Distributed interface architecture for programmable industrial control systems
DCFirst Claim
1. A controller capable of interacting with a remotely located computer, the controller comprising:
- a. means for gathering data relevant to a control function, the data being retrievable by the remotely located computer;
b. computer storage means comprising instructions retrievable and executable by the remotely located computer, the instructions being associated with the data and causing the remotely located computer to present the data in a predetermined format.
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Abstract
An integrated control system comprises one or more controllers each equipped to perform a control function and to gather data (ordinarily from sensors) relevant to the control function. Each controller contains computer storage means, such as computer memory, for storing the relevant data and instructions, associated with the data, for causing a remote computer to generate a visual display incorporating the data in a predetermined format; and a communication module for establishing contact and facilitating data interchange with the remote computer. The remote computer, in turn, also includes a communication module compatible with the controller-borne module, and which enables the remote computer to download the data and associated instructions from one or more controllers. The remote computer also includes a facility for processing the instructions to create a user interface encoded by the instructions, and which incorporates the data. In this way, controller data is coupled to instructions for displaying that data, and this totality of information is continuously accessible, on a freely selective basis, to the remote computer.
821 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A controller capable of interacting with a remotely located computer, the controller comprising:
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a. means for gathering data relevant to a control function, the data being retrievable by the remotely located computer; b. computer storage means comprising instructions retrievable and executable by the remotely located computer, the instructions being associated with the data and causing the remotely located computer to present the data in a predetermined format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An integrated control system comprising:
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a. at least one controller comprising; i. means for performing a control function; ii. means for gathering data relevant to the control function; iii. computer storage means for storing (a) the data and (b) instructions, associated with the data, for causing a computer to present the data in a predetermined format; and iv. means for facilitating data interchange with a remotely located computer; b. at least one monitoring computer comprising; i. means for facilitating data interchange with at least one selected controller to obtain therefrom the data and the instructions; and ii. means for presenting the data in the predetermined format. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of obtaining and presenting data associated with a control system, the method comprising:
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a. providing at least one controller comprising; i. means for performing a control function; ii. means for gathering data relevant to the control function; iii. means for storing (a) the data and (b) instructions, associated with the data, for causing a computer to present the data in a predetermined format; b. causing the at least one controller to perform the control function and to gather the data; c. causing a computer to access the data and execute the instructions, thereby presenting the data in a predetermined format. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification