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 method and apparatus for controlling a post-print processing system for producing printed products. The system comprises a plurality of replaceable individual devices which are arranged one after another in a row and/or parallel and are connected to a joint control unit for adapting the system to successively following different production orders. The method includes supplying the joint control unit with information relating to the type and position of the individual devices in the post-print processing system and activating the individual devices based on the information. The information relating to the position of the individual devices is determined in the post-print processing system based on the position of the individual devices in a first data processing network comprising a ring circuit. The individual devices send out a data telegram corresponding to the position of the respective individual devices via a second data processing network to the joint control unit.

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.

A data processing device (10), which is connectable to another data processing device (20), includes a data collector (150) to collect data from a machine (31, 32), a data processor (120) to process input data, a coordination processor (160) to provide the data collector (150) or the data processor (120) with data transmitted from the another data processing device (20) and provide the another data processing device (20) with the data collected by the data collector (150) or the data processed by the data processor (120), and an execution controller (130) to control collection of data by the data collector (150), processing of data by the data processor (120), and transmission and reception of data to and from the another data processing device (20) by the coordination processor (160) in accordance with predetermined setting information for a data processing flow.

A linear production device that mechanically processes workpieces, the linear production device including: multiple modules arranged in a linear formation, wherein each of the modules is equipped with a control device to control the module and an operation panel that is connected to the control device to enable a worker to enter operations, each of the control devices has a preassigned ID number and is configured to communicate with the other control devices through a network, and an origin control device, which is a control device connected in a manner allowing communication to the operation panel that is currently being used by the operator, uses the ID number of the origin control device so as to use the origin control device as an origin to search for the ID numbers of the remaining control devices in the network to determine a line configuration of the linear production device.

A data processing device (10), which is connectable to another data processing device (20), includes a data collector (150) to collect data from a machine (31, 32), a data processor (120) to process input data, a coordination processor (160) to provide the data collector (150) or the data processor (120) with data transmitted from the another data processing device (20) and provide the another data processing device (20) with the data collected by the data collector (150) or the data processed by the data processor (120), and an execution controller (130) to control collection of data by the data collector (150), processing of data by the data processor (120), and transmission and reception of data to and from the another data processing device (20) by the coordination processor (160) in accordance with predetermined setting information for a data processing flow.

A robot controller for controlling a robotic device within a robot cell including multiple robotic devices is presented. The controller is configured to wirelessly receive control data comprising cell state data indicative of a current state of the robot cell. The control data are received via one of a broadcast and a multicast transmission directed to the multiple robotic devices in the robot cell.

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 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.

In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods for creating a universal bridge controller interface that provides a unified and common set of commands between a host machine and a peripheral machine or robot. The universal bridge controller may simplify the ability to integrate, synchronize, and coordinate the control and operation of various machines. This may be beneficial to companies wishing to implement cost saving automation techniques to a variety of machines built by different manufacturers. The advantage of this approach is that it may allow for a single hardwired link to be created between the machine and the bridge controller allowing for robot integration over a factory network, creating a high level of portability of robots between machine work cells.