Patent ID: 7590848

Claim:
A system for fail-safe transmission of safety messages in a network environment, said system comprising: an intelligent sensor apparatus including a sensor, a sensor processor, and a sensor computer readable media including instructions to implement: a first safety-certified application; a first safety-certified layer; and a first non-safety-certified layer wherein said first safety-certified layer is operative to generate a safety message and associated digital signature based upon state information received from said sensor; and an intelligent actuator apparatus disposed to receive said safety message and said digital signature via a communications network communcatively coupled to said intelligent sensor apparatus, said intelligent actuator apparatus including an actuator, an actuator processor, and an actuator computer readable media including instructions to implement: a second safety-certified application; a second safety-certified layer; and a second non-safety-certified layer wherein said second safety-certified layer is operative to use said digital signature in order to verify authenticity of said safety message and thereby enable said actuator to perform an action in accordance with said state information.