Abstract: The present invention is directed to a secure communication network that enables multi-point to multi-point proxy communication over the network. The network employs a smart server that establishes a secure communication link with each of a plurality of smart client devices installed on local client networks. Each smart client device is in communication with a plurality of agent devices. A plurality of remote devices can access the smart server directly and communicate with agent devices via the secure communication link between the smart server and one of the smart client devices. This communication is enabled without complex configuration of firewall or network parameters by the user.

Abstract: State machine engines are disclosed, including those having an inter-rank bus control system, which may include a register. The state machine engine may include a plurality of configurable elements, such that each of the plurality of configurable elements comprises a plurality of memory cells. These cells may analyze data and output a result of the analysis. The IR bus control system may halt a write operation of data to be analyzed by the cells based, at least in part, on one or more conditions.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit performs master-slave type communication with the communication adaptor, outputs, as a master, a transmission request of a control signal to the communication adaptor which temporarily stores the control signal for controlling the lighting apparatus, transmitted from equipment connected to the network, and receives the control signal transmitted from the communication adaptor in response to the transmission request.

Abstract: A system for controlling container data centers (CDCs) includes a number of CDC groups, a number of slave monitoring systems, and a master monitoring system. Each CDC group includes a number of CDCs. Each slave monitoring system is connected to the CDCs of one CDC group via a network. Each slave monitoring system receives and processes data transmitted from the CDCs connected to the slave monitoring system, and transmits the processed data to the master monitoring system via the network. The master monitoring system receives the processed data from the slave monitoring systems, responds to user input to receive settings for controlling operation of the plurality of CDCs, and transmits the settings to the plurality of slave monitoring systems. The slave monitoring system transmit the settings to the CDCs connected to the slave monitoring systems. Each CDC operates according to the settings input by the user.

Abstract: Each of the water heaters 1 performs a master and slave setting process that transmits prescribed response data to the other water heaters 1 via a communication line 8 at a timing according to its own identification number and different from those of the other water heaters in a prescribed master and slave setting time period, that sets the water heater itself to slave in a case of receiving the response data from another water heater 1 assigned with an identification number having a priority higher than its own identification number in the master and slave setting time period, and that sets the water heater itself to master in a case of not receiving the response data from another water heater assigned with an identification number having a priority higher than its own identification number in the master and slave setting time period.

Abstract: A mechanical teleoperated device for remote manipulation includes a slave unit having a number of slave links interconnected by a plurality of slave joints; an end-effector connected to the slave unit; a master unit having a corresponding number of master links interconnected by a plurality of master joints; and a handle connected to a distal end of the master unit. The device further includes first device arranged to kinematically connect the slave unit with the master unit, second device arranged to kinematically connect the end-effector with the handle, and a mechanical constraint device configured to ensure that one master link of the master unit is guided along its longitudinal axis so that the corresponding slave link of the slave unit always translates along a virtual axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guided master link in the vicinity of the remote manipulation when the mechanical teleoperated device is operated.

Abstract: A method of setting an exclusive controller for a water heater, wherein a plurality of controllers are provided for user to operate to control a water heater, includes the steps of: a) Provide each controller an identification code, and saving the identification codes of the controllers in a processor of a water heater; b) Input a command through a controller, and sending the command to the processor of the water heater, wherein the command includes the identification code of the controller; c) Make a recording that the controller is an exclusive controller when the identification code in the command is identical to the identification code in the processor; d) Execute the command from the exclusive controller to control the water heater, and rejecting commands from the other controllers; and e) Repeat the step d until the recording of the exclusive controller is canceled.

Abstract: A modular, flexible architecture for offering full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) functionality and general-purpose ultrasound functionality in a single system is described. A conventional, general-purpose ultrasound system is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system, the dual-capability ultrasound system being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine. Among other advantages, real-world clinical environments may enjoy cost savings for initial system procurement, space savings on clinic floors, easier and less expensive system upgrades, and the ability to use a single system and user interface for both FFBU screening and for follow-up diagnosis, biopsy, etc.

Abstract: An automation device includes a master module, and a slave unit having a slave modules, where an IM module of the slave modules of the slave unit is connected to the master module via a bus, where each of the modules is parameterizable using a message transmitted to the IM module by the master module, the message includes a data area for each of the slave modules for parameterization of each of the slave modules, and the message includes a data area for each slave module for its parameterization, wherein at least one default parameter data record is stored in at least one of the slave modules, and wherein a data record index, which is stored in that data area of the message which is provided for the at least one slave module is provided for accessing the at least one default parameter data record.

Abstract: A lighting system controller is provided that is adapted to configure a plurality of lighting controllers using a set of common configuration information referred to as a template. According to one example, the lighting system controller is configured to maintain a set of templates and to track associations between templates and elements of a lighting control system that are managed by the lighting system controller. Examples of managed elements include lighting controllers and configurable objects resident within the lighting controllers.

Abstract: An automatic control system synchronizes and controls a control target while preventing unnecessary signal processing. The system includes a slave station that is connected to the control target, a master station that is connected to a control unit for controlling the control target, a contact point information collection and distribution device that collects and distributes a series of contact point information communicated at a predetermined communication cycle, and communication lines connecting between the master and slave stations via the contact point information collection and distribution device. The contact point information collection and distribution device collects and distributes the series of contact point information in synchronization with all the communication lines under the control of the control unit.

Abstract: A control system is for completion installation, intervention and testing activities at a subsea location. The control system has a first control circuit at a surface location; a subsea test tree located in a blowout preventer at the subsea location, the second control circuit located within a riser extending from the blowout preventer towards the surface location; and a plurality of sensors monitoring characteristics of the subsea location. The second control circuit communicates with the first control circuit and receives the characteristics of the subsea location. The second control circuit also controls electrically powered subsea valves based upon commands from the first control circuit and based upon the characteristics of the subsea location to complete a completion installation, intervention, and/or testing activity.

Abstract: A railway vital or critical application system substitutes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and/or software for railway-domain specific product components, yet is validated to conform with railway vital system failure-free standards. The vital system uses a pair of COTS personal computers and operating systems with asymmetric communications capability. Each computer and operating system may differ for additional redundancy. Both computers receive and verify vital systems input message data and security code integrity and separately generate output data responsive to the input message. The first computer has sole capability to send vital system output messages including the output data and an output security code, but only the second computer has the capability of generating the output security code. A failure of either computer's hardware, software or processing capability results failure to transmit a vital system output message or an output message that cannot be verified by other vital systems.

Abstract: A system for parameterizing field devices of an automation or control system includes a higher-ranking unit, which is connected via a first communication link based on a first field bus protocol to a communication interface module. The module is connected via a second communication link based on a second field bus protocol to at least one field device. In the higher-ranking unit, sub-blocks are generated and stored from a data structure for configuring the field device that is stored in a device description file for the field device. A first network service transmits the parameters of the field device from the higher-ranking unit via the first communication link into a first functionality of the module that operates as a slave function. A further functionality integrated into the module evaluates parameters of the field device that are stored in sub blocks and combines the parameters to form a single configuration block.

Abstract: A system is provided herein for remotely controlling and monitoring machinery, the machinery having a control network for control thereof, one or more switches coupled to the control network for controlling the machinery via the control network. The system includes a controller hardwired coupled to the control network of the machinery. The controller is configured to control the machinery via the control network separately from the switches, and the controller is configured to monitor operation of the machinery. In addition, the system includes an arrangement for receiving signals for controlling the controller from a remote location and an arrangement for transmitting, to a remote location, information collected by the controller resulting from the controller monitoring operation of the machinery. Advantageously, with the subject invention, the system can control and monitor machinery from remote locations directly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that support multiple positioning protocol versions within wireless communication networks are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining, at a first device, a first set of versions of a positioning protocol supported by the first device. An indication signal is transmitted from the first device to a second device. The indication signal includes a set of position determination data messages (PDDMs). Each particular PPDM of the set of PDDMs has a corresponding particular version of the first set of versions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a control and data transmission installation for redundantly controlling a slave device, which may be a field transmitter. The effect achieved by the control and data transmission installation is that essentially seamless control of a field transmitter can be assured even when a control device fails. The control and data transmission installation has at least two control devices and at least one slave device which are connected to one another by a communication network. The slave device contains addressable output interfaces for receiving output and status data. Each control device has a device for producing and transmitting status and output data for a separate output interface of the slave device, and the slave device has an evaluation device which controls the forwarding of received output data for further use in response to the status signals received from the control devices.

Abstract: A method for operating a redundant automation system provided with a first subsystem and a second subsystem, wherein one of the subsystems is operated as a master (M) and the other subsystem is operated as a slave (S), the subsystems (M, S) are provided with transmission and reception tasks to transmit and receive messages, and wherein messages are also interchanged with program path synchronization within the scope of a temporally asynchronous run through a program path in the master and the slave.

Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises of server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence commutations with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.

Abstract: A numerical controller is chain-connected with a plurality of I/O units so that it transmits DI/DO signals to and receives DI/DO signals from the I/O units by master-slave communication. The numerical controller counts signals generated by a timer circuit up to a predetermined number and sets, from among the plurality of I/O units, an I/O unit with which transfer of the DI/DO signals is to be performed for each count value. The DI/DO signals of the set I/O units are transferred according to the count value.

Abstract: A method for controlling behavioral intervention of a submodule, where a device model is used to model and operate an automation system, where the device model comprises an input/output device, a first module including at least one submodule and a first controller, a supervisory controller and a control module including at least one control submodule. The submodule is provided with a behavior identification code and behavior information in addition to interconnection information. A respective control submodule having a specific behavior identification code is addressed by the supervisory controller to control the intervention in the submodule, where the addressed control submodule thereupon issues a control command containing the specific behavior identification code to all other submodules, and where the other submodules having the specific behavior identification code are induced to adopt a behavioral change based on the behavior information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing apparatus including a plurality of drawing units each of which is configured to perform drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, a plurality of first processors configured to be selectively connectable to each of the plurality of drawing units, an information processor configured to determine, from the plurality of first processors, a first processor to be connected to a first drawing unit among the plurality of drawing units, based on drawing data, and a connection unit configured to connect the determined first processor to the first drawing unit.

Abstract: A processing system for performing a predetermined process on a target object includes one or more processing apparatuses that process the target object and a controller that controls the processing apparatuses. Here, the controller performs a control to select any one of a shutdown state in which a multiple number of end devices of the processing apparatuses are all stopped and a standby state in which some or all of the end devices are ready to perform a process on the target object, when the controller is shut down.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a programming template for developing an application program that is configured to be executed in a manner distributed over two or more programmable logic controllers. The programming template includes two or more programmable modules configured to be integrated into the application program and executed on a respective associated programmable logic controller. At least one first programmable module has an associated first programmable logic controller, and at least one second programmable module has an associated second programmable logic controller. The programming template comprises a logical communication link between the at least one first and the at least one second programmable module for the purpose of coordination of the at least one first and the at least one second programmable module across control systems.

Abstract: A programmable controller includes a master unit and a plurality of slave units connected to a system bus in a daisy chain. The master unit transmits a batch of transmission frames addressed to different slave units consecutively a predetermined plurality of times, without waiting to receive the response from the slave units. Thus, the transmission frames can be transmitted reliably.

Abstract: A wind farm includes a plurality of wind energy installations, a transfer point at which electrical energy produced by the wind energy installations is transferred to a public electricity grid system and for which nominal values are preset, and a measurement sensor configured to measure electrical actual values at the transfer point. The wind farm also includes a master regulator associated with an upper control level and configured to use upper nominal values and upper actual values at the upper control level to determine a preset for a lower control level, and a plurality of submaster regulators associated with the lower control level and configured to use the preset as a lower nominal value and, on the basis of the lower nominal value and a lower actual value, determine presets for the wind energy installations. A high level of control accuracy can thus be achieved even in large wind farms.

Abstract: Continuous change of state directions are graphically provided on a display screen to assist a user in performing necessary action(s) for transitioning between operating modes in a medical robotic system or performing corrective action. A graphical representation of a target state of an element of the medical robotic system is displayed on a display screen viewable by the user. Current states of the element and indications directing the user to manipulate the element towards the target state are continuously determined and graphical representations of the continuously determined current states and indications are displayed on the display screen along with that of the target state.

Abstract: One or more commercial appliances for handling food and/or one of more subsystems of commercial appliances for handling food are linked to a master controller for controlling the operation of the commercial appliance(s) and/or its subsystem(s) via one or more CAN modules and a CAN bus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system that is reconfigurable during operation, and a method therefor. The control system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a master controller which generates a bit stream, including reconfiguration information, according to the command of a user. The first slave controller comprises: a first dynamic reconfiguration module, which is a field programmable gate array (FPGA) reconfigured according to the reconfiguration information, and which calculates a control value; a static reconfiguration module which is an FPGA controlling the operation of a target apparatus according to the control value; and a control unit reconfiguring one or more of the first dynamic reconfiguration module and the static reconfiguration module according to the reconfiguration information.

Abstract: In a communication apparatus on a network where communication apparatuses perform direct communication with each other, a network management apparatus for managing the network based on message information transmitted and received on the network is determined. When the communication apparatus itself is determined as the network management apparatus, the apparatus collects information indicating device capabilities from other communication apparatuses. On the other hand, the communication apparatus receives information indicating device capabilities from another communication apparatus when the other communication apparatus is determined as the network management apparatus.

Abstract: To increase the number of analog inputs at low cost, an analog input system includes: one or more analog slave units each connected to a bus to which a CPU unit is connected, and each including an A/D-conversion device converting an analog value outputted by an external device into a first digital value, a buffer memory buffering a second digital value to be transferred to the CPU unit, and a nonvolatile storage device containing specific information of its own unit; and an analog master unit connected to the bus and including an operation section performing operation processing based on the specific information stored in the storage device with the first digital value being used as an input, to calculate the second digital value, the master unit performing on each of the slave input units the operation processing and processing of transferring the calculated second digital value to the buffer memory.

Abstract: A method operates an onboard power supply system in a motor vehicle. The onboard power supply system has a master controller and a slave controller, in which the master controller communicates with the slave controller via a subsidiary bus system and a further onboard power supply system component via a main bus system. Present requests are received in the slave controller and in response to the present requests, performing one of: putting the slave controller into an operating mode and switching the master controller to a transmission mode, in which the master controller coordinates communication between the slave controller and the onboard power supply system component; or putting the slave controller into a sleep mode and switching the master controller to an undertaking mode, in which the master controller responds to queries from the onboard power supply system component to the slave controller.

Abstract: A supervisory control system includes a supervisory control target device and a supervisory control device. The supervisory control device is configured such that an attribute usage flag that indicates whether the supervisory control device supports any changes in the attributes due to adding of a function, and an attribute effectiveness flag which indicates whether the supervisory control target device supports the changes, are added, as information concerning the attributes that undergo the changes, to a definition of the instance which the supervisory control device retains. Further, the supervisory control device includes a control unit which, on a basis of data of the attribute usage flag and attribute effectiveness flag relating to the attributes undergoing the changes due to adding of a function, determines whether the supervisory control target device supports a new function or whether supervisory control based upon the new function is effective.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus has a master communication interface for sequentially transmitting an operation command issued by a CPU to a plurality of mechanism units used for measurement of an analyte. The measuring apparatus also has a slave communication interface, provided for each mechanism unit, for receiving the operation command and a plurality of driving circuits for deriving the mechanism units in accordance with the received operation command. The master communication interface broadcasts an operation start instructing signal to the plurality of mechanism units after sequentially transmitting operation commands respectively to the plurality of mechanism units, and triggered by the operation start instructing signal, the driving units of the plurality of mechanism units concurrently initiate execution of the operation commands.

Abstract: An efficient parallel process can be performed in a distributed manner by an original master node set in a highest-layer sub-cluster and one or more lower-layer master nodes set in respective lower-layer sub-clusters.

Abstract: Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.

Abstract: A processor system having a processor core, a plurality of modules connected to the processor core and configured to generate respective fault signals, and a fault managing unit connected to the processor core and to the plurality of modules. The fault managing unit is adapted to collect a first fault signal generated by a first module of the plurality of modules which is in a fault condition, analyze said collected first fault signal, and generate a first reaction signal to be selectively transmitted to said processor core and said first module.

Abstract: A numerical control device includes a primary distribution pulse calculator that calculates primary distribution pulses obtained by distributing movement amounts in first and second directions included in a movement command of a work or a tool for each of predetermined calculation cycles. A secondary distribution pulse calculator calculates, for each movement direction, secondary distribution pulses obtained by distributing the primary distribution pulses of each calculation cycle calculated by the primary distribution pulse calculator, before and after corresponding calculation cycles within ranges of distribution sections across the corresponding calculation cycles and having an acceleration-deceleration time constant of the corresponding movement direction as a section width, and then accumulating the primary distribution pulses for each calculation cycle.

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: A mechanism is provided for minimizing system power in a data processing system. A management control unit determines whether a convergence has been reached in the data processing system. If convergence fails to be reached, the management control unit determines whether a maximum fan flag is set to indicate that a fan is operating at a maximum speed. Responsive to the maximum fan flag failing to be set, a thermal threshold of the data processing system is either increased or decreased and thereby a fan speed of the data processing system is either increased or decreased based on whether the system power of the data processing system has either increased or decreased and based on whether a temperature of the data processing system has either increased or decreased. Thus, a new thermal threshold and a new fan speed are formed. The process is then repeated until convergence has been met.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for the sharing of variable trajectories between multiple controllers in a control system. In general, the present technique is based upon the sharing of predicted desired variable trajectories between multiple controllers requiring a common input variable. In one embodiment, a common input variable is shared between two controllers, wherein one controller is tuned to have dominant control with regard to the shared variable. Each controller determines and communicates their own desired trajectory for the shared variable to the other controller and in doing so, the constraints associated with each controller are shared and honored by the other controller. Based on the communicated trajectories, the dominant controller may exercise control over the shared variable, thus improving overall process control.

Abstract: Method for exchanging information among digital units in a distributed system, with digital units being defined by at least a master node and slave nodes, involves transferring information references from a master node to slave nodes, the information references being sampled with sampling time corresponding to a cycle time period defined by a clock value of the master node. The method also involves estimating the number of the information references sampled arrived to the slave node from the master nodes during a periodic reference time interval, and using the number to recalculate the master clock value, so that the slave nodes are able to reconstruct master node information references during a following reference time interval.

Abstract: An integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow an ophthalmologist to perform laser retinal surgical procedures with an integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®.

Abstract: The invention is a state machine having a host controller that controls a level-1 controller, wherein the level-1 controller controls the level-2 controller. The level-2 controller controls system component controllers, which in turn control system components to execute a process segment. For example, the machine includes a host controller that selects a set of states to be executed, a level-1 controller that activates the set of states in a predetermined order, wherein each state includes commands, and a level-2 controller that controls system components according to the commands. A method of executing a process includes identifying a set of states to be executed, issuing state commands that need to be issued to execute the current state in the set of states, and activating a next state only after all expected status reports have been received for the current state.

Abstract: According to typical inventive practice, an algorithm controls a reformer in order to produce a pure hydrogen stream for a hydrogen-using device. The inventive algorithmic feedback control maintains the permeate hydrogen stream at a permeate pressure setpoint. Pressure measurements are performed of the permeate hydrogen stream. Control data (e.g., including a “lookup” table) establishes at least three output levels (scaled from zero output to maximum output) of the permeate hydrogen stream and, for each output level, five variable setpoints (air flow rate, hydrocarbon flow rate, and steam flow rate preceding the reformer reaction; steam flow rate preceding the water-gas shift reaction; shaft rotational speed in the energy recovery device). The pressure signals and the control data are processed to determine the optimal output level and the associated variable setpoints. Control signals are sent to adjust the variables to the determined variable setpoints.

Abstract: A method for operating a control network includes a first control computer, a second redundant control computer and a plurality of data-processing appliances, wherein a connection between the computers and the appliances is provided by a redundant and diverse heartbeat. The connection between the computers is checked before operating the control network. If a test result is positive, a master function is assigned to the first computer. If the test result is negative, both computers connect the appliances to themselves in a defined sequence. When a predetermined number of appliances are connected to the first computer, the computer takes over a master function and the second computer takes over a standby function, or, when a number, which is less than the predetermined number, of appliances are connected to each of the two computers, a signal is produced which signals a fault state of the control network.

Abstract: A low visibility landing system is provided for guiding aircraft on landing approaches. The low visibility landing system may aid a pilot during landing in low visibility conditions such that an aircraft may descend to lower altitudes without visual contact with the runway than is possible with other landing systems. The system may use various navigational systems to produce a hybrid signal that may be more stable than individual signals of those navigational systems. The hybrid signal is compared to a predetermined landing approach plan to determine the deviation of the aircraft from the landing approach plan and to provide guidance to the pilot to get the aircraft back onto the landing approach plan. The system may also use multiple navigational systems to perform checks on an operation of a primary navigational system to ensure that the primary navigational system is operating accurately.

Abstract: A lighting system controller is provided that is configured to automatically synchronize a lighting controller with a centralized configuration. In a particular example, this automatic synchronization activity may include modifying the configuration of the lighting controller to match configuration information stored locally on the lighting system controller. Conversely, this automatic synchronization activity may include modifying the locally stored configuration information to match the current configuration of the lighting controller. In some examples, the lighting system controller is configured to use cyclic redundancy checks when determining whether to modify configuration information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.

Abstract: Wind farm, of the kind that comprises a series of wind turbine generators, which consist of a rotor, a generator, a control unit and means of connection to the computing network for the wind farm of which they form part, in such a way that at least two of the wind turbine generators in the farm can assume a leader hierarchy for the wind farm, accessing the operating data of the rest of the wind turbine generators, calculating and sending instructions to the rest of the wind turbine generators making up that wind farm, and a subject hierarchy, receiving and following the instructions coming from the leader wind turbine generator of the wind farm.