UNIT TO UNIT TRANSFER SYNCHRONIZATION

• US 20080095196A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Carmount, Mark K., Weatherhead, N. Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/864,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20080095196A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/503
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41815 characterised by the cooperation between machine tools, manipulators and conveyor or other workpiece supply system, workcell
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31455 Monitor process status
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32065 Synchronise set points of processes
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33002 Artificial intelligence AI, expert, knowledge, rule based system KBS
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system facilitates improved module organization. The system includes a communication component that enables interaction between a primary module and at least one subsequent module. In addition, a synchronization component that coordinates operation of the primary module with at least one subsequent module through utilization of the communication component, where the synchronization component is included upon the primary module.

Claims

1. A system for module organization, comprising:

a communication component that enables interaction between a primary module and at least one subsequent module; and

a synchronization component that coordinates operation of the primary module with at least one subsequent module through utilization of the communication component, wherein the synchronization component is integrated upon the primary module.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a security component that determines validity of information that travels between the primary module and at least one subsequent module.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an error check component that identifies at least one error produced through coordination between the primary module and at least one subsequent module

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising artificial intelligence that makes at least one inference or at least one determination or at least one of each in relation to coordination between the primary module and at least one subsequent module.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein coordination comprises transmission of a status of the primary module to at least one subsequent module.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a configuration component that determines the synchronization component to integrate with the primary module or the primary module to integrate with the synchronization component.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a construction component that integrates the synchronization component upon the primary module.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a test component that determines if the primary module integrated with the synchronization component is suitable for coordination with at least one subsequent module.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a safety component that performs a failure control operation upon a primary module or subsequent module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the synchronization component is a module embedded in the safety component.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the safety component utilizes a resource to perform a failure control operation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the resource is a presence sensor device, a safety switch, an interlock switch, a safety relay, an emergency stop device, a cable pull and enable switch, a safety controller, or a combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an activation component that places the primary module in a state capable of coordinating with at least one subsequent module.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary module coordinates operation with at least one subsequent module that is part of a process.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one subsequent module integrates with another synchronization component that is used to coordinate operation.

16. A method for synchronizing modules in a control environment, comprising:

embedding at least one synchronization component within a module to determine status of the module or communicate status of the module; and

employing the synchronization component to coordinate operations with at least one other module.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising performing a test upon at least one synchronization component, wherein a result of the test is used to determine if at least one synchronization component is to be embedded within a module.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising making at least one modification based on coordination between the synchronization component and at least one other module.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining if the modification creates at least one error.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising altering operation of at least one module if it is determined that the modification creates at least one error.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein altering operation eliminates the error.

22. A system for module manipulation, comprising:

means for constructing a module and a synchronization component into a single unit; and

means for activating the single unit to coordinate with at least one other module.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for testing the single unit.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for determining a module to construct into a single unit or a synchronization component to construct into a single unit.