Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Steven A Zuponcic

Kenwood H Hall

Douglas J Reichard

Robert J Kretschmann

Christopher E Stanek

Gregg M Sichner

Mark A Flood

Anthony Gerard Gibart

Scott A Pierce

Terence Scott Tenorio

Mark S Ruetty

James Harry Jarrett

Bret S Hildebran

Peter M Delic

Robert Guenther

DuWayne D Mulhall

Anthony J Cachat

Gregory J Svetina

Keith M Hogan

Richard O Ruggeri

Bruce A Christensen

Diane N Ritchie

Charmaine J Van Minnen

David A Pasela

Unni M Heineking

Holly E Johnson

Jason M Lee

Kim L Skippers

John J Kolat, Jr

Andreas P Frischknecht

Mark Chaffee

Eric C Decker

Harsh Shah

An industrial controller module () is provided with a routine of program instructions () for storing a log of I/O table state changes () in a defined portion of memory (). Upon the occurrence of a trigger event, a file of the state changes () is saved in the memory (). Each entry () in the log of I/O table state changes () includes a timestamp () and values of each word of I/O state data () that changed at a time of the timestamp. Logs of state change data (), including timestamp data can also be saved for intelligent sensors and actuators () and uploaded with the log of controller processor state data () to a computer () with a diagnostic program () for playing back the state changes and synchronizing changes of the intelligent sensors and actuators () with changes of the controller processor module ().

Capturing data during operation of an industrial controller for the debugging of control programs

A system for troubleshooting control programs employs an event log that captures the values of inputs to outputs from the control program only at event times determined by changes in input or output data. The program allows the event log to be reviewed in jumps to only events which cause a change in output value of an instruction or particular change in output value of a particular instruction, greatly simplifying the troubleshooting process. The event log records a particular instruction instance associated with the event permitting the operation of the program to be studied in reverse order. The event log may also record a timestamp of the event allowing time stamped data from different devices to be synchronized with the review of the events.

Troubleshooting system for industrial control programs

An industrial controller module () is provided with a routine of program instructions () for storing a log of I/O table state changes () in a defined portion of memory (). Upon the occurrence of a trigger event, a file of the state changes () is saved in the memory (). Each entry () in the log of I/O table state changes () includes a timestamp () and values of each word of I/O state data () that changed at a time of the timestamp. Logs of state change data (), including timestamp data, can also be saved for intelligent sensors and actuators () and uploaded with the log of controller processor state data () to a computer () with a diagnostic program () for playing back the state changes and synchronizing changes of the intelligent sensors and actuators () with changes of the controller processor module ().

Systems and methods are disclosed for time synchronization of operations in a control system. Synchronization networks and devices are provided for transferring synchronization information between controllers in a distributed or localized control system, which is employed in order to allow operation of such controllers to be synchronized with respect to time. Also disclosed are synchronization protocols and hardware apparatus employed in synchronizing control operations in a control system.

Protocol and method for multi-chassis configurable time synchronization

A controller configuration system and user interface therefor are disclosed for creating and editing controller function block diagrams for use in control systems. The interface provides feedback loop identification features, wire connection cross-referencing and hyperlinks, wire connector name matching, pin datatype visualization, correct wiring indication and wiring error indications, and intelligent deletion and restoration features. In addition, the interface provides block morphing, free-form text boxes, error navigation, error indication, and block execution status information.

User interface and system for creating function block diagrams

Growing community of inventors

Solon, OH, United States of America

Steven A Zuponcic