System for Accessing and Browsing A PLC Provided Within A Network

• US 20140244823A1
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Cornett, James W., Karklins, Gregory J., Rittenhouse, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,423,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14124 Redundant network, client server nodes
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32126 Hyperlink, access to program modules and to hardware modules in www, web server, browser

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: recognizing, by a PLC, that a memory device has been connected to the PLC; and configuring the PLC via a PLC executable software program resident on the memory device. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: via a PLC network interface: presenting a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of a non-PLC information device; and rendering, to a user of the non-PLC information device, the PLC network as a node of a network. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: via a PLC network interface: presenting a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of a non-PLC information device; and searching the PLC network for at least one item corresponding to one or more search parameters.

Claims

1. A non-PLC (programmable logic controller) information device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a PLC network interface coupled to the processor and to the memory, the PLC network interface configured to;

connect to a PLC network;

present the PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of the non-PLC information device;

render the PLC network as a node of a network to which the non-PLC information device is connected, and

initiate a search within any one or more of the PLC network, a PLC coupled to the PLC network, and a PLC memory device coupled to the PLC in response to a user entering one or more search parameter values via the non-PLC information device.

2. The information device of claim 1, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to poll for PLC networks and devices coupled thereto and to identify respective addresses thereof that are coupled to the non-PLC information device.

3. The information device of claim 1, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to provide browsing access of the PLC network, the PLC, and the PLC memory device.

4. The information device of claim 1, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to provide information transfer capability between the non-PLC information device and the PLC network, the PLC, and the PLC memory device.

5. The information device of claim 4, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to render a transfer of information between the non-PLC information device and the PLC network, the PLC, or the PLC memory device as an icon or animation.

6. The information device of claim 1, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to render the PLC network, the PLC, or the PLC memory device as a volume, directory, folder, or predetermined icon.

7. The information device of claim 1, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to render the PLC network, the PLC, or the PLC memory device as a hierarchical structure or path.

8. The information device of claim 1, further comprising the operating system of the non-PLC information device, wherein the operating system is a personal computer operating system.

9. The information device of claim 1, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to receive from a user one or more search parameter values for searching files including content and metadata thereof within one or more of the PLC network, the PLC, and the PLC memory device, the search parameter values including an address of an item, any portion of an item name, an item type, item creation information, item size, a textual content of an item, a graphical content of an item, an image content of an item, an audio content of an item, a video content of an item, and an animation content of an item.

10. A system, comprising:

a first PLC (programmable logic controller) network;

a first PLC coupled to the first PLC network;

a first PLC memory device coupled to the first PLC; and

a non-PLC information device coupled to the first PLC network, the non-PLC information device comprising;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a PLC network interface coupled to the processor and to the memory, the PLC network interface configured to;

poll for and identify respective addresses of PLC networks and devices coupled thereto that are coupled to the non-PLC information device;

present the first PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of the non-PLC information device; and

initiate a search within any one or more of the first PLC network, the first PLC, and the first PLC memory device in response to a user entering one or more search parameter values.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to render identified PLC networks as respective folders containing an item for each identified device coupled thereto.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to render a program or file stored in the first PLC memory device as a folder item.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a second PLC network;

a second PLC coupled to the second PLC network; and

a second PLC memory device coupled to the second PLC;

wherein;

the non-PLC information device is coupled to the second PLC network, and

the PLC network interface is configured to;

poll for and identify respective addresses of the second PLC network, the second PLC, and the second PLC memory device;

present the second PLC network as a namespace shell extension of the operating system of the non-PLC information device; and

initiate a search within any one or more of the first PLC network, the first PLC, the first PLC memory device, the second PLC network, the second PLC, and the second PLC memory device in response to a user entering one or more search parameter values.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to render the first PLC network as a first node and the second PLC network as a second node of a network to which the non-PLC information device is connected.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the PLC network interface is configured to provide information transfer capability between:

the non-PLC information device and the first PLC network, the first PLC, and the first PLC memory device; and

the non-PLC information device and the second PLC network, the second PLC, and the second PLC memory device.

16. A method of accessing information within a PLC (programmable logic controller) network, comprising:

providing a non-PLC information device comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a PLC network interface coupled to the processor and the memory, the PLC network interface configured to connect to a PLC network and to present the PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of the non-PLC information device;

rendering via the PLC network interface the PLC network as a node of a network to which the non-PLC information device is connected, and

initiating a search via the PLC network interface within any one or more of the PLC network, a PLC coupled to the PLC network, and a PLC memory device coupled to the PLC in response to a user entering one or more search parameter values.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising polling for and identifying respective addresses of, via the PLC network interface, one or more PLC networks and devices coupled thereto that are coupled to the non-PLC information device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising rendering via the PLC network interface the PLC network, the PLC, or the PLC memory device as a volume, directory, folder, or predetermined icon.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing browsing access via the PLC network interface of the PLC network, the PLC, or the PLC memory device.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing information transfer capability via the PLC network interface between the non-PLC information device and the PLC network, the PLC, and the PLC memory device.