Abstract: An aircraft system includes an aircraft subsystem generating monitor trips related to the health of the aircraft subsystem; and an area health manager coupled to the aircraft subsystem. The area health manager includes a data receiver for receiving the monitor trips from the aircraft subsystem; a fault detector for processing inputs based on the monitor trips to identify faults; and an execution sequence queue coupled to the fault detector for storing a plurality of execution entities. Each of the plurality of execution entities is associated with a specific logic operation in the fault detector that is executed when the associated execution entity is in a first predetermined state.

Abstract: A programmable controller system includes a programmable controller apparatus, a remote input and output apparatus connected to the programmable controller apparatus via a field bus and a monitoring apparatus configured to be located on a communication path between the programmable controller apparatus and the remote input and output apparatus and to monitor a communication data therebetween. The monitoring apparatus includes a rewritable tag for prescribing a condition for issuing a transmission request command with respect to an external equipment deterioration diagnosis and a command issuing part issues a transmission request command required for the external equipment deterioration diagnosis with reference to the tag. A preferable data logging operation is carried out properly without any PLC operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling industrial equipment in the performance of various industrial activities based on the detected body movement of a user in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a time-of-flight sensor to detect movement of a body part of the user, ascertaining whether or not the movement of the body part conforms to a recognized movement of the body part, interpreting the recognized movement of the body part as a performable action, and thereafter actuating industrial machinery to perform the performable action.

Abstract: A security system that relates to industrial automation security comprises a component that receives a request to modify security relating to a zone of a factory floor, the zone being less than an entirety of the factory floor. A zonal security component generates security procedures for the zone, the security procedures differ from security procedures implemented on the factory floor outside the zone.

Abstract: In an instrumentation control system in which plural control devices are connected to each other through a network, and transfer of data is performed asynchronously, a reset switch is provided in one of a control device, and when this switch is depressed, an instruction to reset unreliable information in the respective control devices is transmitted to other control devices, the control device having transmitted the instruction and all the other control devices having received the instruction stop the reception of the unreliable information from the network for a definite period, the unreliable informations in the respective control devices are reset, and the unreliable informations in the whole network are reset.

Abstract: A triggering and activating device and an automated process coupling two reciprocally activatable monitoring devices or operational-intervention devices. A first synchronizing module synchronizes transmissible operational-intervention parameters of a lookup table with operational devices assigned to the first monitoring device, and a second synchronizing module synchronizes storable threshold-value parameters for activating the second monitoring device. Physical measuring parameters of intervention events are detected and transmitted to the activating device, an intervention-event stack being correspondingly incremented by a first filter module based on the physical measuring parameters and a dynamically implemented weighting of the lookup table.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for updating address information and using document processing equipment to print delivery point information, including a barcode or readable text, on mail pieces. The address data is processed and updated by a service provider or by an address service provider. When the mailpieces are processed on document processing equipment, the printed address data is compared with an updated address data record to retrieve the updated address and apply the correct delivery point information. The delivery point information representing the most current and accurate address for the addressee of the mail piece.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to test process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes obtaining user inputs to a first process control system, obtaining process inputs and first process outputs of the first process control system, providing the user inputs and the process inputs to a second process control system to operate the second process control system, obtaining second process outputs of the second process control system operated with the user inputs and the process inputs, and comparing the first and second process outputs to determine whether the second process control system is implemented as intended.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for comparing variable values obtained from different versions of an application program in an automated system. An input signal obtained from an automated process is inputted to at least two different versions of the application program residing within a same controller. The same tasks are executed based on the input signal for the different versions, and process related variable values obtained from the execution of the versions are stored in memory locations known by the controller. Variable values from the different versions and derived from corresponding execution steps of the versions are retrieved from the memory locations, and compared during an idle time. An improved way of revising an automation system is thereby achieved. The invention also relates to such controller and an automation system.

Abstract: A user interface for a building appliance controller that may include a control panel and one or more option cards. The user interface may allow a user or technician to program, modify, and/or view one or more parameters of the control panel and/or the one or more option cards. In some cases, the control panel may be configured to send one or more messages to a selected option card that indicate an input at the user interface, and in response, the selected option card may send one or more messages to the control panel that indicate display information for display on the user interface of the control panel. In some embodiments, such as when the user interface includes a segmented display, the display information may include the on/off state of the various segments of the display.

Abstract: (1) A compact set of learning data about normal cases is created using the similarities among data as key factors, (2) new data is added to the learning data according to the similarities and occurrence/nonoccurrence of an anomaly, (3) the alarm occurrence section of a facility is deleted from the learning data, (4) a model of the learning data updated at appropriate times made by the subspace method, and an anomaly candidate is detected on the basis of the distance between each piece of the observation data and a subspace, (5) analyses of event information are combined and an anomaly is detected from the anomaly candidates, and (6) the deviance of the observation data is determined on the basis of the distribution of histograms of use of the learning data, and the abnormal element (sensor signal) indicated by the observation data is identified.

Abstract: In order to facilitate seamless integration of process control devices in a process control system, an integrated seamless diagnostic device collects diagnostic data related to the operation of (or problems associated with) one communication link that supports one process control protocol but communicates the collected diagnostic data to other entities in the process control system via another communication link that supports a different process control protocol. As a result, problems with the communication link monitored by the integrated seamless diagnostic device can be reported to the appropriate entities in the process control system as they occur and without unwanted delay. Moreover, problems with the monitored communication link can be communicated to the appropriate entities via process control protocols that are understood by those entities (and other entities in the process control system) and without consuming the potentially valuable resources of the monitored communication link.

Abstract: A system includes a functional control unit and a controller. The functional control unit is configured to enable and disable operation of a functional component. The controller is configured to receive a sensor signal, evaluate safety quality of the sensor signal, generate an evaluation parameter representing the safety quality of the sensor signal, and output the sensor signal with the evaluation parameter as a pair for receipt by the functional control unit. The functional control unit is configured to control operation of the functional component depending on the safety quality indicated by the evaluation parameter.

Abstract: A support element for an electronic control device includes receivers for peripheral electronic components and at least one path region for guiding electrical connections. The electrical connections lead to an integrated standardized interface for connection to central control electronics.

Abstract: A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as-required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.

Abstract: Dye transfer in a dying machine or washing machine is controlled via a user display by showing a dialog having with color level indicators for setting a threshold to trigger a dye transfer control action, and with threshold adjustment controls; responsive to the threshold adjustment controls, changing transfer control parameters for initiation of control actions; responsive to the threshold being triggered, performing a control action by opening an abatement valve communicative to a reservoir holding a substantially liquid or gel form of a dye scavenger or inhibitor substance; and continuing to monitor the triggering of the threshold, and responsive to the threshold being triggered, continues to open the abatement valve until at least one condition is detected of a desired color threshold being met, a desired color threshold being regained, until a user intervention occurs, and until a particular wash stage is activated.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for providing failsafe control in a control system used for receiving and controlling various object or medium properties in a heating, ventilating or air conditioning system. The control system comprises an HVAC controller, configured to receive failsafe data indicative of a safety related property of an object or medium, and to generate a state indicative of a connection status of a failsafe detector with respect to the HVAC controller. The control system further comprises a non-volatile memory, operably coupled to the HVAC controller and configured to store a connection indication indicative of a connection status of the failsafe detector with respect to the HVAC controller, wherein the HVAC controller is configured to generate a control signal based on satisfaction of a predetermined relationship between the generated state and the stored connection indication.

Abstract: A multicore processor for industrial control provides for the execution of separate operating systems on the cores under control of one of the cores to tailor the operating system to optimum execution of different applications of industrial control and communication. One core may provide for a reduced instruction set for execution of industrial control programs with the remaining cores providing a general-purpose instruction set.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing or minimizing disturbance signals in the case of a field device of process automation, wherein the field device has a control/evaluation unit and a sensor, with, respectively, at least one main electronics and at least one sensor electronics. At least one data line is provided, via which the main electronics and the sensor electronics communicate. At least one galvanic isolating component is provided, which is integrated into the at least one data line, and which prevents transmission of disturbance signals via the one or more data lines. Power supply lines are provided, via which a power supply voltage sufficient for operation of the sensor is made available to the sensor; and wherein, in the power supply lines , filter means are provided, which are designed in such a manner that predetermined requirements for disturbance resistance of the power supply lines are fulfilled.

Abstract: For determining a safety step in an automation network with subscribers the data and process-specific links between the subscribers in the automation network are automatically determined by means of a configuration-detecting module. Further the subscriber-specific safety parameters are determined The safety step in the automation network is calculated by means of an algorithm which connects the determined data and process-specific links of the subscribers in the automation network and the determined subscriber-specific safety parameters.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated manufacturing processes in a regulated industrial controller environment. In one aspect, a system for automated industrial processing is provided. The system includes an interface component to facilitate processing of one or more electronic signature components and a verification component that operates with the interface components and the electronic signature components to validate requested or proposed process changes before actual system implementation of the process changes.

Abstract: A system and method for generating instantaneous safety availability information relating to an instrumented function is described. In one embodiment, a time of a test performed on an instrumented function component of the instrumented function is received, and an elapsed time between the time of the test and a particular time is determined. And based upon the elapsed time, the instantaneous safety availability information for the instrumented function is calculated.

Abstract: A dual-redundant propulsion-by-wire control architecture with robust monitoring is presented to increase system availability without compromising safety. The dual-redundant controllers are able to cross-monitor and self-monitor. Self monitoring is effected at the application level and built-in system tests are performed. The monitor functions are set as high priority tasks. The first controller controls operation of a first propulsion system, monitors operation of a second controller, and, self-monitors. The second controller controls operation of a second propulsion system, monitors operation of the first controller, and, self-monitors. Each controller is operable to identify faults occurring in the first and the second controller, and implement an alternate operating control scheme for the respective propulsion system when a fault is identified. The first controller is signally connected to the second controller by substantially redundant communications buses.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling at least one machine, such as an industrial robot, having drives, safety peripheral components and a controller for a machine, and also having a safety controller. In this arrangement, the safety controller has superordinate access over the respective machine controller both to the machine drives and to the safety peripherals. This achieves the most easily configurable integration of the safety control loop into the operating control loops.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling plant operations, which receive input signals from sensors monitoring parameters of plant operation to generate output signals to actuators, comprising; reducing the input signals to a selected group of input functions; reducing the output signals to a selected group of output functions; processing the input signals using FPGA to generate the output signals. The invention also relates to the platform and system embodying the method.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to replace field devices in process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes recording, at a first process controller of a process control system, configuration data sent from a configuration subsystem of the process control system to a first field device to commission the first field device, detecting, at a second process controller of the process control system, replacement of the first field device with a second field device, and sending the recorded configuration data from the second process controller to the second field device when the replacement is detected to commission the second field device.

Abstract: An adaptive control method that provides the ability to address control uncertainties in both the sign and magnitude of the control power of the system to ensure stability and command tracking. The adaptive control system also functions correctly and remains internally stable in spite of control limits. The control system has the following elements: (i) a filter that smoothes the command to the plant and modifies the command when a control limit is reached, (ii) an element that receives command error input and constructs a nonlinear function of the accumulated error, (iii) an element that converts the nonlinear function of the accumulated error into a control signal to be added to the output of a baseline control system, and (iv) an element that computes the difference between the actuator command and the maximum achievable output.

Abstract: A device management system is equipped with a storage section, a detecting component, and a calculating component and manages an installation device. The storage section stores operating rules of the installation device. The detecting component detects a violating action of the installation device running counter to the operating rules. The calculating component calculates a violating quantity that quantitatively expresses the violating action.

Abstract: A power supply control system includes a plurality of electronic control units, a monitoring device, a power source line coupled with each of the electronic control units for supplying an operating voltage to each of the electronic control units, and a power source switch disposed on the power source line. The monitoring device calculates a deactivating threshold value based on an assigned threshold value of each of the electronic control units set in accordance with an operating state of each of the electronic control units. The monitoring device deactivates the power source switch so as to stop the supply of the operating voltage to all of the electronic control units when an electric current value of the power source line is greater than the deactivating threshold value.

Abstract: An alarm management device capable of constructing logics for suppressing tailgate alarm without depending on controllers, and of managing engineering and management thereof with concentration. The invention relates to an alarm management device for managing alarms issued in a plant. The alarm management device is provided with alarm state management apparatus for managing issuance states of acquired alarms, alarm engineering apparatus for setting alarm issuance patterns, alarm suppression judgment apparatus for judging suppression target alarms from the alarm issuance states and alarm issuance patterns, and alarm processing apparatus for executing suppression of the suppression target alarms among the acquired alarms in response to an instruction of the alarm suppression judgment apparatus.

Abstract: A maintenance system for generating maintenance instructions for at least one system, the maintenance system having a plurality of system components set up to receive operating data for a system from a central control unit of the system, to use said data to identify a fault of a system component, to compare the fault with predefined known faults and to retrieve maintenance operations which have already been carried out or are predefined and are correlated with the known faults from a main memory and to select a maintenance operation which correlates with the identified fault in order to rectify the fault and to output the operation as a maintenance instruction. A method for planning maintenance operations has steps of monitoring the systems for faults and generating a maintenance instruction.

Abstract: Analyzers are described that include a conveyance device for transporting containers which contain analyte, each container having identification information; an identification information reader for reading an identification information of a container transported at a first position by the conveyance device; an analyzer body for acquiring an analyte from a container transported at a second position by the conveyance device and analyzing the analyte; and an anomaly notification device for reporting an anomaly if the identification information reader consecutively reads the same identification information. Conveyance device and transport anomaly determination method are also described.

Abstract: An integrated safety management system includes a self inspection module, an incident management module, and a hazard reporting module. A corrective action module integrates the other modules. Each module accepts data corresponding to events or actions, accepts and displays completion indicators, and accepts and displays corrective action indicators.

Abstract: A product for controlling physical properties including data processing means with inputs and outputs is provided. The product has approved bounds of behavior. At least one of the outputs includes a control signal disposed to be output by the product. The product is arranged to control an entity for implementing building functionality. The data processing means includes a processing control means, and a software including at least one application, and having a certificate uniquely associated with the application such that authenticity relating to building regulation, standard or directive of the application can be checked. The processing control means includes means for confirming the application by verifying the certificate associated with the application, and means for checking functions of the application and functions of the product as a whole, such that the control signal does not violate the approved bounds of behavior of the product when the application is executed.

Abstract: An instruction converting unit converts the data form of an instruction of an operation received by a receiving unit to the data form of a safety instrumentation system from the data form of a plant control system. An operation carrying out unit receives the instruction of the operation obtained by the instruction converting unit and an original instruction of the safety instrumentation system to carry out the operations, and preferentially carries out the operation of the original instruction of the safety instrumentation system when both the instructions compete with each other.

Abstract: Electronic control apparatus (20) and method for controlling cellular alarm systems (10/11), wherein, by means of sensors (201) of the control apparatus (20), physical measurement parameters (202) of occurring measurement events (203) are triggered and are filtered on the basis of predefined threshold values (204). The alarm systems (10/11) are selected and activated electronically if at least one of the threshold values (204) is exceeded. For the purpose of activation, dedicated activation signals (101) are generated by means of the control apparatus (20) and transmitted to the alarm systems (10/11). By means of a counter module (21) of the control apparatus (20), the generated activation signals (101) are cumulated, as a counter signal (211), within a predefined time window (205) upon each activation.

Abstract: A configuration system uses process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant to assist in configuring, organizing, and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Access to the items may be controlled by associating access control data with the items. The configuration system may also use objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant. Access to these objects may be controlled by associating access control data with the objects. The access control data may indicate whether users or certain users may be able to, for example, view or modify all or some data associated with the process plant items or the objects.

Abstract: A numerical controller having a function-generating unit which executes function generation for shaft movement according to a machining program is provided, the numerical controller further comprising a unit which stores shape data of the movable unit and shape data of an interfering structure; a retracting direction determining unit which determines a retracting direction; an interference checking position calculating unit which successively calculates, as an interference checking position, a position in which a desired distance is added to the current position of the movable unit according to the determined retracting direction; an interference confirming unit which confirms presence or absence of interference between the shape data of the movable unit and the shape data of the interfering structure by virtually moving the shape data of the movable unit; and a power outage detecting unit which sends a power outage signal to a DC power supply unit and the function-generating unit during power outage, wherein

Abstract: Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website.

Abstract: A personal computer and methods of reconfiguration are described. An implementation of a personal computer may comprise a processor portion running a diagnostic application. A field programmable gate array in communication with the processor portion may be provided. A configurable non-volatile computer memory in communication with the field programmable gate array and wherein the field programmable gate array is programmed to reconfigure the non-volatile computer memory may be provided. Methods of reconfiguration of a personal computer are provided.

Abstract: A safety device is set forth having at least one safety control and having a plurality of outputs for the safe activation of connected actuators and having inputs for the reception of signals of connected sensors as well as having a serial communications device, in particular a bus which connects the safety control to the outputs and to the inputs, to receive and/or to transmit data packets. In this respect, in addition to the serial communication at least one bypass line is provided which connects the safety control or an input to at least one output to be able to transmit a deactivation signal independently of the serial communication to an actuator connected to the output.

Abstract: A data storage medium has a carrier element configured to carry a memory element. The memory element stores data for configuring or even programming a safety controller. The data storage medium has at least one mounting element which is able to move relative to the carrier elements such that it is able to interact with a holding unit arranged on the safety controller. As a result, the data storage medium can be easily and removably be connected to the safety controller.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) of a UPS system including a plurality of UPSs connected in parallel at a load bus and configured to provide power thereto from respective batteries of a plurality of batteries is operated such that a difference between a variable, for example, battery voltage, indicative of battery capacity for a battery associated with the subject UPS and an average value of the variable for the plurality of batteries is determined and a power flow between the subject UPS and the load bus is controlled responsive to the determined difference. Controlling a power flow between the subject UPS and the load bus responsive to the determined difference may include, for example, controlling a phase of an inverter of the subject UPS responsive to the determined difference.

Abstract: A system and method for an environment control and energy management. The system includes a server computer, at least one environment control device (ECD) and at least one mobile device communicatively coupled via a web-based communication system. A mobile device, also having a touch screen display, may be configured to display a replica screen of the touch screen user interface of the ECD, and allows modification of the control program accessed at the ECD.

Abstract: A method is presented for representing emergent data in intelligent icons. The intelligent icons are visually coded to represent the emergent data. When logically linked, the visual coding of linked intelligent icons changes in accordance with how the intelligent icons are linked.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring and control of a plurality of field devices separately provided in a safety subsystem and a process control subsystem. The field devices include conventional safety subsystem field devices associated with one or more processes or subprocesses and conventional process control subsystem field devices associated with one or more of the processes or subprocesses. The integrated and coordinated system uses complementary field device data including mappings of safety subsystem field devices and process control subsystem field devices corresponding to the same process or subprocess Signals are received from a compromised field device and its functions are delegated to its complementary field device as indicated by the complementary field device data.

Abstract: A method (300) for fault detection in a system under control includes monitoring a command value and a wraparound signal (301) by a fault detection module (203); determining a standard deviation of the command value (302) by the fault detection module; determining a standard deviation of the wraparound signal (303) by the fault detection module; determining a ratio of the standard deviation of the command value to the standard deviation of the wraparound signal (304) by the fault detection module; and determining the presence or absence of a fault in the system under control by the fault detection module based on the ratio (305) by the fault detection module. A fault detection module (203) and a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium containing computer code that, when executed by a computer, implements a method (300) for fault detection are also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement with a superordinated control unit and at least one intelligent field device connectable with the control unit, wherein associated with the control unit is at least one interface with a connection element for accommodating a corresponding connection counterpart. The connection counterpart is associable with an interface module, wherein associated with the interface module is a software protection system securing accessing of the field device. The interface module permits communication between the corresponding field device and the superordinated control unit, wherein associated with the superordinated control unit is a software-protected processing program for the field device, and wherein the processing program is started or enabled via the software protection system, when the connection counterpart of the interface module of the field device is connected with the connection element of the control unit.

Abstract: It has been recognized that to improve the usability of diagnostic systems and software, such a system can be designed to step the user through a systematic diagnosis of a problem. The process of systematically stepping through the diagnosis can be designed to teach the user how the system operates. In the result, as users gain more knowledge about how the control system operates they can become more efficient at solving problems independently of the diagnostics software. A methodology is utilized which incorporates a hierarchy of conditions in order to drill down into a problem by making one or more simple queries that can be understood without special skills or training.

Abstract: A first judgment circuit and a second judgment circuit are adapted to set a judging signal high when a judgment data sent from a microprocessor indicates failure. The high level judging signal triggers a forced idle command connected to a motor driver, to be high level whereby the motor is forcibly suspended. Subsequently, when a reset command is accidentally transmitted by the microprocessor due to an unexpected fault, a first judging signal from the first judgment circuit is reset to low level. However, a second judging signal from the second judgment circuit remains high level. As a result, the forced idle command stays high level.