Numeric and text paging with an integral PLC modem

• US 20030185353A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Hausman, Steven Michael, Fulton, Temple
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.14
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/00 Programme-control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/054 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15018 Communication, serial data transmission, modem
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15078 Modules, construction of system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising formatting a message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller, and transmitting the formatted message from the first modem via a communications network. At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a means for formatting a message at a modem integral to a programmable logic controller, and means for transmitting the formatted message from the modem via a communications network. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

formatting a paging message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller according to a paging message specification provided by the first programmable logic controller, the paging message comprising a data value determined from a data variable defined in the paging message specification; and

transmitting the formatted paging message from the first modem via a telephone network.

2. A method, comprising:

formatting a paging message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller according to a paging message specification provided by the first programmable logic controller, the paging message comprising a data value determined from a data variable defined in the paging message specification; and

transmitting the formatted paging message from the first modem via a communications network.

3. A method, comprising:

formatting a message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller according to a message specification provided by the first programmable logic controller, the message comprising a data value determined from a data variable defined in the message specification; and

transmitting the formatted message from the first modem via a telephone network.

4. A method, comprising:

formatting a message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller; and

transmitting the formatted message from the first modem via a communications network.

5. The method of claim 0, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

6. The method of claim 0, further comprising retrieving the message from the first programmable logic controller.

7. The method of claim 0, further comprising receiving the message from the first programmable logic controller.

8. The method of claim 0, further comprising receiving the message from a processor of the first programmable logic controller.

9. The method of claim 0, further comprising reading the message.

10. The method of claim 0, further comprising determining from the message a telephone number of a messaging provider.

11. The method of claim 0, further comprising identifying data values specified within the message.

12. The method of claim 0, further comprising retrieving data values specified within the message.

13. The method of claim 0, further comprising formatting data values specified within the message.

14. The method of claim 0, further comprising placing data values within the message.

15. The method of claim 0, further comprising converting the message to ASCII.

16. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining configuration information via which to format the message.

17. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining a pager number to which to transmit the formatted message.

18. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining a protocol via which to structure the message.

19. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining a modem standard via which to transmit the message.

20. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a pager.

21. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a pre-designated pager.

22. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a paging service.

23. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a messaging service.

24. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a cellular phone.

25. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a wireless device.

26. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a mobile terminal.

27. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is a numeric paging message.

28. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is an alphanumeric paging message.

29. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is a Short Message Service message.

30. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining a protocol via which to structure the message.

31. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining a modem standard via which to transmit the message.

32. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a pager.

33. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a pre-designated pager.

34. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a paging service.

35. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a messaging service.

36. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a cellular phone.

37. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a wireless device.

38. The method of claim 0, further comprising transmitting the formatted message to a mobile terminal.

39. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is a numeric paging message.

40. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is an alphanumeric paging message.

41. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is a Short Message Service message.

42. The method of claim 0, wherein the message is formatted in accordance with a pre-selected format.

43. The method of claim 0, wherein the message is formatted in accordance with a pre-determined format.

44. The method of claim 0, wherein the message is formatted in accordance with Telelocator Alphanumeric Protocol (TAP).

45. The method of claim 0, wherein the message is formatted in accordance with Universal Computer Protocol (UCP).

46. The method of claim 0, wherein the formatted message is transmitted via a modem standard selected from V.21, V.22, V.22bis, V.32, V.32bis, V.34, V.34bis, and V.90.

47. The method of claim 0, further comprising receiving a message specification from the first programmable logic controller.

48. The method of claim 0, further comprising reading a message specification.

49. The method of claim 0, further comprising determining from a message specification a telephone number of a messaging provider.

50. The method of claim 0, further comprising determining from a message specification data values to include within the message.

51. The method of claim 0, further comprising determining from a message specification a format to apply to the message.

52. The method of claim 0, further comprising determining from a message specification a protocol via which to transmit the message.

53. The method of claim 0, further comprising obtaining a pager number to which to transmit the formatted message.

54. A system, comprising:

means for formatting a message at a modem integral to a programmable logic controller; and

means for transmitting the formatted message from the modem via a communications network.

55. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

formatting a message at a first modem integral to a first programmable logic controller; and

transmitting the formatted message from the first modem via a communications network.