Methods and systems for authorizing an effector command in an integrated modular environment

• US 8,453,160 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2010
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Sunderland, Dean E., Ahrendt, Terry J., Moore, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Lechi
• Application Number:
  US12/721,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20110225596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 719/310, 719/312
• US Class Current: 719/312
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for authorizing a command of an integrated modular environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors is provided. A first identifier, a second identifier, and a third identifier are determined. The first identifier identifies a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated. The second identifier identifies a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended. The third identifier identifies a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector. The first identifier and the third identifier are compared to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing a command of an integrated modular hardware environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors, the method comprising the steps of:

retrieving, from a memory of the integrated modular hardware environment, a first identifier identifying a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated;

receiving a command message, the command message including the command and a second identifier, the second identifier identifying a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended;

retrieving, from the memory of the integrated modular hardware environment, a third identifier using the received second identifier via a look-up table stored in the memory of the integrated modular hardware environment following the receiving of the command message, the third identifier identifying a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector; and

comparing the first identifier and the third identifier to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

transmitting the command to the first effector if the first partition is the same as the second partition.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

taking remedial action if the first partition is not the same as the second partition.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving a command message that includes the command and the second identifier, wherein the step of retrieving the third identifier comprises the step of retrieving the third identifier using the second identifier via a look-up table stored in the memory of the integrated modular hardware environment following the receiving of the command message.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

receiving a duplicate copy of the command message;

wherein the method further comprises the step of comparing the command message and the duplicate copy of the command message.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the second identifier comprises the step of identifying the second identifier from the command message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of determining the third identifier comprises the step of determining the third identifier using the second identifier and the look-up table.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of determining the first identifier comprises the step of determining the first identifier from a packet description list pertaining to the command message, wherein the packet description list is stored in the memory of the integrated modular hardware environment.

9. A system for authorizing a command in an integrated modular environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors, the system comprising:

a memory configured to store a look-up table; and

a controller coupled to the memory and configured to;

retrieve, from the memory, a first identifier identifying a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated;

receive a command message that includes the command and a second identifier, the second identifier identifying a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended;

determine from the memory a third identifier using the received second identifier and the look-up table, the third identifier identifying a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector; and

compare the first identifier and the third identifier to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to provide instructions for transmitting the command to the first effector if the first partition is the same as the second partition.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to provide instructions for taking remedial action if the first partition is not the same as the second partition.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the second identifier from a command message.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the command message and a duplicate copy of the command message.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the first identifier from a packet description list pertaining to the command message, the packet description list being retrieved by the controller from the memory.

15. A system for authorizing a command in an integrated modular environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors, the system comprising:

a memory;

a receiver configured to receive a command message, the command message comprising the command and a second identifier, the second identifier identifying a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended; and

a hardware controller coupled to the receiver and configured to;

retrieve, from the memory, a first identifier identifying a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated;

retrieve from the memory a third identifier using the received second identifier via a look-up table stored in the memory, the third identifier identifying a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector; and

compare the first identifier and the third identifier to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware controller is further configured to provide instructions for transmitting the command to the first effector if the first partition is the same as the second partition.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware controller is further configured to provide instructions for taking remedial action if the first partition is not the same as the second partition.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware controller is further configured to compare the command message and a duplicate copy of the command message.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware controller is further configured to determine the third identifier using the second identifier and a look-up table stored in the memory.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware controller is further configured to determine the first identifier from a packet description list pertaining to the command message, wherein the packet description list is stored in the memory.