A method for monitoring control systems, a device for monitoring control systems and a corresponding computer program product, wherein the control system has at least one communication network and at least two communication end points connected to the communication network, which communication end points exchange data via the communication network, wherein the data exchanged between the communication end points is acquired and after comparing the currently acquired data with previously acquired data, an alert is raised when new data is acquired. As a result, a monitoring is provided which recognizes errors particularly quickly and reliably in the context of communication in control systems, in particular in industrial control systems. These errors may subsequently be coupled with a quality management to determine whether quality losses correlate with such recognized errors.

A controller for controlling wireless command transmission to a robotic device is described. The controller is configured to obtain an action that is to be performed by a robotic device and to determine a quality of control, QoC, level that is associated with the action. The controller is further configured to trigger a setting of at least one transmission parameter for a wireless transmission of a command pertaining to the action. The transmission parameter setting is dependent on the QoC level determined for the action.

A distribution system that provides for multicast transmission of the most important data that is of highest interest and value to client applications including HMI stations, historians, trend views, alarm management functions, advanced process controls, peer-peer communications and supervisory control. A blast list containing the types of data that are to be collected is formulated and stored in a system server and sent to embedded controllers which then multicasts that data to the system server and all console stations in the system.

A technique capable of preventing the loss of packet data for any appropriate one of controllers connected to the same network is provided. An FA system includes a plurality of controllers. Each of the controllers includes: a buffer; a communication module for performing packet communication with one or more other controllers; a packet monitor module for buffering packet data generated in its own controller and packet data received by its own controller in the buffer; and a stop module for stopping, in response to a predetermined stop condition being satisfied, a buffering function of the packet monitor module for a controller specified from the plurality of controllers.

To provide a collection device, a collection method, and a collection program capable of making detailed data in the past available for viewing according to demand while reducing the volume of communication data in a usual state. A collection device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires state data about a machine in a predetermined cycle; a first transmission unit that transmits partial data belonging to the state data and matching a first condition set in advance to a management server; a storage unit that stores state data not having been transmitted from the first transmission unit to the management server; and a second transmission unit that, in response to a first command including designation of a time in the past, transmits state data from the designated time onward stored in the storage unit to the management server.

A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system.

A method of adding a first publisher to a security group includes receiving a key request for keys for the first publisher, wherein the key request has at least one credential associated with the first publisher and a key parameter index indicative of a bandwidth of the first publisher, includes modifying a lifetime value of the at least one key of the security group based on the key parameter index of the received key request, wherein an expiry of the at least one key is based on the lifetime value of the one or more keys; and includes transmitting the at least one key and the modified lifetime value of the at least one key to the first publisher, where the first publisher is configured to publish at least one message encrypted using the at least one key, prior to expiry of the at least one key.

A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing provides a base by which additional modules are mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing is configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system.

A controller for controlling wireless command transmission to a robotic device is described. The controller is configured to obtain an action that is to be performed by a robotic device and to determine a quality of control, QoC, level that is associated with the action. The controller is further configured to trigger a setting of at least one transmission parameter for a wireless transmission of a command pertaining to the action. The transmission parameter setting is dependent on the QoC level determined for the action.

A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system.