Modular industrial controller system
AssigneeSamsara Inc.
InventorsDavid Gal, Somasundara Pandian, Ye-Sheng Kuo, Kyle Kuwatani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller device may connect to one or more expansion modules for capability expansion. The controller device may be configured to automatically detect and identify connected expansions modules. The controller device may be configured to further automatically detect an order in which the expansion modules are connected. A graphical user interface may be provided including a visualization of the system configuration including the order of the expansion modules.
Claims20
An industrial controller system comprising:
- an industrial controller device comprising a plurality of communications channels configured to provide communications with an expansion module when the expansion module is attached to the industrial controller device, the plurality of communications channels including at least a first one or more communications channels and a second one or more communications channels;
- wherein the industrial controller device further comprises a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, and one or more processors configured to execute the program instructions to cause the industrial controller device to:
- provide an activation signal via the first one or more communications channels;
- request, via the second one or more communications channels, acknowledgment of receipt of the activation signal by any expansion modules in communication with to the industrial controller device;
- receive a first response signal, via the second one or more communications channels, from a first expansion module;
- and
- store a configuration order of at least the first expansion module, based at least in part on receipt of the first response signal.
A method of an industrial controller system, the method comprising:
- as implemented by an industrial controller device configured with specific program instructions,
- providing an activation signal via a first one or more communications channels of the industrial controller device;
- requesting, via a second one or more communications channels of the industrial controller device, acknowledgment of receipt of the activation signal by any expansion modules in communication with to the industrial controller device;
- receiving a first response signal, via the second one or more communications channels, from a first expansion module;
- and
- storing a configuration order of at least the first expansion module, based at least in part on receipt of the first response signal.
A method implemented by an expansion module of an industrial controller system, the method comprising:
- receiving, an activation signal via a first one or more communications channels of the expansion module;
- receiving, via a second one or more communications channels of the expansion module, a request for acknowledgment of receipt of the activation signal;
- in response to receiving both the activation signal and the request for acknowledgment of receipt of the activation signal, generating and send, via the second one or more communications channels, a response signal;
- receiving, via the second one or more communications channels, a propagation instruction;
- and
- in response to receiving the propagation instruction, providing a further activation signal via a third one or more communications channels of the expansion module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.