US5572671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for operating application software in a safety critical environment
Assignee: ABB Automation Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-17
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Granted: 1996-11-05
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Expires: 2015-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for operating application software in a safety critical environment, comprises loading application software into a computing system, linking the computing system to a set of safety critical rules to verify that the safety critical operations performed by the computing system satisfy rule criteria and running the application software in the computing system. Safety critical operations are performed as background functions during the running of the application software and if a failure to satisfy criteria for a safety critical operation is detected, the system determines the application specific operation being currently performed. The criteria, the action to be taken or both is dynamically adjusted if the currently performed application specific operation is critical operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan J. Eisenberg
- 👤 Alexander M. Adelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 05:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0796
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for operating application software in a safety critical environment, comprising the steps of: loading application software into a computing system and including a set of safety critical rules for the application software each corresponding to criteria for safety critical operations to be performed by the computing system and actions to be taken in response to a failure to satisfy the criteria; linking the computing system to the set of safety critical rules to verify that the safety critical operations performed by the computing system satisfy said criteria; running the application software in the computing system, wherein the application software performs a plurality of application specific operations having differing levels of safety criticality; performing safety critical operations as background functions during the running of the application software; detecting a failure to satisfy criteria for a safety critical operation; determining the application specific operation being currently performed; and adjusting the criteria, the action to be taken or both if the currently performed application specific operation is a predetermined operation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for operating application software in a safety critical environment, comprising the steps of: loading application software into a computing system and including a set of safety critical rules for the application software each corresponding to criteria for safety critical operations to be performed by the computing system and actions to be taken in response to a failure to satisfy the criteria; linking the computing system to the set of safety critical rules to verify that the safety critical operations performed by the computing system satisfy said criteria; running the application software in the computing system, wherein the application software performs a plurality of application specific operations having differing levels of safety criticality; performing safety critical operations as background functions during the running of the application software; detecting a failure to satisfy criteria for a safety critical operation; determining the application specific operation being currently performed; and adjusting the criteria, the action to be taken or both if the currently performed application specific operation is a predetermined operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting comprises first adjusting the criteria and thereafter adjusting the action to be taken.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting the criteria comprises relaxing the criteria.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting the action to be taken comprises continuing the predetermined application specific operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of adjusting the criteria comprises maintaining preselected range and timing limits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting the action to be taken comprises continuing the predetermined application specific operation without any delay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of adjusting the criteria comprises maintaining preselected range and timing limits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting the action to be taken comprises continuing the predetermined application specific operation at a non-zero minimum level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |