Abstract: Data cache egress of a data storage device (DSD) in a data storage system including a system controller. A size of a reserved space in a memory of the system controller is determined for storing a data cache image for a data cache of the DSD. A loss of power is detected in the data storage system and the data cache image is transferred from the DSD to the system controller. The data cache image is stored in the reserved space in the memory of the system controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a semiconductor device (e.g., a microprocessor) are described. The microprocessor is initially operated at a voltage and frequency that would be within operating limits at any device temperature. Using models that relate device temperature, operating limits and power consumption with voltage and frequency, the amount of supply voltage and a new operating frequency can be selected. The models are periodically consulted thereafter to continue adjusting the supply voltage and operating frequency, so that the microprocessor is caused to operate at very close to its capacity, in particular in those instances when, for example, processor-intensive instructions are being executed.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes an interface module and a signal processing module. The interface module includes an identification resistance for identifying the interface module, the interface module being connectable to a device configured to perform at least one of measuring of a measuring target and operating of an operation target. The signal processing module includes a first connection terminal connected to one end of the identification resistance, a first power source connected to the identification resistance via the first connection terminal, a detector configured to detect any one of voltage and electrical current at the first connection terminal, and a signal processor configured to process signals received from and transmitted to the device.

Abstract: In embodiments of a stability control system, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components are mechanically-linked and pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing. Clutch mechanisms are implemented to limit and/or resist movement of the pivotable components based on the positioning inputs. A stability controller can be implemented to control the clutch mechanisms based on sensor data from the sensors to position the device housing in a display position.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the mechanical condition of a machine in which statistically significant measurements on a characteristic signal are made over a period of time which can include interruptions and variations in the operation of the machine giving rise to uncharacteristic signals and the processing of the signal during the statistically significant measurement automatically excludes those parts of the signal associated with interruptions and variations in the operation of the machine. The invention also includes apparatus for carrying out the above method including a preamplifier, adapted to provide output to a further amplifier, adapted to provided output to dynamic enveloping circuitry, adapted to provide an output to an analogue to digital converter, adapted to provide an output to a digital micro-electronic device.

Abstract: A channel interface component including redundancy within a control system with highway addressable remote transfer (HART) channels is provided. In one embodiment, a circuit includes: at least two highway addressable remote transfer (HART) channels, each HART channel including an input terminal and an output terminal configured to connect with a HART device via a current loop; an channel interface component coupled to each HART channel that is configured to support HART protocol signals for communications with the HART device, wherein the channel interface component includes a suicide relay switch for connecting or disconnecting each HART channel from the HART device; and a programmable logic device coupled to the channel interface component that is configured to perform modulation and demodulation of HART protocol signals for communications with the HART device.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a processor that executes a procedure, the procedure including outputting an alert when observation data satisfies a certain condition, the observation data being obtained at a certain time interval, suppressing the outputting of the alert in accordance with control, and performing control the suppressing until the certain time elapses since one of the outputting of the alert and the suppressing is performed.

Abstract: A process-level troubleshooting architecture (PLTA) configured to facilitate substrate processing in a plasma processing system is provided. The architecture includes a process module controller. The architecture also includes a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors communicates with the process module controller to collect sensed data about one or more process parameters. The architecture further includes a process-module-level analysis server, wherein the process-module-level analysis server communicates directly with the plurality of sensors and the process module controller. The process-module-level analysis server is configured for receiving data, wherein the data include at least one of the sensed data from the plurality of sensors and process module and chamber data from the process module controller.

Abstract: A household appliance, particularly a household dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like, includes an air drying device and/or fluid heating device, connected to an electrical energy supply network. At least one control/monitoring unit is provided to detect any deviation of an actual value of at least one characteristic of the electrical energy supply network from a target value and to generate at least one control signal for setting an electrical component of the member in response to a detected deviation of the actual value.

Abstract: A SCADA system includes a main switching hub and a backup switching hub that relay transmission data between a wind turbine generator and terminals provided in another SCADA system and client terminals, and a network switch for performing switching between the main switching hub and the backup switching hub for relaying transmission data between the wind turbine generator and the terminals. A backup remote I/O connected to the backup switching hub causes the network switch to perform switching based on a switching command from a SCADA terminal input via the backup switching hub. This serves to solve a data transmission problem caused by a problem in a switching hub on the wind turbine generator side from a remote location.

Abstract: A wafer fabrication outcome, such as wafer yield or wafer lifetime, is predicted by excluding uncontrollable but measurable internal/external noises of a DOE system, and by rendering relations between wafer design variables and wafer outcome outputs to be more causal, as well as the relations between variances for each of the wafer design variables and the wafer outcome outputs. With the aid of a wafer fabrication outcome predicting model formed by the more causal relations, precision of predicting wafer outcomes can be raised, and performance of wafer fabrication can be thus raised as a result.

Abstract: A multi-function printer main body has a copy function. A remote terminal conducts various kinds of copy settings or instructions to start copy. An execution button is provided in the multi-function printer main body. When the execution button is operated in normal time, copy is executed with the default settings. When copy is executed by inputting copy settings on the remote terminal side, copy can be executed again with the copy settings used for the last time by operating the execution button until a predetermined period of time passes. Therefore, in a case of executing copy with the default settings or repeatedly executing copy with the same settings as the settings used for the last time, a user's work burden can be reduced because it is sufficient for the user to operate the execution button 38.

Abstract: A safety-extension base connected to a main base and a control method thereof are disclosed, the base includes a communication unit, a system state monitoring unit, a module control unit, a memory unit, a state conversion unit and a safety-processing unit. The communication unit performs data communication with the main base. The system state monitoring unit monitors a state of the PLC system. The module control unit controls a general operation of the safety-extension base and outputs different cases of control signals. The memory unit stores the data transmitted from the main base and a program and information. The state conversion unit converts the state of the safety-extension base into the normal state or safety state. The safety-processing unit performs a control of the safety-extension base.

Abstract: Control devices in a motor vehicle, having first sequence-controlled control devices being connected to a first data bus and second sequence-controlled control devices being connected to a second data bus, are networked. A first control device sends a first message via the gateway device into the first and second data buses. At least a second control device receives the first message and checks whether the receiving of the first message is required for the corresponding control device. The second control device sends out a response message, which indicates whether the second control device has a corresponding need to receive the first message. In the event of such a need, a routing default is established and/or an existing routing default is changed in a gateway device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a command generation portion that generates the command signal, and a first monitoring portion that monitors an abnormality relating to actuation of the actuator control apparatus. The actuator control apparatus includes a control portion and a second monitoring portion. The control portion generates a control signal for controlling operation of the actuator in accordance with the above-described command signal. The second monitoring portion monitors an abnormality that relates to actuation of the actuator control apparatus and that is different in type from an abnormality monitored by the first monitoring portion.

Abstract: To perform control in synchronization with a control cycle of a control target while maintaining safety. A safety controller includes: a processor; a system program for controlling allocation of an execution time of the processor to tasks; a signal generation unit that generates a periodic carrier signal; a control unit that updates a control content for the control target with a control content instructed by instruction information output from the processor, every first predetermined cycle of the carrier signal, and performs PWM control for the control target; and an interrupt signal generation unit that outputs an interrupt signal to the processor every second predetermined cycle of the carried signal.

Abstract: A power electronic control circuitry device comprises the following intercommunicating distinct hardware physical entities: a digital microcontroller unit (UNMC) for managing the operation of the device, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space; a digital fast regulation unit (UNRR) for controlling priority and real-time processes, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space; a digital communication unit (UNC) for communications external to the device, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space; a digital tracing and debugging unit (UNTD) for detecting errors in the design of the device; and a digital non-volatile memory (MRN) for storing information representative of the initial configuration of the device, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space.

Abstract: A system and method to determine the operating status of an electrical system includes a system controller and an actuator controller. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly. In turn, the actuator controller determines if the system controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the system controller is not operating properly.

Abstract: A control technique that enables the use of received process variable values in a Kalman filter based control scheme without the need to change the control algorithm includes a controller, such as a PID controller, and a Kalman filter, coupled to receive feedback in the form of, for example, process variable measurement signals from a process. The Kalman filter is configured to produce an estimate of the process variable value from slow or intermittent process feedback signals while providing a new process variable estimate to the controller during each of the controller execution cycles to enable the controller to produce a control signal used to control the process. The Kalman filter is also configured to compensate the process variable estimate for process noise with non-zero mean value that may be present in the process. The Kalman filter may apply this compensation to both continuously and intermittently received process variable values.

Abstract: A control technique that enables the use of slow or intermittently received process variable values in a predictor based control scheme without the need to change the control algorithm includes a controller, such as a PID controller, and a predictor, such as a model based predictor, coupled to receive intermittent feedback in the form of, for example, process variable measurement signals from a process. The predictor, which may be an observer like a Kalman filter, or which may be a Smith predictor, is configured to produce an estimate of the process variable value from the intermittent or slow process feedback signals while providing a new process variable estimate to the controller during each of the controller execution cycles to enable the controller to produce a control signal used to control the process.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.

Abstract: A power distribution system (that can detect an unsafe fault condition where an individual or object has come in contact with the power conductors) regulates the transfer of energy from a source to a load. Periodically, the source controller opens an S1 disconnect switch, a and load controller opens an S2 disconnect switch. A capacitor represents the capacitance across the load terminals. If the capacitor discharges at a rate higher or lower than predetermined values after the S1 and S2 disconnect switches are opened, then a fault condition is registered, and the S1 and S2 switches will not be commanded to return to a closed position, thus isolating the fault from both the source and the load.

Abstract: To obtain a safety control device capable of shortening a response time without using a high-speed CPU, command judging units judge whether an output command that has been input is an ON command or an OFF command; comparing units transmit a judgment result of their command judging units to each other and compare the judgment results of the command judging units with each other. Output units output an output signal to turn off a switch if the judgment result of the command judging units is the OFF command or if the comparison result of the comparing units indicates disagreement.

Abstract: A retrofit kit for a turbine system is provided that includes a safety instrumented system (SIS) controller having a first plurality of functions and the SIS controller is configured to be coupled to a turbine-generator controller, wherein the SIS controller permits a startup function of the turbine-generator controller based on a plurality of inputs from a turbine.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a hydraulic device configured to operate at a fluid pressure. A sensor is configured to measure fluid pressure in the hydraulic device and generate a pressure signal representative of the measured fluid pressure. An actuator configured to regulate fluid flow to the hydraulic device. A control module is configured to identify a fault pending condition based on the measured fluid pressure, increase the fluid pressure in the hydraulic device during the fault pending condition, and iteratively enable and disable the actuator during the fault pending condition to determine if the actuator has failed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to time partitioning to enable execution of tasks in a constant cycle while guaranteeing dependence of a safety-related system. A safety controller includes a processor and a system program for controlling allocation of an execution time of the processor to tasks. The processor executes the system program to schedule tasks in accordance with scheduling information indicating, in a constant cycle, a period of one of a safety-related TP to which a safety-related task belongs and a non-safety-related TP to which a non-safety-related task belongs. In a task of a TP in the constant cycle, the processor stores the end information upon completion of processing in the task and brings the task into a ready state.

Abstract: In an automated system which includes a robot manipulator, a workcell, and a control system implemented on a hardware platform based on a programmable logic controller (“PLC”), a method and apparatus for performing integrated simulation that does not require the presence of both the robot manipulator and the workcell. If one component is real, the other component is simulated so as to be sufficiently responsive to responses from the real component such that the real component is unable to discern that the other component is not also real. A computing device simultaneously displays simulacra of both the components, real and simulated, and visualizations of the responses provided by each.

Abstract: In a processing apparatus having: moveable parts disposed to form a predetermined processing environment within a processing chamber in which a predetermined processing is performed on an object to be processed; and a control means for controlling the operation of each of the moveable parts, abnormality inclusive of deterioration with time of the moveable parts constituting the processing apparatus is made to be easily judged. There is provided a vibration detection means for detecting the waveforms of vibrations that occur accompanied by the operation of the moveable parts. When control is made from the control means in order to operate any one of the moveable parts, there are obtained event data corresponding to the control and the waveforms of vibrations of all the moveable parts that are operating simultaneously at the time in question.

Abstract: In order to flexibly identify the current operating state of control elements which are used to control a process installation, the invention provides a method for identifying the operating state of at least one control element, which is designed for an active and a passive operating state, for a control apparatus, wherein, in the active operating state, the control element controls a process function of an area of a process installation, comprising the following steps: the control apparatus is connected to the process installation, the control element is functionally associated with the process function, and the operating state of the control element is identified as active on the basis of successful functional association of the control element with the process function.

Abstract: A photoelectric switch reduces a cost load of a user while ensuring its protection function inherent to safety equipment without impairing its safety function, and an optical scanning type photoelectric switch is provided with a muting function settable by the user, which is a function of temporarily invalidating sensing of part or the whole of a protection area, and is provided with two output systems, with respect to each of which the muting function is settable and on each output of which an inspection signal is superimposed at a different timing in a time-division manner.

Abstract: A system to build, manage, and analyze a computer generated risk assessment model and perform a layer of protection analysis. The system uses a computer generated safety instrumented system model for managing a process safety lifecycle for a safety instrumented system in a facility. The computer generated safety instrumented system model has at least one instrumented protective function.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamic distributed control with network topology discovery and load discovery in an isolated distribution grid is provided. Source modules connect to AC generators and output high voltage DC power on ports. Load modules receive the high voltage DC power on connected ports and convert the DC power to AC power. Loads are connected to AC outlets on load modules. A source module discovers the connected network topology through a series of states following the reading of a configuration file and creates an adjacency map. Each module has a microprocessor. Each microprocessor runs load discovery algorithms using its adjacency map as input. Load changes are detected and adjacency maps are amended to maintain consistency across all adjacency maps. Priority is afforded to desired loads when demand exceeds capacity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for process control has two operating modes: normal mode and active procedure mode, with automatic transition between them. In normal mode, the operating system, firewall and anti-virus are fully operational. When entering a time-critical phase of a process, a process control application signals the operating system and utilities, whereupon transition to active procedure mode automatically occurs, in which access by the system services and by other applications to the resources of the computer is selectively limited in favor of the process control application. Upon completion of the procedure, the system automatically returns to normal mode.

Abstract: An example method to identify a hazardous process control type associated with a process control device includes automatically detecting that a process control device is coupled to a port on a controller, detecting information associated with the process control device via the port, identifying a hazardous process condition type of the process control device based on the detected information, and sending information to a computing device to cause a display to include visual indication of the identified hazardous process condition type in association with the process control device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods of employing a first subnet controller in an HVAC network. The method comprises conveying a fixed parameter from a first networked device in the HVAC system to the first subnet controller, conveying a variable parameter from the first networked device in the HVAC system to the first subnet controller, and providing an option to a user to modify the variable parameter.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus comprising a sensor and a context engine module. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor output signal representative of a value for one or more context aspects of the data processing apparatus and a confidence factor associated with each of the values for the one or more context aspects. The context engine module is configured to process the sensor output signal to generate and make available a final value for one or more context aspects of the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A safety controller for controlling an automated installation which has a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators, comprises a control unit to which a plurality of control input signals are supplied by the sensors. The control unit produces a plurality of control output signals in an automatic mode on the basis of the control input signals in accordance with a user program running in said control unit. The plurality of control output signals is used to actuate the plurality of actuators. The safety controller also has a diagnosis evaluation unit to which a number of diagnoses input signals are supplied. The diagnosis evaluation unit takes the diagnosis input signals as a basis for ascertaining which of a plurality of operating states is present at a defined instant of time. The diagnosis evaluation unit produces an operating state data record which represents an ascertained operating state. The safety controller also has an interface for a display unit in order to display diagnosis reports.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for resetting and bypassing microcontroller stations. A command module asserts and de-asserts a reset line in response to a command. A reset module resets a microcontroller station if the command module asserts and de-asserts the reset line within a time interval. In addition, the reset module bypasses the microcontroller station if the command module asserts and holds the reset line for a time period exceeding the time interval.

Abstract: An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device. An external network resource such as at least a virtual private network server is configured to enable communication with the automation controller. The automation controller is configured, such as by executing virtual private network software, to establish and maintain a secure data link with the virtual private network server and to enable oversight and/or control of the automation controller via the virtual private network server.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling efficient transferring operations in a vacuum processing apparatus with a linear tool. In the apparatus, plural transferring robots are arranged in transferring mechanism units in which plural process chambers are connected with each other, and to-be-processed wafers are received and passed between plural transferring robots. As the transferring robots is far from the load lock, the number of transferring operations to the process chambers is set larger, the number of times of continuous transferring operations to the process chambers is set as small as possible, and an odd number of times of continuous transferring operations to buffer rooms is set, by a destination determination unit and operation control rules. Further, transferring operations are performed based on the destination determination unit and the operation control rules.

Abstract: A multi-chip module includes a first die having a control processor to generate a signal to control an industrial process and an input/output interface. The multi-chip module also includes a second die having a supervisory processor and an input/output interface. A processor failure of one of the control processor and the supervisory processor is detected by the other of the control processor and the supervisory processor, and the processor that detects the failure is configured to assert a signal through its input/output interface to cause the industrial process to transition to a safe state in response to the failure. Additionally, the first and second dies are created using different process technologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic control device including: a processing unit having a function of transition to a sleep mode; and a watch dog timer having a time counter that resets in response to a pulse signal outputted from the processing unit at certain intervals, this watch dog timer outputting a signal having a level inverted according to the existence or absence of overflow occurrence, in which the electronic control device further includes a latch circuit that latches the signal outputted from the watch dog timer and outputs a signal obtained through the latching as a first output enable signal, and the processing unit stops outputting the pulse signal before transition to the sleep mode, and carries out failure diagnosis of the watch dog timer based on the first output enable signal outputted from the latch circuit after output of the pulse signal is stopped.

Abstract: A method for operating a system of field devices, wherein the system has at least two field devices, and wherein the field devices especially are measuring devices and/or actuators and/or display devices. A second field device is activated by a first field device, and that, in the case of a successful activation of a field device different from the first field device, the first field device is deactivated.

Abstract: A safety controller (10) having at least one input (18) for the connection of a sensor (20), at least one output (22) for the connection of an actuator (24), at least one communication interface (30) for the connection of a further safety controller (10a-d), to exchange control relevant information as well as having and also having a control unit (14) is provided which is configured to carry out a control program which generates a control signal at the outputs (22) in accordance with predeterminable logic rules in dependence on input signals at the inputs (18) and/or in dependence on the control relevant information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for controlling safety-critical processes in an automated system by using a communications network with a communications master for controlling the communications on the network and a plurality of network subscribers. At least a few of the network subscribers are constructed as decentralized, secure network subscribers, and each has a separate, decentralized safety controller for controlling a safety-relevant application. Each of the decentralized, secure network subscribers has a unique safety address. The decentralized, secure network subscribers themselves execute the safety functions and/or safety logic operations relevant to them. The decentralized, secure network subscribers communicate with each other in a fail-safe way in which each executes automatic, fail-safe point-to-point communications with another of the decentralized, secure network subscribers, in order to be able to provide safety functions covering the decentralized, secure network subscribers.

Abstract: A method for the computer-assisted exploration of states of a technical system is provided. The states of the technical system are run by carrying out an action in a respective state of the technical system, the action leading to a new state. A safety function and a feedback rule are used to ensure that a large volume of data of states and actions is run during exploration and that at the same time no inadmissible actions occur which could lead directly or indirectly to the technical system being damaged or to a defective operating state. The method allows a large number of states and actions relating to the technical system to be collected and may be used for any technical system, especially the exploration of states in a gas turbine. The method may be used both in the real operation and during simulation of the operation of a technical system.

Abstract: In the control device for vehicles which executes a control of the vehicle by one calculation control device based upon a target control amount generated by another calculation control device connected to the one calculation control device by way of a communication means, the other calculation control device calculates an estimated target control amount by itself to compare it with the target control amount generated by the one calculation control device and input thereto by way of the communication means, or a third calculation control device compares the target control amounts generated by the one and the other calculation control devices and input thereto by way of the communication means, thereby to judge if an abnormality has occurred in the communication means, and to rapidly modify the control to make a counter-measure against the abnormality.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an electrical power conversion system includes: a motor; an inverter circuit that outputs three-phase (U-phase, V-phase, W-phase) alternating currents to the motor; a current sensor that detects each of the three-phase alternating currents; and a control circuit that controls the inverter circuit based on a torque command value and values detected by the current sensor, so that the three-phase alternating currents outputted from the inverter circuit are formed as sine waves; and wherein the control circuit includes: a current component extraction unit that, based on the values detected by the current sensor, for each phase, extracts current components superimposed upon each of three-phase alternating currents; and an AC current abnormality detection unit that detects abnormality of an AC current flowing to the motor, based on the phases of the current components for any two phases among the three-phase alternating currents.

Abstract: Time partitions which need not be executed can be skipped. An OS partially includes a partition scheduler which selects and decides a time partition to be subsequently scheduled in accordance with a scheduling pattern including TP1 in which an execution time is allocated to a safety monitoring program, TP2 in which the execution time is allocated to a normal control program, and TP 3 in which the execution time is allocated to a safety control program. A processor executes the OS to cause the partition scheduler to periodically operate. The partition scheduler skips a TP including a program which need not be executed among TPs included in the scheduling pattern, in response to a notification of an execution result from a program executed in at least one of the time partitions TP1 to TP3.

Abstract: This invention enables an abnormality analysis to be easily and reliably performed in the FA system of the EtherCAT (registered trademark). A controller has a protocol monitor function of operating in a monitor system program, and constantly monitors data communicated with a remote device. The controller has an abnormality diagnosis function of detecting abnormality, and thus holds the data monitored immediately before when abnormality is detected. As the protocol monitor function is incorporated, a protocol monitor does not need to be newly plugged into the network as an external device after the occurrence of abnormality, and the data that becomes the cause can be held from the abnormality that occurred first by monitoring from the beginning of the operation of the system and can be used for analysis.