IP Library Granted Patent US 8,683,004
Granted Patent B2
US 8,683,004 · App. 12/648,743 · Granted Mar 25, 2014

Apparatus for controlling a machine

Inventor: Klaus Bauer (Ditzingen, DE)
Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,683,004
App. No.
12/648,743
Granted
Mar 25, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a machine includes a machine-sided control computer. The machine-sided control computer includes computer readable media on which a virtual computer is stored, and the virtual computer includes one or more computer programs selected from the group consisting of a machine operating computer program, a communication network connection computer program, and a communication network encryption computer program.

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus for controlling a machine tool or a laser machine, the apparatus comprising:

a machine-sided control computer configured to operate the machine tool or the laser machine;

wherein the machine-sided control computer includes computer readable media on which a first virtual computer and a second virtual computer are stored,

wherein the first and second virtual computers are connected to each other through a virtual network connection;

wherein the first virtual computer operates using a first operating system and the first virtual computer is configured to establish a connection to a communication network and/or encrypt communication over the communication network, and the second virtual computer operates with a second operating system and is configured to control the machine tool or the laser machine.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first virtual computer is operable to connect to a service computer or a service portal using a virtualized network gateway.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second virtual computer is connected to the machine using a virtualized network gateway.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first virtual computer has a different operating system from the second virtual computer.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control computer is separate from the machine.

6. A system for remote communication comprising:

a service computer or a service portal;

a machine-sided control computer configured to operate a machine tool or a laser machine, wherein the machine-sided control computer includes computer readable media on which a first virtual computer and a second virtual computer are stored,

wherein the first and second virtual computers are connected to each other through a virtual network connection;

wherein the first virtual computer operates using a first operating system and is configured to establish a connection to a communication network and/or encrypt communication over the communication network, and the second virtual computer operates using a second operating system different from the first operating system and is configured to control the machine tool or the laser machine; and

a communication network between the service computer or the service portal and the machine-sided control computer, wherein the machine-sided control computer is configured to connect to the service computer or service portal using the communication network.

7. The system according to claim 6 , further comprising:

a central computer including computer readable media on which a plurality of virtual computers are stored,

wherein the service computer or service portal is connected to the machine-sided control computer through the central computer, wherein each of the virtual computers on the central computer is configured to run in parallel on the central computer, and wherein one of the virtual computers on the central computer is configured to establish a connection over the communication network between the central computer and the machine-sided control computer.

8. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the service computer or the service portal is connected directly to the machine-sided control computer through the communication network.

9. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the central computer is directly connected to the machine-sided control computer.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the machine operating computer program is configured to control sensors and/or actuators in the machine tool or the laser machine.

11. The system according to claim 6 , further comprising a machine connected to the machine-sided control computer, wherein the machine operating computer program is configured to control sensors and/or actuators in the machine tool or the laser machine.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2010
From: BAUER, KLAUS
To: TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH + CO. KG
Reel/Frame 023996/0003 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2007 030 396 · Jun 29, 2007 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTDE2008001044 · Jun 21, 2008
Related Publication 20100154051A1 · Jun 17, 2010