# US 2018/0024528 A1 · System for controlling remotely controlled equipment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0024528 A1 - Document ID: US20180024528A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/550,025 - Filed: 2016-01-19 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-13 - Assignees: Mhwirth AS - Applicants: Mhwirth AS - Inventors: JENS HODNE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180024528A1 ## CPC - G05B 19/409: characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters (G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence) - G05B 9/02: electric - G05B 19/0423: {Input/output} - G05B 2219/31093: Communication between sensors, actuators and gateway - G05B 2219/31105: Remote control of network controller - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A system for controlling a remotely controlled equipment. The system includes an operator station with a main operating device which is operated by an operator to provide a main operating device signal, an operator station controller, and a confirmation operating device which is operated by the operator to provide a confirmation operating device signal. An equipment controller is connected to the operator station controller. A first gate is connected to the equipment controller. The first gate enables an operation of the remotely controlled equipment. A critical action controller receives the confirmation operating device signal. A second gate is connected to the critical action controller. The second gate enables the operation of the remotely controlled equipment. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-21. (canceled) ### Claim 22 A system for controlling a remotely controlled equipment, the system comprising: an operator station comprising, a main operating device which is configured to be operated by an operator to provide a main operating device signal, an operator station controller, and a confirmation operating device which is configured to be operated by the operator to provide a confirmation operating device signal; an equipment controller which is connected to the operator station controller; a first gate which is connected to the equipment controller, the first gate being configured to enable an operation of the remotely controlled equipment; a critical action controller configured to receive the confirmation operating device signal; and a second gate which is connected to the critical action controller, the second gate being configured to enable the operation of the remotely controlled equipment. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system as recited in claim 22, further comprising: a communication channel configured to interconnect the critical action controller and the equipment controller. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The system as recited in claim 22, further comprising: a plurality of operating devices configured to be operated by the operator, wherein, the main operating device is arranged in the plurality of operating devices. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of operating devices comprise at least one of a touch panel, a joystick, a steering wheel, a multifunction wheel, and a pushbutton. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The system as recited in claim 22, wherein the confirmation operating device is a confirmation input device. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the confirmation operating device is arranged separately from the main operating device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The system as recited in claim 22, wherein the operator station (110) further comprises a confirmation indicating device. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The system as recited in claim 28, wherein the confirmation indicating device comprises an optical indicator which is configured to be observed by the operator. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The system as recited in claim 28, further comprising: a plurality of operator stations, wherein, the critical action controller is configured to be connected to the plurality of operator stations. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The system as recited in claim 30, further comprising: a plurality of equipment controllers; wherein, the critical action controller is configured to be connected to the plurality of equipment controllers. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The system as recited in claim 31, further comprising: a plurality of second gates, wherein, the critical action controller is configured to control the plurality of second gates. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The system as recited in claim 30, wherein, the equipment controller is configured to issue a request code, the request code uniquely identifies the operator station from which a request originated, and the critical action controller is further configured to receive the request code from the equipment controller. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The system as recited in claim 33, wherein the critical action controller is further configured to inform, via the confirmation indicating device, the operator of the operator station identified in the request to confirm execution of a critical action via the confirmation operating device. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The system as recited in claim 33, wherein the request code further identifies the second gate. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The system as recited in claim 35, wherein the critical action controller is further configured to open the second gate identified by the request code for a predefined time when the operator has confirmed execution via the confirmation operating device. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The system as recited in claim 36, wherein the equipment controller is further configured to open the first gate while the second gate is being kept open by the critical action controller. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The system as recited in claim 37, wherein the critical action controller is further configured to monitor a validity of the request. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The system as recited in claim 38, wherein, the confirmation operating device is further configured to provide a secondary operating device signal, and the critical action controller is further configured to monitor the secondary operating device signal. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The system as recited in claim 39, wherein the critical action controller is further configured to monitor the second gate. ### Claim 41 (depends on 22) The system as recited in claim 22, wherein the critical action controller is further configured to enter into an inoperative state if a malfunction occurs in at least one of the equipment controller, the confirmation operating device, and the second gate. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The system as recited in claim 41, wherein the critical action controller is further configured to remain in the inoperative state until it is reset by an externally provided reset signal.