In a communication system in which a numerical controller and IO units each having a communication controller are connected, communication data is transmitted and received between the numerical controller and the communication controller of the IO units. The communication controller returns the communication data to the numerical controller when an ID contained in the communication data received from the numerical controller matches an ID set to an ID setting unit of the communication controller.

An IO-Link master includes: an IO-Link communication port that communicates with an IO-Link device according to a predetermined communication protocol; a digital input port that receives a first signal value output from the IO-Link device; and a determiner that determines whether abnormality is generated in a digital input line connecting the digital input port to the IO-Link device based on a second signal value received with the IO-Link communication port and the first signal value.

A power management method comprises a step A of transmitting a first message from a power management server to a local control apparatus according to a first protocol. The power management server manages a facility connected to a power grid. The local control apparatus is provided in the facility. A communication between the local control apparatus and an equipment provided in the facility is performed according to a second protocol different from the first protocol. The step A includes a step of transmitting the first message in a manner capable of identifying a control for the local control apparatus and a control for a target equipment which is the equipment designated by the power management server.

A virtual controller is configured to send control commands to an edge controller such as in I/O module that is connected to a building management system component. The IO module is configured to communicate with the virtual controller and to provide local control commands to the building management system component that are based upon the control commands from the virtual controller when communication with the virtual controller is determined by the IO module to be functioning normally and are based upon one or more fail-safe commands generated by the IO module when communication with the virtual controller is determined by the IO module to not be functioning normally.

A management system for building equipment includes several units. An instruction transmission unit transmits an instruction to at least one device. A response reception unit receives a response indicating that a state transition is made by the device in accordance with the instruction. A detection unit detects an abnormal condition in which the response is not received by the reception unit within a reference time period after transmission of the instruction. A storage unit stores the reference time period. A time measurement unit measures a length of time from when the instruction is transmitted to when the response is received. A mode setting unit sets an operating mode of the management system to a reference-time-period calculation mode. A calculation unit performs calculations to determine the reference time period based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit, and prompts the storage unit to store the determined reference time period.

It is desired to be able to easily identify a cause of a communication abnormality in an industrial machine. A controller of an industrial machine which communicates with an external device through a network includes: a plurality of communication units which respectively correspond to a plurality of communication protocols; and a diagnosis unit which starts up the communication units in a predetermined order and attempts communication using the communication protocols corresponding to each communication unit that is started up so as to diagnose the conditions of communication step by step.

A management system for building equipment includes several units. An instruction transmission unit transmits an instruction to at least one device. A response reception unit receives a response indicating that a state transition is made by the device in accordance with the instruction. A detection unit detects an abnormal condition in which the response is not received by the reception unit within a reference time period after transmission of the instruction. A storage unit stores the reference time period. A time measurement unit measures a length of time from when the instruction is transmitted to when the response is received. A mode setting unit sets an operating mode of the management system to a reference-time-period calculation mode. A calculation unit performs calculations to determine the reference time period based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit, and prompts the storage unit to store the determined reference time period.

An apparatus, system, and method to manage communications within a network, such as a wireless network and/or at least partially included within a hazardous area, includes creating a master CRC array from master configuration structures, creating a main master CRC value from the master CRC array, receiving a main slave CRC value, and determining if the main master CRC value and the main slave CRC value are different.

Apparatus and methods pertaining to a moveable well construction apparatus to be electrically energized via an electrical power transmission path extending between a stationary power source and the moveable well construction apparatus. The path comprises cables and connectors. A system comprises a detector operable for generating information indicative of whether the path is properly installed. The system permits the path to be electrically energized when the detector-generated information indicates the path is properly installed, and prevents the path from being electrically energized when the detector-generated information indicates the path is not properly installed.

Provided is a highly convenient communication device capable of detecting a communication error caused by an abnormality of a state of communication. A communication device capable of mutually communicating with an electrical device includes: a superimposed signal receiving unit that periodically receives a data signal related to the electrical device as a signal superimposed on an operation signal; a period determination unit that determines whether or not a communication error of the data signal detected by the superimposed signal receiving unit is able to be regarded as having occurred in a transition period of a value of the operation signal; and a state determination unit that determines a state of communication with the electrical device in accordance with the determination by the period determination unit.