Control interface agent system and method

• US 20040019623A1
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Chernoguzov, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 7,415,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31122 Bridge between networks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31124 Interface between communication network and process control, store, exchange data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A control system that integrates an native control system and a non-native control system is disclosed. Data is exchanged between the two systems via a gateway interface device. Control interface objects are run on the gateway interface device to provide the exchange of data. The control interface agent configuration is based on the control connections of a native device and a non-native device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a transfer of data between a native control system and a non-native control system, said method comprising:

(a) configuring a first control interface agent that is based on control connections of a first device and a second device; and

(b) transferring said first control interface agent to a gateway interface device that provides a connectivity between said control connections of said first device and said second device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first control interface agent is further configured to translate a status expressed in a native language to a non-native language or vice versa, and wherein said status is provided by one of said first and second devices.

2. The method of claim 2, wherein said first device and said second device are disposed in said non-native control system and native control system, respectively, and wherein said second device is a control processor, and wherein said processor processes data provided by said first device and provides output control data to a third device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said third device is disposed in said non-native system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said first device and said third device are a sensor and an actuator, respectively.

3. The method of claim 3, wherein said third device is disposed in said non-native system, and wherein step (a) configures a second control interface agent that is transferred by step (b) to said gateway interface device to provide an additional connectivity between said processor and said third device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said first device and said second device are a sensor and an actuator, respectively.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein said first control interface agent is further configured to translate a first status expressed in a non-native language into a native language, wherein said second control interface agent is further configured to translate a second status expressed in a native language into a non-native language, and wherein said first and third devices provide said first and second status, respectively.

9. A gateway interface device for providing an interface between a native system and a non-native system in an integrated control system, said gateway device comprising a control interface agent that provides a connectivity between said native system and said non-native system and that translates a status expressed in a native language to a non-native language or vice versa.

10. The gateway interface device of claim 9, wherein said control interface agent is one of the group consisting of:

input agent and output agent.

11. The gateway interface device of claim 10, wherein said control interface agent can provide an interface between a first non-native device and one of the group consisting of:

a native device and a second non-native device.

12. A computer for providing a control of an integrated system that includes a native control system and a non-native control system, said computer comprising:

means for configuring a control interface agent that is based on control connections of a first device and a second device, wherein said first device and said second device are disposed in said non-native control system and native control system, respectively; and

means for transferring said control interface agent to a gateway interface device that provides a connectivity between said control connections of said first device and said second device.

13. The computer of claim 12, wherein said control interface agent is further configured to translate a status expressed in a native language to a non-native language or vice versa, and wherein said status is provided by one of said first and second devices.

14. The computer of claim 12, wherein said control interface agent is one of the group consisting of:

input agent and output agent.

15. The computer of claim 14, wherein another of said first and second devices is selected from the group consisting of:

a native device and a non-native device.