A controller includes: a communication port and a connection port that allow communication with another controller; and a hardware processor coupled to the ports. The hardware processor is configured to: transmit a first state signal indicating a state of the controller of an own device to the other controller from each port; receive a second state signal indicating a state of the other controller from the other controller via each of the ports; and switch, when the own device is in a standby state, the own device from the standby state to an operating state, when a breakdown of the other controller indicated by the received second state signal and an unreceived state in which the second state signal is not received for a predetermined time or more from both the communication and connection ports are monitored and at least one of the breakdown and the unreceived state is detected.

Over the past several decades, rapid advances in semiconductors, automation, and control systems have resulted in the adoption of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in an immense variety of environments. Machine learning techniques help train replacement PLCs when a legacy PLC must be replaced, e.g., due to aging or failure. The techniques facilitate the efficient adoption and correct operation of replacement PLCs in the industrial environment.

A technique is desired that can output a warning to a user before a buffer of a controller runs out of a free space. A control apparatus includes a buffer for buffering log data sequentially generated, an interface unit connectable with an external storage device, a writing unit for sequentially reading the log data buffered to the buffer and sequentially writing the log data to the external storage device while the external storage device is connected to the interface unit, a monitoring unit for monitoring a free space of the buffer, and a warning unit for outputting a warning upon the free space falling below a prescribed value.

A technique is desired that can output a warning to a user before a buffer of a controller runs out of a free space. A control apparatus includes a buffer for buffering log data sequentially generated, an interface unit connectable with an external storage device, a writing unit for sequentially reading the log data buffered to the buffer and sequentially writing the log data to the external storage device while the external storage device is connected to the interface unit, a monitoring unit for monitoring a free space of the buffer, and a warning unit for outputting a warning upon the free space falling below a prescribed value.

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a receiver, a processor and a transmitter. The receiver receives a reception signal including a value indicating a physical quantity related to operation of a control target object at a communication destination. The processor determines a state of wireless communication between the electronic apparatus and the communication destination. The processor calculates a target value for instructing operation of the control target object. The processor generates a transmission signal including a value obtained by modifying the target value. The transmitter transmits the transmission signal to the control target object.

A system for preventing unauthorized access to a network can include a secure container having an access portal for controlling access to contents of the secure container and a security checkpoint configured to determine a state of the access portal and to receive an authorization code for opening the access portal. The security checkpoint can also include a logical lock module that switches to a breach mode of operation in response to a signal from the security checkpoint indicating that the access portal has been opened without receipt of the authorization code within a predetermined amount of time. The system can also include a network switch disposed within the secure container. The network switch is configured to communicate on a network and disable outgoing network communications to the network in response to a breach signal indicating that the logical lock module has switched to the breach mode.

A system for preventing unauthorized access to a network can include a secure container having an access portal for controlling access to contents of the secure container and a security checkpoint configured to determine a state of the access portal and to receive an authorization code for opening the access portal. The security checkpoint can also include a logical lock module that switches to a breach mode of operation in response to a signal from the security checkpoint indicating that the access portal has been opened without receipt of the authorization code within a predetermined amount of time. The system can also include a network switch disposed within the secure container. The network switch is configured to communicate on a network and disable outgoing network communications to the network in response to a breach signal indicating that the logical lock module has switched to the breach mode.

A method and system are provided that synchronize one or more appliances to one or more users' schedules. Sensor data may be obtained from a sensor. The sensor data may indicate a state of a first appliance. A user location may be determined. A first characteristic of the first appliance may be obtained. Based upon the user location and the sensor data, a schedule indicating when the user will desire a state change of the first appliance may be determined. A feature of the first appliance may be dynamically modified to cause the first appliance to operate according to the schedule. A notice may be sent to the user that contains information about the first appliance.

A method and system are provided that synchronize one or more appliances to one or more users' schedules. Sensor data may be obtained from a sensor. The sensor data may indicate a state of a first appliance. A user location may be determined. A first characteristic of the first appliance may be obtained. Based upon the user location and the sensor data, a schedule indicating when the user will desire a state change of the first appliance may be determined. A feature of the first appliance may be dynamically modified to cause the first appliance to operate according to the schedule. A notice may be sent to the user that contains information about the first appliance.

A method for real-time data communication between subscribers in an automation network is provided. The automation network includes an active subscriber, a plurality of passive subscribers and at least a connecting unit. The method includes the active subscriber arranging n data packets to be transmitted in a transmission order with a total occupancy time duration of the transmission order, performing an optimizing procedure for determining an optimized transmission order with minimum total occupancy time, and transmitting the n data packets in the optimized transmission order to the passive subscribers. An active subscriber for carrying out the method and an automation network comprising an active subscriber are also provided.