Safety-Oriented Controller in Combination with Cloud Computing

A process in a computer executes instructions set forth in a control program for a control device for an industrial-technical process executing on a processor of the control device which, when used on the control device, causes the processor to execute an operating method, the control program comprising:

• program code for accepting, by the control device, safety-oriented input signals from the industrial-technical process in a fail-safe manner;
• program code for transferring, by the control device, the safety-oriented input signals to a Cloud using a fail-safe protocol over a link to a computer network;
• program code for receiving, by the control device, specific safety-oriented control signals from the Cloud using the fail-safe protocol for the industrial-technical process via the link to the computer network;
• program code for deciding, by the control device, based on additional information in a fail-safe manner, whether it recognizes as correct the safety-oriented control signals determined by the Cloud intended for the industrial-technical process;
• and
• program code for depending on results of the decision, one of controlling the industrial-technical process in accordance with the safety-oriented control signals in a fail-safe manner and placing the industrial-technical process into a safe state in a fail-safe manner.

A control device for an industrial-technical process, comprising:

• a processor device;
• wherein the control device is configured to:
• accept safety-oriented input signals from the industrial-technical process in a fail-safe manner;
• transfer the safety-oriented input signals to a Cloud using a fail-safe protocol over a link to a computer network;
• receive specific safety-oriented control signals from the Cloud using the fail-safe protocol for the industrial-technical process via the link to the computer network;
• decide, based on additional information in a fail-safe manner, whether it recognizes as correct the safety-oriented control signals determined by the Cloud intended for the industrial-technical process;
• and
• depending on results of the decision, one of control the industrial-technical process in accordance with the safety-oriented control signals in the fail-safe manner and place the industrial-technical process into a safe state in the fail-safe manner.