Abstract: A machine tool with a main positioning device for positioning a main support element in a translational linear direction within a main region of displacement is provided. A main machining device and an accessory machining device are arranged on the main support element. The machining devices have pivoting devices for pivoting the machining heads in a rotatory basic pivoting direction. Every accessory pivoting device is connected to the main support element via a respective supplementary accessory positioning device for positioning the respective accessory machining head in the translational linear direction relative to the main support element within a respective supplementary accessory region of displacement.

Abstract: A network of fluid dispensers is configured such that a Host controller may exchange information with local dispensers, and where local dispensers may exchange information with each other. The information may be dispensing processes, information regarding quality and reliability, problems and/or helpful information, and applications. The information may be exchanged in real time during fluid dispensing where any issues may be shared and resolved quickly even in remote locales. The applications may be developed at a local dispenser or at the Host and then shared throughout the network. The operating systems may include application software development tools, and the applications may include: monitoring deliver schedules and materials inventories; automatic issuing of purchase orders; training broadcasts; implementing industry standards for validation and approval.

Abstract: A system for controlling signals coming from or going to an aircraft simulator has a first slave circuit and a second slave circuit. The second slave circuit is used to monitor signals coming from the aircraft simulator. A multiplexer circuit is coupled to the first slave circuit. The first slave circuit sends control signals to the multiplexer circuit for controlling digital output signals being sent to the aircraft simulator. A master controller is coupled to the first slave circuit and the second slave circuit. The master controller is used for controlling operation of the first and second slave circuit. A computer system is coupled to the master controller. The computer system will display a listing of the aircraft simulator signals to be controlled. Selection of a desired aircraft simulator signal by an input device of the computer system will allow one to control the selected aircraft simulator signal.

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 (202) is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system (200), the dual-capability ultrasound system (200) being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine (112). 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: 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: There is provided a control system comprising: a master device that includes: a first transmission section that transmits, to a plurality of slave devices connected thereto through a network, a control command for the slave devices to control a device to be controlled and a flag that have two or more values; and a second transmission section that transmits, to the plurality of slave devices, a control start command for the slave devices to simultaneously start performing control based on the control command transmitted by the first transmission section, and a slave device that includes: a reception section that receives the control command and flag transmitted from the master device; a control command storage section that stores the control command received by the reception section in a storage section in the case where the flag received by the reception section has a specified value; and a first control start section that receives the control start command transmitted from the master device and starts perfor

Abstract: Providing a remote control technique capable of realizing the achievement of constraints and the certain following of a target value even with a network in which delay, loss, distortion, or the like may occur. In a remote control system, an area setting unit of a client-side control unit sets at least two areas representative of a group of states of an target object, which changes over time by feedback control. A state-evaluation information sending unit sends, to the host-side control unit, state evaluation information obtained by evaluating the state of the target object based on the area set by the area setting unit. A target value setting unit of the host-side control unit sets a target value such that the state of the target object changes in the area set by the area setting units. Moreover, a target value updating unit updates the target value based on the state evaluation information received from the client-side control unit.

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: Techniques, apparatus and systems for information collecting and decision making based on one or more tiered networks of sensors and communication nodes for security monitoring and warning, disaster warning, counter-terrorism, and other applications associated with information collecting and decision making. In implementations, the one or more tier networks in the plurality of different tier networks include network nodes at roadway intersections; the sensors include automatic license plate recognition sensors to obtain data on vehicle license plates; and the response produced by the processing mechanism includes controlling traffic controllers to alter traffic routes at one or more locations.

Abstract: A weighing scale has a display unit for displaying the weight of an object loaded on a platform measured by a weight measurer, a communication unit for transmitting weight data to, or receiving from, another weighing scale, a determiner that determines whether the weighing scale is capable of communicating via the communication unit with another weighing scale, and a controller that, in a case in which a result of the determination by the determiner shows that the weighing scale is not capable of communicating with another weighing scale, controls the display unit to display weight data output by the weight measurer, and in a case in which a result of the determination by the determiner shows that the weighing scale is capable of communicating with another weighing scale, that transmits weight data to, or receives from, another weighing scale.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for accessing a functional module (118, 128, 138) of an automation system, wherein the automation system comprises a device in the form of higher-level device (200) and at least one lower-level device (110, 120, 130) arranged under this higher-level device and wherein the functional module (118, 128, 138) is in the form of part of the one or more lower-level devices (110, 120, 130) and for executing at least one device function. In addition, a device in the form of the higher-level device (200) for performing the method in an automation system is also proposed, wherein at least one device (110, 120, 130) comprising a functional module (118, 128, 138) for executing at least one device function is arranged under the higher-level device.

Abstract: A method for controlling the loading and unloading of machine tools where the tools from a magazine are first taken over into an intermediate storage station or provision area and from there are supplied to the machine tool. The tools are inserted into the machine tool using a changing apparatus for transfer to the machine tool. The magazine and the machine tool are each provided with a CNC controller and a PLC controller, and these components are adjusted by a separate controller. The magazine and the machine tool can each be provided with a separate CNC controller and PLC controller or a common CNC controller and PLC controller. Multichannel controllers, preferably dual-channel controllers, can also be used.

Abstract: Method and system for telematic control of a slave device. A stiffness of a material physically contacted by a slave device (202) is estimated based on information obtained from one or more slave device sensors (216, 217). Based on this stiffness estimation, a motion control command directed to the slave device is dynamically scaled. A data processing system (204) is in communication with a control interface (203) and the slave device. The data processing system (204) is configured to generate the motion control commands in response to sensor data obtained from the control interface. The system (200) also includes a stiffness estimator (602) configured for automatically estimating a stiffness of a material physically contacted by the slave device based on information obtained from the slave device sensors. A scaling unit (607) is responsive to the stiffness estimator and is configured for dynamically scaling the motion control command.

Abstract: A controller for dynamic redefinition of a short stack initialization to provide a low cost generic controller. The controller may be built with a network variable interface which has its variables initially selected by the time of the completion of the build. Thus, if different network variables are desired, then the controller needs to be placed with the builder or special technician for implementing the changes. The present invention modifies that controller so as to provide a capability of changing the network variables without the need of the builder or anyone else to modify the network variables in the controller's interface. The network variables may now be changed by an operator or customer, even while that controller is in operation.

Abstract: Coordinating tasks of performance management and application placement management in a dynamic fashion by: estimating capacity needs for various service classes of service requests; computing desired capacities of at least one application for said service requests; deciding whether the desired capacities are satisfied by a current application placement; making no change to current application placement if the desired capacities are satisfied; determining a new application placement based on the desired capacities and a projected load if the desired capacities are not satisfied; computing corresponding capacity constraints for all pairs of service classes and servers; and computing an optimal allocation of capacities among the service classes so as to optimize a quality of service.

Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system of the present invention comprises a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of the master control circuits. Because the window control circuits can sense abnormal load conditions in the variable transmission windows, the system further includes an interface to a security system to inform of a potential intrusion. Each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit.

Abstract: A building appliance controller is disclosed that includes a safety feature. In one illustrative embodiment, the building appliance controller may include a controller and a safety element. In some cases, the controller may include a control panel configured to provide an interface, and one or more option cards configured to communicate with the control panel via the interface and to provide additional functionality to the appliance controller. The safety element may include a first relay or other switching element that is configured to selectively pass power to the building appliance. In some illustrative embodiments, when an unsafe operating condition is detected by the control panel and/or the one or more option cards, the control panel and/or the one or more option cards may open the first relay of the safety element to cut off power to the building appliance.

Abstract: A self-addressing control unit system and method for controlling a sequence of or an array of display signs comprising of a remote or master controller and a plurality of control units interconnected by a physical or logical parallel electrical bus having multiple connections to transfer data or power between the plurality of control units; wherein the electrical bus further comprises of a main broadcast line, an addressing line and a feedback line to every control unit. The remote or master controller transmits an initial address to a first of the plurality of control units on the addressing line of the bus where a calculator or computer within each of the plurality of control units computes its own address by performing a mathematical operation that changes the initial address by adding a constant of one to the address received to produce its own new address.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load side voltage sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. The present subject matter provides enhanced capabilities resulting in improved functionality, increased safety, and greater economy vis-à-vis fraud detection for individual metrology components in an open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, which is situated generally downstream of a remote disconnect functionality. Such detection circuit is able to sense whether voltage exists or doesn't exist at such relatively downstream, or load side location.

Abstract: A multi-zone landscape irrigation and lighting system includes a personal computer equipped with a detachable wireless remote, and a multi-station controller operating a plurality of irrigation valves and lighting circuits in accordance with schedules wirelessly transmitted to it by the computer through the remote. When detached from the computer, the remote can wirelessly operate selected irrigation or lighting zones manually. The computer has an intuitive graphic user interface capable of using actual zone photographs to identify individual zones in a strip of zone icons. The icon strip is movable past a lens-like window, the zone icon under the lens at a given time determining the zone currently programmable. A residential system can be operated by a contractor from the street, and the system can be programmed by e-mail from the contractor's shop. Fully automatic operation may be derived from data obtained over the Internet.

Abstract: A machine includes a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module. A method of operating the machine includes steps of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, and determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state by opening a power supply circuit. The method also includes steps of changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.

Abstract: A master operation input device operates a slave manipulator provided with joints adapted to multiple degrees of freedom. The master operation input device includes a grip portion and a first operation portion. The grip portion is variable in position and orientation while being gripped by an operator. The grip portion is configured to give command values regarding the position and orientation of a distal end of the slave manipulator in accordance with the variation in position and orientation. The distal end is the farthest end when the slave manipulator is viewed from a fixed end thereof. The first operation portion is located to be operable by a fingertip of the operator when the grip portion is gripped. The first operation portion is operable independently of the grip portion.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium 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 a 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 communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.

Abstract: Telerobotic systems with integrated high frequency feedback to enhance users' telerobotic experience are provided. The controller of the telerobotic system is characterized by combining high frequency information with low frequency position or velocity information. The controller is useful for teleoperations with delay and no-delay between the communication channels of the master and slave device.

Abstract: A remote device having an electrical appliance control function and an electrical appliance control system are provided. The remote device includes an appliance communication module for communicating with an electrical appliance which is used by a user inside or outside home using power; a network communication module for supporting communication with outside to obtain user set optimal control data which controls the electrical appliance to operate in some other mode than an operation mode basically provided by a manufacturer of the electrical appliance; and a control part for controlling the electrical appliance based on the user set optimal control data. Hence, user's convenience can be promoted by allowing the user to control the electrical appliance on the optimal condition.

Abstract: A coding method and apparatus for linking electrical appliances for control and status reporting by arbitrarily appending the appliances remote control protocol with the premise's room/zone code for identifying the appliance location and ID-code to operate on the basis of the appliance type and function, sub header code define the command nature, a blank header identifies the signal and a checksum trailer ends the five byte command for operating a range of appliances, lights and LED illuminators, locally and in the different rooms, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry including provision for extending the commands when needed. Current sensors for power outlets and power cables linked via lightguides or fiber optic use same codes for reporting statuses of and current consumption by the appliances and lights to the video interphone or the shopping terminal. LED bulbs are coded through an optical transceiver accessed through the rear of the bulb socket.

Abstract: A front electronic equipment system includes a load electrical parts provided at a front portion of a vehicle, a front electrical control unit which receives a control signal for controlling the drive of the load electrical parts through a main bus line of the vehicle, and a drive control unit connected to the front electrical control unit through a sub bus line, converting the control signal into a drive signal, and driving the load electrical parts based on the drive signal. The front electrical control unit converts a communication protocol of the control signal from a communication protocol of the main bus line into a communication protocol of the sub bus line, and transmits the converted control signal received through the main bus line to the drive control unit through the sub bus line.

Abstract: A communication system includes: a master control device capable of being coupled with a conductive communications pathway of a group of conductive pathways, the master control device including a signal modulator configured to transmit a power signal and a command signal along the communications pathway by modulating an electric current supplied by a power source joined with the group of conductive pathways; and a load module capable of being coupled with the communications pathway in series with the master control device and of being coupled with a slave device, the load module configured to receive the power signal and the command signal from the master control device along the communications pathway, wherein the power signal activates the load module and the command signal directs the load module to control the slave device and to cause the slave device to take an action.

Abstract: A computer or other electronic device requiring physical integrity of its components, for example, a pay-per-use computer may use a master security device in communication with a plurality of slave security devices, known as security beans. Each security bean may be given a cryptographic key or keys for use in authenticating communication with the master security device. Each security bean may be coupled to an associated component and may have the ability to disable that associated component. In one embodiment, security bean has an analog switch that may be configured to block or attenuate a critical signal used by the associated component. The security bean may start up in the disable mode and respond to a verified signal from the master security device to enable its corresponding component.

Abstract: In a hierarchical bus structure employing a fixed-priority bus access arbitration scheme, accurate arbitration of bus access requests can be carried out even in situations where priority levels are updated according to a system operation mode. In each of a plurality of superordinate hierarchical bus circuits, access requests from respective bus masters included in each corresponding bus master group are arbitrated according to priority levels assigned thereto, and based on the result of the arbitration, a priority communication signal PRA/PRB indicating a priority level of each access-request-permitted bus master is fed to a subordinate bus controller. In a subordinate hierarchical bus circuit, under control of the subordinate bus controller, access request arbitration is carried out according to the priority communication signal PRA/PRB to select a superordinate hierarchical bus circuit or bus master having the highest priority level.

Abstract: System and method for handshaking between first and second processors via a single wire connecting a first pin of the first processor and a second pin of the second processor are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises the first processor disabling an interrupt function on the first pin; and, subsequent to the disabling, interrupting the second processor by driving the first pin to a first logic level and then releasing the first pin to a second logic level.

Abstract: A first NC apparatus includes a virtual-axis setting unit that sets a predetermined axis coupled to a second NC apparatus as an axis controlled by itself. The second NC apparatus includes an axis-control-right switch processing unit that switches a control right of an axis set by an external-switching-axis setting unit between the first and the second NC apparatuses. When the control right is switched to the first NC apparatus, the first NC apparatus synchronously controls a predetermined axis coupled to the first NC apparatus with a predetermined axis coupled to the second NC apparatus and set by the first virtual-axis setting unit.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus, comprising: a sample processing unit for processing a sample, wherein the sample processing unit comprises an operating device for processing a sample, a drive circuit for driving the operating device, and a first communication part which is configured so as to be capable of external communication; and a data processing unit for processing data output from the sample processing unit, wherein the data processing unit comprises a processor for generating control data for controlling the operating device, and a second communication part which is configured so as to be capable of communicating with the first communication part for transmitting the control data generated by the processor to the first communication part, wherein the drive circuit is configured so as to drive the operating device based on the control data received by the first communication part, is disclosed. A data processing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A master-slave system using a 4-degree of freedom (DOF) parallel mechanism includes: a master device having a 4-DOF parallel mechanism which generates 1-DOF translation and 3-DOF rotation by the manipulation of a user; a slave device having a 4-DOF parallel mechanism which generates 1-DOF translation and 3-DOF rotation according to the movement of the master device; and a controller for receiving a behavior signal generated by the master device and outputting a driving signal to the slave device so that the slave device moves according to the movement of the master device. The master-slave system may be utilized as a remote needling robot with excellent manipulation and precision.

Abstract: A pitch controller, uninterruptible power supply, and rotational speed detector are disposed in the rotor in a wind turbine. When a slip ring failure or wire breakage occurs, the pitch controller internally creates a pitch angle command so as to control the pitch angle.

Abstract: An operation and observation apparatus which supervises and manages a server equipped with at least one main controller and a plurality of sub-controllers each for controlling a process, the sub-controllers being managed by the main controller, has a view definer for defining a plurality of views by selecting a parameter desired by a user to be operated and observed from a list-and-display screen of all parameters registered on the server, the parameters each belonging to a layer of or below the main controller, a user assignor for assigning every user the defined plural views, and a view registerer for registering each of the views assigned to every user on the list-and-display screen as an imaginary controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operation of an automation system having at least one bus system connected to at least one subscriber, and having a central control system. The method includes parameterizing and/or programming the at least one bus subscriber by the central control device, identifying an interruption in the connection to the control device by the at least one bus subscriber, and controlling at least one output of the at least one bus subscriber as a function of the parameterizing and/or the programming upon identification of the interruption in the connection. The invention also provides an automation system which is suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus transmits measurement values in a multi-module force-measuring device, in particular a multi-module weighing device, with at least two force-measuring modules. Each of the force-measuring modules includes a force-measuring cell and a signal-processing unit. The signal-processing unit transmits the measurement values generated by the force-measuring cell by way of a signal line to a signal-evaluating unit. Under the method, each measurement value is converted into a bit sequence by the respective signal-processing unit. The first force-measuring module's bit sequence is transmitted to the signal-evaluating unit, and the bit sequences of the signal-processing unit of the further force-measuring modules are transmitted by way of the signal-processing unit of the first force-measuring module to the signal-evaluating unit.

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: The invention relates to a communications method of communicating states from an activation unit to a receiver via a communications bus, wherein the state may be activation/deactivation of an activation unit, and wherein the state is communicated to the receiver via a serial data stream timed by a clock signal, said data stream transmitting data packets which comprise an identification part and a data pare wherein: ? the identification part comprises a plurality of bits which identify which activation units the data packet concerns, and ? the data part comprises a plurality of bits which individually identify the state of an activation unit. The invention also relates to a system based on the communications method and comprising an activation unit and a receiver. In addition, the invention relates to an activation unit and a receiver.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network system and a cluster management method thereof. The wireless sensor network system includes at least one cluster having at least one sensor node for collecting sensing data, and a cluster head for aggregating the sensing data from the at least one sensor node. A sink node collects the aggregated sensing data from the at least one cluster, wherein the cluster head of a first cluster determines a cluster size of the first cluster, and when the first cluster is a master cluster and the cluster size of the first cluster is less than a threshold size, merges, the first cluster into a second master cluster, and switches the first cluster to a slave cluster. In each cluster, management efficiency can thereby be maintained within a specified range, and the lifetime of a wireless sensor network can be prolonged by reducing energy consumption.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control system includes a first controller, a second controller, and a network connector. The network connector is configured to network-connect the first controller and the second controller. The first controller is configured to designate an activation mode of the second controller. The second controller is configured to be activated based on firmware corresponding to the activation mode.

Abstract: Described are techniques for executing an application on two or more processors. A first portion of one or more modules of the application is determined. A second portion of one or more modules of the application is determined. The first portion of modules is executed on each of the two or more processor. A first of said two or more processor is selected as an active processor. The second portion of modules is executed on the active processor and not on the other ones of said two or more processors.

Abstract: A method of machine control can include providing at least a system master signal, selectively synchronizing at least sub-system master signal to the system master signal based on the value of the system master signal, and carrying out at least one operation based on the value of the other master signal. For example, a machine controller may provide a system virtual master signal and synchronize one or more module virtual master signals to the system virtual master based on the system virtual master count value. One or more components of the module may operate based on the count value of the module virtual master signal. The use of an asynchronous control method may advantageously increase the flexibility of the machine. Because the operation of the components of the machine may depend on respective virtual master signals, a machine using asynchronous control methods may advantageously continue operating one component or module in the event of a fault involving other components.

Abstract: A distributed control system is provided wherein a master controller inductively delivers power and data to a plurality of remote slave modules or controllers via a plurality of coupling loops formed along a length of transmission line. Each of the remote slave modules, in turn, inductively delivers return data to the master controller via the plurality of coupling loops. The use of inductive coupling provides an advantage over the state of the art because no direct galvanic electrical connection is required between the transmission line and the remote slave modules which promise to simplify installation and enhance long-term reliability. Example applications for the control system described herein include agricultural irrigation systems where individual sprinkler and valve components may be controlled collectively, individually, or in groups or subsets, to vary application rates according to prescribed irrigation parameters.

Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus includes redundant line cards each having a plurality of ports, a hardware unit and a CPU. The hardware unit obtains failure information on redundant lines for each port. The CPU determines switching control of the redundant lines based on the failure information. Then, the hardware unit switches the redundant lines based on the switching control determined by the CPU, so as to transmit an SDH/SONET optical signal in a ring network. The CPU of one of the line cards is set as a master CPU on the corresponding line card to control switching of the redundant lines. Further, the CPU of the other line card is set as a slave CPU.

Abstract: A control computer as a master apparatus in a control network system includes a packet generation unit. The packet generation unit: selects a control command for writing a data from among packet generation information; references the packet generation information for each of the selected control command; and includes a data for write which is read from an address in a storage section corresponding to the each control command, in a control packet to generate the control packet. A communication unit transmits the generated control packet to a controlled object as a slave device.

Abstract: Provided are a management ship and working robots in waters based on a wireless network and a method for controlling working robots thereof. The robot-ship group includes: a signal strength measuring unit for measuring strengths of pre-defined signals; and a working robot control unit for determining which of the first mother ship and the second mother ship the working robot is to communicate with according to a comparison result of the signal strength, and controlling the working robots to perform the work according to a set-up route, wherein the first mother ship includes: a working robot preparing unit for performing a preparation work required before and after the working robots perform the work; and a mother ship control unit for transmitting the pre-defined signal to the working robot and communicating data with the working robot.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for managing Profibus device information in a distributed control system. After receiving input parameter data originating from a Profibus device message, the I/O module assembly performs steps for processing, maintaining and providing the input parameter data to a requesting control processor. The processing step includes extracting input parameter values from a received Profibus device message. The extracted input parameters are then deposited in a repository on the I/O module assembly, such that for a primary input parameter, the I/O module assembly stores at least: (1) a measured value, and (2) a status value. Furthermore, the I/O module assembly maintains a reference linking the first status parameter to the first input parameter. The I/O module assembly provides a data status value with the measured value for the first input parameter in accordance with an I/O read operation. The data status value is based on the status value for the first status parameter.

Abstract: A process control loop monitor includes a housing configured to mount in the field of an industrial process. A loop interface circuit couples to a process control loop and receives data from the process control loop. A memory stores data received by the loop interface circuit from the process control loop.