Abstract: A computer unit includes computer components each having a processor and a computer component controller for controlling the operations of the computer components by communicating a control signal with the computer components through a radio transmission path. Another computer unit has a similar configuration. At an instruction from an external control terminal which has recognized the fault of another computer component controller provided for the another computer unit, the computer component controller concurrently controls the operations of computer components provided for the another computer unit by communicating a control signal through a radio transmission path.

Abstract: The invention concerns a redundant computerizing system comprising additionally to a master programmable automaton and a standby programmable automaton, a computerized monitoring device enabling a memory image of the comparison process concerning a certain number of output signals of the computerizing system to be set up.

Abstract: A connector module for the connection of a sensor, such as an optoelectronic sensor, to a fieldbus, having a sensor interface for the connection of the connector module to an interface of the sensor, a bus interface for the connection of the connector module to an interface of a fieldbus and a circuit for the exchange of data to receive data from the sensor interface and to convert them with respect to their format and to output the converted data at the bus interface. The circuit for the exchange of data includes a memory for the intermediate storage of a sensor-specific control file or description file received from the sensor interface, with the control file or description file being able to be processed in the circuit such that the connector module shows the behavior of the respective connected sensor with respect to the fieldbus.

Abstract: In an industrial automation system comprising a plurality of industrial control devices connected to an industrial communication network, control and/or supervision functions of the industrial automation system are provided by services implemented by computer-based objects in industrial control devices. A computer-based object is assigned a first qualifier enabling the computer-based object to be accessed and/or modified during configuration of the respective service and/or a second qualifier enabling the computer-based object to be accessed and/or modified during runtime of the respective service. Upon a request for access to a computer-based object by a service consumer, the service consumer's operational state is determined. Depending on a set first and/or second qualifier of a computer-based object and depending on a determined operational state of a service consumer, access to the computer-based object is granted to the service consumer.

Abstract: A distributed diagnosis algorithm based on a multi-signal digraph model of an overall system is provided. In addition, a model enables the generation of a fault-test dependency matrix (D-matrix), which summarizes the detection capabilities of tests designed for faults associated with each node. Each row represents a fault state and each column represents a test.

Abstract: A control device for operating a machine has a control unit with at least one actuating unit to which actuators and sensors are connected for operating the machine. The control unit has a bus line for transmitting control commands from an operating part to the actuating device. A plug connection between the operating part and the control unit is provided. A monitoring unit monitors an operating signal of the operating part. The monitoring unit triggers a safety function when the operating signal that is a heartbeat of the operating part is absent. Operating states of the operating part are monitored by the monitoring unit. An output signal of the monitoring unit is evaluated in that, when the operating part is switched on, the heartbeat is processed and, when the operating part is switched off, the absence of the heartbeat is ignored.

Abstract: A method for operating a controller having a number of timers to thereby control a plurality of events greater than the number of timers, includes, between clock ticks, receiving one or more signals from sensors, switches, executing programs, or a combination therefore that initiate one or more timed events. After a clock tick immediately following the receiving of the one or more signals, the method further includes updating entries in an event control block in accordance with the received signal or signals. The entries include a time remaining for pending events, a time past due for active events, and a priority of each event. The method further includes determining whether any pending event or events have timed out, activating any timed out events, and sending a signal notifying an executing program of the activated event having the highest priority.

Abstract: A robot system (X-Z) includes a plurality of manipulators (1x-2x, 1y-2y, 1w-2w, 1z-2z) and a portable terminal (3), said terminal being able to connect to the manipulators in wireless mode. The system is conceived so as to enable the terminal (3) to connect to a first manipulator (1x-2x) in a programming mode (Main) and, during the same session, to connect to a second manipulator (1w, 2w) in a monitoring mode (Secondary).

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one search parameter, where the at least one search parameter defines one or more restrictions on types of event patterns. The method also includes searching a collection of historical events associated with a process control system. The method further includes identifying one or more groups of alarms each having a pattern that satisfies the one or more restrictions. In addition, the method includes outputting information identifying the one or more groups of alarms. The method could also include receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more identified groups of alarms. The method could further include notifying one or more components in the process control system to begin dynamically suppressing alarms in the at least one selected group of alarms.

Abstract: There is provided a duplexed field controller. The duplexed field controller includes: first and second control units between which a control authority is switchable; a first application clock that is updated based on a reference clock so as to define a timing of an application operation of the first control unit; a second application clock that is updated based on the reference clock so as to define a timing of an application operation of the second control unit; and an update control unit that bypasses the first update of the second application clock after switching of the control authority, if the first application clock is ahead of the second application clock when the control authority is switched from the first control unit to the second control unit.

Abstract: A buffer station provides potential improvement for the operation of a facility. By storing to-be-accessed workpieces in the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The workpieces can be retrieved through emergency access port of the buffer station, thus ensure the continuous supply of workpieces for the workpiece flow of the facility. Algorithm for getting the needed workpieces to the buffer station is also provided through a controller or a computer mechanism. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as wafer stocker or reticle stocker.

Abstract: A test device that makes a test of a circuit device including a plurality of modules being substitutable in terms of function for one another, and in which a function change can be made for assignment to each of the modules based on an incoming control signal. The test device includes: a control section that generates the control signal, without changing a function to be assigned to a whole of the modules, to make the function change for assignment to each of the modules at least in a group of the modules; and a determination section that detects whether the circuit device operates differently when the function change is made for assignment to the modules, and based on a detection result, determines whether or not at least the group of the modules includes a defective module.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: Power tool includes a movable blade and a detection system for detecting contact between the blade and an object. Detection system includes an excitation plate capacitively coupling the drive signal to the movable blade. A circuit generates an in phase component signal and a quadrature component signal from a blade current signal indicative of the instantaneous current drawn by the movable blade and calculates an energy of the blade current signal considering the in-phase and the quadrature components. The circuit compares the energy of the blade current signal to an adaptive trigger threshold to detect contact between the blade and the object based on whether the energy of the blade current signal is greater than the adaptive trigger threshold.

Abstract: To transmit data between an electric control unit (3) that has at least one operator element connection (6; 6.1, 6.2) and a diagnostic unit (7), the diagnostic unit (7) is designed to be connected to the operator element connection (6; 6.1, 6.2) and the control unit (3) is designed to switch over (17) from an operating signal receiving status into a data transmission mode in order to deliver data via the operator element connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the explicit identification of at least one component of an automation system. The aim of the invention is to propose a method for the explicit identification of automation components that prevents the disadvantages of the known solutions and simplifies project planning. This aim is attained using a method for the worldwide explicit identification of at least one component of an automation system, wherein the component is associated in a one-to-one fashion with location information by means of multidimensional coordinates, said information designating a point inside the component and being transmitted to the automation system and/or being provided for the automation system.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a motion control system, comprising a set of motion operations, a set of functions, a set of security levels, and client software. The functions are capable of causing the motion control system to perform at least one motion operation. The client software is capable of calling at least one of the functions. The ability of the client software to call at least one of the functions is restricted based on at least one of the security levels.

Abstract: An input termination board for use with an industrial controller in a safety system is disclosed herein. The industrial controller may be populated with standard analog input modules according to the requirements of the application. The termination board may selectively receive a single analog input signal from a remote device and transmit the signal to corresponding channels on two analog input modules or, alternately, receive two analog input signals and transmit each signal to one of the two corresponding channels. In addition, a program executing on the controller of the safety module monitors and tests each of the analog input channels on the input modules, verifying proper operation of the modules. If the program detects a fault in either input module, the safety system may alternately shut down according to a fail-safe procedure or continue operating under a fault-tolerant mode of operation.

Abstract: An input termination board for use with an industrial controller in a safety system is disclosed herein. The industrial controller may be populated with standard input modules according to the application. The termination board, in conjunction with the controller allows the standard input modules to be used as safety inputs. The termination board provides simplified wiring between the input modules and the remote devices by splitting each of the signals generated by the remote device into separate inputs for two different input modules. In addition, a program executing on the controller of the safety system monitors and tests each of the inputs in both input modules to verify proper operation of the inputs. If the program detects a fault in either input module, the safety system may alternately shut down according to a fail-safe procedure or continue operating under a fault-tolerant mode of operation.

Abstract: Communications adapters and methods are provided for interfacing communications for an EtherNet/Ip or other general purpose industrial network, a Fieldbus or other open protocol device network, and a PointBus or other proprietary network. The adapter may be integrated in a module of a backplane system with connections to the general purpose, proprietary, and open protocol device networks, and provides a bridging for communications across the networks to make devices on the proprietary and open protocol networks accessible as if they were on a single device network and with sequential addressing capabilities.

Abstract: A control consol is disclosed for controlling one or more medical devices. The control consol communicates to at least one medical device, and at least one peripheral module associated with the medical device if needed. The control consol has a microprocessor for processing data to direct an operation of the medical device.

Abstract: A system for preserving process variable data relating to the operation of a process is provided. The system is adapted to preserve process variable data obtained before, during, and after the occurrence of an abnormal situation or event. The preserved process variable data maybe communicated from smart field devices or other intelligent equipment relating to the control of the process to a process controller or other higher level control device. The process controller or other higher level control device may then cause the preserved data to be displayed for an operator or other maintenance personnel. The preserved data may also be provided to other process control modules or abnormal situation prevention systems for further analysis to develop methods for preventing the abnormal situation from recurring in the future, or for taking additional steps based on the abnormal situation data to minimize or prevent a further deterioration of the process operation.

Abstract: A method of producing a system architecture comprises identifying a set of undesirable events and ascribing to each of the undesirable events an indicator of their severity, associating the undesirable events with one or more actuators of the system architecture, developing a functional specification of an initial architecture proposed for implementation of the system architecture, refining fault tolerance requirements associated with the severity of each of the undesirable events and issuing refined fault tolerance requirements, producing replicates in the functional specification together with attached indicators of freeness of the replicates from other of the replicates, the indicators reflecting the refined fault tolerance requirements, defining a hardware structure for the system architecture, mapping the functional specification onto the hardware structure, and verifying automatically that the indicators of freeness are preserved during the mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and control of a system is disclosed. The method and apparatus include providing a plurality of sensors, a table, and a network processor. The sensors monitor attributes of the system. The table includes a plurality of entries. Each of the entries indicates at least one action to be taken in response to a portion attributes having particular values. The network processor is coupled with the sensors and with the table. The network processor receives from the sensors a plurality of statuses for the attributes. The network processor further determines at least one entry of the entries to access based upon the statuses and accesses the at least one entry to determine a corresponding action.

Abstract: A system facilitates state processing in an industrial control environment is provided. The system includes a module component to facilitate control operations in an industrial control environment. A propagation component is embedded within the module component to communicate state information to at least one other module component. The state information is communicated in an upward or downward direction according to a hierarchical module configuration.

Abstract: A device for diagnosing operation of an industrial process control or monitoring system includes an input configured to receive an input related to a process signal. A first statistical parameter module provides a first statistical parameter output related to a statistical parameter of the process signal. A filter provides a filter output related to a filtered value of the process signal. A second statistical parameter module provides a second statistical parameter output related to a statistical parameter of the filter output. A diagnostic module diagnoses operation of the industrial process based upon the first and second statistical parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for electrophysiological monitoring system including a plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more health parameters of a patient and a monitoring device configured to receive a plurality of sensing signals from the sensors and output a monitoring signal representative of an alarm sequence, wherein the alarm sequence comprises a set of alarm events identified in the sensing signals. The system also includes an on-line monitoring module configured to generate a suffix tree data structure in response to the monitoring signal to identify alarm patterns from the set of alarm events and classify the alarm sequence in response to the occurrences of alarm patterns in the alarm sequence. The on-line monitoring module is further configured to alert monitoring personnel of an alarm condition after processing the alarm sequence in real-time.

Abstract: An HMI system with a mobile control and monitoring device for automation components of a technical system is provided. The HMI system includes means for a contactless data transmission between the mobile control and monitoring device and the automation components, a manual device for triggering or blocking security relevant operations of the technical system and means for locating the mobile control and monitoring device. Evaluation means are provided for managing an active operational area which activate the automation components for security-relevant operations of the technical system via the mobile control and monitoring device solely when the manual device is released and the locating means detect that the mobile control and monitoring device is located inside the active operational area. Is he manual device placed directly on the housing of the technical system, an operator has to approach such that he/she enters the active operational area in a secure manner.

Abstract: In a system or method for setting a positioning member, a pneumatic positioning drive actuates the positioning member, the pneumatic positioning drive having at least two control positions and a predetermined safety position. A position controller is pneumatically coupled to the positioning drive. A basic process control system generates and transmits a set-point signal for the positioning member. A safety controller generates and transmits a safety signal with which the pneumatic positioning drive is vented causing the positioning member to automatically move into the predetermined safety position. The basic process control system and the safety controller are coupled with respect to signal transmission in such a way that the set-point signal generated by the basic process control system is transmitted via the safety controller and a signal transmission path coupling the position controller with the safety controller.

Abstract: Enabling non-interoperability among transceivers of devices. A method includes transmitting a signal at a predefined symbol rate by a first transceiver of a first device of a first plurality of devices. The predefined symbol rate is unique for each transceiver of each device of the first plurality of devices. The method also includes detecting the signal by a second transceiver of a second device of a second plurality of devices. The second transceiver has a symbol rate similar to the predefined symbol rate.

Abstract: Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for process control, wherein at least one process device to be controlled is controlled by at least one process module and at least one safety module in that process signals of the process module not relevant to safety and safety signals of the safety module relating to process safety are logically linked to one another and at least one local safety signal of a local safety sensor is supplied directly to at least one control output of a local control unit associated with the process device while bypassing this logical linking operation in order to effect a fast change in state at the process device to be controlled which is connected to the control output, wherein the fast switching path includes a fast switching function with which the result of the logical linking operation and the local safety signal are evaluated together and wherein a fast change in state at the process device to be controlled effected via the fast changing path is changed again, and is in partic

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preventing malicious settings changes to IEDs in a power transmission and distribution network. Attempted changes to the protection settings of an IED is detected and transmitted to one or more neighboring IEDs. The neighboring IEDs check for consistency of the new settings and return conformance or nonconformance signals. If a nonconformance signal is received, the attempted setting change is not allowed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for operating a plant. The plant comprises a data equipment. The data equipment is provided at the location of the plant itself. The 5 data equipment comprising a data structure divided into at least a first data storage device (1,2,22) and a second data storage device (3,4,23). The at least first data storage device (1,2,22) is accessible from an external data source. The status of the first data storage device (1,2,22), during operation of the system, is determined as being trusted or un-trusted. The status of the 0 second data storage device (3,4,23), ab initio, is determined as being trusted. The external data source is connected to the first data storage device (1,2,22) and to the second data storage device (3,4,23), and the second data storage device (3,4,23) is connected to the first data storage device (1,2,22) along a data interfacing device (6,25,26).

Abstract: A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.

Abstract: Methods and architectures are described that provide function block mobility between PLCs. Each PLC configured with Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs) may forward and execute MFBs from each other. To enable MFB mobility over a communication bus, each PLC having one or more configured MFBs requires a Communication Function Block (CFB) and an MFB directory data block. Each PLC maintains an MFB directory data block to store its MFB directory which is used when other PLCs send requests to check the availability of MFBs they need to run new tasks.

Abstract: A system for debugging motion control software used to communicate with a motion control system, comprising a set of hardware motion control attributes, a set of common motion control attributes a motion control device, a set of software drivers, a software application, and a motion component. A selected software driver is capable of causing debug information to be sent to a debug target and converting a common motion control attribute to a hardware motion control attribute. The software application calls a motion component function to cause the motion component function to call a driver function. The called driver function causes the selected software driver to convert a common motion control attribute to a hardware motion control attribute, exchange a hardware motion control attribute with the motion control device, and cause debug information to be sent to the debug target.

Abstract: A method and a system are proposed, wherein all the terminals of a physical unit and a control appliance are connected to a physically separate control center via a base terminal appliance. This control center has the base terminal appliances of further physical units connected to it. In addition, the control center has producers connected to it which manufacture the terminals or supply services for the terminals or types of terminals. To actuate the terminals, provision is made for selection processes which are input on the control appliance to be conveyed via the control center to the producers of the appliances, from where the control signals produced there are supplied via the control center to the relevant terminals. There is thus no direct connection made between a type of remote control and the appliance controlled by it.

Abstract: An interface information outputting system that maintains consistency between control parameter data set in a control information terminal by an operator and control parameter data set in an interface output section. In an embodiment, a control instructing section causes a status information generating and sending section to send its own ID information signal and a status information signal indicating its own present operational conditions to the control information terminal via a communication line. In the event of an abnormal operational condition, the control information terminal resends the control parameter data to the control instructing section identified by the ID information signal.

Abstract: A method for distributing software modules to control units, the software modules being assigned to the control units while taking safety-relevant classification features into consideration.

Abstract: A modular safety device (10) is set forth for the safe deactivation of actuators (22, 24) which form a hazard source, said safety device having a control module (12) with a central safety controller (26), at least one connector module (14) of a first type with inputs for the connection of sensors (18, 20) and outputs for the connection of actuators (22, 24) as well as a serial communications device (28) for the exchange of data between the control module (12) and the connector module (14) based on a first communications protocol, in particular a bus.

Abstract: A node of a fault-tolerant system relies upon a primary communication mechanism, when possible, for primary connection to a central server. The node monitors its primary connection to the server. While the primary connection is active, the node operates in a supervised mode, in that it generally does not perform a certain subset of tasks without having received real-time commands from the server to perform those tasks. However, when the node detects that it is no longer connected to the server, the node transitions into a fail-over mode. The node operates in the fail-over mode until the node detects that primary connection is re-established. While in fail-over mode, the node may execute a stored set of fail-over instructions that were provided by the server. The node may also attempt to establish a backup connection to the server via a second and different type of communication mechanism.

Abstract: A device for communicating between an electronic module (110) equipped with a programmable controller and a remote server (140), includes: an element for associating the electronic module with a device (100) in such a way that the module receives signals representative of statuses or operational parameters of the device via at least one connector (103), a communications server application on the electronic module, the communications server application being designed to communicate automatically with the device and also with the remote server via a communications element (120, 125) and a communications server application on the remote server for adapting it to communicate automatically with the electronic module via at least one communications channel via at least one communications element (155, 160).

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: A method for rating reliability of storage devices is disclosed. A reliability rating for a group of storage devices is assigned to a first rating. The first rating indicates an expected reliability that is the same for each individual one of the storage devices in the group. The expected reliability provides an indication of how reliable the storage devices in the group are expected to be. Information indicating one or more operational characteristics for one or more of the storage devices in the group may be periodically received and analyzed to determine whether the reliability rating for the group of storage devices should be changed. If so then the reliability rating for the group is changed to a different rating, e.g., to indicate either a decrease or an increase in the expected reliability of the storage devices in the group.

Abstract: A control device contains a plurality of controllers, a common signal output, and a change-over unit. The controllers are coupled on an output side to the common signal output through the change-over unit. A plurality of differentiating elements are disposed upstream of the change-over unit and in each case connected with one of the controllers. An integrating element follows the change-over unit. An output of a controller is first differentiated, sent through the change-over unit, and then integrated.

Abstract: A passenger transportation system, such as an escalator or moving walk, contains a circulating band, a driving station, and a reversing station. The driving station is arranged in the area of a first end of the passenger transportation system and has a slave control unit. The reversing station in the area of a second end of the passenger transportation system has a master control unit. For the purpose of exchanging data, the master control unit and the slave control unit are connected together by a data bus. The slave control unit has a first printed circuit board on which is mounted a first set of electronic components and which serves to transmit to the master control unit data concerning the functioning of the passenger transportation system. The master control unit has a second printed circuit board on which is mounted a second set of electronic components and which serves to analyze the data and control of the passenger transportation system.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for locating the center of a substrate. The invention includes a frame, mounted between a slit valve assembly and a transfer chamber wall in substrate processing equipment; at least one emitter, housed in the frame, and adapted to emit a signal; at least one sensor, housed in the frame, and adapted to receive the emitted signal; and a controller adapted to determine a center of a substrate based on the signal received by the sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Enhanced Fieldbus device alerts enable Fieldbus devices within a process control system to report alarm or alert conditions that are detected within the devices to a system user or operator using a plurality of independently reportable device alarm parameters, each of which corresponds to a different level of severity and each of which may require a different type of response by the system user or operator. The independently reportable device alarm parameters include a parameter associated with a failure of a Fieldbus device, a parameter associated with maintenance needed by a Fieldbus device and an advisable action in connection with a Fieldbus device.

Abstract: Monitoring and controlling apparatus and related methods for use with collective protection shelters or other isolation environments utilizing one or more digital processors to monitor and control the operation of the shelter. The apparatus affords shelter design and functional growth flexibility, along with diagnostic and prognostic capability, including condition based maintenance, interactive electronic manuals, and access to systems for replacement parts requisition. Further, the physical and functional expandability of the apparatus affords easy incorporation of shelter design changes, user interface design changes, and sensor design changes as well as improved functional and operational flexibility. The system also decreases volume and weight over prior designs.