Method for configuring a multiple channel discrete output module

• US 20030226066A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Weddle, Alan, Mowry, Stephen Weeks Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,085,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/43
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/054 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/1196 Intelligent, smart I-O can function independently, monitoring limit values
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14036 Detection of fault in processor

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising, for each of the plurality of channels, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a multi-channel discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising:

for each of a plurality of channels coupled to a multi-channel discrete output module, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a memory of the multi-channel discrete output module;

detecting a failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the multi-channel discrete output module; and

upon detecting a failure or shutdown of the control system, for each of the plurality of channels;

retrieving the predetermined value for the fail-state parameter from the memory of the multi-channel discrete output module;

interpreting the predetermined value for the fail-state parameter; and

causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the interpreted predetermined value for the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each channel, determining the value for the fail-state parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a failure of the control system.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a shutdown of the control system.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting an error in a signal from the control system.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising correcting an error in a signal from the control system.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising acknowledging a signal from the control system.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each channel, retrieving the predetermined value for the fail-state parameter from a memory of the module.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each channel, interpreting the predetermined value for the fail-state parameter.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, indicating an operating mode of a channel.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each channel, indicating an operating mode of the channel.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each channel, visually indicating an operating mode of the channel.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each channel, audibly indicating an operating mode of the channel.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising, communicating to the control system regarding a channel from the plurality of channels.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising, communicating to the control system regarding all channels from the plurality of channels.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising, communicating an operating mode of a channel to the control system.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising, communicating an open-circuit status of a channel.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising, communicating a short-circuit status of a channel.

2. A method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising:

for each of the plurality of channels,

storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and

upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter.

20. A system for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete module, comprising:

for each of the plurality of channels,

means for storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and

means for upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter.

21. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

for each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete module that is coupled to a control system,

storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and

upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter.

22. A method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising:

detecting a failure or shutdown of the control system; and

for each of the plurality of channels, upon detecting a failure or shutdown of the control system, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to a predetermined module-stored value for the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter.