Various embodiments include methods and apparatuses to provide human safety and machine safety and operations. In one example, a distributed interlock system includes at least one master device coupled to a number of slave device. The slave devices receive signals from one or more tools and provide the signals to the master device. The master device evaluates the signals and prevents unsafe conditions prior to one or more command executions, related to the unsafe conditions, being transmitted to one or more of the slave devices. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

Each of a plurality of control devices includes: an upper communication part which transmits/receives first data to/from other control devices via a first network; and a lower communication part which transmits/receives second data to/from one or more equipment via a second network. The upper communication part has a first timer time-synchronized with each other among the plurality of control devices. The lower communication part determines, based on the time of the first timer, a timing to start processing for transmitting the second data to the one or more equipment.

Each of a plurality of control devices includes: an upper communication part which transmits/receives first data to/from other control devices via a first network; and a lower communication part which transmits/receives second data to/from one or more equipment via a second network. The upper communication part has a first timer time-synchronized with each other among the plurality of control devices. The lower communication part determines, based on the time of the first timer, a timing to start processing for transmitting the second data to the one or more equipment.

A technology for associating and ascertaining dependency relations between device variables corresponding to respective devices with dependency relations of device variables for respective parameters of a function in a control program is provided. A graph display device according to one aspect of the present invention generates a first directed graph including a plurality of first nodes that respectively express device variables and edges that express having dependency relations, and a second directed graph including the plurality of first nodes, the edges, and a block that expresses the function, and switches and displays the generated first directed graph and second directed graph on a display device.

A software-based (“soft”) real-time hub designed and implemented for use in simulation (or control testing) systems such as to provide a modular soft-real-time PIL. A simulation system of the present description typically may include one or more of the following useful subsystems or components: (a) a soft-real-time hub; (b) simulation interfaces; and (c) hardware emulation subsystems/devices. The soft-real-time hub is typically a combination of hardware and software adapted to provide deterministic data transport between simulations and input/output (I/O) emulation. By creating a common point, the hub enables simulation modules to be swapped out as the simulation system progresses without the operator having to worry about interface timing, forcing, or data visualization. A desirable aspect of the simulation system is it allows for testing certain conditions by forcing I/O and then seeing how the controller or system under testing responds.

A software-based (“soft”) real-time hub designed and implemented for use in simulation (or control testing) systems such as to provide a modular soft-real-time PIL. A simulation system of the present description typically may include one or more of the following useful subsystems or components: (a) a soft-real-time hub; (b) simulation interfaces; and (c) hardware emulation subsystems/devices. The soft-real-time hub is typically a combination of hardware and software adapted to provide deterministic data transport between simulations and input/output (I/O) emulation. By creating a common point, the hub enables simulation modules to be swapped out as the simulation system progresses without the operator having to worry about interface timing, forcing, or data visualization. A desirable aspect of the simulation system is it allows for testing certain conditions by forcing I/O and then seeing how the controller or system under testing responds.

Identification of the types of input and output cards of a PLC and proper connection of field devices to a PLC are achieved by connecting a self-learning discrete input circuit and/or a self-learning discrete output circuit between the PLC and the field device.

Identification of the types of input and output cards of a PLC and proper connection of field devices to a PLC are achieved by connecting a self-learning discrete input circuit and/or a self-learning discrete output circuit between the PLC and the field device.

Proximity triggered water fountains may have proximity sensors configured to detect target(s), a processing unit communicably coupled to proximity sensors configured to transfer data related to the target(s) to the processing unit, nozzles and nozzle controllers, and collectors configured to receive water projected from the nozzles. The nozzle controllers may be controlled based on data received from the sensors. The nozzle controllers may be coupled to the nozzles of a water circulation system configured to adjust a water projection angle from the nozzles with respect to the ground. The water circulation system may use tank(s), pump(s), and supply and return line(s), with the nozzles, tank(s), pump(s), and supply and return line(s), being in fluid communication. The nozzles and collectors may be displaced a horizontal distance from each other such that outlets of the nozzles are not vertically above the collectors.

Provided is a control station that may be configured to control and/or monitor various devices, such as, for example, industrial devices. The control station may comprise communication circuitry, a first processor, and a second processor configured to communicate with one or more devices via the communication circuitry. Information from the one or more devices are configured to be processed by at least one of the first processor and the second processor, and at least one of the first processor and the second processor is configured to output the processed information to one or more of: an electronic display of the control station, a display external to the control station, and a server.