The invention relates to a device for remote diagnostics of a field device in a process engineering system that is part of a distributed control system. The field devices are connected to I/O units and are operated by a central device. The diagnostics device is functionally divided into a recording unit and a physically separate processing unit. The recording unit and the processing unit are logically connected to one another via a wireless communications link.

A system for tracking modules in a network includes a service history recording arrangement associated with a module. The arrangement is configured to store data relating to the module. The system further includes a data storage arrangement configured to store data relating to the module. The system also includes a network monitoring arrangement configured to read information from or write information to the service history recording arrangement and to read information from or write information to the data storage arrangement. The system also includes a processor configured to receive and process data from the data storage arrangement and thereby produce analyzed network information. The service history recording arrangement may be integral to the module. The service history recording arrangement may include nonvolatile memory. Modules that include a service history recording arrangement are also provided. Associated methods are also provided.

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first color glass feeder having a first valve device, and a second color glass feeder having a second valve device, each connected by communications links to a controller. The controller controls the first valve device and second valve device in order to provide molten glass of a first color and a second color, at a first and a second flow rate, respectively. The controller may be a computer. The controller may include an interactive device into which a first and a second flow rate value can be entered for controlling the first and second flow rates, respectively. The first and second color molten glasses may be incompletely mixed in a channel so that discrete portions of the molten glass of the first color and of the second color can be seen. The controller may also control a robotic mixing device.

A signaling device, in particular a signal pillar 1, is provided which is able to generate signals even outside the range of the usual optical and acoustic signals, and flexibly create them as needed with little additional effort. This object is achieved by providing a wireless transmitting unit (8) for transferring data to a receiver in addition to the signal elements (2, 3, 4) for generating optical and/or acoustic signals, wherein the transmitting unit (8) is arranged in an exchangeable module.

A temperature sensing and diagnostics system having a temperature sensor for generating a temperature characteristic and a bitbus includes a field processing module and an auxiliary processing module. The field processing module is adapted for coupling to the temperature sensor and for receiving the temperature characteristic from the temperature sensor. The field processing module includes a field diagnostic component and a field communication component configured for communication over the bitbus and is adapted to generate field operating data including a temperature diagnostic parameter as a function of the temperature characteristic. The auxiliary processing module is configured for communicating with the bitbus and for receiving the field operating data and includes an auxiliary diagnostic component and an auxiliary communication component having a fieldbus interface and a gateway component. The auxiliary processing module is configured for generating auxiliary field data as a function of the field operating data and for communicating the auxiliary field data over a fieldbus.