Measurement module interface protocol database and registration system

• US 20030046380A1
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Foote, Garritt W., Truchard, James J., Potter, David, Steger, Perry
• Granted Patent: US 7,165,005 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/14 using software, i.e. software packages network security related monitoring H04L63/1408

Abstract

System and method for providing a measurement module (MM) interface for configuring a measurement system. The method includes creating a MM and one or more MM interface programs implementing respective MM interface protocols (MMIP) for the measurement module. An MMIP server is accessed and the MM registered with the MMIP server. The MM interface programs are stored on the MMIP server, where they are each downloadable from the MMIP server and usable to program a functional unit on a carrier unit, enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the MM in accordance with the respective MMIP. A MM is installed in the measurement system and provides ID to a carrier unit of the system. The MMIP server is accessed and, based on the ID, payment information, etc., a MM interface program is downloaded and used to configure the carrier unit to enable communication with the MM in performing a task.

Claims

1. A system for registering measurement module interfaces, comprising:

a server computer system, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium stores measurement module registration software;

wherein the server computer system is accessible by a client computer over a network;

wherein the measurement module registration software is executable by the processor to perform;

receiving registration information for a measurement module from the client computer;

receiving one or more measurement module interface programs from the client computer implementing a respective one or more measurement module interface protocols, wherein each of the one or more measurement module interface protocols describes an interface for communicating with the measurement module; and

storing the one or more measurement module interface programs, wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are downloadable from the server computer system;

wherein each of the one or more measurement module interface programs is usable to program one or more functional units of a carrier unit, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the respective measurement module interface protocol.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration information comprises one or more of:

identification information for the measurement module;

version information for the one or more measurement module interface programs; and

time and date information.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said identification information for the measurement module comprises one or more of:

a model number for the measurement module;

version information for the measurement module;

a functional description of the measurement module;

identification information for the manufacturer of the measurement module;

a help file describing the use and operation of the measurement module;

platform information for the measurement module; and

ordering information for the measurement module.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said ordering information for the measurement module comprises one or more of:

pricing information for the measurement module; and

availability information for the measurement module.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration information further comprises payment information.

6. The system of claim 1,

wherein the measurement module registration software is executable by the processor to register a plurality of measurement modules from a plurality of manufacturers;

wherein the memory medium is operable to store a plurality of measurement module interface programs implementing a respective plurality of measurement module interfaces for the plurality of measurement modules; and

wherein the plurality of measurement module interface programs are downloadable from the server computer system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is further accessible by the client computer to provide updates for one or more of:

the registration information for the measurement module; and

the one or more measurement module interface programs.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the memory medium further stores software which is executable by the processor to notify one or more clients of said updates.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element on the carrier unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs is executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

12. The system of claim 1,

wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a text-based program;

and

wherein the memory medium of the server computer system stores one or more programs executable to compile the text-based program to one or more of;

a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element of the carrier unit; and

an executable program executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the hardware configuration program comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

14. The system of claim 1,

wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a graphical program;

and

wherein the memory medium of the server computer system stores one or more programs executable to compile the graphical program to one or more of;

a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element of the carrier unit; and

an executable program executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the hardware configuration program comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

16. A method for registering measurement module interfaces, comprising:

creating a measurement module;

creating one or more measurement module interface programs that implement respective measurement module interface protocols (MMIP) for the measurement module;

accessing an MMIP server computer system;

registering the measurement module with the MMIP server computer system; and

providing the one or more measurement module interface programs for storage on the MMIP server computer system;

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are downloadable from the MMIP server computer system; and

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are usable to program one or more functional units on a carrier unit, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the respective measurement module interface protocols.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said registering the measurement module with the MMIP server computer system comprises one or more of:

providing identification (ID) information for the measurement module to the MMIP server computer system;

providing version information for the one or more measurement module interface programs;

providing pricing information for the one or more measurement module interface programs; and

providing time and date information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said identification information for the measurement module comprises one or more of:

a model number for the measurement module;

version information for the measurement module;

a functional description of the measurement module;

identification information for the manufacturer of the measurement module;

a help file describing the use and operation of the measurement module;

platform information for the measurement module; and

ordering information for the measurement module.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said ordering information for the measurement module comprises one or more of:

pricing information for the measurement module; and

availability information for the measurement module.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said registering the measurement module with the MMIP server computer system further comprises:

providing payment information to the MMIP server computer system.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said accessing the MMIP server computer comprises accessing the MMIP server computer over a network.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

accessing the MMIP server computer to provide updates for one or more of;

the registration information for the measurement module; and

the one or more measurement module interface programs.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving notification of said updates.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element on the carrier unit.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs is executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

27. The method of claim 16,

wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a text-based program;

and

wherein the memory medium of the server computer system stores one or more programs executable to compile the text-based program to one or more of;

a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element of the carrier unit; and

an executable program executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the hardware configuration program comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

29. The method of claim 16,

wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a graphical program;

and

wherein the memory medium of the server computer system stores one or more programs executable to compile the graphical program to one or more of;

a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element of the carrier unit; and

an executable program executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the hardware configuration program comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

31. A method for registering measurement module interfaces, comprising:

receiving a request to register a measurement module;

registering the measurement module;

receiving one or more measurement module interface programs that implement respective measurement module interface protocols for the measurement module; and

storing the one or more measurement module interface programs;

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are downloadable to client computer systems; and

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are usable to program one or more functional units on a carrier unit, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the respective measurement module interface protocols.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said registering the measurement module comprises one or more of:

receiving identification (ID) information for the measurement module;

receiving version information for the one or more measurement module interface programs;

receiving pricing information for the one or more measurement module interface programs; and

receiving time and date information.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said identification information for the measurement module comprises one or more of:

a model number for the measurement module;

version information for the measurement module;

a functional description of the measurement module;

identification information for the manufacturer of the measurement module;

a help file describing the use and operation of the measurement module;

platform information for the measurement module; and

ordering information for the measurement module.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said ordering information for the measurement module comprises one or more of:

pricing information for the measurement module; and

availability information for the measurement module.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein said registering the measurement module further comprises:

receiving payment information.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving the request and said receiving the program comprises:

receiving the request, and receiving the program from a client computer system over a network.

37. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving updates for one or more of;

the registration information for the measurement module; and

the one or more measurement module interface programs.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing notification of said updates to one or more clients.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element on the carrier unit.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs is executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a text-based program, the method further comprising:

compiling the text-based program to one or more of;

a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element of the carrier unit; and

an executable program executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the hardware configuration program comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

44. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement module interface programs comprises a graphical program, the method further comprising:

compiling the graphical program to one or more of;

a hardware configuration program which is deployable on a programmable hardware element of the carrier unit; and

an executable program executable by a processor on the carrier unit.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the hardware configuration program comprises a bitstream which is deployable on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the carrier unit.

46. A system for registering measurement module interfaces, comprising:

means for creating a measurement module;

means for creating one or more measurement module interface programs that implement respective measurement module interface protocols (MMIP) for the measurement module;

means for accessing an MMIP server computer system;

means for registering the measurement module with the MMIP server computer system; and

means for providing the one or more measurement module interface programs for storage on the MMIP server computer system;

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are downloadable from the MMIP server computer system; and

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are usable to program one or more functional units on a carrier unit, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the respective measurement module interface protocols.

47. A system for registering measurement module interfaces, comprising:

means for receiving a request to register a measurement module;

means for registering the measurement module;

means for receiving one or more measurement module interface programs that implement respective measurement module interface protocols for the measurement module; and

means for storing the one or more measurement module interface programs;

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are downloadable to client computer systems; and

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are usable to program one or more functional units on a carrier unit, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the respective measurement module interface protocols.

48. A carrier medium which stores program instructions for registering measurement module interfaces, wherein the program instructions are executable to perform:

receiving a request to register a measurement module;

registering the measurement module;

receiving one or more measurement module interface programs that implement respective measurement module interface protocols for the measurement module; and

storing the one or more measurement module interface programs;

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are downloadable to client computer systems; and

wherein the one or more measurement module interface programs are usable to program one or more functional units on a carrier unit, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the respective measurement module interface protocols.

49. A method for configuring a measurement system, comprising:

installing a measurement module in the measurement system, wherein said installing comprises coupling the measurement module to a carrier unit of the measurement system

the measurement module providing identification information to the carrier unit;

accessing a measurement module interface protocol (MMIP) server computer system over a network based on the provided identification information;

downloading a measurement module interface program from the MMIP server computer system, wherein the measurement module interface program implements a measurement module interface protocol for operating with the measurement module; and

configuring the carrier unit with the measurement module interface program, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the measurement module interface protocol;

wherein after said configuring, the carrier unit and the measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

providing payment information to the MMIP server computer system prior to said downloading.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein said identification information comprises one or more of:

a model number for the measurement module;

version information for the measurement module;

a functional description of the measurement module;

identification information for the manufacturer of the measurement module; and

platform information for the measurement module.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein said accessing the measurement module interface protocol (MMIP) server computer system is performed by the carrier unit.

53. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

the carrier unit providing the identification information to a computer system coupled to the carrier unit;

wherein said accessing the measurement module interface protocol (MMIP) server computer system is performed by the computer system.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein said configuring the carrier unit with the measurement module interface program comprises:

programming one or more functional units on the carrier unit with the measurement module interface program.

55. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

56. A method for configuring a measurement system, comprising:

receiving identification information for a measurement module; and

providing a measurement module interface program based on the received identification information, wherein the measurement module interface program implements a measurement module interface protocol for operating with the measurement module;

wherein the measurement module interface program is usable to configure a carrier unit in the measurement system, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the measurement module interface protocol.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

receiving payment information prior to said providing.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein said identification information comprises one or more of:

a model number for the measurement module;

version information for the measurement module;

a functional description of the measurement module;

identification information for the manufacturer of the measurement module; and

platform information for the measurement module.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

configuring the carrier unit with the measurement module interface program, thereby enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the measurement module in accordance with the measurement module interface protocol;

wherein after said configuring, the carrier unit and the measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein said providing the measurement module interface program comprises downloading the measurement module interface program to the carrier unit.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein said providing the measurement module interface program comprises downloading the measurement module interface program to a computer system coupled to the carrier unit.

62. The method of claim 56, wherein being usable to configure a carrier unit in the measurement system comprises:

being usable to program one or more functional units on the carrier unit with the measurement module interface program.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein being usable to configure a carrier unit in the measurement system comprises:

being deployable on one or more programmable hardware elements on the carrier unit.