Web interface to a programmable controller

• US 6,484,061 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Baker, Richard A. Jr., Belliardi, Rodolfo G., Tanzman, Allan, Papadopoulos, A. Dean, Dube, Dennis J. W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US09/738,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20010003804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83, 700/9, 700/19, 700/67, 700/217-218
• US Class Current: 700/83
• 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 19/058 Safety, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/1214 Real-time communication between plc, Ethernet for configuration, monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14006 Safety, monitoring in general
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15038 Internet, tcp-ip, web server see under S05B219-40
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31104 Remote configuration of parameters of controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31156 Network structure, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31186 TCP-IP internet protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31422 Upload, download programs, parameters from, to station to, from server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32126 Hyperlink, access to program modules and to hardware modules in www, web server, browser
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• 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 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/169 Special adaptations of TCP, UDP or IP for interworking of IP based networks with other networks protocols for interworking, protocol conversion H04L69/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Claims

1. An interface module for allowing access to a programmable logic controller system from a communication network at a remote location, the interface module adapted for installation in a slot coupled through a back plane to the programmable logic controller, the module comprising:

a microprocessor;

means for coupling the interface module through said communications network to a browser; and

means for coupling the interface module to the back plane.

2. The interface module of claim 1 wherein said interface module include a means for interfacing a protocol task with said back plane, said interfacing means for receiving a data request for accessing said programmable logic controller system for said requested data, and for sending a response to said remote location.

3. The interface module of claim 1 wherein said communication network is a worldwide network known as Internet using an Internet Protocol (IP).

4. The interface module of claim 2 wherein said interface module functions as a web site on said Internet, said interface module including a global IP address.

5. An interface module for allowing access to a programmable logic controller system from a communication network at a remote location, the interface module adapted for installation in a slot in a back plane of a programmable logic controller, the module comprising:

A. a microprocessor;

B. a network interface for coupling the interface module through said communications network to a browser;

C. a back plane interface for physically connecting the interface module to said backplane.

6. The interface module of claim 5 further comprising a protocol stack to enable data transfer between the remote location and said programmable logic controller system.

7. The interface module of claim 6 further comprising a server task for interfacing said protocol stack with said back plane, said server task for receiving a data request from said protocol stack, accessing said programmable logic controller system for said requested data, and for sending a response to said remote location through said protocol stack and network interface.

8. The interface module of claim 5 wherein said communication network is a worldwide network known as Internet using an Internet Protocol (IP).

9. The interface module of claim 5 wherein said interface module functions as a web site on said Internet.

10. The interface module of claim 6 wherein said protocol stack includes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP stack.

11. The interface module of claim 10 wherein the protocol stack includes HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) to deliver hypertext documents.

12. The interface module of claim 7 wherein said data requests allow a user at a remote location to view data within said programmable logic controller.

13. The interface module of claim 12 wherein said data requests further including views of said programmable logic controller'"'"'s configuration and status of input and output devices coupled to the programmable logic controller.