Abstract: An apparatus performs methods for device diagnostics based on signals from digital outputs. The apparatus includes an input/output module with a digital output module to be coupled to a device. The input/output module measures one or more characteristics of a digital signal provided by the digital output module, where at least one of the one or more characteristics of the digital signal is associated with an output current of the digital output module. The input/output module also performs one or more diagnostics using the one or more measured characteristics of the digital signal.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first processing device of an input/output module (IOM), new firmware data for the IOM. The method also includes sending an output hold command from the first processing device to a second processing device of the IOM. The method further includes upgrading firmware of the IOM with the new firmware data using the first processing device and attempting a reboot of the first processing device. In addition, the method includes, in response to the output hold command and during the upgrading of the firmware and the rebooting of the first processing device, using the second processing device to cause a field circuit of the IOM to hold at least one previous output signal for one or more external devices.

Abstract: A system includes an input/output module (IOM) configured to interface with a field device. The IOM includes a terminal block including a plurality of inputs or outputs, each of the inputs or outputs configured to send and receive signals to and from the field device. The IOM also includes a plurality of temperature sensors, each of the plurality of temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in a vicinity of the temperature sensor. The IOM also includes a connector configured to transmit the temperature of each of the plurality of temperature sensors to a processing device.

Abstract: A system includes an input/output module (IOM) configured to interface with a field device. The IOM includes a terminal block including a plurality of inputs or outputs, each of the inputs or outputs configured to send and receive signals to and from the field device. The IOM also includes a plurality of temperature sensors, each of the plurality of temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in a vicinity of the temperature sensor. The IOM also includes a connector configured to transmit the temperature of each of the plurality of temperature sensors to a processing device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first processing device of an input/output module (IOM), new firmware data for the IOM. The method also includes sending an output hold command from the first processing device to a second processing device of the IOM. The method further includes upgrading firmware of the IOM with the new firmware data using the first processing device and attempting a reboot of the first processing device. In addition, the method includes, in response to the output hold command and during the upgrading of the firmware and the rebooting of the first processing device, using the second processing device to cause a field circuit of the IOM to hold at least one previous output signal for one or more external devices.

Abstract: An industrial process/safety control and automation system is provided. The system includes a user interface device and an industrial device/controller. The user interface device is configured to activate a password set function. The user interface device is also configured to receive a password for transmission to the industrial device/controller. The industrial device/controller is configured to receive the password from the user interface device. The industrial device/controller is also configured to detect a performance of a physical password replacement authentication procedure. The industrial device/controller is further configured to replace a current password with the received password in response to performing the physical password replacement authentication procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus performs methods for device diagnostics based on signals from digital outputs. The apparatus includes an input/output module with a digital output module to be coupled to a device. The input/output module measures one or more characteristics of a digital signal provided by the digital output module, where at least one of the one or more characteristics of the digital signal is associated with an output current of the digital output module. The input/output module also performs one or more diagnostics using the one or more measured characteristics of the digital signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first hardware assist device having at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and a timer. The at least one transmitter is configured to transmit at least one first signal to a second hardware assist device of a redundant second apparatus. The at least one first signal indicates that the apparatus is functional. The at least one receiver is configured to receive at least one second signal from the second hardware assist device. The at least one second signal indicates that the second apparatus is functional. The timer is configured to control a driver to block transmission of the at least one first signal in response to a fault associated with the apparatus. The apparatus also includes at least one processing device configured to perform one or more actions in response to a loss of the at least one second signal from the second apparatus.

Abstract: An industrial process/safety control and automation system is provided. The system includes a user interface device and an industrial device/controller. The user interface device is configured to activate a password set function. The user interface device is also configured to receive a password for transmission to the industrial device/controller. The industrial device/controller is configured to receive the password from the user interface device. The industrial device/controller is also configured to detect a performance of a physical password replacement authentication procedure. The industrial device/controller is further configured to replace a current password with the received password in response to performing the physical password replacement authentication procedure.

Abstract: A process controller includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a multi-channel serial communication interface including a plurality of serial communication engines in parallel to one another coupled to the CPU. The multi-channel serial communication interface provides a plurality of independent serial communication channels between the CPU and a plurality of IO modules. The plurality of independent communication channels enable the CPU to simultaneously receive signals at any time from any combination of the plurality of IO modules.

Abstract: A process controller includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a multi-channel serial communication interface including a plurality of serial communication engines in parallel to one another coupled to the CPU. The multi-channel serial communication interface provides a plurality of independent serial communication channels between the CPU and a plurality of IO modules. The plurality of independent communication channels enable the CPU to simultaneously receive signals at any time from any combination of the plurality of IO modules.

Abstract: A controller input/output module visual indicator and safety means including a light redirector, terminal block assembly and at least one circuit having at least one light emitting diode or like light transmission means positioned distally from terminal block assembly. Each light redirector is configured to receive light from each corresponding light transmission means on a proximate end and redirect the light information to a distal end adjacent to the terminal block assembly for viewing by the control operator. An optional shield or side barrier may optionally be coupled to the circuit to provide operator safety from the high voltage signals which may exist on each input/output module.

Abstract: A controller input/output module visual indicator and safety means including a light redirector, terminal block assembly and at least one circuit having at least one light emitting diode or like light transmission means positioned distally from terminal block assembly. Each light redirector is configured to receive light from each corresponding light transmission means on a proximate end and redirect the light information to a distal end adjacent to the terminal block assembly for viewing by the control operator. An optional shield or side barrier may optionally be coupled to the circuit to provide operator safety from the high voltage signals which may exist on each input/output module.

Abstract: A method of generating a plot that evinces common result regions of a test as a function of controllable input parameters includes defining an overall plot region that is a function of the maximum and a minimum of each input parameter. The method further subdivides the overall plot region into at least two sub-regions, where each of the sub-regions has a sub-region boundary. The method evaluates, for each of the sub-regions, a plurality of boundary test conditions on the sub-region boundary according to the test, so as to assign a test status to each of the plurality of boundary test conditions. For each of the sub-regions with at least a predetermined threshold number of boundary test conditions having a common test status, the method designates the sub-region with the common test status. For each of the sub-regions not having at least the predetermined threshold number of boundary test conditions with a common test status, the method designates that sub-region with an indeterminate status.

Abstract: A multipoint, multiple function recorder which can record, display, and process up to 135 input/output data points, either analog or discrete, in various combinations. A strip chart recorder is provided for permanently recording input and output data points and, in conjunction with the chart recorder, a separate programmable dot matrix display is provided, such display being responsive to the same input/output data points and operable for displaying data in both alphanumeric and graphic form, the display being independently operable from said chart recorder, such that said input/output points are displayable at different times from the times when they are being printed on the chart recorder.

Abstract: An improvement is provided for printer such as the dot matrix or thermal type, in which the printhead is stepped across the paper over a multicolor ribbon supplied from a pivotally mounted cartridge and transported through a plane between the line of traverse of the printhead and the surface of the paper. The ribbon is guided by guiding surfaces positioned on each side of the printhead, close to the printhead, and mounted to move with the printhead across the paper so that the guide surfaces will guide the path the ribbon takes to one which passes between the printhead and the paper with the guide being moveable in steps in a direction normal to the traverse of the printhead and parallel to the plane of the ribbon so as to position a selected color band of the ribbon under the printhead to select the color to be printed as the printhead traverses the paper.

Abstract: A method for operating a dot-matrix printer to allow printing in the accelerating and decelerating regions of the carriage traverse, which comprises the steps of: firing the wires for registration at the present position of the carriage and stepping the carriage by energization of a stepper motor driving the carriage for the period required to complete the step when accelerating the carriage or the period required to brake the carriage when decelerating the carriage. These times will decrease as the carriage accelerates to the desired velocity and will increase as the carriage decelerates from the desired velocity.