The real time capability is to be improved in a Cloud-based control system for an automation plant. To this end, a redundantly embodied, Cloud-based control system with a plurality of computing resources distributed over a network with control applications running thereon is proposed, which, embodied as a primary and backups, execute a control program almost simultaneously and send corresponding program instructions to the automation plant. Long transmission times of individual computing resources therefore do not have a negative effect on the control of the automation plant.

Controlling a conveyor installation of a real warehouse having automated machines and persons that are virtualized in a central computer for storing a virtual model of the conveyor installation having the dimensions of the individual conveyor components and the movement parameters thereof. Images of the objects to be conveyed, automated machines and persons in the conveyor installation are captured by sensors at predefined short time intervals and identified by image recognition, and the positions thereof in the conveyor installation are determined. The virtual model is continuously updated with the identification and position determination of the objects in the central computer such that a virtualized real-time model is generated, and the real conveyor installation is centrally controlled with the aid of the model, where material flow control commands are generated for the real actuators for controlling the conveying movement of the automated machines to avoid endangering the persons.

Provided are a multiplex communication system and a work machine that can appropriately perform transmission and reception of data between a processing circuit used in an industrial network and a multiplex processing section that multiplexes and transmits control data transmitted in the industrial network. A slave processes control data in the industrial network. The control data processed by the slave is transmitted and received by the multiplex communication by a multiplex processing section. A DUMMY-PHY, which is connected between the multiplex processing section and the slave, generates, in a pseudo manner, a signal compliant with an MII communication standard using a pseudo signal generation section, and transmits the generated signal to the slave, thereby performing establishment of communication. The DUMMY-PHY performs data transmission between the multiplex processing section and the slave after establishing communication with the slave.

Controlling a conveyor installation of a real warehouse having automated machines and persons that are virtualized in a central computer for storing a virtual model of the conveyor installation having the dimensions of the individual conveyor components and the movement parameters thereof. Images of the objects to be conveyed, automated machines and persons in the conveyor installation are captured by sensors at predefined short time intervals and identified by image recognition, and the positions thereof in the conveyor installation are determined. The virtual model is continuously updated with the identification and position determination of the objects in the central computer such that a virtualized real-time model is generated, and the real conveyor installation is centrally controlled with the aid of the model, where material flow control commands are generated for the real actuators for controlling the conveying movement of the automated machines to avoid endangering the persons.

Provided are a multiplex communication system and a work machine that can appropriately perform transmission and reception of data between a processing circuit used in an industrial network and a multiplex processing section that multiplexes and transmits control data transmitted in the industrial network. A slave processes control data in the industrial network. The control data processed by the slave is transmitted and received by the multiplex communication by a multiplex processing section. A DUMMY-PHY, which is connected between the multiplex processing section and the slave, generates, in a pseudo manner, a signal compliant with an MII communication standard using a pseudo signal generation section, and transmits the generated signal to the slave, thereby performing establishment of communication. The DUMMY-PHY performs data transmission between the multiplex processing section and the slave after establishing communication with the slave.

The real time capability is to be improved in a Cloud-based control system for an automation plant. To this end, a redundantly embodied, Cloud-based control system with a plurality of computing resources distributed over a network with control applications running thereon is proposed, which, embodied as a primary and backups, execute a control program almost simultaneously and send corresponding program instructions to the automation plant. Long transmission times of individual computing resources therefore do not have a negative effect on the control of the automation plant.