Common database system for a communication system
First Claim
1. A communications network of microprocessor based devices comprising:
- A. at least one master operator interface unit for controlling the communications network through an application program;
B. at plurality of control devices;
C. a system database system stored in said master operator interface unit, said data base for storing data associated with each control device coupled to the communications network;
D. a configuration file in said system data base, said configuration file including a listing for each different data structure type associated with said control devices and an device address for each control device on the network;
E. an interface file in said system data base, said interface file including embedded base class object files for each different data structure type, said base class object file including device characteristics and behaviors encoded into data fields and methods;
F. a device file for each control device on the network, said device file for storing data associated with the control device, said data including status, control, and operational programs for the control device, said device file for constructing a device object model from said base class object file, said device object model for converting all data sent to and received from said control device;
G. user input means for uploading and downloading data to selected control devices, said input means including means for identifying the selected control device and using its respective device file to convert said received and sent data for storage in said system data base through said interface file; and
H. wherein said master operator interface unit for monitoring and controlling each of said plurality of control devices regardless of said different data structure types.
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Abstract
A communications network has an operator interface system for monitoring and controlling controllers utilizing any known control strategy. A common database is accessible across the communication network of controllers regardless of each controllers dissimilar data structure. The operator interface provides an apparatus for displaying, storing, and editing data obtained from the network. Data from each controller can be accessed by a master device based upon the controller'"'"'s individual data structure and type through embedded objects resident in the master device'"'"'s operating system and program. The data can then be displayed, edited, and stored by any data entry device that is capable of executing the master'"'"'s program.
70 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A communications network of microprocessor based devices comprising:
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A. at least one master operator interface unit for controlling the communications network through an application program; B. at plurality of control devices; C. a system database system stored in said master operator interface unit, said data base for storing data associated with each control device coupled to the communications network; D. a configuration file in said system data base, said configuration file including a listing for each different data structure type associated with said control devices and an device address for each control device on the network; E. an interface file in said system data base, said interface file including embedded base class object files for each different data structure type, said base class object file including device characteristics and behaviors encoded into data fields and methods; F. a device file for each control device on the network, said device file for storing data associated with the control device, said data including status, control, and operational programs for the control device, said device file for constructing a device object model from said base class object file, said device object model for converting all data sent to and received from said control device; G. user input means for uploading and downloading data to selected control devices, said input means including means for identifying the selected control device and using its respective device file to convert said received and sent data for storage in said system data base through said interface file; and H. wherein said master operator interface unit for monitoring and controlling each of said plurality of control devices regardless of said different data structure types. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A communications network for monitoring and controlling a plurality of weld controllers coupled to the network, the network comprising:
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A. at least one master operator interface unit for controlling the communications network through an application program; B. a system database system stored in said master operator interface unit, said data base for storing data associated with each weld controller device coupled to the communications network; C. a configuration file in said system data base, said configuration file including a listing for each different data structure type associated with said weld controllers and an device address for each weld controller on the network; E. an interface file in said system data base, said interface file including embedded base class object files for each different data structure type, said base class object file including weld controller device characteristics and behaviors encoded into data fields and methods; F. a device file for each weld controller device on the network, said device file for storing data associated with the weld controller, said data including status, control, and weld schedule programs, said device file for constructing a device object model from said base class object file, said device object model for converting all data sent to and received from each weld controller; G. user input means for uploading and downloading data between the master operator interface unit and selected weld controllers, said input means including means for identifying the selected weld controllers and using its respective device file to convert said received and sent data for storage in said system data base through said interface file; and H. wherein said master operator interface unit for monitoring and controlling and editing weld schedule programs for each of said plurality of weld controllers regardless of their said different data structure types. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification