Patent ID: 6298393
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
An industrial control system comprising:(A) a communication network;(B) a plurality of intelligent I/O nodes, the plurality of intelligent I/O nodes being coupled to each other by way of the communication network, the plurality of intelligent I/O nodes each comprising an integrated circuit fabricated on a single semiconductor chip and at least one of a mechanical input device and a mechanical output device integrally packaged with the semiconductor chip, at least one of the plurality of intelligent I/O nodes comprising a mechanical output device and at least one of the plurality of intelligent I/O nodes comprising a mechanical input device, each respective intelligent I/O node that comprises a mechanical output device querying remaining intelligent I/O nodes and, on the basis of the querying, controlling the mechanical output device within the respective intelligent I/O node; andwherein the industrial control system is substantially entirely controlled by the control/logic circuits associated with each of the plurality of intelligent I/O nodes, such that there is substantially no centralized control.