The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 12, 1996
Mark A Flood, Mayfield Heights, OH (US);
Bradley J Bittorf, Novelty, OH (US);
William B Cook, Northfield Center, OH (US);
D Alan Graham, Mentor, OH (US);
Robert D Law, Independence, OH (US);
David E Mohnke, Willoughby, OH (US);
Robert R Sepsi, Richmond Heights, OH (US);
Jack F Toma, Willoughby Hills, OH (US);
Allen-Bradley Company, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
The present invention constitutes a data crossloading system for use with a programmable controller system having primary and secondary (or 'back-up') systems each of which have redundant hardware components and have data structures associated with these components. The present invention further relates to the interconnection of the hardware components and to the processes for providing redundant data structures which enable a secondary or back-up system to rapidly and effectively assume control when a malfunction occurs in a primary control system. Both systems are connected via the same remote data links to common I/O racks which interface to sensing and output devices on the equipment being controlled. Data structure information in the primary system is specially crossloaded to the secondary system so that when a malfunction occurs that shuts down the primary system, the secondary system can begin execution of the same control programs and input and output the same data to the same I/O racks based on up to date data from the primary system. The crossloading of the data is accomplished through the use of special backup modules in both the primary and secondary (backup) control systems connected by a high speed communications link. Communications take place through the use of program utilities which establish a tightly coupled communications network between the primary and secondary systems. Additionally, on-line editing is enabled in stages so that when either control system can not properly execute the edit it is rejected. This system insures that edits can not take place in the primary system without being concurrently implemented in the secondary system.