US 11,809,159 B2
Managing blockchains in an industrial facility based on firmware change
Tim S. Biernat, Franklin, WI (US); Juergen K. Weinhofer, Chagrin Falls, OH (US); Sharath Chander Reddy Baddam, Mayfield Heights, OH (US); Douglas J. Reichard, Fairview Park, OH (US); and Subbian Govindaraj, Solon, OH (US)
Assigned to Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc., Mayfield Heights, OH (US)
Filed by Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc., Mayfield Heights, OH (US)
Filed on Jan. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/150,160.
Application 17/150,160 is a continuation of application No. 16/110,068, filed on Aug. 23, 2018, granted, now 10,928,803.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/665,864, filed on May 2, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0132582 A1, May 6, 2021
Int. Cl. G05B 19/418 (2006.01); G05B 19/4093 (2006.01); G06F 16/27 (2019.01); G06F 16/248 (2019.01); H04L 9/32 (2006.01); H04L 9/40 (2022.01)
CPC G05B 19/4093 (2013.01) [G05B 19/41865 (2013.01); G06F 16/248 (2019.01); G06F 16/27 (2019.01); G05B 19/4183 (2013.01); G05B 2219/31324 (2013.01); G05B 2219/31397 (2013.01); G05B 2219/31449 (2013.01); H04L 9/3236 (2013.01); H04L 63/0442 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An industrial device, comprising:
a memory that stores executable components; and
a processor, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components, the executable components comprising:
a program execution component configured to execute an industrial control program that processes input signals received from respective input devices of an industrial automation system and that controls output signals to respective output devices of the industrial automation system; and
a blockchain engine configured to generate a plant model blockchain that models the industrial automation system based on identity information and status information received from the input devices and the output devices as the input devices and the output devices are powered up and report their respective identity information and status information,
wherein
the plant model blockchain records at least firmware version information for one or more devices of the industrial automation system, and
the blockchain engine is further configured to, in response to detecting a change to a state of a machine of the industrial automation system, record the change as a transaction within the plant model blockchain, the change to the state comprising at least a change of a firmware version installed on a device, of the one or more devices, associated with the machine.