System and method for using services within a communication network

• US 20070112976A1
• Filed: 09/25/2003
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Anders, Gert, Bohme, Hagen, Gorsch, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,953,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for the use of services within at least one communication network with internet mechanisms and at least one automation system, as well as a service access means to connect an automation system to a communication network. A system is proposed for the improved use of services within at least one communication network with internet mechanisms and at least one automation system, with components of the automation system being coupled together by means of a conventional field bus, with a service access means being provided to connect the conventional field bus to the communication network, with the service access means being provided as client for the services provided in the communication network and with the service access means having transformation means, which are provided to adapt a first communication protocol of the services to a second communication protocol of the field bus.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A system for using services provided in at least one communication network having internet mechanisms, the system comprising:

a communication network having internet mechanisms;

at least one automation system having automation components connected by a conventional field bus; and

a service access unit for connecting the conventional field bus to the communication network, wherein the service access unit is provided as a client for requesting the services and includes a protocol converter for adapting a first communication protocol used by the services to a second communication protocol used by the field bus.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the service access unit is integrated into the automation system.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein

the communication network has at least one central register database for providing information about at least part of the services, and

the service access unit includes a search engine configured to search the central register database.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the services are web services.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the communication network is an intranet.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the service access unit is configured to provide further services in the communication network.

21. A method for using services provided in at least one communication network having internet mechanisms and at least one automation system comprising automation components connected by a conventional field bus, the method comprising:

connecting the conventional field bus to the communication network by a service access unit;

adapting a first communication protocol used by the services to a second communication protocol used by the field bus by a protocol converter included in the service access unit; and

accessing the services by the automation components using the service access unit as a client.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the service access unit is integrated into the automation system.

23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

providing at least one central register database having information about at least part of the services, and

searching the central register database by a search engine included in the service access unit when accessing the services.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the services are web services.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the communication network is an intranet.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein the service access unit is configured to provide further services in the communication network.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the services include executing a software update of at least one of the automation components.

28. A service access unit for connecting an automation system having automation components to a communication network having internet mechanisms, comprising a protocol converter for adapting a first communication protocol used by the services to a second communication protocol used by a conventional field bus, the conventional field bus connecting the automation components, wherein the service access unit is configured as an internet client or an intranet client for requesting the services.