Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Apptitude, Inc.

Armin Amrhein

Regina Schmitt

Martin Kiesel

Johannes Birzer

Raimund Kram

Tino Heber

Elmar Thurner

James F Torgerson

Karl Hess

Thilo Opaterny

Haig A Sarkissian

Steffen Kirste

Thomas Hennefelder

Klaus Wucherer

Dietmar Schulz

Lothar Trapp

Joseph R Maixner

Manfred Prechtl

Georg Rupprecht

Bernhard Jany

Klaus Göbel

Ulrich Göddemeier

Werner Kuske

Andrew A Koppenhaver

Russell S Dietz

The invention relates to a method for operating a computer system. The inventive method allows best possible utilization of the efficiency of a concrete target hardware by providing in a program alternative passages of which exactly one is selected for execution by the processor by means of a code.

Method for operating a computer system

The invention relates to a plug-in communication module () and a method for communicating using a plug-in communication module () to simplify the communication interfacing of assemblies and devices. A communication module () is proposed with means () for storing and executing software components () with communication functionality, with first connection means () for direct electrical and mechanical coupling to interfaces () of at least a first assembly (), with access means () for accessing local communication means () of the first assembly () and with second connection means () for electrical coupling to interfaces () of at least a second assembly (). Advantageous embodiments relate in particular to a communication module, with which at least one of the software components () is provided to execute communication tasks using Internet technologies and/or at least one of the software components () is a Web server or is provided to execute Web services.

Plug-in communication module and method for communicating using a plug-in communication module

A method for integrating a number of automation components into an industrial controller with a uniform running level model of the runtime system. The basic clock of the running level model is devised from either an internal timer, an internal clock of a communication medium, an external device or from a variable (TG) which belongs to the technological process (P, P).

Integration method for automation components

A configurable running level model of a runtime system for the control tasks of an industrial controller for cyclical machines is created in a simple manner, enabling the programming of the machine sequence to take place in a sequential program. The wait_for_condition command in this case enables a user to wait for any desired conditions and respond with higher priority in the program flow. User programs can be additionally loaded into the user levels of the running level model.

Programming of cyclical machines

Mechanisms for operating an industrial controller (S) equipped with a runtime system (RTS), in particular for production machines, which enable a user to wait in the program flow for any desired condition are provided, the program flow being immediately continued when the condition is satisfied and the program flow being stopped when the condition is not satisfied, until it is established that the condition has been satisfied, the priority of the checking for the condition being increased in comparison with the current task priority while waiting for the condition to be satisfied. When the condition has been satisfied, a defined program sequence is processed with high priority up to an explicit end, the old task priority being resumed after the explicit end of the program sequence.

Method of operating an industrial controller

The integration of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a motion control (NC) into a universal motion control (UMC) is realized by a tailored and nonetheless essentially user-configurable run-level model for processing of software tasks. This run-level model consists of types of different user levels and system levels with different priorities. In particular, one of the run levels (FA) can be configured very effectively according to user requirements. Thus, this kind of universal motion control (UMC) can be optimized by software to the particular requirements of the control task and the technical process.

Universal motion control

A runtime system of an industrial controller has a running level model which has a plurality of running levels of different types with different priority. This stratification allows for minimization of the communication between the process controller and motion controller tasks. The running level model has a hierarchical structure with various running levels such as synchronously clocked levels, a user level for system exceptions, an event-controlled user level, a time-controlled user level, a sequential user level and a cyclical user level. Other prioritizing stratifications also may be provided.

Industrial controller with clock-synchronous running level model

Growing community of inventors

Kümmersbruck, Germany

Armin Amrhein