A setting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an authenticator configured to authenticate an operator using a setting apparatus, the setting apparatus performing a setting of an I/O module including a plurality of first connectors to which field devices are connectable and a second connector to which a controller controlling the field devices is connectable, and an authorizer configured to assign operation authorization to the operator authenticated by the authenticator on the basis of previously set authorization definition information, the operation authorization allowing the operator to perform at least one operation using the setting apparatus, the authorization definition information including first information and second information, the first information defining whether or not a change of input and output information of the field device connected to each of the first connectors is permitted, the second information defining whether or not a change of each item of the input and output information is permitted on the basis of a role of the operator.

A method for operating a controller is provided. Program code having internal controller functions is stored on the controller, the program code being equipped with at least one service function. A service configuration for the at least one service function is provided on the controller. The method includes; detecting, in the controller, the service configuration; and executing a service functionality in accordance with the service configuration when the at least one service function is invoked. The service configuration denotes at least one internal controller function which is executed as a service functionality of the corresponding at least one service function. The at least one service function, via the service configuration, provides at least one value for at least one argument of the at least one internal controller function in the controller and/or receives at least one return value of the at least one internal controller function.

An industrial control I/O module for interfacing with industrial control equipment, such as sensors and actuators, can be configured to dynamically provide differing resistances in each channel as may be required for reliably achieving particular modes of operation in the channel. Providing differing resistances in such channels flexibly allows different modes in the channel to provide universal I/O capability. Modes of operation could include, for example, digital output, digital input, analog output, analog input and the like, in the same channel, but at different times. In one aspect, a processor or voltage divider can be used to control an amplifier, with feedback, driving a transistor in a channel to dynamically adjust resistance in the channel by selectively biasing the transistor to achieve a resistance in the channel suitable for the selected mode.

An I/O interface configuration device for configuring I/O interfaces comprises an input interface, an output interface, a storage unit, a detecting pin, a converting unit and a computing unit. The input interface electrically connects to a controlling port of a controlling circuit to receive a data type. The output interface electrically connects to a controlled port of a controlled device to output another data type. The storage unit stores a plurality of configuration files, one of the configuration files corresponds to a circuit type of the controlling circuit. The detecting pin is adapted to retrieve the circuit type. The converting unit converts the data type to said another data type and selectively outputs said another data type from the output interface. The computing unit loads the configuration file corresponding to the circuit type and control the converting unit to configure the I/O interface according to the configuration file.

An input module for an industrial controller includes configurable execution windows. The execution windows are defined by a first parameter and a second parameter stored within the input module. A third parameter defines a status bit which is compared against the execution window to set a window output signal within the input module. The execution window may define a range between the first and second parameters against which the status bit is compared. Alternately, the first and second parameters may define setpoints against which the status bit is compared. At one of the setpoints, the window output signal is set and at the other of the setpoints, the window output signal is reset.

An industrial control I/O module for interfacing with industrial control equipment, such as sensors and actuators, can be configured to dynamically provide differing resistances in each channel as may be required for reliably achieving particular modes of operation in the channel. Providing differing resistances in such channels flexibly allows different modes in the channel to provide universal I/O capability. Modes of operation could include, for example, digital output, digital input, analog output, analog input and the like, in the same channel, but at different times. In one aspect, a processor or voltage divider can be used to control an amplifier, with feedback, driving a transistor in a channel to dynamically adjust resistance in the channel by selectively biasing the transistor to achieve a resistance in the channel suitable for the selected mode.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for iterative and interactive scheduling of an I/O station for an automation control system. The apparatus includes a selection device adapted to specify a selection of signals for the I/O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I/O station based on user input. The apparatus also includes a database device adapted to provide property data for a plurality of I/O devices and I/O systems and a configuration device adapted to determine, based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data, a system configuration for the I/O station that includes at least one I/O device among the plurality of I/O devices. The configuration device is further adapted to perform a technical check of the specific construction rules of the respective I/O system of the system configuration and to change the system configuration in case of failure of the technical check. The apparatus also includes a display device adapted to display the system configuration for the I/O station.

An input module for an industrial controller includes configurable execution windows. The execution windows are defined by a first parameter and a second parameter stored within the input module. A third parameter defines a status bit which is compared against the execution window to set a window output signal within the input module. The execution window may define a range between the first and second parameters against which the status bit is compared. Alternately, the first and second parameters may define setpoints against which the status bit is compared. At one of the setpoints, the window output signal is set and at the other of the setpoints, the window output signal is reset.

A method for operating a controller is provided. Program code having internal controller functions is stored on the controller, the program code being equipped with at least one service function. A service configuration for the at least one service function is provided on the controller. The method includes; detecting, in the controller, the service configuration; and executing a service functionality in accordance with the service configuration when the at least one service function is invoked. The service configuration denotes at least one internal controller function which is executed as a service functionality of the corresponding at least one service function. The at least one service function, via the service configuration, provides at least one value for at least one argument of the at least one internal controller function in the controller and/or receives at least one return value of the at least one internal controller function.

An input module for an industrial controller is configurable to simplify setup and commissioning. The input module includes input terminals configurable, for example, as a counter input. Still other input terminals may be configured to trigger events as a function of the input signals present at the terminals. Time signals corresponding to transitions in state of the input terminals, triggering of events, or operation of the counters may be recorded. The input module is further configurable to transmit data back to the processor or to transmit data directly to another module in the industrial control network.