Abstract: The parameterization information needed in a universal motion controller UMC (description of system variables, alarms, and commands) is generated from a uniform description language via a central converter (U) and distributed to the engineering system (ES1-ES4), run time system (RTS1-RTS4), and output media (AM) for documentation. This ensures the consistency of parameterization data for all system parts. In addition, configuration information (FWK) from technology packets (TP) can be imported into the engineering (ES1-ES4) and run time RTS1-RTS4) systems of the controller.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an industrial controller based on technology objects are disclosed. Technology object types may be loaded and instantiated into the run time system of a controller, thereby increasing the functionality and providing technological scaling of the controller. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program.

Abstract: A system is described for programming a household appliance that has electronic control means for executing a plurality of control programs. The household appliance operates in accordance with conventional functions, able to perform standard programs, and has the feature of being prearranged for receiving and retaining additional operating programs, coming from outside, according to the user's specific requirements; such new programs are designed and stored in the control system of the household appliance through an external electronic device, such as a Personal Computer programmed accordingly. The control system of the household appliance comprises a duly prearranged microcontroller, associated with suitable memory means and means for interfacing with said external electronic device; a protected part, i.e.

Abstract: With a method for producing the control module, the control module is assembled from a number of program modules which are designed for one basic function in each case. Each program module has an interface of an interface type defined by the respective basic function. A functional connection is preferably only established between two program modules if the two program modules have mutually corresponding interfaces of the same interface type. The method permits simple, quick and in particular rule-based automatic production of the control module of a control system for controlling a plant component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed control of a home automation system is provided. Each device participating in a home automation system is equipped with control logic for providing distributed control. Through the control logic, each device maintains scene definitions describing the state of the device for each scene in which it participates. When any device in the system receives a request to launch a scene, such as a button press on one of the devices, the device broadcasts a scene state change message to all devices within the home automation system. The scene state change message identifies to each device a particular scene that should be launched. Each device in the system receives the message and determines whether the device is a participant in the scene. If the device is a participant in the scene, the device adjusts its state according to a scene definition stored in the device associated with the scene.

Abstract: A composite object group (COG) data structure embodied in a computer-readable medium for building a control system that has both a clock cycle and event processing is provided. An interface for passing information to and from the COG data structure is provided. One or more data flow objects are provided in the COG to accept input data and to produce output data on the clock cycle. The data flow object is connected to the interface and provides sampled-data processing for the control system. One or more state machine objects are provided in the COG; each includes a plurality of states and a plurality of transitions between the states that are each triggered by an event. The state machine object provides event-driven processing for the control system, whereby the COG data structure provides both sampled-data and event-driven processing for the control system.

Abstract: A security system for controlling access to motion control systems. The security system limits access to application programming interface (API) functions. The limitations on API functions can be implemented as a denial of access to certain restricted functions and/or as a limitation on certain controlled parameters employed by certain restricted functions. The security system may allow or disallow access based on users or accounts. The security system may also be programmed to prevent access to certain functions arbitrarily as determined by a system administrator or on criteria such as the status of the system.

Abstract: A machine programming and control system includes a computer including a processor, memory, a display, and a device that is associated with a process. A flowcharting module executed by the computer generates and edits a flowchart that contains action and decision blocks which define logic for operating the device to further the process. The flowcharting module allows active diagnosis objects to be associated with at least one of the action and decision blocks. The active diagnosis objects facilitate diagnosis of non-coding process problems. The active diagnosis object automatically initiates a message when the action or decision block is executed. The message includes at least one of an e-mail, a pager message, an operator alert and an alarm.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A project organization and dissemination system for a machine programming and control system includes a project development environment that communicates with a distributed communications system. The project development environment includes project tools for designing project elements. The project tools include a control logic module that generates and edits flowchart project elements that include flowchart blocks and contain control logic for operating a device to further a process. A project archival system communicates with the distributed communications system and stores the project elements. A web enabled device communicates with the distributed communications system and allows remote access to the project elements. Other project elements include human machine interface (HMI), databases, network layout, electrical and electromechanical devices, spatial arrangement, process logic and flow, and/or facility layout and design.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for displaying telephone numbers included in data units. The data units are scanned for telephone numbers. The telephone numbers are automatically identified within the data units. When the telephone numbers are displayed as part of displays of the data units, the telephone numbers are conspicuously rendered.

Abstract: Once attached to a slot of a personal digital assistant PDA, a card module CM executes an application-specific program and transmits a result obtained thereby to the personal digital assistant PDA. The thus received execution result is outputted from an output part. Accordingly, the output part can be provided for shared use among several card modules CM for output of the execution result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed control of a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in a home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing distributed control. Through the control logic, each device maintains scene definitions describing the state of the device for each scene in which it participates. When any device in the system receives a request to launch a scene, such as a button press on one of the devices, the device broadcasts a scene state change message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The scene state change message identifies to each device that a particular scene that should be launched. Each device in the system receives the message and determines whether the device is a participant in the scene. If the device is a participant in the scene, the device adjusts its state according to a scene definition stored in the device associated with the scene.

Abstract: A process plant control system includes a batch execution engine that spawns or creates an individual batch process application in a separate application process space for each batch to be run within a process plant. The batch execution engine includes communication software for communicating with one or more batch operator interfaces or other interfaces that are used to set up batch runs, a master process equipment model reflecting the current state of the equipment within the process plant and a batch execution manager that creates individual batch processes and spawns each of the individual batch processes to run in a separate application process space.

Abstract: A control system methodology that uses object-oriented software to integrate multiple control systems into a common object model. Object-oriented techniques are used to construct distributed applications in a multi-vendor open system environment for use in controlling and monitoring systems of varying size and configuration. Information is brought into a common object model and made available throughout the system. A custom programming language is included for object creation. Access to objects is controlled through a multi-level security protocol. Data flow is governed by a real-time information synchronization manager. Classes are used to implement the system in a platform independent way according to a “core class hierarchy” in which objects are organized to inherit behavior and perform predictably. A control engine allows the user to control the order of execution of objects. A script is provided for generating custom objects.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.

Abstract: A process for programming an automation application program on an automation equipment programming station, including defining several structured type objects each representing an input-output channel of automation equipment, declaring symbolic input-output variables of the program as an instance of a previously defined structured type object, a configuring symbolic input-output variables comprising a definition of the physical location of inputs-outputs of the automation equipment, automatically interpreting the program to execute it on the automation equipment, comprising replacing symbolic variables in the program with the complete topological address of corresponding input-output information.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for displaying telephone numbers. Before displaying data units, the data units are scanned for telephone numbers. The telephone numbers are automatically identified within the data units. When the telephone numbers are displayed as part of displays of the data units, the telephone numbers are caused to have a display attribute which renders the telephone numbers conspicuous to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a simple user interface for programming scenes and multi-way groups in a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in the home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing the simple programming interface. Through the control logic, each device maintains its status in a system-wide programming mode and retains knowledge of its inclusion or exclusion in the current scene or multi-way group being programmed. When any device in the system receives indications that affect the system programming mode, such as a press on one of the buttons on the devices, the device broadcasts a notification message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The message maintains the integrity of the system programming mode. Each device knows when a scene or multi-way group being programmed is finally captured and the programming of a new scene or multi-way group has started.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mechanism to prevent the oscillator from being stopped when a host development system is coupled to the background debug communications interface and the background debug mode has been enabled. This allows background debugging operations to continue when the target data processing system is in a low power mode. Other embodiments relate to a mechanism for allowing a host development system to request a synchronization timing pulse from a target data processing system so the correct clock speed can be determined for background communications. Alternate embodiments relate to a data processing system having a system clock unit and a background debug system where the background debug system includes a background debug clock unit, separate from the system clock unit, and an enable control. When the enable control is asserted, the background debug clock unit is enabled, independent of the system clock unit.

Abstract: A method and system for receiving user input data into a computer system having a graphical windowing environment. A touch-sensitive display screen for displaying images and detecting user activity is provided. A management component connects to the graphical windowing environment to create an input panel window for display on the screen. An input method which may be a COM object is selected from multiple input methods available, and installed such that the input method can call functions of the management component. Each input method includes a corresponding input panel, such as a keyboard, which it draws in the input panel window. When the user taps the screen at the input panel, the input method calls a function of the management component to pass corresponding input information appropriate information such as a keystroke or character to the management component.

Abstract: Programmatically diagnosing the root cause of a problem in a computing system. Events are monitored within an operating system, and at least a subset of the events are logged to a log file. In response to the detection of error condition(s), a diagnostics module is invoked. The diagnostics module queries the log file to correlate events relevant to diagnosis of the problem, and identifies the root cause by evaluating the results of the query. Once the root cause of the problem is diagnosed, a resolution module corresponding to that root cause may be invoked to programmatically resolve the problem. The invocation of the diagnostic and resolution modules may be subject to policy rules. Furthermore, the logging, diagnostics and resolution modules may be automatically updated as needed.

Abstract: A system and method for employing a file system and file system services on the industrial controller. The file system allows industrial control programs to implement many functions previously performed within the industrial control program and stored in the same memory as the industrial control program. An execution engine is provided that interprets instructions included in an industrial control program. The instructions utilize services in the file system for including user defined routine files loaded from local or remote locations, to load and unload recipe files from local and remote locations, to log and retrieve measured data and trend data to files at local or remote locations, to select different operating systems and to select a running program from a plurality of running programs utilizing the file system.

Abstract: An control apparatus for an industrial machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a submodule including a first memory of electrically rewritable nonvolatile type to store an industrial machine control program, the submodule executing the industrial machine control program stored in the first memory to control an industrial machine; a read out drive reading out a data for rewriting the industrial machine control program from a memory module; and a main module including a second memory having a rewrite control program stored therein to rewrite the industrial machine control program, and a third memory having a general control program stored therein to control the submodule, in an ordinary mode the main module executing the general control program stored in the third memory to cause the submodule to execute the industrial machine control program and control the industrial machine, in an program rewrite mode the main module executing the rewrite control program stored in the second m

Abstract: In a case where maintenance operations are sequentially performed while the status of a computer peripheral device is determined, the status of the computer peripheral device may not be clearly determined, and it may be difficult for a user to perform the next operation. In a setup operation of a printer 1050, the status of the printer 1050 such as existence/absence of ink cartridge or ink charging operation is detected on the side of computer 1010 via a printer driver 1073. On the other hand, a setup guide program 1075 determines the progress of the setup operation from the status change of the printer 1050, and sequentially displays images showing operation procedures in correspondence with the progress. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the user to perform the setup operation while determining the status of the printer 1050, and the user can smoothly perform the setup operation.

Abstract: A machine programming and control system includes a computer including a processor, memory, a display and a device associated with a process. A flowcharting module executed by the computer generates and edits a flowchart that contains action and decision blocks which define logic for operating the device to further the process. The flowcharting module allows active debugging objects to be added to the flowchart. The active debugging objects provide information relating debugging of flowchart code and/or debugging of a portion of the process that is related to the flowchart code. The active debugging object includes at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website, and text demonstrating the desired operation of the process. The active debugging object includes at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website, and text describing correct values for control variables at a first logical point in the flowchart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device, for use in a network over which data may be exchanged among devices, for providing data (executable code unit) for controlling other devices. To achieve this, a DCM Manager of a controller FAV first collects device control data from configROMs of the devices. The DCM Manager uses this information to search for the newest DCM for a new controlled device BAV that has been connected to a network. The DCM Manager reads the newest BAV1_DCM_b from the configROM of the BAV to install the DCM.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for discrete PLC control using word sequences in a data table for controlling a device on an assembly line. The data table contains sequencing information which defines, for each station on the line, a series of operations with corresponding setup and operation parameters. By placing the sequencing information in a data table, programming or changing the series of operations for a PLC is made much more simple and efficient.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer system for realtime control of machines. The computer system continually switches between a realtime programs EP providing control of peripheral devices A1, An, including control and/or regulation, and other programs within the realtime clock periods. The computer system has communications system KS and a a control system SS connected to the peripheral devices A1, An, particularly motor driver devices, over the communications system KS. A realtime clock signal T is generated from an independent cyclic communications clock T2 of the communications system KS, which has a communications processor KP that operates in realtime. When the control processor SP is remote from the communications processor KP, the realtime clock T may be regenerated an incoming bus clock signal B by a counter Z having upper and lower thresholds K2 and K1.

Abstract: A reconfigurable digital processing system for space includes the utilization of field programmable gate arrays utilizing a hardware centric approach to reconfigure software processors in a space vehicle through the reprogramming of multiple FPGAs such that one obtains a power/performance characteristic for signal processing tasks that cannot be achieved simply through the use of off-the-shelf processors. In one embodiment, for damaged or otherwise inoperable signal processors located on a spacecraft, the remaining processors which are undamaged can be reconfigured through changing the machine language and binary to the field programmable gate arrays to change the core processor while at the same time maintaining undamaged components so that the signal processing functions can be restored utilizing a RAM-based FPGA as a signal processor.

Abstract: A distributing node initiates an install control program in receiving nodes, and then broadcasts or multicasts program data to the receiving nodes. Thereby, the installation of the program into the nodes is carried out in shorter time. In this event, the distributing node and the receiving nodes buffer the program data in units of data block sizes of storage devices associated therewith. The distributing node executes in parallel the processing for storing data read from the storage device in a buffer, and the processing for reading the data from the buffer and broadcasting or multicasting the read data to the receiving node. The receiving node executes in parallel the processing for storing the data received from the distributing node in a buffer, and the processing for reading the program data from the buffer and storing the program data in the storage device thereof.

Abstract: A system relates to the up-to-date of firmware for a computer memory system is disclosed. Firstly, a computer memory will be divided into as four portions using the function of this method according to this present invention. Also, these four portions are employed as the following functions. The first portion is Initial Program, the second portion is Firmware (P1), the third portion is a Backup Firmware (P2), the fourth portion is P1 Firmware Parameter, and finally the fifth portion is P2 firmware, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for exposing a semiconductor is controlled by a program using a plurality of parameters. The apparatus has an extraction device that extracts a parameter, from the plurality of parameters, of which a settable range is changed due to an upgrade of the program. An edit device edits a value of an extracted parameter extracted by the extraction device.

Abstract: A setting display apparatus for managing a programmable controller is arranged to enable a display program to be designed easily and efficiently and to reduce the memory capacity for the program. A display program is divided into a frame flow program and a frame forming program, which can be programmed independently each other. The frame forming program has the function of forming a basic frame including information on the size, position, etc., of letters and figures such that importance is attached to the appearance. Addresses of data displayed on the basic frame corresponds to addresses in a reception buffer memory. The frame flow program has the functions of designating addresses in a device memory of the programmable controller as direct addresses of the displayed data and designating a frame change condition and a shift destination frame number. The frame flow program is characterized by its adherence to mechanical control.

Abstract: A machine, functioning as a unit, is composed of a main module and at least one replacable module having an ID. The main module includes (i) an ID recognition unit programmed to receive ID information from each replacable module, and (ii) an action decision unit including a decision algorithm programmed to select an action based on preselected signals. The decision algorithm is adjusted based on the ID information. The at least one replacable module includes (iii) an ID information unit storing ID information identifying the at least one replaceable module, and (iv) an action actuation unit including an action algorithm programmed to actuate the at least one replaceable module based on signals from the action decision unit; wherein the main module and the at least one replaceable module are communicated via an interface. The decision algorithm provided in the main module is adjusted based on the ID information, so that proper control can always be accomplished adaptively to the used replacable module.

Abstract: The circuit configuration for storage management and for the execution of user programs in small control units using a microcontroller (2). A microcontroller (2) has a central processing unit, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory and an interface. An additional non-volatile readable and writeable memory unit is configured as a serial memory unit and is,connected to the microcontroller as a separate unit via the interface. Different methods are described, for executing user programs using the circuit configuration. In a first method, the entire user program is read out from the separate memory and is serially interpreted by the microcontroller. In a second method, the entire user program is copied into and afterward directly interpreted by an internal memory of the microcontroller during the runup phase of the flow of control.

Abstract: A numerical controller capable of quickly sending/receiving data of a machining program to/from a storage device or medium and quickly editing the data of the machining program. The machining program is divided into a plurality of program blocks and additional information is added to each of the program blocks to be associated therewith to form input/output units. The additional information includes front and rear link data designating input/output units immediately preceding and following each input/output unit, respectively, in a sequence of the machining program, and data of an effective character length of the program block. In executing the machining program while reading the machining program stored in the storage device or medium, the input/output units are successively read and executed according to the front/rear link data.

Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus wherein respective planes constituting a solid input from a two-dimensional three-side view drawing are displayed on a screen. When a reference plane and a butting plane are specified within the respective planes, a temporary development diagram is generated in which the butting plane is butted to the reference plane. A solid figure is generated by bending the temporary development diagram based on a bending condition and displayed interlockingly in a region different from a region where the temporary development diagram is displayed. A development diagram obtained by extracting external frame loop and bending lines of the temporary development diagram is transmitted to CAM on a preceding stage.

Abstract: Enhances program efficiency by performing optimization with reduced influence of an explicit instruction for adjusting an image of local variables of a code column executed by means of an interpreter and a compiled code column. An example embodiment, includes: setting code that is ignorable in predetermined transformation for a second code column among codes in a first code column, which affects transformation of the second code column; and performing predetermined transformation for the second code column by ignoring the code that is set to be ignorable, when an execution object of a program transitions from a first code column executed by means of an interpreter to a second compiled code column. It can further include generating a compensating code required for transforming a second code column including propagation of a copy instruction, and inserting the code into a first code column prior to transformation of the second code column.

Abstract: System and method for enabling user interface code to be encapsulated in a sub-program of a graphical program. A node referencing a user interface element of a graphical program may be connected to a node referred to as a “property node”. The user may configure the property node with information specifying which property or set of properties of the referenced user interface element to set or retrieve. When executed, the property node may utilize the reference provided by the node associated with the user interface element in order to interact with the element. The node referencing the user interface element may also be connected to a subprogram node. The subprogram is operable to receive the user interface element reference and pass the reference to property nodes in order to set or retrieve properties of the user interface element. The subprogram may have an associated user interface panel comprising a “reference control” for receiving a user interface element reference.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the performance of a compositing system when compositing images represented as a directed acyclic graph. The method comprises identifying at least one critical path, determining a set of input nodes to each critical path, and caching the images at each of the input nodes to each critical path. The critical paths may comprise all nodes between and including the edit nodes on one end and the view node at another end. The method may also include receiving a user designation of at least one view node and at least one edit node, receiving a request to view the video presentation at a view node, processing data at the view node responsive to the request, and displaying the video presentation at the view node. Caching may be implemented when processing nodes such that when processing a node, a determination is made whether the node is an input node to one of the critical paths.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus for a control object makes a mode check before each program part is retrieved even at a predetermined start timing, and inhibits a retrieval of program parts unnecessary for operation modes including a normal mode, inspection mode or rewrite mode. As it is not necessary to check the mode in the processing of each program part, the control processing for the control object can be executed efficiently in each mode. As the program parts unnecessary for the specified operation mode is not retrieved either in the specified operation mode, the processing efficiency is increased.

Abstract: A method of executing shuttle function cooperating with a multimedia program. In the present invention, a wheel mouse with a scroll page function is provided coupled to a computer, wherein an operating system of the computer outputs a first signal when the scroll page function is executed. The multimedia program detects wheel rotation of the mouse when detecting the first signal during execution of the multimedia program. The multimedia program executes the shuttle function to advance or review frames according to wheel motion of the mouse. In addition, the multimedia program executes corresponding operations when detecting other signals from the operating system.

Abstract: A universal recipe editor for editing of semiconductor-manufacturing recipes. The universal recipe editor can read recipes from a wide variety of semiconductor-manufacturing machines from different manufacturers using recipe distributed object model (R-DOM) files. An R-DOM file is generated for each kind of recipe-file format to locate process parameters within proprietary recipe-file formats. The sequence of parameters in the R-DOM file matches the sequence in the recipe data file so that parameter may be mapped from recipe data files for display and editing. ASCII or binary recipe file formats are mapped from the recipe data file using R-DOM objects. Revision and authorng information is kept in a recipe information file for each recipe.

Abstract: The method for configuring the functional properties of an audiological device in the form of a hearing aid initially provides a hearing aid with an IC that can be differently configured in view of its properties, permitting configuration upgrade information to be employed that is either distributed to middlemen via a separate data carrier or transmitted on-line from a data store of the manufacturer to a programming station of the middleman. The middleman has the possibility of himself upgrading hearing aids initially present as basic hearing aids in customized fashion, the configuration information being used for this purpose and the hearing manufacturer being paid for this.

Abstract: A method of analyzing information from a boiler control system includes providing a series of status modes with each status mode represented as an input condition to be tested. A relative priority structure is established among the status modes and a unique message is associated with each status mode having an input condition that is true. Individual status modes are then tested in an order defined by the priority structure until a status mode in a true condition is found. The unique message associated with the status mode found to be true is displayed.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating an application for a control system. A control process is defined by a physical model and a topological model. An application generator utilizes the physical and topological models to generate an application for the control system.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller for use as part of an industrial control system or as part of an automated system and a corresponding method, the controller including an interface to the Internet, and including a web server allowing a remote computer to access web pages maintained by the controller providing information relevant to the control function of the controller such as control sensor readings and, optionally, information about the status of the control system. The web server is implemented as part of the controller in such a way that the controller scan rate (the rate at which the ladder logic for all associated control system devices is repeated) is unaffected by execution of the web server.