured format, wherein one or more control components may be adapted in a client and/or server configuration to freely exchange data in the structured format associated with the database. The database protocol component sends commands and/or data in the structured format when exchanging data with the database while converting the structured format to one or more protocols associated with an industrial control system when receiving commands and/or data therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a component assembly that forms part of an enterprise and at least one processor, the processor programmed to perform at least one diagnostic process on the assembly and to at least periodically perform at least one summary process on the assembly, the method for commencing the at least one summary process and comprising the steps of specifying at least one triggering relationship between at least a first enterprise user and the assembly that is to initiate the at least one summary process, determining when the at least one triggering relationship occurs and, when the at least one triggering relationship occurs, causing the processor to perform the at least one summary process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating remote maintenance in an industrial control environment. An industrial control system is provided that includes an industrial controller to communicate with a network. Explicit and/or implied maintenance events are determined, wherein one or more automated actions are configured or adapted to interact with remote users over the network in response to the events. This can include configuring and communicating human-readable schemas describing the events in support of remote maintenance procedures. The schemas can include embedded documentation to further aid diagnosis and correction of potential problems. Other aspects can include automated actions such as automatically generating component orders and providing remote firmware and/or documentation upgrades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing virtual and remote component interactions in a networked industrial control environment. One or more components of an industrial control system are defined as a web service, wherein the components cooperate to support distributed controller functionality in all or portions of a virtual operating framework. For example, the components can include processing, logic, I/O and status components of an industrial control system. Standard and commonly available interfaces describe controller functionality in terms of the services, whereby controller applications are constructed via the components and associated interfaces. This can include discovery of other related services and employment of common web protocols to communicate between the services.

Abstract: An inventory management system and method for replenishing manufacturing kits includes a shelving system, a mobile pick station, a data server, and a network node proxy. The mobile pick station communicates with both the shelving system via the network node proxy, and to the data server via a communications interface. Manufacturing kit specification data is supplied to the system through the data server and is thus used to generate a map of the manufacturing kit onto a touchscreen display located on the mobile pick station. The map displays the type, quantity, and placement of parts within the manufacturing kit. System components are tracked using a barcode system that reduces the frequency of incorrectly selected and placed parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating flexible resource distribution in an industrial control environment. A query component is provided to determine one or more system resources from a networked industrial controller system, wherein the resources can include listings of applications, configurations, variable settings, and performance capabilities associated with a controller. Upon receiving available resource listings from various control devices, a distribution component can update the devices based in part on the resource listings and according to various criteria. A configuration component can be utilized in the controller system to provide network updates of controller parameters and to facilitate automated protocol selections when interacting with out-of-network devices. An analysis component can interact with the query, distribution, and configuration components to support higher-level decision-making in the resource distribution and allocation process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for avoiding collisions and detecting objects proximate to a surface. In one embodiment, a system for collision avoidance includes at least one sensor adapted to sense an object above a lift device and a controller linked to the at least one sensor and linked to the drive components of the device and adapted to interrupt operation of the lift drive when the lift device approaches or touches the object. In another aspect of the invention, at least one controller is linked between at least one hand control and at least one drive adapted to move a lift device, the controller being adapted to interrupt operation of the drive when the lift device approaches or touches an object.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for network voice and data traffic monitoring and congestion management for diverse and converged networks. More particularly, the invention is directed to an interdomain congestion management architecture having the ability to analyze and correlate congestion problems across multiple domains, provide integrated network maps, tabular displays and/or reports and allow network managers, in appropriate circumstances, to navigate to a domain to implement corrective actions.