Methods for remote process control with networked digital data processors and a virtual machine environment
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Abstract
A system for process control comprises a server digital data processor and a client digital data processor that are coupled by a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The server digital data processor, which is additionally coupled to a control/sensing device and any associated interface equipment (collectively, referred to as “process control apparatus”), includes a command processor that transfers information between the network and the process control apparatus. The client digital data processor includes an information client (e.g., a so-called Internet web browser) capable of requesting and receiving an applet from the server digital data processor. The information client, further, defines a hardware-independent and operating system-independent virtual machine environment within the client digital data processor. The client digital data processor executes, within that virtual machine environment, an applet for configuring the client digital data processor as a “process controller” that establishes communications over the network with the command processor and that monitors and/or controls the process control apparatus via those communications.
108 Citations
65 Claims
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1-48. -48. (canceled)
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49. A method for process control, comprising the steps of
A. defining on a client digital data processor a virtual machine environment for execution of an applet received from the server digital data processor, B. executing a command processor on a server digital data processor, the server digital data processor being coupled to a network and to a process control apparatus, the command processor for transferring information between the network and the process control apparatus, said process control apparatus comprising control/sensing devices to monitor and/or control a process, C. executing an applet within the virtual machine environment to establish communications over the network between the applet and the command processor, and to effect a transfer of information between the applet and the command processor for at least one of monitoring and controlling the process control apparatus.
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60. A method for process control, comprising the steps of
A. executing a web browser on a client digital data processor to define a virtual machine environment, the client digital data processor being coupled to a network, B. executing a command processor on a server digital data processor, the server digital data processor being coupled to a network and to a process control apparatus, the command processor for transferring with the command processor information between the network and the process control apparatus, the network comprising any of an Intranet and Internet, C. transferring a JAVA applet over the network from the server digital data processor to the web browser, D. executing the JAVA applet within the virtual machine environment to establish communications over the network between the applet and the command processor, and to effect a transfer of information between the applet and the command processor for at least one of monitoring and controlling the process control apparatus, the information including requests generated by the applet for services provided by the command processor in order to at least one of monitor and control the process control apparatus.
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61. A method for process control, comprising
A. defining on a first digital data processor a virtual machine environment and executing a JAVA applet therein, B. generating with the JAVA applet a message to a command processor requesting services provided thereby to at least one of monitor and control a process control apparatus, at least one such service including invoking a method in connection with at least one of monitoring and controlling a process control apparatus, the command processor providing services for access to information regarding the process control apparatus, and C. responding to that message with an object manager that invokes the method.
Specification