A method and apparatus for linking an automation device to a data processing system is disclosed that creates a virtual device in the data processing system for the automation device. An identification number is generated in the data processing system as a function of a classification of the virtual device in the data processing system for identifying the virtual device. The identification number assigned to the virtual device and passed to a configuration tool that is designed to configure the automation device. The identification number is assigned by the configuration tool to a configuration dataset that is then loaded onto the automation device, stored in the automation device, and used by the automation device for the interaction of the automation device with the data processing system.

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.

An industrial controller resistant to malicious attacks may provide a graduated response employing the elements of the control system to reduce access to the control system, log data, and announce intrusion based on a dynamically evolving assessment of the severity of any detected security issues.

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.

Unauthorized installation of software is prevented even at a production site at which software cannot be installed through a communication line. The memory card stores: additional software including a software ID; a recording medium ID; and encrypted information generated by encrypting the software ID, using the recording medium ID as a key. The controller performs the steps of: obtaining the encrypted information from the memory card; obtaining the recording medium ID from the memory card; obtaining the software ID by decrypting the encrypted information, using the recording medium ID as a key; obtaining the software ID from the additional software, comparing the decrypted software ID and the software ID obtained from the additional software; and storing the additional software in the storage when the comparison is successful.

Secure wireless data prefetching and delivery is provided. A first demand is received from a first requesting device, requesting a first data file from the central agent, the first requesting device storing first cache data including a key and a first portion of the first data file. A second demand is received from a second requesting device, requesting a second data file from the central agent, the second requesting device storing second cache data including the key and a second portion of the second data file. A function is generated configured to allow the first requesting device to generate the first data file from the first portion and to allow the second requesting device to generate the second data file from the second portion. The function is broadcast to the first and second devices, responsive to the first and second demands.

Embodiments for a standardized machine data interface protocol are described herein. A request for information about a state of a component of a machine may be received where the request is in an agnostic data format. A particular machine and a particular component of the particular machine may be determined based on the agnostic data format. A data structure of the agnostic data format for the particular machine and the particular component may be determined where the data structure is associated with the state. The state may be requested from the particular machine for the particular component using a format of the data structure. The state of the particular component may be received according to the format of the data structure. The state of the particular component may be converted from the format of the data structure to the agnostic data format of the request.

A human-interface module (HIM) for an industrial automation system includes processing circuitry, and a memory, accessible by the processing circuitry, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including receiving instructions to control one or more industrial automation devices of the industrial automation system via a cloud-based computing system or a mobile computing device communicatively coupled to the HIM. The operations may also include generating one or more control signals based on the instructions, transmitting the one or more control signals to the one or more industrial automation devices via an Ethernet connection, receiving process data associated with the one or more industrial automation devices, and transmitting the process data to the mobile computing device.