Siemens Industry, Inc.

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Steven Michael Hausman

Temple Luke Fulton

Mark Steven Boggs

William H Johnson

Alan D McNutt

Steven Perry Parfitt

William Keith Bryant

John David Jones

A fail-safe counter evaluator is provided to insure proper counting operations by fail-safe counters. The failsafe counter evaluator comprises a first microprocessor, a first counter, a second counter, a second microprocessor and a test channel. The first counter is configured as a counter in operation and disposed in the first microprocessor to receive externally generated count pulses. The second counter is disposed in the first microprocessor and configured to undergo a test. The test channel is configured to send an input test signal to the second counter based on test pulses from the second microprocessor. The first microprocessor and the second microprocessor are synchronized so that to coordinate a start and an end of the test. The second counter is evaluated after the test pulses have been sent to determine if the second counter is operating properly.

Fail-safe counter evaluator to insure proper counting by a counter

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC). The system can comprise a serial communications port connected to the PLC. In certain exemplary embodiments, the system can comprise a controller adapted to enable a customer application program to access and control the serial communications port.

Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing communications

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method for utilizing a memory cartridge connected to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The memory cartridge can comprise a plurality of memory segments. The method can comprise a plurality of activities comprising: providing a default identifying stamp for records in a data log file, a structure for the data log file stored separately from the data log file in the memory cartridge, and obtaining a request to provide the data log file.

Method for utilizing a memory device for a programmable logic controller (PLC)

Method regarding a memory device for a programmable logic controller (PLC)

Method regarding a data log related to a programmable logic controller (PLC)

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a programmable cable further comprising a first end connectable to a PLC and a second end connectable to a network communications device, the network communications device further couplable to a user interface device. The programmable cable can be adapted to store a plurality of configuration parameters in an operative embodiment, the programmable cable can be adapted to automatically configure the network communications device by communicating at least one of a plurality of configuration parameters to the network communications device comprising a pin number. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Device, system, and method for the automatic configuration of a network communications device

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising a plurality of activities comprising: at a programmable logic controller comprising a memory device, receiving a request to create a data log that is adapted to receive data from a process; initializing the data log by writing to the data log a head marker code in the record type field of a first record and an invalid code in the record type field of a last record of the data log, the last record logically preceding and logically adjacent to the first record.

Methods and structures for utilizing a memory device for a PLC

Method of maintaining a data log related to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising formatting a message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller, and transmitting the formatted message from the first modem via a communications network. At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a means for formatting a message at a modem integral to a programmable logic controller, and means for transmitting the formatted message from the modem via a communications network. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Numeric and text paging with an integral PLC modem

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method for utilizing a memory cartridge connected to a PLC, the memory cartridge comprising a plurality of memory segments. The method can comprise a plurality of activities comprising: providing the memory cartridge, the memory cartridge housing a memory module, and providing to the memory cartridge a project file. The project file can comprise a user program, a recipe comprising a plurality of input values, each input value from the plurality of input values corresponding to a process variable, and a structure of a data log file stored separately from the data log file.

At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller, and a second modem integral to a second programmable logic controller, the first modem adapted to communicate with the second modem via a communications network. At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising coupling a first modem to a second modem, the first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller, the second modem connected to a second programmable logic controller, and transferring data between the first modem and the second modem. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

PLC to PLC communications with a modem on the PLC I/O bus

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method for acceptance testing a fieldbus component configuration program. The method can comprise providing simulated input information to the fieldbus component configuration program. The method can further comprise comparing outputs from the fieldbus component configuration program to predetermined outputs. In certain exemplary embodiments, the method can comprise determining if the fieldbus component configuration program output is faulty.

Systems, devices, and methods for acceptance testing a fieldbus component configuration program

A serial access, electrically erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) is used to store user program and data and is disposed in a memory cartridge. The memory cartridge cooperates a base or master Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and may be used to download a program into one or more master PLC's, or to upload a program from a master PLC to memory cartridge. Each PLC may include at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal for receiving and transmitting signals, at least one microprocessor, at least one memory device, and a connector for accessing the at least one memory device.

Growing community of inventors

Johnson City, TN, United States of America

Steven Michael Hausman