Abstract: A method to automatically tune control systems, the method comprising selecting a target loop transfer function for at least one plant subsystem in response to an input excitation, selecting at least one fit-error criterion for a plant subsystem transfer function, and automatically inputting the input excitation and tuning the plant subsystem transfer function to the target loop transfer function. The tuning includes automatically selecting a bandwidth of the plant subsystem transfer function from a plurality of bandwidths determined in accordance with limits of the plant subsystem, inputting the input excitation to the plant subsystem, determining the fit-error of the plant subsystem transfer function to the target loop transfer function in response to the input excitation, and continuing the selecting of a bandwidth in accordance with the fit-error criterion.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control including a control system having a memory and a CPU for sending and receiving control information and instructions at a first location, a software application for manipulating the control information sent and received by the control system resident in the memory, a remote computer system having a CPU and memory at a second location communicating over a communication path with the control system at the first location and one desktop bound software application for manipulating the control information sent and received by the control system accessed by the remote computer system over the at least one communication path resident in the memory of the remote computer system. In variations, the control information includes alarm data, runtime data and historical data.

Abstract: A PLC for distributed control includes a storage unit that stores common-data specifying information for specifying common data shared by a corresponding PLC and another PLC, a receiving unit that receives the common-data specifying information from another PLC, and a collating unit that collates the common-data specifying information stored in the storage unit with the common-data specifying information received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for signaling a change from a first service to a second service during a call between a terminal device and a further terminal device over at least one communication network. When a change from the first service to the second service takes place during a call between the terminal device and the further terminal device, a network unit of the communication network, via which the terminal device is currently communicating to at least one further network unit, signals whether the change was initiated by the terminal device or by a network unit of the communication network.

Abstract: A method in a computer system for developing a process control strategy includes providing a module template having a first plurality of components and being associated with a control operation, receiving a selection of one or more of the first plurality of components of the module template, generating an instance of a module based on the module template, including instantiating only the selected one or more of the first plurality of components, and associating the generated instance of the module with the process control strategy.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides an editor system for employment in an industrial automation environment that enhances programmability of at least one of a controller and an industrial process. An interface component can facilitate the receipt of instructions relating to programming a programmable logic controller. A programming assist component communicatively coupled to the interface component can program the programmable logic controller in accordance with the received instructions; the programmable logic controller is programmed in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model that utilizes a naming convention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an input/output channel control block that comprises a number of successive input/output modules. The first is a control master module and the subsequent ones are expansion slave modules. Each expansion slave module comprises a processing logic unit as well as respective first signal port and a respective equal number of second signal ports and an equal number of third signal ports which are arranged at identical positions of each expansion slave module. The first signal port is connected to the processing logic unit, to which at least one fourth signal port for connecting an input/output bus terminal subscriber belongs, and a respective second signal port is connected to a third signal port. The control master module likewise possesses a number of third signal ports and a control logic unit for data exchange with a data bus and for targeted driving of the signal ports.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller is disclosed. The programmable logic controller includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The programmable logic controller further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch. The programmable logic controller also may include a MEMS switch and a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage across the MEMS switch. The MEMS switches are arranged to transmit or receive logic signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for programming and/or executing programs for industrial automation systems. Modules and functions that respectively represent partial tasks of an automation solution are modeled and/or generated by using input aids and optionally a display device. The modules and functions are structured and networked by input aids and optionally the display device in such a way that they form at least one hierarchical tree, as at least one machine-independent program. According to the invention, each machine-independent program in the form of at least one hierarchical tree is loaded into the corresponding components of the automation system. The corresponding components of the automation system execute each machine-independent program.

Abstract: A method is provided of generating and using a control program for a obtain plasma process. The method comprises obtaining predetermined process data defining, in a series of time steps, changes in at least one control parameter for the plasma process during the said process. Control data are generated from the process data, the control data defining the at least one control parameter at a plurality of discrete times within each step. The control data are presented graphically to a user, using an interactive display device. The control data are modified in response to the operation by the user of the interactive display device, so as to generate the control program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for remote-control programming and to a machine control system 2 for performing the method. To refine the method so as to simplify and shorten an execution operation of a control program source yet automatically avoid version conflicts between the control program source and the compilate in the machine control system, it is proposed that the program source 3a stored in memory in the machine control system be executed by means of a programming device 1, and after the execution, the compilate of the executed program source is generated and stored in memory in the machine control system, where it is made available to a control module.

Abstract: Generally, a means for coupling widely differing fieldbus or network systems to their own respective safety mechanisms is provided, in such a way as to ensure the transmission of safety data between at least two bus/network systems with different safety mechanisms. A method and an apparatus are provided for coupling at least two (field)bus/network systems to respectively different safety mechanisms, in particular respective proprietary safety mechanisms, with safety data which is to be transmitted between the different system-based safety mechanisms being processed additionally using a safe data structure which is defined but is system-independent.

Abstract: A method is specified for operating an automation system, wherein a description object appropriate to a type of the respective program code object and a description object reference referencing the respective description object are created when a program code object is instantiated, so that it is possible to completely decouple applications, in other words the program code object as a component of the respective automation solution, and information data compiled in the description object.

Abstract: An industrial controller comprises a processing component and a memory that comprises logic code that is executable by the processing component. The memory further comprises documentation associated with the logic code and other control components, wherein the documentation is stored in a native form to enable individualized access to a portion of the documentation to an accessing entity. For example, the documentation can comprise one or more of descriptive text relating to a rung of ladder logic, a text box associated with a portion of the sequential function chart, a text box associated with a function block diagram, and embedded descriptive text within structured text.

Abstract: A method and system for the loading of patrons at multiple attractions at an entertainment environment includes the first-in first-out line and a priority based line. A patron can have an additional priority entry at a time selected by the patron to any one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment. There can be an entry selected by the patron to at least one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment, such entry being affected on a priority basis as selected by the patron. A patron can have an entry at a second time period selected by the patron to the second attraction in the entertainment environment. The second time period can overlap a first time period. Alternatively the second time period can be substantially close in time to the first time period, whereby the closeness in time under essentially normal conditions would be too close for use on a first attraction in the first time period and subsequent use on a second attraction in that second time period.

Abstract: A manual computer numerical control (CNC) programming method and system (which may be embodied in whole or part in an article of manufacture or apparatus) in which coordinates may be manually entered into a text editor into a file format known as the coordinate work sheet (CWS) including verification, modification and conversion of the CWS to G-Code, the coordinate work sheet format being a comma delimited ASCII text file, and further including cutter on/off commands and using computer aided design (CAD) data to generate the coordinate work sheet (CWS).

Abstract: A peripheral device for a programmable logic controller according to the invention includes: an instruction table for correlatively storing instructions and the input/output types of parameters for the instructions; a search/discrimination means for searching the instruction table for an instruction in a code in a portion of a sequence program selected as diversion data from an existing diversion-source sequence program, to discriminate the input/output type of a parameter for the instruction; a search result creating/storing means for creating and storing a search result table by combining an address in the code in the selected portion of the sequence program, with the input/output type; a component data creating means for creating a variable data table by replacing the input/output types stored in the search result table with variable names, and for creating component data by adding the corresponding variable names to variables and to circuit information; and a component data diversion means for diverting t

Abstract: A display and edit device for a program containing function blocks has a program memory storing such a program to be processed, a block definition analyzer for accessing the program stored in the program memory and analyzing structure relationship of function block definitions contained in this program, a block instance analyzer for accessing this program stored in the program memory and analyzing structure relationship of function block instances contained in this program, and a structure display device for causing to display structure relationship of the analyzed structure relationship of this function block definition and structure relationship of the analyzed structure relationship of this function block instance.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an industrial controller based on technology objects are disclosed. Technology object types may be loaded and instantiated into the run time system of a controller, thereby increasing the functionality and providing technological scaling of the controller. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program.

Abstract: An industrial controller comprises a processing component and a memory that comprises logic code that is executable by the processing component. The memory further comprises documentation associated with the logic code and other control components, wherein the documentation is stored in a native form to enable individualized access to a portion of the documentation to an accessing entity. For example, the documentation can comprise one or more of descriptive text relating to a rung of ladder logic, a text box associated with a portion of the sequential function chart, a text box associated with a function block diagram, and embedded descriptive text within structured text.

Abstract: A sequence program editing apparatus according to the present invention includes: program storing means for storing an application program including the sequence program; information storing means for storing symbol information and/or comment information used in the sequence program; selecting means for, in a state in which a plurality of application programs including at least first and second application programs runs, selecting at least a part of a sequence program displayed on an application screen run by the first application program; extracting means for extracting the symbol information and/or the comment information included in at least the selected part of the sequence program from the information storing means; and copy means for copying at least the selected part of the sequence program on the sequence program displayed on the application screen run by the second application program and copying the extracted symbol information and/or the extracted comment information on the information storing mean

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a drawing specification for motion control. A plurality of elements in the drawing specification may be automatically identified. The elements may include one or more lines, polygons, arcs, splines, alphanumeric characters, and/or ellipses. Additionally, the drawing specification may be a drawing or digital drafting file, such as an AutoCAD file, among others. An order of the plurality of elements may be automatically determined according to a sorting algorithm. The sorting algorithm may include a geometric and/or radial sorting algorithm. The radial sorting algorithm may specify the order of the elements according to nesting and/or distance from the center of the drawing specification. Code may be automatically generated for implementing motion control based on the identified elements and the determined order. The generated code may include inserted operations such as raise, lower, and move operations, among others.

Abstract: Graphic elements and graphic displays are provided for use in a process environment to display information to one or more users about the process environment, such as the current state of device within a process plant. The graphic elements and display may be associated with various logical and physical elements within the process plant during configuration of the process plant, and may be configured and downloaded to the hardware within the process plant along with other configuration items, such as control routines. In particular, the graphic elements and graphic displays may be created and stored in a library, and may then be configured by being associated with various logical or physical entities within the plant.

Abstract: A method for generation of a control code set for a manufacturing process includes generating a list of sequences of operations with an automatic sequence of operations generator, selecting an optimized sequence of operations from the list of sequences of operations, and utilizing the optimized sequence of operations to generate the control code set.

Abstract: A production sequence determination support method is provided in which a computer is caused to perform determining types of specifications of the plurality of first products, displaying a screen for a user to specify individual priorities for the types of specifications, each of the priorities of the types of specifications being to produce one or more of the plurality of first products having the type of specifications, storing the priorities of the types of specifications specified by the user, determining the production sequence of the plurality of first products by sorting the plurality of first products in descending order of the priorities of the types of specifications thus stored, and displaying the production sequence of the plurality of first products thus determined.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new data collection method employed by a middle layer between the host and the equipment, which improves the speed and consistency of data collection. The middle layer incorporated with the proposed data collection method functions as a data format converter as well as a data processor/classifier, which helps to filter and format messages before delivering data to the host or equipment. The proposed data collection method enables the middle layer to perform local reply, local data sampling, and group data polling, thus relieving processing resources of both the equipment and the host. This allows implementation of APC on older wafer fabrication processes using old equipment.

Abstract: A system for gathering data associated with a process plant, in which parameters are generated by a plurality of signal processing data collection blocks, automatically determines parameters to be monitored. The signal processing data collection blocks may generate data such as statistical data, frequency analysis data, auto regression data, wavelets data, etc. Then, the system monitors the determined parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that facilitate construction of automation applications for utilization in an industrial automation environment. A design template component can provide a design template to yield a modular, hierarchical framework for an application. Further, a design pattern table can include a library of design patterns, where the design patterns can be organized according to respective classifications. Moreover, a design pattern component can integrate a selected design pattern from the design pattern table with the design template to construct the application.

Abstract: A system for providing an application with a plurality of methods for accessing memory of a programmable logic controller includes an application, an interface for establishing communication between the application and a programmable logic controller, and a shared memory area initiated by the application or the programmable logic controller. The shared memory area includes an input memory and an output memory. The application is enabled by the interface to write to the input memory and to read from the output memory.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a controller that facilitates implementing a workflow within an industrial automation environment system. An interface component can facilitate the receipt of data associated with a workflow at the programmable logic controller. A controller communicatively coupled to the interface component incorporates an execution engine that can execute the workflow and allow a seamless data flow between applications to provide at least one service.

Abstract: A system for utilization with a logic controller comprises an interface component that receives a request to embed human-machine interface (HMI) logic into control logic. Thereafter, an embedder component executes the request and embeds the HMI logic into the control logic. In an example, the control logic can be ladder logic, and the logic controller can be a combined controller/HMI device.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a controller system (1), a master control (2) and at least one slave control (3). The controller system and the master control (2) are connected via a multipole connection (4). The master control (2) is adapted to receive a multipole signal via the multipole connection (4) and output an addressed signal to at least one slave control (3) via an addressable connection (7, 17). This application also discloses a method of controlling a plurality of fluid flow controls using an output (40) comprising an actuation signal arrangement (41, 41?) and an actuator (42, 42?) associated with each fluid flow control.

Abstract: Phase function blocks are associated with a process for producing at least one product or part thereof. For example, a phase function block could reside in a recipe control module defining the process. Each phase function block can be executed to implement the process. A phase function block may acquire and initiate execution of a module providing control over a process element. The phase function block may also provide one or more first parameters to the module. The first parameters define how the module implements a portion of the process using the process element. In addition, the phase function block may retrieve one or more second parameters from the module. The second parameters are associated with results of the execution of the module. Multiple phase function blocks could be contained in multiple recipe control modules, which are distributed in multiple controllers in a hard real-time process control system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system control system includes a fuel cell system and a controller. The controller includes a display and a processor configured to execute a program for managing an operation of a fuel cell state machine having a plurality of states and capable of executing logic to execute state transitions, and a fuel cell failure detection and correction program, configured to detect one or more fuel cell system failures and correct each detected failure while the fuel cell system continues to operate. The control process includes the steps of representing an operation of a fuel cell control system as a state machine having one or more states, controlling the operation of the fuel cell system using the state machine, executing one or more states of the state machine, and correcting operational errors in the fuel cell control system while the fuel cell system continues to operate.

Abstract: A uniform resource locator (URL) is embedded in computerized or digital documentation for a physical and/or a software process control element existing within a process control environment to thereby provide an automatic link to documentation or other applications that exist in other processing or data environments, such as in a word processing environment or in a data manipulation environment. The URL may include a generalized field having a descriptor that identifies a property of the process control element and that operates so that, when the URL is selected, the generalized field is replaced with the property identified by the descriptor.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an industrial controller based on technology objects are disclosed. Technology object types may be loaded and instantiated into the run time system of a controller, thereby increasing the functionality and providing technological scaling of the controller. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one process control value from a deterministic process control environment according to an execution cycle of the deterministic process control environment. The method also includes providing the at least one process control value to a non-deterministic process according to an execution cycle of the non-deterministic process. The execution cycle of the non-deterministic process does not correspond to the execution cycle of the deterministic process control environment.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for examining data from a chemical analyzer for artifactual results is provided. A set of rules are established to identify artifactual results based upon experience with the analyzer. Each rule can be associated with a sample collection or testing problem which potentially caused the artifactual result. Using these rules, output data from the analyzer can be tested to see if any of the rules are satisfied. If a rule is satisfied, then an artifactual result can be indicated, as well as the potential cause of the artifactual result. An output file can be created which indicates the artifactual data samples and the potential artifactual causes. The rules file and output file may be provided in a user-friendly format, such as in a spreadsheet or database application format.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller is disclosed. The programmable logic controller includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The programmable logic controller further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch. The programmable logic controller also may include a MEMS switch and a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage across the MEMS switch. The MEMS switches are arranged to transmit or receive logic signals.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an industrial controller based on technology objects are disclosed. Technology object types may be loaded and instantiated into the run time system of a controller, thereby increasing the functionality and providing technological scaling of the controller. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program.

Abstract: A system for providing an application with a plurality of methods for accessing memory of a programmable logic controller includes an application, an interface for establishing communication between the application and a programmable logic controller, and a shared memory area initiated by the application or the programmable logic controller. The shared memory area includes an input memory and an output memory. The application is enabled by the interface to write to the input memory and to read from the output memory.

Abstract: A recording medium, method, and apparatus for reproducing text subtitle streams are disclosed. A microcomputer initially reads a set of PlayItems and a SubPlayItem included in a PlayList which is recorded on a recording medium, and it further reads synchronization information included in the SubPlayItem. Each PlayItem is configured to reproduce at least one main AV stream, and the SubPlayItem is configured to reproduce a text subtitle stream. The synchronization information indicates a presentation start time of the SubPlayItem on a global time axis of the PlayList. When the PlayList is randomly accessed at a random access time on the global time axis, the microcomputer calculates a corresponding access time on a time axis of the SubPlayItem. Then a text subtitle decoder decodes for presentation a dialog presentation segment with the closest dialog start time after the corresponding access time on the axis of the SubPlayItem.

Abstract: A system for programming automation by demonstration where a control program may be created or modified through the process of demonstrating desired behavior using graphical representations (or widgets) of physical, programming, and user interface elements. Widgets have state, or properties, and may also have inherent events associated with them or indirect events that are generated through the demonstration process. The general process of demonstration consists of providing several individual example behaviors. Complete behavior, and thus the resultant code, is generated through inferencing from a number of individual example behaviors. The process of programming automation by demonstration reduces the complexity of the programming task and thereby greatly simplifies the workload of the control programmer, allowing the programmer to concentrate more on the specific automation application at hand rather than on the particulars of the programming language or tools.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for ensuring that blood transfused into a patient is the correct blood for that patient, and that a complete audit trail is created that will allow later tracing of blood from donation through to transfusion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and process is provided for communicating safety-related data, over an open system, from a sender to a receiver. Safety-related components, including function blocks, flexible function blocks, resource blocks and transducer blocks, as well as, safety-related objects are provided. Also, an extended safety-related protocol provides for authenticating communications between safety-related components over an existing black channel, such as one using a fieldbus Architecture.

Abstract: An automation device interactive user interface and method of using the interface is provided herein. The interface is network based in that it employs a browser enhanced by an interactive program embedded therein and an execution engine to execute the program. The interface can be proximate to an associated automated device(s) or remotely connected thereto using a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. To facilitate ease of use, the embedded interactive program presents information in an appealing multimedia fashion such that interface appears live and changing. Furthermore, data associated with automation devices can be monitored, extracted, transmitted or otherwise manipulated in real time.

Abstract: A system for automation of technical processes and/or experiments having a measurement unit and a control unit which are connected to sensors and actuators of the process or of the experimental unit via measurements and control channels, having at least one library that contains visualization objects and control modules, and having software that manages the system. The system enables the user to develop applications without knowledge of programming techniques. Technologists, chemists, scientists using the system no longer need to rely on the aid of programming specialist.

Abstract: The PLC according to this invention includes I/O modules, a CPU module, an input/output bus, and a PC having a display. The CPU module includes a control program storage unit which previously stores an intrinsic control program in which operation processing and an input/output information item are packaged; a library which previously stores the function block representing the operation processing; and a header file which previously stores equivalent input/output information equivalently representing the input/output information by a graphical language. Referring to the library and header file, PC causes the execution program created and stored in the main storage unit to be displayed on the display by the function block and equivalent input/output information item.

Abstract: A control device is provided that flexibly controls a substrate processing apparatus for each product process. Four process recipes PM 1 to PM 4 are stored in a first storage unit 255a. Corresponding to each of the process recipes, a high temperature, a medium temperature, and a low temperature pre-recipe are stored in a second storage unit 255b. A process recipe determination unit 260 determines, in response to a recipe specified by the operator, a process recipe corresponding to the specified recipe from the first storage unit 255a. A stage temperature acquisition unit 265 acquires, from the determined process recipe, a stage temperature. A pre-recipe selection unit 270 selects, from the three types of pre-recipes stored in the second storage unit 255b, one pre-recipe corresponding to the stage temperature. Before the wafer W is deposition-processed, therefore, the PM may be well-conditioned according to the selected pre-recipe.

Abstract: An NC device includes an accumulation portion for accumulating a report-item corresponding to a report-requiring situation that occurs in a machine. A voice generator control section of the device operates a voice generator to generate a voice for announcing a report-item accumulated by an accumulation portion if a determination portion determines that a operator-in-range information has been generated or in response to a request produced by a request portion. Contrastingly, the voice generator control section does not permit the voice generator to generate the voice if the determination portion determines that the operator-in-range information has not been generated. In this manner, the voice generation is performed efficiently and the operator is reliably informed of the report item.