Abstract:
A device is used for controlling an installation that is comprised of several units. A common control system, that is provided with a central data memory, in which current real values and/or set points are filed as process variables for several units, is allocated to several of these units. The data memory encompasses a storage area for the process variables. The data structure of this storage area can be configured even by using a set of data that describes the projected installation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 USC 371, of PCT/DE2003/004099, filed Dec. 11, 2003; published as WO 2004/055609 A2 and A3 on Jul. 1, 2004, and claiming priority to DE 102 58 704.3, filed Dec. 16, 2002, and to DE 103 17 065.0, filed Apr. 14, 2003, the disclosure of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a method and to a device for control, as well as to a method for setting up a control system. The control system is intended primarily to be used in conjunction with a printing press. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   DE 37 07 866 A1 discloses a control device for use with several units of a printing press. Values, which are measured at the units, are supplied to a computer unit, are stored in a memory and are made visible at a touch display screen. The direct control of the units is made possible by the use of the touch screen and the computer unit. 
   A digital system for use in regulating and controlling a power converter and drive mechanisms is known from the publication “Siemens Energie &amp; Automation 8 (1986) Heft 2”, pages 119 and 120. A regulating and control device is designed by the use of design software, instead of being programmed. The designed regulation and control functions of this regulating device are translated into a list code. The application program is processed, together with the system software, by the regulating and control device. The regulating device is designed in a structural image-oriented design language of required hardware and software components, as discussed at pages 121 to 123 of the above-identified publication. 
   A system for the rapid digital regulation and control of power converter drive mechanisms is disclosed in the above mentioned publication on pages 112 to 115. The hardware and software is constructed in modular structures, as discussed at pages 116 to 118. 
   DE 197 40 974 A1 discloses a book production system with a program having an object structure and a memory, in which, inter alia, information regarding the machinery contained in the installation, as well as setting parameters, are stored. To manufacture a defined product, the setting parameters required for this product are output to the control of the machine by the program by the use of the data stored in the data bank. 
   A system for transmitting OPC data via the internet to an OPC server of an automating system is known from DE 100 36 552 A1. 
   An article by Wolfgang Weber “Verteilte Systeme—Verteilte Objekte—DCOM” presented at a seminar on data processing WS 1989/99 of the Ruhr University at Bochum, Chair for Data Processing, deals with the employment of DCOM running time systems in connection with the communication between several different computers and processes. 
   In an article entitled “Useware in der Praxis: Die DICOweb Bedienung—ein Beispiel für eine ergonomische Gestaltung in der Drucktechnik” by Gregor Enke, 44 (2002), an operating concept for a printing press is introduced. The concept provides a manipulation-oriented operation in the course of the product preparation and the influencing of process values. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is directed to providing a method and a control system, as well as a method for setting up a control system. 
   In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by the provision of a device for controlling a printing press. The printing press includes several units. These units are controlled by a common control system which has a central data memory in which actual values are stored in the form of process variables. 
   The advantages to be gained by the present invention consist, in particular, in that for one the architecture of the control system is constructed in a decentralized manner in such a way that it supports a modular and a flexible construction or design of the processing machine. 
   Simultaneously, there is a central data management device whose structure is adapted from the existing configuration of the processing machine, or which reflects it. This makes possible a simple, centralized configuration across distributed systems. 
   The central data management system and/or the architecture of the control system in accordance with the present invention, form a scaleable system. In this way, the individual steps for processing the data can be scaled on a single computer or across several computers, depending on the application case and/or the workload. Therefore, the system, and in particular the software and the hardware of the system, covers a large spectrum of different types and sizes of machines, such as, for example, printing presses for newspapers, jobbing, sheets, securities and the like. The software, or the data inventory of the control system, is configured as a function of the type of application, such as, for example, being designed from predefined modules and data inventories. Separate programming of data of each individual configuration can be omitted. Only the design of the control system with previously known components to correspond with the installation takes place. The modular architecture and the type of planning and implementation can be advantageously expanded to installations with several sections. 
   Regarding the variability and the flexible application for the most diverse machine types, the standardized, almost automated design of the control system, and in particular of the data memory, is of particular advantage. The program portion of the data server, which is identical to a large extent, except with regard to different types of machines, forms the machine-specific structure in the data server actually on the basis of a data set describing the installation, i.e. the data server only receives its identity, for example through its memory element which was previously “empty”, with respect to the installation to be controlled, and is set up accordingly. This set-up of the base structure can be followed during the later operation, in the course of operating the installation, by a change of applied parameter specifications and/or an activation or a deactivation of basically provided components, or units. In what follows, a differentiation will be made between the implementation, i.e. between the data or software configuration of the machine-specific data structure into the control system, and an adaptation, to be made during the running of the installation, to the product to be manufactured, which adaptations are, in part, also called “configuring” or “setting-up” in the prior art. For example, control console computers, or their memories, have a fixedly programmed identifier space when the installation is being delivered. With the present system, there is a freely programmable identifier space, whose data structure, for example by implementing the config files, is only then set up. For this purpose, the data server has a process on the one side, and on the other side has the config file, which is characterizing the installation. 
   In an advantageous embodiment of the control console in accordance with the present invention, the control console has an operating console which makes it possible for the operator to recognize the colors of the actual side and to change them. In a further development of the invention, the values for regulating and for controlling the machine can be directly changed or can be input by the use of a touch screen-capable display field at the display screen. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
       FIG. 1 , a schematic installation with a control device, in 
       FIG. 2 , a schematic representation of the design of an installation in accordance with the present invention, in 
       FIG. 3 , a schematic representation of the architecture of the control device of the present invention, and in 
       FIG. 4 , a schematic representation of the architecture of a multi-section installation in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   An installation  01 , such as, for example, a printing press  01  or a printing press installation  01  as represented in  FIG. 1 , has a number of units  02 ,  03 ,  04 , for example installation elements for performing defined method steps, such as a material supply device  02 , for example a roll changer  02 , or several roll changers  02 . 1 ,  02 . 2 ,  02 . 3 , printing units of printing towers  03 , units  04  for further processing, such as folding apparatus  04 , and the like. In turn, each of the printing units  03  can have several lower-order units  05 , such as, for example printing groups  05 , identified by  05 . 1 ,  05 . 2 ,  05 . 3 ,  05 . 4 , etc. The different units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05  can each be provided once or several times in the installation. The number and/or the embodiment of the several units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05  can be different for different embodiments of the installation. 
   The installation  01  furthermore has a symbolically represented control system  06 , which controls the units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 , or which controls their drive mechanisms, settings, etc. individually and in the interaction between each other. The symbolically represented control system  06  contains, as will be explained in detail below, various elements, such as one or several memories, one or several computing units, as well as signal connections between the elements, such as data busses and/or protocol converters, for example. The control system  06  is in a signal connection, such as, for example via connections  07 , with the units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 . Alternatively, the control system  06  is in signal connection with controls  08  and/or with regulating elements  08  assigned to these units. 
   Depending on its type, configuration or application, such an installation  01  is differently configured with respect to its units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 , with respect to the number of units and/or with respect to the detailed specification of the hardware of the units themselves. This means that this invention relates, for example, to a jobbing printing press with a defined number of roll changers of a defined type, to a defined number of printing groups in a horizontal arrangement of a defined type, to a folding apparatus of a defined type, and the like. In connection with the hardware, it is intended here to understand that the configuration of the installation  01  is the actual configuration of the installation with actually provided units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 , and possibly their design. 
   Information regarding the actual configuration of the entire, actually existing installation  01  is centrally stored, with the corresponding data, in the control system  06 . The data is preferably centrally stored in a centralized data management device  09 , such as, for example a memory  09  or a data server  09 . In an advantageous embodiment, these data for configuring the installation can be implemented and/or can be changed via at least one input interface  11 . In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the data for configuring the installation are provided as a data set F, for example a file F, in particular configuration file F by the use of a data processing unit  16 , which is independent of the control system  06 , for example a computer  16  and, following their completion, are transmitted via the input interface  11  to the central data management device  09 , or are implemented there. The preparation of the configuration file F is used for the mapping by use of control technology of the actual installation configuration and will be understood in what follows as “projecting” the control system  06  in view of the actually existing installation  01 , or its units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 . For example, the transmission of the file F can also take place from the manufacturer via a network, such as, for example, via the internet. However, the control system  06  can also have its own mechanism for projecting the control system  06 , or for the preparation of the data set F which, for example, substantially correspond to those of the data bank and/or the surface which is explained in greater detail below. 
   The mapping of the configuration in a configuration file F, i.e. the projection of the control, takes place, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, by using a memory unit  17 , and in particular by using a data bank  17 , with a stock of pre-known or predefined objects  12 ,  13 ,  14 , which objects are, for example, assigned to printing press types and/or to embodiments of the above mentioned units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 . The installation  01 , such as, for example, a printing press  01 , is then projected in such a way that it is put together from the stock of predefined objects  12 ,  13 ,  14 , such as, for example, printing towers, roll changers, folding apparatus, etc., wherein the data, or at least the basic data, properties and/or sub-programs, which are required for later operation of the installation  01 , are assigned to these objects  12 ,  13 ,  14 , or are allotted to them by selection. For example, these specific data and sub-programs are present in the data bank  17  and are linked to the respective object  12 ,  13 ,  14 . More complex objects  12 ,  13 ,  14  at least contain the possibility of further details, in which lower-order objects  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 , for example specific variants, specific embodiments, details, specific settings, etc., here for the example of a “printing unit 1 ”, “printing group 1 ” and printing group 2 ”, on a lower level are assigned to the objects  12 ,  13 ,  14 , for example in the manner of a tree structure or a register structure. 
   Further details can exist on more than one lower level in the tree structure, as represented in  FIG. 2 , for the example of the printing unit  03  with “lateral registration” and with “circumferential registration”, as  13 . 2 . 1 ,  13 . 2 . 2 . A further, not specifically identified level represents, for example, “parameters”, with still lower located “parameter 1 ” and “parameter 2 ”. Basic data and/or basic sub-programs are assigned to all these specifications in the data bank  17  which, when selecting the appropriate object  12 ,  13 ,  14 , with sub-specification, lower-order objects, etc., are transferred to a data set F. Data, or finally selected parameters, can be differently selected for different units  02 ,  03 ,  04  of the same type, or can be predetermined by being entered. As represented, by way of example in  FIG. 2 , the installation  01 , which is to be projected, by the use of software technology, has three roll changers  02 , two printing units  03 , as well as a folding apparatus  04 . The parameters from the object stock  19 , which are schematically represented on the right side of the figure, are assigned to each unit  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 . Following the selection of the components/objects intended for the installation  01 , all of the assigned data, parameters/sub-programs, are transferred, in accordance with a predefined pattern, to a data set F or to a file F, such as, for example, a “config file” F. This data set F then represents a map of the installation  01  which is actually to be operated and then has, for example, all of the preset values, preset command variables, and the like which are essential for the operation and control and which can be available either in text or in binary format. 
   In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection is performed on the data processing unit  16  which unit  16  is independent from the control system  06  or which can be separated from it, for example on a computer  16 . In this case, an embodiment of the invention is of advantage wherein a program surface  18  has a linkage with the above mentioned data bank  17  in such a way that a selection or a copy of an object  12 ,  13 ,  14 , or of its identification or name also contains the specific data or parameters and/or sub-programs and/or sub-objects  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2  and furthermore also the process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2  in a manner comparable to the embedding of an OLE object. An embodiment of the program surface is particularly easy to use, by the use of which objects  12 ,  13 ,  14  offered in an object stock  19  in a tree structure can be further differentiated by selection, and the objects  12 ,  13 ,  14 , or the detailed objects  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2  can be supplied by copying, in particular by “drag and drop”, to the installation to be projected in the form of its own display screen area  21 . In the background of this operation, or at the end of it, the data and procedures assigned to these objects  12 ,  13 ,  14  with lower-order objects  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 , etc. are copied, for example in a predeterminable standard format, to the data set F. The file F, which is created on the basis of the selected process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 , can now be fed, after its completion, to the control system  06  of the installation  01 , and in particular to the data server  09 . The file F contains, for example, application names predetermined by the user, and preferably standardized, as variables. 
   For one, a data processing operation, or a data processing routine has been advantageously implemented in the data memory  09 , which operation or routine is intended to produce a data structure by the use of projection data which, for another, are available to it. In the present case, the configuration file F which had been transferred to it, is available to the data memory  09 , by the use of which a software-related configuration or establishment of the memory takes place, which is custom-made for the installation  01  that is mapped by the file F. This means that following the transmission of the configuration file F into the data memory  09 , first a data structure is created, which is matched to the installation  01 , instead of merely filling an already fixedly programmed memory environment of open parameters with data. Such a fixedly programmed memory environment would have to be individually programmed to a large extent for each machine type and/or for every more extensively differing configuration of the hardware. Because of the advantageous design of the data memory  09  with a data processing operation and a configuration file F assigned to each other, the custom-made configuration of the data structure, and, in the end, of the control system  06 , is possible, in a simple way. The actual installation  01  is mapped in accordance with fixedly predetermined routines of the data processing operation by use of the file F, containing process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 , in the data memory  09  or in the control system  06 . Only then is the data and program structure formed as a system of the data memory  09  as such. 
   The advantage of this double solution is that, on the one hand, procedures, actions, behavior and/or logical connections have been set up for the software portion and for the higher-order control processes. On the other hand, the configuration data of the file F defines the components and the sub-routines of the actually existing installation  01 . In this way, changes or error corrections of the “hardware” can be achieved solely by implementing a new file F, and improvements or error corrections of the data processing operation can be achieved solely by implementing a portion of, or the entire data processing operation. For example, in case of an additional unit or of a replacement unit of a new type, it is only necessary to read in a new config file F for the new installation  01 , taking this change into consideration. The program portion of the data server  09  recognizes the mapped installation  01  and adjusts its memory area and, if required, also adjusts other components of the control system  06 , accordingly. In this case, no change in the program source codes, with respect to parametrization, routines, etc., needs to be made. The program portion, or the data processing operation, is designed in such a way that the data structure and the functionality of the installation  01 , regarding different machine types, is formed solely by the available config file F. 
   The above-described projection goes far beyond the conventional programming of a control console computer or a section computer wherein, although the installation  01  is also mapped by software, the routines and the program source codes containing the parametrization are, in a manner tightly matched to the machine, fixedly programmed in the respective computer unit. The installation  01  can then be operated via an operator interface. This means that customarily already entered components can be switched on and off by use of software, parameters can be changed, and the like. In the prior art, this is also sometimes called “configuring the installation  01 ”, but means the selection of components and/or parameters which are already fixedly set in the program, and not the “configuration by use of software” of the data server  09  or of the control system  06  in the manner which is called “projecting” here. In contrast to the so-called “configuration of the installation  01 ”, wherein the operating data in a fixedly preset data structure are selected and are thereby “configured”, with the present way of operating, the data structure of the data server  09  itself is configured, i.e. the data server  09  itself is designed so it can be configured or projected. Projection is to be understood as the mapping of the actually existing units, and only these units, in an appropriate data structure. 
   In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it has, of course, been provided that, following the projection and the implementation of the file F, the operators can switch units, which are implemented through an interface  15 , off or on, or can change parameter values via a control level  41 , as will be described below, and/or a partially or fully automated system, such as a product planning system, i.e. can perform a so-called “configuration of the installation  01 ” in the above mentioned way from the units now entered in the data server  09 . 
   In an advantageous further development of the present invention, in the course of projecting the installation  01 , communication-specific information, such as, for example, interface protocols used, regarding the units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 , and, if required, regarding the hardware components of the control system  06  used, are read out of the object stock. In a first variation, this data can be integrated in the config file F, can also be implemented in the data server  09  and can be fed from there to a communication server  23 , which will be explained in greater detail below, for its “configuration by use of software”. In an embodiment of the invention, which is indicated by dashed lines in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , for the configuration by use of software of the communication server  23  in the course of the projection, at least one second file F′, such as, for example, configuration file F′, or config file F′ for short, is established, which second file is either indirectly implemented in the communication server  23  via the data server  09 , or via an interface, which is, not specifically represented, of the communication server  23 . Communication-specific information regarding the projected units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05  is then available to the latter. 
   A systematy, leading away from a one-time production, is created by the procedure and by the embodiment for setting up the control system  06 , which can be used in connection with the most diverse products of a manufacturer of the installation  01 , such as, for example, different types, product lines and configuration or equipment stages, in a manner which is uncomplicated and which is low in errors. The person projecting the control system  06  by the use of the planned installation  01 , no longer needs to perform detailed programming, custom-tailored to the installation  01 , but instead only maps the components or the units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05  of the installation  01 . Programming takes place by taking in the data regarding the object stock  19 , the implementation in the data server  09 , as well as the program portion of the data server  09  which is substantially constant regarding the different types, product lines and design or equipment stages. 
   The data memory  09  is advantageously configured as a data server  09  with an open interface, and in particular is configured as a data server  09 , or as an OPC data server, with at least one open OPC interface  15  for data exchange on the basis of OLE/COM and DCOM. The data memory  09  manages the objects or the process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2  on the basis of an object management, for example in accordance with the COM (component object model)/DCOM (distributed component object model) standard. This means that it has an operating system which supports a method for inter-process communication, or an object request mediator, which is configured to exchange complex data structures. In the example, the operating system is provided in the form of Windows NT4.0®, or higher, or Windows 2000®, or higher and as standard for COM/DCOM communication. However, it can also be a comparable combination of an operating system and an object request mediator meeting the above mentioned conditions, for example the operating system LINUX® and the standard CORBA®, can be used. This also applies to the element to be described in what follows, for which the use of Windows 2000® together with COM/DCOM has been called advantageous or a requirement. 
   The data can be exchanged via the open interface  15  in accordance with the data exchange method OLE, or object linking and embedding, for example with a network, a field bus, an application and/or a visualization. The at least one open OPC interface  15  allows access by use of a further external unit  20 , module  20  or application  20 , for example of a dryer, a print pre-stage and/or a roll supply, also called a “consumer” in what follows in that it is brought into contact with, and is connected with the data server  09 . The additional consumer “helps itself” autonomously to the data from the data server  09 . 
   The objects, or the process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2  are mapped by the data server  09  in an identifier space and are managed. The administration can consist, for example, of memorizing, archiving and reconstructing process data and process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 . The identifier space is now specifically configured to correspond to the projected installation  01 , particularly again in a tree structure. The data server  09  can additionally be configured so that errors which are detected in the control and/or in the regulation of the installation  01  are entered in a data set, such as, for example, a so-called log file. 
   In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the data server  09  is integrated into an architecture for the control system  06 , as will be explained in what follows, and as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
   The data server  09  is connected, via a further interface and a signal connection  22 , such as, for example, via a network  22 , with at least one process or computing unit  23 , for example a server  23 , and in particular with a communication server  23 . With regard to the control system  06  with decentralized components, such as, for example, with lower-order processes  24  and/or controls  08 , as discussed below, the process or computing unit  23  represents a higher-order process or computing unit  23 . In it, a conversion of the so-called raw data, which was made available by the data server  09 , into the communications protocol demanded for the lower-order processes  24  and/or the controls  08 , respectively takes place in it in a higher-order process. The network  22  between the data server  09  and the higher-order process or computing unit  23  is, for example, configured as an ethernet with a transmission rate of at least 10 Mbits, for example. Unless stated differently, a “network” is understood to be a closed network in accordance with hardware technology of a uniform net type. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a stochastic access method, and in particular, the CSMA/CD access method, standardized in accordance with IEEE 802.3, is used as the access method. In principle, the communication can be based on diverse protocols, but in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention on the TCP/IP protocol or a socket connection. 
   The communication server  23  is generally understood to be a process unit  23 , which is a mediating layer between the server  23  and the network-specific processes which are located “below” it. For example, the server  23  here functions as client, OLE or COM/DCOM client, which can pick up objects or process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2  from the data server  09 , or OLE server. It receives and/or processes the objects or the process variables  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2 ,  13 . 2 . 2  also on the basis of an object management in accordance with the COM/DCOM standard and is machine-specifically configured. The communication server receives the machine-specific configuration, for example in the above mentioned way, through the projected config file F′. 
   Thus, the server  23  forms a “communication layer” between the data server  09  and clients which are located “below it”. These clients can be, for example, one or several controls  08  which may be combined into one or into several networks  28  and which are connected, for example, via appropriate interfaces  27  or nodes  27 , with the respective network  28  or with the signal connection  28 . The server  23  constructs, for example, a direct signal connection, which is not specifically represented, with these controls  08  used as communication partners, or maintains that connection. On the one hand, the server interprets data or work order or “jobs” received from the control  08  and transfers these data to the data server  09 . On the other hand, it converts data to be transmitted from the data server  09  into jobs and transmits these to the respective one of the controls  08 . The controls  08  can be configured as programs running on a PC, as SPS units, or in another way. The job receives, from the server  23 , the information regarding the node  27  affected by the job, for example in the head of the respective network protocol. 
   The signal connections  28  are advantageously configured as one or more networks  28 . They can lead in a star shape, as represented in star topology, to the controls  08 , or in a manner which is not specifically represented, each can serve several controls  08  in a bus or ring structure. 
   The network  28  is embodied, in an advantageous manner, as a network  28  with a deterministic access method, which is, in particular, based on token-passing, such as, for example, as an arc net  28 . In this case, the server is embodied for converting the jobs into the protocol used. If the network  28  is embodied as an arc net  28 , the communication server  23  is configured as an arc net server. In an advantageous variation of the present invention, the connection  28  can also be configured as a so-called “profi bus system”. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the server  23  is not in a direct signal connection with the controls  08 , but instead, in an advantageous manner, is in connection via several lower-order processes  24  or data processing and/or computer units  24 , specifically three in this depicted configuration. The processes  24 , or also the process units  24  can be housed, as represented in  FIG. 3 , in separate units  24 . 1 ,  24 . 2 ,  24 . 3 ,  24 . 4 , i.e. in their own processors, such as, in particular, communication processors, or even in their own housings or computers, or in a common component, such as, for example, a computer. The processes  24  are embodied to serve a network of a defined type and constitute so-called “net handlers”  24 . The net handlers  24  are interchangeable and can be embodied depending on the net type to be served, such as, for example, profi bus, interbus-S or real time ethernet. Net handlers  24  of several different types can also be connected at the same time with the server  23 . For example, in the depiction in  FIG. 3 , the three net handlers  24 . 1 ,  24 . 2 ,  24 . 3  can be configured as arc net handlers, while an additional net handler  24 . 4  supports another net type and/or another protocol, for example, in order to communicate with units, or with their controls  08 , on the basis of this net type and/or protocol. 
   A connection  29  between the server  23  and the lower-order data processing and/or computing units  24  is configured, for example, as a network  29 , here in star topology. The information as to which node  27  is in a signal connection  29  with which lower-order data processing and/or computing unit  24 , or processes  24 , for example, has been implemented in the server  23 . The information is then sent, for example in the manner of a “switch”, to the lower-order process  24  concerned. In a variation, all of the information is sent to all of the lower-order processes  24 , wherein acceptance and further processing is decided, for example, by use of the information in the protocol head. The information regarding which control  08  is to be addressed over which lower-order data processing and/or computing unit  24  or process  24 , can be implemented in the lower-order control  08  itself and can be changed. 
   In the example depicted in  FIG. 3 , the network  28  is embodied between the lower-order data processing and/or computing unit  24  and the connected control  08  as a network  28  in star topology. The lower-order data processing and/or computing unit  24  is configured, for example, as server  24  with COM/DCOM object management. In a further development, each server  24  contains a program  31 , configured as a driver  31 , or as driver software  31 , which supports the operating system NT4.0®, or higher, or Windows 2000®, or higher. In this way, object-oriented processing, with COM/DCOM object management, is made possible on all levels, corresponding to the above mentioned LINUX/CORBA or comparable system. A switch  33 , a so-called switch  33  or a switching hub, can be arranged downstream of the data processing and/or the computing unit  24 , which switch  33  evaluates the target address of the data packet, here the control  08  or the node  27  concerned, and passes the data packet on specifically only to this control. 
   In addition to the general connection between the data server  09  and the individual controls  08 , logical connections  32  between the controls  08  with “short” logical paths are provided as cross communication. These are used for communication during the control process, in which no jobs are needed from the data server  09 . 
   The represented architecture now makes it possible to configure the installation  01  in a simple manner during planning, or to project the control system  06  corresponding to the installation  01 , and to implement the resulting settings and data via the data server  09  for the operation. The embodiment of the present invention, with several lower-order data processing and/or computing units  24 , makes it possible to couple the different controls  08  freely and arbitrarily to one of these data processing and/or computing units  24 , and to store this information there, if required. Depending on the load, possibly in connection with interferences, or in the course of expanding the installation  01 , the controls  08  can be assigned to the different, or to one data processing and/or computing unit  24  to be expanded, or to a further process  24 . Therefore, the concept of the present invention can be freely upwardly scaled. If the installation  01  is in the planning stage, it is possible, in the course of projecting, to decide on the number of the lower-order data processing and/or computing units  24  or net handlers  24 , for example as arc net handlers, as well as the intended assignment of the controls  08 , and to already take them into consideration in the file F, or in a separate configuration file for the data processing and/or computing units  24 . A presetting is then already implemented in the server  23  and/or the net handlers  24 , which presetting is simultaneously taken into consideration in the network plans for the connections. It is of particular advantage that, independently of the multitude of the units  02 ,  03 ,  04 ,  05 , all of the basic settings, the actual values needed for control and the new command variables of a section are implemented in the common server  23 , or changed data are stored there. The control level  41 , as well as the lower-order systems, can always access this data stock via the represented architecture. 
   In a further development of the present invention, as represented in  FIG. 4 , the previously mentioned concept can be expanded to an installation  01  with several sections  34 , basically machines  34 , which can be operated independently of each other. In this application, the installation  01  has several data servers  09 , for example one for each machine  34  or section  34 . The data servers  09  are each connected via networks  29 , such as an ethernet, in the present example, with a communication server  23 . Further lower-order data processing and/or computing units  24  or net handlers  24 , which are not specifically represented here, can be assigned to each communication server  23 . The controls  08  are again in signal connection with the communication server  23 , either directly or via a lower-order net handler  24  via a network  28 . In the subject example, a second network  36  for each machine  34  is provided, into which second network  36  further control or operation-relevant devices  37 ,  38 ,  39  can be integrated. 
   The data processing units  23 , which are here depicted as arc net servers  23 , are in signal connection  32  with each other for communication. It has furthermore been provided in accordance with the present invention that a section-overlapping information exchange between the various data servers  09  and the communication servers  23  takes place on a control level  41  of the installation. As in the example in accordance with  FIG. 3 , it is furthermore provided that a cross-communication  32  between the controls  08  within a section  34 , and/or in a section-overlapping manner, can take place on the level between the communication servers  23  and the controls  08 . 
   The control level  41  of the installation  01  is symbolically indicated in  FIG. 3  in dashed lines above the control system  06 . The components of the control level  41  are a control console  42 ,  43 ,  44 , which, for example, has at least a computing or a data processing unit  42 , such as a control console computer  42 , a visualization device  43 , such as a display screen  43 , as well as an operating console  44 . The control console  42 ,  43 ,  44  is used for the communication of the operators with the installation  01 , or with a section  34  of the installation  01 . The control console  42 ,  43 ,  44 , or portions of the control console  42 ,  43 ,  44 , are in signal connection with the data server  23 , for example via an open OPC interface in accordance with the above explanations. 
   While preferred embodiments of a control method and device and method for setting up a control system, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in, for example the specific types of printing presses, their drive mechanisms and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.