Protocol independent application layer for an automation network
First Claim
1. A software architecture for an automation network, the software architecture encoded in a computer-readable medium and configured to interface with a network system including networks each running a network protocol and including a network node and a network bridge coupling the networks, the software architecture comprising:
- a system layer interface retained in the computer-readable medium and configured to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the automation network, where the system layer interface comprises;
a command library that include functions to route data within the network system;
a node map configured to store data related to locations of the network node; and
a bridge table configured to store data related to the network bridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A software architecture for an automation network is disclosed that implements a high level, protocol-independent interface for a network system. The software architecture includes a system layer interface to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the automation network. The system layer interface includes command libraries to route data within the network system, a node map to store data related to locations of network nodes, and a bridge table to store data related to network bridges. Using the software architecture, a programmer may not need to understand the network protocols run by nodes within the network system.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A software architecture for an automation network, the software architecture encoded in a computer-readable medium and configured to interface with a network system including networks each running a network protocol and including a network node and a network bridge coupling the networks, the software architecture comprising:
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a system layer interface retained in the computer-readable medium and configured to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the automation network, where the system layer interface comprises;
a command library that include functions to route data within the network system;
a node map configured to store data related to locations of the network node; and
a bridge table configured to store data related to the network bridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for maintaining cohesion within a network system, the network system including networks each running a network protocol and including a network node and a network bridge coupling the networks, the method comprising:
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accessing a system level interface, where the system layer interface is configured to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the network system, the system level interface including a command library that include functions to route data within the network system, a node map configured to store data related to locations of the network node, and a bridge table configured to store data related to the network bridge; and
determining a network interface mapping using an interface command from the command library. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for routing data in a network system, the network system including networks each running a network protocol and including a network node and a network bridge coupling the networks, the method comprising:
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accessing a system level interface, where the system layer interface is configured to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the network system, the system level interface including a command library that includes a function to route data within the network system, a node map configured to store data related to locations of the network node, and a bridge table configured to store data related to the network bridge;
determining a routing path of data between network nodes using a portion of the data stored the node map and a portion of the data stored in the bridge table; and
transmitting the data between the network nodes based on the routing path of data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer program product for maintaining cohesion within a network system, the network system including networks each running a network protocol and including a network node and a network bridge coupling the networks, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium comprising:
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computer-executable code means executable to access a system level interface, where the system layer interface is configured to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the network system, the system level interface including a command library that include functions to route data within the network system, a node map configured to store data related to locations of the network node, and a bridge table configured to store data related to the network bridge; and
computer-executable code means executable to determine a network interface mapping using an interface command from the command library. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A computer program product for routing data in a network system, the network system including networks each running a network protocol and including a network node and a network bridge coupling the networks, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium comprising:
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computer-executable code means executable to access a system level interface, where the system layer interface is configured to maintain a protocol-independent interface with a transport layer and an application layer of the network system, the system level interface including a command library that includes functions to route data within the network system, a node map configured to store data related to locations of the network node, and a bridge table configured to store data related to the network bridge; and
computer-executable code means executable to determine a network interface mapping using an interface command from the command library. computer-executable code means executable to determine a routing path of data between network nodes using a portion of the data stored the node map and a portion of the data stored in the bridge table; and
computer-executable code means executable to transmit the data between the network nodes based on the routing path of data. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification