Proxy Processor Based Monitoring of Control System Processor Operational State

Number: 20250258493
Published: 2025-08-14
Filed: 2024-02-12
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Walters; Brian F., Feeny; Brian, Hofer; Christopher C., Corpuz; Jose L., Stantzos; Nicholas
CPC: G05B23/027; G05B23/0262; G05B19/058
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Control-system processor health-monitoring hardware (industrial control, ride/robotics-adjacent).

Abstract

A system includes an operating apparatus, a control system processor configured to control the operating apparatus by dynamically providing control data to the operating apparatus, the control system processor being further configured to dynamically receive status data from the operating apparatus, wherein an operational state of the control system processor is defined in accordance with the status data received from the operating apparatus. The system also includes a data acquisition module configured to also dynamically receive the status data from the operating apparatus, as well as a proxy processor communicatively coupled to the data acquisition module. The proxy processor is configured to obtain the status data from the data acquisition module, and mimic, using the status data obtained from the data acquisition module, the operational state of the control system processor.

Background

BACKGROUND

In various commercial and industrial applications, it may be important for control systems engineers to monitor the operational state of one or more control system processors of a system or machine, in order to analyze the performance of the control system processor or processors, as well as the system or machine being controlled. Such monitoring can advantageously enable the timely identification of needed corrective maintenance and/or software improvements and may substantially reduce or eliminate downtime of the system or machine.

Nevertheless, in some applications, reliability, safety, or security concerns may result in direct access to control system processors being heavily restricted or prohibited entirely. Thus, in the interests of operational efficiency, there is a need in the art for a solution that provides systems engineers with the ability to monitor the operational state of a control system processor, indirectly and in real-time, while concurrently isolating the control system processor from direct testing.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an operating apparatus; a control system processor configured to control the operating apparatus by dynamically providing control data to the operating apparatus, the control system processor further configured to dynamically receive status data from the operating apparatus, wherein an operational state of the control system processor is defined in accordance with the status data received from the operating apparatus; a data acquisition module configured to also dynamically receive the status data from the operating apparatus; and a proxy processor communicatively coupled to the data acquisition module, and configured to: obtain the status data from the data acquisition module; and mimic, using the status data obtained from the data acquisition module, the operational state of the control system processor. || 12. A method for use by a system including an operating apparatus, a control system processor configured to control the operating apparatus and having an operational state defined in accordance with status data received from the operating apparatus, a data acquisition module, and a proxy processor communicatively coupled to the data acquisition module, the method comprising: dynamically providing, by the control system processor, control data to the operating apparatus; dynamically receiving, by each of the control system processor and the data acquisition module, the status data from the operating apparatus; obtaining, by the proxy processor, the status data from the data acquisition module; and mimicking, by the proxy processor using the status data obtained from the data acquisition module, the operational state of the control system processor.