An apparatus includes a current sense resistor configured to receive a supply current for one or more devices. The apparatus also includes a current sense amplifier configured to amplify a voltage across the current sense resistor. The apparatus further includes a comparator configured to compare the amplified voltage from the current sense amplifier to a reference voltage. In addition, the apparatus includes an octal driver configured to receive the supply current from the current sense resistor and to control one or more device outputs associated with the one or more devices. The apparatus may also include an optocoupler configured to receive an output from the comparator and, based on the output, control an output enable pin of the octal driver. There could be multiple resistors, amplifiers, comparators, drivers, and optocouplers arranged in multiple circuit branches, which could be configured to control multiple device outputs associated with different groups of devices.

An analysis system, controller, and data processing device that are capable of avoiding the influence on control in the case where the names of the constituent elements are changed. The analysis system includes a plurality of constituent elements used for analysis; a controller configured to perform control on a basis of data received from the constituent elements; and a data processing device configured to process data received from the controller. The controller receives the control code, the additional code, and the name information from the plurality of constituent elements to generate an ID code on the basis of the control code and the additional code. The data processing device receives the ID code and the name information from the controller, and performs control on the basis of the control code included in the ID code.

An optocoupler circuit includes first and second resistors, an optocoupler, a reference circuit, and a comparator. The optocoupler includes a light source and a phototransistor. The light source is connected to form a first voltage divider with the first resistor. The phototransistor is connected to form a second voltage divider with the second resistor. The optocoupler transitions an output of the second voltage divider between first and second levels. Magnitudes of the first and second levels are greater than zero. The reference circuit is configured to output a reference voltage. The comparator includes a first input and a second input. The first input receives an output of the first voltage divider. The second input receives the reference voltage. An output of the comparator transitions between a third level and a fourth level based on a comparison between the output of the first voltage divider and the reference voltage.

An analysis system, controller, and data processing device that are capable of avoiding the influence on control in the case where the names of the constituent elements are changed. The analysis system includes a plurality of constituent elements used for analysis; a controller configured to perform control on a basis of data received from the constituent elements; and a data processing device configured to process data received from the controller. The controller receives the control code, the additional code, and the name information from the plurality of constituent elements to generate an ID code on the basis of the control code and the additional code. The data processing device receives the ID code and the name information from the controller, and performs control on the basis of the control code included in the ID code.

A data processing and transmission system (1) for a numerical control unit (2) adapted to control a machine tool (3), comprises at least one input channel (4) adapted to a transit of operational signals from or to devices present in the machine tool, electronic circuits configured to process the operational signals to make available on an output interface (5) control signals for the numerical control unit, a multipolar cable (8) having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9), a master unit having the output interface, a main processor, a memory and at least one socket (7A) configured to be coupled to one of the multipolar connectors, one or more slave units (6), each provided with at least one external port (6A) defining the input channel, a memory, a secondary processor, and provided also with a first socket (6B) and a second socket (6C), configured to be coupled at least to a first or a second connector of the multipolar connectors in order to interconnect the slave unit at least with the master unit. The master unit has a clock and each slave unit has its own clock. The main processor divides a data transmission time interval into a plurality of time slots an uniquely assigns to each slave unit a corresponding time slot of said plurality of time slots. The secondary processor of each slave unit is set to transmit data through the multipolar cable only within the respective time slot. Each slave unit can be connected to another slave unit to define a modular structure.

An apparatus includes a current sense resistor configured to receive a supply current for one or more devices. The apparatus also includes a current sense amplifier configured to amplify a voltage across the current sense resistor. The apparatus further includes a comparator configured to compare the amplified voltage from the current sense amplifier to a reference voltage. In addition, the apparatus includes an octal driver configured to receive the supply current from the current sense resistor and to control one or more device outputs associated with the one or more devices. The apparatus may also include an optocoupler configured to receive an output from the comparator and, based on the output, control an output enable pin of the octal driver. There could be multiple resistors, amplifiers, comparators, drivers, and optocouplers arranged in multiple circuit branches, which could be configured to control multiple device outputs associated with different groups of devices.

An equipment isolation system (10) for remotely isolating equipment (20,21) in a plant comprising equipment (20,21) energisable by an energy source (30) and a control system (50,260) for controlling operation of said equipment (20,21) and isolation of said equipment (20,21) from said energy source (30) to an isolated state by an operator, wherein said control system (50,260) includes an identification device for an operator to provide operator identification data to the control system (50,260) as a step in using the isolation system (10).

A remote isolation system (10) for a plant comprising a plurality of equipment items (20,21,21A,210,210A,250,250A) energisable by an energy source (30), a control system (50,260) enabling automatic isolation of each equipment item (20,21,21A,210,210A,250,250A) of said plurality of equipment items (20,21,21A,210,210A,250,250A) from said energy source (30) to an isolated state when authorised by the control system (50,260), wherein said control system (50,260) is configured to respond to an isolation demand input corresponding with one of a plurality of available equipment isolation modes, each of which enable automatic isolation of at least one of said plurality of equipment items (20,21,21A,210,210A,250,250A) from said energy source (30) when authorised by the control system (50,260).

An equipment isolation system (10) comprising at least one equipment item (20,21,25) energisable by an energy source (30) and a control system (50,260) for automatically isolating said at least one equipment item (20,21,25) from said energy source (30) to an isolated state, wherein said equipment isolation system (10) includes means for securing the integrity of operation of said equipment isolation system, said securing means (21A,25A,50,S,900) including at least one monitoring means (50,S,900) for continuously monitoring the isolation state of said at least one equipment item (20,21,25) through detection of undesired energy flow or possible energy flow therein.