Synchronizing slave processors through eavesdrop by one on periodic sync-verify messages directed to another followed by comparison of individual status

Claim 1

In a process control system, having a master controller and at least one pair of slave input/output processors (IOPs), wherein a first IOP of the pair is a primary slave IOP, and a second IOP of the pair is a secondary slave IOP, the first and second IOP having a first and second data base, respectively, the first and second IOP each executing the same tasks utilizing a first and second clocking system, respectively, and further wherein the data bases of the first and second IOPs are synchronized, communications by the master controller being made only to the first IOP including communications which modify the first data base, a method for periodically verifying that the data bases of each IOP remain synchronized, comprising the steps of: a) on a periodic basis, sending a sync-verify type message to the first IOP by the master controller; b) eavesdropping on the communications of step (a) by the second IOP; c) when the second IOP recognizes that the message of step (a) is addressed to the corresponding primary slave IOP, accepting the message by the second IOP; d) upon detecting the message is of the sync-verify type by each said IOP, suspending operations by each IOP; e) generating a number by each said IOP of its own data base, the number being indicative of the contents of the information stored in the data base; f) issuing a status request type message by the master controller to the first IOP for the number generated by the first IOP; g) issuing a status request type message by the master controller to the second IOP for the number generated by the second IOP; and h) upon receipt of the numbers by the master controller, comparing the value of the number generated by the first IOP to the value of the number generated by the second IOP, in order to provide an indication that the information stored in the first and second data bases are the same when the numbers compare.