Abstract:
An integrated drive motor (IDM) power distribution architecture utilizes an IDM power interface module (IPIM) to create a control voltage that is distributed to all the IDMs in a network. This power distribution may be accomplished along a hybrid cable, for example, that includes both signal conductors and power conductors. The IPIM is capable of detecting short circuits and/or overload conditions and disabling the power supply to the IDMs. Additionally, a second power supply may be utilized in the IPIM such that when the power supply to the IDMs is deactivated, the IPIM may remain functional, for example, to report one or more fault conditions to the user. Additionally, this reporting of fault status may be accomplished via a user display integrated with or coupled to the IPIM.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/661,566, entitled “Integrated Drive Motor Power Interface”, filed Oct. 26, 2012, of which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/560,139, filed Nov. 15, 2011, and which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to the field of fault prevention and failure monitoring for drive motors. 
     Integrated drive motors (IDMs) may be found in many modern manufacturing plants. IDMs may include a circuit for driving an electromagnetic machine, such as a brushed or brushless motor, stepper motor, or other electromechanical actuator, which may be internal to or external from the IDM. In this manner, the IDM may provide control signals for controlling a motor. The IDM may also include components for transforming a voltage and transmitting that voltage to the motor. 
     In some embodiments, multiple IDMs may be positioned across various parts of a factory or manufacturing site. Additionally, one or more IDM power interface modules (IPIMs) may be utilized to provide power and control signals to the IDMs. However, when a short circuit or overcurrent condition occurs on the line between the IDMs and an IPIM, the IPIM may be affected such that the IPIM may not operate or may be damaged. When the IPIM is affected by a short circuit or overcurrent condition, a user may not be able to determine the cause of fault. Accordingly, it is now recognized that it is desirable to have a system that would provide fault diagnostics even when a short circuit or overdrive condition from one or more of the IDMs affects the operation of the IPIM, protects the IPIM from damage from, for example, potential customer miswiring of the IDMs or IPIM or from having the system configured to power too may IDMs. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Present embodiments include an integrated drive motor (IDM) power distribution architecture that utilizes an IDM power interface module (IPIM) to create a 42V control voltage that is distributed to all the IDMs in a network. This power distribution may be accomplished along a hybrid cable, for example, that includes both signal conductors and power conductors. In one embodiment, the IPIM is configured to detect short circuit and/or overload conditions and disable the power supply to the IDMs. Additionally, a second power supply may be utilized in the IPIM such that when the power supply to the IDMs is deactivated, the IPIM may remain functional, for example, to report one or more fault conditions to the user. Additionally, this reporting of fault status may be accomplished via a user display integrated with or coupled to the IPIM (e.g., in a single cabinet). Specifically, in one embodiment, the display on the IPIM is located in the customer cabinet. This is to help with debugging, particularly on larger machines. Additionally, a network connection may be utilized to transmit a fault condition to a secondary location based on various device and network faults. Further, present embodiments may include an interactive display in the IPIM. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an industrial automation network in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a flow chart illustrating the operation of a communication network in the automation network of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a display of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a first screen shot of the display of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second screen shot of the display of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a third screen shot of the display of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth first screen shot of the display of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and tables and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims. Further, although individual embodiments are discussed herein to simplify explanation, the disclosure is intended to cover all combinations of these embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an industrial automation network  100 . This industrial automation network  100  may include a power supply  102 , an integrated drive motor (IDM) power interface module (IPIM)  104 , multiple IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , and a network controller  112 . Although a single power supply  102 , IPIM  104 , and network controller  112  as well as three IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  are illustrated, more or less of each component may be utilized in accordance with present techniques and the illustrated embodiment is presented as an example only. For example, in one embodiment, two IPIMs  104  may be utilized in conjunction with a single power supply  102 , whereby each IPIM  104  is coupled to a set of three (or more, e.g., five) IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . Another embodiment might include, for example, three IPIMs  104  each utilized in conjunction with a single power supply  102 , whereby each IPIM  104  is coupled to a single IDM  106 . Indeed, multiple such configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the power supply  102  operates to generate and/or transmit a voltage to the IPIM  104  along a voltage line  114 . This may be an AC voltage at, for example, approximately 230 volts. As illustrated, this voltage line  114  may pass the voltage from the power supply  102  to the IPIM  104 , where it may be rectified to a DC voltage and stepped down to a secondary voltage for transmission along a hybrid cable  115  (coupled to a network interface  117 ), whereby the hybrid cable  115  carries both control and/or communication signals and the voltage from the IPIM  104  to each of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . In one embodiment, the voltage carried on hybrid cable  115  may be 42 volts; however, other voltages are contemplated as being carried on hybrid cable  115 . 
     As illustrated, the IPIM  104  is configured to receive an AC voltage along voltage line  114  from the power supply  102 . This voltage may be sent to a switch mode power supply  116  (e.g., which may transmit power to external devices) and an internal switch mode power supply  118  (e.g., which may transmit power to internal components of the IPIM  104 ). In one embodiment, the voltage from voltage line  114  may be rectified by a single rectifier prior to transmission to the switch mode power supply  116  and the internal switch mode power supply  118 . Alternatively, each of the switch mode power supply  116  and the internal switch mode power supply  118  may include a rectifier for generating direct current voltage from the AC voltage received along voltage line  114 . 
     The use of multiple power supplies (e.g., switch mode power supply  116  and an internal switch mode power supply  118 ) may be beneficial if, for example, a short occurs on any of the power outputs (e.g., hybrid cable  115 ) on startup, since this condition may prevent the switch mode power supply  116  from starting. Likewise, in the situation of when a short may occur after startup, the switch mode power supply  116  may enter a “hiccup” mode, where the switch mode power supply  116  restarts and stops continuously. By utilizing a second power supply, e.g., internal switch mode power supply  118 , power may still be delivered to the components of the IPIM  104  if the switch mode power supply  116  is shorted at power up or during normal operation so that a short or overload condition on the switch mode power supply  116  will have no effect on the ability of the internal switch mode power supply  118  to deliver power. That is, bifurcation of power delivery may be accomplished such that the internal switch mode power supply  118  may, for example, supply control power for the IPIM  104  while the switch mode power supply  116  may, for example, transmit power for the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . 
     As noted above, the switch mode power supply  116  may operate to provide an output voltage differing from the voltage received on voltage line  114  to, for example, IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . Thus, the switch mode power supply  116  may generate 42 volt power to be transmitted from the IPIM  104  along hybrid cable  115  via network interface  117  to network interfaces  119  of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . This transmission of power and network signals may be conducted on distinct conductors (e.g., wired) in the hybrid cable  115  or, in some embodiments, the power and network signals may be transmitted on a single (e.g., combined) conductor. Internal switch mode power supply  118  may receive power from voltage line  114  and may operate to output one or more differing voltages therefrom. For example, the internal switch mode power supply  118  may convert rectified voltage from the voltage line  114  to 12 volt power, 5 volt power, 3.3 volt power, or other values and may transmit one or more of these voltages to a control  122 . In this manner, the internal switch mode power supply  118  may power, for example, the control and switches of the switch mode power supply  116 , thereby allowing a switch mode power supply  116  auxiliary voltage to be present and active, even under a short condition. 
     The controller  122  may include one or more circuit boards that may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or some combination thereof. Furthermore, the controller  122  may execute one or more algorithms, code, or computer programs, which may be stored on a tangible non-transitory machine readable medium, such as volatile memory (e.g., random access memory), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g. read-only memory). It should be noted that the term non-transitory merely indicates that the medium is not a signal. This memory may be internal to or directly coupled to the controller  122 . In some embodiments, the controller  122  may interact with a display  124  and a network interface  126  of the IPIM  104 , as well as transmit control and/or communication signals to the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . 
     Display  124  may be configured to display information relating to the operation of the IPIM  104 , the operation of one or more of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110 , setup information for the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110  or failures of the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110 , among other information useful to a user. The display  124  may include a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode display, or any other conventional display type and/or may utilize light emitting diodes to represent information relating to the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the display  124  is integral with the IPIM  104 , however, it should be understood that the display  124  may be additionally and/or alternatively remotely located from the IPIM  104  and connected to the IPIM  104  via a display interface including a wireless transmitter (e.g., zigbee, Bluetooth, etc.). In this manner, the IPIM  104  may transmit signals for display to a wirelessly connected display  124  (e.g., which may be a standalone device or may be integrated into an electronic device containing a display screen such as a smart phone, touchpad, laptop, or other electronic device. 
     As noted above, the IPIM  104  also includes a network interface  126  that may be utilized to provide communication between the IPIM  104  and various devices. The network interface  126  may provide communication via a personal area network (PAN) (e.g., Bluetooth), a local area network (LAN) (e.g., Wi-Fi), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., 3G or LTE), a near field communication device (NFC), a physical connection (e.g., an Ethernet connection), and/or the like and, as such, may include known hardware and software necessary to complete such communications. In some embodiments, network interface  126  may include network interface  117 . 
     As noted above, the controller  122 , the display  124 , and the network interface  126  may be powered by the internal switch mode power supply  118 . Thus, even if a short or startup problem occurs, for example, at the switch mode power supply  116  or at network interface  117 , the controller  122  may still be powered to diagnose the problem being encountered as well as alert a user of a problem via the display  124  and/or the network interface  126 . This may allow for detection and mitigation of overload conditions that might not be possible if only a single power supply were utilized in the IPIM  104 . 
     As illustrated, the controller  122  may transmit control and/or communication signals along line  128  to be combined with voltage from the switch mode power supply  116  into hybrid cable  115 . Thus, hybrid cable  115  may transmit both voltage and the control and/or communication signals carried on line  128 , for example, from network interface  117 . Hybrid cable  115  may be coupled to IDMs  106 ,  108  and  110  via network interfaces  119 . For example, lines  130  may receive control and/or communication signals from hybrid cable  115  and transmit the control and/or communication signals to controllers  132  (which may include elements similar to controller  122 ) in each of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . Additionally, power lines  134  may be coupled to an internal switch mode power supply  136  in each of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . The internal switch mode power supply  136  in each of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  may convert, for example, received 42 volt power to 12 volt power, 5 volt power, 3.3 volt power, or other values and may transmit one or more of these voltages to, for example, the controller  132  coupled thereto. In another embodiment, lines  130  may transmit only power and communication signals (e.g., no control signals) received from hybrid cable  115 . Again, these signals may be transmitted on distinct conductors in the hybrid cable  115  or may be transmitted on a shared conductor in the hybrid cable  115 . 
     On occasion, one or more of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  may experience a fault, which may potentially cause a short (for example, generated based on incorrect customer wiring of one or more components) or an overcurrent condition (e.g., an overload current condition) that may potentially damage the IPIM  104 . To prevent this short or overload condition from potentially damaging the IPIM  104 , an overload protection circuit  120  may be utilized in the IPIM  104 . The overload protection circuit  120  may include a current sensor for detecting a short circuit or overcurrent during operation. For example, if the sensor detects current over the rated current for an extended period of time, a protection control circuit may generate a signal causing a pulse width modulator in the switch mode power supply  116  to turn-off, thus ceasing a power connection across hybrid cable  115 . Additionally, the overload protection circuit  120  may transmit a signal, for example, from the protection control circuit to the controller  122  of the IPIM  104  to annunciate the fault condition. The controller  122  may then generate and transmit signals for display on the display  124  annunciating the fault condition and/or providing troubleshooting steps. 
     Additionally, when a short circuit fault condition occurs, the control logic of the controller  122  or the overload protection circuit  120  may, for example, permanently disable the switch mode power supply  116  until, for example, a fault reset occurs. For example, the controller  122  may receive a signal from the overload protection circuit  120  annunciating the fault condition and may generate a signal for transmission on path  123  to cause the switch mode power supply  116  to turn-off (e.g., deactivate). The controller  122  may further transmit signals to the display  124  and/or to the network interface  126  that may be utilized to alert a user of the fault detected. That is, the display  124  may display a visual indication of the type and/or location of a fault based on the signal received from the controller  122 . This may allow for action by a user to correct the fault. It should be noted that the steps described above may be performed by hardware, software, or some combination thereof. For example, an algorithm, computer program, or code stored on memory in the controller  122  may be executed by the controller  122  to perform some or all of the steps set forth above. 
     Additionally, as previously discussed, the automation network  100  may include a network controller  112 . The network controller  112  may include a network interface  138  and a controller  140 . The network interface  138  may be similar to network interface  126  and the controller  140  may be similar to the controller  122 . In one embodiment, the network controller  112  may receive operation information from the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  along communication line  142  from network interfaces  143  (which may include or be separate from network interfaces  119 ) and display it on display  146 , which may be similar to display  122 . This information may be transmitted from the controller  132  in each of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . In one embodiment, this information may be related to sensed conditions in the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  sensed by one or more sensors  144  in each of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . 
     On occasion, a problem may occur on the communication network that includes the network controller  112 , IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , and communication line  142 . This problem may cause an interrupt in information, such as operational or diagnostic information relating to IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , to be received by the network controller  112 . In these situations, the network controller  112  may utilize the network interface  138  to communicate with the IPIM  104  to receive diagnostic and/or operational information relating to, for example, the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . This information may be the same information that is displayed on the display  124  of the IPIM  104 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flow chart  148  that illustrates the steps performed by the network controller  112 . In one embodiment, these steps may be performed by the network controller  112  via one or more microprocessors in the controller  140 , such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, FGPAs, and/or ASICs, or some combination thereof. Furthermore, the network controller  112  may execute one or more algorithms, code, or computer programs, which may be stored on a tangible non-transitory machine readable medium, such as volatile memory (e.g., random access memory), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g. read-only memory). This memory may be internal to or directly coupled to the processors or controller  140 . In some embodiments, the controller  140  may interact with the display  146  and network interface  138  of the network controller  112  to perform the steps set forth in flow chart  148 . In another embodiment, the steps in flow chart  148  may be executed by a controller or processor in the controller  140  as code or a computer program stored on memory of the controller  140 . 
     In step  150 , a fault may be determined. This fault may include a failure of one or more of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , or  110  to be able to transmit signals across communication line  142 . Thus, this fault may be determined by monitoring communication line  142  via, for example, the network interface  138 . When a fault is detected (e.g., that the communication line  142  is not transmitting any data), a signal may be transmitted to the controller  140 , and specifically to a controller or processor thereon. However, it should be noted that during this fault, the IPIM  104  is still in communication with network controller  112 . Thus, a fault of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , or  110  may also be communicated to the network controller  112  via the IPIM  104 . 
     Thus, in step  154 , the controller  140  may retrieve information received from the IPIM  104 . This information may include diagnostic information, for example, regarding the operation of the IPIM  104  and the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  received by the network controller  112  along communication line  158 . That is, this diagnostic information may be transmitted to the network controller  112  instead of or in addition to being displayed on the display  124 , as previously discussed. 
     In step  154 , the information transmitted from the IPIM  104  is received at the network controller  112  by the network interface  138 , and is subsequently transmitted to the controller  140 . The controller  140  may then utilize this information to generate and display information on display  146  in step  156 . This information may be useful in monitoring the status and/or providing diagnostic information for the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  even when the communication network has failed. That is, despite a failure in the network connections between the network interface  112  and, for example, IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , the operational activity, device status, failure type, or other information relating to the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  may still be received by the network interface  112 . This operational information may be, for example, transmitted along hybrid cable  115  from the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  (e.g., from network interfaces  119 ) to the IPIM  104  (received by network interface  117 ). This received operational information may be transmitted from the IPIM  104  to the network controller  112  in step  154 , outlined above. Thus, diagnostic information may be available to users both locally at the IPIM  104  and/or at the network interface  112 , even when a network fault has occurred. 
     As previously discussed, the use of a display  124  may allow for a user to diagnose and/or rectify problems for the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . This may be advantageous as IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  may reside on machines in locations where they are not easily visible by an operator or maintenance person and/or are also located in harsh environments where visualization features to aid troubleshooting or status checking are impractical. Thus, having a centrally located display  124  able to display information related to the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  may be useful. Moreover, by providing diagnostic visualizations on display  124  for the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  instead of, for example, minimal LEDs or other indicators on the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , more robust diagnostic information and/or solutions may be presented to a user. Thus, the display  124  may allow a user to identify and resolve faults more rapidly, which may decrease the downtime of the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , thus allowing for greater plant efficiencies. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one example of the display  124 . Display  124  may include a display screen  158  that may be utilized to display information relating to the operation of the IPIM  104 , the operation of one or more of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110 , setup information for the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110  or failures of the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110 , among other information useful to a user. In some embodiments, the display screen  158  may be approximately 20 mm high and 30 mm wide, however, other sizes and dimensions are contemplated. The display screen  158  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode display, or any other conventional display type. In one embodiment, the display screen  158  may be a touch screen display that allows for user input to be received directly on the display screen  158 . In another embodiment, the display  124  may include input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166 . Input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  may allow a user to navigate a displayed user interface or application interface. Non-limiting examples of input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  may include buttons, sliders, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, keypads, touchpads, and so forth. Additionally, in certain embodiments, one or more input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  may be provided together with a touch screen display screen  158 . Input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  may facilitate the interaction of a user with the display  124  (which, as previously noted, may be remotely located from the IPIM  104  and located in a smart phone, touchpad, laptop or other electronic device). 
     The input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  may also provide further functionality. For example, the display  124  may be deactivated based on a timer. That is, the display  124 , or any component thereof (such as a backlight of the display  124 ) may come on at power up, and stay on for a preset time period, for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or for another period of time. If no input is received during this time period and/or if no changes in the displayed images change during this time period, the display  124  may enter a sleep mode in which nothing is displayed on the display screen  158  (e.g., the display  124  may deactivate its backlight). To revive the display  124 , a user may provide inputs to the display  124  via input structures  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  so that images are again displayed on the display screen  158 . In another embodiment, the display  124  may automatically be revived upon the detection of an occurrence, such as, a fault event in the IPIM  104  and/or in one or more of the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the display  124  may display various images generated by the IPIM  104 , such as a graphical user interface (GUI)  168  having, for example, text  170  and/or one or more graphical icons such as graphical icon  172 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an initialization error screen that may occur during the startup of the IPIM  104 . As self tests are performed in the IPIM  104  and/or in the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , errors may occur.  FIG. 4  shows an example of an initial error screen that may represent a start up fault. As illustrated, the text  170  provides a visual indication of the type of fault that has occurred. Additionally, the graphical icon  172  represents a help button that may allow a user to access additional information relating to the fault represented by the text  170 . In some embodiments, the user may access the information related to the graphical icon  172  by interacting with the input structure  166  located directly below the graphical icon  172 . Other embodiments may allow for the inclusion of other graphical icons above other input structures (e.g., input structure  164 ), whereby one such graphical icon might correspond to a plotting feature that allows for a basic oscilloscope function for basic data plotting. 
     When no fault is detected during the start up process, a home screen  173  may be displayed on the display screen  158 . An example of this home screen  173  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As illustrated, the home screen  173  may include, for example, graphical icons  174  corresponding to various IPIM and IDMs, graphical icons  176  and  178  corresponding to selection arrows, graphical icon  180  corresponding to an information tab, and graphical icon  182  corresponding to a tools icon. In one embodiment, graphical icons  176 ,  178 ,  180 , and  182  may each correspond to one of input structure  160 ,  162 ,  164 , or  166 , respectively. That is, a user may, for example, manipulate (e.g., depress) input structure  160  to move a selector icon  184  in a particular direction (e.g., to the left). Similarly, a user may, for example, manipulate input structure  162  to move the selector icon  184  in a particular direction (e.g., to the right). Manipulating input structure  164  may, for example, bring up an information screen corresponding to the device associated with the graphical icon  174  currently identified with the selector icon  184  (e.g., encircled by selector icon  184  or otherwise identified as selected), while manipulating input structure  166  may, for example, bring up a tools menu that may include, for example, configuration information for the device associated with the graphical icon  174  currently identified with the selector icon  184  and/or other information about the device associated with the graphical icon  174  currently identified with the selector icon  184 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an IPIM information screen  186  that may be displayed when input structure  164  is manipulated to associate the selector icon  184  with the graphical icon  174  identified with the IPIM  104 . The IPIM information screen  186  may include text  188  as well as graphical icons  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  182  that may each correspond to one of input structure  160 ,  162 ,  164 , or  166 , respectively. Text  188  may include, for example, Module Status information, such as an “OK” indication (which in some embodiments may be colored in a color such as green) to indicate that the IPIM  104  is operating properly, a “Standby” indication (which in some embodiments may be colored in a color such as green and may include another visual indicator such as flashing text) to indicate that the IPIM  104  is operational but no connections have been made yet, a “Faulted” indication (which in some embodiments may be colored in a color such as red and may include another visual indicator such as flashing text) to indicate one or more faults, and/or an “Init Fault” indication (which in some embodiments may be colored in a color such as red) to indicate that the IPIM  104  requires a reboot. Text  188  may also include a Utilization indication that may indicate the percent of maximum root mean squared current being utilized by the IPIM  104 , a Bus Reg Cap Percent indication that may indicate the percentage of shunt capacity being utilized by the IPIM  104 , a Bus Voltage indication that may indicate the present DC bus voltage in volts, as well as other information such as active fault information (accessible, for example, by manipulation of input structure  160  to scroll through the text  188 ). 
     As previously noted, the IPIM information screen  186  includes graphical icons  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  182 . Graphical icon  190  may represent an up arrow that corresponds to input structure  160 . That is, manipulation of input structure  160  allows a user to cycle up through the text  188 . Similarly, Graphical icon  192  may represent a down arrow that corresponds to input structure  162 , such that manipulation of input structure  162  allows a user to cycle down through the text  188 . Graphical icon  194  may represent a home command such that manipulation of input structure  160  allows a user to return to home screen  173 . Additionally, in some embodiments, return to home screen  173  may automatically occur based on a timer. That is, the IPIM information screen  186  may stay on for a preset time period, for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, or for another period of time. If no input is received during this time period and/or if no changes in the displayed images change during this time period, the display  124  may return to home screen  173 . Finally, graphical icon  166  may represent a tools command that may bring up a menu to access additional features. 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , on occasion, a user may wish to view the operational characteristics of an IDM (e.g., IDM  106 ). Accordingly, a user may manipulate, for example, input structure  162  until the selector icon  184  is associated with the graphical icon  174  representing an IDM named “32”. At this time, manipulation of user input  164  will activate an IDM information screen corresponding to IDM “32”. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the IDM information screen  196  corresponding to IDM “32”. The IDM information screen  196  may include text  198  as well as graphical icons  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  182  that may each correspond to one of input structure  160 ,  162 ,  164 , or  166 , respectively. Text  198  may include, for example, State information, including, for example, the operational or communication state of the IPM (e.g., IPM  106 ) named “32”. Text  198  may also include a Safety indication corresponding to whether the IDM “32” is safe (e.g., in a safe-off condition), for example, to be accessed by a user, a serial real-time communication system (SERCOS) phase indication corresponding to the current SERCOS phase of the IDM “32”, an Active Fault indication that may correspond to faults in the IDM “32”, as well as other information accessible, for example, by manipulation of input structure  160  to scroll through the text  198 ). 
     Similar to the IPIM information screen  186 , the IDM information screen  196  includes graphical icons  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  182 . Graphical icon  190  may represent an up arrow that corresponds to input structure  160 . That is, manipulation of input structure  160  allows a user to cycle up through the text  188 . Similarly, Graphical icon  192  may represent a down arrow that corresponds to input structure  162 , such that manipulation of input structure  162  allows a user to cycle down through the text  188 . Graphical icon  194  may represent a home command such that manipulation of input structure  160  allows a user to return to home screen  173 . Additionally, in some embodiments, return to home screen  173  may automatically occur based on a timer. That is, the IDM information screen  186  may stay on for a preset time period, for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, or for another period of time. If no input is received during this time period and/or if no changes in the displayed images change during this time period, the display  124  may return to home screen  173 . Finally, graphical icon  166  may represent a tools command that may bring up a menu to access additional features. 
     It is appreciated that in addition to screens  173 ,  186 , and  196 , additional screens corresponding to, for example, network address configuration screens for the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  may be generated and displayed on the display  124 . As such, the display  124 , as integrated into the IPIM  104  may allow for visual diagnostics of the IPIM  104  and/or the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110  in an easily visible manner and in an easily accessible location. Furthermore, the display  124  may be highly interactive and may be powered by a power supply  118  separate from the power supply  116  utilized to transmit power to the IDMs  106 ,  108 , and  110 , such that diagnostics may be available to a user even when a short occurs. 
     While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.