Process control system

A method for controlling a facility that includes a station arrangement, the station arrangement including at least one workstation that is automated at least in part, and a vehicle arrangement comprising at least one transport vehicle that is automated at least in part and is intended for transporting goods to be conveyed to, in, and/or from the station arrangement, the method comprising:

• providing at least one of communication or synchronization between at least one of:
• a processing means and a fleet means,
• the processing means and a work means arrangement, or
• the fleet means and the work means arrangement,
• wherein:
• the processing means is configured for at least one of planning, execution, or observation of processes of the station arrangement,
• the fleet means is configured for at least one of planning, execution, or observation of movements of the vehicle arrangement, and
• the work means arrangement includes at least one work means configured for communication with at least one workstation of the station arrangement;
• and
• communicating, by the fleet means, with the vehicle arrangement via at least one fleet manager;
• wherein the fleet means is configured to at least one of:
• communicate with at least one transport vehicle of the vehicle arrangement alternatively via a selected one of several designated fleet managers, or
• communicate with at least one first transport vehicle of the vehicle arrangement via a first fleet manager and with at least one second transport vehicle of the vehicle arrangement via a further fleet manager.

A computer program product for controlling a facility having at having a station arrangement including at least one workstation that is automated, at least in part, and a vehicle arrangement including at least one transport vehicle that is automated, at least in part, and is intended for transporting goods to be conveyed to, in, and/or from the station arrangement, the computer program product having program code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to:

• provide at least one of communication or synchronization between at least one of:
• a processing means and a fleet means,
• the processing means and a work means arrangement, or
• the fleet means and the work means arrangement;
• wherein:
• the processing means is configured for at least one of planning, execution, or observation of processes of the station arrangement,
• the fleet means is configured for at least one of planning, execution, or observation of movements of the vehicle arrangement, and
• the work means arrangement includes at least one work means configured for communication with at least one workstation of the station arrangement;
• and
• communicate, by the fleet means, with the vehicle arrangement via at least one fleet manager;
• wherein the fleet means is configured to at least one of:
• communicate with at least one transport vehicle of the vehicle arrangement alternatively via a selected one of several designated fleet managers, or
• communicate with at least one first transport vehicle of the vehicle arrangement via a first fleet manager and with at least one second transport vehicle of the vehicle arrangement via a further fleet manager.

A process controller for a facility having a station arrangement including at least one workstation that is automated, at least in part, and a vehicle arrangement including at least one transport vehicle that is automated, at least in part, and is intended for transporting goods to be conveyed to, in, and/or from the station arrangement, the process controller comprising:

• a processing means for at least one of planning, executing, or observing processes of the station arrangement;
• a fleet means for at least one of planning, executing, or observing movements of the vehicle arrangement;
• and
• a work means arrangement comprising at least one work means for communication with at least one workstation of the station arrangement;
• wherein the processing means and the fleet means are configured for at least one of communication or synchronization with one another.

A process controller for a facility having a station arrangement including at least one workstation that is automated, at least in part, and a vehicle arrangement including at least one transport vehicle that is automated, at least in part, and is intended for transporting goods to be conveyed to, in, and/or from the station arrangement, the process controller comprising:

• a processing means for at least one of planning, executing, or observing processes of the station arrangement;
• a fleet means for at least one of planning, executing, or observing movements of the vehicle arrangement;
• and
• a work means arrangement comprising at least one work means for communication with at least one workstation of the station arrangement;
• wherein at least one of:
• the processing means and fleet means,
• the processing means and work means arrangement, or
• the fleet means and work means arrangement,
• are configured for communication with one another on the basis of a service-oriented protocol, in particular an OPC protocol, an OPC-UA protocol or an OPC-UA-like protocol.