Abstract: An automated software testing and validation system allows testing of a software application under test (SAUT) regardless of the dynamic nature of the SAUT. An abstracted set of hierarchal or linear objects model certain regions of the SAUT. Automated test scripts utilize theses regions to intuitively navigate and identify potions of the SAUT to automate. The scripts can also access specific SAUT elements contain within each defined region. These elements can then be used to invoke actions or verify outputs there from. The system uses a set of rich identification rules embodied in the system which allow the user to configure the identification of any element within the abstracted region. The rules are customizable to allow the user to configure the desired level of loose coupling between the automated scripts and the target element to adapt the scripts to the nature of the SAUT.

Abstract: A system program includes a procedure library in which at least a procedure for controlling execution of a control program and a procedure for controlling output of output data and input of input data are included. If schedule-building data including execution order specifications for the procedures included in the procedure library is stored in a storage section, the system program causes a microprocessor to execute the procedures included in the procedure library in accordance with the procedure execution order specifications included in schedule-building data.

Abstract: A method (3600) and system (2800, 2900, 3000, 3100) autonomously create a restore point for a luminaire controller (2810, 3110) and restore it to proper operation when required. The luminaire controller operates by using first operating software having a first software image, and receives a second software image of second operating software. The luminaire controller communicates the first software image to a first device (2820, 3120) connected to the luminaire controller via a communication network (2805, 3105), installs the second operating software, and performs a self test of the luminaire controller. If the luminaire controller fails the self test, the luminaire controller requests via the network that the first device transfer the first software image to the luminaire controller via the network, receives the first software image, installs the first operating software, and reverts to operation with the first operating software.

Abstract: In a method and a system for managing product definition updates for controlling a manufacturing process via a MES system, design information entities each defining manufacturing specifications for a specific product and including sets of data concerning different manufacturing steps are downloaded to the MES system. At the first download, first and second MES information entities are created and stored. The first entities have associated second entities each including data for a manufacturing step and include links to the associated second entities. At each update of a design information entity, a differential package including the whole of the data for a set having undergone changes and for newly added sets, and an identification for unchanged sets, is downloaded. A new version of the second entities corresponding to sets having undergone changes and/or additional second entities corresponding to sets of data that have been added are created and stored.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for visually debugging robotic processes. In various implementations, a graphical user interface may be rendered that includes a flowchart representing a robotic process. A plurality of different logical paths through the robotic process may be represented by a plurality of different visible paths through the flowchart. In various implementations, robot operation data indicative of one or more implementations of the robotic process may be determined. Based on the robot operation data, a first logical path through the robotic process that satisfies a criterion may be identified. In various implementations, a first visual path through the flowchart may be selected that corresponds to the identified first logical path. In various implementations, the first visible path through the flowchart may be visually distinguished from a second visible path through the flowchart.

Abstract: A calculation engine computes equation(s) based upon dependencies between variables, both initially input and as calculated from various fragmented sub expressions. The calculation engine accommodates relationships between equations, with output variable(s) of one equation possibly serving as input to another equation in a chain. Initially, the calculation engine sorts equations based upon their relationship to each other and to the input variables. The calculation engine next fragments the equations' expressions into various sub expressions. This fragmenting may be according to an order of operations (e.g., brackets/parentheses, then exponents/powers, then multiplication/division). Sub expressions ultimately resulting from fragmentation process, may comprise unary expressions, binary expressions, or expressions involving three or more operations at a same level of priority. Upon rationalizing an order of the fragments, the engine may evaluate units (e.g.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus is provided with encoding configuration information as an optical code. The optical code is displayed on a display of the apparatus. The optical code can be read from the display and configuration information derived from the optical code is sent to a database of configured apparatuses.

Abstract: A control arithmetic device controls so that an approval-receiving device displays a content of a new control program that the control arithmetic device received from the editing device. The approval-receiving device receives input of approval information that indicates whether a change of a control program is approved or not from an manager. The control arithmetic device changes the control program to the new control program in the case where the approval information received from the approval-receiving device indicates approval of the control program.

Abstract: Adding new nodes to a graph diagram. A set of one or more new nodes is identified from a graph to be added to an existing graph diagram. A set of one or more anchor candidate nodes are identified in the graph that are coupled to the nodes in the set of one or more new nodes. One of the nodes in the set of one or more anchor candidate nodes is selected as an anchor node. An automatic graph diagram layout of the anchor node and new nodes that are to be coupled to the anchor node is performed to create a disjoint graph diagram. A spatial offset from the anchor node to each of the new nodes coupled to the anchor node in the disjoint graph diagram is identified. Each of the new nodes is added to the existing graph diagram while maintaining the identified spatial offsets.

Abstract: A multi-platform industrial search system facilitates indexing and searching of plant-wide data residing on multiple different data platforms. The industrial search system automatically inventories industrial devices and other data sources located throughout a plant, and identifies available data items on each data source. The search system indexes the discovered data items in a federated data model that can subsequently be searched to locate data items or tags of interest. The federated data model records references to data items found on different types of data sources, including but not limited to industrial controller programs, human-machine interface applications, data historians, device documentation stores, inventory tracking systems, and other such data sources. The search system can also initiate automated searches of the federated data model in response to detected performance issues and deliver notifications and contextual information to plant personnel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for debugging in a production environment are disclosed. An example method includes first receiving, by a processor, a user request from a development environment to execute a debugging program in a production environment, wherein the production environment is inaccessible by the development environment. The method then approves, by the processor, the execution of the debugging program in the production environment by seeking approval from at least one member from the production environment and the development environment. The method then in response to the approving, transmitting, by the processor, a communication to the production environment to cause the debugging program to be executed in the production environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an event based tracking, health management, and patient and treatment monitoring system, and, more particularly, to an event based tracking, health management, and patient and treatment monitoring software system including a unique/custom scanable code (e.g., a quick-response (“QR”) code) created for a specific positive/negative event which is tied to at least one specific phone number or other unique identifier of a mobile device, and a software application stored on the mobile device which enables the mobile device to (i) scan the unique QR code (on a card or other item), and (ii) log QR code data indicating the completion (positive) or non-completion (negative) of the event (and related information) in real time into a particular profile in a database (e.g., in a cloud server) for event validation and authentication, health management, and/or patient and treatment monitoring, and for reporting the QR code data (and related information) to authorized clients.

Abstract: A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first input indicating user activity at a first position in a document in a document editing application. The document editing application is navigable among different partial views of the document. The document editing application displays a frame element that indicates a position of a presently displayed partial view of the document is with reference to an entirety of the document. The method further includes displaying, in response to the first input indicating user activity, a first marker, in or proximate to the frame element, indicating where the first position of user activity is located with reference to the entirety of the document.

Abstract: A method and system for graphically displaying real-time system logic used for troubleshooting railroad equipment such as e.g., a grade crossing predictor. The method and system graphically display ladder logic equations used to formulate a system status output, allowing a technician or other personnel to quickly determine the cause of an anomaly reflected in the output.

Abstract: In various aspects, code-based indicia contain secured network access credentials. In some aspects, a computer processor receives user input that specifies secured network access credentials, and the computer processor creates or modifies credentials for establishing a secured network connection. In these aspects, the computer processor generates code-based indicia that contain at least part of the secured network access credentials. In other aspects, a computer processor scans the code-based indicia and extracts the network access credentials. In these aspects, the computer processor employs the network access credentials to establish the secured network connection. In additional aspects, a network router apparatus renders the code-based indicia to an active display. In further aspects, a network router apparatus conditions grant of network access to a device on receipt from the device of an answer to a security question included in the secured network access credentials.

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 method includes obtaining instructions for a customized function block in a parametric block type. The method also includes developing, at a parametric block engine, the customized function block based on the instructions in the parametric block type. The method further includes executing the customized function block. Executing the customized function block may include executing the customized function block using firmware associated with a controller in a process control system. The parametric block engine may be pre-loaded into the controller before the controller is activated in the process control system.

Abstract: Distribution data indicating the distribution of the temperatures and airflows in an air-conditioned space are calculated through forward analysis of the state of the air-conditioned space through a distributed system heat flow analysis technique by the heat flow forward analysis processing portion based on spatial condition data and state data comprising boundary condition data and heat emitting object data, and setting data comprising this distribution data that has been obtained and the target data that indicate the target temperatures at the target locations is generated by the setting data generating portion, and new air-conditioning operating quantities are back-calculated from the new blowing speeds and blowing temperatures for the conditioned air at the blowing vents through reverse analysis of the distributions of the temperatures and airflows in the air-conditioned space, and the air-conditioning system is controlled based on the new air-conditioning operating quantities obtained thereby.

Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.

Abstract: Aspects describe an apparatus, method and system for constructing an application in an industrial automation system. An identification component can receive at least one requirement of the application. Based upon the at least one requirement, the identification component can select at least one service that satisfies the at least one requirement. The at least one service can be associated with at least one operational requirement. The identification component can match at least one host to the at least one service by matching the at least one operational requirement with at least one capability of the at least one service.

Abstract: A water heating system includes a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller mounted on the tank. The first controller is coupled to the one or more heating elements and includes logic to activate and deactivate the heating elements according to a first threshold value. The water heater also includes a second controller that is selectively coupled to the first controller and configured to communicate the first threshold value to the first controller, and perform an additional function related to the operation of the water heater. The first controller is configured to receive the first threshold value from the second controller and control the one or more heating elements based on the received threshold value, and to control the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system in a physical absence of the second controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of a machine determines a feasible region for states of the machine and states of the reference trajectory defined by constraints of the machine, constraints on a reference trajectory and constraints on bounds of a tracking error and selects a subset of the feasible region, such that for any state of the machine and any state of the reference trajectory within the subset, there is an admissible control maintaining the state of the machine within the subset for all admissible future states of the reference trajectory determined by the model and the constraints of the reference trajectory. Next, an admissible control action for controlling the operation of the machine is selected such that the state of the machine remains in the subset for all admissible future states of the reference trajectory.

Abstract: A method for reproducing the sequence of a program provided for process control in an automation device, wherein a program that corresponds to the program in the automation device with regard to process control is provided for processing using a backup device, where suitable measures can be used to image the complete history of the automation device and to reproduce the sequence of the program so that with regard to the processing of the program, it becomes possible to subsequently and repeatedly approach any desired time in the past and to reproduce all associated data.

Abstract: Approaches are provided whereby synchronization is achieved between control logic at an automation controller and a representation of this logic at a communication network. Control logic is initially deployed to an automatic controller and a representation of this control logic is stored at the communication network. The automation controller is located remotely from the network. When a change is made to the representation of the control logic at the network, the control logic is re-deployed to the automation controller so that the operator of the control logic is synchronized to the representation. The synchronization is effective to allow a service center to remotely service the control logic without the need for traveling to the automation controller.

Abstract: Third party developed control logic for automation controllers is provided to customers using a communication network. At least one tool is provided for a third party to develop control logic for an automation controller. The automation controller is remotely located from the communication network. A hardware platform on which to operate the control logic is selected. Once built, the control logic is linked to at least one operational characteristic of the hardware platform such that the control logic is operable to perform at least one predetermined function of the automation controller using the hardware platform.

Abstract: A numerical controller successively pre-reads blocks of a plurality of NC programs from a memory or from a storage device connected via a network, while executing the NC programs in parallel. The execution times of the pre-read blocks are integrated in respect of all of the NC programs that are the object of pre-reading, and when an NC program having the shortest integrated execution time of the pre-read blocks can be pre-read, the next block in that NC program is pre-read. On the other hand, when that NC program cannot be pre-read, the NC program is excluded from the pre-reading objects.

Abstract: A numerical controller analyzes a program with a command program analysis unit, and determines a macro call or a sub program call with a macro call or sub program call determination unit. When a program stop determination unit determines that the program is to be stopped, the program stop determination unit commands a program stop requesting unit to output a program stop request to the command program analysis unit and an interpolation processing unit, thereby stopping the program.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to implement a design apparatus for applications in an industrial automation environment. The design apparatus is configured to maintain multiple configuration settings in connection with an application project. At deployment-time, a particular configuration can be selected and utilized when building an application for installation on a target device. The same application project can be utilized to deploy the application to multiple systems through selection of different configurations.

Abstract: A sequence program creation device includes a search-key-circuit specification unit specifying a search key circuit; a search-area specification unit specifying a search area for searching for a circuit similar to the search key circuit; a search-index specification unit specifying an index in a process of calculating a similarity to the search key circuit; a similarity calculation unit calculating a similarity to the search key circuit, based on the index, for each circuit included in the search area; a search-target-part determination unit determining whether the similarity is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold for each circuit for which the similarity calculation unit has calculated the similarity; and a search-result display-screen display unit displaying on a search-result display screen a circuit whose similarity is determined to be equal to or more than the predetermined threshold by the search-target-part determination unit.

Abstract: A method for automatically creating an executable safety function for a device, includes the steps of collecting digital parameters which specify a particular safety function, determining a first check value on the basis of the digital parameters, automatically assigning a number of digital function modules from a plurality of predefined digital function modules to the collected digital parameters in order to obtain a safety function source code of the particular safety function, compiling the safety function source code in order to obtain the executable safety function, determining a second check value on the basis of the executable safety function, and outputting the executable safety function if the first check value and the second check value meet a verification criteria.

Abstract: There is described a method for designing a control software product for integration with a main application of an embedded system adapted to control a power electronic component in a power electronic system, the method comprising: generating software source code comprising a control algorithm being specific to an application of the power electronic component, a power converter load, and an application of the power converter load, the control algorithm comprising at least one control function for determining operation parameters for the power electronic component according to a desired parameter; compiling the software source code, thereby obtaining a compiled file; generating a software interface for interfacing the compiled file with the main application, the software interface file comprising a definition of the at least one control function; and outputting the compiled file and the software interface.

Abstract: A client configuration tool configured to program a universal master control station to allow expansion of an existing oil field, monitoring and controlling of subsea/topside field equipment provided by multiple vendors, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing time between multiple systems on a mining machine. The system includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling the mining machine and for transmitting a time to synchronize computer subsystems on the machine. The PLC includes a system clock that is programmed to operate on local time. A battery pack is connected to the PLC to allow the system clock to function continuously, even when the machine is turned off. Computer subsystems request and receive time updates from the PLC. A local time on each computer subsystem is determined based on the time update received from the PLC. Each computer subsystem includes a time zone parameter set to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and a Daylight Saving Time (DST) parameter that is disabled. Accordingly, the local time on each computer subsystem is set to the time update value received from the PLC.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a motion control system implementing an electronic motion profile for a load that is highly optimized for power efficiency by implementing several performance parameters that are non-overlapping with respect to time. Each performance parameter may characterize an acceptable level of performance or error with respect to the electronic motion profile. Performance parameters may include, for example, maximum position error, maximum velocity error, maximum error for regions or sections of the electronic motion profile, position settling time, position repeatability, position accuracy, position bandwidth, velocity bandwidth, acceleration time, motor thermal capacity, motor temperature and drive temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for updating an OS (Operating System) in PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) configured to update an OS in a PLC, and to perform an operation by instantly applying the updated OS to the PLC, and a method using the same, the apparatus including an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a flash memory, a second working memory, and a switching unit.

Abstract: A machine vision system program editing environment includes near real time context generation. Rather than requiring execution of all preceding instructions of a part program in order to generate a realistic context for subsequent edits, surrogate data operations using previously saved data replace execution of certain sets of instructions. The surrogate data may be saved during the actual execution of operations that are recorded in a part program. An edit mode of execution substitutes that data as a surrogate for executing the operations that would otherwise generate that data. Significant time savings may be achieved for context generation, such that editing occurs within an operating context which may be repeatedly refreshed for accuracy in near real time. This supports convenient program modification by relatively unskilled users, using the native user interface of the machine vision system, rather than difficult to use text-based or graphical object-based editing environments.

Abstract: A customizable apparatus for controlling rotational movement of a turret of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a memory that stores information relating to operation of the turret. A communication port of the apparatus is adapted to exchange communications relating to operation of the turret with an external computing device. A controller processes communications received at the communication port from the external computing device. The controller processes the communications, and the controller selectively provides access to the stored information relating to operation of the turret to the external computing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to building control systems and, more particularly, to methods and devices for configuring and/or displaying parameters or other information such as menu screens on a programmable wall module of a building control system. In an illustrative embodiment, a configuration tool may be configured to create a number of screens for the user interface of the programmable wall module based on a number of user inputs received via the user interface of the configuration tool. In some cases, the number of user inputs received via the user interface of the configuration tool may be less than, and sometimes far less than, the number of screens that are created by the configuration tool. Regardless, with the number of screens created, the configuration tool may upload the number of screens to the programmable wall module for use on the user interface of the programmable wall module.

Abstract: An industrial control system is provided that includes an application module with machine-readable instructions in a first format. The instructions specify inputs, outputs, processing, or any combination thereof, relating to a process of the industrial control system. The industrial control system also includes a conversion server with a processor that creates a platform-specific application by converting the application module in the first format to a second format that is understandable by a common computing platform of the industrial control system.

Abstract: A system for providing a control program code (SPC) for controlling a device connected to a control device has: an authentication service which, after successful authentication of the device with respect to the authentication service, transmits a device ID (FG-ID) of the authenticated device to a commissioning service which, on the basis of the device ID (FG-ID) of the authenticated device, transmits a control program code (SPC) to a control device which controls the authenticated device using the control program code (SPC).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of remotely managing a vessel forming production line, the method comprising communicating from a remote data processing resource a plurality of consumer or event data to a controller, the controller controls a plurality of vessel forming stations having a plurality of shape forming operations and a plurality of non-shape forming operations, configuring each of the plurality of shape forming operations and the plurality of non-shape forming operations based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data to manufacture the shaped vessel, and manufacturing the shaped vessel. Other embodiments include completing a sales transaction resulting in generation of the plurality of consumer or event data, generating the plurality of consumer or event data based in part on the current status of an event, and decorating the shaped vessel based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data.

Abstract: A remote technical support system leverages a cloud platform to automate technical support interactions, facilitating rapid diagnosis and solution of detected performance issues in industrial systems. The technical support system facilitates automated collection of relevant system data from a customer's industrial assets in the event of a detected performance issue requiring involvement of a technical support entity. The relevant system data can be sent to the cloud platform in response to a manual request for support at the plant floor, or automatically in response to detection of a possible device failure or performance issue. The cloud-based remote technical support system then routes the data to a suitable remote support representative, providing the representative with information about customer's industrial system and operations that may be relevant in connection with diagnosing the issue.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus includes a wireless processing unit for performing communication by wireless and an application processing unit for executing an application. The wireless processing unit of the wireless communication apparatus detects reception of wireless function update information for updating a function of the wireless processing unit when update information for updating any function of the wireless communication apparatus is received. After that, the wireless processing unit updates the function of the wireless processing unit, if reception of wireless function update information is detected, by performing an update process specified in the wireless function update information without involving the application processing unit.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of binding a human machine interface to an expression of existing computer code may include analyzing the existing computer code to identify one or more bindable expressions in the existing computer code, and receiving a command to bind a human machine interface with one or more of the identified bindable expressions. The method may further include binding, using a processor, one or more of the bindable expressions with the human machine interface in response to the command. The binding may enable the human machine interface to communicate information within the existing computer code in place of the one or more bound expressions. The bound machine interface may communicate information within the computer code while the computer code is executing.

Abstract: A machining-related data processing system has a configuration in which a controller for machine tool comprising an NC device and an assisting device is connected to a data processing device via a telecommunication line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for block instantiation are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and a visual instantiation facility executable by the processor. The visual instantiation facility is configured to read a device definition (DD) file including at least one function block and to visually display function block instantiation information of the at least one function block in a visual display. The visual instantiation facility is further configured to instantiate the at least one function block in a field device.

Abstract: An automation and motion control system controls a plurality of theatrical objects. The automation and control system includes a data network, an operator console, remote station, input/output devices and external system; an emergency stop (e-stop) system; a machinery piece; and a control system. The control system includes industrial protocols and software interfaces. The control system generates a digital video graphics file from an original video image file and converts the digital video graphics file to a grayscale digital file. The control system transmits the grayscale digital file to a visual profile generator and a movement control device, receives the grayscale pixel maps from the grayscale conversion module; and generates a visual profile by the visual profile generator. The visual profile is a format compatible with a motion automation and control system.

Abstract: A method of generating a symbol table for a programmable logic controller which executes high-level language program is provided. The method includes reading the high-level language program and an association table specifying relationship between devices controlled by the programmable logic controller and variable names in the high-level language program; compiling and linking the high-level language program and the association table for determining a physical address for each of the variable names and the corresponding devices; generating the symbol table by the compiling and linking, the symbol table defining the determined physical address for each of the devices; and storing the symbol table in the memory of the programmable logic controller. A programmable logic controller executing the high-level language program and storing the symbol table is also provided.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to execute an auxiliary recipe and a batch recipe execution are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves executing a first recipe, and before completion of execution of the first recipe, receiving an auxiliary recipe. The example method also involves determining whether the first recipe has reached an entry point at which the auxiliary recipe can be executed. The auxiliary recipe is then executed in response to determining that the first recipe has reached the entry point.