Internet protocol (IP) addressing using an industrial control program
First Claim
1. A method for addressing devices in a local network group, the devices being operable to control an industrial process or machine, and the local network group including an industrial controller, the method comprising:
- providing a device configuration to the industrial controller for operating devices, the devices being industrial control devices for controlling an industrial process or machine, the device configuration including;
(i) predetermined relative positions for devices in a local network group, wherein each predetermined relative position indicates a physically connected position for a device relative to other devices in a topology of the local network group; and
(ii) predetermined device identifiers corresponding to the predetermined relative positions, respectively, each predetermined device identifier providing an attribute for distinguishing a device from among a plurality of devices;
providing a control program to the industrial controller, the control program being configured to control an industrial process or machine through devices in a local network group, the control program also being configured to reference devices in a local network group using the device configuration;
sending an addressing command message to devices in the local network group, the addressing command message being configured to generate Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for the devices in the local network group, the addressing command message also being configured to produce an addressing complete message providing;
(i) actual relative positions for the devices in the local network group, wherein each actual relative position indicates a position for a device relative to other devices in the topology of the local network group;
(ii) actual device identifiers corresponding to the actual relative positions, respectively; and
(iii) IP addresses for the devices in the local network group;
comparing the predetermined relative positions and the predetermined device identifiers from the device configuration to the actual relative positions and the actual device identifiers from the addressing complete message, respectively, to determine a match; and
upon successfully determining a match, executing the control program to control the devices in the local network group by using the IP addresses corresponding to the devices to control the industrial process or machine; and
upon failing to determine a match, preventing the control program from executing,wherein the devices comprise an actuator for controlling the process or machine, andwherein the industrial controller holds the control program idle pending resolution of the IP addresses.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided in which a position for each device (relative to other devices) in a topology, and a corresponding device ID for each device, may be predetermined. Then, the predetermined position and corresponding device ID for each device may be compared to actual devices in a topology having preprogrammed device ID'"'"'s and pre-assigned IP addresses. If the comparison produces a match, the pre-assigned IP addresses in the actual devices may be utilized. However, if the comparison does not produce a match, the condition may be reported for further action.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for addressing devices in a local network group, the devices being operable to control an industrial process or machine, and the local network group including an industrial controller, the method comprising:
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providing a device configuration to the industrial controller for operating devices, the devices being industrial control devices for controlling an industrial process or machine, the device configuration including; (i) predetermined relative positions for devices in a local network group, wherein each predetermined relative position indicates a physically connected position for a device relative to other devices in a topology of the local network group; and (ii) predetermined device identifiers corresponding to the predetermined relative positions, respectively, each predetermined device identifier providing an attribute for distinguishing a device from among a plurality of devices; providing a control program to the industrial controller, the control program being configured to control an industrial process or machine through devices in a local network group, the control program also being configured to reference devices in a local network group using the device configuration; sending an addressing command message to devices in the local network group, the addressing command message being configured to generate Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for the devices in the local network group, the addressing command message also being configured to produce an addressing complete message providing; (i) actual relative positions for the devices in the local network group, wherein each actual relative position indicates a position for a device relative to other devices in the topology of the local network group; (ii) actual device identifiers corresponding to the actual relative positions, respectively; and (iii) IP addresses for the devices in the local network group; comparing the predetermined relative positions and the predetermined device identifiers from the device configuration to the actual relative positions and the actual device identifiers from the addressing complete message, respectively, to determine a match; and upon successfully determining a match, executing the control program to control the devices in the local network group by using the IP addresses corresponding to the devices to control the industrial process or machine; and upon failing to determine a match, preventing the control program from executing, wherein the devices comprise an actuator for controlling the process or machine, and wherein the industrial controller holds the control program idle pending resolution of the IP addresses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An industrial control system comprising:
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a plurality of devices in a local network group, the devices being industrial control devices operable to control an industrial process or machine; and an industrial controller connected to the local network group, the industrial controller being operable to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to; receive a device configuration including; (i) predetermined relative positions for devices in a local network group, wherein each predetermined relative position indicates a physically connected position for a device relative to other devices in a topology of the local network group; and (ii) predetermined device identifiers corresponding to the predetermined relative positions, respectively, each predetermined device identifier providing an attribute for distinguishing a device from among a plurality of devices; receive a control program being configured to control devices in a local network group, the control program also being configured to reference devices in a local network group using the device configuration; send an addressing command message to devices in the local network group, the addressing command message being configured to generate Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for the devices in the local network group, the addressing command message also being configured to produce an addressing complete message providing; (i) actual relative positions for the devices in the local network group, wherein each actual relative position indicates a position for a device relative to other devices in the topology of the local network group; (ii) actual device identifiers corresponding to the actual relative positions, respectively; and (iii) IP addresses for the devices in the local network group; compare the predetermined relative positions and the predetermined device identifiers from the device configuration to the actual relative positions and the actual device identifiers from the addressing complete message, respectively, to determine a match; and upon a successful match, execute the control program to control the devices in the local network group by using the IP addresses corresponding to the devices to control the industrial process or machine; and upon a failed a match, prevent the control program from executing, wherein the devices comprise an actuator for controlling the process or machine, and wherein the industrial controller holds the control program idle pending resolution of the IP addresses. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification