Methods, apparatus, and systems for monitoring and/or controlling dynamic environments

Abstract

A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied. The co-processor receives the input signal(s) representing the monitored condition, processes the input signal(s) so as to determine if the particular condition of the first subset is satisfied, and provides the first control information to the control devices so as to control the equipment. Exemplary applications include dynamic environments in which machine vision techniques and/or equipment are employed.

1 . A control system for monitoring and controlling a dynamic environment having a plurality of conditions in response to which a plurality of actions are required, the control system comprising:
 a master processor; and   at least one co-processor communicatively coupled to the master processor and including a co-processor memory,   wherein in operation the master processor loads contents into the co-processor memory to offload from the master processer and configure the at least one co-processor to:
 evaluate only a first subset of the plurality of conditions by receiving at least one input signal representing at least one monitored condition of the plurality of conditions and processing the at least one input signal so as to determine if at least one condition of the first subset is satisfied; and 
 provide first control information representing at least one first action of the plurality of actions if the at least one condition of the first subset is satisfied.