Directory service in an automation system

• US 20050262227A1
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Heller, Rainer, Jachmann, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31327 Directory service for database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/30 Profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The invention relates to a directory service that simplifies the provision of information within an automation system. The directory service serves to provide information regarding access possibilities, functionalities, interfaces and topologies of components of the automation system and is Web service-based.

Claims

1-5. -5. (canceled)

6. A directory service in an automation system for providing information regarding access possibilities, functionalities, interfaces, and topologies of components of the automation system, wherein the directory service is WebService-based or implemented using a WebService.

7. The directory service according to claim 6, wherein the directory service is designed as a central directory service on a server.

8. The directory service according to claim 6, wherein a query service is provided to search for components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

9. The directory service according to claim 6, further comprising a mechanism for automatically registering components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

10. The directory service according to claim 6, wherein the components and/or functionalities comprising a mechanism for automatically registering at the automation system.

11. The directory service according to claim 6, wherein the directory service is designed as a distributed service.

12. An automation system comprising a directory service for providing information regarding access possibilities, functionalities, interfaces, and topologies of components of the automation system, wherein the directory service is WebService-based or implemented using a Web Service.

13. The automation system according to claim 12, wherein the directory service is designed as a central directory service on a server.

14. The automation system according to claim 12, wherein a query service is provided to search for components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

15. The automation system according to claim 13, wherein a query service is provided to search for components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

16. The automation system according to claim 12, further comprising a mechanism for automatically registering components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

17. The automation system according to claim 13, further comprising a mechanism for automatically registering components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

18. The automation system according to claim 14, further comprising a mechanism for automatically registering components and/or functionalities of the automation system.

19. The automation system according to claim 12, wherein the components and/or functionalities comprising a mechanism for automatically registering at the automation system.

20. The automation system according to claim 13, wherein the components and/or functionalities comprising a mechanism for automatically registering at the automation system.

21. The automation system according to claim 14, wherein the components and/or functionalities comprising a mechanism for automatically registering at the automation system.

22. The automation system according to claim 16, wherein the components and/or functionalities comprising a mechanism for automatically registering at the automation system.

23. The automation system according to claim 12, wherein the directory service is designed as a distributed service.

24. The automation system according to claim 13, wherein the directory service is designed as a distributed service.

25. A method for making available a directory service in an automation system, comprising:

providing information regarding access possibilities, functionalities, interfaces, and topologies of components of the automation system;

providing interfaces for accessing the service; and

implementing the service using a WebService.