Proxy server for integration of industrial automation data over multiple networks

• US 20070067458A1
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Software Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Software Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chand, Sujeet
• Application Number:
  US11/230,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067458A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database

Abstract

A proxy server comprises an interface component that receives data from a programmable logic controller, other factory controllers, or smart devices on the factory floor. A mapping component communicatively coupled to the interface component converts the data into data structured in accordance with a hierarchical data model. The proxy server can further be employed to convert data from a plurality of industrial automation devices and controllers connected over industrial automation communication networks as well as provide uniform security features to such devices.

Claims

1. A proxy server, comprising:

an interface component that receives data from a controller; and

a mapping component communicatively coupled to the interface component that converts the data into data structured in accordance with a hierarchical data model.

2. The proxy server of claim 1 being one of a programmable logic controller, a numeric controller, a robotic controller, and a smart device.

3. The proxy server of claim 1 being one of a switch, a router, and a gateway.

4. The proxy server of claim 1 being a plurality of distributed industrial automation devices.

5. The proxy server of claim 1, the hierarchical data model is based at least in part upon ISA S95.

6. The proxy server of claim 1, the hierarchical data model is based at least in part upon ISA S88.

7. The proxy server of claim 1, the hierarchical data model is based at least in part upon a combination of ISA S95 and ISA S88.

8. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising a bridging component that determines a first network protocol utilized to carry the data from the controller, the mapping component configures the data for transmittal over a second network protocol.

9. The proxy server of claim 8, the bridging component utilized to bridge multiple communications networks.

10. The proxy server of claim 8, the first network protocol is one of Fieldbus, Modbus, ASIbus, Profibus, Hart, and Foundation Fieldbus.

11. The proxy server of claim 10, the second network protocol is CIP.

12. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising a security component that administers security with respect to the controller.

13. The proxy server of claim 12, the security component administers security to a plurality of industrial automation devices.

14. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising a filtering component that selectively filters data based at least in part upon one or more of user identity and user location.

15. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising an editing component that facilitates configuration of data associated with the controller to enable mapping of the data to the hierarchical data model.

16. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising a communications component that maps data formatted in accordance with the hierarchical data model to a web service.

17. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising an aggregation component that aggregates data relating to multiple controllers and makes such data available to higher-level systems.

18. The proxy server of claim 1, further comprising a workflow component that executes a workflow.

19. The proxy server of claim 18, the workflow is written in Business Process Execution Language.

20. A system that facilitates configuration of data in an industrial automation environment, comprising:

a controller; and

a hardware device that receives data from the controller and converts the data into data formatted in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model.

21. The system of claim 20, the hardware device receives data from a plurality of controllers.

22. The system of claim 20, the hardware device receives data from a plurality of controllers over multiple network protocols.

23. The system of claim 20, the hierarchically structured data model is based at least in part upon at least one of ISA S95 and ISA S88.

24. The system of claim 20, the hardware device is one or more of a programmable logic controller, a numeric controller, a robotic controller, a smart device, a server, a desktop computer, a switch, a router, and a gateway.

25. A method for providing a uniform data model in an industrial environment, comprising:

providing a proxy server;

receiving data at the proxy server from a controller, the controller does not support a hierarchically structured data model;

analyzing the received data to determine a format of the data; and

reformatting the data in accordance with the hierarchically structured data model.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

accessing a template that corresponds to the determined data format; and

utilizing the template to reformat the data.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining whether a requestor of the data is authorized to receive the data.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising filtering at least a portion of the reformatted data based upon an identity of a requester of the data.

29. The method of claim 25, the hierarchically structured data model is based at least in part upon one or more of ISA S95 and ISA S88.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

determining a network protocol over which the data is received; and

reformatting the data so that the data conforms to a second network protocol.

31. The method of claim 30, the second network protocol is CIP.

32. A method for programming a controller through a proxy server, comprising:

receiving programming data from an editor, the programming data is formatted in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model;

receiving the programming data at the proxy server; and

mapping the data so that it is formatted in accordance with a second data format, the second data format is supported by the controller.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising providing security functions with respect to the controller by way of the proxy server.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising utilizing the proxy server to map the data so that it is formatted in accordance with one or more of Hart, Modbus, ASIbus, Foundation Fieldbus, and Profibus.

35. A proxy server, comprising:

means for receiving data in an industrial automation environment; and

means for converting the data so that it conforms with a hierarchically structured data model.