The control system (1000) includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) (40) to control a device, and a program transmission apparatus (10) to transmit a control program (70) for causing the PLC (40) to control the device. The program transmission apparatus (10) includes a first code generator (113) to generate a first code (71) for verification of presence or absence of a change from the control program (70) by using the control program (70) and confidential data (80). The PLC (40) includes a second code generator (433) to generate a second code by using a receiving program as the control program (70) and the confidential data (80) that is shared with the program transmission apparatus (10), and an executor (435) to execute the receiving program when the first code (71) is identical to the second code.

An integrated human-machine execution system and related method for manufacturing automation, includes a computer, a graphical user interface, one or more programmable input/outputs, one or more human-machine interface components, and a network adapter. The computer is enabled to execute all necessary software to operate the functions of the integrated system and orchestrate the execution of one or more automated manufacturing operations. In some examples, data updates are event-based instead of time-based such that data updates transmitted by the system when data value changes initiate an event, independently of time elapsed since occurrence of a prior event. The system can be configured to connect to an external and discrete programmable logic controller attached an automation component and instructions to the automation component are instantiated at the human-machine execution system, obviating the need for programming at the programmable logic controllers.

An integrated human-machine execution system and related method for manufacturing automation, includes a computer, a graphical user interface, one or more programmable input/outputs, one or more human-machine interface components, and a network adapter. The computer is enabled to execute all necessary software to operate the functions of the integrated system and orchestrate the execution of one or more automated manufacturing operations. In some examples, data updates are event-based instead of time-based such that data updates transmitted by the system when data value changes initiate an event, independently of time elapsed since occurrence of a prior event. The system can be configured to connect to an external and discrete programmable logic controller attached an automation component and instructions to the automation component are instantiated at the human-machine execution system, obviating the need for programming at the programmable logic controllers.

Provided is an information processing method including, by a computer of a system that creates an application of controlling multiple devices: outputting a first operation screen having multiple time frames; receiving a first operation of disposing multiple blocks in columns of the corresponding multiple time frames to generate the application, the multiple blocks each having operation of at least one device of the multiple devices and an intervention degree indicating a degree of involvement of a user in the operation of the at least one device; calculating a sum of intervention degrees of one or more blocks disposed in each of the time frames; and outputting the application including information on the sum of intervention degrees and the multiple blocks disposed in the multiple time frames.

Compatibility of a callable unit program configuring a user program is provided. A code generator that generates a code having a format executable by a control device from the user program generates an instruction code creating a structure storing association information associating a name of an argument with a value set to the argument with respect to a call expression, and converts the call expression into an instruction code calling the unit program using an identifier of the structure. A value of association information is set to the argument when the association information corresponding to the name of the argument is stored in the structure with respect to each argument of the unit program, an instruction code setting a predetermined value to the argument is generated when the association information is not stored.

Methods and an arrangement for immersive human computer interaction with a virtual mechanical operator of an industrial automation arrangement in virtual reality, wherein input information is transmitted to a component of the arrangement through the interaction with the virtual operator modelled in a simulation device for a rigid-body simulation, where the virtual operator is replicated in the virtual reality, an interaction with the represented virtual operator is detected by the virtual reality environment, second parameters calculated from first parameters of the detected virtual interaction are transmitted to the simulation device and used via the modelled virtual operator to simulate movement of a part of the operator, whether a switching state change of the virtual operator is produced by the simulated movement is decided, and where the switching state or the switching state change is reported as the input information to the component at least when a switching state change occurs.

Methods and an arrangement for immersive human computer interaction with a virtual mechanical operator of an industrial automation arrangement in virtual reality, wherein input information is transmitted to a component of the arrangement through the interaction with the virtual operator modelled in a simulation device for a rigid-body simulation, where the virtual operator is replicated in the virtual reality, an interaction with the represented virtual operator is detected by the virtual reality environment, second parameters calculated from first parameters of the detected virtual interaction are transmitted to the simulation device and used via the modelled virtual operator to simulate movement of a part of the operator, whether a switching state change of the virtual operator is produced by the simulated movement is decided, and where the switching state or the switching state change is reported as the input information to the component at least when a switching state change occurs.

An augmenting controller for augmenting control of an actuator by a component controller. The actuator is operable to change an operational parameter of a component of a drilling rig. The component controller is configured for communicating control signals to the actuator to control the actuator and thereby control operation of the component. The augmenting controller is operable to augment the control signals.

An augmenting controller for augmenting control of an actuator by a component controller. The actuator is operable to change an operational parameter of a component of a drilling rig. The component controller is configured for communicating control signals to the actuator to control the actuator and thereby control operation of the component. The augmenting controller is operable to augment the control signals.

A novel and useful acknowledgement and adaptive frequency hopping mechanism for use in wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. One or two additional acknowledgement bits are added to packet transmissions. One is a current acknowledgment bit which indicates whether a packet was successfully received anytime during the current cycle. The second bit is a previous acknowledgment bit which indicates whether packets were received successfully anytime during the previous cycle. An adaptive hopping table is constructed using a greedy algorithm which chooses frequencies with the best PER for transmission of higher priority packets, while equalizing the PER products across cycles. A last resort frequency mechanism further improves transmission success by switching to a better performing channel for the last subcycle when previous attempts to transmit a high priority packet have failed.