CLOUD COMPUTING FOR AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

• US 20100257228A1
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: McLaughlin, Paul F., Staggs, Kevin P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/509 Offload
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5027 the resource being a machine, e.g. CPUs, Servers, Terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service. The system also includes a client configured to communicate with the computing cloud and to selectively offload data to the computing cloud based upon one or more specified criteria. The client is also configured to offload processes to the computing cloud based upon the one or more specified criteria and to use the at least one service of the computing cloud. At least one of the specified criteria may be based upon a determination of whether the data is required for at least one real time process and/or a determination of whether each process is required for at least one real time process. The system may be used in a data storage and retention application or in an industrial automation application.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a computing cloud comprising at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit, wherein the computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service;

a client configured to communicate with the computing cloud and selectively offload data from a local system to the computing cloud based upon one or more specified criteria, the client also configured to offload processes from the local system to the computing cloud based upon the one or more specified criteria; and

an industrial automation system configured to use the at least one service of the computing cloud and at least one service from the local system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the specified criteria is based upon a determination of whether the data is required for at least one real time process.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the specified criteria is based upon a determination of whether each process is required for at least one real time process.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the client and the computing cloud are configured to communicate through a secure protocol.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the client forms a part of the local system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the industrial automation system is further configured to use the offloaded data and the offloaded processes.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the industrial automation system forms a part of a manufacturing execution system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the client is configured to transmit information relating to the industrial automation system to the computing cloud.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the information comprises information obtained by the client from the local system.

10. A method comprising:

determining which data among a group of data are to be stored in a local environment;

determining which processes among a group of processes are to be performed in the local environment;

sending data that are not to be stored in the local environment to a computing cloud;

delegating processes that are not to be performed in the local environment to the computing cloud; and

operating the local environment by using the data stored in the local environment and the data stored in the computing cloud and by using the processes performed in the local environment and the processes performed in the computing cloud;

wherein the determination of which data are be stored locally and the determination of which processes are be performed locally are based upon one or more specified criteria; and

wherein a client that operates the local environment is configured to control at least one industrial automation system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the specified criteria is based upon a determination of whether the data is required for at least one real time process.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the specified criteria is based upon a determination of whether each process is required for at least one real time process.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein a client that operates the local environment and the computing cloud communicate through a secure protocol.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the industrial automation system forms a part of a manufacturing execution system.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein a client that operates the local environment is configured to connect to a plurality of computing clouds.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein a client that operates the local environment connects to the computing cloud through at least one secure bus, and wherein services offered by the computing cloud appear to the client as local services.

17. A cloud computing apparatus comprising:

at least one network interface configured to provide a service bus connection;

at least one data storage unit configured to provide shared storage space through the service bus connection; and

at least one processing unit configured to provide functional services through the at least one service bus connection;

wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the functional services based upon one or more specified criteria, at least one of the specified criteria is based upon whether a functional service is a high level or low level function, the apparatus is configured to provide industrial automation support for one or more high level functions, and the one or more high level functions comprise one or more functions not directly tied to the operation of a piece of machinery.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the service bus is configured to enable a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) service.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the SOA service is used to connect the apparatus to at least one client.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one client is configured to operate at least one industrial automation system.