Patent ID: 6618628
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling a system, wherein the system operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals, wherein during operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals, comprising:a master controller having at least first and second controllers, wherein the first controller outputs and inputs signals over a first communication path, wherein the second controller outputs and inputs signals over a second communication path, wherein the first and second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data; a plurality of input/output modules, wherein each of the input/output modules comprises first and second slave controllers, wherein the first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs signals over the first communication path to the first controller, wherein the second slave controller outputs and inputs signals over the second communication path, wherein each of the first slave controllers outputs and inputs signals to and from a first input/output circuit, wherein each of the second slave controllers outputs and inputs signals to and from a second input/output circuit, wherein each of the input/output modules further comprises a combiner circuit, wherein at least some of the input control signals for controlling the system are generated by the combiner circuit of each input/output module based on signals output from both the first and second input/output circuits; wherein the output control signals for controlling the system are generated based on output status/control signals from the system that are coupled to each of the first and second input/output circuits of the input/output modules.