A control device includes a processor that executes a plurality of tasks including a control task and a non-control task that performs related processing related to real-time control, a multitask execution part that causes the processor to execute the tasks in a sequence based on priorities of the respective tasks, and a scheduler. The control task is set to have a highest priority. The scheduler sets the priority of the non-control task to a first priority when an execution start condition of the non-control task has been satisfied, keep the priority of the non-control task at the first priority while the period of time from the execution start is less than or equal to a first time period for executing the related processing in real time, and thereafter reduces the priority to a second priority when the period of time has exceeded the first time period.

A control device includes a processor that executes a plurality of tasks including a control task and a non-control task that performs related processing related to real-time control, a multitask execution part that causes the processor to execute the tasks in a sequence based on priorities of the respective tasks, and a scheduler. The control task is set to have a highest priority. The scheduler sets the priority of the non-control task to a first priority when an execution start condition of the non-control task has been satisfied, keep the priority of the non-control task at the first priority while the period of time from the execution start is less than or equal to a first time period for executing the related processing in real time, and thereafter reduces the priority to a second priority when the period of time has exceeded the first time period.

A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure, a user module, and a controller. The user module comprises a display and indicator panel that has a plurality of indicia, each associated with a monitored condition. First light emitters are arranged to project light to illuminate the indicia and second light emitters are arranged to project light off a reflective surface. The controller is coupled to the display and the light emitters, and is configured to, in response to a change in a state of one of the monitored conditions, generate on the display a state indicator corresponding to the change in the state and activate the light emitters such that a color of the light projected by the light emitters matches a color of the state indicator.

System (1) for monitoring the equipment of a restaurant (6) or convenience store (7) including: sensors (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64, 65) for various parameters located in at least one piece of equipment (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) of the restaurant (6) or convenience store (7), a control unit (11) located in the restaurant (6) or convenience store (7) and linked to the sensors (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64, 65), at least a first link (12) for internet access (18) associated with the control unit (11) for the exchange of commands and data, at least one user terminal (13) provided with a second link (14) to the internet (18) for the exchange of commands and data with the control unit (11).

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.

A safety module for a programmable logic control system, wherein the safety module is designed as an assembly consisting of a plurality of modules with a plurality of function blocks connected through at least one internal bus and comprising at least one CPU and which can be connected through at least one interface to external sensors (and switches/buttons) and actuators (and optical/acoustic indicators and displays/monitors) for detecting at least one measurement signal, wherein the safety module operates in two channels and a self-test is implemented.

A control device includes a first processor that acquires a synchronization signal that is generated every first period, and a second processor that generates a second period that is obtained by dividing the first period by n (n≥1), generates a control signal, using a timer, every third period that is obtained by dividing the second period by m (m≥2), where at least one of a plurality of control signals generated in the first period is a control signal that should be synchronous with the synchronization signal, and in a case where occurrence of an error between timings of the synchronization signal and the control signal that should be synchronous with the synchronization signal is detected, the second processor corrects the error by temporarily changing a width of the timer that is to be started at next and later times.

A control device includes a first processor that acquires a synchronization signal that is generated every first period, and a second processor that generates a second period that is obtained by dividing the first period by n (n≥1), generates a control signal, using a timer, every third period that is obtained by dividing the second period by m (m≥2), where at least one of a plurality of control signals generated in the first period is a control signal that should be synchronous with the synchronization signal, and in a case where occurrence of an error between timings of the synchronization signal and the control signal that should be synchronous with the synchronization signal is detected, the second processor corrects the error by temporarily changing a width of the timer that is to be started at next and later times.

To read respective values as updated of a plurality of variables synchronization of which respective values is ensured while tasks are being carried out in a multi-tasking manner, a PLC 10 reads respective values as updated of variables A to C in such a manner as to complete reading the respective values as updated of the variables A to C during a time period from (i) a time point of a start of a single instance of a cycle of a task which cycle is shortest to (ii) a time point of an end of the single instance of the cycle.

Provided is a signal and event processing, SEP, engine deployed on a target device of an industrial system, the SEP engine including subscriber nodes adapted to receive at least one of signal and event, SE, data streams from sources of the industrial system; processing nodes adapted to perform signal and event processing language, SEPL, functional operations on the received SE data streams according to an SEPL script of the SEP engine, wherein the SEPL script includes predefined stateful event or data pattern matching operations to generate result SE data streams; and publisher nodes adapted to forward the generated result SE data streams to sinks of the industrial system.