Abstract: In one aspect, a method for identifying faults in a network that has generated a plurality of fault alarms is provided. A plurality of object/alarm pairs are generated and an identification vector is assigned to each pair. The pairs are processed based on a set of rules to generate for each pair an alarm propagation vector that identifies that pair together with any other pairs from the plurality of pairs. The alarm propagation vectors are processed to determine which pairs have alarm propagation vectors that are not sub vectors of any of the alarm propagation vectors of the other pairs. Any pairs thus determined are identified as being linked to potential root causes of network problems.

Abstract: A system for preventative maintenance of a ride or an attraction component at a venue. A validator establishes the identity of the ride or attraction component and a controller monitors the use of the ride or attraction component. The controller also manages the ride or attraction component's availability for patron usage and transmits this information to a system control panel. A blocking device controlled by the panel prevents patron usage of a ride or attraction component that is in non-compliance with pre-established operating standards.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed for control operations in underground mining, especially for controllers to control support shields. The controller utilizes a central unit with a microprocessor and assigned, programmable memory devices for the storage and processing of software as well as a connector unit with connectors or circuits for communication between the controller and other controllers and/or actuators, sensors or the like, that are to be controlled with the controller. Both the central unit and the connector unit utilize a modular design. A collection of modules with different performances and/or functionalities are provided for both the central unit and the connector unit to form the hardware of a controller. The modules can be combined with one another and coupled together according to a modular concept.

Abstract: A display for on-site visualization of conditions of an automated process is disclosed. It comprises a display controller which at least temporarily provides a state indication signal representing a constellation of states of at least two process data signals. At least one of the two process data signals is derived from a signal generated externally to the field device. The field device has a display element which responds to a change in the state indication signal with a significant change in its appearance, thus signaling the constellation of the states of the two process data signals in a visually perceptible manner. Therefore, the field device is particularly suited for on-site monitoring of entire plants or sections thereof by operating personnel.

Abstract: A care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is provided.

Abstract: A transactional data communications system and method communicates information within an enterprise having a process control system and a plurality of information technology systems that are communicatively coupled to the process control system via a web services interface and a transactional information server. The system and method generates transactional process control information and formats the transactional process control information based on an extensible markup language input schema to form formatted transactional process control information. The system and method sends the formatted transactional process control information to the transactional information server via the web services interface and maps the formatted transactional process control information to an extensible markup language output schema associated with one of the plurality of information technology systems to form mapped transactional process control information.

Abstract: A digital protection and control (P & C) device for a power distribution network, which comprises a computerized control unit comprising a microprocessor. The P & C device, according to the present invention, further comprises an external computerized palmtop computerized device, including a human-machine interface (HMI), which comprises a software communication platform. This software communication platform is aimed at exchanging, by means of a predefined communication channel, data/information related to the software configuration of the HMI and data/information related to the operating status of the P & C device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of operation and a control program for a central unit (e.g., CPU) in an automation system repeatedly executing a control program that is stored in the central unit and comprises at least two subprograms. A single instance of execution occurs within a cycle time which is stipulated by the control program. The central unit executes only one of the subprograms—the activated subprogram—at a time. The cycle time is independent of the activated subprogram, is shorter than the time required in order to execute all of the subprograms, and is at least as long as the longest time period required in order to execute one of the subprograms once.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate in part to intuitive methods for creation and design of lighting sequences, e.g., for theatrical, entertainment, or advertising purposes, using a software interface. Additionally, the lighting sequences can be coordinated with control of additional devices. Also described herein is a controller capable of executing programs for lighting sequences and modifying the output and/or execution of the program based on external signals. In this way, the final output can be made responsive to external stimuli, or even interactive.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for real-time monitoring and control of field assets. A monitoring device may be coupled to a field asset to determine the occurrence of one or more error conditions. Error conditions may be detected either as they occur or by testing the field asset at timed intervals. Upon detection of one or more error conditions, the monitoring device may initiate one or more corrective sequences to resolve the error condition. Alternatively, the monitoring device may notify a network operations center of the detected error condition. Users may access the network operations center via an Internet-enabled remote device. From the Internet-enabled remote device, the user may view status information concerning one or more field assets. The user may also use the Internet-enabled remote device to instruct the network operations center to issue commands to be executed by the monitoring device such that the error conditions on the field asset may be corrected.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying active and standby states of plural routers within a virtual router in a network is provided. The health of a virtual router represents whether the routers of the virtual router are configured for their appropriate active and standby states. For example, first information from a first and second router of a virtual router is obtained. The first information is used to determine the active and standby states within the virtual router. A topology of the network is produced identifying the active and standby states.

Abstract: A home control and automation system and method. The system generally includes one or more wireless remote controls, a plurality of appliances (including network enabled appliances and traditional legacy appliances in the exemplary system), associated control centric devices, and associated content centric devices. Various methods for control and operation of appliances in the networked home control and automation environment are disclosed. Specifically, methods are disclosed which enable advanced home control features such as location based control setup and operation, network enabled legacy appliances and system integration, save and recall capabilities for appliance and media states, generic command based appliance controls, dynamic/complex macro command generation, and Internet based control capabilities from remote locations are disclosed in conjunction with the system of the current invention.

Abstract: An independent radio frequency programming device automates a setup process for a lighting system with lighting control devices and master controls. The programming device intercepts communications between the lighting control devices and the master control during an initial setup phase. A start function permits the programming device to provide automated setup information to the master controls. Once the automated setup process completes, the lighting system is fully programmed with behavior functions for all lighting control devices.

Abstract: A system for automation, monitoring and measurement acquisition for technical processes, having measurement and control units (2, 14, 15, 16) that are connected to sensors and actuators of the processes (1, 8, 9, 10) via measurement and control lines (3, 11, 12, 13), having a system distributed in a data network (4), in which system automation modules (44, 45, 46) are combined into automation units (39, 31, 32, 18, 19) and automation units are combined into automation groups (99), and having a higher-level information plane (22) whose information programs (23 to 27) have reading access to the automation units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated audit recording and tracking of PLC-based interactions. A recording component is provided that interacts with an application that can change or alter one or more characteristics of PLC operations. The recording component can be client-based on the same or associated platform as the application or can be embedded within a control system component. When interactions have been recorded, a tracking component aggregates such interactions in a file or record stored in a local or remote database, wherein audit reports that document control interactions or changes can automatically be generated from such files. Recorded interactions can be stored in a substantially real time manner and include records of all interactions with a control system as opposed to merely saving a final program or resultant image of such interactions, thus facilitating a more controlled and secure auditing environment.

Abstract: A centralized diagnostics management tool is disclosed that facilitates centralized monitoring of distributed components of a supervisory process control and manufacturing information application. The centralized diagnostics management tool includes a diagnostics management console shell that is customized according to a set of software modules that interface to data sources to populate views supported by the console shell. The console shell includes a set of view templates including controls for manipulating graphically displayed representations of data rendered by the distributed components. The console shell also includes an interface for exchanging requests and data with an extensible set of software modules that provide data links to ones of the set of distributed components. The software modules also define the customizable portions of the view rendered by the console shell.

Abstract: A care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is provided.

Abstract: An adaptive train model (ATM) for predicting train consist reactions to specific stimuli using a system including at least one measurement sensor located on the train consist, a data base, and a computer. The ATM collects sensor data as the consist is moving, determines a consist force balance utilizing the sensor data and the computer, determines a set of consist coefficients using the computer, and predicts train consist kinetic characteristic values using the consist force balance and the set of consist coefficients.

Abstract: A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

Abstract: A building control system, such as an HVAC system, has a field unit incorporating a control panel (a field panel) with a local user interface allowing user selected parameters for collecting trend information when the system detects a change of value for a point in the system or a timed instruction in the memory of the field panel to begin collecting trend data for a point. The resulting trend data collected by the field panel can be uploaded to a workstation in the building control system, where the trend data can be formatted into a report, and then digitally authenticated.

Abstract: A care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is provided.

Abstract: A network master (M) having charge of an operation of a main device (L) and one or more network slaves (S1 to S3) each having charge of a safety determining device (A to C) for determining safety which is an operating permission condition of the main device (L) are connected on the network. Each network slave comprises means for selectively performing a first operation for transmitting information including data for maintenance of the safety determining device or both determination output of the safety determining device and data for maintenance of the safety determining device, to the network master and a second operation for transmitting information including the determination output of the safety determining device but not including the data for maintenance of the safety determining device at all or hardly including it to the network master.

Abstract: A care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is provided.

Abstract: A control system including control devices with each control device including a control unit and a display device connected with the control unit via a dedicated communication line and being capable of display corresponding to a control state of the control unit. The display device includes a communication port connected with a control unit and a communication port connected with a data processing device, and a data processing section. Further, the data transmission method includes a dedicated protocol communication transmitting data with a processing device and a common protocol communication transmitting data with another processing device. In addition, the control-host computer used in the control system includes a control unit controlling a control target and a display device.

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: A care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is provided.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical hazardous waste identification and management system integrates disparate information regarding pharmaceuticals to provide an indication of which pharmaceuticals are hazardous wastes as defined by respective national, international and state regulations and/or which are hazardous materials as defined by the US OSHA regulations. A subset of this information offers a global repository with respect to the occurrence, concentrations, and ecotoxicologic data of pharmaceuticals based on peer reviewed data provided by environmental toxicologists and related scientists.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of material storage levels for dry bulk goods, wherein an independent entity, such as a transportation carrier, can continuously monitor raw material supply levels at a remote manufacturing plant, and, based on projected usage rates, place timely orders on behalf of the plant, with preselected vendors, to replenish depleted raw materials. The transportation carrier can then coordinate material shipments from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. In this manner, the task of maintaining sufficient on site raw material storage levels is completely removed form the manufacturing plant.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a multi-vendor supported device. The technique includes receiving, at a centralized facility, an activation key sent from a first location and configured to activate an option of an in-field device located in a second location, and sending the activation key and a verification script, from the centralized facility, to the in-field device at the second location. The technique also includes receiving, at the centralized facility, a report generated by the verification script and, if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device to activate the option and, if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.

Abstract: An improved home automation system that permits the user of the system to remotely control the operation of various devices including garage doors and powered entry gates. The system is packaged in a manner that “walks” the user through the initialization process to thereby reduce or eliminate errors associated with the initialization and set-up of the system. Furthermore, the configuration permits the user to initialize the system without the use of tools, such as screwdrivers. The system is configured with improved functionality that permits the user to readily control individual devices and/or selected groups of devices with a powerful hand-held universal remote transmitter.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for accessing, monitoring, and controlling home appliances in a media exchange network by establishing a communication link between a communication initiation device and at least one home appliance and communicating at least one command from the communication initiation device to the at least one home appliance via the communication link. The at least one home appliance then generates at least one response to the at least one command. The commands may include turning the home appliance(s) on and off, parameter adjustment commands, access commands, monitoring commands, mode change commands, and programming commands. Appliance responses may include powering on, powering off, changing a mode of operation, sending a status to the communication initiation device, adjusting an operational parameter, and changing a programmed operational step.

Abstract: A system for controlling a complex process in which a supervisory sequential controller interface provides automatic sequencing of a plurality of sequential steps of a procedure for operating the complex process, and a display in dynamic communication with the supervisory sequential controller interface and responsive thereto, displays an overview of the status of progression through the sequential steps relative to the entire process. The display provides a global view of the status of the procedure identifying the state of substantially each criterion that needs to be satisfied to advance to the next sequential step and providing verification that substantially each command to be given upon satisfaction of the criterion, has been executed.

Abstract: A system is described for the diagnosis and/or for the parameterization of devices forming sensors, actuators or controls and connected to a bus system, with device parameters being able to be read out of the device and/or being able to be transmitted into the device and well as device parameters read out and/or to be transmitted being able to be displayed visually by a display unit using said system. The system includes a communication engine for the communication, i.e. for the reading out and/or transmission of device parameters, of the system with the device and a visualization engine separate from the communication engine for the visualization of the device parameters by the display unit. The communication engine and the visualization engine are connected to one another via device-independent interfaces for the exchange of data. Furthermore, the communication engine is made independently of the display unit used.

Abstract: An improved home automation system that permits the user of the system to remotely control the operation of various devices. The system is packaged in a manner that “walks” the user through the initialization process to thereby reduce or eliminate errors associated with the initialization and set-up of the system. Furthermore, the configuration permits the user to initialize the system without the use of tools, such as screwdrivers. The system is configured with improved functionality that permits the user to readily control individual devices and/or selected groups of devices with a powerful hand-held remote transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a software-based computing environment that uses data communication systems or networks, including the Internet and World Wide Web technologies, to implement a dosage calculator, which assists the clinician in managing patients receiving intrathecal therapy. The invention provides for a communications environment for clinicians, pharmacists, drug pump manufactures, and patients to assess the information supplied by an implantable drug pump, and to integrate data from other data sources in order to provide optimization of the life of the drug pump and the therapeutic substance formulations for the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein a consumable item parameter is exchanged between a consumable item and a consuming device. According to one embodiment, a consumable item parameter request is transmitted to a device associated with a consumable item, and the consumable item parameter is then received. The device may comprise, for example, the consumable item or a device associated with dispensing the consumable item. The device may also comprise, for example, a device associated with a consumption of the consumable item, a device adapted to control a consumption of the consumable item, or a device that consumes the consumable item.

Abstract: A computerized machine control (CMC) diagnostic system communicates with a computerized machine controller that utilizes a control program to control the operation of a machine through the use of a plurality of digital channels. In general terms, the system includes a data acquisition component, a data storage component and a viewing component. The data acquisition component queries and acquires time-based transition data about the plurality of digital channels. The data storage component stores the acquired transition data in order to establish an historical pattern of the transition data that can be compared to currently acquired transition data. The historical pattern of transition data is established independently of the control program. Upon comparison of the current transition data to the expected, historical pattern of transition data, a determination about the operational status of the machine being controlled can be made. The operational status can then be displayed on the viewing component.

Abstract: A process module for a processing station (18) for performing a predetermined function. The module comprises a controller (60) associated with a program control unit (76; 76?) to which a program for controlling the process module is supplied. The controller (60) comprises a program data administrator unit (74) which co-ordinates the transfer of the program associated with the process module (30) out of a program data memory (72, 72?, 72?) into the program control unit (76, 76?). The invention also relates to a processing station with at least one such process module (30) for performing a predetermined function, as well as a method for starting up such a processing station.

Abstract: A hot water supply system operated by linking plural water heaters. A system controller is provided in every specific number of water heaters for centralizing controls thereof. A host system controller is further provided in every specific number of the system controllers for centralizing controls thereof, and finally the controls are centralized in one highest system controller. In this configuration, therefore, the highest system controller controls the operation of individual water heaters by way of the lower system controllers.

Abstract: The invention comprises a modem apparatus adapted to provide full messaging and communications interface between a control device and a communications medium such as a telephone line. The modem can comprise an interface adapted to communicate directly with a control system device, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), using a communications protocol compatible with the normal network communications used in a distributed control system. The apparatus advantageously interfaces directly with unmodified control system devices, providing the ability to send and receive messages from remote devices or personnel via a communications medium. The invention also comprises a control system including a modem device providing full communications between a control device and remote personnel and/or devices.

Abstract: A control system for a plastics processing machine with at least one central processing unit with a real-time operating system is described. The central processing unit is connected to a plurality of actuators and/or sensors via a bus system, with at least one actuator and/or sensor directed to a rapidly fluctuating variable with a high-resolution. The first central processing unit can be released of overly burdensome control and communication tasks by using a first pre-processing unit which performs signal pre-processing for several sensors and/or actuators and by using a second pre-processing unit, which relieves the central processing unit directly of the bus communication.

Abstract: A device for monitoring service data for controlling traffic engineering modules (11, 12) and delivered by management modules (7) of a communications network. The device comprises i) a memory (9) for storing rules each defined by at least one condition representative of an event in the network associated with one of the traffic engineering modules (11, 12) and at least one action representative of at least one command to be executed by the associated module and ii) monitoring means (3) adapted, on receiving service data designating an event, to extract from the memory (9) at least one of the rules corresponding to the event and to deliver each command representative of the action associated with the condition representative of the event to the traffic engineering module (11, 12) associated with that event in the extracted rule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods to port controller state and context via non-volatile portable memory to controllers employing an open operating system. The present invention provides for saving a controller's state and context, for example after the controller has been suitably configured. The saved image can then be employed for subsequent controller startups to resume a particular state and context, utilized during maintenance to return a controller to a previously saved state and context, and employed to efficiently configure similar controllers via porting and/or loading the saved image to the similar controllers, which mitigates manual controller configuration. The present invention can be employed in connection with various industrial controller designs, memory configurations, and data transfer techniques. In addition, the present invention provides for serial and/or concurrent state and context transfers between controllers and memory devices.

Abstract: An initialization-allowing communication system is constituted with devices 70 and 80, a controller 400 for controlling the devices 70 and 80 through communication, and so on. Each device and the controller 400 are provided with communication means 31, a house code showing a setting place, a subsystem ID showing the ID of a subsystem in a set system, a device ID showing the type of device, and self-address setting-holding means 11 for holding a self-address constituted with a device number showing a device number and the controller 400 is further provided with system structure holding means 301 for holding the information concerned with the system structure to be controlled and a communication-counterpart-address setting-holding means 401 for setting and holding the address of a counterpart to be communication-controlled obtained from the information concerned with the system structure.

Abstract: A device for automating and/or controlling machine tools or production machines is described. The device includes at least one computer which is located remote from a machine. The computer operates like a handheld controller and is connected via at least one bus system, which can be wired or wireless, with each machine for unidirectionally or bidirectionally transmitting data and control signals. All control functions of the machine are integrated in the remote controller. This device can automate and/or control machine tools and production machines in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for conflict resolution among a plurality of controllers. The method includes receiving a first control instruction from a first process controller to process a workpiece, receiving a second control instruction from a second process controller to process the workpiece and adjusting at least one of the first control instruction and the second control instruction to process the workpiece to achieve a desired process goal.

Abstract: A remote control system is constructed from a simple device configuration in which a device like a relay is not used. A higher degree of flexibility is provided to types of devices to be controlled which can be remotely controlled, and a control device which performs remote control. ABILITY information indicating the ability of an input operation function of the control device is transmitted from the control device to the device to be controlled. The device to be controlled creates conversion-into-remote-controller data on the basis of this ability information and transmits the data to the control device. Then, the control device creates a GUI by using the received conversion-into-remote-controller data. As a result, an electronic device serving as a control device can function as a remote controller which remotely controls a specific device to be controlled.

Abstract: A method for the synchronous control of several manipulators, such as several industrial robots, is characterized in that control units of specific manipulators exchange control information according to the data structures contained in a corresponding control program, through which control units to be synchronized and synchronization points in the control programs taking place there can be clearly identified, and in that on reaching and synchronization points the program sequence in the control units to be synchronized is continued according to the contents of the data structures in conjunction with the already exchanged control information or stopped until corresponding information arrives from other control units to be synchronized.

Abstract: A device for use in a process control system includes a first pair of electrical connections configured to couple to a two-wire process control loop. The loop includes a two-wire process variable transmitter. A second pair of electrical connections is configured to couple to an input channel of a process device having multiple input channels. An electrical component is connected in series in the loop for use in digital communication with the two-wire process variable transmitter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle (9) for a machine tool, having a housing (12) to accommodate an electric motor (11) and a shaft (13) driven by the latter and having a tool holder for a tool (10) for machining workpieces, at least one data acquisition element (2) being provided to record operating and/or state data of the spindle (9), and at least one spindle-integrated data storage element (1) being provided to store the recorded data from the data acquisition element (2).