Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International patent application PCT/EP2010/068002 filed on Nov. 23, 2010 which designates the United States and claims priority from Swedish patent application 0950696-5 filed on Sep. 23, 2009. The content of all prior applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to safety devices in general and monitoring devices in particular. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The automation of industrial sites implies major safety considerations. AS-i (Actuator Sensor Interface) Safety, for example, the safety-oriented extension of AS-Interface, facilitates the standard operation of standard and safety sensor technology in a joint bus connection that has all the well-known system advantages of AS-Interface. Since the year 2000 AS-i Safety has been certified as a reliable bus system for applications up to Category 4 (EN 954-1)by the TÜV-Nord of the Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitssicherheit. 
     Normally, for example when a gate is monitored in a safety system, a sensor for generating a signal for at least two positions is connected to a bus and the status of the sensor (open gate, closed gate) is evaluated, and if there are no errors, the sensor generates a message that it is in correct position. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a safety monitoring system  550  comprising: a common bus  551 , such as AS-i bus, a controller  552  comprising a power supply and a driver/master, and number of monitored devices and sensors (not all illustrated), such as non-contact sensors  553 , interlocking devices, magnetic switches, stops  554 , emergency grab wire switch with dual switching, three-position devices, relays  555 , two-hand control devices  556 , foot operated switches  557 , safety contact rails, bumpers, mats, fencing system, safety roller doors, etc. 
     WO 03/093999 discloses an inherently fail-safe processing, having two processing units: a first processing unit with a first data processor and/or controller; at least one input port for input data received from at least one remote unit; at least one output port for output data to be transmitted to at least one remote unit. The first processing unit comprises means for generating a unique code for functional control of the processing and/or receiving and/or transmitting steps being performed and a port for the transmission of the generated check-words. A functional checker and protection unit is provided, which consists of a second inherently fail-safe processing unit, which executes a program for checking the functional steps of the first processing unit and a program for checking the correctness of functional control codes and the time sequence thereof. The checker and protection unit communicates with the first processing unit and generates signals for enabling it when check-words are correct, and signals for disabling the first processing unit and/or for forcing the transmission of predetermined output data for fail-safe remote unit control, or generates itself predetermined output data for fail-safe remote unit control and/or enables/disables vital functions of the remote unit and/or of the first processing unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention aims to provide a new way of using control arrangement for enhancing security monitoring. 
     For this reason a monitoring system is provided comprising a first and a second portion. The first portion comprises a controller for providing a set of codes and is configured to connect said system to a common data bus. The first portion is configured to provide a synchronization signal to said second portion, which comprises a controller for replaying a code sequence to said first portion. The first portion is further configured to output said code sequence from said second portion for verification by a verification entity. Preferably, but not exclusively, the bus is an AS-i bus. The first portion comprises a logic for comparing said set of codes. In one embodiment, the second portion comprises at least one micro processor and a transceiver. The first portion may comprise at least one micro processor, a bus driver and a transceiver. The system is configured to monitor one or several of non-contact sensors, interlocking devices, magnetic switches, stops, emergency grab wire switch with dual switching, three-position devices, two-hand control devices, foot operated switches, Safety contact rails, bumpers, mats, fencing system and safety roller doors. Preferably the synchronization signal is a synchronization pulse. 
     The invention also relates to a device for use in a safety controlling arrangement. The device comprises a transceiver, a microprocessor MCU, and a bus driver. The transceiver and MCU are connected and communicate by a transceiver sending a synchronization signal and said MCU replying with a code line. The MCU communicates with the bus driver by receiving a synchronization signal and sending a code line. The device is configured to receive a synchronization signal from the bus driver and transmit said synchronization signal by means of said transceiver and receive a code sequence by said transceiver for verification and or transmission for further verification. The device may further comprise a monitoring logic for controlling said received code sequence. The transceiver may communicate using radio, IR or similar communication medium. 
     The invention also relates to a safety device comprising a transceiver and a microprocessor MCU. The transceiver and MCU are connected and communicate by a transceiver sending a synchronization signal and said MCU replying with a code sequence. The MCU is further configured to upon reception of said synchronization signal to generate said code sequence and provide it to the transceiver for transmission. In one embodiment the synchronization signal is received externally. In one embodiment the code sequence is transmitted to an external device. The transceiver may communicate with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication medium. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereinafter be further explained by means of non-limiting examples with reference to the appended figures where: 
         FIG. 1  shows schematically a first embodiment of a system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows schematically a second embodiment of a system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows schematically a third embodiment of a system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows schematically a fourth embodiment of a system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic monitoring system; and 
         FIG. 6  is a timing diagram according to one exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a sensor is divided in two parts. One part comprises an interface towards a data bus, e.g. used for transmitting security related information and the second part comprises a verification part and comprising information in the form of the output messages from the sensor. When the two parts are adjacent or in a predetermined position, the sensor will transmit a valid message, and when the position conditions are not fulfilled no valid messages are transmitted. 
     The principle of the invention is illustrated in the first embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The arrangement  100  of the invention comprises a first portion  110  interface part, a second portion  130  base part, and connections  150  to an external bus. 
     The interface part  110  comprises a transceiver  111  and a microprocessor (MCU)  112  and a memory  113 . The transceiver  111  and MCU  112  are connected and communicate by transceiver  111  sending a synchronization pulse  114  (sync pulse) and MCU replying with a code line  115 . The memory  113  may, besides instructions for executing MCU operations, include a code table. The code table may be stored in an internal memory of the MCU  112  or the memory  113 . The transceiver  111  communicates with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication means. 
     The base part  130  comprises a transceiver  131 , a microprocessor (MCU)  132 , a monitoring logic  134  and a bus driver  137 . The transceiver  131  and MCU  132  are connected and communicate by MCU  132  sending a synchronization pulse  134  and transceiver  131  replying with a code line  135 . MCU  132  communicates with the monitoring logic  134  by sending a code line  136  and receiving a code status  138 . MCU  132  communicates with the bus driver  138  by receiving a synchronization pulse  139  and sending a code line  140 . The bus driver  137  provides monitoring circuit with new code flags  141 . The memory  143  may include instructions for executing MCU operations. The memory  143  may be an internal memory of the MCU  132 . The transceiver  131  communicates with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication medium. 
     The arrangement  100  communicates with a common communication bus  170 , which may be monitored and controlled with a bus controller  171 . 
     In this case it is assumed that an AS-i bus is used, hence the bus driver  137 , the bus  170  and the bus controller  171  are AS-i specific devices. The invention may of course be applied on any communication buses intended for security and monitoring applications, for example CAN. 
     The MCU  112  includes a code table, each line (e.g. 8 lines) of which comprises a number of bits, e.g. 4 bits. Preferably, the table is transmitted line by line from MCU  112  to the transceiver  111 . The transceiver  111  transmits the received lines to the base device&#39;s transceiver  131 , which provides each received line to MCU  132 . The MSU  132  provides the obtained code to the monitoring logic  134 , which controls the code with a corresponding safe code. If all lines are correct the monitoring logic  134  provides the MCU  132  with a validity code, which outputs the received line on the common bus  171 . The safety depends on the fact that the base part  130  does not need to store the code and it cannot transmit the entire code table if it is not received from the interface part  110 . The monitoring logic can only receive the code lines and provide a valid or non-valid signal if the code is evaluated correct compared with the code received from the bus controller  171 . 
     In operation and with reference to AS-i standard, an AS-i safety code is pulled “line for line” from interface part  110  to base part  130  using the sync pulse. The synch pulse is used to synchronize both parts. To avoid critical errors in the safety monitor or controller  171 , the code is first checked in the monitoring logic  134 , or non-safety monitor. This reduces the risk of sending faulty safety codes resulting in, e.g. potential system lock down. 
     The non-safe monitor  134  will contain (e.g. stored in a memory) the safety code, but since it is only enabled to transmit one bit, “code ok flag” there is a limited risk that the code can be transmitted from the bus driver  137  to the AS-i buss  170 . 
     The AS-i controller (bus driver)  137  sends the code table (line by line) to the non-safe monitor  134  received from the bus controller  171 . It is possible, if a node address is set to zero. When “teach new code flag”  141  is received from the bus driver  137 , the MCU  132  sends codes line by line. The non-safe monitor  134  “learns”, i.e. stores new codes for compression and compares it with incoming code before it is transmitted on the bus. 
     In a safety application, e.g. for monitoring a gate or a door, the base part  130  may be assembled on a door frame while the interface part  110  is assembled on the gate or door. When the both parts are in a position that is consider as safe, the interface device transmits data that safety is achieved to the AS-i safety monitor. 
       FIG. 2  is a second, simplified embodiment of the invention. The arrangement  200  of the invention comprises a first part  210  interface, a second part  230  base, and connections  250  to an external bus as well. 
     The interface part  210  comprises a transceiver  211  and a micro-processor (MCU)  212  and a memory  213 . The transceiver  211  and MCU  212  are connected and communicate by transceiver  211  sending a synchronization pulse  214  and MCU replying with a code line  215 . The memory  213  may function as described above. The transceiver  211  communicates with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication means. 
     The base part  230  comprises a transceiver  231 , a microprocessor (MCU)  232 , and a bus driver  237 . The transceiver  231  and MCU  232  are connected and communicate by transceiver  231  receiving a synchronization pulse  234  from MCU  232  and transceiver  231  sending a code line  235  to MCU  232 . MCU  232  communicates with the bus driver  238  by receiving a synchronization pulse  239  and sending a code line  240 . 
     The difference between the embodiments of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 1  is that the embodiment of  FIG. 1  comprises a “filter” which further reduces the risk for transmitting invalid messages over the bus which may cause operations disturbance. In this embodiment the MCU  232  functions as a filter and validities the code line instead of the monitor  134 . The code is not stored in the memory and the code lines are validated line by line. In one embodiment, for example Manchester code may be used for transmission between the parts and the code line may be transmitted several times for validation. 
     The arrangement  200  communicates with a communication bus  270 , which may be monitored and controlled with a bus controller  271 . 
     Also in this case it is assumed that the bus is an AS-i bus, and the bus driver  237 , the bus  270  and the bus controller  271  are AS-i specific devices. 
     In operation an AS-i safety code is pulled from the interface part  210  to the base part  230  using the sync pulse, as described earlier. The synch pulse synchronizes both parts.  FIG. 3  is yet another embodiment of a safety arrangement  300  according to the invention, comprising a first portion  310  interface, a second portion  330  base, and connections  350  to an external bus  370 . 
     The interface part  310  comprises a transceiver  311 , at least two microprocessors (MCU)  312   a  and  312   b  and at least two channel inputs  318   a  and  318   b . The transceiver  311  and MCUs  312   a  and  312   b  are connected and communicate by transceiver  311  sending a synchronization pulse  314  and MCUs replying with a code line  315  (from each MCU). The channel inputs  318   a / 318   b  may be connected to other monitored devices (not shown), such as non-contact sensors, interlocking devices, magnetic switches, stops, emergency grab wire switch with dual switching, three-position devices, two-hand control devices, foot operated switches, Safety contact rails, bumpers, mats, fencing system and safety roller doors, etc. In this case partial code tables are stored for each MCU  312   a  and  312   b  and both must generate same decision, i.e. data output, so that a correct active signal is output on the bus  370 . Both MCUs are synchronized with same synch pulse  319 . 
     Again a memory (not shown) may be present, which beside instructions for executing MCU operations includes a code table. The transceiver  311  communicates with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication means. 
     The base part  330  comprises a transceiver  331 , a microprocessor (MCU)  332 , a monitoring logic  334  and a bus driver  337 . The transceiver  331  and MCU  332  are connected and communicate by MCU  332  sending a synchronization pulse  334  and transceiver  331  by replying with a code line  335 . MCU  332  communicates with the monitoring logic  334  by sending a code line  336  and receiving a code status  338 . MCU  332  communicates with the bus driver  337  by receiving a synchronization pulse  339  and sending a code line  340 . Bus driver  337  provides monitoring circuit with new code flags  341 . The memory  333  may include instructions for executing MCU operations. The memory  333  may be an internal memory of the MCU  332 . The transceiver  331  communicates with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication means. 
     The arrangement  300  communicates with the communication bus  370 , which may be monitored and controlled with a bus controller  371 . In this case it is assumed that an AS-i bus is used, hence the bus driver  337 , the bus  370  and the bus controller  371  are AS-i specific devices. The invention may of course be applied on any communication bus intended for security and monitoring applications. 
     In operation and with reference to AS-i standard, an AS-i safety code is pulled “line for line” from the interface part  310  to the base part  330  using the sync pulse. The synch pulse synchronizes both parts. To avoid critical errors in the safety monitor or controller  371 , the code is first checked in the monitoring circuit  334 , or non-safety monitor. The non-safe monitor  334  will contain the safety code, but since is only enabled transmitting one bit, “code ok flag,” there is a limited risk that the code can be transmitted from the bus driver  337  to the AS-i buss  370 . 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 3  is specially advantaged for applications in which a monitored device is distanced from the monitoring arrangement and a signal from the device must be transmitted a longer distance. It may also be used for wireless transmissions. 
       FIG. 4  is yet another embodiment of a safety arrangement  400  according to the invention, comprising a first portion  410  interface part, a second portion  430  base part, and connections  450  to an external bus  470 . 
     The interface part  410  comprises a transceiver  411 , at least two microprocessors (MCUs)  412   a  and  412   b  and at least two channel inputs  418   a  and  418   b . The transceiver  411  and MCUs  412   a / 412   b  are connected and communicate by transceiver  411  sending a synchronization pulse  414  and MCUs reply with a code line  415 . The channel inputs  418   a / 418   b  may be connected to other monitored devices (not shown), such as non-contact sensors, interlocking devices, magnetic switches, stops, emergency grab wire switch with dual switching, three-position devices, two-hand control devices, foot operated switches, Safety contact rails, bumpers, mats, fencing system and safety roller doors, etc. In this case partial code tables are stored for each MCU  412   a  and  412   b  and both must generate same decision, i.e. data output, so that a correct active signal is output on the bus  470 . Both MCUs are synchronized with same synch pulse  419 . 
     The base part  430  comprises a transceiver  441 , a microprocessor (MCU)  432 , and a bus driver  437 . The transceiver  441  and MCU  432  are connected and communicate by MCU  432  sending a synchronization pulse  434  and transceiver  431  replying with a code line  435 . MCU  432  communicates with the bus driver  437  by receiving a synchronization pulse  439  and sending a code line  440 . The memory  433  may include instructions for executing MCU operations. The memory  433  may be an internal memory of the MCU  432 . The transceiver  441  communicates with a corresponding transceiver using radio, IR or similar communication means. 
     In this case MCU  432  decides the validity of the received code lines. 
     In one embodiment, the interface portion may comprise a passive unit such as RFID which is energized by the transmitter of the bus antenna unit. In this case the synchronization may be carried out when the interface is energized. 
     Generally, each unit may be provided with an internal clock and each synchronized by reception of a synchronization signal instead of synchronization pulse. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a timing diagram for communication between the base part ( 330 ,  430 ) and interface part ( 310 ,  410 ). S 1  designates signal from the base part to safety monitor, S 2  is the signal from base part to interface part and S 3  is response from interface part to base part. The signals comprise (each “Event” designates one edge of a pulse): 
     Event  1 : Synchronization pulse provided to the micro-controller from the bus driver ( 371 ,  471 ), 
     Event  2 - 3  and  4 - 5 : The base part transmits one or several synchronization pulses to the interface part. The number of synchronization pulses may depend on the safety monitor asking for a retransmission or a new response code (usually four bits), 
     Events  6 - 10 : The interface part transmits a code (usually four bits) from its code table (may be 32 bits), which is received by the base parts controller. 
     Events  6   a - 6   c ,  8   a - 8   c  and  9   a - 9   c  are the occasions that the controller samples the incoming codes to transmit the code at the next synchoronization S 1  to the safety monitor via the bus. 
     It should be noted that the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the invention may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several “means”, “units” or “devices” may be represented by the same item of hardware. The terms base and interface do not limit the units to a specific functionality. 
     The above mentioned and described embodiments are only given as examples and should not be limiting to the present invention. Other solutions, uses, objectives, and functions within the scope of the invention as claimed in the below described patent claims should be apparent for the person skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 3