US 6,877,101 B2 · Device for controlling and/or monitoring external technical processes

Abstract

Device (1) for controlling and/or monitoring external technical processes, in particular a device for use in connection with safety-related controls. The device includes an input functionality, an output functionality and a processing functionality that can be connected with at least one higher-level unit (5) for transfer of process-influencing and/or process-monitoring signals by way of a bus system (4) to and/or from actuators (3) and/or sensors (2) connected to the device. A guaranteed response time over the bus system (4) is determined on one hand by the cycle time of the higher-level unit (5) and on the other by the signal cycle time over the bus system (4) itself. In order to provide a shorter response time than this in appropriate circumstances, the device (1) uses the processing functionality thereof to execute logical links internally. The results are available for process control and/or process monitoring after a time interval that is shorter than the guaranteed response time of the higher-level unit (5) over bus (4).

Claims13

Dependent claims

A device for at least one of controlling and monitoring an external technical process comprising:

an input functionality;
an output functionality;
a processing functionality;
and
a plurality of logical links executed exclusively by said processing functionality, results of said logical links being made available after expiration of a specific time interval determined by said device, said device being connected with at least one higher-level unit for transfer of at least one process signal by way of a bus system to and from a plurality of components connected to said device, whereby a response time is determined by a cycle time of the at least one higher-level unit and by a signal cycle time over the bus system,
wherein said results of said logical links are made available after the expiration of a time interval that is shorter than said response time and can be evaluated by said device for triggering actuators, and
wherein said at least one process signal relates to a switch-on function that is transferred from the at least one higher-level unit by way of said bus to said device and then to at least one of said components that controls and monitors the external technical process, and said logical links relate to a shut-off function that is processed exclusively by said processing functionality of said device.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for controlling and/or monitoring external technical processes

Life of this patent

Device for controlling and/or monitoring external technical processes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13