Patent ID: 6885897

Claim:
A module for controlling a drive, the module comprising: a terminal for connecting to a control system for operating tasks and a control system for safety tasks, commands from the control system for safety tasks having priority over commands from the control system for operating tasks; a microprocessor for processing the commands from both the control system for operating tasks and the control system for safety tasks, said microprocessor coupled to said terminal; a logic circuit for prioritizing the commands from the control system for safety tasks, said logic circuit connected to said microprocessor; at least one output coupled to at least one of said microprocessor and said logic circuit; an interface for connecting to one of the control system for operating tasks and a diagnostic device, said interface connected to said microprocessor; and a memory for storing the commands and replies, said memory connected to said microprocessor; said microprocessor and said logic circuit connected in parallel with respect to an incoming data stream.