Apparatus, system, and method for automation using automation modules
First Claim
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1. An apparatus configured to control an automation function, comprising:
- two or more automation modules selected from a plurality of interchangeable automation modules and connectable into a single physical assembly, each automation module including,an enclosure including a physical interface that is capable of physically coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules;
a data interface that is capable of data coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules to exchange data with any others of the plurality of automation modules;
a processor coupled to the data interface; and
a functional component operable by the processor for performing an independent automation task; and
wherein the data interfaces of at least two of the two or more automation modules are coupled to exchange data communications for coordinating the respective functional components of the automation modules to perform the automation function.
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Abstract
A system, apparatus and method for performing automation is disclosed. An apparatus configured to control an automation function includes one or more automation modules connectable into an assembly. The automation modules include a data interface for exchanging data with other automation modules and a processor coupled to the data interface. A functional component is operable by the processor for performing an independent automation task. The data interfaces of the automation modules are coupled to exchange data communications for coordinating the respective functional components of the automation modules to perform the automation function.
18 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus configured to control an automation function, comprising:
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two or more automation modules selected from a plurality of interchangeable automation modules and connectable into a single physical assembly, each automation module including, an enclosure including a physical interface that is capable of physically coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules; a data interface that is capable of data coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules to exchange data with any others of the plurality of automation modules; a processor coupled to the data interface; and a functional component operable by the processor for performing an independent automation task; and wherein the data interfaces of at least two of the two or more automation modules are coupled to exchange data communications for coordinating the respective functional components of the automation modules to perform the automation function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for performing an automatic control function, comprising:
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selecting first and second automation modules from a plurality of interchangeable automation modules, each of the plurality of automation modules configured for performing an independent function and capable of data coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules to exchange data with any others of the plurality of automation modules; connecting the first and second automation modules into a single physical assembly via physical interfaces of the first and second automation modules, wherein the physical interfaces are capable of physically coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules; coordinating the independent functions of the first and second automation modules by communicating data between the first and second automation modules; and performing the automatic control function based on the coordinated independent functions of the first and second automation modules. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for controlling an automation function, the system comprising:
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two or more control devices each comprising one or more automation modules selected from a plurality of interchangeable automation modules, wherein at least one of the control devices comprises two or more of the automation modules capable of being coupled into a single physical assembly, wherein each of the automation modules includes, an enclosure including a physical interface that is capable of physically coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules; a data interface that is capable of data coupling with any others of the plurality of automation modules and exchanging data with any other automation modules of the plurality of automation modules; a processor coupled to the data interface; a functional component operable by the processor for performing an independent automation task; and wherein the data interfaces of the plurality of automation modules are coupled to exchange data communications for coordinating the respective functional components of the automation modules to perform a function of the control device; and wherein the control devices are configured to communicate with each other via the data interfaces of at least one of the automation modules of the respective control devices to coordinate the functions of the respective control devices to perform the automation function. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An automation module operable with other a plurality of other automation modules for performing an automation function, comprising:
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means for physically coupling with any of the plurality of other automation modules to form a single physical assembly; means for data coupling with any of the plurality of other automation modules to exchange data with any others of the plurality of automation modules; means for performing an independent automation task; and means for exchanging data with other automation modules of the assembly to coordinate the independent automation task with one or more independent automation tasks of the other automation modules to perform the automation function.
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Specification