Schneider Automation Gmbh

Rainer H Wischinski

Richard A Baker, Jr

Alain Marbach

Charles J Klindt

A method and apparatus for a control system of an automation network. The control system comprises an automation device operably connected to the network. Also operably connected to the control system is a network device for storing an application program for controlling the automation device. A message request for the application program is transmitted from the automation device to the network device. A customized application program is selected in response to the message request and transmitted to the automation device. The application program is installed in the automation device and executed.

Method and apparatus for programming an automation device

A method and apparatus for a notification system for an automation network. The notification system comprises a sensor for monitoring a network device operably connected to the automation network. An intelligent automation device having an object is responsive to the sensor, wherein the intelligent automation device transmits the object to a receiving device for displaying the object to an operator for requesting human intervention with the automation network.

Method and system for transmitting and activating an application requesting human intervention in an automation network

A system for providing technical support for remote automation or remote control devices, the system including: a device identifier (), for determining components of pre-determined automation or control devices, such as for example programmable logic controllers, indicated in a device database (), by periodically querying the devices for component hardware, software, and firmware, and for providing thereby the device database () with component identifications for the predetermined devices; and a device configuration manager (), responsive to the component identifications and further responsive to available device components in a database () of available device components, for comparing the installed and available device components and for providing an offer to upgrade installed device components; and also typically including a system diagnostics manager (), responsive to the component identifications, and further responsive to diagnostics information in a diagnostics database (), for providing device status queries, and for updating the diagnostics database ().

System for remote configuration monitoring of an industrial control system

A system for providing remote configuration management for an industrial control system (ICS) over a wide area network (such as the Internet), including keeping track of each application used by each device of the ICS, the system including: a configuration database, for keeping track of past and present configurations (which devices are or were in use by the ICS in each configuration); a remote sensing module, for determining information about the ICS devices and about applications used by the ICS devices; a configuration manager, for providing over the wide area network a restored copy of an application used by an ICS device; and utilities for enabling communication over a wide area network. The system optionally includes a billing manager that receives from the configuration manager information about each service performed by the configuration manager.

System for remote management of applications of an industrial control system

A system and corresponding method for communicating non-I/O data between components of an industrial control system (ICS) including control or automation devices and a programmable logic controller. The method includes the steps of: having one of the components, such as a control or automation device, transmit the non-I/O data formatted as a message frame in the same way as a I/O data is formatted as a message frame, including having a message type identifier to identify that the message frame bears non-I/O data; and having another of the components, such as the programmable logic controller, receive the encapsulated non-I/O data as a message frame, wherein the receiving component identifies the non-I/O data based on the message type identifier conveyed with the message frame and extracts the non-I/O data from the message frame. The transmitting component transmits the non-I/O data over a field bus such as a PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, DEVICENET, CAN, or CAN OPEN types of field bus. The message type identifier can also indicate either the sender or both the sender and the intended recipient. The components of the ICS that communicate non I/O data each include a translator module to encapsulate and de-encapsulate the non-I/O data from (virtual I/O) message frames, based on the message identifier pre-determined to correspond to the non-I/O message data.

Growing community of inventors

Sandown, NH, United States of America

Rainer H Wischinski