Abstract: A state judgment device includes: a data acquisition unit which acquires data related to an industrial machine; an energy state calculation unit which calculates an energy state related to driving of units of the industrial machine on the basis of the data related to the industrial machine acquired by the data acquisition unit; and an abnormal state estimation unit which estimates, on the basis of the energy state related to driving of the units of the industrial machine calculated by the energy state calculation unit, whether operation of the industrial machine is normal or abnormal.

Abstract: Control systems for industrial machinery (e.g., robots) or other devices such as medical devices utilize a safety processor (SP) designed for integration into safety applications and computational components that are not necessarily safety-rated. The SP monitors performance of the non-safety computational components, including latency checks and verification of identical outputs. One or more sensors send data to the non-safety computational components for sophisticated processing and analysis that the SP cannot not perform, but the results of this processing are sent to the SP, which then generates safety-rated signals to the machinery or device being controlled by the SP. As a result, the system may qualify for a safety rating despite the ability to perform complex operations beyond the scope of safety-rated components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for expanding a functionality of a field device for process automation technology in a system using a configuration device, comprising the steps of: establishing a connection from the configuration device to the field device; reading out an order code using the configuration device, wherein the order code represents the current functionalities of the field device; displaying the functionality of the field device on the configuration device; selecting additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device using the configuration device; establishing a connection to a central station; sending information about the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device to the central station; sending an activation code to activate the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality from the central station; and sending the activation code from the configuration device to the field device and activating the additional, alternative, or l

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a device in a network obtains parameters for entropy testing of industrial equipment that controls a physical process. Entropy is added to commands sent to the industrial equipment during the entropy testing. The device receives packets that were generated during the entropy testing of the industrial equipment and include sensor data regarding the physical process. The device determines whether the sensor data is inconsistent by analyzing the sensor data using a machine learning model that models the physical process. The device initiates a corrective measure, when the sensor data is determined to be inconsistent.

Abstract: A machine or autonomous system includes a diagnostic controller and is configured to perform a method for monitoring health of a machine. The method includes monitoring a set of first electrical signals indicative of control of a motor of the machine while the machine is operated in a first autonomous mode, determining that an abnormal operating condition has occurred in response to the set of first electrical signals meeting a first criteria, having the machine operate in a test mode in response to the determination that the abnormal operating condition has occurred, monitoring a set of second electrical signals indicative of control of the motor during the test mode, and determining a fault condition in response to the set of second electrical signals meeting a second criteria.

Abstract: Pattern recognition is used to proactively treat defects of repeating circuit topologies. A component of a computing environment is monitored for failures. The component includes one or more repeating circuit topologies. A determination is made as to whether a new failure within a repeating circuit topology of the one or more repeating circuit topologies has occurred within a predefined amount of time from a previous failure matching a selected pattern, in which the selected pattern indicates a non-contiguous growing defect. Based on determining the new failure has occurred within the predefined amount of time from the previous failure matching the selected pattern, corrective action for the component is proactively taken.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for expanding a functionality of a field device for process automation technology in a system using a configuration device, comprising the steps of: establishing a connection from the configuration device to the field device; reading out an order code using the configuration device, wherein the order code represents the current functionalities of the field device; displaying the functionality of the field device on the configuration device; selecting additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device using the configuration device; establishing a connection to a central station; sending information about the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device to the central station; sending an activation code to activate the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality from the central station; and sending the activation code from the configuration device to the field device and activating the additional, alternative, or l

Abstract: An industrial automation component may receive design information associated with an arrangement of one or more industrial automation components in an industrial automation system and identify a first portion of the industrial automation components in the industrial automation system that is unable to interface with a second portion of industrial automation components based on the design information. The industrial automation component may then generate a list of industrial automation components based on the first portion of the industrial automation components and the second portion of industrial automation components, wherein each of the list of industrial automation components is configured to translate a first set of data associated with the first portion of the industrial automation components to a second set of data configured to be at least partly interpretable by the second portion of industrial automation components.

Abstract: A safety device includes a monitoring unit, a test block and an output stage having at least one contact member. The monitoring unit includes at least two outputs and provides at least two, different output signals for testing its absence from faults. The monitoring unit provides at least one enabling signal for a switch-off function The test block includes at least one input and is configured to monitor at least one of the output signals of the monitoring unit. The test block also includes at least one output and provides at least one enabling signal for a switch-off function. The at least one contact member of the output stage has at least two inputs and is configured to link at least one of the output signals of the monitoring unit to the at least one enabling signal of the test block.

Abstract: Electronic control units (ECUs) provided with circuits for backing up other ECUs lack versatility and increase costs. In the present invention, motor control ECUs respectively control motors via signal wires that perform motor control. In addition, a dedicated substitute ECU is connected to each motor via signal wires that perform motor control. A substitute control circuit part of the dedicated substitute ECU runs to a network, is continuously receiving malfunction information and stability information via a signal wire, and detects the malfunction of the motor control ECU from said information. Then the dedicated substitute ECU substitutes for the motor control ECU and performs a backup operation to continue control of the motor via the signal wire.

Abstract: An evaluation system includes a process execution module that executes an operation in accordance with a safety program, a setting module that receives an evaluation condition, a first determination module that changes the value of the input signal to be evaluated, from a first input value which is an initial value to a second input value, and determines whether a first output value of the output signal to be evaluated which is determined by the process execution module is identical to the expected output value, a second determination module that restores the value of the input signal to be evaluated, from the second input value to the first input value, and determines whether a second output value of the output signal to be evaluated which is determined by the process execution module is identical to the first output value, and an output module that outputs a determination result.

Abstract: A method for controlling a physical unit, involving: cyclically generating a plurality of controlling outputs, wherein the plurality of controlling outputs is provided in a redundant manner; applying a selected one of the controlling outputs to the physical unit; checking if at least the selected controlling output is correct; and selecting one of the control units whose controlling output was checked as correct to apply its controlling output to the physical unit (2) in a subsequent cycle, wherein the applying the selected one of the controlling outputs to the physical unit is performed before or during the step of checking.

Abstract: A numerical controller for controlling a machine tool based on a processing program is disclosed. One numerical controller includes: a detecting unit that detects a factor which causes malfunction of the numerical controller; a storing unit that stores information of a block of the processing program which is being executed and information of the factor in association with each other; and a display unit that displays information of the detected factor on a location corresponding to a display location of the block of the processing program.

Abstract: Individual storage devices of a RAID group are monitored for faults. A health indicator for each storage device is calculated based on fault growth rate. Non-failed storage device are swapped out based on the health indicator. Techniques for monitoring the storage devices include background media scans and growth list polling.

Abstract: Automated health monitoring and recovery is provided for infrastructure devices supporting server devices in a data center. Health analysis operations may be selected to be performed on an infrastructure device based on the capabilities of the infrastructure device and/or how the infrastructure device is being used to support server devices in the data center. If the infrastructure device is unhealthy, an automated recovery operation may be performed. The automated recovery operation may include recovery actions selected based on the capabilities of the infrastructure device, the failure mode of the infrastructure device, and/or how the infrastructure device is being used to support server devices in the data center.

Abstract: Described is the display on a visual display device of one or more first visual indicators that indicate that one or more first process parameters of a process are critical process parameters. The critical process parameters are displayed on the visual display device as part of a hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: A power supply module included in a power distribution cabinet distributes power from one or more power sources to a plurality of internal cabinet modules. The power supply module includes a plurality of input terminals, each input terminal connected to a different power source, wherein availability of each of the plurality of power sources varies during operation of the aircraft or vehicle. A plurality of output terminals connected to one or more of the plurality of input terminals to provide an output that represents a combination of selected power sources.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a voltage output unit configured to output a DC voltage corresponding to a control signal from a first controller and an output evaluator configured to perform a judgment process of judging whether or not the DC voltage is a voltage corresponding to a set value received from the fist controller, and to output a result of the judgment to the first controller. The output evaluator includes a storage for storing correspondence information which shows a correspondence relationship between the set value and a voltage value of the DC voltage outputted from the voltage output unit. The output evaluator performs the judgment process by outputting the correspondence information to the first controller, and receiving a set value determined on the basis of the correspondence information from the first controller.

Abstract: A heating device includes: an alternating current (AC) power supply line configured to supply AC current from an AC power supply; a heat generation unit configured to generate heat in accordance with the AC current; an energization regulation unit configured to regulate energization time of the AC current to the heat generation unit; a switching unit configured to switch a connection state between the AC power supply and the heat generation unit; and a high-voltage protection unit, which is connected between the AC power supply line at a rear stage of the switching unit, and which is configured to protect the energization regulation unit against an abnormal input high voltage.

Abstract: An auscultation system may include an auscultation device, a simulation unit, a speaker and a proximity sensor that detects the proximity of the auscultation device and emits a signal in response. The auscultation system may also include a database storing multiple sound files and a controller. The controller may receive the signal, select one of the sound files and transmit the selected sound file to the speaker in response to the signal. In one embodiment, the simulation unit is attached to a live subject. In another embodiment, the simulation unit is attached to a mannequin.

Abstract: Provided is a programmable control apparatus for performing a self-diagnosis process using a short-period single loop. The programmable control apparatus includes: a signal processing unit configured to sequentially process inputted external signals based on a program in a memory; a data acquisition unit configured to acquire data from a specified nth block of a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing an area of the memory; a diagnostic unit configured to diagnose health of the nth block based on the acquired data and then prompt a next external signal to be processed; and a block specification unit configured to cause health of an (n+1)th block to be diagnosed after the next external signal is processed.

Abstract: A duplexed control system comprises: two control devices, whereof one is set to operate as a reserve system and the other is set to operate as a regular system; a tracking bus that connects the two control devices to enable these to exchange tracking signals; and a control transmission channel that transmits computational information of these two control devices; wherein: the control devices respectively have: an own-system state evaluation section that transmits the result of state evaluation of its own system as a tracking signal through the tracking bus to the other system; an other-system signal confirmation section that receives the tracking signal through the tracking bus from the control device of the other system and thus performs state confirmation; and a transmission channel changeover section that, if the tracking signal cannot be received through the tracking bus, effects transmission of the tracking signal to the other-system signal confirmation section of the other system, through the control tr

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for wirelessly controlling an operating device by way of a wireless connection between the operating device and a computing device. The computing device provides an interface for controlling the operating device. The interface includes a switch for use as a deadman switch, whereby releasing the switch will cease the operation of the operating device. The user may remotely control the operating device via the computing device while the switch is actuated. Upon releasing the switch, the computer device wirelessly halts the operating device for safety.

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

Abstract: Non-bussed amplifier diagnostics are implemented for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an amplifier that includes a computer processor and a memory unit communicatively coupled to the amplifier. The memory unit stores audio test tones, each of which corresponds to a respective diagnostic test result. The vehicle also includes an input device communicatively coupled to the amplifier via wiring. The input device provides an analog signal indicative of a diagnostic test trigger to the amplifier. The computer processor of the amplifier receives the analog signal and executes a diagnostic test defined by the diagnostic test trigger, selects one of the audio test tones based on results of the diagnostic test, and outputs the selected audio test tone via speakers of the vehicle.

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

Abstract: In a method for operating a controller, at least one input data are processed into at least one output data by using an algorithm. For checking the output data, a second determination of the output data is performed only for output data in a group that does not contain all possible output data.

Abstract: A code bit level redundancy method for a computer interlocking system is provided. The method includes: (1) controlling the output in parallel, and (2) sharing the collected information.

Abstract: A method applied to a computer that determines a situation of a system includes the steps of: receiving measurement data from each of a plurality of measurement targets in the system; computing a plurality of sets of anomaly values based on the measurement data and a predetermined computation algorithm according to a plurality of classifications corresponding to a plurality of properties of each measurement target; and determining the situation of the system based on the sets of anomaly values and a predetermined determination algorithm.

Abstract: In a clinical laboratory of a hospital, an enormous amount of effort has been required to maintain the quality of an analyzer, standard solution and control samples. An object of the present invention is to provide a control method for controlling a clinical laboratory with reduced cost, and a control apparatus using the same. In order to control data of an analyzer, standard solution, and a control sample, a support center is connected to each analyzer located in each hospital through a network line. Various kinds of analysis parameters and the result of measurements are exchanged so as to provide each clinical laboratory with a control situation in real time.

Abstract: An exemplary method and a system for debugging a control system of an industrial plant where the system includes at least two different control sub-systems, of the same or different control equipment type, on plant or sub-system level, and has specific programmable controller units in devices like PLCs, DCSs, robots, drives, instruments and/or other process specific components whereas all specified parameters and signals of the control system across its sub-systems, devices, and technologies are extracted and visualized on a single sight and are utilized for the definition of system wide breakpoints, utilizing a subset of those signals or parameters, and related conditions, e.g. logical combinations of the signals or parameters.

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

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

Abstract: In a multiple redundant control system each of the control systems detects whether failures occur in the system itself and the other systems, and outputs a control signal corresponding to an amount of control of a controlled object by the control system on the basis of the result of failure detection. In the multiple redundant control system at least one controlled object is driven or controlled by a controller having a plurality of control systems that are connected to each other and each output information regarding the system itself and received input of information regarding other systems. Based on control signals, a main control signal for driving or controlling the controlled object is generated by a main control signal generator.

Abstract: A safety input device includes an input controller to control transmission of an input signal to an arithmetic device, an output controller to instruct output of preset first self-diagnosis pattern data, a test pattern generating unit to encode the first self-diagnosis pattern data into a pulse train signal having a pulse width equal to or below a predetermined value and output the pulse train signal, a combination input unit to combine the pulse train signal with the input signal, an input interface unit, a pattern reconfiguration unit to decode an output signal from the combination input unit into second self-diagnosis pattern data, and a comparator to compare the first and second self-diagnosis pattern data to judge the presence or absence of a difference between the first and second self-diagnosis pattern data.

Abstract: A maintenance information management method comprising steps of: by a terminal processing apparatus, transmitting, to a management apparatus via a network, maintenance work information about an analyzer on which maintenance work has been performed; storing, in a maintenance work information storage section of the management apparatus, the maintenance work information transmitted via the network; and transmitting, to the terminal processing apparatus via the network, the maintenance work information of the analyzer, which is stored in the maintenance work information storage section.

Abstract: A solution for managing an asset, such as a movable asset, deployed to a fixed location, is provided. Location and/or power information is periodically acquired for the asset and assessed to determine whether the asset has moved from a desired physical area and/or the power is insufficient to continue with planned operations. In response to either condition, the operation of various devices on the asset can be adjusted to minimize an inferred risk caused by the asset moving outside of the physical area and/or maximize an inferred probability of recovering the asset.

Abstract: In order to operate a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which implements the safety control, the safety control is assigned an identifier. When loading the safety control, the master subscriber checks whether the stored identifier in the safety master subscriber matches the identifier calculated form the safety control, and the automation network changes to a safe state if it is determined that the identifier differs.

Abstract: A method for identifying disruptions using network and systems data includes receiving resource utilization information for a network component at a first time and receiving resource utilization information for the network component at a second time. The method also includes identifying a resource utilization pattern for the network component, predicting a resource utilization for the network component at a third time based on the resource utilization pattern, and determining whether the predicted resource utilization will breach a utilization threshold for the network component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vital bus system for communicating data in a control system are provided. The system includes a plurality of data communication buses configured in a multiple redundant orientation and at least one safety supervisor module including a database including a plurality of logic rules. The logic rules are programmed to receive data from the plurality of data communication buses and to determine the validity of the received data from each bus using one or more of the plurality of the logic rules. If the received data is invalid, the logic rules are programmed to restore the validity of the data using one or more of the plurality of the logic rules. If the data can not be restored the logic rules are programmed to transmit an alert to the control system. Otherwise, the logic rules are programmed to transmit the validated data to an intended destination.

Abstract: A method for extracting and reporting a foundation fieldbus device description (DD) file for device selection and data validation can include obtaining the DD file for an intelligent field device (H1 device), extracting device information from the DD file, reading live data generated by the H1 device and generating a report including compliant values and functionality of the H1 device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for safely providing safety functions for safety devices of an automation system. For this purpose, modular safety components are introduced, comprising a logic module (A, B, . . . , X), an address-dependent parameter module (1, 2, . . . , n), and failsafe information. The modules are stored separately with recovery information. After turning on a safety device in an automation system, a safety component created for a specific device can be restored and transmitted to the safety device, wherein the accuracy of the safety component is checked in the safety device.

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 technique for controlling instrumentation in an automatic test system includes providing a group of hardware resources that can be configured in a variety of ways to realize different instrument configurations, which generally correspond to different traditional instrument types. An instrument driver is provided for each of the different instrument configurations, and calls to each instrument driver may be inserted into a test program for controlling the respective instrument configuration. The instrument drivers direct control of the hardware resources via a support driver. The support driver thus provides a central location through which control of the various hardware configurations is processed. From the user's point of view, the instrumentation is programmed as if it consists of a collection of traditional instrument types. But at the hardware level the instrumentation is highly integrated and efficiently realized.

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 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: A field communication system receives data from a field device through a communication network and maps the data onto a register to update the data. The field communication system includes a detection module configured to detect a state of communication with the field device through the communication network, and a writing module configured to write the communication state detected by the detection module in the register as information added to the data.

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: A safety input device includes an input controller to control transmission of an input signal to an arithmetic device synchronously with a control cycle set by the arithmetic device, an output controller to instruct output of preset first self-diagnosis pattern data, a test pattern generating unit to encode the first self-diagnosis pattern data into a pulse train signal having a pulse width equal to or below a predetermined value and output the pulse train signal in accordance with a baseband transmission system, a combination input unit to combine the pulse train signal with the input signal, an input interface unit, a pattern reconfiguration unit to decode an output signal from the combination input unit into second self-diagnosis pattern data, and a comparator to compare the first and second self-diagnosis pattern data to judge the presence or absence of a difference between the first and second self-diagnosis pattern data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a calculating unit, whereon at least one part of the signals and a marking relating to the quality of the signals and an attribute relating to a current transmission frequency of the marking are attributed. The inventive signal also comprises a marking relating to the quality of the signals thereof, and an attribute relating to a current transmission frequency of the marking.