A method for operating a programmable logic control device to which a current input data set having state data regarding a peripheral component is provided cyclically by a communications bus after each bus cycle terminates. A first program instance of a control program is cyclically processed by a control device. The program cycle duration is longer than the bus cycle duration and, therefore, between the beginning and end of the program cycle, the communications bus provides at least one current data set that cannot be taken into account by the first program instance. To reduce the latency with which a control device reacts to a change in the input value of a peripheral component. at least one other program instance of the control program is cyclically processed so that it is temporally offset by less than one program cycle duration relative to the first program instance.

A control device includes a storage unit that stores a program, a program execution unit that executes the program stored in the storage unit to control a device to be controlled, and a backup execution unit that stores, at the start of a backup operation of the program currently being executed, the program, information for identifying a location currently in execution in the program, information for identifying a location currently being held in the program, and operation data, in a backup storage unit.

A programmable logic controller (PLC) system is provided. The programmable logic controller (PLC) system includes a storage unit storing a user program; a main control unit performing a scan operation based on the user program, measuring a scan time required for the scan time, and determining whether there is a need to process a web based service; and a web based service control unit processing the service data based on the scan time service request details, and service data that are transmitted from the main control unit, according to a result of the determination on whether there is a need to process the web based service.

A system for storing data in an industrial production environment includes a distributed database stored on a plurality of intelligent programmable logic controller devices. Each respective intelligent programmable logic controller device includes a volatile computer-readable storage medium comprising a process image area; a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium; a control application; an input/output component; a historian component; and a distributed data management component. The control application is configured to provide operating instructions to a production unit. The input/output component is configured to update the process image area during each scan cycle with data associated with the production unit. The historian component is configured to store automation system data comprising the operating instructions and contents of the process image area on the non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. The distributed data management component is configured to facilitate distributed operations involving the automation system data by the plurality of intelligent programmable logic controller devices.

A module includes one or more output channels, wherein each output channel is configured to transmit digital output signals, wherein each output channel comprises switching devices and a load is connectable between the switching devices, and wherein each output channel is individually configurable to operate according to a first output type or a second output type.

A module includes one or more output channels, wherein each output channel is configured to transmit digital output signals, wherein each output channel comprises switching devices and a load is connectable between the switching devices, and wherein each output channel is individually configurable to operate according to a first output type or a second output type.