A production system includes a production machine and a control device for generating a control command for the production machine based on production data. The control device includes an analysis apparatus to decide based on a prespecified quality criterion, whether an activated functionality, which is integrated in the control device, or an alternative functionality, which is provided in a database outside the control device or in unactivated form in the control device, is used to translate the production data into the specific control command, so that the control command which is output by the control device is replaced by a control command more suitable to satisfy the prespecified quality criterion. The control device is configured to save a control file for the alternative functionality, to provide the control file for a translation, and to provide the alternative functionality for a prespecified period and/or for a predetermined number of useful cycles.

A method for managing functionality licenses in a closed network is disclosed, wherein at least one subscriber device is connected to the closed network. The method includes operating a server having a license database, wherein the license database includes a plurality of functionality licenses and each functionality license includes a functionality identifier. When the server receives a license request from the at least one subscriber device, the license request including a further functionality identifier, the server compares the further functionality identifier to the functionality identifiers in the license database and assigns a functionality license of the database, which includes a functionality identifier that matches the further functionality identifier to the subscriber device from which the license request was received. Assigning entails storing of the at least one subscriber device from which the license request was received at the server as a licensed subscriber device in the license database.

A numerical controller executes a system program. While executing the system program, the numerical controller executes a sub-program. On the basis of the execution of the sub-program, the numerical controller controls position-controlled shafts of a machine tool controlled by the numerical controller. The sub-program contains instruction sets which are retrieved sequentially one after the other by the numerical controller. The numerical controller only executes the retrieved instruction sets when the instruction sets comply with permitted boundary conditions. Otherwise, the instruction sets are not executed. Before executing the sub-program and while executing the system program, the numerical controller receives information defining the permitted boundary conditions via an interface protected from unauthorized access.

A method for activating or deactivating at least one hardware- and/or software functionality of an automation component having an input unit and an output unit includes: generating an identification information of the automation component; providing the identification information as a first machine interpretable code on the output unit; registering the provided first code using a service device via a reaction free, unidirectional data channel; transmitting the identification information from the service device to a server; generating a first license information using the server; transmitting the first license information as an alphanumeric data sequence of predetermined character length from the server to the service device; inputting the output first license information into the automation component using the input unit; checking the plausibility of the first license information using the automation component; activating or deactivating the hardware- and/or software functionality upon successful checking of the plausibility of the first license information.

Various embodiments include a method for managing a production process for fabricating a component comprising: storing fabrication data for fabricating the component in a first file container; storing reproduction data relating to the component in the first file container, wherein said reproduction data includes a permission relating to the fabrication of the component; storing production data indicating a state of a production machine during the production process in a second file container; storing character data indicating a property of the component in a third file container; receiving a request; and providing at least one datum in response to the request, the at least one datum selected from the group of data consisting of: the stored fabrication data, the reproduction data, the production data, and/or the character data.

A method for execution of a function of a field device includes: selecting a function to be performed from a selection list of functions available to a process control system, and communicating the selected function to a service unit; paying a payment amount specified for the function and confirming the payment to the service unit; determining a derived time value of a service unit and an enable code, and transmitting the enable code to the process control system; forwarding the enable code to the field device; determining a derived time value of the field device, and checking the enable code using the derived time value to determine whether the enable code is generated by the service unit, and determining the function from the enable code; and executing an executable code corresponding to the function in the event the enable code is verified as being generated by the service unit.

A safety control device comprises: at least one input module having a number of input interfaces; at least one output module having a number of output interfaces; and a computing unit that includes: a programmable processor; a read-only memory to store an operating program for the processor with program code in machine-readable form for providing a function library with a number of functions of the safety control device; and a non-volatile, overwritable storage medium. A number of function activation codes are stored downloadably in the storage medium, and each of the function activation codes is capable of being assigned a function of the function library such that by logically linking the function activation codes to their associated functions of the function library only those functions of the function library can be activated whose function activation codes are stored in the storage medium.

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for industrial control software execution management. For example, there is provided a method for enabling a software module included in a plurality of software modules of an application package installed on a computing device configured to control a turbomachine of an industrial plant. The method can include receiving, by a processor of the computing device, a request for executing the software module. The method can include generating and sending an activation request to a remote server. The method can include generating, by the remote server, an activation code if a verification protocol is successfully completed. The method can include forwarding the activation code to the computing device. The method can include activating the software module when the activation code is received by the processor.

A production system includes a production machine and a control device for generating a control command for the production machine based on production data. The control device includes an analysis apparatus to decide based on a prespecified quality criterion, whether an activated functionality, which is integrated in the control device, or an alternative functionality, which is provided in a database outside the control device or in unactivated form in the control device, is used to translate the production data into the specific control command, so that the control command which is output by the control device is replaced by a control command more suitable to satisfy the prespecified quality criterion. The control device is configured to save a control file for the alternative functionality, to provide the control file for a translation, and to provide the alternative functionality for a prespecified period and/or for a predetermined number of useful cycles.

A system and a method for safety relevant input to a control system, the control system including a PLC which includes a non-safety control module for controlling non-safety processes, and a safety control module for controlling functional safety of processes, the system further including an operator panel for user selection of safety-related object input, wherein the system includes two communication paths between the operator panel and the safety control module, that each of the communication paths uses a different communication protocol, that each communication path goes through the non-safety control module to and from the safety control module, that the first communication path transfers object code and the second communication path transfers masked object code.