Patent ID: 6216051
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A manufacturing system comprisinga communications terminal, the communications terminal being coupled to a manufacturing device,a first control device, the first control device being coupled to the communications terminal, anda second control device, the second control device being coupled to the communications terminal,the communications terminal including an independent interceptor module, the independent interceptor module receiving a first response from one of the first and second control devices, storing the response until a second response is received from the other of the first and second control devices, comparing the first and second responses to independently determine whether a potential fault exists with one of the first and second control devices, and determining which of the first and second responses to provide to the manufacturing device,wherein the independent interceptor module is independent of the first and second control devices,the combination of the communications terminal and the first and second control devices providing a backup system to provide continuous operation of the manufacturing system in the event that there is a fault with one of the first and second control devices.