Control system methods that transfer control apparatus information over IP networks in web page-less transfers

• US 20080126500A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Inventors: Thibault, Richard L., Couper, Gerald S., Canna, Bruce S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,882,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/208
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41835 characterised by programme execution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4186 by protocol, e.g. MAP, TOP
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31083 In server store virtual nodes for controlled machines, with states for map
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31161 Java programcode or simular active agents, programs, applets
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33148 CLS client server architecture, client consumes, server provides services
• 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 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

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.

Claims

1-48. -48. (canceled)

49. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of

A. transferring a program to a digital data processor via an internet protocol (IP) network,

B. executing the program on the digital data processor, the program configuring the digital data processor to generate at least one request for a process variable associated with the control apparatus,

C. transferring those requests to the IP network for response with information from the control apparatus,

D. the program further configuring the digital data processor to receive, via the IP network, information associated with the control apparatus, where that information does not comprise, nor is it received within, a web page.

50. The method of claim 49, comprising transferring response information between the digital data processor and the interface by way of the IP network.

51. The method of claim 50, comprising transferring the requests and response information over the IP network in a text form.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the program configures the digital data processor as a process controller for monitoring and/or controlling the control apparatus.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein the program comprises a JAVA applet.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the program comprises an intermediate language program.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the program comprises a byte code program.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein the program comprises a downloaded program that executes in a virtual machine environment.

57. The method of claim 49, wherein the program comprises a program that executes in a web browser.

58. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of

A. transferring a program from a server to a digital data processor via an internet protocol (IP) network,

B. executing the program on the digital data processor, the program configuring the digital data processor to receive, via the IP network, information associated with the control apparatus, where that information does not comprise, nor is it received by the digital data processor within, a web page.

59. The method of claim 58, comprising receiving the information from the IP network in a text form.

60. The method of claim 58, comprising generating with an interface that is coupled to the control apparatus and to the digital data processor said information associated with the control apparatus, where that information is generated in response to a request generated by the program.

61. The method of claim 60, comprising generating and transmitting the information on the IP network in a text form.

62. The method of claim 60, comprising executing the interface at least in part on the server.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the program configures the digital data processor to send the requests over the IP network in a text form.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the program comprises a JAVA applet.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the program comprises an intermediate language program.

66. The method of claim 58, wherein the program comprises a byte code program.

67. The method of claim 58, wherein the program comprises a downloaded program that executes in a virtual machine environment.

68. The method of claim 58, wherein the program comprises a program that executes in a web browser.

69. The method of claim 58, wherein the program configures the digital data processor to generate, as at least one of the requests, a request for a process variable associated with the control apparatus.

70. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of

A. executing a program within a web browser of a digital data processor, the program

(i) configuring the digital data processor for monitoring the control apparatus, and

(ii) generating a request for information associated with the control apparatus,

C. with an interface that is in communication with the control apparatus and with the digital data processor, responding to the request for transmitting information associated with the control apparatus, where that information does not comprise, nor is it received with, a web page.

71. The method of claim 70, comprising transmitting the information in a text form.

72. The method of claim 70, comprising communicating between the digital data processor and the interface via an internet protocol (IP) network.