A monitoring device obtains information of three-dimensional coordinates at time points, the information indicating an operational status of a factory facility, and includes a path-data creation unit to create path data on a basis of the three-dimensional coordinates at time points and a received reproduction instruction, the path data describing a command for how to combine information of an image indicating the operational status of the factory facility with the three-dimensional coordinates and display the information.

A secure control system includes a network of multiplexers that control end/field devices of an infrastructure system, such as an electric power grid. The multiplexers have a default secure lockdown state that prevents remote access to data on the multiplexers and prevents modification of software or firmware of the multiplexer. One or more of the multiplexers include a physical authentication device that confirms the physical proximity of a trusted individual when remote access is requested. A user accesses the network and one of the multiplexers remotely by way of login credentials. The trusted individual confirms the identity of the remote user and operates the physical authentication device connected with and in proximity to that multiplexer, thereby confirming that the remote user can be trusted to access data and reconfigure the multiplexers. The multiplexer connected with the physical authentication device generates a token that is passed to each of the multiplexers that the remote user needs access to. The token may specify a time period, after which, the multiplexers will reenter secure lockdown mode.

A secure control system includes a network of multiplexers that control end/field devices of an infrastructure system, such as an electric power grid. The multiplexers have a default secure lockdown state that prevents remote access to data on the multiplexers and prevents modification of software or firmware of the multiplexer. One or more of the multiplexers include a physical authentication device that confirms the physical proximity of a trusted individual when remote access is requested. A user accesses the network and one of the multiplexers remotely by way of login credentials. The trusted individual confirms the identity of the remote user and operates the physical authentication device connected with and in proximity to that multiplexer, thereby confirming that the remote user can be trusted to access data and reconfigure the multiplexers. The multiplexer connected with the physical authentication device generates a token that is passed to each of the multiplexers that the remote user needs access to. The token may specify a time period, after which, the multiplexers will reenter secure lockdown mode.

A method and system for managing engineering of an industrial device in a cloud computing environment is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for performing an engineering action on at least one of the industrial devices. The method includes determining a control program block corresponding to the at least one of the industrial device based on the received request. Further, segmenting the determined control program block into one or more software units based on content of the control program block. Furthermore, processing the one or more software units based on one or more user requirements and the requested engineering action. Also, determining at least two instances of the industrial device for deploying the processed software units based on segment type of the processed software units. Moreover, deploying the respective software units into each of the determined at least two instances of the industrial device.

A programmable logic controller (PLC) testing system includes a virtual device simulating a field real device, a testing tool configured to start a preset test case to inject a fault into the virtual device, and a PLC device configured to execute a preset fault processing logic in response to receiving a fault signal produced by the virtual device simulating a field fault according to the injected fault. The preset fault processing logic includes sending alarm information to the virtual device. The testing tool is further configured to detect whether the alarm information forwarded by the virtual device meets expectation of injecting the fault by the preset test case to test whether the fault processing logic of the PLC device is normal.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

Example implementations may involve using a prompt to prevent inadvertent control or playback of audio content. When a mobile device receives input data indicating a command to play back audio content on a first playback device, the mobile device determines whether the mobile device is in proximity to the first playback device. If the mobile device determines that the mobile device within a given proximity to the first playback device, the mobile device transmits, via the network interface, one or more commands to instruct the first playback device to play back the audio content. However, if the mobile device determines that the mobile device outside the proximity, the mobile device displays a prompt indicating that the mobile device is the outside the given proximity to the first playback device and a selectable control that, when selected, transmits the one or more commands to play back the audio content.

Example implementations may involve using a prompt to prevent inadvertent control or playback of audio content. When a mobile device receives input data indicating a command to play back audio content on a first playback device, the mobile device determines whether the mobile device is in proximity to the first playback device. If the mobile device determines that the mobile device within a given proximity to the first playback device, the mobile device transmits, via the network interface, one or more commands to instruct the first playback device to play back the audio content. However, if the mobile device determines that the mobile device outside the proximity, the mobile device displays a prompt indicating that the mobile device is the outside the given proximity to the first playback device and a selectable control that, when selected, transmits the one or more commands to play back the audio content.

A signal processing module for processing electrical signals exchanged between at least one field device and a programmable logic controller (PLC) includes: a first connection component for electrically connecting the signal processing module to the at least one field device and the PLC; a communication component for sending information signals to the PLC; and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signals exchanged between the at least one field device and the PLC of a functional scope of the signal processing module. The information signals are indicative of the functional scope.

A signal processing module for processing electrical signals exchanged between at least one field device and a programmable logic controller (PLC) includes: a first connection component for electrically connecting the signal processing module to the at least one field device and the PLC; a communication component for sending information signals to the PLC; and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signals exchanged between the at least one field device and the PLC of a functional scope of the signal processing module. The information signals are indicative of the functional scope.